Dia Browser Review 2026: Is It Worth It? Pricing vs Arc | Macfolio
Dia Browser Review (2026): Is It Worth It? Features, Pricing, vs Arc
Is Dia worth it? We cover Dia's features, plans and pricing, its optional sidebar, and how it compares to Arc, based on Dia's docs and published reviews.
Dia is a good browser if you want AI built into your tabs, and an imperfect replacement if you loved Arc's sidebar. It is made by The Browser Company, now owned by Atlassian. It runs on Chromium for Mac and Windows 11, and the browser itself is free. The AI plans cost extra, and the sidebar is optional instead of the default.
This review covers what Dia does, what it costs, how its sidebar compares to Arc, and who should switch. Arc shuts down on December 22, 2026. To compare other options first, see our guide to the best Arc browser alternatives for Mac.
A note on method: I did not run Dia hands-on for this review. Everything below comes from Dia's own pages, its changelog, Arc's Help Center, and published reviews, each linked in the sources. Where sources disagree, I say so.
What Is Dia Browser?
Dia is a Chromium browser from The Browser Company of New York, the team behind Arc. Dia reached general availability on macOS on October 9, 2025. Atlassian of the company in October 2025 in a deal Reuters .
Shotbase is a comprehensive tool designed to capture and manage all your screen-based content effortlessly. With features like stunning screenshot capabilities, recording options that include cinematic effects, and an intuitive organizational structure powered by local AI, you can easily keep your multimedia assets organized and accessible. Shotbase not only allows you to capture specific areas, windows, or full screens on your Mac but also enables you to edit and enhance your captures with backgrounds, frames, and annotations. The integrated AI ensures your captures are automatically named and tagged for easy searching, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and creativity in one seamless workspace.
SoftwareCreativemacOS
DeskMinder
For Easily Distracted Minds
Freemium
DeskMinder is a productivity software application designed for Mac users who struggle with distractions. It provides a straightforward interface for creating desktop pop-up reminders and tasks, helping users manage urgent to-dos, short breaks, and fleeting ideas. With features like full-screen notifications and Apple Reminders integration, DeskMinder aims to enhance focus and time management for i
- With features like easy-to-create desktop pop-ups for reminders and tasks, it simplifies the process of staying on top of urgent to-dos, short breaks, or fleeting ideas.
- Users can benefit from full-screen notifications, Apple Reminders integration, and flexible widget placement, making it ideal for anyone requiring a little extra help to maintain focus.
- The app includes additional shortcuts for quick reminder setups and customizable widget options, along with a history tracking feature to monitor daily progress.
Designed specifically for Mac users, DeskMinder aims to facilitate better time management and productivity for those with attention challenges, providing a seamless user experience without unnecessary complexity.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Klack
Satisfying sound with every keystroke
Paid
Klack is a macOS application designed to enhance the typing experience through high-fidelity sound for each keystroke. It provides features such as immersive spatial audio, instant feedback, and customizable sound options, making it suitable for writers, developers, and anyone who values an engaging typing environment. The app is easily accessible from the menubar and offers extensive configuratio
- Provides immersive spatial audio for enhanced typing feedback.
- Allows customization of keystroke sounds, pitch variations, and volume settings.
- Features a menubar interface for quick access to configuration options.
- Supports instant feedback with each keystroke for a more engaging experience.
- Designed for writers and developers seeking auditory feedback while typing.
Klack enhances the typing experience on Mac by providing high-fidelity sound for each keystroke.
SoftwaremacOS
TypoTab
TypoTab, the ultimate AI writing assistant for
Paid
TypoTab is a macOS application that functions as an AI-driven writing assistant. It enhances writing efficiency by providing tools for grammar correction, text rephrasing, and content generation, all accessible from the menu bar without needing to switch applications. This tool is designed for writers, students, and professionals looking to streamline their writing process and improve productivity
- Provides grammar correction and text rephrasing directly from the menu bar.
- Allows text refinement in any application without switching contexts.
- Offers customizable actions to meet individual writing needs.
- Streamlines repetitive writing tasks for improved efficiency.
- Supports a wide range of applications, enhancing workflow across platforms.
