Bypass Netflix blocking, stay on VK with Ukrainian IP, download torrents with impunity - all this is possible with Virtual Private Network. The latest version of Opera has a built-in VPN function, but for "Google" you need to install the extension separately. On Google Play or in the browser’s online store, at least hundreds of different services are uploaded. All are shareware and differ only in icons and logos. So that you won’t be at a loss as to which one to choose, we offer evaluation criteria and a list of recommended VPN extensions for Chrome.
Free or Premium
Before moving on to the list of VPN services, we’ll look at what criteria to select. In the first place is the ancient, as the world, question: “To pay or not to pay?” Of course, saving is always a pleasure. Especially if the VPN extension for Chrome-browser is used for minor purposes. How, for example, go to "Classmates". But if anonymity is needed for corporate work, you care about your privacy and security, then a free package of services is not enough.
Throughput
Imagine the situation. You pay for high-speed Internet at 150 MB and want to install a VPN extension. But as soon as you do this, metamorphoses occur with the Internet. Each page takes 10-15 seconds to load, watching movies online turns into flour, and even YouTube videos begin to slow down. These are the tricks of a free VPN.
PPTP connection
Free VPN versions use PPTP. He is reliable, vulnerable, and he must have long forgotten. Instead of protection, you can get hacked and data leakage. Paid service provides a secure connection via L2TP / IPSEC, OpenVPN, SSTP or SSH.
In addition to third-party attacks, there is a risk of reselling your precious data when using the free VPN for Chrome. The Hola extension has recently been caught in such dirty insinuations. The creators haggled in user traffic, but this is not the worst. The service was used by hackers as a botnet.
Believe me, you will not be delighted when a third party takes possession of the history of your browser. Therefore, refrain from the temptation to save. Paid VPNs also have nice little things:
- lack of advertising;
- Support service;
- increased functionality.
When there is no money on a VPN
You have decided that a free VPN is better than not having it. There is no possibility and desire to pay for the service. In this case, use the free version. Introducing the Top Best Chrome VPN Extensions with a proven track record and strong protection. In addition, each service on the list offers a trial version of the Premium class for a week.
You can, of course, go not quite honest way. When the premium account expires, uninstall the application and order a trial paid version again. For re-registration, do not forget to use a new mailing address each time.
Dotvpn
Young but respectable service. According to the developers themselves, DotVPN is better than VPN. A bit like gibberish, but the service has 860559 users and 10 million downloads worldwide. The extension has 24 data centers in 12 countries: Canada, Germany, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the USA and Great Britain.
Benefits:
- unlimited bandwidth;
- 70% of premium is available in the free version and you can use any of 12 countries;
- encryption with a 4096-bit key;
- built-in firewall, or firewall, which filters traffic;
- the service does not register browser history, which means that it will not resell data.
The only drawback of the free version of this Chrome VPN extension is its speed. No matter how the creators convince of the vaunted power of Smart Security, downloading videos online will be slow.
Hotspot shield
The most reliable extension. With its help, it is even possible to bypass the "Great Chinese firewall." Belongs to a team of Russian developers living in California. In 2006, Dmitry Gorodiansky and Eugene Malobrodsky decided to create a free Wi-Fi network for the cafe. The invention was called AnchorFree. Now it is the largest platform, with 500 million users in 200 countries.
This VPN extension for Google Chrome works on PCs with OS X and Windows. Also available for gadgets based on iOS, Android, Windows Phone. The service has a nice interface, a lot of additional features, you can configure AdBlock separately, set full protection, or only for individual sites. VPN easily turns on and off, and also weighs a little.
Disadvantages:
- pop-up ads;
- slow loading of pages;
- in the free version, limited access to connection points.
This is an expensive service. If you persuade yourself to the premium version, get ready to pay $ 12 per month of use.
Browsec
One of the best VPN extensions for Chrome. Positions itself as an advanced analogue of ZenMate, Stealthy, Hola and friGate. Encrypts traffic and opens access to blocked sites. Weighs 2.42 MB vs 3.98 MB Hotspot Shield. There is a version for Android and iOS. Compared to other VPNs, the free version of Browsec is much faster.
Browsec allows you to use the free version without traffic restrictions, unlike HOXX or Hotspot Shield. But access is open only to Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. For $ 3.33 a month, Browsec provides the ability to connect to 30 countries.
Zenmate
German cybersecurity quality weighing 1.76 MB. The application has downloaded and installed 42 million users. ZenMate has 27 servers in different countries. This is a multifunctional service for PC and mobile devices.
Benefits:
- online privacy
- secure wifi;
- unlimited access to the web;
- bypass geo-blocking and censorship;
- protection from tracking trackers.
ZenMate has only two functions: on / off. and change of location. You can also view traffic, there are tooltips. This is not just a plug-in or VPN extension for Chrome, but a full-fledged application. There are many articles on the official website about what a virtual private network is, encryption, cryptography.
The main quality of ZenMate is turbo speed. This is truly the fastest VPN, including downloading torrents. A 7-day free trial for the premium service is available to appreciate ZenMate. A monthly subscription costs $ 7.49 or $ 4.99 per year.
TunnelBear VPN
The Canadian bear is your guard. Of all VPNs, the TunnelBear extension is distinguished by its logo. The service also has the best reviews, unprecedented 5 stars and reviews on Lifehacker, Mac World, TNW, Huffington Post and WSJ.com. This is not really a VPN. TunnelBear is rather an encrypted proxy. The security audit of Cure53 in August 2017 confirmed the high level of security of TunnelBear's servers and infrastructure.
The service weighs only 1.5 MB. There are two versions: a browser extension and a desktop application. In the first case, you get:
- lock bypass;
- secure Wi-Fi connection;
- protection from tracking advertising campaigns and statistics sites;
- the ability to connect to 20 countries.
As a VPN extension for Chrome on your computer, TunnelBear provides 100% data encryption. To install, you need user registration and your mailbox. The service works quickly, the speed is enough to watch movies and video content.
Another feature is the creative design in the form of a map when switching countries. The only negative is that the free version is limited. Only 500 MB are allocated per month. If you “tweet” the bear, they add another 1 GB. There are two paid rates: Giant for $ 9.99 per month and Grizzly annual subscription for $ 4.99 for one month and $ 59.88 for twelve.
You can evaluate which of the proposed extensions is better on your own. Everything is easily and quickly installed in a “one click”, each has an intuitive interface. You can use several plugins at once, the main thing is not at the same time. Ultimately, you will choose the best one for yourself.