6 Best Free VPNs for Chrome in 2023 — Extensions & Apps

It’s hard to know which free VPNs for Chrome offer the best protection for your everyday browsing. Some free VPN Chrome extensions lack essential security features, and some even log and sell your data to third parties. Moreover, many free "VPN” Chrome extensions are actually basic web proxies, which means they don’t encrypt your data at all.

Fortunately, reliable and secure free VPNs for Chrome do exist - they can just be tricky to find. To save you time, I’ve tested dozens of free VPNS to find the best ones for Chrome. While all free VPNs come with restrictions like data caps and smaller server networks, you can be sure that your data is safe with every option I’ve shortlisted.

Among all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN and its Chrome extension performed the best. Not only does this extension protect your data from leaks, it gives you access to the VPN’s entire server network. This makes it one of the best options to reliably bypass geo-restrictions, unlike any other free VPN extension for Chrome. You can also try ExpressVPN risk-free - if it doesn’t work for you, you can get a refund thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Best Free VPNs for Chrome — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best Chrome VPN With Robust Security Features And Excellent Speeds

ExpressVPN’s Chrome extension performed the best in all my tests, both in terms of security and speed. While it’s not completely free, this VPN Chrome extension offers the same level of security you’d expect from any reputable VPN. Plus, ExpressVPN’s Chrome extension offers additional features like HTTPS Everywhere, which automatically redirects you to the safest version of any website.

That’s a lot more than I can say for free Chrome VPN extensions that are, in some cases, little more than a simple proxy with limited security capabilities.

Always enable these features for increased security when you’re browsing Chrome

On top of that, ExpressVPN also protects your privacy by blocking WebRTC while your Chrome extension is active. WebRTC has a known vulnerability that exposes your IP address even if you’re using a VPN, which presents a significant security risk. You can also stop HTML5 geolocation from showing your whereabouts.

You also won’t have to sacrifice security for speed when you’re using ExpressVPN’s Chrome extension. During my tests, I never experienced a drop of more than 6% compared to my base speed of 60 Mbps. Given that most free Chrome VPNs can drop your speed by anywhere between 30-80%, ExpressVPN is worth the small price if you value a smooth and secure Chrome browsing experience.

Its Chrome extension is included with every subscription. If, for any reason, you’re not happy, you can easily get a full refund in 30 days with its money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• TrustedServer technology. ExpressVPN uses RAM-based servers on both the Chrome extension and VPN app that delete any stored information on every server reboot. In addition, it is also located in the British Virgin Islands outside the jurisdiction of 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance.
• Lightway protocol. Lightway is ExpressVPN’s own protocol that was designed as a strong, speedy, and lightweight alternative to WireGuard. This makes it ideal for streaming your favorite shows on the Chrome browser.
• Split tunneling. This feature allows you to protect your Chrome activity with ExpressVPN while routing other applications through your standard connection.
• User-friendly. I also found both its extension and app very user-friendly and easy to use. You can find and connect to your required server by typing it in the search bar. In addition, it also suggests the best location for you with its Smart Location feature.

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2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Watch Popular Streaming Sites With Chrome ++

CyberGhost offers specialty servers for streaming on your Chrome browser. These servers can unblock specific platforms like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more very reliably. I tested its Netflix US location using Chrome, and the US library loaded up in under 10 seconds — I could watch in HD without any lag.

CyberGhost lets you save your favorite server so you can access it quickly for future use.

The VPN also has superfast speeds and unlimited data, so you don’t have to worry about lag or being cut off mid-stream. When I tested 11 servers, I had an average speed loss of only 10%. It’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, but it’s more than enough for streaming or playing browser games in Chrome.

While this VPN isn’t free, CyberGhost also offers a completely free Chrome browser extension. However, you’ll only get access to servers in the US, Romania, Germany, and the Netherlands, and there are no streaming-optimized servers with it. That said, I only experienced a 9% speed drop when I used the browser extension, so you won’t have to worry about your stream stalling.

In addition, you can also test the full VPN for 14 days with its monthly subscription plan, whereas it offers an extended 45-day money-back guarantee with its longer plans. In case you don’t like it, you can claim a full refund during this time.

Useful Features

• 7 device connections. This makes CyberGhost ideal for families or households as it means everyone can stream their preferred content via Chrome or protect their browsing at once.
• NoSpy Servers. These dedicated servers are located inside CyberGhost’s headquarters in Romania. Because CyberGhost owns these servers and their physical location, there’s a vastly reduced risk of unauthorized third-party access.
• Smart rules. You can customize CyberGhost with rules for certain functions like WiFi protection, split tunneling, and start-up options. You can even specify websites you don’t want to pass through the VPN, which is ideal if you want to watch your home Netflix library while protecting your other Chrome traffic.
• Block ads and trackers. This built-in feature effectively prevents adware and malware from infecting your system and compromising your personal details. When I visited a torrenting website via Chrome, I saw none of the usual annoying pop-up ads.

