web browser · Opera

Opera

Free Chromium-based browser with a built-in ad blocker, a free browser VPN and Tab Islands.

61/100

#7 of 12 web browsers
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

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 cap⁴.
The ad blocker is built in and switched on from the shield icon beside the address bar³.
Synced data can be encrypted with your own sync passphrase⁵.
Opera's terms bar deriving the browser's source code; source is offered only for third-party open-source parts¹¹.

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 passphrase⁵. 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.

Where the points come from

Systems8 of 8

Privacy and security13 of 37

Sync and sign-in17 of 22

Extensions6 of 12

Tabs and tools12 of 16

Price5 of 5

Systems 8 of 8 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Other systems	macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidDownload page lists Opera for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android².	8 / 8

Privacy and security 13 of 37 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Blocks trackers by default	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's ad blocker or help pages: they do not say the tracker blocker is on by default^3,6.	0 / 8
Built-in ad blocker	YesBuilt-in ad blocker needs no extension; you turn it on from the shield icon by the address bar³.	5 / 5
Fingerprinting protection	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's help pages⁶.	0 / 7
Built-in VPN or proxy	YesFree VPN is built into the browser, switched on from the address bar, and protects activity inside Opera⁴.	3 / 3
Open source	NoTerms forbid deriving the software's source code; source is offered only for third-party open-source components¹¹.	0 / 5
Public bug bounty	Not publishedA public Bugcrowd programme exists, but the vendor's pages do not list the browser in scope^12,13.	0 / 4
Phishing and malware warnings	YesFraud and malware protection warns about suspicious pages and is enabled by default⁶.	5 / 5

Sync and sign-in 17 of 22 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Free sync across devices	YesSyncs bookmarks, history, passwords, settings and open tabs once signed in; no fee shown^5,15.	6 / 6
End-to-end encrypted sync	YesSettings let you encrypt all synchronized data with your own sync passphrase⁵.	8 / 8
Built-in password manager	YesHelp describes saving and filling passwords in the built-in Password Manager⁷.	3 / 3
Saves passkeys	Not publishedHelp mentions deleting saved passkeys only; creating and signing in with them is not described^7,10.	0 / 5

Extensions 6 of 12 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Chrome Web Store extensions	YesOpera FAQ: find the extension in the Chrome Web Store, click Add to Opera and follow the prompts¹⁷.	6 / 6
Manifest V2 extensions still work	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's extensions help page¹⁴.	0 / 6

Tabs and tools 12 of 16 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Vertical tabs	YesEasy Setup has a 'Use vertical tab strip' option^9,10.	4 / 4
Tab groups	YesTab Islands group tabs; hover the colour handle to rename and click it to collapse⁸.	4 / 4
Built-in page translation	YesThe features page lists Translate in Opera for pages and text; help covers language settings^5,10.	4 / 4
Separate profiles	Not publishedNot found on the vendor's help pages^5,7.	0 / 4

Price 5 of 5 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Cost to use	$0Opera's terms say the software is free to download and services are generally free¹¹.	5 / 5

The rule behind each line: how we score web browsers.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

Plan	Price as listed	Per month	Notes
Opera browser1 person	Free^4,11	$0	Free to download; ad-supported; the paid VPN Pro is optional

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 needed³.
Free VPN protects browser traffic and has no bandwidth limit⁴.
Sync can be locked with your own passphrase⁵.
Tab Islands let you group tabs, name them and collapse them⁸.
Chrome Web Store extensions can be added with the Add to Opera button¹⁷.

Limits

The terms bar reverse engineering and deriving the software's source code¹¹.
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 work¹⁴.
Opera reported a breach of its sync system in August 2016¹⁶.

Concerns on record

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 exposed¹⁶.

What Opera says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

Opera says its free VPN uses an AES-256 encrypted tunnel between the browser and Opera's servers⁴.

Other web browsers

1
BravePeople who want privacy protections on from the first launch
84/100
$0cost to use
2
Mozilla FirefoxPeople who want open-source code, tracker blocking and sync that Mozilla cannot read
80/100
$0cost to use
3
Microsoft EdgeWindows users who want tracker blocking by default and Chrome extensions
73/100
Not publishedcost to use
4
Google ChromePeople who want the Chrome Web Store and sync across Windows, Mac, Linux and phones
66/100
$0cost to use

All 12 web browsers

Sources

Opera browser home page, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Download Opera, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Ad Blocker, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Free VPN, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera features help, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera security and privacy help, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera web preferences help, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Tab Islands, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Vertical tabs, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera features, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera terms of service, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera Security, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera bug bounty, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera extensions help, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera sync, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera warns sync users to change passwords for every website after hack, PCWorld. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Opera FAQ, Opera. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: www.opera.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Opera.