Best VPN for Chromebook: All You Need to Know (in 2024)

Best VPN for Chromebook: All You Need to Know in 2024

When describing the difference between a Chromebook and a Windows or Mac laptop, you can say that Chromebook is a laptop run by a web browser. And while Chrome OS does more than that, a Chromebook laptop is built to run while connected to the internet. It’s pretty apparent when you look at the inbuilt storage of most Chromebooks; data on Chromebooks are stored mostly in the cloud.

Although Google does an excellent job with Chrome OS by making it extremely tricky to install malware on Chromebook, it’s still elementary to steal information while browsing. How? Online hackers can steal information such as your passwords, usernames, and account information while you’re browsing. They can do this through a “Man in the Middle” when you’re browsing. It’s also possible for data thieves to hide behind public Wi-Fi’s and steal information from people who connect unsuspectingly.

If you’re online on your Chromebook all day, it’s a good idea to install a VPN to protect your information by encrypting your data. With a VPN, no one can spy on you, not even your ISP or government agencies. Plus, there is the added benefit of changing your IP address to enable you to watch shows that would ordinarily not be allowed in your locale.

5 Best VPNs for Chromebook

We’ve tested many VPNs and culled the best six VPNs from them, along with why we think they’ll make a perfect fit for your Chromebook.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN devices

Features

  • Number of servers: More than 3,000
  • Speeds: Unlimited
  • Server locations: 160 in 94 countries
  • Maximum devices supported: 5
  • 24 live chat: Yes
  • 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes

Pros/Cons

  • Fastest VPN out there
  • Strict no logs policy
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Few discounts
Visit ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a VPN provider that’s consistently rated #1 in all our tests. It provides a premium service for Chromebook users with multiple ways of installing it. You can install this VPN on more recent models of Chromebooks with the ExpressVPN Android app. There’s also a Chrome extension supported, which is easily downloadable. And users with more technical knowledge can set up an L2TP connection to ExpressVPN’s servers with the help of instructions from the ExpressVPN support site.

When it comes down to security, this VPN provider doesn’t joke around. When you send your data through ExpressVPN’s servers, it’s wholly encrypted with AES-256 encryption backed by OpenVPN protocol. A kill switch is also provided in the unlikely event that your VPN connection breaks suddenly. You’re allowed to choose which programs you’d like to run through ExpressVPN’s servers and which you’d prefer to load through your regular ISP.

You can stream and torrent as much as you desire with breakneck network speeds and 3000+ servers in 94 countries to choose from. You don’t have to choose which server to connect to by yourself. ExpressVPN’s smart user interface does that for you by connecting you to the server where you’ll have the fastest and most stable connection.

With the feature, MediaStreamer, you can unblock any geo-restricted content you want. To make doing this even more comfortable, you can ask ExpressVPN’s friendly and professional customer service to provide you with a list of servers that are best for streaming whatever content you’d like.

ExpressVPN’s premium service comes with a cost of $6.67 per month for the yearly plan, with three months extra offered for free as a bonus right now. A fee of $9.99 is required for the six months plan, and the monthly plan is $12.95. What’s more, a 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to test this VPN for a month. If you decide you don’t want to continue with ExpressVPN within that time frame, you’ll get your money back, no questions asked.

  • Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: $6.67

NordVPN

NordVPN devices

Features

  • Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
  • Simultaneous connections: 6
  • Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
  • Servers: 5342 in 58 countries

Pros/Cons

  • Lots of pricing options
  • Netflix support kept up to date
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Slow app
Visit NordVPN

NordVPN’s robust, take-no-prisoners security features grant it the #2 spot on this list. NordVPN’s double encryption allows you to take your web traffic through two different servers, encrypting it twice and guaranteeing your information’s safety from data thieves. Still not enough? With Onion over VPN, your data is taken through Tor servers, where multiple layers of encryption are written onto it. Even if your data were stolen, it’d take the thieves decades to decrypt it. An automatic kill switch and DNS leak protection provide the finishing touches to entirely private and protected data. NordVPN is also one of the few VPNs that offers Wireguard protocols.

NordVPN is available on the Android app, and it does have a Chrome Extension. It does not, however, have a manual configuration for Chromebook but that can be quickly resolved by configuring a Wi-Fi router to NordVPN and using it to protect your Chromebook.

