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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Opera VPN Pro Review 2024: Keep in Mind Before Buying

Our Score: 5.3/10
Ranked 220th out of 306 VPNs
Matthew Amos Published on 25th January 2024 Senior Editor

Opera VPN Pro is Opera’s new premium VPN service. While the popular browser still offers a free VPN, you can now purchase an improved VPN app with full encryption and more servers. It claims to provide fast speeds and great unblocking abilities, but can it really compete with the top VPNs that have been around for years?

To get the answer, I performed tests on all of its features. These included extensive speed tests and finding out how it works with the top streaming platforms. I also explored its security and thoroughly researched its privacy policy.

After all that, I can’t recommend Opera VPN Pro. Since it doesn’t have a kill switch, it’s not safe. Plus, I don’t trust its vague privacy policy. On top of that, its speeds aren’t great, and it doesn’t support torrenting. To get much better value for your money, check out this list of our top-rated VPNs.

Try Opera VPN Risk-Free >>

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Pros

Cons

Opera VPN Features — 2024 Update

6.4
💸 Price 0 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 3000+
💻 Number of devices per license 6
🛡 Kill switch No
🗺 Based in country Norway
🛠 Support Email support
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Good for Streaming on US Platforms

7.0

Opera VPN Pro was excellent for unblocking the major US services, but I had issues accessing platforms in other countries. However, it worked great at accessing several entire Netflix libraries. In addition to paid platforms, I could also access YouTube on several servers.

While I was streaming, the picture quality was perfect. I was happy I didn’t have to deal with load times or buffering. But Opera VPN Pro will drop your speeds by a lot. If you don’t start with a base download speed of at least 50 Mbps, you probably won’t be able to stream uninterrupted.

Unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and DAZN

I could access Netflix libraries in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, and France.

Screenshot of Netflix player streaming Star Trek while connected to OperaVPN ProI could not sign in to my Netflix account with the free VPN

Next, I tested out Hulu. It has tough geoblocks, so I was impressed that Opera VPN Pro could easily unblock it. After waiting for Hulu’s ads, I was able to stream without any more annoying interruptions. And I was able to access Hulu with the free “Americas” server.

Screenshot of Hulu player streaming Ford v Ferrari while connected to Opera VPN ProThe movie played back in HD without any dips in quality

I had to reload Disney+ once, but then it worked great.

Screenshot of Disney+ player streaming Limitless with Chris Hemsworth while connected to OperaVPN Pro Caption: OperaVPN Pro encrypts your entire device, so I could stream Disney+ on my Edge browserOpera VPN Pro encrypts your entire device, so I could stream Disney+ on my Edge browser

I always have the hardest time unblocking Amazon Prime Video. But Opera VPN Pro let me access it on my first try. Just like with the other services, the streaming experience was perfect.

Screenshot of Amazon Prime Video player streaming House of Gucci while connected to OperaVPN ProI recommend watching the Amazon Prime Video US library since it usually has the largest selection

The last streaming platform I was able to unblock was HBO Max. I’ve had to switch browsers or reload the page several times to get it working with other VPNs. So I was glad that Opera VPN Pro let me access it without any issues on the first try. It won’t work with the free servers though; they wouldn’t even let me sign in.

Screenshot of HBO Max player streaming Don't Worry Darling while connected to OperaVPN ProI didn't experience any buffering or dips in picture quality

I could also unblock DAZN to stream live sports. I’ve had trouble unblocking this platform with some of the best VPNs around, so that’s a big plus for OperaVPN Pro. Anytime I could access a streaming platform, the video quality was nearly perfect. Unfortunately, there were a few platforms it just couldn’t unblock.

Blocked By: BBC iPlayer and ITV

Most VPNs I test can access BBC iPlayer. But Opera VPN Pro couldn’t unblock it, and it’s probably because of its virtual locations. When I did leak tests on the UK server, I got an IP address in the United Kingdom. But the tests detected some DNS servers in Oklahoma, US, which BBC iPlayer must have detected too.

Screenshot of BBC iPlayer being blocked while connected to OperaVPN ProI tested it with 4 different browsers, but it never worked

I was also blocked by ITV. You need a UK server to access it, so this didn’t surprise me. It’s too bad that Opera VPN Pro has trouble with platforms outside the US because it gave me solid streaming quality.

