Opera’s survey data shows 8 out of 10 Europeans are open to testing a new browser.
- Opera surveyed 4,000 respondents across the European Union to understand browser preferences prior to DMA enforcement.
- 83% of mobile device users across Europe are open to testing a new browser.
- 91% of respondents in Europe said more choice and transparency when choosing a browser is important to them.
Starting March 6, nearly 400 million Europeans will see a ballot screen asking them to choose their default browser on their Android or iOS device. This comes as a result of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires big tech companies designated as “gatekeepers” to open their platforms to fair competition. The opening of the traditionally closed platforms brings more choice and benefits to smartphone users. Opera’s data shows that Europeans are excited about the opportunity and are open to trying out a new browser.
According to Opera’s survey*, 91% of respondents across the EU said more choice and transparency is important to them when choosing a browser. Meanwhile, only 8.8% indicated that they preferred their experiences with a default browser – meaning 91.2% were just as satisfied with an alternative browser, if not more so.
Despite the fact that many users are poised to try out a new browser – and the near-universal consumer consensus on the importance of freedom of choice – 20% of those surveyed were not aware that they could change their default browser, and 49% have never done so.
The opening of the market means alternative browser developers will have a more level playing field to compete against the largest tech companies that also control the operating systems. Prior to the implementation of the DMA, gatekeepers could limit the choices offered on their platforms, and give preferential treatment to their own products and services in search results – making it harder for the consumer to understand their full breadth of options. Such activities will become illegal after March 6, inviting greater competition and more choice for users.
“This is an exciting moment for Opera, and the European tech scene in general,” said Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera. “We believe that open digital ecosystems are better for businesses, consumers, and society. And as a European-made challenger browser, we relish the opportunity to more fairly compete against the defaults – especially when the vast majority of the respondents we surveyed said they were considering trying out a new browser after March 6th.”
The primary concern of survey respondents when considering a browser was security, with 48% prioritizing a free VPN, ad blocking, and advanced privacy features. Opera’s flagship mobile platforms, Opera for Android and Opera for iOS, feature the entire suite: a free VPN, built-in ad and tracker blockers, as well as a pop-up cookie dialogue blocker.
Within the last year AI has become a major theme in consumer tech – a movement in which Opera has been in the vanguard. 11% of those surveyed emphasized the importance of an in-browser AI tool, a feature that Opera rolled out in May of 2023. Called Aria, Opera’s browser AI is free and features up-to-date results from around the web. Integrated into the browser, Aria enhances user interaction through intelligent recommendations, voice navigation, and automated browsing tasks, allowing users to boost their creativity and productivity by harnessing the power of AI.
Finally, 29% of users highlighted the importance of speed and user-friendly UI. Both Opera for Android and Opera for iOS are powerful browsers that forefront a user-centric experience, with Opera for iOS having won a Red Dot Award for its stunning user interface. A reimagined main menu puts everything – personal content, preferences, and services – right at users’ fingertips, so they can quickly and easily jump back into what matters most.
For decades Opera has been at the forefront of the browser market, innovating many industry-first features and tools that have since become standards. Now, with the implementation of the DMA, everybody will have the chance to set Opera as their default and decide for themselves who delivers the best experience.
And though 65% of respondents have stuck with a browser out of habit and the perceived difficulty of switching, in reality it’s easy. So join those who have dared to ditch the default, and install Opera today!
About Opera
Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices. Hundreds of millions use Opera web browsers for their unique and secure features on their mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “OPRA.” Download the Opera web browsers and access other Opera products from opera.com. Learn more about Opera at investor.opera.com
* The survey was conducted by Opera between the 21st and 24th of February, 2024, via Pollfish. The target population was identified as 18-54 years old, all genders, located in Germany, France, Poland, and Spain. There were 4,000 respondents overall, with 1000 participants in each market.