Best VPN for Chromebooks

Want to use public wifi safe against hackers? On vacation and want to watch your Netflix account? In this guide, we explain how to use a VPN for Chromebooks to encrypt your internet connection and access region-locked or censored content.

Not all VPNs have apps that are suitable for a Chromebook, so you must pick carefully. In this guide, our experts found six Chromebook VPNs that are fast, secure, and reliable. They also represent superb value for money.

Below, you can take a quick look at the best VPNs for Chromebooks. Later in this guide, we will explain how to use a Chromebook VPN to prevent website tracking, stop your ISP eavesdropping on your web visits, and use public wifi safe against Evil Twin attacks.

Recommended Chromebook VPNs:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Chromebooks. A fast and reliable VPN. Installs on Chromebook from Google Play. Strong security features. Access Netflix and other popular streaming services. Great for torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best low-cost VPN for Chromebooks. Allows unlimited connections with a single account. Starts at just $2.30 per month. Works with Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, and more. No logging policy and strong AES encryption.
3. ExpressVPN: An excellent all-rounder. Strong encryption and a kill switch will protect you at home, at work, or on public wifi. Fast Lightway protocol for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. 24/7 live chat and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. CyberGhost: Best Chromebook VPN for beginners. Easy to install from Google Play. Over 7000 servers in 59+ countries. Works with Netflix Us, BBC iPlayer, and other popular services. Prevents hacking on public wifi.
5. IPVanish: Fast proprietary network. Servers in 20+ US cities. Works with Netflix US, but not all streaming services. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee to let you test it yourself. Lets you share your account with friends and family.

When picking VPNs for Chromebooks, we considered apps, ease of use, availability, connection speeds, and the ability to access popular internet services such as streams, news, social media, and VoIP apps. We only recommended Chromebook VPNs that have strong security features and a large server network.

Later in this guide, we will provide additional information about our testing methodology and explain how to use a VPN for Chromebook. Below, we have outlined some of the important characteristics we looked for when compiling this list:

• Fast servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting on Chromebook
• Strong encryption and a no-logs policy
• Access to censored or region-locked content
• Global server network to get an IP address anywhere
• Apps for Chromebooks (either a Chrome OS app or an Android app)
• Diskless servers for added protection (top three choices)
• Fully audited service (top three choices)

Best VPNs for Chromebook

Here’s a list of the best VPNs for Chromebook:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024 works with ChromebookTested Apr 2024

NordVPN is a fantastic option for anybody looking for Chromebook VPN. The VPN has an app that you can download to your Chromebook from the Google Play store, and it also has a Chrome extension for your Chrome browser.

The Android app for NordVPN comes with a kill switch, AES-256 encryption, a choice of protocols, DNS leak protection, multi-hop servers, and split tunneling. You can use it to prevent your ISPs, local networks, and government snoops from tracking you online. It is also great for using public wifi safe against hackers.

NordVPN comes with a useful Threat Protection feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malware on your Chromebook whenever you connect to the VPN. You can even set a custom DNS server if you want.

Servers are available in over 59 countries, and it has more than 5000 in total. This allows it to avoid network congestion, and along with its proprietary NordLynx protocol, allows you to get superb speeds for gaming, streaming, torrenting, and making video calls.

In terms of accessibility, NordVPN is outstanding. It can access tons of region-locked services including a dozen Netflix regions, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and many more. It can bypass blocks on VoIP services in countries like the UAE, and it even works in countries like China.

Live chat support is available at any time of day to let you ask questions, and you can test the service on your Chromebook risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, this service has been fully audited, and has diskless servers to keep you even safer!

RELIABLE AND SECURE:NordVPN is the best VPN for Chromebooks. Fast, reliable, and has everything you need to use the internet securely on a Chromebook. Throws in a free Smart DNS service to access US streams. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full NordVPN review to find out more.

2. Surfshark

works with ChromebookTested Apr 2024

Surfshark is a fantastic option if you don’t want to break the bank. It fully supports any Chromebook with access to Android apps on the Play Store. Plus, you can install it on an unlimited number of devices – which means you can use it on your smartphone, tablet, Chromebook, or any other device you own. You can also share your account with friends and family if you want.

