Key takeaways
- Vertical tabs aren’t just a trend, they’re a smarter way to navigate the increasingly crowded digital spaces we all work in.
- The real advantage isn’t the aesthetic shift, it’s the mental clarity that comes from seeing your work laid out in a clean list.
- Customization is becoming the new baseline. People don’t want rigid tools anymore, they want browsers that adapt to them.
- Shift goes beyond offering vertical tabs and gives you full control to rebuild your browsing environment from the ground up.
Why vertical tabs are taking over
For years, we’ve accepted the horizontal tab bar as standard. But as our workflows have grown more complex, its limitations have become painfully obvious. According to Shift’s State of Browsing Report, switching between apps and tabs is one of the top contributors to browser burnout, with 13% citing it directly. Horizontal tabs can create a crowded, confusing mess, forcing you to guess which tab holds the information you need.
Vertical tabs solve this problem with elegant simplicity.
By moving your tabs to the side of the screen, you instantly gain more visibility. Tab titles are no longer cut off, making it easy to see exactly what’s open. It’s a small change with a massive impact on clarity and organization. If you want to organize your browser tabs for better focus, vertical layouts are a game changer. Shift takes this a step further. With Shift, you can move your tabs anywhere you want by using our Builder tool —top, bottom, left, right—so you benefit from flexible browser layouts personalized to you.
The QA engineer who flipped his browser: the case for bottom tabs
Who says tabs have to live at the top? This QA Engineer flipped his browser and found focus in the bottom-right corner. Turns out, efficiency looks better upside down.
Read MoreThe psychology behind vertical tabs
For some of us, vertical tabs feel so much better to use. Why’s that? It comes down to cognitive science. Our brains are wired to process information in lists more efficiently than in horizontal rows, especially when those rows become crowded.
This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about reducing strain and improving focus. Considering that 62% of users report recurring digital burnout, any design choice that reduces cognitive load isn’t just nice to have — it’s necessary. When your tabs are neatly stacked on the side, it creates a cleaner, more ordered visual field. This calmness translates into better concentration and less decision fatigue throughout your day.
The future of browsing is customization
The move toward vertical tabs is part of a larger trend: the demand for personalized digital tools. A one-size-fits-all approach no longer works. The future of browsing is about flexibility, control, and creating a workspace that is uniquely yours. It’s why 92% of users want more personalization from their browser and 81% would switch for a setup that better fits their workflow.
Shift is at the forefront of this movement. We’re not just offering a single new feature; we’re providing a platform for you to build your ideal browser from the ground up. Whether it’s choosing your theme, arranging your toolbars, or creating separate Spaces for every part of your life, Shift gives you the power to build your digital world. The browser is no longer just a window to the internet—it’s an extension of your workflow.
We built the world’s most customizable browser: behind the scenes of the new Shift
Discover the all-new Shift and get the behind-the-scenes of the world’s most customizable browser. Built to reflect exactly how you think and work.
Read MoreTake it to the next level with Shift
Vertical tabs are a powerful first step toward a more organized and intuitive browsing experience. But why stop there? That’s what we asked ourselves before becoming the world's first fully customizable browser. Whether you’re a power user juggling multiple accounts or a creative professional who needs a clean space to focus, Shift is built to adapt to you.
Getting started with vertical tabs is easy with templates like "The Creative," which automatically sets you up with a vertical sidebar, including tabs, apps, bookmarks and Spaces. From there, you can use Shift’s drag-and-drop to reimagine every detail and unlock true browser customization, creating a browser that’s as unique as your workflow.
Download Shift for free and try out vertical tabs for yourself.
