Chromebooks are versatile tablets/laptops that allow you to perform a variety of tasks on Chrome OS. Users look for the best VPN for Chromebook in 2024 despite its increased security due to automatic updates and sandboxing. However, once you go online, the situation changes.
Your exposed IP address can be useful for hackers and snoopers to steal your personal data. Moreover, if you’re using your home network, your ISP can also spy on your activities and see everything you do on the internet. This includes even watching porn or downloading torrents.
Not to mention these annoying geo-blocks that you can’t get over. With a quality Chromebook VPN, these issues sound silly. Once you encrypt your traffic with a VPN, everything you do online is private. In addition, with your IP concealed, no one can compromise your identity.
This is great for torrenting, watching movies/shows, and even gaming. Chromebook is indeed a powerful device, but with an even more powerful, it’s infinitely better. In today’s article, we’ll divulge our top 5 Chromebook VPNs, so stay tuned – don’t move an inch!
Best VPN for Chromebook: Our Top 5 Favorites for 2024
As always, we took our time to test each provider and see how well it works with Chromebook. We concluded that it’s much better to aim for premium providers, despite the fact that they cost money. But at this point, you already know that premium VPNs are better than free ones.
That said, we at least made sure you won’t pay top dollar. Instead, all our VPNs offer special discounts and deals that you can instantly get through our site. Without further ado, our top Chromebook VPNs include:
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
12000 servers
100 covered countries
45 days money-back guarantee
7 simultaneous connections
9.2 /10
6300 servers
111 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.8 /10
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for demanding Chromebook and Chrome OS users.
This provider offers a native Android app that you can easily download and install on your Chromebook. It takes this no-bullshit approach, offering a simple, yet functional app that even beginners will enjoy.
As the best VPN for Chromebook, it prides itself on being extremely fast. Thanks to 10 Gbps servers and the Lightway protocol, you can enjoy fast torrenting or HD streaming. In addition, its OpenVPN presence is great, as you can use this protocol for getting over censorship in some cases.
ExpressVPN is really secure. It has AES-256 encryption, which is further complemented by a kill switch. Unlike some other VPNs, you get the kill switch even on Chrome OS – bravissimo! Furthermore, ExpressVPN’s split tunneling works like a charm and its IPv6/DNS leak protection is impeccable.
All of this wouldn’t be so impressive if it weren’t for an audited no-logging policy. Is ExpressVPN keeping any logs? Absolutely NOT! It is, in fact, audited by PwC, KPMG, and Cure53, which tells us a lot about the provider’s undeniable quality and safety.
ExpressVPN works with Netflix as well, and you’ll find it suitable for low-ping gaming, as you play Apex Legends Mobile or other popular titles. In addition, the provider has 5 simultaneous connections per subscription and offers the absolute best 24/7 live chat support we’ve come across.
On Chrome OS, it can even block malicious sites and trackers, which we found incredibly useful. To be honest, it has no specific downsides, except for the lack of an ad blocker. Still, at a 49% discount and 3 free months for the annual plan, it’s hard to find a better VPN for Chromebook.
Pros
- Dedicated Chromebook VPN app
- Unlimited traffic
- The fastest VPN you can get
- Audited by KPMG, Cure53, and PwC
- Works with Netflix
- Blocks malicious sites and trackers
Con
- A bit pricey compared to other Chromebook VPNs on the list
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is yet another provider with a free Android VPN app. While not a free VPN, the provider’s subscription is perhaps among the most affordable on this list. It packs 9,500 fast servers in nearly 100 countries, all of which will be available in its Chromebook VPN application.
Not to mention its streaming servers which are one of the best. They’re optimized for platforms like Disney+ and Hulu, plus an array of TV channels. Once you connect to one of them, unblocking the service of your choice is a breeze. This is thanks to WireGuard, one of the best protocols around.
CyberGhost even offers an ad blocker, which Chrome OS VPN users will enjoy. In addition, we should mention its reliable IP/DNS leak protection coupled with Private DNS. We’re talking about CyberGhost’s DNS server that will route your traffic rather than your ISP’s DNS.
Since the VPN operates under a no-logging policy audited by Deloitte, its DNS won’t store any traffic-related info. Moving on, CyberGhost is a versatile VPN for all platforms. Aside from Chromebooks, it also supports iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux, in addition to routers and Smart TVs.
