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The Opera mobile app, which was available for Android and iOS, is no longer active (read more about it below), but there are a few good free alternatives, such as TunnelBear and Windscribe.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. But while it's not as advanced as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, for a free VPN, it’s reliable enough.
The speeds aren’t as fast as we would like, but you can still stream and change your IP address without any hiccups.
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 have a list of five alternatives to OperaVPN that offer a much better service.
