Arc Browser
Kagi
| Feature | Arc Browser | Kagi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free only | From $5/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Best For | knowledge-workers, researchers, designers, tab-heavy-users | privacy-conscious-users, developers, researchers, power-users |
| Founded | 2022 | 2022 |
| Vertical Tabs | ✓ | ✗ |
| Spaces | ✓ | ✗ |
| Split View | ✓ | ✗ |
| Boosts | ✓ | ✗ |
| Easel | ✓ | ✗ |
| Notes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Features | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ad Free Search | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ai Summaries | ✗ | ✓ |
| Personalization | ✗ | ✓ |
| Domain Blocking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Lenses | ✗ | ✓ |
| Privacy | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Arc Browser Pros
- Innovative sidebar with vertical tabs and spaces
- Built-in tools (notes, easel, split view) reduce extensions
- Profiles and spaces for work/personal separation
- Beautiful design with attention to detail
✗ Arc Browser Cons
- Mac and iOS focused (Windows version limited)
- Steep learning curve from traditional browsers
- Company pivoting away from Arc to new product
✓ Kagi Pros
- No ads or tracking
- Customizable results
- AI-powered summaries
- Fast and accurate
✗ Kagi Cons
- No free plan
- Requires subscription
- Smaller index than Google
The Verdict
Arc Browser is built for knowledge workers and researchers, with a focus on vertical-tabs and spaces. Kagi targets privacy conscious users and developers and leads with ad-free-search and ai-summaries.
Arc Browser uses custom enterprise pricing, while Kagi starts at $5/mo — a tangible advantage for teams with a fixed budget.
Arc Browser has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Kagi requires a paid subscription from day one.
Feature-wise, Arc Browser offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Kagi takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Both tools are a solid fit for researchers — in those cases, the decision often comes down to workflow style and how your team prefers to organize work.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.