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.
Sleipnir is a lightweight web browser for Windows and macOS that emphasizes speed, flexibility, and a highly customizable interface. It offers gesture controls, tab grouping, and a sleek rendering engine that balances performance with low resource usage. The browser includes built-in privacy features, a built-in ad blocker, and support for extensions, making it suitable for both casual browsing and power users who need advanced navigation shortcuts.
- 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
- Highly customizable interface
- Robust gesture support
- Built‑in ad blocker
- Low memory footprint
- 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/Firefox
- Mac version lags behind Windows in feature updates
- No native Linux support
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth are free‑to‑use browsers for power users, but Sleipnir (A) emphasizes low memory use and gesture control, while Arc (B) focuses on tab organization and built‑in productivity tools.
Key differences
- •Gesture support: Sleipnir offers mouse/touchpad gestures; Arc does not.
- •Tab organization: Arc provides Spaces, vertical sidebar, and auto‑archiving; Sleipnir only has basic tab grouping.
- •Productivity add‑ons: Arc includes Split View, Easels, and custom CSS/JS boosts; Sleipnir offers reading mode and ad blocker only.
- •Platform coverage: Neither offers Linux; Sleipnir has Windows and macOS, Arc only Windows and macOS as well.
- •Pricing model: Sleipnir is freemium (potential paid features); Arc is completely free.
Pricing & value
Arc is fully free; Sleipnir uses a freemium model that may require payment for advanced features.
Ease of use / learning curve
Sleipnir uses a conventional tab bar; Arc’s vertical sidebar and Spaces require adjustment for traditional users.
Features & depth
Arc adds Spaces, Split View, Easels, and custom site boosts, offering broader productivity tooling than Sleipnir.
Integrations & ecosystem
Both integrate with Chrome Web Store extensions and have no native API support.
Support
Sleipnir offers email and forum; Arc provides a Help Center and community—comparable support channels.
Choose Arc if…
Professionals juggling many projects who want built‑in tab organization and productivity panes.
Choose Sleipnir if…
Power users who need low RAM usage and gesture‑based navigation on Windows/macOS.
Common questions
Is there any cost to use either browser?
Arc is completely free; Sleipnir is freemium, meaning core features are free but some advanced options may require payment.
Can I use my existing Chrome extensions with these browsers?
Yes, both browsers support Chrome Web Store extensions.
Do either of the browsers run on Linux?
No, neither Sleipnir nor Arc provides a native Linux version.