Arc Browser Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Arc won a loyal following with its sidebar of tabs, spaces for different projects and a calmer way of browsing. Its maker, The Browser Company, has since said it's stopped actively developing Arc's core features. It still ships Chromium and security updates and says it isn't shutting Arc down, but its attention has moved to its newer browser, and Atlassian has announced it's buying the company. If you'd rather settle somewhere that's still growing, that's a fair reason to look around.

Here are ten Arc browser alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Most come from smaller, independent browser makers, alongside a few household names, and each description is taken from the browser's own website and directory listings. If AI features are part of why you're switching, my guide to AI agents you can try for free is a handy companion.

Arc browser alternatives at a glance

Every browser here is free to download and use, so the free plan column says Yes across the board. A few offer optional extras, such as a supporter tier, a VPN upgrade or team features, but you don't need them to browse. Platforms vary, so check each browser's website for your devices.

Tool	Browser type	Good for	Free plan
Brave	Privacy-first Chromium browser	Blocking ads and trackers without installing extensions	Yes
Floorp	Firefox-based power browser	Workspaces, split view and side panels on Firefox	Yes
Microsoft Edge	Mainstream Chromium browser	Microsoft 365 users who want AI and sleeping tabs	Yes
Mozilla Firefox	Independent-engine browser	Privacy protections from a non-Chromium engine	Yes
Opera	Feature-packed Chromium browser	Grouped tabs, sidebar messengers and a built-in VPN	Yes
Orion	WebKit browser from Kagi	Mac users who want speed plus extension support	Yes
SigmaOS	Workspace browser for Mac	Vertical tabs, workspaces and an AI assistant	Yes
Vivaldi	Highly customisable browser	Tab stacks, tiling and a layout you shape yourself	Yes
Wavebox	Browser for many web apps	Juggling several accounts and work apps at once	Yes
Zen Browser	Open-source Firefox-based browser	An Arc-style sidebar, workspaces and split view	Yes

Ten web browsers to move to from Arc

Brave

Best for: People who want ads and trackers blocked by default, with Chrome extensions still working, on desktop and mobile.

Floorp

Best for: Firefox fans who miss Arc's workspaces and side panels and want them on an open-source browser with no account.

Microsoft Edge

Best for: Anyone working in Microsoft 365 all day who wants built-in AI help, vertical tabs and tabs that sleep when idle.

Mozilla Firefox

Best for: People who'd like a browser that isn't built on Chromium, with strong tracking protection on every device they own.

Opera

Best for: Busy users who want grouped tabs, messaging apps in the sidebar and a built-in VPN without hunting for add-ons.

Orion

Best for: Mac and iPhone users who want a fast WebKit browser with no telemetry that still runs many browser extensions.

SigmaOS

Best for: Mac users who loved Arc's workspace-and-sidebar style and want something very close in feel, with an AI helper built in.

Vivaldi

Best for: Tinkerers who want to rearrange almost everything, from tab stacks and tiling to toolbars, menus and shortcuts.

Wavebox

Best for: Freelancers and small teams who switch between many accounts and web apps all day and want them grouped neatly.

Zen Browser

Best for: Former Arc users who want a calm sidebar layout, workspaces, compact mode and split view in a free, open-source browser.

What made Arc different, and what to look for in a browser now

Before you choose, think about which parts of Arc you'd miss most. That list makes the decision much easier.

• Vertical tabs in a sidebar. Several browsers now offer them, but some feel bolted on while others are built around them.
• Spaces or workspaces. Separate sets of tabs for clients, projects or home life. Check whether each workspace can have its own pinned sites and logins.
• Split view. Two or more pages side by side in one window, handy for research and writing.
• A tidy, quiet layout. Arc hid the clutter. Some alternatives let you hide toolbars and go almost full screen.
• Engine underneath. Chromium, Firefox's Gecko or Apple's WebKit. Chromium-based browsers run Chrome extensions most easily.
• Sync across devices. If you browse on a phone too, check there's a mobile app and that bookmarks and tabs follow you.

Questions to ask before you switch browser

• Does it run on every computer and phone I use?
• Will my extensions, such as a password manager and ad blocker, still work?
• Can it import my bookmarks, passwords and history from Arc or Chrome?
• How often does it get security updates, and who's behind it?
• What data does it collect, and can I switch that off?
• Will the sites and web apps I rely on for work run smoothly in it?

Which kind of browser suits which way of working

• Arc-style sidebar browsers suit people who keep dozens of tabs open across several projects and like a clean, vertical layout.
• Privacy-focused browsers suit anyone who wants trackers and ads blocked without setting up a pile of extensions.
• Customisable browsers suit tinkerers who enjoy shaping every menu, shortcut and panel to fit their habits.
• Multi-account browsers suit freelancers and agency owners logged in to several client accounts at once.
• Mainstream browsers suit teams who want something familiar that IT and colleagues already know.

If you share a lot of links from your browser, my roundup of link shorteners helps keep them short and trackable.

Moving from Arc to a new browser without losing your setup

1. Export or note down your Arc spaces and pinned tabs so you can rebuild them.
2. Use the new browser's import tool to bring across bookmarks, passwords and history.
3. Reinstall your must-have extensions first, then add the rest only if you miss them.
4. Recreate one workspace at a time, starting with the one you use most.
5. Set the new browser as your default and keep Arc installed for a week as a safety net.
6. Check your logins on key sites, especially banking and two-factor accounts.

Browser switching mistakes to avoid

• Trying five browsers at once and never settling into any of them.
• Forgetting to move saved passwords before uninstalling the old browser.
• Installing dozens of extensions to copy Arc exactly, which slows everything down.
• Picking a browser that has no app for the phone you use every day.
• Ignoring how a browser handles your data because it looks pretty.

Why a smaller browser maker can be worth a try

Smaller browser teams are often where the interesting ideas come from: sidebars, workspaces, split views and calmer layouts all started outside the biggest names. Many are open source, and several are run by independent companies that listen closely to their users.

Before you commit, check how often the browser gets security updates, how active its community is, and whether it's backed by a team or company you trust. If your switch is part of a wider tidy-up of your work tools, my look at simpler project tools may help too.

Do you make a web browser? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Choosing your next everyday browser

Pick two or three browsers that match the Arc features you'd miss most and the devices you use. Import your bookmarks into each, rebuild one workspace, and use them for real work for a few days. Keep the one that feels calm and quick, and set it as your default.

Frequently asked questions

Is Arc browser shutting down?

The Browser Company has said it isn't shutting Arc down and still ships security and Chromium updates, but it's stopped actively developing new core features and is focusing on its newer browser.

Which browsers have vertical tabs like Arc?

Several do, including some Firefox-based and Chromium-based browsers built around a sidebar. Mainstream browsers have added vertical tabs too, though they don't always include workspaces.

Can I move my bookmarks and passwords out of Arc?

Yes. Most browsers have an import tool that brings across bookmarks, passwords and history from Arc or Chrome. Check everything arrived before you uninstall Arc.

Are free browsers safe to use?

Most well-known browsers are free and safe when kept updated. Look for regular security updates, a clear privacy policy and a reputable team or company behind the browser.

Will Chrome extensions work in other browsers?

Chromium-based browsers usually run Chrome extensions directly. Firefox-based browsers use Firefox add-ons, and WebKit browsers vary, so check your must-have extensions before you switch.