Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

WebKit VS Arc

Compare WebKit VS Arc and see what are their differences

WebKit logo WebKit

WebKit is a layout engine designed to allow web browsers to render web pages.

Arc logo Arc

This new web browser is going to kill Chrome
  • WebKit Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-05
  • Arc Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-05-18

WebKit features and specs

  • Open Source
    WebKit is an open-source web browser engine, allowing developers to contribute and adapt the code for their own projects.
  • Performance Optimization
    WebKit is designed to efficiently render web pages, often resulting in fast performance and responsiveness.
  • Cross-Platform
    WebKit is used in various operating systems, including macOS and Linux, allowing for consistency across platforms.
  • Community Support
    Being widely adopted, WebKit benefits from a large community that contributes plugins, extensions, and valuable resources.
  • Strong Security
    WebKit incorporates several security measures and is regularly updated to address vulnerabilities.
  • HTML5 and CSS3 Support
    WebKit has robust support for modern web standards like HTML5 and CSS3, making it suitable for developing rich web applications.

Possible disadvantages of WebKit

  • Limited Browser Diversity
    Many browsers using WebKit may mean less diversity in rendering engines, potentially stifling innovation as they share a common base.
  • Resource Intensive
    WebKit can be resource-heavy, leading to high memory and CPU usage, especially with complex web pages.
  • Inconsistencies Across Implementations
    Different adaptations of WebKit (like those used in different browsers) might introduce inconsistencies in behavior and features.
  • Lag in Feature Updates
    While WebKit is actively maintained, certain new web developments might appear first in other engines, leading to lag in supporting cutting-edge features.
  • Complex Codebase
    WebKit's large and complex codebase can make it difficult for new developers to understand and contribute to the project.
  • Dependency on Apple
    Since WebKit is heavily supported by Apple, changes and development priorities can be influenced by larger strategic objectives of the company.

Arc features and specs

  • Innovative Design
    Arc offers a sleek and modern interface that is different from traditional web browsers, prioritizing accessibility and user experience.
  • Enhanced Privacy
    The browser comes with strong privacy features, including tracker blocking and advanced security settings to protect users' data and browsing habits.
  • Performance Optimization
    Arc is built on a performance-optimized engine that ensures fast browsing speeds and efficient resource management.
  • Customizability
    Users can personalize their browsing experience with a variety of themes, extensions, and settings that cater to individual preferences.
  • Cross-Platform Synchronization
    Arc supports the synchronization of tabs, bookmarks, and preferences across multiple devices, providing a seamless experience for users who switch between desktop and mobile.

Possible disadvantages of Arc

  • Limited Extension Support
    Compared to more established browsers, Arc has a smaller library of compatible extensions, which might limit functionality for some users.
  • Learning Curve
    The unique design and features of Arc may require users to spend some time learning how to navigate and utilize the browser effectively.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some websites and web applications may not be fully compatible with Arc, potentially leading to rendering issues or functionality limitations.
  • Resource Intensive
    Despite its optimizations, Arc can be more resource-intensive compared to some other browsers, possibly impacting system performance on older or less powerful devices.
  • Maturity
    As a relatively new entrant in the browser market, Arc may lack the robustness and refinement that come with years of development and user feedback seen in more established browsers.

Analysis of Arc

Overall verdict

  • Arc is a solid and innovative web browser that has quickly gained positive traction among both casual users and professionals, particularly those looking for a feature-rich and privacy-focused browsing experience.

Why this product is good

  • Arc (arc.net) is considered a good choice by many users and tech reviewers because it offers modern features, a sleek and user-friendly design, and improved performance compared to some other browsers. Its focus on privacy, security, and customization, along with effective integration with various web services, makes it appealing to a broad audience. Regular updates and community feedback incorporation further enhance its reputation.

Recommended for

  • Users who prioritize privacy and security.
  • Individuals seeking a modern and customizable browser interface.
  • Professionals and tech-savvy users who value integration with web services.
  • People searching for an alternative to mainstream browsers with unique capabilities.

WebKit videos

Commute talk: How I became a WebKit reviewer

More videos:

  • Review - Rendering in WebKit
  • Review - Kindle 3 WebKit Web Browser Review

Arc videos

Arc Browser Review: 10 Reason Why YOU Should Switch!

