Opera reported that his Android Monthly active users increased 66% in the UK and 40% in the US year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to the company.
Opera attributes this growth to features not available out of the box in Chrome, such as a free unlimited VPN, a built-in ad blocker, and built-in AI tools.
The company notes that momentum in Europe has continued following the EU Digital Markets Act, with gains in both new user acquisition and retention. Opera has not provided specific user numbers, only reporting growth percentages compared to the previous year.
Growth figures and what Opera offers beyond Chrome
According to Opera’s Q2 2026 report:
- UK Android Monthly Active Users: 66% YoY Growth
- US Android Monthly Active Users: 40% YoY Growth
- European growth: continues after DMA implementation
- Retention: also improved, not just new user acquisition
The growth numbers suggest that a significant segment of Android users are looking beyond the pre-installed Chrome browser and evaluating alternatives.
Opera attributes its growth to features that come preinstalled rather than requiring additional extensions or apps:
- Free unlimited VPN
- Built-in ad blocker
- Integrated AI tools including Aria and other integrations
- Soccer hub to follow World Cup statistics and match details
- Synchronization between devices with the Opera desktop
Chrome on Android doesn’t include a VPN, ad blocker, or soccer center as native features. Users looking for those capabilities in Chrome typically need to install standalone apps or extensions, which isn’t easy on mobile devices.
DMA-driven growth in Europe and Chrome’s response
The EU Digital Markets Act has changed the way default browsers are managed on Android devices in Europe. Now, when users set up a new Android device, they see a screen that offers a variety of browsers instead of Chrome is set as default automatically. This change has given a boost to browsers like Opera, Firefox, pathopathoirand others that compete with Chrome.
Opera has seen its DMA-driven growth in Europe go beyond initial user registrations. Users who try Opera after seeing it on the options screen tend to continue using it, indicating that these alternative browsers offer features that encourage continued participation beyond the first trial.
In response to competition from third-party browsers, Google has been adding new features to Chrome on Android. These include Gemini AI features rolling out to more countries, Chrome 150 introduces a back button in the top menu, significant performance improvements described as an internal hotfix, and several improvements for tablets.
Despite these updates, Chrome’s default settings still lack some privacy-focused features, like a built-in VPN and ad blocking, which Opera provides out of the box. Users looking for these options should add them separately to Chrome or switch to browsers like Opera, Brave, or DuckDuckGo.
What Android users should consider and what this means for the browser market
For Android users exploring alternative browsers to Chrome, Opera presents an attractive option. It offers a free VPN with unlimited data, which is useful for public Wi-Fi users or those looking for basic privacy protection.
Integrated ad blocking helps reduce page load times and data consumption. AI functions are integrated directly into the browser, eliminating the need for standalone applications. Synchronization between Opera on desktop, mobile and other platforms works seamlessly within the Opera ecosystem.
Other browsers worth comparing include Brave, which has long offered ad and tracker blocking along with cryptocurrency rewards; DuckDuckGo, known for its focus on privacy and recent YouTube ad blocking on iOS, Mac, Windows and manual blocking on Android; Firefox, which has its own Gecko engine and supports extensions; and Vivaldi, notable for its highly customizable interface and anti-AI positioning.
For those interested in trying Opera, the process is simple. Install Opera from the Google Play Store, import bookmarks from Chrome or another browser during setup, and set Opera as the default browser through Android Settings under Apps and Default apps if you want. Users can enable VPN in Opera settings to turn on on-demand privacy protection and customize ad blocking preferences to allow or block specific sites.
Chrome remains the dominant browser on Android, holding approximately 65% of the global market share. However, Opera’s reported growth indicates that user habits are changing, particularly in regions with regulatory frameworks like the DMA that promote browser choice.
Google’s response includes updating Chrome with new features and continued promotion through Android integrations. Whether Chrome can maintain its lead depends on how quickly it addresses feature gaps that are driving users away and how regulatory changes play out in different markets.
Availability
Opera is available for free on Android through the Google Play Store. The browser can also be used on iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. Users have the option to create an Opera account to sync data between devices, but this is not required.
Opera has not shared specific user numbers or revenue details related to its growth on Android. The company makes money through advertising, search partnerships, and premium subscriptions like Opera GX Premium and Opera Origin.
For users looking for a browser with more built-in features than Chrome, Opera remains a viable option among several options.
