The Best Vpn Extensions For Chrome In 2025: Expert Tested And Reviewed

3 weeks ago

Virtual backstage networks (VPNs) are fantabulous devices to disguise your activities online, alteration your location, forestall eavesdropping, and debar property verification checks. Many VPN providers besides connection their subscribers browser-based solutions, typically successful nan shape of browser extensions. These mightiness beryllium nan champion action if you conscionable want to quickly disguise your IP reside during an online session.

An estimated 68% of net users favor Chrome arsenic their browser, beating rivals including Safari, Edge, and Firefox. As 1 of nan ascendant browsers retired there, it makes consciousness to augment it pinch a trustworthy, useful VPN extension. In this guide, I person classed the best VPN extensions for Chrome, including services for illustration ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

What is nan champion Chrome VPN correct now?

My prime for nan champion Chrome VPN wide is ExpressVPN due to its fantabulous speed, stability, and immense server network. The businesslike Chrome hold isn't intrusive and doesn't drastically slow down your net connection. ExpressVPN is typically an costly work astatine $5 per period connected a two-year plan, but you will beryllium fixed 4 months of free work astatine sign-up, which does bring down nan wide costs of your contract.

Alternatively, if you're looking for a much affordable VPN solution, see Surfshark astatine conscionable $2 per period acknowledgment to nan company's existent promotion. It's not arsenic fast, but it is reliable, offers a reasonable server selection, and is unobtrusive.

At ZDNET, we've tested each reputable VPN connected nan market alongside caller VPN projects, rigorously evaluating speed, number of servers, information features, and price. I show VPN solutions, behaviour predominant velocity tests, effort retired caller services, and analyse customer feedback to guarantee I urge only nan champion options available.

Read connected to research my favourite Chrome VPNs, compared, tested, and ranked.

Get much in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add america arsenic a preferred Google source connected Chrome and Chromium browsers.

Best Chrome VPN extensions successful 2025

ExpressVPN is 1 of nan astir wide utilized VPNs and offers my favourite Chrome hold arsenic portion of its subscription package.

Why we for illustration it: Its Chrome hold has garnered galore affirmative reviews, pinch thousands of users issuing precocious scores.

While wide capacity whitethorn alteration depending connected your net relationship and which server you're connecting to, ExpressVPN is accelerated and reliable. Based connected my predominant tests, I see ExpressVPN 1 of nan fastest VPNs around, arsenic it consistently provides accelerated speeds and speedy relationship times. The Chrome hold is simply a awesome summation to nan wide service.

In March, to nan Windows-only Lightway protocol further accrued personification speeds. ExpressVPN's Android and iOS apps person besides been for an improved personification experience, and nan institution is presently exploring quantum-safe for nan future.

Review: ExpressVPN review

When I utilized nan extension, I noted small alteration to speeds, and it was unobtrusive. This is an important information for VPN hold usage, fixed nan galore pop-ups and notifications we already person to contend with.

ExpressVPN supports galore platforms and has an extended database of protocols to take from. The institution besides has servers successful much countries than galore providers connected this list, truthful you'll person plentifulness of location options. It's bully for streaming and worthy trying retired if you want to entree your location libraries connected nan spell done nan Chrome browser. For example, I tested it retired pinch Plex and encountered nary issues.

Who it's for: Anyone who wants an unobtrusive, fast, and reliable VPN work compatible pinch nan Chrome browser.

To usage nan accompanying extension, you will request an ExpressVPN subscription. ExpressVPN's two-year scheme is $5 per month, pinch 4 months of free VPN entree added to nan magnitude of your contract. Alternatively, its yearly scheme costs $6.67 per period pinch 3 months of free access.

Who should look elsewhere: Despite nan usually higher value point, customers opportunity ExpressVPN is simple, fast, and easy to use. Still, if ExpressVPN's subscription costs are much than you are consenting to pay, see 1 of my different favorites.

Show Expert Take Show less

Surfshark is 1 of nan astir affordable VPNs connected nan marketplace and offers consistently debased pricing connected longer-term contracts.

Why we for illustration it: The VPN and its hold travel modular pinch useful connectivity and information features, on pinch a cooky and ad-blocker, a masked email generator, divided tunneling (Bypasser), a double VPN action (MultiHop), and different options. Premium plans connection more, specified arsenic malware and webcam protection, arsenic good as Incogni information removal.

Users opportunity they find Surfshark's Chrome hold easy to instal and run and deem it an hold that "just works." The Chrome hold besides makes it easier to entree services restricted by section net work providers (ISPs).

