Arc Browser

Review Summary

Arc Browser reimagined how we interact with the web. Its sidebar and Spaces brought order to tab chaos. Many people loved its thoughtful design. However, Arc Browser is now a legacy product. The Browser Company stopped active development in 2025. It now only receives security updates from Chromium.

This is a functional but frozen browser. The company's focus has shifted to its new product, Dia. Existing users might stay for the familiar interface. New users should consider other options. The Arc experience is great. But its future is non-existent.

What is Arc Browser

Arc Browser is a free web browser for macOS and Windows. It is built on Chromium. This means it supports Chrome extensions. Arc's main difference is its user interface. It removes the traditional top tab bar. Instead, it uses a sidebar for all navigation and organization.

This sidebar contains your tabs, bookmarks, and folders. Arc introduced concepts like Spaces to separate different contexts. For example, you can have a Space for work and another for personal projects. Each Space holds its own set of tabs and folders. This approach helps keep your digital life organized in one window.

As of 2026, Arc Browser is in maintenance mode. The Browser Company, its creator, no longer adds new features. The company now directs users to its new browser, Dia, for active development and enterprise features. Arc still works and is secure. But it is not evolving.

Pros and Cons

Arc Browser's design was widely praised. Its core ideas are still excellent. The sidebar is a better way to manage many tabs. Pinned tabs and folders are easy to use. Spaces and Profiles are great for separating work and life. The built-in Split View is useful for research and writing.

However, the cons are significant. Development on Arc Browser stopped in 2025. It will not get any new features. Its creator, The Browser Company, has moved on. Their new focus is a browser named Dia. This leaves Arc's future uncertain. It is a relic of a great idea, not a platform for the future.

Key Features

Arc Browser's features created a dedicated following. They work together to create a more organized browsing experience.

Spaces and Sidebar

The sidebar is the heart of Arc Browser. It replaces the horizontal tab strip. Tabs are listed vertically, which is easier to read. You can pin frequently used tabs. You can also create folders for tab groups. Spaces are distinct browsing areas within the sidebar. You can create a Space for each major part of your life. This keeps your work tabs separate from your hobby tabs. Switching between Spaces is fast. It feels like changing desktops, not just tab groups.

Split View

Arc Browser includes a native Split View. This lets you display two, three, or even four tabs in a single window. You can drag tabs into place to create a split. This is very helpful for tasks that require multiple sources. You can watch a video while taking notes. Or you can compare two documents side-by-side. It is a core feature, not an add-on.

Profiles

Profiles work with Spaces to keep your digital identities separate. A Profile stores its own cookies, history, and logins. You can assign a different Profile to each Space. Your work Space can use your work Google account. Your personal Space can use your personal account. This prevents login conflicts and protects your privacy between contexts.

Command Bar

The Command Bar is a quick-access tool. You can open it with a keyboard shortcut. From there, you can search your tabs, open a new site, or use browser commands. It is a fast way to navigate without using your mouse. It also lets you open a small