The Arc Browser: A Potential Chrome Killer?

Could this be the browser we’ve been waiting for?

The Arc browser, originally designed for macOS and iOS, has finally made its way to Windows 11 after leaving closed beta testing. As I tested it out, I found myself enjoying it much more than Google Chrome and even Microsoft Edge—despite both being Chromium-based. In fact, given some time, it could easily become one of the best browsers available.

(Image credit: Ahyan Bin Mahmud/ TechTickles)

Speedy and Responsive

One standout feature of Arc is its incredible speed and responsiveness. Even with the same number of tabs open, it uses far less memory than Chrome. For Chrome users who are familiar with its memory drain issues, this is a significant advantage. Arc manages to run efficiently while minimizing memory usage—a win-win for performance.

Ad-Free Experience

Another major plus over Edge is the lack of ads and clutter. Edge has been plagued by excessive ads, making it obnoxious at best and nearly unusable at worst. Arc, on the other hand, provides a clean browsing experience without the distractions.

Under the Hood: Swift and Native Windows Frameworks

Arc was originally developed for macOS, and it uses Swift instead of C++ (which Chrome and Edge rely on). Swift offers automatic memory management, which pairs well with today’s faster processors. Developers don’t need to write manual memory management code for managed applications.

Additionally, Arc leverages native Windows frameworks, resulting in an incredibly fast and smooth experience. The Windows 11-like user interface includes menu design, toggles, Mica materials, and Acrylic support for a more transparent UI.

Split View for Multitasking

One of my favorite features in Arc is the split view. It allows you to instantly split tabs into two, three, or four sections. This feature is especially handy for users with large monitors who want to multitask without toggling through settings.

Privacy Concerns and Future Updates

However, it’s not all perfect. As a Chromium browser, Arc faces the looming privacy threat of Manifest V3, which could impact ad blocking. Additionally, the browser still tracks users with ad blockers installed. Users should be aware of these privacy considerations when downloading and using Arc.

The Arc team, known as The Browser Company, promises more updates to bring the browser to macOS’s level and add Windows 10 support. If they address privacy issues, Arc could potentially outperform even Mozilla Firefox.

Interested in trying out Arc for yourself? You can download it for free here.

Remember to stay informed about privacy settings and enjoy your browsing experience! 🌐🚀

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