Finding the right virtual private network (VPN) to keep your internet connection encrypted and secure and your browsing private can be challenging, as there are so many options available to you.
When you set up your new VPN, you can install its apps individually to protect your devices, set up a VPN on your router for blanket coverage, or use an accompanying extension just to protect your browser sessions.
Also: The best VPN routers you can buy
A VPN extension is also a great solution to mask your IP address for a single browser session quickly. You may want to, for example, switch your location to access geo-locked content or you may just want to use a VPN on a particular browser to access specific content.
An estimated 66.5% of internet users favor Chrome for their browser, beating Safari, Edge, and Firefox. This guide focuses on recommendations for the best VPNs that offer reliable Chrome extensions to protect your online activities.
What is the best Chrome VPN right now?
Our pick for the best Chrome VPN overall is ExpressVPN, thanks to its excellent speed and stability, vast server network, and efficient Chrome extension that isn’t intrusive and doesn’t drastically slow down your internet connection. ExpressVPN is typically a rather expensive VPN, but its holiday sale has reduced the monthly subscription price to $4.99/month and gives you four months of free service.
At ZDNET, we’ve tested every reputable VPN on the market, rigorously evaluating speed, number of servers, security features, price, and more. We monitor VPN solutions, conduct frequent speed tests, and monitor customer feedback to ensure we recommend only the best. Read on for a look look at our picks for the best Chrome VPN extensions in 2024.
Show less
ExpressVPN is one of the most widely used VPNs. It supports many platforms and has a hefty ensemble of protocols from which you can choose. Its Chrome extension has garnered many positive reviews, with thousands of users issuing high scores, bringing its average to 4.5 out of 5 stars.
ExpressVPN has servers in more countries than most of the providers on this list, so you’ll have plenty of location options.
While overall performance may vary depending on your internet connection and which server you’re connecting to, ExpressVPN is fast and reliable, and we’ve found that it consistently provides fantastic speeds and some of the best we’ve measured. When we used the extension, we noted little change to speeds, and it was unobtrusive — an important element of VPN extension usage given all the pop-ups and notifications we already have to deal with.
Review: ExpressVPN review
To use the accompanying extension, you will need an ExpressVPN subscription. Subscriptions normally start at $6.67 per month, but during the holiday sale, ExpressVPN is offering a rare deal on its two-year plan. You can pay $4.99 per month, and also receive four months of free VPN access added to the length of your contract.
Despite the usually higher price point, customers say ExpressVPN is simple, fast, and easy to use.
ExpressVPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 4.5 | Simultaneous connections: 8 | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 105 | Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
NordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs, and for good reason. It has many capabilities beyond a basic VPN and is one of our picks for the best VPN with a Chrome extension. It is a great VPN for consumers and businesses alike.
NordVPN supports all the major platforms and operating systems, so you can use it to secure the vast majority of your devices. For extra security, you can also route your connection through a second server, known as a double VPN.
In our latest speed tests, NordVPN performed extremely well and, together with ExpressVPN, offered the best speeds and stability. It’s great for accessing streaming services, too. The VPN provider offers 111 locations to choose from, and you can connect up to 10 devices to the service simultaneously.
Customers say they like NordVPN’s speed and security, and note that the support is impressive. The Chrome extension is lightweight, and many users consider it reliable and a great addition for day-to-day browsing and tasks.
Review: NordVPN review
NordVPN offers an additional three months for free with its two-year plan, which begins at $3.59 per month. You can also opt for one-year and one-month plans at $4.59 per month and $12.99/month, respectively. If you’re unsure if NordVPN will work for you, you can always try it and get a full refund within 30 days.
NordVPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 4.2 | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 111 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Email address and billing information only | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market and offers consistently low pricing for lengthy contracts.
In terms of security, Surfshark is rock solid. In our testing, we found no DNS or data leaks. That said, Surfshark’s connection times and speeds can be slower than those of its competitors.
The VPN comes standard with useful connectivity and security features: the VPN itself, of course, along with a cookie and ad blocker, a masked email generator, split tunneling (Bypasser), a double VPN option (MultiHop), and other options. Premium plans offer more, such as malware and webcam protection.
Users say they find Surfshark’s Chrome extension easy to install and operate, and deem it an extension that “just works.” The Chrome extension also makes it easier to access services restricted by local IPs.
Review: Surfshark VPN review
Surfshark pricing begins at $2.19 per month on a two-year plan with three months free. You can sign up for a one-year contract at a starting price of $3.69 per month, or get a month of access for $15.45. Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark VPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 3.7 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Ad-blocker | Two-factor authentication | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: No-logs policy | Countries: 100 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
When something is free, there’s usually a catch — and a VPN service is no exception. We don’t typically recommend free VPN options, as many VPN providers will collect or sell your data in return, and this practice undermines the entire point of a VPN.
Fortunately, paid subscribers back Proton VPN’s free plan, and the team behind it puts security and privacy first. The trade-off? There are very limited server options and support for only one device.
Also: The best free VPNs
Proton VPN’s Chrome extension (and overall) reviews are mixed, although many complaints are about the restrictions on the free option. You can take this how you will, but many users still say that this VPN is secure and fast enough that few notice any speed changes when enabled.
If you want to try out a paid plan, Proton VPN is offering a two-year contract for $2.99 per month or a one-year option for the equivalent of $4.99 per month. A month of access costs $9.99.
