Vivaldi, a browser designed for power users, offers a unique blend of speed, customization, and innovative features. It stands out in the competitive world of web browsers by emphasizing user control and flexibility.
Here’s a quick glimpse into what makes Vivaldi a compelling choice:
- Speed and Efficiency: Optimized for quick browsing and minimal lag.
- Customizable Interface: Tailor your browsing experience with customizable themes, layouts, and shortcuts.
- Advanced Tab Management: Unique features like tab stacking and tiling enhance multitasking capabilities.
- Privacy-Focused: Offers enhanced privacy settings and protection against tracking.
- Built-in Tools: Integrated tools like a note-taking app, email client, and RSS reader enrich your browsing experience.
- User-Centric Design: Constant updates based on community feedback ensure a browser that genuinely meets users’ needs.
With these key features and highlights in mind, let’s delve into the main article and explore how to install Vivaldi on your Ubuntu system.
Update and Upgrade Ubuntu System Before Vivaldi Installation
Before installing the Vivaldi Browser, ensuring your Ubuntu system is up to date is crucial. This ensures compatibility and helps prevent issues during the installation process.
Run the following commands to update your package list and upgrade any outdated packages:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
Install Initial Packages For Vivaldi Installation
To install the Vivaldi Browser, you must install some essential software packages. These packages are commonly found on most Linux distributions and enable the browser’s various functionalities.
Install the necessary packages using this command:
sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl -y
Import Vivaldi APT Repository
Next, you must import the Vivaldi APT repository, which allows your system to fetch and install the Vivaldi Browser. First, download and import the GPG key used to verify the authenticity of the packages you are downloading and installing:
curl -fSsL https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/vivaldi.gpg > /dev/null
Vivaldi works optimally on AMD64 systems that desktop users commonly use. However, they have recently improved support for ARM64 and ARMHF architectures for systems like Raspberry Pi OS. Choose the appropriate command for your system’s architecture:
AMD64 architecture import command:
echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/vivaldi.gpg] https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/deb/ stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vivaldi.list
ARM64 architecture import command:
echo deb [arch=arm64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/vivaldi.gpg] https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/deb/ stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vivaldi.list
ARMHF architecture import command:
echo deb [arch=armhf signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/vivaldi.gpg] https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/deb/ stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vivaldi.list
After importing the Vivaldi repository, update your repository list to reflect the new changes:
sudo apt update
Finalize Vivaldi Installation via APT Command
Now, you can proceed with the installation of the Vivaldi Browser. You can install either the stable version or the snapshot (nightly) version. Note that you can install both versions simultaneously.
Install Vivaldi Browser Stable:
sudo apt install vivaldi-stable
Verify the version and build of the installed Vivaldi Browser using this command:
vivaldi --version
Optional – Install Vivaldi Snapshot (Nightly):
For users or developers who want to test Vivaldi’s development version, run the following command:
sudo apt install vivaldi-snapshot
Confirm the version and build of the installed Vivaldi Browser using this command:
vivaldi-snapshot --version
We recommend using the stable version for daily browsing and avoiding the development version for critical browsing or transactions.
Launch Vivaldi Browser via GUI or CLI Methods
CLI Method to Launch Vivaldi
There are multiple ways to launch the Vivaldi Browser after successfully installing it. One way is to run it directly from your terminal. Depending on which version of Vivaldi you have installed (stable or snapshot), use the appropriate command:
For the Vivaldi Stable version, run the following:
vivaldi
The Vivaldi Snapshot (nightly) version run:
vivaldi-snapshot
GUI Method to Launch Vivaldi
For a more user-friendly experience, you can also launch Vivaldi from the Applications Menu. Most users prefer this approach as it involves graphical interaction. To launch Vivaldi using the application icon, follow these steps:
- Click on the Activities Menu at the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select Show Applications to view the list of installed applications.
- Locate and click the Vivaldi {version} icon to launch the browser.
Additional Vivaldi Commands
Update Vivaldi Browser
While many desktop users rely on automatic updates or auto-update notifications, it’s essential to know how to update the Vivaldi browser manually using the terminal. To check for updates for your entire system, including Vivaldi, run the APT update command:
sudo apt update
If an update is available, you can upgrade Vivaldi and any other packages using the upgrade option:
sudo apt upgrade
Remove Vivaldi Browser
If you no longer want the Vivaldi browser installed on your system, you can easily uninstall it using the following commands.
To remove the standard Vivaldi browser, use this command:
sudo apt remove vivaldi-stable
If you installed the Vivaldi snapshot build and want to keep only the stable version, use this command:
sudo apt remove vivaldi-snapshot
If you’re sure you won’t install or use the Vivaldi browser again on your system, you can delete the Vivaldi Repository with the following command:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vivaldi.list
Lastly, delete the GPG key by running:
sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/vivaldi.gpg
Closing Thoughts
There you have it! We’ve walked through the steps to install Vivaldi on Ubuntu, whether you’re using version 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS. By now, you should have Vivaldi up and running, ready for you to explore its customizable interface, speed, and unique features. My final piece of advice? Dive into the settings, make them your own, and see how they transform your browsing experience.
Useful Links
Here are some valuable links related to using Vivaldi:
- Vivaldi Official Website: Visit the official Vivaldi website to download the browser, learn about its features, and stay updated with the latest news.
- Vivaldi Community: Join the Vivaldi community to connect with other users, participate in discussions, and share your experiences.
- Vivaldi Blog: Explore the Vivaldi blog for news, updates, tips, and in-depth articles about the browser.
- Vivaldi Developer Resources: Access resources for developers, including guides, documentation, and tools to help you get the most out of Vivaldi.