Best Opera Versions for Linux in 2025

Opera vs. Firefox on Linux: Performance and Privacy—

Overview

Choosing a browser on Linux often comes down to two major considerations: performance (speed, resource usage, compatibility with web standards and hardware) and privacy (tracking protection, telemetry, and data handling). Opera and Firefox represent two distinct approaches: Opera is a Chromium-based browser with many built-in convenience features, while Firefox is an independent engine (Gecko) with a long history of privacy-focused features and configurability. Below I compare them across key areas, provide benchmark-style guidance, and give practical tips to optimize each browser on Linux.

Architecture and engine

• Opera: Chromium-based (Blink/V8). Uses the same engine as Google Chrome and other Chromium browsers, which tends to deliver strong website compatibility and benefits from frequent upstream improvements.
• Firefox: Gecko/Quantum engine, developed by Mozilla. Uses a different architecture focused on efficiency (e.g., Rust components, multi-process improvements) and provides independent implementation of web standards.

Implication: Sites and browser APIs that assume Chromium behavior often work identically in Opera. Firefox can differ subtly (sometimes better for standards-compliant fallback; sometimes needing polyfills for Chromium-specific APIs).

Performance

Factors: page load times, JavaScript execution, rendering, start-up time, and memory usage — especially important on Linux where available RAM varies across distributions and user setups.

• JavaScript & Rendering
  • Chromium (Opera) typically performs very well on JS benchmarks due to V8 optimizations.
  • Firefox has narrowed the gap considerably with its Quantum project and improvements in JIT, but microbenchmarks sometimes favor Chromium.
• Startup & Responsiveness
  • Opera starts quickly for many users, especially where system libraries match Chromium builds.
  • Firefox’s start-up has improved; cold starts can still be slower than Chromium on some systems.
• Memory Usage
  • Chromium-based browsers are often criticized for higher RAM usage because of process-per-tab and renderer model.
  • Firefox uses a multi-process model too, but historically used fewer processes and tended to use less RAM in comparable scenarios; recent versions have adjusted process counts to improve performance at the cost of memory.
• GPU Acceleration
  • Both support GPU acceleration on Linux, but behavior depends on distribution, GPU drivers (Mesa vs proprietary), and Wayland vs X11. Chromium-based builds sometimes have broader vendor-tested acceleration paths.
• Real-world browsing
  • On typical browsing (multiple tabs, videos, web apps), differences are often small; user extensions and profile data can have larger impact.

Practical note: Benchmarks vary by kernel version, distribution, compositor (Wayland vs X11), GPU drivers, and hardware. Measure on your machine (see “How to benchmark” below).

Privacy & Telemetry

• Telemetry & Data Collection
  • Opera: As a product by a company with commercial interests, Opera includes some built-in features like Opera account sync and potentially proprietary services (news, ad-block lists, VPN). Chromium base means its upstream components may have telemetry depending on the build; Opera’s builds include their own telemetry and services.
  • Firefox: Explicitly positions itself as privacy-respecting. Offers detailed controls and clear opt-outs for telemetry. Mozilla’s telemetry is opt-in for some features and anonymized; Firefox provides about:telemetry and preferences to limit or disable data collection.
• Tracking Protection
  • Opera: Includes built-in ad blocker and tracking protection options (and an integrated VPN/proxy in some regions). The effectiveness depends on the lists they use; Opera’s approach is consumer-friendly but less granular.
  • Firefox: Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) is robust and configurable (Strict/Standard/Custom). Firefox blocks many cross-site trackers and fingerprinters out of the box. It also exposes options and tools (e.g., about:protections) for users to inspect blocked items.
• Extensions & Ecosystem Privacy
  • Opera: Supports Chrome Web Store extensions (via built-in compatibility), which expands choices but also increases exposure to third-party extensions that may request invasive permissions.
  • Firefox: Add-ons run with a well-defined WebExtensions API; Mozilla reviews add-ons in its store and provides clearer permission interfaces. Still, extensions can be risky and must be chosen carefully.
• Built-in Services with Privacy Implications
  • Opera: Integrated services (news, recommendations, VPN, crypto features in past versions) may collect or route data through Opera servers.
  • Firefox: Uses optional services (Firefox Sync, Pocket integration) with clear privacy policies and account controls. Many of these can be disabled easily.

