Opera has closed down its standalone VPN service, Opera VPN. Shuttering Opera VPN will only affect users of the iOS and Android apps. It will not affect the built-in VPN included with the Opera Browser.
Opera VPN is being acquired by SurfEasy, a VPN company that Opera acquired in 2017 and later sold to cybersecurity firm Symantec. SurfEasy still operates Opera Browers’s built-in VPN as a white-labeled service.
Opera VPN permanently discontinued service on April 30, 2018. It recommends users switch to SurfEasy, which also operates its own standalone VPN service. SurfEasy offers both free and paid tiers, but if you’re in the market for a new VPN, better options are available.
Other VPN providers offer faster speeds, better security, and more access to censored and geo-locked content than SurfEasy. In this article, we’ll list the best Opera VPN alternatives, paid and free, so you can choose the right one for you.
Best paid alternatives to Opera VPN – at a glance
We’ve compared the most important features for the top paid VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice alternative to Opera VPN.
| No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | IPVanish | PrivateVPN |
| Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | IPVanish.com | PrivateVPN.com | Ranking for Opera VPN alternative | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 74 Mbps | Total number of servers | 6,000+ | 3,200 | Undisclosed | 11,000+ | 2,200+ | 200+ | Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV | Popular Sites Unblocked | 95% | 88% | 86% | 85% | 85% | 85% | Activity logs | No identifying data | No identifying data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best deal (per month) | $2.99 74% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months | $1.99 87% OFF + 4 months free | $4.99 SAVE: 82% + 6 months free on 2 year plans | $2.03 SAVE 84% on the 2 year plan + 4 months free! | $2.19 The cheapest MONTHLY Black Friday plan! | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
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Paid Opera VPN alternatives
There are plenty of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service. We chose the best Opera VPN alternatives based on the following criteria:
- Apps for multiple devices and platforms
- Fast speeds
- Strong security
- No traffic logs
- Quick and competent customer support
This is just a summary, but you can read a more detailed account of how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in our VPN testing methodology article. For now, let’s take a look at the ones that made the grade.
Here’s a list of the best paid Opera VPN alternatives:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN allows up to six simultaneous connections on a single subscription. You get access to a huge network of servers around the world. The company keeps absolutely no logs of user activity or connection metadata. Your data is protected with high-end encryption, leak protection, and an app-specific kill switch.
NordVPN works with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and other geo-locked content. You can ask customer support or just search the company’s online knowledge base to find out which servers to connect to.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, and Android.
Pros:
- Large server network
- Impressive speeds
- Great for streaming
- High levels of security
- A strict no-logs policy
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons:
- Connecting to servers can be slow sometimes
Our score:
BEST OPERA VPN ALTERNATIVE:NordVPN is our top pick. It’s incredibly fast, secure, and has a huge network of servers. It works seamlessly with most streaming services and has apps across popular platforms.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a fantastic, low-cost VPN with roughly 3,200 servers around the world. These cover more than 100 locations, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. What’s more, this provider is one of the fastest we’ve seen, averaging over 300 Mbps in our latest tests. Unlike most other VPNs on the market, Surfshark allows users to connect every device they own simultaneously.
There’s a wide range of security and privacy tools built-in. These include a stealth mode that works in places like China, 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Crucially, Surfshark refuses to log any data that could identify you. Live chat-based customer support is available around the clock just in case you have any problems.
Surfshark apps are available for MacOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Multi-hop servers
- Fantastic speeds
- Unlimited devices
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Some features require a plan upgrade
Our score:
BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark offers top-tier security, speed, and unblocking abilities at a very affordable price. Not only that, it allows you to secure all of your devices simultaneously and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Take a look at our in-depth Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN service that costs a bit more than most but delivers on all fronts. Speeds are consistently above average. Cutting-edge security standards consist of military-grade encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and airtight leak protection. The company does not log your online activity or your IP address.
Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video are all accessible with ExpressVPN. Just contact the 24/7 live chat support to ask which servers work with which streaming channel.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and certain wifi routers.
Pros:
- Huge network of servers
- Some of the fastest speeds
- Works with many streaming sites
- Great security features
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons:
- One of the pricier VPN options
- Streaming servers can be hard to find
Our score:
HIGHLY VERSATILE VPN:ExpressVPN is a solid choice. Leads the way with its no-fuss, easy to use apps. It has a vast server network that is optimized for high-speed connections. Hard to beat on privacy and security. Works with all major streaming services, including Netflix. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is a Romania-based provider that has rapidly expanded its service in recent years. You can choose from a global network of servers based on how you plan to use the VPN, rather than just selecting a location. Those use cases include torrenting, browsing anonymously, or securely accessing sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
CyberGhost is armed with uncrackable encryption and top-notch security standards, including a kill switch and DNS leak protection. The service routinely scores near the top of our speed tests, so you’ll be sure to find a fast connection.
Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
Pros:
- The largest server network on the list
- User-friendly apps for all levels
- Incredible streaming speeds
- Great security features
Cons:
- Doesn’t work in China
- Lacks advanced configuration for power users
Our score:
BEGINNERS' CHOICE:CyberGhost is easy to use. Good on privacy. Streams HD video reliably. Hit and miss connections with some popular streaming sites. 45-day money back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
Get Deal >5. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish offers remarkable speeds to its worldwide network of servers. The company adheres to a strict no-logs policy and uses only the latest and greatest security standards. That includes perfect forward secrecy and 256-bit AES encryption. A kill switch and traffic obfuscation can be activated in the apps.
IPVanish isn’t that great for streaming sites like Netflix, but it is a favorite among Kodi users. If you’re a Firestick user in particular, IPVanish makes its app available on the Fire TV app store. The apps are remote-control friendly and work with all Kodi addons.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV.
