The Best VPN Extensions for Google Chrome

The 5 Best VPNs for Chrome in 2021 (Free & Paid)

1. 1. ExpressVPN: The best full-system Chrome VPN extension

   VPN extension which protects your whole device, plus a complete selection of servers

   Ranked #1 out of 69 VPNs for Chrome

    96% 

   (1,753 user reviews)

   Visit ExpressVPN

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. Protects not only Chrome but your entire device
   2. Has all 160 VPN locations to choose from
   3. HTML5 geospoofing is incredibly useful
   4. Unblocks US Netflix plus 18 other libraries
   5. HTTPS Everywhere secures unsafe websites for you
   6. WebRTC blocker

   Cons

   1. Has to run at the same time as the full VPN program
   2. Expensive

   ExpressVPN is our highest-rated VPN overall, and its exceptional Chrome extension is a big part of the reason why.

   ExpressVPN’s Chrome add-on is unique in that it doesn’t just protect your browser – it encrypts your whole system, too. It essentially works like a remote control for the main VPN app, but with a few extra features that make it especially useful for web browsing.

   Cheapest Price	$6.67/mo over 15 Months See all plans
   Extension Available for Free?	No
   Compatible with	Chrome Firefox Edge Windows MacOS Linux Chromeos +more
   Data Cap	None
   See all features
   Logging Policy	Anonymous Server Usage Data

   Extra features keep you secure & help unblock Netflix

   In addition to WebRTC blocking, which is commonplace among VPN extensions to stop your real IP from leaking, it also offers HTTPS Everywhere. This helpfully automatically redirects you to the HTTPS version of a website if you’re ever mistakenly directed to the insecure and potentially dangerous HTTP version instead.

   Even more interesting than that, though, is that ExpressVPN is the only VPN featured on this list to offer HTML5 geospoofing. This technology prevents your browser from using HTML5 to work out your real-world location. Failure to do so is a big reason why so many VPNs can’t bypass geoblocks from services like Netflix or BBC iPlayer.

   ExpressVPN’s Chrome extension has no such trouble unblocking Netflix – not just the US library but 18 others as well. Because the extension is connected directly to the desktop app you get full access to every single ExpressVPN server, with options spread out all over the world.

   Needs the full VPN app to be running while in use

   That said, that direct connection can be an inconvenience at times. If all you want to do is quickly toggle browser protection on and off while leaving the rest of your device untouched you can’t do that. This also means that it has a slightly greater impact on your internet speed versus a conventional extension, but not by much – ExpressVPN is one of the fastest out there.

   It’s also expensive, there’s no denying it. At $6.67 per month on its cheapest deal, ExpressVPN is one of the most costly VPNs out there. As a complete package we think it’s well worth it, but if you just want a secure Chrome browser extension then you might want to consider one of the other options on this page.

   Visit ExpressVPN

   or read our full ExpressVPN Review.

2. 2. NordVPN: Best Chrome-only VPN extension

   A super quick, lightweight extension with built-in adblock

    94% 

   (245 user reviews)

   Visit NordVPN

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. Every server from the desktop app available
   2. CyberSec acts as a pop-up and malicious site blocker
   3. Whitelister for choosing sites that bypass the VPN
   4. Unblocks US Netflix
   5. Extremely quick to connect & no impact on download speeds
   6. WebRTC blocker

   Cons

   1. Some more encryption & security options would be nice

   NordVPN is the only other VPN on this list to give you access to every single one of its server locations through its Google Chrome browser extension. Combine that with how extremely simple and easy to use it is and you have the perfect VPN extension for anyone who wants quick protection with a single click.

   Cheapest Price	$3.71/mo over 24 Months See all plans
   Extension Available for Free?	No
   Compatible with	Chrome Firefox Windows MacOS Linux +more
   Data Cap	Unlimited
   See all features
   Logging Policy	No Logs

   A simple app with a full selection of server locations

   Where the full NordVPN desktop app may be loaded with extra features and customization options, the Chrome extension strips it back to the basics. There’s two buttons on the main screen: one lets you pick a server and the other gets you connected.

   Choosing to select a server gives you a list of all 59 countries available in the full NordVPN app. You can’t choose a specific location though, so you’ll have to trust it to connect you to the fastest option possible. NordVPN owns and operates all of its DNS servers, for added security.

