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Browser Extensions · head to head

Arc vs Instapaper

Arc logo

Arc

Browser Extensions

Chromium-based browser organized around user workflows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Instapaper logo

Instapaper

Browser Extensions

Save anything for reading later

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; Instapaper full text search across saved articles is Premium only, at $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year
  • They diverge on capability: Arc covers Spaces and Profiles, Instapaper covers Save for later.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arc and Instapaper actually diverge.

Attributes where Arc and Instapaper differ
AttributeArcInstapaper
Pricing modelFreeUnknown
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, iOSWeb, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX)
FoundedUnknown2008

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 Instapaper

  • Save for later
  • Clean reading
  • Highlighting
  • Full-text search
  • 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 Instapaper
  • Separating personal and professional browsing with spacesnot Instapaper
  • Privacy-conscious web browsing without trackingnot Instapaper
  • Tab and window management for productivitynot Instapaper

Instapaper

  • Saving articles to read later with the clutter stripped outnot Arc
  • Building a searchable personal archive of things worth keepingnot 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

Instapaper

  • Full text search across saved articles is Premium only, at $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year
  • Free accounts are limited to 5 notes a month, against unlimited on Premium
  • Text to speech, speed reading and the permanent archive are all Premium only
  • The free web experience carries advertising

Pricing, plan by plan

Arc

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

Instapaper

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Instapaper 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 Instapaper if

  • You need save for later.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX).
  • You also want clean reading.
Instapaper review

Questions people ask

Is Arc or Instapaper better?
Neither clearly leads. Arc starts at Free and Instapaper at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arc or Instapaper?
Arc starts at Free and Instapaper at Free.
Does Arc or Instapaper run on more platforms?
Arc runs on macOS, Windows, iOS. Instapaper runs on Web, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX).
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 Instapaper is typically brought in for.
What can Arc do that Instapaper cannot?
Arc covers Spaces and Profiles, Split View, Themes, Privacy-First Design. Instapaper covers Save for later, Clean reading, Highlighting, Full-text search.

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
Instapaper: What is the cost of Instapaper?

Instapaper costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year. The yearly plan saves over 15% compared to the monthly rate.

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
Instapaper: Does Instapaper offer a free trial?

No trial period is offered. The subscription starts immediately upon purchase.

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
Instapaper: What features are included in the paid subscription?

Premium features include full-text search across all articles, permanent archiving, PDF reading, unlimited notes (free tier limited to 5 per month), Kindle integration, AI-powered text-to-speech, and speed reading up to 3x faster. The paid version also removes advertisements.

Source
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