The best VPN extensions for Chrome in 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

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An estimated 68% of net users favor Chrome as their browser, beating rivals including Safari, Edge, and Firefox. As 1 of the ascendant browsers with a monolithic idiosyncratic base, it makes consciousness for VPN providers to connection a Chrome extension. Virtual backstage networks (VPNs) are accessible, easy-to-use bundle packages and apps that encrypt your online communication, disguise your activities online, alteration your IP code location, and forestall eavesdropping. 

Many VPN providers besides connection their subscribers browser-based solutions, typically successful the signifier of browser extensions. These mightiness beryllium the champion enactment if you conscionable privation to rapidly disguise your IP code during an online session. They are casual solutions that supply little resource-intensive extortion and are champion utilized successful scenarios specified arsenic abbreviated browser sessions oregon accessing geo-locked contented online. They often enactment good for avoiding property verification checks. 

In our latest update, we've refreshed our usher and apical picks based connected caller location and laboratory velocity tests. We besides removed TunnelBear owed to new, heavy, and stringent escaped program restrictions; removed Windscribe arsenic customized plans are not presently available; and added IPVanish to our apical picks.

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

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What is the champion Chrome VPN close now?

My prime for the 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 dilatory down your net connection. It's presently connected sale, with basal plans starting astatine $2.79 per month. 

Alternatively, if you're looking for a consistently affordable VPN solution, see Surfshark astatine conscionable $1.78 per month, presently connected sale. It's not arsenic fast, but it is reliable, offers a tenable server selection, and is unobtrusive.

At ZDNET, we've tested each reputable VPN connected the market, arsenic good arsenic caller VPN projects, rigorously evaluating speed, server count, information features, and price. We show VPN solutions, behaviour predominant velocity tests, effort retired caller services, and analyse lawsuit feedback to guarantee I urge lone the champion options available. 

Don't forget: you tin effort immoderate of our recommended VPNs and instrumentality vantage of a money-back warrant of astatine slightest 30 days. If you aren't impressed with the service, you aren't locked in.

The champion Chrome VPN extensions of 2026

expressvpn-windows-3

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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

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

While wide show whitethorn alteration depending connected your net transportation and the server you link to, ExpressVPN is accelerated and reliable. Based connected my predominant testing, I see ExpressVPN 1 of the fastest VPNs around, arsenic it consistently delivers accelerated speeds and speedy transportation times. The Chrome hold is simply a large summation to the wide service. 

ExpressVPN's Android and iOS apps person besides been for an improved idiosyncratic experience, and the institution is presently exploring quantum-safe for the future. In addition, the institution has precocious debuted a caller security suite, including a credentials manager, backstage AI assistant, and email masking service.

Review: ExpressVPN review

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

ExpressVPN supports galore platforms and has an extended database of protocols to take from. The institution besides has servers successful 105 countries, truthful you'll person plentifulness of determination options. It's bully for streaming and worthy trying retired if you privation to entree your location libraries connected the spell done the Chrome browser. 

I person besides utilized ExpressVPN successful tandem with my Plex media server setup and person encountered nary issues. 

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

To usage the accompanying extension, you volition request an ExpressVPN subscription. ExpressVPN's two-year program is $2.79 per month, with 4 months of escaped VPN entree added to the magnitude of your contract. Alternatively, its yearly program costs $5 per period with 3 months of escaped access.

The afloat information suite starts astatine $5 per month.

Who should look elsewhere: Customers accidental ExpressVPN is simple, fast, and casual to use. Still, if ExpressVPN's subscription costs are much than you are consenting to pay, particularly extracurricular of promotional periods, see 1 of my different favorites. 

ExpressVPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 4.5 | Simultaneous connections: 10 - 14 | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 105 | Logging: No browsing logs, immoderate transportation logs | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android and iOS | Trustpilot rating: 4.2 | Google Play rating: 4.8 | App Store rating: 4.7

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surfshark-laptop

ZDNET

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

Why we like it: Surfshark is elemental to use, offers an interactive dashboard, and won't sting you with abrupt terms hikes aft your declaration ends. 

The VPN and its hold travel modular with utile connectivity and information features, including a cooky and advertisement blocker, a masked email generator, divided tunneling (Bypasser), a treble VPN enactment (MultiHop), and different features. Premium plans connection more, specified arsenic malware and webcam protection, arsenic good as Incogni information removal.

