Internet Explorer was one of the least popular Microsoft’s creations. Being slow and clunky, people often replaced it with Chrome or Firefox. However, its new iteration called Edge took the world by storm with stunning quality and speed. The question is – why do users want a VPN for Edge in 2024?
Well, this is by no means a perfect browser. It’s not safe and secure and doesn’t use any form of encryption. Let’s not forget that problems like geo-blocks, ISP throttling, and malicious sites will still be there. Plus, Windows, in general, isn’t the safest OS you can use.
With the best VPN for Microsoft Edge, things are looking rather excellent. This service will preserve your online privacy, let you get over geo-restrictions, and enjoy the highest level of security online. But now, this begs another question – what is the best VPN for Edge at the moment?
For this question to be addressed, you have to read on.
Best VPN for Edge: Our 5 Favorites for Microsoft’s Browser
In a recent guide, we discussed our favorite Chrome VPNs and talked about premium services. Today’s article will be similar to this, as we’ll mostly focus on premium VPNs. The reason is that they offer unlimited traffic, fast speeds, and above all – rock-solid security.
At the same time, our team considered the pricing of each service. We went for affordable options with special discounts that you can get through our site. This way, saving money is imperative, all while the level of quality remains at the very top.
In short, the best Edge VPN services of 2024 include:
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost
- NordVPN
- Surfshark
- Private Internet Access
For our mini reviews of each service, keep reading below.
1. ExpressVPN
The fastest and most reliable option on this list is ExpressVPN. Offering a full-fledged Microsoft Edge VPN extension, it’s the most feature-rich at the same time. The service comes with 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, making it excellent for destroying geo-restrictions.
It’ll work with Netflix and let you access a wide array of foreign TV channels. However, its highlight is security. The provider packs AES-256 encryption, which means even your ISP can’t see your online activities. To make things better, a kill switch is introduced.
This feature shuts down all traffic to prevent unwanted leaks. Users worried about WebRTC leaks should know that ExpressVPN prevents these types of leaks as well. Microsoft Edge users will benefit from ExpressVPN’s apps for all desktop and mobile platforms, in addition.
On iOS/Android, there’s a Threat Manager to keep malicious sites at bay. Then, a no-logs policy that ExpressVPN offers is audited several times, ensuring a 100% private experience. ExpressVPN is incredibly easy to use too and even newbies can get into it.
Our team likes ExpressVPN’s split tunneling and IP/DNS leak prevention which drastically increases its value. Plus, if you’re into torrenting, ExpressVPN will protect all P2P activities and prevent ISPs and hackers from discovering your IP address.
Most notably, the provider offers a 49% discount for its annual plan, with 3 free months on top.
A 30-day refund policy applies to all plans and you can get a refund at any time, should you dislike it. However, we noticed that our readers rarely do this due to ExpressVPN’s undeniable qualities.
Try ExpressVPN on Microsoft Edge
Pros
- A surprisingly functional Edge extension
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Internet kill switch
- It can unblock several Netflix catalogs
- Easy to use and set up
- 3 free months for the 12-month plan
Cons
- You can’t use the extension for free
- Not the most affordable option for some users
2. CyberGhost
The second best VPN for Microsoft Edge is CyberGhost. This service has nearly 9,500 servers in 90+ countries, with torrenting/streaming servers on the list. Its Edge extension isn’t a full-fledged VPN but that isn’t a problem when you have access to other apps.
Still, we’re talking about a really free VPN extension for Edge with features like blocking malicious content, AES-256 encryption, and several server locations. We, however, recommend using CyberGhost’s desktop app instead, as it’ll subsequently protect your in-Edge traffic.
In this case, you can enable a kill switch or enjoy cutting-edge IPv6 leak protection. Moreover, CyberGhost’s streaming servers are impeccable. They’re working with a heap of streaming services, such as Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu. But what about torrenting?
