Discovering the proper virtual private network (VPN) to maintain your web connection encrypted and your shopping non-public could be difficult. When you’re solely searching for a browser-based answer, it is simpler to search out the very best choices for rapidly masking your web protocol (IP) tackle throughout a browser session, maybe to alter your location to entry particular content material.
An estimated 67% of internet users favor Chrome as their browser, beating Safari, Edge, and Firefox. My information recommends the best VPN extensions for Chrome together with providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
What’s the finest Chrome VPN proper now?
My decide for the very best Chrome VPN total is ExpressVPN because of its glorious velocity, stability, and huge server community. The environment friendly Chrome extension is not intrusive and would not drastically decelerate your web connection. ExpressVPN is often an costly service at $5 per 30 days on a two-year plan, however you may be given 4 months of free service at sign-up.
Alternatively, when you’re searching for a extra reasonably priced VPN answer, take into account Surfshark at simply $2.19 per 30 days.
At ZDNET, we have tested every reputable VPN on the market, rigorously evaluating velocity, variety of servers, safety features, and value. I monitor VPN options, conduct frequent velocity assessments, check out new providers, and monitor buyer suggestions to make sure I like to recommend solely the very best.
Learn on for my favourite Chrome VPNs of 2025.
Greatest Chrome VPN extensions in 2025
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ExpressVPN is without doubt one of the most generally used VPNs and affords my favourite Chrome extension as a part of its subscription package deal.
Why we prefer it: Its Chrome extension has garnered many optimistic evaluations, with 1000’s of customers issuing excessive scores.
Whereas total efficiency might range relying in your web connection and which server you are connecting to, ExpressVPN is quick and dependable. Primarily based on my frequent assessments, I take into account ExpressVPN one of many quickest VPNs round, because it constantly supplies fast speeds and fast connection occasions.
In March, upgrades to the Home windows-only Lightway protocol additional elevated consumer speeds. ExpressVPN’s Android and iOS apps have additionally been redesigned for an improved consumer expertise.
Evaluate: ExpressVPN review
After I used the extension, I famous little change to speeds, and it was unobtrusive. This is a crucial consideration for VPN extension utilization, given the quite a few pop-ups and notifications we already must cope with.
ExpressVPN helps many platforms and has an in depth record of protocols to select from. The corporate additionally has servers in additional international locations than many suppliers on this record, so you may have loads of location choices. It is good for streaming and price attempting out if you wish to entry your own home libraries on the undergo the Chrome browser.
Who it is for: Anybody who needs an unobtrusive, quick, and dependable VPN service suitable with the Chrome browser.
To make use of the accompanying extension, you’ll need an ExpressVPN subscription. ExpressVPN’s two-year plan is $5 per 30 days, with 4 months of free VPN entry added to the size of your contract. Alternatively, its annual plan prices $6.67 per 30 days with three months of free entry.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Regardless of the normally larger value level, prospects say ExpressVPN is straightforward, quick, and simple to make use of. Nonetheless, if ExpressVPN’s subscription prices are greater than you might be keen to pay, take into account one among my different favorites.
ExpressVPN options: Chrome extension: Sure | Chrome Net Retailer score: 4.5 | Simultaneous connections: 8 | Kill swap: Sure | Platforms: Home windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Hearth TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers | International locations: 105 | Logging: No shopping logs, some connection logs | Cash-back assure: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS | Trustpilot score: 4.1 | Google Play score: 4.5 | App Retailer score: 4.7
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Surfshark is without doubt one of the most reasonably priced VPNs in the marketplace and affords constantly low pricing on longer-term contracts.
Why we prefer it: The VPN and its extension come normal with helpful connectivity and safety features, together with a cookie and ad-blocker, a masked e-mail generator, break up tunneling (Bypasser), a double VPN possibility (MultiHop), and different choices. Premium plans provide extra, equivalent to malware and webcam safety, in addition to Incogni data removal.
Customers say they discover Surfshark’s Chrome extension simple to put in and function and deem it an extension that “simply works.” The Chrome extension additionally makes it simpler to entry providers restricted by native web service suppliers (ISPs).
Evaluate: Surfshark VPN review
When it comes to safety, Surfshark is a strong alternative. The corporate has just lately launched Surfshark Everlink, a system that makes an attempt to reconfigure and restore VPN connections after they mechanically drop. In contrast to a kill swap, which blocks web entry to guard you if there’s a sudden drop, Everlink goals to protect your connection safely. It’s out there to all customers, however you may want to make use of the WireGuard protocol.
