Here are our three top picks to use with Google Chrome: If you’re looking for raw speed with an affordable price tag, we recommend Surfshark. If you want the complete package, go with NordVPN. Its Chrome extension is packed with great features that should satisfy both VPN beginners and seasoned pros. However, Google collects sensitive user data and Chrome has had many security flaws over the years. In fact, some of its extensions have been used to steal crypto wallet keys in the past too. In other words, you need protection from your browser as well. Chrome definitely doesn’t have the best reputation out there for protecting users’ privacy, so that’s something to consider too. Using a VPN (virtual private network) is the best way to safeguard your online privacy while browsing the web with Chrome. But which one should you choose? With so many VPN providers on the market, doing your own research would take months. That’s why we’ve listed our top 3 VPNs for Chrome right here.
The Best VPNs for Chrome: Our Recommendations
The process of picking the best VPN for Chrome is riddled with endless questions. Which one should you choose? Is using just an extension enough? Will encryption slow down your connection? It’s difficult to test VPNs one by one to find the most compatible option with Google Chrome. To make matters simple for our readers, we did the hard part and tested dozens of VPNs for you. We paid special attention to their speed, security, geo-unblocking capabilities, user-friendliness, and many other factors. The result? We found the very best VPNs for Chrome. Read more about them below.
1. NordVPN: The best overall VPN for Chrome
NordVPN is one of the two best VPNs currently on the market. It offers an amazing security package paired with great speeds. This versatility makes it an ideal VPN for Chrome, especially when we take its user-friendly extension into account. NordVPN’s Chrome extension was launched in 2017 and requires a paid subscription, starting from $3.71 per month. However, it grants you access to a full package of 5,000+ servers in 60 countries. The Settings menu allows you to block WebRTC, a communication protocol that can leak your real IP address. You can use AdBlocker (formerly CyberSec in the extension) to block ads, malware, phishing sites, and other threats. There’s also a nifty Bypasser tool that lets you create a list of sites you want to access directly (with your real IP). For example, you can use your NordVPN extension for Chrome to unblock Netflix US while streaming YouTube without it at the same time. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can test NordVPN for 30 days completely risk-free.
2. CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly apps + free VPN extension for Chrome
CyberGhost offers the most beginner-friendly software at an excellent price, starting at just $2.15 per month. It’s also the only provider on this list with a completely free VPN extension for Chrome. Mindful of your privacy, the company allows you to use the extension without creating an account or providing any personal data, which is a big plus in our books. In other words, you can stay completely anonymous online with CyberGhost VPN for Chrome. The Chrome extension will hide your real IP, block online tracking and malicious content, and prevent WebRTC leaks. You can also use it to unblock Netflix US or Hulu from anywhere in the world. The main downside of CyberGhost’s free Chrome extension is the fact that you only have access to 8 servers in 4 countries. If you want to use their full network (7,300+ servers in 90+ countries), you’ll have to go premium. CyberGhost offers a 14-day money-back guarantee on its monthly plan and a 45-day refund on longer subscriptions. So, you can test CyberGhost for free and see if it works for you.
3. Surfshark: The fastest VPN for Chrome
Surfshark took first place on our list of the fastest VPNs out there. Its raw speed comes paired with incredible features, such as a highly optimized server stack, and budget-friendly prices (starting from $2.49/month). This makes it an excellent choice if you’re using Chrome mostly for streaming and accessing torrent sites. Surfshark’s VPN extension for Chrome uses its full server network (3,200+ servers in 65 countries). You can also up your privacy & security with multi-hop connectivity in censorship-heavy countries like China. Multi-hop allows you to establish your VPN connection through multiple VPN servers instead of just one. The “CleanWeb” feature will block malware, ads, and trackers for you. Note that it doesn’t block YouTube ads. You can also enable alerts for sites that have been breached in the past. Finally, there’s a cookie popup blocker that shuts down the annoying cookie consent prompts. Surfshark VPN comes with a 30-day-money-back guarantee. So, you have a full month to test Surfshark for free.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN for Chrome?
