Arc browser for designers: why we loved it and what came next

Update, October 2026: Things have moved on since I wrote this. Arc's own site now says it "receives Chromium updates only" and points people to Dia, and Atlassian has since acquired The Browser Company, "the team behind the incredible Dia and Arc browsers". The rest of this post still stands as a record of why we loved Arc at the time, and Spaces, Easels and Boosts are still worth a look if you already have it installed.

The Browser Company created Arc with the goal of providing a browser that is tailored to the needs of professionals. They recognised that the way we use the internet has changed, and that the traditional browsers were not designed to keep up with the demands of modern work. They wanted to create a browser that would help professionals work more efficiently and effectively, by providing them with the tools they need to get their work done. With Arc, The Browser Company aimed to provide designers, developers, and other professionals with a browser that is optimised for productivity, speed, and performance, and that is integrated with the online tools and services they use every day.

We love what they were aiming for, and we believe they achieved this, so let's jump into a chat about a few reasons Arc is such a good browser for design work. It's one of the tools in our essential Chrome extensions for Webflow world, so if you're building the perfect Arc browser design setup, start there too.

One of the key features of Arc that sets it apart from other browsers is its ability to organise and streamline your work. With Arc, you can create Folders to keep your tabs organised, and use Spaces to group your tabs by project. This allows you to quickly switch between different projects without having to hunt for the tabs you need. All tabs also sit on the left of the screen in a panel you can close if you want, but which makes organisation even more streamlined. Additionally, the notes feature allows you to quickly jot down ideas or to-do items without having to leave the browser.

One of our favourite features is Easels. They allow you to easily save and organise your online research, brainstorm ideas, create mood boards, collect inspiration and even write stories. It's a built-in canvas that makes it easy to save and organise information from the internet. You can keep your Easels private, share them with friends or even share them with the public. Capture any information from the web with a click on the Capture button in the URL bar and add it to your Easel.

The browser also has a full featured command bar. The command bar can do anything a mouse can do. Use the command bar for things like:

• Opening a new tab
• Switching to a tab that’s already open
• Pulling up an extension
• Finding a folder tucked away somewhere
• Creating a new space, folder, even a Notion doc

Another great feature of the Arc browser is its ability to work nicely with online design tools like Figma and Webflow. These tools are becoming increasingly popular among designers, as they allow you to collaborate and work on projects with others in real-time. With the Arc browser, you can easily access and edit your design files from within the browser, and keep the tools you use most in the handy pinned favourites panel right at the top, which means you won't have to waste time switching back and forth between different apps. The Chrome Finsweet extension for Webflow is a great example of how Arc can integrate with these tools and make the design process more efficient (and if you like Finsweet, have a look at whether Client-First is right for you).

When you’re working with tools like Figma or Webflow in the browser things can become messy with all the shortcuts we tend to use, and Arc is great for this. You can get your workflows in specific sites just right with custom shortcuts, or resolve a conflict between Arc and a shortcut you love. If you're a designer or dev, clicking on the SSL lock icon also allows you to clear Cookies and the Cache for a specific tab without affecting others, a great timesaver!

Because the browser is Chromium based you can visit the regular Chrome Web Store and install all your favourite extensions like the above-mentioned Finsweet Extension that every Webflow expert needs. The browser also includes a Boost feature, which allows you to customise the web and basically create your own extensions to enhance your browsing experience.

Speed and performance are also important aspects when it comes to browsers, and Arc delivers in this area as well. It uses the Chromium engine, known for its speed and performance, which means you won't have to deal with slow load times or lag when you're working on a project, which can be a major time-saver.

For the web app users Arc also offers Previews that allow you to see what’s going on in top sites at a glance, without losing what you’re currently doing. Previews show you upcoming meetings, let you join Zoom calls right from the sidebar, and let you see the latest design files, PRs, and tickets from your team.

Previews work automatically for sites including:

• Gmail, Outlook
• Google Cal, Outlook Cal
• GitHub
• Notion
• Figma
• Linear

In addition to these features, the Arc browser also has a clean, minimalistic interface that is easy to navigate. This makes it perfect for designers who want to focus on their work, without being distracted by unnecessary clutter. The browser includes a focus mode to simplify things when you need to get things done and also has a native split view so that you can have that Google Doc open right next to a reference site or whatever you’re working on simultaneously. The Quick Screengrab feature allows you to quickly capture screenshots of web pages without having to leave the browser, making it easy to share and document your work.

All in all, the Arc browser from the Browser Company was the best choice for designers, we're just a small Webflow studio and our Webflow designers absolutely couldn't get enough of it. Its organisational tools, tight integration with online design tools, speed, and built-in features make it the perfect tool for creating beautiful, responsive websites. So, it's a perfect choice for web designers, developers, and anyone who needs to work with the web efficiently. So, if you're looking for a browser that will help you work more efficiently and effectively, we highly recommended giving Arc a try at the time. For more of what we use day to day, check out our free and paid tools for small agencies and freelancers, our ChatGPT tips for Webflow designers and the rest of the tools category.

One final note, everything syncs with your normal Google account like Chrome, so it’s all there in Chrome on your phone, but get excited, because mobile Arc (Arc Search) dropped in January 2024.

Arc Search for iOS

Download the amazing Arc Search for iOS. Just go do it. The AI powered Browse for Me feature is just so useful and we couldn’t wait for it on Desktop. You just type in a search phrase etc. like you would normally for Google, only when you hit Browse for me, Arc will build a page answering the question or whatever you were looking for, no more having to look at 10 search results, the thing you need is just right there, with links to sources and so on.

Arc browser FAQ

Is the Arc browser still available?

Yes, you can still download Arc for Mac and Windows, but it only gets Chromium updates now. Arc's own site says: "Arc receives Chromium updates only. For active security patches and enterprise-grade protection, download Dia instead."

What is Dia, and is it the new Arc?

Dia is the AI-first browser from The Browser Company, which Atlassian announced it would acquire in September 2025 and completed acquiring in October 2025. It is where the team's effort has gone, but it is a different browser: it has a sidebar and vertical tabs, while Arc's Spaces and command bar work differently or are missing, so don't expect a like-for-like swap.

Is Arc good for web designers?

It was our favourite for Figma and Webflow work. Spaces keep each project's tabs together, split view puts a reference site next to your work, and because Arc is Chromium based, every Chrome extension works, including the Finsweet one every Webflow expert needs.

Older update: the Arc gift code

When Arc was invite only, we shared a gift code here. Arc has been open to everyone since July 2023, so you no longer need one and we are not updating it. You can download Arc directly from arc.net, and see the update at the top of this post before you do.