Opera vs Safari

Opera includes free, built-in browser AI that provides answers, generates content and images, summarizes pages, translates text, and rewrites content directly as you browse. Opera AI works contextually with open pages and can access real-time web data for up-to-date responses. On desktop, it’s available via the Ask AI button in the toolbar and can run alongside sidebar features. The sidebar also includes ChatGPT and ChatSonic, giving you flexibility to choose the AI assistant that fits your task.

Safari includes AI-powered enhancements as part of Apple’s system-level intelligence, such as text summarization in supported contexts. However, it does not offer a built-in conversational browser AI or integrated AI assistants for real-time interaction and content generation within the browser itself.

Opera’s Workspaces act like virtual desktops in the browser, housed in the sidebar for quick access. You can create separate environments, like work, travel, and personal, and switch between them to hide unrelated tabs and focus on the ones you need.

Safari uses Profiles and Tab Groups. Profiles separate browsing history, cookies, and extensions, while Tab Groups let you save and switch between sets of tabs.

Opera’s Tab Islands automatically group related tabs, such as multiple links opened from a single search, into collapsible stacks. You can rename and color-code these islands to keep track of your active tasks without cluttering your screen. Opera’s built-in AI is also island-aware, meaning you can ask it to summarize, compare, or pull answers based only on the tabs within a specific group.

Safari does not have automatic tab stacking. To group tabs together, Safari users need to manually add them to a Tab Group, which lets them save and switch between sets of tabs.

Opera lets you quickly find open tabs by name or content using Tab Search (Ctrl+Space). This helps you manage many tabs efficiently and reduces clutter.

Safari does not include a tab search tool; users must locate tabs manually.

Opera’s Split Screen feature lets you view up to four tabs side by side within the same browser window. You can arrange tabs in vertical, horizontal, or grid layouts and resize each pane to fit your workflow. This makes it easier to compare content, reference multiple pages, or work on several tasks at once without constantly switching tabs.

Safari does not include a built-in Split Screen for browser tabs. On macOS and iPadOS, users can use system-level split view, but it applies to separate windows rather than multiple tabs within the same browser window.

The Snapshot feature in the Opera browser is a built-in screenshot and editing tool. You can access it via the camera icon in the address bar or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+5 (Cmd+Shift+5 on macOS). Snapshot lets you capture part of a page or the whole webpage, then quickly edit, save, paste, or share it.

Safari does not include a dedicated screenshot tool. Users rely on macOS and iOS system screenshots instead.

Opera’s Easy Files feature lets you attach files in one click, without digging through folders and submenus. When attaching files, the Easy Files popup displays your most recent files, including names and thumbnails for easy identification. This provides immediate access to the files you’re most likely to want, without unnecessary steps.

This feature is not available in Safari.

When hovering over any tab in the Opera browser, duplicate tabs (those using the same page) are automatically highlighted, and you can close duplicate tabs from the context menu. It’s one of the small, quality-of-life features that Opera is known for, helping you minimize clutter and find what you want without fuss.

Safari does not have this feature.

Pinboards is an Opera browser’s feature that lets you save content in one place and share it easily with others. It’s essentially a blank tab where you can collect content, like a collage or mood board. You can save images, add notes or links, and organize your collections.

Your pinboards can be shared with others by sending them a secure link, and they can leave emoji reactions on your content.

This feature is not available in Safari.

Flow, Opera's file sharing feature, allows you to easily and securely send files, pictures, links and notes between all of your desktop or mobile devices. All you need to do is scan a QR code to connect your devices. Everything you transfer is encrypted, and is instantly available in the Opera browser on the devices you choose to connect.

Safari users can use AirDrop, which lets Apple devices send files, links, and images over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Both the Opera browser and Safari include accounts that let you sync bookmarks, history, passwords, and other settings between their browsers on multiple devices.

Safari does this through an Apple account, which syncs browsing data as well as other Apple product data: iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple Music, Remainders, etc.

The Opera Browser has a built-in Video Popout feature for watching videos in a separate minimized window. Video Popout lets you detach a video from a webpage and keep it on top of other windows as you switch tabs and apps. The minimized video can be scaled or moved, and also works for video conferencing.

Safari has similar functionality, once you’ve enabled Picture-in-Picture.

