A year ago from the day this article is coming out, February 7, I started using the Arc Browser. I was a basic user at that time, having just switched to Safari. Until I actually started using it’s features well.
Let’s be honest: most browsers feel the same. You’ve got your tabs at the top, your bookmarks tucked away somewhere, and a URL bar that doubles as a search box. It’s functional, sure, but it’s also kind of boring. Enter the Arc Browser. It’s not just another Chrome clone or a Firefox spin-off—it’s a browser that actually tries to do things differently. And for anyone who spends way too much time online (so, all of us), it’s worth paying attention to.
What’s the Big Deal?
Arc doesn’t just tweak the formula—it throws it out the window. Instead of the usual horizontal tabs, it uses a vertical sidebar. Instead of letting your tabs pile up into a chaotic mess, it helps you organize them into neat little workspaces. And instead of treating every website like a static page, it lets you customize them to your heart’s content. It’s a browser that feels like it was designed by people who actually use the internet, not just build tools for it.
The Sidebar: Goodbye, Tab Chaos
The first thing you’ll notice about Arc is the sidebar. It’s where all your tabs live, but it’s way more than just a list of open pages. Tabs are split into two sections: "Pinned" and "Today." Pinned tabs are for the sites you use all the time—your email, your calendar, your go-to news site. Today’s tabs are for everything else, and here’s the kicker: they automatically archive at the end of the day. No more staring at a row of 47 tabs you haven’t touched in weeks. It’s like a daily reset button for your brain.
Spaces: Keep Your Work and Play Separate
Arc takes the idea of workspaces and runs with it. You can create different "Spaces" for different parts of your life—one for work, one for side projects, one for mindlessly scrolling Reddit. Each Space has its own set of pinned tabs, so you’re not mixing your work Slack with your weekend recipe hunting. It’s a simple idea, but it makes a huge difference when you’re trying to stay focused (or at least pretend to).
Boosts: Make the Web Yours
Ever wish you could tweak the way a website looks or works? With Arc’s "Boosts," you can. It’s a feature that lets you customize any site using CSS and JavaScript. Want to change the font on your favorite blog? Done. Want to hide that annoying pop-up on a news site? Easy. You don’t need to be a coding wizard to use it, either. It’s like having a set of digital tools to make the web feel a little more personal.
Easels: Your Browser as a Canvas
This is where Arc gets really interesting. Easels are like digital whiteboards inside your browser. You can drag and drop images, text, links, and more to create a visual space for brainstorming, planning, or just collecting ideas. It’s perfect for creatives, planners, or anyone who likes to think visually. And because Easels are shareable, they’re great for collaborating with others. Imagine Pinterest meets Google Docs, but inside your browser.
Minimalist Design That Doesn’t Suck
Arc looks good. Like, really good. It’s clean and simple without feeling sterile. The interface gets out of the way, so you can focus on what you’re doing instead of wrestling with the browser itself. Little touches, like smooth animations and thoughtful typography, make it feel polished without being flashy. It’s the kind of design that makes you wonder why other browsers still look like they’re stuck in 2010.
Built for People Who Actually Do Stuff
Arc isn’t just pretty—it’s practical. It’s packed with features that make life easier, like split-view browsing (so you can look at two tabs at once) and a command bar that lets you search, open tabs, or run commands with just a few keystrokes. It’s clear that the people behind Arc actually use their own product, because it’s full of little details that make you go, “Why didn’t anyone think of this before?”
Privacy? Yeah, They Care About That Too
While Arc is still growing, it takes privacy seriously. It blocks trackers and malware by default, and the team is upfront about how they handle your data. It’s not perfect (no browser is), but it’s refreshing to see a company that’s at least trying to put users first.
Who’s It For?
Arc is for anyone tired of the same old browser experience. It’s for people who juggle a million tabs, who want to keep their work and personal life separate, or who just want a browser that feels like it was made for humans, not robots. It’s not for everyone—if you’re the type who just wants to type in a URL and go, you might find it a bit overwhelming. But if you’re willing to try something new, Arc might just change the way you think about browsing.
The Bottom Line
The Arc Browser isn’t just another option—it’s a statement. It’s a reminder that the tools we use every day don’t have to be boring or frustrating. They can be thoughtful, creative, and even a little fun. Is it perfect? Not yet. But it’s exciting, and in a world where most tech feels stagnant, that’s something worth celebrating. So if you’re ready to break up with your old browser, give Arc a shot. You might just wonder how you ever lived without it.
But…
We have a problem. Three months ago, The Browser Company put out a YouTube video.
They basically said what no Arc users wanted to hear. “We’re stopping updates on Arc.” That’s right. The browser so many people loved so much would just… stop getting updates. Instead, they’d be working on their new browser Dia. And since that day, Arc has gotten slower, slower, slower, and buggier, buggier, buggier. It’s not working well enough now, as software support for newer versions of MacOS doesn’t come. So, with a heavy heart I won’t be recommending Arc. Instead, you might want to check out Zen Browser or SigmaOS. I personally use the latter now. Thanks for reading.
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Top comments (5)
this is very interesting thanks for sharing!
Great insights
You can't describe the perfect browser to us and then tell us it's dead! 🤣
Just kidding, nice article Griff 🙂
hehehe tysm
Nice post :D