Browser Comparison
Brave vs Opera GX: Privacy vs Gaming in 2026
A comprehensive comparison between the privacy champion and the gaming browser. Two Chromium browsers with radically different philosophies. Updated .
Brave
v1.88.35 (Chromium 143)
Opera GX
LVL 7 (Chromium 142)
Quick Verdict
These browsers serve completely different purposes. Choose Brave if you prioritize privacy, want built-in ad blocking, use cryptocurrency/Web3, or need cross-platform security. Choose Opera GX if you're a PC gamer who wants resource limiters while gaming, loves extensive customization with mods, or wants free AI with image generation.
Brave Wins For:
Privacy, ad blocking, Tor, crypto/BAT rewards, open source transparency
Opera GX Wins For:
Gaming resource control, free VPN, 8,000+ mods, free AI image generation
Basic Information
| Specification |
Brave
|
Opera GX
|
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Brave Software, Inc. (USA) | Opera Software AS (Norway) |
| Initial Release | January 2016 | June 2019 (E3 launch) |
| Rendering Engine | Chromium/Blink (v143) | Chromium/Blink (v142) |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Linux/Steam Deck Q1 2026 |
| Open Source | Yes (MPL 2.0) | No (Closed source) |
| Primary Focus | Privacy & Security | Gaming & Customization |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, CA, USA | Oslo, Norway |
| Ownership | Independent (VC-backed) |
Norwegian company Chinese majority shareholder (Kunlun Tech) |
Privacy & Security
Key Difference: Brave is built from the ground up for privacy. Opera GX prioritizes gaming features, with privacy as a secondary concern.
| Feature |
Brave
|
Opera GX
|
|---|---|---|
|
Built-in Ad Blocking
Native ad/tracker blocking |
Brave Shields (ON by default)
Native Rust engine, 75% memory optimized |
OFF by default
Extension-based, must enable manually |
|
Tracker Blocking
Cross-site tracking prevention |
Aggressive (Shields)
Bounce tracking, URL parameters stripped |
Basic (when enabled)
Standard EasyList filters only |
|
Fingerprint Protection
Browser fingerprinting defense |
Farbling (industry-leading)
Per-session, per-site randomization |
Minimal
Standard Chromium only |
|
VPN / Proxy
IP masking service |
Paid ($9.99/mo)
Full device VPN, Guardian-powered |
FREE (unlimited)
Browser-only proxy, Deloitte audited |
|
Tor Integration
Onion routing access |
Built-in Tor windows | Not available |
|
Microsoft Recall Blocking
Windows AI screenshot protection |
Blocked by default (v1.81+) | Not protected |
|
Data Collection
Telemetry sent to servers |
Opt-in only (P3A)
Privacy-preserving analytics |
On by default
Opt-out available in settings |
|
Independent Audits
Third-party security verification |
VPN audited + open source
Code publicly reviewable |
VPN audited only
Closed source limits verification |
Gaming Features
Opera GX's Specialty: The world's first gaming browser with dedicated resource management, gaming integrations, and gamer-focused UI.
| Feature |
Brave
|
Opera GX
|
|---|---|---|
|
Gaming Focus
Built for gamers |
Not gaming-focused | World's first gaming browser |
|
CPU Limiter
Cap browser CPU usage |
Not available |
GX Control slider Real-time monitoring |
|
RAM Limiter
Cap browser memory usage |
Not available |
1GB - 16GB configurable Auto tab management |
|
Network Limiter
Cap browser bandwidth |
Not available |
Upload/download limits Reduces game ping |
|
Hot Tabs Killer
Resource hog management |
Not available | Auto-detect & hibernate |
|
Twitch Integration
Built-in Twitch sidebar |
Not available | Live notifications, PiP viewing |
|
Discord Integration
Built-in Discord sidebar |
Not available | Full Discord + Rich Presence |
|
GX Corner
Gaming news & deals |
Not available | Free games, deals, release calendar |
|
RGB Sync
Peripheral lighting |
Not available | Razer Chroma integration |
AI Features: Leo vs Aria
Brave Leo
- Multiple AI models: Llama 3.1, Mixtral, Qwen (free); Claude Sonnet 4, DeepSeek R1 (premium)
- BYOM: Connect your own models (GPT-4, Ollama, Grok)
- Privacy-first: Zero data retention, no conversation storage
- Multi-tab context: Reference multiple open tabs
- No image generation (coming soon)
- Premium: $14.99/month for advanced models
Opera Aria
- Completely FREE: No premium tier required
- Image generation: Google Imagen2/3 (~30 free/day)
- Composer engine: OpenAI + Google AI combined
- Voice input: Speak to Aria
- No model choice: Can't select AI models
- Less privacy: Conversations stored on servers
Customization & Mods
| Feature |
Brave
|
Opera GX
|
|---|---|---|
| Mod Ecosystem | Not available |
8,000+ mods 250M+ downloads |
| Theme Options | Basic (dark/light) |
2,000+ themes Animated wallpapers |
| Sound Customization | Not available | Keyboard sounds, UI sounds |
| UI Customization | Vertical tabs, sidebar | Extensive: opacity, blur, layout |
