Opera is a long-lived browser desktop and mobile users are rediscovering and adopting as their daily driver. It’s responsive and has an intuitive interface that’s hard to go back from. The gaming version, Opera GX, even has CPU and RAM-limiting capabilities.
Any browser can become better with extensions, and Opera is no different. If anything, it has an advantage since it’s compatible with Chrome’s vast add-on pool. Take a look at our eight favorite extension types and take your Opera browsing experience to new heights!
1. Ad Blocker
It’s become impossible to relax and find information online or play online games without being overwhelmed by advertisements everywhere you go. Installing an ad blocker extension lets you shut out the noise and concentrate on the content that drew you to a website to begin with. Opera has a built-in ad-blocking extension you can activate, but there are also several powerful alternatives to consider.
2. Content Saver
Have you ever researched a topic and had 10+ tabs open just to keep track of everything? A smarter way of going about it is to install a content saver! These handy extensions work by collecting relevant text snippets or downloading the contents of a web page so you can peruse it later or offline.
3. Video Downloader
Similarly, a video downloader extension is excellent for storing video content from YouTube and similar popular sites. It’s a great tool for when you anticipate a spotty connection or don’t want to waste your cell data on long videos. They usually support multiple qualities and formats, so you can convert a video to MP3 before downloading. Podcast fans are sure to love and take advantage of that feature!
4. Password Manager
The average person has dozens of online accounts but can’t be bothered to secure them correctly. Sadly, the more passwords you need, the more they become an afterthought. Reusing old ones is common, and a surefire way of maximizing the damage potential of data breaches or lost logins.
Opera password managers prevent such security failings by creating, storing, and automatically filling passwords for all your accounts. These passwords are always unique and long enough that cracking them is an impossible challenge.
Opera has password management capabilities, but using an extension for an external manager is safer since their vaults use encryption. Besides, using a manager lets you sync passwords across devices and log in seamlessly whenever and from wherever you want.
5. VPN
Your passwords might now be unique and safe, but your internet connection can still be dangerous. Public Wi-Fi has lax security, and hackers can use it to spy on your activities or obtain any information you type in while connected, like credit card info or login credentials.
VPN extensions prevent snooping and tampering by securing and encrypting the browser’s connection. They also alter your IP address, making it look like you’re connecting from somewhere else in the world. This discourages tracking and lets you access content like shows on streaming platforms you couldn’t otherwise.
Why use a VPN extension instead of an app? Routing traffic through servers makes for slower internet speeds. That’s fine if you’re just browsing but could slow your gaming or streaming. VPN extensions apply only to browser traffic, leaving other programs free to use all the available bandwidth.
6. Translator
Not a polyglot? Not a problem! Translator extensions will allow you to understand any article, review, or debate regardless of the original language.
There are two types of translation extensions. The first will convert an entire web page from one language into another. The second focuses on translating phrases or finding word definitions. Both get the job done, but the latter is an excellent tool for language learners who need vocabulary help.
7. Deal Trackers
There are millions of online shops out there, and many of them offer amazing deals you’re missing out on. Not anymore, with a couple of handy extensions. One type focuses on finding promotions with cashback deals, letting you get back as much as 30% of your money. Others scour the internet for valid coupon codes and help you save big on products and services that would cost a fortune otherwise.
8. Gmail Enhancement
Gmail is the most popular email client by a longshot, with close to two billion active daily users. While intuitive, the regular Gmail experience in a browser has room to grow. That’s where certain Opera extensions come in.
They’re instrumental in scheduling emails and getting confirmation that recipients have read the messages you sent. The extension is equally useful for setting up business meetings and never forgetting to send birthday greetings again.
To summarize, there are many extensions that can improve your online security, productivity, and overall happiness. We pointed out the ones that seem to be the favorites of tech-savvy individuals.
