6 Best Free VPN Extensions & Apps for Chrome in 2023

A quick search on the Chrome Web Store for “VPN extensions” gives you hundreds of results. Sadly, many of these are scams that will leave you with slow speeds and stolen data. Knowing which VPN browser extensions are safe, secure, and easy to use is tricky.

In my evaluation to assist you in making a choice, I conducted trials on numerous no-cost VPN extensions to identify the most suitable one for Google Chrome. However, you might encounter frustrations due to their constraints if your requirement is a VPN that excels in unblocking websites and offers unrestricted bandwidth. That’s why my preference leans towards a top-notch service such as ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN has a Chrome extension with global servers and fast speeds that no free VPN can match. You can try ExpressVPN with Google Chrome risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, getting a refund is hassle-free.

Try ExpressVPN with Chrome risk-free

Quick Guide: Best Free VPNs for Google Chrome in 2023

The Best Free VPNs for Google Chrome (Tested 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Unique Chrome Extension Features for Added Privacy and Unblocking Power

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	3,000+
📱Devices	8
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

Although it’s not a free service, ExpressVPN offers plenty of features that most free VPN Chrome Extensions lack. Primarily this involves its unlimited bandwidth and huge high-speed server infrastructure, but it also has some extension-specific features.

One feature that’s well worth highlighting is HTML5 geospoofing, which is not even in ExpressVPN’s regular desktop app. It’s a powerful way to bypass the tricks that websites use to see your real location, even when you’re connected to a VPN. If you’re having trouble accessing streaming sites or unblocking other content then this and WebRTC blocking can ensure rock-solid performance and privacy.

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in more than 105 countries, all of which offer excellent speeds and reliable connections. While testing the Chrome extension, I was able to quickly connect to a nearby server and start watching my favorite Netflix series in UHD with no buffering. And thanks to ExpressVPN’s split-tunneling feature, I streamed through Google Chrome while running my other apps through my regular internet connection. In fact, you can access many streaming services with ExpressVPN, including:

You can connect up to 8 devices to ExpressVPN simultaneously, including Chromebooks, smartphones, and iPads. ExpressVPN also has apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, as well as extensions for other browsers like Firefox and Microsoft Edge. I could easily use the extension on my desktop to access Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming platforms.

In terms of security features, ExpressVPN keeps your Chrome traffic secure using the following methods:

• Military-grade encryption protects your data from being observed by third parties like hackers or your ISP
• Kill switch that automatically blocks your internet connection in case of a server disconnect
• TrustedServer Technology uses RAM-based servers which are incapable of long-term data retention and wipe themselves after every reboot
• Independently audited no-log policy is proof that none of your traffic is ever stored on a server
• Leak protection prevents IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks to keep your data secure

After installation, simply click the large power button to connect to the fastest server using the Smart Location feature or search for an individual country. I used both connection methods to secure my Chrome browser and had no issues. Once connected, your browsing history is kept private with features like WebRTC blocking, location spoofing, and HTTPS Everywhere, which automatically forces websites to use a more secure HTTPS connection when possible.

All of these features mean that ExpressVPN isn’t the cheapest premium VPN on the market. However, you can get 49% off the yearly plan (plus 3 free months) at $6.67/month, which is an excellent deal for a fully-featured VPN.

You don’t have to take my word for it. You can buy ExpressVPN in confidence since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Unlike other VPNs, ExpressVPN even has a “no questions asked” refund policy. When I tested it myself, my refund was approved in less than 1 minute over live chat — and the money was back in my account in just 4 days.

2. CyberGhost — Free Chrome Extension Provides Fast Speeds and Blocks Malicious Sites

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	10,200+
📱Devices	7
💰Refund	45 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

CyberGhost’s Chrome browser extension is 100% free — there’s no sign-up required at all! The one-click installation was simple, and I was connected to a CyberGhost server in under 5 minutes. From the free extension, I could connect to servers in Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and the US. These connections were almost instant, so my browser was secure in no time at all.

While some browser extensions cap speeds, I found CyberGhost had reliably fast speeds across all available server locations. During my tests, my speeds reached an impressive 108Mbps — just 6% slower than my regular speed of 115Mbps. As I expected, distant servers had slower speeds, averaging around 50Mbps. Keep in mind that these speeds can shift based on user load, given that there are only a handful of servers available. During repeated tests, I found that my speeds fluctuated heavily.

While this effectively cut my speed in half, CyberGhost’s connection was fast enough to browse and stream online without lag or interruptions. CyberGhost can stream from multiple streaming sites, including:

I was impressed that CyberGhost’s extension secured my online traffic easily, especially considering that the extension pages notes that it may not protect you from WebRTC leaks with the free extension alone. However, I ran multiple leak tests to ensure my data was safe within the encrypted connection, and CyberGhost passed every test with no data leaks.

