{"id":72033,"date":"2024-07-30T19:46:46","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T19:46:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/?p=72033"},"modified":"2025-10-02T17:28:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T17:28:49","slug":"is-it-time-to-switch-to-the-arc-browser-on-windows-lets-find-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/is-it-time-to-switch-to-the-arc-browser-on-windows-lets-find-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Time to Switch to the Arc Browser on Windows? Let\u2019s Find Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arc is trying to convince users that there\u2019s a better way to surf the Internet. But like every new product, it\u2019s still a work in progress. While many users swear by its features and disruptive interface, it has its ups and downs.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll have to decide whether it\u2019s the best web browser <\/a> for you, and I\u2019ll give you all the tools to make an informed decision. I\u2019ll explain my experience with the Arc web browser, walk you through the browser\u2019s interface, and share my pros and cons.<\/p>\n

What Is the Arc Browser?<\/h2>\n

Arc is a relatively new web browser developed by The Browser Company of New York. It just made its way to Windows 11 <\/a> (and no other Windows version) not long ago after starting out exclusively on macOS.<\/p>\n

\r\n\t
Arc (web browser) might be a confusing name since there are other Windows software that go by similar names, such as ARC Studio, the screenwriting app, and arc, the capital management platform. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Arc was not built from the ground up, like many claim. Instead, like other browsers (except Mozilla Firefox and a few others), it\u2019s built on Chromium, Google\u2019s open-source browser engine. However, it was written in Swift, the Apple ecosystem programming language that the same team brought over to Windows.<\/p>\n

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Chromium is different from Google Chrome<\/a>. It is a free, open-source project that serves as the basis for most browsers. Chrome, Opera, Edge<\/a>, and Arc are built on Chromium.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Developing on Chromium <\/a> makes sense, especially for a small company without infinite funds to build a competitive browser from scratch. Even Microsoft had to give up at some point to use Google\u2019s engine.<\/p>\n

The Chromium base means Arc would be compatible with Chrome apps and browser extensions <\/a>. That way, users can easily migrate. It also meant the company could focus on innovating the browser\u2019s user experience, as it originally set out to do.<\/p>\n

Who is it for?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I mentioned, Arc is not for everyone. I don\u2019t mean it lacks fundamental browsing functions. Nor do I mean that it is buggy and unusable. On the contrary, it\u2019s a powerful browser and has all the capabilities to deliver modern web pages and apps.<\/p>\n

But its unconventional user interface and experience\u2014its main selling points\u2014could be tough hurdles for mainstream users. Hurdles they may not want to scale.<\/p>\n

If you dislike vertical tabs and don\u2019t want to learn an entirely new way of browsing, Arc is not for you.<\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re a power user like me, are willing to adapt, have been looking for better tab management, want more browsing real estate, and want something just different from Chrome, Arc will be interesting to explore.<\/p>\n

While you already get some of its capabilities in browsers like Microsoft Edge <\/a>, Vivaldi, and Opera, Arc\u2019s navigational features and calming experience stand out.<\/p>\n

Exploring the Arc Web Browser: Is It That Unique?<\/h2>\n

Now that we\u2019ve answered the \u201c What is the Arc web browser? \u201d question, let\u2019s go through what you should expect on your first interaction with the browser. I\u2019ll show you everything that jumps in your face when you start Arc for the first time\u2014and there is a lot.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll also go deeper into the browser\u2019s minor annoyances and the features I believe are great.<\/p>\n

\r\n\t
Arc on Windows is still catching up to the macOS version, which has been around and refined for quite a while. Well-known features like Arc Easels<\/a> and Arc Boosts<\/a> have still not made it to Windows as at version 1.11.3 (39079).<\/div>\r\n<\/div> <\/em><\/p>\n

Setting up Arc for Windows<\/h3>\n

The Browser Company maintains the same setup status quo. Head to the Arc website, download a small installer, and allow it to download and install the rest of the package. Easy.<\/p>\n

Once the browser is installed, you face your first hurdle: creating a user account. This part is not optional. I closed the page and launched Arc again, but got to the same prompt.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

