March 18th, 2024 – Oslo, Norway – Since the Digital Markets Act (DMA) went into effect on March 7th, the European Union’s nearly 400 million smartphone users have begun to see a ballot screen asking them to choose their default browser on their Android or iOS mobile device. The company’s flagship browser Opera for iOS – a European-made alternative browser that has long challenged the default – subsequently saw a 164% increase in new users from March 5th to the 7th, as users started to be prompted to choose for themselves.
“The day the ballot screen started to appear, we saw a spike in the growth of our daily active users, especially for Opera for iOS. We see this as indicative of two things: for one, the importance of regulation to provide a more level playing field, and for another, that users are hungry for new and innovative products that can deliver a superior online experience,” said Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera.
The inflow of new users to Opera’s mobile browsers, Opera for Android and Opera for iOS, jumped significantly across core EU markets. Opera for iOS fared especially well, with an uplift of 402% – or a growth of five times – in France, 143% in Spain, as well as 68% and 56% in Poland and Germany, respectively.
The results indicate that iOS users have been eager for a change and are taking the opportunity to switch to other, more user-centric platforms such as Opera.
Opera for Android has likewise seen significant growth – particularly in France, where the inflow of new users increased by 54% on the day the ballot screen started to be introduced.
The results agree with the findings of a survey* Opera conducted among European smartphone users prior to March 6th, which found that 8 out of 10 were open to testing a new browser. Furthermore, there was almost universal agreement among those surveyed on the importance of having more choice and transparency when choosing their preferred browser.
Opera for Android and Opera for iOS are powerful browsers that forefront a speedy, secure, and user-centric experience. Both feature advanced privacy features, such as a free, no log VPN, plus a built-in ad blocker, tracker blocker, and pop-up cookie dialog blocker. They likewise both come equipped with Opera’s browser AI, Aria, which is free and features up-to-date results from around the web. Integrated into the browser, Aria serves as a browsing copilot enabling users to boost their creativity and productivity through the power of AI. And with myriad options for customization – whether custom wallpapers, bookmarks or Speed Dials – Opera’s mobile browsers enable users to quickly jump into what matters most, in their own particular style.
So find out why new users are rushing to ditch the default and try something new – download 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.
* 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 1,000 participants in each market.