The Next Generation Browser
The Opera browser is arguably one of the popular web browsers available today. This Chromium-based software is developed to deliver a product that does far more than your average web navigation. In addition to providing you access to various websites, this app comes with features that let you send instant messages, read the news, and sync all your data to various devices. When you are looking for a fast, secure, and customizable browser, this is your best bet.
Chat While You Browse
While Opera cannot be considered a staple among browser apps such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, the app does not lag behind when it comes to features. For one, the app has put an end to the endless switching from the browser to your messaging app when you are browsing while chatting with friends. Yes, you read it right. Opera has Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and WhatsApp nested in its sidebar so you can enjoy ongoing conversations while browsing the internet.
Opera also lets you keep your messages at hand by pinning them with the pin icon. When new messages arrive, the notification will appear directly in the browser so you can answer them at once. You can also mute or log out from the messaging apps using the three-dotted menu button at the top of your screen.
Protected Browsing
To date, Opera is the first and still the only mainstream browser that integrates a free and unlimited VPN. This allows you to focus on the content without fear of losing privacy. Its built-in VPN does not require a subscription, payment, and additional extensions. To activate the VPN, you only need to go to the security option under the Menu and choose the VPN. Simply click on the trigger to turn on the VPN service. Opera also lets you select a virtual location and even see stats on the data used. The VPN service works with both normal and private browsing windows.
By turning the VPN, Opera will change your IP address with a virtual one making it hard for websites to track your location and the identity of your computer. This will also block many tracking cookies. Furthermore, the VPN service gives you added protection, especially if you are using a free Wi-Fi connection. This shields you from unwanted sniffers that share the same network.
Unorthodox Layout
According to some, when you compare the layout of the classic browsers to the Opera browser, the former is more perplexing, especially for traditional users. However, you can familiarize with it in a matter of minutes.
The start page is quite different from the other browsers. Instead of the classic search engine or your favorite web page, Opera displays a Windows Metro-style menu wherein users can save links of their favorite websites. There is also a sidebar where built-in programs such as the messaging apps are pinned.
Finally, for people who want to personalize their browsers, Opera offers various themes that you can download and use. However, to support all these features, the app requires hardware with medium to high performance. It can still run on older devices, but you may experience lagging and slower browsing speed.
Experience Opera
In a nutshell, Opera is a browser that you can use when you want to take a break from the classic browsing programs. The app offers faster and high-performance browsing and exceeds the limitations of standard browsers with its unorthodox features. And as if these were not enough, it integrates some of the popular application for added convenience. If you are looking for a browser with a lot of promising functions, this app is worth trying. In case you are looking for an alternative, you may want to try Avast Secure Browser.
User reviews about Opera Browser
by Chan Roberts
It's not a bad browser. I use it on my phone and am now trying it on my MacBook.
by Yunn Sky
new to opera..new to opra..new to opera..new to opera...testing testing 123
by Anonymous
Good alternative to Safari.
I have already tried two alternatives to almost prefect Safari browser. I've heard several times about Opera so finally I have decided to give it a shot. I must say that developers did a good job here. First thing I would admit is stability. It was incredibly stable. Loading pictures, pages, downloading worked as smooth as possible. I've never seen half-loaded pictures or blank pages(it used to be quite frequent situation on Firefox/Chrome). It consumes less resources than Chrome memory-eater. It looks good. Chrome and Firefox are less visually polished. I would give the developer five out of five stars for Opera Turbo feature. Users with poor internet quality may turn it on in order to load web pages even faster. However it makes the content of the webpage a bit blurry. It is worth to give it a whirl at least for comparing it with other browsers. Pros:
stability
opera turbo feature
Cons:
not visually polished More
by Anonymous
No good for Mac 10.6.
You should know that the current version of Opera requires at least Mac OSX 10.7 to run. Why aren't system reqs given here? More