Proton VPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 2.5 | Open-source | Simultaneous connections: One to 10, depending on the plan | Countries: 112 | Logging: No-logs policy | Security audits | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Kodi, and routers | VPN accelerator | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
|
Best VPN for Chrome |
Price |
Chrome Web Store rating |
Simultaneous connections |
|
ExpressVPN |
$4.99/month with a one-year plan and four free months |
4.5 |
8 |
|
NordVPN |
$3.59/month with a two-year plan and three free months |
4.2 |
10 |
|
Surfshark VPN |
$2.19/month with a two-year plan and three free months |
3.7 |
Unlimited |
|
Proton VPN |
Free / $2.99 per month on a two-year plan |
2.5 |
1 (free), 10 (paid) |
Using Incognito mode can help boost your privacy — but not in the same way a VPN or VPN extension will. Incognito mode reduces the collection of data during a browsing session. It helps protect your privacy by deleting logs and information after a session, which can be useful if you share a device with others. As Google’s April 2024 court settlement showed, however, Chrome’s Incognito mode isn’t particularly effective.
A VPN, in comparison, encrypts your connection, disguises your online activities, and masks your IP address. Using a VPN or a VPN extension and then launching a private browsing session can be complementary, but relying on just one or the other isn’t as effective.
Using just a VPN extension is best when you just want to hide your IP address and mask your internet traffic during short browsing sessions. Remember that you will only have protection enabled for the browser with the extension enabled. So, if you have a Chrome VPN extension, only data passing through the Chrome browser will be encrypted.
A standalone VPN app grants you far more protection, as it can provide blanket coverage across all browser sessions and online services. The trade-off is that VPN apps are more likely to slow down your overall internet speed.
How do I set up my Chrome VPN?
Go to your VPN provider’s website or the official Chrome Web Store. Find your VPN and click the “Add to Chrome” button.
You should get a notice explaining what the extension does and can do. If you are happy to proceed, click Add Extension. If not, click Cancel.
Sign in with your VPN credentials, and that’s it! Remember that you can click the extension’s icon anytime to enable or disable it.
|
Choose this VPN for Chrome… |
If you want… |
|
ExpressVPN |
The best Chrome VPN overall. ExpressVPN provides top-tier performance and features, with standout usability and speed, but the typical price point may deter some users. |
|
NordVPN |
The best location and server network. NordVPN provides fast and reliable connections with a host of additional options available. The user interface map is well-designed, too. |
|
Surfshark VPN |
The most value. Surfshark offers reasonable speeds and a user-friendly interface at a consistently low price. It’s reliable, has a large server network, and a useful pause function. |
|
Proton VPN |
A trustworthy, free option. Proton VPN is the best option if you want a free Chrome VPN extension, but keep in mind that the free plan is limited in device support and server network. |
Many VPN providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our team. We’ve reviewed VPNs for years, spoken with their management and users, and developed a generally favorable impression of our top picks.
ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can’t test from all locations. Every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure.
We analyzed the best VPNs for Chrome below using the following criteria:
- Performance: Our top VPN recommendations must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags.
- Reliable extensions: As Chrome is our priority, we ensured that each recommendation has a Chrome extension available that users consider useful, stable, and non-invasive.
- Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you need a service that allows at least five or six simultaneous connections.
- Security: There’s no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements and patching reported bugs.
- Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
- Geo-blocks and streaming: We know VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you’re away from home. Considering these factors, we ensured that our top recommendations performed well and are unlikely to slow down your connection while you are streaming or torrenting.
- Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our VPN recommendations naturally have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive app extensions, desktop software, and mobile apps.
- Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough — at least 50 or so — to provide variety.
- Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee of at least 30 days.
-
Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with a support team.
For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.
No. While Chrome is one of the safest and most well-featured browsers, it does not have a built-in VPN, although it supports VPN use and VPN extensions. You’ll need to install a VPN to have the most secure experience on your Chrome browser.
All the VPN services on this list are trusted and vetted by ZDNET. The services we recommend have been around for a long time and provide the safest and most secure connections for Chrome and other browsers, or as standalone apps for your devices.
If you want to protect a Chromebook, the Chrome browser extension won’t necessarily be enough on its own, especially if you switch between browsers. Most VPN vendors recommend you protect your Chromebook by installing their Android app. Android apps now run on most modern Chromebooks. Since older Chromebooks may not be supported, be sure to check each vendor’s compatibility list. Once you install the Android app on your Chromebook, you should be generally protected.
We recommend trying out ExpressVPN or NordVPN if you’re looking for a compatible service for your Chromebook.
The answer to this is much like the answer to anyone asking how to stay protected on old gear: sometimes, you can’t. If your computer can’t keep you safe online, either don’t go online or seriously consider upgrading your hardware.
Once support and updates stop for legacy devices, you also won’t receive security fixes, and if your Chromebook is older and doesn’t have compatible Android apps, your options are limited. At a minimum, you shouldn’t use your Chromebook for any sensitive tasks, such as accessing a financial service or email account.
If you want it to, yes. You can connect to a VPN in your home country (and sometimes, city) and still use the service to improve your security and privacy. Alternatively, you can pick a server in a completely different location. For example, if you’re trying to access a media source that is blocked in the EU due to GDPR, appearing from the US will remove this geo-linked block.
Yes, in most countries. VPNs are also often crucial tools for companies, as they allow more secure remote connections. However, consumer VPN use is restricted and state-controlled in some areas — such as China and Russia — and banned entirely in others, including Iraq and Belarus.
You get what you pay for, right? Well, sometimes. VPN pricing varies wildly, and monthly fees also depend on any additional features you have subscribed to, such as dedicated IP addresses, data breach scanning, or cyberinsurance. Others, such as Astrill, come at a high price but are known for being stable and generally very reliable in countries where VPN usage is challenging, including China.
Unless you have downloaded a free Chrome VPN outside our recommendations, yes. Chrome extensions are provided as an add-on service alongside PC and mobile apps, and aren’t usually available as a standalone option without signing up for a VPN plan.
Other VPNs we’ve tested
