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Verified
ActiveChromium engine 29/30 documented

Opera

A Chromium browser with an integrated sidebar, web services, and consumer convenience features.

Published by Opera Software (Norway) Verified

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Runs on

  • macOSmacOS: Available
  • WindowsWindows: Available
  • LinuxLinux: Available
  • AndroidAndroid: Available
  • iOSiOS: Available

Choose it when

Choose Opera for a Chromium base with a prominent sidebar, integrated services, and convenience tools such as its browser VPN feature.

Avoid it when

Avoid it if you want a minimal browser, a strong default blocker, or a browser whose product surface is closer to upstream Chromium.

Quick answers

Read straight off the verified record - every one of these is expanded with its source below.

Which platforms does Opera run on?
Which platforms does Opera run on?
Documented on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Can I install Chrome extensions?
Can I install Chrome extensions?
Yes - the Chrome Web Store is supported.
Does it block trackers out of the box?
Does it block trackers out of the box?
Yes - tracker or ad blocking is on by default. Opera includes an optional built-in ad blocker.
Does it have built-in AI features?
Does it have built-in AI features?
Yes - 6 of 9 documented AI capabilities are built in.
Is it open source?
Chromium open-source base with Opera proprietary UI and services
Is it still being developed?
Is it still being developed?
Active - Actively developed consumer browser.

What Opera does

Open any row for the wording and the source behind it

Privacy and tracking

3 built in · 1 undocumented

  • Blocks trackers by defaultBlocks trackers by default: Built in

    Opera includes an optional built-in ad blocker.

  • Anti-fingerprintingAnti-fingerprinting: Unknown

    No broad hardened fingerprinting posture is claimed here.

  • Telemetry postureTelemetry posture: Built in

    Opera describes analytics and personalization controls in its privacy policy.

  • Built-in VPN or proxyBuilt-in VPN or proxy: Built in

    Opera documents a browser VPN feature with scope and regional limitations.

  • Private windowsPrivate windows remove local browsing records but do not anonymize traffic.

    Private windows remove local browsing records but do not anonymize traffic.

  • Default search engineGoogle

Extensions and blocking

3 built in · 1 partial · 1 not available

  • Chrome Web StoreChrome Web Store: Supported
  • Firefox Add-onsFirefox Add-ons: Unsupported
  • Native content blockingNative content blocking: Built in

    The ad blocker is a native optional feature.

  • Manifest V3Manifest V3: Built in

    Manifest V3 is supported.

  • Manifest V2Manifest V2: Available by extension

    Chromium compatibility depends on the release channel.

  • Known limitationsChrome extension compatibility is subject to Chromium and Opera-specific behavior.

    Chrome extension compatibility is subject to Chromium and Opera-specific behavior.

Workflow

10 built in · 1 not available

  • Vertical tabsVertical tabs: Built in

    A native vertical tab strip shipped in Opera One in mid-2026.

  • Tab treesTab trees: Unavailable
  • Workspaces or spacesWorkspaces or spaces: Built in

    Workspaces are a first-party Opera feature for organising tabs by task.

  • ProfilesProfiles: Built in

    Profiles or equivalent browser identities are available.

  • Split viewSplit view: Built in

    Native Split Screen supports two to four pages side by side.

  • SidebarSidebar: Built in

    Opera's sidebar integrates messaging and browser tools.

  • Reader modeReader mode: Built in

    Reader mode is documented.

  • Command paletteCommand palette: Built in

    A native command line covers browser commands and tab actions.

  • Sync across devicesSync across devices: Built in

    Opera account sync supports selected browser data.

  • TranslationTranslation: Built in

    Translation is available through browser features or services.

  • Progressive web appsProgressive web apps: Built in

    Progressive web apps are supported by the Chromium install flow.

AI features

6 built in · 3 undocumented

  • Built-in assistantBuilt-in assistant: Built in

    Opera AI provides a built-in assistant surface.

  • Page summarisationPage summarisation: Built in

    Opera AI documents page or multi-tab summarisation.

