Arc

A new web browser with a ton of personality

4.8•238 reviews•

4.6K followers

A new web browser with a ton of personality

4.8•238 reviews•

4.6K followers

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Web browsers

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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 SigmaOS Browser, Sidekick Browser, Safari, Brave Private Browser, and Zen Browser.

SigmaOS Browser

4.1 ·

Choose SigmaOS Browser if...

✓you want tabs to work like a todo list
✓you prefer a macOS native WebKit browser
✓you rely on heavy keyboard shortcuts and command palette

See details ↓

Sidekick Browser

4.1 ·

Choose Sidekick Browser if...

✓you need saved tab sessions for each project
✓you juggle multiple accounts in the same apps
✓you want built in focus and distraction blocking

See details ↓

Safari

4.9 ·

Choose Safari if...

✓you want maximum battery life on Mac
✓you rely on iCloud Keychain and Apple integration
✓you prefer a simple browser that just works

See details ↓

Brave Private Browser

4.7 ·

Choose Brave Private Browser if...

✓you want strong ad and tracker blocking by default
✓you need Chromium compatibility without Google baggage
✓you browse on mobile and want background play

See details ↓

Zen Browser

4.9 ·

Choose Zen Browser if...

✓you want Arc like workspaces on Firefox
✓you prefer open source and privacy focused defaults
✓you need Windows Linux and macOS support

See details ↓

What to Consider

Arc has earned a loyal following by rethinking the browser around vertical tabs, Spaces, split views, and a keyboard-first workflow that keeps tab sprawl under control. But the alternatives landscape is surprisingly diverse: some browsers double down on “work browser” mechanics like sessions and app sidebars, others prioritize Apple-native speed and battery life, and privacy-first options aim to eliminate trackers by default without piling on extensions. You’ll also find open-source, Firefox-based newcomers trying to recreate Arc-like organization while avoiding Chromium, alongside macOS-only browsers that treat tabs as tasks you can finish.

In evaluating Arc alternatives, we focused on how well each option handles real-world workflows (multi-account logins, tab/session organization, and cross-device continuity), plus stability and performance under heavy web-app use. We also weighed privacy defaults, extension compatibility, platform support (especially Windows vs macOS), and whether the pricing and support experience match the value promised.

SigmaOS Browser

The new home for your internet 🏡

4.1 · 40 reviews

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SigmaOS takes a task-first approach to browsing, treating tabs more like a to-do list than a pile of open pages. That makes it a compelling alternative to Arc for people who want their browser to actively encourage finishing and clearing work, not just organizing it into Spaces.

It stands out with Workspaces, split-screen multitasking, and a keyboard-driven command palette that can make navigation feel closer to a productivity app than a traditional browser. The overall experience is built around flow: renaming and locking pages, moving through tasks quickly, and keeping the interface clean.

SigmaOS is also a strong fit for Mac-centric setups thanks to its macOS-native, WebKit foundation and Apple-friendly integrations like Keychain. If Arc’s Chromium base or performance profile isn’t ideal in an Apple-only workflow, SigmaOS aims for a more native-feeling alternative.

The main trade-offs are that SigmaOS is Mac-only and can be a poor fit for institutional login flows and certain extension-dependent workflows. It’s best when the priority is a streamlined, task-completion browsing style rather than maximum compatibility with every enterprise SSO pattern and every Chrome add-on.

Best for

Best for macOS power users who want a task-based, keyboard-first way to manage web work.

Standout features

✓Task-like Workspaces with done and locked states
✓Split-screen multitasking
✓Command palette and extensive shortcuts
✓Apple Keychain integration
✓AI-assisted summaries and Q&A

Sidekick Browser

The fastest browser built for work.

4.1 · 62 reviews

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Sidekick is built around sessions and app-style browsing, making it a natural Arc alternative for people whose day is split across projects, clients, or research rabbit holes. Instead of keeping lots of tabs alive across Spaces, Sidekick shines when you want to save an entire set of tabs as a named session and reopen it later exactly where it left off.

The app sidebar is another key differentiator: frequently used tools like mail, calendars, chats, and music can live as pinned “apps” you can jump into without cluttering your active work tabs. That separation often feels more structured than Arc’s pinned tabs when the goal is keeping core apps persistent across contexts.

