# Private Browsing Web Browser vs Arc Search

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.

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

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Private Browsing Web Browser | Arc Search |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (128K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-browsing-web-browser/id368483462/reviews) | **[4.9 (25K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arc-search-find-it-faster/id6472513080/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **128K** | 25K |
| Positive reviews | 82.6% of reviews | 82.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 11 MB | 225 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [SavySoda](https://appshunter.io/developer/373730331) | [The Browser Company of New York Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532550911) |

## What reviewers say

### Private Browsing Web Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-browsing-web-browser/id368483462)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Bookmarks randomly deleted
- Crashes when trying to save images
- Inability to uninstall the app

**Requested features**

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


### Arc Search

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arc-search-find-it-faster/id6472513080)

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:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Dark mode option
- Ability to save photos from summary
- Better tab management
- Sync with desktop Arc browser
- iPad app


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*