We like how fast it is as well, and Chrome OS users won’t have any issues with torrenting or playing online games. Its only downside is the lack of obfuscation but that isn’t a huge deal. After all, you get amazing 24/7 support through live chat in English, German, and French!
And you know what else you’re getting? A tremendous 45-day money-back guarantee for all plans longer than a month. We recommend claiming its exclusive discount below and enjoying its longest plan for just around two quids (or dollars) a month. Don’t tell us you don’t have that much!
Pros
- 9,500+ servers in nearly 90+ countries
- Optimized for streaming
- DNS and IPv6 leak protection
- Torrenting is allowed
- Cheap long-term plans
Con
- It doesn’t have obfuscation
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is another best VPNs for Chromebook in 2024 that we can recommend. Its extraordinary device support means installing it on Chrome OS is a piece of cake, after which, you’ll revel in its 5,500 servers in 60 countries across Earth. Sounds awesome?
Wait till you hear this – NordVPN is the most feature-rich VPN on Chrome OS! It offers NordLynx, a WireGuard-based protocol, but also Threat Protection. This means it can easily block viruses, malware, and annoying ads, keeping your visited pages clean and fast to load.
NordVPN is a beast of a VPN, so to say. It’s good for streaming on BBC iPlayer and Netflix, it has P2P servers and even comes with Double VPN servers. The latter is impressive for your security, as it doubles your encryption and routes your traffic through two servers in different countries.
This makes you untraceable online and completely anonymous as a result. Furthermore, NordVPN offers obfuscated servers, which we found useful when using a VPN in the UAE. This is complemented by Meshnet, a feature for gamers that often host or join LAN parties but want additional safety.
This best Chromebook VPN has a modern-looking app that even beginners can get into. It offers excellent speeds, and thanks to unlimited traffic, users don’t need to confine themselves and worry about crossing that red line.
You also won’t cross the red line in terms of pricing. NordVPN retains its affordability in spite of the obvious jump in quality. Therefore, the 2-year plan is discounted through our site and it’s decorated by a 30-day refund policy for your convenience. Can you really ask for more?
Pros
- Excellent Chrome OS app
- Double VPN servers
- Threat Protection
- Fast speeds (10 Gbps servers)
- No-logging policy
Cons
- Its monthly plan is expensive
- Very rare connection issues
4. Surfshark
Surfshark isn’t better than ExpressVPN or CyberGhost. However, it’s very close thanks to its 3,200 servers in 95 countries. While the provider isn’t blazing-fast like previous VPNs, it does offer unlimited simultaneous connections, beating all of its rivals in this regard.
On top of that, this reliable VPN for Chromebook in 2024 offers plenty of amazing features. Aside from bank-grade encryption and a no-logging policy that NordVPN also has, this one offers an IP Rotator. This feature rotates your IP periodically to make you even more anonymous online.
MultiHop makes its return here, and this time, you can choose the two server locations that your traffic will be routed through. We like Surfshark’s focus on streaming and torrenting, both of which can be done no matter the device you’re using.
Users use it to watch Netflix, for example, but we know it’ll work with US TV channels abroad. Additionally, the VPN has an ad blocker which works well. The kill switch, however, sometimes fails to work, but that’s a rare occurrence and isn’t impacting the VPN majorly.
Surfshark is a great companion for 360-degree protection. Thanks to the bonus Surfshark One bundle, you can even enjoy Dark Web Monitor and antivirus, where the latter will help you get rid of unwanted software on your computer, tablet, or laptop.
With this VPN, you can even spoof your location successfully, as it offers the GPS override function. The best thing is that it’s as cheap as CyberGhost, so the price stays low, and a 30-day refund policy is present for all plans.
If you’re interested in this Chromebook-compatible VPN, you know what to do.
Pros
- 3,200 servers in 95 countries
- Unlimited connections
- AES-256 encryption
- GPS override function for spoofing
Cons
- The kill switch sometimes isn’t working
- It could be slightly faster
5. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access comes at a cheap price, with no corners cut in terms of quality. Indeed, with 30,000 servers in 91 countries, it’s hard not to drop your jaw to the ground and think about installing it on your Chromebook.
