What Is The Best VPN Extension For Chrome

Whats The Best Free VPN Extension For Chrome

Both Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost VPN have really good free Chrome extensions. They both have fast speeds, good security, and fast speeds.

Make sure you only use free Chrome VPNs from reputable VPN providers. Dont just search for free VPN and install the first extension you see. Many free VPNs actually log and sell user data, have very slow speeds, and are buggy.

Only Your Chrome Traffic Is Secured

Although browser extensions offer similar benefits to full-fledged VPN software, there are key differences. Therefore, VPN extensions are usually simply called proxies.

The VPN-like benefits offered by proxies only apply to your browser, in this case, Chrome. Other apps on your computer which make use of your network will have their data traffic remain unsecured.

This also extends to other browsers you might use sometimes. For example, if you have the proxy extension for Chrome and launch Microsoft Edge, the data traffic on Edge will not be secured by your Chrome extension.

Full VPN apps encrypt data traffic on a system-wide level. This means that your single VPN app will protect data traffic from all parts of your system browser, other applications, and even the Operating System itself.

The Best Chrome VPN And Extension 2021

Bring extra security – and much more – to your browser

Partner up your Chrome browser with the best VPN service for a safer approach to surfing online, and get all the perks of a virtual private network all in one window. Continue to benefit from Chrome’s versatility and keep reading, as we summarize the best Chrome VPN to install into your browser.

For many, Google Chrome is your default browser, rising above the likes of Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Edge. With a friendly and easy-to-use interface, Chrome also offers a multitude of ways to customise your browser and make it yours. And it feels truly endless when you consider the amount of extensions out there to boost your efficiency and get what you need out of your time online.

It makes sense, then, that VPN providers would invade this space with their very own Chrome extensions, bringing the joys of a virtual private network right into your window without the need to click away.

In this guide we’ll bring you the best of the best when it comes to the right Google Chrome VPN extension for your needs, including free and paid-for options.

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What Are The Benefits Of A VPN Extension

A VPN browser extension is a plugin that you can install directly into your favorite browser. This allows you to gain the use of a proxy without ever needing to leave your browser. The downside of a VPN extension is that it will only proxy the data inside your browser. This differs from a VPN, which tunnels your entire internet connection via the encrypted tunnel.

A VPN browser can allow you to quickly and effectively pretend to be in a different location. You bypass restrictions by connecting to a proxy server, concealing your IP address from the websites you visit. However, it is important to remember that the vast majority of VPN browser extensions do not provide the privacy levels afforded by a proper VPN connection.

A browser-based VPN proxy will not usually conceal your web visits from your ISP. Thus, if you want this kind of privacy, you will need to use the full VPN client. The good news is that all the VPNs in this article also come with native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

What Is A Google Chrome Extension

Google Chrome extensions are programs that will be installed into Chrome to vary the browsers functionality. This includes adding new features to Chrome or modifying the programs prevailing behavior to make it more convenient for the user.

Examples of the sort of functionality that a Google Chrome extension can increase Chrome includes:

• Blocking ads from being displayed
• Optimizing memory usage so that Chrome runs more efficiently
• Adding to try to lists or notes to Chrome
• Password management
• Making it easier to repeat text from a site
• Protect your privacy and making web browsing safer.

As youll see, extensions offer a good range of additional functionality so that youll perform tasks easier or get more out of the online sites you visit.

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Which Are The Highest Reviewed Free VPN Chrome Extensions

According to the Chrome web store the highest reviewed Free VPN Chrome Extensions are:uVPN TunnelBear and VeePN FreeVPN

uVPN provides you with High-speed, WiFi Security, Global services, Unlimited data and Hundreds of geos to unblock content all under one roof.

TunnelBear helps you to encrypt all your data and enables total privacy and security. It has apps for Android, iOS, macOS and even Windows.

VeePN has 2500+ servers all around the world and provides automatic configuration layout along with top-notch encryption.

FreeVPNThis software is fully free and does not ask for credit card information ensuring full anonymity and secure running. Also, anyone all across the world can install it and use its features to set up a secure private network to surf the web.

Using a VPN service is easy and has benefits such that it can benefit you and help you access websites and links all over the world. Along with unblocking content this Software ensures total privacy and safety.So for an unrestricted web experience using any of these Software will help surf the web securely.

What Can A Chrome VPN Extension Do

There’s several reasons why adding a Chrome VPN extension is well worthwhile on your computer. Firstly, in the case of providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, it just makes functioning your VPN much quicker and easier to do – the best Chrome VPNs have super straightforward On/Off button and all the basic tools you need for changing servers and avoiding those geo-blocks.

Picking one of our top providers from this article means access to Netflix unblocking, geo-spoofing and online security from the convenience of the browser you use day-in day-out.

