Viola
Calm Chromium browser with workspaces, tab groups, splits and a mini player; Mac, Windows, Linux, Android
Viola is a closed-source Chromium browser from Rhyme Social LLC in Kansas City, pitched as a calmer, feature-rich browser with no AI. It has a sidebar with workspaces, global favorites, tab groups, two-pane splits, a mini player and Mini Viola quick windows. Optional end-to-end encrypted sync links Mac, Windows, Linux and Android. It is early access: Mac is Apple silicon only, Windows is an unsigned manual beta, and Android is a sideloaded APK.
52% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
Built-in AI
No AI
Site says "No AI, no notes, no calendar, no inbox"; no built-in AI features found.
violabrowser.comNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
Bloat check
1 thing you didn't ask for
- Telemetry on by defaultInstall and daily active-app events always sent; detailed anonymous stats (launches, active minutes) on by default, opt-out in Settings → Privacy.violabrowser.com
Policy: no advertising, no third-party analytics, no account needed (sync only). Site lists Pro and Lifetime plans; no in-app upsell seen (app not run).
Ads, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Viola | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Left sidebar is the main tab UI and can be toggled with Cmd-Shift-S.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Workspaces with their own pinned and open tabs; Cmd-Left/Right switches them.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. | ◐ | ✓ | Profiles are per window; workspaces share one and cannot pick their own.github.com |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | One Favorites grid above the workspace lists; Cmd/Ctrl+1-9 opens them in order.github.com |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ◐ | ✓ | Pinned tabs per workspace and tab groups, but no nested folders found.github.com |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ◐ | ✓ | Inactive tabs can be put to sleep; no archive or auto-close timer found.github.com |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Each workspace has its own name, icon and colour.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Viola | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ◐ | ✓ | Native two-pane split only; the Split action needs exactly two tabs selected.github.com |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✕ | ✓ | No link-preview overlay found in the 0.2.10 sidebar or settings code.github.com |
| Mini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ◐ | ✓ | Mini Viola quick window; external links use it via a Settings toggle (default not checked).github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | Address overlay suggests tabs, history, bookmarks and search; no browser commands found.github.com |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✕ | ✓ | No routing rules or per-space target for external links in Settings.github.com |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✕ | ✓ | No per-site CSS/JS or element zapping in the 0.2.10 settings or sidebar code.github.com |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ◐ | ✓ | Mini player has a manual Picture in Picture button; no automatic pop-out found.violabrowser.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Viola | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ? | – | |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✓ | ✓ | Installs extensions from the Chrome Web Store, per the privacy policy.violabrowser.com |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ✓ | ✓ | Policy says protected video works via a Chromium DRM module; playback not tested.violabrowser.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ? | ✓ | |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✓ | ✓ | Optional account sync of workspaces, tabs, groups and history, end-to-end encrypted.violabrowser.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ◐ | ◐ | Android APK (sideload) syncs workspaces; iOS is TestFlight only; all beta.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Viola | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✕ | ✓ | No ad or tracker blocker in Settings or the site feature list.violabrowser.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | Viola | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ✕ | ✕ | Built on Chromium 151, which no longer loads Manifest V2 extensions.developer.chrome.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ✓ | ✓ | Chromium 151 runs Chrome Web Store MV3 extensions; Viola is not Electron.violabrowser.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Extensions come from the Chrome Web Store only.violabrowser.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Chromium build; no Safari extension support mentioned.violabrowser.com |