Google Chrome is the world's most used browser. Learn how to combine the power of a VPN with this great browser.
Using a VPN simultaneously with Google Chrome, is a great way for internet browsers to protect their online data and privacy. Through Chrome, the best VPN service can also provide users with unrestricted access to loads of geo-restricted content from all around the world. We’ll explain how Chrome VPNs work and how to set one up, but first we'll compare and review the top 10 Chrome VPNs for you.
The Top 10 Best VPN Services in 2023:
- ExpressVPN - Best VPN provider overall
- NordVPN - Best for good quality
- Surfshark - Best for affordable secure surfing
- Private Internet Access - Best for maximum privacy protection
- Norton Secure VPN - Strict logging policy and encryption
- IPVanish - Fast, reliable, and reasonably priced VPN service
- CyberGhost - Easy to use VPN
- ZenMate - Budget-conscious VPN services
- ProtonVPN - Security and anonymity
- PureVPN - Travelling and browsing anonymously
| Compare Top VPNs for Chrome | 1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 7  | 8  | 9  | 10  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 30 reviews | 85 reviews | 100 reviews | 43 reviews | 214 reviews | 46 reviews | 93 reviews | 27 reviews | 12 reviews | Write Review |
Price | $5.99 per month for 1 year | $5.99 per month for 1 year | $6.99 per month for 1 year | $5.81 per month for 1 year | $6.67 per month for 1 year | $2.99 per month for 1 year | $2.21 per month for 1 year | $3.99 per month for 1 year | $4.99 per month for 1 year | $5.49 |
Best for | Fast, uninterrupted streaming | Security and peace of mind | Reliability and consistency | Family use and streaming | Use anywhere in the world | Streaming Netflix | Easy to use interface | Worry-free anonymity | Lightweight, easy-to-use interface | 24/7 customer service |
Free Chrome extension | for 7 days with trial | for 7 days with trial | 500MB with tria | |||||||
Number of devices | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Unlimited | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Number of servers/locations | 3,200 servers in 70+ countries | 6,000 servers in 90 countries | 5,500 servers in 60 countries | 2,000 servers in 140 countries | 160 servers in 94 countries | 1,000 servers in 100+ countries | 1,700 servers in 64 countries | 100+ servers in 30 locations | Servers in 20 locations | 700 servers in 34 locations |
Money-back guarantee |
The Top 10 VPNs for Chrome
- Price$5.99
- Best forFast, uninterrupted streaming
- No. of serves/locations3,200 servers in 70+ countries
Hotspot Shield, while limited in configuration options, offers fast download speeds and 256-bit encryption. Hotspot Shield connects you automatically to the server with the fastest connection speed. A free 7-day trial is available for those interested in learning more about Hotspot Shield's Chrome VPN. There are several paid plans which are a bit more expensive in comparison to the other solutions listed here.
Pros- Free Chrome extension
- Free 7-day trial
- High speeds
Cons- Relatively
- Price$5.99
- Best forSecurity and peace of mind
- No. of serves/locations6,000 servers in 90 countries
With servers in 90 countries, CyberGhost is ideal for accessing content in regions on the other side of the world. Connections are fast enough to allow streaming in high definition, and the VPN ensures that your data is kept private. It's user-friendly with a 30-day money back guarantee. CyberGhost has a free version also available as a Chrome extension, which has some encryption capabilities, although they are still limited to your browsing activities only. The free version is also not as fast as the paid version.
Pros- Fast connections
- Well-priced service
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons- No email contact
- Price$6.99
- Best forReliability and consistency
- No. of serves/locations5,500 servers in 60 countries
Although it's not easy to find on the website, NordVPN offers a 3-day free trial, with several different paid plans. NordVPN doesn't offer a free Chrome extension, so it's important that you look carefully at the paid subscriptions or use the free trial before committing to a plan.
Encryption is super secure with NordVPN, with pro features including VPN into the Tor browser and double encryption. Its servers are also pretty fast, so you can also stream in high definition.
Pros- Access to 3,000 servers worldwide
- High speed VPN
- Extension is lightweight and user-friendly
Cons- Monthly plan is expensive
- No free Chrome extension
- Price$5.81
- Best forFamily use and streaming
- No. of serves/locations2,000 servers in 140 countries
A Hong-Kong based company, PureVPN's Chrome service offers fast service in more than 750 servers in over 141 countries, which is probably more than most providers. It also allows 5 simultaneous connections.