TypoTab is a macOS application that enhances writing efficiency by providing grammar correction, text rephrasing, and content generation directly from the menu bar. It allows users to refine text in any application without switching contexts, offering customizable actions to suit individual writing needs.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Double Shot
Free open-source Mac app that keeps your Mac awake for AI agents
Free
Double Shot is a free, open-source macOS menu bar app that keeps your Mac awake, with the lid closed too, and for as long as your AI coding agents are working.
- Detects when Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, Cursor Agent, Copilot CLI, OpenCode, Amp or Aider are actually working, not just open.
- Lid closed mode uses pmset disablesleep, with a one-time password prompt that adds a sudoers rule.
- Stops at the first warm level, turns the dark display off, switches on Low Power Mode on battery, and lets go when the battery gets low.
- Quick picks from 15 minutes to 5 hours, or until you turn it off.
- MIT licensed. Install with Homebrew or download from GitHub. Not notarized by Apple yet, and it needs macOS 14 or later.
Double Shot suits anyone who starts a long agent run, closes the lid and expects the work to carry on.
SoftwareUtilitiesmacOS
Peek
Glance at websites and widgets with a shortcut
Free
Peek is a native Mac app that brings frequently checked information into a personal overlay. Hold a shortcut to glance at it, release to return to your work, or tap the shortcut to keep it open and interact.
Combine websites, local PDFs, and widgets such as Calendar, Reminders, and time zones in one space. Arrange and resize content freely, or use Flow mode to organize your layout. Hide unwanted page elements and block ads, trackers, and cookie banners.
Set custom keyboard shortcuts, including separate left and right modifier keys. Peek works across multiple monitors and full-screen spaces, with per-display layouts or synced widgets. Optional auto-refresh keeps pages current, and you can open content in its default app when you want to continue outside the overlay. The site also lists passkey support and experimental web extensions.
Use it to check analytics beside your calendar, review GitHub pull requests and Linear issues while coding, or gather visual references from websites without switching away from your current app.
Available free on the Mac App Store. Requires macOS 14.2 or later.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Cap
The open source screen recorder
Freemium
Cap is an open-source screen recorder for Mac, Windows, and Linux that works as a Loom alternative, with instant share links and a local Studio Mode.
- Instant Mode records and uploads at once so you get a shareable link as you stop.
- Studio Mode records locally with a full editor and exports up to 4K at 60 fps.
- Free for personal use. A Desktop License ($29 a year, or $58 once) adds commercial rights, and Cap Pro ($12 per user a month) adds unlimited cloud sharing.
- Open source, with a self-hosting option.
Cap suits people who want a Loom-style workflow without being locked into one vendor.
SoftwareCreativemacOS
Zight
Share screen recordings and screenshots instantly
Freemium
Zight (formerly CloudApp) captures screenshots, GIFs, and screen recordings and turns each one into a shareable link.
- Records the screen and webcam, and shares a link as soon as you stop.
- The free plan covers recordings up to 5 minutes at up to 720p, with 1 GB of storage.
- Paid plans add unlimited recording time, 4K, and AI summaries, chapters, and smart actions.
- Includes video requests, so teammates can send you a recording.
Zight suits teams that send quick videos and screenshots instead of long messages.
SoftwareCreativemacOS
Paste
Clipboard manager for Mac, iPhone, and iPad
Paid
Paste is a clipboard manager that keeps a searchable history of what you copy and syncs it across your Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
- Unlimited clipboard history with search and filters by type.
- Pinboards for snippets, signatures, and links you reuse.
- Keeps images, files, and rich text, and syncs through your private iCloud.
- 7-day free trial, then a subscription ($29.99 a year, or $2.49 a month billed annually) or a Lifetime plan.
Paste suits people who want a polished clipboard history on every Apple device.
Dia works on Apple Silicon Macs and on Windows 11, where version 1.0 shipped on October 6, 2026, according to the Dia changelog. I found no iPhone or Android app. TechCrunch reported the Arc sunset and Arc's Help Center now points users to Dia.
