ExpressVPN is one of the most widely used VPNs. It supports many platforms and has a hefty ensemble of protocols from which to choose. Its Chrome extension has garnered many positive reviews, with thousands of users issuing high scores, bringing its average to 4.5 out of 5 stars.

ExpressVPN has servers in more countries than any other provider on this list, except NordVPN, so you’ll have plenty of options.

While overall performance may vary depending on your internet connection and which server you’re connecting to, ExpressVPN is fast and reliable, and we’ve found it consistently provides decent speeds. When we’ve used the extension, we noted little change to speeds, and it was unobtrusive — a factor you want considering all the pop-ups and notifications we already have to deal with. 

Review: ExpressVPN review

To use the accompanying extension, you will need an ExpressVPN subscription. A two-year plan starts at $6.67 per month and comes with three months added to the length of the contract. Despite the higher price point, customers say ExpressVPN is simple, fast, and easy to use.

ExpressVPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 4.5 | Simultaneous connections: 8 | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, routers | Countries: 105 | Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days, Android and iOS

NordVPN is one of the most popular consumer VPNs. It has many capabilities beyond a basic VPN and is one of our picks for the best VPN with a Chrome extension. 

NordVPN also supports all the major platforms and operating systems, so you can use it to secure the vast majority of your devices outside of your Chrome browser. For extra security, you can route your connection through a second server, known as a double VPN. 

In our latest speed tests, NordVPN performed extremely well and, together with ExpressVPN, offered the best speeds and stability. It’s great for accessing streaming services, too. The VPN provider offers 111 locations to connect to, and you can connect up to 10 devices to the service simultaneously. 

Customers say they like NordVPN’s speed and security, and note that the customer support is impressive. The Chrome extension is lightweight, and many users consider it reliable and a great addition for day-to-day browsing and tasks.

Review: NordVPN review

If you’re unsure if NordVPN will work for you, you can always try it and get a full refund within 30 days if you’re not satisfied. NordVPN offers an additional three months for free with its two-year plan, which begins at $3.59 per month. You can also opt for one-year and one-month plans, at $4.59 per month and $12.99 per month, respectively.

NordVPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 4.2 | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, routers | Countries: 111 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Email address and billing information only | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days, Android

Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market and offers consistently low pricing for lengthy contracts.

In terms of security, Surfshark is rock solid. In our testing, we found no DNS or IP leaks. However, Surfshark’s connection times and speeds can be slower than its competitors. 

The VPN comes standard with useful connectivity and security features: the VPN itself, of course, along with a cookie and ad blocker, a masked email generator, split tunneling (Bypasser), a double VPN option (MultiHop), and other options. Premium plans offer more, such as malware and webcam protection.

Users say they find Surfshark’s Chrome extension easy to install and operate, and deem it an extension that “just works.” The Chrome extension also makes it easier to access services restricted by local IPs. 

Review: Surfshark VPN review

Surfshark pricing begins at $1.99 per month on a two-year plan. You can sign up for a one-year contract at a starting price of $2.99/month, or get a month of access for $15.45. One and two-year contracts come with four months of free access added to the length of your contract. 

Surfshark VPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 3.6 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Ad-blocker | Two-factor authentication | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: No-logs policy | Countries: 100 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, routers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS

When something is free, there’s usually a catch — and a VPN service is no exception. We don’t typically recommend many free VPN options, as many VPN providers will collect or sell your data in return, and this practice undermines the entire point of VPN security. 

Fortunately, paid subscribers back Proton VPN’s free plan, and the team behind it puts security and privacy first. The trade-off? There’s very limited server options and support for only one device.

Also: The best free VPNs

Proton VPN’s Chrome extension (and overall) reviews are mixed, although many complaints are about the free option’s restrictions. You can take this how you will, but many users still say that this VPN is secure and fast enough that few notice any speed changes when enabled. 

If you want to try out a paid plan, Proton VPN offers a two-year contract for $4.49 per month or a one-year option for the equivalent of $8.66 per month. A month of access costs $9.99.

Proton VPN features: Chrome extension: Yes | Chrome Web Store rating: 2.5 | Open source | Simultaneous connections: One to 10, depending on plan | Countries: 112 | Logging: No-logs policy | Security audits | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Kodi, routers | VPN accelerator | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option