Opera Gx Vs. Edge: Which Is Better In 2024?
Spoiler alert: one uses significantly less resources!
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Key notes
- Opera GX is the world's first gaming browser and has quickly become a popular choice amongst users.
- Since Microsoft Edge was rebuilt on the Chromium engine, it has come a long way from its predecessor, Internet Explorer.
- Both browsers have a ton of features that offer a fast and secure browsing experience.
Opera browser has come a long way since its initial release in 1995. Today, it is one of the most popular alternative browsers available. In recent years, Opera expanded and released browsers to cater to specific user needs, including the Opera GX gaming browser.
Opera GX has all the same functions as Opera but with some extra features to optimize gaming. Like all Opera browsers, Opera GX is a Chromium-based browser that values speed and security while adding its unique touch.
However, Microsoft Edge has made some significant changes and has laid its previous reputation as Internet Explorer to rest. Edge has gone through a serious redesign and was rebuilt on the Chromium engine, placing it on par with other popular browsers.
This article will look at the features of both Opera GX and Microsoft Edge in a head-to-head comparison of the two browsers.
What’s the difference between Opera and Opera GX?
Opera and Opera GX share many of the same features, but they are two very different browsers. Many consider Opera GX the more advanced version of Opera because of its extra features that enhance gaming.
Opera GX has a limiter for Network, CPU, and RAM so it doesn’t hog PC resources while gaming. It also has a different feel from Opera, which is much more minimalist. The customization features on Opera GX go far beyond any browser with customizable background music and sounds.
Opera GX
For what is worth, this browser was designed for gaming needs with interactive UI and resource limiters.For a more in-depth look at the two browsers, check out our comparison of Opera GX and Opera.
Opera GX vs. Edge, which is better?
➡ Interface and design
While both Opera GX and Microsoft Edge are Chromium-based, they look very different from one another.
Opera GX is designed for gamers with a dark theme and customizable colored accent that gives a cyberpunk feel. Customization is endless with the option for users to upload their wallpaper.
With force dark pages, users with a sensitivity to bright web pages or who prefer to browse in the dark can enable dark mode on any page.
Microsoft Edge, on the other hand, has a much more minimalistic appearance. While users can adjust the theme and toggle between light or dark mode, it doesn’t offer as many customization features as Opera GX.
However, the number of personalization options might be a little overwhelming for users that just want a simple and minimalistic browsing experience. It’s up to the user which interface they think is best.
➡ Productivity features
Microsoft Edge caters to the user with the My Feed page. This feature displays news stories, articles, and videos that are curated to the users’ interests.
Edge also has features that help with organization and productivity, such as the Collections feature which allows users to group web pages. With the vertical tabs feature, users can easily access a webpage from their multiple tabs.
While Opera GX caters to gamers with Twitch and discord integration, it also helps with productivity. Users can use the workspaces feature to keep different subjects separate. Opera GX also has messaging services that can be accessed right from the sidebar so users can keep up with their social media.
The video pop-out feature on Opera GX, allows users to continue watching a video after leaving the tab. The video stands in its frame that can be moved around the screen and it is adjustable. This feature is perfect for multitasking.
➡ Privacy and security
Edge works seamlessly with Windows Defender through the SmartScreen security feature. This feature automatically checks websites for reputation and any suspicious activity. Edge also has tracking prevention with adjustable tiers of security.
Opera GX has all the same security features as Opera, such as the built-in VPN and ad-blocker. It has a tracker blocker that prevents trackers from collecting user data. These features not only protect user privacy but also make pages load faster.
While both browsers are very secure, it never hurts to add an extra layer of protection using a free VPN for Windows 11.
➡ Performance
For many users, resource consumption is a big deal. Opera GX has built-in resource controls that allow users to limit the amount of RAM and CPU usage. This is especially important for gamers or those with less powerful PCs.
With the GX Cleaner, users can quickly clean excess browser files. Browser caches, cookies, and history can weigh down browsers over time. With GX Cleaner, junk files can be cleared and it will improve Opera GX performance.
To save memory and CPU usage, Microsoft Edge has a feature called sleeping tabs. This feature puts unused, background tabs to sleep after a couple of hours of inactivity. Sleeping tabs frees up resources and improves the performance of active and new tabs.
With efficiency mode, Edge’s resource usage is reduced to save battery by activating sleeping mode after a few minutes of inactivity. This increases browsing time for users by saving power on an unplugged laptop.
Is Opera faster than EDGE?
With a plethora of built-in features, Opera has also time and again proved to be faster than Edge. Various tests conducted in recent days reported Opera as one of the fastest browsers.
So, if you are wondering which one wins the Edge vs Opera debate, it’s most certainly the latter. At times you may notice Opera taking too long when using the VPN feature, but that’s the case with any browser if you set up a VPN. At least you get one built-in with Opera.
Opera GX vs. Microsoft Edge: Final verdict
After analyzing the features and functions of each browser, it’s tough to say which is the better browser.
Opera GX is highly customizable and offers resource-saving features to optimize browsing. Although it was designed with gamers in mind, it’s also optimized for the average user with features to promote organization and productivity, making it a versatile browser.
Microsoft Edge offers a simple, effortless approach to browsing. It’s fast, reliable, and secure with the collection feature and the efficiency mode.
Because these are two very different browsers that cater to different types of users, it’s impossible to definitively say one is better than the other. If you’re an avid gamer, then Opera GX is a clear choice, but if you’re looking for something more minimalistic and simpler, then Edge is the browser for you.
We hope you enjoyed this comparison of Opera GX and Microsoft Edge. Both are great browsers, but it’s ultimately up to you, the user, to decide which is best.
While we could have drawn a comparison between Opera GX vs Chrome vs Edge, Chrome is a resource-hungry browser and we left it for now. If you are interested, we already did a review of Google Chrome and you can read it.
Let us know in the comments down below which browser you like best.
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