Best free VPN for Chrome in 2024

Chrome is one of the most popular browsers worldwide. And while certain security measures are put in place, there are still issues with user tracking and inadequate threat protection. So, even if you can’t spare any money, you can get the best free VPN for Chrome to safeguard you.

Nevertheless, choosing a no-pay Chrome VPN is no child’s play. Many no-pay services offer abysmal data caps, few servers, and outdated safety features. Plus, bypassing geo-blocks will be pretty much impossible. And worst of all, some free Chrome VPNs are known for collecting data and breaching your privacy.

However, here you’ll find reliable, tried, and tested free Chrome VPNs. Moreover, we’ve included some free trial options that you can try without paying. So, let’s see reliable VPN add-ons for Google Chrome.

Best free VPNs for Chrome: shortlist

1. NordVPN

   The best free VPN for Chrome
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   Free trial Chrome VPN with no device limit
   9.5
3. ExpressVPN

   Versatile Chrome VPN with a free trial
   8.4

Why do you need a free VPN for Chrome?

The best free Chrome VPN should have top-tier security to ensure safe browsing. You’re playing with fire if you’re surfing the web without any protection. Malicious actors are lurking in the shadows doing everything to get ahold of your precious data. Luckily, the services from our list offer AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and IP & DNS leak protection that will amp up your security.

More so, the top free Chrome VPN add-on should ensure your privacy. Internet Service Providers (ISPs), snoopers, and the government can see your browsing activities. Luckily, a trustworthy VPN can mask your traffic, hide your IP address, and spoof your whereabouts. That way, you’ll be basically invisible on the internet.

Lastly, a worthy Chrome extension VPN should give you access to geo-blocked services. The majority of streaming platforms restrict access to certain shows and movies. But suppose you change your location with a virtual private network. In that case, you’ll finally be able to explore extensive content libraries on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Disney Plus.

The best free VPN for Chrome: overview

The free Chrome VPN must adhere to a strict no-logs policy to ensure there’s no spying on the provider’s side. It’s also critical for the provider to include the necessary security tools that keep you safe and hidden under wraps.

Besides the above, consider the limitations regarding bandwidth, simultaneous connections, and server access. Will you get enough for comfortable browsing? Additional tools, like a free VPN extension for Chrome, can also boost your anonymity on an application level.

1. NordVPN – the best free VPN Chrome extension

NordVPN is the best free VPN you can get for the Chrome browser. Combining the NordVPN 7-day free trial with the 30-day money-back guarantee nets you over a month of free VPN usage. After that, the subscription costs just $2.99/month. Plus, if you don’t want to use the app, you can utilize the user-friendly Chrome extension, which offers all basic features.

In addition, you’ll get the security essentials and Threat Protection feature. It will fend off malware, trackers, and unsolicited ads. Moreover, your privacy is in safe hands as NordVPN has an independently-audited zero-logs policy. And if you need to bypass firewalls at school or your workplace, be sure to try obfuscated servers.

Moreover, you can utilize the sizable network of 7000+ servers in 118+ countries. And the NordLynx tunneling protocol ensures supersonic speeds globally. Not to mention, you can enjoy the smoothest torrenting experience on specialized servers. Lastly, you can bypass the strictest geo-blocks on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and many other services.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark VPN – free Chrome VPN with top-notch privacy

Another excellent free VPN for Chrome is Surfshark VPN. You can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee and the free Surfshark 7-day trial. If you end up liking the service, you can get a plan for as little as $2.19/month. Additionally, it offers a Chrome add-on which is super easy to use.

Surfshark offers Camouflage and NoBorders modes to combat online censorship. Then there’s CleanWeb which takes care of web threats. The server fleet won’t leave you disappointed either – utilize the next-gen WireGuard protocol on any of the 3200+ servers in 100+ countries for the best performance.

The service has no issues unblocking foreign streaming libraries on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Video, Disney+, etc. P2P enthusiasts aren’t left out either, with torrenting available on the whole network. The cherry on top, you can use Surfshark on as many gadgets as you want, as there is no device limit.

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

3. ExpressVPN – versatile Chrome VPN with a free trial

If you’re looking for a great Chrome extension VPN, try ExpressVPN. While it’s quite expensive ($4.99/month), you can use it without paying for over a month with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial. Not to mention, it offers a great app that’s easy to use, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

On top of that, ExpressVPN won’t slow down your connection, thanks to the proprietary Lightway tunneling protocol. And if you want to explore the world virtually, you’ll get around 3000+ servers in 105+ countries. This will allow you to explore more content on Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

Furthermore, the provider allows torrenting on all servers and gives you specialized ones for quicker downloads. For your safety, ExpressVPN has implemented Threat Manager to deal with viruses, trackers, and other nasties. And if you constantly forget your passwords, use a proprietary password manager, ExpressVPN Keys.