The next stage allows you to import data from other browsers. After that, you\u2019ll be asked to choose a weird gimmicky card that apparently serves no purpose\u2014at least none that I know of.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

The browser\u2019s emergence reveals a significant shift from conventional browsing. No welcome page or introductions or default homepage or giant search bars. Just a blank page, a title bar, and a left sidebar.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Design<\/h3>\n

Seeing the Arc web browser for the first time is quite an experience. I\u2019d say it felt as minimalistic and unusual, if not more, as I expected. There are no basic browser controls like the omnibar (where you can type a URL and always see a site\u2019s full address).<\/p>\n

Clicking the area in the title bar that reads \u201cSearch or Enter URL\u201d opens Arc\u2019s command bar, its own version of the omnibar. But this time, it\u2019s a floating pop-up window with preset suggestions that you can\u2019t change.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

The names of the sites you open appear in the title bar. You won\u2019t see the lengthy version of the site\u2019s address, but you can click the button to the right (Site Controls Center) to check if it\u2019s secure and share the URL. The menu also displays your extensions and other options.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

The sidebar is where your tabs, bookmarks, spaces (more on this later), and folders live. It has a toggle button just beside the Arc logo in the top-left corner, which allows you to hide it. Ctrl + S is another way to activate the toggle. Hovering your mouse <\/a> to the left corner of your screen pops out the sidebar.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

The rest of the browser includes the navigation and reload buttons in the top-right corner, the Arc logo, which produces the browser\u2019s menu, and the split screen button in the top-right corner.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Tab management<\/h3>\n

Tab management is one of Arc\u2019s main highlights and where it\u2019s truly changing the game. But only personal preference dictates whether that\u2019s a good thing. For me, it is, in some ways, a good thing.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what my browsing screen looks like on a regular workday. And that\u2019s just one window.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

While tab groups are helpful, your tab row can still be packed depending on how many tabs exist within a group. Finding tabs in such environments is always a tall order, and I\u2019ve been struggling with that issue for years.<\/p>\n

The Arc sidebar<\/h3>\n

Arc\u2019s vertical tabs will allow you to see each tab\u2019s details and help maintain a cleaner browsing environment. The top section is reserved for your favorite sites. Bookmarks <\/a>, created folders, and pinned tabs are under favorites. The bottom section is for other regular tabs, called Today Tabs <\/i>.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

The browser clears regular tabs into your archives (bottom-left of the sidebar) after a period. You can always go to the Settings app to change your preference. Only pinned tabs and those in folders used to make it to the next browsing session in earlier versions. It happened to me once, but my today tabs were always still in place after subsequent restarts.<\/p>\n

While Arc doesn\u2019t have tab groups, turning on the Tidy Tabs <\/i> feature in Arc Max (more on this later) reorders your tabs into related groups.<\/p>\n

Creating new tabs and Windows<\/h3>\n

Ctrl + T is the universal shortcut for creating new tabs. It\u2019s the same with Arc, but somehow different. You cannot create a new tab with a blank page, like what happens when you open the browser for the first time.<\/p>\n

Instead, Ctrl + T opens the command bar, and you must enter a new search query or website (must be a new link) to create the new tab.<\/p>\n

You can also go to the sidebar and click the new tab button or click the plus sign and select the new tab, both of which still launch the command bar. Additionally, Arc still maintains the traditional right-click-and-open-in-new-tab option for links.<\/p>\n

When it comes to new windows, Arc can be quite annoying. Pressing Ctrl + N opens a new window but packs all your tabs and spaces and folders and favorites into that window. You can\u2019t get a fresh window. That perk is reserved for incognito windows <\/a>, which you can open by tapping Ctrl + Shift + N.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Creating\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

You cannot also drag a tab out of the sidebar to create a new window, like you would normally do in other browsers.<\/p>\n

Spaces<\/h3>\n

The Spaces feature is similar to Microsoft Edge and Vivaldi\u2019s workspaces. It allows you to create a separate environment within the browser without opening a new window. It\u2019s a neat way to break up tab congestion.<\/p>\n

