Chromebook users may find the installation of software is very different from a Windows machine. Choosing a VPN is a prime example in this area. You can see that not all VPN providers offer apps for Chromebooks.
From small companies like iVPN Chrome to larger names, you may find yourself lacking the security you need to carry out all your online activities.
Taking this on board, here we have the best Google Chromebook VPN you can find for everyday use.
Why you need a VPN for Chromebook?
A Google Chromebook is limited unless you’re connected to Wi-Fi. Because of this, the majority of apps require internet connections. Because you are online more, you are prone to online threats more than machines that are not connected.
If your Chromebook is used on public Wi-Fi networks, you can find yourself prone to phishing attempts, hackers, and other attacks where your data is intercepted and stolen.
Even on your home network, you are still at risk from data or leaks of your privacy. It can take a second for your bank details or password to be stolen if you don’t encrypt your traffic and data correctly.
VPNs route traffic through encrypted tunnels, making it invisible to anyone who may try to grab hold of it.
If a hacker managed to intercept your data, it is of no use because the military-grade encryption makes it unreadable.
Besides this, even governments, ISPs, and other online trackers can’t view what you’re doing online.
A VPN will also help your Chromebook bypass geo-restrictions. Connect to a server in another country, and you can unblock restricted sites, such as BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, and many others.
Quick Guide
- ExpressVPN – Number one fast and safe streaming VPN
- NordVPN – Highly secure VPN for the privacy-conscious
- Surfshark – Speedy and comes with many useful features for browsing
- VyprVPN – Very secure VPN that offers some unique security features
- Private Internet Access – A crowd favorite that offers lots to keep users safe
What are the best VPNs for Chromebook?
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN offers the best protection and performance for Chromebook devices. ExpressVPN features an Android app for Chrome OS and an extension for the Google Chrome browser. You can also use manual configuration to establish L2TP connections to the provider’s servers.
ExpressVPN covers most regions with over 3,000 servers located in 94 countries. Every Chrome OS application works seamlessly, no matter whether you’re streaming or uploading to the cloud.
ExpressVPN’s fast connection speeds allow you to connect as quickly as possible, with no bandwidth limits.
Customer support is always available with 24/7 live chat and ticketing. You can also make use of email support and an extensive support library.
All connections feature military-grade 256-bit AES encryption. In addition, there is a strict non-registration policy, and you can subscribe using Bitcoin for more anonymity. There is also an automatic kill switch, and you can use split tunneling.
Each account offers 5 simultaneous connections, and you can install it on one of the compatible routers for an unlimited number of connections.
ExpressVPN is the best Chromebook VPN yet still offers the industry’s best 30-day money-back guarantee to test all the features of the VPN and Chrome extension. You can also find a free trial on mobile devices.
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2. NordVPN
NordVPN occupies one of the leading positions thanks to its high level of safety and its features.
The VPN provider provides security on all fronts with an Android application and a Chrome browser extension. However, it has no manual configuration options. There is also a free trial on mobiles.
More than 5,200 servers in 60 countries provide coverage. It also manages to give some of the highest connection speeds when using your Chromebook. With unlimited bandwidth, you can stream as many streams as you want without any restrictions.
While NordVPN is reliable, it’s good to know that the VPN service has extra support if you need it. The provider offers 24/7 live chat, email support, and a sizeable searchable knowledge base.
Privacy and security are ensured by 256-bit AES encryption. You also benefit from a strict “zero log” policy, and you can use a dual VPN to bounce across multiple servers. You also have the CyberSec suite to block ads and malware.
You can use two kill switches, and you can have 6 simultaneous connections on one account. If you need more, you can use it on some routers. It also offers an excellent 30-day money-back guarantee.
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3. Surfshark
Surfshark offers an excellent VPN for Chromebook with the Android application protected by a kill switch, and the efficient VPN Chromebook extension.
You’ll find exceptional download speeds on the 1700 servers worldwide. It offers unlimited data and Server Switching, allowing you to surf without any restrictions.
Privacy and security are assured with Surfshark. The provider has a “zero log” policy; its head office is located outside of any jurisdiction. It also offers CleanWeb, where you can stop unwanted ads and prevent malware or tracking of your activities.
Each account has an unlimited number of devices and runs on routers as well as on your Chromebook. Customer service is among the best, with 24/7 live chat and an extensive support library.
Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and has a free trial on Android to test all features.
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4. VyprVPN
VyprVPN is a great add-on Chrome VPN with its bypassing of VPN blocks, surveillance, and censorship.
