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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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, Zen Browser, Safari, and Brave Private Browser.

SigmaOS Browser

4.1 ·

Choose SigmaOS Browser if...

✓you manage tabs as tasks to complete
✓you prefer command palette and shortcuts first
✓you want WebKit-style Mac-native browsing

See details ↓

Sidekick Browser

4.1 ·

Choose Sidekick Browser if...

✓you rely on sessions to park tab sets
✓you want sidebar apps with multi-account support
✓you need built-in ad and distraction blocking

See details ↓

Zen Browser

4.8 ·

Choose Zen Browser if...

✓you want Arc-like UI on Firefox
✓you prefer open-source and privacy-minded development
✓you want heavy theming and customization

See details ↓

Safari

4.9 ·

Choose Safari if...

✓you live across Mac and iPhone daily
✓you prioritize battery life and low memory usage
✓you want traditional bookmarks and familiar browser behavior

See details ↓

Brave Private Browser

4.7 ·

Choose Brave Private Browser if...

✓you want Chromium compatibility with strong ad blocking
✓you prefer privacy defaults without extra extensions
✓you need a solid mobile browser with blocking

See details ↓

What to Consider

Arc has earned a loyal following by rethinking browsing around spaces, profiles, and a highly opinionated UI that turns tab chaos into structured work. The alternatives landscape splits into a few clear camps: task-centric browsers like SigmaOS that treat tabs like a to‑do list, session- and sidebar-app-driven tools like Sidekick for rapid context switching, Arc-like experiences on a different engine with Zen (Firefox-based and open-source), and “less novelty, more reliability” choices like Safari and Brave that prioritize speed, compatibility, and privacy-by-default.

In comparing Arc alternatives, we weighed how each browser handles tab/workspace organization, keyboard efficiency, and split-view multitasking, alongside real-world factors like extension and site compatibility (especially SSO/redirect-heavy workflows), performance and resource use, platform availability, and maturity/stability. We also considered privacy posture and trust signals, sync and multi-account behavior, and whether pricing or subscription practices feel reasonable for a browser you’ll use all day.

SigmaOS Browser

The new home for your internet 🏡

4.1 · 40 reviews

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SigmaOS is built around a “tasks, not tabs” philosophy, making it a compelling Arc alternative for people who want their browser to function like a work queue. Instead of encouraging endless tab hoarding, it nudges pages into a checklist-like flow where you can process, complete, and move on—great for research-heavy days and inbox-style browsing.

The experience is heavily keyboard- and command-palette driven, so common actions (searching, switching, organizing, and launching pages) can be done with minimal mouse use. If Arc’s UI feels visually dense or too context-heavy, SigmaOS can feel cleaner and more directive once its shortcuts are learned.

On macOS, SigmaOS leans into an Apple-first identity with a Safari-adjacent feel and WebKit positioning, which can appeal to users who prefer that ecosystem approach over Chromium. It also supports split-screen workflows that make side-by-side reading, writing, and comparing sources straightforward.

The main trade-offs versus Arc are around compatibility and predictability: extension support can be inconsistent, and some bookmark/locked-page behaviors can clash with redirect-based SSO flows. It’s best when the workflow is web-app-light and focus and speed of navigation matter more than perfect compatibility with every enterprise login and plugin.

Best for

Best for Mac power users who want a task-focused, keyboard-driven way to tame tab overload.

Standout features

✓Task-first tab list with completion flow
✓Command palette and extensive shortcuts
✓Workspaces for structured browsing contexts
✓Split-screen multitasking
✓Mac-first, Safari-like positioning

Sidekick Browser

The fastest browser built for work.

4.1 · 62 reviews

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Sidekick stands out by treating sessions as the core way to manage browsing, making it ideal when Arc’s approach to spaces and tab persistence still feels too “always open.” You can close entire contexts, bring them back instantly, and keep the browser lean by only running what you need right now.

Its sidebar “apps” model is the other big differentiator: frequently used sites can live as persistent apps rather than tabs, and multi-account handling is designed into that workflow. This is especially useful for juggling multiple clients or identities without constantly signing in and out or duplicating windows.

Sidekick also bakes in work utilities that many Arc users otherwise bolt on with extensions—ad blocking, distraction blocking, and tab suspension aimed at reducing noise and RAM usage. Paired with split view and workspaces, it’s built for people who want a more “work console” style browser.

