Pick Tabula if
Your work spans several sites and you want them side by side on one canvas instead of in tabs.
The catch. It runs on macOS only, it is closed source, and it is newer than everything else here.
Tabula vs Opera
Tabula is best for seeing many sites at once. Opera is best for built-in extras like a free VPN.
Pick Opera if
You want an ad blocker, a free browser VPN and Tab Islands without installing anything.
The catch. It comes with a lot of bundled features and AI, and it is not open source.
Tabula vs Opera, feature by feature
| Tabula | Opera | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Chromium | Chromium |
| Vertical tabs | On by default | Yes, since 2026 |
| Sites on screen at once | As many as you arrange, on a canvas | Up to four, in Split View |
| Separate workspaces | Zones — two free, unlimited on the paid plan | Workspaces and Tab Islands |
| Ad and tracker blocking | Built in, ads and trackers | Built in, ads and trackers |
| Extensions | Chrome Web Store | Opera add-ons and Chrome Web Store |
| Platforms | macOS | macOS, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android |
| Open source | No | No |
| Price | Free; $9.99/month for unlimited zones | Free |
| Development | Active | Active |
Questions
Is Tabula better than Opera?
Neither wins everywhere. Tabula is best for seeing many sites at once; Opera is best for built-in extras like a free VPN. Pick Tabula if your work spans several sites and you want them side by side on one canvas instead of in tabs. Pick Opera if you want an ad blocker, a free browser VPN and Tab Islands without installing anything.
Do Tabula and Opera block ads?
They block the same way: built in, ads and trackers.
Which extensions do Tabula and Opera run?
Tabula: Chrome Web Store. Opera: Opera add-ons and Chrome Web Store.
Where do Tabula and Opera run?
Tabula: macOS. Opera: macOS, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android.
Are Tabula and Opera free?
Tabula: Free; $9.99/month for unlimited zones. Opera: Free.