Arc (web browser)
Arc is a freeware web browser developed by The Browser Company, a startup company founded by Josh Miller and Hursh Agrawal. It was released on 19 April 2022 after having undergone a closed beta test. Arc is available for use on macOS and iOS. A Microsoft Windows version of the browser is in development, and is currently being rolled out to beta testers. As of April 2024, the beta test for Windows has over 169,000 members. An official roadmap and member count is available at https://isarconwindowsyet.com.
Preview of the Arc browser | |
| Developer(s) | The Browser Company |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 25 July 2023 |
| Stable release(s) | |
| Preview release(s) | |
| Written in | Swift (macOS, Microsoft Windows, and iOS Companion App) |
| Engine | Blink, V8 (WebKit on iOS) |
| Operating system |
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| Type | Web browser |
| License | Proprietary software |
| Website | arc |
Arc aims to act as an operating system for the web and tries to integrate web browsing with built-in applications and features. These include a scrapbook-style "easel", and "boosts", a feature that lets users cosmetically redesign a website in a similar way to browser extensions. As opposed to many other browsers, Arc uses vertical tabs (which can be found in a sidebar). The sidebar contains all of the browser's functionality besides the browsing window. Arc is based on Chromium and is written in Swift. It supports Chrome browser extensions, and uses Google Search by default.
Arc has received coverage from several technology-focused media outlets, including The Verge, Ars Technica, How-To Geek and Engadget. Critics gave Arc a generally positive reception, citing the potential of new ideas and features the browser presents. However, most coverage added that the browser still needed polishing.