Well, that’s entirely possible, as the service has thousands of P2P-friendly servers in dozens of countries. CyberGhost’s Edge VPN extension is very easy to use because it hardly has any features. Its desktop app is a bit more complex at the cost of more features, such as an incredible ad blocker.
You’ll also frequently use its NoSpy servers for additional privacy. And if it’s the privacy you seek, you’ll be delighted to hear that the service has an audited zero-logs policy with frequent transparency reports. All of this ensures CyberGhost is the right choice for privacy-aware VPN users.
Best of all is CyberGhost’s price. At just above $2/month, you can enjoy its longest plan and get an amazing 45-day money-back guarantee. Although it lacks obfuscation, at this price, it’s hard to complain about anything. Don’t be Karen – get CyberGhost and enjoy Microsoft Edge fully!
Protect Your Edge Browser With CyberGhost
Pros
- 9,500 servers across the planet
- 100% free Edge VPN extension
- IPv6 leak protection
- Streaming/torrenting servers in the desktop app
- It can block ads and pop-ups
- No-logs policy for the highest privacy levels
Cons
- No additional features in the Edge extension
- Not working in China (it lacks obfuscation)
3. NordVPN
Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN comes with a staggering extension for Microsoft Edge.
As one of the best VPNs for Microsoft Edge, the provider packs amazing performance, blazing-fast speeds, and unlimited traffic. For the start, we’re looking at WebRTC blocking, which helps preserve your privacy.
Edge users can also expect a feature called Threat Protection Lite. Essentially, it blocks malicious sites and trackers, serving as a proper security measure. The desktop app, for example, can even block viruses and malware, which is even more impressive.
NordVPN is a proper streaming VPN with access to hundreds of streaming services and TV channels. Its P2P servers are optimized for torrenting, while Double VPN servers give you another layer of encryption. Granted, the extension isn’t as versatile as the desktop counterpart.
However, you can’t use the extension until you subscribe, so there’s no reason not to use the app as well. It’ll give you more functionalities, such as obfuscated servers, Meshnet, NordLynx, Dark Web Monitor, and so much more, aside from AES-256 encryption and a kill switch.
NordVPN’s modern-looking apps are welcoming and you’ll have no issues with them. Besides, NordVPN has 6 simultaneous connections, allowing you to split your subscription across multiple users/devices. In terms of server count, it has more than 5,500 of them in 60 countries.
And if you think NordVPN is expensive, think again. Its longest plan is under a terrific discount and a 30-day refund policy, both of which you can get through 01net.
So what are you waiting for? Maybe our full review of NordVPN? Check it out and get this VPN for Edge cheap.
Purchase NordVPN for Edge Here
Pros
- A native VPN extension for Edge & Chrome
- Double VPN servers
- WebRTC blocking
- NordLynx security protocol with AES-256 encryption
- 5,500+ servers in 60 countries
- It allows anonymous P2P
Cons
- Expensive 1-month plan
- Occasional connection problems
- Value-added taxes in some countries
4. Surfshark
Surfshark’s affordability is one of its key features. At just around $2/mo for the 2-year plan, you can get this VPN for Edge and forget about security and privacy issues.
The provider packs 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, which is more than ExpressVPN, for example.
While not the fastest option, the provider is incredibly capable. For example, it can unblock several Netflix libraries and its Edge extension works well for general streaming. Another thing is that CleanWeb works in the extension too, and this feature is known to block ads effectively.
We like its extension-exclusive feature called cookie pop-up blocker, which does exactly what its name implies. Especially interesting is Surfshark’s website notifications that tell you if a particular site had a security breach. Guess what – we get plenty of those on Facebook and Twitter!
Furthermore, Surfshark comes with bank-grade encryption and a kill switch. This is accompanied by MultiHop servers that double your encryption and make you even safer online. Its Windows app is the most impressive but you’ll find plenty of unique features on iOS/Android apps.