Bold fact: Firefox is generally stronger on privacy by default, while Opera offers convenient built-ins but can surface more proprietary services and telemetry.

Security

• Update cadence
  • Opera follows Chromium’s schedule and bundles security fixes from upstream; updates depend on Opera’s release cycle for packaging.
  • Firefox releases regular security updates and Rapid Release cadence; Linux distributions sometimes package Firefox themselves, which affects timing.
• Sandboxing & Process Isolation
  • Both browsers employ sandboxing and process isolation mechanisms. Chromium’s multi-process model and wide adoption mean many platform hardening paths; Firefox has improved isolation with project initiatives (e.g., Fission).
• Security features
  • Both support HTTPS, HSTS, safe browsing features (Firefox uses Google Safe Browsing; Opera may also use upstream lists), password managers, and site isolation improvements.
• Linux-specific considerations
  • AppArmor profiles (on Debian/Ubuntu) or Flatpak/Snap packaging can further sandbox browsers. Installing via Flatpak or Snap can add another containment layer, though with trade-offs in performance and integration.

Extensions and Customization

• Opera: Many built-ins (free VPN, built-in ad blocker, battery saver, sidebar integrations). Supports Chrome extensions with some adaptation.
• Firefox: Strong extension ecosystem with powerful APIs and themes; highly customizable via about:config and userChrome/userContent, which power users value. Firefox also supports container tabs (Multi-Account Containers) for isolating web identities.

Comparison table

Practical tuning on Linux

• Reduce memory usage
  • Limit extension count; disable unused extensions.
  • Use tab suspension extensions or Opera’s built-in battery saver.
  • In Firefox, tweak content process count (about:preferences → Performance → use recommended performance settings off → set content process limit).
• Improve privacy
  • Opera: disable Opera account sync if not needed; review built-in features and disable news/recommendations; avoid using the built-in VPN for sensitive traffic unless its policies are verified.
  • Firefox: set Enhanced Tracking Protection to Strict or Custom; disable telemetry (about:preferences → Privacy & Security); use Firefox Containers.
• GPU/Wayland
  • For Wayland, enable browser-specific flags if needed: Firefox’s Wayland support is stable (launch with MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1), Chromium/Opera may require flags like –ozone-platform=wayland depending on build.
• Sandboxing
  • Consider Flatpak or Snap for extra containment; use AppArmor/SELinux profiles.

How to benchmark on your machine

• Use real-world tests: load your commonly visited sites, open many tabs, run web apps you use.
• Synthetic benchmarks: Speedometer, JetStream, WebXPRT for JS/rendering comparisons.
• Monitor: top/htop, GNOME System Monitor, or the browser’s about:performance / about:memory (Firefox) to track memory and CPU per tab/extension.

Recommendations

• If privacy by default and deep configurability are your priorities: choose Firefox. It offers stronger out-of-the-box tracker protection and clearer telemetry controls.
• If you prioritize compatibility with Chrome extensions, some built-in conveniences (free VPN, sidebar integrations), and slightly better JS benchmark performance in many cases: choose Opera.
• For constrained systems: test both — Firefox’s lower memory footprint often helps, but Opera’s tab-suspension features may offset Chromium’s higher baseline.

Conclusion

Both browsers are excellent on Linux. Firefox leads on privacy and configurability, while Opera (Chromium) is strong on compatibility and built-in convenience features. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize privacy-first defaults and customization (Firefox) or Chromium compatibility and integrated features (Opera). Test both with your real workload to decide.