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The Browser Company has announced that it will sunset Arc before the end of 2026, following a period in which the browser received maintenance updates while the company focused on Dia. Lifehacker recommends Zen Browser as the closest match for Arc’s interface, with Vivaldi, Brave, Helium, Dia and Quiche as other options depending on users’ needs.
The Browser Company has announced that it will sunset Arc before the end of 2026, ending the browser’s run and leaving its users to plan a move. Lifehacker reports that Arc had already been receiving maintenance updates as the company shifted its focus to Dia, and advises users to export their Arc data while considering alternatives.
The announcement marks a change from Arc’s earlier period of active development. According to Lifehacker, the browser had been put on ice for more than a year, with updates limited to maintenance after The Browser Company redirected its attention to Dia, an AI-focused browser built on Arc’s framework. The source says Dia does not carry over the interface features that made Arc appealing to many users.
For people seeking a similar layout, Lifehacker points to Zen Browser, a free, open-source browser based on Firefox. It offers vertical tabs, customizable workspaces, pinned tabs and user-interface modifications, and supports Firefox extensions. Lifehacker’s writer says Zen can have memory demands and that some websites may work better in Chromium-based browsers; those are reported user experiences, not measured comparisons.
Vivaldi is another option, particularly for people who want more built-in tools and customization. It uses Chromium, supports workspaces, tab stacks and split-screen browsing, and offers sidebar web panels. Lifehacker also names Brave for straightforward privacy features, Helium for a more minimal Chromium experience, Dia for people willing to use AI features, and Quiche for Arc users on iPhone or iPad.
Browser transition brief · October 2026
Arc Is Shutting Down.
What Comes Next?
The Browser Company plans to sunset Arc before the end of 2026. Start your move early: export your data, test the tools you rely on, and choose the browser that fits your workflow.
01 / Choose your next browser
Different strengths, different fits
No option in the report reproduces every Arc feature. Match the browser to the parts of your routine you value most, then test your sites and add-ons.
Zen Browser
Vertical tabs, customizable workspaces, pinned tabs, interface modifications and Firefox extensions. Reported drawbacks include memory demands and occasional site compatibility differences.
Firefox-basedVivaldi
Workspaces, tab stacks, split-screen browsing and sidebar web panels suit users who want extensive built-in tools and control.
ChromiumBrave
A straightforward option for people seeking built-in privacy features in a Chromium-based browser.
ChromiumHelium
A more minimal Chromium browsing experience for users who prefer a simpler setup.
ChromiumDia
Built by The Browser Company on Arc’s framework, with AI features, a vertical sidebar and pinned apps. Its experience is not a like-for-like Arc replacement.
AI-focusedQuiche
An option named for Arc users looking for a browser on iPhone or iPad.
iPhone & iPad02 / Make the switch deliberately
Build a migration plan
Browser habits include more than a homepage. Give your tabs, workspaces, extensions and frequently used sites a practical trial before committing.
Export Arc data
Save your data early. The report does not specify the export process or included data types.
Shortlist by workflow
Try Zen for a similar layout or Vivaldi for deeper customization.
Test essentials
Check bookmarks, extensions, tab organization and the websites you use often.
Watch for details
Look for the company’s official sunset date and migration instructions.
03 / Why now
Arc’s development had already shifted
Lifehacker reports that Arc had received maintenance updates for more than a year as The Browser Company redirected attention to Dia.
Plan for the sunset
The end-of-2026 timeline gives users time to assess alternatives, but the report does not state a precise closure date or explain what will happen to accounts, access or updates.
Same company, new focus
Dia shares Arc’s framework and includes AI features, a vertical sidebar and pinned apps. Lifehacker says it does not carry over the interface features that made Arc distinctive.
04 / Quick comparison
Compare the reported fit
A concise guide to the alternatives highlighted in the source. Features and editorial impressions are not formal product benchmarks.
| Browser | Engine / platform | Standout fit | Arc interface match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zen Browser | Firefox | Workspaces, vertical tabs, customization | Closest |
| Vivaldi | Chromium | Built-in tools and customization | Different |
| Brave | Chromium | Privacy features | Different |
| Helium | Chromium | Minimal browsing experience | Different |
| Dia | The Browser Company | AI features and company continuity | Not like-for-like |
| Quiche | iPhone & iPad | Arc users on Apple mobile | Mobile option |
The source does not identify a browser that imports every Arc setting or reproduces all its features. Extension support and website compatibility can differ by browser engine.
