Arc Browser Review (2023): Pricing, Features, Alternatives and More
Arc Browser Review (2023): Pricing, Features, Alternatives and More
Your email has been sent
Learn about Arc’s features, pros and cons, and what makes the web browser unique. Arc is available only for Mac and iPhone users.
Key features: User-centered, highly customizable design, rich in features, integrates apps with web browsing to create an all-in-one multitasking experience.
Pricing: Free.
Best for: Users looking for a modern, customizable and private browser.
In the diverse and ever-expanding digital world, web browsers have always been a sector dominated by big names, but Google’s Chrome, Apple’s Safari and Microsoft’s Bing have a new competitor in Arc. The concept behind this hyper-personalized browser developed by The Browser Company is to provide a customizable web experience and act as the web’s operating system, integrating online content with apps and files.
Jump to:
Arc is a freeware web browser. It’s available for all Mac users for free and will be released in its free Windows version during the winter of 2023. Arc is also available for iPhone and iPad users in a stripped down version.
As of July 2023, Arc is available only for Mac and iPhone users. The Browser Company will release a Windows version of Arc in the winter of 2023.
Arc is mainly designed as a desktop browser; therefore, its mobile iOS version for iPhones and iPads has some limitations. No Android version of Arc exists to date. Regarding other operating systems, such as Linux, the company hasn’t announced any release.
Considering that Arc is a web browser, the number of features it offers is impressive. Not only has The Browser Company invested in a modern design, but Arc has a wide range of features for advanced and nonadvanced users.
The main features of all web browsers are always positioned at the top in a horizontal structure, but in Arc, everything a user needs is on a left panel — this includes the search bar, tab list, bookmarks, apps and more. The vertical placement of the browser’s features not only creates an original design and frees up space, but it allows users to multitask (e.g., a user could browse in Arc during a video meeting).
Arc can be customized and organized extensively. Tabs can be pinned, and “Spaces” can be created to manage tabs. The browser also offers split-screen mode (Figure A).
Figure A
Everything in Arc is oriented toward user experience. From colors and themes to layouts, users can play with the browser’s settings intuitively, remixing components effortlessly (Figure B).
Figure B
With Arc’s Boosts, users can save and share their themes and customizable browsing experiences with other users. Arc shares the best Boosts that users create in a central gallery.
More advanced users who have HTML, CSS, HTML and JavaScript knowledge can modify known websites and even remove entire sections of sites such as YouTube (Figure C), TikTok and Gmail. The original websites aren’t modified — the only thing that changes is how users see that website when they deploy a Boost.
Figure C
At this time, Arc hasn’t faced legal problems due to giving users the power to change websites; however, media like Engadget have referred to this feature as capable of ” … vandalizing any website.”
Setting up Arc Browser is a fast and intuitive process that only takes a few steps. From the start, users are asked to choose a color and theme, create their account and import bookmarks and other web browser data if they want. The browser can also sync with iCloud.
The Browser Company wants its browser to be the “web’s operating system.” To meet this ambitious goal, the company innovates and creates different apps that are integrated within the web browser. Apps can be used without ever leaving the browser.
Arc can integrate known apps such as Gmail and Google Calendar and present them to users as apps instead of web pages by placing a quick access on the left panel (Figure D).
Figure D
Additionally, the browser has its own apps. The Easel feature is used to create smart whiteboards; users can draw, write, add images, take screenshots and collect and share ideas while browsing the internet. The Easel features include tools for typing and drawing and each Easel can be kept private, shared with others and even posted online.
Arc has a notebook app that can be accessed from the left panel. Other apps and features of the Arc Browser include:
Figure E
Arc does have a mobile version called Mobile Companion; it is a stripped, lightweight app for users to take their Spaces and Tabs anywhere. The mobile app is currently available only for iPhones via the Apple App Store.
Using Arc, users can create customized Profiles. The Profile feature allows users to switch from work to school or personal mode with only one click. Each profile can store multiple login credentials and save browsing history and cookies. The Profile feature can also be customized with themes, colors, Spaces and tabs.
