I Tried Opera Browser in 2026 — Here’s What I Actually Liked

When people talk about the best web browsers, Opera Browser rarely comes to mind. Most users stick with Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, while Opera often gets overlooked. Even though I hadn’t used Opera in years, I recently tested some of the best browsers for Windows 11 and came across Opera on the list, so I decided to try it and see how it compares with today’s most popular browsers. I wanted to find out whether its built-in AI assistant, free VPN, ad blocker, and other unique features actually make a difference in everyday browsing.

After using Opera for a few weeks, I was surprised by how much it has evolved. It includes several tools that normally require extensions in other browsers, and some of them turned out to be more useful than I expected. In this article, I’ll share my honest experience with Opera Browser, what stood out during my testing, and whether I think it’s worth using in 2026.

What Is Opera Browser?

Opera Browser is a free web browser developed by Opera and built on Chromium, the same open-source project that powers Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and several other modern browsers. Because it’s based on Chromium, Opera offers excellent website compatibility and supports most Chrome extensions.

Opera is best known for including several useful features directly within the browser that reduce the need to install multiple extensions. These include a built-in ad blocker, free browser VPN, AI assistant, sidebar integrations, and a variety of productivity tools.

Opera focuses on several key areas:

• Productivity – Built-in tools like Workspaces, Split Screen, and a customizable sidebar help organize your browsing experience.
• AI Integration – Opera includes its own AI assistant, Aria, to answer questions, generate content, and assist with research while you browse.
• Privacy – Features such as a built-in ad blocker and free browser VPN provide additional privacy without requiring extra software.
• Customization – Themes, wallpapers, animations, and flexible layout options let you personalize the browser to match your preferences.

Opera is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iPhone, with support for syncing bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history across multiple devices.

Why I Decided to Try Opera Again

After spending years using browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, I wasn’t expecting Opera to offer anything dramatically different. Since it’s also built on Chromium, I assumed the experience would be largely the same.

What changed my mind was the growing list of built-in features. Opera wasn’t just advertising another web browser it was offering tools like an AI assistant, a free browser VPN, an ad blocker, Workspaces, and a customizable sidebar without installing extra extensions.

I wanted to see whether these features actually improved everyday browsing or were simply extras that most people would ignore.

So, I made Opera my primary browser for a few weeks. I used it for work, online research, shopping, streaming videos, and my usual day-to-day browsing to find out if it could compete with the browsers I normally use.

By the end of my testing, I realized Opera wasn’t trying to copy Chrome. Instead, it was trying to provide a more complete browsing experience by including many of the tools users typically install separately.

Here are the features that impressed me the most.

1. Opera Includes More Built-In Features Than Almost Any Browser

The first thing that stood out to me was how many useful features Opera includes by default. With most browsers, I usually spend time installing extensions to add functionality. Opera takes a different approach by building many of those tools directly into the browser.

For example, Opera comes with a built-in ad blocker that can help create a cleaner browsing experience without installing a separate extension. It also includes a free browser VPN, which adds an extra layer of privacy while browsing, however, it isn’t a replacement for a premium VPN service.

Another feature I found useful is the customizable sidebar. It provides quick access to tools such as bookmarks, downloads, Workspaces, and messaging apps without cluttering the main browser window. Having frequently used features just one click away made browsing feel more organized.

Opera also includes handy tools such as a built-in screenshot feature, media controls, and a range of productivity options that many competing browsers leave to third-party extensions.

None of these features are groundbreaking on their own, but together they make Opera feel like a browser that’s ready to use immediately after installation. Instead of spending time searching for and installing extensions, I could simply start browsing and make use of the tools already included.

For anyone who prefers an all-in-one browser experience, this is one of Opera’s biggest strengths.

2. Aria AI Makes Everyday Browsing More Convenient

Artificial intelligence has quickly become a standard feature in modern web browsers, and Opera has embraced this trend with its built-in AI assistant called Aria.

During my testing, I found Aria easy to access and genuinely useful for everyday tasks. Instead of opening a separate tab to visit an AI website, I could launch the AI assistant from Opera’s sidebar whenever I needed help.

I used it to summarize long articles, explain unfamiliar topics, brainstorm ideas, rewrite text, and answer quick questions while browsing. Having AI available alongside the webpage made it easier to stay focused without constantly switching between tabs.

What I also like is that Opera doesn’t limit you to its own AI tools. If you prefer AI services like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, you can still use them in Opera just as you would in any other browser. Aria simply provides another convenient option that’s already built in.

While I wouldn’t choose Opera solely for its AI features, they do add real value to the browsing experience. If you regularly use AI for work, studying, or research, having an assistant integrated directly into the browser can save time and make everyday tasks more convenient.

For me, Aria wasn’t just another feature to test it became something I found myself using throughout the day.

3. Opera Looks Modern and Is Highly Customizable

One area where Opera immediately stood out was its design. The browser has a clean, modern interface, and it feels more polished and visually customizable than many of its competitors.

Right after installation, I noticed how easy it was to personalize the browser. Opera lets you choose from different themes, wallpapers, and appearance settings, making it simple to create a browsing experience that matches your style. Whether you prefer a light or dark interface, changing the browser’s look takes only a few clicks.

I also liked how flexible the sidebar is. You can customize which tools appear, remove the ones you don’t use, and keep your favorite features within easy reach. This helped keep the browser organized without making the interface feel cluttered.