   Unblocks Netflix & protects you from dangerous websites

   We’ve found it to be extremely reliable for unblocking Netflix, not just in the US but in other popular locations too (like France and Germany). We were occasionally confronted with a Netflix error code while hopping between libraries, but clearing Chrome’s cache and cookies promptly fixed it.

   There are only three extra features included inside the NordVPN Chrome extension: a WebRTC blocker (which is enabled by default and should absolutely stay that way), a ‘Bypass List’ (which acts like a split tunnel for your browser, allowing you to choose which sites are ignored by the VPN), and CyberSec.

   CyberSec is by far the most interesting option of the three. Also available in the full desktop client, CyberSec blocks ads, warns you when you’re about to access an unsafe site, and protects you from ‘other threats’ (like phishing). You probably already use an adblock extension in Chrome, but if you don’t this is a nice addition to have.

   That’s all there is to the app. We’d like to see some more options around encryption, and a choice of city-level servers would be nice. As it is, NordVPN is the perfect lightweight Chrome VPN extension for anyone who wants to instantly encrypt their browser traffic with a single click. For just $3.71 per month it’s one of the best options out there.

   Visit NordVPN

   or read our full NordVPN Review.

3. 3. VPN.ac: Best Chrome extension to unblock websites

   64 server locations and lots of advanced options to beat censorship

    100% 

   (2 user reviews)

   Visit VPN.ac

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. 64 servers across five continents
   2. Double hop servers for extra privacy
   3. ‘I am in China’ mode to beat censorship
   4. Unblocks US Netflix
   5. WebRTC blocker

   Cons

   1. Won’t unblock any other Netflix libraries
   2. Uses proprietary ‘SecureProxy’ encryption

   While VPN.ac may be far less popular than the other names on this list, it has created one of the very best VPN extensions available on the Chrome Web Store. It’s the single best choice if you want to access censored or blocked websites, and has a whole set of servers dedicated to users in China.

   Cheapest Price	$3.75 over 24 months See all plans
   Extension Available for Free?	No
   Compatible with	Chrome Firefox Windows MacOS Linux +more
   Data Cap	Unlimited
   See all features
   Logging Policy	No Logs

   Loads of servers, plus Double Hop for extra obfuscation

   VPN.ac’s extension has 64 servers spread across five continents – Africa unfortunately misses out. These servers are named and numbered, too, so you know for sure which one you’re connecting to each time you use the extension. 15 of these are Double Hop servers, which send your browser requests to a server in one country before then passing them on again to your desired end location. This will slow your traffic down, but is an effective way to stay extra private.

   In the settings menu you’ll also find a toggle labeled “I am in China,” which reveals a new set of 25 servers specifically optimized for use in China to help beat the Great Firewall. They’re mostly located across East Asia to give you the best speeds possible, but there’s also several in the US as well as one each in the UK and Canada to help unblock content.

   VPN.ac’s own bespoke protocol isn’t great for unblocking Netflix

   Unblocking content is one of the areas where VPN.ac’s Chrome extension falters, though. In our testing we could only get it to work with Netflix US – other international libraries simply redirected to the US one.

   VPN.ac also uses something called SecureProxy as an encryption standard for its browser extension. While the main app offers OpenVPN and a number of other established protocols, SecureProxy was developed by VPN.ac itself (the company claims it’s to reduce data overhead and maintain high speeds).

   There’s nothing wrong with SecureProxy, that we know of, but given that it was privately created by VPN.ac we really have no way of knowing for sure. A choice of protocols, or at least some more information, would be appreciated.

   Visit VPN.ac

   or read our full VPN.ac Review.

4. 4. Hotspot Shield: Best free Chrome VPN extension

   The best free extension - but pay for premium if you can

    88% 

   (5 user reviews)

   Visit Hotspot Shield

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. Both a free and paid option available
   2. Lots of extra features to reinforce privacy
   3. Free version unblocks US Netflix
   4. Super fast speeds
   5. WebRTC blocker

   Cons

   1. Free version only has one server (US)
   2. Paid version only has nine servers
   3. Paid version only unblocks US & Canada Netflix

   Just like the full desktop VPN, Hotspot Shield’s Chrome extension is super fast and very easy to use. There’s also a free version available which gives you access to almost the entire suite of features available in the paid package, making it our favorite free VPN extension.

