I used Arc for a month and now every browser feels like a downgrade

Arc is the latest entrant in the world of browsers. The Browser Company’s new browser aims to reinvent web browsing for the modern Internet, and it has managed to garner quite a user base and popularity. I didn’t buy into the hype for the longest time because Brave was good enough for me, but a month ago, when I saw a few friends using Arc’s CMD+T keyboard shortcut to search for things, I got tempted. I didn’t fully switch to Arc, but I logged into the browser with my work email and started using it for work tasks. It’s been a month, and I still use Brave back and forth, but boy, does it feel like a downgrade. Arc has its issues, but the features it offers make up for them, and I really wish more browsers would implement these features.

Most browsers haven’t changed

Especially the popular ones

Browsers are essential apps on our computers now, but they’ve struggled to keep up with the web. Take Google Chrome, for example — it’s basically the same browser from 2008 but still commands over 60% of the global market with its fossilated UI. The only real update it received was Tab Groups in 2020, and even that feature is lacking. Tab Groups aren’t persistent, so you have to rebuild them every time, which is a hassle.

Chrome was built for basic browsing, but now apps like Google Docs, Notion, Figma, and Slack run in browsers. Yet Chrome hasn’t really adapted to handle them any better than just pinning them as tabs. Plus, updates to Chrome’s interface have been slow and inconsistent.

Chrome isn’t the only one with these issues. Firefox’s UI is similar, and although Safari offers a better experience out of the box with its Reading Mode and Tab Groups, it still has problems. When it comes to extensions, most are built for Chrome or Firefox, leaving Safari behind. Apple’s strict App Store guidelines might be why Safari lags with extensions, often getting them months after Chrome. Safari also feels bloated and gets more complicated with each macOS update, and setting up profiles isn’t straightforward.

Where Arc shines

The command bar and the sidebar take the spotlight

Arc has many great features, but two that stand out to me are the command bar and the sidebar. The command bar works like Apple’s Spotlight, letting you quickly find open tabs, navigate to a URL, or run a search without leaving the keyboard.

I love how seamless it is. I can type the beginning of a tab’s name to jump straight to it, enter a URL to visit a site, or start a search and open a new tab instantly. It takes a different approach from traditional browsers but feels incredibly intuitive. Then, there’s the sidebar, which houses Arc’s vertical tabs. Vertical tabs aren’t unique to Arc — most browsers support this feature (except one, and you can probably guess which). It’s a love-it-or-hate-it feature, but I’ve always preferred it, especially in Edge. Vertical tabs let me keep tons of tabs open while still being able to read most of their titles.

If screen space is a concern, you can collapse the sidebar anytime, but honestly, most websites don’t need the full width of the screen anyway. Tabs on the sidebar are grouped into different sections. The first is for favorites, which is perfect for frequently used sites. Closing a favorite tab removes the instance but keeps its icon in place for easy access. The sidebar can also be customized with different colors and gradients.

Arc’s “spaces” feature takes organization even further by allowing separate environments with their own pinned tabs and themes. I have one space for work, where I keep all my project management tools and research sites, and another for creative brainstorming, filled with design inspiration and note-taking apps. It makes switching between different workflows effortless.

It’s full of small and nice touches

Whether it’s Little Arc or the useful AI features

There are a ton of small but thoughtful touches all over the UI. The loading progress indicator at the top of the window is subtle but feels way more refined than Apple’s version in the address bar. The keyboard shortcut cues also have some nice visual depth, something I really miss in modern interfaces.

It’s a smart browser in so many ways. If you’re watching a YouTube video and switch tabs, Arc automatically pops the video into picture-in-picture mode. No need for an extension, it just works. Then there’s Little Arc, a mini browser window that’s perfect for quick site visits. Clicking a link while browsing doesn’t just open a new tab — it first opens in a Little Arc window, so you can peek at it before fully expanding. It’s such a clever design choice.

Arc’s AI tools aren’t just gimmicks, but are actually useful. The Cmd or Ctrl + F shortcut still works for finding text on a page, but it also doubles as an AI chatbox. You can ask questions about the page or get a quick summary without scrolling through everything. Hovering over in-line links does more than just show a preview. It also gives you a quick AI-generated summary with key points, making it easier to decide whether the link is worth opening. Another small but genius feature is how Arc renames downloaded files. Instead of those long, gibberish filenames, it gives them clear, contextual names so you can instantly recognize them in your downloads folder.

Arc is not without issues

Arc isn’t perfect. Some of my colleagues at XDA have found it to be a battery hog, reducing MacBook Air’s battery life from around eight hours with Microsoft Edge while running Slack and Word to just five to six hours. It also completely breaks “bookmarklets,” which are small JavaScript-powered tools that act on the current webpage rather than loading a separate one.

If Arc doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, consider trying Zen, which has impressed quite a few people here at XDA. While you’re at it, check out these open-source alternatives to Google Chrome.

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