Arc Browser: A Compelling But Controversial Newcomer

In the past few years, Arc Browser from The Browser Company has generated a great deal of buzz among Mac and Windows users alike. Designed to be a rethinking of the conventional web browser, Arc attempts to streamline both work and play by introducing new approaches to tab management, user interface, and (more recently) AI integration. Yet that same ambition has led to excitement, disappointment, and plenty of debate in the browser community.

Below is a look at the major pros and cons of Arc, an overview of why some people are leaving it, and alternatives that others are embracing.

1. What Makes Arc Unique?

Vertical Tabs & Sidebar

Arc is built around a collapsible sidebar on the left, housing vertical tabs, pinned favorites, and tools. Instead of the traditional row of tabs on top, Arc merges *bookmarks* and *open tabs* in one place. Many users on macOS found it a revelation. On Windows—though the same design idea applies—some have found the experience less polished.

Spaces & Profiles

Arc introduces a concept called Spaces, letting you group and isolate different sets of tabs or different Google/Microsoft accounts. It’s reminiscent of Firefox containers or Vivaldi workspaces, but it’s integrated more seamlessly for some workflows. A single window can hold multiple “mini-browsers” inside it, each with its own identity or purpose. Many power users cite this as the single biggest reason they remain loyal to Arc.

Preview & Split Views

A hallmark feature is Arc’s ability to quickly peek at a link in a resizable floating panel. If you visit a link in an email or want a quick glance at a page, you can open a “preview” without leaving your current tab. Arc on macOS also has an easy Split View: just drag one tab onto another, and they tile side-by-side in one window. People who do research or compare documents find this indispensable.

Smooth, Polished UI (On Mac)

Arc is written in Swift (and SwiftUI) on macOS, giving it a fluid, native feel. Animations are sleek, context menus are thoughtfully designed, and every interface element feels consistently refined.

Caveat: Windows Arc is also built with Swift (a huge technical challenge), but many feel it’s in an alpha-like state, missing certain Mac features or suffering from more crashes and UI quirks.

2. The Positives Users Love

Cleaner Workflows: The vertical side-tab layout helps keep dozens of tabs from becoming an eyesore. Many appreciate not having to jump among multiple windows: everything is pinned neatly to one side.
Focus & Organization: Automatic tab archiving can close out old tabs, minimizing clutter. Additional favorites and pinned tabs keep work sessions tidy.
Video Pop-Out: Arc’s custom Picture-in-Picture is well-liked. If you switch away from a YouTube or Netflix tab, Arc automatically turns the video into a floating mini-player so you never miss a moment.
Design & Polish: On macOS especially, Arc stands out. Its fresh aesthetic, theming engine, and animations feel modern compared to older browsers. A surprising number of people say they enjoy browsing more because it “looks nice.”

3. The Drawbacks & Gripes

Windows Version is Incomplete
- Several Windows users find Arc “buggy” or “unstable.” Tab labels may glitch, pinned tabs may vanish on restart, or the sidebar might misbehave.
- Settings pages are hidden or incomplete. Many standard Chrome or Edge features are missing (e.g., a home page concept or easy mass tab management).
Resource Usage
- Arc is still Chromium-based behind the scenes, so the usual high RAM usage persists. Some have complained about Arc draining MacBook battery more than Safari does.
- On certain machines, Arc leads to CPU spikes or even heavy swap usage (on low-RAM systems). In short: not the most lightweight or battery-friendly choice.
No Classic Bookmarks
- By design, Arc merges “bookmarks” into pinned tabs, favorites, or archived groups. Anyone who has tens of thousands of bookmarks across many folders may find Arc’s approach limiting or confusing.
Lack of Cross-Platform Sync
- While Arc does sync your “Spaces” among different devices, it lacks the robust bookmark/history syncing that Chrome or Firefox offers (profiles, open tabs across devices, etc.). People mention an inability to export pinned tabs or to do “true” multi-device synchronization.
Abandonment Fear
- Perhaps the biggest controversy: The Browser Company announced they’re placing Arc into “maintenance mode” (bug fixes, stability, security) while they work on a brand-new AI-focused browser. Many users worry Arc will wither, especially on Windows, never maturing into a stable everyday browser.

