Tangent
Free, open-source Electron browser built for Arc users: Spaces, Profiles, split view and Peek.
Tangent is an Electron browser written by one developer after Arc's shutdown announcement, as an original implementation with no Arc code. It has a vertical sidebar, Spaces with their own pinned and Today tabs, Favorites shared per Profile, Profiles with separate logins that Spaces can share, auto-archiving Today tabs with an archive view, a command bar, two-pane split view and Peek. It has no extensions, Arc import, folders, Little Arc, Boosts, ad blocker, sync or mobile app, and the engine is stock Electron without Widevine. Builds are unsigned or ad-hoc signed, and the project calls itself experimental.
40% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
No AI
No AI features or AI dependencies in the source or package.json.
github.comNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
None found
README: no account service or analytics backend, and no account, subscription or key needed. Update checks only run in eligible signed builds.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Tangent | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Vertical sidebar is the only tab UI; Cmd/Ctrl+B or a toolbar button hides and shows it.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Each Space has its own Pinned and Today tabs; switch from the sidebar or with Cmd/Ctrl+1 to 9.github.com |
| Profiles per Space (shareable)Each Space can use its own browser profile (separate cookies, logins, history), and one profile can be shared by several Spaces. | ✓ | ✓ | New Space picks an existing or new Profile; Profiles have separate cookies and one can serve several Spaces.github.com |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | Favorites sit atop the sidebar, shared by every Space on the same Profile (not across Profiles).github.com |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ◐ | ✓ | Per-Space pinned tabs that return to their saved URL; README lists folders as missing.github.com |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ✓ | ✓ | Today tabs archive after 12 h by default (12 h to 30 d or off); an archive view restores them.github.com |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Each Space picks one of 6 colours that tints its sidebar; light/dark is global.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Tangent | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ◐ | ✓ | Only two panes with an adjustable divider; README lists four-pane splits as missing.github.com |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✓ | ✓ | Right-click a link and choose Peek; the overlay can be promoted to a tab keeping its live page.github.com |
| Mini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ✕ | ✓ | README lists Little Arc as missing.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | Cmd/Ctrl+T palette searches open tabs and history; its 5 commands show only on an empty query.github.com |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✕ | ✓ | No default-browser integration (README) and no routing rules in the source.github.com |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✕ | ✓ | README lists Boosts as missing.github.com |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✕ | ✓ | No picture-in-picture handling in the source; media events only mark a tab audible.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Tangent | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✕ | – | README lists the Arc import converter as missing; import accepts only Tangent backups.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✕ | ✓ | README lists Chrome Web Store integration as missing; no extension loading in the source.github.com |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ✕ | ✓ | Stock Electron 45.0.0, no Widevine build; README lists DRM as untested. Bundle not inspected.github.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ? | ✓ | |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✕ | ✓ | README lists cloud sync as missing; data is local JSON with manual export.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | README lists a mobile app as missing; builds are desktop only.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Tangent | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✕ | ✓ | README lists an ad/tracker blocker as missing.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | Tangent | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | – | ✕ | Runs no extensions: no extension loading in the source; README lists Web Store support as missing.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | – | ✓ | Runs no extensions: no extension loading in the source; README lists Web Store support as missing.github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | – | ✕ | No extension or add-on support in the source.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | – | ✕ | No extension or add-on support in the source.github.com |