Switching from Arc Browser: What You'll Miss (And What's Better)
TL;DR: Arc Browser's sidebar, Spaces, and Command Bar were genuinely great. After the Atlassian acquisition and maintenance mode, those features aren't coming back. But here's the thing - you can get most of them back (and some things Arc never had) by switching to a standard browser plus SupaSidebar. The transition isn't painless, but it's worth it.
Switching from Arc Browser is a specific kind of frustration. You didn't leave because you found something better. You left because the thing you loved stopped being maintained.
As someone who builds SupaSidebar - a sidebar app specifically designed for people in exactly this situation - I've talked to hundreds of Arc refugees over the past year. The pattern is always the same: they switch to Safari or Chrome, immediately feel the loss of Arc's sidebar, and start searching for a way to get it back.
"Switching from Arc was heartbreaking until I found this" - Arc user on Reddit
This post is my honest take on what you'll actually miss when you switch from Arc Browser, what's genuinely better about standard browsers, and how to bridge the gap. I'll be upfront about where SupaSidebar helps and where it doesn't.
The 5 Things You'll Actually Miss
Not everything about Arc was special. Some of it was just different. But a few features were genuinely ahead of their time, and losing them hurts.
1. The Sidebar (Obviously)
Arc's vertical sidebar replaced the traditional tab bar entirely. Pinned tabs stayed put. Folders organized your work. Everything was visible at a glance without the horizontal tab soup that Chrome gives you.
This is the #1 thing every Arc user I've talked to mentions:
"I miss Arc's sidebar the most. Everything else I can live without" - Arc user on Reddit
"The sidebar for my browser is one thing that I loved about Arc and it's the first app for Safari that actually gives me an Arc-like sidebar" - Arc user on Reddit
The sidebar isn't just a UI preference. It changes how you work. Vertical space is abundant on modern displays. Horizontal space is not. Arc understood this. Most browsers still don't.
2. Spaces
Spaces let you separate work from personal browsing, or organize by project. Each Space had its own set of pinned tabs, folders, and theme color. Switching between them was instant.
Chrome has tab groups. Firefox has containers. Neither comes close to the clean separation that Spaces provided. Tab groups are still tabs - they clutter the same bar. Spaces were entire contexts.
3. Command Bar (Cmd+T)
Arc turned Cmd+T into a universal launcher. Search tabs, bookmarks, history, and the web from one input. It felt like Spotlight for your browser.
Chrome's address bar does some of this, but it's slower and noisier. Arc's Command Bar was purpose-built and it showed.
4. Automatic Tab Archiving
Unpinned tabs in Arc disappeared after 12 hours by default. It was aggressive, but it solved the "200 open tabs" problem that most people deal with by just... ignoring it.
No other browser does this natively. You'll need a tab manager or discipline to replace it.
5. Split View
Arc let you split tabs side-by-side within one window. Useful for comparing docs, writing alongside reference material, or keeping Slack visible while working.
macOS has native Split View, but it requires two full windows. Arc did it within one. That small difference mattered for workflow.
What's Actually Better After Switching
Arc wasn't perfect. Some things genuinely improve when you move to a standard browser, especially on Mac.
Safari's Battery Life and macOS Integration
Safari uses significantly less RAM and battery than Arc (which was Chromium-based). On a MacBook, the difference is measurable - you'll notice it on the first day. Handoff, iCloud Keychain, and Apple Pay work natively. If you're in the Apple ecosystem, Safari is simply better optimized.
"I would love to try to wean myself off Arc and switch to Safari for full macos integration. But without Arc sidebar that will never happen. But... is there a solution for that? SupaSidebar?" - Reddit user
Extension Ecosystem
Arc used Chrome extensions, which was fine. But Safari's extension ecosystem has matured considerably, and Firefox's has always been strong. More importantly, you're now using a browser that gets regular feature updates and security patches - something Arc stopped providing after maintenance mode.
Stability
Arc had crash issues. Multiple users I've spoken with left specifically because of instability:
"I used to Arc, but it kept crashing on me. So I switched to Safari. I really miss the sidebar (from Arc)" - Reddit user
Standard browsers like Safari, Chrome, and Firefox have massive QA teams. They crash less. Updates ship regularly. You're not dependent on a startup's runway.
Cross-Browser Freedom
With Arc, you were locked into one browser. Your sidebar, tabs, bookmarks - all trapped in Arc's ecosystem. A tool like SupaSidebar that works across Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge means your data isn't held hostage by any single browser.
"I just found this today and love the fact that I can have the only thing I liked about Arc straight into the comfort of my Safari - AND have it sync'd via iCloud" - Reddit user
Feature-by-Feature: Arc vs. What's Available Now
Here's an honest comparison. I'm including SupaSidebar where relevant, but also noting when a native browser feature or other tool does the job.
