There has been some confusion between the names “Arc” and “Ark” when referring to a new web browser created by The Browser Company. This article will clarify that the correct name of the browser is Arc, review the background of Arc browser, and explain why its name is Arc rather than Ark.
What is Arc Browser?
Arc is a freeware web browser developed by The Browser Company, a startup founded by Josh Miller and Hursh Agrawal in 2019. Arc aims to act as an operating system for the web by integrating web browsing with built-in applications and features.
Arc is a freeware web browser developed by The Browser Company, a startup founded by Josh Miller and Hursh Agrawal in 2019. Arc aims to act as an operating system for the web by integrating web browsing with built-in applications and features.
Key attributes of Arc browser include:
- Released on April 19, 2022 for macOS and iOS
- Uses vertical tabs in a sidebar that contains all browser functionality besides the viewing window
- Based on the Chromium engine and written in Swift
- Supports Chrome extensions and uses Google Search by default
- Designed to be highly customizable for each user
- Integrates web browsing functions with built-in apps like note-taking and screenshot annotations
Main Features
Some of the key features that differentiate Arc from other major browsers include:
- Sidebar – All tabs, controls, bookmarks etc. are housed in a vertical sidebar rather than across the top.
- Spaces – Tabs can be organized into different themed “Spaces” for different areas of browsing.
- Boosts – Users can customize the appearance of websites without coding through CSS/HTML injection.
- Easel – A built-in app for collecting screenshots, drawings and notes in one place.
- Profiles – Different browsing profiles can be created with separate login/cookie data for different Spaces.
The Browser Company
Arc is published by The Browser Company, a tech startup focused on innovating new browser experiences:
- Founded in 2019 by Josh Miller and Hursh Agrawal
- Based in New York City
- Backed by investments from Spark Capital, Slack Fund, and other venture funds
- Leadership team includes former employees of Instagram, Tesla, Medium and Google
The Browser Company states that its mission is to “build a more usable internet” through rethinking web browsing conventions in Arc and future products.
Arc Browser Name Origin
Since its initial release, some internet users have mistakenly referred to Arc browser as “Ark” browser. However, the company and product name have always been Arc, not Ark.
Reasons for “Arc” Name
In an interview, Arc co-founder Josh Miller explained several reasons why the name Arc was chosen:
- Visual design was inspired by arches and architecture from Italian renaissance painter Fra Angelico
- The name invokes the concept of arcs of information retrieved from across the internet
- Alignment with the company name The Browser Company
- Distinctive name not commonly used by other tech products
Mars Arc Confusion
Some people mistakenly associate Arc with “Mars Arc”, which is an unofficial name used by some media outlets to describe a geographic feature on Mars. Since Arc browser was released around the same time as increased public interest in Mars exploration in mid-2022, this is one potential source of confusion over the name.
However, Arc browser and its parent company The Browser Company have no association with Mars or space exploration. The name Arc is simply inspired by visual design and information retrieval concepts.
Product Reviews of Arc Browser
Since its launch, Arc has received generally positive reviews, especially for its unique approach to tab organization and customization features. Mainstream technology publications like The Verge, Wired, TechCrunch and others have published reviews focusing on Arc’s innovations.
The Verge
In an April 2022 review titled “Arc browser review: New ideas for an old problem“, David Pierce of The Verge wrote:
“Arc has some excellent ideas and the confidence to lean into them. It integrates web browsing with other desktop functions better than any browser I can remember.”
Pierce went on to say Arc “takes some getting used to” but its unique concepts make it stand out from Chrome, Safari and others. His main critiques were bugs and lack of multi-device syncing.
Wired UK
Wired UK published a review in October 2022 focusing on version 1.14 updates like Boost Shuffle. The article calls Arc a “new web browser challenging Chrome and Safari”:
“Arc Browser has a host of features that make it stand out from the crowd and it’s certainly one to watch.”
The reviewer highlighted Sidebar organization, Easel creativity features and Theme customization as innovative advantages to using Arc.
Other reviews have similarly focused on Arc’s fresh take on browsing, while noting its lack of synchronization and optimization across devices at launch.