In my testing, I discovered no knowledge or area identify service (DNS) leaks. That mentioned, Surfshark’s connection occasions and speeds could be slower than these of its opponents.
Who it is for: Surfshark is the best choice when you want a strong VPN and extension mixture at an reasonably priced value level.
Surfshark pricing begins at $2.19 per 30 days on a two-year plan, which incorporates three months free. You possibly can join a one-year contract at a beginning value of $3.19 per 30 days or get a month of entry for $15.45. Surfshark affords a 30-day money-back assure.
Who ought to look elsewhere: When you plan to prioritize velocity in your choice on a brand new VPN answer, take a look at ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
Surfshark VPN options: Chrome extension: Sure | Chrome Net Retailer score: 3.9 | Simultaneous connections: Limitless | Advert-blocker | Two-factor authentication | Kill swap: Sure | International locations: 100 | Platforms: Home windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Hearth TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers | Cash-back assure: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS | Trustpilot score: 4.5 | Google Play score: 4.6 | App Retailer score: 4.7
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NordVPN is without doubt one of the hottest VPNs and for good purpose. And its Chrome extension has additionally acquired prime marks from customers.
Why we prefer it: NordVPN helps all the foremost platforms and working methods, so you should use it to safe the overwhelming majority of your units. For further safety, it’s also possible to route your connection by means of a second server, often called a double VPN.
Its most up-to-date unbiased audit, carried out by Cure53, discovered no client-side vulnerabilities in browser extensions, together with Chrome. The audit revealed that the VPN capabilities as supposed, though a number of vulnerabilities had been recognized and subsequently resolved.
In my newest velocity assessments, NordVPN carried out exceptionally effectively and, along with ExpressVPN, provided the very best speeds and stability. It is also nice for accessing streaming providers with excessive success charges for accessing geo-blocked content material.
Evaluate: NordVPN review
The VPN supplier affords 111 areas to select from, and you’ll join as much as 10 units to the service concurrently.
Who it is for: Prospects say they like NordVPN’s velocity, safety, and spectacular assist. The Chrome extension is light-weight, and lots of customers take into account it dependable and an incredible addition to day-to-day shopping and duties.
Mix this with a user-friendly dashboard, and I take into account NordVPN to be among the best ‘one-size-fits-all’ VPNs in the marketplace. The Chrome extension is a bonus.
NordVPN’s finest pricing is for its entry-level two-year plan, which begins at $3.39 per 30 days. You can too go for one-year and one-month plans at $5 month-to-month and $13 month-to-month, respectively.
Who ought to look elsewhere: This VPN and its Chrome extension will go well with most customers, however when you desire velocity, ExpressVPN may be higher. For a free possibility, learn on.
That mentioned, when you’re not sure if NordVPN will be just right for you, you may all the time attempt it and get a full refund inside 30 days with the service’s money-back assure.
NordVPN options: Chrome extension: Sure | Chrome Net Retailer score: 4.2 | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Home windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Hearth TV, tvOS, and routers | International locations: 111 | Kill swap: Sure | Logging: E-mail tackle and billing info solely | Cash-back assure: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android | Trustpilot score: 4.2 | Google Play score: 4.6 | App Retailer score: 4.7
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Windscribe is one other advisable and widespread possibility when you’re searching for a Chrome VPN extension.
Why we prefer it: Windscribe earned a 4.7 out of 5 score on the Chrome Net Retailer and has over two million customers. The evaluations are typically optimistic, however some customers report location detection points associated to Windscribe’s free possibility.
The free model affords as much as 10GB of bandwidth per 30 days, however you’ll need to enroll.
This VPN is one among my top picks for the very best free VPNs in the marketplace. You possibly can entry servers in 10 international locations with a free account.
Who it is for: Anybody searching for a free VPN with excessive Chrome extension rankings. There’s additionally an experimental Manifest V3 Chrome extension model out there.
When you can all the time benefit from Windscribe’s free plan, I additionally like the choice to create personalized plans based mostly in your preferences. You possibly can select the server areas you need to hook up with, billed at $1 per server per 30 days or go for a yearly plan priced at $5.75 per 30 days.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Yearly plans are dearer than many competing providers, and there isn’t any possibility for two-year contracts. If you need a longer-term, fairly priced service, take into account NordVPN.
