Opera, known for its offbeat but user-friendly web browser, has introduced Opera VPN Pro, a paid upgrade to its limited free VPN service. This VPN provides a simple, cost-effective way to protect your web traffic, but it comes with several limitations. Let’s break down the pros, cons, and pricing details of Opera VPN Pro.
Pros:
- Affordable Pricing: Opera VPN Pro offers a competitive price, with plans starting at $7.99 per month. Annual pricing at $47.88 remains below the industry average for long-term VPN plans.
- Simple Design: The VPN interface is straightforward, requiring little technical knowledge, which is ideal for casual users.
- Limited Free Version: Opera offers a free VPN, though it’s restricted to iOS and requires no additional payment.
Cons:
- Few Features: Compared to other VPNs, Opera VPN Pro lacks advanced features such as split tunneling, dedicated IPs, or multi-hop connections, which are standard in many premium services.
- Limited Server Locations: Opera VPN Pro offers 500+ servers but lacks the global coverage seen in other VPNs like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
- Requires Opera Browser: You need to use the Opera browser to access and manage the VPN, which may be inconvenient for users who prefer other browsers.
- Free Version iOS-Only: Unlike Opera’s desktop VPN, the free mobile version is exclusive to iOS, limiting its appeal for Android users.
Opera VPN Pro Pricing:
- Monthly Plan: $7.99 per month, up from its original $5.99 launch price. While this is still below the industry average of $10.03, it’s a noticeable increase.
- Annual Plan: $47.88 per year, a rise from under $30 but still cheaper than the $66.95 average of other VPNs.
- Six-Month Plan: $29.94 for six months. All subscriptions renew at the same price, avoiding introductory pricing traps.
While Opera VPN Pro remains affordable, it’s clear that the service lacks many features that users expect from top-tier VPNs like Proton VPN or Mullvad VPN. These alternatives offer better privacy features, more server options, and do not require the use of a specific browser to operate.
Who Should Use Opera VPN Pro?
Opera VPN Pro is best suited for casual users who are already committed to the Opera browser and want simple protection for their web traffic. If you’re looking for advanced features or cross-browser compatibility, other VPN services like Proton VPN, Mullvad, or NordVPN will provide better options.
