OperaVPN Review & Test 2020 - Only If You Have To
Alex (Shurf) Frenkel | Updated on 1st February 2020
Ex-Hacker and Technical Researcher
OperaVPN once had different versions; a web-browser VPN and a mobile app.
The Opera mobile app, which was available for Android and iOS, is no longer active (read more about it below), but there are a few good free alternatives, such as TunnelBear and Windscribe.
Opera's free web-browser with a built-in VPN, however, is still up and running. Unfortunately, that isn't much of a consolation.
Opera's web-browser: don't bother
Opera was never a popular free web-browser, even when the mobile app was up and running, while you coul hardly call it a full-service VPN, for a free VPN, it’s reliable enough. For an advanced, private, and stable VPN, I'd suggest checking out ExpressVPN or NordVPN,
The speeds aren’t as fast as we would like, but you can still stream and change your IP address without any hiccups. And it will unblock Netflix for you, which is a huge plus. Your streaming session isn't as high-quality or fast as with one of these top five vendors, though, and you only have access to libraries in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Opera does have a cool feature that determines the security level of a WiFi network, which is great for those of us who tend to use public WiFi. We also like that the browser blocks ads and removes ad-tracking features. Overall, Opera gives a substantial amount of privacy and encryption for someone who’s looking for a minimal use for a VPN.
However, because Opera's VPN only works on a browser, your other activity will not be secure. For example, if you torrent via external software your ISP would be able to see your torrent activity.
What's the deal with OperaVPN's mobile app?
OperaVPN's mobile app went through some major changes in the past couple of years. In 2015, OperaVPN acquired SurfEasy to add its services to the mobile and browser app.
This is about the same time Opera created its mobile app with a new logo and a Viking mascot named Olaf.
In April 2018, Opera shut down its mobile app. It still operates a web-browser mobile app for Android and iOS called Opera-mini. However, this mobile web-browser does not have a VPN.
All the features that made the VPN a semi-viable option are no longer available, and you should really consider an alternative.
If you need a new VPN for your phone, we check out these five alternatives to OperaVPN that offer a much better service, like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of countries with servers | 5 |
| Does VPN keep logs? | No |
| Does VPN include a kill switch? | No |
| Number of devices per license | 1 |
If you like the idea of this free VPN – and you should – it’s easy to get started. Download the browser from their website or the app in the app store. Once you sign in, it’s easy to choose the features you want. Plus, it’s free. So, if you don’t have a VPN yet, now’s the chance to get one.
Opera is a well-known name in the tech field, and you can find support and answers to general questions on their website.
A free VPN, but you can find better
For a free VPN, Opera isn’t the best. Although the service is reliable with decent speeds and provides enhanced encryption, there’s a lot that’s missing.
Premium VPNs offer much more. Not only do they keep you secure and anonymous online, but they are reliable for bypassing even the toughest of geoblocks, including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Take these top six vendors for example, all super reliable for streaming, with unlimited bandwidth, lightning-fast speeds, and even optimized servers for streaming.
- Free VPN service embedded in the web browser
- Easy-to-use
- Extra feature that blocks unwanted ads and tracking
- Substantial privacy and encryption
- Get started with Opera VPN now
Von Hohenheim, theophrastus
I installed Opera a couple of years ago because of its included VPN. I wanted to get away from being tracked everywhere by Google. However, when I discovered that the Opera VPN was using Google servers, that idea went out the window. I stopped using the Opera VPN feature and went with a different VPN provider.
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