Windscribe options: Chrome extension: Sure | Chrome Net Retailer score: 4.7 | Simultaneous connections: Limitless | International locations: 10 | Logging: No-logs coverage | Platforms: Home windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Hearth TV, browsers | Cash-back assure: 30 days | Trial: Free possibility | Trustpilot score: 4.7 | Google Play score: 4.6 | App Retailer score: 4.6 | Customer support: Solely with a paid subscription | Knowledge restrict: None | Pace restrict: None
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When one thing is free, there’s normally a catch, and a VPN service is not any exception. In Proton VPN’s case, its free service is backed by paid subscribers.
Why we prefer it: I do not sometimes advocate free VPN choices, as many suppliers will acquire or promote your knowledge in return. This apply undermines your complete level of the service. Happily, paid subscribers assist Proton VPN’s free plan, and the corporate prioritizes shopper safety and privateness, making use of the identical layers of safety to each free and paid accounts.
Additionally: The best free VPNs
There are restricted server choices out there and assist for just one machine on the free Proton VPN plan, however free customers can even benefit from the service’s Chrome extension.
Swiss knowledge privateness legal guidelines defend the VPN service; nonetheless, a proposed surveillance invoice is within the works, which has led Proton VPN to indicate that it could depart the nation.
Proton VPN has just lately upgraded NetShield, its built-in ad-blocker, to seize extra phishing makes an attempt, and its cell apps have additionally been rebuilt to scale back battery drain.
If you wish to check out a paid plan, Proton VPN is providing a two-year contract for $3.59 per 30 days or a one-year possibility for the equal of $4 per 30 days. A month of entry prices $10.
Who it is for: Informal on-line customers who need free VPN entry and safety whereas utilizing Chrome.
Proton VPN’s Chrome extension and total evaluations are combined, however many complaints are in regards to the restrictions on the free possibility. You possibly can take this how you’ll, however many customers nonetheless say that this VPN is safe and quick sufficient that few discover any velocity adjustments when enabled.
Who ought to look elsewhere: If you need another free possibility, take a look at Windscribe.
Proton VPN options: Chrome extension: Sure | Chrome Net Retailer score: 2.7 | Open-source | Simultaneous connections: One to 10, relying on the plan | International locations: 117 | Logging: No-logs coverage | Safety audits | Platforms: Home windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Hearth TV, Kodi, and routers | VPN accelerator | Cash-back assure: 30 days | Trial: Free possibility | Trustpilot score: 2.1 | Google Play score: 4.6 | App Retailer score: 4.6
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Greatest VPN for Chrome |
Worth |
Chrome Net Retailer score |
Simultaneous connections |
|
ExpressVPN |
$5 per 30 days with a two-year plan and 4 free months |
4.5 |
8 |
|
Surfshark VPN |
$2.19 per 30 days with a two-year plan and three free months |
3.9 |
Limitless |
|
NordVPN |
$3.39 per 30 days with a two-year plan, three free months |
4.2 |
10 |
|
Windscribe |
Free or customized plans. Fastened plans begin at $5.75 per 30 days |
4.7 |
Limitless |
|
Proton VPN |
Free or $3.59 per 30 days on a two-year plan |
2.7 |
1 (free), 10 (paid) |
Incognito mode might help increase your privateness, however not in the identical means a VPN or VPN extension will. Incognito mode reduces the gathering of knowledge throughout a shopping session. It helps defend your privateness by deleting logs and knowledge after a session, which could be helpful when you share a tool with others. As Google’s April 2024 court docket settlement showed, Chrome’s Incognito mode is not notably efficient.
As compared, a VPN encrypts your connection, disguises your on-line actions, and masks your IP tackle. Utilizing a VPN or a VPN extension after which launching a non-public shopping session could be complementary however counting on only one or the opposite is not as efficient.
A VPN extension is finest whenever you need to conceal your IP tackle and masks your web visitors throughout brief shopping periods.
Keep in mind that you’ll solely have safety enabled for the browser with the extension enabled. If in case you have a Chrome VPN extension, solely knowledge passing by means of the Chrome browser will likely be encrypted, and never any requests despatched by way of Edge or Safari, and so forth.
A standalone VPN app grants you much more safety, as it could possibly present blanket protection throughout all browser periods and on-line providers. The trade-off is that VPN apps usually tend to decelerate your web velocity. Nonetheless, we advocate that until there’s a explicit purpose for utilizing solely an extension, you must think about using a VPN’s full set of options.
How do I arrange my Chrome VPN?
