Vivaldi is a web browser that has existed since about 2015. Released by Vivaldi Technologies, this browser intended to revive features Opera lost after it transitioned to a Chromium engine. It remains a relatively small browser in terms of user base and isn’t an especially big threat to Chrome’s browser dominance at the moment.
However, Vivaldi boasts a multitude of features you won’t find in Google Chrome. It is one of the most feature-rich web browsers for surfing websites. These are some of the more notable Vivaldi features that Chrome doesn’t have.
1. Customizable Side Panel
As Vivaldi is a descendant of Opera, it’s not surprising this browser incorporates a customizable side panel (or sidebar) from which you may access many features. That panel provides shortcuts for accessing your history, bookmarks, and downloads.
However, the best thing about that panel is that you’re able to add webpage shortcuts to it that enable you to view pages in an expandable bar from the side of Vivaldi.
It is possible toenable a bookmarks side panel in Chromewith that browser’s flag settings. However, that is currently only an experiment feature in Chrome. Furthermore, that side panel is much more limited than the one in Vivaldi because it isn’t customizable.
2. Screen-Capturing Tool
You can take screenshots of web pages open in Vivaldi with that browser’s handy screen-capturing tool. To do so, click theCapture Pagebutton (camera icon) on the toolbar at the bottom of the browser window. Then drag a rectangle on a webpage to set an image area and clickCaptureto take the screenshot.
A screenshot tool is not an official built-in feature of Google Chrome. Chrome used to have an experimental screenshot utility users could enable via flags. However, Google removed the flags for enabling that experimental feature from Chrome versions in 2023.
3. Customizable Hotkeys
Vivaldi is among the browsers that include settings for customizing its hotkeys. Those settings enable users to change hotkeys or create new ones for Vivaldi features and actions that don’t have default keyboard shortcuts. Our guide tocustomizing keyboard shortcuts in browsersprovides instructions for how to reconfigure hotkeys in Vivaldi.
All you can do with Chrome’s built-in settings are set custom keyboard shortcuts for activating extensions. You’ll need to add an extension like AutoControl or Shortkeys to Chrome to customize hotkeys in Google’s flagship browser.
4. Page Actions
Vivaldi includes numerous filter effect options that you can select to modify the look of a page. For example, you can select options likeGrayscale,Black and White,Invert(flips page colors),Obscure(blurs page with cursor outside window), andSepia. You can select those options and others to change how a page looks by clicking thePage Actionsbutton on Vivaldi’s bottom toolbar.
5. Page Tiling
Page tiling is a handy Vivaldi feature that enables you to view up to two, three, or four tabs within a single window. To utilize that feature, select three or four tabs in Vivaldi by holding theCtrlkey. Then click theTile to gridbutton on the browser’s lower toolbar and selectTile to Grid,Tile Horizontally, orTile Verticallyoption to view all selected pages side-by-side.
6. A Notepad
Vivaldi’s notepad is yet another useful feature that’s not available in Chrome. you may utilize that notepad to save text notes that include screenshots and attached files while you’re browsing.
To access it, click theNotesbutton on Vivaldi’s toolbar; then click in theAdd a new notebox to input some text. Press theAdd captureandAttach new filesbuttons to add screenshots and files to the notes.
you may only add a comparable feature to Chrome with one of the numerous notepad add-ons for that browser. Extensions like Notepad, Advanced Notepad, and Chrome Notes add notepads to Google’s flagship browser. Or, you can utilize sticky notes with the extensions in ourhow-to add sticky notes to webpagesarticle.
7. Mouse Gesture Controls
The mouse gestures Vivaldi feature enables you to carry out browser actions with pre-defined mouse movements. you’re able to create custom mouse gestures or utilize the default ones already available in Vivaldi. Check out thisVivaldi mouse gestures guidefor details about how you can utilize this feature.
Some alternative browsers like Opera and Edge also incorporate mouse gestures. However, Chrome is not one of them. You’ll need to add an extension like smartUp Gestures or CrxMouse Chrome Gestures to utilize mouse gestures in Google’s flagship browser.
8. Customizable Tab Bar Placement
You can move the tab bar to the right, left, or bottom of Vivaldi’s window. To do so, pressCtrl+F12in Vivaldi and selectTabsin the Settings window. Then select aLeft,Right, orBottomsetting for theTab Bar Positionoption. Moving the tab bar to the left or right side of Vivaldi gives you a vertical tab sidebar.
Some Chrome users are crying out for a similar feature that enables a vertical tab sidebar. Heck, even Edge now has a vertical tab sidebar feature. There are at least numerous extensions, such as Vertical Tabs and Tree Style Tab, that add a vertical tab sidebar to Chrome.
9. A Built-in Pomodoro Clock
A Pomodoro timer clock is a unique Vivaldi feature with which you can set countdowns and alarms. You can utilize that feature by clicking the small clock on the far-right side of Vivaldi’s lower toolbar. That will bring up a Pomodoro clock panel from which you can set a timer by clickingCountdown, inputting a time, and pressingStart. A Vivaldi notification will appear when the timer finishes.
If you would like to add the same feature to Google Chrome, you’ll have to install yet another extension. Marinara, Focus To-Do, and Otto are among thebest Pomodoro timer Chrome extensions.
10. A Built-in Calendar
Vivaldi’s built-in calendar is another unique feature you may utilize. You can add event reminders to that calendar to ensure you never forget your appointment dates or anything else while browsing the web.
That feature also supports online accounts such as Google Calendar and Vivaldi.net. Our article aboututilizing the Vivaldi calendarincludes instructions for how you can access that feature, add events, and customize its interface.
Vivaldi’s Features Put Google Chrome to Shame
Those are some top Vivaldi features Chrome doesn’t have, and there are many more. It is surprising Vivaldi is not a somewhat bigger browser than it is when it includes so many more note-worthy features than Chrome.
Vivaldi is the browser of choice for power users seeking maximum customization and flexibility. So, consider trying out Vivaldi to discover everything this browser has to offer if you haven’t already.
