Opera

Opera is a freeware web browser developed by Opera Software. It first emerged in 1995 and pioneered many features that later became mainstream in other browsers.

Key features and characteristics:

• Speed Dial – Allows users to quickly open frequently-visited sites from a visual dashboard. Sites can be pinned to Speed Dial for easy one-click access.
• TabBED browsing – Opera was one of the first browsers to introduce tabbed browsing, allowing users to open multiple web pages in a single window.
• Data compression – Opera mini uses data compression to reduce bandwidth usage by up to 90%, helping users save data costs.
• Ad blocking – Built-in ad blocking allows users to browse without annoying ads. Blocker can be turned on or off.
• Privacy protection – Opera has functions like a free VPN to encrypt connections and mask IP address and location. It also blocks harmful trackers and scripts.
• Syncing – Users can sync bookmarks, speed dials, passwords, and other data across devices logged into the same Opera account.
• Convenient features – Opera has a built-in currency converter, units converter, and support for extensions that add more features.
• Cross-platform availability – Opera browser is available across platforms like Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
• Visual themes – Users can customize Opera’s look and feel with light and dark modes, accent colors, and themes.

While not as widely used as Chrome or Safari, Opera has a loyal user base that values its speed, convenience, and privacy-focused features. Its data compression mode makes it appealing for regions with expensive data plans.