When it comes to picking a web browser, almost 70% of users in the U.S. go with one of two solutions, Firefox or Chrome. However, while Opera may not be the most popular web browser it is still on par with these two giants when it comes to certain features and overall performance.
In fact, Opera is one of the most secure web browsers on the market thanks to such features as the in-built VPN and a rather simple password manager that is protected by the very same password used for logging in to the computer.
But no matter how safe Opera’s own in-built password manager is, it is far from being as advanced as a solution provided by a professional password manager company. This is why Opera users can also enjoy all the benefits of these programs via handy extensions that seamlessly integrate into the browser.
Top Opera Password Managers
1Password
1Password is a simple and very straightforward password manager that is available on various platforms, whether that is a Windows computer, a Mac or a mobile phone. Within 1Password’s vault (or even vaults) all sorts of data can be stored, from online passwords, forms and payment information to IDs, licenses, router credentials, and Social Security numbers.
All of the above is easily accessed from the 1Password Opera browser extension, and in the case of login credentials there is also the option to sign in to the desired account with a single click. Additionally, login credentials can be edited without having to access the desktop program, which also means that passwords can be quickly switched out with ones generated by the add-on’s built-in password generator.
Storing Credit Card Data in 1Password
1Password's Opera Extension
The Built-In Password Generator
Although 1Password is not available for free it does have a trial for the first 30 days, after which a license costs $2.99 per month.
LastPass
LastPass is a password manager that can be accessed in all browsers due to the fact that it is entirely web-based. This means that all users – regardless of browser preference – enjoy the same simple and straightforward software, which automatically arranges passwords and other credential types into logical categories or custom-made folders.
Aside from that, LastPass is an ideal choice for families thanks to the simplified sharing feature. The program is pretty strong when it comes to security, too, as credentials are protected by military-grade encryption with the opportunity to utilize 13 different two-factor authenticator apps.
As for the Opera extension, it’s a miniature version of the vault with the most important features of LastPass – such as password and secure notes to the password generator – plus it serves as the gatekeeper to your LastPass account, too.
Passwords Organized Into Folders
Data Sharing Within LastPass
The LastPass Opera Add-On
The best thing about LastPass, however, is its pricing: the free forever version has almost all of its features available without limitation, while the premium subscription is merely $2 per month.
RoboForm
RoboForm is a downloadable password manager where online and offline credentials, bookmarks, safe notes and the like are all saved to their respective categories or to your own custom folders.
As a nice addition, the software is capable of seamlessly importing data from competing software, even creating separate folders for them once they’re added. Better still, logins can be shared in a safe and secure manner, and the program even evaluates the strength of each new password.
The Opera add-on itself – which is not available for Mac versions of Opera – works exactly the same as its Chrome counterparts. When installed it displays the most important information saved to your vault and – in case of passwords – provides the option to sign into online accounts with a single click.
The Software With Credentials in Folders
Password Evaluation With Security Center
The Opera Add-On
RoboForm’s basic version is free forever, but even the premium plan can be enjoyed for free for the first 30 days after which a license only costs $1.66 per month.
Exporting Passwords From Opera
At first it may seem that Opera doesn’t support the import or export of passwords without any third party software or extension. However, this can easily be bypassed by visiting the so-called Experiments tab: just enter opera://flags#password-import-export to the browser’s address bar and then activate the password import/export feature.
This will create a new pair of buttons in the window displaying all your saved passwords, finally allowing you to import and export credentials in a convenient CSV format. The other option that is available with Opera is “Sync”, a solution that synchronizes settings and data between all the devices that you are using Opera on.
Enabling Password Export in Experiments
Simple Import/Export in Opera
Still, none of these solutions are completely bulletproof: the import/export button may crash the browser, while the sync feature is prone to hacker attacks (see below). So, then, it is best to rely on third party solutions like password managers, the add-ons of which can seamlessly import all necessary information from the browser and store it in a safe, virtually unbreakable environment.
However, there are also other third party solutions that are not related to password managers – which does mean that they may not be as safe – such as two Windows-only solutions developed by Nirsoft, specifically ChromePass (the same software used to extract Chrome passwords) or WebBrowserPassView.
Best Password Managers of 2019
| Rank | Provider | Info | Visit |
1 | Editor's Choice 2019  |
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Password Security in Opera
Although Opera’s built-in password manager is rather primitive – since it simply saves and stores password and web forms – it does have two major advantages over its competitors. The first – which can be found in Firefox as well – allows for the addition of a master password to the browser that is always required to unlock the passwords that are saved to the software’s vault. In Opera’s case, however, the master password is actually the same password used for logging into the computer.
The other security measure is exclusive to Opera, the built-in VPN service SurfEasy. For those who have never used a VPN before, this is basically the invisibility cloak from Harry Potter: by activating it ISPs and wrongdoers will be unable to track your online activity, but such a tool also unlocks access to sites and content that might be restricted due to geo-blocking.
But sadly not even Opera is immune to security breaches: in April 2016 the company reported that over 1.7 million Sync passwords and login information may have been stolen by hackers. However, it’s very unlikely such an attack will occur again, since Opera has introduced the option to add an additional passphrase to the syncing feature that is now able to encrypt passwords or, if you prefer, all the data synced across devices.
Opera's Password Vault Protected by a Password
SurfEasy Built Into Opera
Data Syncing Protected by a Passphrase
Opera Mini Password Manager
Opera Mini is basically the mobile-friendly version of the desktop Opera browser available for all mobile OSs. While it’s similar to its desktop counterpart in terms of speed and security, there is one thing it lacks: a proper password manager.
Granted, in the settings it’s possible to turn on a feature that saves the relevant username and password after the first login has been made, but due to Opera Mini’s minimalist design it’s impossible to either edit or even view the saved data. Opera Sync doesn’t help either: although bookmarks, open tabs and the speed dial feature can be maintained across all instances of Opera and Opera Mini used, passwords can only be synced across the desktop versions. In simpler words, the use of a third party app is a must for more effective password management.
Password syncing is no problem for password management apps like Dashlane, LastPass and the like. As all information is stored in the same safe place, it doesn’t matter whether the password vault is accessed from the desktop software or a mobile app. Moreover, many password managers are equipped with secure browsers that don’t track online activity and automatically save credentials to the program’s vault.