On top of this, CyberGhost’s Chrome extension includes the following security features:

• Military-grade encryption scrambles your traffic so no one can eavesdrop on it
• Audited no-logs policy proves that CyberGhost doesn’t collect or store any data
• Malicious content blocker detects and blocks malware on websites and in downloads
• Tracking blocker prevents sites from tracking you across the web

Unlike CyberGhost’s full VPN app, the browser extension doesn’t protect your entire connection — only your web browser. It also doesn’t have a kill switch, meaning your data will be at risk if the server connection is interrupted. While my connection was stable, this could be an issue for you if you’re in a location with less reliable internet connectivity.

As a totally free extension, CyberGhost for Chrome is a good choice for keeping your online activity and IP address secure while browsing. It’s easy to use and takes minutes to download and set up, but it won’t protect your whole device and doesn’t support torrenting. For these features, I recommend that you try CyberGhost risk-free for 45 days with its money-back guarantee.

3. Proton VPN — Unlimited Free Monthly Data With Access to Servers in 3 Countries

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	2,950+
📱Devices	6
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	No

See Deals

Key Features:

Proton VPN is one of the only free VPN apps that give you unlimited monthly data. This means you can use Chrome anonymously and securely without worrying about your data usage. You can stream and browse as much as you want with no caps.

Note that Proton VPN doesn’t offer a Chrome extension, but it is a completely free VPN and offers so much that it’s well worth including here (and your Chrome traffic will run through it regardless).

Proton VPN’s map interface makes it easy to choose the right server location. As a free user, you’re limited to 3 server options, but you can see the range of server locations available to paying members. You should strongly consider a paid plan if you want the highest speeds for streaming content in Chrome or even online gaming, like playing Warzone with a VPN.

Although Proton VPN’s free plan only allows 1 device connection at a time, you can bypass this by setting it up on your router. With a router setup, it won’t matter how many devices you connect at once — they’ll only count as 1 device! I was impressed since most other free VPNs don’t support this since it supports genuinely unlimited data.

The service comes from Proton Technologies, one of the most reputable firms in the cybersecurity space, and it maintains a clear zero-log policy. Based in Switzerland, Proton VPN benefits from some of the world’s strongest privacy laws and falls outside the sphere of the 14-eyes surveillance alliance. It also offers multiple powerful security features, including:

• AES-256-bit encryption secures your connection
• Kill switch prevents unencrypted data leakage if your server connection drops
• Strict no-logs policy has been independently audited by Securitum

If streaming is a priority, you should know that I struggled to connect to Netflix using Proton VPN’s free service. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu are only available for premium users, but free options like YouTube or Crackle work well. While testing the service, I watched a movie on Crackle and only experienced buffering during ad breaks.

Proton VPN’s free service limits speeds, P2P file sharing, and the number of devices you can connect. That said, you won’t find many free VPNs offering unlimited bandwidth, so it’s definitely worth checking out if you don’t need a VPN with extensive streaming capabilities. You can browse Google Chrome with Proton VPN for free, with the option to upgrade or change your subscription anytime through your account dashboard.

4. Hotspot Shield — Easy Installation With No Sign-Up but Only 1 Free Server Location

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	3,200+
📱Devices	5
💰Refund	45 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

Hotspot Shield offers an exceptional browser extension that eliminates the need for any sign-up process. By simply downloading the extension from the Chrome Web Store, you can establish an instant connection. However, it’s important to note that the free plan exclusively permits access to the US server, resulting in potentially slower connections due to increased server traffic.

I was impressed by the extension’s optional security features, including:

• Ad, malware, and cookie blocking
• WebRTC blocking prevents leaks of your IP and DNS address
• Tracker blocking disables analytic trackers
• Sword protection feeds false information to web trackers

During my evaluation of Hotspot Shield, I had the opportunity to enjoy uninterrupted YouTube videos without any ads. However, it is important to note that the ability to torrent or access streaming platforms such as Netflix is unavailable. When I tried streaming content from my Netflix account using Hotspot Shield’s browser extension, I encountered a blockage and received a notification suggesting an upgrade to a premium plan for access. Although it can be disappointing, it is understandable for a free service to impose such restrictions.

You should know that Hotspot Shield has a questionable privacy and logging policy. According to the terms and conditions, it stores connection timestamps and device-specific information (device type, OS version, network information, etc.), which can be too invasive for privacy-conscious users. While I’m relieved that HotSpot Shield doesn’t record browsing history, the amount of data it collects is not ideal.