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What Should The Best Chrome VPN Extension Do

A good Chrome VPN extension is one that’s not only simple to install and use but also, ideally, offers some in-depth features too. While there are basic proxy versions which simply turn on and off within Chrome and that’s useful we prefer more feature-rich options.

The option to pick the location you want to connect from is a really basic but helpful feature perfect if you’re looking to watch geo-restricted content in a tab and need a certain location selected.

Security features are also really helpful with blocking your location from websites, and blocking camera or microphone access are basic necessities. Extras we like to keep an eye out for are third-party cookie blocking, Flash blocking or disabling, WebRTC leak protection, hyperlink auditing and credit card auto-filling. Being able to use Netflix VPN unblocking is also useful.

Whichever option you go for, a VPN Chrome extension is only ever as good as the VPN behind it so going for a fully fledged and feature-rich standalone VPN is always a good idea.

Got all you need to know? Now make sure that you’re getting the very best VPN service with our expertly assembled top 10.

Whats The Difference Between Free Chrome Proxies And Extensions

Unlike the best free Chrome VPN extensions, a proxy is merely a server you can connect to to hide your real location. While proxies offer a lightweight way for getting around geo-blocks, they dont measure up to the security and privacy benefits a VPN provides.

Making matters worse, many free proxies claim to provide the same service as VPN extensions but engage in shady activities such as selling user data and in rare cases, even pooling the processing power of its free users to launch botnet attacks.

Youre much better off using a Chrome VPN extension from a trusted provider. ExpressVPN offers best-in-class security to keep your data safe while you browse, stream, or torrent. While its not a free service, you can buy ExpressVPN in confidence thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. If youre not fully satisfied with your purchase, you can get a full refund within 30 days.

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Will A VPN Slow Down My Browsing Speed

Whether youre using a free or premium service, you will likely experience a small drop in speed with a VPN. This is because your traffic goes through the encryption process before connecting to the internet, which impacts your speed.

If you use a free VPN with server and bandwidth limitations, youre likely to experience a more noticeable drop, particularly if you connect at high-traffic times. Where I live in the UK, thats typically between 7pm and 11pm GMT.

I ran a speed test for every free VPN on my list during peak connection times in the UK. I connected to the fastest available server for each VPN and compared it to my regular ISP speed. Here are the results:

As expected, the VPNs with servers furthest away from me had the biggest drop in speed. However, every server had speeds fast enough to stream in UltraHD or 4K quality, even at the busiest connection times.

Which Is The Best Free VPN For Chrome

As a rule of thumb, you should steer clear of the free VPN extensions for Chrome. Nine times out of ten, they will serve you ads or sell your browsing data to third parties. Maintaining a server fleet is a very resource-intensive task, so providing such service for free is something that is by default suspicious.

However, you can take advantage of paid providers with paid VPNs and are using free versions as a promo. On our list, Windscribe is the only one that matches the criteria. Still, it does have a 10 GB data cap. So, opting-in for free VPN clients like ProtonMail or AtlasVPN that have no such limitations might be a better option in the long run.

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What Are Chrome Extensions

It is a little program to switch the experience or add functionality to the chrome browser. Theyre created using web technology like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.

An extensions main aim is to serve one purpose around which the entire program is made although it can have multiple components, it ought to help accomplish the most purpose of the program.

An extension should have a minimal interface or reach an internet page, but the main focus is to supply good functionality with less overhead.

Extension are zipped into an in .crx package, and the user must download the package and install it. Chrome extension is published within the Chrome web store.

Some example of the chrome extension is:

• Password manager
• Adding to-do lists or notes to Chrome
• Making it easier to repeat text from a site

Lets create an easy extension to demonstrate the working procedure:

• Every extension require a manifest file

First, create a manifest.json file

• Then, for demonstration, well add an icon to the extension which can, on being clicked, open an internet page created by us.

Add this inside the file.

"browser_action": 

• Then add this to incorporate a shortcut to display the HTML page

"commands": ,        "description": "Opens hello.html"      }    }

How To Choose The Best Chrome VPN

Of course, among this bewildering array of potential add-ons for Chrome are extensions from VPN providers, but how do you pick out the ideal VPN for Chrome?

For starters, your VPN should be just as easy to use and navigate as Google Chrome itself. From setting up the extension to using on a day-to-day basis, we really value ease-of-use.

Youll doubtless be looking to protect your privacy while surfing, and to bypass censorship or unblock geo-restricted content. And as always, youll want strong encryption and protocol support for tight security. All of the choices below have those assets in common. Performance levels are also important, especially if youre keen on using Chrome to access streaming services or downloading torrents – you don’t want your VPN to slow down what you’re doing.

