CoolDeskArc

Arc changed how many people think about a browser. Spaces, a vertical sidebar and profiles made it natural to keep work, side projects and personal browsing apart.

CoolDesk takes the same idea — one space per project — and removes two limits. You don't have to switch browsers: it works with Chrome, Edge and Brave. And a project isn't only tabs: CoolDesk also holds the apps, files and notes that go with it.

If you loved Arc's Spaces but want them outside Arc — or are looking for an Arc alternative now that The Browser Company has shifted its focus to Dia — here's the honest comparison.

01 · The short answer

Skip the reading — which one is for you?

Pick Arc if…

  • You want a whole new browser experience, not an add-on
  • Split view, Boosts and Arc's design are what you love
  • Your projects live entirely in web tabs

Pick CoolDesk if…

  • You want Arc-style project spaces without leaving Chrome, Edge or Brave
  • Your projects include apps, folders and notes, not just tabs
  • You want one hotkey that finds anything on your machine, with no account

02 · The difference

Where CoolDesk pulls ahead

Keep your browser

Arc's Spaces only exist inside Arc. CoolDesk is an extension plus a desktop app, so your project workspaces work in Chrome, Edge or Brave — with your existing extensions, logins and bookmarks.

Projects beyond the browser

An Arc Space holds tabs. A CoolDesk workspace also holds the desktop apps, folders, files and notes a project needs, and opens or focuses them in one click.

One search for everything

Press Alt+K from any app to search tabs, history, bookmarks, running apps, files and notes together — not only what's open in one browser window.

Actively developed

The Browser Company has said its focus is now its new browser, Dia. CoolDesk ships regular releases — see the release notes.

03 · The scoreboard

Side by side

ArcCoolDesk
What it isA browserExtension + desktop app for your current browser
Works with Chrome, Edge, Brave— (replaces them)Yes
Project spacesSpaces (tabs only)Workspaces (tabs, apps, files, notes)
Desktop apps & files—Built in
System-wide search hotkey—Alt+K from any app
PlatformsmacOS, WindowsWindows, macOS, Linux
Account requiredYesNever
PriceFreeFree

04 · Credit where it's due

What Arc does brilliantly

Beautiful design and a genuinely new take on the browser
Spaces and profiles that keep contexts cleanly separated
A vertical tab sidebar with pinned and auto-archiving tabs
Split view, Boosts and Little Arc for quick lookups

No point pretending otherwise — if these are what you need, Arc is excellent at them.

05 · Common questions

Still deciding?

Is CoolDesk a good Arc alternative?

If what you miss is Spaces — separate, organised contexts per project — yes. CoolDesk gives you project workspaces in the browser you already use. It isn't a browser itself, so it doesn't replace Arc's sidebar or split view.

Can I move my Arc Spaces into CoolDesk?

Open a Space's tabs in Chrome, Edge or Brave and ask CoolDesk to group them — its AI sorts open tabs into projects for you, so you don't have to rebuild each one by hand.

Does CoolDesk need an account?

No. CoolDesk is free, needs no sign-in, and keeps everything on your device.

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Round over

Try it in two minutes

CoolDesk is free, needs no sign-in, and runs alongside Arc — nothing to migrate, nothing to lose.

Get CoolDesk Free