Data collection concerns aside, Hotspot Shield still offers a capable free VPN extension. Although it doesn’t support streaming platforms like Netflix, Hotspot Shield is still a good free VPN Chrome extension for casual browsing on public WiFi networks. You can easily download Hotspot Shield and see if it meets your needs.

5. Hide.me — Unlimited Data and Zero Ads When Using Chrome

Great VPN

Great VPN

📍Servers	2100
📱Devices	10
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

Hide.me is a robust free service with no ads or bandwidth throttling. Its security features guarantee your browsing activity is anonymous and protected while you’re using Google Chrome.

While connected to Hide.me’s Chrome extension, you can choose from 3 different servers or automatically connect to the fastest. I could quickly connect to servers in Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. Although the free version of the app limits data usage to 10GB per month, the extension offers unlimited data.

Hide.me offers AES 256-bit encryption and DNS leak protection. It never stores your personal information and only keeps non-persistent logs for troubleshooting purposes. It erases this data every few hours, but you can also ask for your data to be deleted instantly upon request. In fact, Hide.me surprised me with some security features that you don’t always see with a free VPN, including:

• Split tunneling directs only specific traffic via the VPN connection so you can decide what you want to be protected
• Kill switch disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops out
• Access to IKev2, OpenVPN, and SoftEther protocols lets you find a balance between speed and security

To encrypt your connection using the Hide.me browser extension, you must enable SOCKS (Socket Secure). If you don’t enable SOCKS, your data will not be encrypted but your IP address will be hidden. While testing Hide.me with SOCKS enabled, I was able to browse the web and access sensitive information like my bank account securely.

The Hide.me free Chrome extension is very simple, offering a small window with a clear button to connect to the VPN. You can download Hide.me on Google Chrome for free.

6. TunnelBear — 500MB Free Monthly Data and 45 Server Countries on Chrome Extension

Great VPN

Great VPN

📍Servers	3,000+
📱Devices	5
💰Refund
📝Keep logs	Yes
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	No

See Deals

Key Features:

TunnelBear’s Chrome extension is very easy to use. Just download TunnelBear from the Chrome Web Store, sign in or create an account, and connect to one of the servers in 45 countries. Note that the 5,000 servers make up the whole network, not just the free selection — the main difference between the free and paid plans is the bandwidth allowance.

Although it doesn’t have the additional security of some other extensions, TunnelBear keeps your location anonymous and protects your data. In addition to this, Tunnelbear includes the following security features:

• Annual independent audits by reputable cybersecurity firm Cure53 have consistently verified its no-log policy
• Kill switch blocks unsecured traffic in case your connection is disrupted

The Center for Democracy & Technology has corroborated TunnelBear’s assertions regarding its comprehensive security features, including full disk encryption, intrusion protection, and malware scans. This confirmation enhances the VPN’s credibility and reliability.

I ran several DNS leak tests to ensure my IP address was secure, and TunnelBear passed every time.

Interestingly, I was able to watch Netflix US with TunnelBear. However, with only 500MB of data per month, it’s difficult to stream even a single episode of a Netflix show to the end. This means TunnelBear’s free version isn’t great for streaming or downloading. However, the free version can unblock:

While I was disappointed by its data limitations, security features like Vigilant Mode and military-grade encryption still make TunnelBear a great option for casual safe browsing and data protection on public WiFi networks. You can download TunnelBear for free and try it for yourself.

Easy Comparison Table: 2023’s Best Free VPNs for Google Chrome

Warning! Avoid These Free Chrome VPNs

Most free Chrome VPN extensions are severely limited in their functionality. They impose data caps, throttle your bandwidth, have small server networks, and have poor unblocking capabilities. Many free VPNs inject tracking cookies and generate revenue by running ads, which can be counterproductive for your privacy.

Therefore, it’s important to ensure you only use a VPN you can trust. Here are a couple of free VPNs you should never use with Chrome:

How I Tested & Ranked the Best Free Chrome VPNs

Out of all the best VPNs in 2023, I focused on these key features to choose the best VPNs to use with Google Chrome:

• Compatibility: The VPN should be widely compatible with most devices that can run Chrome, primarily Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, but also Chromebooks via a supported Android app.
• Security: Military-grade encryption, leak protection, a no-logs policy, and other additional security features should keep you Chrome traffic secure.
• Value: The VPN should still be worth using even with data caps, low server counts, and other restrictions that free VPNs and Chrome extensions put in place.
• Reliability: You should experience reliable connectivity, including being able to quickly connect to a server even if there’s a low server count.
• Customer Support: Customer support for free users should be useful and fast enough to solve problems should they arise.

How to Add a VPN Extension on Google Chrome

To activate the VPN, tap on the Extension icon in the top right corner of the browser window and select the VPN extension. Some VPNs may require you to sign in to your account before you can activate it.