Dia with its tab sidebar open. Image: The Browser Company
Dia Browser Features: What Matters in Daily Use
The headline feature is Chat. Press Cmd+E on any page to ask about it, and you can @-mention other tabs so the answer draws on several pages.
The new tab page doubles as a chat box. Image: The Browser Company
Skills: repeatable workflows you describe in a sentence, then run by name or with a slash command. There is also a Skills Gallery.
Morning Brief: a daily page summarizing your meetings and priorities.
Automatic tab groups: Dia groups tabs and names the groups for you. Live Groups track things like GitHub pull requests.
Connected tools: Slack, Gmail, Notion, Outlook, GitHub, Google Calendar, Figma, Atlassian, and Loom.
Basics: profiles, split view, a built-in ad and tracker blocker, and sync.
Chat can answer from several tabs at once. Image: The Browser Company
A Morning Brief page. Image: The Browser Company
Memory, an earlier feature that remembered your browsing, was retired in version 1.50.0 and its data deleted, per the changelog. Sam Nesler's August 2026 comparison praises the polish, the Morning Brief, and the automatic tab groups. His main complaint is that Dia's agent can only read, on a limited set of apps, and has no MCP support.
On privacy, Dia's security page says conversations, history, and bookmarks are stored encrypted on your device by default. Data needed for a request goes to AI partners that are contractually barred from keeping it or training on it. Google account sign-in and usage metrics are disabled, and sync is end-to-end encrypted. These are Dia's claims, which I did not verify.
Dia Browser Pricing: Is It Free?
The browser is free. The paid part is the AI, and the plans page is not fully consistent.
Plan
Price
What you get
Better Browser
Free
Profiles, tab groups, split view, ad blocker, sync. No AI
Better Answers
$10/month on the plan card, $20/month in the page's FAQ
Ask Dia about any page, chat with context from your tools
Better Days
$100/month
About 6x more tasks and chats, Morning Brief, reports, decks, and meeting prep
Pricing: every new user gets a 14-day Better Days trial with no card. After it ends, AI features pause and Dia stays a free browser. Usage is counted in "tasks", with no overage billing. Check the live Dia plans page before paying, because the $10 and $20 figures disagree.
Paid plans began rolling out to most new Mac users on August 17, 2026. Existing users keep what they have, with at least 30 days' email notice before paid plans apply. Windows pricing was not changing at launch.
Yes, but you have to turn it on. Dia's default layout is horizontal tabs on top. Switch to the sidebar in Settings > Tabs, with View > Show Tabs in Sidebar, or with Shift+Cmd+S. Dia remembers your choice. If you import from Arc during setup, Dia switches to the sidebar layout for you.
Tab groups in Dia's sidebar. Image: The Browser Company
Recent versions moved it closer to Arc. Version 1.52.0 added Arc-style pinned tabs outside Favorites and Tab Groups, plus a one-click way to close all unpinned tabs. Version 1.51.0 simplified the recent-tabs switcher to match Arc's.
It is still not Arc. Folders become Tab Groups, which do not nest, and Little Arc, Peek, Boosts, and Easels are missing. Nesler wrote that the sidebar is "only now approaching what it used to be in Arc". Early reviews were harsher: MakeUseOf in July 2025 called it a plain list of open tabs, though that piece predates the recent updates.
Favorites and a Work profile in the sidebar. Image: The Browser Company
Dia vs Arc: Side-by-Side
Dia
Arc
Status
Actively developed
Shuts down December 22, 2026
Default tabs
Horizontal, sidebar optional
Vertical sidebar
Spaces
Profiles, which open in separate windows
Spaces
Folders
Tab Groups, no nesting
Nested folders
Little Arc, Peek, Boosts, Easels
No
Yes
AI
Built in, paid tiers
Limited
Platforms
Mac (Apple Silicon), Windows 11
Mac, Windows
Price
Free browser, optional AI plans
Free
Dia imports Spaces as Profiles, plus Favorites, pinned tabs, folders, custom tab names, bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, extensions, and open tabs, per the Arc Help Center. Payment methods and autofill are not imported. Easels and Boosts do not come over. You can import any time before December 22 from Dia > Import from Another Browser.