NordVPN also has a broad range of servers, with over 5200 of them spread out over 59 countries. NordVPN’s SmartPlay makes it easy to stream your favorite content, and its many servers ensure you won’t be frustrated by buffering. Torrenting is also welcome. You can feel secure while streaming geo-blocked content and torrenting because NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy. A top auditing company also verified this policy so you can rest assured.

NordVPN offers all these services at the wallet-friendly prices of $3.49 per month for a three-year plan, with three months extra as an exclusive deal. The 2-year plan is $4.99 per month. The yearly subscription is charged at $6.99 per month, while the monthly plan is $11.95 per month. You don’t have to commit to any plan immediately. A 30-day refund policy is in effect for all plans so you can take your time to survey NordVPN.

  • Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: $3.71

HideMyAss

HideMyAss devices

Features

  • Speeds: 20 Gbps
  • Money-back guarantee: Yes
  • Activity logs? No
  • Locations: 190+ countries

Pros/Cons

  • Best server database on the market
  • No-logs and kill switch policy
  • Multiple device protection
  • Expensive short term plan
Visit HideMyAss

The name of this VPN is like a promise. A promise to hide this VPN’s users’ “asses” from malware, phishing, hacking, and data theft.

HideMyAss security features boast of military-grade encryption for your web traffic, military-grade encryption for the servers, DNS leak protection, and a smart kill switch that lets you choose apps that’ll automatically launch HMA when they’re opened. There’s also an option to choose which apps will go through HMA’s servers and which will go through standard servers with split tunneling. A normal kill switch is still a feature along with IP shuffling across HMA’s 290+ locations in over 190 countries.

HMA has a strict no-logs policy and a very detailed privacy policy stating what it does collect and why, and what it doesn’t and never will. It has a no-logs DNS server as well, so it keeps even your URL requests private. It also consistently unblocks geo-blocked content or censored websites. With the speed advantage provided by its many servers, it bypasses even the most restricted of content.

HideMyAss has an Android app and manual configuration instructions for Chromebook users if you’re a bit tech-savvy. The Android app runs simply with a smart and friendly user interface. Customer service is available 24/7 on live chat to answer your questions.

HMA’s pricing is quite affordable. At the moment, its three-year plan is set at $2.99 per month. For the yearly plan, it’s $4.99/month. And the 1-month plan is $7.99. All these plans come with a 30-day refund policy and HMA doesn’t delay. If you decide you aren’t impressed within a month, HMA will refund you, no questions asked.

  • Pros: Best server database on the market; No-logs and kill switch policy; Multiple device protection;
  • Lowest price $2.99

PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN devices

Features

  • Killswitch Yes
  • iOS App Yes
  • Data logging No

Pros/Cons

  • Servers in 63 countries
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 2048-bit Encryption With AES-256
  • App can seem complicated
Visit PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a mid-tier VPN provider with great features. The great thing is that it is compatible with Chromebook devices. It provides the breakdown of steps for setting up the VPN for Chromebook. Thus, you can rest assured that you will not get confused while integrating the software with your device.

This VPN provider has about 100 servers in 63 locations. You can connect to a server in any of the locations to unblock geo-restricted content. These servers are speedy; thus, you can expect that your service will be both buffer-free and lag-free the entire time. You also get unlimited bandwidth to expend while using PrivateVPN.

This provider also ensures that the network from your Chromebook is secured with its 2048-bit encryption with AES 256. The protocols PrivateVPN supports include OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, IKEv2, and IPSec. There is also a kill switch that immediately takes you off the internet if the VPN momentarily fails.

You can connect 6 devices simultaneously to one PrivateVPN account. All the devices will get different IP addresses and will enjoy excellent VPN protection while at it. If you run into any challenge while installing or using the VPN on your Chromebook, you can speak directly to PrivateVPN’s developers to have the issue sorted out.

  • Pros: Servers in 63 countries; 30-day money-back guarantee; 2048-bit Encryption With AES-256;
  • Lowest price: €2.04

CyberGhost

CyberGhost devices

Features

  • Connected devices at once: 7
  • Automatic kill switch? Yes
  • One click connect: Yes
  • Servers: 5900 worldwide

Pros/Cons

  • No logs policy
  • 24/7 live chat
  • Apps for mobile devices and routers
  • No free option
Try CyberGhost

CyberGhost has enough features and scope to dazzle a Chromebook user. With over 5700 servers in 90 countries, users of this VPN should come expecting their web traffic to move at a brisk pace. And CyberGhost has made it easy for Chromebook users to enjoy this speed, providing an Android version, a Chrome browser extension, and instructions on manually setting up a connection through an L2TP connection.

For security, CyberGhost hides your IP address and provides DNS and IP leak protection. It encrypts your data with AES-256 bit encryption and takes precautions to avoid data loss if the connection suddenly drops. And with the NoSpy Servers built much like Secure Core of ProtonVPN, you get more significant bandwidth, faster speeds, dedicated torrenting servers, and a dedicated uplink. CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy, too. They delete all your information and activity, except the ones needed, like payment information.

CyberGhost is vehemently against internet censorship, which is right for you, Chromebook users. With its massive range, CyberGhost lets you bypass censorship and unblock geo-restricted content and games. And with up to 7 simultaneous connections allowed, you’re now allowed to stream and torrent anonymously wherever you and your devices go.

CyberGhost is having a Black Friday promo at the moment and giving their 1-year plan away at $2.75 per month. The 6-month plan costs $4.99 per month, and the monthly plan $12.99 per month. CyberGhost is confident in the service it provides. They’re so confident that they offer a 45-day money-back guarantee in case you don’t like their VPN.

  • Pros: No logs policy; 24/7 live chat; Apps for mobile devices and routers;
  • Lowest price: €2

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN devices

Features

  • P2P support? Yes
  • 30-day money-back guarantee? Yes
  • Country of origin? Switzerland
  • Servers: 600+ in over 40 countries
  • Simultaneous devices: 5

Pros/Cons

  • Professional support
  • Modern interface and apps
  • AES-256 encryption
  • Lesser known provider
Try ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a VPN that disperses its features in a very peculiar way. This VPN has payment plans that determine the characteristics users get to have. But before we get into that, what features make ProtonVPN special?

ProtonVPN is primarily focused on security, with its unique features geared towards ensuring that data theft or de-anonymization while using their services is near impossible. Perfect Forward Secrecy is a feature that changes your encryption key each time new data is sent. This feature is a precaution against the unlikely event that your data will be stolen. Secure Core allows your data to be routed multiple times through ProtonVPN’s servers in stable, privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland and Iceland. The provider even had the physical servers placed in underground data centers to make sure they’re not susceptible to tampering.

All these unique security features are a bonus to the normal ones we’ve come to expect in a VPN like the DNS leak prevention, the no-logs policy, and the automatic kill switch. But even with the normal ones, there’s a bit of extra. ProtonVPN’s automatic kill switch comes with a feature called “Always On VPN.” It automatically restores the connection to the VPN if it breaks, while the kill switch closes the network to avoid data loss.

ProtonVPN has one of the smaller network ranges, with only 560+ servers in 43 countries. But this doesn’t determine its speed because each of ProtonVPN’s servers is optimized for high speed. Add this to unblocking streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc., and you’ve got HD and 4K content streaming into your Chromebook. ProtonVPN has an Android app available for download for those with Google Playstore on their Chromebooks.

ProtonVPN has an unusual way of pricing. Not all the features listed above are available on one plan. This provider has divided its servers between four payment plans: Free, Basic, Plus, and Visionary.

ProtonVPN’s Free plan allows three countries, one device connection, and medium network speed.

The Basic package costs $5 per month and includes the use of servers in all countries, two connected devices, high speed, and torrenting.

The Plus plan is the most popular, and it’s set at $8 per month with the use of servers in all countries, five connected devices, high speed, P2P, Plus Servers, Secure Core, Tor Servers, and secure streaming.

The Visionary plan is $24 per month and includes all that the Plus plan has with the addition of a subscription to ProtonMail, a secure email service, and ProtonVPN’s sister service. All plans come with a 20% discount if paid yearly and a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users.