In terms of security, this provider supports all levels of encryption, (including OpenVPN), DDoS protection, and anonymous payment methods. It also collects information about when users connect to the service, which will concern hard-core privacy enthusiasts.
Pros- High security
- Fast downloading speeds
- Free extension with 7-day trial
Cons- Connection logs recorded
- No free trial
- Price$6.67
- Best forUse anywhere in the world
- No. of serves/locations160 servers in 94 countries
ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support, is easy to use and is great for viewing geo-restricted content as it has fast servers in 94 countries from all over the world.
Although Express offers good value for your money, it is more expensive than its competitors, but it does offer a free trial. It should be noted that you need the Express VPN desktop app installed in order to run the Express VPN browser extension.
Pros- Easy-to-use; easy-to-install
- Super-fast VPN
- Advanced features
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons- More expensive than the competitors
- Can't use extension without the app
- Price$2.99
- Best forStreaming Netflix
- No. of serves/locations1,000 servers in 100+ countries
With more than 1,000 servers across the world and no bandwidth caps, UltraVPN is an attractive VPN to use with Chrome. It unblocks Netflix and allows torrenting, and has been lauded for speeds that compare to some of the heavyweight VPN providers. The no-logging policy, however, leaves something to be desired, at least for those concerned about their anonymity. Though the Windows apps are complicated to set up, Chrome apps work seamlessly. UltraVPN regularly offers discounts, as well as a 30-day guarantee for those unsatisfied.
Pros- No throttling or bandwidth caps
- Fast multimedia-suitable speeds
- Netflix and torrenting
Cons- A few gaps in the logging policy
- A bit basic for VPN enthusiasts
- Price$2.21
- Best forEasy to use interface
- No. of serves/locations1,700 servers in 64 countries
Surfshark is still a newcomer to the game but it makes a compelling case for itself. Its VPN includes 1,700 servers across 64 countries, a no-logging policy, and simultaneous use on unlimited devices. Furthermore, Surfshark is based out of the British Virgin Islands, where data-retention laws don’t apply. Surfshark’s Chrome extension is lightweight and easy to use, with speeds that make it great for streaming on Netflix and other platforms.
Pros- Unlimited devices
- 1700 servers in 64 countries
- Strong data protection
Cons- Newcomer to the field
- No free trial
- Price$3.99
- Best forWorry-free anonymity
- No. of serves/locations100+ servers in 30 locations
ZenMate claims to have 42 million users, and if the number is accurate it’s likely due to its strong security promise. Made in Germany, where strong pro-privacy laws mean that ZenMate cannot store personal information or IP addresses, this is a VPN that should be noted for its ability to keep you anonymous. The no-logging policy complements other features, such as the use of 5 simultaneous devices, unlimited bandwidth, and an easy one-click set-up process for the Chrome extension that make it worth trying out the free 7-day trial to see if it’s right for you.
Pros- Up to 5 devices
- Made in Germany
- Free extension with 7-day trial
Cons- Less servers than competition
- Speeds can be inconsistent
- Price$4.99
- Best forLightweight, easy-to-use interface
- No. of serves/locationsServers in 20 locations
Hailing from Ontario, Canada, TunnelBear is a smaller but well-respected VPN that’s developed somewhat of a cult following. Part of this is due to the catchy graphics, but more of it has to do with its extremely transparent privacy policies, its unpretentious, easy-to-use modes, and of course its performance. TunnelBear uses AES 256-bit encryption and offers a helpful vigilant mode to keep you safe while surfing. Though not as loaded with features as the heavyweights, TunnelBear holds its own and may even be preferable for its Chrome extension due to its agile, minimalist interface that won’t bog you down while you’re streaming or surfing the web anonymously.
Pros- Up to 5 devices
- Agile, easy-to-use VPN
- No-logging policy
Cons- Limited server count
- Speed issues in certain locations
- Price$5.49
- Best for24/7 customer service
- No. of serves/locations700 servers in 34 locations
SaferVPN’s free Chrome extension gives you a free 500 MB per month of use. After that you have to subscribe, but this more recent addition to the VPN field offers some good arguments: an impressive server network, unlimited bandwidth, and a transparent no-log privacy policy. SaferVPN also offers 24/7 support by live chat and email.