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3. Proton VPN — Free VPN App With Unlimited Data To Browse Chrome Without Interruption

Proton VPN offers a completely free VPN without any data or speed restrictions, so you can safely browse on Chrome without interruptions. This is impressive since most free VPNs limit your data to a few gigabytes per month and cap your speeds.

All Proton VPN’s apps are open-source and independently audited, which gives an extra layer of security

For a free VPN, it also offers surprisingly robust security credentials. Proton VPN keeps your data private with a strict no-logs policy. The app is also open-source, so it’s constantly being improved. Plus, its headquarters are in Switzerland (outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance). This means that Proton VPN can’t be forced to share your personal information with other countries.

While I only noticed a speed drop of around 12% when I tested Proton VPN, its free servers couldn’t unblock geo-restricted titles on Netflix, Hulu, and other popular streaming platforms. There’s no dedicated Chrome extension either, so I had to use the desktop app to manage my Chrome browsing.

Useful Features

• Easy-to-use app. Its app is very easy to use. You can use its "quick connect” button to automatically connect to the best free nearby server and create profiles to save personalized lists of servers and preferred protocols.
• No ads. Proton VPN’s free version is not supported by ads, so I wasn’t annoyed by third-party pop-up ads in the VPN app. In addition, its paid version also has an ad and malware blocker called NetShield.
• Robust security features. The free version of Proton VPN comes with security features like 256-bit AES encryption, different security protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 depending on your OS), and a kill switch to keep you safe.

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4. Avira Phantom VPN — Easy-to-Use App Secures Chrome on All Your Devices

Avira Phantom VPN and its extension are intuitive and easy-to-use, making this VPN a great way to protect your everyday Chrome browsing. I could connect to the VPN with a single click — both the VPN and the extension automatically connected me to the best server.

Avira Phantom VPN has an intuitive interface, making it a great option for beginners.

I had decent speeds when I tested Avira Phantom VPN’s free servers. During my tests, my speeds were good enough for things like checking the news or reading your favorite blog.

You won’t really be able to use Avira Phantom VPN for streaming. It has a data cap of 500MB per month (or 1GB total if you sign up with your email address). This is just enough for checking your email, updating social media, or downloading small files, but nothing more.

Useful Features

• Unlimited simultaneous connections. The free version of Avira Phantom allows you to connect unlimited devices simultaneously. This is quite impressive since most free VPNs restrict your connections to one device at a time.
• Security features. It comes with military-grade encryption and IP/DNS leak protection but sadly lacks a kill switch. Despite this, the app is more secure than the extension.

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5. hide. me — Customizable Security Features for Safe Browsing on Chrome

Your Chrome browsing data is well protected with hide.me’s robust security features. You can choose between many different security protocols including Wireguard and OpenVPN. Wireguard is typically faster, and we’ve found decent speeds with this protocol when we tested hide.me. Or, you could opt to use OpenVPN which is traditionally considered as the most secure protocol.

With hideme, your online data is kept safe while browsing on Chrome

hide.me also offers a generous unlimited data cap, but there are some caveats. You’ll only get to use 10GB/month on a server of your choice and, after that, as much data as you like on a random server you can’t choose.

Like other free VPNs, hide.me also struggled to access blocked content on streaming platforms. I even struggled to access Netflix Originals on some servers, and other servers would result in my VPN being detected by the streaming platform.

Useful Features

• Secure Chrome extension. hide.me’s Chrome extension has a feature to disable WebRTC leaks to protect your location from accidental leaks. However, it has fewer server locations than the desktop version – you can only access servers in Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands.
• Stealth Guard. This is the split tunneling feature of hide.me. Stealth Guard allowed me to conserve the 10GB data “cap” by using the VPN only for Chrome browsing while leaving my other traffic unprotected.

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6. Hotspot Shield — Catapult Hydra Protocol for Fast Browsing on Google Chrome

Hotspot Shield’s unique Catapult Hydra protocol ensures that you have fast speeds, especially with long-distance connections. While connected to its US Los Angeles free server (I’m located in Western Europe), my speeds dropped 50%, which is actually impressive for such a faraway location. This allowed me to browse on Google Chrome without annoying interruptions.

