Opera VPN Gold: subscription-based Opera VPN upgrade

Opera VPN Gold is a new upgrade option for Opera's free Opera VPN application for iOS that improves the service for a cost.

Opera Software acquired the VPN provider SurfEasy some years ago, and started to integrate the company's products into the browser some time afterwards.

First, as a promotion but a year later by integrating the VPN client -- more precise browser proxy -- into Opera directly.

The company launched standalone versions of Opera VPN as well which Android and iOS users could install separately from the Opera web browser.

This initial version of Opera VPN was free but limited in some regards.

Opera VPN Gold

Opera Software revealed Opera VPN Gold, a subscription-based upgrade for Opera VPN, on iOS recently. The paid plan has not landed yet on Android, but it is probably only a matter of time before it will.

The changelog of Opera VPN 2.0 for iOS highlights what users get when they upgrade to Opera VPN Gold:

• Lightning Fast Speeds -- Opera Gold offers "enhanced speeds".
• More Regions -- Connect to 10 regions (instead of 5).
• Dedicated Customer support.

Users who see the promotion when they open the Opera VPN application on iOS devices are informed about additional benefits. First, that all advertisement that is displayed in the client is removed, and second, that tracking is blocked automatically by the VPN as well.

The price is discounted by 25% right now. Opera VPN Gold is available for €24.99 (about $30).

The free plan is unaffected by the change. If you read carefully, you will notice for instance that paid customers get access to "faster servers" and not prioritized on the same servers that free users use.

Closing Words

Opera Software announced recently that it shut down Opera Max, the company's data compression application for Android. Only a day later, the company announces the paid version of Opera VPN, Opera VPN Gold.

Update: Chris Houston, CEO of SurfEasy, the company that is owned by Opera Software ASA and operates Opera VPN, sent me a clarification on the relationship between Opera Max and Opera VPN (there is none)

"Opera Max is owned and operated by a different company than Opera VPN. We know it’s a bit confusing, but Opera VPN is owned and powered by SurfEasy Inc, which is a Canadian company owned by Opera Software ASA – a publicly traded Norwegian company.”

It looks as if the company is in a consolidation phase, trying to increase revenue by dropping products that don't offer a high enough return, and monetizing others.

The price appears a bit on the high side, considering that you can use the VPN only on your mobile device right now. You get a two-year subscription for Private Internet Access for about the same prices right now for instance.

Now You: What's your take on the changes announced by Opera Software?