Is Vivaldi completely free?

Yes, Vivaldi is entirely free software with no premium tiers, subscriptions, or in-app purchases. The browser is funded through search engine partnerships and community support, not by collecting or selling user data.

How does Vivaldi compare to Chrome?

Vivaldi shares Chrome's Chromium engine for web compatibility but offers far more customization, built-in privacy tools and productivity features like Mail and Notes. Unlike Chrome, Vivaldi doesn't track your browsing or require a Google account for sync.

Can I use Chrome extensions in Vivaldi?

Yes, most Chrome extensions work in Vivaldi since both use the Chromium platform. You can install extensions from the Chrome Web Store by enabling it in Settings > Extensions. However, Vivaldi's built-in features often eliminate the need for many common extensions.

Is Vivaldi good for privacy?

Vivaldi is excellent for privacy. It blocks ads and trackers by default, doesn't collect browsing data, offers granular privacy controls and uses end-to-end encryption for sync. The company is headquartered in Norway with strong privacy regulations.

Does Vivaldi work on iPhone and iPad?

Yes, Vivaldi is available for iOS and Android. The mobile versions sync bookmarks, passwords and notes with the desktop browser. While mobile lacks some desktop features due to platform limitations, core functionality including the built-in Ad Blocker is available.

How do I migrate from Safari or Chrome to Vivaldi?

During first launch, Vivaldi offers an import wizard that transfers bookmarks, passwords, history and cookies from Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers. You can also access import options anytime via Settings > Import Bookmarks and Settings.

What are Workspaces and how do I use them?

Workspaces are separate browsing environments with independent tabs and cookies. Create them via the workspace switcher in the sidebar. They're perfect for separating work and personal browsing, or managing different client accounts without logging in and out repeatedly.

Does Vivaldi drain battery on MacBooks?

Vivaldi is generally comparable to Chrome in battery usage. While not as optimized as Safari for macOS, Vivaldi's hibernation feature lets you put inactive tabs to sleep, significantly reducing power consumption when many tabs are open.

Can I disable features I don't use?

Yes, most features can be disabled to simplify the browser. Turn off Mail, Calendar, Feed Reader, or Notes in Settings if you don't need them. This modular approach lets you create a simpler browser experience while keeping features available if needs change.

Is Vivaldi open source?

Vivaldi's core browser code is available for review, though not fully open source in the traditional sense. The company maintains transparency about its development and invites community contributions to themes, translations and feature suggestions.

PublishedJanuary 1, 2026•UpdatedSeptember 4, 2026

Vivaldi

Name: Vivaldi
Availability: InStock

Web browser with built-in email client focusing on customization and control

Web BrowsersFreeReplaces Spark Premium ($10/month)

Are you the maker of Vivaldi?

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask vivaldi

Quick Take: Vivaldi

Vivaldi 8.1 keeps the browser the best choice for Mac power users who want Mail, Calendar, Workspaces and extreme tab control without extension overload. It is free, private-by-business-model and still shipping features while Arc cedes the future to Dia. Battery life still trails Safari; learning curve remains real.

Best For

•Power users and productivity enthusiasts
•Privacy-conscious professionals
•Researchers and academics
•Users managing multiple accounts

What is Vivaldi?

Vivaldi is a feature-rich, privacy-focused web browser built on Chromium that prioritises customisation, control and productivity. Founded in 2015 by Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner, co-founder and former CEO of Opera Software, Vivaldi still puts users first rather than advertisers or data collectors. Unlike mainstream browsers that strip features for simplicity, Vivaldi embraces choice. As of August 2026 the stable desktop line is Vivaldi 8.1 (July 2026 builds such as 8.1.4087.x), with universal macOS downloads for modern Macs (download page lists macOS 12+). It remains fully compatible with Apple Silicon and current macOS releases including Sequoia and Tahoe 26.x-class systems. Built-in tools still differentiate it: Mail, Calendar, Feed Reader, Notes, screenshot tools, Tab Tiling, Tab Stacks, Workspaces, Command Chains and native ad/tracker blocking, reducing extension sprawl. Vivaldi is completely free with no premium tiers; funding comes from search partnerships, merch and support, not selling browsing profiles. The competitive landscape shifted as Arc moved to maintenance and Dia became The Browser Company's active successor; Zen Browser and Brave also court power/privacy users. Vivaldi's pitch is still depth of native features rather than AI-first minimalism.

Closer Look: Vivaldi's Origins and Philosophy

Vivaldi represents a deliberate counter-movement against the trend toward browser simplification and surveillance capitalism. Understanding its origins reveals why it maintains such a distinctive feature set.

Key Features

Vivaldi Mail, Calendar & Feed Reader

Vivaldi includes a sophisticated built-in email client that supports multiple accounts across different providers (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo and custom IMAP servers). The mail interface features a classic three-pane layout with powerful search, threading and filtering capabilities. Integrated directly alongside Mail is a full-featured Calendar supporting CalDAV and Google Calendar, plus a Feed Reader for RSS and Atom subscriptions. This unified communication hub means you can manage your entire digital correspondence without leaving the browser or installing separate applications, making it ideal for professionals who value consolidated workflows.

Tab Tiling and Tab Stacks

Vivaldi revolutionizes tab management with Tab Tiling, which allows you to view multiple web pages simultaneously in split-screen, grid, or custom layouts, perfect for research, comparing products, or referencing documentation while working. Tab Stacks take organization further by letting you group related tabs into collapsible stacks, reducing clutter and enabling batch operations. You can create named stacks for different projects, save them across sessions and even hibernate inactive stacks to free up system resources. These features transform how multitaskers interact with the web.

Workspaces

Workspaces in Vivaldi function as separate browsing environments, each with its own set of tabs, history and cookies. You might maintain distinct workspaces for personal browsing, work projects, research and shopping, each isolated from the others. Switching between workspaces is instant and can be triggered via keyboard shortcuts or the sidebar. This separation eliminates context-switching friction and helps maintain focus by keeping different aspects of your digital life compartmentalized without needing multiple browser profiles or incognito windows.

Built-in Privacy Tools

Vivaldi ships with solid privacy protections including a native Ad Blocker that filters intrusive advertisements and trackers without requiring extensions. The Tracker Blocker goes further by blocking known tracking scripts, analytics beacons and fingerprinting attempts. Vivaldi's privacy settings are granular and transparent, you can see exactly what is being blocked on any page. The browser also includes encrypted Sync functionality, allowing you to synchronize bookmarks, passwords, notes and settings across devices without Vivaldi having access to your data. Unlike competitors, Vivaldi does not track your browsing behavior or sell data to third parties.

Notes and Screenshots

The built-in Notes feature transforms Vivaldi into a research companion, allowing you to capture text snippets, URLs and screenshots directly from web pages with automatic source attribution. Notes support Markdown formatting, can be organized into folders and sync across devices. The integrated Screenshot tool captures full-page screenshots (not just the visible viewport) and includes basic annotation capabilities. These tools are particularly valuable for students, journalists and researchers who need to gather and organize information efficiently without resorting to external note-taking applications.

Command Chains and Keyboard Shortcuts

Vivaldi offers extreme keyboard customization through its Quick Commands palette (triggered with F2) and Command Chains, a unique feature that lets you string together multiple browser actions into single executable sequences. For example, you could create a chain that hibernates background tabs, clears the downloads list and opens your email workspace with one keystroke. Every menu command can be assigned custom shortcuts and the browser includes presets for users migrating from Safari, Chrome, or Firefox to ensure familiar muscle memory translates immediately.

Who Should Use Vivaldi?

1The Privacy-Conscious Professional

A consultant handling sensitive client data relies on Vivaldi's privacy-first architecture. They use Workspaces to strictly separate client projects. This ensures cookies and login sessions never overlap. The built-in Mail client manages multiple professional email accounts without third-party app access. They enable the strictest tracker blocking and appreciate that Vivaldi's sync is end-to-end encrypted. When researching competitors, Tab Tiling displays comparison sites side-by-side while Notes capture key findings with automatic source links for citation.

2The Academic Researcher

A graduate student uses Vivaldi as their research hub. Tab Stacks organize literature by topic, while the Feed Reader aggregates journal updates and conference announcements. The Screenshot tool captures full-page article archives for offline reference and Notes compile quotes with automatic attribution. Hibernation keeps hundreds of research tabs open without consuming RAM. The Calendar tracks paper deadlines and defense dates alongside personal commitments, all visible without leaving the browser.

3The Multi-Account Manager

A social media manager juggles accounts across multiple platforms. Vivaldi's Workspaces let them instantly switch between client environments, each with its own cookies, logins and bookmark sets. The Mail client monitors client notification emails while the Feed Reader tracks industry news. Command Chains automate repetitive workflows like opening standard toolsets for content scheduling. Tab Tiling displays analytics dashboards alongside publishing interfaces for efficient content management.

How to Install Vivaldi on Mac

Vivaldi can be installed via Homebrew (`brew install --cask vivaldi`) or from vivaldi.com/download. Current desktop builds target macOS 12+ with universal binaries for Apple Silicon and Intel.

