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Browser Extensions · head to head

Arc vs Dark Reader

Arc logo

Arc

Browser Extensions

Chromium-based browser organized around user workflows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Dark Reader logo

Dark Reader

Browser Extensions

Dark mode for every website

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Arc no longer receiving active feature development as of May 2025, entering maintenance mode; Dark Reader cannot modify PDF files displayed in browsers
  • They diverge on capability: Arc covers Spaces and Profiles, Dark Reader covers Dark mode.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arc and Dark Reader actually diverge.

Attributes where Arc and Dark Reader differ
AttributeArcDark Reader
Pricing modelFreeUnknown
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, iOSChrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Browser Extensions).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Arc

  • Spaces and Profiles
  • Split View
  • Themes
  • Privacy-First Design
  • Chromium Updates

Only in Dark Reader

  • Dark mode
  • Custom brightness
  • Contrast adjustment
  • Site-specific settings
  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Safari support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Arc

  • Organizing work across multiple projects within one browsernot Dark Reader
  • Separating personal and professional browsing with spacesnot Dark Reader
  • Privacy-conscious web browsing without trackingnot Dark Reader
  • Tab and window management for productivitynot Dark Reader

Dark Reader

  • Applying dark mode to websites that don't natively support itnot Arc
  • Reducing eye strain for night-time or extended browsingnot Arc
  • Per-site brightness, contrast, and sepia customizationnot Arc
  • Toggling dark mode on/off per domainnot Arc
  • Accessibility use for light-sensitive usersnot Arc

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Arc

  • No longer receiving active feature development as of May 2025, entering maintenance mode
  • Limited cross-platform availability compared to mainstream browsers
  • Smaller ecosystem of extensions compared to Chrome
  • Focused on macOS and Windows, with limited iOS support

Dark Reader

  • Cannot modify PDF files displayed in browsers
  • Performance impact on devices with limited resources

Pricing, plan by plan

Arc

Free
  • ArcFree
    • Spaces and profiles organization
    • Split view customization
    • Themes and personalization

Dark Reader

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Dark Reader review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Arc if

  • You need spaces and profiles.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS.
  • You also want split view.
Arc review

Choose Dark Reader if

  • You need dark mode.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
  • You also want custom brightness.
Dark Reader review

Questions people ask

Is Arc or Dark Reader better?
Neither clearly leads. Arc starts at Free and Dark Reader at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arc or Dark Reader?
Arc starts at Free and Dark Reader at Free.
Does Arc or Dark Reader run on more platforms?
Arc runs on macOS, Windows, iOS. Dark Reader runs on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
Can I use Arc for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Arc best used for?
Arc is most often used for organizing work across multiple projects within one browser, separating personal and professional browsing with spaces, privacy-conscious web browsing without tracking, tab and window management for productivity. Of those, organizing work across multiple projects within one browser and separating personal and professional browsing with spaces are not what Dark Reader is typically brought in for.
What can Arc do that Dark Reader cannot?
Arc covers Spaces and Profiles, Split View, Themes, Privacy-First Design. Dark Reader covers Dark mode, Custom brightness, Contrast adjustment, Site-specific settings.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Arc: Does Arc Browser cost anything to use?

Arc is completely free to download and use with no subscription required. All features are available at no cost.

Source
Dark Reader: Is Dark Reader free to use?

Yes, Dark Reader is completely free with no ads and no tracking. It does not send user data anywhere.

Source
Arc: What operating systems does Arc support?

Arc is available on macOS, Windows, and iOS. Windows and mobile versions are available for download.

Source
Dark Reader: How can I customize the dark mode in Dark Reader?

Users can configure brightness, contrast, and sepia filter settings to suit their specific needs, and selectively enable or disable Dark Reader for specific websites.

Source
Arc: Will Arc continue to receive new features?

As of May 2025, Arc entered maintenance mode with no new features planned. The Browser Company's focus has shifted to Dia browser, though Arc continues to receive security updates.

Source
Dark Reader: What browsers does Dark Reader support?

Dark Reader is available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers across desktop and mobile platforms.

Source
Dark Reader: Does Dark Reader work offline?

Yes, Dark Reader runs entirely on your device with no external dependencies. It analyzes web pages locally to generate dark themes.

Source
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