Most VPNs require either making manual changes to your device settings or downloading and installing an app on your operating system. Instead, a VPN browser extension is a simple plugin that you can turn on and off while surfing the web. Note that we use the terms “plugin” and “extension” interchangeably.

VPN browser plugins do come with a catch, though: they only protect your web browser, and not other apps or services on your device. Other apps, games, and tools will still use a direct, unencrypted internet connection. If you want to protect them, you’ll need to install a native VPN app.

Luckily, all of the VPN providers we recommend in our list of the best VPN browser extensions also come with native apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and more.

How to use a VPN browser extension

Getting started with a VPN browser extension is easy:

  • Sign up with a VPN provider from the list below.
  • Download and install the extension from your browser’s official store or from the VPN provider’s website.
  • Open the extension and log in.
  • Select a server and connect.

If you don’t want to read the rest of the article, here’s the shortlist of the top six VPN browser extensions:

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

  • NordVPN – Our top-pick. Super fast and very secure. 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark – Low-cost service with excellent security and privacy
  • ExpressVPN – Advanced geo-location spoofing
  • CyberGhost – Free, but with limitations
  • Ivacy – Great for unblocking
  • SaferVPN – Fast, secure option

Best VPN browser extensions – at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for browser extensions.

Best VPN browser extensions

Not all VPNs make browser extensions, and not all VPN browser extensions are worth your time. We chose the best VPN browser plugins based on the following criteria:

  • Provider makes both a browser extension and native VPN apps
  • Secure and stable
  • Fast speeds and quick server switching
  • Can unblock geographically restricted content
  • Other useful features and protections – Money-back guarantee

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our first choice when it comes to browser extensions. It encrypts your browser’s web traffic and replaces your device’s IP address with one of NordVPN’s 5,500+ servers in 59 countries. The extension also blocks ads and malware. Users may choose a specific location or simply click Auto connect to select the best server nearby, but they do not have the option to select a specific server as they do with the desktop app.

The plugin includes an option to disable WebRTC, a protocol that can expose your real IP address even with a VPN connected.

NordVPN boasts excellent privacy and security standards and is great for unblocking geographically restricted content like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.

The NordVPN browser extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, and Firefox for Android.

  • Pros:
  • WebRTC protection
  • Works on Android (Firefox) and Chromebook
  • Lightweight and extremely fast
  • Great support
  • Cons:
  • Can’t select a specific server

BEST BROWSER EXTENSION:NordVPN is our top choice. Its plugin is a powerful yet easy way to protect your browser and access blocked content. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee making this a risk-free option.

Pros:

  • WebRTC protection
  • Works on Android (Firefox) and Chromebook
  • Lightweight and extremely fast
  • Great support

Cons:

  • Can’t select a specific server

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark is a budget-friendly provider that operates more than 1,700 servers across 60+ countries. This alone would make it an excellent choice for unblocking geo-restricted services like Netflix, but here’s the best part: it’s fast enough for almost any purpose including lag-free streaming. As if that wasn’t enough, this VPN even lets you secure all of your devices at once.

This service comes with all manner of security features. There’s 256-bit encryption to start with, as well as protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, a kill switch, and even a NoBorders feature you can use to freely browse the internet in countries with strict online censorship. Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable information but if you’re worried about privacy, you can always pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple. If you need any help, you can reach support 24/7 via live chat.

Surfshark provides apps for iOS, Windows, Android, MacOS, and Linux devices. If you’d prefer, you can also manually install it on supported home routers.

The Surfshark browser extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, and MS Edge.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

  • Strong privacy and security credentials

  • Fast enough for uninterrupted streaming

  • Connect as many devices as you like

  • Some servers much slower than others

Our score:

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark offers powerful security features, decent speeds, and the ability to unblock all kinds of geo-restricted services from abroad. What’s more, it includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN’s web browser extension works differently than others on this list because it is not a standalone product. Instead, you must have the native VPN app already installed on your system. The browser extension remotely controls the native VPN app. The benefit is that your device is always fully protected, even if you close out of the web browser.

You can choose from a list of server locations in 94 countries or choose Smart Location to automatically select the best server nearby. ExpressVPN hosts servers that can unblock Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, among others.

Like NordVPN’s extension, ExpressVPN’s plugin comes with the option to prevent WebRTC leaks. However, instead of just disabling WebRTC, ExpressVPN changes the network path so WebRTC traffic goes through the VPN server, and your IP address is never exposed. A kill switch and DNS leak protection are built in, as is HTTPS enforcement, which opts for HTTPS-encrypted versions of websites whenever available. ExpressVPN’s browser extension has been audited by a third-party cybersecurity firm, and all the code is open source.

Furthermore, the extension scrambles the location reported by Google’s geo-location API and HTML5 geolocation, browser features that can be used to track your location. Once connected, your reported location will be a random location within a certain distance of the VPN server.

The ExpressVPN extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

ADVANCED PROTECTION:ExpressVPN’s browser extension offers privacy and security benefits not found in any other VPN plugin. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Advanced location spoofing

  • WebRTC and DNS leak protection

  • Kill switch

  • Requires installing the native ExpressVPN app

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost shuttered the free version of its native VPN apps, but the browser extensions are still available at no charge. Note that CyberGhost says “this browser plugin is not secure when accessing Flash content and does not protect you from webRTC leaks.” For full protection, you’ll need the paid subscription and the native desktop or mobile app.

The plugins were built on the Ethereum blockchain, which CyberGhost claims guarantees your data stays private. You get unlimited traffic, but as with any free VPN or proxy, that doesn’t mean unlimited bandwidth. CyberGhost says you probably won’t be able to unblock streaming channels with the extension. Furthermore, only four locations are available: Germany, Netherlands, Romania, and the US.

