Best Arc Browser alternatives in 2025

Even though Arc had a steep learning curve and it took me more than one try to warm up to the browser, it quickly became my favorite. I'm not sure I even had a "favorite browser" before Arc. A browser was just a gateway to the Internet and nothing I paid much heed to; Arc changed that. Not just for me, but for hundreds of thousands of users.

But The Browser Company of New York, the company behind Arc, has all but abandoned Arc in pursuit of Dia. Although Josh Miller (CEO) said in a video that Arc isn't going anywhere, many people feel that it's not the same as a product actively being developed. And well enough, in the past few months, the only updates Arc gets are security updates. For Arc on Mac, that's almost fine (there are a few things they need to fix, though), but not for Arc on Windows.

Whether you're simply trying to get ahead of the inevitable or reeling from a keen sense of betrayal, if you're looking for an alternative to Arc, it's understandable. Especially if you are an Arc Windows user, the frustration you might be feeling after having waited for the product for so long is completely justifiable.

So, having tried Arc extensively as my daily driver, these are the browsers I'd say can mimic the experiences Arc brings to the table.

What makes Arc unique?

Arc became famous for its approach to tab management. Arc has a lot of USPs that collectively make it "Arc".

While a sidebar is not novel anymore, other aspects of this approach, like auto-archiving tabs, Workspaces, Pinned tabs, and folders, can be hard to find. Arc's Command Bar is another aspect of Arc that gives it an unusual air.

Other than this, there are some other features like Arc's themes, Peek Windows, Little Arc, and Boosts, that are indisposable to some but completely irrelevant to others. Still, depending on your needs, here are some browsers for your consideration.

Zen Browser

The most-Arc like browser on all platforms

If you're not worried about occasional bugs, this is the browser that can most closely mimic the Arc experience

Get Zen Browser

Zen is a Firefox-based browser that is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. However, it's still in beta so you can expect some friction. But the one good thing is that it's being developed at an unprecedented pace, bringing new features all the time.

Similarities:

• Zen has theming and sidebar quite similar to Arc, with support for Workspaces and Pinned Tabs. You can even further customize the sidebar to get pretty close to your Arc setup.
• Switching to Workspaces is possible from the icons at the bottom and each Workspace can have its own set of Pinned Tabs.
• Tab pinning is similar to Arc as well and you can get back to the pinned URL if you navigate elsewhere. With the latest update, resetting the pinned tab is also as intuitive as Arc with a single click on the tab. (Earlier it wasn't; you needed to reset the pinned tab from the right-click menu.)
• Zen browser has also added support for peek windows, known as Zen Glance. You can change the shortcut for Zen Glance from settings and even get the same shortcut from Arc.
• It has support for Split View and quickly copying the current URL with a keyboard shortcut.
• There are also a lot of other configurable settings so you can set up the browser you want to. You can get the Ctrl + Tab keyboard shortcut for cycling between recent tabs, which, for me, was missing from most other browsers on Mac before I found Arc. I continuously used the shortcut on Edge on Windows and it was hampering my workflow a bit when switching to Apple's OS.
• There are also a lot of keyboard shortcuts available to increase productivity, something power users are always seeking.
• The browser also supports a PiP window for videos and you can also activate automatic PiP from the settings by going to 'Firefox Labs'.
• You can also add 'Favorites' at the top of Pinned Tabs with the help of Zen Mods.

Differences:

• While the experience of using Zen Browser is somewhat similar to Arc, it isn't a replica in any sense. Some of the most important features of Arc, like the Command Bar and Auto-archiving tabs, are missing from this browser. (I would find later on in my research that it's missing almost everywhere else).
• It has a floating URL bar instead of the Command Bar.
• Zen Browser is based on Firefox instead of Chromium. However, this brings Firefox's features to the table. You can use containers in the Zen Browser.

What are Firefox container tabs and how to use them

Learn more about Container tabs in Firefox if you want an even enhanced privacy experience.

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• It also doesn't require you to sign in, which is something that's a non-negotiable when getting started on Arc, and something that puts off a lot of users.
• Zen Browser also has Mods, where you can find plugins and themes to change the browser's behavior.

SigmaOS

Serious Arc competitor on macOS

For macOS users, there might be no need to look elsewhere than SigmaOS, a productivity-centric browser.

Get SigmaOS

SigmaOS is a browser that puts productivity at the forefront. While it isn't as focused on tab management as Arc, it has a lot of similar features, making it a natural contender for those seeking an Arc alternative.

It also makes it extremely easy to bring over your Arc setup – your spaces, pinned and today tabs, favorites, cookies, history, etc. which can be an incentive for wanting to switch.

Similarities:

• Like Arc, SigmaOS incorporates a sidebar, Workspaces, a Command Bar, and Split View, making it a familiar environment for Arc users.
• Workspaces can also have different profiles, so you can truly separate your logins like Arc.
• The "Mini Window" feature is akin to Arc’s Little Arc, allowing users to open a tab from external links in small browser windows avoiding clutter.
• In place of Arc's Pinned Tabs, you can lock tabs in SigmaOS but the functionality is similar. You can also navigate back to the pinned (or, locked URL) but the experience isn't as intuitive as Arc.
• There's a simple button to clear all tabs in one go, much like Arc.
• SigmaOS is an AI centric browser. There are a lot of AI features, some similar to Arc's, like auto-renaming tabs, hovering over links for previews, and others like Browse for Me and Pinch to Summarize that mobile users of Arc Search would be familiar with.
• You can have subpages in SigmaOS (the browser calls tabs pages), which are somewhat similar to Arc's folders.
• While it is a WebKit-based browser, it can support Chromium extensions.

