The Browser Company is considering selling or open-sourcing Arc Browser as it shifts focus to AI development, signaling a major product strategy change
On Tuesday, The Browser Company announced that it is contemplating the sale or open-sourcing of its Arc Browser to allocate resources to developing a new, AI-powered browser called Dia.
The company acknowledged that Arc was a complex browser for many users when it announced Dia in December 2024. It sought to develop a product that would appeal to a broader audience. Since then, The Browser Company has provided problem fixes and security updates to Arc.
However, they have discontinued the development of the application and the addition of new features.
In a recent blog post, the company’s CEO, Josh Miller, stated that the Arc browser encountered a “novelty tax” issue.
“Arc was simply too unique for most individuals, with an abundance of new information to acquire and an insufficient return.” Additionally, Arc’s primary features and core values were not cohesive.
Miller noted that the complexity of the work was a contributing factor to its appeal, as well as its experimental nature.
The Browser Company does not intend to discontinue Arc wholly; however, it has entertained the possibility of selling or open-sourcing it. Nevertheless, Miller stated that the browser’s open-source development is hindered by its reliance on the Arc Development Kit, an internal SDK that is the foundation of its latest browser, Dia. The company is hesitant to disclose its intellectual property.
“Although we would appreciate the opportunity to open-source Arc in the future, we cannot do so in a meaningful manner without also open-sourcing ADK.” Additionally, ADK remains an indispensable component of our organization’s value. Miller stated, “That does not imply that it will never occur.”
Many Arc Browser users have requested that the company convert it into an open-source project.
Dia, the browser developed by The Browser Company, is currently undergoing alpha testing. The company has not specified a date for a broader release; however, it has stated that it will provide the browser to Arc members for testing.
