Opera VPN alternatives
Opera VPN was shut down in April 2018 by the company behind the service, in a move that impacted people using the Android and iOS apps. However, the free Opera desktop browser’s inbuilt VPN continued unaffected. Finally, in March 2019, a new free Opera VPN for Android was released with the iOS version release date still to be announced.
There are a number of Opera VPN alternative services that now provide enhanced security, quicker speeds and better access to geo-locked and censored content. We have reviewed and can recommend some of these for you.
Choosing the best Opera VPN alternative
Every customer will have their own motivation for using a VPN. Factors to assess and weigh up when looking at a product to replace Opera VPN include:
- VPN speeds
- The level of security
- Availability of multiple platforms and devices
- Traffic logs (ideally, none!)
- Strong customer support
Free Opera VPN alternative providers
Windscribe VPN
Select from a secure and native app, or choose the browser extension, which is more convenient but less secure. You can also choose to combine the two to really ramp up your privacy. You’ll find Windscribe apps available for Windows, iOS, Android, and MacOS.
Although Windscribe is free, the company doesn’t keep user logs. It also enables superb forward secrecy and extremely tight encryption. Why pay for a service which is already so good at the free tier? This will give you access to a larger number of services, the opportunity to run more connections at the same time, and the ability to get your hands on prime geo-locked programming and entertainment content on channels such as America’s Atlantic and Netflix.
TunnelBear
Again providing plans that are either free or paid, TunnelBear is particularly privacy-conscious and offers a non-expiring free version. Again, there’s a data limit to work within, and this is up to 500 MB a month, which tends to just cover occasional online browsing. However, if this is sufficient for your needs, you’ll still be able to take advantage of 20+ server countries to mask your identity and location.
The company doesn’t keep logs, inject ads or use trackers. Every connection is provided with optimized forward secrecy and a high level of encryption for your security protection. You can find apps for Windows, Android, iOS, and MacOS.
Check out our review of TunnelBear
Hide.me
Free users of Hide.me can use torrenting but are limited to three server locations. Apps are available across the usual operating systems.
Check out our review of Hide.me VPN
Speedify
Again, you’ll find apps for all of the major operating systems, but note that Speedify’s offer is geared towards on mobile platforms.
Check out our review of Speedify VPN
Paid Opera VPN alternatives
If you’re prepared to pay for your Opera VPN service alternative, you’ll find a broader service with additional benefits. Our favorites in this category include the following:
ExpressVPN
With ExpressVPN you can watch content on channels such as BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and overseas channels. The customer support offers a live chat around the clock and will let you know which steaming channel to select.
You’ll find apps across all of the usual OS systems as well as for Amazon Fire TV, Android, and some wifi routers.
NordVPN
You can use NordVPN to unblock a great range of geo-locked content, including the BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more. Just search the knowledge base to determine which server you’ll need to connect to or ask the customer service team who operate live chat around the world. You’ll find apps on all the usual OS options.
Check out our review of NordVPN
IPVanish
You’ll find benefits such as 256-bit AES encryption, optimized forward secrecy, traffic obfuscation and a kill switch to activate with your chosen apps.
The service isn’t ideal when you want to unblock content streaming sites such as Amazon Prime or Netflix, but it’s particularly popular amongst the Kodi fan base. It’s also ideal for FireStick users as you can find the app you need on the Fire TV app store. Apps work with a full range of Kodi add-ons and are easy to operate with your remote control.
CyberGhost
The encryption on offer is top-notch, and the security standards are uncrackable, including protection against DNS leaks and kill switches. CyberGhost is also extremely fast, and you’ll find apps for all the usual OS options. It’s a great Opera VPN alternative if you’re in the market for a fresh provider.
Check out our review of CyberGhost
PrivateVPN
What’s more, PrivateVPN is ideal for accessing geo-locked content, with channels such as Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video all accessible. Use a single account to connect up to six devices, and find apps on all of the usual OS options.
Shouldn’t I just use the Opera VPN?
Opera browser users may want to still consider alternatives, as Opera does have its own ad network which depends on user data to turn a profit. This means that it does track online activity and keeps logs. The inbuilt browser VPN isn’t even a “true” VPN and just an encrypted proxy used for traffic tunneling. This means that you won’t get app or process protection, and DNS requests can escape the encryption tunnel, so hackers and ISPs can see which websites you’ve visited.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a VPN – and users who want to retain their privacy and security when masking their digital location will be – these options, especially the paid ones, offer a great Opera VPN alternative.
