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.
All Arc alternatives
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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesPlatformsZen 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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesVivaldi 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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesGoogle 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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesBrave 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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesSafari 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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesMicrosoft 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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesOpera 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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesFirefox 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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategories
Arc vs its alternatives at a glance
Pricing, platforms and the key features of Arc, compared with its most popular alternatives.
| App | Pricing | Platforms | AI assistant | Cross-device sync | Supports extensions | Tab management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Windows, Mac | |||||
| Freemium | Mac | |||||
| FreeOpen source | Windows, Mac, Linux | |||||
| Free | Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android | |||||
| Free | Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android | |||||
| FreeOpen source | Windows, 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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