Comparison
LiquidPad vs Sidekick
Sidekick was a Chromium-based productivity browser built around an app sidebar, session manager, split view, and an AI assistant, aiming to replace Chrome as your main browser on macOS, Windows, and Linux with full Chrome-extension support. In July 2025 Sidekick was acquired by Perplexity and the standalone browser was sunset (its site now redirects to Perplexity's Comet). LiquidPad takes the opposite approach: instead of replacing your browser, it's a lightweight native macOS menu-bar companion that slides a Liquid-Glass panel in from the screen edge on a global shortcut, so you keep Chrome, Safari, or Arc and call up your apps and native tools on top of them.
Feature comparison
Why people pick LiquidPad over Sidekick
- A companion, not a replacement: keep your existing browser and OS habits.
- Native macOS app (AppKit + WKWebView), not a heavy second Chromium engine.
- Slide-from-edge Liquid-Glass panel on a global shortcut for instant access.
- Native tools Sidekick never had: terminal, SSH manager, focus/pomodoro, tasks, habits, system monitor.
- Per-app isolated sessions, Boards, Command palette (⌘K), Workspace scenes, Universal PiP, Vault PIN, AI omnibar.
- One-time Lifetime pricing option and no telemetry.
- Actively maintained, where Sidekick was sunset after its 2025 Perplexity acquisition.
Where Sidekick shines
Credit where it's due, Sidekick is a strong product. It's the better choice when:
- Full standalone browser that replaced Chrome entirely.
- Cross-platform: macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- Built on Chromium with full Chrome-extension compatibility.
- App sidebar, session manager, and split view for multitasking.
- Built-in ad and tracker blocker plus an AI tab suspender for memory.
- Team plans with shared apps, roles, and a built-in VPN.
Pricing
Sidekick used a subscription freemium model (free tier plus Pro around $8/mo billed yearly) and is no longer sold following the Perplexity acquisition. LiquidPad is free for 3 apps and 1 board, Pro at $4.99/mo or $47.88/yr, or a one-time $59 Lifetime license, with cloud sync on Pro.
The verdict
Sidekick was a polished cross-platform Chromium browser built to replace Chrome, but it was acquired and sunset in 2025 and ran a full second browser engine on subscription pricing. LiquidPad is for people who want to keep their existing browser: a lightweight, native macOS menu-bar companion that slides in on a shortcut, isolates accounts per app, and bundles native tools Sidekick never offered, with a no-telemetry stance, a one-time Lifetime option, and active development.
Try LiquidPad free, no account needed.
Three apps and one workspace on the house. Go unlimited with a 14-day trial whenever you're ready.
Download for MacmacOS 14 Sonoma or later · Apple Silicon & Intel