# Orion Browser vs Arc Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 Arc is the top pick for most Mac users looking at Browsers. It is free and installs in one Homebrew command. Orion Browser is the stronger choice if you are moving off SigmaOS. As of October 2026, both install with brew install --cask orion and brew install --cask arc. For most Mac users in 2026, Arc is the better choice for Browsers because it ranks higher in Homebrew install popularity (#17). Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Orion Browser instead if you are moving off SigmaOS. ## Head to head | Factor | Orion Browser | Arc | | --- | --- | --- | | Price | Free | Free | | Open Source | No | No | | Replaces | SigmaOS ($10/month) | — | | Best for | browser, webkit, privacy | browser, modern, spaces | | Install | brew install --cask orion | brew install --cask arc | | Category | Web Browsers | Web Browsers | ## Orion Browser WebKit based web browser Install: `brew install --cask orion` [Orion Browser on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/orion) ## Arc Browser designed for the way we use the internet in 2025 Install: `brew install --cask arc` [Arc on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/arc) ## Features - **Development status & security.** Orion is the living product. Arc's maintenance posture cannot be recommended for a new default. - **Browser engine & web compatibility.** Trade-off: Arc's Chromium is more universally compatible; Orion's WebKit is more efficient and Mac-native but occasionally requires a second browser for a Chromium-only quirk. - **Tab & workspace organisation.** Arc wins pure spatial nostalgia. Orion is the closest living analogue with a lighter, more native implementation. - **Privacy & telemetry.** Orion is the privacy-native choice. Arc's privacy is conventional Chromium. - **Extensions.** Orion's dual-extension story is more versatile if you mix ecosystems. - **Performance & battery on Mac.** Orion wins battery and responsiveness on MacBooks for typical browsing loads. - **AI assistance.** Neither is an AI-browser leader in this pair; Orion's Kagi integration is at least living, while Arc's AI is legacy. - **Platform & pricing.** Both are free to browse. Orion funds development via optional subscription; Arc's successor is platform-restricted. ## FAQ ### Is Orion really faster and more efficient than Arc on Mac? For typical browsing on Apple Silicon Macs with macOS Tahoe 26, yes. Orion's WebKit engine is lighter and more power-efficient than Arc's Chromium baseline, which matches Safari's advantage. Arc's perceived speed is good when Spaces are tidy, but background memory scales with live Spaces and Boosts, while Orion idles lighter. ### Can Orion use my Chrome extensions? Yes. Orion supports both Chrome and Firefox extensions through compatibility layers, which is unusual for a WebKit browser. Most daily drivers install and work, though a rare Chromium-only extension may still need a fallback Chromium browser such as Edge or Brave for testing. ### Is Arc still safe to use in 2026? Arc still runs and receives Chromium security bumps, but it is maintenance-only with no active feature development. The Browser Company directs users who want active security narrative and new protections to Dia. For a forward-looking default you should choose Orion, Brave, Safari, Zen Browser or Vivaldi rather than starting on Arc. ### How much does Orion cost? Orion is free to download and use. Orion+ is an optional subscription around $5 per month or $50 per year that funds Kagi's development. It does not gate core browsing features. ### Does Orion work on macOS Tahoe 26 and Apple Silicon? Yes. Orion is a native Apple Silicon Mac app, notarised and supported on macOS Tahoe 26, with an early Linux public beta added in 2026. Install via Kagi's disk image or Homebrew where available with brew install --cask orion. ### Should I choose Orion if I love Arc's Spaces? Orion's Workspaces and vertical tabs are the closest living, Mac-native analogue to Arc's Spaces without Chromium overhead. Users who want the exact The Browser Company metaphor should evaluate Dia if they have Apple Silicon and macOS 14+, otherwise Zen Browser for a closer Arc-like recreation on Firefox. Orion is the better choice if privacy and WebKit efficiency are priorities. ### Is Orion private? Yes. Orion ships zero-telemetry by policy and blocks trackers by default. It avoids Chromium data surfaces and is pitched as a privacy-first Safari alternative. For users who rank privacy above all else, it is stronger than Arc's conventional Chromium posture. ### Will my Arc Boosts and Easels migrate to Orion? No. Boosts and Easels are Arc-specific customisations. You will recreate equivalent setups with Orion extensions, Kagi services and Workspaces. Screenshot your Arc layout before migrating and treat migration as a fresh Workspaces build rather than a 1:1 import. ### Can I use Kagi Search without Orion? Yes. Kagi Search works in any browser, including Arc and Safari. Orion's advantage is tight integration and the fact that your search and browsing funding align when you optionally support Kagi via Orion+. ### Which browser should a new Mac user install in August 2026? Orion, if you want a fast, private, actively maintained Mac-native browser that feels like a more capable Safari. Do not start on Arc as a new default; treat Arc as legacy to learn from and migrate off. For a Chromium alternative to keep alongside Orion, add Brave or Edge. ## Sources - [Orion Browser — Browse Beyond](https://browser.kagi.com/) - [Orion 1.0 — Browse Beyond](https://blog.kagi.com/orion) - [Kagi Launches Orion 1.0 — Privacy-First WebKit Browser for Mac](https://www.iclarified.com/99160/kagi-launches-orion-10-a-privacyfirst-webkit-browser-for-mac-download) - [Kagi's Orion Browser Arrives on Linux as Public Beta](https://itsfoss.com/news/orion-browser-linux-beta-release/) - [Arc from The Browser Company](https://arc.net/) - [Dia browser](https://www.diabrowser.com/) - [Hands On: Kagi's Orion browser is a surprisingly good alternative to Safari](https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/11/26/hands-on-kagis-orion-browser-is-a-surprisingly-good-alternative-to-safari) ## Related - [Orion Browser vs Safari](https://bundl.run/compare/orion-vs-safari) - [Arc vs Google Chrome](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-chrome) - [Arc vs Firefox](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-firefox) - [Arc vs Safari](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-safari) - [Arc vs Brave](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-brave-browser) - [Arc vs Zen Browser](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-zen-browser) - [Arc vs Vivaldi](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-vivaldi) - [Arc vs Microsoft Edge](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-microsoft-edge) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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