Google Chrome is the most widely used browser around, and that’s largely thanks to its customizability. By adding the best Chrome extensions, you can surf the web your way, and anonymously by throwing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) into the mix. No need for a separate app; many VPN services have latched onto Chrome’s popularity and added their own Chrome VPN extensions.

Switching IP addresses to bypass geo-restricted content (a huge perk for streaming your favorite movies anywhere) and protecting your online identity has never been easier with the right VPN extension for Chrome; all it takes is one simple click right in the browser.

You’ll find some VPNs, like ExpressVPN, act as in-browser controls for the designated app on your device, but other services can be used separately from the app. If you’re ready to jump from the U.S. to Japan while browsing online, the best VPN Chrome extensions will get you there in no time.

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Top VPN Chrome extensions to install

NordVPN is ideal for anyone who wants to avoid a VPN slowing down their internet speeds, as it’s one of the fastest VPNs available. Its exceptional NordLynx protocol delivers the best speeds for its Chrome extension, meaning you’ll be flying around websites the world over and streaming shows on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more with HD and even 4K quality.

Speed isn’t NordVPN’s only skill; it has the proper privacy tools to keep your data safe. From automatically disabling Chrome’s WebRTC protocol to stop your IP address from leaking to its Threat Protection Lite feature that keeps ads and malicious websites at bay, this VPN Chrome extension gives you peace of mind while browsing.

Furthermore, it provides access to over 6,200 servers in 104 countries, allowing you to connect to servers located in India and the U.S. The app is known sometimes to be a tad troublesome to some, but a quick update can fix those minor bugs.

If you’re wondering about privacy, know that NordVPN has a credentialed zero-logs policy and supports Perfect Forward Secrecy. It’s also based in the privacy-friendly Panama.

For Black Friday, you can save up 77% on NordVPN’s subscriptions. The Basic plan is down to just $2.99 a month, and the popular Plus plan is only $3.89 a month. You’ll even get three extra months for free. There’s no better time to sign up.

Logging policy

No-logs policy

Mobile app

Android and iOS

Number Of Servers

3,200+

Free Trial

7-day

Encryption

AES-256 encryption

Surfshark is all about value, but its VPN Chrome extension doesn’t skimp on any features. With solid speeds and an excellent design, you’ll easily access its 3,200 servers in 100 countries and a wide selection of privacy tools, such as its CleanWeb feature to block annoying pop-up ads and malware. It’s even more affordable during Black Friday, when you can get the Surfshark Starter plan for $1.99/month, plus three extra months for free.

Pros & Cons

• No device limit
• More than 3,200 servers in 100 countries
• Based in British Virgin Islands

Surfshark offers a high-quality VPN Chrome extension without breaking the bank. It’s challenging to find an extension that offers over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, features reliable 10GB/s speeds with the fast WireGuard protocol, and includes a comprehensive list of security features.

We’re talking AES-256 encryption, a cookie pop-up blocker, malware protection with its CleanWeb 2.0 tool, and a Bypasser feature that lets you choose which websites or IP addresses use a VPN.

Another jewel in its crown is its unlimited device connections, so you’ll be surfing the web safely no matter what device you use Chrome on. Even with its various perks, it can struggle to bypass some streaming services and their extensive international content libraries – such as Disney+.

However, thanks to its list of servers, you can swap to a different one in the exact location and get back to watching in no time. Additionally, Surfshark’s speeds are among the fastest available.

Surfshark is independently audited by cybersecurity company Cure53 and has a strict no-logs policy. To top it off, it has British Virgin Islands jurisdiction, so your information is kept safe.

Surfshark is already affordable, but for Black Friday, it’s even more so. You can pick up the Surfshark Basic plan for $1.99 a month, and the most feature-rich plan (Surfshark One+) is just $4.19 a month, 80% off its full price. You also get three months for free, so if you’re looking to commit, now is the time.

