Based on our years of testing and using VPNs across all apps and browsers, these are the top features to consider when choosing a VPN for Chrome:
Chrome compatibility
If you are looking for a VPN for Chrome, your main consideration will be whether the VPN offers a Chrome extension. Most of the top VPN providers offer plugins for Chrome and other browsers, but some do not. Check that the VPN you’re considering offers a Chrome extension before you buy. Alternatively, you can use your VPN provider’s native device application for platforms such as Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS/iPadOS and Linux, which works with the Chrome browser installed.
Privacy
The VPN Chrome extension doesn’t deliver the same level of privacy that a full VPN app does, but you still get basic privacy protection with the plugin because it provides browser encryption and hides your IP address from the websites you visit. A VPN browser extension usually acts as a proxy and only protects traffic that goes through the browser itself, while a full VPN app protects all traffic that goes through your entire device. An important privacy feature to look for in your VPN browser extension is WebRTC blocking, which can help prevent your IP address (and location) from being leaked to the websites you visit. Because the VPN browser extension actually works as a proxy, it’s great for streaming and keeping your IP address hidden, but you shouldn’t rely on it for airtight privacy other than secure browsing over HTTPS. To get full privacy protection across your device with strong AES 256-bit or ChaCha20 encryption standards, you should use a full VPN app.
We recommend a VPN with a tested no-logging policy — even when the VPN company claims no logging it is impossible to be absolutely sureit is still an important signal of trust. Most people should be satisfied with a strict no-logging policy but people who are more concerned about privacy, such as asylum seekers, political activists or investigative journalists, may want to take things a step further by choosing an authoritative VPN provider without Five, nine and 14 eyes data sharing alliances.
You should also look for modern encryption (AES-256 or ChaCha20, depending on The protocolsuch as WireGuard or OpenVPN) in your full VPN application. A reliable VPN app should have kill switchwhich shuts down your internet if your virtual private network goes down unexpectedly. Split the tunnel a feature that lets you selectively choose a VPN connection for some apps but not others, such as running your Google Chrome web browser through a VPN while excluding your Steam gaming client Fast download speed.
Dedicated VPN servers can improve your privacy. Hop twice or multi-hop uses two VPN connections to make it more difficult to trace your traffic back to its source compared to a single VPN tunnel. Tor over VPN (or Onion over VPN) servers rely on it Tor — Onion Router — makes it difficult to trace your internet traffic back to its source. Servers are mysterious try to hide the fact that you are using a VPN, which can be useful in situations like hacking School Wi-Fi, where the VPN may not work properly, or when traveling to countries where VPNs are not required. Think about your privacy needs and make sure your VPN provider offers those features.
Speed
Because they are lightweight versions of their VPN apps, VPN browser extensions can provide faster speeds than a full VPN app. If you’re streaming, video conferencing or gaming, and only need basic browser privacy, using a browser extension can be a great way to get faster speeds.
Server network
A large network of servers can be beneficial, especially if you’re looking to stream content around the world. Check the VPN provider’s list of servers to make sure it offers servers in the locations you want to stream content to. The best VPN providers offer from 90 to 100-plus countries to choose from, but even among the best VPNs, it is likely that their coverage in Africa, the Middle East and Asia will vary greatly from provider to provider. You should also make sure that your VPN provider is actually open to the streaming sites you expect. The best way to test is to use the money back guarantee and test the VPN during the refund period. If you can’t access the streaming sites you want, you can get your money back and try another VPN.
Costs
If you’re on a budget, the price of your VPN will be an important consideration. Most VPNs cost around $10 to $15 per month but you can enjoy the biggest savings and best value if you choose an annual subscription plan. You can find a budget-friendly VPN for around $40 to $60 per year, but more expensive options can go up to $150 per year.
Customer support
Most of the best VPNs have helpful customer support options that are available around the clock. If you prefer to get answers from a real person, look for a provider that offers live chat or email support. If you choose to get help on your own, look for a provider that has an extensive help section/knowledge base on their website that includes FAQs, troubleshooting guides and setup instructions.
