TL;DR
Get business pricing on monitors, keyboards and dev gear
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
The Browser Company has announced that it will sunset Arc before the end of 2026, following a period in which the browser received maintenance updates while the company focused on Dia. Lifehacker recommends Zen as the closest match for Arc’s interface, with Vivaldi, Brave, Helium, Dia and Quiche serving different needs.
The Browser Company has announced that it plans to sunset the Arc browser before the end of 2026, leaving users time to find another browser and export their Arc data. In a report published October 28, Lifehacker identified Zen Browser as its closest match for Arc’s interface, while also recommending options including Vivaldi, Brave and Helium.
Arc had already been receiving maintenance updates as The Browser Company shifted its attention to Dia, an AI browser built on a framework shared with Arc. Lifehacker characterizes Arc as effectively being put on ice during that period. The sunset announcement now gives Arc users a deadline, although the source does not provide a specific shutdown date or describe what features will remain available until then.
Lifehacker’s leading alternative is Zen Browser, a free, open-source browser built on Firefox. It offers a vertical sidebar, workspaces, pinned tabs and interface customization through mods. The publication says it has been using Zen for months, while noting that some websites may work better in Chromium-based browsers and that Zen can use substantial memory. Firefox extensions are supported, including uBlock Origin.
Vivaldi is the main Chromium-based option in Lifehacker’s list. Its features include workspaces, tab groups called Tab Stacks, split-screen browsing and a customizable sidebar with Web Panels. The report also points to Brave for built-in privacy protections and tracker blocking; Helium for a more minimal Chromium experience; Dia for users willing to try the company’s AI-focused browser; and Quiche for people seeking an iPhone or iPad alternative.
Browser guide · Updated October 2026
Looking for an Arc Browser Alternative?
The Browser Company plans to sunset Arc before the end of 2026. Lifehacker’s shortlist spans close interface matches, Chromium tools, privacy-focused browsing and an iPad option.
No exact shutdown date announced
Firefox-based and customizable
Workspaces plus built-in controls
Export advised; import not confirmed
01 / The shortlist
Choose by the way you browse
There is no single replacement that reproduces every Arc feature. Start with the workflow and browser engine that matter most.
Zen Browser
Vertical sidebar, workspaces, pinned tabs and mods for interface customization. Firefox extensions include uBlock Origin.
Firefox · Free · Open sourceVivaldi
Chromium compatibility with workspaces, Tab Stacks, split-screen browsing and a customizable sidebar with Web Panels.
Chromium · Feature-richBrave
Lifehacker highlights built-in privacy protections and tracker blocking for users who want those tools ready to go.
Chromium · Privacy toolsHelium
A more minimal Chromium experience for people who want a cleaner, less feature-heavy browser.
Chromium · MinimalDia
The Browser Company’s AI browser shares a framework with Arc. It has a vertical sidebar and pinned apps, but is not described as a one-for-one replacement.
The Browser Company · AI browserQuiche
Presented as an option for people looking to replace Arc on iPhone or iPad, rather than as a general desktop substitute.
iPhone · iPad02 / At a glance
Compare the trade-offs
Use these distinctions to narrow the shortlist, then test your own sites, extensions and daily setup.
| Browser | Engine / platform | Standout fit | Consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zen | Firefox · Desktop | Arc-like layout and customization | Some sites may work better on Chromium; can use substantial memory |
| Vivaldi | Chromium · Desktop | Workspaces, Tab Stacks, split view, Web Panels | Many built-in controls and options |
| Brave | Chromium · Desktop and mobile | Privacy protections and tracker blocking | Different interface and priorities from Arc |
| Helium | Chromium · Desktop | A more minimal Chromium experience | Fewer built-in features by design |
| Dia | The Browser Company · Desktop | AI-focused browsing; vertical sidebar and pinned apps | Some Arc interface features are absent |
| Quiche | iPhone and iPad | Mobile Arc alternative | Not presented as a desktop replacement |
03 / Make the switch
Test before you commit
Arc’s announcement creates time to compare options, but the exact shutdown schedule and migration details are still pending.
Export Arc data
Lifehacker recommends exporting. The available data categories and export format were not specified.
Try your shortlist
Start with Zen for an Arc-like layout or Vivaldi for a feature-rich Chromium setup.
Check your workflow
Test workspaces, tabs, extensions, site compatibility, memory use and mobile support.
Watch for details
Look for a precise sunset date and guidance about accounts, synced data and migration.
04 / What is still unknown
Sunset details are pending
The stated plan is a sunset before the end of 2026. The report does not establish what support or data access will look like until then.
No precise shutdown date or schedule has been provided.
It is not clear whether Arc will continue receiving security fixes before sunset.
The impact on accounts, synced information and other saved data has not been detailed.
No direct import path to Dia or another browser has been confirmed. A similar interface does not guarantee a seamless transfer.
