• Login
    • Search
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Users
    • Groups
    • Rules
    • Help

    Do more on the web, with a fast and secure browser!

    Download Opera browser with:

    • built-in ad blocker
    • battery saver
    • free VPN
    Download Opera

    performance diff extensions vs plugins?

    Opera for Windows
    4
    4
    791
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • kuhlmanck
      kuhlmanck last edited by

      Is there a measurable performance difference between equivalent chrome extensions and opera plugins?

      Reply Quote 0
        1 Reply Last reply
      • sgunhouse
        sgunhouse Moderator Volunteer last edited by

        Extensions and plugins are generally different things; the only example I can think of where an extension would do the same thing as a plugin would be some PDF viewer. Also, Opera has its own extensions.

        Reply Quote 0
          1 Reply Last reply
        • burnout426
          burnout426 Volunteer last edited by

          plugin

          That word usually refers to binary SO files (shared object) or dll files (dynamically linked library) that use the NPAPI to communicate with browsers for the use of embedding their functionality in a web page. The Adobe Flash player is one such plug-in. Plug-ins in this case are not used to extend the functionality of the browser.

          The things at addons.opera.com that extend the functionality of Opera are called extensions just like they are in Chrome. Chrome extensions can be install in Opera via the Download Chrome Extension extension.

          So, using the word 'plug-in' when you mean 'extension' can confuse us sometimes.

          As for your question, if you make an extension for both Opera and Chrome and make it the same way, they should both perform the same in Opera. Now, there might be a Chrome extension and an Opera extension that does the same thing where the implementation is different. In that case, one might perform better than the other in Opera. Just depends. You have to inspect both the Chrome and Opera versions of extension 'foo' to see if everything code-wise is the same.

          In short though, I don't think you need to worry. I guess it's possible that the Opera version of an extension is slower if it uses some extension APIs that Opera supports and Chrome doesn't.

          Reply Quote 0
            1 Reply Last reply
          • Deleted User
            Deleted User last edited by

            Yes, they differ!
            Plugins are fast because they are compiled as binary program modules.
            Extensions may slow down browsers display and interaction with websites. Why? Because Extensions are using Javascript.

            Reply Quote 0
              1 Reply Last reply
            • First post
              Last post

            Computer browsers

            • Opera for Windows
            • Opera for Mac
            • Opera for Linux
            • Opera beta version
            • Opera USB

            Mobile browsers

            • Opera for Android
            • Opera Mini
            • Opera Touch
            • Opera for basic phones

            • Add-ons
            • Opera account
            • Wallpapers
            • Opera Ads

            • Help & support
            • Opera blogs
            • Opera forums
            • Dev.Opera

            • Security
            • Privacy
            • Cookies Policy
            • EULA
            • Terms of Service

            • About Opera
            • Press info
            • Jobs
            • Investors
            • Become a partner
            • Contact us

            Follow Opera

            • Opera - Facebook
            • Opera - Twitter
            • Opera - YouTube
            • Opera - LinkedIn
            • Opera - Instagram

            © Opera Software 1995-2025