Comparison

Arc Search vs Validly

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

Head to head
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

About

Validly

Features
Read full description

Validly helps you keep important personal documents organized and renewal-ready. Scan or import documents such as passports, IDs, licenses, permits, certificates, insurance papers, visas, and other personal records. Validly analyzes the document on your device, helps suggest expiry or renewal dates, and sends reminders before important deadlines. Your documents stay private. Validly is designed to store files locally on your device and does not require an account to manage your documents. Free features: • Store up to 5 documents • Scan documents using your camera • Import files or images from your device • Support for front and back document uploads • On-device text recognition • Expiry and renewal date suggestions • Manual expiry editing for accuracy • No-expiry option for documents without deadlines • Local document storage • Saved document preview • Export or download stored documents • Renewal reminders and notifications • Light and dark mode • Device authentication app lock Validly Plus: Validly Plus is an optional auto-renewable subscription available as a separate in-app purchase. Validly Plus removes the 5-document limit and lets you store unlimited documents with renewal reminders. Subscription details: Validly Plus Yearly is billed yearly through your Apple ID. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple ID subscription settings. Validly is useful for anyone who wants a private, simple way to track personal document deadlines without relying on cloud storage. The app provides smart suggestions, but users should always verify detected dates before saving important documents. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Arc Search4 screens
Validly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Arc Search at none against Validly's 2. Arc Search also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Validly sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per year. Arc Search asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arc Search ships an update every 3 weeks, Validly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Arc Search versus Validly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArc SearchValidly
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (25K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews82.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings25K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size225 MB2 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperThe Browser Company of New York Inc.EvyxAi

Bugs and requests

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

Validly

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Arc Search

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Validly

Subscriptions2
  • Validly Plus$12.991 Year
  • Validly Plus (Family)$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Arc Search free?
Arc Search is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Validly free?
Validly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Arc Search or Validly have ads?
Neither Arc Search nor Validly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Arc Search or Validly?
Arc Search ships an update every 3 weeks, and Validly every 2 weeks. Most recently, Arc Search was updated on November 1, 2026 and Validly on October 31, 2026.

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