Nova
Open-source Electron browser with workspaces, split view, an ad blocker, local AI and a built-in MCP server.
Nova (nova-browser) is an MIT-licensed Electron browser by one developer, pitched at developers and privacy-minded users rather than at Arc users. It has an optional vertical sidebar with colour-coded workspaces, per-workspace pinned tabs and flat folders, a two-tab split view, a Cmd+K palette, a row of favourite shortcuts, auto picture-in-picture, a built-in ad and tracker blocker, and idle-tab hibernation. It adds on-device WebGPU AI models (or your own Ollama or OpenAI-compatible backend) and a local MCP server (off by default) that lets coding agents drive tabs. Vertical tabs are off by default, there is no Arc importer, and it bundles stock Electron without Widevine as far as the source shows.
Built-in AI
AI on by default
Toolbar AI button always shown, hover link summaries on by default. Runs local WebGPU models or a backend you add; MCP server off.
github.comBloat check
None found
No ads, wallet, feed or upsell; sync is an optional account. README says no analytics or error telemetry; only GitHub update checks run by default.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Nova | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SidebarVertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ◐ | ✓ | Vertical tabs are a setting, off by default; the default layout is Chrome-style top tabs.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Colour/icon workspaces, each with its own tabs, pins and folders; switched by buttons at the sidebar's foot.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. | ✕ | ✓ | Workspaces share one session; only incognito tabs get their own partition.github.com |
| FavoritesGlobal favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | A row of up to four shortcut icons sits at the top of the sidebar, shared by every workspace; you can add or remove them.github.com |
| Pinned TabsPinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ◐ | ✓ | Pinned section and folders are per workspace, but folders are flat; no nesting in the Folder type.github.com |
| Live foldersSidebar folders that fill and refresh themselves from an outside source, such as GitHub pull requests or an RSS feed. | ✕ | ✓ | No live-folder or feed code in the source; sidebar folders are plain tab folders.github.com |
| ArchiveAuto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ◐ | ✓ | Idle tabs are suspended after 10 min (configurable) but stay open; no archive and no auto-close.github.com |
| Theme pickerSpace themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ◐ | ✓ | Each workspace has a colour and icon, shown as a dot; the browser theme itself is global.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Nova | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ◐ | ✓ | Pairs two tabs side by side with a draggable divider; no more than two panes.github.com |
| PeekLink previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ◐ | ✓ | Hovering an https link shows a summary card; it is not a page overlay you can browse in.github.com |
| Little ArcMini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ✕ | ✓ | Only the nova:// protocol is registered; no mini window for links from other apps found in source.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | Spotlight palette (Cmd+K) lists open tabs and search suggestions; no history, bookmarks or commands.github.com |
| Air Traffic ControlLink routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✕ | ✓ | No default-browser handler or per-site routing rules in the source; only nova:// is registered.github.com |
| BoostsSite customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✕ | ✓ | No per-site CSS/JS or element zapper in the source or the README feature list.github.com |
| Auto PiPAuto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | On by default: switching away from a tab with a playing video pops it into PiP; coming back exits it. Setting can turn it off.github.com |
| Mini playerMedia still playing in a tab you left keeps play/pause controls in the sidebar. | ◐ | ✓ | A playing tab shows a mute button and a PiP button in the sidebar; play/pause exists only in the right-click menu of a media element.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 by position within the workspace and wraps; no recent-order switching or setting found.github.com |
| Super CopyClean link copyA shortcut (⌘⇧C) copies the page URL with tracking parameters removed. | ✕ | ✓ | Only a tab-menu 'Copy page link' that copies the raw URL; no shortcut and no tracking-parameter stripping on copy.github.com |
| CaptureScreenshotsBuilt-in capture of a chosen area or element, and of the full page. | ◐ | ✓ | Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+S captures the visible page; the preview has a Full Page toggle. No area or element picker.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Nova | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✕ | – | Only imports a Google Chrome bookmarks file; no Arc import.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ◐ | ✓ | Installs from the Chrome Web Store via Electron's extension layer, which is not full Chrome compatibility.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. | ✕ | ✓ | Stock Electron dependency with no Widevine or castlabs build in package.json or source.github.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ? | ✓ | |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ◐ | ✓ | Optional account sync of bookmarks, passwords, history, settings, folders, workspaces; not open tabs.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | README roadmap lists a mobile companion app as not done.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Nova | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | Privacy Shield uses EasyList/EasyPrivacy lists via @cliqz/adblocker and is on by default.github.com |
| Custom ShortcutsShortcut editorMost browser keyboard shortcuts can be remapped in Settings. | ◐ | ✓ | Settings > Shortcuts rebinds 10 actions (new tab, reload, history, find…); tab switching, screenshot and zoom stay fixed.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 | Nova | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| EaselsA shareable canvas of live page captures, notes and drawings. | ✕ | ◐ | No easel, canvas or board feature in the source.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. | ✕ | ✓ | Share Link shows one page's URL and a QR code; nothing shares or exports a workspace, folder or tab set.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. | ✕ | ✓ | No glance at pinned web apps, calendar widget or unread badges; hover shows only a tab thumbnail card.github.com |
| Developer modeA developer view that turns on by itself for localhost: full URL, quick DevTools and dev tools in reach. | ✕ | ✓ | A Developer Mode switch exists in Advanced settings but no code reads it; Inspect Element is always in the page menu.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above.
| Feature | Nova | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ? | ✕ | Web Store refuses MV2 installs; loading an unpacked MV2 extension was not tested. |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ◐ | ✓ | Installs, but Electron lists no declarativeNetRequest, so MV3 content blockers cannot block.github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Chrome-format CRX installs from the Chrome Web Store only; no Firefox add-on path in source.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Chrome-format extensions only; Electron has no Safari extension host.github.com |