Google Chrome vs Opera

September 07, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier. Deploy and manage Chrome for your organization.
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Opera
The Opera browser is a fast, simple and safe way to get around on the web. Download it for free at the official Opera Software site.
Google Chrome and Opera are two popular web browsers with distinctive features and capabilities. Google Chrome, developed by Google, is known for its speed, stability, and extensive ecosystem. It offers a user-friendly interface, powerful performance, and seamless integration with Google services. Chrome supports a wide range of extensions and provides robust features such as tab management, synchronization across devices, and advanced developer tools.

On the other hand, Opera is recognized for its emphasis on speed, security, and innovative features. It offers a clean and customizable interface, built-in ad blocker, and a free VPN for enhanced privacy. Opera's Turbo mode compresses data to optimize browsing speed, and its Flow feature enables seamless synchronization of content between mobile and desktop devices. Opera also provides various productivity tools and unique features like a built-in messenger and sidebar extensions for quick access to favorite websites.

See also: Top 10 Web Browsers
Google Chrome vs Opera in our news:

2020. Google Chrome update brings better tab management, QR codes, plus performance improvements



Google is enhancing the usability of Chrome's tabs and tab groups, aiming to make them more convenient and efficient. Behind the scenes, these improvements promise faster page loading times by up to 10% and a reduction in the impact of idle background tabs. Chrome now allows users to collapse and expand their tab groups, enabling them to focus on the tabs they need to access immediately. Additionally, a new QR code feature will be introduced in Chrome for desktop, accessible through a QR code icon in the Chrome address bar. Furthermore, Google will soon release a highly anticipated feature that enables users to directly fill out and save PDF forms within Chrome.


2020. Google Chrome now allows to organize tabs to groups



Google Chrome is introducing a fresh functionality to enhance your tab management. With tab groups, you can conveniently organize, label, and even assign colors to your tabs. To utilize this new feature, simply right-click on a tab and select "Add tab to group." From there, you can either choose an existing group to move the tab to or create a new one, which you can name and label. Furthermore, Chrome browser now includes a feature to block ads that deplete your device's battery life or unnecessarily consume your internet bandwidth.


2019. Opera became more secure with built-in tracking protection


The latest release of the Opera browser introduces a new tracker blocker feature designed to enhance your online privacy by making it more challenging for advertisers and other entities to track your browsing activities. A notable advantage of this feature is its ability to accelerate your browsing experience. According to Opera, enabling both the tracking protection and the built-in ad blocker can lead to a page load speed improvement of up to 23 percent. By default, the new tracking protection feature is deactivated, similar to the existing ad blocker. The tracking feature relies on the widely used EasyPrivacy Tracking Protection List, which has been available for several years.


2019. Opera Touch brought website cookie blocking to iOS



Opera Touch for iOS has introduced an important new feature: cookie blocking. This feature enables the blocking of intrusive dialogs that request your consent for website cookies. These dialogs can be particularly troublesome on mobile devices, often completely interrupting the ability to view content. In contrast, desktop websites typically present a pop-up banner at the top or bottom of the page, which can be (somewhat) ignored. With the widespread implementation of cookie dialogs due to Europe's GDPR regulations, many users find them excessively intrusive. Currently, dismissing these prompts requires an additional click, which slows down web browsing—especially when quickly navigating through multiple websites in search of specific information.


2019. Opera for Android added built-in VPN



In 2016, Opera introduced a free VPN app for Android, which was later discontinued. However, Opera is now bringing back the free VPN service as part of its Opera browser for Android. The feature is currently in the testing phase and is gradually being rolled out to Opera beta users. Once activated, users can select their desired virtual location, although the options may not be as extensive as those offered by commercial VPN services. Users can choose to appear virtually located in Europe, America, or Asia. Opera assures users that it does not retain any usage logs. Additionally, Opera already provides a free and unlimited VPN within its desktop web browser. Similarly, the mobile browser allows users to bypass the VPN when accessing search engines.


2018. Google Chrome gets a fresh look, better omnibox, and more



Google Chrome is introducing a redesigned look and an array of fresh functionalities, including an enhanced omnibox. The browser now features more rounded corners and a revamped color palette, presenting a visually pleasing interface. The tab design has been optimized to improve the visibility of site favicons, facilitating seamless navigation. Notably, on iOS devices, where Chrome has long awaited attention, the toolbar has finally found its rightful place at the bottom of the screen, closer to the user's thumbs. Excitingly, the update brings new customization options as well. Users can effortlessly change the background image and site suggestions on the "new tab" screen. Autocomplete functionality receives a long-awaited upgrade, now displaying site favicons in the dropdown list. Moreover, Chrome will provide answers to certain queries directly within the autocomplete list, even before the user presses the Return key.


2018. Microsoft improves anti-phishing skills of Edge competitor - Google Chrome



Microsoft has made a significant move by offering a valuable asset of its Edge browser to its competitor Google. They have released an add-on called "Windows Defender Browser Protection" (WDBP) that enhances Chrome's ability to detect phishing attempts. This free extension can be easily installed on Chrome running on Windows, macOS, and, following a post-launch fix, even on Chrome OS. Similar to the security measures integrated into Edge, this add-on leverages Microsoft's SmartScreen technology to alert users about potentially harmful websites that may attempt to download malware or lead to known phishing URLs through email message links.


2017. Google launched Chrome Enterprise Bundle



Google has introduced the Chrome Enterprise Bundle, a solution designed to simplify the deployment and management of its Chrome browser for IT admins in businesses. This comprehensive package includes a single installer for the Chrome browser, the Chrome Legacy Browser Support extension (which enables the use of ActiveX widgets), and a collection of administrative policy templates. Notably, Google's browser now offers official support for Citrix's XenApp virtualization platform and Windows Server with Terminal services. With these enhancements, IT administrators will find it more convenient to implement Chrome within their organizations, streamlining the deployment process.


2017. Opera unveiled browser of the future


Opera, the Norwegian browser company that was acquired by a Chinese investment consortium last year, has unveiled a new experimental browser called Opera Neon. While Neon retains the same underlying Blink rendering engine, which is also utilized by Google Chrome, Opera, and Amazon Silk, its main focus is on visual enhancements. The browser launches with a start page that mimics your desktop wallpaper, creating a window that resembles your actual desktop. On the left-hand side, a set of tools is provided, including a video pop-out feature that allows you to play videos while browsing other pages, and a snap-to gallery that enables you to crop and save any part of a web page for later use. One particularly useful addition is the ability to browse two pages side by side, which stands out among Neon's new features.


2016. Opera browser with a built-in VPN became available to all



Opera has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first browser developer to integrate an unlimited VPN service directly into its mainstream desktop internet browser. With the release of Opera 40, all users of the desktop browser can now enjoy the privacy and security advantages offered by a VPN. The built-in VPN in Opera for desktop is noteworthy because it provides unlimited usage without any time restrictions, unlike services like TunnelBear. However, there is one limitation: it only offers five different locations, whereas standalone VPN services typically provide locations in numerous countries worldwide. Another noteworthy feature introduced in Opera 40 is support for Google's Chromecast streaming dongle. This addition may attract users who were hesitant to switch from Chrome to Opera.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com