Opera

What Is Opera?

Before Chrome had tabbed browsing, Opera had tabbed browsing. Before Firefox had a speed dial page, Opera had a speed dial page. Before any major browser offered a built-in ad blocker, Opera built one in. Opera has spent three decades pioneering browser features that competitors eventually copy — and receiving relatively little credit for it.

Founded in Oslo, Norway in 1995, Opera is one of the longest-running web browsers in existence. Its history is a case study in innovation without dominant market share: Opera invented or popularised tabbed browsing, mouse gestures, pop-up blocking, integrated search, speed dial, and browser-based VPN. Each of these features eventually appeared in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Opera's market share remained in single digits throughout.

Today, Opera offers a Chromium-based browser with a built-in free VPN proxy, native ad and tracker blocking, Aria (an AI assistant powered by multiple large language models), sidebar integrations with messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger), the Flow system for cross-device file sharing, and workspaces for organising tabs by context. The Opera GX variant targets gamers with CPU/RAM limiters and gaming-specific features.

The complication — and it is a significant one — is ownership. In 2016, a Chinese consortium led by Kunlun Tech acquired a majority stake in Opera. The company remains headquartered in Oslo, is listed on NASDAQ, and operates under Norwegian and EU data protection law. But the majority ownership by a Chinese entity raises legitimate privacy questions that cannot be dismissed with corporate reassurances alone. Opera states that user data is handled according to European regulations, but privacy-conscious users must weigh the ownership structure when evaluating the browser.

This is the tension at Opera's core: a genuinely innovative European browser with features no competitor bundles as generously, complicated by an ownership structure that undermines the privacy narrative.

Key Features

Built-In VPN Proxy

Opera includes a free, no-log VPN proxy that masks your IP address and encrypts browser traffic. It is unlimited in bandwidth, requires no subscription, and activates with a single toggle. The caveat: it is technically a browser proxy, not a full VPN. It protects only Opera traffic — not system-wide connections from other applications, downloads, or background processes. You can select from broad regions (Americas, Europe, Asia) but cannot choose specific countries or cities. For casual privacy protection while browsing, it is convenient. For genuine privacy or security requirements, a dedicated VPN like Proton VPN or Mullvad is necessary.

Ad Blocker and Tracker Blocker

Opera's native ad blocker removes ads and tracking scripts without requiring an extension. It accelerates page load times and reduces data consumption. The tracker blocker specifically targets cross-site tracking scripts. Both are enabled by default, which is a meaningful stance — most browsers require users to seek out and install ad-blocking extensions. For non-technical users who do not know what uBlock Origin is, Opera's built-in blocking provides immediate protection.

Aria AI Assistant

Aria is Opera's built-in AI assistant, accessible from the browser sidebar. Powered by multiple large language models, it can answer questions, generate text, summarise web pages, help with coding, and provide conversational search. The integration is smooth — you can highlight text on any page, send it to Aria, and receive analysis or summarisation without switching tabs. For users who would otherwise open ChatGPT or Claude in a separate tab, having AI accessible from the sidebar streamlines the workflow.

Sidebar Integrations

Opera's sidebar provides quick access to messaging apps — WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Twitter/X — without opening separate tabs. A sidebar music player integrates with Spotify and Apple Music. These integrations transform the browser from a web page viewer into a communication hub, reducing app switching for users who manage personal and work messaging throughout the day.

Workspaces and Tab Management

Workspaces allow you to group tabs by context — work, personal, research, shopping — with each workspace maintaining its own set of tabs. Tab islands group related tabs visually. A pinboard saves content for later without cluttering bookmarks. For heavy tab users, these organisational features reduce cognitive load significantly. The implementation is thoughtful and represents the kind of browser-level innovation that Opera has historically pioneered.

Flow Cross-Device Sharing

Flow creates an encrypted channel between Opera instances on different devices (phone, laptop, tablet) for sharing files, links, and notes. It functions as a clipboard that works across devices without requiring a cloud storage service. The feature is simple but solves a genuine friction point in multi-device workflows.

Pricing

Opera is completely free. The standard Opera browser and Opera GX are both available at no cost, with all features — VPN, ad blocker, Aria AI, sidebar integrations, workspaces, Flow — included. There are no premium tiers, no feature gating, and no subscription required.

