Arc Browser
Raycast
| Feature | Arc Browser | Raycast |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free only | Free / from $8/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | knowledge-workers, researchers, designers, tab-heavy-users | mac-developers, power-users, productivity-enthusiasts, keyboard-driven-workflows |
| Founded | 2022 | 2020 |
| Vertical Tabs | ✓ | ✗ |
| Spaces | ✓ | ✗ |
| Split View | ✓ | ✗ |
| Boosts | ✓ | ✗ |
| Easel | ✓ | ✗ |
| Notes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Features | ✓ | ✗ |
| Launcher | ✗ | ✓ |
| Extensions | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ai Chat | ✗ | ✓ |
| Window Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Clipboard History | ✗ | ✓ |
| Snippets | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quicklinks | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Raycast Pros
- Incredibly fast keyboard-driven launcher
- Rich extension store with 1000+ community extensions
- Built-in AI chat with multiple models (GPT-4, Claude)
- Window management and clipboard history included
✗ Raycast Cons
- macOS only (no Windows or Linux support)
- AI features require Pro subscription
- Some extensions less polished than native apps
The Verdict
Arc Browser is built for knowledge workers and researchers, with a focus on vertical-tabs and spaces. Raycast targets mac developers and power users and leads with launcher and extensions.
Arc Browser uses custom enterprise pricing, while Raycast starts at $8/mo — a tangible advantage for teams with a fixed budget.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
Bottom line: Raycast has a slight overall edge — but if innovative sidebar with vertical tabs and spaces matters most to you, Arc Browser may still be the right call.