Brave vs Arc
The privacy pioneer versus the UX innovator. Two different visions for modern browsing.
Quick Verdict
These browsers solve different problems. Brave is privacy-first with strong ad blocking and crypto features. Arc reimagines browser UX with Spaces, split views, and AI features, but is closed-source and requires an account. Choose Brave for privacy, Arc for a fresh take on browser organization.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Brave | Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Ad Blocking | Yes (Shields) | Basic (uBlock Origin) |
| Tracker Blocking | Aggressive | Via extensions |
| Account Required | No | Yes |
| Spaces (Profiles) | Profiles only | Yes (innovative) |
| Split View | No | Yes |
| AI Features | Leo AI | Arc Max (AI) |
| Sidebar-First Design | Traditional tabs | Yes |
| Crypto Wallet | Built-in | No |
| Earn Rewards | BAT tokens | No |
| Open Source | Yes | No |
| Boosts (Page Customization) | No | Yes |
| Little Arc (Mini Browser) | No | Yes |
| Platform Support | All platforms | Mac, Windows, iOS |
| Linux Support | Yes | No |
Key Differences
Why Choose Brave
- No account required to use
- Fully open source and auditable
- Native ad and tracker blocking
- Works on Linux and Android
- Earn BAT crypto rewards
Why Choose Arc
- Revolutionary sidebar-based UI
- Spaces for context switching
- Split view for multitasking
- Boosts to customize any website
- Little Arc for quick lookups
Privacy Considerations
Arc requires an account to use, which means The Browser Company has access to your email and synced data. While Arc has a reasonable privacy policy, the mandatory account is a trade-off compared to Brave's anonymous usage model. Arc is also closed-source, so its privacy claims cannot be independently verified.
Best Browser For...
Privacy-first users: Brave
UX enthusiasts: Arc
Linux and Android users: Brave
Mac power users: Arc
Crypto and Web3: Brave
Creative professionals: Arc