Vivaldi.com Reviews

Based on looking at the website, Vivaldi.com presents itself as a robust, privacy-focused web browser designed for users who demand extensive customization and powerful built-in tools.

Unlike many mainstream browsers, Vivaldi emphasizes a “fighting for a better web” philosophy, positioning itself as an alternative to “tech giants” by actively blocking ads and trackers, prioritizing user privacy, and offering a highly personalized browsing experience.

This review will delve into Vivaldi’s core features, its commitment to privacy, performance aspects, and overall value proposition for various user types, helping you determine if it’s the right fit for your digital workflow.

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IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

The Vivaldi Philosophy: Fighting for a Better Web

Vivaldi’s mission extends beyond simply being a web browser. it’s framed as a movement.

Their CEO, Jón von Tetzchner, explicitly states they are “fighting for a better web than we have now” and against the “stranglehold the tech giants have on the web.” This isn’t just marketing fluff.

It underpins their core design decisions and feature set, aiming to provide users with more control and less corporate interference.

A Stand Against Tech Giants

Vivaldi positions itself as a direct antidote to the practices of larger tech companies that often monetize user data.

• No Profiling or Data Mining: A central tenet of Vivaldi’s privacy policy is their explicit commitment to not profile users or engage in data mining. This is a significant differentiator in an ecosystem where many free services come at the cost of user data.
• Ending “Incessant Pollution”: The website highlights a desire to end the “incessant pollution of the web, and civil discourse, for profit.” This suggests a focus on creating a cleaner, less intrusive browsing experience, free from overwhelming advertisements and manipulative tracking.
• Keeping the Web for Everyone: By fighting for a more open and user-centric web, Vivaldi aims to ensure that the internet remains a tool for empowerment and information, rather than purely a platform for commercial exploitation.

Community and Advocacy

Vivaldi isn’t just about software. it’s about a community and an ideology.

• Donation-Based Model: The call to “Give a donation to help us keep building the most amazing browser” indicates a departure from traditional venture capital or ad-revenue models, aligning with their anti-big tech stance. This suggests a reliance on community support and a shared vision.
• Focus on User Needs: The emphasis on “fighting for you” suggests that user feedback and needs are paramount in their development process, rather than being dictated by corporate agendas. This is crucial for a browser that prides itself on customization.

Unmatched Customization: Tailoring Your Browsing Experience

One of the most frequently highlighted aspects of Vivaldi, both on their website and in user testimonials, is its unparalleled level of customization. This isn’t just about changing themes.

It’s about fundamentally altering how you interact with the browser to match your unique workflow.

Personalization Beyond Aesthetics

Vivaldi allows users to personalize “every feature, every shortcut, every theme” to match their style and workflow.

• Sleek Minimal or Bold Vibrant: Whether you prefer a streamlined interface or a richly textured one, Vivaldi provides the tools to achieve it. This goes beyond simple dark/light modes, allowing deep control over UI elements.
• Custom Shortcuts and Mouse Gestures: For power users, the ability to define custom keyboard shortcuts and mouse gestures can dramatically increase efficiency. Imagine opening, closing, or switching tabs, or even creating notes, all with a flick of your wrist or a specific key combination.
• Command Chains: This advanced feature allows users to “build your own shortcuts, workflows and browser modes.” You can trigger a custom sequence of commands with a single keystroke or gesture, essentially automating complex browser tasks. This is a huge time-saver for repetitive actions.

Adapting to Any Workflow

Vivaldi’s customization options cater to a wide array of user preferences and professional needs.

• Workspaces: A standout feature, Workspaces allow you to “organize your tabs and tab stacks into categories and switch easily between views.” This is invaluable for users who juggle multiple projects or different aspects of their life e.g., “Work,” “Personal,” “Research”. Users like Ashley Victoria on Twitter praise this for keeping “dozens of tabs open in each workspace” but making them “easier to see everything!”
• Tab Stacking and Tiling: These features address the common problem of tab overload.
  • Tab Stacking: Group related tabs into two-level stacks, keeping your tab bar tidy. This is lauded by users for decluttering.
  • Tab Tiling: Open tabs in a split-screen view, allowing you to view multiple pages side-by-side. This is perfect for research, comparing information, or multitasking without constantly switching windows.
• Web Panels: Add any website to your side panel, providing quick access to chat apps, social feeds, or reference sites without opening a new tab. This streamlines communication and information gathering.