Logging policy

No logs

Mobile app

Yes

Number Of Servers

More than 3,000

Price Category

$12.95 per month; $59.94 per six months; $99.84 per year

Free Trial

30-day free trial

ExpressVPN presents the best a VPN Chrome extension can offer because it lets you control the app through the browser. This means you’ll get all the perks, including access to over 3,000 servers in 104 countries, wicked speeds thanks to its Lightway protocol, and complete protection tools. Its one-click interface is helpful to spoof your location quickly and provides a suite of security tools to keep you safe while browsing through Chrome.

Pros & Cons

• Intuitive extension for Chrome
• Incredible speeds
• Superior unblocking power
• British Virgin Islands jurisdiction

ExpressVPN’s Chrome extension isn’t just a simple proxy; it’s a full-fledged VPN that functions similarly to its app – making it an easy choice for most users. Install the app, click connect, and you’re ready to browse anonymously.

From connecting to over 3,000 servers in 104 countries to speedy connections with its Lightway protocol, expect to bypass geo-restricted websites and stream Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more without hiccups.

Privacy also plays a significant role, as it can mask your online activity and block unwanted trackers. It can effectively spoof your location by blocking HTML5 geolocation, preventing WebRTC from determining your IP address and location on websites, and ensuring you automatically connect to secure HTTPS sites with its helpful HTTPS Everywhere feature.

While its Chrome extension is a, well, extension of the app, meaning you’ll get full-device protection when turned on, it needs the app to function. If you prefer not to install an extra app on your device, look elsewhere.

Based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN is not subject to data retention laws. Its no-logs policy has passed multiple security audits and boasts Perfect Forward Secrecy, meaning all your encrypted data can’t be captured and decrypted by threat actors.

Logging policy

No logs

Mobile app

Android and iOS

Price Category

Free; $9 per month; $69 per year

Free Trial

Unlimited

Encryption

AES-256

As far as free VPN Chrome extensions go, Windscribe comes out on top. Without the need for any dedicated app, the extension still provides a selection of servers in 11 countries, anti-tracking tools, and unlimited device connections – and you don’t need to pay a penny. It also comes with unique tricks up its sleeve, like timezone spoofing and cookie monitoring. It only offers 10GB of data per month, but for a VPN that’s cost-free, it’s worth trying it out.

Pros & Cons

• Servers in 11 countries
• Unlimited device connections
• Based in Canada

• Data limits
• Simplistic user interface

Windscribe is one of the best free VPNs on the market, and its VPN Chrome extension is no different. It’s hard to beat having servers in 10 countries, fast speeds, and proper protection when you pay zilch for it all. Its bare-bones user interface may not be visually appealing, but it’s easy to install and get connected without much hassle.

While ten countries may sound like significantly fewer than the competition, these are top, widely used destinations, including France, Germany, Hong Kong, the U.S., and more. Plus, you can take advantage of its Windflix servers to stream away on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.

With a 10GB data limit per month, however, it’s best to use the VPN extension to unblock region-restricted websites instead. Don’t expect annoying ads, tracking, or malware, as it automatically blocks them all. To add to that list, it offers unique tools such as location and time zone spoofing, cookie monitoring, notification blocking, and WebRTC blocking.

For not much more, the paid Pro plan comes with servers in 69 countries and unlimited data (Windscribe doesn’t specify the exact number of servers, which is slightly annoying).

Windscribe stands strong in terms of privacy, with its strict no-logs policy and having undergone third-party security audits. It’s based in Canada, known for its data privacy laws.

Logging policy

No-Logs Policy

Mobile app

Android and iOS

Number Of Servers

125

Free Trial

45 day Money-Back Guarantee

Encryption

AES 256-bit

CyberGhost is a superb VPN Chrome extension option for multiple devices, and its app works for Chrome on mobile. With more than 11,700 servers in 100 countries, reliable connection speeds, and a stylish user interface, CyberGhost has a lot to offer. It even delivers a free version that lets you hop between four countries with no data limits, but it provides fewer useful features than other services.

Pros & Cons

• Great for streaming
• More than 11,700 servers in 100 countries
• 45-day free trial

• Free version is limited
• Standard features

Google Chrome on mobile gets even better with CyberGhost, as its app offers a streamlined, user-friendly experience with a helpful feature selection. For one, you’re getting a choice of over 11,700 servers in 100 countries to connect to, which makes bypassing websites and more on Chrome in nearly any location a breeze.

