The best Google Chromebook VPN 2024

Chromebooks are vital pieces of kit at work, school, and even at home. However, since they use the cloud to access files and (almost) all applications, you'll need to be aware of the myriad threats lurking around those digital corners – and that's where the best VPNs for Chromebook enter the picture.

The TechRadar team has put today's best VPNs to the test to bring you our in-depth rankings and analysis. We've also compared the speeds, features, and Chromebook apps of our top contenders, to help you find the very best VPN for you and your Chromebook.

Keep scrolling to check out our reviews, and see which VPN providers have edged out the competition to land a spot in our top 5.

The three best Chromebook VPNs in 2024

Need a quick answer? No worries. Here are my top 3 VPN picks. Remember, you'll need a service that offers either a Chrome extension client, an Android VPN, or the ability to manually configure your VPN.

1. ExpressVPN – from $6.67 per month
The best Chromebook VPN
ExpressVPN sits at the top of my rankings thanks, in no small part, to its ease of use. You don't have to be an expert to get started with ExpressVPN – in fact, the service handles all of the super-techy configurations for you during setup with automations. I also like that ExpressVPN's one-click connect feature pairs you with the quickest, most secure connection in a heartbeat. Take ExpressVPN for a risk-free test drive with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. NordVPN – from $3.09 per month
The best VPN overall
NordVPN is the total package – it's quick, secure, and incredibly easy to use. It's a great pick for streaming, too, and unblocks big-name platforms (like Netflix and BBC iPlayer) without any hiccups, every time. What's more, you're getting built-in ad-blocking and malware-prevention tools that'll cover your back as you go about your day-to-day browsing. Plus, you can see how it stacks up against ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. Proton VPN – from $4.49 per month
The best free Chromebook VPN
I'm usually iffy about free services, but Proton VPN proves that it is possible to get something for nothing. Free plans include unlimited bandwidth and all the features you need to safeguard your digital privacy. However, if you upgrade, you'll find that Proton VPN excels at unblocking streaming platforms from around the world. Check out Proton VPN in your own time with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The best Google Chromebook VPNs in 2024

Let's dig in to my top 5 picks. I've compared each provider's most recent test results and discussed everything I liked and disliked, and even weighed up how each VPN stacks up against its closest competitors.

The best Chromebook VPN overall

There's a good reason why ExpressVPN claims a top spot in our overall rankings: it's got everything. From reliable speeds, security tools, and 24/7 customer service, there's no aspect of the ExpressVPN offering that's lacking in any way. That's just as well, I suppose, seeing as it is, admittedly, a pretty pricey option.

ExpressVPN is easy to get set up on your Chromebook, too, with L2TP and OpenVPN options available. I like that there's also a kill switch that'll leap into action and cut your internet connection if it detects that the VPN has dropped out – so you don't have to worry about unknowingly leaking sensitive data.

► Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

There are ExpressVPN servers scattered across 94 countries (and 160 locations), meaning you'll be able to unblock geo-restricted content in just a few clicks. I had no issues accessing Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, making ExpressVPN one of the best streaming VPNs in the business.

While ExpressVPN isn't quite as quick as NordVPN, it's still wickedly fast. Whether you're streaming in HD, torrenting, or gaming online, the VPN will be able to keep up without slowing your connection to a crawl.

Few VPNs have apps as well-designed and sleek as ExpressVPN. The UI is fresh and unique, and all of the key features are exactly where you'd expect them to be, which makes navigating the client or Chrome app a breeze. However, I would like to see ExpressVPN up its simultaneous connections from 8 to something a little more generous – though 8 should still be enough to cover your most important gadgets.

If you run into trouble, or need help picking out a server, you can reach out to the ExpressVPN customer service team. Agents are available 24/7 via live chat, and they've always been able to handle even the most techy questions I've thrown their way, which is exactly what I like to see.

The best Chromebook VPN for streaming

If any VPN is (almost) a household name, it's NordVPN – and you've probably heard your favorite YouTuber wax lyrical about its myriad features. However, the service actually lives up to the hype, and is a solid all-rounder available at a price point that won't make you wince. Oh, and if you have an Android device, you can even check out a free 7-day VPN free trial to get a feel for the service before committing to a long-term plan.

NordVPN gives you two ways to get set up on Chromebook – with a handy Chrome extension or an Android VPN app. However, these will only work on newer machines, and the Chrome extension only encrypts traffic running through your browser, unlike the ExpressVPN counterpart, which is more than just a proxy. Ultimately, I'd like to see NordVPN follow suit.

▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

NordVPN has a sprawling network of more than ,6,000 servers in 111 countries – which means you'll have no trouble unblocking content from overseas. In fact, NordVPN is one of the best Netflix VPNs you can get your hands on, and I was able to access other streaming giants like BBC iPlayer and Prime Video without a hiccup. 

It's also worth noting that NordVPN is ridiculously quick. During my most recent tests, it actually maxed out my connection at 950 Mbps, which is more than enough to keep up with HD streams and online gaming. It's one of the fastest VPNs I've encountered in a long time – you'll be able to leave it switched on and go about your day-to-day browsing without noticing a massive impact on your performance.

In terms of privacy-enhancing tools, NordVPN has a long list of sturdy features designed to keep your sensitive information out of the hands of nosy hackers and cybercriminals. DNS leak protection ensures that you don't accidentally leave an identifiable trail across the web, and two kill switches will cover your back if the VPN drops out.

One of NordVPN's biggest selling points, however, is its all-in-one approach to security. Pick up a NordVPN plan, and you'll also be covered by built-in ad-blocking tools and antivirus protection. This means you'll be able to take your Chromebook on the go, and use public Wi-Fi hotspots, without worrying about falling prey to any ne'er do wells or dodgy links.

The best free Chromebook VPN

Like NordVPN, Proton VPN is a well-established staple in the VPN sphere and has carved out a niche for itself as a proactive protector of digital privacies. All of Proton VPN's apps are open-source and independently audited, so you don't have to take the provider's word on good faith alone.

Proton VPN offers a dedicated Chromebook app through its Android client. The apps are all fairly easy to use and are wrapped up in a cyberpunk chic – so, if you're a dark mode loyalist, you'll be pleased. Currently, Proton VPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, which is pretty generous, though some providers (like Surfshark) go one step further by supporting unlimited devices.

▶ Try Proton VPN's unlimited free plan.

The provider employs the best protocols around, including WireGuard and OpenVPN, to keep your personal data out of the hands of third-party snoopers, and a kill-switch goes the extra mile to ensure you're not blindsided by an unexpected data link. The MultiHop VPN feature is a nice bonus, too, and routes your traffic through several VPN servers, taking your privacy to a whole new level.

On the subject of privacy, Proton VPN isn't afraid to fight for it. The provider launched the VPN Observatory as a means to keep an eye on outbreaks of censorship as they happen and monitor spikes in VPN usage. The Observatory then spreads the word, raising the alarm about these sudden outbreaks of censorship as and when they happen.

I was also pleasantly surprised by just how many streaming platforms Proton VPN was able to access. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ all worked like a charm – but there's a slight catch. Proton VPN's unblocking prowess is reserved for paying customers, which means that folks on the free plan are out of luck. That's a little disappointing but, unfortunately, par for the course when it comes to free VPNs.

If you're willing to overlook these streaming limitations, however, Proton VPN's free plan is otherwise impressive. There are no monthly data caps to worry about – you'll get unlimited bandwidth and rock-solid encryption, making it a great pick for folks working with a limited budget or anyone who'd rather try before buying.

Other VPNs I've tested and recommend

Surfshark well and truly offers the best of both worlds – it's affordable and powerful, with a stacked roster of security tools. Thanks to Surfshark's Android client, you'll benefit from its privacy-protecting measures on your Chromebook, too.

I really enjoy Surfshark's clean interface. All of its apps are clutter-free and easy to navigate, even if you've never used a VPN before, which makes it an awesome pick for VPN newbies. Surfshark is compatible with most platforms, and you'll also get unlimited simultaneous connections to share amongst family, friends, or your own legion of internet-enabled gadgets.

▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

In terms of security, Surfshark impresses with a reliable kill switch that'll prevent accidental leaks. You can also make good use of a Multi-Hop VPN if you really want to put a stop to third-party tracking, as well as ad and malware-blocking tools.

Although Surfshark can unblock some of the most popular streaming platforms available today, it falls ever so slightly short to NordVPN. Still, I was able to unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more in my most recent round of testing. That should be enough for even the most content-hungry folks.

Surfshark is, however, wickedly fast, and managed to hit WireGuard speeds of over 950 Mbps. That's impressive, and means you'll be able to leave the VPN running in the background as you go on with your day-to-day browsing, all without noticing any slowdown. Surfshark's performance also means it can handle data-intensive tasks like torrenting and online gaming.

Overall, Surfshark is the best cheap VPN on the market today, and Android users even get access to a free trial that'll let them put the service to the test. Otherwise, you'll be covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support that ready, willing, and able to take on any techy troubles.

CyberGhost rounds out my rankings, but it's a solid all-rounder that works well with just about any device – including Chromebooks and smart TV. Thanks to the VPN's Smart DNS support, you can also get set up on a game console, too.

