- NordVPN: Best overall
- TunnelBear VPN: Best for user-friendliness
- Proton VPN: Best for speed
- Surfshark VPN: Best for unlimited connections
- TorGuard VPN: Most flexible payment options
- Private Internet Access VPN: Most customizable VPN
- hide.me VPN: Best low-cost Chromebook VPN
- ExpressVPN: Best dedicated Chromebook app
- CyberGhost VPN: Best for international server locations
- Windscribe VPN: Best fully free VPN
Updated: Apr 27, 2024, 6:54pm
Chromebooks are popular, especially among students and travelers, and they run most of their apps on the cloud. This device’s heavy reliance on the internet often gives users privacy concerns, but with the best VPN for Chromebook, your data stays protected. Chromebook users can work remotely or explore the internet for fun without worrying about hackers. You can also access geo-restricted sites and platforms.
Not all virtual private networks (VPNs) are compatible with Chromebooks, but we’ve tested several VPNs and prepared a list of the best ones. Read on to see what makes them the best Chromebook VPNs.
- The Best Chromebook VPNs of 2024
- Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business
- NordVPN
- TunnelBear VPN
- Proton VPN
- Surfshark
- TorGuard VPN
- Private Internet Access
- hide.me VPN
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost
- Windscribe VPN
- Forbes Advisor Ratings
- What Is a Chromebook VPN?
- Benefits of a Chromebook VPN
- How To Choose the Best VPN for Chromebooks
- How Much Does a VPN for Chromebook Cost?
- How To Set Up a VPN for Chromebook
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Best Chromebook VPNs of 2024
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business
The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.
For this article, Forbes Advisor tried out some of the best and most popular VPNs on the market, testing their compatibility with Chromebooks, upload and download speeds and other key security and performance factors. We examined their price, server location spread, number of simultaneous connections allowed and the presence of features such as the internet kill switch, split tunneling feature and multifactor authentication (MFA). We also considered the VPN connection options available to Chromebook users, the VPN provider’s location, its reputation, ease of use and customer service availability.
Forbes Advisor Ratings
Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Servers | Pricing | Availability | LEARN MORE | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN | ![]() |
4.5 | ![]() |
5,500-plus across 60-plus countries | Starts at $3.69 per month (for your first two years) | Android app and browser extension | Learn More | On NordVPN's Website | |
TunnelBear VPN | ![]() |
4.4 | ![]() |
5000-plus servers across 47-plus countries | Free; Starts at $3.33 per month (with three-year billing) | Android app and browser extension | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
ProtonVPN | ![]() |
4.4 | ![]() |
2,914 servers in over 67 countries |
Free; premium plans start at $4.49 per month (for the first two years) |
Android app and browser extension | Learn More | On Proton VPN's Website | |
Surfshark | ![]() |
4.3 | ![]() |
3,200-plus across 100 countries |
Starts at $2.49 per month (or the first two years; renews at $370.80 every two years) |
Android app and browser extension | Learn More | On Surfshark's Website | |
TorGuard VPN | ![]() |
4.3 | ![]() |
3000-plus servers across 50-plus countries | Free; Starts at $9.99 per month | Android app and Chrome app extension | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
Private Internet Access | ![]() |
4.2 | ![]() |
35,000-plus servers in 80 countries |
Starts at $2.03 per month (for first two years plus three free months; renews at $466.05 every two years) |
Android app and browser extension | Learn More | On Privateinternetaccess.com's Website | |
hide.me VPN | ![]() |
4.1 | ![]() |
2,100 servers in 79 locations |
Starts at $2.69 per month (with 26-month billing) |
Android app and browser extension | Learn More | On hide.me’s website | |
ExpressVPN | ![]() |
3.9 | ![]() |
3,000 in 160-plus locations | Starts at $6.67 per month for your first year (plus three months free) | Dedicated app and browser extension | Learn More | On ExpressVPN's Website | |
CyberGhost | ![]() |
3.9 | ![]() |
9,000-plus in 91 countries | Starts at $2.19 per month (with two-year billing, plus two months free) | Android app and browser extension | Learn More | On CyberGhost's Website | |
Windscribe VPN | ![]() |
3.8 | ![]() |
480 servers in 63 countries | Free; premium starts at $2.42 per month (billed annually) | Android app and Chrome extension | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review |
What Is a Chromebook VPN?
A Chromebook VPN is a virtual private network you can use to create a secure internet connection on your Chromebook. The VPN routes your traffic through its server and protects your data from interception by outsiders, even your internet service provider (ISP). The VPN also helps spoof your location, making it look like you’re in another place. That helps you bypass geo-restrictions and censorship, allowing you to access your favorite content.
