YARC
Free, open-source Arc clone on Electron/Chromium for macOS, Windows and Linux, with one-step Arc import.
YARC (Yet Another Arc Clone, formerly Arc Shell) is an Electron app that re-implements Arc's interaction design: a vertical sidebar, Spaces with their own or shared profiles, favorites, pinned tabs and folders, a command bar, split view of up to four tabs, Peek and Little Arc. It imports Arc spaces, favorites, pinned tabs, folders, archive and history, and adds built-in ad and tracker blocking and Chrome Web Store extensions per profile. It has no account or telemetry, and no sync, Boosts or mobile app yet. Builds are unsigned (macOS is not notarized) and it is a young project, first released 2026-11-01. It bundles no Widevine module.
67% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
No AI
No AI features in the source or README; the only AI-named entry is a Perplexity site-search shortcut that opens a tab.
github.comNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
None found
No ads, wallet, feed, upsell or account; no analytics SDK in source. README: no telemetry; calls are search suggestions, extension and filter-list updates, update check.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | YARC | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | One vertical sidebar holds tabs, favorites and spaces; it can be hidden and slides back on hover.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Several spaces per window, each with its own pinned tabs and Today tabs; switch by swipe or shortcut.github.com |
| Profiles per Space (shareable)Each Space can use its own browser profile (separate cookies, logins, history), and one profile can be shared by several Spaces. | ✓ | ✓ | New spaces get their own profile (cookies, logins, history); a space can instead share an existing one.github.com |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | Favorites belong to the profile, so every space on that profile shows them (Arc model); new spaces start with own.github.com |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-space pinned tabs that remember their URL, with nested, collapsible folders.github.com |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ✓ | ✓ | Unpinned tabs idle for 12 h go to an Archive; set 24 h, 7 d, 30 d or off; audible tabs are kept.github.com |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Each space has its own colour (hex) that tints the window; no gradients.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | YARC | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ✓ | ✓ | Up to four tabs side by side with resizable panes.github.com |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ◐ | ✓ | Peek opens only for other-site links clicked in pinned tabs and favorites; a setting turns it off.github.com |
| Mini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ✓ | ✓ | Little Arc window is the default for links from other apps; "Open in" moves the page into a space.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ✓ | ✓ | Ctrl/Cmd+T palette searches open tabs in all spaces, history, archive, commands, and spaces.github.com |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ◐ | ✓ | No routing rules; Little Arc remembers a profile per site and has a default profile setting.github.com |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✕ | ✓ | README lists Boosts as not imported and not supported yet.github.com |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✕ | ✓ | No picture-in-picture handling in the app source at this commit.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | YARC | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✓ | – | Imports Arc spaces, profiles, favorites, pinned tabs, folders, Today tabs, archive and history.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✓ | ✓ | Installs from the Chrome Web Store per profile; MV3 declarativeNetRequest blockers install but cannot block.github.com |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ✕ | ✓ | Stock Electron: the 0.1.17 mac bundle has no Widevine CDM. Playback itself was not run.github.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ? | ✓ | No configureWebAuthn call and no keychain entitlement, so Touch ID passkeys look unavailable; keys untested. |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✕ | ✓ | README: "Not yet. Each install keeps its own data."github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Desktop only: macOS, Windows and Linux builds, no iOS or Android app.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | YARC | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | Ghostery engine blocks ads and trackers in every profile, on by default, with daily list updates.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | YARC | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ✕ | ✕ | Web Store installs refuse MV2 (library default); no unpacked loading. No patch restoring MV2.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ◐ | ✓ | MV3 blockers install but cannot block: Electron has no declarativeNetRequest (README).github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Chrome Web Store (Chromium) installs only; no Firefox add-on support.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Chrome-format extensions only; Electron has no Safari extension host.github.com |