Dia on Windows
Windows 11 support is new. Version 1.3.0 on October 22 added Focus Mode, sync with Dia on Mac, and an option to open new sidebar tabs at the top. Some Dia marketing pages still showed a waitlist banner when I read them, so I trusted the changelog.
Dia on Windows 11. Image: The Browser Company
A web page next to the tab sidebar. Image: The Browser Company
What Real Users Say About Dia
X reactions to the Arc shutdown show both camps:
@RPowerHimself wrote on X: "Dia Browser, the spiritual successor to Arc. You can import all of your Arc data for a seamless migration."
@SirNerdly wrote on X: "Arc was the best browser I ever used. Dia browser just felt like an immediate downgrade."
@waulpalkerdrift wrote on X: "I can't persist websites across multiple Dia browser windows like I can on Arc."
@dzlgfcb wrote on X: "It's sad to see that Dia browser has become much more less performant in the last couple of months."
The browser is free, and the free tier has no AI to turn off.
Arc import is thorough, and Dia is the browser Arc's own team recommends.
Chat across tabs, Skills, and Morning Brief are well regarded for polish.
Chromium compatibility, so Chrome Web Store extensions work, and frequent updates.
Cons
Tabs on top is the default, and the sidebar lacks Arc's nesting, Little Arc, and Peek.
Useful AI costs money, and the Better Answers price is shown two ways.
Atlassian ownership has shifted focus toward work tools, per Nesler.
Profiles open in separate windows, and some users miss Arc's Space switching.
No Intel Mac, Linux, or mobile app that I could find.
Is Dia Browser Worth It?
Dia is worth it if you want an Arc-like browser that will keep getting updates, you use Slack, Notion, Gmail, or Atlassian tools daily, and you like asking questions of your tabs.
Skip it if the AI does not interest you, if you rely on Little Arc or Boosts, or if you want an Arc clone. Try the sidebar first, since that is where the gap with Arc is widest.
DiaBrowser built for focused workVisit WebsiteDia is a Mac browser from The Browser Company built for focused, productive work. It organizes browsing around tasks instead of endless tabs and keeps context visible while you research and create.
- Organizes browsing around tasks instead of traditional tab sprawl.
- Keeps research and writing context visible while you work.
- Designed for a calmer, more intentional day-to-day browsing flow.
- Built for knowledge work like writing, planning, and deep research.
- A native Mac browser focused on getting your best work done.
Dia is tailored for users engaged in knowledge work, such as writing and research. By prioritizing task organization and maintaining contextual visibility, it aims to enhance productivity and reduce distractions.Visit Website
Zen BrowserCalm, open-source browser with vertical tabsVisit WebsiteZen is a free, open-source browser based on Firefox, built around a vertical tab sidebar, workspaces, and split view. It is the closest open-source match to Arc's layout.
- Vertical tabs with pinned Essentials and Workspaces.
- Split view for up to four tabs side by side.
- Compact mode hides the toolbar for a clean window.
- Glance opens links in a quick preview.
- Supports Firefox add-ons and Mozilla privacy features.
Zen suits people who loved Arc's sidebar and want an open-source, community-built browser.Visit Website
ArdiaArc-style sidebar browser on real ChromiumVisit WebsiteArdia is a free, open-source Mac browser that recreates Arc's sidebar on current Chromium. It imports Arc spaces, pinned tabs, and themes, and builds in the full uBlock Origin.
- Vertical sidebar with pinned tabs, folders, and swipeable profiles.
- One-click import from Arc, Dia, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and more.
- Split view with up to three panes.
- Little Ardia quick window and picture-in-picture video.
- Full uBlock Origin built in, with iCloud-based encrypted sync.
Ardia suits Arc users who want the same layout without AI, on an actively updated browser.Visit Website
CrestFree Arc-style browser with Spaces and Split ViewVisit WebsiteCrest is a free, open-source browser built for people leaving Arc. It brings Spaces, a vertical sidebar, Peek, and Split View to Apple silicon Macs, with iPad and iPhone apps too.
- Vertical sidebar with pinned sites, nested folders, saved tabs, and Spaces you can dock left or right.
