Celebrating 25+ years of opera: the browser that dared to be different
In a digital world dominated by giants, Opera has quietly shaped the way we browse the internet for over two decades often leading the way in innovation, privacy and user focused features. From its humble beginnings in Oslo, Norway to becoming a globally recognized browser used by over 350 million users Opera’s journey is one of resilience creativity and purpose.
As opera crosses the 25+ year milestone it’s more than just a celebration it’s a tribute to a legacy of building faster smarter and safer browsing experiences.
a quick look back: The origin story
Opera started in 1995 as a research project within telenor Norway’s largest telecom company. back then the internet was in its infancy and browsing was slow limited, and expensive.
Opera’s mission To create a lightweight efficient browser that made the web accessible to everyone regardless of their connection speed or device. that vision led to innovations that were ahead of their time:
- tabbed browsing before it became a standard
- mouse gestures for faster navigation
- speed Dial for quick access to favorite sites
- data compression long before “lite mode” existed
- the first built in ad blocker and VPN in a major browser
opera wasn’t just following trends it was setting them.
privacy and security: built in not bolted on
long before privacy became a buzzword opera was already championing it. the introduction of a built in VPN and tracker blocker was revolutionary. users could now protect their data browse anonymously, and bypass censorship without installing any third party software.
even in 2025 these features remain critical as users become more aware of digital surveillance data harvesting and malicious ads. opera continues to push for a more secure and private internet where users have control over their online identity.
opera GX: a browser made for gamers
in 2019 opera once again broke new ground with the launch of opera GX the world’s first browser built specifically for gamers.
with unique features like:
- GX control to limit CPU and RAM usage
- twitch and discord integration in the sidebar
- built in sound effects themes and RGB syncing
- performance boost tools and RAM purging
opera GX redefined what a browser could be. it quickly became a favorite among streamers creators and multitaskers who wanted a browser that matched their lifestyle.
today, opera GX continues to evolve with AI tools GX mods and seamless integrations that make it more than just a browser it’s a control center for gamers.
designed for everyone, everywhere
opera has always believed that access to the internet is a basic right. with products like opera mini, the company brought the web to millions in emerging markets, offering fast data saving browsing even on 2g networks and low end devices.
this commitment to inclusion remains strong. opera still builds tools for all kinds of users not just those with high end hardware or fast connections.
innovation that never stops
from crypto wallets and web 3 support to integrated AI chatbots and a cleaner browsing experience opera continues to deliver features that reflect how we live work and connect online.
opera isn’t trying to be the biggest it’s trying to be the smartest most useful browser in your digital toolbox.
25+ Years of opera: more than a milestone
this isn’t just a celebration of longevity it’s a reminder that technology can be human that speed and simplicity matter and that privacy should be built in not added later.
As the world continues to shift toward mobile-first AI driven and decentralized platforms, opera remains agile relevant and trusted not because it follows trends, but because it keeps solving real user problems.
try it today
whether you choose the standard opera browser or Opera GX you’ll enjoy:
- free built-in VPN
- advanced ad and tracker blocking
- custom sidebars with messengers music and tools
- faster load times and better resource management
