Using a VPN for Google Chromebook will improve your online privacy and also allow you to unblock content and websites that aren't available in your country. Unfortunately, not all VPNs offer VPN clients for Chromebooks, making it difficult to find a service with all the features you need.
In this guide, we list the best Google Chromebook VPN services and also give you some top tips on how you can stay secure and private by using a VPN service on Chromebook.
What are the best VPNs for Chromebook?
We have listed the best Google Chromebook VPN services below. If you want to find out more about any of these services, keep scrolling to see an in-depth analysis of each service.
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for Chromebook. Super-fast, and has a great Android app that can be installed on Chromebook.
- CyberGhost VPN - Offers great value for money and has an easy to use app. Has an easy to use Android app that works well on Chromebook.
- Surfshark - The cheapest Chromebook VPN service. It can be installed with its Android app or manually configured on Chromebook.
- VyprVPN - A trustworthy Chromebook VPN. Can be set up with its Android app or you can manually configure L2TP/IPsec.
- Private Internet Access - The most private Google Chromebook VPN. Includes a Chrome extension and the Android app is great for Chromebook.
To ensure that you get the most out of your Google Chromebook VPN service, the providers our experts have chosen for this guide all feature the following:
- Support for Chromebook with an Android app or manual configuration.
- Money-back guarantee or free trial.
- Fast servers.
- Streaming service unblocking capabilities.
Best Chromebook VPNs - In-depth Analysis
We take a closer, more in-depth look at the best Google Chromebook VPN services below. If you want more information on any particular provider listed here, check out our detailed VPN reviews.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Chromebook. It's one of the fastest VPNs around, secure, and unblocks everything. Its excellent Android app can be easily installed on Chromebook. ExpressVPN is a hugely respected name in the VPN industry. This no-logs service runs entirely on non-writable media to ensure no logs can persist on its servers after a reboot, which means your privacy is fully guaranteed when using ExpressVPN on your Chromebook (or any other platform for that matter). It offers an OpenVPN Android app with full Chromebook setup instructions. This features a kill switch (“network protection”) and split tunneling, so you can decide which Android apps running on your Chromebook are routed through the VPN interface (Chrome OS itself connections will always be routed through the VPN interface when the app is running). Although ExpressVPN offers a Chrome extension, this is not a stand-alone app and requires the Windows or macOS desktop client to work. It is, therefore, not suitable for Chromebook users. ExpressVPN supplies L2TP/IPsec setup instructions, however, for owners of Chromebooks which do not support Android. Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN provides a custom CLI Linux script for easy OpenVPN setup in Linux, and which works flawlessly on a Linux-enabled Chromebook. CyberGhost is a great Google Chromebook VPN. It has an easy to use Android app that can be loaded onto your Chromebook, it's great for streaming, and it has great security features. Based in Romania, CyberGhost is a no-logs provider that's noted for offering a wealth of handy VPN features at a budget-friendly price point. You'll be able to make use of OpenVPN on the Android app, as well as a built-in kill switch, and CyberGhost even supports split-tunneling for rooting selected Android apps outside the VPN. The App Protection feature will auto-launch the VPN and connect to a chosen server when using selected apps - ideal for your BitTorrent and Netflix apps! The WiFi protection feature automatically enables the VPN when you connect your Chromebook to an unknown network. So, if you're a frequent traveller and on the go, you'll stay secure even when using public networks. Chrome OS specific L2TP/IPsec support appears to have been removed from CyberGhost’s help pages, but users of older Chromebooks can configure the native VPN client using the L2TP/IPsec settings described for other platforms. CyberGhost VPN offers a CLI Linux app for easy OpenVPN configuration in Linux, and also a Chrome browser extension. This HTTPS proxy extension is free to everybody, but is limited to four servers in Germany, Netherlands, Romania, and the United States. Surfshark is the cheapest Google Chromebook VPN service on the list. Install it on Chromebook with the Android app or manually configure it. It's packed with features and unblocks loads of content. Surfshak consistently impresses us with its no-logs policy and exceptional value for money. Chromebook users will likewise enjoy support; there's an official guide to setting up the Surfshark Android app in Chrome OS, plus a CLI Linux app, and stand-alone Chrome extension. The Android app features an ad and malware blocker, a kill switch, and split tunneling. Whilst the Linux app is essentially a simple setup script for OpenVPN, it does make life easier by preloading Surfshark's server list. Additionally, it'll work without issues in Chrome OS so long as you install it from the command line (sudo apt-get install surfshark-vpn). Surfshark doesn't scrimp when it comes to security either - its Chrome browser extension has been audited for security issues by Cure53 and includes WebRTC leak protection and DNS ad-blocking. VyprVPN can be set up on Chromebook using its Android App or you can manually configure L2TP/IPsec. It has been audited by a third-party to prove it's secure and it unblock loads. VyprVPN is a fully audited no-logs VPN service that is based in Switzerland. It is known for owning and self-operating its entire server network, which removes the need to rely on potentially untrustworthy third-party server centers. What's more, all of VyprVPN's servers offer unlimited bandwidth without any caps, so you won't need to worry about sites loading at a snail's pace. The VyprVPN Android app features a kill switch, DNS ad and malware blocking, and public WiFi protection for your Chromebook. It uses the OpenVPN protocol along with VyprVPN’s patent Chameleon encryption technology, which is reported to be very effective at defeating VPN blocks in places such as China. VyprVPN provides an L2TP/IPsec setup guide for non-Android Chromebooks. It has a CLI Linux app for Ubuntu and Mint (OpenVPN, PPTP, and Chameleon), but we couldn't get this to connect to a server from inside Chrome OS’ Debian container. VyprVPN also has generic Ubuntu OpenVPN setup instructions, however, which work fine for Chrome OS. It currently doesn’t offer a Chrome extension. Private Internet Access is the most secure Chromebook VPN on the list. It has proven its no-logs policy in court. Offers a Chrome extension or use the Android app. Private Internet Access, otherwise known as PIA, is a US-based company with a no-logs policy that has been tested in court. You'll be able to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, making it ideal for families, and PIA's instant setup makes getting connected as easy as PIE. Its OpenVPN Android app (pictured to the left in the screenshot above) features a kill switch, split tunneling, WiFi protection, and port forwarding. PIA also offers a proper full GUI Linux app (shown right) with a kill switch, port forwarding, and DNS, ad, and malware blocking. It uses OpenVPN by default, but also supports WireGuard, plus the Shadowsocks protocol for VPN obfuscation. Private Internet Access’ Chrome browser extension is also more fully featured than most such VPN extensions are. It allows you to bypass specified domains, blocks WebRTC to prevent leaks, and has a bunch of other privacy-enhancing and anti-tracking features built-in. Brief instructions for manually configuring Chrome OS using L2TP/IPsec are available on the PIA website.
