Opera Becomes 'The First Major Browser' With A Built-In Free VPN On iOS

Opera has gone beyond just an ordinary browser, and been in business of preserving users' privacy.

But that was on desktop and Android, where the ecosystems are more flexible and customizable. On iOS on the other hand, the browser had to follow strict rules to be able to reach its iPhone and iPad users. This time however, it's going another step forward towards making itself useful.

And that is by adding a built-in VPN to its iOS browser.

This allows users on the Apple ecosystem to browse the web privately by avoiding data collection.

The update also includes a built-in adblocker that can speed up browsing and shield users from unwanted advertisements.

And with Opera's Cryptojacking Protection already in the browser, users should be safe from having their device's resources hijacked for cryptocurrency mining.

When browsing the web, people are always susceptible to data gathering from websites and online services.

And unfortunately for those web wanderers, many websites and companies aren't transparent about how they gather user data, how they store it, and how they use it.

On iOS, Apple already has what it calls the iCloud Private Relay to preserve users' privacy, which keeps browsing private with features such as withholding a user's precise location.

While this is certainly great for iOS users, Private Relay requires a paid iCloud+ account. What's more, Private Relay is not considered a full VPN.

Opera's version of VPN, is a VPN, in a sense that it allows users to be on other location.

A true VPN doesn't make someone anonymous, but it can safeguard web browsing from prying eyes, and doesn't retain data.

In this case, Opera said that its VPN service on iOS is a no-log service that doesn't collect personal data or information related to users' browsing history or originating network address.

And on top of that, Opera's VPN is free.

It's worth noting that Android phone users have had access to Opera’s free VPN since 2019.

Opera is also not a stranger in the VPN business because in the past, the company also had what it calls Opera VPN, a standalone VPN app, which was terminated in 2018. Around that time, Opera also had what it calls Opera Max, before it was rebranded to Samsung Max, and also terminated.

Read: Explaining The Types Of VPN Services And The Protocols They Use

VPN services are extremely useful if users don't want anyone, even their internet service providers, to be able to track their internet activity.

What VPN does, is creating a virtual network on top of the one users are already using, to then hide their real IP address, and make them untraceable.

Whereas many VPNs do provide their services for free, they aren't exactly reliable. Because of this, most major VPN services allow users to pay to be privileged.

This applies to Opera.

While it does provides its VPN as subscription-free service that and doesn't require logging into an account or installing additional extensions, users who wish for more, can pay for VPN Pro.

VPN Pro users would gain access to more than 30 unique locations oppose to just 3 general locations, and 3,000 high-speed servers rather than just 100.

VPN Pro also supports two-factor authentication, live chat, 7-day free trial, and 30-day money-back guarantee.

What's more, VPN Pro protects all users' data connection to up to 6 devices, whereas the free VPN version only works on the browser.

Alongside the VPN service, two more updates coming to Opera Browser for iOS, include users ability to manage their online lives more effectively with the Bookmarks function, which gives quick access to the most crucial information when used with the browser's Speed Dial feature; and an update to the browser's homepage, which has a new Live Scores option for football lovers.

Read: Staying Anonymous: Proxy, VPN Or Tor?