Pros- 700 servers worldwide
- No-logging policy
- Try the extension for free
Cons- Newer company
Hotspot Shield boasts a free Chrome extention as well as lightning-fast speeds and a large network of servers, and is generally considered one of the better VPNs to use with Chrome.
No. To use a VPN with Chrome, you must use a VPN provider such as Hotspot Shield or CyberGhost. However, many VPNs do have a Chrome extension that make it easy to use a VPN on Chrome.
To enable a VPN on Chrome, simply open the interface of your VPN provider, sign in, and choose a network location. The VPN should connect you automatically, and then you're free to browse on Chrome.
How Does a Chrome VPN Work?
VPNs have servers located all over the world that allow you to appear as though you are browsing the internet in another country. Though many VPNs are known to be slow and heavy, Chrome VPNs are known for their speed. They also have a reputation for being easy to set up and use. Top-notch services, such as those listed above, also have high encryption standards and trustworthy privacy policies, as well as malware protection. It’s important to note the difference between Chrome VPNs and Chrome VPN extensions, which don't necessarily offer these top-notch services. We’ll discuss the differences later on.
Setting up a Chrome VPN
Setting up a VPN is quick and simple. Here's a step-by-step guide for those who need one:
- Select a Chrome VPN from any of the top 5 recommendations below.
- Subscribe to the service you determine best suits your needs.
- Download and install the VPN.
- Login using your username and password.
- Select a server in the desired location.
- Connect to your VPN and start browsing the internet.
What Can You Do with a Chrome VPN?
VPNs are useful for a wide variety of internet activities. After installing a Chrome VPN, you'll be able to watch foreign TV channels, sports competitions, or other channels restricted by any geographic region. You'll also be able to browse anonymously, and ensure protection from data collection from your ISP while browsing online. That includes hackers looking for unsuspecting victims on public WiFi. If you pay for a VPN solution with strict privacy policies, you can also rest assured that your ISP isn't able to collect data about your login times and activity.
Chrome VPN Extension vs Chrome VPN
There is a significant difference between Chrome VPN and a Chrome VPN extension. A Chrome VPN extension is a proxy or an intermediary, not an actual VPN. Whereas a VPN app works at the operating system level and encrypts all traffic, a VPN extension is more limited. It does not encrypt all traffic that enters and leaves the device you are using, whether it be a PC, laptop, or mobile device.
For example, this means that a Chrome extension may help you overcome some geo-restricted content through your browser, but it will leave your apps, games, and any other activity on your device unprotected. Contrast this to a VPN, which essentially works from the foundation up and encrypts all the traffic no matter where it moves through.
The main advantage of extensions is that they are almost always free, while VPNs are paid subscription services.
What You Need to Know About Free VPN Services
Free VPN services, such as Chrome VPN extensions, offer a service that isn't as secure as leading paid VPN services. Chrome VPN extensions are proxies, rather than full service VPNs.
Free services are also slower than paid ones, since they share space with other free users, whereas paid services reinvest that money into more servers and higher bandwidth. Free providers often skimp on service, are filled with ads, and their servers may be down occasionally.
Will Incognito Mode Really Keep Me Invisible?
Most browsers these days offer an additional privacy mode that goes by different names: Incognito Mode in Chrome, Private Browsing in Firefox, Private Window in Safari. While incognito mode will keep the pages you’ve visited hidden from your search history and cookies, it does very little to secure your activity from larger tracking parties such as your internet provider or governmental agencies.
According to an interview in The Independent with a developer for Chrome, this is the reason they opted to call it incognito mode rather than the misleading “privacy mode.” Using incognito mode does not make you invisible to your internet provider or other prying eyes. Incognito mode does serve a purpose, albeit a more localized one: it’s helpful in keeping your activity hidden from others who use your computer. But it does little to make you anonymous the way a VPN does. Anyone who wishes to keep their identity hidden across the board should not rely on Chrome’s incognito mode, but instead should invest in a VPN as it’s the best full-proof way to hide yourself from prying eyes both on a small and large scale.
Get Started With a Google Chrome VPN
There are many Chrome VPNs on the market offering fast connections, iron-clad security and reliable privacy policies. We've reviewed the top VPNs here in order for you to make the best choice depending on your needs. Remember that there are differences in the speed, security and reliability of their privacy policies. If you’re concerned with your privacy, understand the differences in security that different solutions offer, and the price you pay for better protection. Regardless of the VPN provider you ultimately choose, this guide will help you choose the best one for your needs.
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