For example, these apps can geo-spoof your VPN location thanks to the GPS Override option. Users can enjoy the NoBorders mode for circumventing censorship and we found its split tunneling to be handy in many scenarios. For those wondering, Surfshark indeed has a zero-logs policy.
As a result, its ability to preserve your privacy is impeccable. All in all, the VPN offers flexible apps, both desktop/mobile and browser-based extensions for Edge, Chrome, and Firefox. At this price, it’s hard to beat Surfshark at its own game… only CyberGhost manages to do that.
Pros
- CleanWeb for blocking ads
- Unlimited connections
- Website safety notifications
- Geo-spoofing on Android/iOS
Cons
- Its kill switch can sometimes fail
- Speed/performance could be improved
5. Private Internet Access
For the very end, we left Private Internet Access, also known as PIA. With 30,000 servers in 84+ countries, it’s hard to not be astonished with this best VPN for Microsoft Edge. This gargantuan size is even more meaningful with the rock-solid security that this service proudly offers.
PIA VPN’s Chrome extension isn’t littered with features. It offers several locations, along with the PIA MACE feature for blocking ads and malicious sites. Interestingly, WebRTC blocking is present and there’s Whitelister where you can add website URLs you want to visit freely.
Of course, you can expect unlimited traffic, alas, with slower speeds. We like PIA VPN’s torrenting capabilities that you can find in the desktop app. To that, we should add moderate streaming ability, which is one of the reasons why it’s behind other VPNs.
PIA is based in the US, so at first, it doesn’t sound safe. However, the safety of this VPN is at the highest level due to military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and a policy against logs. Private Internet Access resides under the same father company as ExpressVPN and Cyberghost, which speaks volumes about it.
Like CyberGhost and Surfshark, PIA comes with extremely low prices for everyone’s pocket. For example, its longest plan is priced slightly below CyberGhost but with a 30-day refund policy. Bear in mind that PIA offers many other features we haven’t touched upon.
There’s the WireGuard protocol, split tunneling, port forwarding, and even 24/7 live chat support. With these options in place, it’s a reliable VPN for Edge that you’ll enjoy if you don’t mind a few flaws like the lack of the Firestick app or slower speeds.
Discover Private Internet Access
Pros
- PIA MACE (ad blocker)
- Affordable prices
- URL Whitelister
Cons
- Speeds on the slower side
- Its free Edge VPN app isn’t overly capable
- Based in the US (5 Eyes)
Microsoft Edge VPN: Criteria for Selection
To make sure we select only the best options for your cause, we decided to stick to a few criteria for this guide. These factors influenced us to choose the top 5 VPN extensions for Edge you see above.
- Compatibility. Obviously, we wanted every service to be compatible with this browser out of the box. All of them will work without issues, with options like ExpressVPN and NordVPN offering the best-optimized apps.
- Privacy. All services on this list come with a no-logs policy. This is vital for preserving your privacy and ensuring your ISP can’t find out about your online activities. Let’s not forget that all of them have at least one third-party audit for added trustworthiness.
- Security features. Our Edge VPN extensions have WebRTC blocking, ad blockers, and superb AES-256 encryption. These, and many other features, ensure you can’t be tracked while streaming, browsing, or even venturing on the dark web using Tor.
- Performance. Needless to say, our services come with unlimited bandwidth and excellent speeds for uninterrupted browsing. ExpressVPN is the fastest, with CyberGhost and NordVPN following closely.
- Ease of use. Extensions like these take only a few clicks of a mouse to set up. This is helpful when you need protection quickly and don’t want to fiddle around. Simply click once to enable it and enjoy impenetrable security.
- Affordability. Finally, you’re looking at affordable options that won’t cost you a fortune. They all offer a money-back guarantee, so being refunded is possible for any reason, as long as the request is in the first 30 or 45 days (CyberGhost).
Free VPN for Microsoft Edge: Is It Worth Your Time?
There’s often this debate around free VPNs and how their quality is simply not good enough. Well, this debate is actually legit because free products can never beat their premium counterparts. Now, people often ask about free VPNs for Edge and whether or not they’re worth it.
