Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Opera vs Surfshark
Where Opera and Surfshark differ
| Compare |  Opera |  Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Free plan limits | Free of charge, ad-supported; free built-in VPN and AI chat included | 7-day free trial, 3 devices |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Routers |
| Protocols | Lightway | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Dausos |
| Logging policy | Built-in free VPN and VPN Pro are no-log; Opera collects usage and ad-related data but states it does not log or store full browsing history | No-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte in 2023 and 2025; RAM-only server network |
| Jurisdiction | NO | NL |
| Privacy tool type | Browser, Ad blocker | Private dns, Ad blocker, Search |
| Price from | $8 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Surfshark scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Free plan: only Opera.
- Platforms: only Opera offers Chromebook.
- Platforms: only Surfshark offers Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV.
- Protocols: only Opera offers Lightway.
- Protocols: only Surfshark offers WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2.
- Support channels: only Opera offers Community.
- Founded is lower at Opera: 1995 vs 2018.
- Pricing model: only Opera offers Free.
- Pricing model: only Surfshark offers Budget.
Our verdict on each
Opera
Opera packs a browser, an ad blocker and a free built-in VPN into a single download, which suits everyday browsing on a budget. VPN Pro costs $8 a month and falls to $4 a month on its 12 month term, and the free plan keeps the VPN included.
Surfshark
Surfshark suits households and small teams that want a wide network at a modest rate, and it reaches further than most rivals at this price. Its long-term plan price is €2.49, under the site median for long-term plans, €3.97, and every purchase carries a 30 money-back window.
Score breakdown
| Area | Opera | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0Entry price of $8 sits high among the 131 brands compared on price from, with an ad supported free plan underneath it. | 9.6HigherSurfshark's long-term plan price of €2.49 undercuts the site median €3.97, while the monthly plan at €2.49 keeps entry low. |
| Offer | 9.1 | 9.5HigherThe plan bundles private dns, ad blocker and search with a 7 trial and a 30 money-back window. |
| Privacy | 9.9Higher | 8.7 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Opera | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Norway | Netherlands |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Opera | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 28 of 232 | 12 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 27 of 280 | 7 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 14 of 63 | 6 of 63 |
| Private browsers and search engines | 9 of 55 | 3 of 55 |
Choosing between them
Pick Opera if free plan matter most.
Pick Surfshark if cost and offer matter most.
Sources behind this comparison
Opera
- opera.com: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Surfshark
- surfshark.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Opera | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | Opera Norway AS | Surfshark B.V. |
| Headquarters | Norway | Netherlands |
| Founded | 1995Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Chat, Help centre |
VPN
| Fact | Opera | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $8 | €2.49 |
| Long-term plan price | $4 | €2.49 |
| Devices | 6 | Not confirmed |
| Server countries | 48 | 100Higher |
| No-logs audit | Deloitte 2024 | Deloitte 2025 |
| Features | No logs, Travel | No logs, Streaming |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Features | Not confirmed | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop |
| Owner | Opera Norway AS | Nord Security |
| Longest plan (months) | 12 months | 27 monthsHigher |
Identity protection
| Fact | Opera | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance amount | Not confirmed | $1,000,000 |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 7 days |
Data removal
| Fact | Opera | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | Not confirmed | €121.23 |
| Countries covered | Not confirmed | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Opera | Surfshark | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8at the median | Not confirmed | $8 |
Median across 82 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Opera
Pros
- The free plan costs nothing, is ad supported, and still carries the built-in VPN and AI chat.
- Both the free VPN and VPN Pro are no-log, and the free browser VPN no-log claim was audited by Deloitte 2024.
- VPN Pro reaches 48 server countries over Lightway, with 6 devices covered.
Cons
- The free plan is ad supported, and Opera collects usage and ad related data, so ads sit in the mix alongside the free VPN.
- VPN Pro covers 6 devices, near the lower end of a site range of 1 to 50.
- The $8 entry price leaves Opera at 73 of 131 brands on price from.
Surfshark
Pros
- Servers in 100 countries, ranking 7 on coverage among 62 brands compared.
- The no-logs policy is independently verified by Deloitte, with the current audit listed as Deloitte 2025.
- A single subscription covers Windows, macOS and Linux.
Cons
- There is no free plan, so the 7-day free trial, 3 devices is the only way to try Surfshark before paying.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line for urgent problems.
- Price-first readers have cheaper options: MEGA lists $1.67 and Sinew Software Systems lists $1.99 for a long-term plan.
Who each suits
Opera
Who it suits
- People who want a browser with the VPN already inside it and left on at no cost.
- Readers who weigh an audited no-log claim highly, with Deloitte 2024 on record for the free browser VPN.
- Households that want the same tools across Windows, macOS and Linux.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers after an email hiding tool on its own: Apple Hide My Email starts at $0.99.
- Readers who want a data removal subscription instead, where EasyOptOuts starts at $19.99.
Surfshark
Who it suits
- Households covering several device types, with apps across Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Small teams priced for business, with 100 server countries and privacy extras of private dns, ad blocker and search in one subscription.
- Readers who put audit evidence first, since the no-logs policy is verified by Deloitte and the current audit is Deloitte 2025.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers chasing the lowest long-term rate, where MEGA at $1.67 and Sinew Software Systems at $1.99 sit lower.
- Buyers looking for antivirus rather than a network, where ESET Brasil is the comparison to read, with 40 to 70 server countries in its coverage.
Current offers
Opera
Current offer
Free trial
VPN Pro free trial: 7 days
Offered at Opera's discretion; unless cancelled before the trial ends the payment method is charged for the selected subscription period
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Surfshark
Current offer
Bonus
+3 EXTRA months, Save 85% on Surfshark Starter: Starter EUR 2.49/mo., sale price EUR 67.23 for the first 27 months (old price EUR 444.15)
24-month plans, VAT may apply, 30-day money-back guarantee
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
7-day free trial: 7 days free on 3 devices
Available on all 12-month and 24-month plans; payment by credit card, Apple Pay or PayPal
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Opera | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No | Yes |
| Aland Islands | No | Yes |
| Albania | No | Yes |
| Algeria | No | Yes |
| American Samoa | No | Yes |
| Andorra | No | Yes |
| Angola | No | Yes |
| Anguilla | No | Yes |
8 of 250 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Opera
How much does VPN Pro cost?+
VPN Pro opens at $8, and the monthly rate is $8. The longest term runs 12 months. On price from, Opera sits 73 of 131 brands, so entry price is its weakest cost point.
What does the free plan include?+
The free plan costs nothing and shows ads, and it keeps the built-in VPN along with AI chat. The features listed for the free tier are no logs and travel, and the pricing model is free.
Surfshark
What does Surfshark cost month to month and on a long commitment?+
Surfshark's monthly plan is listed at €2.49 and the yearly plan at €121.23. The longest plan runs 27 months, which brings the monthly rate to €2.49, below the site median for long-term plans, €3.97. A 30 money-back window sits behind the longer commitments.
Is there a free plan, or only a trial?+
The free plan is no, so nothing runs indefinitely at no cost. What is offered is a 7 trial, and the stated free plan limits read 7-day free trial, 3 devices. After that trial ends, the 30 money-back window is the route to a full refund if the service does not fit your setup.
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