TabbitARC BROWSER GUIDE
Arc Browser
The browser that reimagined tabs with Spaces and vertical stacks. Here is what Arc is, what changed after Atlassian, and where Tabbit picks up as the AI-native successor.
Free for macOS & Windows
HISTORY
Arc Browser timeline
2019
The Browser Company founded
Josh Miller and Hursh Agrawal launched The Browser Company with a mission to rethink how people use the internet—not just browse it.
2022
Arc launches on macOS
Arc shipped publicly for Mac with Spaces, vertical tabs, and a bold UI that quickly built a loyal power-user community.
2024
Windows version goes live
After a long beta, Arc reached Windows users—bringing its workspace model beyond Apple hardware for the first time.
2025
Atlassian acquisition
Atlassian announced plans to acquire The Browser Company. Fans praised the deal, but many wondered whether Arc would stay a standalone browser.
OVERVIEW
What is Arc Browser?
Arc Browser is a free Chromium-based browser from The Browser Company (now part of Atlassian). Instead of a horizontal tab bar, Arc organizes browsing around Spaces—project-based workspaces with vertical tabs, split views, and built-in tools that keep context visible.
- Built on Chromium, so extensions and sites behave like Chrome
- Spaces group tabs by project, role, or mood—not just one endless row
- Vertical tabs show full titles and make scanning dozens of pages easier
- Little Arc opens a lightweight popup for quick lookups without losing your place
- Arc Max adds AI summaries, renamed tabs, and other smart helpers on top
KEY FEATURES
Arc Browser features that defined it
Arc won fans by treating the browser like a workspace. These four features are what people mean when they say they want a browser like Arc.
Spaces
Separate workspaces for work, personal life, or side projects—each with its own tabs, pinned sites, and color theme.
Vertical Tabs
A sidebar stack you can scan at a glance. Full page titles stay visible instead of shrinking into favicon crumbs.
Arc Max
Built-in AI helpers: five-second page previews, auto-renamed tabs, Tidy Tabs suggestions, and Ask on Page summaries.
Little Arc
A compact floating window for quick searches and links—open, read, and close without disturbing your main Space.
CURRENT STATUS
Is Arc Browser discontinued?
Arc is not officially shut down, but its future is uncertain. After Atlassian acquired The Browser Company, update cadence slowed and the team shifted focus toward Dia, their AI-first browser. Many longtime Arc users are exploring alternatives now.
Acquisition changed priorities
Atlassian bought The Browser Company to expand into browsers and AI. Public messaging emphasizes Dia as the next chapter, leaving Arc in maintenance mode rather than active innovation.
Community concern is real
Reddit threads, YouTube reviews, and tech blogs now ask whether Arc is "dead." The app still works, but fewer feature releases and unclear long-term support push power users to look elsewhere.
COMPARISON
Arc Browser vs Tabbit
Both browsers care about calm, organized workflows. Tabbit extends what Arc started with agentic AI that can act across pages—not just summarize them.
| Capability | Arc Browser | Tabbit |
|---|---|---|
| Workspace model | Spaces with vertical tabs and split view | Workspaces + smart tab groups with persistent context |
| AI integration | Arc Max summaries and tab helpers | Native Agent Mode + multi-model chat (GPT, Claude, Gemini) |
| Automation | Manual browsing with AI assists | Agentic workflows—fill forms, research, extract, report back |
| Cross-tab context | Spaces keep tabs grouped | @ references to tabs, files, and bookmarks in the Omnibox |
| Platform support | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | macOS & Windows with Chrome/Edge/Safari import |
| Product direction | Uncertain—maintenance mode post-acquisition | Active development with a clear AI-native roadmap |
WHY SWITCH
Why Tabbit is the Arc alternative to try now
If you loved Arc's spatial design but want a browser with a future—and AI that does real work—Tabbit is built for that moment.
Keep the workflow, gain an agent
Vertical tabs, workspaces, and a calm UI—plus an AI Agent that navigates sites, gathers data, and completes tasks you describe in plain language.
Free, cross-platform, no lock-in
Download Tabbit free on macOS and Windows. Import bookmarks and history from Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Arc in minutes.
Built for 2026, not maintenance mode
While Arc's roadmap is unclear, Tabbit ships Skills, multi-model AI, and agentic automation with active updates—not a sunset product.
FAQ
Arc Browser questions answered
What is Arc Browser?+
Arc is a free Chromium browser from The Browser Company (now owned by Atlassian). It replaces the traditional tab bar with Spaces, vertical tabs, split views, and optional Arc Max AI helpers.
Is Arc Browser discontinued?+
Not officially—but many users treat it as effectively discontinued. After the Atlassian acquisition, Arc receives fewer updates while Dia becomes the company's focus. The app still runs, but long-term support is uncertain.
Is Arc Browser still worth using?+
If you already rely on Spaces and vertical tabs and do not need AI automation, Arc can still work today. New users or anyone worried about the product's future should consider Tabbit or other alternatives.
How do I download Arc Browser?+
Visit arc.net and sign up for an account to download Arc for macOS or Windows. If you want a free AI-native alternative with similar workspace design, download Tabbit instead.
Does Arc Browser work on Windows?+
Yes. Arc launched a full Windows version in 2024 after a long beta. macOS remains the most polished experience, but Windows users can use Spaces and vertical tabs too.
Arc Browser vs Chrome—which is better?+
Chrome is the default for compatibility and speed. Arc is better if you want organized workspaces, vertical tabs, and a calmer UI. Tabbit adds agentic AI on top of that productivity-first design.
What is the best Arc Browser alternative?+
Tabbit is the strongest Arc alternative for users who want Spaces-style organization plus Agent Mode, free multi-model AI, and active development on macOS and Windows.
Is Arc Browser free?+
Yes, Arc is free to download and use. Tabbit is also free for macOS and Windows, with built-in AI Agent features that Arc Max only partially covers.
Ready for what comes after Arc?
Download Tabbit free—the AI-native browser that keeps Arc-style workspaces and adds an agent that actually gets work done.