Arc Search

Arc Search is an AI-powered mobile browser developed by The Browser Company, designed to fundamentally rethink and streamline the mobile web browsing experience. Launched as a standalone iOS app (and later on Android), it distinguishes itself by focusing on speed, minimalism, and using artificial intelligence to reduce information overload. Its core philosophy is to “get you to an answer faster and without all the clutter of the internet”.

A key innovation was the introduction of the “Pinch to Summarise” feature in 2024, which uses a natural gesture to generate AI-powered summaries of webpages. Unlike its desktop counterpart (Arc Browser), Arc Search for mobile was designed as a lean, focused tool for quick information retrieval on the go. By 2025, it had garnered significant attention for its intuitive, one-handed design and its bold attempt to move beyond traditional search engines by using AI to synthesise answers directly within the browser.

Features and Functionality

Arc Search combines a minimalist, user-friendly interface with powerful AI-driven features:

• Browse for Me: This flagship AI feature allows users to enter a search query. Instead of providing a list of links, Arc Search’s AI will automatically visit multiple websites, read their content, and generate a single, customised webpage with a concise summary of the key takeaways, complete with source citations.

• Pinch to Summarise: A unique gesture-based interaction. While viewing any webpage, users can perform a pinching gesture on the screen. The browser will then collapse the page in an origami-style animation and generate a bulleted summary of the article’s main points, allowing for rapid comprehension without endless scrolling.

• Integrated Ad & Clutter Blocking: Features always-on blocking of ads, trackers, GDPR consent pop-ups, and banners by default, creating a cleaner, faster, and more distraction-free reading experience.

• Optimised One-Handed Interface: The entire UI is designed for thumb-based navigation. A minimised toolbar at the bottom of the screen houses buttons for tabs, search, and a menu. Favourites are displayed immediately above the keyboard for easy access, and the tab switcher is modelled after the iPhone’s app switcher for intuitive familiarity.

• Voice Search: Allows for hands-free searching by using voice commands, enhancing accessibility and convenience.

• Reader Mode: A dedicated mode that minimises distractions and strips away unnecessary page elements, which is particularly beneficial for users with ADHD or anyone seeking a focused reading session.

• Privacy-First Approach: Includes advanced private browsing modes and secure tabs. The company states a commitment to privacy, though some data (user content, identifiers) may be collected and linked to user identity.

Pros & Cons Table

Overall Rating

4.2 / 5 ★★★★☆

Arc Search is a refreshingly innovative and delightfully designed mobile browser that excels in providing a fast, clutter-free, and efficient browsing experience for quick information lookup. Its AI features are pioneering but not yet perfectly reliable. It is held back by its isolation from the broader Arc ecosystem and its lack of advanced features, making it less suitable for users who need a fully featured, synced browser across all their devices. It is ideal for users who prioritise speed and simplicity over power-user customisation.

Key Reviews

• MacStories (2025): “The best take on mobile web browsing I’ve seen in years… a fast, delightful app that lets me find stuff and navigate to my favourites quickly.” The review praised its one-handed design and speed but extensively detailed its long list of missing features compared to Safari.

• TechCrunch (2024): Found the “Pinch to Summarise” gesture to be “clever” and the animation “satisfying”, but concluded that the “AI summaries themselves often miss the mark”, missing critical information in tested articles.

• Google Play Store Reviews (2025): Users praise the “clean, distraction-free UI” and effective ad blocker. Common criticisms include the lack of a download manager, no sync with desktop Arc, and that the AI features can feel intrusive when not needed.

Summary: Key Points

• 🏆 Core Strength: A minimalist, ultra-efficient mobile browser redesigned from the ground up for fast, one-handed use and AI-powered information retrieval.

• 🚀 Key Differentiator: The “Pinch to Summarise” gesture and “Browse for Me” feature, which attempt to use AI to condense information and save time.

• 🎯 Ideal For:

  • iPhone users who want a faster, cleaner, and more intuitive alternative to Safari for quick searches and reading.

  • Users who are frequently frustrated by ads, pop-ups, and website clutter.

  • Anyone interested in experimenting with AI-driven alternatives to traditional search engines.

• ⚠️ Important Considerations:

  • Do not rely solely on its AI summaries for accurate information; always be prepared to read the source material for important topics.

  • If you are a user of the desktop Arc browser, be aware that the mobile app does not currently sync with it, which is a significant limitation.

  • It is not a “power user’s browser”. Look to Safari or Chrome for mobile if you need extensions, advanced bookmarking, or deep integration with your OS.

• 💰 Pricing: Completely Free. The Browser Company has stated there is no paywall or paid version planned.

• 🛠️ Alternatives: Safari remains the best choice for a deeply integrated, full-featured iOS browser. Chrome is best for those invested in the Google ecosystem. Brave is a strong alternative for those seeking privacy and ad-blocking in a more traditional browser package.