Arc vs Wavebox

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

Wavebox

• Virtual assistants and agencies working across many client accounts
• People who live in several Gmail, Slack or Teams accounts at once
• Teams that want a shared, pre-configured browser for new hires

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.

Wavebox

• The free Basic plan stops at 2 groups with 2 apps in each, 1 extension and 1 dashboard.
• The pricing page shows annual-billing rates only; monthly billing is offered, but its price is not listed there.
• Wavebox is a desktop browser for macOS, Windows and Linux; no mobile app is listed.
• The Mac version requires macOS 12 Monterey or later.

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.

Wavebox

Apps, groups and Spaces

Web apps sit in a sidebar and are grouped much like apps on a phone, and Spaces keep separate setups for work, home or individual clients.

Several accounts signed in at once

Multiple accounts of the same service, such as Gmail, Slack, Microsoft Teams or Asana, stay signed in side by side without switching browsers or profiles.

Unread badges and notifications

Apps show unread badges and desktop notifications, the Wavebox Mini menu lists what is new across accounts, and Focus Mode silences them for a while.

Split screen and tab strips

Any app or tab can be split into resizable panes, including two accounts of the same type, and every group has its own tab strip.

AI assistant on the page

A chosen AI engine works in the context of the current app or tab, with ready-made skills in the right-click menu and custom skills. It can be disabled.

Chrome extensions and team setups

Extensions install from the Chrome Web Store, with 20 or more built in. Teams can share an app setup with encrypted passwords and manage the browser remotely.

Arc

• Free$0

  The full browser on Mac and Windows, the opt-in Arc Max AI features and the Arc Search mobile app.

Wavebox

• Basic$0

  Work and Home spaces, 2 groups with 2 apps in each, 1 extension and one dashboard.

• Wavebox Pro$8.33

  per month, paid annually

  For individuals: unlimited spaces, groups and apps, all extensions, cloud sync and unlimited dashboards. The help center puts the annual charge at $99.

• Teams$12.50

  per user / month; $150 per seat when paid annually

  Everything in Pro plus Connect, shared dashboards, Wavebox Live, consolidated billing and an admin portal. Monthly billing is offered at a rate not shown.

Arc

No public discounts listed.

Wavebox

• Education

  70% discount for education

  People in full-time education or working in education can claim 70% off by starting a 7-day trial with an education email address and then emailing support.

• Nonprofit

  70% discount for non-profits

  Non-profit teams and people working in the non-profit sector can claim 70% off by starting a 7-day trial with a .org email address and then emailing support.