The popular Arc Browser has been delighting macOS and iOS users for years, and now it’s available. The Windows version of The Browser Company’s software. The only caveat? The web browser is only available for Windows 11, but a Windows 10 version is on the way.
Despite being a direct competitor to browsers like Chrome and Edge, Arc is actually quite unique. It has a collapsible sidebar with vertical tabs and bookmarks, so there are no tabs at the top. This gives users a clear overview of the website they are actually visiting, without unnecessary clutter. It also allows users to create rooms to organize things, which works similarly to folders on a desktop. Looking for recipes and applying at the same time? Simply put tabs and research from the former in one area and the latter in another area.
The Peek feature allows users to preview a link before opening it, and Little Arc opens a compact browser window where they can view something quickly and with minimal memory usage. There’s a bit of a learning curve with Arc, considering we’ve been using browsers in exactly the same way for decades, but it’s been worth it for many users.
It is also highly customizable, providing a personalized experience not available on competing browsers. Arc actually allows users to customize the look of every website they visit, allowing users to vent their aggression on Engadget by turning the site neon green or changing the font to something hideous. Users can even mark entire sections and delete them from view. As an added bonus, Chrome plugins work with Arc, allowing for easy migration.
Another big thing here is the Swift integration. Arc actually runs on Swift, a programming language developed by Apple for building apps for iOS, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Watch. So by bringing Arc to Windows, the Browser Company is also bringing Swift to Windows for the first time.
This means that third parties will eventually be able to build Windows applications using Swift. For example, this programming language is different from Python and the like. The company has been working to bring Swift to Windows computers for six years, calling it “a labor of love.”
The Browser Company promises that this is just the beginning of Arc on Windows. It says there will be regular performance improvements and new features in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, the browser is free if anyone wants to take a look.
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