Web browsing is an essential part of our digital lives, but most browsers — whether it’s Chrome, Firefox, or even Edge — largely follow the same structure. Tabs, bookmarks, extensions, and a central browsing window form the backbone of these tools. Yet, if you’re using Linux, you may want something that feels more integrated into your environment, tailored to your workflow, and more privacy-centric. Enter Tangram, a Linux-only web app browser that rethinks how we interact with the web.
Tangram is a unique application that turns websites into individual apps, effectively offering a dedicated space for the websites you frequent most. It has its limitations, but for those looking to declutter their native app launcher, enhance privacy, or keep work and personal web activities separate, it offers a compelling alternative to traditional browsers.
In this post, we’ll explore Tangram’s features, strengths, limitations, and why it might be worth a try if you're a Linux user.
What is Tangram?
Tangram is an open-source web app manager that allows users to turn websites into standalone apps. Unlike conventional browsers, which allow you to access multiple sites through tabs, Tangram offers a more focused and app-like experience. Every website you "add" becomes a dedicated web app, and these apps are isolated from one another. This makes it easy to, for example, log in to both a personal and work Gmail account without the hassle of switching between profiles or dealing with confusing logout issues.
This concept is somewhat similar to features found in Chrome and other browsers that let you create "desktop shortcuts" for websites. However, Tangram goes further by consolidating these apps into one unified window, making them feel less like browser tabs and more like dedicated programs on your system.
A Unique Way to Browse
Tangram’s interface is simple, even minimalistic. When you first launch the app, you’re greeted with an empty screen and an “Add” button. Clicking this button allows you to input the URL of a website, which then turns that site into an app within Tangram’s environment. Each website you add appears as a thumbnail, allowing you to quickly jump between your apps.
The benefit of this setup becomes clearer when you’re juggling multiple accounts or want to separate various online activities. Each website you add is sandboxed from the others, meaning you can sign into multiple accounts on the same website (e.g., personal and work Gmail) without interference. For users who frequently switch between multiple accounts or workspaces, this can be a game-changer.
Moreover, because these apps live inside Tangram’s interface, they don’t clutter your main app launcher. You won’t find Gmail or YouTube sitting alongside your native apps like GIMP or LibreOffice, giving you a cleaner, more organized experience.
Why Tangram Makes Sense for Linux Users
Linux has long been a haven for privacy-conscious users. Tangram leans into this ethos by keeping the data you use inside its environment separate from your primary browser. This makes it harder for trackers to build a cohesive profile of your online activities. The cookies stored in Tangram are distinct from those in your regular browsers like Firefox or Chrome, meaning that sites like Facebook and Google are less able to track your behavior across different services.
For instance, imagine using Facebook in Tangram while doing your shopping on a regular browser. Because Tangram doesn’t share cookies with your main browser, Facebook would have a harder time knowing which e-commerce sites you’ve visited, potentially reducing the amount of targeted advertising you receive.
Tangram alone won’t make you invisible online, but when combined with other privacy-focused behaviors — such as using a VPN or limiting telemetry by using Linux in the first place — it offers a modest step toward reducing your online footprint.
Tangram vs. Other Linux Tools
Tangram isn’t the only tool trying to make the web more app-like on Linux. Linux Mint, for instance, has a Web App Manager, which allows users to create web apps and place icons directly in the app drawer. Similarly, GNOME Web comes with its own web app generator that works in a similar way. However, what sets Tangram apart is its organization and simplicity. Instead of scattering web apps across your system, Tangram bundles them into one location, giving you easy access without clogging up your system resources.
If you are running a GNOME-based desktop, Tangram integrates beautifully, offering a consistent user experience without the jarring contrast that often comes from using third-party apps like Discord or Slack, which can feel out of place on a native Linux desktop.
Performance and Limitations
Of course, no tool is perfect, and Tangram has its limitations. For starters, it runs on GNOME Web’s engine (also known as WebKit), which isn’t the most resource-efficient option out there. If you’re running a high-powered machine, you probably won’t notice any issues. However, users on older or less powerful machines may experience performance slowdowns, especially if they open too many apps simultaneously.
Another downside is the occasional incompatibility with websites. Some sites, such as Google or Facebook, require opening multiple tabs during the login process, and this can sometimes cause problems in Tangram. While the app is actively maintained and updated, occasional crashes still happen, especially when handling complex websites or media-heavy pages.
Furthermore, Tangram’s app-like experience comes with trade-offs. For example, while the interface is streamlined and free of distractions, it lacks the navigation controls that power users might be used to in browsers like Firefox or Chrome. You don’t have a traditional address bar, making it less ideal for web exploration or casual browsing. Instead, Tangram works best when you know exactly which sites you want to treat as apps and are looking to streamline your online experience.
Use Cases for Tangram
So, who is Tangram for? While it might not be for everyone, it shines in specific scenarios:
- Managing Multiple Accounts: If you’re someone who juggles multiple accounts on the same site (e.g., personal and work email), Tangram’s isolation features can make life a lot easier.
- Reducing Browser Clutter: Tangram keeps web apps tucked away, reducing tab overload in your main browser and allowing you to focus on core sites without distractions.
- Enhanced Privacy: While Tangram doesn’t eliminate tracking altogether, separating your web apps from your main browsing activity adds a layer of privacy many will appreciate.
- App-Like Experience on Linux: For users who prefer web versions of apps over dedicated desktop clients, Tangram offers a more integrated and native experience.
Final Thoughts: Should You Use Tangram?
Tangram is not for everyone. It won’t replace your main browser, and it has performance limitations, especially on lower-powered machines. However, it offers a unique way to manage web apps, enhancing privacy, reducing clutter, and integrating well into Linux environments, particularly GNOME.
If you’re a Linux user looking for a fresh way to interact with the web — especially if you manage multiple accounts or want more separation between your online activities — Tangram is worth trying. It might not revolutionize web browsing, but it offers enough novelty and practical features to make it a valuable tool for many.
Tangram’s minimalistic approach is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise crowded space of tab-heavy browsers, and with continued development, it has the potential to grow into a must-have app for Linux power users.
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