4. Reasons People Are Leaving Arc

Promises Unmet on Windows: Folks stuck with a rough Windows alpha that never caught up to the macOS version.
Pivot to AI: The Browser Company signaled their next product is all about artificial intelligence, leaving Arc fans uneasy. They feel Arc never had time to “finish baking” before devs moved on.
Performance & Battery: Heavy CPU usage or forced tab archiving can hamper big research or 4K video watchers. If battery life is vital, many revert to Safari (on Mac) or Edge/Chrome (on Windows).
Proprietary & Account Requirement: Arc requires you to sign in with an email just to use a browser. Privacy hawks or open-source fans feel uneasy.

5. Popular Arc Alternatives

Zen Browser
- A Firefox-based, open-source project that directly adopts Arc-like vertical tabs, pinned favorites, and “Spaces.” Syncing is in progress. Many ex-Arc Windows users praise Zen for being more stable and actively developed.
- Still alpha/beta: Some features are incomplete, memory usage can be high, and occasional crashes remain. But it’s rapidly evolving and draws an enthusiastic open-source community.
Vivaldi
- Feature-rich Chromium fork with tab stacking, workspaces, side panels, and abundant UI customization. If you liked Arc’s flexible layout or vertical tabs but want a stable multi-platform experience, Vivaldi is a top choice.
SigmaOS (Mac Only)
- Another “rethink the browser” approach with vertical tab groups and a minimalistic UI. Some mention occasional bugs and a subscription tier, but it’s more advanced than Windows Arc in some respects.
Orion (Mac)
- WebKit-based (like Safari) but includes support for Firefox and Chrome extensions. Some find it more stable and more privacy-friendly, but it lacks Arc’s unique design language.
Brave, Edge, or Firefox
- If you simply want a robust, battery-friendly alternative, many pick these. Firefox offers containers (similar to Arc’s Spaces). Microsoft Edge on Windows is famously well-optimized and includes vertical tab options. Brave is a popular privacy-forward Chromium build with integrated ad-block.

6. Final Thoughts: Is Arc Right for You?

For Mac power users with the newest Apple Silicon, Arc’s unique interface can be a game-changer. If you love vertical tabs, pinned groups, a minimal but visually delightful design, and you don’t mind potential battery overhead, Arc can truly increase your workflow efficiency. Many fans rave about how it “transformed” how they browse.

However, for Windows users or those demanding a stable, privacy-focused, or open-source solution, Arc might feel half-baked. With the official shift in development focus toward a brand-new AI browser (rumored to be called Dia), Arc’s features on Windows are unlikely to ever catch up to the Mac version. And if you rely on classic bookmarks or robust multi-device syncing, Arc’s approach might frustrate you.

Ultimately, Arc’s ephemeral hype signals both the best and the worst of start-up culture: a big reimagining of the browser that soared on Mac, hobbled on Windows, and is pivoting to chase the next big wave of AI. Whether you find it an indispensable, forward-looking tool or a short-lived novelty may depend on which side of Arc’s quirks you land on.

Key Takeaways

Mac: Arc is stable, refined, and beloved for its side-tabs, pinned favorites, and AI touches.
Windows: Arc is still missing features, has buggy behaviors, and is overshadowed by mainstream or open-source alternatives.
Future: Official “maintenance mode” means no major new features, so the question is whether that’s acceptable enough for you to stay.
Alternatives: Zen Browser (Firefox-based), Vivaldi, SigmaOS, or Orion all replicate chunks of Arc’s magic.

If you’re curious, test Arc (especially on macOS) to see if it fits your style—but keep a trusted backup like Firefox, Vivaldi, or Edge in case you need more reliability or cross-platform parity. And stay tuned: in a world where browsers come and go, Arc’s next pivot to AI could be yet another bold experiment—or a final farewell.