Meridian
Open-source Arc replacement with spaces, Arc import and a built-in MCP server, now a Chromium build for Mac.
Meridian is a free browser by one developer that copies Arc's workflow: spaces with their own profiles, favorites, pinned tabs and folders, a Today list that auto-archives, split view, Peek, a command bar, Little windows and Air Traffic Control. It imports an Arc sidebar, sign-ins, passwords, history and extensions on macOS. It is built around AI: a built-in Ask panel and an MCP server that lets Claude Code or other agents drive the browser. Since 0.5.0 it is a patched Chromium build (a WebUI-browser sidebar) instead of the earlier Electron app; 0.5.x ships for macOS Apple silicon only, and Windows and Linux builds exist only up to the Electron-era 0.4.x. The app is not notarized and is signed ad hoc.
Built-in AI
AI optional
Ask panel, chat and MCP server ship, but need your own API key, Ollama/LM Studio or agent CLI; agent access defaults to off. Marketed as AI-centric.
github.comBloat check
None found
Privacy page: no account, server or telemetry; only filter-list downloads and a daily GitHub release check. No ads, wallet, feed or paid tier found.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Meridian | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SidebarVertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Chromium WebUI browser restyled: vertical sidebar on the left, page as a rounded card; ⌘S hides it.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Spaces with their own pinned items and Today tabs, each with colour and icon; switch by shortcut or swipe.github.com |
| ProfilesProfiles per Space (shareable)Each Space can use its own browser profile (separate cookies, logins, history), and one profile can be shared by several Spaces. | ✓ | ✓ | Right-click a space and pick a Profile (own cookies and logins); a profile can serve several spaces.github.com |
| FavoritesGlobal favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | Favorites grid shared by every space of a profile; each profile has its own list, as in Arc.github.com |
| Pinned TabsPinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-space pinned links that remember their home URL, plus folders.github.com |
| Live foldersSidebar folders that fill and refresh themselves from an outside source, such as GitHub pull requests or an RSS feed. | ✕ | ✓ | Folders are manual; no live-folder code in the patches or src at ed21dc6.github.com |
| ArchiveAuto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ✓ | ✓ | Unvisited Today tabs archive after 12 h by default (Settings changes it); Archive panel restores them.github.com |
| Theme pickerSpace themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Edit Space Theme: each space has its own colour, gradient and icon.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Meridian | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ◐ | ✓ | Chromium split tabs: two tabs side by side with a draggable divider; no third pane.github.com |
| PeekLink previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✓ | ✓ | Peek card opens for pinned-tab links to other sites and for ⇧-clicked links; expand to a tab.github.com |
| Little ArcMini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ✓ | ✓ | Links from other apps open in a Little window; Open in Meridian moves them to the main window.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | ⌘T/⌘L bar: open tabs (Switch to Tab), history, bookmarks and web search; no browser-command search found.github.com |
| Air Traffic ControlLink routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✓ | ✓ | Air Traffic Control: rules by domain or URL pattern pick where a link from another app opens.github.com |
| BoostsSite customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✕ | ✓ | README lists "No Boosts, Easels or Notes"; Boosts-style site tweaks are only on the roadmap.github.com |
| Auto PiPAuto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | Browser-initiated automatic picture-in-picture is on by default; blockable per site.github.com |
| Mini playerMedia still playing in a tab you left keeps play/pause controls in the sidebar. | ✓ | ✓ | Sidebar mini player for media in another tab: previous, play/pause, next, PiP; click goes to the tab.github.com |
| Tab SwitcherRecent-tab switcherCtrl+Tab jumps back to the tab you used last and cycles in recently used order. | ✕ | ✓ | Ctrl+Tab steps through tabs in sidebar order (favorites, pinned, Today), not recency; 0.5.x rerouted it to the sidebar.github.com |
| Super CopyClean link copyA shortcut (⌘⇧C) copies the page URL with tracking parameters removed. | ✓ | ✓ | Shift+Cmd+C copies the address without utm_*, fbclid, gclid and similar, then shows a 'Copied link' toast; added after 0.5.13.github.com |
| CaptureScreenshotsBuilt-in capture of a chosen area or element, and of the full page. | ✕ | ✓ | No user-facing capture in the patches or README; only DevTools (docked in-window), which does not count. The MCP screenshot tool is for agents.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Meridian | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✓ | – | Imports Arc spaces, pins, folders, favorites, tabs, sign-ins, passwords, history, cards, archive and extensions.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✓ | ✓ | Real Chromium: Web Store extensions install; Arc import adds your Arc extensions into their spaces itself.github.com |
| DRM streamingNetflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play, through Widevine or, on WebKit, FairPlay. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence; FairPlay counts once a major service is confirmed playing in the app. | ? | ✓ | No Widevine option in args.gn or patches at HEAD; the 0.5.13 bundle had no CDM; playback not run. |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ◐ | ✓ | 0.5.13 app is signed ad hoc with no keychain entitlement, so Touch ID/iCloud passkeys are unlikely.github.com |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✕ | ✓ | README: no sync yet; "sync between devices" is on the roadmap.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Desktop only; the 0.5.13 release ships only a macOS Apple-silicon build.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Meridian | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | EasyList and EasyPrivacy filter ads and trackers on every site, no extension; toggle in Settings.github.com |
| Custom ShortcutsShortcut editorMost browser keyboard shortcuts can be remapped in Settings. | ✕ | ✓ | README promises Settings > Shortcuts, but the patches add no such pane; accelerators are a fixed C++ table.github.com |
More Arc features
Arc features shown but not counted in the score, because almost no replacement has them or only a few people need them.
| Feature | Meridian | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| EaselsA shareable canvas of live page captures, notes and drawings. | ✕ | ◐ | README lists no Easels; Arc easels import only as a folder of their tabs.github.com |
| Shared CollectionsShared spaces & foldersShare a Space, folder or set of tabs as a link anyone can open, or another user can add to their sidebar. | ✕ | ✓ | No share, export or copy-links action for spaces, folders or tabs in README features or patches; only Arc import.github.com |
| PreviewsWeb app previewsHover a pinned Gmail, Calendar or other web app to glance at it; a pinned calendar shows the next meeting with Join. | ✕ | ✓ | README's 'Link previews' is a Shift-hover AI summary of a link, not a pinned-app glance; no calendar or unread badges.github.com |
| Developer modeA developer view that turns on by itself for localhost: full URL, quick DevTools and dev tools in reach. | ◐ | ✓ | Settings has a manual Mode switch with a Developer option, but no code reads it; Workbench adds an editor and terminals.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above.
| Feature | Meridian | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ✕ | ✕ | Stock Chromium 158 disables MV2 with no flag or policy; no Meridian patch restores it.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ◐ | ✓ | Experimental: MV3 background and content scripts load, but toolbar popups don't work yet.github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Chromium engine loads Chrome-format extensions only; Firefox add-ons (.xpi) aren't supported.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Chromium engine loads Chrome-format extensions only; Safari extension apps can't run.github.com |