The best Chrome VPN extension in 2021 | Tom’s Guide
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Chrome VPN extensions are offered by just about every one of the best VPN providers. They’re usually pared-down versions of the desktop app, and while they might not offer every feature, they’re a convenient way of changing your location or accessing blocked websites and streaming all are created equal, either. A dedicated Chrome VPN extension will sometimes allow you to you control the desktop app from within Chrome, which is excellent in terms of functionality and power. However, others offer totally in-browser extensions, which can be very useful if you’re on a computer that doesn’t have or allow VPN clients to be makes the best Chrome VPN? When picking your Chrome VPN, you should first consider what you need from it – do you want to stay fully anonymous and explore streaming media from around the world, or do you just want a quick and easy way to check your emails and banking in privacy? If you’re only after very basic functions, you may find a free VPN for Chrome that suits your needs, but if you’re after in-depth features or streaming support, a more premium product will be help you decide, we’ve put together this list of the five best Chrome VPNs available today. Topping the list is ExpressVPN – it’s easy to use, swift and powerful, and offers a powerful Chrome VPN extension alongside its top-rated desktop VPN client. There are other options that are worth exploring, though, so read on to find the five best VPNs for Chrome available today. 1. ExpressVPN – the most powerful Chrome VPN
ExpressVPN’s Chrome VPN extension offers total control of the desktop app in-browser, and it’s the most fully-featured option available. You can claim three free months through Tom’s Guide, and you’ll also be covered by a fantastic 30-day money-back DealSave your money by checking out the best cheap VPNIf you’re serious about streaming, you might need a Fire Stick VPNWhat about P2P? See what’s the best torrenting VPNThe best Chrome VPN extensions in 2021(Image credit: ExpressVPN)1. ExpressVPN Best all-round Chrome VPN and beyondSpecificationsDedicated chrome extension: YesChrome Web Store rating: 4. 5/5Servers/countries: 3, 000+/90+Maximum devices supported: 5Reasons to buy+Feature-rich Chrome extension+Excellent 24/7 customer support+Wide international server coverage+Reliable and fastReasons to avoid-App required for extensionExpressVPN is the most powerful VPN available, period, so it makes sense that you get an absolutely stellar Chrome VPN extension too. And yes, it’s a full extension, not just a proxy like some others ‘s you get is essentially the desktop app readily available in your browser. While that means you’ll have to have the client installed, if you do, you’ll have a lot of power at your fingertips. Unlike many Chrome VPN extensions, activating ExpressVPN in-browser will give you full protection – not just your browser traffic, but your whole device. It’s also really convenient that you don’t have to launch the desktop app to use the browser extension – it’s right there in Chrome, ready to ‘ll get WebRTC blocking, location spoofing and HTTPS Everywhere (even when the extension’s not turned on) to help keep you and your browsing private, alongside swift connection speeds, other apps for all your devices, and a cracking support system to help if anything goes wrong. Plus, the Chrome VPN blocks HTML5 geolocation from revealing your location – something the desktop app doesn’t do your way onto a streaming service site through Chrome while abroad and Express will have you covered, as it unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube and more – impressive when you consider these streaming services are constantly trying to actively block VPNs. If you want to give the best Chrome VPN a test run, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but we think you’ll find it’ll meet – if not surpass – your expectations of what a browser-based VPN can three months free of the best Chrome VPN
Tom’s Guide readers signing up for 12 months of ExpressVPN will bag an excellent 49% off deal, which includes 3 months additional coverage absolutely FREE. And don’t forget, if you just want to give it a try with no obligation, there’s a 30-day money back guarantee that you can rely upon without any quibbles.