When it comes to VPNs for Chrome, most users are looking for security, seamless performance, and user-friendly extensions. With that in mind, here are all the factors we considered during our testing:
Security: NordVPN and Surfshark extensions use TLS 1.2 encryption. It’s the best option for in-browser security that protects you against hackers, eavesdroppers, and other unauthorized parties. All three will protect you against data leaks and come with ironclad zero-log policies. Speed: All extensions on this list are extremely fast. They will connect you to any server almost instantly and there are plenty of locations to choose from with NordVPN and Surfshark. You’ll have no problems streaming Netflix, downloading torrents, or gaming online. Ease of use: Our picks are also easy to set up and use. CyberGhost is the most beginner-friendly of the three while NordVPN and Surfshark can cater to advanced users as well. They’re also quite lightweight, so you won’t have to worry about your browser lagging. Price-quality: It’s always nice to save some money if possible. CyberGhost’s Chrome extension is completely free but it does come with some limitations. Having said that, both Surfshark and NordVPN are quite affordable for the utility they provide.
You can learn a lot more about our top 3 VPNs for Chrome in their separate reviews. They provide much more information with the results of our hands-on testing.
Can I Use a Free VPN for Chrome?
When discussing free VPNs for Chrome, we should differentiate between two types of products:
Free (limited) versions of renowned premium VPNs Dangerous and ineffective free VPNs
As mentioned, CyberGhost offers a completely free VPN extension for Chrome. However, this is just a limited version of their paid product. You have access to fewer servers, there’s no encryption, and the speeds are nowhere near as fast as you would get if you buy the paid subscription. Some VPN apps can also be used for free with severe limitations. For example, ProtonVPN’s free plan includes just three server locations while PrivadoVPN imposes a 10 GB monthly limit. In spite of these limitations, we’re still talking about legitimate VPN services. They usually serve you with some pop-ups and ads to support their free plans but they still provide adequate protection. They’re also ideal for testing these VPNs for free before buying them.
Dangerous free VPNs
On the other side of the spectrum, we have malicious VPNs that offer no protection whatsoever. They’re usually just trying to steal and sell your data or use your computing power to mine cryptocurrencies. All these “VPNs” are usually owned by the Chinese government in an attempt to gather intelligence. These include the likes of Super VPN, Snap VPN, VPN Proxy Master, and a few others. Hola VPN is headquartered in Israel but it’s just as dangerous. The information these services collect is what we call “activity logs,” which is the worst form of logging. They include the sites you visit and your interaction with them. They can also encompass your connection times, metadata, and IP addresses. In other words, these free VPNs can basically be viewed as spyware. We strongly advise against using the VPNs from the latter category. If you’re on a tight budget, we recommend checking services on our list of truly free VPNs.
Why Use a VPN for Chrome?
There are countless reasons why Chrome users should consider installing a VPN. The most relevant ones include:
Increased online security: VPN extensions for Chrome should encrypt your online traffic to block access to malicious third parties. Spy organizations, hackers, and even Google can’t steal what they can’t see. In other words, they let you browse the web safely and anonymously. Increased online privacy: Connecting to any VPN server replaces your real IP with a fake one. This ensures that your online traffic can never be traced to you, your location or your real IP address. Your IP can be used to geo-locate your device and attack you in countless ways. With a good Chrome VPN extension, you’ll be perfectly safe from these attacks. Bypassing geo-restrictions: Streaming Netflix US or Disney+ is just one of the perks you get with the best VPNs for Chrome. Just connect to a US server to obtain a local IP and you’re good to go. You can also use them to bypass online censorship in countries like Russia and China.
Conclusion: The Best VPN for Chrome
The best VPNs for Chrome will help you use your favorite browser safely and anonymously. They can also unblock the best versions of all streaming platforms and bypass online censorship. If you’re just looking for the best package money can buy, we recommend going with NordVPN. If streaming is your thing and you just want raw speed, Surfshark is the right tool for you. Lastly, if you’re a VPN beginner and want to save as much as possible, CyberGhost is just what you need. Looking for a VPN for Chromebooks? We list our top 7 here. You can also find even more trusted options on our full list of the best VPNs for this year. If you’re looking for other cybersecurity software, make sure to check our list of the best antivirus for Chromebook.
