As you surf the web and visit your favorite websites on the internet, your browser engages in many information exchanges beneath the surface. This means your regularly visited trustworthy sites such as Google and YouTube can access anything from your IP location and operating system hardware to intel about devices connected to your network.
An unprotected browser makes your sensitive data such as passwords, security information, and more vulnerable to malicious sites on the internet. This is where a VPN extension comes to rescue. VPNs play a considerable role in protecting you on the internet and providing a better browsing experience. Moreover, even your Internet Service Provider (ISP) records your web browsing history and things that you download are monitored too. Hence, it is essential to choose the best, most secure option available. Some things to look for in the ideal VPN app/extension are a good bandwidth, high speed, cutting edge solutions against anti-VPN technology, and optimal security.
Top Picks for Free Chrome VPN Apps/extensions for Chromebook
If you are on the lookout for the best free VPN services for Google Chromebook, here are the top picks:
1. ProtonVPN
From providing unlimited data and speeds for free to giving you an ad-free experience, ProtonVPN has a lot of factors working in its favor. It is rare to find a free VPN that does all this and more.
ProtonVPN App running on a ChromebookApart from the premium-level data and speed, ProtonVPN also works to safeguard your anonymity and data through a strict no-longs policy. Through the free service, you get access to servers in 3 countries, including Japan, the United States, and the Netherlands, at the same quality of speed and data.
With ProtonVPN, you can experience geo-blocked content from most popular websites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. However, torrenting is only limited to the paid plans which you can easily upgrade to.
Security
ProtonVPN features a kill switch, uses OpenVPN protocols, and industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data. The kill switch protects your location by disconnecting you from the internet in case the VPN fails to function.
Interface
When it comes to the design, this free VPN sports an easy to use interface, it also provides users with a guided tour of its main features using pop-up tips for first-time users. Unfortunately, there is no Chrome extension yet, but if your Chromebook has access to the Google Play store, you can use the app on your Chromebook without any issues.
ProtonVPN Features Spotlight
- Unlimited data and speed for free versions
- Access to servers in 3 countries for the free plan
- Industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption
- OpenVPN protocol
- Log-free and an ad-free experience
- Excellent customer support with dedicated section and email support
- Can work on significant streaming sites: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Hulu
2. Windscribe
Next on the list is a free Chrome extension called Windscribe, which provides an impressive 10GB data usage per month for free. The offer is more than enough to last you for several episodes and HD movies on your favorite geo-blocked streaming sites.
With a free Windscribe account, you have access to servers in 10 different countries, including Germany, Canada, Hong Kong, France, Switzerland, Romania, Norway, and the Netherlands. Some of the streaming services you can access with Windscribe include HBO GO and YouTube.
The generous data storage and servers come with the drawback of slow speeds. However, torrenting works at a reasonable speed while using this VPN.
Security
Windscribe outperforms many free VPNs in terms of security alone by providing the full range of privacy and security settings for its free version. Not only does it feature AES 25-bit encryption, but it also uses four VPN protocols to provide top-notch protection from security threats online.
Another promising feature of Windscribe’s security mechanisms is the suite of security tools named R.O.B.E.R.T. This suite allows users to block threats on Chrome through toggling the settings quickly. However, you cannot use the full range of services provided by R.O.B.E.R.T in the free version of the VPN.
Windscribe
Apart from that, Windscribe also includes a kill switch for extra safety while browsing the internet. On top of that, the company has a no-logging policy and doesn’t monitor your online activity. According to their policies, the VPN only collects data for enforcing some limitations for the free plan.
Windscribe Features Spotlight
- Chrome extension availability
- 10 GB data per month in free version
- Minimal ads and a decent user interface
- Premium level security features for free with no logging
- Access to servers in 10 countries through the free version
- Log-free and an ad-free experience
- Auto chatbot for customer support.
- You can use it on sites such as HBO GO, YouTube, and BBC iPlayer
3. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot shield outshines most free VPNs when it comes to fast speeds, making it one of the fastest free VPNs for Chrome. With their proprietary Catapult Hydra VPN protocol, the Hotspot Shield provides a speed boost without compromising security.
However, the fast speeds are sometimes compromised since Hotspot Shield only enables access to US servers in the free version. So if you live far away from the US, you may be subject to slow speeds.
