Opera wants you to pay $20 a month to use its AI-powered browser Neon
But here’s the real story behind Neon: Opera, the Norway-based browser maker, has released its AI-forward browser to the public after a testing period. The catch? Access now comes with a monthly fee of $19.90.
Neon was first unveiled in May and entered early access for a limited group in October. Like contemporaries such as Perplexity’s Comet, OpenAI’s Atlas, and The Browser Company’s Dia, Neon integrates an AI assistant directly into the browsing experience. This means you can ask questions about pages, craft mini-apps and videos, and delegate tasks to the AI. The assistant uses your browsing history as context, so it can pull up details from videos you watched last week or articles you read yesterday.
Beyond simple queries, you can create reusable workflows called “Cards” using prompts, and Neon features a dedicated research assistant for in-depth information. A new tab management feature, called Tasks, groups AI chats and tabs into contained workspaces. It’s reminiscent of a blend between Tab Groups and Arc Browser’s Spaces, with its own AI-context layer.
The subscription also grants access to top AI models such as Gemini 3 Pro, GPT-5.1, Veo 3.1, and Nano Banana Pro. Paying users get entry to Opera’s Discord community and direct lines to its developers.
“Opera Neon targets early adopters who want the latest in AI browser tech. It’s a fast-evolving project that receives frequent weekly updates. We’ve collaborated with our Founders community to shape it, and we’re excited to extend early access to a wider audience,” said Krystian Kolondra, Opera’s EVP of browsers.
Opera notes that other products in its portfolio—Opera One, Opera GX, and Opera Air—offer free AI features, including a chat-based assistant.
Context and comparisons
- Traditional browsers are taking a measured pace with AI features, focusing on security and user protection amid new capabilities. Google recently outlined security measures for its agentic features, Brave is previewing its own nightly builds, and it provides isolated profiles to keep AI usage separate from regular browsing.
About the reporter
Ivan Mehta covers global consumer tech for TechCrunch. He writes from India and has previously contributed to outlets such as The Huffington Post and The Next Web. For tips or outreach, contact im@ivanmehta.com or message him securely on Signal at ivan.42.
Would you pay roughly twenty dollars a month for an AI-enhanced browser, or do you prefer free AI features with standard browsing? Share your take in the comments.
