Chromebook OS is a lightweight, cloud-based operating system (OS) that does everything you need it to, however, Chromebooks do come with privacy concerns. In this article, we list the five best Chromebook VPN services as well as telling you how to get and how to set up a Chromebook VPN.
With a VPN for Chromebook, you can ensure that your data is kept secure on public WiFi as well as stopping hackers from stealing your data. As well as improving your privacy VPNs are great for bypassing censorship, unblocking content, and keeping you safe when torrenting.
It is important to mention that if you are looking for a VPN for streaming, not every VPN will be fast enough or able to unblock the services you need. This also applies to torrenting as not every VPN allows P2P downloading. You will be delighted to know that all the services listed in our best Chromebook VPN list both unblock streaming sites from around the world and allow torrenting.
If you're new to VPNs, get up to speed with our handy guides:
The best VPNs for Chromebook?
Take a look at the best Chromebook VPN services listed below. If you want more information about these VPN services, take a look at the summaries below or click through to each VPN provider's website for more details.
- NordVPN - Large brand with very good value, and a budget price
- ExpressVPN - The fastest VPN we test, unblocks everything, with amazing service all round
- CyberGhost - Longtime top ranked VPN, with great price and speeds
- VyprVPN
- PrivateInternetAccess
How to set up a VPN on Chromebook
Setting up a VPN for Chromebook is not difficult and the best VPNs also have their own guides. Here are the basic steps for using an Android VPN app on Chromebook:
- Open the Google Play Store
- Search for your VPN provider and download the software
- Run the software and log in using your credentials
- Open the VPN app
- Connect to a VPN server
If you want more information about how to install and set up a VPN for Chromebook you can refer to our handy guide. In it, you will find explanations for all three ways there are to use a VPN on Chromebook:
- Use the L2TP/IPsec client built into Chrome OS.
- Use a Chrome browser VPN extension. You can download browser extensions from the Chrome store.
- Use an Android app (only available on Chromebooks that support this feature).
5 best VPNs for Chromebook users
If you want more information, our in-depth list below allows you to compare our favorite VPNs to use on Chromebook:
NordVPN is based in Panama (a non-Fourteen Eyes spying alliance country), making it an excellent choice for the more NSA-phobic out there. It keeps no logs at all, uses strong encryption, and accepts anonymous payment via Bitcoin. NordVPN is let down a little by many of its servers being somewhat slow, but with a little trial and effort it isn’t too hard to find a fast one. Additionally, P2P is allowed, and many users appreciate NordVPN’s “double-hop” service, which routes your VPN connection through two different servers in order to make tracking more difficult. Chromebook VPN support comes in the form of setup instructions for L2TP, a Chrome add-on, and an Android app. ExpressVPN has always exceled at providing a great customer experience. At the forefront of this is 24/7 live chat support, and a genuine no-quibble 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN serves Chromebook users well. Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)/Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) setup instructions are available for Chromebook, as are Chromebook-specific instructions for its Android VPN app. The other desktop and mobile software from ExpressVPN is very easy to use, and is fully featured. Those wishing to evade censorship (such as users in China) will appreciate ExpressVPN’s Hong Kong-based “stealth” servers and dark web (.onion) address. Although ExpressVPN is a little pricey, the fact that it throws in a free Smart Domain Name System (DNS) service for all users makes it good value for money. CyberGhost‘s software is easy-to-use while also being very fully featured. It uses very strong encryption, and 5 simultaneous connections is generous. Being based in Romania and keeping no meaningful logs is also a big draw. Like ExpressVPN, some minimal statistics are kept, but with no time stamp or IPs recorded, these present no threat to users' privacy. In addition to fully supporting L2TP, Cyberghost now offers a Chrome extension. CyberGhost’s great logging policy, decent local (burst) speeds, and fully featured software are a winning combination. And with a 7-day free premium trial plus 30-day no-quibble money back guarantee there is zero reason not to give it a whirl. VyprVPN is notable for being one of the rare VPN services to own and control its entire network infrastructure. The result is fantastically fast connection speeds around the world. Chromebook support come is the form of a dedicated L2TP setup guide for Chrome OS. And VyprVPN offers a great selection of features, such as a SmartDNS service, robust customer support, and port selection. Although not necessary for the UK, VyprVPNs “Chameleon” stealth technology is great for Brits who visit places such as China or Iran. Like ExpressVPN, VyprVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. PIA is based in the US, so is not a provider for the more NSA-phobic out there. However, it keeps no logs, which is a claim that it has proven in court. It is not common to have such definite proof that the VPN does what it says it does when it comes to logs, so well done PIA! And although optional, the Android app's security can be first rate. PIA provides Chromebook/Chrome OS setup guides using both L2TP and its Android app. Up to 5 simultaneous connections are permitted and PIA boasts excellent connection speeds.1. NordVPN
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2. ExpressVPN
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3. CyberGhost
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4. VyprVPN
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5. PrivateInternetAccess
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How Does a VPN for Chromebook Work?
On other platforms, you usually sign up for a VPN service, then use the VPN's app to connect to it. The core idea behind the Chromebook, however, is that everything happens inside the browser, so no additional apps are needed (or possible).
Except for the fact that it's now possible to run Android apps on many newer Chromebooks.
There are now two basic ways to run a VPN connection in Chrome OS. You can use the built-in L2TP/IPSec VPN client or app. In addition to this, you can use a VPN add-on for the Chrome browser. These are not really VPNs, but proxy connections.
Browser Add-on VPNs for Chromebook
The whole thing about Chrome OS is that it's basically just the Chrome browser. This means that most of the Chrome browser VPN add-ons offered by an increasingly large number of VPN services will work just fine on your Chromebook.
Technically speaking, these “VPN” add-ons aren't actually VPNs. This is because they don’t protect all internet connections going into and out of your computer. They are instead proxy connections that only protect the browser.
However, since with Chrome OS the browser is the operating system they can, in effect, act as true VPN clients.
That is, apart from the fact that newer versions of Chrome OS support Android apps. These run on their own separate Android subsystem, and won't benefit from a Chrome VPN browser add-on.
Most such browser add-ons securely encrypt the connection using HTTPS. It is always worth checking that this is the case with your VPN provider, as some have no encryption at all. These may still be useful for spoofing your location, but provide no security or privacy benefits. If you need more information about the, take a look at our VPN encryption guide.
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- NordVPN - Large brand with very good value, and a budget price
- ExpressVPN - The fastest VPN we test, unblocks everything, with amazing service all round
- CyberGhost - Longtime top ranked VPN, with great price and speeds
- VyprVPN
- PrivateInternetAccess