The Opera browser has developed a loyal fan base in the shadow of Chrome, Firefox and Edge. Our test shows whether Opera has what it takes to displace the browser greats. Developed in Norway, the Opera browser is a valid web veteran: it has been fighting for the favor of the internet community since 1995. Opera mainly wants to score with extra functions, such as the integration of social networks, a free VPN service, or a Pinterest alternative, compared to other browsers.
Our test shows how well Opera performs compared to Chrome, Firefox and Co. Note: All features and functions discussed in the article refer to Opera version 81.0, which can be downloaded for free Windows, macOS, and Linux. In addition, mobile versions of Opera are available for Chromebooks, Android, and iOS.
High Compatibility, Low Memory Requirements
Opera used its rendering engine to display web pages in earlier versions. However, since version 15, which was released in 2013, Opera has been switched to the Chromium engine, which is also used by the competitor’s Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Compatibility with modern websites is correspondingly high, as these are almost always optimized for the underlying Blink rendering engine. In addition, Chrome plugins can also be used with Opera. In web standard tests, Opera achieves correspondingly high ratings.
526 out of 555 points in the HTML5 test and 67 per cent in the CSS3 test corresponds to the compatibility level of the Chromium competitors; With 517 points or 69 per cent, Firefox comes off only slightly differently. Fundamental problems with the display of modern websites are not to be expected across browsers. Opera was pleasingly modest in memory requirements compared to its Chromium competitors. With 20 browser tabs open simultaneously, Opera occupied around 1.26 GB of RAM on our test system with Windows 11.
For comparison: Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome use around 1.6 GB of RAM in the exact URL list, while Mozilla Firefox is between the two competitors with around 1.5 GB. The tests were carried out with a new browser profile without installed extensions and after a PC restart for better comparability. Aside from such measurements, we didn’t notice any particular speed advantages or corresponding losses when surfing with Opera.
Social Media, Music & Cryptocurrency: Sidebar Highlights
The highly configurable sidebar is a feature designed to set Opera apart from the competition. This houses a series of icons that give users quick access to social media services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter or Instagram, music services such as YouTube and Spotify or Opera’s internal functions such as an integrated wallet for cryptocurrency. At the testing time, the latter supported the currencies Etherium, Bitcoin, TRON and Celo. The related services are displayed above the actual page content but can also be permanently anchored.
This is an added value for regular users of the services. Unfortunately, it is not possible to integrate your services into the Opera sidebar. However, the current offers can still be removed if not used. Apart from the sidebar, Opera also offers several additional functions. Websites can be partially or wholly photographed, and with “M” Flow” “files and links can be exchanged between desktop and smartphone – more on that later.
The pinboard function is also practical. Comparable to the Pinterest online service, Pinboard allows websites, images, notes and more to be pinned to virtual pinboards, such as creating curated lists of links for the upcoming vacation. The pinboards can also be uploaded to Opera and shared with other users.
Good Expandability Thanks To Many Addons
When Opera’s built-in features aren’t enough, browser extensions can help. The Chromium base allows installing Google Chrome extensions in Opera. This allows the browser to be expanded with new functions just as quickly as the alternatives from Google and Microsoft.
Ad Blockers, VPN & Privacy
Like practically all browsers, Opera also promises the highest data protection and security level. An integrated ad blocker should contribute to this, which in addition to advertisements, also wants to block trackers and crypto miners. After manual activation, the ad blocker works reasonably reliably, but we still see ad banners on some pages. Opera users can sometimes be recognized via browser fingerprinting despite activated security functions.
However, this also applies to the competition – so far, none of the common browsers has reliably prevented fingerprinting. A VPN service integrated directly into Opera makes it possible to hide the IP address without registration and additional costs. Users choose to switch to a Asian or US identity with a click; it is not possible to select a specific country at the time of the test. Compared to a fully-fledged VPN provider, the browser-internal option generally offers less functionality.
It is not an encrypted VPN tunnel for the entire system but merely a proxy connection for the browser itself. It is not clear from Opera’s data protection information which user data is recorded when using the VPN. However, when we asked, Opera assured us that it is a no-log VPN that does not keep any connection logs. In practice, the VPN service can help bypass IP blocks, but it does not replace a full-fledged VPN solution.
Preset advertising links on the browser start page and the transmission of user data to the developers, which is switched on by default, also contribute to the fact that Opera leaves a mixed impression regarding data protection. Opera also offers the installation of the Amazon Assistant via the sidebar, which displays purchase offers from the online marketplace while surfing. All these functions can be deactivated, but a bland aftertaste remains.
Mobile Apps For Android And iOS
Like all current browsers, Opera also offers a mobile version for Android and iOS. Both variants have a large part of the Opera options on smartphones and tablets, such as the ad blocker and the synchronization of bookmarks with the desktop. However, Opera’s VPN access is currently exclusive to Android and is missing on the iPhone and iPad. In any case, like all third-party browsers on the system, the iOS version of Opera is affected by the fact that Apple does not allow third-party browser engines.
It, therefore, uses Safari rendering instead of the Chromium version. The so-called “M” Flow function of the browser is helpful for the interaction between the desktop and mobile versions of Opera, regardless of the system. It enables the encrypted exchange of links and files between desktop and smartphone, for example, to quickly transfer a photo to the PC. All you have to do is click on the arrow next to the browser’s URL bar.
Notes can also be stored in the flow area. The use of “M” Flow” “does not require an extra account; instead, the connection is made easily by scanning a QR code. Anyone who frequently switches between mobile and desktop browsers can make their work more accessible here.
Opera GX: Opera With A Gaming Focus
In addition to the bare Opera, the Norwegians offer Opera GX, which is the world’s first browser for gamers. Behind the pithy promise hides a version of the standard browser optically and functionally tailored to gamers. For example, Opera GX integrates the streaming platform Twitch and the communication tool Discord, which is essential for gamers, into the sidebar used in the background. Another difference is the so-called GX Control Panel.
Here, Opera GX lists the CPU and RAM usage of all browser tabs and offers the possibility to limit the browser’s resource consumption to keep CPU, memory, and network usage low. This works well in our tests. With the browser performance throttled accordingly, the PC resources remain free for games. Depending on many factors, the extent to which a browser runs parallel to the game slows down gaming performance naturally. The approach is attractive, especially since Opera GX brings all the functions of the basic version.
Conclusion
Whether the Opera browser is worth it depends on your preferences. Functions such as the Pinboard, the interlocking of desktop and mobile or the social media integration are convincingly implemented and represent real added value. The VPN service does not perform as well as paid VPN providers, but it is included free of charge – Opera has that advantage over other browsers. Unfortunately, some presets aren’t particularly privacy-friendly.
Anyone who places particular value on data protection or minimalism is therefore potentially better off with competitors such as Firefox or the Google-free Chromium basic version – especially since some Opera functions can be reproduced there via extensions. There is nothing to complain about when it comes to the browser’s user guide, which works uniformly and clearly despite many functions. Since the developers are also constantly adding new parts, Opera is worth looking at least as an addition to your browser fleet.