Distinguishing Between Arc and Ark
When writing or speaking about the new web browser created by The Browser Company, it is important to refer to it by its correct name: Arc browser.
How to Remember
Here are some tips to help remember that Arc is the accurate name:
- Think of visual design arches that inspired the name Arc
- Associate it with parent company The Browser Company
- Remember the co-founders are Josh and Hursh, not Noah (as in Noah’s Ark)
Correcting Usage
If you see or hear someone mistakenly using “Ark browser”, here are polite ways to correct them:
- “Just wanted to mention the browser’s name is actually Arc, not Ark.”
- “I think you mean Arc browser, not Ark.”
- “It’s a common mix-up, but that new browser is called Arc browser, not Ark.”
Gently clarifying the proper name will reduce confusion, and ensure writers, journalists, and readers accurately understand this new product.
Future Outlook for Arc Browser
As a relatively new entry to the browser market, Arc has ambitious plans for improvements and delivering unique user experiences:
- Add increased syncing and multi-device capacities
- Enable website-specific customization without coding skills
- Expand platform availability beyond macOS and iOS
- Integrate AI to enhance search, accessibility and productivity
- Gain consumer and enterprise market share for visual web browsing
The Browser Company faces fierce competition from technology giants who dominate the browser market like Google, Apple, Microsoft and Mozilla. But Arc’s visionary design and focus on user experience have fueled its early traction.
If Arc can continue execution across devices while expanding its nascent developer and fan communities, its future looks promising in the dynamic web browser landscape.
Comparing Arc to Other Major Browsers
As a new entry in the browser market, it can be helpful to understand how Arc differs from established options like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and others.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome has over 60% market share across platforms and focuses on reliability, speed, and synchronization across Google products. Key contrasts with Arc:
- Chrome uses horizontal tab layout, Arc has vertical sidebar
- No custom “Spaces” tab management in Chrome
- Chrome cannot modify websites through “Boosts” like Arc can
- Chrome focuses less on additional integrated apps
However, Chrome and Arc browsers share the underlying Chromium engine for page rendering.
Apple Safari
As another mainstream option for Mac users specifically, Apple’s Safari browser compares to Arc as:
- Safari defaults horizontal tab bar, Arc has sidebar
- Arc allows more UI and site customization options
- Safari integrates tightly with Apple ecosystem
- Arc based on Chromium, Safari uses proprietary WebKit engine
Each serves the segments of flexibility versus Apple-first users respectively in their current forms.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox historically has attracted advanced users and focused on being lightweight. Contrasts versus newer startup Arc are:
- Firefox still uses legacy horizontal tab bar
- No default integration with productivity apps like Arc
- Firefox is open source, Arc is proprietary software
- Firefox has cross-platform support, Arc is currently Mac/iOS only
Microsoft Edge
As another relatively newer Chromium-based option, Microsoft Edge compares to Arc in aspects like:
- Edge defaults horizontal tab layout, Arc has sidebar
- Arc allows sites more customization and inject changes via Boosts
- Edge integrates with Microsoft ecosystem and Office Suite
- Both browsers can install extensions from Chrome Web Store
When choosing a browsing platform, factors like visual design preference, desired integrated tools, and cross-platform accessibility can determine ideal fit between Arc versus established competitors for many users.
| Browser | Key Differentiators vs. Arc |
|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Leading market share, speed, reliability; less customization |
| Apple Safari | Horiztonal tabs, integrated Apple ecosystem |
| Mozilla Firefox | Open source, more basic without added apps |
| Microsoft Edge | Horizontal tabs, Microsoft/Office integration |
The Bottom Line
Arc browser from The Browser Company represents an emerging choice focused on customization and quality user experience.
Its vision leverages technical foundations like Chromium while reaching mainstream audiences through innovations like Boosts, Spaces and integrated tools.
Early market reaction indicates promising momentum for Arc to continue disrupting the browser landscape if momentum carries through technical capability and community growth.
Differentiating factors vs. established brands position it serve the underrepresented segment seeking more personalization and visual appeal.
As Arc navigates future opportunities around security, international expansion and extensibility output, it remains a web product worth watching in coming years through its unique lens on internet use cases.
