Arc vs Velja
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Velja
Mac browser picker that routes links to a browser, profile or app
Free trial · from $10 one-time
Where they differ
- Arc is free. Velja starts at $10 one-time purchase.
- Arc has a free plan. Velja does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Arc lists Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Velja lists a browser extension.
- Velja can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Arc also covers web browser.
- Velja also covers menu bar app.
In commonmacOS
At a glance
| Arc | Velja | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free trial |
| Starts at | Free | $10 one-time purchase |
| Free plan | Arc is a free download for Mac and Windows, and no paid plan is listed on arc.net. The mobile app, Arc Search, is listed as free on the App Store. | None |
| Free trial | None listed | Fully functional trial with no stated end date; it reminds you to buy every 12 hours and has no automatic updates |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Made by | The Browser Company of New York | Sindre Sorhus |
| Price read from | apps.apple.com | sindresorhus.com |
| Checked | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 9, 2026 |
Who each one suits
Arc
- People who keep work and personal browsing in one window
- Chrome users who want their extensions in a different interface
- Side-by-side reading and research with Split View
Velja
- Mac users who keep separate browsers or profiles for work and personal use
- Sending meeting and design links straight to their desktop apps
- People who want links from one app, such as Slack, to open in a set browser
Worth knowing
Arc
- The Browser Company says Arc receives Chromium updates only and directs people to Dia for active security patches.
- There is no Linux version. Arc needs macOS 13.0 or later, or Windows 10 19H1 or higher.
- Arc asks people to create an account, which is used to keep data and sync it across devices.
- The Ask ChatGPT feature of Arc Max requires a ChatGPT account signed in on the current Arc profile.
Velja
- Mac only, and the current version requires macOS 26 or later. Older versions are free but stop at macOS 15.
- It cannot handle links clicked inside a browser unless you add the Velja browser extension or use a workaround.
- Safari profiles, Arc spaces and Firefox profiles created with about:profiles are not supported.
- Rules do not sync through iCloud; they can only be exported and imported manually. The app is not localized.
Key features
Arc
- Spaces and Profiles
- Spaces keep work, study and hobbies apart inside a single window, and Profiles sit alongside them so each area of browsing can be organized on its own.
- Split View and themes
- Split View places up to three tabs side by side, picture-in-picture keeps video and meetings visible, and themes change the color of the browser.
- Arc Max AI features
- Opt-in AI features preview a link when hovering with Shift held, send a question to ChatGPT from the Command Bar, and give pinned tabs and downloads shorter, tidier names.
- Built-in integrations
- Integrations show the day's meetings from Google Calendar, unread Gmail, recent Notion pages and GitHub pull requests on hover, and control Spotify from a mini player.
- Chrome extensions and import
- Arc supports the extensions Chrome supports and imports Chrome data on setup. Chromium's Google account sync, usage metrics and telemetry to Google are disabled.
- Arc Search on mobile
- The mobile browser blocks ads, trackers and cookie banners, answers questions with Browse for Me, and syncs tabs across Mac, Windows and iOS through Arc Sync.
Velja
- Browser prompt
- A prompt lists your browsers when you click a link, and you pick one by mouse, number or an assigned letter key. It can be reserved for a modifier key or for links matched by a rule.
- Custom link rules
- Rules open links in a chosen browser by URL pattern, by the app the link was clicked in, or both: for example, every link clicked in Slack can open in a Chrome work profile.
- Browser profiles and private windows
- Opens links in a specific profile of Chrome, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi and other Chromium-based browsers, and of Firefox and Zen with new-style profiles, or in a private window.
- Links to desktop apps
- Links to services such as Zoom, Figma, Linear, Asana and Discord can open directly in the matching desktop app instead of a browser tab.
- Tracking parameter removal
- Strips more than 200 common tracking parameters from clicked and copied links, and can expand short URLs so that rules match the final destination.
- Shortcuts and scripting
- A Set Default Browser action for the Shortcuts app, a Focus Filter and a custom URL scheme automate browser switching, and JavaScript can rewrite URLs before or after rules match.
Plans
Arc
Free$0
The full browser on Mac and Windows, the opt-in Arc Max AI features and the Arc Search mobile app.
Velja
Velja$10
one-time purchase
The current version from the Mac App Store, for macOS 26 or later. Older versions for macOS 12 to 15 are free but will not run on newer systems.
Ways to pay less
Arc
No public discounts listed.
Velja
- Education
50% off for schools buying 20 or more copies
The developer's discounts page says educational institutions get 50% off his App Store apps when they buy 20 or more copies of one app through Apple School Manager.