Privacy as a Philosophy, Not Just a Feature

Vivaldi strongly asserts that “Privacy isn’t just a feature at Vivaldi, it’s a philosophy.” This commitment is woven into the browser’s architecture, offering users robust protection against common online surveillance practices. Graygrids.com Reviews

Built-in Privacy Protections

Vivaldi integrates several key privacy tools directly into the browser, eliminating the need for third-party extensions in many cases.

• Built-in Ad Blocker: This feature “skips all those annoying ads that also slow you down.” Beyond improving user experience, ad blockers significantly reduce the number of tracking scripts that load on a page, thus enhancing privacy. This is a crucial element of their promise of “No ads, more speed.”
• Tracker Blockers: Complementing the ad blocker, Vivaldi actively blocks trackers, preventing websites from collecting data on your browsing habits. This directly addresses the concern of “profiling” and “data mining.”
• End-to-End Encryption for Synced Data: When you sync your browsing history, passwords, bookmarks, and other data across multiple devices, Vivaldi uses end-to-end encryption. This means your data is encrypted on your device before it leaves, and only decrypted on your other devices, ensuring that Vivaldi itself or any third party cannot access your sensitive information. This builds a strong case for trust in their sync service.

Beyond the Browser: Proton VPN Integration

Vivaldi’s partnership with Proton VPN further solidifies its privacy stance.

• One-Click Activation: The integration offers “enhanced privacy protections and all the VPN functionality you need” with “one-click activation.” This makes advanced privacy tools accessible to a broader audience.
• Simplifying Privacy: The tagline “Because privacy should always be simple” underscores their effort to make robust online privacy achievable for everyday users, not just tech experts. While Vivaldi is not a VPN provider itself, the seamless integration with a reputable VPN service like Proton VPN signals a strong alignment with privacy-first principles.

No Google Control

User testimonials, such as Dr.

Kitty Muffins’ remark, “No sense in giving Google more control over the web,” highlight a common user sentiment that Vivaldi caters to.

By offering an alternative, Vivaldi empowers users to reduce their reliance on pervasive tech ecosystems.

The fact that Vivaldi is built on Chromium but modifies it extensively to remove Google services and tracking components is a key part of this strategy.

Powerful Built-in Features: Everything You Need, and More

Vivaldi isn’t just a browser.

It aims to be a complete productivity suite, integrating tools that typically require separate applications or extensions.

This “everything you need, and more” approach is a significant draw for users looking to streamline their digital life.

Integrated Productivity Tools

Many core functionalities are built right into Vivaldi, enhancing workflow and reducing context switching. Remotejobs.com Reviews

• Mail Client: Manage emails from multiple accounts, mailing lists, and feeds in a unified inbox. This “powerful, built-in email client” removes the need for a separate desktop application, keeping all communication within the browser.
• Calendar: A “built-in flexible, private calendar” helps manage events. Like the mail client, this integration means users can keep track of their schedule without leaving their browsing environment.
• Feed Reader: This “algorithm-free feed reader” allows users to “build a private news feed that is based on your interests, not what you do online.” This is a crucial differentiator from social media feeds, offering a curated, non-manipulated news consumption experience.
• Notes: Take notes directly in the sidebar as you browse and securely sync them to other devices. This is incredibly useful for research, content creation, or simply jotting down thoughts without opening a separate note-taking app.

Advanced Browsing Utilities

Beyond core productivity, Vivaldi offers features designed to make browsing itself more efficient and enjoyable.