05 / Key questions
What Arc users should know
When is Arc shutting down?
The Browser Company says Arc will be sunset before the end of 2026. The report gives no specific date.
Which browser is most like Arc?
Lifehacker recommends Zen for its vertical sidebar, workspaces, pinned tabs and interface customization. Zen is based on Firefox.
Is Dia a direct replacement?
No. Dia shares Arc’s framework but has a different product experience and AI features.
What should I do before it closes?
Export your Arc data and test alternatives. Confirm which information can be exported and whether your chosen browser supports the tools you need.
Arc Users Need a Migration Plan
Arc’s planned closure matters because browser choice affects more than a person’s homepage: users may rely on saved tabs, workspaces, pinned sites and extensions as part of daily routines. The end-of-2026 timeline gives users some time to evaluate alternatives, but the source advises them to export their Arc data rather than wait until the service is close to shutting down.
No single recommendation in the source reproduces every part of Arc. Zen most closely matches its sidebar-centered interface, while Vivaldi offers a different, feature-heavy approach. Browser engines and extension compatibility may also shape the choice: Zen is based on Firefox, whereas Vivaldi, Brave and Helium use Chromium. Users should test the sites and add-ons they depend on before making a full switch.
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From Arc Development to Dia
The shutdown announcement follows a longer shift in The Browser Company’s priorities. Lifehacker reports that Arc had been receiving maintenance-only updates after the company moved its focus to Dia. That history helps explain why the closure is not described as an abrupt end to an actively developed product, although the precise shutdown arrangements are not detailed in the supplied report.
Dia is described as an AI browser that shares Arc’s framework, but it is not presented as a like-for-like replacement. The source says Dia lacks the interface features that Arc users valued, while noting that it now offers a vertical sidebar and pinned apps. People who want to remain with the same company’s browser can consider Dia, but its AI features and different product experience may not suit everyone.
Shutdown Details Still Pending
The source reports that Arc will be sunset before the end of 2026, but does not provide a specific shutdown date or explain what the sunset will mean for access to the browser, updates, or user accounts. It also does not specify how long users will be able to export data or which types of Arc information will be included in an export.
Lifehacker’s evaluations of the alternatives reflect its writer’s experience and editorial recommendations; they are not formal product benchmarks. The supplied material does not identify a replacement that imports every Arc setting or reproduces all its features. Users should check the official migration information as it becomes available and confirm that their chosen browser supports the tools and websites they need.
Export Data and Test Alternatives
Arc users can start by exporting their browser data and trying candidate browsers alongside Arc. Testing bookmarks, extensions, frequently used sites and tab organization can help reveal practical differences before a permanent switch. Zen is the source’s closest interface match; Vivaldi is an option for users seeking extensive customization, while Brave and Helium offer different approaches to Chromium-based browsing.
The next major milestone is the company’s planned sunset, which is expected before the end of 2026. The Browser Company’s specific shutdown date and migration instructions were not included in the source report. Users should watch for those details and avoid assuming that an alternative will automatically import their Arc setup.
Key Questions
When is Arc shutting down?
The Browser Company says Arc will be sunset before the end of 2026. The source report does not give a specific date.
Which browser is most like Arc?
Lifehacker recommends Zen Browser as the closest match for Arc’s vertical sidebar, workspaces, pinned tabs and interface customization. Zen is based on Firefox rather than Chromium.
Is Dia a direct replacement for Arc?
Not according to the source. Dia is built by The Browser Company and shares Arc’s framework, but Lifehacker says it does not reproduce Arc’s distinctive interface features. Dia includes AI features and offers a vertical sidebar and pinned apps.
What should Arc users do before it closes?
Lifehacker advises users to export their Arc data and test alternatives before the planned sunset. The source does not specify the export process or confirm which data and settings can be transferred to another browser.
Source: Lifehacker
