Opera, the makers of the ad-blocking web browser whose most recent claim to fame is having TikTok built into it, announced today that it’s rolling out an updated version of its iOS app that now includes a free VPN. The iOS version was previously available on Mac, Windows, Linux and Android, and now Opera is the first browser to offer a free VPN service across all major computing platforms, the company said in its announcement.
The news is timely since late last year, Opera’s biggest competitor Google expanded its VPN tool for desktop users on Mac and PC, following its earlier support for iOS and Android. But in the case of Google, its VPN is only available to paid subscribers of the Google One Premium plans. Apple also offers a tool to encrypt your internet connection through its iCloud Private Relay feature, though it’s not really a VPN. But like Google, it is also only available as part of a paid subscription (iCloud +).
Image credits: opera
Meanwhile, Opera VPN does not require a subscription. The company says users don’t have to create an account to sign in or use the feature. Opera also notes that it does not collect any personal information or data regarding a user’s browsing habits or their original IP address. And the service doesn’t require any additional plugins to use – users can activate it from the main menu in the app to start encrypting their VPN traffic.
The company is able to offer free tools to end users because it generates revenue through other channels, including search and advertising revenue, as well as technology licensing fees. It projects revenue of between $370 and $390 million for 2023, for example.
However, some users may not feel comfortable with Opera’s VPN service given that the Norwegian company was sold to a Chinese consortium in 2016. The nature of US-China relations is now such that the government is considering bans on TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps, which could potentially complicate Oprah’s future plans. Some security researchers have also criticized Opera’s default privacy setting for advertising and personalization and have raised other security concerns.
For iOS users, the Opera mobile browser app aims to set itself apart from the new VPN feature alone. The app includes other unique tools, such as “My Flow” for sharing files between devices, a native Crypto Wallet feature, a built-in ad blocker, and a security-focused cryptojacking protection feature, among others.
With today’s update, the iOS app is gaining some other additions as well, including a new bookmarks feature for organizing favorite content, and a Live Scores feature for keeping track of the latest sports team scores via the scoreboard on the browser’s homepage.
However, Opera warns that while features including VPN are launching starting today, the full rollout will actually happen over the coming weeks. This means that you may not see the new VPN feature right away when you launch the iOS app, but you should see it soon.