Thankfully, as one of the best VPNs for Chromebook, Private Internet Access offers a native app that you can install pretty easily. On Chrome OS, it has a decent-looking app with plenty of features like PIA MACE, which is a reliable ad blocker, plus full support for WireGuard.
While its speeds could be better, the provider is at least great for torrenting and occasional streaming. Its highlight is a no-logging policy audited by Deloitte and proved in court plenty of times. Each time the authorities tried to extract user data from PIA, they found nothing on its servers.
This is further bettered by RAM-only servers that inherently keep no logs and wipe every bit of info with each restart. Not to mention its private DNS plus IP leak protection, all making sure you’re safe and secure while surfing the web.
Private Internet Access also offers MultiHop and support for SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks is here. This VPN works on all devices, too, but we find it disappointing that it has no dedicated app for Fire TV. Instead, you can install other VPNs on Firestick, like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
As for the price… well, this is definitely the cheapest VPN you can use on a Chromebook – it’s also the “worst” of the bunch. It’s by no means bad, though, and is among the safest VPNs you can get. Of course, a special discount is below, that’ll let you get its longest plan even cheaper than CyberGhost or Surfshark.
Pros
- WireGuard and OpenVPN support
- PIA MACE is a great ad blocker
- Easy-to-use Chrome OS app
- It stores no logs of user activities
Cons
- Not the fastest in the price segment
- Streaming capabilities could be improved
- No proper support for Firestick TV
Best Chromebook VPN in 2024: Our Criteria for Selection
Before writing this guide, we tested hundreds of providers to make sure we pick the best ones. During our testing procedure, we used the criteria that include:
- Support for Chrome OS. Every provider needs to have proper support for Chromebook. The best VPN for Chromebook must offer a native app for the platform, which all 5 providers on the list do. In fact, they’re also easy to set up through Google Play, as if you’re using your Android phone.
- Security. This is a mandatory criterion. Each provider must pack 256-bit encryption and a kill switch at the very least. However, the VPNs presented here offer much more, such as MultiHop, DNS leak prevention, advanced protocols, and obfuscation.
- No logging. We wanted to ensure that none of the providers keep logs. This is important for preserving your privacy online and preventing ISPs and hackers from tracking you. All services have a no-logging policy with 1 to 3 third-party audits, making them 100% trustworthy.
- Unlimited traffic. Unlike many free services, our selection of premium Chromebook VPNs has unlimited bandwdith. This means you can enjoy online activities infinitely without any restrictions.
- Streaming. We know that people seek the top VPN for Chrome OS for streaming as well. In this regard, all providers have you covered, being able to unblock Netflix and plenty of other services. This even applies to foreign TV channels that’ll work like a charm.
- Fast speeds. We all hate it when VPNs slow down our internet. That’s why we decided to include some of the fastest providers like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and NordVPN. With their 10 Gbps servers and superior protocols, enjoying fast speeds is guaranteed even on distant servers.
- Affordability. All our providers are very affordable and they won’t cost you a fortune. When looking at their longest plans, you’ll find they’ don’t cross the few-dollar-a-month mark. This makes them incredibly affordable even for people with shallower pockets.
Free VPN for Chromebook: Is It Worth Your Time?
In this article, we want to quickly address free Chromebook VPNs. We haven’t mentioned them because they obviously don’t fall under the “best” category. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not working. We’d say that some pretty good free VPNs work on Chromebook.
But the thing is, they’re littered with limits and issues that most users will find annoying and tiresome. We’re talking about limited bandwidth, inability to unblock streaming services, poor speeds, no P2P capabilities, and in some cases, weaker security.
We surely recommend avoiding Hola VPN, TurboVPN, Betternet, and other crappy providers. But if you’re after the best VPN for Chromebook and you want a free service, we can recommend a couple of them.
Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN offers a completely free VPN with decent speeds and rock-solid security. It has bank-grade encryption, a no-logging policy, DNS leak protection, and WireGuard support. On top of that, there’s a dedicated Chromebook VPN app that you can easily install.