   Cheapest Price	$2.99/mo over 36 Months See all plans
   Extension Available for Free?	Yes
   Compatible with	Chrome Firefox Windows MacOS Linux +more
   Data Cap	None
   See all features
   Logging Policy	Some User Logs

   Just a US server on the free version, eight more if you pay

   If you use the free version you only get one choice of server: East Coast US. Ordinarily we’d consider that pretty restrictive, even for a free product, but considering that the paid version only offers nine servers in total it doesn’t seem so bad by comparison. The nine paid servers are located in:

   • Canada
   • Germany
   • France
   • India
   • Netherlands
   • Russia
   • Singapore
   • UK
   • US

   That’s a pretty poor spread, although we at least measured excellent speeds when connected to all of them.

   Not much information is given on what encryption Hotspot Shield uses inside its Chrome extension. Given how fast it is, we can only presume that it’s Hydra VPN, Hotspot Shield’s own first-party protocol. Unlike VPN.ac’s SecureProxy we have experience testing Hydra VPN before, and feel confident in recommending it as safe and secure.

   A seriously impressive set of extra features, but disappointing for Netflix

   Hotspot Shield’s extension also has an excellent suite of extra features, including an adblocker, malware blocker, cookie blocker, and WebRTC blocker. ‘Sword’ is probably the most interesting one, though: rather than just block trackers it actively feeds them fake information to guarantee that advertisers and sites can’t build an accurate profile based on your browsing history.

   These features are all labeled as still in beta, but as far as we can tell they all work as intended. What’s more, they’re all available in both the free and paid versions, which is a nice touch.

   For streaming fans, the good news is that Hotspot Shield unblocks US Netflix, both for free and paying customers. The bad news is that of the other eight premium servers it can only unblock Netflix Canada.

   A subscription to Hotspot Shield, giving you access to the full VPN and extension, costs a reasonable $2.99 per month over three years. But if you’re just interested in encrypting your browser traffic, anonymizing yourself online, and watching US Netflix then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t give Hotspot Shield’s free VPN Chrome extension a try.

   Visit Hotspot Shield

   or read our full Hotspot Shield Review.

5. 5. HideMyAss: Best free Chrome extension for server choice

   Five servers available and instantly unblocks US Netflix, all 100% free to use

    80% 

   (5 user reviews)

   Visit HideMyAss

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. Completely free to use
   2. Servers in five countries
   3. Reliably unblocks US Netflix
   4. Useful Auto Hide feature & built-in adblocker
   5. WebRTC blocker

   Cons

   1. Only unblocks US Netflix
   2. Very few (useful) extra features
   3. No information available on the encryption used

   Don’t be put off by the web store listing’s constant use of the term ‘proxy’ – HideMyAss’ Chrome extension (or HMA VPN Proxy Unblocker as it’s better known) is a true browser-based VPN. It’s completely free, with only a quick account setup required and no payment details asked for.

   Cheapest Price	$2.99/mo over 3 years See all plans
   Extension Available for Free?	Yes
   Compatible with	Chrome Firefox Windows MacOS Linux +more
   Data Cap	None
   See all features
   Logging Policy	Anonymous Server Usage Data

   Extremely reliable for quick Netflix US unblocking

   It’s not perfect, but as far as free Chrome VPNs go we think HideMyAss is absolutely one of the best. It’s probably best suited for anyone who wants a reliable way to unblock US Netflix – one click and you’re in. The US server delivers great speeds and never failed us when trying to access the streaming site.

   Unfortunately, while the remaining four servers all function properly and barely hamper your download speeds, they haven’t worked for us when trying to unblock Netflix. The locations on offer are France, Germany, Netherlands, and the UK, as well as the US.

   We also don’t know just what protocol is used to protect your traffic when using the extension, but HMA does clearly state that it is encrypted. As you might expect, there’s no customization or options to choose from regarding your connection.

   Some good extra features, but a little lacking compared to its better rivals

   The extra settings which are on offer vary in usefulness. On the one hand, we really like the Auto Hide feature which will connect to a VPN server whenever you browse to a site of your choosing, and WebRTC blocking is always appreciated.

   On the other hand, the Tab Killer, which instantly hides your browser window when you press a keyboard shortcut, is a bit less useful. Also, while it may not make it clear in the Chrome Web Store listing, HMA VPN Proxy Unblocker has adblock built-in and enabled by default (with no way to turn it off).

   HMA’s Chrome extension couldn’t be easier to use and is completely free – it works well and, so long as you don’t expect too much of it, won’t disappoint.

   Visit HideMyAss

   or read our full HideMyAss Review.