After the rise of Google Chrome in the early 2010s and the steep decline of Internet Explorer, some questioned whether that would be the last we see of Microsoft in the browser market.
That was until the company launched Microsoft Edge in 2015, and millions of IE users have now made the switch.
But what's the best VPN for Edge and do you even need one? This guide aims to answer these questions and more.
The best VPNs for Microsoft Edge
Before we delve into a more detailed analysis of the options, here are our best VPNs for Microsoft Edge:
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for Microsoft Edge. Quick, reliable and leading the way when it comes to security features.
- NordVPN - An excellent VPN for Microsoft Edge. Unique privacy tools coupled with pack-leading speed.
- Surfshark - A budget-friendly VPN with a Microsoft Edge browser extension and speeds to rival the pricier competition.
- CyberGhost VPN - A user-friendly VPN for Microsoft Edge, with multi-platform compatibility and excellent customer service.
- Private Internet Access - An ultra-secure VPN for Microsoft edge, with top-of-the-range privacy features and a huge global server network.
To ensure you get the most out of a VPN for Edge, we have listed services with the following features:
- Fast connection speeds for streaming
- A collection of contemporary security features
- The ability to unblock a range of sought after content
The best VPNs for Microsoft Edge: an in-depth analysis
Below, you'll find a few reasons why these VPNs stand out from the crowd and what makes them the best for Microsoft edge.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN to pair with Microsoft Edge. It has a diverse range of privacy features and never struggles to get users connected thanks to its global network of servers. ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and is the perfect VPN to use with Microsoft Edge. It has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, so can reliably unblock the most sought-after geo-restricted content such as Netflix US and BBC iPlayer. In debates about speedy browsers, Microsoft Edge doesn't feature too frequently, so ExpressVPN's consistent speeds will ensure you're not adding to it. The company is actually one of only two on this list to provide a browser extension for Microsoft Edge. Strangely enough, however, you still need an ExpressVPN account and your VPN installed for it to work. But once you have that in place, the browser extension can actually control the main VPN, so when you're using the browser extension functions you're getting all the benefits of the encrypted VPN tunnel too. ExpressVPN boasts a number of impressive security features designed to keep you safe and hide things like your location from Microsoft Edge or any other website you visit. In order to create an unbreakable encryption tunnel between your computer and the VPN server of your choice, ExpressVPN uses not just the standard OpenVPN and IKEv2, but also Lightway, which provides an extra layer of security as well as improved speeds. Users can also activate 'stealth' mode, an obfuscation feature that means even your ISP can't tell you're using a VPN. If this sounds like the VPN for you, why not take it for a spin? ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee ensures you won't be out of pocket if you change your mind. NordVPN is the fastest VPN on the list and perfect for Microsoft Edge. The unique and innovative privacy features that come with it justify the price tag. Nord Demo NordVPN is a shrewd choice to use with Microsoft Edge. According to our daily speed tests, it is currently not only the quickest VPN on this list, but one of the fastest available anywhere – which makes it ideal for streaming films, TV, and sports via your Microsoft browser. It's great for unblocking sites not available in certain locations, and even has a SmartDNS to cover you if a streaming provider temporarily blocks your VPN. NordVPN has a number of innovative security features that make it perfect for use with Microsoft Edge. NordVPN have created their own protocol called NordLynx. Built around WireGuard, it conserves the speed benefits of the protocol whilst increasing security with a double Network Address Translation system. The provider's Double VPN function, on the other hand, passes your internet traffic through not one, but two private servers before spitting it out at the other end, so Microsoft or any other website you visit won't be able to know your location. NordVPN also has a tough no-logs policy and a kill-switch for when your connection drops and, to top it all off, their month-long money-back guarantee means you can road-test their privacy features without incurring any cost. Surfshark is the cheapest VPN on this list. However, its security features go well beyond the price tag, which is part of the reason so many users have left glowing reviews of this provider. Surfshark Demo Surfshark is by far the most affordable VPN on this list, and also happens to be the one other with a Microsoft Edge extension. According to the Edge add-ons store, you need an existing Surfshark subscription in order to install it – which is quite unusual for a browser extension – but it does provide a CleanWeb tool that blocks malicious websites and adverts, as well as an HTTPS encrypted proxy with location spoofing. That being said, considering the broad range of safety features on offer on the main VPN for such a small price, it's pointless to just go for the browser extension. Surfshark has an obfuscation tool is called Camoflauge Mode, which makes it so your internet service provider won't even know you're accessing the internet via a private server. It also offers the latest encryption protocols, a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and a multi-hop tool all for a couple of dollars. In terms of speed, Surfshark is up there with the quickest, and as they have over 3200 servers, you'll be able to access geo-restricted content from all around the world. Surfshark also allows an unlimited amount of devices to use the same VPN account, so you can use it on the device you're running Microsoft Edge on and then just give the account details to family, friends, and whoever else wants to enhance their online privacy. What's more, even though it's mega-cheap, they still offer a