Opera is a feature-rich web browser that bundles privacy tools, productivity shortcuts, and an integrated “browser AI” experience into one package, with a strong emphasis on built-in capabilities rather than add-ons. In my experience, from a technical perspective, Opera stands out most when you want an all-in-one browser workspace, but it can feel dense if you prefer a minimal UI and a lean default footprint.
Opera’s product direction is consistent: it tries to ship the features most people end up installing anyway, and it places them in accessible surfaces like the address bar, sidebar, and Easy Setup. I like that this focus is not limited to “nice to have” extras, because Opera explicitly treats privacy protections and workflow helpers as core browser functionality.
From a practical standpoint, Opera’s built-in Ad Blocker is a strong baseline capability because it is managed directly in Settings and exposes site-level controls plus filter list management. I also like that Opera’s documentation connects ad blocking to privacy outcomes, noting that blocking ads can also block many tracking cookies, and that Ad Blocker can stop cryptocurrency mining scripts by enabling the NoCoin list.
For teams or power users, the ability to quickly toggle protections, troubleshoot breakage by exception, and keep a consistent configuration across browsing sessions is an advantage over relying exclusively on a patchwork of extensions.
The integrated VPN is one of the most recognizable Opera features, and what I like here is the clarity of the workflow: it is enabled via Settings, appears as a badge in the address bar, and can be toggled on and off with visibility into virtual location and transferred data: your apparent location becomes that of the VPN server, and the connection between the browser and the VPN server is encrypted.
I really love that Opera’s VPN is free and has unlimited data transfer, because it sets expectations for ongoing usage without a subscription surprise.
On the productivity side, "My Flow" is a standout because it is positioned as a built-in, device-to-device sharing space that supports links, notes, and files between Opera on desktop and mobile.
The setup model is straightforward and does not require an account, login, or password, using a QR-based pairing approach to connect devices.
Opera’s “workspace in the sidebar” approach is also technically useful, because many browsing workflows are really context switching problems: messaging, media, and research tabs compete for attention. Opera supports integrated messengers in the sidebar, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger, which reduces the need to keep separate pinned tabs for chat services. One plus is the Integrated Music Player that supports services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music directly from the sidebar, since it is a small but meaningful UX improvement when multitasking.
The most impressive aspect of the browser is how the AI, Aria, functions as an active layer over the web rather than a passive assistant. I frequently use the “Command Line” interface (triggered by a shortcut like Ctrl+/), which overlays the current tab and lets me ask questions or request summaries without leaving the page I am reading. This eliminates the context switching required by standalone chatbots. The “Page Context” mode is particularly useful; when active, Aria is aware of the specific content I am viewing, allowing me to ask, “Summarize this article” or “Explain the technical terms here” without copying and pasting text.
I also appreciate the specific creative tools built into the AI. Aria includes a free image generation feature powered by Google’s Imagen2 model, which I can use directly in the chat interface to create visuals from text prompts. Even more useful is the “Image Understanding” capability, where I can upload an image or sketch, and Aria analyzes it to provide context, identify objects, or even use it as a reference to generate new variations. The “AI Refiner” tool is another workflow enhancer: highlighting any text on a webpage instantly brings up a tooltip with options to translate, explain, or shorten that specific snippet in place. Finally, the fact that these features are often accessible without a mandatory login removes the friction usually associated with AI tools, making them feel like a native part of the browser. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The “operational transparency” regarding privacy features could be improved within the UI itself. While the VPN changes the apparent location, the interface does not always clearly signal that cookies and local storage can still identify the user to websites, potentially leading to a false sense of total anonymity during use.
The VPN behavior around search functionality also presents edge cases that can be confusing. By default, the browser may bypass the VPN for search engines to preserve local result relevance, a behavior that, while practical, can surprise users expecting a single, immutable tunnel for all traffic unless they meticulously check the settings.
I also find that the AI’s “memory” within a session can be short-lived. Aria sometimes struggles to maintain context over long conversations, forgetting earlier instructions or definitions I provided a few turns ago, which makes it less suitable for deep, iterative problem-solving compared to more robust models. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
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