Review: Surfshark VPN review

In position of security, Surfshark is simply a coagulated choice. The institution has precocious introduced , a strategy that attempts to reconfigure and repair VPN connections erstwhile they automatically drop. Unlike a termination switch, which blocks net entree to protect you if location is simply a abrupt drop, Everlink intends to sphere your relationship safely. It is disposable to each users, but you'll request to usage nan WireGuard protocol.

In my testing, I recovered nary information aliases domain sanction work (DNS) leaks. That said, Surfshark's relationship times and speeds tin beryllium slower than those of its competitors.

Alongside NordVPN, which Surfshark's genitor institution Nord Security besides owns, nan VPN supplier is experimenting with , a way optimizer for accelerated connections. I'm yet to announcement a quality connected nan trial servers, but I tin dream that relationship times amended successful nan future.

Who it's for: Surfshark is nan champion action if you request a coagulated VPN and hold operation astatine an affordable value point.

Surfshark pricing starts astatine $2 per period connected a two-year plan, which includes 3 months free. You tin motion up for a one-year statement astatine a starting value of $3.19 per period aliases get a period of entree for $15.45. Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Who should look elsewhere: If you scheme to prioritize velocity successful your determination connected a caller VPN solution, cheque retired ExpressVPN aliases NordVPN.

Show Expert Take Show less

Windscribe is different recommended and celebrated action if you're looking for a Chrome VPN extension.

Why we for illustration it: Windscribe earned a 4.7 retired of 5 standing connected nan Chrome Web Store and has complete 2 cardinal users. The reviews are mostly positive, but immoderate users study location discovery issues related to Windscribe's free option.

The free type offers up to 10GB of bandwidth per month, but you will request to motion up.

This VPN is 1 of my top picks for nan champion free VPNs connected nan market. You tin entree servers successful 10 countries pinch a free account.

Who it's for: Anyone looking for a free VPN pinch precocious Chrome hold ratings. There's besides an experimental Manifest V3 Chrome hold type available.

While you tin ever return advantage of Windscribe's free plan, I besides for illustration nan action to create customized plans based connected your preferences. You tin take nan server locations you want to link to, billed astatine $1 per server per period aliases opt for a yearly scheme priced astatine $5.75 per month.

Who should look elsewhere: Yearly plans are much costly than galore competing services, and there's nary action for two-year contracts. If you want a longer-term, reasonably priced service, see NordVPN.

Show Expert Take Show less

NordVPN is 1 of nan astir celebrated VPNs and for bully reason. And its Chrome hold has besides received apical marks from users.

Why we for illustration it: NordVPN supports each nan awesome platforms and operating systems, truthful you tin usage it to unafraid nan immense mostly of your devices. For other protection, you tin besides way your relationship done a 2nd server, known arsenic a double VPN.

Its astir caller independent audit, conducted by , recovered nary client-side vulnerabilities successful browser extensions, including Chrome. The audit revealed that nan VPN functions arsenic intended, though respective vulnerabilities were identified and subsequently resolved.

In my latest velocity tests, NordVPN performed exceptionally good and, together pinch ExpressVPN, offered nan champion speeds and stability. It's besides awesome for accessing streaming services pinch precocious occurrence rates for accessing geo-blocked content.

Review: NordVPN review

The VPN supplier offers 111 locations to take from, and you tin link up to 10 devices to nan work simultaneously.

Who it's for: Customers opportunity they for illustration NordVPN's speed, security, and awesome support. The Chrome hold is lightweight, and galore users see it reliable and a awesome summation to day-to-day browsing and tasks.

Combine this pinch a user-friendly dashboard, and I see NordVPN to beryllium 1 of nan champion 'one-size-fits-all' VPNs connected nan market. The Chrome hold is simply a bonus.

NordVPN's champion pricing is for its entry-level two-year plan, which originates astatine $3.09 per month, pinch 3 months of free work included. You tin besides opt for one-year and one-month plans astatine $5 monthly and $13 monthly, respectively.

Who should look elsewhere: This VPN and its Chrome hold will suit astir users, but if you for illustration speed, ExpressVPN mightiness beryllium better. For a free option, Winscribe aliases Proton VPN will suit you.

That said, if you're unsure if NordVPN is nan correct choice, you tin ever effort it and get a afloat refund wrong 30 days pinch nan service's money-back guarantee.

Show Expert Take Show less

When thing is free, there's usually a catch, and a VPN work is nary exception. In Proton VPN's case, its free work is backed by paid subscribers.

Why we for illustration it: I don't typically urge free VPN options, arsenic galore providers will cod aliases waste your information successful return. This believe undermines nan full constituent of nan service.