We think it’s a great VPN for Chrome as well. There’s a catch, though. Atlas VPN comes with 5 GB of monthly traffic, which won’t be enough for a single day of going online. It’s also limited in terms of streaming and is easily detected by Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Another issue is that it comes with 3 server locations only (NL/US), which is why its servers are often overcrowded. Atlas VPN has no simultaneous connections and while it allows torrenting, you won’t get far with the 5 GB traffic limit.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN has unlimited traffic, making it very attractive. Its security is top-notch, with the same great encryption, WireGuard, split tunneling, and even IP/DNS leak prevention. Its free version boasts the so-called VPN Accelerator, even though it’s not very effective.
The provider is based in Switzerland and operates under a stringent no-logs policy. Free users can, therefore, enjoy its privacy to the fullest. Once again, there’s a catch in the form of very slow speeds, the lack of P2P capabilities, and no streaming support.
Its 3 server locations in the Netherlands, the US, and Japan are also a problem, as you don’t get many servers to pick from. The provider also lacks the ad blocker and Secure Core servers in addition to the lack of simultaneous connections and proper 24/7 live chat support.
PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN has a dedicated VPN app for Chromebook and it’s easy to install and use. We like its fast speeds and 12 server locations, which is more than average for a free VPN. Much like ProtonVPN, it’s a Swiss provider, so security and privacy are guaranteed.
We don’t like that PrivadoVPN isn’t streaming-friendly and its 10 GB traffic limit sounds pretty disappointing. Its good side is that it has 24/7 live chat support but it lacks many premium features like Control Tower DNS, which makes the VPN more secure.
PrivadoVPN is a poor option for watching Netflix as well, plus, its torrenting is limited due to the bandwidth cap. Important to mention is that it has no Linux app, so if you’re using Ubuntu, Mint, or any other distro aside from Chrome OS, look for another provider.
How to Install and Use a VPN on Chromebook?
Installing a VPN on Chromebook is nothing harder than doing that on Android, iOS, and other platforms. However, if you’re not tech-savvy and you don’t want to risk, let’s go through the steps on how to install a VPN service on Chrome OS.
- Subscribe to a VPN from our list. We recommend using ExpressVPN’s 49% discount and 3 free months for the annual plan. By the way, this VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, so you can get it risk-free.
- With the subscription in place, open Google Play on your Chromebook.
- Search for ExpressVPN (or any other provider).
- Once you find it, simply select it and press Install. It should be installed in about a minute.
- Open ExpressVPN and sign in using the credentials you provided in the first step. You can do that through your email/password or by using the activation code that ExpressVPN provides.
- ExpressVPN’s dashboard will now open and you can connect to a server. Open the server list, find the location you want, and click on it to connect.
- The dashboard will now turn green, which indicates the connection is successful.
Conclusion
To conclude, the best VPNs for Chromebook in 2024 include ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, NordVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access – in that order.
Our team recommends ExpressVPN, as it’s simply the most reliable pick and an all-arounder with no greater drawbacks.
Still, since it’s a bit more expensive than other choices, you might want to consider CyberGhost and NordVPN. They’re cheaper and only slightly slower, with CyberGhost lacking obfuscation. Surfshark is great for value-focused users who want to protect as many devices as possible.
And Private Internet Access, with its cheap price, is more suited for less demanding users with the need for excellent privacy and security. Regardless of your choice, you can be sure the VPNs we presented are completely safe and ready to tackle your needs.
It’s the little differences that make them suitable for one user or another. But based on our Chromebook VPN analysis, you should immediately be able to cherry-pick the provider you want. Besides, a money-back guarantee is always here, making sure you can recall your choice and be refunded properly.
FAQ
Here, we’ll answer some of the questions we haven’t addressed.
Does Chromebook have a pre-installed VPN?
If you think about a built-in VPN, no, it doesn’t have it. You’ll have to install it manually by choosing one of our favorite Chromebook VPNs in 2024.
Can I install a VPN on the school Chromebook?
Yes, you can. School Chromebooks work perfectly fine with VPNs, so installing ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, NordVPN, or any other provider from our list is possible.
How much is Chromebook VPN?
It depends on the choice you made. On average, it’ll cost you from around $2 to $6.7 a month when talking about the long-term plan. As you can see, having a VPN isn’t such a large investment but in terms of significance, it’s pretty noticeable, having in mind the possibilities of VPN services.
