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The best VPN extensions for Chrome in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

techhigOctober 30, 2024

0 12 11 minutes read

The best VPN extensions for Chrome in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

Discovering a terrific digital non-public community (VPN) to maintain your web connection encrypted and safe and your looking non-public might be difficult as there are such a lot of options in the marketplace.

You have got choices in terms of utilizing VPNs: You should utilize them as standalone merchandise that present blanket protection for your whole units, you should use one in your router or a standalone gadget, or you should use an accompanying extension simply to guard your browser periods.

Additionally: The most effective VPN routers you should purchase

A VPN extension can be a terrific resolution to shortly masks your IP handle throughout a browser session. For instance, you could need to change your location to entry geo-locked content material. An estimated 65.7% of web customers favor Chrome as their browser of selection, beating Safari, Edge, and Firefox.

With this in thoughts, we now have compiled an inventory of the perfect VPNs that supply Chrome extensions to guard your on-line actions.

What’s the greatest Chrome VPN proper now?

Our decide for the perfect Chrome VPN total is ExpressVPN, due to its wonderful pace and stability, huge server community, and environment friendly Chrome extension that is not intrusive and would not drastically decelerate your web connection.

At ZDNET, we have examined each respected VPN in the marketplace, rigorously evaluating pace, variety of servers, security measures, value, and extra. We monitor VPN options, conduct frequent pace exams, and we keep watch over buyer suggestions to make sure we suggest solely the perfect. Learn on for a deeper have a look at our picks for the perfect Chrome VPN extensions in 2024.

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ExpressVPN

Greatest VPN for Chrome total

ExpressVPN is without doubt one of the most generally used VPNs. It helps many platforms and has a hefty ensemble of protocols from which to decide on. Its Chrome extension has garnered many constructive opinions, with 1000’s of customers issuing excessive scores, bringing its common to 4.5 out of 5 stars.

ExpressVPN has servers in additional nations than some other supplier on this listing, besides NordVPN, so you may have loads of choices.

Whereas total efficiency could fluctuate relying in your web connection and which server you are connecting to, ExpressVPN is quick and dependable, and we have discovered it persistently gives respectable speeds. After we’ve used the extension, we famous little change to speeds, and it was unobtrusive — an element you need contemplating all of the pop-ups and notifications we already must take care of.

Evaluation: ExpressVPN evaluation

To make use of the accompanying extension, you will have an ExpressVPN subscription. A two-year plan begins at $6.67 per thirty days and comes with three months added to the size of the contract. Regardless of the upper value level, clients say ExpressVPN is easy, quick, and straightforward to make use of.

ExpressVPN options: Chrome extension: Sure | Chrome Net Retailer score: 4.5 | Simultaneous connections: 8 | Kill change: Sure | Platforms: Home windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fireplace TV, Android TV, tvOS, routers | Nations: 105 | Logging: No looking logs, some connection logs | Cash-back assure: 30 days | Trial: Seven days, Android and iOS

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NordVPN

Greatest Chrome VPN for server community

NordVPN is without doubt one of the hottest client VPNs. It has many capabilities past a primary VPN and is one in all our picks for the perfect VPN with a Chrome extension.

NordVPN additionally helps all the main platforms and working methods, so you should use it to safe the overwhelming majority of your units outdoors of your Chrome browser. For additional safety, you may route your connection by means of a second server, often called a double VPN.

In our newest pace exams, NordVPN carried out extraordinarily effectively and, along with ExpressVPN, supplied the perfect speeds and stability. It is nice for accessing streaming providers, too. The VPN supplier presents 111 places to connect with, and you’ll join as much as 10 units to the service concurrently.

Clients say they like NordVPN’s pace and safety, and be aware that the shopper assist is spectacular. The Chrome extension is light-weight, and lots of customers contemplate it dependable and a terrific addition for day-to-day looking and duties.

Evaluation: NordVPN evaluation

In the event you’re uncertain if NordVPN will give you the results you want, you may at all times strive it and get a full refund inside 30 days when you’re not happy. NordVPN presents an extra three months at no cost with its two-year plan, which begins at $3.59 per thirty days. You too can go for one-year and one-month plans, at $4.59 per thirty days and $12.99 per thirty days, respectively.

NordVPN options: Chrome extension: Sure | Chrome Net Retailer score: 4.2 | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Home windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fireplace TV, tvOS, routers | Nations: 111 | Kill change: Sure | Logging: E mail handle and billing data solely | Cash-back assure: 30 days | Trial: Seven days, Android

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Surfshark VPN

Greatest funds Chrome VPN

Surfshark is without doubt one of the most inexpensive VPNs in the marketplace and presents persistently low pricing for prolonged contracts.