Our answer is – it DEPENDS. If we’re talking about free extensions from CyberGhost or PIA, for example, these extensions are safe. However, if you’re asking about extensions like Hola VPN or worse, Urban VPN, then the answer is a bold NO.
The best-case scenario is to use a paid extension like the one from ExpressVPN or NordVPN. These extensions closely mimic the full desktop/mobile app, offering the same server count and other security features that 100% free extensions lack.
Just to make it clear, these extensions are inaccessible unless you have an account. CyberGhost, on the flip side, works for free without an account but with only a few locations and proxy-like behavior. That’s why it’s better to combine it with the desktop app for the best effect.
As for really free services (Hola/Urban, and others…), they’re going to store logs and fail to protect your online privacy. We talked more about this in the free Chrome VPN extension guide where we highlighted all of the downsides of services like these.
If you’re really into free services and you can’t afford to pay, we can suggest Atlas VPN, for example. However, it lacks the Edge VPN extension and offers just desktop/mobile apps. At least when you connect to it, you’ll get end-to-end protection but only 5 GB of monthly bandwidth.
VPN for Edge or VPN App: What’s the Difference?
During our guide, we mentioned a lot two terms – Edge VPN and desktop VPN apps. These two are obviously different and one is better than the other. As you can guess, the desktop VPN app comes on top, being more feature-rich and offering better security.
A VPN that works only inside the browser will protect only in-browser traffic. Connecting to it through the app encrypts your entire traffic, even in games, apps, and other software. A VPN for Edge comes with other benefits, such as WebRTC blocking, ad blockers, and a few similar features.
However, options like NordVPN and CyberGhost offer these features even in their desktop/mobile apps. Many times, these extensions will behave like proxies and not VPNs, which is another shortcoming. Thus, you can’t expect the same level of performance, especially when streaming or torrenting.
As said multiple times, we recommend combining the two.
You’ll enable the VPN app to secure your traffic and then open the extension to ensure no WebRTC leaks are present. This way, you enjoy 360-degree protection against all malignancies like malware, trackers, and pop-ups.
If we were to choose one with the gun pointed at our heads, we’d go for the desktop app, no doubt. With its ability to fully change your IP and encrypt your traffic, it’s far superior to the in-browser version. And in this case, we’d rather choose ExpressVPN than any other pick!
Can I Add Chrome VPN Extensions to Edge?
Yes. Edge fully supports Chrome extensions and you can install them easily through the Google Chrome Store. The difference is that Microsoft can’t verify the extensions from Chrome but that shouldn’t be an issue if you’re sticking to tried-and-tested VPN extensions.
Our best VPNs for Edge are mostly available for Chrome, for example. NordVPN has a native Edge VPN extension, with a few other services on the list. CyberGhost, on the other hand, can be found on Chrome only but we tested it on this browser and it works the same.
Now that we’re at it, if you’re not sure how to add a VPN extension to Edge, let’s go through the steps.
- Open Edge and visit either the Microsoft/Google Chrome Store.
- Use the search bar to type in the name of the extension you want. We searched for NordVPN.
- When you find it, simply click on Get.
- You’ll get a prompt that tells you what the extension can do. If you agree, simply click on “Add Extension” and it’ll be ready to use in a few seconds.
- Now, click on the VPN extension to turn it on, log in, and connect to the server.
Summary
In today’s guide, we saw that installing an Edge VPN extension isn’t such a hard task. In fact, when you know what’s the best Edge VPN in 2024, the only thing left is to take a pick. 01net recommends ExpressVPN as the option with the most features and best performance.
Its full-fledged extensions offer plenty to look forward to, along with impeccable security and privacy. If you want a free option, consider CyberGhost or PIA. NordVPN offers a native Edge extension, with Surfshark being another great option with unlimited connections.
Scroll back up and use the buttons we left to snatch these services with their exclusive discounts.