The apps come with a kill switch, AES encryption, the trusted OpenVPN and WireGuard tunneling protocols, DNS leak protection, obfuscation (Cameleon mode), No Borders mode (lets you use the VPN in restrictive regions that use firewalls to block VPNs), and split tunneling. It blocks ads, trackers, and malware for added protection.

The VPN has a no-logs policy, so it never retains records of what you do while connected. This, along with the security features above, makes it a great option for gaining privacy from your ISP, preventing government tracking, and using public wifi safely. Surfshark is also private enough to let you bypass blocks at work or in school without being monitored.

Servers are available in 100 countries, which is more than any other service on this list. Those servers work to access more than a dozen Netflix regions, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, NBC Peacock, BBC iPlayer, DAZN USA, and many other platforms. It also allows torrenting throughout its network. However, it doesn’t have port forwarding, which you may want for seeding torrents.

You can get help using its apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android/Chromebook, and Linux at any time of day thanks to its 24/7 live chat support. And you can test it risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. A fast VPN that punches well above its price point.

AMAZING VALUE:Surfshark is perfect for Chromebook users wanting a cheap yet reliable option. Super fast WireGuard protocol is excellent for streaming, gaming, and torrenting on a Chromebook. Works to stream many many popular streaming services. Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices. 24/7 live chat. 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. ExpressVPN

works with ChromebookTested Apr 2024

ExpressVPN has a fantastic Android app you can install on Chromebooks directly from the Google Play Store. The VPN is well known for its solid no-logging policy and reliable security features, including AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN protocol with obfuscation by default, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. This is everything you need to gain privacy and data security at home and on public wifi.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android/Chromebook. For Chromebooks that won’t let you install Android apps (and Linux computers), it makes a Chrome extension that lets you control the VPN from your browser. It also has a custom app for VPN-compatible routers, which makes it a fantastic all-rounder.  The VPN has a tracker blocker and malware filtering but does not block ads.

The VPN is fast thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol, which makes it great for HD streaming, gaming, torrenting, and making video calls. In our tests, the VPN worked to access around 15 Netflix regions, Hulu, DAZN USA, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, and many other international services. This makes it great for streaming on your Chromebook.

You can try it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, and it has excellent live chat support to let you ask questions, and get help using the VPN. A split tunneling feature lets you decide which apps use the VPN, but you don’t get port forwarding. Perhaps the biggest drawback is that this VPN is more expensive than our other recommendations.

STRONG ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN works well for streaming and bypassing blocks on a Chromebook. Fully audited by a third-party security firm. Diskless servers for added security. No logs policy and AES encryption. Obfuscation by default when you use OpenVPN. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

works with ChromebookTested Apr 2024

CyberGhost is a great VPN for beginners. The service has a solid Android app that you can download from the Play Store onto your Chromebook. It also has apps for Windows, Mac, and iOS, and you can use the VPN on up to 7 devices simultaneously. This makes it a reasonable option for most power users or family households.

CyberGhost has fewer advanced features than the VPNs we recommended above it. However, it has everything you need to gain privacy from local network administrators and your ISP.  The Chromebook VPN app has a kill switch, DNS leak protection, AES encryption, a choice of protocols (including OpenVPN and WireGuard), and split tunneling. This makes it suitable for using public wifi securely and bypassing blocks at work or in school, for example. Just bear in mind that you won’t get obfuscation, port forwarding, multi-hop connections, or any other advanced features.

Servers are available in 89 countries, and it has a whopping 7000+ servers in total. This allows it to avoid congestion and makes it good for torrenting, gaming, and streaming. In our tests, the VPN was able to access a huge number of popular streaming services, and this is one of the few VPNs that have dedicated streaming services for platforms like Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer.

Live chat support is available 24/7 on its website, and you can try it for 45 days thanks to its risk-free money-back guarantee. A simple Chromebook VPN that is perfect for those who want the easiest option that is also secure.

IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost is easy to use and has fewer complicated settings and features. Solid no-logging policy, and excellent encryption. Fast WireGuard protocol is ideal for streaming. Easy to use streaming servers for tons of different countries. 45-day money-back guarantee.

5. IPVanish

works with ChromebookTested Apr 2024

IPVanish is a US-based provider that has a lot going for it. Apps are available for Windows. Mac, iOS, and Android. You can easily download it onto your Chromebook from the Google Play Store.

