Opera Neon's On-Device AI Delivers Private Web Automation

Browser developer Opera has officially entered the burgeoning market for “agentic” web browsers with the limited launch of Opera Neon. Positioned as a premium, subscription-based tool for professionals, Neon’s debut introduces “Neon Do,” an AI agent architected to operate entirely on the user’s device. This local-first approach is a significant technical choice designed to enhance privacy and functionality, directly challenging the cloud-based models used by competitors. By transforming the browser from a passive window into an active assistant, Opera is making a calculated entry into the agentic browser race, betting that power users will pay for a more secure and integrated AI experience.

On-Device Intelligence: The Privacy Advantage

The most significant innovation within Opera Neon is its agent, “Neon Do.” Unlike many AI agents that process data on cloud servers, Neon Do functions entirely within the user’s local browser session. This local execution is a critical design choice with profound implications for both functionality and security. This on-device vs cloud AI browser architecture allows the agent to navigate websites and fill out forms using existing user logins without sharing sensitive credentials with external services.

According to initial reports, all actions performed by the agent happen on-screen in real-time, allowing the user to monitor, guide, or take control at any moment. Opera has described it as a “browser robot” capable of handling tasks on the user’s behalf. This addresses key privacy concerns, as Opera states that user data is not used for model training and is deleted after 30 days. This policy and the focus on Opera Neon Do privacy appeals strongly to users in privacy-conscious regions.

IFTTT Meets AI: Workflow Automation

Opera Neon translates the abstract concept of an agent into tangible productivity tools through two core features: Cards and Tasks. “Cards” are reusable prompt templates that allow users to save and chain instructions for repetitive activities. The concept functions as an “IFTTT (IF This Then That) of AI prompting,” enabling the creation of powerful, multi-step workflows without writing any code. For instance, a user can combine pre-built Cards to extract details from several product pages and compile them into a comparison table.

Neon also features a “Cards store” for users to share and download community-created workflows, building an ecosystem of AI skills.

To manage these complex operations, Neon introduces “Tasks.” These are self-contained workspaces that group tabs and AI chats related to a specific project. Sources describe them as “small browsers within a browser,” where the AI agent’s context is strictly limited to the information within that workspace. This prevents the AI from accessing irrelevant data from other browsing activities, enhancing both focus and privacy for specific projects; for instance, a user can create a Task where the AI is asked to analyze notes between a Notion page and a Google Doc, and it operates exclusively within that context.

The $20 Browser: Pricing Power Users

With a price of $19.90 per month, Opera is deliberately positioning Neon as a specialized professional tool, not a replacement for mass-market browsers. This positions Neon as a specialized productivity tool, with the company stating the browser is aimed at “power users first.” This strategy places the Opera Neon on-device AI in a high-stakes market position, targeting professionals who rely heavily on web-based workflows and are willing to pay for measurable efficiency gains.

The launch marks another key development in the agentic browser race, with Opera now competing directly with rivals like Perplexity Comet, which focuses on deep search and synthesis, and The Browser Company’s Dia, which also features a “Skills” gallery similar to Neon’s “Cards.” While tech giants like Google and Microsoft are also integrating agents into Chrome and Edge, Neon’s combination of a local-first agent and a premium, power-user focus provides a distinct value proposition. Success hinges on Neon’s ability to deliver productivity gains that justify its recurring cost.

Browsers Evolve: From Viewing to Doing

Opera Neon’s launch presents a well-defined vision for the browser’s evolution from a passive information viewer into an active task executor. The architectural decision to prioritize on-device processing via Neon Do directly addresses critical user concerns around privacy and data security in the age of AI. While the subscription model and the inherent challenges of reliable automation present significant hurdles, the combination of a local agent and a shareable workflow ecosystem offers a distinct approach. As the Opera AI browser latest update, Neon’s entry poses a critical question: are professionals ready to pay a premium for a browser that promises to do the work for them?