The five options we’ve picked out below are all paid-for, fully fledged ‘premium’ VPNs that offer unlimited use once you’ve signed up, rather than free extensions that have their limitations. We explain more about the distinction further down this article – picking up a free option may suit you better in some circumstances.

Best Chrome VPN 2021 – Get 3 months free with an annual plan

ExpressVPN routinely delivers on the software front, and its Chrome VPN extension is no exception. Its easy-to-use, has some neat features and – unlike a lot of the competition – is a genuine extension rather than a mere proxy.

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How Do I Use A VPN On Google Chrome In Incognito Mode

Chrome blocks extensions when youre using incognito mode. This is because the browser cant ensure the extension isnt tracking your online activity. If you use a secure free VPN, you can still use the extension in incognito mode. Heres how:

5 Steps to Add a VPN Extension to Incognito Mode:

How We Tested And Ranked These Free VPNs

When considering free Chrome VPNs for this list, I focused on compatibility, safety, and value.

All of the VPNs here provide Chrome extensions or are fully compatible with the browser so you can browse, download, and stream.

The services here also offer premier security features such as data encryption and no-logs policies so that your personal details and browsing habits are kept private.

And most importantly, these free VPNs for Chrome provide value. Despite data caps, low server choice, and poor unblocking capabilities, they still allow you to browse the web and get things done, if only for a little while.

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How To Use A VPN Chrome Extension

Adding a VPN extension into Chrome is quite easy. Heres an example of adding the NordVPN Chrome extension.

Are Chrome VPN Extensions Better Than VPN Apps

Not really most extensions lack the advanced features you get with VPNs apps. For example, VPN apps give you access to split-tunneling, double VPNs, obfuscation, and different VPN protocols. Chrome extensions mostly just hide your IP and help you unblock geo-restricted content.

Also, most VPN Chrome extensions dont use encryption. And if they do, they only encrypt your browsers traffic. So traffic from other apps, like your torrent client, wont be secured.

ExpressVPN is the only one that gives you a near-VPN experience via its extension. Thats because it lets you remotely control the VPN app. So when you connect to a server, you dont just encrypt your browser traffic. You encrypt the traffic from all online apps on your device.

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Do Google Chrome VPN Extensions Come With Encryption

Yes, but only some Chrome VPNs offer that. Many Chrome VPN extensions dont use encryption because theyre proxies, not VPNs. A proxy can be configured to provide encryption, but thats up to the VPN provider.

CyberGhost VPN and Hotspot Shield provide encryption via their extensions. ExpressVPN does that too but it offers encryption via remote control of its VPN app.

Still, Chrome VPN extensions that dont have encryption are still secure to use. They make up for that by offering other security features. For example, they can block WebRTC to prevent IP leaks, block ads and malicious sites, and offer no-logs policies.

What Are Chrome VPN Proxies

Some – or rather, most – VPN proxies only work within the Chrome browser itself. So take a provider like Windscribe, for example, that has its own free Chrome proxy that can still hide your IP address and unlock streaming content but lives separately from its ‘Pro’ VPN tier.

The rare alternative is how a provider like ExpressVPN works. Its Chrome extension works like a a control hub for the core VPN tool that you need to have downloaded to your computer already. So handy if you’re a fully signed up member of that service already, but not so good if you were just looking for a standalone proxy to live and work in your Chrome browser only.

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Do I Need To Log Into A VPN Addon

Yes. A reliable VPN extension that can be truncated should always ask you to login the first time you use it. If the extension does not ask you to log in, it does not have strong authentication and is not secure against hackers. All of our recommended VPNs have browser extensions that provide high levels of security when compared to the rest of the market.

Surfshark Chrome VPN Extensions For Unlimited Devices

Surfshark is one of the few VPNs on the market that offers unlimited simultaneous connections. That means you can use the service on as many devices and browsers as you want. You can even share the subscription with your friends and family to save money.

This browser extension provides excellent security. It uses HTTPS to secure your data, and also blocks WebRTC leaks by default. You also get CleanWeb, a very capable ad blocker that gets rid of ads even on the most ad-heavy sites. Theres also an option to block cookie popup consents, which is very convenient. And you get multihop servers too they hide your real IP address behind 2 servers instead of 1, so its more secure.

Also, we really like how Surfsharks Chrome VPN extension comes with split-tunneling. It lets you choose which sites use the VPN and which sites use your local network. We were able to exclude our bank sites from the connection while unblocking TV shows on Netflix.

This VPN provider has 3,200+ servers in 60+ countries, so youll always have fast speeds. And it unblocks both big and small streaming sites. We also like how user-friendly the extensions are theres even an option to use dark mode, which is better for your eyes.

Surfshark provides 24/7 live chat, very cheap plans, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

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