Go to your VPN supplier’s web site or the official Chrome Net Retailer. Discover your VPN and click on the “Add to Chrome” button.
You need to get a discover explaining what the extension does and may do. If you’re completely satisfied to proceed, click on Add Extension. If not, click on Cancel.
Lastly, register together with your VPN credentials. Bear in mind that you could click on the extension’s icon anytime to allow or disable it.
|
Select this VPN Chrome extension… |
If you need… |
|
ExpressVPN |
The perfect Chrome VPN total. ExpressVPN supplies top-tier efficiency and options, with standout usability and velocity, however the typical value level might deter some customers. |
|
Surfshark VPN |
Essentially the most worth. Surfshark affords cheap speeds and a user-friendly interface at a constantly low value. It is dependable, has a big server community, and a helpful pause operate. |
|
NordVPN |
The perfect location and server community. NordVPN supplies quick and dependable connections with a bunch of extra choices out there. The consumer interface map can be well-designed. |
|
Windscribe |
A free VPN with the choice of customized plans. The Windscribe proxy extension additionally comes with an advert blocker, whitelisting, and site spoofing, and an experimental extension is accessible for circumventing censorship and blocking trackers. |
|
Proton VPN |
A reliable, free possibility. Proton VPN is the best choice if you’d like a free Chrome VPN extension, however remember that the free plan is restricted in machine assist and server community. |
When you’re attempting to find a VPN service with a Chrome extension, take into account the next components:
- Extension availability: I’ve listed VPNs with out there Chrome extensions, however when you additionally need multi-browser compatibility, take a look at extension availability with any VPN vendor you are concerned about.
- Pace: Each VPN performs in another way, and each consumer expertise differs. When you find yourself testing a brand new VPN, preserve your base velocity in thoughts. Look out for VPN options with minimal velocity loss, and if you wish to check out a number of options, use their money-back ensures.
- Apps: VPN suppliers ought to provide compatibility for a number of platforms and working methods. Check out the consumer interfaces, options, and compatibility provided by your chosen VPN supplier earlier than making a dedication.
- Use instances: Your VPN choice ought to align with how you propose to make use of a VPN. For instance, it’s your decision one particularly for streaming geo-locked content material, or it’s possible you’ll want a VPN with a Chrome extension that’s more likely to circumvent censorship blocks. Take into account these factors earlier than making your closing alternative.
- Simultaneous connections: When you’re paying for a VPN, you’ll most likely need to use it throughout a number of units, equivalent to a PC, smartphone, and TV. I like to recommend signing up for a plan supporting at the least six units. Nonetheless, when you’re choosing a free plan, you’ll most likely be restricted to 1 machine.
- Trial durations: Earlier than committing to a VPN supplier, take a look at them out with the service’s money-back assure interval. Keep in mind that most VPN suppliers offers you 30 days to cancel and safe a refund. Some even provide as much as 45 days.
Many VPN suppliers advisable on this record have been topic to in-depth testing and evaluations by members of our group. We have reviewed VPNs for years, spoken with their administration and customers, and developed a typically favorable impression of our prime picks.
ZDNET assessments VPN providers from a number of areas, however we won’t take a look at from all areas. Each dwelling, neighborhood, native ISP, and nation has a unique infrastructure.
I analyzed the very best VPNs for Chrome beneath utilizing the next standards:
- Efficiency: My prime VPN suggestions will need to have a minimal stage of efficiency. In any case, there isn’t any level in utilizing a VPN in case your connection regularly drops or lags.
- Dependable extensions: As Chrome is my precedence, I ensured that every suggestion has a Chrome extension out there that customers take into account helpful, steady, safe, and non-invasive.
- Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs restrict the variety of units you may hook up with a service concurrently. If in case you have a telephone, pill, laptop computer, desktop, or sensible TV you need to hook up with a VPN, you want a service that permits at the least 5 or 6 simultaneous connections.
- Safety: There is no level in utilizing a VPN until its safety protocols and encryption ranges are as much as scratch. I additionally ensured the event group behind every advisable VPN cares about making safety enhancements and patching reported bugs.
- Kill swap: A kill swap prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is a crucial function for a VPN, because it protects you by stopping a return to a default Wi-Fi connection ought to your web connection unexpectedly drop.
- Geo-blocks and streaming: I do know VPNs could be key to accessing native content material and providers when you’re away from dwelling. Contemplating these components, I ensured that our prime suggestions carried out effectively and are unlikely to decelerate your connection while you’re streaming or torrenting.