For a deeper investigation of ExpressVPN, read our ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost VPN – free Chrome VPN with a limited free trial

For your torrenting needs on Chrome, pick CyberGhost VPN. You can use it as a free Chrome VPN with a 45-day money-back guarantee and a 1-day free trial. It also provides a simple chrome browser add-on, but it offers fewer features compared to the app. After that, you can get it for as little as $2.03/month.

CyberGhost utilizes the WireGuard tunneling protocol, which ensures excellent connectivity globally. Plus, you’ll get a massive server fleet that covers 100+ countries with 11700+ pieces of hardware. You’ll also get specialized servers for torrenting and streaming.

To boost your online security, CyberGhost has ad/malware blockers. Plus, NoSpy servers, you’ll enjoy total safety, privacy, and improved speeds. Lastly, CyberGhost ID Guard is a feature that will automatically alert you in case your email address is revealed in a data breach, allowing you to change your password quickly.

For a deeper investigation of CyberGhost VPN, read our CyberGhost VPN review.

Free Chrome VPNs: comparison

If you want to see a side-by-side comparison of the Top 5 free Google Chrome VPNs, just look below!

And the ultimate winner is NordVPN. It’s a phenomenal free trial VPN for Chrome with loads of features. Moreover, it offers heaps of servers globally and ultra-fast speeds. You can try it without paying with a 7-day free trial.

Other free Chrome VPNs that we tested

There are a few more reliable no-pay services for Google Chrome that we tested. While these free virtual private networks didn’t make it into the Top 5, you can still test them out and see how they work:

• Proton VPN freemium offers unlimited data and 3 countries to choose from (the US, the Netherlands, and Japan). It’s one of the most secure VPNs on the market. Additionally, it offers additional features like VPN Accelerator and Stealth protocol.
• Hide Me VPN free version allows P2P file sharing in all free countries (Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, the UK, and the US). However, there’s a 10 GB/month of data cap.
• Ivacy VPN gives you unlimited bandwidth and unlimited accounts, as there is no need to register. Sadly, it only has servers in the Netherlands. But it’s P2P-friendly, so you can use it for torrenting.

How we picked free VPNs for Chrome

Finding a good free VPN for Google Chrome is a lengthy process but doable as long as you know what you’re looking for. To make your life a tad easier, we’ve picked and tested the best free Chrome VPNs. Here’s what we paid extra attention to:

• Privacy. We made sure that the services we picked are based in confidentiality-respecting countries with no data retention laws. Additionally, VPNs with zero-logs policies ended up higher on the list.
• Security essentials. A kill switch, military-grade encryption, plus IP and DNS leak protection – these three tools ensure third parties cannot trace your online presence and activities back to the actual you. They are mandatory if you don’t want unnecessary headaches down the line.
• Minimal limitations. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too – free Chrome VPNs have to restrict something to balance the service. These usually end up being bandwidth caps, server access, geo-block bypassing capabilities, etc. Preferably, the service has at least a 5GB/month data limit and just enough servers to get you to virtual places.Nice extras. Building upon the last point, streaming, and torrenting aren’t possible most of the time, either. So, it’s a nice touch when the provider has enabled one, the other, or, if you’re lucky, both. Things like Chrome extensions, malware, and adware blockers, split tunneling, and so on are also neat.
• Extensions for Chrome. If you want to protect your Chrome traffic only, you’ll need a VPN that offers an add-on for it. It should be easy to use and offer similar features to the app.
• Customer support. It’s great when you have people who can help you instantly, but the reality of these VPNs is that free-tier users aren’t prioritized. Most only have the option to contact customer support via email, so if the service offers more than that, it gets extra points.

How to set up a free VPN for Chrome

Setting up a free Chrome VPN is quick and easy, regardless of your PC's operating system. If you're more interested in adding VPN extensions, instructions for that are also provided below.

How to install the free Chrome VPN app

1. Get a Chrome VPN subscription. We recommend NordVPN with a 7-day free trial
2. Download the application from the provider’s website. Remember to pick the appropriate OS – Windows, Mac, or Linux (if available).
3. Open the VPN client once the installation is finished. Log in to the account you created during the purchase.
4. Select and connect to a server in your desired country. Depending on the service, the ones you can’t use will either be greyed out or check-marked.
5. Perform an IP and DNS leak test. You can do them on such websites as ipleak.net or dnsleaktest.com – if one, the other, or both show your actual IP and DNS, you’re not hidden. Check whether all security features of the Chrome VPN are turned on.
6. That’s it! Now you can safely browse on the vast interwebs.

