Arc Browser – a different web browser focused on workflow
Arc Browser is a modern, visually distinct web browser that challenges the traditional way we use Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. Instead of tabs across the top, Arc uses a sidebar, Spaces, and smart keyboard shortcuts—designed for power users, creatives, and anyone who spends most of their workday in the browser.
We tested Arc Browser on a standard Windows 11 PC, and within the first few days it was clear Arc isn’t trying to be “just another browser” — it aims to change how you work online.
Interface and workflow
One of the first things you notice in Arc Browser is its distinctly different interface. Tabs aren’t arranged horizontally at the top, but vertically along the left side. That may sound like a small change, yet in practice it makes a big difference when you’re juggling lots of open pages.
In our testing, we found:
- It’s easier to keep track of many open projects
- Temporary tabs automatically cleared themselves
- The browser feels more like a work tool than a “consumption window”
Arc also introduces “Spaces,” which act as separate work areas. One space can be for work, another for personal use, and a third for research — without mixing tabs, cookies, or your overall view.
Features that set Arc apart from Chrome and Edge
Arc Browser is built on Chromium, so compatibility with websites and Chrome extensions is excellent. Still, Arc feels very different from Google Chrome in everyday use.
Standout features from our tests included:
- Automatic archiving of tabs you don’t use
- Built-in split view so you can see two pages side by side
- Powerful shortcuts and keyboard-first navigation
- The ability to pin important pages permanently
Arc generally feels fast and responsive, and we encountered no stability issues in normal use.
Arc Browser in practice – who is it for?
Arc Browser isn’t necessarily the best browser for everyone. If you mainly use a browser to quickly check news, email, and social media, Arc can feel unnecessarily advanced.
Arc is especially well suited for:
- Students juggling many sources
- Web developers and designers
- Content creators and SEO work
- People who work project-based in the browser
In the US, Arc makes particular sense for users already comfortable with tools like Notion, Figma, or VS Code.
Performance, privacy, and security
Arc Browser is built on Chromium and therefore inherits both strengths and weaknesses. Performance is strong and pages load quickly. In our tests, resource usage felt slightly lower than Chrome, but still higher than, for example, Firefox.
On privacy, Arc sits somewhere in the middle. It doesn’t emphasize privacy as much as Brave or Firefox, but it’s also not as data-hungry as Chrome.
Top 5 tips for Arc Browser
Use Spaces actively from the start
Create separate Spaces for work, personal browsing, and projects — it only really clicks when you use them consistently.
Learn the keyboard shortcuts
Arc is built for keyboard use. Once the shortcuts are muscle memory, you’ll work dramatically faster.
Use split view for research
Split view is brilliant for comparison, research, and writing.
Pin only what matters
Too many pinned tabs kill your overview. Be selective.
Give yourself time to adjust
Arc takes a little getting used to — but the payoff comes after a few days.