Microsoft Edge vs Zen Browser
Microsoft Edge
microsoft.com
Zen Browser
zen-browser.appSide by side
| Figure | Microsoft Edge | Zen Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Web browsers | 9.1 (#9) | 8.6 (#32) |
| Cross-device sync | Edge syncs passwords, favorites, and settings across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. | Yes |
| Extensions | Edge supports extensions from Microsoft Edge Add-ons and extensions designed for Google Chrome. | Zen supports extensions from Mozilla Add-ons, but Firefox themes are not supported. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Supported platforms | both | desktop |
| Product | Microsoft Edge is a web browser available across desktop and mobile devices. | Zen is a privacy-focused web browser designed to help users stay productive and focused. |
| Security | Microsoft Defender SmartScreen helps identify and block known phishing sites, malicious downloads, and suspicious content. | The security documentation says Zen uses OCSP, HTTPS-Only Mode, protection against deceptive content and dangerous software, and treats unsafe SSL connections as broken by default. |
| Tracking protection | standard | Tracking Protection offers Standard, Strict, and Custom levels, and DNS over HTTPS offers Default, Increased, and Max Protection levels. |
Plans
In their own words
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is a free web browser for desktop and mobile devices, available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and the web. It uses Chromium, supports extensions, and includes ad blocking and tracking prevention with selectable protection levels. Copilot can summarize pages, answer questions, compare options, and help with tasks using open-tab context. Other listed tools include AI-powered tab cleanup, theme creation from words, and a scareware blocker. Security features help block phishing and malware; Password Monitor can alert users if saved passwords appear in an online leak. Sleeping tabs pause inactive pages to reduce CPU and memory use. Energy Saver may provide an average of 25 more minutes of battery life, though results vary with settings and use. Mac features include Spotlight search, Touch ID, trackpad gestures, and macOS visuals. Edge also offers an in-game browser for PC gaming and access to free Microsoft 365 web apps. Feature availability and functionality may vary by device, market, and browser version.
Zen Browser
Zen Browser has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.