View Deal(Image credit: Future)2. Windscribe Powerful and free Chrome proxy extensionSpecificationsDedicated chrome extension: YesChrome Web Store rating: 4. 7/5Servers/countries: 400+/60Maximum devices supported: UnlimitedReasons to buy+Unlimited simultaneous connections+Free 10GB monthly option+Clear privacy policy+Works without desktop clientReasons to avoid-Slightly cramped interfaceWindscribe is a great choice if you’re looking for a no-fee VPN, but what really stands out is its excellent Chrome VPN extension. While the service is a proxy, you don’t need to install the ‘real’ VPN client on your PC to get it working – that’s really useful for work laptops and other devices you might not want or be able to install software on, and addresses one of the main issues of the ExpressVPN that, the extension offers an impressive suite of features. There are tons blocking features, covering ads, social media and other trackers, WebRTC, website notifications and malware. You’ll also get timezone and user agent spoofing, plus advanced cookie controls which can be set to delete any and all when you leave a a fully-fledged VPN, Windscribe’s extension can also virtually relocate you and get you access to geo-restricted sites, and by offering servers in 10 countries (over 60 if you decide to pay for a premium plan) you should have a decent selection to choose from, including Netflix-compatible ‘Windflix’ an absolutely free service, there are a couple of drawbacks – chiefly that 10GB data limit – but for such a well-featured extension, that’s something we can excuse. If it turns out you do need more than that, premium plans also have unlimited it can’t compete in true power to ExpressVPN’s extension that controls the desktop client, it’s an entirely different beast. This standalone Chrome VPN extension is one of the best of its kind, and for free, it’s certainly worth checking out. 3. Private Internet Access Chrome VPN with tons featuresSpecificationsDedicated chrome extension: YesChrome Web Store rating: 4/5Servers/countries: 11, 000+/74Maximum devices supported: 10Reasons to buy+Feature-rich Chrome extension+Great privacy tools+Simple to useReasons to avoid-No live chat support-Limited locationsPrivate Internet Access – or PIA – is an affordable option that offers a huge amount of features in its Chrome VPN extension for the price. It also does this while remaining very easy to use, making this an ideal option for VPN are some great security features you get with its browser VPN extension including a third-party cookies blocker, Flash blocking or disabling, WebRTC leak protection, hyperlink auditing, credit card auto-filling and more. Of course, PIA will also take care of the big stuff like blocking your location from websites as well as camera or microphone access, and download speeds remain above average with the VPN running. Also, in our testing we reported that PIA can access Netflix and Hulu – although it does struggle as an iPlayer PIA doesn’t offer the amount of server locations of ExpressVPN and support is somewhat lacking, it’s a genuinely useful Chrome VPN extension available at a great price, and it’s an option worth up now on the Private Internet Access website. 4. CyberGhost Great free Chrome VPNSpecificationsDedicated chrome extension: YesChrome Web Store rating: 4. 4/5Servers/countries: 8/4 (free), 6, 200/90 (paid)Maximum devices supported: 7Reasons to buy+Good selection of free servers+Unlimited free data +Unblocks streaming mediaReasons to avoid-No kill switch or customer supportCyberGhost is known as one of the top VPNs on the market, and another string to its bow is the free Chrome VPN extension on offer. While not as powerful as the paid VPN, the browser extension can work without installing a desktop client, meaning it’s super simple to 8 servers in 4 countries, there’s a decent selection compared to some other free services, but we were really impressed with the streaming unblocking – you’ll be able to watch US Netflix and BBC you want the full package, for a very reasonable price you can upgrade to a huge 6, 200 VPN servers in 90 countries, plus you’ll get access to CyberGhost’s excellent desktop app with its streaming and torrenting streaming system. You’ll also get a kill switch, customer support and secure Flash it’s not as great as ExpressVPN, for a free Chrome VPN CyberGhost’s offering is powerful and eminently usable. And if you upgrade, things only get up now on CyberGhost’s website 5. Hotspot Shield Incredible speeds and a decent free optionSpecificationsDedicated chrome extension: YesChrome Web Store rating: 4/5Servers/countries: 3, 200+/80+Maximum devices supported: 5Reasons to buy+Super fast connections+Free trial optionReasons to avoid-Not cheap-Configuration limitedHotspot Shield is a great Chrome VPN extension option if you want something that’s simple to use, runs fast and is free. Yup, the free version works with very few strings, although it is basic with only four location choices – plus, it’s not such a fast VPN as the premium reason Hotspot Shield is so simple is that when you fire it up with a single click, it automatically picks the fastest server based on your location – you’ll be connected security you have a 256-bit encryption looking after you across the 1, 800 servers spread over 80 countries. However, fans of true privacy will be disappointed in Hotspot’s logging policy. While the provider claims not to store anything that can identify you, details like bandwidth used and connections times you’re looking for a quick, simple Chrome VPN, though, Hotspot Shield is a good choice – and with a 45-day money-back guarantee, it’s definitely worth giving a go if you just want basic privacy when you’re out and about with your up now on the Hotspot Shield Chrome VPN FAQDoes Chrome have a VPN? While Chrome is very well-featured, it doesn’t offer a built-in VPN. However, that’s not a problem as there are a huge number of browser VPNs to pick from – not least the top five above.
Thankfully, Chrome is also the perfect environment for a browser VPN to work in – it’s stable, simple, easy to use and incredibly customisable, so there are some great Chrome VPNs that will work just as reliably as their standalone there a free Chrome VPN extension? A free Chrome extension is a tempting prospect – browsing anonymity and data security for nothing sounds great. However, in practice these free services aren’t as great as they seem.
