1/4

Vivaldi is a new, feature rich web browser that combines an Opera-like interface with the Chromium open source platform.

Vivaldi is similar to the Opera browser in many ways. There are some pretty cool features that are nice, like the interface where colors fade to match the dominant color on the page as you move between sites.

Cool effects aside, the browser has clearly been designed with power users in mind, as the shortcut tool shows. This helps the user search or run commands much like the Spotlight feature in OS X.

Vivaldi supports browsing with mouse gestures, and the always-familiar “speed dial” interface that shows your favorite tabs on the new tab page is also a great, albeit old, feature that’s in this new web browser.

Key features include:

• Quick commands.
• Tab stacks.
• Notes.
• Adaptive interface.
• Spatial navigation.

Vivaldi’s layout also looks great. Inside the left toolbar is the Bookmarks menu, the Bookmarks and Downloads menus, and the Notes tool. There’s a lot here, but the interface doesn’t feel cluttered. The items are placed in logical places, and they are all small and out of the way, creating a feeling of freshness and cleanliness.

Overall, Vivaldi has a crisp, sharp-edged interface that uses simple yet effective fonts and icons. It is clearly intended for advanced users, as various features and tools show. It is relatively small (for a browser) and not so demanding on system resources. If you’re looking to move from Chrome, Safari, Opera, or Firefox, why not give it a try?