Best VPN for Chrome

NordVPN is a solid choice for Chrome if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to the full package offered by ExpressVPN. Performance on local servers is some of the best we’ve ever seen, peaking at 296Mbps in some locations, and it doesn’t drop off too much on international connections either. It’s also one of the few providers that still works consistently with both Netflix and BBC iPlayer, which is great news for streaming fans.

Nord missed out on the top spot due to the fact that the Chrome extension they offer is a proxy rather than a full VPN extension. It’s still a useful bonus feature for heavy browser users and while it does encrypt your web traffic, it doesn’t provide the same level of security as a true VPN connection. We really like the strict zero-logs policy as well as all of the advanced privacy features on offer, such as servers optimized for Double VPN and Tor over VPN.

Customer support on the website is brilliant but unfortunately responses to email and live chat can be on the slow side at times. Unlike ExpressVPN, you can’t change the VPN protocol without manual configuration but, at the bargain price of just $2.99 per month on the three-year plan, this is a pretty minor downside and very easy to overlook.

Private Internet Access is an excellent choice for experienced VPN users looking for sheer power and loads of advanced privacy options. Both uploads and downloads on local connections are seriously quick and unbeaten by most other providers, peaking at a phenomenal 427Mbps, and performance is consistently good across its global network too. Access to major streaming services isn’t as easy as it could be but does the job well enough.

PIA offers a proxy extension for Chrome which is great for if you want to spoof your IP address but aren’t bothered about encrypting your browser traffic. It does protect you against WebRTC leaks though, which is pretty important, although it lacks a VPN kill switch (you can use this on the desktop app). A strict zero-logs policy goes a long way to making up for the fact that PIA is based in the privacy-unfriendly USA.

Customer support on the site is decent but lacks a live chat feature – combine this with the old-fashioned, clunky desktop software and VPN newbies will probably want to look elsewhere. The incredibly low price of $2.91 per month means experienced users will probably be willing to overlook the unpolished layout and focus on the excellent speeds and raw power on offer.

SaferVPN is a great choice if you need a budget VPN to cover your basic privacy needs. Performance is pretty good in most popular locations, peaking at around 236Mbps, however speeds are a lot less consistent internationally. Access to Netflix and BBC iPlayer is made incredibly easy through servers optimized for HD video.

The Chrome extension is a proxy rather than a full VPN extension but it’ll do the job if you’re just looking to hide your real IP address and access blocked content. We’d advise running it alongside the main app as this offers features such as a VPN kill switch and DNS leak protection, which you won’t find on the extension. A minimal logging policy goes some way to mitigating SaferVPN’s jurisdiction in the USA.

Customer support is decent enough with speedy responses to email and live chat, however we sometimes felt like the support agents weren’t really listening to our problems, which was pretty frustrating. The limited server network means SaferVPN probably isn’t the best choice if you want to connect internationally on a daily basis, however at just $2.29 per month on the three-year plan it’s a great option for everyday browsers and privacy-conscious streamers.

CyberGhost is a super secure and fast zero-logs VPN that is great for streaming fans and torrenters alike. With peak local download speeds of up to 238Mbps, you can watch all your favorite shows in buffer-free HD on multiple devices. Easy access to Netflix and other streaming sites is also a massive bonus for fans of the services.

CyberGhost’s Chrome extension is super easy to download and add to your browser, but again it’s a proxy, so won’t encrypt your traffic. Unlike Private Internet Access, it doesn’t provide any protection against WebRTC leaks, which could temporarily expose your true IP address and since it’s a free service, you are limited to just four server locations. Nevertheless, it’s a useful added bonus to a great overall service.

For just $2.75 per month on the 18-month plan, CyberVPN is great value for money and boasts a range of user-friendly apps and fantastic 24/7 live chat and online support. It’s just a shame that the extension itself isn’t as sophisticated as others.