• Capture: Take screenshots of full web pages or specific selections. This is an often-overlooked feature that can be incredibly useful for sharing content, documenting information, or creating visual references.
• Translate: With a “built-in, private translation tool,” you can translate any webpage with a single click. This prioritizes user privacy over third-party translation services that might track data.
• Pop-out Video: Display videos in a floating window, allowing you to continue watching while you work or browse other tabs. This multi-tasking capability is a favorite among users who frequently consume video content.

Seamless Sync Across Devices

Vivaldi offers robust syncing capabilities to ensure a consistent experience across desktop and mobile.

• Secure Synchronization: “Sync your browsing history, passwords, bookmarks, tabs, and more to make Vivaldi work seamlessly across your desktop and mobile devices.” The emphasis on “end-to-end encryption” for this sync process reinforces their privacy commitment.
• Clutter-Free Mobile Browsing: Vivaldi on mobile is designed to be “clutter-free” with built-in ad and tracking protection, mirroring the desktop experience. This consistency is crucial for users who switch between devices frequently.

Performance and User Experience

While Vivaldi is packed with features, a common concern for heavily customized browsers is performance.

The website and user testimonials suggest a strong focus on speed and a smooth user experience, even for “power users.”

Speed and Efficiency

The website explicitly states, “No ads, more speed,” linking ad blocking directly to performance. User testimonials also echo this sentiment.

• “Pretty Fast”: User Alfredo@ stated, “Also, it’s pretty fast,” indicating that despite its feature set, Vivaldi doesn’t sacrifice speed.
• “Performance Matches My Expectations”: Mike Fraser@ noted, “The performance matches my expectations,” after migrating from Chrome, suggesting it holds up against more lightweight browsers.
• Optimized Features: Features like “auto hibernate tabs” mentioned by Messias Soares can contribute to better performance by pausing inactive tabs, reducing memory and CPU usage.

Designed for Power Users

Vivaldi frequently uses terms like “powerful enough for you,” “demand more,” and “conquer the web,” signaling its target audience: individuals who spend significant time online and require advanced tools.

• “Fantastic for Power Users”: A quoted review on the homepage calls Vivaldi “Fantastic for power users,” which aligns with the extensive customization and integrated tools.
• “GREAT browser for Desktop power users”: JamesKaneInFlorida’s tweet further reinforces this, highlighting Vivaldi’s suitability for those who leverage advanced browser functionalities.
• Managing Dozens of Tabs: Features like Tab Stacking and Workspaces are specifically designed to manage the complexity that power users often encounter with numerous open tabs.

User Testimonials and Community Feedback

The website prominently displays recent user testimonials from social media, offering real-world validation of Vivaldi’s claims.

• Consistent Praise: Common themes in these testimonials include:
  • Privacy: “There’s the privacy, of course, which is the reason I thought of trying it.”
  • Customization: “It’s highly customizable,” “The possibilities for customising Vivaldi are endless.”
  • Features: “Workspaces,” “email manager, google calendar, google tasks, feeds manager.”
  • Performance: “Pretty fast,” “The performance matches my expectations.”
• Community Support: The mention of the “Vivaldi forums to ask how to configure it to suit your needs” suggests an active and helpful community, which is a significant asset for a feature-rich browser that encourages deep customization. This implies that users won’t be left to figure out complex configurations on their own.

Vivaldi on Mobile: Extending the Ecosystem

Vivaldi’s commitment to a seamless, private, and customizable browsing experience extends to its mobile platform.

The website highlights the recent release and continuous development of its mobile version, ensuring a consistent user journey across devices.

Feature Parity with Desktop

Vivaldi aims to bring many of its desktop-level features to mobile, providing a familiar and powerful experience. Pathwright.com Reviews

• Built-in Ad Blocker and Tracking Protection: Just like on desktop, the mobile browser includes these essential privacy tools, ensuring a “clutter-free mobile browsing on your terms.” This is a significant advantage over many default mobile browsers that lack robust ad and tracker blocking.
• Seamless Sync: The ability to “seamlessly sync open tabs, saved logins, and notes to companion Vivaldi on desktop” is crucial for maintaining workflow continuity. This means you can pick up exactly where you left off, regardless of the device.
• Mobile-Specific Optimizations: While retaining core Vivaldi principles, the mobile version is tailored for touch interfaces and smaller screens, ensuring usability without sacrificing functionality. Reviews like “Vivaldi 7.4 for Android: Focused, Flexible, and Just a Bit Fancy” and “Vivaldi 7.4 for iOS: Power, Polish, and a Whole Lot of Tab Love” highlight continuous refinement for mobile platforms.