Fortunately, paid subscribers support Proton VPN's free plan, and nan institution prioritizes user information and privacy, applying nan aforesaid layers of protection to some free and paid accounts.

Also: The champion free VPNs

There are constricted server options disposable and support for only 1 instrumentality connected nan free Proton VPN plan, but free users tin besides return advantage of nan service's Chrome extension.

Proton VPN has recently NetShield, its built-in ad-blocker, to seizure much phishing attempts, and its mobile apps person besides been rebuilt to trim artillery drain.

Swiss information privateness laws protect nan VPN service; however, a projected surveillance measure is successful nan works, which has led Proton VPN to connote that it whitethorn time off nan country. Despite this, Proton VPN downloads surged successful nan charts precocious pursuing nan activation of nan U.K.'s arguable Online Safety Act, which has resulted successful wide censorship and website blocks erstwhile visitors garbage to verify their age.

If you want to effort retired a paid plan, Proton VPN is offering a two-year statement for $3.59 per period aliases a one-year action for nan balanced of $3.99 per month. A period of entree costs $10.

Who it's for: Casual online users who want free VPN access, protection while utilizing Chrome, and a measurement to debar censorship.

Proton VPN's Chrome hold and wide reviews are mixed, but galore complaints are astir nan restrictions connected nan free option. You tin return this really you will, but galore users still opportunity that this VPN is unafraid and accelerated capable that fewer announcement immoderate velocity changes erstwhile enabled.

Who should look elsewhere: If you want an replacement free option, cheque retired Windscribe.

Show Expert Take Show less

Best VPN for Chrome	Price	Chrome Web Store rating	Simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN	$5 per period pinch a two-year plan, 4 months free	4.5	8
Surfshark VPN	$2 per period pinch a two-year plan, 3 months free	3.9	Unlimited
Windscribe	Free aliases civilization plans. Fixed plans commencement astatine $5.75 per month	4.7	Unlimited
NordVPN	$3.09 per period pinch a two-year plan, 3 months free	4.2	10
Proton VPN	Free aliases $3.59 per period connected a two-year plan	2.7	1 (free), 10 (paid)

Incognito mode tin thief boost your privacy, but not successful nan aforesaid measurement a VPN aliases VPN hold will. Incognito mode reduces nan postulation of information during a browsing session. It helps protect your privateness by deleting logs and accusation aft a session, which tin beryllium useful if you stock a instrumentality pinch others. As Google's April 2024 tribunal colony showed, Chrome's Incognito mode isn't peculiarly effective.

In comparison, a VPN encrypts your connection, disguises your online activities, and masks your IP address. Using a VPN aliases a VPN hold and past launching a backstage browsing convention tin beryllium complementary but relying connected conscionable 1 aliases nan different isn't arsenic effective.

A VPN hold is champion erstwhile you want to hide your IP reside and disguise your net postulation during short browsing sessions.

Remember that you will only person protection enabled for nan browser pinch nan hold enabled. If you person a Chrome VPN extension, only information passing done nan Chrome browser will beryllium encrypted, and not immoderate requests sent via Edge aliases Safari, and truthful on.

A standalone VPN app grants you acold much protection, arsenic it tin supply broad sum crossed each browser sessions and online services. The trade-off is that VPN apps are much apt to slow down your net speed. Still, we urge that unless location is simply a peculiar logic for utilizing only an extension, you should see utilizing a VPN's afloat group of features.

How do I group up my Chrome VPN?

Go to your VPN provider's website aliases nan charismatic Chrome Web Store. Find your VPN and click nan "Add to Chrome" button.

You should get a announcement explaining what nan hold does and tin do. If you are happy to proceed, click Add Extension. If not, click Cancel.

Lastly, motion successful pinch your VPN credentials. Remember that you tin click nan extension's icon anytime to alteration aliases disable it.

Choose this VPN Chrome extension...	If you want...
ExpressVPN	The champion Chrome VPN hold overall. ExpressVPN provides top-tier capacity and features, pinch standout usability and velocity -- arsenic good arsenic a robust server web -- but nan emblematic monthly value constituent whitethorn deter immoderate users.
Surfshark VPN	The astir worth from your VPN and Chrome extension. Surfshark offers reasonable speeds and a user-friendly interface astatine a consistently debased price, making it 1 of my favourite fund VPNs. It's reliable, has a ample server web pinch plentifulness of countries to take from, and a useful region function.
Windscribe	A free VPN pinch nan action of civilization plans. The Windscribe proxy extension, which has garnered very precocious and affirmative Chrome hold reviews, besides comes pinch an advertisement blocker, whitelisting, and location spoofing. An experimental hold is disposable for circumventing censorship and blocking trackers.
NordVPN	The champion location and server network, pinch accelerated connections and fantabulous speeds. NordVPN provides accelerated and reliable connections -- presently being improved pinch AI technologies -- and has a big of further information solutions available, including threat protection.
Proton VPN	A trustworthy free VPN hold suitable for nan Chrome browser. Proton VPN is nan champion action if you want a free Chrome VPN extension, but support successful mind that nan free scheme is constricted successful instrumentality support and server network. You tin only usage it to protect 1 instrumentality unless you subscribe.