Users accidental they find Surfshark's Chrome hold casual to instal and run and deem it an hold that "just works." 

Review: Surfshark VPN review

In presumption of security, Surfshark is simply a coagulated choice. The institution operates Surfshark Everlink, a strategy that attempts to reconfigure and repair VPN connections erstwhile they automatically drop. Unlike a termination switch, which blocks net entree to support you if determination is simply a abrupt drop, Everlink aims to sphere your transportation safely. It is disposable to each users, but you'll request to usage the WireGuard protocol.

In my testing, I recovered nary information oregon domain sanction work (DNS) leaks. That said, Surfshark's transportation times and speeds tin beryllium slower than those of its competitors. Furthermore, I was capable to effort retired the caller Surfshark Dausos protocol, which I judge has the imaginable to amended user VPN speeds.

Alongside NordVPN, which Surfshark's genitor institution Nord Security besides owns, the VPN supplier is experimenting with FastTrack, a way optimizer for accelerated connections. I've yet to announcement a quality connected the trial servers, but I anticipation transportation times amended successful the future. 

Who it's for: Surfshark is the champion enactment if you request a coagulated VPN-and-extension combo astatine an affordable price. 

Surfshark pricing starts astatine $1.78 per period connected a two-year plan, which includes 3 months free. You tin motion up for a one-year declaration astatine a starting terms of $2.98 per month. Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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

Surfshark VPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 4.0 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication | Kill switch: Yes | Countries: 100 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android, iOS, and macOS | Trustpilot rating: 4.3 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.7

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nordvpn-windows-1

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

Why we similar it: NordVPN supports each the large platforms and operating systems, truthful you tin usage it to unafraid the immense bulk of your devices. For other protection, you tin besides way your transportation done a 2nd server, known arsenic a treble VPN. 

In my latest velocity tests, NordVPN performed exceptionally good and, alongside ExpressVPN, delivered immoderate of the champion results successful velocity and stability. It's besides large for streaming services, with precocious occurrence rates successful accessing geo-blocked contented and streaming services, specified arsenic Netflix. 

Review: NordVPN review

The VPN supplier offers 137 locations to take from, and you tin link up to 10 devices to the work simultaneously. In a caller upgrade, NordVPN introduced an AI dependable detector for the Chrome browser.

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

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

Who should look elsewhere: This VPN and its Chrome hold volition suit astir users, but if you prioritize speed, ExpressVPN mightiness beryllium a amended fit. For a escaped option, Proton VPN volition suit you.

That said, if you're unsure if NordVPN is the close choice, you tin ever effort it and get a afloat refund wrong 30 days with the service's money-back guarantee. Plans commencement astatine $3.09 per month. 

NordVPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 4.2 | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 137 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Email code and billing accusation lone | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android | Trustpilot rating: 4.2 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.7

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proton-laptop

Adam Breeden/ZDNET

When thing is free, there's usually a catch, and VPN services are usually nary exception. In Proton VPN's case, however, its escaped work is backed by paid subscribers -- truthful you cognize your privateness is assured. 

Why we similar it: I don't typically urge escaped VPN options, arsenic galore providers volition cod oregon merchantability your information successful return. This signifier undermines the full constituent of the service. 

Fortunately, paid subscribers enactment Proton VPN's escaped plan, and the institution prioritizes user information and privacy, applying the aforesaid layers of extortion to some escaped and paid accounts.  

Also: The champion escaped VPNs

There are constricted server options and enactment for lone 1 instrumentality connected the escaped Proton VPN plan, but escaped users tin besides usage the service's Chrome hold without paying for it. 

You won't acquisition the afloat speeds of this VPN's web if you trust connected a tiny fig of escaped servers wrong its 145-country fleet, but arsenic a trade-off for a escaped service, fewer of america would complain.

Who it's for: Casual online users who privation escaped VPN access, extortion portion utilizing Chrome, and a mode to debar censorship. 

Proton VPN's Chrome hold and wide reviews are mixed, but galore complaints halfway connected the restrictions successful the escaped plan. You tin instrumentality this however you will, but galore users inactive accidental that this VPN is unafraid and accelerated capable that fewer announcement immoderate velocity changes erstwhile enabled. 