The first thing to consider is where the free service is making its money. It’s likely that you’ll be seeing ads, or, more sinisterly, it could be skimming your data and selling it for profit. If that’s happening, you’re better off using no VPN at all.
There are some good free Chrome VPNs out there – like Windscribe at number 2 on this list – but on the whole you’ll never be able to get a truly good all-round VPN experience unless you pay.
However, that doesn’t have to break the bank. Surfshark, for example, offers a totally secure and fully-featured VPN service for less than $2. 50 a month. While its Chrome VPN isn’t powerful enough to feature on this list, it works well as a lightweight proxy extension – and at a price you’d barely notice, we think it’s worth the should the best Chrome VPN extension do? A good Chrome VPN extension is one that’s not only simple to install and use but also, ideally, offers some in-depth features too. While there are basic proxy versions which simply turn on and off within Chrome – and that’s useful – we prefer more feature-rich options.
The option to pick the location you want to connect from is a really basic but helpful feature – perfect if you’re looking to watch geo-restricted content in a tab and need a certain location selected.
Security features are also really helpful with blocking your location from websites, and blocking camera or microphone access are basic necessities. Extras we like to keep an eye out for are third-party cookie blocking, Flash blocking or disabling, WebRTC leak protection, hyperlink auditing and credit card auto-filling. Being able to use Netflix VPN unblocking is also useful.
Whichever option you go for, a VPN Chrome extension is only ever as good as the VPN behind – it so going for a fully fledged and feature-rich standalone VPN is always a good idea. Got all you need to know? Now make sure that you’re getting the very best VPN service with our expertly assembled top 10.
Mo is eCommerce Editor at Tom’s Guide. Day-to-day he oversees privacy and security content, and his product guides help his readers find the best software and products for their needs. When he’s not testing VPNs, you’ll find him working on his classic car or plugged into a guitar amp.
How to Use Proxy in Chrome – Blog | Oxylabs
Open your Chrome browser, and click on the menu button. Then select Settings. Scroll down till you find Advanced. Click on it for more ntinue to scroll down until you find the Open proxy setting button, then click on it.
Setting up a proxy in your web browser adds the needed privacy and security when you go online. Usually, proxies need to be manually enabled every time you want to use one, but you can save some time by adding one through your Chrome proxy settings or by using a proxy manager.
But what is a proxy? Also, what dangers can one encounter without having one in their Chrome proxy settings? Well, we do go into great detail in our blog post on proxy’s fundamentals, so feel free to check it out before tackling this article.
In this article we will go over how to use proxy in Chrome, how to do it by using proxy managers, and why would you need to use a Chrome proxy in the first place. Let’s begin with the latter.
The dangers of not using a Chrome proxy
As you probably know, each device has an Internet Protocol (IP) address. It is a bunch of numbers (similar to house having an address number) assigned to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Whenever you go online and go to a website, that particular site will then know your IP address. That means the website will also know the general area where you’re located.
Tracking your IP address also helps websites keep a record on where you go online by using cookies. So whenever you search for something or buy anything online, they track this information and show you ads that fit your taste.
Not to mention that when you connect to wifi (especially the free ones coffee shop entrepreneurs like so much), your data can be easily hacked.
Why is free wifi dangerous? It does not require authentication to establish a network connection, therefore creating fantastic opportunity for hackers to gain access to unsecured devices on the same network. Meaning they can steal your sensitive data or execute malware attacks.
How a Chrome proxy helps to protect you
As we mentioned earlier, a proxy works as a filter between you and the internet. So when you use a proxy, your internet requests travel through the proxy server first, and only then connects to the internet.
While standing in between you and the internet, a proxy server appears as a different IP. While it answers the question of how to hide IP address, as long as you use a chrome proxy, you’ll have a secure web session.
How to use proxy in Chrome
Instead of enabling your proxies manually every time you want to use one for browsing, it’s easier to set up your chrome proxy settings automatically.
To go to your Chrome proxy settings and set up your proxy, open your Chrome browser, and click on the menu button. Then select Settings.
Scroll down till you find Advanced. Click on it for more options.
Continue to scroll down until you find the Open proxy setting button, then click on it.
If you’re using a Mac, we suggest you visit their official support website for more details on how to finish up your proxy set up. And if you’re using Windows, check this article out for a simple explanation on how to set it up.
