Best Arc Browser Alternatives in 2026
The top Arc Browser alternatives are Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox: 15 web browsers our editors would look at instead of Arc Browser, in our ranking order.
Arc Browser: A free browser for structured browsing across desktop and mobile. Where it falls short: arc sync excludes history, saved passwords, extensions, favorites, and profiles..
Switching from Arc Browser? For most web browsers buyers the best Arc Browser alternative is Google Chrome, built for most users wanting a complete free browser.
Why People Look for an Arc Browser Alternative
- Arc Sync excludes history, saved passwords, extensions, favorites, and profiles
- Arc receives Chromium updates only and recommends Dia for active security patches
- Desktop extension coverage and maturity are less established
- No open source — 6 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallGoogle Chrome9.3
Most users wanting a complete free browser
Visit Google Chrome - Best free optionGoogle Chrome9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Google Chrome - Best for open sourceMozilla Firefox9.1
Open source (Arc Browser: no)
Visit Mozilla Firefox
All 15 Arc Browser Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forMost users wanting a complete free browser
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 5.2
A complete free browser with broad platform coverage, sync, extensions, and built-in security.
- Cross-device sync
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Google Chrome -
Best forMicrosoft users needing a full-featured browser
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 5.2
A free, cross-platform browser suited to Microsoft users who want broad compatibility.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft Edge -
Best forOpen-source privacy-conscious everyday browsing
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Open source
- Editor score 9.1 vs 5.2
A mature, privacy-focused browser for everyday browsing across desktop and mobile.
- Cross-device sync
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Firefox -
Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting broad compatibility
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Open source
- Editor score 9.0 vs 5.2
A privacy-first Chromium browser with broad platform and extension compatibility.
- Cross-device sync
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Brave -
Best forUsers wanting built-in tools and many integrations
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 5.2
Opera combines privacy controls, syncing, AI, messaging, and workspaces at no browser cost.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Opera -
Best forPower users who want extensive customization
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 5.2
Vivaldi suits power users who want deep control over tabs, tools, and interface design.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Vivaldi -
Best forUsers committed to Apple devices
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 5.2
A free Apple-platform browser with strong privacy tools and iCloud integration.
- Cross-device sync
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Apple -
Best forUsers seeking strong anonymity online
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Open source
- Editor score 8.6 vs 5.2
A free, open-source browser built for anonymity and censorship circumvention.
- Open source
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Tor Browser -
Best forOpen-source users wanting strong privacy controls
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Open source
- Editor score 8.5 vs 5.2
Waterfox offers open-source browsing with detailed privacy controls at no cost.
- Cross-device sync
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Waterfox -
Best forUsers prioritizing private search and blocking
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 5.2
A free browser for privacy-focused users who want blocking and private search built in.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit DuckDuckGo -
Best forUsers seeking hardened private desktop browsing
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Open source
- Editor score 8.2 vs 5.2
A privacy-focused desktop browser with strong anti-fingerprinting controls and no paid tier.
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
8.2/10★★★★☆Try Mullvad Browser -
Best forAI-assisted browsing and search
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 5.2
A free, cross-device browser for AI-assisted search, commands, and page help.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Comet -
Best forUsers wanting strong private browsing defaults
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.2
A free Chromium browser focused on blocking ads, trackers and fingerprinting.
- Built-in ad blocking
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Epic -
Best forOpen-source users wanting a focused Gecko browser
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Open source
- Editor score 7.8 vs 5.2
A focused, open-source Gecko browser for privacy-conscious desktop users.
- Cross-device sync
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit LibreWolf -
Best forUsers wanting antivirus-linked browser security
- Better than Arc Browser:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 5.2
A Chromium browser with useful privacy tools and an optional VPN upgrade.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit AVG Browser
Arc Browser Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Arc Browser?
Google Chrome: #1 in our Web Browsers ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A complete free browser with broad platform coverage, sync, extensions, and built-in security.
Is there a free alternative to Arc Browser?
Yes. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Brave Browser and Opera have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Arc Browser alternatives?
Arc Sync excludes history, saved passwords, extensions, favorites, and profiles; Arc receives Chromium updates only and recommends Dia for active security patches; Desktop extension coverage and maturity are less established.
How do I switch from Arc Browser?
Export your data from Arc Browser (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Arc Browser.
How to Switch from Arc Browser
- Export your data from Arc Browser (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Arc Browser.
Arc Browser vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Browser engine | Built-in ad blocking | Extension support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Arc Browser | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Chrome_store | 5.2 |
| 1 | Google Chrome | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Chrome_store | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Microsoft Edge | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Both | 9.2 |
| 3 | Mozilla Firefox | Yes | Free | Both | Gecko | Yes | Own_store | 9.1 |
| 4 | Brave Browser | Yes | $59.99 one-time | Both | Yes | Chrome_store | 9.0 | |
| 5 | Opera | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Both | 8.9 |
| 6 | Vivaldi | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Chrome_store | 8.8 |
| 7 | Safari | Yes | Free | Both | Other | Own_store | 8.7 | |
| 8 | Tor Browser | Yes | Free | Both | 8.6 | |||
| 9 | Waterfox | Yes | Free | Both | Gecko | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 10 | DuckDuckGo Browser | Yes | $99.99/yr | Both | Yes | 8.3 | ||
| 11 | Mullvad Browser | Yes | Free | Both | Gecko | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 12 | Comet | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Chrome_store | 8.1 |
| 13 | Epic Privacy Browser | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Chrome_store | 7.9 |
| 14 | LibreWolf | Yes | Free | Both | Yes | 7.8 | ||
| 15 | AVG Secure Browser | Yes | Both | Chromium | Yes | Own_store | 7.7 |
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update