money-back guarantee of 30 days to put your mind at ease. CyberGhost VPN is a great provider for both first-time and experienced VPN users. It has a super-sleak and highly intuitive app interface, as well as useful and easy to grasp privacy features. CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost is a VPN based in Romania with over 30 million active users across the globe and user-friendly, slick-looking apps on practically all platforms and devices. CyberGhost would be a particularly good choice for those who use Microsoft Edge on their mobile, such as Windows phone users. The apps cut away all the fuss and turn both activating and using your VPN into a smooth experience. CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is notoriously privacy-friendly and often refuses to implement the sort of data-related legislation that its European neighbors would. Cyberghost will thus never be pressured into working with the authorities, and even if it did, they'd have no logs to give them as they don't keep any. They use standard encryption protocols as well as cutting-edge WireGuard encryption to give your personal information safe, and the provider even has NoSpy servers with high-performance hardware for extended bandwidth. This is perfect for Microsoft Edge and its reputation for being a less-than-speedy browser – you don't want your VPN slowing you down. CyberGhost has 6,697 servers in over 90 countries, so rest assured all your favorite shows can be unblocked. Their money-back guarantee is 45 days long too, giving you even longer to decide if you like it before you have to commit to the investment. Private Internet Access is an incredibly secure VPN, and the only one that can say its claims to not keep any logs have been proven in court. PIA Demo Private Internet Access is known in online privacy circles for how secure it is. More than making up for their decision to base themselves in the privacy-averse US, their no-logs claims have been proven in court. In another show of transparency, PIA has open-sourced all of its mobile and desktop apps, so anyone can review it and check if it's doing what it says on the (very sturdy) tin. This is good news if you're an Edge user, considering the browser's lackluster privacy practices. As well as keeping no user information, PIA uses state-of-the-art WireGuard protocol and has its own DNS server to reduce the chance of leaks. Recently, PIA launched a NextGen VPN network, using the most up-to-date hardware components designed to increase both speed and security. Private Internet Access has over 22,500 servers worldwide and is well accustomed to unblocking sites like BBC iPlayer, Netflix US and Hulu, so if you're looking to stream content in another country, there's a good chance PIA has a server there. 1. ExpressVPN
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What are the advantages of using a VPN for Microsoft Edge?
The bottom line is that a VPN is the cheapest and most effective way to enhance your privacy when you head online, whatever browser you're using.
VPNs work by funneling your internet traffic through a private server, masking your IP address. This allows users to pretend to be in whichever country a given server is located.
Using a VPN with Edge will stop Microsoft Edge – which has a patchy record for a browser when it comes to respecting user privacy – from getting hold of personal information like your location.
VPNs will also let you unblock geo-restricted content not available in your country, such as Netflix libraries from across the world.
How to Install ExpressVPN's browser extension on Microsoft Edge
- Navigate to the ExpressVPN sign up page and enter your sign-in details.
- Select Microsoft Edge on the lefthand side of the page.
- Click 'Get Extension'.
- Wait for the extension to download, and you're away!
Downloading and activating this VPN browser extension will change your Edge geo-location data to the IP address of whichever server you have connected through.
This will only work if you already have ExpressVPN installed.
Free VPNs on the Microsoft Edge marketplace
The Microsoft Edge add-ons store is full of free VPNs, just like the Android and iOS marketplaces.
There are some great free VPNs out there, but usually, they come with risks and practices you wouldn't associate with most paid services.
To show you what we mean, here's a couple of free VPNs available on the Microsoft Edge store that aren't quite what they claim to be:
| HolaVPN | Admits they can sell data to third parties and, what's more, they also steal and resell user bandwidth through another company. |
| Betternet | Allows cookies and lets advertisers log user data. Chrome browser extension leaks IP addresses. |
| HoxxVPN | Keeps logs of your activity and sells it on to others. To make matters worse, it isn't even a VPN – it's a Shadowsocks proxy service. |
Why a VPN is always better than a proxy extension
Rather than investing in a VPN to use with Microsoft Edge, you may be tempted to go with a proxy server extension instead. However, they don't perform the same functions as a VPN.
A proxy server extension simply sends your traffic through a server somewhere else in the world. This might do the trick when it comes to unblocking some content, but there's no guarantee that the owners of the server will make your privacy their priority.
VPNs simply do a much better job of protecting you, and you won't have to worry about any insidious motives from server owners.
Conclusion
Hopefully, it's now clear why a VPN is not just essential for Microsoft Edge, but whenever you go on the internet. If you still haven't decided on which one's right for you, here's a reminder of the ones discussed above:
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for Microsoft Edge. Quick, reliable and leading the way when it comes to security features.
- NordVPN - An excellent VPN for Microsoft Edge. Unique privacy tools coupled with pack-leading speed.
- Surfshark - A budget-friendly VPN with a Microsoft Edge browser extension and speeds to rival the pricier competition.
- CyberGhost VPN - A user-friendly VPN for Microsoft Edge, with multi-platform compatibility and excellent customer service.
- Private Internet Access - An ultra-secure VPN for Microsoft edge, with top-of-the-range privacy features and a huge global server network.