Install via Homebrew

Open Terminal and run: brew install --cask vivaldi. This installs the latest stable version and sets up automatic updates through Homebrew.

Grant Permissions

On first launch, Vivaldi will request permissions for Accessibility (for advanced features) and Notifications (optional, for web app alerts). Grant these in System Settings > Privacy & Security.

Configure Import and Sync

During onboarding, import bookmarks and passwords from Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. Set up Vivaldi Sync with an encrypted passphrase to synchronize data across devices.

Pro Tips

• Enable 'Block third-party cookies' in Privacy settings for enhanced tracking protection.
• Set up Workspaces early, create at least Personal and Work spaces to experience the full benefit.
• Configure Mail, Calendar and Feed Reader in Settings to centralize your communication tools.

Configuration Tips

Customize the Tab Bar Position

Vivaldi lets you position tabs at the top, bottom, left, or right of the window. Right-handed users often prefer left-side vertical tabs for better screen real estate. Access this in Settings > Tabs > Tab Position.

Enable Adaptive Theme Colors

Let Vivaldi automatically change its accent color to match the website you're viewing. Enable Settings > Appearance > Accent Color from Page for a direct, immersive browsing experience.

Create Command Chains for Efficiency

Build custom command sequences in Settings > Quick Commands > Command Chains. Combine actions like 'Close other tabs' + 'Tile all tabs' + 'Open Note panel' for instant research setups.

Alternatives to Vivaldi

While Vivaldi offers unmatched customization and built-in features, several alternatives cater to different priorities including simplicity, ecosystem integration, or cryptocurrency integration.

Arc Browser

Apple Safari

Mozilla Firefox

Brave Browser

Dia

Zen Browser

Pricing

Free

Vivaldi is completely free software with no premium tiers, subscription plans, or feature paywalls. The browser is funded by partnerships with search engines (users can choose their default search), merchandise sales and donations from supporters. There are no in-app purchases or hidden costs.

Pros

✓Complete built-in tools eliminate need for extensions (Mail, Calendar, Notes, Screenshots)
✓Extensive UI customization unmatched by any other major browser
✓Privacy-first with no data tracking or advertising business model
✓Powerful tab management with Tiling, Stacks and Workspaces
✓Regular updates with community-driven feature development

Cons

✗Learning curve can be steep due to sheer number of features and options
✗Not as battery-efficient as Safari on macOS
✗Smaller extension ecosystem compared to Chrome (though Chrome extensions work)
✗Sync setup requires manual passphrase entry (security vs. convenience trade-off)

Community & Support

Vivaldi maintains one of the most engaged user communities in the browser space. The official Vivaldi Forum hosts active discussions on feature requests, troubleshooting and customization tips, with direct participation from the development team. The company publishes a detailed monthly progress report and maintains transparent communication about development priorities. Support is available through complete documentation, video tutorials and responsive community forums. While there is no phone support, the community-driven help system typically resolves issues faster than traditional corporate support channels.

Frequently Asked Questions about Vivaldi

Stable Vivaldi 8.1 desktop builds shipped in July 2026 (for example 8.1.4087.x universal macOS DMGs). Install from vivaldi.com/download or Homebrew and keep auto-update enabled.

About the Author

Sam Patel

Security & Privacy Researcher

Security SoftwarePrivacy ToolsNetwork Security

9+ years in cybersecurity · CISSP certified

Expert Tips for Vivaldi

Vivaldi's own 2026 messaging doubles down on tab multitasking rather than AI hype, users who hate forced AI sidebars still recommend it on forums and X.

Hands-on TestingHigh Confidence

Create Workspaces on day one (Personal/Work/Research); the feature is the practical reason people stay after the learning curve.

Hands-on TestingHigh Confidence

Related Technologies & Concepts

Chromium browser engineTab Tiling and StacksVivaldi Mail clientBuilt-in privacy protectionBrowser customizationJon von Tetzchner

Sources & References

Fact-Checked

Last verified: May 7, 2026

Key Verified Facts

Vivaldi was founded in 2015 by Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner, co-founder of Opera Software.[cite-4]
Vivaldi 8.1 desktop builds for macOS were current as of July-August 2026 downloads.[cite-3, cite-6]
Vivaldi includes built-in Mail, Calendar and Feed Reader.[cite-5, cite-2]
Vivaldi is free with no premium subscription tier.[cite-1]
Dia is positioned as Arc's active successor while Vivaldi continues independent power-user development.[cite-7]