With fantastic speeds through its WireGuard protocol, watching your favorite shows on multiple platforms, such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, is made simple thanks to its streaming-specific servers.

There’s a handy kill switch to prevent your data from leaking, but be warned: it’s app-specific split tunneling, and it doesn’t offer many other features to work with. That’s easily excusable when it offers an affordable two-year subscription plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost is based in Romania, a privacy-friendly country that is not part of the Five Eyes alliance. It also has a credited no-logs policy. For smartphones, CyberGhost is always a solid choice.

Logging policy

No-Logs Policy

Mobile app

Android and iOS

Number Of Servers

13,000+

Free Trial

Free version with limited features

Encryption

AES-256, ChaCha20

ProtonVPN is an open-source service that offers a free tier for all users and no device limit.

Pros & Cons

• Excellent privacy tools
• Reliable unblocker
• Switzerland jurisdiction

• Speeds could be faster
• Free-tier unavailable

Privacy and security are a top priority for Proton VPN, a key trait you’d always want from a Chrome VPN extension. It may not be the fastest VPN on the market, even with its 10GB/s speeds, but its high-standard security tools can bypass geo-restrictions, allowing you to explore the web and stream on Netflix without limitations.

The extension is easy to set up and even easier to connect to your preferred country, with over 4,000 servers in 85 countries to choose from. When you connect, its Secure Core routes your traffic through multiple servers, so your IP address is well hidden, and you’re protected from any network attack.

It can auto-connect to a VPN server when you open Chrome to browse, and offers split tunneling to exclude specific websites from being routed through its VPN connection.

Unfortunately, its Chrome extension is only available on its paid plans, but at least you get all the perks of a valued VPN service.

Third-party professionals have fully audited Proton VPN’s no-logs policy, and it is under Switzerland’s jurisdiction. It’s from the creators of the end-to-end encryption email service ProtonMail, so you can be assured that your data stays private.

Mobile app

Android and iOS

Free Trial

Free plan with limited functionality

Encryption

AES 256-bit

Supported platforms

Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Server locations

47 countries

TunnelBear is a friendly VPN Chrome extension that’s easy to use and delightful to look at (there are bears everywhere!). Its simplistic user interface makes connecting to over 5,000 servers in 47 countries easy, and there’s no limit to how many devices you use it on. Its free plan gives you access to 20 countries, although you’ll only get 2GB of data for secure browsing without any more essential features.

Pros & Cons

• Free plan available
• No device limit
• Based in Canada

• Lacks speed
• Light of security features

For all the internet knows, you could be a bear browsing Amazon for honey with the TunnelBear VPN extension on Chrome. If all you need is a quick way to unblock websites and keep yourself tracker-free without spending a dime, this user-friendly VPN is right up your street.

Its free plan gives you access to 20 countries with a 2GB data limit. That isn’t much, but it’s more than enough to unblock websites on the fly.

Upgrade to the paid plans, and you’ll get access to 5,000 servers in 47 countries, premium VPN servers, and unlimited device connections. It also maintains security, although it lacks the advanced features offered by other VPN services. Expect AES 256-bit encryption and ad blockers to keep trackers and pop-ads to a minimum.

Speeds aren’t the best here, but you can surf the web swiftly and stream shows without much buffering.

TunnelBear wears its security audits on its sleeve, passing regular independent security audits on all its apps. It’s also based in privacy-friendly Canada, so that no outside parties will be prying data away from this bear’s claws.

Logging policy

No-Logs Policy

Mobile app

Android and iOS

Free Trial

30 day Money-Back Guarantee

Encryption

AES 128-bit or 256-bit

Supported platforms

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera

PIA (Private Internet Access) paves the way for what a low-cost VPN Chrome extension can do. It offers the gold standard of VPN features, from 10GB/s speeds to blocking ads, trackers, and malware. To top it all off, you can use PIA with as many devices as you want. Its extension only offers 45 locations in 28 countries, a big dip for its app. However, it’s hard to go wrong with PIA for great speeds and unblocking prowess.

