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zen-desktop

From public sources

System-wide ad-blocker and privacy guard for Windows, macOS and Linux.

ApplicationCategory: Desktop Apps · Internet & communication · Security & privacy · UtilitiesOpen sourcedata checked Oct 15, 2026
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Overview

  • ad-block
  • adblock
  • adblocker
  • desktop-app
  • go
  • gui
  • linux
  • macos
  • privacy
  • windows

Installation

Commands are shown, never run by the marketplace. Check them against the official documentation.

Compatibility

Unknown means no evidence was found — not that the product is incompatible.
PlatformStatusArchitectureEvidenceConfidence
WindowsCompatiblex86_64official build in release v0.28.0: Zen-amd64-installer.exe0.70
Compatiblearm64official build in release v0.28.0: Zen-arm64-installer.exe0.70
macOSCompatiblex86_64official build in release v0.28.0: Zen-amd64.dmg0.70
Compatiblearm64official build in release v0.28.0: Zen-arm64.dmg0.70
LinuxCompatiblex86_64official build in release v0.28.0: Zen_linux_amd64.tar.gz0.70
Compatiblearm64official build in release v0.28.0: Zen_linux_arm64.tar.gz0.70

Releases

checked Oct 29, 2026
v0.28.0LatestOct 22, 2026Official source ↗

Files in 0.28.0

The marketplace does not host these files: downloads go to the official source. Files have not been scanned by us.
FilePlatformSizeSHA-256Download from the official source
Zen-amd64-installer.exewindows · x86_64 · exe12.5 MB50607433ac72…Official source ↗
Zen-amd64.dmgmacos · x86_64 · dmg11.4 MB9681ebd03d1a…Official source ↗
Zen-arm64-installer.exewindows · arm64 · exe11.8 MBf7fafca8b760…Official source ↗
Zen-arm64.dmgmacos · arm64 · dmg10.6 MB02b672ca8283…Official source ↗
Zen_darwin_amd64.tar.gzmacos · x86_64 · tarball11 MBaa7b6d94fecd…Official source ↗
Zen_darwin_amd64_noselfupdate.tar.gzmacos · x86_64 · tarball11 MB98c54ee50e41…Official source ↗
Zen_darwin_arm64.tar.gzmacos · arm64 · tarball10.2 MBc3772b76a139…Official source ↗
Zen_darwin_arm64_noselfupdate.tar.gzmacos · arm64 · tarball10.2 MB9deed05a35b5…Official source ↗
Zen_linux_amd64.tar.gzlinux · x86_64 · tarball10.5 MB77ed1b8300da…Official source ↗
Zen_linux_amd64_noselfupdate.tar.gzlinux · x86_64 · tarball10.5 MB25ad2b003b28…Official source ↗
Zen_linux_arm64.tar.gzlinux · arm64 · tarball9.9 MBd04fd97d2d79…Official source ↗
Zen_linux_arm64_noselfupdate.tar.gzlinux · arm64 · tarball9.9 MB85b2c871d9f4…Official source ↗
Zen_windows_amd64.zipwindows · x86_64 · zip10.9 MB2169201a4de5…Official source ↗
Zen_windows_amd64_noselfupdate.zipwindows · x86_64 · zip10.9 MBd982af2f4e86…Official source ↗
Zen_windows_arm64.zipwindows · arm64 · zip10.2 MB247446ee2018…Official source ↗
Zen_windows_arm64_noselfupdate.zipwindows · arm64 · zip10.2 MB90d6d2b72e2e…Official source ↗

Release history

Quality profile

algorithm quality-v1.0 · assessed Oct 15, 2026
Quality Score96
Risk Score0
Confidence 1.00
Quality Score and Risk Score are different measures. A high score does not guarantee safety.

Score components

Maintenance · 2020
last activity 1 days ago
Documentation · 1515
README 7985 chars, description present
Ready to use · 1515
install instructions: yes; releases: yes
Metadata · 1010
4/4 of description, homepage, license, topics
Releases · 1010
10 release(s), latest 3 days ago
Category confidence · 107
classifier confidence 0.65
Adoption · 109
4265 stars (log-dampened, 10k = max)
License clarity · 55
SPDX MIT
Community · 55
issues enabled, 142 forks

License

MIT
Known licensefrom the repository host

This is the catalog policy status, not legal advice.

Sources

github.com/irbis-sh/zen-desktopPrimary★ 4,265 starslast activity Oct 14, 2026Primary repository · Confidence 1.00

Reviews

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README

From irbis-sh/zen-desktop · license MIT · fetched Oct 29, 2026

Edward Snowden, Permanent Record

[GitHub License] [GitHub release] [GitHub download counter]

Website • Mastodon • Bluesky • Discord • Documentation

Zen is an open-source system-wide ad-blocker and privacy guard for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It works by setting up a proxy that intercepts HTTP requests from all applications, and blocks those serving ads, tracking scripts that monitor your behavior, malware, and other unwanted content. By operating at the system level, Zen can protect against threats that browser extensions cannot, such as trackers embedded in desktop applications and operating system components. Zen comes with many pre-installed filters, but also allows you to easily add hosts files and EasyList-style filters, enabling you to tailor your protection to your specific needs.

Downloads

During the first run, Zen will prompt you to install a root certificate. This is required for Zen to be able to intercept and modify HTTPS requests. This certificate is generated locally and never leaves your device. For details on how this works and the steps we take to secure it, see our security architecture.

Windows

Unsure which version to download? Click on 'Start' and type 'View processor info'. The 'System type' field under 'Device specifications' will tell you which one you need.

Winget

Zen is available via Winget (Windows Package Manager). To install, run:

winget install ZenPrivacy.ZenDesktop

macOS

Unsure which version to download? Learn at Apple's website.

🍺 Homebrew

Zen is available via Homebrew for both Intel and Apple Silicon. To install it, run:

brew install --cask zen-privacy

Linux

Zen has an install script that covers most Linux distributions. To install, run:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/irbis-sh/zen-desktop/master/install.sh | sh

To uninstall, run:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/irbis-sh/zen-desktop/master/install.sh | sh -s -- --uninstall

Other installation methods:

On Linux, automatic proxy configuration is currently only supported on GNOME- and KDE-based desktop environments.

Screenshots

Development

Follow the getting started guide to begin working on Zen development. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the Discussions.

Contributing

Zen needs your help! You can report bugs, suggest and implement features, improve the codebase, or help translate Zen into your language. Please refer to the Contributing Guidelines for more information.

Special Thanks

Zen exists thanks to the support of many incredible people and organizations, including:

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. Some code and assets included with Zen are licensed under different terms. For more information, see the COPYING file.

Open the repository ↗