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Arc vs Maxthon

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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Arc
ArcA browser that organizes tabs into Spaces and adapts to how you browse.
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Maxthon
MaxthonFast, secure Chromium‑based browser with cloud sync and built‑in ad blocker.
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Overview
Description

Arc is a web browser from The Browser Company that rethinks the traditional tab bar. Instead of one long row of tabs, Arc organizes browsing into Spaces (separate profiles for work, personal life, or side projects) and a vertical sidebar, with Split View for viewing two pages side by side and built-in tools like an ad blocker and screenshot tool. Arc is built on Chromium, so it supports the same extensions and sites as Chrome, while adding features like Boosts (custom CSS/JS tweaks per site) and Easels for quick notes and moodboards. As of its current site messaging, active feature development has shifted to Dia, the company's newer AI-first browser, while Arc itself continues to receive Chromium security updates.

Maxthon is a Chromium‑based web browser that combines speed with privacy features, including a built‑in ad blocker and privacy mode. It offers cloud synchronization of bookmarks, passwords, and settings across devices. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, Maxthon provides a customizable UI and resource‑saving technologies to improve browsing performance on both desktop and mobile platforms.

Pricing
Free
Freemium
Category
Desktop Browsers
Desktop Browsers
Best for
Power users and professionals who manage many tabs and projects at once
Everyday internet users and power browsers
Specifications
deployment
Desktop App
—
open source
No
No
api available
No
No
support options
Help Center, Community
Email, FAQ, Community Forum
key integrations
Chrome Web Store extensions
Google Drive, Dropbox
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Tab and Space organization meaningfully reduces browser clutter for heavy multi-tasking users
  • Split View and Easels add real productivity tools most browsers lack natively
  • Free to use with no account required for core features
  • Full Chromium compatibility means existing Chrome extensions still work
  • Fast Chromium engine
  • Robust built‑in ad blocker
  • Cross‑platform cloud sync
  • Highly customizable interface
Cons
  • Active feature development has shifted to the company's newer browser, Dia, with Arc now getting mostly maintenance updates
  • No Linux version
  • The unconventional layout has a learning curve for users coming from traditional tab bars
  • Limited extension ecosystem compared to Chrome
  • Occasional compatibility quirks with some websites
  • No official open‑source code
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

More alternatives & similar tools

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Vivaldi
Vivaldi

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Zen Browser

Firefox-based browser for organized workspaces

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Cent Browser
Cent Browser

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OneTab
OneTab

Browser extension that collapses all open tabs into one list to save memory and reduce clutter.

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Yandex Browser
Yandex Browser

Fast, secure browsing with built-in AI assistance

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Slimjet
Slimjet

Fast, ad‑blocking browser that protects your privacy

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Arc is the better free choice for power users needing advanced tab organization, while Maxthon suits everyday users who prioritize cross‑device sync and a familiar interface.

Key differences

  • •Arc offers Spaces, Split View, Easels, and Boosts for deep tab/project organization; Maxthon focuses on sync and basic customization.
  • •Arc is completely free with no paid tier; Maxthon uses a freemium model that may require payment for full features.
  • •Arc runs only on desktop (no Linux) and lacks cloud sync; Maxthon provides cloud sync across devices and supports multiple OSes.
  • •Arc relies on Chrome Web Store extensions for ecosystem breadth; Maxthon’s extension support is limited and integrates only with Google Drive and Dropbox.
DimensionWinner

Pricing & value

Arc is free for all core features; Maxthon offers a freemium model that may require paid upgrades.

Arc

Ease of use / learning curve

Arc’s unconventional layout has a learning curve; Maxthon uses a traditional UI familiar to most browsers.

Maxthon

Features & depth

Arc provides Spaces, Split View, Easels, Boosts, and built‑in ad/tracker blocker, exceeding Maxthon’s feature set.

Arc

Integrations & ecosystem

Arc supports any Chrome Web Store extension; Maxthon only integrates with Google Drive and Dropbox.

Arc

Support

Both offer community‑based help; Maxthon adds email support, while Arc provides a Help Center.

Tie

Security & privacy

Both include built‑in ad blockers; Arc blocks trackers, Maxthon adds privacy mode but also syncs data to the cloud.

Tie

Choose Arc if…

Power users managing many tabs/projects who need free, advanced organization.

Choose Maxthon if…

Everyday users who want cross‑device sync and a familiar browser experience.

Common questions

Is there any cost to use Arc’s core features?

No, Arc is free with no paid tier for its core functionality.

Can Maxthon sync bookmarks and tabs across my phone and laptop?

Yes, Maxthon’s cloud sync keeps bookmarks, passwords, and tabs consistent across devices.

Which browser offers more built‑in productivity tools?

Arc provides Spaces, Split View, Easels, and Boosts, giving it a richer native productivity toolkit than Maxthon.