Reader mode is available in both the Opera browser and Safari. When you enable reader mode on a webpage, the page’s content is displayed in a simplified view without ads. The functionality is similar in both Opera and Safari, allowing users to modify the font and background to their liking.

Safari’s Reading List lets you save webpages to read later, even offline. Saved pages sync across all Apple devices.

Opera does not have a dedicated Reading List feature.

Safari can read webpage text aloud using Apple’s system-level text-to-speech features. This works in Reader view or through the Spoken Content accessibility settings, with controls for playback, speed, and voice options.

Opera does not include a built-in web reader, but similar functionality can be added through extensions or system accessibility tools.

Apple’s Live Text can recognize text inside images on supported macOS and iOS devices. In Safari, this allows you to select, copy, translate, and search text directly from images.

Opera does not include a built-in image text recognition feature like Live Text. However, Opera AI can extract summarize or translate text from images.

Apple’s Hide My Email, available with iCloud+ subscriptions, lets you create random email addresses that forward messages to your personal inbox. This helps keep your real email address private when signing up for websites or services.

Opera does not include a built-in equivalent.

The Opera browser does not come pre-installed on any device, and is popular only because people choose to download and use it. You can download the Opera browser for any device, and remove it any time you wish.

Safari is deeply integrated into Apple’s operating systems. While iOS and iPadOS users in the European Union can uninstall it if they choose, on macOS and in other regions Safari is part of the system and not designed to be removed, and attempting to force‑remove it can disrupt app behavior and system features.

Both Opera and Safari allow users to sync browsing data across devices.

Safari uses your Apple ID to sync bookmarks, history, passwords, and other browser data through iCloud.

An Opera account lets you log into Opera services, like forums, add-ons, and AI features without usage limits. It also enables Opera Sync, which keeps bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings consistent across your devices.

An Opera account lets you log into Opera services, like forums, add-ons, and AI features without usage limits. It also enables Opera Sync, which keeps bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings consistent across your devices.

Safari keeps theme options tied to your device settings. You can switch between light and dark modes and choose a start page image.

Opera offers a wide variety of wallpapers and also lets you upload your own. Many include dynamic or animated designs that complement Opera themes.

Safari lets you choose a custom background for your start page, which syncs across your Apple devices via iCloud.

Both browsers let you add extensions, but the approach is different.

Opera supports add‑ons from its own store and also allows the installation of Chrome extensions, giving users access to a large and diverse library.

Safari uses the Apple App Store for extensions. While Apple has expanded web extension support to make it easier for developers to bring extensions to iPhone and iPad, the overall selection remains smaller and more curated.

The Opera browser includes the Lucid Mode feature, which sharpens and enhances the quality of online videos, like those on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and more. You can enhance the video by hovering on it with your mouse-cursor and clicking the Lucid Mode button. You can also select the comparison slider to see the difference that Lucid Mode makes, as well as adjust the feature in Opera’s Easy Setup panel.

Safari does not include a video quality enhancement feature.

Opera Cashback is a free shopping feature that offers promotions, deals and cashback when shopping online. The cashback you earn on your purchases can be saved in your account and withdrawn as cash. You can also enable Cashback notifications, which will alert you when you’re visiting a website that offers cashback, helping you save more while shopping online.

Safari does not have any such feature.

Opera provides direct access to popular messaging services, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Discord, VKontakte, and Slack through its sidebar. You can chat without switching tabs, and panels can be pinned for side-by-side browsing and messaging.

Safari does not have any integrated messengers.

Opera also has integrated social media, like Instagram, X (Twitter) and Bluesky in the browser. You can open them from the sidebar in one click to browse, post and chat without switching apps or windows. Just like Opera’s integrated messengers, this feature lets you stay connected at all times, without having to juggle apps or tabs.

Safari does not include any integrated social media.

Opera has a modular Music Player in the sidebar, supporting multiple streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, and Deezer. The player can be detached, and smart controls pause or resume audio automatically depending on other media playing in the browser.

Safari does not include a built-in music player.

Opera’s Tab Emojis feature lets you assign an emoji to each tab, making it easier to identify and organize your open pages. It’s a simple way to add a personal touch while keeping your tabs visually distinct.

Safari does not include a built-in Tab Emojis feature.