Another useful feature is Workspaces, which lets you organize tabs into separate groups. For example, I created one workspace for work, another for personal browsing, and a third for research. It made switching between different tasks much easier, especially when I had dozens of tabs open.

Opera also includes thoughtful touches like animated wallpapers and other visual customization options. While these won’t matter to everyone, they help give the browser a more personal feel.

If you enjoy customizing your software instead of sticking with the default look, Opera gives you far more flexibility than Chrome while still remaining easy to use.

4. Chrome Users Can Switch Without Any Learning Curve

Before trying Opera, I assumed switching from Chrome would take some time. Fortunately, the transition was much easier than I expected.

Because Opera is built on Chromium, the browser feels familiar from the moment you start using it. Most websites work exactly as they do in Chrome, and I didn’t run into any compatibility issues during everyday browsing.

Getting started was also straightforward. Opera can import bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and other settings from Chrome, so I didn’t have to rebuild my browsing setup from scratch.

Another advantage is support for Chrome extensions. Many of the extensions I regularly use worked without issue, so I could keep my existing workflow while exploring Opera’s built-in features.

What surprised me most was that I didn’t feel like I was learning a completely new browser. The interface is intuitive, the navigation is familiar, and the overall experience is very similar to Chrome—just with more built-in tools.

If you’ve been curious about Opera but worried that switching would be difficult, you’ll probably find the transition much smoother than expected.

5. The Built-In VPN and Ad Blocker Are Useful Extras

Two of Opera’s most talked-about features are its built-in VPN and ad blocker. While these aren’t unique anymore, having them integrated directly into the browser is still a nice convenience.

The built-in ad blocker worked well during my testing. It removed many ads from websites without requiring a separate extension, make web pages feel cleaner and less distracting. Since fewer ads and trackers are loaded, some websites also appear to load a little faster.

Opera also includes a free browser VPN that can be enabled with just a few clicks. It’s useful if you want an extra layer of privacy while browsing or need to access the web through a different virtual location. Because it’s built into the browser, there’s no need to install additional software or create an account to get started.

That said, it’s important to understand its limitations. Opera’s VPN is designed for browser traffic only and doesn’t protect other apps on your computer. It also doesn’t offer the same speed, server selection, or advanced features that you’d get with a dedicated premium VPN service.

For casual browsing, however, I found it to be a useful addition. Combined with the built-in ad blocker, it’s another example of how Opera reduces the need to install extra extensions or software.

These features alone may not be enough to convince everyone to switch, but they certainly make Opera a more capable browser right out of the box.

Opera Browser vs Google Chrome: Which Browser Is Better in 2026?

After using both browsers, I don’t think there’s a single winner. Both Opera and Chrome are fast, reliable, and built on Chromium, so you’ll get excellent website compatibility and support for most Chrome extensions.

The biggest difference is how each browser approaches the browsing experience.

If you prefer a simple browser that works seamlessly with Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services, Chrome is still an excellent choice. It’s familiar, reliable, and remains the most widely used browser in the world.

Opera, however, takes a different approach. Instead of relying on users to install extensions, it includes many useful features right out of the box. The built-in AI assistant, ad blocker, free browser VPN, Workspaces, and customizable sidebar make it feel more like a complete productivity browser.

For me, Opera’s biggest strength wasn’t that it was faster than Chrome, it was that it offered more useful features without requiring extra setup. If you enjoy having powerful tools built directly into your browser, Opera is definitely worth considering.

Are There Any Downsides to Opera Browser?

While I enjoyed using Opera, it’s not the perfect browser for everyone.

The biggest drawback is that Opera has many built-in features. While I found many of them useful, some users may feel the browser is a bit too feature-rich compared to Chrome’s cleaner, more minimalist interface. Fortunately, many of these features can be disabled or hidden if you don’t need them.

Another thing to keep in mind is the built-in VPN. It’s convenient for casual browsing and adds an extra layer of privacy, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a replacement for a dedicated premium VPN service. If you need advanced security features, faster speeds, or a wider choice of server locations, a standalone VPN is still the better option.

Opera also has a much smaller user base than browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. While this doesn’t affect day-to-day browsing, it means you’ll find fewer tutorials, community discussions, and troubleshooting guides if you ever run into a problem.

That said, none of these drawbacks were significant enough to negatively impact my experience. Most of them are minor trade-offs for a browser that offers so many useful features right out of the box.

Final Verdict: Is Opera Browser Worth Using in 2026?

After spending a few weeks with Opera, I can confidently say it’s much better than I expected.

Opera isn’t trying to be the simplest browser, nor is it trying to copy Chrome. Instead, it focuses on providing users with a feature-rich browsing experience, with built-in tools.

The AI assistant, built-in ad blocker, free browser VPN, customizable interface, and productivity features all helped make my daily browsing more convenient. Rather than spending time installing extensions, I was able to start using many of these features immediately after installing the browser.

Is Opera perfect? No. Some users may prefer a cleaner interface, and the built-in VPN has its limitations. However, those are relatively small compromises considering everything Opera includes by default.

If you’re looking for a modern browser that goes beyond basic web browsing and offers useful features without requiring a lot of extra setup, Opera is definitely worth trying in 2026.

For me, the biggest surprise wasn’t just that Opera had improved—it was how enjoyable it was to use after ignoring it for so many years.

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