More videos:

  • Review - Intel Arc 2023 Revisit & Benchmarks: A770 & A750 GPU Updated Tests
  • Review - Please Buy Intel GPUs. - Arc A750 & A770 Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WebKit and Arc)
SEO
100 100%
0% 0
Web Browsers
14 14%
86% 86
Customisable Web Browser
0 0%
100% 100
SEO Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare WebKit and Arc

WebKit Reviews

We have no reviews of WebKit yet.
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Arc Reviews

The 7 best web browsers in 2025
Arc comes equipped with plenty more productivity-focused tools, too. Its built-in universal search function allows you to instantly jump to a tab or find and execute a shortcut. Plus, you can have up to four tabs in a split-screen layout, instead of firing up a new window each time you want to operate on multiple web pages side-by-side. And Arc's AI can tidy up your...
Source: zapier.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Arc should be more popular than WebKit. It has been mentiond 77 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

WebKit mentions (30)

  • The Safari MCP Server Could Change How Developers Debug Websites
    Further reading: the Model Context Protocol specification, the Safari MCP server announcement on WebKit.org, and the community safari-mcp project on GitHub. - Source: dev.to / 28 days ago
  • A Comprehensive Guide to Modern JavaScript Package Managers: npm, pnpm, Yarn, and Bun
    2022: Bun was introduced by Jarred Sumner. It quickly gained attention for its performance, leveraging the JavaScriptCore engine from WebKit. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • Opera Vtuber
    WebKit is a browser engine, a part of the software which, under the hood, makes an internet browser function. Apple's Safari browser uses WebKit directly, and then there's the Chromium-based browser family, which uses a previously forked version of WebKit; so browsers based on Chromium, such as Chrome and Edge, use something which was once WebKit, but has had years of development making it different in some ways. Source: over 2 years ago
  • C++ Specification vs Implementation
    Exactly the same as JavaScript engines. Be it Mozilla's SpiderMoneky, Google's V8, Apple's Webkit, or Microsoft's Chakra. No matter how specific we draft a specification there is always room for interpretation. Every team has a different take on what part of a spec is describing. Oftentimes it's just a matter of varying pros and cons of different approaches on the road to matching spec; various teams just kind of... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Why gnome โ€œWebโ€ Browser show as Safari on WhatsApp Web?
    Because both Safari and Gnome Web uses WebKit, but if you are a website on internet and have to guess who is using WebKit, what browser will you guess, Safari or Gnome Web? Source: about 3 years ago
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Arc mentions (77)

  • Nook Browser
    Because both are trying to be response to the death of Browser Company's Arc. (https://arc.net). - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • I tried 6 next-gen browsers - here's what I found
    Arc was first recommended to me by a fellow dev. It felt like the browser I was looking for but never quite found. The Browser Company released this trendsetter in 2023, and among the frontend and tech community it quickly became the new shiny browser. I joined the trend in December 2023, and Arc became my default browser for more than a year. The browser focuses on user experience and brings minimal but modern... - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Arc vs. Dia: A Developerโ€™s Take on Two Browsers from The Browser Company (Plus: How to Get Access to Both)
    Arc was first recommended to me by a fellow developer, and it immediately felt like the browser Iโ€™d always wanted but never quite found. Iโ€™m a sucker for clean interfaces, and as both a frontend developer and a designer, I notice the details - beautiful UI, intuitive flows, and features that actually solve daily annoyances. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • My Recommended Zen Mods Plugins (Bite-size Article)
    In a previous article, I mentioned that unlike Arc Browser, Zen does not allow pinned tabs to be organized into folders (at this point), which I found inconvenient. While this plugin doesn't directly solve that issue, it does help organize pinned tabs neatly in a row, which I like. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • I tested Arc Browser
    Arc Browser is available on Windows, macOS and Linux (no, negative point). It's based on Chromium, so if you've already used Chrome, you won't feel out of place. Installing it couldn't be easier: go to the official website and download the version corresponding to your operating system. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing WebKit and Arc, you can also consider the following products

Servo - PHP builder application which uses a combination of a powerful editor and drag & drop to make...

Brave - Fast and secure, ad and tracker blocking browser.

NetSurf - Small as a mouse, fast as a cheetah and available for free.

Google Chrome - Google Chrome is a fast, secure, and free web browser, built for the modern web. Give it a try on your desktop today.

Moz - Backed by industry-leading data and the largest community of SEOs on the planet, Moz builds tools that make inbound marketing easy.

Sidekick Browser - The fastest browser for work ever made