Curious to try a web browser other than Chrome and Safari? Check out Opera, which offers some great free features like built-in email, workspaces, and more, along with privacy tools like a free VPN.
We know Chrome, the browser from Google, Safari, the browser from Apple, Mozilla Firefox, as well as Edge, the browser from Microsoft, but there are many more.
We looked at Opera, a browser whose offering particularly stands out in terms of privacy and security, but which is just as interesting when you look at the many free customization options and productivity.
Data and privacy protection and free VPN
The Opera browser is particularly notable for its privacy and security features.
First, it’s quite interesting that Opera includes a free browser VPN. It provides privacy and security for our browsing traffic when enabled.
It’s free, built right into the Opera browser and doesn’t require a subscription from us.
On the other hand, we must understand that this only allows us to encrypt our Internet connection and encrypt the information that is exchanged between our computer and the page we are consulting.
Opera’s VPN allows us to protect our information when browsing in public.
That’s good enough, but I mean it’s not the kind of VPN that allows us to bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy content from all over the world.
Opera Free VPN has 3 general locations and 100+ high-speed servers, which is handy for protecting our information in public, but no more.
Another great feature: the Opera browser has a tracker blocker. It helps prevent analytical scripts, cryptojacking, tracking pixels, and other data collection methods used for targeted advertising.
In addition, Opera has also integrated an ad blocker into its browser. On the one hand, it protects against malicious ads, but it’s also a double-edged sword, especially for independent creators like me.
Unfortunately, as a freelance website publisher, this is the kind of feature that is killing us. Of course it’s boring, but we need ad revenue to offer free content.
Good point: Opera’s ad blocker allows us to unblock ads from any website, but ideally it’s not a feature I encourage enabling.
Lots of cool features included for free
In addition to its options for protecting our private data, Opera stands out for its unique features that we love to use for both work and everyday life.
Thanks to its sidebar, you can chat with popular chat applications and browse the web at the same time, since the main messaging services can be integrated with Opera.
Among the messaging services to integrate we find:
- tick tock;
- Twitter;
- Telegram;
- Whatsapp;
- Facebook Messenger.
It’s pretty handy for work because it means we don’t have to be interrupted by our phone or social networks to take our messages.
In addition to chatting, we can also integrate our streaming subscription into the sidebar. It’s really convenient and all the major players are supported, Apple Music, Spotufy, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal and SoundCloud.
Opera allows us to add messaging and music directly to its browser.
Speaking of work, Opera has a feature called Space that allows us to keep our tabs in separate spaces to better organize our browsing.
It’s really convenient if you use the same computer for work and for everyday life. That means we can classify our tabs based on our interests like work, vacation planning, hobbies, etc.
We can easily organize all our tabs according to our interests in the same browser.
Another interesting feature of Opera: Pinboards. Similar to Pinterest, here we can collect photos, links, music, files and notes directly in the browser without a third-party app.
These collections can be used to plan trips, create spreadsheets, compare purchases, etc. and can also be shared with our friends. If they also use Opera, they can even leave reactions in the form of emojis.
Multiple versions for multiple needs
Opera is available online completely free of charge on their website. What is interesting is that the company offers several versions of its browser to meet different needs.
There’s of course the classic version that allows us to sync our data and send files between Opera on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android and Chromebook.
There are several versions of Opera including Classic, Gamer and Crypto.
On the other hand, there’s a version entirely dedicated to Chromebooks, with features designed specifically for them.
There is also a version for gamers called Opera GX. Among other things, this allows us to set CPU, RAM and network usage limits and use Discord and Twitch from the sidebar.
Finally, there is a “mini” version that stores data, as well as a crypto version that unlocks access to Web3 and integrates a native multi-chain wallet with no incarceration.
In short, for whatever reason, it’s still a totally free alternative, so you don’t lose anything by downloading and trying it, even if you have to go back to another browser if you don’t like the features it offers.
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