The trade-offs are largely around trust and polish: some users run into billing and support concerns, plus occasional performance spikes or site-specific auth quirks. It’s a strong pick when sessions and app-style sidebars are the priority and the built-in productivity stack matters more than a minimalist, design-forward browsing experience.

Best for

Ideal for multi-project professionals who need sessions, sidebar apps, and multi-account control.

Standout features

✓One-click sessions to save and restore tab sets
✓Sidebar apps with persistent state
✓Built-in ad and distraction blocking
✓RAM-saving tab suspension
✓Split view and workspaces

Zen Browser

Beautifully designed, privacy-focused

4.8 · 9 reviews

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Zen Browser is the clearest path to an Arc-like workflow without committing to Chromium, pairing a modern vertical-tabs interface with a Firefox foundation. That makes it appealing for anyone who wants Arc-style organization but prefers Gecko for ecosystem, philosophy, or web-compat reasons.

Where it shines is UI customization and focus: workspaces make it easy to separate projects, and the interface can be pared back to reduce visual noise. Themes and customization options help it feel more personal and less locked into a single “right way” to browse.

Zen’s split view is a major productivity lever, enabling side-by-side work that feels purpose-built rather than an afterthought. For users migrating from Arc, the overall mental model—workspaces, vertical navigation, and fast switching—can feel familiar while avoiding Arc’s more proprietary direction.

The main trade-off is maturity: as a newer, evolving browser, occasional multi-window and sync edge cases can appear. It’s best for people who value an open-source trajectory and customization headroom, and are comfortable living a bit closer to the frontier than mainstream browsers.

Best for

Best for Arc refugees who want an open-source, Firefox-based take on vertical tabs and workspaces.

Standout features

✓Firefox-based, open-source foundation
✓Workspaces with vertical tab management
✓Highly customizable UI and themes
✓Powerful split view layouts
✓Minimal, focus-oriented interface options

Safari

The best way to see the sites.

4.9 · 20 reviews

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Safari wins by refusing to make browsing complicated, offering a stable, familiar experience that fits naturally into the Apple ecosystem. For users who found Arc’s paradigm shift exciting but ultimately too opinionated, Safari is a reset to “fast, simple, and predictable.”

Performance and efficiency are the headline advantages: it’s often the best choice for battery life, low memory pressure, and quick page loads on macOS. If the browser needs to disappear into the background while work happens, Safari’s minimalism can be a real productivity feature.

Safari also excels at system-level integration—password management, device continuity, and the general feeling that everything is where it should be. Traditional bookmarks and well-worn browser conventions are intact, which can be a relief for workflows that don’t map cleanly to Arc’s spaces-and-tabs model.

The trade-offs versus Arc are mostly about flexibility: the extension ecosystem is smaller and some power-user workflows may require a secondary browser for edge-case sites. It’s the right alternative when reliability, efficiency, and Apple-native cohesion matter more than novel tab systems.

Best for

Ideal for Apple ecosystem users who prioritize speed, battery life, and a familiar workflow.

Standout features

✓Deep macOS and iOS integration
✓Fast performance with low memory use
✓Built-in privacy and anti-tracking protections
✓Strong password management integration
✓Traditional bookmarks and stable tab management

Brave Private Browser

The browser that rethinks the web.

4.7 · 60 reviews

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Brave Private Browser is a pragmatic Arc alternative for people who want Chrome-like compatibility with far less tracking and clutter. It focuses on privacy-by-default and built-in blocking, so the browser feels cleaner immediately without spending time tuning settings and extensions.

Its ad and tracker blocking reduces distractions, speeds up page loads, and cuts down on pop-ups and cookie noise—especially noticeable on content-heavy sites. For users who liked Arc’s productivity angle but mainly want a faster, quieter web, Brave delivers that with a more conventional interface.

Because it’s Chromium-based, Brave typically fits smoothly into existing workflows that rely on Chrome extensions and web app compatibility. That makes it a safer choice than more experimental browsers when the priority is “everything should just work,” particularly across desktop and mobile.

The trade-offs are that Brave is less about deep organization and more about protection and performance, and some may find its extra bundled features (like wallet or VPN surfaces) unnecessary. It’s best when privacy, speed, and compatibility are the primary goals rather than a redesigned workspace-driven browsing model.