Another drawback is the low data usage of 500MB available for free users. This means that the VPN is most suitable for some casual surfing instead of bingeing your favorite TV shows and movies on streaming sites. Any streaming is blocked by the VPN and prompts you to upgrade your plan to premium. With the VPN, you get almost 8 hours of surfing out of the 500MB data cap.
Security
Hotspot shield provides ironclad security from online data theft with the help of 256-bit AES encryption and leak protection for IP/DNS along with a kill switch.
The US-based VPN service does have surveillance, and it shares information from countries such as the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. While this information does not include your browsing history, it consists of data such as geolocation, IP address, device IDs, etc. The free version of the VPN runs on ad revenue, so the Hotspot shield sends your data to Google for generating targeted ads.
Hotspot Shield Features Spotlight
- Chrome extension availability
- 500 MB data per month in free version
- Customer support through live chat or email.
- The free version runs on ad revenue, sends data to Google for targeted ads
- Significant speed boost regardless of long distances
- IP/DNS leak protection, industry-standard encryption and kill switch
- Cannot be used on streaming sites, ideal for casual surfing
- You can use it with platforms such as YouTube and Spotify
4. hide.me
Hide.me is another good option for free VPN services. It provides 2GB of free data per month. With that amount of data, you can easily stream for over 7 hours and browse over 30 hours. The data limitations are an obstacle while streaming and torrenting.
Hide.me Chrome extension
Hide.me’s free plan lets you access servers in 5 countries, including Canada, Singapore, Netherlands, and the US. You may experience slower connections if you live far away from these servers. Hide.me has a strict ad-free policy to give you a smooth sailing experience.
Security
Hide.me provides all the premium security features, including encryption, Kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection for free. It also has its DNS servers to ensure the safety of your data.
Hide.me does not log any of your data except for connection data used for troubleshooting.
Hotspot Shield Features Spotlight
- Chrome extension availability
- 2GB free data per month
- Ad-free experience
- Minimal logging
- 24/7 chat support for basic queries and email support for technical problems
- IP/DNS leak protection, industry-standard encryption and kill switch
- You can use it with platforms such as YouTube, HBO GO, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more
5. TunnelBear
TunnelBear provides fast speeds but a limited data usage of 500 MB per month. This limits streaming, torrenting, and browsing experiences. In the free version, you get access to 20 countries, which increases the chance of connecting with one close to you.
Security
TunnelBear boasts a vigilant mode that offers a kill switch to block traffic. It is ideal for strict censorship countries and is good at getting around VPN blocks with its GhostBear protocol. The VPN has a clear cut privacy policy that promises no personal data logging.
Hotspot Shield Features Spotlight
- 500 MB data per month in free version
- Ideal for bypassing government censored content
- Help section for FAQs and ticket submission for significant problems
- The free version has access to 20 countries
- Local servers have fast download speeds
- Major speed boost regardless of long distances
- You can use it with YouTube, HBO GO, and Kodi
6. Betternet
Betternet provides a 500MB data cap per day for free. Betternet’s free version does not allow streaming, which would not be possible anyway due to the low data cap. The VPN only has one server in the US, which makes it slower and ineffective for many sites outside the US. Betternet may not have impressive speeds, but it has a stable and reliable connection fit for some daily browsing.
Betternet Chrome Extension
Security
Betternet uses SSL encryption to protect your private data. It adds extra security measures with perfect forward secrecy that regularly changes the encryption key for maximum protection from hackers. However, Betternet does not have a kill switch to protect your identity entirely.
Since ads support Betternet, it shares your data with Google and other advertisers. Using the service comes with dealing with tedious ads.
Hotspot Shield Features Spotlight
- 500 MB data per day in free version
- One server in the US
- Perfect forward secrecy to protect from hackers
- Use it with YouTube and Kodi
The Bottom Line
As a user of Chromebook, you should be aware of its vulnerabilities that may expose your data and exploit your privacy on the web. With the free VPNs mentioned in the list, you can browse the internet securely and access censored content from all over the world.
Despite being free of cost, many of the VPNs have drawbacks that might put you at risk. Some VPNs log your confidential data while others slow down your connection or feature a large number of ads. So, choose your VPN wisely for a fully secure experience online.