However, if you don’t have a high base speed, you will have issues while streaming because Opera VPN Pro’s fastest servers dropped my speeds in half. If you’re looking for a VPN that can unblock platforms worldwide with buffer-free playback, check out this list of the best VPNs for streaming.

Speeds — Big Speed Losses at Any Distance

0.0

Opera VPN Pro lowered my speeds significantly even on nearby servers. One good thing is the long distance download speeds don’t drop a ton compared to the closer servers. But I always lost at least 44%, which is much more than the top VPNs. The free servers gave me similar results.

These are the 3 factors I measured in my tests:

  • Download speeds. This tells you how quickly you can receive information. It’s important for torrenting, loading web pages, etc. This is measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
  • Upload speeds. This lets you know how quickly you can send information. You need good rates to post on social media, upload videos to YouTube, etc. This is also measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
  • Ping. This tells you how long it takes for a server to respond to your inputs. It’s crucial for online gaming where you need instant reactions to your button presses. This is measured in milliseconds (ms).

I started by recording my base speed for a comparison. Most VPNs let you switch between different protocols, which can optimize your speeds. Unfortunately, Opera VPN Pro doesn’t have this feature on Windows. So I had to do all my tests with the IKEv2 protocol (the only one available for Windows).

Screenshot of Ookla speed tests performed while connected to OperaVPN ProMy upload speeds were always dropped by at least 76%

My first test was with the Optimal Location feature. This gives you the closest server. It gave me a server a little over 2,000 KM away. With the top VPNs, I might only lose 10-15% off my download speeds at that distance. But Opera VPN Pro dropped my download rates 3x more. You can see a detailed table of my results below:

Server Distance Download Speed Upload Speed Ping
No VPN 0 KM 300.94 Mbps 296.81 Mbps 62 ms
US (Miami) 2,169 KM away 169.08 Mbps (44% decrease) 70.93 Mbps (76% decrease) 61 ms
Canada (Montreal) 3,140 KM away 116.27 Mbps (61% decrease) 20.18 Mbps (93% decrease) 111 ms
UK (London) 7,905 KM away 98.92 Mbps (63% decrease) 24.98 Mbps (92% decrease) 190 ms
Belgium (Diegem) 8,220 KM away 86.40 Mbps (71% decrease) 12.02 Mbps (96% decrease) 161 ms
Japan (Tokyo) 10,537 KM away 117.13 Mbps (61% decrease 23.90 Mbps (92% decrease) 202 ms
United Arab Emirates (Dubai) 13,201 KM away 137.81 Mbps (52% decrease) 15.74 Mbps (95% decrease) 234 ms
Hong Kong 13,238 KM away 154.99 Mbps (48% decrease) 19.48 Mbps (93% decrease) 204 ms
Australia (Sydney) 13,621 KM away 129.40 Mbps (57% decrease) 12.60 Mbps (96% decrease) 216 ms

The Belgium server dropped my speeds the most even though it wasn’t the farthest away. I’m guessing this is because it was crowded. I wish Opera VPN Pro would let you know the server load, so I could verify this. Overall, I can’t recommend it if you need a high-speed VPN (although the ping results were okay). If you’re looking for a VPN that will hardly reduce your speeds, you can find a superfast VPN in this list.

Are Opera VPN Pro’s Speeds Fast Enough for Gaming? Yes on Nearby Servers

8.0

Opera VPN Pro worked well for online gaming despite its speed issues because its ping rates hold up well. You want your ping somewhere below 85 ms for gaming, but 50 ms is optimal. Anything above 85 ms, and it takes too long for your character to respond. Once this happens, it becomes impossible to succeed or progress in the game. I started out by testing the optimal location (US for me) on Steam.

Screenshot of Steam running Rogue Legacy 2 while connected to OperaPro VPNThe game loaded just as quickly as it does without a VPN

I was impressed that it worked so well with a fast-paced game. Even on the France server (8,905 KM away from me), I could still enjoy the game. There was only one brief moment of lag. However, I have good base speeds. If yours aren’t high, your results may vary at long-distances.