- One-step import of Arc Spaces, tabs, folders, colors, icons, and passwords, plus Zen, Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
- Peek previews, Split View with 2 to 4 panes, and a Quick Window like Little Arc.
- Chromium by default with WebKit per site, content blocking, and iCloud sync.
- Early access and not independently security audited.
Crest suits Arc users who want the same workflow on a free, open-source browser, and can live without Boosts.Visit Website
FAQ
Is Dia browser free?
Yes, the browser is free. AI features have paid plans, and new users get a 14-day trial of the top tier with no card.
Is Dia browser better than Arc?
It is better maintained, because Arc ends on December 22, 2026. It is not better at the sidebar yet. Arc's nested folders, Little Arc, Peek, and Boosts have no direct Dia equivalent.
Does Dia browser have a sidebar?
Yes. Turn it on in Settings > Tabs or press Shift+Cmd+S. The default layout is tabs on top.
Is Dia browser available for Windows?
Yes. Windows 11 version 1.0 shipped on October 6, 2026, according to the changelog.
Is Dia browser safe?
Dia says it is built on Chromium, stores data locally and encrypted by default, and runs outside security audits and a bug bounty. I could not verify those claims independently.
Can I import Arc into Dia?
Yes, Spaces, pinned tabs, folders, bookmarks, history, passwords, and extensions. Easels and Boosts do not transfer.
A floating AirPods Max stand that charges through a magnetic port connector.
HardwareDesk SetupmacOS
Max Charging Stand
An AirPods Max charging stand with sleep mode and a Qi pad for earbuds.
HardwareDesk SetupmacOS
Nanotac AirPods Max Stand (MagFit)
An aluminum AirPods Max stand with a MagSafe charger slot for an iPhone.
HardwareDesk SetupmacOS
MX Keys S
A full-size wireless keyboard with smart backlighting and three-device switching.
HardwareKeyboards & MicemacOS
Double Shot
Free open-source Mac app that keeps your Mac awake for AI agents
Free
Double Shot is a free, open-source macOS menu bar app that keeps your Mac awake, with the lid closed too, and for as long as your AI coding agents are working.
- Detects when Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, Cursor Agent, Copilot CLI, OpenCode, Amp or Aider are actually working, not just open.
- Lid closed mode uses pmset disablesleep, with a one-time password prompt that adds a sudoers rule.
- Stops at the first warm level, turns the dark display off, switches on Low Power Mode on battery, and lets go when the battery gets low.
- Quick picks from 15 minutes to 5 hours, or until you turn it off.
- MIT licensed. Install with Homebrew or download from GitHub. Not notarized by Apple yet, and it needs macOS 14 or later.
Double Shot suits anyone who starts a long agent run, closes the lid and expects the work to carry on.
SoftwareUtilitiesmacOS
Peek
Glance at websites and widgets with a shortcut
Free
Peek is a native Mac app that brings frequently checked information into a personal overlay. Hold a shortcut to glance at it, release to return to your work, or tap the shortcut to keep it open and interact.
Combine websites, local PDFs, and widgets such as Calendar, Reminders, and time zones in one space. Arrange and resize content freely, or use Flow mode to organize your layout. Hide unwanted page elements and block ads, trackers, and cookie banners.
Set custom keyboard shortcuts, including separate left and right modifier keys. Peek works across multiple monitors and full-screen spaces, with per-display layouts or synced widgets. Optional auto-refresh keeps pages current, and you can open content in its default app when you want to continue outside the overlay. The site also lists passkey support and experimental web extensions.
Use it to check analytics beside your calendar, review GitHub pull requests and Linear issues while coding, or gather visual references from websites without switching away from your current app.
Available free on the Mac App Store. Requires macOS 14.2 or later.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Mac mini 11-in-1 Docking Station
A Mac mini M4 dock with an 8TB-capable NVMe slot and card readers.
HardwareConnectivitymacOS
Brio 100 Full HD Webcam
A budget 1080p webcam with a privacy shutter and built-in mic.
HardwareCamerasmacOS
MX Brio 4K Webcam
A 4K/30 or 1080p/60 webcam with dual mics and Show Mode.
