A lightweight, no frilles web browser designed and optimized for Mac
A lightweight, no frilles web browser designed and optimized for Mac
Pros
- A fast and no-frills web browser for Mac
- Speed Dial for setting favorite websites and getting there faster
- Security features, data compression tools, and more
Cons
- Safari fans may not find enough here to switch over
- Bookmark management can be frustrating and lackluster
- Browser compatibility issues can lead to some websites not loading properly
Opera For Mac is a web browser that focuses on speed and minimizing data usage. Support for macOS has been available for over a decade now. With this particular browser, users can expect a modern user interface and tabbed browsing. An experienced development team includes a variety of useful features with each version release. Most people will assume Opera is like every web browser, but that's only true to an extent.
A Free Browser With A Small Download Size
The initial download size for Opera is quite small. Plus, users can download the browser for free on macOS. Launching the browser shows users the Speed Dial, which is a centralized space for bookmarks and favorite websites. Opera prioritizes allowing users to reach their online destination as fast as possible. Speed Dial is both convenient and simple to use, while the browser itself loads most websites quickly.
Opera is designed as a lightweight web browser, but it doesn't skip on features. Aside from Speed Dial, users can install extensions and sync their data across devices. A data compression feature in Opera is quite useful for reducing data usage. Such compression allows websites to load fast as well, which is always a benefit. Also, the browser includes a variety of back end security features that keep users protected.
Certain issues present themselves while using Opera, though. For instance, the bookmark manager within the browser is terrible. It's a frustrating experience to manage and sort bookmarks here. Since Opera isn't as popular as Chrome or Safari, certain website compatibility issues may arise, too. Not all websites load smoothly while using Opera, which can lead to annoying issues for regular users.
The Final Verdict
In the end, Opera may not offer enough to convince Safari users to switch browsers. The team behind Opera is dedicated to the browser's success, and it continues to improve on a day-to-day basis. Opera remains more than capable as a daily use web browser, if certain shortcomings can be ignored. At worst, this particular browser is only a slight step behind the most popular browsers on the market.
Pros
- A fast and no-frills web browser for Mac
- Speed Dial for setting favorite websites and getting there faster
- Security features, data compression tools, and more
Cons
- Safari fans may not find enough here to switch over
- Bookmark management can be frustrating and lackluster
- Browser compatibility issues can lead to some websites not loading properly