Server Network — Decent Number of Servers in Limited Locations

5.0

Opera VPN Pro gives you 3,000 servers in 30 countries, but you can’t pick city-level servers. This means you have much less control over which locations you get. For example, most top VPNs will give you several cities in the US to choose from (sometimes 10+). You can see the other countries it offers in the table below:

Austria Belgium Bulgaria Canada Croatia
Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany
Hong Kong Hungary Ireland Israel Italy
Japan Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal
Romania Serbia Singapore Slovakia Spain
Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom

All of Opera VPN Pro’s servers are virtual locations. This means the servers aren’t physically located in the country listed. Virtual locations don’t necessarily affect your security, but they could reduce your speeds if the server is farther away than you think it is. One thing I do like about its server list is the intuitive layout.

Screenshot of OperaVPN Pro's server list in the Opera browser on a Windows deviceI appreciate that the servers are listed in alphabetical order

It also rents all of its infrastructure. Most of the top VPNs only rent a portion of their servers and some own everything. I feel more secure with services that own and operate their own servers. So along with giving you limited locations, Opera VPN Pro gives you less peace of mind. You can get a VPN with tons of city-level locations and physical servers in this list.

Security — Missing Several Important Features

6.0

Opera VPN Pro is less secure than the top VPNs. Most importantly, it doesn’t give you consistent encryption levels. A support rep told me that the encryption level varies between 128 and 256 bits. Plus, Opera VPN Pro doesn’t publicly disclose its encryption levels, which is strange to me. The top VPNs use military-grade (AES 256-bit encryption) at all times, so this is disappointing.

It also doesn’t come with a kill switch. This is a crucial feature that blocks your internet connection if the VPN ever disconnects. All Opera VPN Pro has is a reconnect feature. This attempts to encrypt your connection again if the VPN disconnects. However, your information is vulnerable during this time, so you’re not completely safe with Opera VPN Pro.

It’s missing several other features most of its competitors offer. There’s no split tunneling, double VPN, obfuscation, or perfect forward secrecy. The Opera browser itself will also save a lot of your information. So I recommend using an incognito window and thoroughly exploring its privacy features to disable anything you don’t want it to store.

Screenshot of leak tests performed on ipleak.net while connected to OperaVPN ProI was usually given DNS addresses in multiple countries, which can make it tough to unblock some services

Luckily, it passed all my leak tests on ipleak, including WebRTC detection. So it’ll keep you safe as long as it stays connected. This is nice, but it’s the minimum a VPN should do. It also gives you a limited choice of protocols (IKEv2 for desktop, while Android gets OpenVPN too). So Opera VPN Pro has a long way to go before it’s as secure as the best VPNs available today. To find a VPN with top-level encryption and a kill switch, read this list of the safest VPNs around.

Privacy — Bad Location with a Vague Privacy Policy

3.0

The privacy standing of Opera VPN Pro is undermined because it is situated in Norway. Being part of the 14 Eyes Alliance, Norway participates in a pact between governments to exchange personal information of their citizens. Consequently, any of these countries might potentially influence Opera to change its operational procedures, despite its declared policies.

On top of that, I do not recommend using the Opera browser without a VPN. The privacy policy related to the browser is open about recording your location and browsing history to create targeted ads. It also shares your data with several third parties, like Facebook. Plus, its cloud sync service was hacked in 2016, leaking 1.7 million users’ passwords. However, this would be fine if Opera VPN Pro had a solid privacy policy.

Unfortunately, the section of the privacy policy dedicated to Opera VPN Pro is short and vague. It states it won’t store your browsing history, but it doesn’t mention your location or timestamps. The Opera browser uses Google’s geolocation tech to send you targeted ads. Because the privacy policy leaves out so much information, I can’t be sure the VPN doesn’t do it too. Even worse, it doesn’t guarantee your data is safe.

Screenshot of OperaVPN Pro's privacy policyOpera VPN Pro hasn't undergone any third-party audits like many of its competitors have

When you connect to a VPN, you hand over your private information. So you shouldn’t use a VPN you can’t trust with your data. To get a VPN that’s responsible with your data, read this list of the best no-log VPNs.

Torrenting — Doesn’t Work with P2P Networks

3.0

When using Opera VPN Pro, I couldn't download torrents. I contacted their support to ask if the VPN was optimized for P2P, but they didn't provide a clear answer.

