Zen Browser 1.17.3b

Zen Browser 1.17.3b [Update]

Zen Browser is a privacy-focused, open-source browser built on Firefox. It offers customization via Zen Mods, split views, vertical tabs, and prioritizes user experience over data collection.

Razvan Serea News Reporter Neowin · Oct 22, 2025 11:00 EDT with 3 comments

Zen Browser

Zen Browser is a privacy-focused, open-source web browser built on Mozilla Firefox, offering users a secure and customizable browsing experience. It emphasizes privacy by blocking trackers, ads, and ensuring your data isn't collected.

With Zen Mods, users can enhance their browser experience with various customization options, including features like split views and vertical tabs. The browser is designed for efficiency, providing fast browsing speeds and a lightweight interface.

Zen Browser prioritizes user control over the browsing experience, offering a minimal yet powerful alternative to traditional web browsers while keeping your online activity private.

Zen Browser’s DRM limitation

Zen Browser currently lacks support for DRM-protected content, meaning streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max are inaccessible. This is due to the absence of a Widevine license, which requires significant costs and is financially unfeasible for the developer. Additionally, applying for this license would require Zen to be part of a larger company, similar to Mozilla or Brave. Therefore, DRM-protected media won't be supported in Zen Browser for the foreseeable future.

Zen Browser offers features that improve user experience, privacy, and customization:

Privacy-Focused: Blocks trackers and minimizes data collection.
Automatic Updates: Keeps the browser updated with security patches.
Zen Mods: Customizable themes and layouts.
Workspaces: Organize tabs into different workspaces.
Compact Mode: Maximizes screen space by minimizing UI elements.
Zen Glance: Quick website previews.
Split Views: View multiple tabs in the same window.
Sidebar: Access bookmarks and tools quickly.
Vertical Tabs: Manage tabs vertically.
Container Tabs: Separate browsing sessions.
Fast Profile Switcher: Switch between profiles easily.
Tab Folders: Organize tabs into folders.
Customizable UI: Personalize browser interface.
Security Features: Inherits Firefox’s robust security.
Fast Performance: Lightweight and optimized for speed.
Zen Mods Customization: Deep customization with mods.
Quick Access: Easy access to favorite websites.
Open Source: Built on Mozilla Firefox with community collaboration.
Community-Driven: Active development and feedback from users.
GitHub Repository: Contribute and review the source code.

Zen Browser 1.17b changelog:

New Features

Updated to Firefox 144.0
New unified panel to show site permissions, security, add-ons, quick actions and more to de-clutter the address bar.
Added toolbar button to quickly toggle compact mode
Improved glance animations to make it feel like the element is being lifted off the page
Added an urlbar button to quickly copy the current page url
Zen will now start using the new MacOS Tahoe look and feel
The operating system accent color will now be used instead of the default orange color when there's no browser theme applied

Fixes

Fixed the urlbar not opening in fullscreen mode
Fixed performance for macos users when using transparency on the window
Other fixes with compact mode on double toolbar mode
Fixed issues with 'Firefox Multiaccount Containers' extension freezing Zen (#10666)
Fixed slow split view switching and scroll positions not being remembered
Various stability and performance fixes for glance

Changes

On double toolbar mode, compact mode will have a new UI, where it overlays the web view instead of sliding like the sidebar
Hovering over the window captions on windows/linux or double toolbar in compact mode will stop pushing the web view down, instead it will overlay it
For enhanced privacy, 'Copy current page url' button will not copy tracking parameters by default

Zen Browser 1.17.1b changelog:

Fixes

Fixed a regression with collapsed tabs not expanding the full width of the window
Fixed an issue with warnings for unsigned extensions not displaying correctly
Fixed compact mode getting stuck after updating to 1.17
Fixed a border at the top of the window appearing in some cases
Other minor bug fixes and improvements

Changes

Control centers will look more native on linux / windows for a more 'flat' appearance

Zen Browser 1.17.2b fixes:

Fixed wheel-clicking on pinned tabs not closing them if they are unloaded.
Fixed macos traffic light buttons "mirroring" themselves when using certain settings.
Other small quality of life improvements and bug fixes.

Zen Browser 1.17.3b changes:

New Features