Best VPN for Chrome

One of the first things that immediately jumped out to us when we put ExpressVPN to the test was how simple it was to use. Once it’s installed, you press a big “on” button, and that’s it — you’re secure. No exaggeration — it’s just that simple.

ExpressVPN Not Connected vs Connected

But don’t let the simplicity fool you. Express offers some of the most sophisticated protections on the market today; namely, it’s because of their huge network of RAM-only servers. Since no data is ever written to a hard drive, there’s no way for ExpressVPN to ever compromise your privacy, even if they wanted to. And this isn’t lip service. Their network has been independently audited to confirm these privacy protections.

But what about Express on Chrome, specifically? Good question. ExpressVPN’s chrome extension requires the stand-alone version to work. Now we did include that in the “cons” category, but honestly, it’s a toss-up for us. Sure, you might be looking for a lightweight browser extension to add a thin layer of protection to what you do online, but ExpressVPN’s browser extension has the full weight of its onboard client behind it, meaning that security is going to be that much more robust.

And speaking of the extension, it’s pretty secure in its own right. It automatically blocks vulnerable WebRTC connections and includes HTTPS everywhere, which automatically converts insecure HTTP websites to the much more secure HTTPS automatically. This means you’re going to be protected while you’re browsing without even having to think about it.

The one drawback we can point to with ExpressVPN is the price. We’re not going to sugarcoat it: It’s pricey. You can learn more about that in our guide to ExpressVPN’s costs, but as the saying goes: You get what you pay for. If you want a Mercedes, you’re going to have to pay more for it than a Ford. But honestly, ExpressVPN is worth every penny (it’s our daily-use VPN).

One of the many reasons we love NordVPN is because they strike a great balance between form and function. In our NordVPN review, we found the desktop client to be extremely well designed, and they offer some of the most advanced security measures available in the industry.

NordVPN Dashboard

There’s a lot to like with Nord, but we want to talk specifically about their Chrome extension. Simply put, it’s elegant. Not only does it block WebRTC connections, it also includes a bypass list which is essentially browser-level split tunneling. This will prevent you from running into interruptions on websites that recognize VPN protocols as bot traffic.

The extension also makes available a pretty powerful filtration system called CyberSec toggle. This feature blocks websites that host malware or phishing scams while also removing annoying ads that disrupt your browsing experience. Additionally, your traffic will be encrypted using the Transport Layer Security protocol, which greatly increases your anonymity online.

Similar to Express, though, the one drawback of Nord is the cost. Month-to-month, they’re a little on the pricey side, but the good news is that if you sign up for a long-term subscription plan, you can realize some pretty significant savings. Check out our guide to NordVPN’s pricing and services for more information on that.

Surfshark is one of those VPN services that doesn’t get enough credit. They offer state-of-the-art protections, as well as cutting-edge privacy, that will allow you to bypass extreme government censorship and be totally anonymous while doing so.

Surfshark VPN Dashboard

Surfshark VPN is also great for Chrome users in particular. Its browser extension offers fast speeds and powerful filtration tools to protect you from malware. And as an added bonus, Surfshark’s browser tool has been audited by third-party penetration testers to ensure the company isn’t making empty promises in regards to its security features.

And unlike the previous two VPNs on our list, we’d place Surfshark squarely in the “affordable” category. Their month-to-month rate is a little high, but the savings roll in once you purchase a long-term subscription. There’s more information on that in our guide to Surfshark’s costs. And be sure to read our full Surfshark review to learn more about the features and tech.