What are Chrome VPN Extensions
Chrome VPN extensions are extensions that can be installed into Google Chrome to route your internet traffic through a VPN. Chrome VPN extensions are a good solution for protecting your internet traffic on devices where you are unable to software on the device.
Most of the big VPN providers have extensions available in the Chrome App store but do Chrome VPN extensions actually work?
Do Chrome VPN Extensions work?
For the most part, Chrome VPN extensions work and are a great solution if you can’t install the full software on a device. While this is true for most of the extensions available there are some that don’t provide the protection they claim to.
There are also a couple of other limitations and potential issues with just using a Chrome Extension. Before deciding on if to use a Chrome Extension or a full VPN client we recommend fully researching the extension you want to use.
Does a VPN Extension work outside of Chrome?
No, only your activity within Chrome will be protected when using a VPN extension. If you want to protect all internet traffic from your device you would need to install the full version of your VPN provider’s software.
As the extension doesn’t protect any traffic outside of Google Chrome you will need to take care that other traffic you want to protect is not being sent from unprotected apps on your device.
Do Free Chrome VPN Extensions work?
Yes, but again this will depend on the provider. While these free extensions are mostly fine a lot of the providers will be making money by selling your data to third parties. We would always recommend going with a paid-for solution unless you go for a reputable provider that monetizes in another way like Proton VPN.
Why do I need a VPN extension for Chrome?
Using a VPN extension in Chrome can provide better protection at the browser level for issues such as WebRTC leaking your IP address even when using a device-level VPN. With the extension installed on Chrome, it is able to protect against this leak.
Chrome extension VPNs are also great for people who are unable to install a full client or just need to protect traffic coming from Chrome.
What is the best Chrome VPN Extension?
My personal favorite is Nord VPN’s Chrome VPN extension. Nord’s offering provides high-speed connections from a variety of locations around the world, and additional security features to protect your computer while browsing the internet.
If you need any help getting set up with the Nord VPN Chrome extension we have a useful guide for installing the extension.
