browserlike

Browserlike is an adjective used in software design to describe interfaces or applications that emulate the look, behavior, or interaction model of traditional web browsers. A browserlike user interface typically centers on a navigation surface with elements such as an address or search bar, back and forward controls, refresh, and a tabbed workspace that allows multiple documents or pages to be open concurrently. The rendering surface may be powered by an embedded browser engine or simply by a content pane that imitates browser behavior.

This design pattern is common in desktop and mobile applications that display web content within their own UI, such as apps that embed a WebView or other rendering component. It is also used for standalone tools that present multiple panels or documents in a tabbed, browser-style layout. In many cases, browserlike interfaces aim to reduce the learning curve by leveraging users' existing expectations about navigation, history, and bookmarking, while providing content or functionality that originates from the host application rather than the public web.

Browserlike does not imply a full-featured web browser. Some implementations mimic only the visual layout and basic controls, without exposing URL loading, same-origin policies, or other browser-specific capabilities. The term serves as a descriptive contrast to native non-web interfaces and to fully fledged browsers.

See also: In-app browser, WebView, Embedded browser, Tabbed interface, User interface design.