Best Free VPN Chrome Extensions
On this page
A free VPN Chrome extension is safe if it comes from a VPN company that makes its money from paying customers. It changes your location in one click, but it covers only Chrome. Avoid free extensions from developers you cannot name.
What a VPN Chrome extension actually does
Most VPN extensions are encrypted proxies for your browser. They route what you do inside Chrome through the provider’s server, and nothing else.
- Covered: websites you visit in Chrome.
- Not covered: other browsers, email apps, games, torrent clients and everything else on the computer.
That is fine for changing location on a website, or for private browsing on public Wi-Fi. To protect the whole computer, you need the full app.
Some extensions are instead remote controls for the full VPN app, which must be installed too. The store listing usually says which kind it is.
Which reputable VPNs have a Chrome extension?
These VPNs list a Chrome extension on their own websites: Surfshark, NordVPN, Proton VPN, PureVPN, CyberGhost, IPVanish, ExpressVPN, Windscribe and hide.me. The table also shows Edge and Firefox, with the date we read each provider’s app list.
| VPN | Chrome app | Edge app | Firefox app | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Surfshark | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 NordVPN | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 19 Oct 2026 |
 Proton VPN | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 PrivadoVPN | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | – |
 PureVPN | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 Intego VPN | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | – |
 CyberGhost | ✓ Listed | Not checked | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 IPVanish | ✓ Listed | Not checked | Not checked | 2 Nov 2026 |
 PrivateVPN | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 ExpressVPN | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 Windscribe | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 hide.me | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 IVPN | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | – |
 Mozilla VPN | Not checked | Not checked | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 Mullvad VPN | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 Astrill VPN | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 AdGuard VPN | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | – |
 Mysterium VPN | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | – |
 Private Internet Access | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | – |
Apps as each provider lists them on its own website. "Not checked" means we have not read that provider's app list yet.
Look for a free tier from a company with paying customers. Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN, Windscribe and hide.me have a free plan. Check the table for which list an extension, then the provider’s site for what the free plan covers in the browser.
Our best free VPN in Australia page covers the free plans in more detail.
Why you should avoid unknown free extensions
An extension that can “read and change all your data on all websites” sees everything you do in the browser, including pages you are logged in to. With that permission it could inject ads or record your browsing history. Extensions also update themselves, so one that behaves today can change with its next update.
Before installing any VPN extension, check:
- Who publishes it. A named company with its own website and privacy policy.
- How it makes money. Paid plans are a good sign. “100% free forever, unlimited” from an unknown developer is not.
- The permissions. A VPN extension needs proxy and privacy permissions. Be suspicious of extras.
- The official link. Install from the link on the provider’s own website, so you do not get a copycat.
Extension or full app?
| Extension | Full app | |
|---|---|---|
| Protects | Chrome only | Everything on the device |
| Setup | One click | A few minutes |
| Kill switch | Rarely | Usually |
| Good for | Quick location changes, light browsing | Privacy, streaming apps, torrenting |
Most paid plans include both, so you do not have to choose. Current prices:
| VPN | Lowest monthly price | Renewal price | Money-back | Countries | Devices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Surfshark | A$3.49 27 months, A$94.23 upfront | – | 30 days | 100 | Unlimited | Visit Surfshark |
| 2NordVPN | A$4.79 27 months, A$129.33 upfront | A$187.08 per year | 30 days | 150 | 10 | Black Friday deal ends soonVisit NordVPN |
| 3Proton VPN | US$3.49 (about A$4.97) 2 years, US$83.76 upfront | US$83.88 per year | 30 days | 149 | 10 | Partner offerVisit Proton VPN |
| 4PrivadoVPN | US$1.11 (about A$1.58) 2 years | – | 30 days | 49 | 10 | Visit PrivadoVPN |
| 5PureVPN | US$2.15 (about A$3.06) 27 months | – | 31 days | 65+ | 10 | Visit PureVPN |
| 6Intego VPN | US$3.75 (about A$5.34) 2 years, US$89.99 upfront | US$149.99 per 2 years | 30 days | – | 2 | Partner offerVisit Intego VPN |
| 7CyberGhost | A$3.27 26 months, A$85.02 upfront | A$85.02 per year | 45 days | 100 | 7 | CyberGhost review |
| 8IPVanish | US$2.19 (about A$3.12) 2 years, US$52.56 upfront | – | 30 days | – | Unlimited | Visit IPVanish |
| 9PrivateVPN | US$2.00 (about A$2.85) 3 years, US$72.00 upfront | US$72.00 per year | 30 days | 63 | 10 | PrivateVPN review |
| 10ExpressVPN | US$4.99 (about A$7.10) 15 months, US$74.85 upfront | US$99.95 per year | 30 days | 113 | 10–14 | Visit ExpressVPN |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
– means we do not have that detail yet. Prices shown in US$ are published in that currency; the Australian-dollar figure is approximate, converted at the European Central Bank euro reference rates for 30 Oct 2026 (US$1 = A$1.424).
FAQ
Is there a free VPN built into Chrome?
No. Chrome has no built-in VPN. You need an extension or an app.
Are free VPN extensions safe?
From a known VPN company with paid plans, yes. From an unknown developer, assume not: run the four checks above first.
Do VPN extensions work on Chromebooks?
Yes, and Chromebooks can also run Android VPN apps, which protect more than the browser. See VPN for Android.
Does a Chrome VPN extension hide my IP address?
For sites you visit in Chrome, yes. Turn on WebRTC leak protection in the extension’s settings too. Our VPN test guide shows how to check.