In a world increasingly dominated by privacy concerns and data monetization fears, Indian tech firm Zoho has stepped into the browser arena with Ulaa—a lightweight, privacy-focused web browser designed with simplicity and user control in mind. Aimed at everyday users and small businesses wary of big-tech tracking, Ulaa is being pitched as an accessible alternative to Google Chrome without the bells, whistles, and baggage.
What Is Zoho Ulaa?
Zoho Ulaa (pronounced “oo-la”) is a Chromium-based browser launched by Zoho Corporation, a company already known for its suite of productivity apps and enterprise tools. Positioned as a privacy-first browser, Ulaa strips away user tracking mechanisms common in mainstream browsers. It’s built to offer a familiar browsing experience for Chrome users while ensuring personal data remains private and local.
Interface and Usability
On first launch, Ulaa looks strikingly similar to Chrome—which is no surprise, given that it’s built on the same open-source Chromium engine. This familiarity is intentional. Zoho is targeting Chrome users who want to switch browsers without dealing with a steep learning curve.
The UI is clean and minimal, with subtle tweaks: an integrated reading mode, a custom new tab page with productivity widgets, and profile-based browsing modes that allow users to switch between personal, work, developer, or kids' modes. These modes can be tailored, giving users a more contextual browsing experience.
Privacy Features That Matter
Where Ulaa diverges from Chrome is in its strong focus on privacy:
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No telemetry or tracking: Zoho claims that Ulaa does not collect any personal browsing data or usage analytics by default.
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Ad and tracker blocking: Built-in tools block third-party trackers and intrusive ads, helping pages load faster and reducing digital footprint.
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Time Tracker: A novel feature that shows how much time you're spending on various websites—similar to Screen Time on iOS—helping with productivity and digital wellness.
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Isolated Browsing Modes: Each profile mode operates independently with its own session and cookie jar, reducing cross-site tracking.
Unlike Brave or DuckDuckGo Browser, Ulaa does not offer crypto-based incentives or VPN integration, keeping its feature set streamlined and focused purely on browser essentials.
Performance and Compatibility
Given its Chromium base, Ulaa supports Chrome extensions and web apps seamlessly. In performance benchmarks, Ulaa performs comparably with Chrome and Edge in terms of speed and rendering. However, users may notice a slight memory overhead due to its extra privacy shields running in the background.
The browser is currently available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, with syncing options limited to devices under the same Zoho account—another nod to privacy over convenience.
Who Should Use Ulaa?
Zoho Ulaa is ideal for users who:
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Are already part of the Zoho ecosystem.
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Want a Chrome-like experience without Google’s data practices.
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Prefer a browser that prioritizes privacy and simplicity over flashy features.
That said, users looking for deep customization, integrated VPNs, or unique selling points like Tor routing may find Ulaa too basic.
Final Thoughts
Zoho Ulaa may not upend the browser market, but it offers a refreshing alternative for those disenchanted with data-hungry tech giants. By offering a familiar yet private web experience, it finds its niche among privacy-minded users who want control without complexity.