Should I use Arc or Vivaldi?

Use Arc only if you're already invested in its Spaces workflow, since development has stopped; use Vivaldi for active, independent development and built-in tab tiling and productivity tools.

Is Arc cheaper than Vivaldi?

No — both are entirely free with no paid tier.

Is Arc still being developed?

No — The Browser Company halted active feature development on Arc in May 2025 to focus on its new AI browser Dia, and Atlassian acquired the company in October 2025.

Does Arc support Linux or Android?

No — Arc runs only on Windows, macOS, and iOS, while Vivaldi supports Linux and Android in addition to those platforms.

Arc vs Vivaldi (2026)

By Noahlast updated September 14, 2026

Verdict: Choose Arc if you want its Spaces-based workspace organization and don't mind that development has stopped. Choose Vivaldi if you want active development from an independent company with deep tab tiling, stacking, and a built-in mail client. Active development and platform breadth are the deciding factors: Vivaldi runs on five platforms including Linux and Android and ships ongoing updates, while Arc is frozen and limited to three.

Arc

The Browser Company's free Chromium browser with Spaces and vertical tabs, now in maintenance mode as the company focuses on Dia.

Pricing: Free
License: Free
Best for: users who already adopted Arc's Spaces workflow and want a free, stable Chromium browser, not those looking for a browser with an active development roadmap

Details arc.net

Vivaldi

A free, independently developed Chromium-based browser with built-in tab tiling, workspaces, a mail client, and ad/tracker blocking, aimed at power users.

Pricing: Free
License: Free
Best for: power users who want deep tab and workspace customization (tiling, stacking, mouse gestures) built into the browser instead of relying on extensions

Details vivaldi.com

Choose Arc if…

You've already adopted Arc's Spaces, Profiles, and Split View workflow
You want a simpler interface than Vivaldi's dense settings and feature set
You're satisfied with a browser that won't receive new features going forward

Choose Vivaldi if…

You want a browser under active, independent development, not one in maintenance mode
You need Linux or Android support, which Arc doesn't offer
You want built-in tab tiling, stacking, and workspaces without installing extensions
You want a native mail client, calendar, and feed reader bundled into the browser
You want a company with a stated policy against selling user data, independent of Big Tech

Arc vs Vivaldi: feature comparison

Feature	Arc	Vivaldi
Starting price	Yesfree, no paid tier	Yesfree, no paid tier
Free tier	Yesentirely free	Yesentirely free across desktop and mobile
Platforms	NoWindows, macOS, iOS only	Yesweb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Active development	Nofeature development halted since May 2025	Yesactively developed
Base engine	YesChromium-based	YesChromium-based, developed independently
Company independence	NoAtlassian acquired The Browser Company in October 2025	Yesindependent, privately funded company
Tab management	YesSpaces, Profiles, Split View	Yestab tiling, stacking, and workspaces built in
Built-in productivity apps	No	Yesnative mail client, calendar, feed reader, note-taking
Ad/tracker blocking	Unknown	Yesbuilt-in ad and tracker blocker
Data-selling policy	Unknown	Yesstated policy against selling user data
VPN option	No	YesProton VPN integration
Learning curve	Nomoderate	Nosteeper than mainstream browsers due to dense settings

Arc vs Vivaldi pricing: which costs less?

Both are entirely free with no paid tier, so price is not a differentiator between Arc and Vivaldi.

Which is under active development, Arc or Vivaldi?

Vivaldi is under active, independent development, while Arc's maker halted feature development in May 2025.

The Browser Company stopped shipping new Arc features in May 2025 to focus on its AI browser Dia, and Atlassian acquired the company in October 2025. Vivaldi, developed independently by Vivaldi Technologies, has no equivalent development freeze noted in the data.

Which is easier to learn, Arc or Vivaldi?

Neither is simple: Arc carries a moderate learning curve for its Spaces-based interface, and Vivaldi's dense settings and feature set create a learning curve reviewers describe as steeper than mainstream browsers.

Can Vivaldi replace Arc?

Yes for most users, since Vivaldi offers built-in tab tiling and workspace organization with active development and wider platform support, though its interface is denser than Arc's.

Vivaldi's tab tiling, stacking, and workspaces cover similar ground to Arc's Spaces and Split View for organizing many tabs across contexts. It also runs on Linux and Android, which Arc doesn't support, and adds a native mail client, calendar, and feed reader that Arc has no equivalent for.

Strengths and weaknesses

Arc

Pros

Free with no paid tier or subscription to manage.
Spaces and Split View genuinely reduce tab clutter for users juggling many contexts.
Full compatibility with Chrome extensions since it's Chromium-based.
Polished, distinctive interface that many reviewers say replaced Chrome or Safari for them.

Cons

Development is frozen: no new features since May 2025, only minimal security patches.
The Browser Company (now owned by Atlassian) has redirected its engineering effort to Dia, its separate AI-native browser.
Spaces and the non-traditional interface require a real adjustment period for users coming from Chrome or Safari.
No Linux or Android version, unlike most competing browsers.

Vivaldi

Pros

Deep tab management: tiling, stacking, and workspaces built in without needing extensions.
Bundled mail client, calendar, feed reader, and note-taking tools inside the browser itself.
No data tracking sold to advertisers; independent, privately funded company.
Highly customizable UI, including custom keyboard shortcuts and mouse gesture command chains.

Cons

Dense feature set and settings menus make the learning curve steeper than Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
Built on Chromium, so it still depends on Google's rendering engine despite privacy-focused positioning.
Smaller market share than mainstream browsers means fewer sites are specifically tested against it, occasionally surfacing compatibility quirks.

Which fits your use case?

Use case	Pick	Why
User who already built a workflow around Arc's Spaces	Arc	Arc's Spaces, Profiles, and Split View remain functional even though development is frozen.
Power user who wants built-in tab tiling and a native mail client	Vivaldi	Vivaldi bundles tab tiling, stacking, workspaces, and a mail client directly into the browser; Arc has no equivalent productivity suite.
Linux or Android user	Vivaldi	Vivaldi supports Linux and Android; Arc is limited to Windows, macOS, and iOS.
User who wants a browser from an independent company not owned by a larger tech acquirer	Vivaldi	Vivaldi is independent and privately funded, while The Browser Company (Arc's maker) was acquired by Atlassian in October 2025.
User who wants the simplest interface between the two	Arc	Vivaldi's dense settings and feature set create a steeper learning curve than Arc's already moderate one, per each product's own learning-curve data.

Neither a match?

Both lists carry verified pricing and honest weaknesses for every option.

5 alternatives to Arc 5 alternatives to Vivaldi

Popular comparisons

Arc vs Vivaldi: migration FAQ

Should I use Arc or Vivaldi?: Use Arc only if you're already invested in its Spaces workflow, since development has stopped; use Vivaldi for active, independent development and built-in tab tiling and productivity tools.
Is Arc cheaper than Vivaldi?: No — both are entirely free with no paid tier.
Can Vivaldi replace Arc?: Yes for most users, since Vivaldi offers built-in tab tiling and workspace organization with active development and wider platform support, though its interface is denser than Arc's.
Is Arc still being developed?: No — The Browser Company halted active feature development on Arc in May 2025 to focus on its new AI browser Dia, and Atlassian acquired the company in October 2025.
Does Arc support Linux or Android?: No — Arc runs only on Windows, macOS, and iOS, while Vivaldi supports Linux and Android in addition to those platforms.