--- title: Opera canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/opera/ category: Web Browsers points: 61 rank: 7 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Opera Free Chromium-based browser with a built-in ad blocker, a free browser VPN and Tab Islands. 61 points out of 100. #7 of 12 web browsers. Vendor: Opera. Website: https://www.opera.com/ - Opera is free to download, with versions for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS [1][2][11]. - A free VPN is built into the browser and covers all activity inside Opera, with no data cap [4]. - The ad blocker is built in and switched on from the shield icon beside the address bar [3]. - Synced data can be encrypted with your own sync passphrase [5]. - Opera's terms bar deriving the browser's source code; source is offered only for third-party open-source parts [11]. Verdict: Opera suits people who want an ad blocker, a free browser VPN and vertical tabs or tab groups built in [3][4][8][9]. Sync can use your own passphrase [5]. The catch: the terms bar deriving its source code, and its help pages do not say whether Manifest V2 extensions still work [11][14]. Best for: People who want a built-in ad blocker and VPN without installing extensions. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Other systems | macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | 8/8 | Download page lists Opera for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android [2]. | | Privacy and security | Blocks trackers by default | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's ad blocker or help pages: they do not say the tracker blocker is on by default [3][6]. | | Privacy and security | Built-in ad blocker | Yes | 5/5 | Built-in ad blocker needs no extension; you turn it on from the shield icon by the address bar [3]. | | Privacy and security | Fingerprinting protection | Not published | 0/7 | Not published on the vendor's help pages [6]. | | Privacy and security | Built-in VPN or proxy | Yes | 3/3 | Free VPN is built into the browser, switched on from the address bar, and protects activity inside Opera [4]. | | Privacy and security | Open source | No | 0/5 | Terms forbid deriving the software's source code; source is offered only for third-party open-source components [11]. | | Privacy and security | Public bug bounty | Not published | 0/4 | A public Bugcrowd programme exists, but the vendor's pages do not list the browser in scope [12][13]. | | Privacy and security | Phishing and malware warnings | Yes | 5/5 | Fraud and malware protection warns about suspicious pages and is enabled by default [6]. | | Sync and sign-in | Free sync across devices | Yes | 6/6 | Syncs bookmarks, history, passwords, settings and open tabs once signed in; no fee shown [5][15]. | | Sync and sign-in | End-to-end encrypted sync | Yes | 8/8 | Settings let you encrypt all synchronized data with your own sync passphrase [5]. | | Sync and sign-in | Built-in password manager | Yes | 3/3 | Help describes saving and filling passwords in the built-in Password Manager [7]. | | Sync and sign-in | Saves passkeys | Not published | 0/5 | Help mentions deleting saved passkeys only; creating and signing in with them is not described [7][10]. | | Extensions | Chrome Web Store extensions | Yes | 6/6 | Opera FAQ: find the extension in the Chrome Web Store, click Add to Opera and follow the prompts [17]. | | Extensions | Manifest V2 extensions still work | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's extensions help page [14]. | | Tabs and tools | Vertical tabs | Yes | 4/4 | Easy Setup has a 'Use vertical tab strip' option [9][10]. | | Tabs and tools | Tab groups | Yes | 4/4 | Tab Islands group tabs; hover the colour handle to rename and click it to collapse [8]. | | Tabs and tools | Built-in page translation | Yes | 4/4 | The features page lists Translate in Opera for pages and text; help covers language settings [5][10]. | | Tabs and tools | Separate profiles | Not published | 0/4 | Not found on the vendor's help pages [5][7]. | | Price | Cost to use | $0 | 5/5 | Opera's terms say the software is free to download and services are generally free [11]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Opera browser | Free [4][11] | $0 | Opera's terms say the software is free to download and services are generally free, with partner advertising. VPN Pro is a separate paid add-on and is not counted [4][11]. ## Strengths - Ad blocker with a tracker blocker is built in, with no extension needed [3]. - Free VPN protects browser traffic and has no bandwidth limit [4]. - Sync can be locked with your own passphrase [5]. - Tab Islands let you group tabs, name them and collapse them [8]. - Chrome Web Store extensions can be added with the Add to Opera button [17]. ## Limits - The terms bar reverse engineering and deriving the software's source code [11]. - The tracker blocker is switched on from the shield menu, and its default is not stated [3][6]. - The help pages do not say whether Manifest V2 extensions still work [14]. - Opera reported a breach of its sync system in August 2016 [16]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - Opera says its free VPN uses an AES-256 encrypted tunnel between the browser and Opera's servers [4]. ## Concerns - In August 2016 Opera said it detected unauthorised access to its sync system and reset all sync account passwords. It said some passwords and login names may have been exposed [16]. ## Sources 1. [Opera browser home page](https://www.opera.com/), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Download Opera](https://www.opera.com/download), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Ad Blocker](https://www.opera.com/features/ad-blocker), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Free VPN](https://www.opera.com/features/free-vpn), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Opera features help](https://help.opera.com/en/latest/features/), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Opera security and privacy help](https://help.opera.com/en/latest/security-and-privacy/), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Opera web preferences help](https://help.opera.com/en/latest/web-preferences/), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Tab Islands](https://www.opera.com/features/tab-islands), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Vertical tabs](https://www.opera.com/features/vertical-tabs), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Opera features](https://www.opera.com/features), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Opera terms of service](https://www.opera.com/eula/computers), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 12. [Opera Security](https://security.opera.com/), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 13. [Opera bug bounty](https://security.opera.com/bug-bounty/), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 14. [Opera extensions help](https://help.opera.com/en/extensions/), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 15. [Opera sync](https://www.opera.com/features/sync), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08 16. [Opera warns sync users to change passwords for every website after hack](https://www.pcworld.com/article/416202/opera-warns-sync-users-to-change-passwords-for-every-website-after-hack.html), PCWorld, accessed 2026-10-08 17. [Opera FAQ](https://help.opera.com/en/faq/), Opera, accessed 2026-10-08