Depending on our lifestyles, routines, and daily habits, what constitutes the best VPN will always vary from person to person. A VPN extension for Google Chrome is brilliant for internet users who spend the majority of their web-based time on the number one search engine in the world. The best Chrome VPN extensions have been built to complement every aspect of the Google Chrome browser, making the experience as seamless as possible. After all, the greatest VPNs should make life easier and never be a hinderance, so never settle for less.
You have considerably more choice when it comes to choosing a VPN Chrome extension as you do with, let’s say, a specific operating system. This is because technically, you’re only protecting a browser. If you’re only using Chrome for daily, low usage tasks, then there are free VPNs that are more than up to the task. Whereas if you stream or game through your Chrome browser, then a premium provider with less restrictions might be the better option.
The best Chrome VPN extension at a glance:
• The best Chrome VPN extension: ExpressVPN - View on ExpressVPN
• The best free VPN Chrome extension: Windscribe - View on Windscribe
• The best cheap Chrome VPN extension: Surfshark - View on Surfshark
Paid VPNs for Chrome
Going for a paid VPN to use with your Chrome browser is the best and safest way to go. This is because you can’t just buy a Chrome extension VPN, you have to buy the full package. What this means is that more than just your browser will be protected, any and all apps that connect to the internet will be safe and secure under the Virtual Private Network.
If Google Chrome is the hub for all of your internet activity, you can still add the extension to your browser. This way, you can control the VPN from Google Chrome, as opposed to having to open the app to control it - it’s right there in the top right corner of the browser. Of course, just using a paid VPN for a browser extension might not be considered getting your money’s worth. Not unless you do absolutely everything on Chrome.
There are only a handful of VPN providers that will allow users to just have a Chrome VPN extension, otherwise known as a proxy. If you plan to buy a full fledged VPN for Chrome browser use, we'd also recommend checking out the best Windows 10 providers while you're at it.
Free VPN Chrome extensions
Free VPN extensions are a great choice for your Chrome browser, in this instance you don’t have to download an entire VPN. It’s classed as a proxy that just sits in your browser protection all your data that runs through it. Although, you can use a full free provider and use it as you would a paid version.
Free providers tend to offer a more restricted plan, this is obviously they want to reel you in, so you eventually go all in with a paid plan. A free Virtual Private Network might well be enough if your online activity isn’t too data hungry. Say you use Chrome for daily tasks, you’ll may not even scratch the surface of a 10GB data limit.
About our expertise
At What’s The Best, we live and breathe technology. Among our team of tech experts, we have pretty much every base covered - from televisions and speakers to cameras and smartphones.
To say we spend a lot of time on the internet is a bit of an understatement, and most of the time, we’re using a VPN. Whether for work or recreation, we’re regularly connecting to VPN servers near and far.
It’s by collecting this shared knowledge, experience, and passion, that we are able to select the best VPNs for you. We trust each of our picks implicitly - in fact, many of them we use ourselves. That's because at What’s The Best, if we wouldn’t buy it ourselves, we don’t recommend it. Simple.
Please note: All prices are correct at time of writing. VPN deals and savings are subject to change at short notice.
The best Chrome VPN extension
go.expressvpn.com
If you’re going to pay for a premium VPN, why settle for anything less than the best. ExpressVPN is about as premium as they come, it’s available on all major operating systems and a range of browser extensions including Chrome.
This is a provider that complements Google Chrome very well. In fact, the app experience and the extension experience are practically identical. This is absolutely a good thing as well. The ExpressVPN interface is beautifully simplistic, so it would’ve been a shame if it was any different for the Chrome extension.
Speed and security are unparalleled at Express, you’ll have little to no trouble with unblocking on Google Chrome either. This is an extension in every sense of the word, it’s the same VPN experience, just in browser format. Obviously, you still need the ExpressVPN app to have this extension, there’s no ExpressVPN solo extension for Chrome. We can’t imagine this being a viable option for internet users with less demanding internet usage.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
Pros
- As easy to use as the normal app
- Reliably fast and secure
- Solid unblocking
Cons
- The app is required for the extension
| Servers | 3000 |
| Proxy extension | No |
| Simultaneous connections | 5 |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- "I've been using ExpressVPN for a few months, and I'm really impressed with it. It's more than lived up to the hype, and it's a powerhouse that doesn't scream and shout about what it does for your online security. It just sits in the background of my devices and does what needs to be done.
I love its unique, next-gen privacy encryption and vast server list. I can easily hop between servers in different countries, which is great for streaming content or browsing the web anonymously. The interface is also really easy to use.
Overall, I'm really happy with ExpressVPN. It's the best VPN I've used, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to protect their online privacy." Tried and tested by Jack Barrell, VPN writer for What's The Best.
The best free Chrome VPN extension
windscribe.com
A free VPN provider that comes with an absolutely ideal Chrome extension. For casual Chrome users, Windscribe is a cost-free treat. You’re getting a powerful VPN, with a reliable Chrome extension, and you won’t have to pay a single penny.
Unlimited simultaneous connections should make you do a double take at Windscribe, this is a rarity even among paid, premium VPN providers. Seeing this from a free VPN is refreshing to say the least. You get a 10GB monthly data allowance, which, for basic online tasks like banking should be more than enough. Of course, more demanding activity like streaming or gaming will see you eat through this limit rather quickly.