Sidekick also leans hard into work-focused ergonomics like built-in ad blocking, distraction controls, and memory management, aiming to replace a stack of extensions with native features. For multi-account users, the ability to manage separate logins at the app level can be a major time-saver.

The biggest downsides tend to be around trust and friction: pricing can be hard to justify for a browser, some users report regressions and support gaps, and there are occasional compatibility issues with auth flows, password managers, or specific web apps. It’s a strong pick when sessions and app-style workflow matter more than Arc’s design-led, personality-forward interface.

Best for

Ideal for knowledge workers managing many projects, sessions, and multi-account SaaS apps.

Standout features

✓Saved tab sessions for projects
✓Pinned app sidebar for core web apps
✓Multi-account containers per app
✓Built-in focus and distraction blocking
✓Memory management and tab suspension

Safari

The best way to see the sites.

4.9 · 18 reviews

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Safari wins when the browser is expected to disappear into the background and simply run fast, quiet, and efficiently. As an Arc alternative, it’s less about novel workflow mechanics and more about dependable performance, low memory use, and battery-friendly browsing across Apple hardware.

The tight integration with the Apple ecosystem is the reason many people stick with it: iCloud sync, Keychain-based password management, and passkeys work with minimal setup. If Arc’s learning curve, UI choices, or occasional rough edges get in the way, Safari’s conventional model can feel frictionless.

Safari also appeals to users who want privacy protections enabled by default without constantly tuning settings. Built-in content blocking and tracking prevention can deliver a cleaner web experience, especially on iPhone and iPad.

The trade-offs are real: the extension ecosystem can feel limited compared to Chromium browsers, and occasional site quirks still push some workflows to a backup browser. It’s the best fit when reliability, energy efficiency, and Apple-native continuity matter more than Arc’s workspace-centric reinvention.

Best for

Best for Apple-first users who prioritize speed, battery life, and seamless iCloud integration.

Standout features

✓Excellent performance and energy efficiency
✓iCloud sync and Keychain integration
✓Intelligent Tracking Prevention
✓Profiles and tab groups
✓Apple Pay and passkeys support

Brave Private Browser

The browser that rethinks the web.

4.7 · 59 reviews

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Brave is a strong Arc alternative when privacy and a quieter web matter more than a redesigned workspace UI. Its core advantage is blocking ads, trackers, and cookie nags by default, often delivering a cleaner experience without building a complex extension stack.

Because it’s Chromium-based, Brave keeps the compatibility many people rely on for modern sites and developer workflows. That makes it a practical landing spot for users who like Arc’s Chrome-extension safety net but would rather trade Arc’s interface experimentation for a more familiar layout.

Brave also layers on optional built-ins like private search, Tor-style browsing modes, and an AI assistant, letting users get common “power browser” capabilities without jumping between services. On mobile, features like ad blocking and background media play can be especially compelling.

The main drawbacks are that Brave’s extra services can feel like clutter to people who want a pure browser, and some users run into issues with specific sites or syncing reliability. Choose it when the priority is a fast, modern Chromium browser with strong default privacy rather than Arc’s organization-first philosophy.

Best for

Ideal for privacy-focused users who still want Chromium compatibility and strong built-in blocking.

Standout features

✓Built-in ad and tracker blocking
✓Fingerprinting and cookie consent protections
✓Chromium engine and extension compatibility
✓Tor-style private browsing option
✓Optional AI assistant and private search

Zen Browser

Beautifully designed, privacy-focused

4.9 · 8 reviews

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Zen Browser is a compelling path for anyone who wants Arc-like organization without committing to Chromium. Built on Firefox, it combines privacy-oriented foundations with modern productivity patterns like workspaces, vertical tabs, and split view.

Compared to Arc, Zen’s appeal is its open-source ethos and a security posture that can feel more confidence-inspiring for users wary of proprietary browsers. It also gives people a way to keep the Firefox add-on ecosystem while still getting the “spaces and sidebar” style workflow that Arc popularized.

Zen stands out for how much organization it packs in: pinned and grouped tabs, workspace-aware navigation, quick preview flows, and a compact UI that can be tuned with themes and customization. For multi-project browsing, it can approximate Arc’s day-to-day flow while staying lighter on system resources for some setups.

The trade-off is maturity: it’s still evolving and occasional instability can show up, especially on macOS media-heavy use. It’s best when open-source, Firefox compatibility, and Arc-style workspace habits matter more than the polish and ecosystem momentum of a mainstream browser.