| Feature | Arc Browser | After Switching | Gap? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebar | Built-in, replaced tab bar | SupaSidebar adds this to any browser ($34.99 lifetime or free tier with 3 spaces) | Mostly closed |
| Spaces | Native, color-coded contexts | SupaSidebar Spaces (up to 3 free, unlimited on Pro). Chrome tab groups are a weaker alternative. | Mostly closed |
| Command Bar | Cmd+T universal launcher | SupaSidebar's Command Panel (fuzzy search across tabs, bookmarks, history). Chrome/Safari address bar for basics. | Partially closed |
| Tab archiving | Automatic after 12 hours | No direct equivalent. Tab Suspender extensions for Chrome. Manual management otherwise. | Open |
| Split View | Built-in within one window | macOS native Split View (two windows). Not as smooth. | Partially open |
| Arc Boost (custom CSS) | Modify any website's appearance | Stylus extension (Chrome/Firefox). Not available on Safari. | Closed (extensions) |
| Little Arc (mini window) | Quick popup browser window | Safari has Quick Note. No exact equivalent. | Open |
| Easels/Notes | Built-in whiteboard/notes | Obsidian, Apple Notes, or Notion alongside your browser. | Closed (separate app) |
| Sidebar import | N/A (you're leaving Arc) | SupaSidebar imports StorableSidebar.json directly. Full export guide. | Closed |
| iCloud sync | Not available | SupaSidebar syncs across Macs via iCloud | Better than Arc |
| Multi-browser support | Arc only | SupaSidebar works across 6 browsers from one sidebar | Better than Arc |
The Migration Path That Actually Works
Based on what I've seen from over 1,400 SupaSidebar users, the smoothest migration looks like this:
Step 1: Export your Arc data. Open Arc, go to Settings, and find your StorableSidebar.json file. This contains your pinned tabs, folders, and spaces. Here's the detailed guide.
Step 2: Pick your base browser. Safari if you want battery life and macOS integration. Chrome if you need specific extensions. Firefox if you want privacy and customization. You're not locked in anymore - that's the point.
Step 3: Install SupaSidebar. It adds a persistent sidebar to whichever browser you chose. Import your StorableSidebar.json and your Arc pinned tabs, folders, and spaces transfer over. Free tier gives you 3 spaces. Pro ($13.99/year or $34.99 lifetime) gives you unlimited.
Step 4: Rebuild your workflow. The first week feels wrong. Your muscle memory expects Arc's tab bar on the left. Give it a week. After that, most people tell me they don't miss Arc anymore - they miss what Arc represented, and they've got that back.
"Moved from Arc to Safari, only thing I missed was the sidebar. This is it." - Reddit user
For a full walkthrough with Safari specifically, see the Arc to Safari migration guide.
What SupaSidebar Can't Replace
I want to be honest about this. SupaSidebar fills the sidebar and Spaces gap well, but some Arc features don't have a clean replacement:
Tab archiving - SupaSidebar doesn't auto-archive tabs. You'll need to manage this yourself or use a browser extension like The Great Suspender (Chrome).
Split View within one window - SupaSidebar manages your sidebar. It doesn't modify the browser's tab layout. You'll need to use macOS Split View with two windows.
Little Arc - The mini popup browser window doesn't have a direct equivalent. Safari's Quick Note is the closest, but it's not the same.
Easels - Arc's built-in whiteboard was niche but useful. Use Obsidian Canvas, FigJam, or Apple Freeform instead.
These gaps are real. If any of them are dealbreakers for your workflow, it's worth knowing upfront.
Who Should Switch (And Who Shouldn't)
Switch from Arc if:
- You're tired of waiting for bug fixes that aren't coming
- You want better battery life and stability (especially on MacBook)
- You use multiple browsers and want one sidebar across all of them
- You're in the Apple ecosystem and want iCloud sync, Handoff, and native macOS integration
- Arc's crashes are disrupting your work
Stay on Arc if:
- It still works fine for you and you don't need updates
- Split View and tab archiving are core to your daily workflow
- You don't want to rebuild anything (fair enough)
Arc isn't "dead" in the sense that it stops working tomorrow. It's in maintenance mode. If you're happy, keep using it. But if you're already feeling the friction, the complete migration guide walks through every option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arc Browser shutting down?
Arc Browser entered maintenance mode after The Browser Company was acquired by Atlassian. The app still works, but new feature development has stopped. The team shifted focus to Dia, a new AI-native browser. Existing Arc users can continue using it, but there won't be bug fixes or updates long-term. Read the full timeline.
What is the best Arc Browser alternative for Mac?
It depends on what you liked about Arc. If you want vertical tabs, try Firefox or Zen Browser. If you want the sidebar and Spaces, SupaSidebar adds those features to any browser including Safari, Chrome, and Firefox - with a free tier and a $34.99 lifetime plan. If you want a full browser replacement with heavy customization, Vivaldi or Brave are strong options. See the full comparison of Arc alternatives.
Can I import my Arc Browser sidebar to another app?
Yes. Arc stores your sidebar data in a file called StorableSidebar.json. You can export it from Arc's settings and import it directly into SupaSidebar, which recreates your pinned tabs, folders, and spaces. Full export guide here.
Does SupaSidebar work with Safari?
Yes. SupaSidebar works with Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Arc, Brave, and Edge. It runs as a native macOS menubar app - not a browser extension - so it works with any browser on your Mac and syncs across Macs via iCloud. Learn more about the Safari sidebar.
Is there a free Arc Browser alternative with a sidebar?
SupaSidebar has a free tier that includes 3 customizable spaces, cross-browser tab management, and the full sidebar experience. The Pro plan costs $13.99 per year or $34.99 for lifetime access with unlimited spaces. There's a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Written by Kshetez Vinayak, indie developer of SupaSidebar. Building a sidebar app because I switched from Arc too, and nothing else filled the gap.