Best Chrome VPN extensions: Comparison table
- Product: NordVPN
- Ad blocker: Yes
- Split tunneling: Yes
- Number of connections: 10
- Number of servers: 6,400+ servers in 111 countries
- Pricing: Starts at $4.99/month NordVPN Basic
- Product: ExpressVPN
- Ad blocker: Yes
- Split tunneling: Yes
- Number of connections: 8
- Number of servers: Multiple servers in 105 countries
- Pricing: Starts at $8.32 per month
- Product: CyberGhost VPN
- Ad blocker: Yes
- Split tunneling: Yes
- Number of connections: 7
- Number of servers: Around 9,500+ servers in 100 countries
- Pricing: Starts at $2.19/month (2-year plan)
- Product: Private Internet Access
- Ad blocker: Yes
- Split tunneling: Yes
- Number of connections: Unlimited
- Number of servers: Not disclosed
- Pricing: Starts at $3.33/month
- Product: Surfshark
- Ad blocker: Yes
- Split tunneling: Yes
- Number of connections: Unlimited
- Number of servers: 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries
- Pricing: Starts at $3.39/month (Surfshark One)
Best Chrome VPN extensions
Read on for our picks of the best Chrome VPNs, why we chose them, and how they can add to your Chrome browser experience.
NordVPN: Best overall
Since it’s one of the best VPN providers today, I recommend NordVPN. NordVPN offers a feature-rich Chrome extension that gives you access to a healthy 6,400+ server network across 111 countries. It also includes essential security features such as split tunneling, a kill switch, and protection against WebRTC leaks. To me, a noteworthy feature in NordVPN is its Threat Protection Lite feature, which protects against intrusive ads, trackers, unsafe connections, and malicious sites.
Why I chose NordVPN
I chose NordVPN’s Chrome extension, as it offers an all-around VPN service that affords both top-tier security and speed. I also think it offers a great balance of security features, ease-of-use, and reliability. The inclusion of a split-tunneling feature within the extension itself is a standout for me, as it makes personalizing the VPN experience very accessible.
Pricing:
- Monthly: Starting at $12.99/month
- One year: Starting at $4.99/month
- Two years: Starting at $3.59/month
- Features:
- 6,400+ server network in 111 countries
- Threat Protection Lite security feature
- Built-in kill switch
- No logs policy
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|———————————–|——————————|
| Consistently fast and stable speeds | On the expensive side |
| Unlimited bandwidth | |
| Protects against intrusive ads and malware | |
| Well-designed user interface | |
| Easy split tunneling within the extension | |In our review of NordVPN’s desktop app, the VPN received a score of 4.7 out of 5 stars. To learn more, read the full NordVPN review.
ExpressVPN: Best for speed
If you prioritize speed, I suggest ExpressVPN. Its Chrome extension mirrors its popular desktop counterpart almost one-to-one, as it acts as a remote control for the full desktop application. I personally appreciate how it offers the same lightweight and easy-to-use interface, strong security, and fast overall connection when using the extension. As of August 2024, ExpressVPN offers access to (reportedly) 3,000+ servers in more than 105 countries.
Why I chose ExpressVPN
While ExprsesVPN’s Chrome extension requires the desktop app to be installed, I like that it performs equally well as the companion app. This is impressive, given that most extensions are watered-down versions of the full app. During my time with it, ExpressVPN’s Chrome extension provided the same fast and pleasant user experience as the app itself.
Pricing:
- Monthly: $12.95/month
- Six months: $9.99/month
- 12 months: $8.32/month
Features:
- RAM-only server technology
- Available in 17 languages
- No logs policy and 18 third-party audits to date
- Network Lock kill switch
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|———————————–|——————————|
| Fast and reliable speeds | Pricing is on the higher end |
| Easy-to-use, pleasant-looking interface | Extension requires ExpressVPN desktop app to be installed |
| Ability to connect to specific city servers | Lacks a more affordable two- or three-year subscription plan |
| Servers across 94 countries | |In our review, ExpressVPN received a 4.4 out of 5 stars. For more information, read the full ExpressVPN review.
CyberGhost VPN: Best for free users
For those who don’t want to spend money on a full-fledged VPN, I feel like CyberGhost’s VPN Proxy extension is a good solution. It offers a hidden IP address, blocking against malicious content and online data encryption. It’s also completely free to use.
Why I chose CyberGhost VPN
I have CyberGhost VPN on this list for its completely free Chrome extension. While most VPN Chrome extensions require an active paid subscription to work, CyberGhost offers a cost-effective way to unblock restricted content and get some basic protection via its VPN Proxy. I also find it a convenient way to try out CyberGhost’s VPN implementation without having to pay for its full desktop VPN client.