| Sidebar Messengers | Not available | WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Twitter |
Performance Comparison
Resource Efficiency
Ad Blocking Effectiveness
| Metric | Brave | Opera GX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory Usage | 31% less than Firefox | Configurable (RAM Limiter) | Opera GX |
| Ad Blocking Speed | Native Rust engine | Extension-based | Brave |
| Page Load (ad-heavy) | 3-6x faster | Standard (blocker off) | Brave |
| Battery Life | 3.9% better than Chrome | Standard Chromium | Brave |
| Gaming Performance | No resource control | CPU/RAM/Network limiters | Opera GX |
| Bandwidth Savings | ~40% from ad blocking | Moderate (blocker off by default) | Brave |
Features & Tools
| Feature | Brave | Opera GX |
|---|---|---|
| Extension Support | Chrome Web Store + MV2 support | Chrome Web Store + Opera Add-ons |
| Sync | Brave Sync (E2E encrypted, no account) | Opera Flow (account required) |
| Tab Management | Vertical tabs, groups, Split View | Tab Islands, Workspaces, Split Screen |
| Video Player | Picture-in-Picture | Player (floating video) + PiP |
| Built-in Notes | Not available | Pinboards with formatting |
| Screenshot Tool | Not built-in | Snapshot with annotation |
Business Model & Cryptocurrency
| Feature | Brave | Opera GX |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto Wallet |
Brave Wallet (self-custody) ETH, SOL, BTC, EVM chains |
Discontinued (Jan 2026) MiniPay only in Africa |
| User Rewards |
BAT tokens (70% ad revenue) Opt-in privacy ads |
None |
| Creator Support |
1.3M+ verified creators Direct BAT tipping |
Not available |
| Search Engine |
Brave Search (own index) 1.66B+ queries/month |
Google default Paid partnership |
| Revenue Model | Ads (user share), subscriptions, wallet fees | Search deals, VPN Pro, partnerships |
Which Browser Should You Choose?
Privacy is top priority
Brave (shields, Tor, no tracking)
PC gaming while browsing
Opera GX (resource limiters)
Cryptocurrency / Web3
Brave (native wallet, BAT)
Free VPN needed
Opera GX (unlimited, no-log)
Open source preference
Brave (full codebase on GitHub)
Heavy customization
Opera GX (8,000+ mods)
Tor browsing needed
Brave (built-in Tor windows)
Free AI with images
Opera GX (Aria + Imagen)
Earn from browsing
Brave (BAT rewards)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Opera GX safe to use despite Chinese ownership?
Opera Software AS remains a Norwegian company headquartered in Oslo, subject to GDPR and Norwegian privacy laws. While Kunlun Tech (Chinese) is the majority shareholder since 2016, Opera states no data is shared with parent companies. Deloitte audited the VPN's no-log policy. However, the closed-source nature means this can't be independently verified. For high-sensitivity activities, privacy purists may prefer Brave's open-source transparency.
Which browser blocks more ads?
Brave blocks significantly more ads out of the box. Brave Shields is enabled by default with a native Rust-based engine that's unaffected by Manifest V3 restrictions. Opera GX's ad blocker is disabled by default and uses an extension-based approach. If you enable Opera GX's blocker, both will block most ads, but Brave is more aggressive with tracker blocking, URL parameter stripping, and bounce tracking protection.
Can Opera GX actually help my gaming performance?
Yes, Opera GX's GX Control features (CPU, RAM, and Network limiters) can genuinely help. By capping browser resource usage, you ensure more system resources are available for your game. The Network Limiter is particularly useful for reducing ping in online games by preventing background browser traffic. Brave has no equivalent features - it optimizes general performance through ad blocking, but can't actively limit its own resource consumption.
Which AI assistant is better - Leo or Aria?
It depends on your needs. Brave Leo offers more model flexibility (choose between Claude, Llama, Mixtral, or bring your own) and better privacy (no data retention). Opera Aria is completely free and includes image generation with Google Imagen (~30/day). If you want free AI with images, choose Aria. If you want model choice, privacy, or access to Claude Sonnet 4, choose Leo Premium ($14.99/mo).
Is the Opera GX VPN a real VPN?
No, Opera GX's "VPN" is technically a browser proxy. It only protects traffic within the Opera GX browser - other apps and system traffic are not protected. Brave's VPN ($9.99/mo) is a true device-wide VPN powered by Guardian that protects all internet traffic. If you need full system protection, consider Brave VPN or a third-party VPN service.
Can I use both browsers?
Absolutely! Many users run Brave as their daily driver for privacy-sensitive browsing (banking, shopping, research) and Opera GX for gaming sessions when they need resource control and want Twitch/Discord integration. Both can be installed simultaneously and sync doesn't overlap between them.
