From Browser Chaos to Zen: How Arc Changed the Way I Work Online

Published on: October 31, 2025

Introduction

For someone who lives online (designer, researcher, writer, aspiring filmmaker), my browser isn't just a tool; it's practically my office. I've tried Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and probably a few others I've forgotten. They all worked. They all had tabs. They all let me bookmark things I'd never look at again.

Arc promised something different: a browser that actually helps you stay organized instead of just giving you infinite tabs and saying "good luck." As someone who's reviewed everything from running apps to air purifiers, I was curious whether a browser could genuinely change my daily workflow or if this was just pretty design wrapped around the same old experience.

Spoiler: It's been three years. I'm still here. That should tell you something.

How I Discovered Arc

I honestly can't pinpoint the exact moment I heard about Arc, but it was definitely through the design and tech community on Twitter. Dustin Senos, whom I've followed for years, was involved with the team at The Browser Company, and I remember seeing designers I respected posting screenshots of this browser that looked...different.

The waitlist was long. Like, really long. But I signed up sometime in 2021, and when I finally got access in July 2022, I committed to actually trying it instead of downloading it and forgetting about it.

The first week was weird. My muscle memory kept reaching for bookmarks and tabs the old way. But there was something about the sidebar navigation and how it handled spaces that made me stick with it just a little longer. And then a little longer. And here we are.

The Sidebar Changes Everything

If you've used a traditional browser, Arc feels like someone looked at 30 years of web browsing and said, "What if we started over?" Instead of tabs stretching endlessly across the top of your screen, Arc puts everything in a sidebar on the left. At first, this feels wrong. Then you realize you can actually see your tab titles. Then you realize you can organize them into folders. Then you start using Spaces, and suddenly you understand why people won't shut up about this browser.

I have separate Spaces for:

• Client work - Everything related to current projects lives here

• Personal - Shopping, travel planning, hobbies

• Filmmaking - Where I keep my favorite filmmaker portfolios and short films I've bookmarked for later

• Demos - When I need to walk through Figma designs and don't want my stakeholders seeing cluttered tabs

Switching between Spaces is instant (Command + [number]), and each Space can have its own color theme and pinned tabs. It's like having multiple browsers, but without the chaos.

Split View Actually Gets Used

Most browsers have had some version of split-screen for years. I never used them because they were clunky to set up and didn't persist. Arc's Split View is different.

I use it constantly for:

• Referencing a design while working in Figma

• Reading research while taking notes

• Comparing products side-by-side (hello, product reviews)

• Following a recipe while watching a cooking video

You just hold Command and click a link, and boom: split screen. It's so seamless that I actually use it multiple times a day instead of switching between windows.

Easels: The Underrated Feature

Easels are Arc's built-in visual workspace. Think of them as infinite canvases where you can drop screenshots, links, notes, and clips from websites to create mood boards, research collections, or project planning boards.

I've used Easels for:

• Gathering inspiration for design projects

• Planning trips (screenshots of hotels, restaurants, flight options all in one place)

• Product review research (comparing features across multiple websites)

• Creating presentation outlines before jumping into actual slides

They're not perfect (I wish there were more formatting options), but they've replaced about 60% of what I used to use separate tools for.

Little Details That Add Up

There are dozens of small touches that make Arc feel thoughtful:

• Automatic tab organization: Tabs you haven't used in 12 hours auto-archive to a separate area. Sounds scary, but they're searchable and easy to restore. This single feature has eliminated my tab hoarding.

• Command Bar: Command + T opens a universal search that finds tabs, bookmarks, history, and lets you perform actions. It's like Spotlight for your browser.

• Peek: Hover over a link and press Shift + Space to preview it without opening a new tab. Great for quickly checking links without losing your place.

What Arc Does Brilliantly

• Organization without effort: Arc's structure (Spaces, auto-archiving, Favorites) means my browser stays clean without me actively managing it.

• Switching contexts: Moving between "work mode" and "personal mode" is instant. No more seeing my shopping tabs while trying to focus on client work.

• Research deep-dives: When I'm reviewing products or learning something new, I can keep everything related in one Space, use Split View to compare sources, and create Easels to synthesize information. It's transformed how I prepare for writing these reviews.

• Tab overload is actually solved: I used to have 50+ tabs open. Now I have maybe 10-15 active tabs, with everything else properly organized or archived. I can actually find things.

Where Arc Has Limitations

• Learning curve: The first week is genuinely disorienting. Everything you know about browsers is slightly different. Some people bounce off immediately. You have to commit to at least a week to see if it clicks.

• Extension compatibility: Arc is Chromium-based, so most Chrome extensions work. But some don't, and occasionally an update breaks one.

• Not for everyone: If you're perfectly happy with your current browser and don't feel overwhelmed by tabs or organization, Arc might feel like overkill. It solves problems you might not have.

Who This Is For

Arc is perfect for:

• Information workers who live in their browser and juggle multiple contexts (work, personal, projects)

• People drowning in tabs who want to actually stay organized without constant manual effort

• Designers and researchers who need to reference multiple sources simultaneously

• Anyone curious about productivity tools and willing to invest time learning something new

• Mac users (currently Mac-only, Windows version in beta as of this writing)

Arc might not be worth it if:

• You're happy with your current browser setup

• You only use a browser for basic tasks (email, occasional searches)

• You work primarily on Windows or Linux (limited support currently)

• You hate change and learning new interfaces

Final Thoughts

I'm going to be honest: I didn't think a browser could make this much difference. But after three years of daily use, Arc has fundamentally changed how I work online. It's not just a browser; it's an environment that reduces friction, supports focus, and makes the web feel less chaotic.

The biggest test for any productivity tool isn't how it feels in the first week. It's whether you're still using it a year later without thinking about it. Arc has passed that test. I don't actively think about my browser anymore; it just works the way my brain works. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by browser tabs, frustrated by how hard it is to stay organized online, or curious whether there's a better way to navigate the web, Arc is worth trying. Three years ago, I downloaded it out of curiosity. Now I genuinely can't imagine going back.

Have you tried Arc? Are you a Chrome loyalist, a Firefox defender, or have you found something else that works for you? I'd love to hear what browser setup actually works for your workflow!