Differences:

• While it's a close contender to Arc, even SigmOS doesn't offer Arc's auto-archiving feature. Other features like peek windows or tab cycling using keyboard shortcuts are also absent.
• Tabs in SigmaOS are referred to as "Pages," and while this naming convention aligns with its productivity ethos, it can be confusing for new users.
• SigmaOS introduces unique features like the ability to cross off tabs and snooze them for later. These can either enhance or complicate the browsing experience, depending on your perspective.
• It’s available exclusively on macOS, which limits its accessibility for non-Mac users.

Vivaldi with VivalArc

Arc replacement for power users

If you're not afraid to master yet another browser and dive into the nitty gritty of it all, Vivaldi will be your favorite browser on all platforms

Get Vivaldi

Switching to Vivaldi can feel overwhelming at first, so at least it shares that trait with Arc. But jokes aside, Vivaldi isn't a perfect fit for everyone; it offers an incredible amount of control and customization for those willing to embrace its complexity.

If you’ve already conquered Arc’s steep learning curve, tackling Vivaldi might not be as intimidating. But it's also understandable if you don't want to go through that with another browser. With Vivaldi's cards out in the open, let's get going.

Similarities:

• While Vivaldi comes with a host of themes, you can make it feel even more Arc-like by using community themes like VivalArc.
• The browser features vertical tabs and a side panel that can be tailored to mimic Arc’s sidebar. So, for those who value organized tab management, Vivaldi won't disappoint.
• Vivaldi too has the option for Workspaces, but you cannot switch between them as seamlessly as Arc; you need to switch via a drop-down menu.
• Vivaldi’s Quick Commands feature offers similar functionality to Arc’s Command Bar, providing a centralized way to search and execute commands.
• It also supports the Ctrl + Tab shortcut for cycling through tabs, catering to users who rely on quick navigation.

Differences:

• You can pin tabs, but they don’t behave exactly like in Arc. For example, pinned tabs in Vivaldi don’t automatically reset to their original URL, which can be a drawback for some.
• Along with a sidebar, it also offers a side panel that can be useful for quickly opening bookmarks or other websites.
• You don't need to create an account to use the browser.
• Vivaldi offers tab stacking, which you can almost make work like folders.
• While Vivaldi leans toward a feature-packed interface that can be overwhelming at first glance, it also offers a lot of control so you can basically trim anything you don't want. There's rarely a browser out there that offers such a high degree of control anymore.

Edge with Sidebar

The safest and most stable option

Not feeling too adventurous after your bout with Arc browser and only need the basics? Edge will not disappoint.

Get Microsoft Edge

Edge is a solid browser that is not too resource-heavy. A lot of people are initially put off by the bloatware in Edge but you can turn off most of it.

While Edge doesn't have a large number of features that Arc offers, it can simulate a good enough experience, especially when you consider the fact that it's the most stable of all other browsers. You can also get it on multiple platforms, without the performance issue.

Similarities:

• On Edge, you can enable vertical tabs offering a sleek way to manage open tabs for users who prefer a sidebar.
• Edge offers seamless Split View and a lot of AI options for those for whom an AI browser is important (even if they're not the same set of AI features).
• While Edge doesn't have automatic PiP, you can use this extension to get the feature.
• You can cycle between recent tabs using the Ctrl + Tab shortcut; unfortunately, it doesn't work on Mac.

Differences:

• You can also pin tabs in Edge; however, they do not behave like Arc.
• Edge also has Workspaces but they don't offer a similar experience to Arc either. Workspaces in Edge open in different windows, and are more geared towards collaborative browsing. But that's a feature you won't get in a lot of browsers.

How to setup and use Microsoft Edge Workspaces

Make collaboration easier with Microsoft Edge Workspaces.

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• Open tabs don't sync automatically between Edge browser on different devices/ platforms. But history can be synced if you're logged in.

Floorp

A customizable, secure browser

If you want an open-source browser that can be customized to work like Arc but is also secure, Floorp will make an excellent choice on multiple platforms

Get Floorp

Floorp is an ambitious browser developed by a small team with a single developer from Japan. While it’s not entirely free of bugs or glitches – one of my sessions saw the app stop responding even with a couple of tabs – it’s a unique option for those who value privacy and customization.

Floorp’s strong privacy features make it an excellent choice for users who prioritize security, rivaling even Brave in this regard.

Similarities:

• Floorp offers vertical tabs so you can get a sidebar, but enabling these features can be a bit more cumbersome as you have to navigate deep into the settings.
• Floorp includes Workspaces, and you can place workspace icons in the side panel for easy access. However, the experience isn’t entirely seamless; you need to rename a workspace manually after creating it, as it defaults to 'New Workspace'.
• Like Arc, Floorp supports Split View, making multitasking smoother.

Differences:

• Floorp, like Zen, is built on Firefox and not Chromium. However, this does mean that it inherits features like Firefox Containers, which provide enhanced privacy by isolating different types of browsing activities.
• While you can pin tabs, there's no option to go back to the pinned URL in case you navigate elsewhere.
• At first glance, Floorp can appear complicated, which may deter users who prefer a more straightforward browsing experience.
• Floorp allows you to create web apps, adding versatility for users who rely on specific sites.
• It supports custom CSS and other advanced tweaks, making it a haven for tech-savvy users.
• DRM support is an issue and content on certain websites with DRM protection, like Netflix, won't play.