Accessibility and Download Stores

Vivaldi’s mobile presence is expanding, making it accessible through various platforms.

• Alternative Download Stores: The availability on “Samsung Galaxy Store, UptoDown, or Huawei AppGallery” indicates a strategy to reach users beyond the Google Play Store, aligning with their anti-big tech philosophy. This also provides options for users in different regional ecosystems.
• Growing Mobile Userbase: User Bubby@Bu88yW00dz’s tweet, “And they just released there mobile version this year,” although perhaps outdated information as Vivaldi mobile has been out for a while, but perhaps it refers to a significant update, points to a growing awareness and adoption of Vivaldi on mobile devices.

The Value Proposition: Who is Vivaldi For?

Based on the Vivaldi.com website, the browser offers a compelling value proposition that caters to a specific segment of internet users.

It’s not trying to be a one-size-fits-all solution but rather a highly specialized tool for those who prioritize control, privacy, and efficiency.

Ideal User Profile

Vivaldi is clearly positioned for:

• Power Users: Individuals who spend significant time online, juggle multiple tasks, and require advanced features to optimize their workflow. They are the ones who will truly leverage features like Workspaces, Command Chains, and Tab Tiling.
• Privacy-Conscious Individuals: Those deeply concerned about data mining, tracking, and the pervasive influence of tech giants will find Vivaldi’s “philosophy” and built-in privacy tools highly appealing.
• Customization Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy fine-tuning every aspect of their software and want a browser that adapts to them, rather than forcing them into a rigid structure.
• Professionals and Researchers: The integrated mail, calendar, notes, and feed reader, combined with advanced tab management, make it an excellent choice for professionals who need a consolidated digital workspace.

Distinguishing Factors from Competitors

Vivaldi clearly sets itself apart from mainstream browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

• Beyond Basic Browsing: While other browsers focus on speed and simplicity, Vivaldi provides a comprehensive suite of tools that go far beyond basic web navigation.
• True Customization vs. Extensions: Unlike browsers that rely heavily on extensions for functionality and customization, Vivaldi builds many of these features directly into its core, potentially leading to better performance and security.
• Explicit Privacy Stance: While many browsers offer privacy features, Vivaldi’s “philosophy” and transparent approach to data handling no profiling, no data mining is a more explicit and strong commitment.
• Anti-Big Tech Narrative: Vivaldi leverages its independent status and a clear stance against tech giant monopolies as a key selling point, appealing to users looking for alternatives.

How to Get Started with Vivaldi

The Vivaldi.com website provides clear calls to action for users interested in trying the browser, making the onboarding process straightforward.

Downloading and Installation

The primary call to action is to “Download Vivaldi.”

• Desktop Availability: Vivaldi is available across major desktop operating systems. The website primarily focuses on the browser’s features, implying broad compatibility.
• Mobile App Stores: For mobile users, direct links or mentions of “Samsung Galaxy Store, UptoDown, or Huawei AppGallery” are provided, simplifying the process of finding and installing the mobile application.

Resources for New Users

While the website showcases features, it also subtly points to resources for deeper engagement.

• “Read More” Sections: Throughout the homepage, “Read more” links encourage users to delve deeper into specific aspects of Vivaldi’s philosophy, power, personalization, and privacy.
• Community Forums: As highlighted by user testimonials, the “Vivaldi forums” are a key resource for new users to get assistance, learn tips, and interact with the community. This indicates a supportive ecosystem for those looking to maximize Vivaldi’s potential.