The CyberGhost VPN Proxy extension is available for Chrome and Firefox.

UPGRADE AND SAVE:If you buy a CyberGhost subscription, you’ll get a ton more servers to choose from and can unblock lots of sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more.

  • Free

  • Strong encryption

  • Plenty of fast, secure servers

  • No WebRTC leak prevention

  • Not secure when accessing Flash content

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. Ivacy

Website: www.Ivacy.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 Days

The Ivacy browser extension easily unblocks a slew of popular streaming channels including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, and BBC iPlayer. Along with all the usual benefits of a VPN, you get WebRTC protection. Choose from more than 50 server locations or use the Smart Purpose Selection to get a connection tailored to your needs.

Ivacy offers great security, a no-logs policy, and fast servers.

The Ivacy plugin is available for Chrome and Firefox.

GOOD FOR STREAMING:If you need a VPN browser extension that unblocks everything, Ivacy is an excellent choice.

  • Can unblock tons of streaming sites

  • WebRTC protection

  • Easy to set up and use

  • No kill switch

Read our full Ivacy review.

6. SaferVPN

Website: www.safervpn.com

The SaferVPN browser extension gives you all of the service’s standard features in a lightweight and easy-to-use plugin. That includes access to all 700+ servers, 24/7 in-app support, and great speeds. Once installed, it takes just one click to get connected. A free version is available if you’d like to test it out, but you only get 500MB of bandwidth per month–barely enough to scroll through Facebook a few times before you’re cut off.

SaferVPN boasts some of the fastest servers we’ve tested, a super simple interface, and rock-solid security. It unblocks Netflix as well as a handful of other popular streaming sites from abroad.

The plugin is available for Chrome and Firefox.

EASY TO USE:SaferVPN will have you up and running within minutes of signing up.

  • Fast

  • Secure

  • Easy to use

  • No kill switch or WebRTC prevention

Read our full review of SaferVPN.

Methodology: How we found the best VPN browser extensions

Not every VPN offers browser extensions. Even fewer offer those that are easy to use, fast, and secure. Indeed, there are various factors to take into consideration when choosing a VPN browser extension. Our methodology involved looking for those that include the following:

  • Servers worldwide: Any good VPN will provide a global network of servers covering dozens of countries. Indeed, most of the VPN browser extensions we recommend offer thousands of servers. The benefits of this include being able to find a fast server near your physical location and being able to access a wide range of geo-blocked content.

  • Speed: Whether you’re browsing, streaming, or torrenting, it’s no good if you’re having to contend with slow speeds or bandwidth throttling. Our speed tests identified the fastest VPNs on the market (all offering unlimited bandwidth). As such, you can be sure that the VPN’s browser extension will offer strong performance when you need it.

  • Security: Whether you’re using a VPN desktop or mobile app or a browser extension, you can expect all of your internet traffic to be secured with 256-bit AES encryption. The best VPN browser extensions even include extras such as Double VPN servers or an ad blocker. You’ll therefore have more comprehensive protection than with most VPNs.

  • Privacy: Just as important as security is your privacy. This starts with your data’s encryption and extends to a no-logs policy. This ensures none of your data is collected and that there’s nothing to be shared. Having analyzed 140 VPN logging policies, we’ve found those VPNs that let you maintain your online anonymity.

  • Ease of use: One of the main advantages of using a VPN browser extension is that, in theory, it should be quick and easy to use. Of course, some are easier to use than others and we were able to see this for ourselves during our extensive testing of each. Note that we also ensure that each VPN includes 24/7 live chat and email support.

  • Value for money: There’s no reason a VPN can’t offer all of the above while remaining good value for money. After all, there are so many VPNs on the market that they all have to stay competitive to gain your custom. Besides, you can save even more on the price of a subscription by taking advantage of our VPN discount coupons.

Looking for the above is part of our VPN testing methodology which involves plenty of hands-on experience with each VPN browser extension.

What about free VPN browser plugins?

There are plenty, but the vast majority are not worth a second look. Free VPNs usually impose data caps, bandwidth limits, and waiting queues on users, making it a slow grind to do anything other than basic text-based web browsing. You also get fewer servers to choose from, and those you do connect to are often congested by other free users.

Even free VPN providers need to make money to pay for server upkeep and other overhead costs. Their business models often entail siphoning off the personal details and browsing activity data of users, which can then be sold to advertisers. This contradicts the whole point of using a VPN in the first place: to improve online privacy.

Finally, free VPNs are sometimes fronts for spreading malware. Browser extensions are certainly no exception. Plenty of malware has found its way onto the Chrome and Firefox storefronts.

In short, it’s best to stick to paid providers. Your peace of mind is worth a few dollars per month.

VPN Browser extensions vs native apps

There’s some debate about whether VPN browser extensions actually constitute VPNs. In fact, most of them are HTTPS proxies. Only data sent to and from your web browser goes through the encrypted proxy. Internet traffic from other apps like Steam, Spotify, and your operating system are still sent through a direct, unencrypted connection. That includes DNS traffic, which can be used by your internet service provider to track your web history.

If you want full protection for your entire device, consider downloading and installing a native VPN app. All of the providers we recommended above make apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, plus a few others in some cases. These apps tunnel all the incoming and outgoing data from your entire device through the VPN server, not just your web browser.

On a related note, steer clear of VPN browser extensions that don’t require you to log in. Extensions that allow anyone to connect don’t have a strong authentication process in place, which makes them vulnerable to attacks by hackers.

VPN browser extensions are great for quickly and easily encrypting your traffic when you’re on public Wi-Fi or otherwise need to keep your data private. However, they are not as reliable as full-fledged VPNs in terms of security and privacy.