You can use a Chromebook VPN through a dedicated VPN app, an Android app or a Chrome browser extension.
Benefits of a Chromebook VPN
VPNs are safe to use on your Chromebook. And their main benefits are:
- Increased privacy and security: With a VPN, nobody can monitor your online activities or steal your data, even when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.
- Restricted ads: VPNs enable smoother internet use by blocking trackers, harmful ads and malicious sites from accessing you.
- Access to blocked content: VPNs unlock access to restricted content otherwise blocked by the government, your workplace or school.
- More savings: With VPN spoofing capabilities, you can get cheaper rates from airlines and subscription services.
How To Choose the Best VPN for Chromebooks
These are a few things to consider when choosing a VPN for your Chromebook.
Essential Features of a Chromebook VPN
A VPN should possess certain must-have features before you even consider it. Here are some details to watch out for:
- Compatibility: Even if a VPN doesn’t have a specifically optimized VPN for Chromebooks, ensure it offers a robust Android app that can work with your Chromebook version or a Chrome browser extension.
- Streaming capability: If you want a VPN to access geo-blocked content, then go for a VPN that can unblock the global libraries of your favorite streaming platforms. And not just that, ensure it enables buffering-free streaming.
- Security and encryption: A good VPN offers security measures such as AES-256 encryption and multiple protocols to protect your online data and activities from hackers and other malicious threats. Additional features to look out for include internet kill switch and split tunneling options.
- Privacy policy: You need a VPN with a strict no-logs policy. The policy should be clear and transparent and not leave you guessing its details. It also helps to know that the said policy has been audited by an independent auditing firm.
Security and Privacy
Jeffrey Rosen says that “Privacy is not for the passive,” and that’s true. You need a VPN that actively protects you from threats and snoopers whenever you use the internet. So, choose one with security features that can keep you anonymous and block infiltrating threats. Also, ensure they run with a transparent zero-logs policy, so you can be sure that your data is safe. It’s even better when their policy is audited.
Speed and Performance
Choose a VPN with fast and reliable connections and high-performance tools to get the best from gaming, streaming and other activities you do on your Chromebook. Look out for:
- Low latency: for a smooth experience on real-time applications such as online gaming and video conferencing.
- High bandwidth: to transmit large data and withstand data-intensive activities such as streaming videos with high-definition (HD) quality.
Our best VPNs for Chromebooks allow high bandwidth use. Plus, we checked their speed with the Ookla speed test tool and verified that they all perform well.
Server Number and Locations
Server numbers and locations often affect a VPN’s overall performance. Plus, it allows Chromebook users to choose their preferred server location. So, choose a VPN that offers a wide network of server locations.
Ease of Use
For a smooth experience with VPNs, consider choosing one that’s easy to use. An easy-to-use VPN will usually have features such as a quick connect button, server list and multichannel support to help solve any issues you may encounter. Forbes Advisor’s recommended VPNs for Chromebooks make it easy for you to use the internet securely, and they provide rich support, even round-the-clock support.
How Much Does a VPN for Chromebook Cost?
Most VPNs offer multiple plans with various feature packages. These plans range from as low as $0 to $12.95 per month, and you can pay per month, year, or choose multi-year subscriptions. Longer commitments offer the best prices, and discounts are usually available during special events and for new users.
VPNs such as Proton and Windscribe allow Chrome users to use their apps for free, and CyberGhost and Hotspot Shield VPN offer their Chrome browser extensions at zero cost to you. However, note that VPN free plans come with basic security features and are limited in server numbers, virtual locations, bandwidth use, speed limit and simultaneous connections allowed. That’s why we recommend choosing a paid service with a risk-free money-back guarantee that will enable you to test a VPN first.
How To Set Up a VPN for Chromebook
Setting up a VPN on your Chromebook is easy, and there are two ways we recommend. You can download it from the Google Play app store or install the VPN as a browser extension.
Here are simple step-by-step instructions for the installation methods.
Set Up VPN Android App
If you’re not yet familiar with Google Play, go to your Chrome OS Settings app to search for Google Play. Then, toggle it on. Note that a corporate Google account owner needs their system administrator’s approval to activate Google Play.
To install your VPN’s Android app on your Chromebook:
- Go to the Google Play store.
- Search for your chosen VPN and download it.
- After installation, open the app to log in.
- Choose the server you want to start exploring the internet securely.
