Opera has formally released Neon, its long-anticipated AI-powered browser, opening public access after months of limited testing — but with a notable twist: the experience comes with a $19.90 monthly subscription. The launch signals the company’s push to stake out a premium position in the increasingly crowded field of AI-centric browsers.
Neon was first teased in May and rolled out to a small pool of early-access testers in October. The full release now brings a suite of advanced AI tools intended to redefine how users browse, research, and interact with information online.
A Browser Built Entirely Around AI Interaction
Like emerging AI-first browsers such as Perplexity’s Comet, OpenAI’s Atlas, and Dia from The Browser Company, Neon integrates an AI assistant directly into the browsing interface. Users can prompt the system to summarize webpages, extract answers, perform tasks, build mini apps, and even generate short-form videos.
One of Neon’s distinctive capabilities is its ability to use personal browsing history as contextual memory. This means the browser can retrieve details from content accessed days earlier, such as a YouTube video previously watched or an article read the week before. The approach positions Neon as not just a browsing tool but a personal knowledge agent capable of navigating a user’s digital footprint on command.
Cards, Tasks, and a Dedicated Research Agent
Users can create “Cards,” which are essentially reusable workflows built from prompts for repeat tasks. These can automate processes such as research sequences, content generation, or project-based work.
Neon also includes a robust research agent designed to pull in-depth information on virtually any topic, suggesting a direction toward specialized AI research assistance rather than basic chatbot functionality.
A new feature called Tasks organizes browser tabs and AI chats into individual workspaces that keep context separate. This system resembles a hybrid of Chrome’s Tab Groups and Arc’s Spaces but with AI layered into each workspace, turning every group of tabs into an intelligent project hub.
Access to Top AI Models Behind a Paywall
Subscribers gain access to leading AI models, including Gemini 3 Pro, GPT-5.1, Veo 3.1, and Nano Banana Pro. The subscription also grants entry to Opera’s Discord community and direct interaction with developers, underscoring the company’s desire to position Neon as a fast-evolving, community-influenced experiment.
Opera noted that users uninterested in a paid AI ecosystem still have access to free AI features in its other products, including Opera One, Opera GX, and Opera Air.
Competitors Move More Cautiously Amid Security Concerns
While Opera charges forward with an aggressive AI rollout, other major browser makers are taking more deliberate steps. Google recently highlighted its work on securing agentic AI features against potential attack vectors. Brave, meanwhile, has begun previewing its own AI agents in nightly builds, offering a separate profile to keep AI-assisted browsing isolated from regular browsing activity.
Opera’s decision to place Neon behind a subscription paywall sets it apart in a market where most AI features remain free or optional. Neon’s launch marks one of the first attempts to turn an entire browsing ecosystem into a premium AI-powered environment — and the broader industry will be watching closely to see whether users embrace or resist the shift.