It uses superior Chameleon technology to scramble OpenVPN metadata. It offers an easy to use Android app and manual config for Chromebook with L2TP/IPsec setup.
VyprVPN offers servers in 70 locations, with unlimited bandwidth and data for browsing and streaming with no limits; it accesses blocked streaming services like iPlayer and Netflix.
It is unique that VyprVPN owns the servers, which offers more security and allows them to maintain ensuring fast, reliable connections. With this comes unlimited server switching so that you can swap countries on your Chromebook easily.
As other secure VyprVPN offers military-grade encryption, automatic kill switch leak protection covering DNS and IP leak for ultimate privacy on five simultaneous connections.
VyprVPN also delivers a 24/7 live chat customer support for any queries. To test it thoroughly, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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5. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is an American company that offers a decent no-logging policy that it has tested in court. Users can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is ideal for your Chromebook and all your other devices.
There is an Android OpenVPN application that offers security with a Kill switch, split tunneling, Wi-Fi protection, and you can set port forwarding.
With OpenVPN, you have the choice to switch to Wireguard on your Chromebook, which is the new protocol in town.
The Chrome extension of private Internet access is complete, and you can even bypass some of the domains if you wish.
You also get WebRTC leak prevention and many other privacy and anti-tracking features as standard.
For manual configuration on your Chromebook, you can find brief instructions for configuring the Chrome operating system with L2TP/IPsec on the PIA website. PIA is also in the process of adding support for Wireguard to bring it even more up to date.
You will find the network size more than enough for Chromebook coverage with over 3,000 servers around the globe. (Read Private Internet Access Review)
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FAQs
Which is the best free VPN for Chrome?
ZenMate’s is an easy-to-use Android app and offers unlimited bandwidth. It can also do a great job to bypass geo-restrictions.
Along with the Android app for Chromebook, there’s the free Chrome extension that lets you enjoy the features of a VPN right in your browser.
ZenMate has 1,500+ servers in 35+ countries and offers decent speeds. It is based in Germany, so strict privacy laws are in place. It also keeps no logs and uses the best encryption.
While the free side is just the extension, it can keep your information secure as you browse online. You will, however, find the Android app does a better job of Chrome OS system-wide protection than the free Android extension.
Is VPN use illegal?
There are only a couple of countries in the world where it is illegal to use a VPN. China, Russia, and Iran are the main ones, and in every other country, a VPN is legal.
Downloading copyright protected data, however, can be classed as illegal. It is wise to use a VPN no matter where you are because there is an increasing number of parties taking an interest.
How do I set up a VPN on Chrome?
It is straightforward to set up a VPN on your Chromebook.
- Get a CA certificate from your VPN provider and keep it on your Chromebook
- Open the Chrome browser and type chrome://settings/certificates into the address bar
- Select the “Authorities” tab to the top of the page
- Click on “Import,” and select the CA certificate, then follow the on-screen instructions.
- After, you have to enter VPN settings. Select your account photo in the bottom-right corner and open settings
- Select the “Add connection” option (underneath the “Network” section)
- Click “Add OpenVPN/L2TP”
How do I turn off VPN on my Chromebook?
Many VPNs offer a sleek user interface that comprises large on and off buttons. If you are connected, it is as simple as clicking on this button and watching until it says ‘Disconnected.’
Does CyberGhost work on Chromebook?
CyberGhost does work with Chromebook, yet it does require manual configuration to use. It also offers a Chrome extension and a long 45-day money back guarantee if you sign up for a yearly subscription. (Read our Cyberghost Review)
What’s the bottom line?
Chromebooks may be limited in their capacity to do much of the work that laptops can do, but this doesn’t make them any less prone to online threats.
With the right VPN on your Chromebook, you can secure the Chrome OS system-wide with the best VPN Chromebook users go for from the top of our list.
Alternatively, you can secure your browsing with the use of the browser extension that comes with any of these top-class VPN services for Chromebook.
Besides this, none of these is specific to the Chromium operating system, and they all run on a vast number of devices such as Windows, MAC, iOS, and an Android app as standard.
Many also have a free trial on mobiles, although they tend not to advertise these too much. However, if you wish to test all the features, you can use their 30-day money-back guarantees with no risk involved.
There is one ultimate thing you may find with any of these Android app security VPNs. (Read Best Virus Protection For Android Tablets)
That is, you don’t need to resort to the unknown territory of the Google Fi VPN and watch your connections speeds fall, or to make it even easier for them to harvest your online activity data as you are on the internet.