Hotspot Shield’s Chrome extension has multiple security features that allowed me to block WebRTC leaks, ads, malware, cookies, and trackers. In addition, you don’t need to register for using the free version of its app or the Chrome extension.

My main issue with Hotspot Shield is that it does keep some logs about your bandwidth usage and the duration of your VPN sessions. However, all this data is anonymized so none of it can be traced back to you.

Useful Features

• Sword Mode. This feature is available in Hotspot Shield’s Chrome extension and is designed to feed false information to web trackers to keep your actual data safe.
• Unlimited data. Hotspot Shield’s free-forever plan used to be very limiting, at 500MB per day, but it offers unlimited data even to free users now, allowing for uninterrupted protected browsing.

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Quick Comparison Table: Best Free VPNs for Google Chrome

This table facilitates a swift comparison of the key attributes of the Best Free VPNs for Google Chrome. It presents the average speeds, the monthly data cap, and the count of server locations. The column labelled 'WebRTC' indicates whether the VPN enables you to block WebRTC, thus providing an additional layer of security in your browser.

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Tips on How to Choose the Best Free VPN for Google Chrome

These are the most important features a free VPN for Chrome should have. You can use this as a checklist to help you make the best decision for you. However, I made sure all the VPNs in this list have the following features:

• Really free. You shouldn’t have to commit to a subscription right away to use a free VPN. All of the VPNs I shortlisted are either completely free or come with a tried and tested money-back guarantee.
• Advanced security and privacy features. Make sure to choose a VPN that has AES 256-bit encryption and IP/DNS leak protection to safeguard your personal information. All the VPNs on this list offer essential security features and don’t store any identifiable data. Keep in mind that using the VPN app is often a safer choice than using a Chrome extension since almost all VPN extensions are normally just proxies.
• Fast speeds and enough data. To access content on Google Chrome without annoying slowdowns, you should look for a VPN with good speeds and enough data. I checked all the data limits and tested the speeds to ensure that you can surf the web without long load times.
• Chrome compatibility. You should be able to use the VPN to protect most of your devices running Chrome. If you're running Chrome OS, then the Android version of the VPN should be compatible. I ensured that all the free VPNs I included offer native apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. Moreover, most of them also offer a browser extension for Chrome. Remember that most free VPNs only allow you to connect 1 device at a time, so even if it's compatible with several devices, you won't be able to connect to all simultaneously.
• Good customer support. If you have a question or problem with the VPN, you shouldn’t have to wait for too long to get help. It’s best if a VPN has 24/7 live chat, but most free VPNs don’t offer that. I ensured that all these VPNs either offer customer support or an extensive knowledge base.

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Warning: Risks of Free VPNs

Utilizing most free VPNs can pose risks. Installing a free VPN without conducting thorough research to confirm its safety may jeopardize your online security. Nevertheless, all the free VPNs included in this list have been assessed to ensure their safety.

These are some of the risks I found with many of the free VPNs I tested:

• Logging and selling your data. Free VPNs often make a profit by selling your personal information to third parties, which essentially defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place. Be sure to choose a VPN with a strict zero-logs policy, so your personal information is actually kept safe.
• Data leaks due to weak security features. Since free VPNs often don’t have the resources to update their software and server infrastructure, IP/DNS data leaks can occur. Moreover, they often miss essential security features such as a kill switch and military-grade encryption.
• Viruses and malware. Some free VPNs have malware and viruses embedded in their app — this is especially a concern for Windows and Android users. Furthermore, because most free VPNs rely on advertising to make a profit, they often bombard you with ads, which could increase the risk of infecting your device.

Free VPNs to Avoid

The subsequent free VPNs are unsafe and should be steered clear of. These VPNs can potentially distribute your data to third parties or be laden with malicious software and viruses.

• Hola: Hola is not a real VPN but a P2P network, meaning that users share their own personal IP addresses with everyone on the network. If someone is involved in illegal activity, you’re accountable as well. Moreover, it logs your data (including websites you visit) and shares it with third parties.
• CrossVPN: This VPN keeps logs of your personal information (such as domains you’ve visited, your location, and what device you’re using). Moreover, during research done by VirusTotal, the app tested positive for malware on 11 antivirus programs.

Other VPNs to avoid include: Stealth VPN, Totally Free VPN, DotVPN, FreeVPN, OkVPN, EasyVPN, SuperVPN, ArchieVPN, HatVPN, sFly Network Booster, One Click VPN, Fast Secure Payment, BetternetVPN, and TurboVPN.

FAQs About Free VPNs for Google Chrome

What is the difference between a free Chrome proxy and a free Chrome VPN?

