Opera VPN Review: Can You Trust This Free VPN in 2024?

In an era where online privacy and security have become paramount, Virtual Private Network (VPN) services have gained significant popularity. Among the myriad of options available, Opera VPN stands out as a free VPN solution offered by the well-known web browser, Opera. With the promise of enhanced privacy and unrestricted browsing, many users turn to Opera VPN for their online protection needs.

However, the question remains: Can you trust this free VPN? In this review, we delve into the features, performance, and overall trustworthiness of Opera VPN, exploring its strengths and potential limitations. Join us as we assess the key aspects of Opera VPN and provide insights into its reliability and suitability for your online security and privacy needs.

How Does Opera VPN Work?

Opera VPN works by encrypting your internet traffic and routing it through a server located in a different country. This makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity or determine your real location.

When you connect to Opera VPN, your device’s IP address is replaced with an IP address from one of the servers in the five locations mentioned earlier. This allows you to access content that may be restricted in your country or region.

It’s important to note that Opera VPN only encrypts your internet traffic when you’re using the Opera browser or the standalone app. It won’t encrypt other internet traffic on your device, such as traffic from other apps or services.

Opera VPN Features

Opera VPN offers a range of features designed to enhance online privacy, security, and browsing experience. While it's important to note that Opera VPN is a browser-based VPN and has its limitations compared to standalone VPN services, it still provides a number of useful features for users. Let's explore some of the key features of Opera VPN:

Built-in VPN Protection: Opera VPN comes integrated within the Opera web browser, making it easy to enable and use. It allows users to establish a secure and encrypted connection while browsing the internet, protecting their online activities from prying eyes.

Virtual Locations: Opera VPN offers virtual locations in various regions around the world. Users can select a virtual location of their choice, giving them the ability to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that may be restricted in their actual physical location. This feature is particularly useful for streaming content and accessing region-specific websites.

No-Logs Policy: Opera VPN follows a strict no-logs policy, which means it does not store any logs or track users' online activities. This commitment to privacy ensures that user data and browsing history are not collected, providing a higher level of anonymity.

Browser-Level Encryption: Opera VPN encrypts users' web traffic, securing their data from potential eavesdroppers or hackers. This encryption helps protect sensitive information, such as passwords and financial details, from being intercepted or compromised.

Ad-Blocker and Tracker Blocker: Opera VPN includes built-in ad-blocking and tracker-blocking features. These features help users browse the internet faster and more securely by blocking intrusive ads and preventing websites from tracking their online behavior.

Free and Unlimited Usage: One of the standout features of Opera VPN is that it is entirely free to use, without any limitations on bandwidth or data usage. This makes it an attractive choice for users who want basic VPN protection without the need for a paid subscription.

While Opera VPN offers several valuable features, it's important to note that it may not provide the same level of security and functionality as dedicated VPN services. For users seeking advanced features such as dedicated server selection, advanced encryption protocols, or comprehensive customer support, standalone VPN services may be more suitable. However, Opera VPN can still serve as a convenient and accessible option for basic browsing privacy and content unblocking within the Opera web browser.

Pros of Opera VPN

Here are some of the benefits of using Opera VPN:

1. Free and Unlimited Data

Opera VPN is completely free and offers unlimited data usage. This means you can use the service for as long as you want and browse the web as much as you like without worrying about running out of data.

2. Servers in Five Locations

While Opera VPN doesn’t have as many server locations as some other VPN services, it does offer servers in five different countries. This can be useful if you need to access content that’s only available in one of those countries.

3. No Logs Policy

Opera VPN has a strict no-logs policy, which means it doesn’t collect or store any information about your online activity. This is important if you’re concerned about your privacy and don’t want your internet activity to be tracked.

4. Ad-Tracker Blocking

Opera VPN includes a built-in ad-tracker blocker that prevents websites from tracking your online activity for advertising purposes. This can help improve your online privacy and reduce the number of ads you see while browsing the web.