Who should look elsewhere: If you privation a escaped alternative, cheque retired Windscribe. Alternatively, paid Proton VPN plans commencement astatine $3 per month. 

Proton VPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 4.1 | Open-source | Simultaneous connections: One to 10, depending connected the program | Countries: 145 | Logging: No-logs argumentation | Security audits | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Kodi, and routers | VPN accelerator | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 2.2 | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.6

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ipvanish-laptop

ZDNET

IPVanish has existent spot successful unlimited simultaneous connections, customization options, RAM-only server selection, and improved speeds.

Why we similar it: IPVanish is simply a highly customizable VPN with a user-friendly interface and an array of configuration options. 

You tin prime a server from 108 countries, and each enactment displays ping velocity and server load. The second is diagnostic I similar to usage erstwhile the champion velocity and reliability are priorities, specified arsenic for streaming oregon gaming.

IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous connections, a payment that not each apical VPN supplier chooses to see with their packages. This means that if you privation to support aggregate devices astatine the aforesaid clip you won't person immoderate restrictions oregon occupation doing so.

Review: IPVanish

Customers study that this VPN is casual to instal and usage connected each platforms, with immoderate noting that unlimited simultaneous instrumentality enactment is of existent benefit. 

IPVanish has opened up beta investigating for its Threat Protection Pro offering for Windows and Mac users. If you're funny successful investigating the anti-phishing and malicious website alert system, you can opt in via the IPVanish app. 

In caller news, the VPN supplier besides rolled retired a RAM-only server filter for its users, allowing you to take the astir privacy-preserving server options quickly. 

Who it's for: If you prioritize the state to configure your VPN to your liking portion inactive choosing from an extended database of countries and servers, this is the VPN for you. The idiosyncratic interface is basal but casual to use, presenting accusation specified arsenic velocity statistic and state options successful a elemental format. 

Who should look elsewhere: The idiosyncratic interface is rather bland, and truthful if an interactive UI is important to you, look elsewhere.

IPVanish offers a basal program for $2.19 per period connected a two-year subscription. Advanced plans, astatine $3.29 per month, see features specified arsenic a unafraid browser, unreality backup, and up to 5GB of eSIM data.

Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET's genitor company. For much information, spot our Editorial Guidelines.

IPVanish features:  Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 4.8 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers | Logging: None, but billing information | Locations: 108 countries | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android and iOS | Trustpilot rating: 4.2 | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 4.6

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Best VPN for Chrome

Best price

Chrome Web Store rating

Simultaneous connections

ExpressVPN

$2.79 per period connected a two-year plan

4.5

10-14

Surfshark

$1.78 per period connected a two-year plan

4.0

Unlimited

NordVPN

$3.09 per period connected a two-year plan

4.2

10

Proton VPN

Free oregon $3 per period connected a two-year contract

4.1

1-10, varies by plan

IPVanish

$2.19 per period connected a two-year contract

4.8

Unlimited

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Incognito mode tin assistance boost your privacy, but not successful the aforesaid mode a VPN oregon VPN hold will. Incognito mode reduces the postulation of information during a browsing session. It helps support your privateness by deleting logs and accusation aft a session, which tin beryllium utile if you stock a instrumentality with 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 oregon a VPN hold and past launching a backstage browsing league tin beryllium complementary but relying connected conscionable 1 oregon the different isn't arsenic effective.

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A VPN hold is champion erstwhile you privation to fell your IP code and disguise your net postulation during abbreviated browsing sessions. 

Remember that you volition lone person extortion enabled for the browser with the hold enabled. If you person a Chrome VPN extension, lone information passing done the Chrome browser volition beryllium encrypted, and not immoderate requests sent via Edge oregon 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 dilatory down your net speed. Still, we urge that unless determination is simply a peculiar crushed for utilizing lone an extension, you should see utilizing a VPN's afloat acceptable of features. 

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How bash I acceptable up my Chrome VPN?

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Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Go to your VPN provider's website oregon the authoritative Chrome Web Store. Find your VPN and click the "Add to Chrome" button.

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Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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

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Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Lastly, motion successful with your VPN credentials. Remember that you tin click the extension's icon anytime to alteration oregon disable it.

Choose this VPN Chrome extension...

If you want...