You can use Windscribe without the app, it can reside in your browser without operating in tandem with a desktop version. Users have found the Chrome extension interface to be a tad cramped though. This is highly subjective though, one user might find this to be cramped, another may be delighted to see everything in one place.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- No desktop app required
- 10GB data ideal for daily browser tasks
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy usage tasks
- Interface has a lot going on for some users
| Servers | 10 countries |
| Proxy extension | Yes |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- Customer review: "It's hard to find a free VPN that doesn't bombard you with ads, but Windscribe is one of them. Been using it for years on many platforms and with every update it gets better, faster and more stable."
The best cheap Chrome VPN extension
surfshark.com
We’ve established a Chrome VPN extension makes browser life easier, why not get a premium provider that’s easy on your wallet too? Surfshark is renowned for giving the best bang for your buck in online privacy since its inception, it’s a great option with a Chrome extension too.
Speaking of making life easier, Surfshark is another provider where you don’t need the full VPN app for the extension. You’ll simply head to the Chrome web store and search for the Surfshark VPN proxy. Once it’s up and running, it’s as effortless to navigate as the main app. Unlimited simultaneous connections is a huge plus too, especially from such a cheap provider.
Surfshark doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to unblocking, security, or speed. You may not get the lightning-fast servers all the time, but after a little play around you can always find the speeds you deserve.
Pros
- So affordable
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Secure and fast
Cons
- Some servers are slow
| Servers | 3200+ |
| Proxy extension | Yes |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- Customer review: "This VPN is far more advanced than any other I've used, and I've used plenty. I love all of the features."
The best Chrome VPN extension for security
nordvpn.com
The whole purpose of a Virtual Private Network is to keep your online presence, and information safe and encrypted. There are few providers that know nail security quite like NordVPN. It offers a handy proxy extension too.
You have to bring up the incredible double data encryption of Nordlynx and WireGuard. This encryption protocol is a force to be reckoned with. You can have no doubts about having a safe browser experience with Nord. Speeds don’t take a back seat though, so much so that Nord is a first choice VPN for gaming, torrenting and streaming.
VPN cultists won’t be too happy knowing Nord is still asking users for an email address in order to sign up, especially since the 2018 hack that’s quite fresh in some minds.
Pros
- Brilliant proxy extension
- Super-secure
- Fast
Cons
- Sign up requires email address
| Servers | 5709 |
| Proxy extension | Yes |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited6 |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- Customer review: "Nord is not only a spectacular service with perfect function as advertised, but also has a spectacular customer service program!"
The best Chrome VPN extension for features
www.privateinternetaccess.com
You won’t find many VPNs filled to the brim with features like Private Internet Access. Prepare for some powerful security tools at your disposal, all of which are just as effective and configurable on the proxy Chrome extension.
PIA is highly appealing to so many users because not only is it full of useful features, but it’s wonderfully easy to use. This is no different when it comes to the Chrome browser extension. It’s another golden provider with unlimited simultaneous connections, so if you’re a firm believer in sharing is caring, this is the provider for you.
Anyone privacy conscious should be aware that PIA is US-based, a country that’s part of the Five Eyes Alliance. These are countries whose governments conduct online surveillance to a significant degree. PIA is one of the best USA VPNs though, if you were to choose a VPN in the Five Eyes, this is one of the few we’d recommend.
Pros
- Packed with privacy tools
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Proxy extension
Cons
- Based in a Five Eyes country
| Servers | 35,000 |
| Proxy extension | Yes |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- Customer review: "A simple and wonderful VPN client that works exactly as I'd hoped."
Terms to remember
VPN – Virtual Private Network
Simultaneous connections – The number of devices you can cover on a VPN subscription at once
Kill switch - When internet connection is lost, it’s a feature that kills any internet connection until a secure VPN link can be attained once more
How to use a VPN in Chrome
The whole point of using a Chrome VPN extension is to make live easier. So, using one should be nothing short of a breeze. Once you’ve activated your Chrome VPN extension, you will be able to locate it at the top right of your browser under the extensions tab. Once you’ve clicked this, the VPN will appear, and you configure it however you please.
How to add a VPN extension in Chrome
Adding a VPN extension in Chrome is easier than you might think. If you’ve opted for a full VPN, in the VPN settings you should be able to find an option to install it to the Chrome browser. Once it’s redirected you to Chrome, it should have been added to your browser, and now you can control the Virtual Private Network from here.
If you find yourself a proxy Chrome VPN extension, the process is even simpler. Once you’ve signed up to your Chrome proxy VPN, simply head to your proxy settings in Chrome, choose system, then you’ll be redirected to your computer’s proxy settings. Here, you can configure a custom configuration.
Free VPN for Chrome
When it comes to online privacy on the Google Chrome browser, this is one of the few cases where you might get more out of a free VPN. There are plenty of reputable free providers you can go with, but we found Windscribe to be the best all-round with no cost. On a free Windscribe plan you can enjoy 10GB monthly data, and you can connect unlimited simultaneous devices.
Jack Barrell is the Commercial Content Writer for VPNs. He's hands-on when it comes to producing best-of articles, how-to guides, and product reviews for Virtual Private Networks. On his off-days, Jack can be found in the gym, at the movies, or flicking through a car mag.
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