Cons of Opera VPN

While Opera VPN has some great features, there are also some downsides to consider:

1. Limited Server Locations

As mentioned earlier, Opera VPN only has servers in five different countries. This means you may not be able to access content that’s only available in other parts of the world.

2. Only Encrypts Opera Browser Traffic

While Opera VPN encrypts your internet traffic when you’re using the Opera browser or the standalone app, it doesn’t encrypt other internet traffic on your device. This means that other apps or services you use may still be able to track your online activity.

3. Slow Connection Speeds

Some users have reported slow connection speeds when using Opera VPN, especially when connecting to servers that are far away from their actual location.

Is Opera VPN Safe to Use?

Opera VPN is generally considered safe to use. It uses 256-bit encryption to protect your internet traffic and has a strict no-logs policy, which means it doesn’t collect or store any information about your online activity.

That being said, Opera VPN is not as secure as some other VPN services. For example, it only encrypts internet traffic when you’re using the Opera browser or the standalone app and doesn’t encrypt other internet traffic on your device. This means that other apps or services you use may still be able to track your online activity.

In addition, Opera VPN is owned by a company based in Norway, whichis known for its strict data protection laws. However, Norway is also part of the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance, which means that it may be required to share user data with other countries if requested.

Overall, while Opera VPN is generally safe to use, it’s important to keep in mind that it may not be as secure as some other VPN services.

How to Use Opera VPN

Using Opera VPN is easy. Here’s how to get started:

1. Download and Install Opera Browser

If you don’t already have it, download and install the Opera browser for your desktop or laptop computer. Opera VPN is built into the browser, so you’ll need to have it installed in order to use the VPN service.

2. Enable Opera VPN

Once you have the Opera browser installed, you can enable Opera VPN by clicking on the VPN icon in the address bar. This will open the VPN settings menu, where you can turn on the VPN service.

3. Choose a Server Location

After you’ve enabled Opera VPN, you can select a server location by clicking on the VPN icon in the address bar and choosing a location from the drop-down menu. Opera VPN currently offers servers in five different countries: Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, and the United States.

4. Browse the Web Anonymously and Securely

Once you’ve selected a server location, you can start browsing the web anonymously and securely. Opera VPN will encrypt your internet traffic and route it through the selected server, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity or determine your real location.

FAQ

1. Is Opera VPN truly free to use?

Opera VPN is indeed free to use. It comes integrated within the Opera web browser and does not require a separate subscription or payment. Users can access the VPN feature without any cost and enjoy the benefits of encrypted browsing, virtual locations, ad-blocking, and tracker-blocking without the need for additional fees.

2. How does Opera VPN handle user privacy and data collection?

Opera VPN follows a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not store any logs or track users' online activities. This commitment to privacy ensures that user data, browsing history, and personal information are not collected or stored by Opera VPN. However, it's worth noting that the Opera browser itself may collect certain non-identifiable browsing data as outlined in its privacy policy.

3. What are the limitations of using Opera VPN compared to standalone VPN services?

While Opera VPN offers basic VPN functionality, it's important to understand its limitations compared to dedicated standalone VPN services. Opera VPN operates at the browser level, meaning it only protects internet traffic originating from within the Opera browser. It does not provide system-wide VPN protection for other applications or devices. Additionally, Opera VPN may not offer the same level of advanced features, server options, or customer support as dedicated VPN services. Users seeking comprehensive VPN solutions with more control and flexibility may find standalone VPN services more suitable for their needs.

Conclusion

Overall, Opera VPN is a decent free VPN service that offers unlimited data usage, a no-logs policy, and ad-tracker blocking. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it only encrypts internet traffic when you’re using the Opera browser or the standalone app and may not be as secure as some other VPN services.

If you’re looking for a VPN service that offers more server locations or stronger security features, you may want to consider a paid VPN service. However, if you’re just looking for a basic VPN service to browse the web anonymously and securely, Opera VPN is definitely worth checking out.