Microsoft Edge vs Opera
Microsoft Edge
microsoft.comOpera
opera.comSide by side
| Figure | Microsoft Edge | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $4/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Web browsers | 9.1 (#9) | 9.2 (#5) |
| Spec score · Mobile Browser Software | 8.6 (#7) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Browser engine | chromium | chromium |
| Built-in ad blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-device sync | Edge syncs passwords, favorites, and settings across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. | Yes |
| Extension support | both | both |
| Founded | 1975 | 1995 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Redmond, Washington, United States | Oslo, Norway |
| Supported platforms | both | Opera offers downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Chromebook. |
| Product | Microsoft Edge is a web browser available across desktop and mobile devices. | Opera is a web browser with built-in tools for browsing, communication, and AI assistance. |
Plans
Opera
- Opera browserFree
- VPN Pro — six months$5 a month
- VPN Pro — one month$8 a month
- VPN Pro — one year$48 a year
In their own words
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is a free web browser for desktop and mobile devices, available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and the web. It uses Chromium, supports extensions, and includes ad blocking and tracking prevention with selectable protection levels. Copilot can summarize pages, answer questions, compare options, and help with tasks using open-tab context. Other listed tools include AI-powered tab cleanup, theme creation from words, and a scareware blocker. Security features help block phishing and malware; Password Monitor can alert users if saved passwords appear in an online leak. Sleeping tabs pause inactive pages to reduce CPU and memory use. Energy Saver may provide an average of 25 more minutes of battery life, though results vary with settings and use. Mac features include Spotlight search, Touch ID, trackpad gestures, and macOS visuals. Edge also offers an in-game browser for PC gaming and access to free Microsoft 365 web apps. Feature availability and functionality may vary by device, market, and browser version.
Opera
Opera is a free web browser for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web, with extension support and cross-device sync. Tab Islands group related tabs for collapsing or expanding. Built-in tools include an ad blocker that can also block cryptocurrency-mining scripts, plus a free VPN with no data cap and three general locations. Opera AI can use open-tab context, generate images, summarize PDFs, and translate or summarize YouTube videos. ChatGPT and Gemini are available from the sidebar, and Opera says its AI tools do not require sign-up. The sidebar also offers WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, Messenger, and Telegram, while Music Player supports Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Deezer. Users can set browsing data—including history, cookies, passwords, and autofill data—to clear on exit. Opera browser costs nothing. VPN Pro is separate: plans cost $4 per month billed $48 yearly, $5 per month billed $30 every six months, or $8 per month billed monthly.