ExpressVPN

The champion Chrome VPN hold overall, with fantabulous idiosyncratic feedback. ExpressVPN provides top-tier show and features, with standout usability and speed, arsenic good arsenic a robust server network, but the emblematic monthly terms constituent connected premium plans whitethorn deter immoderate users. 

Surfshark VPN

The astir worth from your VPN and Chrome extension. Surfshark offers tenable 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 crossed galore countries to take from, and is actively moving connected breathtaking VPN protocols.

NordVPN

The champion determination and server network, with accelerated connections and fantabulous speeds. NordVPN provides accelerated and reliable connections -- presently being improved with AI technologies -- and offers a big of further information solutions, including menace protection. 

Proton VPN

A trustworthy escaped VPN hold suitable for the Chrome browser. Proton VPN is the champion enactment if you privation a escaped Chrome VPN extension, but support successful caput that the escaped program is constricted successful instrumentality enactment and server network. You tin lone usage it to support 1 instrumentality unless you subscribe.

IPVanish

A speedy VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. The IPVanish hold has garnered affirmative Chrome hold reviews (though determination are few), and this VPN has performed good successful our caller laboratory tests. It's besides highly configurable.

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

  • Extension availability: I've listed VPNs with disposable Chrome extensions, but if you besides privation multi-browser compatibility, cheque retired hold availability with immoderate VPN vendor you're funny in.
  • Speed: Every VPN performs differently, and each idiosyncratic acquisition differs. When you are investigating a caller VPN, support your basal velocity successful mind. Look retired for VPN solutions with minimal velocity loss, and if you privation 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 the idiosyncratic interfaces, features, and compatibility offered by your chosen VPN supplier earlier making a commitment.
  • Use cases: Your VPN enactment should align with however you mean to usage a VPN. For example, you whitethorn privation 1 specifically for streaming geo-locked content, oregon you whitethorn request a VPN with 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 volition astir apt privation to usage it crossed aggregate devices, specified arsenic a PC, smartphone, and TV. I urge signing up for a program supporting astatine slightest six devices. However, if you're opting for a escaped plan, you volition astir apt beryllium constricted to 1 device.
  • Trial periods: Before committing to a VPN provider, trial them retired with the service's money-back warrant period. Remember that astir VPN providers volition springiness you 30 days to cancel and unafraid a refund. Some adjacent connection up to 45 days.

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Many VPN providers recommended successful this database person been taxable to in-depth investigating and reviews by members of our team. We've reviewed VPNs for years, spoken with their absorption and users, and developed a mostly favorable content 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 antithetic infrastructure. 

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

  • Performance: My apical VPN recommendations indispensable person a minimum level of performance. After all, there's nary constituent successful utilizing a VPN if your transportation continually drops oregon 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 bounds the fig of devices you tin link to a work simultaneously. If you person a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, oregon astute TV you privation to link to a VPN, you request a work that allows astatine slightest 5 oregon 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 the improvement squad down each recommended VPN cares astir making information improvements and patching reported bugs.
  • Kill switch: A termination power prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important diagnostic for a VPN, arsenic it protects you by preventing a instrumentality to a default Wi-Fi transportation should your net transportation unexpectedly drop.
  • Geo-blocks and streaming: I cognize VPNs tin beryllium cardinal to accessing section contented and services portion you're distant from home. Considering these factors, I ensured that our apical recommendations performed good and are improbable to dilatory down your transportation portion you are streaming oregon torrenting.
  • Platforms: What systems and devices tin you tally the 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 however galore antithetic countries does the VPN person servers? This tin see carnal and virtual servers, and whether determination are capable -- astatine slightest 60 oregon truthful -- to supply variety.
  • Trial magnitude and price: Each VPN I urge has a coagulated money-back warrant of astatine slightest 30 days.
  • Support: As with immoderate subscription software, you whitethorn brushwood problems with installing apps, utilizing the service, renewing, oregon canceling. I database VPNs with a enactment squad oregon enactment channels.

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

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Latest quality connected VPNs

  • Utah is attempting to ban VPN use when it is utilized to bypass age-verification checks.
  • Reports suggest that Russia's authorities is attempting to marque VPN work usage "financially unbearable" done a tariff system.
  • Open root VPN task Amnezia rolled out large information fixes and upgrades successful its latest patch.
  • NymVPN adopted a pay-as-you-go model to heighten anonymity.

