Opera VPN is a function of the Opera web browser that scrambles your data packets and paths them through a proxy server to conceal your IP address. As a result, it is merely a VPN by name, as it is essentially a proxy service.
Most pertinently, maintain in mind that it solely shields traffic within the Opera browser and is not a standalone VPN application.
And although Opera VPN is free, you should exercise caution when using it. This is due to the fact that it possesses all essential components, such as a kill switch, does not work with Netflix, and even poses some security risks. I would recommend a paid substitute like NordVPN, which will ensure your online anonymity by offering the best attributes and an audited no-logs policy.
Pros and cons of Opera VPN:
Pros;
- No cost
- limitless data
- Fast speeds
- Simple to use
Cons;
- Will not unblock Netflix
- It is incompatible with torrents.
- There are no features.
- It is not possible to choose a specific country.
- Concerns about security
Is Opera VPN suitable for streaming?
Following some testing, it became clear that Opera VPN is not a viable solution for accessing streaming sites.
| Platforms | Does it work? |
|---|---|
| Netflix | NO |
| Hulu | NO |
| BBC iPlayer | NO |
| DAZN | NO |
| HBO Max | NO |
| YouTube | YES! |
To begin, the VPN does not allow you to select a specific country; instead, you must choose between Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This makes it much more difficult to unblock a streaming platform only available in certain areas.
In any situation, no matter what continent I used, Opera VPN did not change my Netflix catalog. At the very least, I wasn’t blocked; I merely got the international page.
Following that, I always test for BBC iPlayer. Nevertheless, I couldn’t even try to unblock the page because the VPN doesn’t allow me to select a UK server.
Then there was DAZN, Hulu, and HBO Max. When utilizing the American server, neither one of them worked.
YouTube, on the other hand, worked. When I used the Asian server, I got the Indonesian library, the Dutch library when I used the European server, and YouTube USA when I used the American server. Regrettably, random YouTube libraries will not suffice to redeem Opera VPN.
Accessing Streaming Platforms Alternatives:
NordVPN: With ultra-fast bandwidths and the finest authentication, NordVPN can unblock 16 different Netflix libraries. It’s also compatible with Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and other services. Oh, and it has the SmartDNS component, which lets you watch movies on almost any device.
Surfshark: If you like Netflix, you’ll love this VPN. This is because it reactivates 30 Netflix libraries, more than any other VPN. The tool is also compatible with a large number of different websites, including BBC iPlayer, Apple TV, and HBO Now.
PureVPN: While PureVPN’s capabilities are less impressive than those of NordVPN and Surfshark, it still allows you to watch Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and DAZN.
Is Opera VPN suitable for torrenting?
It should come as no surprise that Opera VPN does not support torrents.
To begin with, because this is a browser-only solution, you will be unable to use any torrenting apps because the traffic will not be encrypted. In theory, this leaves torrenting web clients that work directly within the Opera browser.
I attempted this, and sadly, nothing performed as it should have. The torrenting traffic was not encrypted, completely bypassing the VPN/proxy. To summarise, if you need a VPN for P2P connections, OperaVPN will provide you with zero benefits.
Is Opera VPN any good, and should you get it?
All that said, Opera VPN is a distinctly average service at best. It publicizes itself as a VPN but does not act like one at all.
The tool does not use secure tunneling protocols, cannot unblock streaming platforms other than YouTube, and is utterly useless for torrenting.
Furthermore, all of the Opera-related scandals add little credibility.
The only advantage of the service is its fast speeds, which you can also get from a reputable VPN like Surfshark.
Overall, we can only hope that Opera VPN improves in the future.
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