Screenshot of OperaVPN Pro's live support agent telling me it hasn't been tested for torrentingEven if it worked, its weak security features would make it a poor choice for torrenting

Plus, its privacy issues make it a VPN I wouldn’t use for P2P. Torrenting is legal in most countries, but it’s never legal to download copyrighted material. If you download the wrong file by mistake, you could get into trouble. My team and I don’t condone any illegal activities. If you want to torrent safely with fast speeds, check out this list of the best VPNs for P2P.

Does Opera VPN Pro Work in China? No

An Opera VPN Pro customer support team member confirmed that you can’t use it in China.

Screenshot of OperaVPN Pro live chat confirming that it doesn't work in ChinaIf you want to use a VPN in China, it's best to download it before entering the country

The Chinese government has banned several VPNs, but it usually only goes after the technology. I haven’t heard of them getting tourists into trouble for using them. My team and I don’t condone any illegal activities, so I recommend reading up on the laws in the country you’re in before deciding to use a VPN. If you decide to bypass the The Great Firewall, you can try one of the VPNs in this list that work in China.

Simultaneous Device Connections — 6

Opera VPN Pro is compatible with a reasonable number of devices, although some services allow for more. I successfully connected it to two laptops and my Android phone without any issues. The performance remained consistent when streaming on multiple devices simultaneously, living up to its claims. Generally, the number of devices it supports should suffice for most users, but the option to connect more devices for an additional fee would be a welcome feature.

Installation & Apps

6.5

Device Compatibility – Only Works for 3 OS’

It’s too bad Opera VPN Pro doesn’t work for Linux or iOS devices. You can download it for Windows 8+, Android 6+, or for a Mac device running 10.15 (Catalina) or above. There are no browser extensions since you need to keep an Opera browser open to use Pro. Plus, there’s no easy way to connect a game console or smart TV. If you want to use a VPN on a device Opera VPN Pro doesn’t support, check out this list of VPNs that work for all major OS’.

Setup & Installation — Quick & Easy

It’s simple to install Opera VPN Pro, you just have to make sure you download the Opera browser first. This is because you’ll need the browser to find the download link and use the VPN.

Screenshot of Opera browser settings highlighting where you can download Opera ProThe easiest way to install VPN Pro on your mobile device is through the QR code

It’s just as easy to download for Android and Mac. I also recommend testing any app you decide to download for viruses or malware first; Opera VPN Pro passed all of my tests, so I can confirm it’s safe to install. You can find more detailed installation instructions in the guide below:

Quick Guide: How to Install Opera VPN Pro in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Sign up for Pro. You can get a subscription to Opera VPN Pro here.
  2. Go to the Opera browser settings. After you open the browser, you’ll see the settings on the left-hand side of your screen.
  3. Click Install VPN Pro. You’ll see this button after you scroll down to the VPN Pro section of the settings. This will activate the full VPN, so your entire device is protected.

Pricing

7.0
Opera VPN Free
$ / month per month
One Year Opera VPN Pro
$ 4 / month per month
One Month Opera VPN Pro
$ 8 / month per month

There are 3 pricing tiers and each comes with a 7-day free trial. You can only pay through credit card. It supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and more. I’d like to see them accept Paypal or cryptocurrency in the future since it’s easier to keep your information private with those methods.

Opera VPN Pro isn’t worth the price. It’s pretty cheap, especially with the long-term plan. But you miss out on tons of features the top VPNs offer for just a little more. Plus, it’s not nearly as secure as most of its competitors, and I don’t trust its privacy policy. There’s also a free version available, but it’s extremely limited. It only gives you 3 locations, and these are only proxies. This means it doesn’t encrypt your information, and everything outside your Opera browser is left unprotected.

To get a service that’s super safe with all the latest features, I recommend you look into one of these top VPNs that give you great value for your money.

Reliability & Support

6.4

Opera VPN Pro has a live chat but is only available at limited hours. On top of that, it can be hard to find on Opera VPN Pro’s website. All of Opera’s products and services are listed under the same site, so it took me a while to search for the support section. Once I found it, I saw that you can only access it from 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM (CEST). That’s an 8-hour difference from where I live, so it was inconvenient, and I had to use email for my first tests.

