Arc Reborn
Open-source Mac browser that rebuilds Arc's look and motion, on Chromium through CEF.
Arc Reborn is an independent, open-source browser for Apple silicon Macs. A native Swift and AppKit interface wraps a customized Chromium Embedded Framework build, so Chrome Web Store extensions work. It copies Arc's sidebar model with Spaces that carry their own colour theme and profile, global Favorites, pinned tabs and folders, a command bar, Split View, Little Windows, Auto-PiP and tab auto-archive. It reads an Arc sidebar export into a new Space. Encrypted sync through an optional account is built in. It has no Boosts, ad blocker or AI. The author says it is in active development and not a production security guarantee.
Bloat check
None found
No ads, wallet, feed or upsells; no analytics SDK in source; Sparkle updates with system profiling off; no account needed to browse (sync is optional).
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Arc Reborn | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SidebarVertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Tabs live in a left sidebar in both layouts (Compact, Classic); the sidebar can be hidden.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Up to 100 Spaces, each with its own pinned and open tabs and folders; switch by swipe or shortcut.github.com |
| ProfilesProfiles per Space (shareable)Each Space can use its own browser profile (separate cookies, logins, history), and one profile can be shared by several Spaces. | ✓ | ✓ | Each Space picks a profile (own cookies and logins); several Spaces can share one profile.github.com |
| FavoritesGlobal favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | Favorites grid is shared by every Space; the list ignores the active Space.github.com |
| Pinned TabsPinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-Space pinned tabs and nested folders (folders have a parent ID).github.com |
| Live foldersSidebar folders that fill and refresh themselves from an outside source, such as GitHub pull requests or an RSS feed. | ◐ | ✓ | Live Folders group a Space's open tabs by domain; no GitHub, RSS or other external source.github.com |
| ArchiveAuto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ✓ | ✓ | Opt-in per profile: idle tabs close after 12 h, 24 h, 7 d or 30 d; restore from the Library.github.com |
| Theme pickerSpace themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Each Space has its own colour or gradient theme (1-4 colour points, grain) from a theme editor.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Arc Reborn | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ✓ | ✓ | Split groups of 2 to 4 panes, with shortcuts to add, close and focus panes.github.com |
| PeekLink previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✕ | ✓ | No link-preview overlay in the source at f91984b (searched); the "peek" code is for folders and downloads.github.com |
| Little ArcMini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ◐ | ✓ | Little Window exists (⌥⌘N) but links from other apps open as tabs in the main window.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | ⌘T bar finds open and archived tabs and takes a URL or search; no history, bookmarks or commands.github.com |
| Air Traffic ControlLink routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✕ | ✓ | Links from other apps always open as a tab in the active Space; there are no routing rules.github.com |
| BoostsSite customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✕ | ✓ | "View Boosts" and "New Boost" menu items exist but are disabled; no editor or zapper.github.com |
| Auto PiPAuto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | Playing video pops out when you leave the tab, on by default per site, and returns on your way back.github.com |
| Mini playerMedia still playing in a tab you left keeps play/pause controls in the sidebar. | ◐ | ✓ | Tab speaker icon only mutes or unmutes; no sidebar play/pause controls in the source (searched).github.com |
| Tab SwitcherRecent-tab switcherCtrl+Tab jumps back to the tab you used last and cycles in recently used order. | ✕ | ✓ | Tab commands are Next/Previous Tab on ⌥⌘↓/↑ only; no Ctrl+Tab or most-recently-used switcher in the command catalogue or source (searched).github.com |
| Super CopyClean link copyA shortcut (⌘⇧C) copies the page URL with tracking parameters removed. | ✕ | ✓ | Address-bar Copy URL button copies the raw address; no shortcut (⇧⌘C is Inspect Element) and no tracking-parameter stripping.github.com |
| CaptureScreenshotsBuilt-in capture of a chosen area or element, and of the full page. | ✓ | ✓ | ⇧⌘2 captures a hovered element or dragged rectangle, with annotation; the Capture Full Page command grabs the whole document.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Arc Reborn | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ◐ | – | Reads Arc's StorableSidebar.json (pins, folders, tabs) but merges every Space into one new Space.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✓ | ✓ | Chrome Web Store installs are enabled; extensions get toolbar buttons and popups.github.com |
| DRM streamingNetflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play, through Widevine or, on WebKit, FairPlay. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence; FairPlay counts once a major service is confirmed playing in the app. | ◐ | ✓ | Widevine plays Shaka's test film in a signed build; no per-service results and no Google licence stated.github.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ◐ | ✓ | Phone/tablet passkeys work; direct system keychain passkeys need an Apple entitlement the release lacks.github.com |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✓ | ✓ | Optional account syncs Spaces, tabs, folders and the Chrome Web Store extension list between Macs, encrypted client-side; server is private.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Mac only: the public DMG targets Apple silicon Macs on macOS 13+; no iOS or Android app.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Arc Reborn | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✕ | ✓ | No ad or tracker blocker in the source at f91984b (searched); Safe Browsing only.github.com |
| Custom ShortcutsShortcut editorMost browser keyboard shortcuts can be remapped in Settings. | ✓ | ✓ | Settings > Shortcuts rebinds the menu command catalogue (File, View, Tabs, Spaces, Split View); clashes are refused, reset available.github.com |
More Arc features
Arc features shown but not counted in the score, because almost no replacement has them or only a few people need them.
| Feature | Arc Reborn | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| EaselsA shareable canvas of live page captures, notes and drawings. | ✕ | ◐ | Easel menu items exist but are disabled; the architecture doc says Easels remain under development.github.com |
| Shared CollectionsShared spaces & foldersShare a Space, folder or set of tabs as a link anyone can open, or another user can add to their sidebar. | ◐ | ✓ | Space menu > Share Space sends a plain-text list of its links through the macOS share sheet; Export Space writes a bookmarks HTML file.github.com |
| PreviewsWeb app previewsHover a pinned Gmail, Calendar or other web app to glance at it; a pinned calendar shows the next meeting with Join. | ◐ | ✓ | Favorites show an unread dot read from page titles and the Gmail inbox count; no hover glance or next-meeting widget.github.com |
| Developer modeA developer view that turns on by itself for localhost: full URL, quick DevTools and dev tools in reach. | ◐ | ✓ | Manual per-tab Developer Mode adds a toolbar with full address, Console, Network and Inspect; it does not switch on by itself for localhost.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above.
| Feature | Arc Reborn | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ✕ | ✕ | Stock Chromium 156 disables MV2 with no flag or policy; Arc Reborn's patches don't restore it.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ✓ | ✓ | Runs MV3 on Chromium 156; the repo's popup test extension is MV3 with service worker and popup.github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | CEF engine loads Chrome Web Store extensions only; no Firefox add-on (.xpi) loader in the source.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | CEF engine loads Chrome extensions only; Safari extension apps can't run.github.com |