  • Acts on pages for youActs on pages for you: Unknown

    Agentic actions are not documented.

  • AI answer engineAI answer engine: Built in

    Opera AI documents AI-assisted answers in search or the address bar.

  • Works across open tabsWorks across open tabs: Built in

    Opera AI documents awareness of multiple tabs or history.

  • Text or image generationText or image generation: Built in

    Opera AI documents text or image generation.

  • Choice of modelChoice of model: Built in

    Opera AI documents a choice of models or local model support.

  • Retention or training controlsRetention or training controls: Unknown

    AI privacy controls are not documented.

  • Voice or image inputVoice or image input: Unknown

    Voice or image interaction is not documented.

On a phone

10 undocumented

Undocumented is not the same as absent - it means the publisher does not state it.

  • Extensions on mobileExtensions on mobile: Unknown

    Extension support on mobile is not documented.

  • Can be the phone defaultCan be the phone default: Unknown

    Default-browser capability is not documented.

  • Biometric lockBiometric lock: Unknown

    Biometric locking is not documented.

  • Offline readingOffline reading: Unknown

    Offline reading is not documented.

  • Desktop-site modeDesktop-site mode: Unknown

    Desktop-site mode is not documented.

  • Download managerDownload manager: Unknown

    A built-in download manager is not documented.

  • Background playbackBackground playback: Unknown

    Background or picture-in-picture playback is not documented.

  • Web pushWeb push: Unknown

    Web push support is not documented.

  • Data saverData saver: Unknown
  • Address-bar placementAddress-bar placement: Unknown

    Address-bar placement is not documented.

Under the hood

Rendering engine
Chromium
JavaScript engine
V8
Upstream project
Chromium
Release channel
stable
Code and licence
Chromium open-source base with Opera proprietary UI and services
Install method
Official installer, package repository, or app store.
Hardware support
Desktop support follows current Opera package requirements.
Source repository

Active. Actively developed consumer browser.

Editorial view

Opera is a Chromium browser organised around bundled convenience: the things other browsers leave to extensions come in the box, on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.

What is in the box

  • A sidebar with messengers built in
  • Workspaces for grouping tabs by task, and native Split Screen for two to four pages
  • A command line for keyboard control, plus a native vertical tab strip since mid-2026
  • A built-in ad blocker you can toggle, and a browser VPN
  • The Aria assistant, with page summaries, AI answers, generation, and model choice

The base is Chromium and V8 with Opera's proprietary interface and services on top, so Chrome Web Store extensions install and sites behave. Manifest V3 is current and Manifest V2 compatibility follows Chromium's decline. Google is the default search engine. Reader mode, sync, translation, and web-app installs are all native, and everything syncs through a free Opera account across desktop and mobile.

Two plain statements

First, the browser VPN is a proxy for browser traffic with regional and scope limits. It is not a device VPN and it is not anonymity, and Opera's own documentation says as much. Second, Opera Software is majority-owned by a Chinese consortium, which some readers weigh in the same way this directory weighs Yandex's jurisdiction. No specific harm is documented here; ownership is simply a fact some people factor in and others do not.

Privacy otherwise

Mid-pack. The ad blocker is optional but real, telemetry is built in with policy-documented controls, fingerprinting protection is not claimed, and private windows only clear local traces.

The verdict

Choose Opera when the integrated package saves you from assembling the same from extensions. Avoid it if you want a minimal browser, a strong default blocking posture, or the fewest bundled services, and note that Vivaldi covers the power-user angle harder while Brave covers the privacy angle harder. Opera's case is being decent at both without effort, and for a lot of people that is exactly enough. The company also ships GX for gamers, Air for the mindfulness angle, and the paid agentic Neon, so if the base browser almost fits, one of the siblings may fit exactly.

Where these facts come from

Every capability above is read from a primary source and dated. 1 of 30 fields stay recorded as unknown rather than assumed.

If this is not it

Alternatives to Opera

Head to head

Reviewed comparisons featuring Opera