Besides the mentioned ad blocker, Arc has strong built-in privacy features and a robust privacy policy. The company doesn’t keep track of online activity or behaviors; it doesn’t store or track what a user types; and the company promises not to sell data to third parties.
Users can control cookies and change other privacy and security settings by going to Preferences | General | Privacy Preferences. In the General preferences window, users can also change their default search engine and turn search suggestions on and off.
The market offers several alternatives to Arc for users who want a different web browsing experience and want to go beyond traditional well-established brands. In this sector, three solutions stand out: Vivaldi, Brave and Waterfox.
Vivaldi is the strongest competitor of Arc. Both browsers offer highly personalized web browsing experiences. Vivaldi’s features and user interface are also customizable and optimized for speed and privacy. Vivaldi is available for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS.
Known for its extreme privacy focus, Brave offers a solid option for those concerned about how browsers manage their data. Brave is free and open source and will automatically block sites, ads and website trackers. Brave is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
Waterfox is a popular open-source web browser for Windows, macOS and Linux. It offers enhanced privacy tracking protection features and is a fork of Firefox. The browser has outstanding performance, as it’s lightweight software. Waterfox’s design is user-centered, minimalistic and decluttered.
To write this review and evaluate Arc, I examined sites that compile aggregate data based on verified user reviews. I also scoured through the official Arc site and test drove the browser and its alternatives. Arc’s features, user-friendliness, strengths, cons, price availability and more were carefully evaluated.
Stay up to date on the latest in technology with Daily Tech Insider. We bring you news on industry-leading companies, products, and people, as well as highlighted articles, downloads, and top resources. You’ll receive primers on hot tech topics that will help you stay ahead of the game.
Arc Browser Review (2023): Pricing, Features, Alternatives and More
Your email has been sent
Your message has been sent
TechRepublic Premium content helps you solve your toughest IT issues and jump-start your career or next project.
Microsoft is also running a grant competition for ideas on using AI training in community building.
Generative AI will be a game changer in cloud security, especially in common pain points like preventing threats, reducing toil from repetitive tasks, and bridging the cybersecurity talent gap.
Does your business need a payroll provider that offers international payroll services? Use our buyer’s guide to review the best solutions, from ADP to Oyster.
Get up and running with ChatGPT with this comprehensive cheat sheet. Learn everything from how to sign up for free to enterprise use cases, and start using ChatGPT quickly and effectively.
Looking for an alternative to monday.com? Our comprehensive list covers the best monday alternatives, their key features, pricing, pros, cons and more.
Stay up to date on the latest in technology with Daily Tech Insider. We bring you news on industry-leading companies, products, and people, as well as highlighted articles, downloads, and top resources. You’ll receive primers on hot tech topics that will help you stay ahead of the game.
The practical implementation of effective backup solutions can be overwhelmed by jargon and cryptic terminology. This quick glossary from TechRepublic Premium can help you understand these concepts and provide a framework for learning to master the art of data backup procedures and solutions. From the glossary: MULTIPLEXING Refers to the common practice of combining multiple …
Organizations, regardless of size, should have a disaster recovery and business continuity plan. Such a plan helps IT pros create policies that address critical elements and processes that should be considered and implemented before a crisis occurs. This plan from TechRepublic Premium provides a roadmap that organizations can follow. From the policy: DISASTER PLAN IMPORTANCE …
This policy from TechRepublic Premium provides a working framework for establishing rules and procedures that prohibit drug and alcohol use on company premises or in company vehicles. From the policy: EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE The use of illegal drugs and the abuse of legal drugs and alcohol have many numerous harmful effects and consequences on health and …
Keeping up with the latest technological innovations in augmented reality requires a thorough understanding of the underlying terminology. This quick glossary, courtesy of TechRepublic Premium, explains terms related to AR and various business applications. From the glossary: EXTENDED TRACKING Extended tracking enables the continuous presence of digital augmentations, affixed to objects, scenes or images, within …
source