Admittedly, the VPN is based in the US, which isn’t ideal for a privacy service. Although it could be served a warrant by US authorities, IPVanish has a solid no-logging policy. It has no historical usage data to pass to the authorities, anyway. The VPN has undergone a full third-party audit that verified the veracity of its network and no-logs promise.

IPVanish is perfect for users in the US, thanks to servers in 20+ US cities. This makes it a fantastic option for accessing blackout games, or any other state-level streaming services. It also works with Netflix US. Please note that IPVanish doesn’t work with Hulu, and is not as good as our other recommendations for accessing international streaming services. So, if streaming is most important, you may prefer something else.

In terms of security features, IPVanish has robust AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, XOR obfuscation, a choice of protocols (including OpenVPN and WireGuard), split tunneling, and a SOCKS5 proxy.

We found the apps easy to use for gaining privacy at home, at work, and on public wifi, and we like that it has live chat support on its website to ask questions 24/7. Just bear in mind that if you get a robot agent in the chat, you should type “live chat” a couple of times to be forwarded to a real agent.

Torrenting is available throughout its network, and its entire proprietary network provides excellent speeds for downloading, streaming, and gaming. You can use it on an unlimited number of devices, which makes it superb value for money for those with big families or many devices. You can test it thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:IPVanish has a large server network spanning 50+ countries. A favorite among Kodi and Amazon Fire Stick users. Android app has plenty of features for Chromebook. Fast connection speeds for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

How to use a VPN on a Chromebook

If you’re new to VPNs, the good news is that it is very easy to set up a VPN on your Chromebook. We have explained the entire process below:

1. Choose a VPN from this guide. We recommend NordVPN because it is fast, reliable, and has a superb Android app in the Google Play Store.
2. Choose the best plan for your needs. You can pay for your account on the VPN’s website.
3. Head over to Google Play and download the VPN app for your chosen VPN.
4. Install the VPN app and log in using your credentials.
5. Choose a server and click connect.

That is all there is to it! As soon as you have connected to the VPN, your traffic will be encrypted. As a result, local network administrators, ISPs, websites, and government snoops will no longer be able to track your activities. You will also be able to get an IP address anywhere that your VPN has servers.

VPN testing Methodology

At Comparitech, we use a carefully designed VPN testing methodology to evaluate competing VPNs. Our process allows us to pinpoint VPNs that offer value for money, reliable features, and optimal privacy levels. Below, we have included information about how we selected the best VPNs for Chromebook:

1. App for Chromebook: In this guide, we have only recommended VPNs that have an app you can download directly from the Google Play Store to your Chromebook device. Our recommendations also have apps for tablets, mobile devices (iOS and Android), and computers (Mac and Windows).
2. Fast servers: You can use these Chromebook VPNs to stream Netflix in HD, watch live TV on ESPN, download torrents, play multiplayer games, or make video calls. This is because we only recommended Chromebook VPNs that have fast Tier 1 servers and speedy protocols such as WireGuard or OpenVPN.
3. Robust security: Our recommended VPNs come with strong encryption, a choice of protocols, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and other features designed to protect your internet connection against eavesdroppers. You can use your Chromebook at home, at work, or on public wifi without fear of being monitored.
4. Plenty of features: Some VPNs provide the bare essentials, while others have extras such as ad blocking, malware filtering, Smart DNS, multi-hop, split tunneling, port forwarding, and more. We tried to recommend VPNs that give you as many features as possible at the best price.
5. Excellent customer service: We only recommended VPNs that have email and live chat support. You can get help to set up or use the VPN at any time of the day.
6. Superb accessibility: Many VPNs fail to unblock popular streaming services from abroad. We considered each VPN’s server locations, and its ability to bypass blocks, censorship, and region locks. These came out on top due to working with popular services like Hulu, Netflix, and more.
7. No logging policy: Trusting your VPN is vital, which is why we only recommend VPNs that have a no logging policy. This ensures that there are never records of what you did while connected to the VPN. In addition, our top three options have all had a full third-party audit for their infrastructure and policies. This means you can trust the VPN’s no-logging claims.
8. Diskless servers: Our top three recommendations have diskless servers. The VPN can pull the plug on the server and delete all the data passing through it in an instant. This increases security against raids and in emergency situations.

Chromebook VPN FAQs