A free proxy doesn’t encrypt your online data and thus doesn’t keep you safe online the same way a free VPN does. They both hide your IP address, but only a VPN redirects your internet data through an encrypted tunnel. Moreover, A VPN secures all your network traffic (inside and outside Chrome), while a proxy works on an application level (so will only work in the browser itself).

You have to be careful since many free proxies for Chrome claim to have the same features as a VPN. In addition, next to free proxies, there are also many unreliable free VPNs out there — they can log and sell your personal information or even have malware-embedded apps. I tried and tested all the free VPNs in this list and only shortlisted ones that were reliable, safe, and trustworthy.

What is the best free VPN to watch Netflix on Google Chrome?

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any free VPNs that could unblock region-locked content on Netflix. Most free VPNs don’t have the resources to keep up with Netflix’s IP blocks. While a few free VPNs let me access Netflix in my Chrome browser (like Proton VPN and hide.me), I could only watch Netflix Originals, which are available in every Netflix region anyway. Moreover, free VPNs often come with data caps and slow speeds that severely limit how much you can stream as well.

That's why I always recommend using a low-cost premium VPN that comes with a money-back guarantee instead. These VPNs have the funds to keep their server networks up-to-date, so they are way more reliable at unblocking not only Netflix, but dozens of other popular streaming platforms, like DIsney+, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer. They also won’t limit your speeds or cap your data, so you can stream in high quality without lag or limitation. You have to pay upfront, but the money-back guarantee means you can get a full refund (usually within 30 days).

Will a free VPN for Chrome slow down my browsing speed?

Yes, all VPNs will slow down your browsing speed. This is because it is constantly connected to a server to encrypt background processes. However, free VPNs will tend to cause a larger speed drop than paid ones since they only offer a few servers (these tend to be slow because of overcrowding). However, all free VPNs shortlisted here gave me speeds higher than 10 Mbps, so they are fast enough to browse the web.

Are free VPNs or Chrome extensions safe?

No, not all free Chrome VPNs or extensions are safe. Many free VPNs available have weak security features, and some even sell your data to third parties that can compromise your personal information. I made sure that this list only includes the safest free VPNs and extensions for Chrome.

Always download a VPN or its extension, from the VPN’s official website. If you are getting a VPN extension from the Chrome Web Store, always confirm that it's an official product by checking its developer under the “offered by” line and avoid malicious extensions using similar names.

Is Incognito Mode as safe as using a free VPN for Google Chrome?

No, Incognito doesn't encrypt your traffic, keep you anonymous, or hide your IP address as a VPN does. Even Chrome itself states that your ISP, websites you visit, and your employer or school can still track your online activities in an Incognito browser. Incognito only deletes cookies, cache data, and browsing history when you close the browser. To avoid tracking and stay private online, it's important to use a trustworthy VPN.

Keep in mind that Chrome blocks extensions when using Incognito. However, if you want to use your VPN extension, you can toggle the "allow in incognito” button on. This can be found by opening Chrome’s settings menu, navigating to "more tools” and clicking on "extensions”. After that, all you have to do is click on "details” for the extension you want to use. Now you can toggle the button for incognito on.

Do any free Chrome VPNs work in India?

Yes, free Chrome VPNs can work in India, however, they can compromise your security and privacy. This is because the Indian government introduced new VPN laws back in 2022 that made it mandatory for all VPNs to collect and store user data for up to 5 years.

Since this was against the no-logs policies of premium VPNs, most of them left the country. So if you find any free VPN to use in India it's highly likely that it is recording all your internet activity. So, if you value your online privacy, you can try using a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee and an audited no-logs policy instead.

Does Chrome or Chromebook have a built-in free VPN?

No, Chrome doesn’t have a built-in free VPN. Google does have a VPN that comes with premium subscriptions to Google One. It’s more expensive than most top-tier VPNs, is only available for Android and iOS, and is open about the fact that it doesn’t work to bypass any online geo-restrictions.

In addition, Chromebooks also don’t have built-in VPNs, but most reputable premium VPNs are compatible with Chromebook.

Protect Your Chrome Browser With a Free VPN

Free VPNs can be risky to use, and many sell your data to make a profit, making them useless for privacy protection. I shortlisted the best free VPNs for Chrome and while they’re all safe to use, they come with limitations such as data caps and small server networks.

That's why I recommend ExpressVPN even though it’s not 100% free. It offers military-grade security features, unlimited data, one of the best Chrome browser extensions I’ve ever used, and a high-speed global server network. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test ExpressVPN out risk-free. If you’re not impressed, you can always claim a refund.

The best VPNs for Google Chrome with money-back guarantees are…