Setting up your proxies with a proxy manager
Another way of setting up your proxies is through a proxy manager. Such proxy managers are great if you want a clear and straightforward interface for turning on and off your proxies.
A proxy manager, such as FoxyProxy, can help you set up your proxies not only on Chrome but other web browsers as well. This particular proxy manager offers a neat browser extension with which changing your proxies won’t be an issue.
Oxylabs proxies integrate flawlessly with FoxyProxy, ensuring an easy and straightforward set up process.
Wrapping up
Setting up a Chrome proxy will make your browsing a lot more private and secure. Not to mention you’ll avoid the hassle of continually enabling your proxy settings every time you open the web.
For more integration examples, you can also check our other guides where we covered Firefox proxy settings. Also, choosing the right proxy type is also essential, so if you want to learn more about what we offer and which type is more suited for your needs, check out our article on the difference between data center and residential proxies for more information.
People also ask
What is a Chrome proxy?
A Chrome proxy is any kind of proxy that can be used with Chrome to anonymize your traffic. Since Chrome has no proxy configuration settings of its own, these proxies are configured on the OS level.
What is better, a proxy or a VPN?
Although proxies can be just as efficient for those seeking anonymity, using a VPN is generally recommended for private individuals. Read more about proxy vs. VPN here.
Do proxies hide your IP?
Yes, proxies do hide your real IP address and in a lot of cases this is their main function. However, you should also know that there are plenty of other uses for proxies in which hiding the user’s original IP address is only secondary to some other goal. Read more about how proxies work here.
Gabija Fatenaite is a Product Marketing Manager at Oxylabs. Having grown up on video games and the internet, she grew to find the tech side of things more and more interesting over the years. So if you ever find yourself wanting to learn more about proxies (or video games), feel free to contact her – she’ll be more than happy to answer you.
All information on Oxylabs Blog is provided on an “as is” basis and for informational purposes only. We make no representation and disclaim all liability with respect to your use of any information contained on Oxylabs Blog or any third-party websites that may be linked therein. Before engaging in scraping activities of any kind you should consult your legal advisors and carefully read the particular website’s terms of service or receive a scraping license.
How to Change or Disable Your Proxy in Chrome | ExpressVPN
Last updated: August 12, 2021Too frustrated to read this page? Talk to a HumanA proxy server is an intermediary between your computer and the internet, often used to hide your real location and allow you to access websites that would otherwise be blocked. However, not all proxies offer the same privacy protections as a VPN. When you’re using ExpressVPN, you don’t need to run an additional you’re having trouble connecting to the internet, it’s possible that you are using a proxy The steps below will not help you access online streaming services. If you’re unable to access a service because a VPN or proxy is detected, please contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate instructions on how to disable your proxy in Chrome, please refer to the section appropriate to your computer. I am on…Windows MacDisable proxy for Chrome on WindowsClick the Chrome Menu in the browser toolbar. Select Settings. Click Advanced. In the System section, click Open your computer’s proxy settings. (For Windows 7 and Windows 8 or 8. 1 users, this will open the Internet Properties window. ) Under Automatic proxy setup, toggle Automatic detect settings Off. Under Manual proxy setup, toggle Use a proxy server Off. Click help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate to topDisable proxy for Chrome on MacClick the Chrome Menu on the browser toolbar. Then select Settings. At the bottom of the screen, click Advanced. Under System, click Open your computer’s proxy settings. This will open the Network Settings window. In the Proxies tab, under Select a protocol to configure, uncheck every protocol. Click OK. You can close the settings windows help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate to topFurther Issues? If you have other issues, including not being able to access certain websites and services, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate to topWas this article helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions about proxy extension chrome
Which is the best proxy extension for Chrome?
The best Chrome VPN extensions in 2021ExpressVPN. Best all-round Chrome VPN and beyond. Specifications. … Windscribe. Powerful and free Chrome proxy extension. Specifications. … Private Internet Access. Chrome VPN with tons features. … CyberGhost. Great free Chrome VPN. … Hotspot Shield. Incredible speeds and a decent free option.Sep 15, 2021
How do I turn on proxy settings in Chrome?
Step1: To set proxy in Google Chrome Go to Option (Top-Right Side) > Click on Under the Hood Tab > Click on Change Proxy Settings and you can change Proxy from there.
How do I use a proxy IP in Chrome?
Chrome Proxy Settings: How to Use itOpen your Chrome browser, and click on the menu button. Then select Settings.Scroll down till you find Advanced. Click on it for more option.Continue to scroll down until you find the Open proxy setting button, then click on it.Apr 24, 2019