Opera vs Tor Browser

September 07, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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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.
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Tor Browser
The Tor Browser lets you use Tor on Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux without needing to install any software. It can run off a USB flash drive, comes with a pre-configured web browser to protect your anonymity, and is self-contained.
Opera and Tor Browser are two popular web browsers with distinct focuses and features. Opera is a mainstream browser that emphasizes speed, security, and user-friendly features. It offers a range of built-in tools such as ad-blocker, VPN (Virtual Private Network), and battery-saving mode. Opera also has a user-friendly interface with customizable options and integrates with popular messaging services. It targets regular internet users looking for a fast and feature-rich browsing experience.

On the other hand, Tor Browser is a privacy-focused browser designed to anonymize and protect user identity online. It routes internet traffic through the Tor network, which encrypts and bounces connections through several volunteer-operated servers worldwide. Tor Browser is designed to shield users' online activities and provide anonymity, making it popular among users concerned about privacy, censorship, or accessing restricted content. It prioritizes privacy over speed, which can result in slower browsing experiences.

See also: Top 10 Web Browsers
Opera vs Tor Browser in our news:

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. Tor Browser comes to Android



The Tor browser, known for its anonymity features, has now been officially launched for Android users. However, in order to use the app, users will also need to download the Tor Project proxy app called Orbot. Tor Project's browser ensures anonymity by employing a decentralized network of relays that bounce a user's data, effectively anonymizing their internet activity. As a result, it becomes exceedingly difficult for advertisements, location trackers, and even government surveillance to track an individual's online movements. Following the introduction of the Tor browser for Android, Orfox, a long-standing Tor Project-approved browsing app, has announced its plan to phase out by 2019.


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.


2016. Opera adds built-in free VPN service



The Opera browser is introducing a free built-in VPN service in its early release developer version. With this integrated VPN, your unencrypted browser session is safeguarded against exposure on public WiFi networks, and it allows you to bypass occasional firewalls. Additionally, it assigns you a virtual IP address, making it more challenging to track your location. At present, you have the option to select from three virtual locations (USA, Canada, and Germany). However, the company plans to add more locations once this feature is included in the stable release channel later this year.


2015. Opera browser gets password sync, VPN-protection



Earlier this year, Opera acquired SurfEasy, a virtual private networking (VPN) service that enhances user privacy and ensures secure browsing. Now, Opera has integrated this technology into its Windows, Mac, and Linux versions. Currently, the integration is relatively basic. When you open a private tab in Opera 32, the browser will display a link to download SurfEasy. However, it is highly likely that the company is actively working on creating a more seamless integration between its tools and SurfEasy. Additionally, Opera Max, the compression-focused proxy service for Android, appears to be a natural fit for integrating with SurfEasy. This version also introduces improved syncing options, including the ability to synchronize passwords alongside bookmarks, tabs, and other browser data. Furthermore, users now have the option to view their bookmarks in a tree view, facilitating easier organization for those with extensive bookmark collections.


2015. Opera redesigned Opera Mini for Android



Opera Mini, the sibling of Opera's standard mobile browser, has received a significant revamp on Android. The new design aligns closely with the appearance and functionality of the regular Opera mobile browser, providing a more native and familiar browsing experience. It's important to note that Opera offers both its regular mobile browser and Opera Mini for Android. The key distinction between the two lies in Opera Mini's always-on data saving mode, which aggressively compresses data. While Opera Mini manages to maintain the layout of most websites, some design elements and web fonts are stripped out by Opera's proxies to conserve bandwidth. As a result, websites may appear slightly more minimalistic compared to the regular Opera browser for Android, which also features a similar "turbo" mode but takes a more conservative approach to data compression.

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