- Platforms: What methods and units are you able to run the VPN on? My VPN suggestions naturally have to supply easy-to-use and intuitive app extensions, desktop software program, and cell apps.
- International locations and servers: In what number of totally different international locations does the VPN have servers? This will embrace bodily and digital servers, and whether or not there are sufficient — at the least 60 or so — to supply selection.
- Trial size and value: Every VPN I like to recommend has a strong money-back assure of at the least 30 days.
-
Help: As with every subscription software program, it’s possible you’ll encounter issues with putting in apps, utilizing the service, renewing, or canceling. I record VPNs with a assist group or assist channels.
For a extra intensive breakdown, take a look at our complete VPN testing methodology page.
- The CEO of the corporate that bought VPNSecure has proven remorse after canceling legacy lifetime subscriptions. The deactivation of those accounts resulted in buyer backlash, as reported by Ars Technica.
- In Switzerland, the proposal of a brand new surveillance regulation that would influence consumer privateness has led Proton VPN to counsel it will exit the country if it passes. Switzerland is understood for its stringent knowledge safety stance.
- The Movement Image Affiliation (MPA) has known as for automated piracy blocking, a transfer that may deal with unlawful streaming in real-time.
No. Whereas Chrome is without doubt one of the most secure and most well-featured browsers, it doesn’t have a built-in VPN. As an alternative, it helps VPN use and VPN extensions. You may want to put in a VPN to have probably the most safe expertise in your Chrome browser.
All of the VPN providers on this record are trusted and vetted by ZDNET. The providers we advocate have been round for a very long time and supply the most secure and most safe connections for Chrome and different browsers, or as standalone apps in your units.
If you wish to defend a Chromebook, the Chrome browser extension alone will not essentially be sufficient, particularly when you swap between browsers. Most VPN distributors advocate you defend your Chromebook by putting in their Android app. Android apps now run on most fashionable Chromebooks. Since older Chromebooks is probably not supported, be sure you test every vendor’s compatibility record. As soon as you put in the Android app in your Chromebook, try to be typically protected.
We advocate attempting out ExpressVPN or NordVPN when you’re searching for a suitable service in your Chromebook.
The reply to that is very like the reply to anybody asking how one can keep protected on outdated gear: Typically, you may’t. In case your pc cannot preserve you protected on-line, both do not use the web or critically take into account upgrading your {hardware}.
As soon as assist and updates cease for legacy units, you additionally will not obtain safety fixes, and in case your Chromebook is older and would not have suitable Android apps, your choices are restricted. At a minimal, you should not use your Chromebook for any delicate duties, equivalent to accessing a monetary service or e-mail account.
If you need it to, sure. You possibly can hook up with a VPN in your house nation, typically your metropolis, and nonetheless use the service to enhance your safety and privateness. Alternatively, you may decide a server in a very totally different location. For instance, when you’re attempting to entry a media supply that’s blocked within the EU because of the Common Knowledge Safety Regulation (GDPR), showing from the U.S. will take away this geo-linked block.
Sure, in most international locations. VPNs are additionally typically essential instruments for corporations, as they permit safer distant connections. Nonetheless, shopper VPN use is restricted and state-controlled in some areas equivalent to China and Russia. The providers are banned solely in different international locations together with Iraq and Belarus.
You get what you pay for, proper? Properly, typically. VPN pricing varies wildly, and month-to-month charges additionally rely upon any extra options you’ve gotten subscribed to, equivalent to devoted IP addresses, knowledge breach scanning, or cyberinsurance. Others, equivalent to Astrill, come at a excessive value however are recognized for being steady and customarily very dependable in international locations the place VPN utilization is difficult, together with China.
Sure, until you’ve gotten downloaded a free Chrome VPN exterior our suggestions. Chrome extensions are supplied as an add-on service alongside PC and cell apps. They aren’t normally out there as a standalone possibility with out signing up for a VPN plan.
To obtain a VPN extension for the Chrome browser, head over to the Chrome Web Store. Additionally, you will discover direct hyperlinks to Chrome extensions within the retailer on official VPN supplier web sites. As soon as you’ve got discovered the extension you need, click on the “Add to Chrome” button.
Different VPNs we have examined
- In ZDNET’s June replace, we carried out substantial editorial and structure adjustments. We additionally modified our rankings, elevating Surfshark and Windscribe in gentle of buyer suggestions.
