Opera is a user-friendly, fast, lightweight browser with powerful features. Its goal is to protect users from unwanted tracking, malware, and phishing attempts through the built-in tools that come with this browser. Opera also integrates social media platforms into one of its toolbars, making it a hub for all things connected to the internet and networking.
It's one of the alternative browsers that runs on the open-source Chromium engine, the same engine used by Google Chrome, and has access to Chrome’s extensive library of extensions. Still, it offers functionalities that even browsing solutions from Google or Apple don't provide, like a free VPN, a built-in ad blocker, a customizable news feed, and the Snapshot tool for capturing web pages
You can download Opera for free on all major operating systems and easily sync your content across devices without needing to create an account. It works on Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.11 or higher, and 64-bit Linux systems (Ubuntu 16.04 or newer). Opera is also available on Chromebooks, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices, giving you a seamless browsing experience wherever you go. Thanks to Opera Touch, you can synchronize your browser content without creating an account.
Why Should I Download Opera?
For anyone who wishes to keep their data safe and protected, Opera is worth checking out and testing for performance. It has an ad blocker built in by default, which allows Opera to open websites much faster than if it were an add-on tool. Because it's natively integrated, advertisements are detected and blocked much quicker without affecting the speed of loading pages.
Another feature that focuses on privacy is the free VPN service that can be enabled from the settings and used on any website or in private browsing mode. For those who need more, you can also purchase a premium version of this VPN for greater customization and protection of your online traffic. The same goes for protecting users from malware or phishing. Opera offers these features natively, and they run in the background and are enabled by default.
While being faster and more private, you can also launch and use your social media platforms and instant messaging tools directly in the browser. You can use online communicators such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Telegram. TikTok, X.com (previously Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram can also be launched from the Opera interface, which allows you to scroll through feeds or post content directly. You can also integrate Twitch and Discord on the versions dedicated to gamers.
On top of that, when you download Opera, you can enjoy efficient and intuitive tab management, not only by creating bookmarks but also by setting up tab groups or pinboards to organize websites according to specific projects. Opera also has an extensive library of different themes and a vast collection of browser extensions that are regularly updated with new options.
If all of that is not enough, this browser also has a native AI assistant, Aria, which has access to the internet and can help you manage your tabs, answer multiple questions, generate images, and assist in writing articles or documents based on your prompts. All of this comes for free when you download Opera.
Thanks to Opera Touch, you can synchronize your browser content, such as open tabs, groups, bookmarks, passwords, and more, without creating an account. Just scan a QR code, and your devices are synced so you can pick up exactly where you left off when switching from a PC to a smartphone, for example.
Is Opera Free?
Yes, even with all the fantastic features it offers, you can download Opera for free on any operating system. It doesn't have any ads, and only those users who really want to enhance privacy can purchase premium access to Opera VPN for just a couple of bucks a month.
What Operating Systems Are Compatible With Opera?
Being free and cross-platform means you can download Opera on virtually all operating systems. It supports Windows starting from Windows 7, macOS (10.11 or higher), and 64-bit Linux systems like Ubuntu. When it comes to mobile devices and tablets, there are apps for both iOS and Android devices (follow our links to download Opera).
What Are The Alternatives To Opera?
When looking for browsers that have a similar approach to security, you need to consider Mozilla Firefox, which is one of the biggest browsers on the market. It's free, open-source, and has a vast community of users who help develop it. It can alert you about data leaks, detect spyware or phishing attempts, and also offers a Strict mode for even more privacy. With all of that, this browser also provides all the modern features and web technologies you would expect to get in a browser nowadays. It's also fast and lightweight, so it doesn't consume too much of your computer resources while loading websites.
Another browser focused on security is Brave Browser. Similar to the previous ones, it automatically blocks all ads and tracking scripts, has a malware detection system integrated by default, and can route your web traffic through Tor for total anonymity. Brave is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as Android and iOS devices.
If you'd instead use something that comes from a renowned company, Google Chrome is the most popular browsing solution on the market. With this browser, you're sure to get all the modern technologies such as tab grouping, instant syncing between devices, password and profile management, or Picture-in-Picture support for videos from various sources (YouTube, Netflix, but also Google Meet), just to name a few of its features. It is also an excellent solution for businesses that utilize the Google Workspace solution for managing email, cloud storage, online meeting software, and all the other products Google offers. Like the browsing options mentioned above, you can get Google Chrome on Windows, macOS, and Linux desktops, and it's also available on smartphones and tablets running Android and iOS.
