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Side-by-side comparison ยท AI Browsers & Agents

Google Chrome vs Opera GX

Everything that matters when choosing between them, in one place: our rating, what each can do, what they cost, and the trade-offs.

Best overall

Google Chrome

4.1

From $19.99/mo

Opera GX

3.7

Free to start

Comparing 2 tools. Add one more if you like.

At a glance

Best overallEasiest to use

Pick it if: Anyone already using Chrome and Google's apps who wants AI help reading, comparing and researching without switching browsers.

Pick it if: Gamers and streamers who also work in their browser and want free AI help plus control over how much of their PC the browser takes.

Overview

AttributeGoogle ChromeOpera GX
In one lineThe world's most used browser, now with Gemini built in to read pages and do tasks.Opera's free gaming browser with resource limits, mods and a free AI sidebar.
Pricing modelFreemiumFree
Starting price$19.99/moFree
Free plan Yes Yes
Works with Claude Code No No

Rating breakdown

Our scores out of 5. The higher bar in each row is highlighted.

AttributeGoogle ChromeOpera GX
Overall rating4.1Winner3.7
Ease of useHow quickly someone non-technical gets value from it.
4.5
4.0
FeaturesHow completely it covers its own job, and how well the pieces fit together.
4.0
3.0
Output qualityHow good the results are before you fix them.
3.5
3.5
Value for moneyWhat you get for the price, including the free plan.
4.5
4.5
Speed & reliabilityHow fast it is and how often it falls over.
4.0
3.5

Feature comparison

A tick means it does this today. A dash means we haven't checked.

AttributeGoogle ChromeOpera GX
Access & platform
Free plan Yes Yes
Mobile app Yes Yes
Desktop app Yes Yes
Browser extension Yes No
API access No No
Teams & business
Team workspace Yes No
Enterprise plan or SSO Yes No
Connects to other apps Yes Yes
Open source or self-hosted No No
AI abilities
Works with your files Yes Yes
Understands images Yes Yes
Makes images Yes Yes
Makes video No No
Writes code No No
Runs agents or automations Yes No
Learns your brand or style No No
Works in many languages Yes Yes
Capabilities score12/ 178/ 17

Pricing

Plans as listed on each vendor's site when we last checked. Confirm before you buy.

AttributeGoogle ChromeOpera GX
Plans

FreeOur pick

Free

Most people: summaries, tab comparisons and AI search.

Free

Free

Everyone. There is no paid tier for the AI.

Google AI Pro

$19.99/mo

US users who want Gemini to do tasks on websites for them.

Free with an Opera accountOur pick

Free

Anyone who wants saved chats and more images.

Google AI Ultra

From $99.99/mo

Heavy users who hit Pro's limits.

Which plan to pickUse it free. The side panel is what most business owners will actually use, and it's free in Australia. Only pay for AI Pro if you're in the US or India and want auto browse, or you want Gemini's better models anyway. Nobody needs Ultra for the browser.It's free. Sign in with a free Opera account if you want your chats saved and 100 images a day. Nothing to buy for the AI.

Key features

AttributeGoogle ChromeOpera GX
Standout features
  • Gemini side panel
  • Auto browse
  • Works with Google apps
  • AI Mode in the address bar
  • Skills
  • Scam protection
  • Opera AI
  • GX Control
  • Hot Tab Killer
  • Mods and themes
  • GX Corner
  • Browser Connector

Pros and cons

AttributeGoogle ChromeOpera GX
Pros
  • Most people already use it, so there's nothing to switch
  • Free Gemini side panel, available in Australia
  • Works with Gmail, Calendar and YouTube
  • Huge extension library
  • Asks before sign-ins and purchases during auto browse
  • Free AI with no account needed
  • GX Control keeps the browser from slowing your PC
  • Same AI quality as Opera One
  • Mods, GX Corner and streaming sidebar that no other browser has
  • Free VPN and an ad blocker that now takes uBlock lists
Cons
  • Auto browse is paid, US and India only, and not on iPhone
  • Early reviews found auto browse unreliable and prone to claiming tasks it hadn't done
  • Page content you share with Gemini is sent to Google
  • Not yet available in the EU
  • Gemini prompts are increasingly pushed into the browser whether you want them or not
  • No agent: it can't click or fill in forms for you
  • Heavy at idle unless you set the limits
  • Gamer styling and game promos can feel out of place for work
  • A GX Mods security bug was found and fixed in 2026, so keep it updated

Who each one is for

AttributeGoogle ChromeOpera GX
Best for
  • Summarising pages and YouTube videos
  • Comparing products or suppliers across tabs
  • Adding events to Google Calendar from a page
  • Google Workspace users who don't want a new browser
  • Working and gaming on the same PC without slowdown
  • Summarising guides, patch notes and YouTube videos
  • Quick answers about a page without leaving it
  • Free AI wallpapers and images
You'll find it used by
  • Small business owners
  • Marketers
  • Students
  • Google Workspace users
  • Gamers
  • Streamers
  • Students
  • Creators

Questions people ask

Which is better, Google Chrome or Opera GX?

Google Chrome scores highest overall in our ratings (Google Chrome 4.1/5 and Opera GX 3.7/5). Google Chrome is best for summarising pages and YouTube videos and comparing products or suppliers across tabs. Opera GX is best for working and gaming on the same PC without slowdown and summarising guides, patch notes and YouTube videos.

Which is cheaper, Google Chrome or Opera GX?

Google Chrome: There's a free plan, and paid plans start at $19.99/mo. Opera GX: It's free to use.

Which is easier to use, Google Chrome or Opera GX?

Google Chrome rates highest for ease of use in our scores. Anyone already using Chrome and Google's apps who wants AI help reading, comparing and researching without switching browsers.

How we compare

Ratings are our own, from using each tool, across ease of use, features, output quality, value for money, speed & reliability.

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