Zen

What Zen is

Zen is a free desktop app for Linux, macOS, and Windows that filters ads, trackers, and malware across browsers and desktop apps. It runs a proxy on the computer and sets it as the system proxy, then checks network requests against filter lists. Zen can hide empty ad slots and run scripts intended to disable ads and tracking on web pages; cookie popup blocking is also listed. Its built-in lists cover ads, trackers, malware, and 35 regional lists. Users can add ad-block or hosts lists and create their own rules. The maker lists Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, and Brave as supported browsers. Zen says filtering stays on the user's device and browsing data is not sent to the maker or third parties. Its local root certificate is generated on-device, and the private key remains there. Debug logs are stored locally with hostnames redacted and can be deleted. Some apps with their own networking stack or certificate pinning may bypass Zen or need to be excluded in settings. It works with any VPN on Windows and Linux, and most VPNs on macOS.