Point
Free native Mac browser on WebKit with Spaces, an auto-hiding sidebar, Shift-click previews and an ad blocker.
Point is a free browser for Apple silicon Macs on macOS 26, written in SwiftUI on the system WebKit by one developer, Ivan Batsulin (GitHub baculinivan-web), as his own Arc replacement. The source is public on GitHub but has no license file. The sidebar holds all controls and can auto-hide at the window edge. It has Spaces, each with its own grid of pinned tabs, nested folders and tabs, a two-pane Split View, Shift-click link previews, automatic picture-in-picture with a sidebar media card, a Ctrl+Tab recent-tab switcher, ⇧⌘C to copy the address, private windows, a built-in ad blocker (AdGuard lists, on by default) and Chrome Web Store extensions on WebKit's runtime. A built-in AI chat, always in the sidebar, answers once you add your own Anthropic or OpenAI-compatible key or a local Ollama model. It has no global Favorites, profiles, archive, Arc import, sync, mini window, link routing, Boosts or shortcut editor. Releases are signed with an Apple Development certificate and not notarized, so macOS blocks the first launch. The latest release is 0.3.9 (2026-10-15). This entry rests on the latest commit and the 0.3.9 DMG; the app was not run.
Built-in AI
AI on by default
Sparkle button and ⇧⌘A chat are always in the sidebar, with no off switch; it answers only after you add a key or an Ollama model.
github.comBloat check
None found
No ads, wallet, feed, upsell, account or analytics code; the only network call of its own is a daily GitHub release check.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Point | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SidebarVertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | All tabs live in a vertical sidebar; ⌘S switches between a docked sidebar and one that auto-hides at the window edge.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Named Spaces with an icon, each with its own pinned and regular tabs and folders; switched by swiping the sidebar or clicking the dots.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. | ✕ | ✓ | Every regular window and Space shares WebKit's one default data store; only private windows get a separate one.github.com |
| FavoritesGlobal favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ◐ | ✓ | A grid of pinned-tab icons sits at the top of the sidebar, but each pinned tab belongs to one Space.github.com |
| Pinned TabsPinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ◐ | ✓ | Per-Space pinned tabs (an icon grid) and nested folders exist, but pinning a tab takes it out of its folder.github.com |
| Live foldersSidebar folders that fill and refresh themselves from an outside source, such as GitHub pull requests or an RSS feed. | ✕ | ✓ | A folder only stores a name, icon, parent and split state; nothing fills it from a feed or service.github.com |
| ArchiveAuto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ◐ | ✓ | Background tabs idle for 10 minutes are suspended and unloaded under memory pressure, but never closed or archived.github.com |
| Theme pickerSpace themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ◐ | ✓ | One global gradient (Aurora, Sunset, Ocean or custom) behind the sidebar in full screen; a Space only gets an icon.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Point | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ◐ | ✓ | Drag a sidebar tab onto half of the page to pair it with the active tab; a split holds two panes only.github.com |
| PeekLink previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✓ | ✓ | Shift-click any link to open it in a live preview over the page; it can become a tab without reloading.github.com |
| Little ArcMini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ✕ | ✓ | Links from other apps open as a new tab in the main window; there is no mini window.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | ⌘L/⌘T search box suggests open tabs (all Spaces), history and searches; no browser commands or actions.github.com |
| Air Traffic ControlLink routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✕ | ✓ | No routing rules: every external link opens in the current Space of the main window.github.com |
| BoostsSite customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✕ | ✓ | No per-site CSS, scripts or element zapping; the README feature list has nothing like it.github.com |
| Auto PiPAuto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | Leaving a tab with a playing video (switching tabs or Spaces) puts the video into picture-in-picture; no setting.github.com |
| Mini playerMedia still playing in a tab you left keeps play/pause controls in the sidebar. | ✓ | ✓ | A card above the tab list for the tab that holds media: play/pause button and a click back 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 cycles recently used tabs of the current Space, Ctrl+Shift+Tab backwards; releasing Ctrl opens it (0.3.9).github.com |
| Super CopyClean link copyA shortcut (⌘⇧C) copies the page URL with tracking parameters removed. | ◐ | ✓ | ⇧⌘C copies the page address with a toast, but the URL is copied as-is, trackers included.github.com |
| CaptureScreenshotsBuilt-in capture of a chosen area or element, and of the full page. | ✕ | ✓ | The only page snapshot is a screenshot tool for the AI chat; no screenshot command for the user.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Point | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✕ | – | No import from Arc or any other browser in the source; the README lists none.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ◐ | ✓ | Installs from a Chrome Web Store link on WebKit's runtime; manifest CSS did not apply in the maker's test, no auto-updates.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. | ? | ✓ | System WebKit, so FairPlay is the only DRM it could have; no DRM code or notes, and playback was not tested. |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ✕ | ✓ | Has passkey-access code, but the build ships without Apple's browser passkey entitlement, which WebKit needs for WebAuthn.github.com |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✕ | ✓ | No account or sync; the maker says Point has no servers and keeps everything on the Mac.baculinivan-web.github.io |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | macOS 26 and later only; no iPhone, iPad or Android app.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Point | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | On by default in regular and private tabs with bundled AdGuard Base and Russian filters; lists don't auto-update.github.com |
| Custom ShortcutsShortcut editorMost browser keyboard shortcuts can be remapped in Settings. | ✕ | ✓ | Settings has General, Appearance, Assistant, Agents, Performance and Extensions; shortcuts are fixed in the menus.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 | Point | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| EaselsA shareable canvas of live page captures, notes and drawings. | ✕ | ◐ | No canvas or board feature in the source or README.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 way to share or export a Space or folder; data stays local and there is no server.baculinivan-web.github.io |
| PreviewsWeb app previewsHover a pinned Gmail, Calendar or other web app to glance at it; a pinned calendar shows the next meeting with Join. | ✕ | ✓ | Pinned tabs are plain favicon cards; no unread badges, hover previews or calendar cards.github.com |
| Developer modeA developer view that turns on by itself for localhost: full URL, quick DevTools and dev tools in reach. | ✕ | ✓ | Web Inspector is turned on only in debug builds, so the released app has no developer tools at all.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above.
| Feature | Point | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ◐ | ✕ | WebKit's runtime loads MV2, but its webRequest can't block, so no full uBlock Origin; Point adds no patch.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ✓ | ✓ | Chrome Web Store and unpacked MV3 extensions run on WebKit's WKWebExtension; Chrome-only APIs are missing.github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | The extensions guide says there is no installation from Firefox Add-ons.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Extensions come only from Chrome Web Store links or unpacked folders; Safari extension apps are not loaded.github.com |