Opera VPN Review – Is It Safe in 2024
Opera VPN is a free service that is built into the browser. To work with it you do not need to pay a subscription or register. The service is available to everyone. This VPN belongs to a Norwegian company – Opera Norway AS. But does the browser provide reliable traffic protection? This question is to be answered in this article.
Opera VPN Features
Among Opera VPN features, the following should be mentioned:
- Supported platforms: The browser is released for Windows OS users.
- Google Play has an Opera app for Android. There are no clients for IOS and Mac OS.
- Opera does not work on protocols such as OpenVPN and Wireguard. The program is a secure proxy server that protects traffic using HTTPS. HTTPS is an extension of the HTTP protocol.
- The HTTPS protocol supports SSL and TLS cryptographic encryption. Therefore, we recommend paying attention to services with AES-256 bit encryption.
- Built-in ad blocking. Enable it through settings. This will improve page loading speed.
- Blocking of tracking. Blocked trackers will stop collecting information about you.
- Virus protection: OperaVPN prevents fraud by checking the URLs you visit. We compare them with a list of known malicious sites to protect you online.
- Protection against cryptojacking. This means that sites with malware will not be able to mine through your device.
The list of built-in technologies is impressive, but more could be done.
Privacy and Logging
According to Opera VPN terms of use, they do not log information about your online activity when you use the VPN service. They do not remember the original network address. This means the company does not keep logs.
When installing the Opera application, a random installation ID is generated. They may collect this identifier, your device identifier, hardware specifications. Also, the operating system configuration, data on the use of functions. This information is needed to improve the product, the developer explains.
Based on ad IDs and your general location, some of their mobile apps may serve targeted ads. The above said means that the browser collects information about you. But the service does not require email addresses, payment or personal information. Confidentiality is maintained, but not 100%.
Speed Tests – How Fast is Opera VPN
We did a little research on how using Opera VPN service affects the speed of your internet connection. After all, speed is one of the most important parameters, which is important when using VPN services. We will start by checking the desktop version.
PC Test
The speed test results without using Opera VPN are as follows:
- Download Speed: 61,0 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 88,9 Mbps
- Ping: 3 milliseconds
- Jitter: 2 millisecond
- Packet Loss: 0%
These results indicate a highly efficient and stable internet connection, ideal for various online activities such as streaming, gaming, and browsing.
Results of internet connection speed measurement using Opera VPN connected to a server in Europe.
- Upload speed: 25,52 Mbps
- Upload speed: 11,87 Mbps
- Ping: 49 ms
- Jitter: 55 ms
- Packet loss: 0%
When using Opera VPN, there is a noticeable decrease in upload and download speeds. Ping and jitter values have also increased, which can impact real-time activities such as online gaming or video calls. However, the connection remains stable, with no packet loss. This change in performance is typical when using a VPN, as data must be encrypted and routed through a remote server, which can reduce overall speed and increase latency.
Mobile Test
Results of mobile testing without Opera VPN:
- Download speed: 103 Mbps
- Upload speed: 39,4 Mbps
- Ping: 31 milliseconds
- Jitter: 6 milliseconds
The results show a stable and speedy mobile internet connection, making it sufficient for a range of online activities, including streaming and online gaming.
The mobile test of Opera VPN mobile app with a connection to the European server showed the following results:
- Upload speed: 21,3 Mbps
- Download speed: 17,5 Mbps
- Ping: 92 ms
- Jitter: 12 ms
When the Opera VPN is connected to a mobile device, download speeds drop from 103 Mbps to 17,5 Mbps and upload speed drops from 39,4 Mbps to 21,3 Mbps. Ping increases from 31 ms to 92 ms, which can affect real-time performance. Jitter increases from 6 ms to 12 ms.
About Safety – How Secure is Opera VPN?
Opera VPN has an outdated protocol, so you should not hope for complete security on the network. There is also no encryption, so your online activities will be easy to track. There is no Kill Switch feature. If the VPN connection is interrupted, you will continue to work from the real IP. This means your information will be made publicly available. The connection disappears frequently: in 10 minutes of testing, there were several disconnections.
Mobile Apps
Upon visiting Opera’s website, it’s clear that they prioritize desktop and select mobile platforms. When it comes to their VPN service, Opera supports only two platforms:
- Windows
- Android
It’s worth noting that the Opera Browser itself can be installed on a wide range of devices, including desktop platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as iOS. However, the Virtual Private Network (VPN) feature is only available on Windows and Android devices, which is a limitation to consider.
Performance
As is the case with the majority of VPNs, the Opera VPN has little effect on system performance. Additionally, the mobile app’s load time is rather minimal.
Clicking anywhere outside the software window or on the crosshair will minimize Opera VPN to the system tray. Although there is a noticeable performance improvement, the app must be re-enabled from the icon. It is also possible to turn it off entirely in the same spot.
Work in Highly Restricted Countries
Opera is a proxy client. That’s why it doesn’t work in China. Yet for other countries, Opera VPN is available.
Server’s locations
There are three locations available for connection: Europe, USA, Asia. The developer does not say how many servers are available for connection. There are no physical servers, only virtual ones. These 3 locations provided by Opera VPN is a sufficient bundle, as you can easily access them and switch if needed.
What Bonuses Does the Paid Version Offer, and How Much Does It Cost?
Even though they say that Opera VPN is completely free for everyone. There are paid options available as well.
For $8 per month, you can use the VPN on up to six devices, including Android devices and Windows desktops, simultaneously. You’ll also save more on its half-yearly plan, paying $5 per month, which is billed at $30 per six months. If you pay for an annual subscription, you’ll get Opera Pro as low as $4 per month, or $48 for a year.
Opera VPN Pro extends the capabilities of the free Opera VPN by protecting all device traffic, unblocking Netflix and offering a decent selection of locations.
If you’re an Opera fan and are only looking for the basic VPN features, this might be enough. But it shows below-average speed, Opera-locked interface, short list of features, lack of kill switch and lack of iOS support make this app a poor choice for those who need more.
About Support
Technical support of Opera VPN answers questions within a special form. There is no live chat available. But you can call the office and ask a question. Before doing this, it is recommended that you read the FAQ section on the website.
Opera VPN Review: Final verdict
Our test and review on Opera VPN is now complete, and we hope that it has given you a clearer picture of this VPN. What we can say to summarize this article is that this service provider should not be called a go-to choice.
Security is clearly not sufficient, and your confidentiality is not guaranteed. The infrastructure is not up to par, and this is reflected in the available locations and performance. In our tests, Opera VPN was very slow, it was difficult to download files or stream content properly.
So, although the VPN interface was clear and the service is free, there are better options, many of which you can find on our website.