“There are no AI features. None.”Lifehacker · Arc’s original appeal
“If you want to keep to a Chromium-based browser, but one that offers all the customization features you can think of, go for Vivaldi.”Lifehacker · Vivaldi recommendation
Arc had already been receiving maintenance updates while The Browser Company focused on Dia. Lifehacker describes Arc as effectively being put on ice during that period.
05 / Quick answers
Key questions
When will Arc be sunset?
The Browser Company says before the end of 2026. The source does not give an exact date.
Which browser is most similar to Arc?
Lifehacker recommends Zen for its vertical sidebar, workspaces, pinned tabs and customizable interface.
Is Zen Browser based on Chromium?
No. Zen is built on Firefox and supports Firefox extensions. Some sites may work better in Chromium-based browsers.
What is a Chromium-based Arc alternative?
Vivaldi is the feature-rich option in the report. Brave and Helium are also Chromium-based alternatives.
Can Arc data be moved to another browser?
Exporting is advised, but the report does not specify which data can be exported or whether alternatives can import it directly.
Is Dia a direct Arc replacement?
It is not described as one. Dia has an AI focus and some familiar features, but lacks parts of Arc’s interface.
Choosing a Browser After Arc
Arc’s planned retirement matters most to users who rely on its vertical tabs, workspaces and customized interface. Those features are not exclusive to Arc, but the alternatives differ in how they provide them, which browser engine they use and how much additional functionality they include.
For users who want a close visual and organizational match, Zen is the most direct suggestion in Lifehacker’s report. Its Firefox foundation may be a drawback for sites optimized for Chromium, according to the publication, so users who depend on those sites may prefer Vivaldi or another Chromium-based browser. The choice also involves trade-offs around built-in tools, privacy settings and interface complexity rather than a single replacement that reproduces every part of Arc.
The announcement also makes exporting Arc data a practical consideration. The source advises users to export their data and try alternatives, but does not spell out which Arc data can be exported or whether it can be imported directly into any of the listed browsers.
Products Worth Considering
Apple iPad Air (4th Generation, 10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB) – Space Gray
Bose QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation, Mic, USB‑C Charging, Deep Bass, 24‑Hour Battery – White Smok
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2), 512GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Arc’s Shift Toward Dia
The planned shutdown follows a change in The Browser Company’s priorities. According to Lifehacker, Arc had moved to maintenance updates while the company focused on Dia, an AI browser that shares Arc’s framework. Dia is not described as a one-for-one replacement: Lifehacker says it lacks some of the interface features that made Arc appealing, though it now offers a vertical sidebar and pinned apps.
The alternatives in the report cover distinct approaches. Zen prioritizes an Arc-like layout and customization on Firefox; Vivaldi uses Chromium and adds extensive built-in tools; Brave emphasizes privacy and speed; and Helium pares back the Chromium experience. Quiche is specifically presented as an option for Arc on iPhone or iPad, rather than a general desktop substitute.
““The Zen Browser is the best Arc alternative.””
— Lifehacker
Shutdown Details Still Pending
The source reports a sunset before the end of 2026 but gives no precise date, shutdown schedule or detail on whether Arc will continue receiving security fixes until then. It also does not explain what happens to user accounts, synced information or other data when the browser is retired.
It is not clear whether The Browser Company will offer a migration path from Arc to Dia or another browser. Lifehacker recommends exporting Arc data, but does not identify the export format, the categories of information included or whether any alternative can import that data directly. Users should not assume that a similar interface also means a seamless transfer.
Export Data and Test Alternatives
Arc users can begin by exporting their data and trying the alternatives against their own day-to-day needs: tabs and workspaces, extensions, site compatibility, memory use and mobile support. Zen is the closest interface match in Lifehacker’s assessment; Vivaldi may suit users who want Chromium compatibility and more built-in controls.
The next key development is a more specific shutdown timeline from The Browser Company, along with any guidance on data access or migration. Until that information is available, Arc users should treat the stated end-of-2026 window as the current plan and avoid assuming that Arc’s features or saved data will automatically carry over to another browser.
Key Questions
When will Arc be sunset?
The Browser Company has said Arc will be sunset before the end of 2026. The source does not give an exact date.
Which browser is most similar to Arc?
Lifehacker recommends Zen Browser as the closest match for Arc’s vertical sidebar, workspaces, pinned tabs and customizable interface.
Is Zen Browser based on Chromium?
No. Zen is built on Firefox and supports Firefox extensions. Lifehacker notes that some sites may work better in Chromium-based browsers.
What is a Chromium-based alternative to Arc?
Vivaldi is the report’s feature-rich Chromium option, with workspaces, split-screen browsing, tab groups and customizable Web Panels. Brave and Helium are other Chromium-based options mentioned.
Can Arc data be moved to another browser?
Lifehacker advises users to export Arc data, but the report does not specify what data can be exported or whether the alternatives can import it directly. A seamless transfer has not been confirmed by the source.
Source: Lifehacker