When it comes to safety, Surfshark is rock strong. In our testing, we discovered no DNS or IP leaks. Nevertheless, Surfshark’s connection instances and speeds might be slower than its opponents.

The VPN comes normal with helpful connectivity and security measures: the VPN itself, in fact, together with a cookie and advert blocker, a masked electronic mail generator, break up tunneling (Bypasser), a double VPN possibility (MultiHop), and different choices. Premium plans provide extra, reminiscent of malware and webcam safety.

Customers say they discover Surfshark’s Chrome extension simple to put in and function, and deem it an extension that “simply works.” The Chrome extension additionally makes it simpler to entry providers restricted by native IPs.

Evaluation: Surfshark VPN evaluation

Surfshark pricing begins at $1.99 per thirty days on a two-year plan. You possibly can join a one-year contract at a beginning value of $2.99/month, or get a month of entry for $15.45. One and two-year contracts include 4 months of free entry added to the size of your contract.

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Proton VPN

Greatest free Chrome VPN

When one thing is free, there’s normally a catch — and a VPN service is not any exception. We do not usually suggest many free VPN choices, as many VPN suppliers will accumulate or promote your information in return, and this follow undermines all the level of VPN safety.

Thankfully, paid subscribers again Proton VPN’s free plan, and the staff behind it places safety and privateness first. The trade-off? There’s very restricted server choices and assist for just one gadget.

Additionally: The most effective free VPNs

Proton VPN’s Chrome extension (and total) opinions are combined, though many complaints are about the free possibility’s restrictions. You possibly can take this how you’ll, however many customers nonetheless say that this VPN is safe and quick sufficient that few discover any pace modifications when enabled.

If you wish to check out a paid plan, Proton VPN presents a two-year contract for $4.49 per thirty days or a one-year possibility for the equal of $8.66 per thirty days. A month of entry prices $9.99.

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Greatest VPN for Chrome	Value	Chrome Net Retailer score	Simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN	$6.67/month with a one-year plan and three free months	4.5	8
NordVPN	$3.59/month with a two-year plan and three free months	4.2	10
Surfshark VPN	$1.99/month with a two-year plan and three free months	3.6	Limitless
Proton VPN	Free / $4.49 per thirty days on a two-year plan	2.5	1 (free), 10 (paid)

Utilizing Incognito mode might help increase your privateness — however not in the identical approach a VPN or VPN extension will. Incognito mode reduces the gathering of information throughout a looking session. It helps defend your privateness by deleting logs and knowledge after a session, which might be helpful when you share a tool with others. As Google’s April 2024 court docket settlement confirmed, nevertheless, Chrome’s Incognito mode is not notably efficient.

A VPN, as compared, encrypts your connection, disguises your on-line actions, and masks your IP handle. Utilizing a VPN or VPN extension after which launching a non-public looking session might be complementary, however counting on only one or the opposite is not as efficient.

Utilizing only a VPN extension is greatest once you simply need to disguise your IP handle and masks your web site visitors throughout brief looking periods. Do not forget that you’ll solely have safety enabled for the browser with the extension enabled. So, you probably have a Chrome VPN extension, solely information passing by means of the Chrome browser can be encrypted.

As compared, a standalone VPN app grants you much more safety, as it could possibly present blanket protection throughout all browser periods and on-line providers. The trade-off is that VPN apps usually tend to decelerate your total web pace.

How do I arrange my Chrome VPN?

Go to your VPN supplier’s web site or the official Google Chrome Net Retailer. Discover your VPN and click on the “Add to Chrome” button.

You’ll then get a discover explaining what the extension does and might do. In case you are comfortable to proceed, click on Add Extension. If not, click on Cancel.

Register together with your VPN credentials, and that is it! Keep in mind that you could click on the extension’s icon anytime to allow or disable it.

Many VPN suppliers advisable on this listing have been topic to in-depth testing and opinions by members of our ZDNET staff. We have reviewed VPNs for years, spoken with their administration and customers, and developed a usually favorable impression of our prime picks.

ZDNET exams VPN providers from a number of places, however we won’t check from all places. Each house, group, native ISP, and nation has a special infrastructure.