  • Pros: Professional support; Modern interface and apps; AES-256 encryption;
  • Lowest price: €4

UltraVPN

UltraVPN devices

Features

  • One click connect? Yes
  • Servers: 100+ superfast servers
  • Bandwidth cap? No
  • Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

Pros/Cons

  • Firewall
  • Apps for all devices
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Not as many servers as others
Try UltraVPN

This new VPN is already making waves in the online security world. UltraVPN began operations around August of 2018. In the space of just over a year, it’s built a reputation for speed and an extensive server network of 100+, cleverly spread out over more than 55 locations.

UltraVPN has rock-solid connections and encryption with AES-256 and OpenVPN protocol. A valid zero-logging policy ensures that your data will never be stored except for what is needed to run your account. No identifying information will be saved. A kill switch known as a Firewall in UltraVPN lingo allows you to connect to any public Wi-Fi without fear of hacking, phishing, or “Man in the Middle” attacks.

If you live or are traveling to a place where your favorite content is not available or where your favorite social media apps aren’t allowed in, UltraVPN unblocks them with ease and speed. You can stream “Grown-ish” in China and torrent in Japan with UltraVPN. You can even watch your favorite sports channels. And you can do all this without any buffering or lag.

UltraVPN has an Android app, so it’s available for Chromebook users who can access Google Playstore. UltraVPN’s best plan is for 12 months at $3.75. You can also pay for six months at 5.99 per month. Monthly payments are set at $7.99 per month. During the first 30 days of your subscription, if you decide UltraVPN isn’t for you, you’ll be refunded.

  • Pros: Firewall; Apps for all devices; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: €2.99

Ways of setting up a VPN on a Chromebook

There are only three ways of setting up a VPN on a Chromebook, and each one has specific requirements.

  • By downloading the VPN’s Android app. This is for newer models of Chromebook that are fitted with Google Play Store already.
  • By downloading the VPN’s Chrome extension. This option feels a bit iffy for some people because they think that VPN Chrome extensions only protect your browsing and not the apps on your Chromebook. We couldn’t find any evidence that VPN Chrome extensions don’t also protect your browsing.
  • By manually configuring your Chrome OS. Please, if you don’t know what you’re doing and you’ve never configured a laptop before, we cannot advise you to configure your Chromebook manually. If done improperly, it can destroy your Chromebook.

But, if you do have some knowledge of configuring laptops, it’s advisable that you take a look at your chosen VPN’s instructions on how to configure Chrome OS. When it comes to doing things like this, no information is too much.

Factors To Consider When Choosing a VPN for Chromebook

The factors below will help you to narrow down the list of VPNs to the one that is a great fit. Here they are:

Compatibility

The first consideration you should have is compatibility with Chromebook. You will be wasting your funds if you pay the subscription to a VPN incompatible with your Chromebook. Thus, the first thing to consider is whether the VPN is compatible with your device or not.

Set-up Process

There are general steps to take when setting up a VPN on Chromebook. However, you may find slight differences between the different VPNs. It might be a great idea to go through the set-up process for your provider of choice to be sure it isn’t technical.

Security Features

Security is the primary job of a VPN, so you ought to make sure your provider of choice does not slack when it comes to this. Hence, make sure the service checks the list of features such as securing its servers with the AES 256-bit encryption model, having a kill switch, split tunneling features, etc.

Cost

This is another important consideration to tick off. You should be able to pay for the VPN services that you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VPN set-up process for Chromebook?

The VPN set-up process varies from one VPN to another. However, you can download the Chrome extension or the Android app on the Google Play Store. You also have the option of configuring the VPN manually using OpenVPN.

Can I download the Chrome extension instead of the VPN app?

You can, of course, download the chrome extension and use it for your Chromebook. However, if you do this, you have to bear in mind that the VPN’s protection will only extend to traffic proceeding from your browser. Other internet-enabled apps on your device will not enjoy the protection.

Which VPN is the best for Chromebooks?

All the VPNs under consideration offer excellent services for those looking to use a VPN for Chromebook. However, if it comes down to one, then you may want to go with ExpressVPN. This provider has been tested and is trusted to deliver reliable service at every point you need it.

In conclusion

You need a VPN for privacy, security, and anonymity on your Chromebook, and we’ve provided you with six of the best, specifically for Chromebook users and their needs. Now that you know what’s needed in a VPN, why you need one, and how you can install one, you can choose one and start browsing privately and securely. With the bonus of streaming and torrenting whenever and wherever you want, of course.