By providing clear download paths, highlighting user support channels, and maintaining an active development blog, Vivaldi makes it easy for interested individuals to transition to their browser and explore its extensive capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vivaldi browser truly private?

Yes, based on checking the website, Vivaldi strongly emphasizes privacy as a core philosophy, not just a feature. Metabase.com Reviews

It includes built-in ad and tracker blockers, promises no profiling or data mining, and offers end-to-end encryption for synced data.

Is Vivaldi browser free?

Yes, based on looking at the website, Vivaldi is a free web browser.

However, they do ask for donations to help support their development.

Is Vivaldi faster than Chrome?

Based on user testimonials on the website, some users migrating from Chrome report that Vivaldi’s performance “matches expectations” and is “pretty fast,” especially with its built-in ad blocker contributing to speed.

Can Vivaldi replace my email client?

Yes, Vivaldi has a powerful, built-in email client that allows you to manage emails from multiple accounts, mailing lists, and feeds in a unified inbox, potentially replacing a standalone email application.

What is a Vivaldi Workspace?

A Vivaldi Workspace is a feature that allows you to organize your tabs and tab stacks into categories, enabling you to easily switch between different views for work, personal browsing, or specific projects, helping to manage tab clutter.

Does Vivaldi have an ad blocker?

Yes, Vivaldi includes a built-in ad blocker that helps block annoying ads and trackers, which can also contribute to faster browsing speeds.

Can I sync Vivaldi across multiple devices?

Yes, Vivaldi offers secure synchronization across multiple devices, including desktop and mobile, with end-to-end encryption for your browsing history, passwords, bookmarks, and tabs.

Is Vivaldi available on mobile?

Yes, Vivaldi is available on mobile for both Android and iOS devices, with features like a built-in ad blocker, tracking protection, and sync capabilities.

How customizable is Vivaldi?

Vivaldi is exceptionally customizable, allowing users to personalize every feature, shortcut, and theme to match their style and workflow, including custom layouts, mouse gestures, and command chains. Graphue.com Reviews

What are Vivaldi Command Chains?

Vivaldi Command Chains are a powerful feature that allows users to create custom sequences of commands triggered by a single keystroke or mouse gesture, enhancing productivity by automating workflows.

Does Vivaldi have a built-in calendar?

Yes, Vivaldi includes a built-in, flexible, and private calendar for managing events directly within the browser.

Can I use Vivaldi for taking notes?

Yes, Vivaldi has a built-in Notes feature in the sidebar that allows you to take notes as you browse and securely sync them across your devices.

What is a Vivaldi Web Panel?

A Vivaldi Web Panel allows you to add any website to your side panel for quick access, making it convenient for chat apps, social feeds, or reference sites without opening a new tab.

Does Vivaldi have a built-in VPN?

Vivaldi itself does not have a built-in VPN, but it offers one-click integration with Proton VPN for enhanced privacy protections, highlighting a partnership with a reputable VPN provider.

Is Vivaldi good for power users?

Yes, Vivaldi is specifically designed for power users, offering a vast array of built-in features, extensive customization options, and advanced tools for managing tabs and workflows.

Can Vivaldi translate web pages?

Yes, Vivaldi includes a built-in, private translation tool that allows you to translate any webpage with a single click.

What is Tab Tiling in Vivaldi?

Tab Tiling in Vivaldi allows you to open multiple tabs in a split-screen view, enabling you to see and interact with several web pages side by side simultaneously.

Does Vivaldi collect my data?

No, Vivaldi explicitly states it does not engage in profiling or data mining and prioritizes user privacy, ensuring your browsing data is not collected or shared for profit.

Can I get Vivaldi from app stores other than Google Play?

Yes, for Android, Vivaldi is available on alternative download stores like the Samsung Galaxy Store, UptoDown, and Huawei AppGallery, providing more options for users. Wiza.com Reviews

What is the philosophy behind Vivaldi browser?

Vivaldi’s philosophy is centered on “fighting for a better web,” aiming to provide a powerful, personal, and private browsing experience that counters the influence of tech giants by prioritizing user control and privacy over data monetization.