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Opera Shutting Down its VPN for iOS, Android

The browser maker is permanently shuttering Opera VPN for iOS and Android on April 30, but is offering users deals on the SurfEasy VPN it acquired in 2015.

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Opera is saying goodbye to its mobile VPN app.

The browser maker has announced it is permanently shuttering Opera VPN for iOS and Android on April 30. Opera is now pushing users towards SurfEasy VPN, which it acquired in 2015.

If you shelled out $29.99 for a yearly subscription to Opera VPN Gold, you can get a free 1-year subscription to SurfEasy Ultra VPN, which normally costs $11.99 a month and offers "unlimited usage on up to five devices, access to 28 regions, and a strict no-log policy," Opera wrote in its announcement. Gold subscribers can redeem this offer within the latest version of the Opera VPN iOS app.

If you're using the free version of Opera VPN, you can get 80 percent off SurfEasy Total VPN, which is regularly $4.99 a month. The Total plan offers fewer perks than Ultra, but also includes unlimited usage on up to five devices and tracker blocking. Head over to the Opera VPN app for iOS or Android to redeem that offer.

Opera said that SurfEasy "consistently hits 99.9 percent uptime both globally and regionally for all of its users, has a unique ad tracker/blocker, and most importantly does not log browsing or downloading activity like some other VPNs."

Meanwhile, there are plenty of other great VPN alternatives available for both iOS and Android. Some of our favorites here at PCMag include NordVPN, Private Internet Access VPN, and KeepSolid VPN Unlimited.

A VPN service creates a virtual encrypted tunnel between you and a remote server operated by a VPN service. All external internet traffic is routed through this tunnel, so your data is secure from prying eyes. Best of all, your computer appears to have the IP address of the VPN server, masking your identity.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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