Web browser comparison

Tests show that the Opera web browser uses less memory than its competitors, and Opera GX has RAM/CPU limiters built right in.

Chrome on the other hand is well-known for using a lot of your memory and CPU capacity by running a large amount of background processes.

Opera includes a built-in Ad blocker that prevents your browser from being littered with ads. Plus, when you block ads and popups you’re better protected from malvertising, and webpages load faster. Opera's Ad blocker also lets you unblock ads for any website you want, giving you complete control over what ads you see online.

This type of ad blocking feature is not available in Chrome.

Unlike Chrome, Opera Browser includes a Tracker Blocker that blocks analytic scripts, cryptojacking, tracking pixels and other methods of data collection. Opera’s tracker blocking feature is accessible through the ad blocking shield icon in its address bar, and you can customize lists and exceptions. In settings, you can choose to auto-clear cookies and site data when closing Opera as well as block third-party cookies.

In Chrome, third-party cookies can also be blocked in settings, though it doesn't apply to Google itself. Google collects a lot of user data from Chrome by default, and privacy settings are in a separate section (You and Google), where most of the sync features are enabled by default. This includes address bar autocomplete cookies, browsing history, Google Drive content sharing, statistics and crash reports sending.

A VPN (virtual private network) is the most important feature for your online privacy. Opera includes a free browser VPN that provides privacy and security for your browser traffic when activated. It’s free, built right into the Opera web browser, and doesn’t require any subscription or login.

Chrome does not have any built-in VPN.

Opera has the most popular messengers built right into the web browser. This lets you chat using Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram and more directly from your sidebar, no matter which tab you’re using. Chrome does not have integrated messengers.

The world of music is at your fingertips without opening another app. Just flip the Player switch on the Opera Browser sidebar and play your favorite music from the most popular streaming services, like Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer and Tidal, directly in your browser. Firefox does not have this feature.

Opera's built-in Ad blocker ensures your browsing isn’t littered with dozens of ads. And when it blocks ads, web pages load faster and you enjoy more protection from malvertising. Firefox also has a built-in adblocker, but most users opt for a separate extension that works better.

When browsing on a laptop with no way to plug it in, saving battery life is a great advantage - especially when you need your device for work. Opera Browser’s Battery Saver feature extends your battery life by up to 35% without sacrificing performance. Firefox does not have such a feature.

Flow is Opera's custom feature that allows you to securely send attachments (notes, files, images, links) between devices, including your mobile phone. All you have to do is scan the QR code to connect your desktop browser to your mobile version. Anything you send between devices with the Flow feature is encrypted for privacy and security, and is immediately available in your other device’s Opera Browser. Mozilla Firefox used to have a similar feature, but it was discontinued in 2020.

Do you keep a lot of tabs open at the same time? Opera Browser allows you to group them into separate workspaces so you can organize them by context, like work, shopping, gaming - whatever you want. With one click, you can switch between these groups to keep related tabs together and deal with less at one time. Firefox does not have a workspaces feature, but similar addons can be downloaded for it.

Malware exists online that can hijack your clipboard and change the data that you copy and paste. By doing this, hackers can trick you into sending money to their accounts. To prevent this, Opera has included a Paste Protection feature in its browser.

When you copy and paste information, Opera’s Paste Protection feature monitors the information for a time, or until you paste it, and warns you if the data is changed. Edge does not have this feature.

Opera Browser comes with Player, a built-in music player, right in the sidebar. Player lets you connect to music services, like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal and Deezer, as well as switch between them any time. When you click the Player icon in the sidebar, a handy panel opens up with the music services you’ve connected to, so you don’t have to switch between tabs or windows. Also, when audio starts playing on a webpage, like if you start a YouTube video, the music in Player automatically pauses, then resumes when the other source stops.

Microsoft Edge does not have an integrated music player.

A virtual private network protects your online privacy by masking your location and encrypting your online traffic. Opera has a free browser VPN built right into Opera Browser, which doesn’t require logging in or subscribing.

Microsoft Edge is currently testing its Secure Network feature, which is quite similar. However, you need to log in with your Microsoft account to enable it. Another difference is that Edge automatically connects to the nearest location, while Opera’s Free VPN lets you choose from a number of locations.

Opera Browser has social media apps, like Instagram and Twitter, built right into the browser’s sidebar, making it easy to keep up with social media while browsing the web. Once you’ve signed in, you can just click the icon on your sidebar to pop out the app’s panel. This way you can browse, post, and chat without opening new tabs or windows.

Microsoft makes Edge the default browser on Windows devices automatically. While you can change your default web browser through the start menu (default apps), you cannot uninstall Microsoft Edge without deeper technical knowledge.

Opera Browser is not the default browser for any device, meaning that its 350+ million users have specifically chosen to download and use Opera.