Opera Launches 'Free And Unlimited' VPN App For iOS (theverge.com)

Opera has launched a new VPN app for iOS that is free to use and includes unlimited data. The app uses the US-based SurfEasy VPN service acquired by Opera last March. Opera is promising that its mobile VPN is free for life, with no subscription needed. For comparison, SurfEasy's standalone apps for Android and iOS do charge subscription fees. Opera says the app is "especially relevant on campuses and workplaces," where Wi-Fi provided by one institution may have limited access to "social media and video streaming websites." The software blocks ads and trackers, in addition to allowing users to access geo-blocked content by routing their internet connection through another country. You can download the app here.

Comments

Great idea, just not sustaible

[randomErr]

This will only work for a while. You'll notice they released the app on a relatively small platform*. If they expand it beyond this eco system they'll have not valid way to keep the service going unless a third party pays for it and harvests user data. I can't see this living part a year.

* By small platform I mean install base. Theres just a ton more Android devices in use. They could have went with something like Firefox OS. But those platforms are no where near as mature or tightly controlled.

Not a small platform

[SuperKendall]

There are not a ton more Android devices in use.

Looking at the U.S. 43% of active subscriber devices are iOS (as of last September)

A lot more Android devices EXIST. But that does not mean they are in-use in any way that matters to a VPN provider.

That said I agree with your main point roughly, that it doesn't seem sustainable to offer free VPN to over a billion devices. So then they obviously are making money somehow... still want to use that "free" VPN?

Hola chrome extension does the same

[schwit1]

https://chrome.google.com/webs...