You can click the plus icon at the bottom of the sidebar to create a new space. You can also click the Arc logo and select Spaces > New Space.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Create\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Your favorite websites are consistent across every space, unless the space belongs to a different profile. But you can create new folders <\/a>, pinned tabs, and bookmarks for each space. You can also customize themes <\/a> for individual spaces.<\/p>\n

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To delete a space, right-click anywhere in the sidebar and select Delete Space.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Profiles<\/h3>\n

While you\u2019ll create a profile at startup, you can create more within the browser anytime you wish. Profiles have their own logins, histories, browser extensions, and preferences. You can also add new spaces to specific profiles.<\/p>\n

That way, it\u2019s easy to group different browsing modes, login details, and workspaces.<\/p>\n

Opening a new profile involves going through the Settings app (click the Arc logo and select Settings <\/i>).<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Navigation<\/h3>\n

Navigation will be a pain area for everyday users who just want familiar browsing environments. They\u2019ll have to adapt to Arc if they want to make the switch. The basic front and back navigation buttons in the title bar are a welcome sight, but switching between tabs and using other controls with your mouse can be frustrating.<\/p>\n

However, to naturally navigate the Arc browser on Windows, users may want to learn its shortcuts<\/a>, as they are quite consistent with other web browsers.<\/p>\n

For example, Ctrl + T opens a new tab in the weird way I mentioned. But if you want to enter a new URL in the same tab, you can also press Ctrl + L to summon the command bar.<\/p>\n

Switching between tabs also involves using the Ctrl + Tab or Ctrl + number (1, 2, 3, etc.) shortcuts, the same as in other browsers. You can press Alt + number to switch between spaces.<\/p>\n

That said, the Arc browser for Windows still needs some getting used to, as you cannot memorize every single shortcut.<\/p>\n

Performance<\/h3>\n

As I mentioned, Arc is capable. It launches any website as fast as you would expect from any modern browser. It opens PDFs , powers through video streaming, and renders web applications like Figma, Slack, and Google Docs <\/a> comfortably.<\/p>\n

Privacy<\/h3>\n

The Arc browser privacy page <\/a> claims the developers don\u2019t see what you type, know the websites you visit, or sell your data.<\/p>\n

Arc also comes with the uBlock Origin extension <\/a> preinstalled. It\u2019s a competent ad blocker that allows you to experience websites without intrusive ads.<\/p>\n

However, browsers such as Brave are far better if you want stronger protection from trackers.<\/p>\n

Multitasking<\/h3>\n

The Browser Company\u2019s provisions for multitasking and productivity are Arc\u2019s split screen, spaces, and tab management features.<\/p>\n

You can click the splitscreen button in the top-right corner to cut the browser\u2019s interface into two or more tiles and display websites side by side (up to down or right to left). That way, you don\u2019t have to rely on Windows\u2019 split screen <\/a> mode to display multiple sites at once.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
\r\n\t
Microsoft Edge now supports the split screen feature, but it\u2019s more limited than Arc\u2019s, as it only makes space for two websites right to left.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

The browser\u2019s picture-in-picture feature automatically pops out videos (including YouTube videos <\/a>) when you switch tabs or windows. That way, you can continue watching videos, especially work-related ones, when working on other tabs or windows. However, you can only activate PiP by switching to another Arc tab before switching to a different window.<\/p>\n

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PiP already exists in many other browsers, but they lack Arc\u2019s default implementation.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Arc Max<\/h3>\n

Every browser is integrating AI features everywhere they can. Arc\u2019s not far behind. Its AI package is called Arc Max <\/i>. For now, Arc Max on Windows 11 only has two features: Tidy Tabs and Ask on Page.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Tidy Tabs automatically groups tabs by subject, and Ask on Page is an AI chatbot that answers questions related to selected text.<\/p>\n

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\r\n \"Arc\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
\r\n\t
Other Arc Max features, such as Tidy Downloads, Ask ChatGPT, and 5-Second Previews, are not available on Windows 11 yet.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Other Things to Consider Before Using the Arc Web Browser<\/h2>\n