One of CyberGhost's most impressive features is its vast network of servers. In fact, there are more than 9,200 of them dotted across 116 global locations. Essentially, you'll have your pick of content – whether that's streaming platforms, social media sites, or news sources otherwise inaccessible in your current location.

▶ Try CyberGhost VPN with a 45-day money-back guarantee. 

On that note, CyberGhost is one of my favorite BBC iPlayer VPNs – which is great news if you're a fan of UK content. The VPN also unblocks Netflix, and Hulu. and Amazon Prime without a hitch thanks to its dedicated streaming servers. ExpressVPN and NordVPN might be top of the class, but CyberGhost has proven itself to be a capable streaming service over the years.

Oh, and CyberGhost is seriously quick. I recorded WireGuard speeds of 730 Mbps—and while that's not as fast as NordVPN and Surfshark, it's still way more than you need to enjoy smooth browsing sessions and buffer-free streaming. Basically, CyberGhost is another VPN you can set and forget.

CyberGhost isn't without its quirks, of course, and fans of Australian streaming content will be disappointed to learn that the provider didn't unblock 10 Play during my tests. The support site could use some TLC, too. Currently, you'll have to sift through an unorganized knowledgebase of rarely updated articles – which isn't ideal if you're looking to do your own troubleshooting.

On a brighter note, CyberGhost's Chromebook apps are nice and easy to use – even if you're totally new to VPNs. The UI is simple and clean, not crammed with clutter, and all of the VPN features are exactly where you'd expect them to be.

How we test VPN services - our review methodology

Feature analysis: The first step of our review process begins with the provider's website. We'll take a close look at the features on offer, so we can gather as many details as we can about network size, server locations, and the available protocols and encryption methods. VPN apps also vary massively from platform to platform. For our Chromebook reviews, we'll compare the features to those available on Windows and Mac to see if anything is missing. This is the part of our process where we evaluate the Chromebook app's UI. Is there a lot of clutter on the screen? How easy is it to find key features?

Privacy and security: Then, we'll check to see whether the VPN has undergone an independent third-party audit. If so, when was it, and is it accessible to the public? If not, why not? We'll also conduct a number of our own proprietary tests to determine whether the VPN's kill switch, DNS leak protection, and other security features are working as they should.

Performance: Next, we'll put the VPN's speed to the test using a variety of devices. Our 1 Gbps internet connection allows us to monitor VPN speeds at different points during the day to paint a more in-depth picture of the VPN's performance. We'll also see how the VPN holds up during day-to-day browsing. These tests (which include evaluating how well the VPN handles HD streaming) tell us how the service behaves in the real-world.

Unblocking: On the subject of streaming, our next tests put the VPn's unblocking power under the microscope. We'll attempt to access region-restricted content on platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more.

Support: Finally, we dig in to the customer service. We'll reach out to the team via live chat support or email, depending on what's available - and we're looking for timely and effective replies. We'll also take a look at what Chromebook-specific resources are available in the provider's knowledgebase, including set-up tutorials and troubleshooting guides.

How to choose a Chromebook VPN

With so many VPNs on the market these days, it's useful to know which features and tools are must-haves. Some of this will depend on your personal use case, of course, but when we're talking about Chromebooks, there are several factors worth keeping in mind when shopping for your next VPN.

First things first, your VPN should protect you online and ensure that nobody is keeping tabs on your browsing sessions. My top priority is to recommend secure services that you can rely on. I give extra kudos to VPNs that include a reliable kill switch and adhere to strong no-logging policies.

If you plan to use your Chromebook VPN for streaming, you'll want a speedy service that can keep up with your content. Otherwise, you'll have to endure a lot of buffering and miserable picture quality.

How fast is fast enough? Well, your device needs 5 Mbps to watch a show in high-definition (HD) and 25 Mbps to watch in 4K. If you have more than one device connected to the VPN, you'll need even more speed to ensure frustration-free streaming.

On that note, compatibility is another important factor. All of the VPNs in my list work across a ton of devices—like PCs, mobiles, game consoles, smart TVs, and, of course, Chromebooks.

Whether you're a VPN veteran or a new user, it's important that your provider of choice is easy to use. Quick-connect features are particularly handy, seeing as they'll get you connected to the VPN with one press of a button, and a clutter-free UI makes adjusting settings and customizing your app that much easier.

FAQs

Editted by

Editted by

Andreas Theodorou (MRes, BA)

As a digital privacy advocate and expert, he's spent the past four years leveraging his master's degree to research VPNs, cryptography, and other cybersecurity topics.