YalqenBrave and Yalqen are both open-source, Chromium-based browsers that block ads and trackers without an extension. If privacy is why you are looking, both are reasonable places to start.
Brave is a mature, cross-platform product with a wider set of features, some of which you may not want. Yalqen is a smaller Mac browser built around vertical tabs, a command bar and tools for web developers.
What feels the same
- Open source, on Chromium, with ad and tracker blocking built in.
- Extensions from the Chrome Web Store, though Brave supports them more completely.
- Vertical tabs, which Brave has offered since version 1.52.
What Yalqen does differently
- Vertical tabs, pinned tabs and the command bar are the core of the interface, not an option to switch on.
- Developer tools built in: phone view with device presets, network throttling, request rules, user-agent switching and screenshots.
- Nothing extra bundled: no rewards, crypto wallet, VPN or AI assistant.
- No telemetry and no account, with HTTPS-only mode, secure DNS and third-party cookie blocking one switch away in settings.
Where Brave is ahead
- Brave runs on Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. Yalqen is macOS 13+ on Apple silicon only.
- Brave syncs between devices. Yalqen has no sync yet.
- Brave has a longer track record and extras such as Tor integration in private windows.
- Brave supports Chrome extensions more completely than Yalqen does.
Yalqen and Brave side by side
| Topic | Yalqen | Brave |
|---|---|---|
| Source code | Open source (MIT) | Open source (MPL 2.0) |
| Engine | Chromium, through Electron | Chromium |
| Platforms | macOS 13+ on Apple silicon | macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Vertical tabs | Default layout | Optional, off by default |
| Command bar | Yes, with developer commands | Address bar |
| Ad blocking | Built-in filter engine | Brave Shields, on by default |
| Extensions | Chrome Web Store, with limits | Chrome Web Store |
| Extras | Translation and a password manager | Rewards, wallet, AI assistant, paid VPN |
| Sync | Not yet | Yes |
| Price | Free | Free, with paid add-ons |
Try it next to Brave
Yalqen does not need to replace your current browser to be worth a try. Install it, learn the keyboard shortcuts and see whether the layout suits you. Missing something? Open an issue, and see what is coming on the roadmap.
Other comparisons: Arc · Chrome · Zen
Sources: Brave (web browser), Wikipedia · Brave 1.52 adds vertical tabs, gHacks