One browser, two builds for different jobs. Regular Opera is tuned for work, study and everyday browsing; Opera GX is built for gaming and streaming. Here is a short comparison — pick one and download it, both are free.
A fast everyday browser: ads are cut before the page is drawn, the VPN turns on with a single switch, and messengers and an AI assistant live in the sidebar.
Pick this if you need a browser for documents, study, shopping and a dozen tabs at once.
The same foundation, plus resource control: you can set a hard ceiling on CPU, memory and network speed so your game never stutters because of open tabs.
Pick this if you game, stream, or simply do not want the browser eating all your memory.
The engine, the ad blocker and the VPN are the same — the difference is resource control and styling.
| What we compare | Opera | Opera GX |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Work, study, everyday browsing | Gaming, streaming, heavy rigs |
| Ad blocker and VPN | Yes | Yes |
| CPU, RAM and network limits | No | Yes, GX Control |
| Gaming news and giveaways | No | Yes, GX Corner |
| Styling | Light and dark themes | Neon themes, sounds, lighting |
| Price | Free | Free |
The versions share a foundation: one engine, one ad blocker, one free VPN. Opera GX adds GX Control on top — limits for CPU, memory and network speed — plus the GX Corner games feed and styling with neon themes and sounds. If gaming is not your thing, regular Opera is enough.
For documents, study and everyday browsing take regular Opera — it is lighter and looks calmer. If you game or stream and want the browser to stay out of your game’s way, take Opera GX.
Yes, both Opera and Opera GX are free, including the built-in VPN and ad blocker. No paid subscription is required for the core features.
Yes — they are two separate apps with their own profiles, so they install side by side without conflicting. Bookmarks and passwords can be synced through an Opera account.
Windows 10 or 11, about 400 MB of disk space and an internet connection: the installer downloads the browser itself. The download starts from the button on this page.