Arc

A new web browser with a ton of personality

4.8•237 reviews•

4.6K followers

A new web browser with a ton of personality

4.8•237 reviews•

4.6K followers

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Safety and Privacy platforms

A browser that promotes organization and concentration. It is flexible and able to adapt to the most specific individual needs.

The Best Arc Alternatives

The best Arc alternatives are Zen Browser, Vivaldi, Safari, Brave Private Browser, and Dia Browser.

Zen Browser

4.8 ·

Choose Zen Browser if...

✓you want Arc-style workspaces with Firefox add-ons
✓you prefer an open-source browser over Chromium
✓you need split views with more than two pages

See details ↓

Vivaldi

4.3 ·

Choose Vivaldi if...

✓you want extensive control over your browser interface
✓you need built-in notes and research tools
✓you prefer customizable keyboard shortcuts and mouse gestures

See details ↓

Safari

4.9 ·

Choose Safari if...

✓you want seamless browsing across your Apple devices
✓you prefer conventional bookmarks and a minimal interface
✓you value integrated Keychain, passkeys, and Apple Pay

See details ↓

Brave Private Browser

4.7 ·

Choose Brave Private Browser if...

✓you want built-in ad and tracker blocking
✓you need Chromium compatibility without Arc’s interface
✓you prioritize blocking over sophisticated workspace organization

See details ↓

Dia Browser

4.8 ·

Choose Dia Browser if...

✓you want AI chat that understands page context
✓you need reusable Skills for repeated AI tasks
✓you prioritize AI research assistance over Arc-style tabs

See details ↓

What to Consider

Arc has become a prominent browser for its sidebar-based interface, workspaces, and rethinking of everyday tab management. Its alternatives take distinct approaches: Zen pairs familiar organization with open-source Firefox foundations, while Vivaldi emphasizes extensive customization and built-in productivity tools. Safari favors simplicity and Apple ecosystem continuity, Brave combines built-in blocking with Chromium compatibility, and Dia shifts the focus toward contextual AI workflows.

This comparison considers tab and workspace organization, ease of use, extension compatibility, device continuity, privacy features, and available pricing information. Reviewer experiences also inform the assessment of reliability and performance, with a distinction between browsers that preserve Arc’s organizational strengths and those that offer a different way to browse.

Zen Browser

Beautifully designed, privacy-focused

4.8 · 9 reviews

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Zen Browser preserves much of Arc’s organizational appeal while moving to an open-source Firefox foundation. Workspaces, vertical tabs, pinned pages, and page previews make it a familiar alternative for users who want to keep a sidebar-centered workflow.

Its Firefox add-on ecosystem is a meaningful distinction for anyone looking to move away from Chromium, although Chrome extensions do not transfer directly. Flexible split views support more than two pages, making Zen particularly useful for comparing sources or keeping reference material alongside active work. Interface customization and options to hide browser controls also help keep attention on page content.

Zen is a strong fit when familiar organization and control over the browsing environment matter more than adopting a different workflow. Multi-window behavior and occasional stability issues remain potential trade-offs, so it should not be treated as an automatic reliability upgrade over Arc.

Best for

Best for Arc users who want familiar workspace organization in a free, open-source browser built on Firefox.

Standout features

✓Workspaces and vertical sidebar tabs
✓Flexible multi-pane split views
✓Pinned tabs and page previews
✓Firefox add-on support
✓Customizable interface and themes

Vivaldi

The only web browser powerful enough for you

4.3 · 8 reviews

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Extensive customization makes Vivaldi a compelling alternative for users who want more control than Arc’s opinionated interface provides. Workspaces, tab stacking, and tab tiling offer several ways to organize large collections of pages rather than relying on one browsing model.

Built-in notes, Web Panels, and screenshot tools support research without constantly switching applications. Mail, calendar, and RSS capabilities extend that approach into a broader productivity environment. Configurable keyboard shortcuts, mouse gestures, and command chains let frequent actions adapt to established habits.

Vivaldi suits users willing to invest time in configuration in exchange for a more tailored, non-AI-centered browser. The trade-off is a denser settings experience, while sync reliability and differences between desktop and mobile deserve consideration.

Best for

Best for researchers and browser power users who want extensive customization, flexible tab management, and built-in productivity tools.

Standout features

✓Workspaces, tab stacking, and tab tiling
✓Built-in notes and Web Panels
✓Customizable shortcuts and mouse gestures
✓Command chains for repeated actions
✓Integrated mail, calendar, and RSS

Safari

The best way to see the sites.

4.9 · 21 reviews

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For Apple users, Safari offers a simpler alternative to Arc built around device continuity rather than a redesigned browsing workflow. iCloud sync and integrated credentials help browsing fit naturally across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Keychain, passkeys, and Apple Pay reduce friction when signing in or completing purchases. Conventional bookmarks provide a straightforward home for saved pages, while profiles and tab groups add organization without requiring Arc’s sidebar model. Its restrained interface makes Safari appealing when browsing should stay in the background rather than become another system to manage.

Safari is particularly attractive when Apple integration and familiar navigation matter more than extensive customization. Its smaller extension selection, lack of a current Windows version, and occasional website compatibility issues make it less suitable for mixed-platform or extension-heavy workflows.

Best for

Best for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users who prioritize straightforward browsing, conventional bookmarks, and Apple ecosystem integration.

Standout features

✓iCloud browsing continuity across Apple devices
✓Integrated Keychain and passkeys
✓Apple Pay support
✓Profiles and tab groups
✓Built-in privacy protections

Brave Private Browser

The browser that rethinks the web.

4.7 · 61 reviews

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Built-in ad and tracker blocking is Brave Private Browser’s clearest reason to switch from Arc. Rather than centering the experience on workspaces, Brave emphasizes reducing advertising clutter and tracking with minimal setup.

Its Chromium foundation retains access to Chrome extensions and familiar web compatibility, avoiding the ecosystem change involved in moving to Firefox or Safari. Blocking controls can be adjusted when a site needs different treatment. Data import also helps users bring existing browsing information into a more conventional browser interface.

Brave is a stronger fit when privacy-oriented defaults and compatibility matter more than Arc-style organization. It offers less sophisticated workspace management, and bundled services such as VPN and cryptocurrency features may feel unnecessary. Resource use and synchronization can still be pain points, so built-in blocking should not be mistaken for a guarantee of better performance.

Best for

Best for users who want built-in ad and tracker blocking while retaining Chromium compatibility and Chrome extensions.

Standout features

✓Built-in ad and tracker blocking
✓Chromium-based website compatibility
✓Chrome extension support
✓Configurable site-level blocking controls
✓Browsing data import

Dia Browser

The AI browser where you can chat with your tabs

4.8 · 8 reviews

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Contextual AI, rather than tab organization, defines Dia Browser’s appeal as an Arc alternative. Its integrated chat works with page content, making it useful for asking questions about material already open in the browser.

Reusable prompts called Skills turn recurring tasks, such as extracting notes or keywords, into repeatable workflows. Integrated agents also support research and straightforward tasks, reducing the need to move content into a separate AI application. A Chromium foundation preserves access to familiar extensions alongside those AI tools.

Dia makes the most sense for users who value working with the contents of pages more than reproducing Arc’s navigation system. Its tab switching and personalization can feel like a step back for established Arc users. The advantage is therefore a different workflow centered on contextual assistance, not a like-for-like replacement for Arc’s organizational strengths.