Arc browser development ends, and these are the best alternatives

The Browser Company has announced that it will end development of Arc, its Chromium-based browser that attracted a small but loyal following. The company had kept Arc in maintenance mode since around 2024.

The Browser Company recommends switching to its successor, Dia. If you prefer a third-party alternative with similar features, Zen Browser, Aside, and Floorp are worth considering.

The Browser Company ends development of Arc

On October 22, The Browser Company announced that it would discontinue Arc, its Chromium-based browser, citing security concerns.

Arc had been in maintenance mode since 2024. At the time, the company's CEO said, "we're not abandoning arc!! just don't think it needs more features. just stability, performance, security."

Arc Browserが新機能の開発を終了　オススメの移行先は？

ChromiumベースのWebブラウザーの「Arc Browser」が新機能の開発を終了し、実質的なメンテナンスモードに移行していたことが判明しました。

January 21, 2025

The company has outlined the following shutdown timeline:

• October 22: The company stopped accepting new Arc account registrations and added a feature that lets users export all their data.
• November 23: The company will disable AI features such as Browse for Me. Arc Search will continue to work, but users will lose access to account sign-in and tab syncing.
• December 22: Arc will stop working on macOS and Windows, and the company will remove Arc Search for Android from the Google Play Store. The company will delete Arc accounts within 30 days.

The Browser Company has been developing Dia, which it describes as an AI browser, and recommends it as the replacement for Arc.

The company says it has worked to make the transition from Arc to Dia as smooth as possible. Users can transfer their passwords, bookmarks, extensions, and browsing history to Dia. Dia also supports spaces, folders, and tab groups, allowing users to import their Arc data directly.

The best alternatives to Arc

The Browser Company recommends Dia as the official replacement for Arc. Although the company markets Dia as an AI browser, you can choose whether to use its AI features.

Beyond Dia, I've picked three browsers that offer a similar experience to Arc.

Zen Browser

Zen Browser is a Firefox-based browser that I use as my daily driver.

It features a modern interface, split tabs, and Zen Mods, a collection of extensions for customizing the browser. Zen Browser recreates many of Arc's key features, including Workspaces (equivalent to Arc's Spaces), split views with up to four tabs, Glance (equivalent to Arc's Peek), and Space Routing (equivalent to Arc's Air Traffic Control).

Aside

Aside is a Chromium-based browser designed for both humans and AI agents.

Like Zen Browser, Aside recreates many of Arc's key features. However, Aside places a stronger emphasis on AI, integrating AI capabilities throughout the browser. It also supports AI-powered tab organization, similar to the Tidy Tabs feature in Arc Max.

Floorp

Floorp is a Firefox-based browser that focuses on customization.

Although Floorp doesn't replicate Arc as closely as Zen Browser or Aside, it supports workspaces, split views, and a command palette. It also includes a panel sidebar that lets you keep frequently used websites within easy reach.

Conclusion

The Browser Company has announced the end of development for Arc. With the browser set to stop working on macOS and Windows on December 22, users will need to find an alternative before then.

The company recommends Dia as Arc's successor. If you're looking for a third-party browser with similar features, Zen Browser, Aside, and Floorp are worth considering.