Sol
Free, open-source Windows browser on Chromium 156 with Spaces, 4-pane Split View, Little Sol and Arc import.
Sol is a free, MPL-2.0 browser for Windows 11 x64, started on 2026-11-04 by one developer (GitHub user VelikiySebas) for people leaving Arc. It is not the WebView2 browser also called Sol (stvekoulo/sol-browser). A C++20 host with a React sidebar UI runs Chromium 156 through Sol's own fork of CEF in Chrome-runtime mode. It has Spaces with their own tabs, icon and theme, Favorites, Pinned tabs with folders, Today tabs that archive after 12 hours, a Split View of up to four tabs, a Ctrl+Tab Tab Switcher with previews, screenshots (area, element, visible part, full page), Super Copy for links without trackers, Link Peek from pinned tabs, Little Sol (a small one-page window for links from other apps, with a Ctrl+Alt+N command bar), a command bar with Tab-key actions, per-site CSS Boosts, profiles that can serve several Spaces, Chrome Web Store extensions, picture-in-picture with sidebar media controls, passwords and autofill, and import from Chrome, Edge, Arc (Spaces, Favorites, pins, folders, Today tabs, Split Views and archive) and Zen. By default the installed app also keeps a small tray helper for Ctrl+Alt+N and starts it at Windows sign-in (Settings > Links turns it off). It has no account, sync, AI, ad blocker or link routing, and Spotify and Netflix do not play because Sol is not VMP-signed for Widevine. The maker calls it early software and Windows builds are unsigned. The latest release is v0.6.0 (2026-11-13). This entry rests on the v0.6.0 source and package; the app was not run.
No AI
No AI code in the source; the README comparison lists AI tools / Arc Max as No.
github.comNone found
No ads, wallet, feed, upsell, account, analytics or crash upload; updates come from GitHub. Google suggestions and a tray helper started at Windows sign-in (for Ctrl+Alt+N) are on by default.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Sol | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SidebarVertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Tabs live in a vertical sidebar with Favorites, Pinned and Today sections; Ctrl+S shows or hides it.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Up to 24 Spaces, each with its own Pinned and Today tabs, icon and theme; Ctrl+1 to 9 switch.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. | ✓ | ✓ | A profile (own logins, history, passwords, extensions) can be assigned to several Spaces; up to 24 profiles (0.2.0).github.com |
| FavoritesGlobal favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | Favorites are shared by all Spaces of one profile, as in Arc; Spaces on another profile have their own.github.com |
| Pinned TabsPinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-Space Pinned tabs with nested folders; Arc and Chrome bookmarks import as a pinned folder.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 action in the tree store; the README comparison lists GitHub Live Folders as No.github.com |
| ArchiveAuto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ✓ | ✓ | Today tabs idle for 12 hours (default; 24 h, 48 h, 7 days or never) go to one Archive list for all Spaces and can be restored (0.4.0).github.com |
| Theme pickerSpace themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Each Space has a colour palette, brightness, grain and light, dark or system mode, edited live.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Sol | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ✓ | ✓ | Two to four tabs in any layout (columns, rows, 2×2); drag a tab to a page edge to add it (0.5.0). The README now lists it as done, no longer "Not polished".github.com |
| PeekLink previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✓ | ✓ | Cross-site links in a pinned tab open in a preview card (keep as tab or split); Shift-click does it for any link.github.com |
| Little ArcMini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ✓ | ✓ | Little Sol, a small one-page window: links from other apps, Ctrl+Alt+click and Ctrl+Alt+N from any app open in it; Open in Space keeps the page without reload (0.6.0). On by default.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ✓ | ✓ | Ctrl+T searches open and saved tabs, history and the web; Tab lists actions with shortcuts, incl. Capture and Copy Link Without Trackers. Ctrl+Alt+N opens it from any app (0.6.0).github.com |
| Air Traffic ControlLink routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✕ | ✓ | No routing rules: links from other apps all open in Little Sol (or the active Space when that is off). The README lists Air Traffic Control as No.github.com |
| BoostsSite customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-site Boosts: visual look, custom CSS, Zap and Focus element picker; no JavaScript. Maker lists it as rough.github.com |
| Auto PiPAuto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | Opt-in setting (off by default, per-site switch too): a playing video pops out when you leave its tab.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 a tab you left: previous, play/pause, next, seek, mute, PiP and a link 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 returns to the last-used tab; hold Ctrl for the five most recent as preview cards. Order survives restarts (0.5.0).github.com |
| Super CopyClean link copyA shortcut (⌘⇧C) copies the page URL with tracking parameters removed. | ✓ | ✓ | Ctrl+Shift+C (also menu and command bar) copies the address without utm_*, fbclid, gclid and ~30 other trackers; other parameters stay (0.5.0).github.com |
| CaptureScreenshotsBuilt-in capture of a chosen area or element, and of the full page. | ✓ | ✓ | Ctrl+Shift+5 or the site-controls camera: hover an element or drag an area, adjust it, then copy or download; Save visible part and Save full page too; files go to Downloads (0.5.0).github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Sol | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✓ | – | Reads Arc for Windows (or a backup): Spaces with icon, theme and profile, Favorites, pinned folders, Today and archived tabs, Split Views (0.5.0).github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✓ | ✓ | Chrome Web Store installs run on Chrome's own extension host; the maker says compatibility is nearly complete.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. | ✕ | ✓ | Widevine CDM is fetched at run time, but Spotify and Netflix are refused: no VMP signing. Other services untested.github.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ? | ✓ | No Sol code touches WebAuthn; libcef.dll has Chromium's Windows Hello code, but no passkey sign-in was tried. |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✕ | ✓ | No sync: the password page says sync between devices is not available, and the README lists tab sync as No.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Windows 11 x64 only; Linux, macOS and mobile are not supported.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Sol | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✕ | ✓ | No blocker or filter lists in the source; the maker's tests use uBlock Origin Lite as an extension.github.com |
| Custom ShortcutsShortcut editorMost browser keyboard shortcuts can be remapped in Settings. | ✓ | ✓ | Settings > Shortcuts: click a command, press new keys, reset per row. Only Stop, Close window and Space 1-9 are 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 | Sol | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| EaselsA shareable canvas of live page captures, notes and drawings. | ✕ | ◐ | No board or canvas code; the README lists Easels as No.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 URL sends one page address to the Windows share sheet; no sharing or export of Spaces, folders or tab sets.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. | ✓ | ✓ | Hover a pinned Gmail, Outlook, Calendar or Figma tab for unread mail, agenda with Join, or recent files. Off on new installs since 0.6.0; existing profiles keep theirs.github.com |
| Developer modeA developer view that turns on by itself for localhost: full URL, quick DevTools and dev tools in reach. | ✕ | ✓ | Only the standard Chrome Developer Tools entry (Developer menu, F12); no developer mode or localhost-specific UI in the source.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above.
| Feature | Sol | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ✕ | ✕ | Chromium 156 turns MV2 off with no switch (Sol sets none), and the Chrome Web Store no longer serves MV2.chromium.googlesource.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ✓ | ✓ | MV3 runs on Chromium 156; the maker's smoke test loads uBlock Origin Lite, Dark Reader and SponsorBlock.github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Only the Chrome Web Store is linked; Chromium accepts Chrome-format .crx downloads, not Firefox .xpi files.chromium.googlesource.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Windows build on Chromium; Safari web extensions are app extensions that only Safari loads.developer.apple.com |