Pros:
- Great speeds
- Network kill switch
- Works great with Kodi
- User-friendly apps
Cons:
- Doesn’t work in China
- Small network of servers
Our score:
LARGE NETWORK:IPVanish is great for families. Can securely access most geo-restricted content. Recommend for their high standard of privacy. 30-day money back guarantee on annual plans.
Read our full IPVanish review.
Get Deal >6. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a relative newcomer in the VPN space, but that hasn’t prevented it from competing with its veteran rivals. You get both security and speed on par with bigger and older VPN providers, including perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. Speeds are consistently among the fastest we’ve recorded. The company keeps no logs of your activity or connections.
PrivateVPN is great for streaming geo-locked content. Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video are all accessible, among others. You can connect up to 10 devices at one time on a single account.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
Pros:
- Great security features
- Fast speeds for streaming
- Apps for most devices
Cons:
- A smaller VPN service
- Fewer servers than rivals
Our score:
GOOD SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Good for HD Streaming. Allows up to 10 devices on the same account. Could do with having more servers and lacks 24/7 support. 30-day money back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
Free Opera VPN alternatives
Not looking to spend any cash? Here’s our free Opera VPN alternatives:
1. Windscribe
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.windscribe.com
Money-back guarantee: 3 DAYS
Windscribe offers a free, no-expiry tier of its VPN service limited to 10 GB of data transfers per month. That’s the most downloads you’ll get out of any reputable free VPN provider. You can choose from eight server locations, and P2P filesharing is allowed on some of them. You can choose from the more secure native VPN app or a less secure but more convenient browser extension, or combine both for maximum privacy.
Despite being free, Windscribe doesn’t keep any logs. Military-grade encryption and perfect forward secrecy are enabled on all connections. The paid version gives access to more servers, more simultaneous connections, and the ability to access geo-locked content like US Netflix.
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Read our full Windscribe review.
2. Tunnelbear
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
Website: www.Tunnelbear.com
Money-back guarantee: None
Tunnelbear is a privacy-conscious VPN provider with both paid and free tiers available. The free version never expires but only gives you 500MB per month to work with, which is really only enough for occasional web browsing. On the plus side, free users have access to over a dozen locations.
All connections are protected with strong encryption and perfect forward secrecy. Tunnelbear keeps no logs and doesn’t use any trackers or ad injection. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
Read our full Tunnelbear review.
3. Speedify
Apps Available:
Speedify doesn’t use a traditional VPN protocol and instead utilizes a homebrewed version of TLS encryption called ChaCha. Speedify says this is faster and better suited to mobile devices. Data is capped at 1 GB per month on the free version, and 35 server locations are available. That’s more than a lot of paid services offer.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android, but the company focuses on mobile platforms.
Read our full Speedify review.
4. Hide.me
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.hide.me
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Hide.me offers both free and paid tiers. The no-expiry free tier is a solid option but imposes a 2 GB per month data cap. Paid users get priority on speed, but Hide.me guarantees free users at least 3 Mbps download rates, enough to stream standard definition video in most cases. Hide.me doesn’t store any identifying logs and uses 256-bit AES encryption.
Free users are limited to three server locations, and torrenting is allowed. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
Read our full Hide.me review.
Why not just use SurfEasy and Opera Browser?
If you’re an Opera Gold subscriber, SurfEasy is offering a free upgrade to SurfEasy Ultra, a similar premium offering. For everyone else, switching to SurfEasy probably isn’t worth your time.
The free version of SurfEasy caps data at 500MB per month, which won’t get you far. The premium option isn’t all bad, but you’ll get more security, speed, and features with the recommended alternatives above, and often at a lower price. Save for IPVanish, all of the VPNs in our list are better at accessing geo-locked content like Netflix than SurfEasy.
Desktop users who use the VPN built into Opera Browser aren’t really affected by the recent changes but should consider other options nonetheless. Opera owns and operates an advertising network, and that advertising network depends on collecting usage data in order to make a profit. When you use Opera’s built-in browser VPN, the company still tracks what you do online and uses that data to sell ads, in particular by using the browser’s unique device ID.
Furthermore, Opera Browser’s VPN isn’t even a real VPN. It’s an encrypted proxy that only tunnels traffic to and from your web browser. That means other apps and processes aren’t protected, and your DNS requests can also be sent outside of the encrypted tunnel, so your ISP and hackers can track what websites you visit.
Opera, SurfEasy, and Symantec explained
If you don’t follow VPN providers and other software vendors as closely as we do, the implications of shutting down Opera VPN can be a bit confusing. To clear things up, we contacted Opera to ask about the relationship between these three companies.
- Opera Software ASA acquired SurfEasy in 2015. It provided Opera with VPN solutions used in both the Opera VPN mobile app and as a browser VPN solution in the desktop browser.
- In November 2016, Opera Software sold its stake in SurfEasy to Symantec, a leading cybersecurity firm.
- SurfEasy continued to provide the browser VPN service to Opera until December 2017.
- SurfEasy will continue to provide end users with the Opera VPN app until May 1st, 2018, at which point it will try to migrate users to its self-branded service.
SurfEasy is today owned by Symantec and is not affiliated with Opera.
A spokesperson for Opera told Comparitech in an email:
The shutdown of the Opera VPN app for Android and iOS has no implications for the built-in browser VPN service inside the Opera browsers. This free and no-log built-in VPN service will continue to be part of the Opera browser.
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Why no PureVPN extension for Opera? I don’t want to change VPN’s every time these robotic conglomerates sell each others stuff to each other like playing cards.
Opera VPN still appears to be working on my Android device as of today 12 May 2018. Is it actually doing anything or is it just an appearance?