{
  "slug": "zen-browser",
  "category": "browsers",
  "name": "Zen Browser",
  "description": "Firefox-based desktop browser with vertical tabs, workspaces, split view and a compact interface. Mozilla telemetry is removed.",
  "website": "https://zen-browser.app",
  "source": "https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop",
  "license": "MPL-2.0",
  "platforms": [
    "windows",
    "macos",
    "linux"
  ],
  "jurisdiction": null,
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "C",
  "score": 73,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "Zen Browser scores 73 out of 100 (grade C) on the browsers criteria. It meets 4 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and timely security updates. It partly meets blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection and no calls to big-tech services. It does not meet independent audit.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/browsers/zen-browser/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/browsers/zen-browser/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/blob/dev/LICENSE",
      "note": "MPL-2.0."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://zen-browser.app/privacy-policy/",
      "note": "Telemetry and crash reporting from Firefox are removed, and no third-party trackers are used."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://zen-browser.app/donate/",
      "note": "Funded by donations. The privacy policy says data is not sold."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "No independent audit is published."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tracker_blocking": {
      "title": "Blocks trackers by default",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop",
      "note": "Uses Firefox Enhanced Tracking Protection in Standard mode, which blocks social trackers and cross-site cookies but not all tracking content."
    },
    "fingerprinting_protection": {
      "title": "Fingerprinting protection",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-protection-against-fingerprinting",
      "note": "Known fingerprinters are blocked, but fingerprinting data is only altered in Strict mode or private windows."
    },
    "no_google_services": {
      "title": "No calls to big-tech services",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://zen-browser.app/privacy-policy/",
      "note": "Firefox background connections, including Google Safe Browsing lists, remain and can be turned off in about:config."
    },
    "security_updates": {
      "title": "Timely security updates",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://zen-browser.app/release-notes/",
      "note": "Releases follow each Firefox release within days, and the browser updates itself."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [
      {
        "name": "Cloudflare Web Analytics",
        "host": "static.cloudflareinsights.com",
        "effect": "partial"
      }
    ],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T07:02:38.195Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T07:44:20Z"
}