Comparison

Private Browsing Web Browser vs Arc Search

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Private Browsing Web Browser

Browse the internet privately and in full screen for free. This no-frills browser automatically deletes your history, cookies, and cache upon exiting. It maximizes viewing area by hiding status bars and navigation controls, offering a familiar interface with enhanced screen real estate.

Highlights
  • Complete private browsing
  • Full screen viewing
  • History, cookies, cache deleted on exit
  • Maximizes screen real estate
  • Safari-based browsing engine
  • Fast startup and shutdown
  • No auto-suggest or auto-fill
Features
Read full description

Finally, you can view all your websites PRIVATELY and in FULL SCREEN for FREE! This is the simple, no frills web browser you've been waiting for. • COMPLETE PRIVATE BROWSING • FULL SCREEN (13% MORE VIEWING AREA) • FASTER NO FRILLS and: FREE How it works: - History, Cookies, Cache, All completely deleted when you exit the app. No one will know where you've been. - Uses EVERY SINGLE PIXEL available to show websites in BEAUTIFUL FULL SCREEN! That's 13% more viewing area than standard Safari! Thanks to hiding of Status bars and auto hiding of all navigation controls when required. - Same back end safari browsing engine which means maximum speed, security, and reliability. Familiar Interface. In addition this app is COMPLETELY FREE and works on iPhone, iPod and iPad! so get it now and start browsing those websites in beautiful full screen without worrying about family members snooping your history! Some other features and Details: - Portrait and Landscape mode support. - Orientation Locking Support for iPad. - Similar UI to Safari. - Hidden status bar to make more space. - Overlay controls to maximise screen real-estate. - Safari based backend engine. - Lightning fast startup and shutdown. - Always starts in Google, Yahoo or Bing search homepage. - No auto suggest or auto-fill in. - Very discrete icon and presentation. - Completely FREE (and no annoying ads bar!) - Dark Mode support. - Tiny download so you can get it quickly. more apps: http://www.savysoda.com

About

Arc Search

This AI-powered mobile browser prioritizes speed and clarity, offering intelligent summarization and ad-free browsing. It adapts to your search style with voice commands and hands-free options, while maintaining a clutter-free, private online experience.

Highlights
  • AI-powered search summarization
  • Voice search and hands-free browsing
  • Ad-free and tracker-blocking experience
  • Automatic tab archiving
  • Reader mode for focused content
  • Cross-device syncing
Features
Read full description

Arc Search is the modern, AI-enabled mobile browser you’ve been waiting for —focused on getting you to an answer faster, and without all the clutter of the internet. SEARCH YOUR WAY Arc adapts to your needs — use traditional text search, go hands-free with VOICE SEARCH and CALL ARC, or let our features BROWSE FOR ME and PINCH TO SUMMARIZE take the heavy lifting out of your search journey. With intuitive AI summarization, Arc Search condenses webpages into concise insights, delivering the perfect answer to any question you have – no more endless scrolling or information overload. AD FREE, DISTRACTION FREE BROWSING Enjoy an ad-free, distraction-free web experience that's clutter-free (and great for ADHD) with: - Always-on blocking of ads, trackers, GDPR popups, and banners - Automatic archiving of inactive tabs to maintain tidiness - A reader mode that minimizes distractions (great for ADHD) - A minimalist user interface that subtly complements any website PRIVACY FIRST BROWSING We're passionate about the internet but not at the cost of compromising your privacy. Arc Search ensures your online activities remain yours alone with advanced private browsing modes, secure tabs, and comprehensive data protection. ARC, EVERYWHERE Seamlessly sync your Spaces, Pinned Tabs, and Today Tabs across all devices with ARC SYNC. Whether you're on iPhone, iPad, Windows, or Mac, Arc keeps you connected. Access Arc Search quickly with home screen widgets, ensuring you're never more than a tap away from getting what you need from the internet. IN THE DETAILS From the keyboard-ready start to the ~easter egg~ fidget spinner logo (also great for ADHD), Arc Search delights with its clean UI and thoughtful touches. ABOUT THE BROWSER COMPANY Arc Search, crafted with care by The Browser Company, is more than just a browser—it represents a step forward towards a better internet. The Browser Company, based in New York, is a team of friendly individuals committed to improving how we use the internet. After all, the web browser, a tool we use daily for hours, has remained largely unchanged in the past 15 years. This realization led us to develop Arc, a browser that is not just faster but also more personal, focused, and creative. Arc embodies a vision of simplicity, eliminating tab overwhelm and internet clutter to create a more efficient online experience, keeping pace with our increasingly online lives. GO DOWN THE ARC RABBIT HOLE - Download Arc for your desktop and sync your browsing experience across devices: http://arc.net/ - Learn about our mission and team behind Arc: https://thebrowser.company/ - Privacy Policy: https://arc.net/privacy - Terms of Use: https://start.arc.net/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Private Browsing Web Browser4 screens
Arc Search4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Arc Search at every 3 weeks against Private Browsing Web Browser's every 2 months. Private Browsing Web Browser's advantage is ratings volume (128K vs 25K) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Arc Search holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Private Browsing Web Browser has 128K ratings behind it against 25K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 83% and 83% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private Browsing Web Browser ships an update every 2 months, Arc Search every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Private Browsing Web Browser versus Arc Search: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate Browsing Web BrowserArc Search
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (128K ratings)4.9 (25K ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.6% of reviews82.6% of reviews
Number of ratings128K — better25K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB225 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperSavySodaThe Browser Company of New York Inc.

