4 Best VPN Chrome Extensions (May 2024)

A VPN Chrome extension is a type of VPN that runs in your web browser. It’s a convenient and easy way to get the benefits of a VPN without having to install a separate app.

When considering which VPN to choose for your Chrome browser, there are several factors to keep in mind. Some VPNs work best via an app downloaded to your computer or device versus a browser extension. In general, you’ll want to make sure the VPN you choose offers military-grade encryption, a large number of servers in various locations, fast speeds and 24/7 customer support.

Essential VPN Features

When choosing a VPN for Chrome, there are certain features that you should always look for. These include features such as military-grade encryption, fast speeds, lots of servers, split tunneling and a no-logs policy. Most of the higher-end VPNs will have many, if not all, of the features listed below. You will want to weigh the advantages of each provider carefully to ensure you get the best possible protection for the purposes you require.

• Military-grade encryption: To ensure your data is secure and private, make sure the VPN you choose has military-grade encryption. This includes AES-256 encryption and other protocols such as OpenVPN.
• A large number of servers: Having a wide selection of servers is important for finding fast connection speeds and accessing geo-restricted content. This is why you’ll want to look for a VPN with servers in multiple countries and locations.
• Fast speeds: Look for a VPN that offers high download and upload speeds to ensure a smooth browsing and streaming experience. A slow VPN can cause buffering and lags.
• 24/7 customer support: In case you have any issues with your VPN, you should be able to get help from the provider’s customer service team.
• Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to route some of your traffic through the VPN and some directly to the internet. This is helpful for accessing sites that require a local IP address.
• No-logs policy: A no-logs policy means that the VPN provider doesn’t keep any records of your activity. This is important for protecting your privacy and security.
• 30-day money-back guarantee: Look for a VPN that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can try out the service risk-free.
• Ad and tracker blocker: An ad and tracker blocker will help protect your privacy and block malicious websites.
• Firewall protection: A firewall can provide extra security by preventing unauthorized connections to your computer.
• Multi-device support: Make sure the VPN you choose supports multiple devices so that you can use it on all your devices.
• Kill switch: A kill switch ensures that your data is never exposed if the connection drops. It automatically cuts off internet access in case of an unexpected disconnection.
• Not headquartered in a Five Eyes country: To further protect your data, make sure the VPN you choose is not located in a country that participates in the Five Eyes surveillance agreement.

Device Compatibility

Your VPN should be compatible with your device as well as your operating system. A VPN that supports multiple operating systems and devices is ideal. This way you can use it on your desktop, laptop, mobile device and even smart TV. Additionally, how many devices can your VPN subscription support? If you plan to use it on multiple devices, make sure the VPN you choose allows for simultaneous connections.

Pricing and Plans

You’ll need to consider pricing and plans. Most VPNs offer multiple plans with various features so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and budget. Some providers even offer free plans with limited features, but keep in mind that these will not offer the same level of security as a paid plan.

Server Number and Location

When selecting a VPN, check to see how many servers it has and where they are located. Having access to a large number of servers in various locations will give you more options for finding faster speeds and accessing geo-restricted content. Additionally, make sure the VPN has servers in any countries where you plan to travel so that you can access the internet securely while abroad.

To determine the best VPN extensions for Chrome of 2024, Forbes Advisor India looked at a number of factors. We considered cost, reputation, customer reviews, number of servers and server locations, speed, security features and customer support. We also looked at the number of IP addresses each service offered. These metrics were then weighted and scored to determine the rank of each of the leading Chrome extensions on the market today.

Here is a more in-depth look at the criteria we used to determine the best VPN extensions for Chrome.

Pricing

For pricing, we looked at the per-month pricing and the overall price when paying annually that a provider charged and considered them against the other competitors and whether they were cheap or expensive in relation to the others. Also, those VPNs that offered a free trial of its service were given bonus points in our rankings. This accounted for 15% of our weighted scoring.

Features

VPNs should provide users with a feature-rich experience and we looked at each provider’s plan and what came with them. We looked for features that we considered essential for a VPN to offer and then additional ones that fell into the nice-to-have category. The must-have features we looked for include ad blockers, AES 256 encryption, more than 200 servers overall and servers in 20 or more countries and allowing for five or more connections at the same time. Some nice-to-have features we liked to see included offering a dedicated IP address and a Google Chrome Marketplace extension. We weighted features at 40% of our total score.

Third-party reviews

We considered what real users of these VPN for Chrome extensions thought about them by turning to third-party review sites G2 and Trustpilot. We looked for providers that had several reviews on each site, especially those that were at least 3.5 out of 5, to give us the fullest picture of reality and reduce bias. These reviews accounted for 10% of the total score.

Expert analysis

Based on those same reviews, our panel of experts looked at additional criteria to come to a final conclusion about the best options for VPNs for Chrome extensions. These criteria included popularity, ease of use, stand-out features and value for the price. Altogether, this expert analysis made up 35% of the total score.

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