If you're hunting for a VPN work pinch a Chrome extension, see nan pursuing factors:

Extension availability: I've listed VPNs pinch disposable Chrome extensions, but if you besides want multi-browser compatibility, cheque retired hold readiness pinch immoderate VPN vendor you're willing in.
Speed: Every VPN performs differently, and each personification acquisition differs. When you are testing a caller VPN, support your guidelines velocity successful mind. Look retired for VPN solutions pinch minimal velocity loss, and if you want to effort retired aggregate solutions, usage their money-back guarantees.
Apps: VPN providers should connection compatibility for aggregate platforms and operating systems. Take a look astatine nan personification interfaces, features, and compatibility offered by your chosen VPN supplier earlier making a commitment.
Use cases: Your VPN action should align pinch really you intend to usage a VPN. For example, you whitethorn want 1 specifically for streaming geo-locked content, aliases you whitethorn request a VPN pinch a Chrome hold that is apt to circumvent censorship blocks. Consider these points earlier making your last choice.
Simultaneous connections: If you're paying for a VPN, you will astir apt want to usage it crossed aggregate devices, specified arsenic a PC, smartphone, and TV. I urge signing up for a scheme supporting astatine slightest six devices. However, if you're opting for a free plan, you will astir apt beryllium constricted to 1 device.
Trial periods: Before committing to a VPN provider, trial them retired pinch nan service's money-back guarantee period. Remember that astir VPN providers will springiness you 30 days to cancel and unafraid a refund. Some moreover connection up to 45 days.

Many VPN providers recommended successful this database person been taxable to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our team. We've reviewed VPNs for years, spoken pinch their guidance and users, and developed a mostly favorable belief of our apical picks.

ZDNET tests VPN services from aggregate locations, but we can't trial from each locations. Every home, community, section ISP, and federation has a different infrastructure.

I analyzed nan champion VPNs for Chrome beneath utilizing nan pursuing criteria:

Performance: My apical VPN recommendations must person a minimum level of performance. After all, there's nary constituent successful utilizing a VPN if your relationship continually drops aliases lags.
Reliable extensions: As Chrome is my priority, I ensured that each proposal has a Chrome hold disposable that users see useful, stable, secure, and non-invasive.
Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit nan number of devices you tin link to a work simultaneously. If you person a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, aliases smart TV you want to link to a VPN, you request a work that allows astatine slightest 5 aliases six simultaneous connections.
Security: There's nary constituent successful utilizing a VPN unless its information protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. I besides ensured nan improvement squad down each recommended VPN cares astir making information improvements and patching reported bugs.
Kill switch: A termination move prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important characteristic for a VPN, arsenic it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi relationship should your net relationship unexpectedly drop.
Geo-blocks and streaming: I cognize VPNs tin beryllium cardinal to accessing section contented and services while you're distant from home. Considering these factors, I ensured that our apical recommendations performed good and are improbable to slow down your relationship while you are streaming aliases torrenting.
Platforms: What systems and devices tin you tally nan VPN on? My VPN recommendations people person to connection easy-to-use and intuitive app extensions, desktop software, and mobile apps.
Countries and servers: In really galore different countries does nan VPN person servers? This tin see beingness and virtual servers, and whether location are capable -- astatine slightest 60 aliases truthful -- to supply variety.
Trial magnitude and price: Each VPN I urge has a coagulated money-back guarantee of astatine slightest 30 days.
Support: As pinch immoderate subscription software, you whitethorn brushwood problems pinch installing apps, utilizing nan service, renewing, aliases canceling. I database VPNs pinch a support squad aliases support channels.