Pricing:
- Monthly: $12.99/month
- Six months: $6.99/month
- Two years: $2.19/month
Features:
- Data encryption and secure Wi-Fi connection
- Hidden IP address
- No logs policy
- Access to geo-restricted websites
- Blocks malicious online content
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|———————————–|——————————|
| Chrome extension is completely free to use | Free version only gives you access to eight servers in four countries |
| Unlimited bandwidth | No built-in kill switch |
| Simple on and off Chrome extension | |In our review of CyberGhost VPN’s desktop app, the VPN received 4.3 stars out of 5. For more information, read the full CyberGhost VPN review.
Private Internet Access: Best for customizability
Another prominent VPN Chrome extension I recommend is Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN. It brings useful privacy and security features such as anti-tracking tools, ad blocking, and WebRTC protection. I personally like it for its stable VPN connection and reasonably fast speeds.
Why I chose PIA VPN
PIA VPN’s Chrome extension earns its place on my list for its customizable VPN experience. During setup, the PIA extension allowed me to toggle personalized security settings such as blocking camera or microphone access, disabling credit card autofills, and disabling third-party cookies. As a tinkerer myself, this kind of customization is very much appreciated. The PIA Chrome extension also includes the ability to save your favorite settings.
Pricing:
- Monthly: $11.99/month
- One year: $3.33/month
- Three years: $2.03/month
Features:
- Blocks unauthorized webcam and mic access
- Ad and tracker blocking
- WebRTC protection
- No logs policy
- Prevents sites from accessing location info
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|———————————–|——————————|
| Unlimited device connections | U.S.-based operations and surveillance practices |
| Customizable VPN experience | |
| Latency shown within the server list | |
| Bypass list in the extension itself | |In our review, PIA VPN received 4.2 out of 5 stars. For more information, read the full Private Internet Access (PIA) review.
Surfshark: Best for multiple device users
For users looking to support a number of devices, I recommend Surfshark. With its dedicated Chrome extension, you gain access to its suite of 3,200 servers in more than 100 countries. In my experience, Surfshark offers fast speeds and a well-designed desktop application. You also get protection via Surfshark’s WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec security protocols.
Why I chose Surfshark
I selected Surfshark, as it offers unlimited device connections with all three of its paid subscription plans. Like PIA VPN, Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections is an underrated value proposition, as it eliminates the need to pay for an additional plan in order to protect more devices. I know this is particularly important if you or your business uses multiple devices in your workflow.
Pricing:
- Monthly: $15.95/month
- One year: $3.39/month
- Two years: $2.69/month
Features:
- Ad and malware blocker
- Unlimited device connections
- No activity logs policy
- Can bypass local firewalls
- Includes cookie pop-up blocker
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|———————————–|——————————|
| Extensive server suite spread across 100 countries | Reported to have sluggish speeds during peak times |
| Allows for multiple devices on a single subscription | |In our review of Surfshark’s desktop app, the VPN received 4.6 stars out of 5. For more information, read the full Surfshark VPN review.
Key features of VPNs for Chrome
The following are key features that I recommend you consider when looking for a Chrome VPN extension.
One-click connection
Having a one-click connect/disconnect button is a simple but underrated feature that most Chrome VPN extensions should have. This button shouldn’t be hidden under menus or multiple options and must be easy to activate from the Chrome extensions panel.
Multi-device support
Another essential feature for Chrome VPN extensions is multi-device support. If you use Chrome as your primary browser, having the VPN extension available on multiple devices is important. This allows you to have uniform protection and security across all your devices that run Chrome, be it your laptop, smartphone, or tablet.
No-logs policy
A quality VPN provider should have a clear no-logs policy. VPNs are mainly used to protect sensitive user data. Through a no-logs policy, users can be assured that none of their personal data or identifiable information is recorded by the VPN provider. This may include data such as IP addresses, browsing history, and session durations. Having a no-logs policy that’s verified by an independent security audit is also an important consideration. This gives users hard evidence confirming whether or not VPNs adhere to their own no-logs policies.
How do I choose the best VPN extension for Chrome?
When choosing a Chrome VPN extension, it’s important to consider a few factors. First, you should take a look at a VPN vendor’s security features and if they have a verified no-logs policy. The presence of strong encryption is crucial, given that this is what primarily protects your browsing data. A no-logs policy also ensures that the VPN isn’t keeping track of any of your activities or information.
You should likewise consider how many devices you want to secure via a Chrome VPN extension and whether a particular vendor offers the number of device connections you need. In addition, a VPN extension that includes ad, malware, and tracker blocking will help remove intrusive content and improve your overall browsing experience.
Methodology
This round-up of the best Chrome VPN extensions was originally written by Franklin Okeke and updated by Luis Millares. In both versions, essential features of the listed Chrome VPN extensions were assessed, such as security features, pricing, and ease-of-use. Information from the vendor, reputable reviews, and user testimonials were also used to supplement our analysis.
In this article, our analysis of each Chrome VPN extension was updated to include findings from our hands-on experiences and real-world testing. The star rating from each VPN’s individual review was also incorporated.
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