5 Best VPN Chrome Extensions in 2022 (FAST & RELIABLE)

Looking for a fast and reliable VPN extension for Chrome? You’ve come to the right place. Many so-called Chrome VPN extensions don’t offer near the performance of a true VPN. They carry IP leaks, record activity logs, provide slow speeds, and often place data caps on downloads, limiting your internet freedom. I’m here to help you stay clear of such plugins. This guide will walk you through the best VPN extensions for Chrome that are fast, reliable, and secure. We’ll also discuss what you can expect when using a VPN for Chrome.

What is a VPN extension, and what should you know about it?

Google Chrome is the world’s most widely used web browser, having over 2 billion active installs on desktop and mobile devices. People use Google Chrome for browsing, streaming, playing games, shopping online, sending emails, and everything internet-related you can possibly think of. 

All this traffic flowing through Chrome pipelines remains unguarded at large. This presents an opportunity for hackers to intercept communications and steal important and sensitive information.

Experts recommend using a VPN extension on Chrome to keep yourself safe from such man-in-the-middle attacks.

So, if we put it simply, a VPN extension is a dedicated VPN solution for your Chrome browser. 

Of course, that does not mean a Chrome VPN extension can fully replace a VPN app in features. At the end of the day, a VPN app will always be superior to its extension, offering higher security, control, and usually more servers for connection. Unless the extension is synced with the main VPN app, like in the case of ExpressVPN, it will always have a few components missing compared to its bulkier counterpart.

Moreover, almost all VPN Chrome extensions only secure HTTP traffic on the Chrome browser. They don’t protect you if you are on a different browser or running some other app. In contrast, VPN apps provide system-wide protection.

This begs the question:

Why use a VPN extension and not a VPN app?

There can be several reasons why you may want to use a VPN extension over a VPN app:

• VPN extensions are easier to set-up and use
• A VPN extension consumes fewer resources than a VPN app, making it perfect for low-spec or high-activity systems 
• You may want to hide your IP or secure your traffic only on the Chrome browser

Now that you know the Chrome VPN extension basics and the limitations and usefulness of these smart tools let’s look at the best extensions for Chrome.

Best Chrome browser VPNs selection criteria

I’ve selected VPN extensions based on the following criteria:

• Speed
• Security and log policy
• Network coverage
• Ability to unblock streaming platforms (Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Now, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus)
• Affordability

Best Paid VPN Chrome Extensions (2022 Updated)

1) ExpressVPN (The best fully-synced Chrome VPN extension)

ExpressVPN is a British Virgin Islands-based VPN service. It operates more than 3000 servers in 90+ countries worldwide and is one of my go-to VPNs in Australia for everything online.

ExpressVPN supports a variety of platforms, including Chrome. It offers a Chrome extension, which you can download and access using your ExpressVPN subscription. You must have the ExpressVPN app installed on your system to operate the extension. Without it, the extension doesn’t work.

ExpressVPN extension for Chrome dashboard

Synced with the main app, the ExpressVPN Chrome extension provides all the features and functions of a true VPN. That means you can choose from the complete range of tunneling protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec. You can adjust other security settings too as per your preference. Furthermore, you can access all the servers available under the ExpressVPN network. These attributes are unique to the ExpressVPN extension, making it a one-of-its-kind Chrome VPN solution on the market.

ExpressVPN extension for Chrome security settings

Besides boasting the conventional features, the ExpressVPN Chrome extension also offers some additional features that are not part of the original app. For instance, it has an option that stops HTML5 geo-location from revealing your physical whereabouts. This can come in handy against the more advanced websites that use Google’s geolocation API along with your IP to track your real location.

ExpressVPN extension for Chrome provides IP, DNS and WebRTC leak protection

As far as logs are concerned, ExpressVPN maintains a strict no-logs service. All of its servers run solely on RAM, independent of hard-drive. 

Streaming on ExpressVPN extension is a breeze. You can watch your favourite shows and movies on US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus without any problems. Following are the speed test results recorded while streaming Netflix on an ExpressVPN US server: