Refrax
Free, open-source Mac browser built by an Arc user: WebKit by default, Chromium switchable per tab.
Refrax is a native macOS browser written in Swift (AppKit, SwiftUI, Liquid Glass) by one developer who used Arc until it was abandoned. Tabs live in vertical 'islands' grouped into spaces, with global favorites, a command lens, split view of up to four pages, link routing rules and an Arc space importer. WebKit renders pages by default; a signed Chromium engine can be installed from Settings and chosen per tab. It has a built-in ad and tracker blocker, iCloud sync between Macs and a refrax-ctl CLI for scripting, but no built-in AI and no mobile app. It needs macOS 26.1 on Apple silicon.
Built-in AI
No AI
No built-in AI: the in-app agent chat was retired and its keys deleted. The refrax-ctl CLI only lets external agents drive the browser.
github.comBloat check
None found
Telemetry is opt-in: the consent screen preselects "No telemetry" and nothing is sent until you pick a tier. No ads, wallet, feed, upsell prompts or account found in the source.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SidebarVertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Vertical tab 'islands' float over the page; pin them on screen or hide them until a reveal key.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Each space has its own tabs and groups; switch from the control island or the command lens.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. | ◐ | ✓ | Per space: Shared, own Isolated store, or Private. Isolated is 1:1 and fixed at creation.github.com |
| FavoritesGlobal favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | Favorites are tabs shown in every space, with a home address, never auto-cleaned.github.com |
| Pinned TabsPinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ✓ | ✓ | Groups can be pinned per space and nest two levels; Arc pinned tabs and folders import as pinned groups.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 code at 8cb8f03; a tab group holds a name, colour, icon and the tabs placed in it.github.com |
| ArchiveAuto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ✓ | ✓ | Opt-in rules archive tabs after N idle days or over a tab limit; archived tabs can be restored.github.com |
| Theme pickerSpace themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Each space has its own colour that tints the controls; window tint is opt-in. No gradients.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ✓ | ✓ | A tab can hold two to four pages in a grid; drag a row onto another tab to combine.github.com |
| PeekLink previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✓ | ✓ | Shift+click or Force Touch on a link opens a preview panel that can become a real 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 small Glimpse window by default on new installs; also ⌥⌘N. Older installs keep their stored setting.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ✓ | ✓ | Command Lens on ⌘T searches open tabs, history, bookmarks, archived tabs and browser actions.github.com |
| Air Traffic ControlLink routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✓ | ✓ | Rules by domain, source app or time send links to a chosen space, group or Glimpse window.github.com |
| BoostsSite customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-site user CSS and Greasemonkey-style user scripts; no point-and-click zapper found.github.com |
| Auto PiPAuto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | Playing video enters picture-in-picture when you switch tabs; on by default, per-site override.github.com |
| Mini playerMedia still playing in a tab you left keeps play/pause controls in the sidebar. | ◐ | ✓ | A Now Playing rail button opens a popover with play/pause, mute and volume; nothing stays inline in the sidebar.github.com |
| Tab SwitcherRecent-tab switcherCtrl+Tab jumps back to the tab you used last and cycles in recently used order. | ✓ | ✓ | Ctrl+Tab opens a Recent Tabs switcher in most-recently-used order; release Control to switch; Ctrl+Shift+Tab goes back.github.com |
| Super CopyClean link copyA shortcut (⌘⇧C) copies the page URL with tracking parameters removed. | ✓ | ✓ | Edit → Copy Address (⌘⇧C) copies the page URL with utm_*, fbclid and similar removed; the page menu, address field, tab menu and Command Lens copy actions strip it too.github.com |
| CaptureScreenshotsBuilt-in capture of a chosen area or element, and of the full page. | ✓ | ✓ | The page menu has Selection (pick an element), Full Page, Visible and Window screenshot buttons, with a preview card to copy or save.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✓ | – | Imports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders, unpinned tabs and favorites; re-import merges.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✓ | ✓ | Installs extensions from the Chrome Web Store (and Firefox Add-ons); compatibility not tested.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. | ? | ✓ | Not tested; the Chromium build is ungoogled-based and WebKit FairPlay support was not checked. |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ? | ✓ | Not tested; the shipped entitlements include no browser passkey entitlement. |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✓ | ✓ | Opt-in iCloud (CloudKit) sync of spaces, tabs, bookmarks, history and settings across Macs.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Mac only; no iPhone, iPad or Android app.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | Built-in Shields blocker (adblock-rust, uBlock and EasyList lists) is on by default in both engines.github.com |
| Custom ShortcutsShortcut editorMost browser keyboard shortcuts can be remapped in Settings. | ✕ | ✓ | Shortcuts are hard-coded in KeyboardShortcutsManager and the menu bar; Settings only lists extension shortcuts read-only.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 | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| EaselsA shareable canvas of live page captures, notes and drawings. | ◐ | ◐ | Floating page cards show a region of a page and keep their placement; no notes, drawings or sharing.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. | ◐ | ✓ | A Space's menu has Copy Addresses and Copy as Markdown List, and pages use the system share sheet; no link another Refrax can open.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. | ◐ | ✓ | Option+Click on a favorite opens a popover with its live page, by hand. No hover glance, calendar or Join widget, no unread badges.github.com |
| Developer modeA developer view that turns on by itself for localhost: full URL, quick DevTools and dev tools in reach. | ✕ | ✓ | Only a Develop menu with Web Inspector, JavaScript Console and element selection; no developer mode and no localhost handling.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above.
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ◐ | ✕ | Bundled uBlock Origin 1.68 (MV2) loads on WebKit, which can't apply its network blocking; Shields does.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ✓ | ✓ | Runs MV3 service-worker extensions on WebKit's extension runtime (tested with fixtures).github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✓ | ✕ | Add-ons install from addons.mozilla.org or as .xpi and load on WebKit's runtime; compatibility untested.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Loads CRX, XPI and unpacked folders only; no App Store Safari extension (.appex) support.github.com |