We analyzed the perfect VPNs for Chrome under utilizing the next standards that have been most vital in serving to you make an knowledgeable resolution:

Efficiency: Our prime VPN suggestions will need to have a minimal degree of efficiency. In any case, there is not any level in utilizing a VPN in case your connection regularly drops or lags.
Dependable extensions: As Chrome is our precedence, we ensured that every suggestion has a Chrome extension out there that customers contemplate helpful, secure, and non-invasive.
Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs restrict the variety of units you may connect with a service concurrently. In case you have a cellphone, pill, laptop computer, desktop, or sensible TV you need to connect with a VPN, you want a service that permits no less than 5 or 6 simultaneous connections.
Safety: There isn’t any level in utilizing a VPN except its safety protocols and encryption ranges are as much as scratch. We additionally ensured the event staff behind every advisable VPN cared about making safety enhancements over time and patching reported bugs.
Kill change: A kill change prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is a vital function for a VPN, because it protects you by stopping a return to a default Wi-Fi connection ought to your web connection unexpectedly drop.
Geo-blocks and streaming: We all know VPNs might be key to accessing native content material and providers when you’re away from house. Contemplating these elements, we ensured that our prime suggestions carried out effectively and are unlikely to decelerate your connection while you’re streaming or torrenting.
Platforms: What methods and units are you able to run the VPN on? Our VPN suggestions, naturally, have to supply easy-to-use and intuitive app extensions, desktop software program, and cellular apps.
Nations and servers: In what number of completely different nations does the VPN have servers? This could embrace bodily and digital servers, and whether or not there are sufficient — no less than 50 or so — to supply selection.
Trial size and value: Every VPN we suggest has a strong money-back assure of no less than 30 days.
Assist: As with all subscription software program, you could encounter issues with putting in apps, utilizing the service, renewing, or canceling. We listing VPNs with an out there assist staff.

For a extra intensive breakdown, try our complete VPN testing methodology web page.

Select this VPN for Chrome…	If you would like…
ExpressVPN	The most effective Chrome VPN total. ExpressVPN gives top-tier efficiency and options, with standout usability and pace, however the value level could deter some customers.
NordVPN	The most effective location and server community. NordVPN gives quick and dependable connections with a number of further choices out there.
Surfshark VPN	Probably the most worth. Surfshark presents affordable speeds and a user-friendly interface at a persistently low value.
Proton VPN	A reliable, free possibility. Proton VPN is the most suitable choice in order for you a free Chrome VPN extension, however needless to say the free plan is restricted in gadget assist and server community.

Chrome VPN FAQs

What’s the greatest free VPN Chrome extension?

We suggest Proton VPN and Windscribe as dependable, free VPNs with Chrome extensions. Whereas our free VPN suggestions are few and much between, Proton VPN has been developed by a staff that places safety and privateness first.

Does Chrome have a built-in VPN?

No. Whereas Chrome is without doubt one of the most secure and most well-featured browsers, it doesn’t have a built-in VPN, though it helps VPN use and VPN extensions. You will want to put in a VPN to have probably the most safe expertise in your Chrome browser.

Is a VPN for Chrome protected?

All of the VPN providers on this listing are trusted and vetted by ZDNET. The providers we suggest have been round for a very long time and supply the most secure and most safe connections for Chrome and different browsers, or as standalone apps to your cellular units.

Can I exploit a VPN on a Chromebook?

If you wish to defend a Chromebook, the Chrome browser extension will not essentially be sufficient by itself, particularly when you change between browsers. Most VPN distributors suggest you defend your Chromebook by putting in the distributors’ Android app. Android apps now run on most trendy Chromebooks, however older Chromebooks will not at all times have that functionality. Be sure you verify every vendor’s compatibility listing. As soon as you put in the Android app in your Chromebook, you need to be usually protected.

We suggest making an attempt out ExpressVPN or NordVPN when you’re on the lookout for a suitable service to your Chromebook.

How can I keep protected if my older Chromebook would not assist Android apps?

The reply to that is very similar to the reply to anybody asking keep protected on previous gear: generally, you may’t. In case your pc cannot maintain you protected on-line, both do not go surfing or severely contemplate an improve.

As soon as assist and updates cease for legacy units, you additionally will not obtain safety fixes, and in case your Chromebook is older and would not have suitable Android apps, your choices are restricted. At a minimal, you should not use your Chromebook for any delicate duties, reminiscent of accessing a monetary service or electronic mail account.

Does a Chrome VPN change your location?

If you would like it to, sure. You possibly can connect with a VPN in your house nation (and generally, metropolis) and nonetheless use the service to enhance your safety and privateness. Alternatively, you may decide a server in a very completely different location. For instance, when you’re making an attempt to entry a media supply that’s blocked within the EU as a consequence of GDPR, showing from the US will take away this geo-linked block.

If our above suggestions do not feel like the correct match, don’t be concerned — they are not the one worthwhile VPNs with Chrome extensions. You too can contemplate the choices under, which we now have highlighted as worthwhile alternate options.

The best VPN extensions for Chrome in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

What’s the greatest Chrome VPN proper now?