Customer experience

Private Browsing Web Browser

All ratings127,494 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral3.2%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews1,623 reviews
Positive82.6%
Neutral5.1%
Negative12.3%

Arc Search

All ratings25,041 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews1,887 reviews
Positive82.6%
Neutral7.7%
Negative9.8%

User reviews

Private Browsing Web Browser

From 128K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 🔒 Provides privacy and security
  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 💡 Useful for private browsing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Settings and bookmarks reset frequently
  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with certain websites
  • 🔒 Concerns about privacy and data collection
  • 👎 Limited functionality compared to other browsers

Arc Search

From 25K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Absolutely in love with it
  • 🚀 Exceptional
  • 🚀 Excellent
  • 🚀 Fabulous
  • 🚀 Best browser

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Avoid if you don't want viruses
  • 🐛 Please, stop with the AI
  • 🐛 Arc is dead…
  • 🐛 Mansplaining much?
  • 🐛 Genuinely Disappointed

Bugs and requests

Private Browsing Web Browser

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Bookmarks randomly deleted
  • Crashes when trying to save images
  • Inability to uninstall the app

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to have multiple tabs open
  • Option to set custom search engine
  • Improved bookmark management
  • Faster page loading speeds

Arc Search

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Cannot go past the icon choosing screen in the onboarding process
  • Swipe gesture navigation issues
  • Images not loading properly in background tabs
  • Hyperlink to apps holding onto the page
  • Inconsistent reader mode support compared to Safari

Requested features

16 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to save photos from summary
  • Better tab management
  • Sync with desktop Arc browser
  • iPad app
Show 11 more
  • Incognito mode
  • Integrated VPN
  • Access to profiles and bookmarks from desktop
  • Ability to ask follow-up questions on generated pages
  • Longer/shorter summary options
  • Link previews
  • History section
  • Ability to save downloads to Files app
  • Support for iCloud Private Relay
  • Widgets
  • Notifications

In-app purchases

None

Private Browsing Web Browser

No in-app purchases

None

Arc Search

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Private Browsing Web Browser free?
Private Browsing Web Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Arc Search free?
Arc Search is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Private Browsing Web Browser or Arc Search?
Arc Search is rated higher. Private Browsing Web Browser averages 4.7 out of 5 from 128K ratings, while Arc Search averages 4.9 from 25K ratings.
Do Private Browsing Web Browser or Arc Search have ads?
Neither Private Browsing Web Browser nor Arc Search shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Private Browsing Web Browser or Arc Search?
Private Browsing Web Browser ships an update every 2 months, and Arc Search every 3 weeks. Most recently, Private Browsing Web Browser was updated on November 7, 2026 and Arc Search on November 7, 2026.

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