Arc (web browser)

Arc
Developer(s)The Browser Company
Initial release25 July 2023; 15 months ago (2023-07-25)[1]
Stable release(s)
macOS1.63.1[2] Edit this on Wikidata / 10 October 2024; 16 days ago (10 October 2024)
iOS1.34.0[3] Edit this on Wikidata / 10 October 2024; 16 days ago (10 October 2024)
Microsoft Windows1.19.2[4] Edit this on Wikidata / 13 September 2024; 43 days ago (13 September 2024)
Written inSwift
EngineBlink,[5][6] V8 (WebKit on iOS)
Operating system
TypeWeb browser
LicenseProprietary software
Websitearc.net

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, iOS, Android and Microsoft Windows.

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.[7] The sidebar contains all of the browser's functionality besides the browsing window. Arc is based on Chromium[5][6] 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.[8][9]

  1. ^ "The excellent Arc browser is now available for anyone to download". The Verge. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Arc for macOS - 2024 Release Notes". Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Arc Search — Find it, Faster". Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Arc for Windows - 2023/2024 Release Notes – Arc Help Center". 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b "What Is the Arc Browser, the Invite-Only Way to Browse Online?". CMSWire.com. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b "'The Arc Browser is the Chrome Replacement I've Been Waiting For' - Slashdot". slashdot.org. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  7. ^ Pierce, David (25 July 2023). "The excellent Arc browser is now available for anyone to download". The Verge. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).