Opera Launches 'Free And Unlimited' VPN App For iOS

Opera has launched a new VPN app for iOS that is free to use and includes unlimited data. The app uses the US-based SurfEasy VPN service acquired by Opera last March. Opera is promising that its mobile VPN is free for life, with no subscription needed. For comparison, SurfEasy's standalone apps for Android and iOS do charge subscription fees. Opera says the app is "especially relevant on campuses and workplaces," where Wi-Fi provided by one institution may have limited access to "social media and video streaming websites." The software blocks ads and trackers, in addition to allowing users to access geo-blocked content by routing their internet connection through another country. You can download the app here.

Re:

[Big Hairy Ian]

Didn't they launch this or something very similar the other month?

Convenient commercial aggregation of your data

[Anonymous Coward]

And provides a nice, clean, convenient place for Opera (and the FBI) to monitor everyone's data at 1 egress point.

Um, no thanks.

Great idea, just not sustaible

[randomErr]

This will only work for a while. You'll notice they released the app on a relatively small platform*. If they expand it beyond this eco system they'll have not valid way to keep the service going unless a third party pays for it and harvests user data. I can't see this living part a year.

* By small platform I mean install base. Theres just a ton more Android devices in use. They could have went with something like Firefox OS. But those platforms are no where near as mature or tightly controlled.

Not a small platform

[SuperKendall]

There are not a ton more Android devices in use.

Looking at the U.S. 43% of active subscriber devices are iOS (as of last September)

A lot more Android devices EXIST. But that does not mean they are in-use in any way that matters to a VPN provider.

That said I agree with your main point roughly, that it doesn't seem sustainable to offer free VPN to over a billion devices. So then they obviously are making money somehow... still want to use that "free" VPN?

Re:

[tlhIngan]

This will only work for a while. You'll notice they released the app on a relatively small platform*. If they expand it beyond this eco system they'll have not valid way to keep the service going unless a third party pays for it and harvests user data. I can't see this living part a year.

* By small platform I mean install base. Theres just a ton more Android devices in use. They could have went with something like Firefox OS. But those platforms are no where near as mature or tightly controlled.

Not a small

What's the hidden cost?

[Anonymous Coward]

Is all of my info going to be funnelled straight to the NSA and China? Because brother, I can't imagine why a for-profit would bother doing this out of the goodness of their hearts.

Hola chrome extension does the same

[schwit1]

https://chrome.google.com/webs... [google.com]

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

Hola only works for a short period of time until you pay them their $5.

With that said, IMHO it's $5 very well spent.

Opera WAS Great – But is now Chinese NSA-ba

[Sir Holo]

I've used Opera since it first came out – when you had to PAY for web browsers. It has always been speedy, and has given the user as much control as desired.

But, a Chinese conglomerate is buying Opera. The offer was made a month ago. And, from the NYT article: "Opera’s board has unanimously decided to recommend that shareholders accept the offer."

Yikes! A Chinese-owned browser with built-in VPN, for free. Uh-huh, I believe THAT one... No back doors? Pinky-swear?

And, of course, NSA will

Re: Opera WAS Great – But is now Chinese NS

[untoreh]

You could say the vpn was built after the chinese acquisition because chineses want to spy you... or you could say that the vpn was built after the chinese acquisition to target the chinese market, since you know... big firewall of China, this could be a great selling point for chinese users.

Doesn't like to shut off

[j33px0r]

Tried it out. It always liked to turn back on regardless if you disable in setting or through the app. Slows down surfing as well.