Duotang vs Arc Browser

Two genuine workspaces, very different decisions

Arc's Spaces (what Duotang calls workspaces) genuinely keep tabs alive across context switches — the same architecture as Duotang. If you used Arc's Spaces heavily, you know what it feels like to switch contexts without tabs reloading. That's the thing worth preserving.

The difference is what you give up to get there. Arc requires you to leave Chrome entirely — your bookmarks, saved passwords, extensions, browsing history, and Chrome profile stay behind. Duotang is a Chrome extension: your existing setup stays intact, and workspaces are added on top of it.

Arc went into maintenance mode

In 2024, The Browser Company shifted focus to Dia, an AI-first browser. Arc is still available and functional, but active feature development has stopped. Bug fixes continue, but Arc is no longer the product The Browser Company is building toward.

For users who are happy with Arc as it is, this may not matter. For users evaluating it fresh this year, it's worth knowing you're adopting a product in maintenance rather than one with an active roadmap.

Nothing to migrate

Duotang is a Chrome extension — it installs on top of what you already have. Your bookmarks, passwords, history, extensions, and sync settings stay exactly as they are. Switching to Arc means starting over in a new browser: re-logging into every site, rebuilding your extension setup, leaving behind years of history. For people with heavily configured Chrome setups that's a real cost. With Duotang, there's nothing to migrate because nothing changes.

What Arc does better

Arc is a full browser with a decade of UI rethinking: a permanent vertical tab sidebar, Little Arc for lightweight link opening, built-in ad blocking, and a more opinionated visual design. These are browser-level changes that an extension can't replicate. If you want the whole Arc experience — not just workspaces — there's no extension equivalent.

Arc also had Air Traffic Control — a rules engine that automatically routes links from specific sources (Slack, email, calendar invites) into the correct Space. Click a Slack link and it opens in your Work Space without any manual action. There's no equivalent in Duotang or any other Chrome extension.

What Arc called Spaces

Arc organized browsing into Spaces — named, color-coded containers where tabs live independently. Switching Spaces kept all tabs alive, just like Duotang's workspaces. If you're searching for an Arc Spaces alternative that works in Chrome, Duotang is the closest architectural match.

When Arc is still the right choice

• You want a full browser redesign, not just workspace features added to Chrome
• You're already on Arc and happy with it as-is
• You prefer Arc's visual design and vertical tab approach at the browser level

When Duotang is the right choice

• You want Arc-like workspaces without switching browsers
• You want to keep your Chrome profile, extensions, bookmarks, and passwords
• You want something actively developed with a live roadmap
• You need Linux support
• You don't want to create an account