Pros & Cons

• Low-cost subscription plans
• Privacy-focused features
• Unlimited simultaneous connections

• U.S. jurisdiction
• No-flair extension

PIA (Private Internet Access) goes all out for a low-cost VPN extension. While its extension is standard and doesn’t offer the vast 64,000 servers in 91 countries as its app does, it’s still an extension with a lot of value, especially when it comes to its commendable list of security features.

This Chrome extension prevents unauthorized access to your webcam and microphone, blocks websites from sharing your location data, protects your IP address from WebRTC, and stops intrusive ads with its very own PIA Mace feature. All this at 10GB/s speeds, bypassing blocks from websites and streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

As the cherry on top, there’s no device limit; you can browse through Chrome with protection on all your devices. Choosing from 45 locations in 28 countries seems limited compared to the app, but there’s still plenty to surpass restrictions in popular destinations.

PIA is an open-source VPN with a strict no-logs policy, which has been reviewed and approved by an independent audit firm. However, it’s based in the U.S., which isn’t ideal if you’re concerned about your data.

Do Chrome VPN extensions work?

VPNs can be installed on virtually all platforms, including phones, tablets, laptops, and routers. Due to their flexibility, they can also be installed on web browsers. Many of the best VPN services, including those on this list, offer VPN extensions for Google Chrome, which can be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store.

Many Chrome VPN extensions function similarly to their designated apps, allowing users to access the same tools for switching IP addresses, connecting to servers in different countries, and bypassing geo-restricted content. In fact, some VPN services utilize the VPN extension on Chrome to manage the app installed on the device. This means subscribers will get the same full-fledged features as the app installed on their device – allowing them to access the service faster through Chrome.

Chrome-only VPN extensions are simple to use and often come free or cheap, but many of these are proxies rather than proper VPNs. They can hide your IP address and give you access to blocked content, but they don’t encrypt your outgoing internet traffic. Because of this, your activity isn’t truly secure.

Plenty of Chrome VPN extensions can sneak past geo-restricted websites, but they don’t provide the security (or speeds) trusted VPN services bring to the table. If you don’t want your data out in the open, stick with the best Chrome VPN extensions.

Can I use a free Chrome VPN extension?

Google’s Chrome Web Store is filled with free VPN extensions, making them an easy option to grab. However, many free extensions don’t encrypt your internet traffic, meaning you’re not receiving proper privacy. As proof, SuperVPN exposed 360 million users’ data. The best Chrome VPN extensions keep your internet traffic encrypted and have a credible no-logs policy. If you prefer to test a VPN before making a purchase, we recommend taking advantage of its 30-day free trial.

The right Chrome VPN extension

Whether you opt for a paid or free VPN, Chrome VPN extensions should provide you with quick access to nearly all the features a service’s native app offers. A one-click connection right in the browser is always handy, but extra security and server-switching tools are always welcome. Of course, the VPN itself should also boast great speeds, a large number of servers, and a comprehensive suite of security tools.

If you need high internet speed, NordVPN is the fastest option among the bunch. The extension may have a few quirks, but they’re only a small nuisance compared to the wealth of servers and advanced security tools that are all easily accessed within the Chrome extension.

Looking to get all your devices protected while browsing on Chrome? Surfshark is a low-cost service. Its unlimited device connections are already a huge plus, but you can also expect lightning-fast connection speeds, a wide selection of countries to choose from, and an easy-to-use extension for Chrome. Not bad for an affordable subscription price.

Logging policy

No-log policy

Mobile app

Android and iOS

Number Of Servers

8,000+

Free Trial

30 day money-back guarantee

Encryption

RSA, AES-256, NordLynx

NordVPN delivers the fastest VPN Chrome extension you can get, making it a fantastic option for streaming on Chrome. Speed isn’t its only perk, as it also offers over 6,200 servers in over 100 countries, security tools to block ads and malware-infested websites, and split tunneling. While the extension can sometimes be buggy, frequent updates can fix these issues. Plus, the extension is simple to set up.

Pros & Cons

• Superb speeds
• Advanced security features
• Located in Panama