For a much extended breakdown, cheque retired our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

Latest news

The children's commissioner for England called for property verification checks to beryllium imposed connected VPNs to forestall minors from utilizing them to circumvent nan UK's caller -- and arguable -- Online Safety Act.
A caller Citizen Lab study recovered vulnerabilities successful various VPNs, exposing nan hidden relationships betwixt galore providers.
NordVPN is retiring Meshnet, a method unafraid sharing work that fewer adopted. The work will beryllium closed this year.
The CEO of nan institution that purchased VPNSecure showed regret aft canceling bequest life subscriptions. The deactivation of these accounts resulted successful customer backlash, arsenic reported by Ars Technica.
In Switzerland, nan connection of a caller surveillance rule that could effect personification privateness led Proton VPN to propose it will exit nan country if it passes. Switzerland is known for its stringent information protection stance.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) called for automated piracy blocking, a move that would tackle forbidden streaming successful real-time.

No. While Chrome is 1 of nan safest and astir well-featured browsers, it does not person a built-in VPN. Instead, it supports VPN usage and VPN extensions. You'll request to instal a VPN to person nan astir unafraid acquisition connected your Chrome browser.

All nan VPN services connected this database are trusted and vetted by ZDNET. The services we urge person been astir for a agelong clip and supply nan safest and astir unafraid connections for Chrome and different browsers, aliases arsenic standalone apps for your devices.

If you want to protect a Chromebook, nan Chrome browser hold unsocial won't needfully beryllium enough, particularly if you move betwixt browsers. Most VPN vendors urge you protect your Chromebook by installing their Android app. Android apps now tally connected astir modern Chromebooks. Since older Chromebooks whitethorn not beryllium supported, beryllium judge to cheque each vendor's compatibility list. Once you instal nan Android app connected your Chromebook, you should beryllium mostly protected.

We urge trying retired ExpressVPN aliases NordVPN if you're looking for a compatible work for your Chromebook.

The reply to this is overmuch for illustration nan reply to anyone asking really to enactment protected connected aged gear: Sometimes, you can't. If your machine can't support you safe online, either don't usage nan net aliases earnestly see upgrading your hardware.

Once support and updates extremity for bequest devices, you besides won't person information fixes, and if your Chromebook is older and doesn't person compatible Android apps, your options are limited. At a minimum, you shouldn't usage your Chromebook for immoderate delicate tasks, specified arsenic accessing a financial work aliases email account.

If you want it to, yes. You tin link to a VPN successful your location country, sometimes your city, and still usage nan work to amended your information and privacy. Alternatively, you tin prime a server successful a wholly different location. For example, if you're trying to entree a media root that is blocked successful nan EU owed to nan General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), appearing from nan U.S. will region this geo-linked block.

Yes, successful astir countries. VPNs are besides often important devices for companies, arsenic they let much unafraid distant connections. However, user VPN usage is restricted and state-controlled successful immoderate areas specified arsenic China and Russia. The services are banned wholly successful different countries including Iraq and Belarus.

You get what you salary for, right? Well, sometimes. VPN pricing varies wildly, and monthly fees besides dangle connected immoderate further features you person subscribed to, specified arsenic dedicated IP addresses, information breach scanning, aliases cyberinsurance. Others, specified arsenic Astrill, travel astatine a precocious value but are known for being unchangeable and mostly very reliable successful countries wherever VPN usage is challenging, including China.

Yes, unless you person downloaded a free Chrome VPN extracurricular our recommendations. Chrome extensions are provided arsenic an add-on work alongside PC and mobile apps. They aren't usually disposable arsenic a standalone action without signing up for a VPN plan.

To download a VPN hold for nan Chrome browser, caput complete to nan Chrome Web Store. You will besides find nonstop links to Chrome extensions successful nan shop connected charismatic VPN supplier websites. Once you've recovered nan hold you want, click nan "Add to Chrome" button.

Latest updates

August 2025: In ZDNET's August update, we performed editorial changes, layout updates, and included news related to our apical picks.
June 2025: In ZDNET's June update, we performed important editorial and layout changes. We besides changed our rankings, raising Surfshark and Windscribe successful ray of customer feedback.

Other VPN extensions we've tested

TunnelBear is simply a worthy replacement if you're looking to prioritize speed, and you want a VPN pinch support for unlimited devices. Paid plans statesman astatine $4.17 per period and a free, constricted action pinch 2GB of bandwidth is besides available. The hold has garnered precocious affirmative feedback, but nan latest update appears to person led to immoderate correction reports.

Show Expert Take Show less

Private Internet Access is simply a coagulated VPN that offers bully speeds and stability. PIA has reasonable Chrome personification feedback but galore statement its constricted server selection. It costs only $2.03 per month, and you person 2 months of free entree if you motion up for a two-year contract.

Show Expert Take Show less

While we urge these VPN extensions for nan Chrome browser, if you're looking for nan afloat package to heighten your online security, cheque retired our favorite VPNs of 2025, our apical picks for mobile, and nan best VPNs for travel.