Set Up Chrome Browser Extension
Chrome browser extensions will help you secure your web traffic. Here’s how to set up your VPN browser extension on your Chromebook:
1. Visit your VPN provider’s website to find the downloads page.
2. Click on “Download.”
3. On the Chrome web store, click “Add to Chrome” and begin browsing securely.
Methodology
To determine which VPN is best for Chromebooks, the team at Forbes Advisor tested 16 VPNs and scored them on eight primary factors. We considered VPN compatibility with Chromebooks, privacy and security features, speed and performance, number of servers and server locations, cost, simultaneous connectivity, expert experience, customer reviews and customer support. We then weighted these metrics to score each Chromebook VPN.
Here’s how we determined the best VPN for Chromebooks.
General Features (25%)
We examined the VPN providers to see how robust their security provision is. We considered whether or not they offer must-have and nice-to-have features such as multiple security protocols, DNS protection measures, ad blockers, internet kill switch, split tunneling and multifactor authentications. These general VPN features that provide Chromebook users with the security and privacy they seek when using the internet formed 25% of our total score.
Additional Features (13%)
We also considered qualities that, though not required by every Chromebook user, are good to have. For example, the VPNs that got our attention are those with over 200 servers in more than 20 countries, especially with servers across continents. Other helpful features are the no-logs policy and simultaneous device connections on at least five devices.
Speeds (20%)
A VPN’s speed performance affects your experience with the internet. That’s why we tested all the VPNs on Chromebooks to determine their average download and upload speeds. And that accounted for 20% of the total weighted score.
Pricing and Fees (15%)
For pricing, we examined monthly prices and discounts available for new users and long-term commitments. We also considered the lowest and highest price tiers and checked to see if a VPN service offers a free version or provides ample time to explore its features with a risk-free money-back guarantee. This factor accounted for 15% of our weighted scoring.
Service and Support (7%)
You’ll need to reach your VPN’s support team, whether it’s to resolve issues or ask questions on how to navigate the VPN. So, we examined each VPN provider, identifying their level of support and how quickly they respond to customer queries. We looked at whether or not they provide 24/7 support or a live chat feature and if there’s phone support for quicker access or a searchable knowledge base that answers questions without the need to contact the support staff.
Expert Analysis (10%)
Apart from the hands-on experience from testing these VPNs, our experts considered additional criteria to determine the best VPNs for Chromebook users. They include standout features, ease of use, popularity and value for money. Altogether, the expert analysis contributes 10% to the total score.
Reviews and Ratings (10%)
Since our experts’ experience with these VPNs isn’t indicative of the average user experience, we considered what other users of the best Chromebook VPNs thought about them. We turned to third-party review sites including Trustpilot, G2 and Capterra. And we factored in customer satisfaction by considering only Chromebook VPNs with a rating of at least 3.5 out of 5 stars, to form 10% of our scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Google Chrome have a built-in VPN?
Neither the Chrome browser nor Chromebooks come with VPNs installed. You’ll need to connect to a VPN app or install a Chrome browser extension to protect your web activities.
Can I use a VPN on a Chromebook?
You can use a VPN on your Chromebook. But your VPN provider needs to offer an Android app or a Chrome extension. In the case of ExpressVPN, a dedicated Chromebook app.
Does a Chromebook browser need a VPN?
Your Chromebook browser requires a VPN. While browsers sometimes have security settings, they won’t protect your IP address or data or hide you from trackers, hackers or phishing sites. You need to connect to a VPN, which serves as a bouncer, protecting you from those threats. Plus, you can access content blocked by the government, your school or your workplace’s network administrators.
Will a VPN slow down my Chromebook?
It depends. VPNs encrypt your data and connect you to a private server, causing speed loss. Also, the distance between your chosen server and your actual location affects speed. Still, these VPNs we recommend for Chromebook users have fast protocols combined with vast server networks to deliver a smooth experience.
What's the best VPN for Chromebook?
The best VPN for Chromebook is NordVPN. It guarantees optimum privacy and security, with features and protocols that keep you from prying eyes. Plus, it offers an app specifically built for Chromebook users, unblocks your favorite streaming sites and enables enhanced speed.
Is there a free VPN for Chromebook?
A few VPN providers offer Chrome users their privacy service for free. However, we recommend opting for paid versions with more advanced features and usability.
What is a good free VPN for Chromebook?
A good free VPN provides robust security and privacy features to Chromebook users at no cost. Examples are CyberGhost and Hotspot Shield VPN offering free Chrome extensions, and Proton and Windscribe VPN allowing you to use their Android apps for free.