Opera GX vs Chrome: Which Browser Should Gamers Use in 2025?

When it comes to web browsers, Google Chrome dominates the market. It’s fast, reliable, and has millions of users worldwide. But for gamers, a new contender has emerged: Opera GX, the world’s first browser designed specifically with gamers in mind.

If you’re trying to decide between Chrome and Opera GX, this article will compare them side by side, focusing on performance, features, customization, and overall user experience. By the end, you’ll know which browser best fits your gaming lifestyle.

1. Performance and Resource Management

  • Google Chrome:
    Chrome is infamous for being a RAM hog. The more tabs you open, the more system resources it consumes. For gamers, this can be a problem, especially when running a game and streaming at the same time.
  • Opera GX:
    Opera GX has GX Control, which allows you to limit CPU, RAM, and network usage. This ensures your browser won’t slow down your game performance.

👉 Winner: Opera GX. For gamers who multitask, resource management is a game-changer.

2. Gaming Integrations

  • Google Chrome:
    Chrome doesn’t offer built-in gaming features. You can install extensions for Twitch or Discord, but they’re separate add-ons.
  • Opera GX:
    GX has Twitch and Discord integrated into the sidebar, letting you check streams or chat without switching tabs. It also includes GX Corner, a hub with gaming news, free game offers, and release calendars.

👉 Winner: Opera GX. Chrome simply doesn’t offer these built-in gamer-focused tools.

3. Extensions and Compatibility

  • Google Chrome:
    Chrome has the largest extension library in the world. Anything you want—productivity, security, entertainment—you’ll find it.
  • Opera GX:
    Since it’s Chromium-based, Opera GX also supports all Chrome extensions. So you get the same flexibility, plus Opera’s own features.

👉 Winner: Tie. Both are excellent, but Opera GX edges out slightly with built-in extras.

4. Customization and Aesthetics

  • Google Chrome:
    Chrome is simple, clean, and minimal. You can change themes and wallpapers, but customization is limited.
  • Opera GX:
    GX is highly customizable—you can choose neon themes, animated wallpapers, custom sound effects, and even background music. It feels more like a video game than a browser.

👉 Winner: Opera GX. If you love style and personalization, GX is unmatched.

5. Privacy and Security

  • Google Chrome:
    Chrome offers solid security but is heavily tied to Google services, raising privacy concerns.
  • Opera GX:
    GX includes a free built-in VPN and ad blocker. While the VPN isn’t perfect, it adds an extra layer of privacy.

👉 Winner: Opera GX for privacy-conscious users, Chrome for those who prefer Google’s ecosystem.

6. Speed and Stability

  • Google Chrome:
    Chrome is one of the fastest browsers, with excellent stability and frequent updates.
  • Opera GX:
    GX is fast too, thanks to its Chromium engine. But with GX Control active, it sometimes feels slightly slower compared to Chrome’s raw speed.

👉 Winner: Chrome. It’s still the fastest and most stable for general browsing.

7. Mobile Experience

  • Google Chrome:
    Chrome’s mobile version is smooth and integrates perfectly with desktop accounts. Syncing tabs and bookmarks is effortless.
  • Opera GX:
    Opera GX mobile is available, but syncing between mobile and desktop can be buggy at times. Still, it offers unique design elements compared to Chrome’s plain interface.

👉 Winner: Chrome for seamless syncing, Opera GX if you want a stylish mobile browser.

8. User Experience

  • Google Chrome:
    Simple, clean, and easy to use. Great for casual users and professionals.
  • Opera GX:
    Bold, flashy, and gamer-focused. The sound effects, neon colors, and customization may feel overwhelming for some, but perfect for gamers who want a unique experience.

👉 Winner: Depends on the user. Chrome for simplicity, GX for gamers.

Pros and Cons

Opera GX

✅ Gamer-focused features (GX Control, GX Corner, Twitch/Discord)
✅ Built-in VPN and ad blocker
✅ High customization options
❌ Slightly slower than Chrome in raw speed
❌ Syncing issues across devices

Google Chrome

✅ Fastest and most stable browsing
✅ Huge extension library
✅ Smooth syncing across devices
❌ Heavy RAM usage
❌ No gamer-specific tools

Final Verdict: Which Browser Should Gamers Use?

  • If you’re a gamer or streamer, Opera GX is the clear winner. It offers tools that directly improve your gaming experience, from CPU/RAM controls to Twitch integration.
  • If you’re a casual user or professional who values speed, simplicity, and syncing, Chrome is still the best option.

My Recommendation: Use Opera GX as your main browser if gaming is part of your lifestyle. If you need a clean and fast alternative for work, keep Chrome installed as a secondary browser.