SoftNexi

Windows · Web Browsers

Vivaldi for Windows

Highly customizable Chromium-based browser with tab stacking, built-in note-taking, an email client, and granular UI controls.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

Vivaldi is built by former Opera developers on the Chromium engine, aimed squarely at power users who want to reconfigure nearly every part of the interface: toolbar positions, tab stacking and tiling, mouse gestures, and custom keyboard shortcuts are all exposed in settings.

It bundles productivity tools most browsers leave to extensions — a built-in notes panel that syncs across devices, an optional email client, an RSS reader, and a page-capture screenshot tool — aimed at people who live in their browser all day.

Because it's Chromium-based, Vivaldi supports Chrome Web Store extensions and renders sites identically to Chrome, and Vivaldi explicitly markets itself around not tracking users and not showing third-party ads.

Vivaldi suits power users and researchers who want deep tab management and built-in productivity tools; casual users who just want a simple browser will likely find the sheer number of settings and panels overwhelming rather than helpful.

Key features

  • Tab stacking, tiling, and two-level tab bars for heavy multitaskers
  • Built-in Notes panel that syncs across devices
  • Optional built-in email client and RSS/feed reader
  • Mouse gestures and extensively customizable keyboard shortcuts
  • Chromium engine with Chrome Web Store extension compatibility
  • Page-capture screenshot tool with full-page capture
  • No default third-party ad tracking, per the developer's stated policy

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit)
Architecture
x64 or ARM64 build
Account
Optional Vivaldi account for sync

How to install Vivaldi

  1. 1. Download from Vivaldi

    Go to vivaldi.com/download and select the Windows 64-bit or ARM64 build.

  2. 2. Run the installer

    Approve the UAC prompt; Vivaldi can import bookmarks and settings from another browser during setup.

  3. 3. Explore the panels

    Open the left-side Panel bar to enable Notes, Downloads, History, or the optional email client.

  4. 4. Enable sync (optional)

    Create a Vivaldi account under Settings > Sync to sync bookmarks, notes, and settings across devices.

How to use it

  1. 1. Set up tab stacking

    Drag one tab onto another to create a stack, useful for grouping research tabs by topic.

  2. 2. Use Notes

    Open the Notes panel to jot down text tied to specific pages, synced across your devices if signed in.

  3. 3. Customize mouse gestures

    Settings > Mouse lets you assign actions like back, forward, or new tab to gesture patterns.

  4. 4. Try the email client (optional)

    Enable it from Settings > Mail if you want a unified inbox alongside your browsing without a separate app.

Safety and privacy

  • Download only from vivaldi.com; verify you're on the official domain given Vivaldi's smaller brand recognition.
  • Vivaldi's core is based on the well-reviewed open-source Chromium project, with Vivaldi's own closed-source UI layer on top.
Bundled software
The official installer does not bundle unrelated third-party software.
Privacy
Vivaldi states it does not track users or sell data to advertisers, and sync data is end-to-end encrypted. Some standard diagnostic telemetry may still be collected; check Settings > Privacy for current options.

Known risks

  • As with any Chromium browser, third-party extension permissions are the main practical risk.
  • The dense feature set increases the chance of misconfiguring a setting; the reset-to-defaults option in Settings can help.

What's new

  • Current stable channel

    Vivaldi ships regular updates on a Chromium-aligned schedule. See vivaldi.com/blog for the current release notes.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Deepest tab management and UI customization of any mainstream browser
  • Built-in Notes, email, and RSS reduce reliance on separate apps
  • Chrome Web Store extension compatibility
  • Clear no-tracking, no-ads stance from the developer

Cons

  • Overwhelming settings depth for users who just want a simple browser
  • Smaller company and user base mean less independent security scrutiny than Chrome or Edge
  • Some built-in features (email client) are less polished than dedicated standalone apps

Verdict

Vivaldi is an excellent choice for power users who want granular control over tabs and interface layout plus built-in productivity tools. It's not the browser to recommend to someone who wants minimal setup.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vivaldi free?

Yes, Vivaldi is free to download and use.

Does Vivaldi support Windows 11?

Yes, Vivaldi fully supports Windows 11 on 64-bit and ARM64 hardware.

Can Vivaldi use Chrome extensions?

Yes, Vivaldi supports installing extensions from the Chrome Web Store.

Is Vivaldi good for beginners?

It can be, but its strength is deep customization, which means more settings to navigate than a simpler browser like Chrome or Brave.