A new type of AI tool is emerging: deep-research agents. These systems break large research questions into smaller parts, run multiple searches in parallel, and combine results into a structured answer. They go beyond simple chat assistants by gathering, comparing and synthesising information from across the web. The company profiles of agentic browsers show this is a growing category.
Into this context steps Opera Neon, the AI-driven browser from Opera Limited, which just announced its new deep research agent, Opera Deep Research Agent (ODRA). According to Opera, ODRA is the fourth specialised AI agent in Neon, joining its Chat, Make and Do agents. Beyond the usual, the browser is now designed to act as a platform for research workflows.
A browser built for research
Opera describes ODRA as model-agnostic and tool-agnostic, stating it “could combine the strengths of different models, like Gemini and GPTs,” and that it uses server-side parallelisation to “divide the problem into smaller ones and run separate researchers on them.” The implication is that rather than relying on a single large language model, Neon’s engine distributes subtasks across multiple models and synthesises the results.
In the press release, Opera states that ODRA has become “one of the very best deep research agents” on its internal DeepResearch Bench test, although details of the benchmark metrics are not publicly disclosed. The design reflects emerging academic work in multi-agent retrieval and generation, for example, the MA-RAG (“Multi-Agent Retrieval-Augmented Generation”) study shows that using multiple agents improves factual accuracy.
Neon is positioned as a premium, subscription-based browser targeted at users whose work involves heavy web research and multitasking across many tabs. The company’s marketing site states: “Neon acts on your tasks … it can handle everyday tasks for you, like filling in forms, placing orders, replying to emails or tidying up files.” Plus, Opera is building an orchestration layer (internally called Symphony) to manage dozens of specialised agents and route user requests intelligently across them. “Instead of having users figure out each agent individually, we are creating a unified intelligence layer where one master AI helps manage all these different agents,” said Krystian Kolondra, EVP of Browsers at Opera.
In plain terms, the claim is that Neon plus ODRA will let a user type a research question and have the browser run multiple sub-searches, compare sources, produce summarised reports, while managing browser tabs and context, all inside the browsing session. That marks a shift from browsing as navigation toward browsing as structured inquiry.
How Opera’s research agent compares
While Neon and ODRA push this idea into the browser layer, competitors are also evolving. For example, Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge is an AI-powered mode launched in July 2025. It blends chat, search and navigation in one input box and allows the assistant to review multiple tabs for tasks like comparing hotels or summarising open tabs. Edge’s mode is free (for now) and oriented toward broad adoption rather than subscription-only.
Key functional differences emerge. Opera’s ODRA emphasises multi-model parallelisation and dedicated research workflows. Edge’s Copilot Mode emphasises assisted browsing and general-purpose tab management. Edge supports summarising tabs and comparing them, letting users “ask it to review and compare content across all your open tabs,” says one review.
Another competitor example: Google’s Gemini model is reportedly heading toward “Contextual tasks” in Google Chrome, though the feature is still unfinished. These developments show multiple browsers adapting AI features, but Opera’s offering stands out by marketing a specialised “deep research agent” inside a high-productivity browser.
In terms of accessibility, Opera Neon is a paid, early-access browser. Edge’s AI features, by contrast, are available free for a limited time. The premium model adds a clear user-segment distinction: Opera targets professional workflows, while Edge targets mainstream.
For users whose tasks involve comparing multiple sources, keeping many tabs open, and generating structured outputs (e.g., reports, long briefs, research summaries), Neon with ODRA may offer a different value proposition. Edge, on the other hand, focuses on making browsing smarter for everyday tasks.
The addition of ODRA signals a broader shift in the browser market. When the browser is capable of acting (searching, comparing, synthesising) it becomes a research engine rather than a passive window. Opera’s decision to build an orchestration layer for dozens of agents suggests they believe multiple specialised AIs will outperform a one-size-fits-all assistant. The trend aligns with industry research showing that dividing tasks across agents improves results.
For users, the implication is that browsing may grow more complex, but also more capable. A browser that understands intentions, spans many tabs, and delivers a structured answer may change how professionals research, compile data and report findings. Whether the wider market will embrace subscription-based browsers remains to be seen.