Screenshot of OperaVPN Pro email confirming the encryption levels aren't disclosedI could usually get an answer over email within 12 hours

Thankfully, the email support was informative and friendly. Eventually, I tested the live chat while it was available, and the customer service members there were just as good. However, most VPNs offer 24/7 live chat that’s easy to access no matter what time zone you’re in.

Compare Opera VPN With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.5
Our Score: 9.4

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict

Opera VPN Pro is a cheap service that has some positives. It works great for unblocking US streaming platforms, and I could play online games while connected to it with hardly any lag.

However, there are many more negatives. The security features it offers aren’t good enough, and its privacy policy didn’t do anything to make me trust it with my data. Plus, it’s very slow, and you can’t use it for torrenting.

I do not recommend Opera VPN Pro. While I’m glad it’s working on improving the service, there are just too many areas where it performs poorly. For just a little bit more, you can try one of the best VPNs available today.

  • Great at unblocking streaming platforms
  • Works well for online gaming
  • Quick and easy installation
  • 3 affordable subscription options

FAQs on Opera VPN Pro

Is Opera VPN Pro safe?

No, I can’t guarantee that Opera VPN Pro will keep you safe. The biggest issue is it doesn’t have a kill switch. This protects you if the VPN ever disconnects. Without one, you can’t trust Opera VPN Pro to always encrypt your information. It also doesn’t publicly disclose its encryption level, while the top VPNs always use 256-bit military-grade encryption.

Plus, it’s not privacy-friendly. Its privacy policy states that it won’t store your browsing history, but it doesn’t say anything about time stamps or your location. The VPN is also headquartered in Norway. This country is a member of the data-collecting 14 Eyes Alliance, a group of countries that share private information about their citizens.

Can Opera VPN Pro unblock Netflix?

Yes, I was able to unblock entire Netflix libraries in 6 countries. I was also able to access Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and several other top streaming platforms. My streaming quality was excellent with zero buffering or dips in quality, but you may have worse results if your base speed isn’t high.

Is Opera VPN Pro any good?

No, I can’t recommend Opera VPN Pro. While the price is pretty low, you don’t get good value for your money. Its security features are weak, and it doesn’t come with a kill switch. The privacy policy leaves out a lot of crucial information, and it’s located in a country that shares information with several other governments. On top of that, it slowed me down a lot on every server, and you can’t use it for torrenting.

Will Opera VPN Pro slow my speeds down?

Yes, it will slow you down significantly on every server. Even the closest server dropped my speeds by 44%. I’ve tested VPNs that only lower my speeds by 1-5% with a nearby server. Some have even increased my speeds. At long-distances, I lost nearly twice as much speed.

Can I get Opera VPN for free?

Yes, a free version of Opera VPN is available when you download the browser. However, it’s quite limited. You only get 3 locations, and it’s a proxy. This means it doesn’t encrypt your information, and it only hides what’s in your browser. So the other apps on your device won’t have any protection. Plus, it’s quite slow. If you want to try it out, I recommend using the 7-day free trial of the premium version that comes with every subscription tier.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 6

Watch the short video review and tutorial below of Opera VPN

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We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Opera VPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
6.2
Based on 91 reviews in 11 languages

Write a Review on Opera VPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Sleepy
Sleepy
4/10
Hiding free trials .-.

Hiding free trials and pulling in people saying it's there and now it's just a normal payment page. Wanted to test out the newer option and see if it was "okay" enough for minor things, then got sent to a page where I could find no trial listed unless you refund-? gross :/

Anonymous
Anonymous
10/10
This is really good

It has so many ads and trackers blocked for me. There are a couple of games etc that are blocking me from using the ex: my cafe restaurant recipes and stories also Netflix is blocking the use of a VPN and if you are blocking trackers, it won't work. Google also does not like it. I'm seeing issues, where I will need to change some settings. But, I see that it is working...and I'm seeing the culprits that are the problems...

Blackgod
Blackgod
8/10
Speed and service

Superfast browser is awesome but my network provider gave me a red flag for a download just that once other than that it's awesome and it's worth using the actual browser gives easy access to a lot of social media.

About the Author

Matthew is a writer and editor for VPNMentor with a proven track record of providing in-depth analysis of the most highly regarded VPNs, including ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. His unparalleled expertise has enabled him to consistently deliver cutting-edge insights on the most sought-after (and newest) VPN services.

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