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Free Arc alternatives

Top Web Browsers like Arc

The most popular alternative to Arc is Dia, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Arc are Zen Browser, Vivaldi, Google Chrome, and Brave.

Most alternatives to Arc are in the Web Browsers category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Arc alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
9 apps

All Arc alternatives

  1. Dia

    Dia is a Chromium-based web browser from The Browser Company, the makers of Arc, designed around a built-in AI assistant. You can chat with the current page or several open tabs to summarize, compare or draft content, and save reusable prompts as Skills. It supports Chrome extensions, runs on macOS and offers a paid Pro plan with higher AI usage limits.

    9 Dia alternatives

    Pros

    • Chat with the current page or several tabs at once
    • Reusable prompts can be saved as Skills
    • Supports Chrome extensions on a familiar Chromium base

    Cons

    • Available only on macOS
    • Heavier AI use requires the paid Pro plan
    • Fewer power-user tab features than Arc
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Platforms
  2. Zen Browser is a free, open source browser built on Firefox that brings an Arc-style layout to the Gecko engine: vertical tabs in a sidebar, workspaces, split view, pinned essentials and a compact mode that hides the interface. It works with Firefox add-ons and Firefox Sync, and is developed by a volunteer community for Windows, macOS and Linux.

    7 Zen Browser alternatives

    Pros

    • Arc-style vertical tabs and workspaces on the Firefox engine
    • Split view and compact mode for a clean workspace
    • Works with Firefox add-ons and Firefox Sync

    Cons

    • Young volunteer-run project that still has rough edges
    • No mobile version is available
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
  3. Vivaldi is a Chromium-based browser from Norway, created by a co-founder of Opera, in which almost every part of the interface can be customized. It offers tab stacking and tiling, workspaces, a built-in ad and tracker blocker, notes, and integrated mail, calendar and RSS reader, with end-to-end encrypted sync. Vivaldi has chosen not to build generative AI chatbots into the browser.

    10 Vivaldi alternatives

    Pros

    • Almost every part of the interface can be customized
    • Built-in mail, calendar, feed reader and notes
    • Tab stacking and tiling for heavy multitaskers

    Cons

    • The sheer number of options can overwhelm new users
    • Interface can feel less snappy than leaner browsers
    • Its interface code is proprietary, unlike Brave or Firefox
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
  4. Google Chrome is Google's web browser, built on the open source Chromium project and available on desktop and mobile. It syncs bookmarks, passwords, history and tabs through a Google account, gives access to the large Chrome Web Store extension catalog, and includes tab groups, Incognito mode, a built-in password manager and Gemini AI features in some countries.

    11 Google Chrome alternatives

    Pros

    • Largest extension catalog through the Chrome Web Store
    • Smooth sync of tabs, passwords and history across devices
    • Excellent site compatibility, since most sites are tested on it

    Cons

    • Ties browsing closely to a Google account and its data collection
    • Can be heavy on memory with many tabs open
    • Manifest V3 has weakened ad blockers such as uBlock Origin
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
  5. Brave is an open source browser built on Chromium that blocks ads, trackers and fingerprinting by default through its Shields feature. It stays compatible with Chrome extensions on desktop and adds Brave Search, private windows with Tor, the Leo AI assistant and an opt-in rewards program based on privacy-preserving ads. A VPN and Leo Premium are offered as paid extras.

    12 Brave alternatives

    Pros

    • Blocks ads, trackers and fingerprinting by default
    • Compatible with Chrome extensions on desktop
    • Private windows with Tor built in

    Cons

    • Crypto wallet, rewards and other extras clutter the interface
    • Some sites break when Shields block their scripts
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
  6. Safari is Apple's web browser, built on the WebKit engine and included with macOS, iOS and iPadOS. It relies on iCloud to sync tabs, bookmarks and passwords, limits cross-site tracking with Intelligent Tracking Prevention, and supports Tab Groups, profiles and Safari Web Extensions distributed through the App Store. It is tuned for energy efficiency on Apple hardware.

    9 Safari alternatives

    Pros

    • Energy efficient on Mac, iPhone and iPad
    • Intelligent Tracking Prevention limits cross-site tracking
    • Seamless iCloud sync of tabs, bookmarks and passwords

    Cons

    • Only available on Apple devices
    • Smaller extension catalog than Chrome or Firefox
    • Some web features arrive later than in other browsers
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Platforms
  7. Microsoft Edge is Microsoft's web browser, based on Chromium and preinstalled on Windows, with versions for macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. It runs Chrome Web Store extensions, offers vertical tabs, workspaces, tracking prevention and InPrivate browsing, and integrates Copilot in a sidebar to summarize pages and answer questions. Businesses also get an Internet Explorer mode for legacy sites.

    9 Microsoft Edge alternatives

    Pros

    • Preinstalled on Windows and runs Chrome Web Store extensions
    • Vertical tabs and workspaces built in
    • Internet Explorer mode for legacy business sites

    Cons

    • Pushes Bing, Copilot and other Microsoft services insistently
    • Default new tab page is cluttered with news and ads
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
  8. Opera is a long-running web browser, now built on Chromium, that bundles features others leave to extensions: an ad blocker, a free browser VPN, messaging apps in the sidebar, workspaces, tab islands and the Aria AI assistant. It runs Chrome Web Store extensions and is available on desktop and mobile. The same company makes Opera GX, a variant aimed at gamers.

    8 Opera alternatives

    Pros

    • Free built-in browser VPN and ad blocker
    • Messaging apps and workspaces in the sidebar
    • Runs Chrome Web Store extensions

    Cons

    • Built-in VPN only covers the browser, not other apps
    • Many bundled features and promotions make the interface busy
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
  9. Firefox is an open source web browser developed by Mozilla and one of the few major browsers not based on Chromium, running on its own Gecko engine instead. It blocks many trackers by default with Enhanced Tracking Protection, supports extensions on desktop and Android, and syncs bookmarks, passwords and tabs through a Mozilla account. Recent versions add vertical tabs and tab groups.

    11 Firefox alternatives

    Pros

    • Independent Gecko engine, an alternative to Chromium browsers
    • Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks many trackers by default
    • Extensions supported on desktop and Android

    Cons

    • Some sites tested mainly in Chrome may misbehave
    • No extensions on iPhone, where it runs on WebKit
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories

Arc vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Arc, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Arc vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAI assistantCross-device syncSupports extensionsTab management
ArcFreeWindows, Mac
DiaFreemiumMac
Zen BrowserFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux
VivaldiFreeWindows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
Google ChromeFreeWindows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
BraveFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android

Arc alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Arc?

The most popular alternative to Arc is Dia: AI browser from the makers of Arc, with an assistant that reads your tabs. Other great alternatives are Zen Browser, Vivaldi, Google Chrome, and Brave.

Is there a free alternative to Arc?

Yes, 9 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Dia, Zen Browser, Vivaldi, and Google Chrome.

Is there an open source alternative to Arc?

Yes, 3 open source alternatives are listed, including Zen Browser, Brave, and Firefox.

Is Arc free?

Yes, Arc is free to use.

Compare Arc with its alternatives

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