Try the best Chrome VPN for free

How to add free VPN extension on Chrome browser

1. Go to the Google Chrome Web Store and select your desired VPN extension for Chrome. We recommend NordVPN which offers a massive 74% discount
2. Click on Add to Chrome, and a window will pop up asking for confirmation to proceed. Select Add extension to continue – the system will automatically install the VPN extension.
3. Press on the Extension menu at the top right corner and select the freshly-installed extension. You’ll have to log into your VPN account.
4. Select and connect to a country of your choice. The extension masks your IP address, making it appear like you’re browsing the web from your chosen region.
5. And you’re good to go! Just remember that VPN extensions only protect what’s happening on the browser. If you want to secure your whole internet traffic, you’re better off getting a proper VPN app instead.

What about Chrome extensions?

Since we provided instructions on how to add one to Chrome, it’s only fair to discuss VPN extensions further. These add-ons will aid you in your efforts to secure your browser, but only to a certain extent.

At their core, they are simply proxies with limited functionality at that (compared to a client app). Only your IP address gets hidden, and it’s very rare for a VPN extension to have the ability to encrypt browser traffic. While your browsing history and online movements are anonymous, everything else happening on your device is visible and, in turn, vulnerable.

And speaking of security tools, you don’t get much either. Extensions are supposed to be lightweight, so your actions are limited to just picking a server and enabling WebRTC leak protection at best. It’s possible for the extension to have more features, but it really depends on the provider.

The ideal scenario would be to use the best VPN extension and the client app together. You cover all bases this way, ensuring none of your data can fall into the wrong hands.

Are free Chrome VPNs safe to use?

We can already see you asking, “But why can’t I just use any free VPN for Chrome?” Well, dear readers, they would be a viable option if most costless services weren’t dabbling in shady practices. For example, no-pay services collect your data and sell it to the highest bidder.

Additionally, unreliable free Chrome VPNs can bombard you with intrusive ads. Sadly some of them can be riddled with viruses and other nasties. Worst of all, another nasty surprise is that some providers go as far as injecting their clients with all kinds of malware, which might wreck your device.

Of course, not every free VPN is out to get you. Those who do right by their users tend to come from reliable providers that offer premium and free tiers. You can check out the best freemium VPN providers in our article.

Free Chrome VPNs to avoid

Naturally, there are costless services you shouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. The VPNs listed below were found to be especially egregious:

• Hoxx VPN. This provider is notorious for logging users' info and sharing it with third parties. Additionally, it’s unknown what kind of encryption is used on the free tier.
• Betternet VPN. You can expect extensive data logging and even malware on some occasions. Plus, it doesn’t include a kill switch or IP & DNS leak protection.
• Psiphon. Like the other two providers, this one collects your data and shares it with advertisers. Not to mention, the software is outdated, leaks your DNS, and bombards you with intrusive ads.

If you’d rather avoid free VPNs after everything we discussed, you could also try free VPN trials to secure yourself. Although for a short while, you get a complete tool package and server list to use any way you want. And no one’s stopping you from switching to a different service once the trial period ends.

Conclusion

As you can see, there’s no shortage of options for free VPNs to use with Chrome. By setting up and using one of the providers listed above, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying safe and anonymous browsing. However, remember that each free Chrome VPN has its drawbacks, the main one being data limits.

Therefore, we highly recommend getting a free trial VPN for Google Chrome. And the best one out there is NordVPN. It offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, you’ll get a bunch of servers globally, phenomenal speeds, and the ability to unblock loads of content online.

Which do you prefer – free Chrome VPN extensions or VPN client apps? Do you think an extension is enough to keep Chrome secure? Let us know in the comments below!

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Best free Firefox VPN
Best free VPN for the US
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FAQ

Which is the best free VPN for Chrome?

The best free VPN for Chrome is NordVPN. If you combine the 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee, you get over a month of free VPN usage. It has an extensive server list, robust security features, and a user-friendly Chrome extension.

Is a free VPN for Chrome safe?

Not all free Chrome VPNs are safe to use. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of trusted free providers that won’t put you in danger, log user data, or inject your device with malicious software.

What free Chrome VPN has the most servers?

Proton VPN is a free Chrome VPN with the most servers – 147. Keep in mind that they are scattered across only three countries, namely the US, the Netherlands, and Japan.

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

Yes, a free VPN for Chrome will slow down your browsing speed somewhat. All internet traffic gets sent through an encrypted tunnel, and this additional routing hop naturally increases latency. Thankfully, it’s hard to notice most of the time unless the free server you’re connected to is overcrowded.

Is there a VPN in Chrome?

No, Chrome doesn’t have a built-in VPN. The closest thing to it is VPN extensions, but even then, they are only proxy services with limited functionality. Utilizing a separate VPN app is recommended, as it protects your whole device instead of just the browser.

How do I get a free VPN on Chrome?

You can easily get a free VPN on Chrome by going to the Chrome Store. Then find the VPN you are looking for, for example, NordVPN. Then simply install it and choose a server.