Risk-free VPN extension for Chrome

Yes, a Google Chrome VPN can be good if it comes from a reliable provider. For example, the ExpressVPN extension for Chrome works like a remote control for your ExpressVPN app—the best VPN for a safe and secure browsing experience—making it easy for you to connect, disconnect, change locations, and modify other settings right from your toolbar. But that’s not the only benefit.

The extension also offers additional privacy and security features like WebRTC blocking and location spoofing, to secure your Chrome browser beyond what any VPN can offer alone. If you encounter an error while trying to stream videos or access blocked sites on your browser, for example, using the Google Chrome extension will often fix the problem.

You already get the privacy and security benefits of a VPN on Google Chrome if you connect to ExpressVPN on your device via the apps for Mac, Windows, and Linux. But to enjoy the added benefits of the Google browser extension (like WebRTC blocking, location spoofing, and HTTPS Everywhere), follow these steps:

1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN if you haven’t already.

2. Download the ExpressVPN browser extension for Google Chrome.

3. Click the ExpressVPN extension icon and click the On Button to connect.

Although there are free VPNs and proxy services available for Chrome, it’s unlikely that they can offer the same privacy, security benefits, and customer support as paid VPNs. Many do not work as advertised, some may even sell your data, and most will leave your networks vulnerable to attack.

Read more about free proxy services vs. VPNs.

A VPN Google Chrome extension is a small software module that integrates with your browser and enables additional features on it, like data encryption. Because Google Chrome does not come with its own VPN, if you want to use a VPN on your Chrome browser, you could download a VPN extension.

ExpressVPN’s extension works as a remote control for the ExpressVPN app, so when you turn it on in Google Chrome, all the traffic on your device is protected, not just your Google Chrome browser activity.

ExpressVPN’s Chrome extension comes with numerous security benefits while you browse with Google Chrome, such as automatically taking you to a webpage’s more secure HTTPS version if available and preventing sites from discovering your true IP address and location.

Yes, Google can track you if you’re using a VPN if you are logged into your Google account while browsing online. While a VPN browser extension for Google Chrome hides your IP address and encrypts all data, your activity will still be tied to your Google account. To avoid this, consider surfing the web while using Incognito mode.

Yes, it is safe to use the ExpressVPN Google Chrome browser extension as it has been specially designed with privacy top of mind. With super fast connection speeds, strong data encryption, a kill switch, and easy server switching, using the ExpressVPN Google Chrome extension is much safer than using a free browser extension that doesn’t come with the same protection. 

The ExpressVPN Google Chrome browser extension is also unique in that it controls the full-featured VPN app. That means all of your online activity is protected by the VPN, not just what passes through your browser.

Your browser history is typically stored inside your browser. Using a VPN will not change this. But you can clear browsing data in Google Chrome.

Your browsing history might also be inferred by others monitoring your internet connection, such as your internet service provider or Wi-Fi operator. ExpressVPN encrypts all your internet traffic, making it impossible for an ISP or rogue Wi-Fi to record the sites you visit.

Note that browser history is not the same as search history. If you are logged in to Google and using its search engine, those searches will be recorded even if you are using a Chrome extension VPN. (Learn how to delete your Google search history.)

Security is at the forefront of what we do at ExpressVPN. Not only do we aim to design our apps and systems to offer a high level of privacy and security, but we also routinely engage independent auditors to validate our security claims. It’s one of the best ways for our users to know if they can trust our services to protect them. See the full list of audits and read the full reports.

To change your IP address in Chrome, turn on a VPN. You can do so with ExpressVPN, either through a desktop app or the Chrome extension.

1. Open the ExpressVPN Chrome extension or desktop app.

2. Click ⋯ to open the VPN location dropdown menu.

3. Choose your preferred city. 

4. If you aren’t already connected to the VPN, click the “On” button. You are now using a different IP address in Chrome.

To disable ExpressVPN in Google Chrome:

1. Click ⋮> More tools > Extensions.

2. Locate the ExpressVPN Chrome browser extension and click Remove > Remove.

Using the ExpressVPN extension in Chrome is easy! Here’s how:

1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN, and install the ExpressVPN extension for Google Chrome. You must also have the ExpressVPN app installed on your computer.

2. After signing in, select a server location that you would like to connect to.

3. Tap the On button to establish a VPN connection.

Once the VPN is connected, your internet traffic will be securely routed through the VPN server. This will protect your data and make it more difficult for others to monitor or track your online activity.

To use the ExpressVPN Chrome extension in Incognito mode on Google Chrome:

1. Click ⋮> More tools > Extensions.

2. Locate the ExpressVPN Chrome browser extension and click Details.

3. Scroll down and toggle Allow in Incognito

A VPN, or virtual private network, provides a secure tunnel between your devices and the internet. VPNs help to change your location, protect your privacy, increase your security, and unblock censored content. 

A VPN extension is an add-on that lets you use and control a VPN service through your browser. With ExpressVPN, the extension acts as a remote control for the app, while offering a few added features like dark mode.

No, Chrome does not have a built-in VPN. Using ExpressVPN on your device protects all your internet traffic, including your activity on Chrome, giving you access to a wide selection of VPN server locations and increased online privacy and security.

The simplest way to do so is by searching in Google “What is my IP” with and without a VPN turned on. You should see that your IP address changes when you use a VPN.

With servers across 94 countries, best-in-class encryption, and ultra-fast speeds that offer minimal buffering, ExpressVPN is the best and most reliable Chrome VPN extension available.

Learn more about how ExpressVPN is the best VPN service.