Why You Can Trust CNET Best VPN for Chrome 2023
Google Chrome isn't known for data privacy, but its flexibility makes it compatible with many virtual private network plug-ins. Here are the best we've tested.
Google Chrome isn't the most private browser, nor is it the most secure. But it's among the most flexible for customizable plug-ins and extensions. That means finding the best virtual private network for Chrome is a lot easier. Chrome's dominance as the world's most popular internet browser ensures that nearly every VPN service is compatible with Google Chrome. All the top recommendations on our main list of the best VPN services have been hands-on tested for use with Chrome, and all of them come with Chrome-specific browser plug-ins to keep more of your data away from prying eyes.
Our CNET team tested and ranked the three top VPN providers based on browser compatibility, connection speed and any security problems that could potentially arise. Not only did all three pass each test with flying colors, but each VPN provider also offers a Chrome extension that can be installed directly in your browser, in case you want a lighter version of the VPN client in order to lose less speed.
Here you'll find our top recommendations for the best VPN for Chrome, ranked in order of their security strength, overall performance on speed tests and value for the money. You can also check out our picks for the best cheap VPN, the best mobile VPN and the fastest VPN. And here's why we strongly recommend you avoid using a free VPN and instead go with a tried-and-true paid VPN.
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Pros & Cons
Despite battling major upheavals through the end of 2021, ExpressVPN earned our Editor's Choice Award for best VPN in 2022. One of the two largest providers globally, the VPN titan has been in business since 2009 and once again aggressively raised the industry bar for service transparency this year.
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Pros & Cons
Surfshark boasts an impressive suite of privacy and security features, unlimited simultaneous connections, easy-to-use interface and expansive global network. And it's still significantly cheaper than most of its competitors. That's what helped Surfshark earn CNET's Editors' Choice for Best Value VPN in 2022.
Product details
Pros & Cons
NordVPN is one of the most recognized brands in the VPN field. It offers a generous simultaneous connection count, with six simultaneous connections through its network, where nearly all other providers offer five or fewer. NordVPN also offers a dedicated IP option, for those looking for a different level of VPN connection, and the ability to VPN into Tor. More than half of Nord's 5,000-plus server fleet is optimized for peer-to-peer sharing, though Nord has blocked torrenting in 14 countries.
Chrome VPN FAQs
What's the best VPN for Chrome right now?
- ExpressVPN received a CNET Editors' Choice Award for best overall VPN. We evaluate VPNs based on their overall performance in three main categories: speed, security and price. Express isn't the cheapest, but it's among the fastest and, so far, is the most secure. (Note that we're currently re-evaluating ExpressVPN based on the news mentioned above.)
- Surfshark, with its lower price, is a close second among our picks, thanks to its impressive performance and unlimited devices.
- NordVPN, our third choice, is a die-hard heavy hitter. It costs more than Surfshark but less than Express, has an enormous network that's constantly getting faster and more secure and is easily the most reliable service we've tested.
What is a VPN?
A commercial virtual private network is technology that allows you to create a private connection over a less private network by creating an encrypted tunnel between your computer and the internet. You can install a VPN just like you would any other app or program on your smartphone or computer. A VPN can let you get around censorship in your country or access georestricted media content from another country -- and prevents your internet service provider from being able to intrude on your privacy by snooping on your web browsing. VPNs do this by allowing you to appear as though you're connecting from a different location or country.
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