Introduction

Opera VPN has become a topic of growing interest in the VPN landscape—mainly because it’s completely free and built right into the Opera web browser. For casual users, this sounds like a dream: no software to install, no subscription fees, and no complicated setup.

But can a free browser-based VPN truly protect your online privacy, unblock streaming platforms, or rival premium VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN?

In this in-depth Opera VPN review, we’ll explore how it works, who it’s best suited for, what it lacks, and whether it’s a viable option for browsing safely in 2025.

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Company Background & Overview

Opera VPN is a feature developed by Opera Software, a Norwegian tech company known for its web browsers and mobile applications. While Opera the browser dates back to 1995, Opera VPN debuted in 2016 and has since evolved into an integrated tool available in Opera’s desktop and mobile browsers.

• Jurisdiction: Norway (strong data protection laws, not part of Five Eyes)

• Company: Opera Software (Owned by Kunlun Tech, a Chinese consortium)

• Mission: To offer accessible, privacy-respecting tools to web users

• Trust factor: Mixed; while Opera is a long-standing browser, privacy advocates question the implications of its Chinese ownership

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Features & Functionality

Opera VPN is not a full-featured VPN in the traditional sense—it’s more of a browser proxy that encrypts traffic only within the Opera browser, not your entire device. That said, it does offer several notable features:

• Free & Unlimited Bandwidth

• No Signup Required – Just install Opera and toggle the VPN on

• AES-256 Encryption – Ensures your browser traffic is encrypted

• Auto-enabled HTTPS Everywhere

• Three Virtual Locations – Europe, Americas, and Asia (not specific countries)

• Built-in Ad Blocker & Tracker Blocker

• Available on Android via Opera browser (not available on iOS)

However, Opera VPN does not support:

• Split tunneling

• Kill switch

• Torrenting

• VPN protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard

• Custom server selection

So while it offers basic protection, it’s far from a full VPN replacement.

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Servers, Speed & Performance

Opera VPN routes your browser traffic through Opera’s own proxy servers, not independent VPN nodes like NordVPN or Surfshark.

• Server Count: Not disclosed (limited, region-based selection)

• Country Availability: 3 regions—Americas, Europe, Asia (no precise control)

• Speed: Decent for basic browsing, slower for video streaming or large downloads

Performance Test (Conducted via Speedtest.net):

Verdict: Opera VPN is suitable for browsing and email but not ideal for high-bandwidth activities.

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Streaming & Torrenting Experience

This is where Opera VPN clearly shows its limitations.

Streaming

Opera VPN cannot reliably unblock major streaming platforms. Most services detect it as a proxy and block access.

• ❌ Netflix: Blocked

• ❌ Hulu: Blocked

• ❌ BBC iPlayer: Blocked

• ❌ Disney+, Prime Video: Blocked

Torrenting

Opera VPN does not support torrenting. Because it only protects browser traffic and doesn’t tunnel traffic from torrent clients like uTorrent or BitTorrent, it’s ineffective for P2P use.

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Security & Privacy

Opera VPN encrypts browser traffic using industry-standard HTTPS/TLS encryption. However, there are significant privacy trade-offs:

• Logging Policy: Opera claims not to log browsing activity, but they do collect usage and diagnostic data (as per their privacy policy)

• Ownership Concern: Opera’s parent company, based in China, raises red flags for privacy enthusiasts

• No Independent Audit: Unlike reputable VPNs like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, Opera VPN hasn’t undergone a third-party audit

Additionally, Opera VPN is not a “no-logs VPN” in the traditional sense, and user IP addresses could potentially be stored depending on how the service is used.

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App & Usability (UI/UX)

Opera VPN is extremely easy to use—because it’s built into the browser.

Desktop Experience:

• Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security

• Toggle the VPN switch on

• Choose from 3 general locations (Americas, Europe, Asia)

Android Experience:

• Opera browser for Android includes VPN in the settings

• Doesn’t require account signup

Interface Pros:

• Clean, minimal, and user-friendly

• Perfect for non-tech-savvy users

Interface Cons:

• No advanced settings

• Can’t select specific countries or servers

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Device & Platform Support

Opera VPN is browser-specific. It only works within the Opera browser, which limits its coverage.

Supported Platforms:

• ✔ Windows (via Opera browser)

• ✔ macOS (via Opera browser)

• ✔ Android (Opera browser app)

• ❌ iOS (VPN not supported as of 2025)

• ❌ Smart TVs

• ❌ Game consoles

• ❌ Routers

Simultaneous Connections:

No official limit, but tied to the browser usage—not full device protection.

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Customer Support

Opera offers general support for its browser, but VPN-specific help is limited.

• ❌ No 24/7 live chat

• ❌ No dedicated VPN support portal

• ✔ Opera community forums

• ✔ Email/ticket support (for browser issues)

• ❌ No phone support

Don’t expect fast, personalized VPN help as you would with paid providers.

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Plans, Pricing & Refund Policy

Here’s where Opera VPN stands out: it’s 100% free.

• 💰 Price: $0/month

• ❌ No paid plans or premium upgrades (as of 2025)

• ❌ No refund needed

• ❌ No free trial—it’s just free forever

If you’re on a budget and only need a basic browser-level VPN, Opera VPN might be appealing.

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Real User Reviews & Community Feedback

Let’s look at what actual users are saying:

Trustpilot:

• ⭐ 3.2/5 average rating (based on Opera browser reviews)

• Common praise: “Easy to use”, “No signup needed”, “Decent for casual browsing”

• Common complaints: “Doesn’t unblock Netflix”, “Slows down connection”, “Privacy concerns”

Reddit:

• Mixed reactions—many users appreciate the simplicity, but others warn:

  “This is not a real VPN. It’s just a secure proxy for the browser.”

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Pros & Cons Summary

✅ Pros:

• Completely free with no registration

• Built directly into the Opera browser

• Decent speeds for browsing

• Very user-friendly

• Includes ad & tracker blocking

❌ Cons:

• Only encrypts browser traffic (not full device)

• Doesn’t support streaming or torrenting

• No kill switch or advanced VPN features

• Data privacy concerns (parent company location)

• No country-level server selection

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Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Opera VPN is not a replacement for a premium VPN—and it doesn’t claim to be. It’s a basic tool designed for users who:

• Want a quick, free layer of protection while browsing

• Don’t need to stream geo-blocked content

• Aren’t concerned with advanced privacy or security settings

However, if you need comprehensive protection across apps, streaming, and P2P, services like NordVPN, Surfshark, or ProtonVPN are far superior.

Our Recommendation:

Use Opera VPN as a light privacy enhancer, not as your main online security tool.