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Why do I need a Google Chromebook VPN?
Still undecided if you need a VPN service for your Chromebook?
When you use a VPN service, everything you do on your computer is encrypted. This improves your online privacy, as well as the overall security of your Chromebook. A VPN will give you the following advantages:
- Your internet service provider (ISP) can’t see the contents of your data because it is encrypted.
- Your ISP can’t see which websites you visit on the internet, as they are hidden from it by the VPN server.
- What your ISP can’t see, neither can your government (unless it is looking hard).
- And what your ISP and government can’t see, it can’t censor.
- Websites you visit can’t see your real internet protocol (IP) address - only the IP address of the VPN server, making it difficult for them to identify you.
- Because VPN providers run VPN servers located around the world, it is easy to “spoof” your location simply by connecting to a VPN server based in a different country. This makes VPNs great for accessing geographically restricted streaming services so you can watch BBC iPlayer abroad and change Netflix regions to access content that is blocked in your location.
- VPNs keep you safe when torrenting.
How to use a VPN on Chromebook
A VPN usually routes all internet connections from a device through the VPN interface to your chosen VPN server. In Chrome OS, though, this situation is much more complicated, as you may be running apps from three different platforms side-by-side.
If that sounds confusing, don't worry. We will explain the four ways to run a VPN in Chrome OS:
1. Using an Android VPN app (recommended)
If your system supports Android, then you can use an Android VPN app to protect all Chrome OS and all Android connections, but not Linux ones. Using an Android VPN app is the recommended route for most Chromebook users because of its simplicity and features.
2. Using the native Chrome OS VPN client.
This supports the L2TP/IPsec VPN protocol and routes all Chrome OS and all Android connections through the VPN interface (just like using an Android app does). Linux connections are not routed in this way and thus do not benefit from the VPN.
When properly implemented, L2TP/IPsec is typically regarded as secure - but it's worth noting that it's almost definitely been cracked by the NSA. This situation is not helped by the fact that every VPN service we know that offers this VPN protocol uses insecure pre-shared keys.
Given that Android apps that use OpenVPN or IKEv2 are more secure, and manually configuring the Chrome OS L2TP/IPsec client is a bit fiddly anyway, we strongly recommend using an Android VPN app over this method if your Chromebook supports Android.
It's worth noting that the native VPN client also has basic OpenVPN support, but it cannot import the standard .ovpn configuration files used by almost all commercial VPN services.
Google itself recommends using an Android app for this, which makes Chrome OS’ native OpenVPN support all but useless for most VPN users.
3. Using a Linux VPN app
A Linux VPN app will protect Linux connections, but will not route Chrome OS or Android connections through the VPN interface.
There are only two full GUI Linux VPN apps that work on a Chromebook at the time of writing (Private Internet Access and Mullvad), but using OpenVPN in Terminal works for any VPN service that supports manual OpenVPN setup (which is most of them).
If you want to route both Chrome OS/Android and Linux connections through a VPN, then you will need to run either the Chrome OS client or an Android VPN app and run a Linux VPN app.
4. Using a Chrome browser extension
A VPN browser extension for Chrome is not really a VPN in the true sense of the term, as it only routes connections from the Chrome browser through a proxy. But if you are not using Android or Linux apps, then the Chrome browser is basically your entire OS!
So for those who prefer to keep their Chrome OS experience pure and simple, a Chrome Browser extension can provide a quick and lightweight way to gain most of the benefits of using a true VPN without having to download an entire VPN package.
Please check out How to Install a VPN on Chromebook for step-by-step guides to using each of these methods to run a VPN in Chrome OS. And if you torrent, then you may enjoy How to Torrent with a VPN on Chromebook.
Conclusion
This guide should have given you a bit of insight into how VPNs can help you protect your Chromebook device. If you're new to VPNs and want to know what else they can do for you, as well as their limitations, be sure to check out our Beginner's Guide to VPNs.
In the meantime, here is a reminder of our top Chromebook VPNs:
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for Chromebook. Super-fast, and has a great Android app that can be installed on Chromebook.
- CyberGhost VPN - Offers great value for money and has an easy to use app. Has an easy to use Android app that works well on Chromebook.
- Surfshark - The cheapest Chromebook VPN service. It can be installed with its Android app or manually configured on Chromebook.
- VyprVPN - A trustworthy Chromebook VPN. Can be set up with its Android app or you can manually configure L2TP/IPsec.
- Private Internet Access - The most private Google Chromebook VPN. Includes a Chrome extension and the Android app is great for Chromebook.