Latest quality from our recommended VPN providers

  • Mullvad pushed an update that protects iOS users from information leakage.
  • Surfshark released a VPN app compatible with Amazon's caller Vega OS operating system, designed specifically for the Amazon Fire TV Stick. 
  • The institution besides introduced Dausos, a VPN protocol designed from the crushed up for user VPN applications.
  • ExpressVPN launched ExpressKeys and ExpressMailGuard, with ExpressAI, a caller backstage AI assistant. This work aims to trim the hazard of idiosyncratic profiling oregon of user-issued prompts being fed backmost into large connection models (LLMs) for AI training.
  • Private Internet Access passed a new audit that backs the VPN provider's no-logs policy.
  • Windscribe VPN reported that instrumentality enforcement successful Europe confiscated 1 of its VPN servers without a warrant. The institution told customers it doesn't expect the server to incorporate immoderate idiosyncratic information, citing its "no identifying logs policy."

A VPN browser hold volition lone impact postulation related to your browser session, not different programs. That means visiting a website volition beryllium covered by the VPN's web and security, but utilizing a gaming app to play online volition not be. 

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Yes, arsenic agelong arsenic the hold is from a reputable VPN provider. Still, beryllium wary of immoderate supposedly "free" extensions with sketchy institution details, a deficiency of transparency, and nary idiosyncratic feedback. At best, they won't enactment arsenic intended; astatine worst, they volition cod and perchance merchantability your data. 

Also, it is important to cheque thoroughly earlier you download and instal an hold from what you judge is simply a trustworthy VPN provider. Sometimes fake copycat extensions look successful the Chrome Web Store.

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Yes, this is the crushed galore of america crook to a VPN browser extension. 

One of the cardinal benefits of a VPN is its quality to unblock geo-locked contented typically disposable lone successful a circumstantial region, specified arsenic the US oregon the EU. A VPN tin disguise your existing IP code and delegate you a caller 1 from 1 of these areas, granting you access. 

However, if a streaming work detects that you are utilizing a VPN, it whitethorn not afloat work. Instead, you whitethorn beryllium restricted to contented that is lone disposable nether a cosmopolitan license. 

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No. While Chrome is 1 of the 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 the astir unafraid acquisition connected your Chrome browser.

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

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

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

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The reply to this is overmuch similar the reply to anyone asking however to enactment protected connected aged gear: Sometimes, you can't. If your machine can't support you harmless online, either don't usage the net oregon earnestly see upgrading your hardware.

Once enactment and updates halt 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 fiscal work oregon email account.

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

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Yes, successful astir countries. VPNs are besides often important tools 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.

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

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Yes, unless you person downloaded a escaped 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 enactment without signing up for a VPN plan.

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To download a VPN hold for the Chrome browser, caput implicit to the Chrome Web Store. You volition besides find nonstop links to Chrome extensions successful the store connected authoritative VPN supplier websites. Once you've recovered the hold you want, click the "Add to Chrome" button.

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Latest updates

  • May 2026: In ZDNET's May update, we refreshed our usher and apical picks based connected caller location and laboratory velocity tests. We besides refreshed our FAQs to reply much of your astir predominant questions. We besides removed TunnelBear owed to its caller escaped program restrictions, removed Windscribe arsenic customized plans are not presently available, and added IPVanish to our apical picks.
  • February 2026: In ZDNET's February update, we added our astir caller velocity trial results to each product's description. We besides updated the latest VPN quality section.
  • August 2025: In ZDNET's August update, we performed editorial changes, layout updates, and included quality 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 airy of lawsuit feedback.

Other VPN extensions we've tested

pia logo small

PIA

Private Internet Access is simply a coagulated VPN that offers bully speeds and stability. PIA has tenable Chrome idiosyncratic feedback. It costs lone $1.59 per month, and you person three months of escaped entree if you motion a three-year contract. 

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cyberghost logo small

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is simply a large VPN alternate that offers a Chrome hold and is reliable for unblocking streaming platforms. It besides has specialized servers for gaming and streaming. The work is presently connected connection for $1.75 per period with 2 months of escaped work connected a two-year contract, 

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Our apical VPN extensions for Chrome volition assistance support your browsing session, but if you're looking for the afloat bundle to heighten your online security, cheque retired our favorite VPNs of 2026 and the best VPNs for travel.

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