At long last, Android users can flick the Arc fidget spinner while browsing the web

Key Takeaways

The much-hyped Arc Browser is now available on Android, after previously being exclusive to other platforms like macOS and Windows.
Arc offers a unique experience with a distinctive interface not found in traditional web browsers.
The Browser Company faces competition from major players like Google, Microsoft, and Apple, but the company aims to ignite innovation in the stagnant web browsing market.

After months of hype and anticipation, The Browser Company of New York has finally brought its acclaimed Arc Browser to the Android platform. After previously teasing the app’s imminent availability, CEO Josh Miller took to X with the announcement.

The Arc Browser initially hit the scene in April 2022, appearing exclusively on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS to start with. Windows users were greeted with a native version of the application earlier this year, and Android is now the latest home to the rather novel take on a web browser.

Unlike traditional browsers such as Google Chrome or Apple Safari, Arc adopts a different set of interface and design considerations that make surfing the web a unique experience. The UI takes a minimalistic approach, with vertical tabs organized within a main sidebar. The Spaces feature allows you to create collections of tabs, which can then be themed to your liking. The app also leverages generative AI to create website summary links, which is a useful tool to have at the helm.

Arc’s AI-focused design and pleasant interface elements have made it a darling of the tech community, but it’s unclear how much headway the browser will make within the broader market. According to Google Play Store metrics, the app has already been downloaded over 100,000 times, which is certainly an impressive feat.

Arc Browser

An AI-centric web browser that takes a novel approach to surfing the internet, with a unique user interface and themed browsing spaces.

I tested the Arc browser against Chrome to see if it’s actually better

Arc is a browser with some significant potential, but is it worth switching over from Google Chrome?

Arc is a small fish in a big tech-backed pond

Google Chrome’s choke hold on the web browser market leaves little room for innovation

Even with a massive hype campaign behind it, the Arc Browser remains a small player in the business. The industry is largely dominated by Google Chrome, which holds a whopping 66% worldwide market share, according to StatCounter. Apple’s Safari browser is at a distant second with 18% of the market, with Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox at 5% and 2.7%, respectively.

Many smaller web browsers, Arc included, use the same underlying Chromium technology that Chrome is built on.

Many smaller web browsers, Arc included, use the same underlying Chromium technology that Chrome is built on. This allows for interoperability and broad support with Chrome’s large market of third-party extensions. but on the other hand, the industry’s consolidation of web tech is a concerning development in the sense of stifling innovation and competition.

I’m fond of the Browser Company’s willingness to try something new in the space.

I’m quite happy to see Arc finally make its way to the Google Play Store. I’m fond of the Browser Company’s willingness to try something new in the space, and I hope to see an uptick in adoption of the browser. My experience with Arc is limited, but I’ve already found its Spaces feature and its clean interface to be deeply appealing.