The business model relies on search engine partnerships (Google pays to be the default search engine), pre-installed bookmarks, and advertising revenue from Opera's news feed. This means you are the product in a different sense: your default search queries generate revenue for Opera through its partnership deals.

For users accustomed to paying nothing for a browser, Opera's pricing is unremarkable. The value proposition is in the feature density: the built-in VPN, ad blocker, and AI assistant would cost money as separate tools or extensions.

EU Compliance & Privacy

Opera's privacy story is nuanced. The company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway (EEA member) and states compliance with GDPR. The browser includes legitimate privacy features: built-in ad and tracker blocking, VPN proxy, and options to disable telemetry. Norwegian corporate jurisdiction and EEA membership provide a European legal framework.

However, the majority ownership by Chinese consortium Kunlun Tech since 2016 introduces ambiguity. While Opera operates independently and under Norwegian law, privacy advocates have questioned whether Chinese ownership could create pressure to compromise user data. Opera has denied any such influence, but the concern is structural rather than evidence-based — it is about potential risk rather than documented incidents.

The EU compliance score of 6.0 in our assessment reflects this tension: strong legal and technical privacy features are partially offset by ownership-related uncertainty. Users who prioritise privacy as their primary browser criterion may prefer Vivaldi (Norwegian, privately held, no tracking) or Firefox (Mozilla Foundation, non-profit) over Opera.

For general-purpose browsing where the built-in features provide practical privacy improvements over Chrome (which has no ad blocker and is built by an advertising company), Opera represents a meaningful step up.

Who It's Best For

General users who want built-in privacy and productivity features without installing extensions — the VPN, ad blocker, and AI assistant work out of the box.

Multi-platform users who benefit from Flow's cross-device sharing and sidebar messaging integrations, reducing the need to switch between apps.

Users migrating from Chrome who want a Chromium-compatible browser with more built-in features and better default privacy protection.

Gamers (via Opera GX) who want browser-level CPU/RAM management and a gaming-focused browsing experience.

The Verdict

Opera is the most feature-rich free browser available — a legitimate claim backed by three decades of innovation. The built-in VPN proxy, ad blocker, AI assistant, sidebar messaging, and workspaces provide a level of out-of-the-box functionality that Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do not match without extensions. The Chinese ownership question is real and cannot be waved away; for privacy purists, it may be disqualifying. For general users who want more from their browser without configuring anything, Opera delivers generously. It earns 7.5 overall, driven by outstanding ease of use (8.5) and value (9.0), with the EU compliance score (6.0) reflecting the ownership complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Opera safe to use given its Chinese ownership?

Opera operates under Norwegian law, is NASDAQ-listed with public financial reporting, and states that user data is handled according to European regulations. There are no documented incidents of data being shared with Chinese entities. However, the majority ownership by Kunlun Tech creates a structural concern that privacy-focused users should weigh against the browser's convenience features.

Is Opera's VPN a real VPN?

No. Opera's "VPN" is technically a browser proxy that encrypts and routes only Opera browser traffic. System-wide traffic from other applications, email clients, and background processes is not protected. For full device protection, a dedicated VPN service is necessary.

Can Opera use Chrome extensions?

Yes. Opera is Chromium-based and supports most Chrome Web Store extensions. You can browse and install extensions from the Chrome Web Store directly in Opera, though occasionally an extension may not be fully compatible.

How does Opera compare to Vivaldi?

Both have Norwegian origins and are Chromium-based, but their philosophies differ. Opera focuses on mainstream convenience features (VPN, AI, sidebar messaging) with a polished default experience. Vivaldi focuses on extreme customisation, privacy, and user control. Vivaldi is privately held with no tracking; Opera is publicly traded with Chinese majority ownership. For privacy, Vivaldi is the clearer choice. For built-in features and convenience, Opera leads.

What is Opera GX?

Opera GX is Opera's gaming-focused browser variant. It includes CPU and RAM limiters that prevent the browser from consuming too many system resources during gaming sessions, along with gaming news feeds, Twitch integration, and customisable visual themes with sound effects. The core browsing features (VPN, ad blocker, Aria) are the same as standard Opera.