FAQs: VPNs and Google Chrome

What’s the best VPN for Chrome on PC and Mac?

With its expansive network of servers, reliable security, and impressive speeds, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Chrome on PC and Mac. It maintains a strict no-logging policy and does not track your IP address or web activity. It also uses military-grade encryption and a VPN kill switch to safeguard your data.

ExpressVPN enjoys a faultless unblocking record, and my tests confirmed it. It was able to access Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video with ease. And, unlike some of its competitors, ExpressVPN offers a genuine extension for Chrome on PC and Mac rather than a proxy.

One thing to keep in mind is that you can’t use the Chrome extension without having the ExpressVPN desktop app installed — but since this only takes a few minutes on both PC and Mac, it’s barely an inconvenience. You can test ExpressVPN out for yourself risk-free. If you don’t feel it’s right for you, you can get a full refund within the 30-day money-back guarantee period.

Are free VPNs for Chrome safe?

Some free VPNs for Chrome are safe, but most have data and speed limits and restrict the number of servers you can connect to. This is intentional, as free plans offered by premium service providers are often designed to encourage you to sign up for a paid subscription. Additionally, free VPNs are generally less safe and can leave you exposed to trackers, malware, and hackers. Some have even been known to track and sell user data to third-party advertisers.

Do I need a VPN if I use incognito mode?

Yes, incognito mode doesn’t encrypt your online activity or make you anonymous. When you go incognito, Chrome clearly states that your activity can still be seen by websites you visit, your ISP, and the network administrators (like your school or employer).

Incognito mode won’t hide your internet activity

Incognito mode is useful if you don’t want your browsing history or login details saved. If other people use Chrome on your device, they won’t be able to see which sites you’ve visited or log in to accounts you accessed while using incognito mode.

Will a VPN slow down my speed on Chrome?

It depends. Even the best free VPNs offer only a small amount of servers, which can lead to overcrowding and limited resources being shared by many. In this case, speeds are extremely likely to slow down your overall internet speeds. In fact, this can even extend to paid VPNs that are simply lacking the server infrastructure to adequately cater to their customers.

Generally, it’s likely that a VPN will at least moderately reduce your speeds since your traffic has to take an extra step on its route between you and wherever it’s coming from. Fortunately, with a nearby server and a quality VPN, this speed reduction should be practically imperceptible.

How do I use a VPN on Google Chrome in incognito mode?

Chrome blocks extensions when you’re using incognito mode. This is because the browser can’t ensure the extension isn’t tracking your online activity. If you use a secure free Chrome VPN extension, you can still use the extension in incognito mode. Here’s how:

5 Steps to Add a VPN Extension to Incognito Mode:

1. Download a trusted free VPN’s browser extension from the VPN website or from the Google Chrome Web Store.
2. Click the 3 dots at the top right of the Chrome browser to open the menu.
3. Hover over “More tools” and click “Extensions” on the menu.
4. Click “Details” on the VPN extension.
5. Scroll down to find the “Allow in incognito” option, then click to enable it.

What’s the difference between free proxies and VPN extensions for Chrome?

A proxy is merely a server you can connect to to hide your real location. While proxies offer a lightweight way of getting around geo-blocks, they don’t measure up to the security and privacy benefits a VPN provides because they don’t actually encrypt your data.

To make 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.

You’re 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 it’s not a free service, you can buy ExpressVPN in confidence thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not fully satisfied with your purchase, you can get a full refund within 30 days.

Don’t Put Your Privacy at Risk — Protect Yourself With a Free Chrome VPN Extension!

Google Chrome’s security features are not strong enough to ensure security and privacy on their own. By using the VPNs on this list, you can bypass geo-restrictions without worrying about your data and online activity.

Please keep in mind, it’s important to note that the majority of free VPNs come with certain limitations. Inferior encryption methods could potentially expose you to malicious activities by cybercriminals. Additionally, data usage caps might hinder your capacity to freely browse or enjoy streaming your preferred content. Likewise, sluggish connection speeds can significantly extend your waiting time for web pages to fully load.

If you aren’t sure which Chrome VPN app is right for you, I highly recommend ExpressVPN. It offers unlimited data, lightning-fast speeds and is 100% safe to use with Google Chrome. You can test ExpressVPN out for yourself, and if you’re not satisfied, you have up to 30 days to request a refund.

Other Best VPNs for Chrome in 2023

Rank

Provider name

Our score

Price

Top Choice

1.

9.8

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$6.67 / month Save 49%

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2.

9.6

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$2.03 / month Save 84%

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3.

9.4

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$2.03 / month Save 83%

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4.

9.2

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$2.00 / month Save 83%

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5.

8.7

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$2.49 / month Save 81%

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