Best VPN for Chromebook, Chrome OS and Chrome Browser
How Secure is Your Data on Chromebooks and Chrome OS
Chromebooks, Chrome OS and Chrome Browser are all well used in the technology world. They’re great for those that want hardware and software that is easy to use as well as affordable yet dependable as possible.
What makes them even better is that all three make use of the cloud to optimum effect. It ensures that all computers run in the most efficient way possible so that they run for longer, more smoothly and while using fewest resources.
However, while the cloud has its obvious advantages, it does make those that use Chromebooks, Chrome OS and Chrome Browser susceptible to cyber attack. In fact, many users do claim that Chromebook’s cloud concept is particularly vulnerable to viruses, hacks and malicious attacks.
There is a way to continue using Chromebook’s efficient ways and to secure your data on across the board of the company’s offering as well. That way is to use a VPN when accessing the internet. Sadly, not all VPNs work with Chromebook, Chrome OS and Chrome Browser. Here in this article we investigate the best VPNs that can be used with all three.
How to Use a VPN on Chromebook
When connecting a Chromebook to the VPN, be sure to follow the specific instructions of your chosen VPN.
Overall, there are three types of VPN connections that Chrome OS will support including L2TP over IPSec with PSK, L2TP over IPSec with certificate-based authentication, and OpenVPN.
You will need to enter Settings>Add connection>Add private network. From there, you will fill in all of the necessary information such as service name, provider key and more thanks to the information provided by your chosen VPN service.
For those also wanting to use their account as a VPN for Android, you can download your VPN as an Android App and use the same account information across devices.
Often, however, making use of a Chrome extension app is easiest and best to use.
Why You Need a VPN from Chromebook, Chrome OS and Chrome Browser
Whenever you access the internet without a VPN, you always open yourself up to online fraud as your information is easily hackable by cyber criminals. It means that you can expose your personal data and have your activity monitored. This is particularly the case with a Chromebook that uses both Chrome OS and Chrome Browser as so much, if not all, of what the technology does somehow employs the use of cloud software. This means that every single bit of data and information can be exposed if the connection used is not secure.
This is exactly what a VPN does. It ensures that all connections are secure, private and anonymous. Using a VPN for Chromebook will create a secure connection to the websites you use and give you a new IP address, adding an extra layer of protection for your otherwise exposed connection. A VPN provider is able to offer this extra layer of security by connecting its subscribers to the internet via one of its own secure servers. That connection is also then encrypted and known more widely as a tunnel.
These encrypted connections are so important with Chromebooks and Chrome OS devices as so much of the functionality is based on connecting to the web. As stated before, this is why Chromebook users and anyone that uses Chrome OS or even a Chrome browser are especially susceptible to privacy breaches and activity monitoring.
Plus in addition to the security features that a VPN offers, there are other benefits to using a VPN too. You can also access geo-restricted content from your Chromebook. If you are travelling outside of the United States, using a VPN on your Chromebook will give you a new local IP address, gaining access to otherwise restricted content.
Best Chromebook VPN in 2020
We constantly review the latest and best VPNs for Chromebook to keep up with an ever-changing market. We tested a selection of Chromebook VPNs to determine how our choices measured up. The best VPNs for Chromebook, Chrome OS users and Chrome browsing will all have the following:
- Compatibility with Chrome software – This may sound obvious but not all VPNs are created equal and that means that not all will work when using Chromebooks or Chrome software like Chrome OS.
- Military Grade encryption – One of the main reasons that anyone uses a VPN is its encryption technology. To be the best VPN provider, that technology needs to be military grade. We prefer to see 256 bit AES encryption at a minimum.
- Quick connectivity – For a VPN to be usable, it has to offer its users a connection that has little to no difference than the speed of an unsecured internet connection.
- Vast network – One of the ways that a VPN connection is quick, is by the VPN provider’s network of servers being large. But those servers also need to be located in a number of countries so that users can access any content they want that may have been subject to geo restrictions.
- Unlimited bandwidth – There is nothing more frustrating than using a VPN provider that will start to throttle your bandwidth part way through a month. Some do though as they only allow their subscribers a certain data allowance quota every 30 days or so. The best don’t.
Here’s my list of the top 3 VPNs for Chromebook.
#1 ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Chromebook
Express VPN is our top pick for Chromebook, Chrome OS and Chrome browser. The service is available on Chromebook as a full desktop app interface. Specific installation instructions and setup procedures are available for both the Android VPN app as well L2TP/IPSec protocols for Chromebook. ExpressVPN also has a browser extension available which may suit users better.
Customer service is essential for ExpressVPN, which is not always a given. They have an around-the-clock live chat to respond to user questions or issues. The company also offers a 30-day money back guarantee, which is extremely helpful.
Users looking to access a wide range of geo-restricted content can take advantage of ExpressVPN’s servers in an impressive 94 countries. The company also has a strong pro-privacy stance, as reflected by their refusal to track user activity and provision of robust DNS leaking protection.
The company offers a 30-day free trial with subscription plans available in 1-month, 6-month, and 15-month blocks. Subscribers pay $12.95 for a monthly subscription, $59.95 for 6 months, and $99.95 for 15 months (which includes 3 free months).
#2 NordVPN
NordVPN is a solid choice for Chromebook users. The company offers a popular VPN for those who value their privacy thanks to no recording of user activity logs, strong encryption protocols, and the ability to reroute connections through a “double hop” service.
Double hopping is a method of increasing user privacy by running a user’s VPN connection through two servers instead of just one. For customers whose top priority is privacy, they can pay anonymously via bitcoin, a favorite among security-conscious users.
Due to all the security precautions, NordVPN’s server connections are a little slower relative to competitors, but the extra privacy precautions are appreciated. It’s still quick however.
Chromebook users can set up NordVPN with L2TP or utilize it as an Android app and Chrome VPN browser extension.
NordVPN is available monthly for $11.95, $54.00 for six months, and yearly for $83.88 along with a 30-day free trial.
Should You Use a Free VPN for Chromebook
We would never recommend using a VPN that is offered for free across any platforms. This is particularly true for Chromebook and Chrome OS users as so much of their work is conducted online leaving them exposed to data breaches. Using a free VPN can still leave you exposed to such data breaches as more often than not these free providers simply do not employ stringent encryption techniques. This makes them susceptible to hacking. Furthermore, free VPNs tend to lack many of the advanced features their paid counterparts offer.
Additionally, many free VPN providers do not have a zero logs policy. Some actually actively gather information on their users to sell off to third parties. This is one of the reasons that people proactively engage in using a VPN – they don’t want their data falling into an unknown’s hands.
Finally, for those that use a VPN to gain access to geo restricted content, free VPNs can be useless. This is because they do not have the amount of servers needed in many countries across the globe. This limits their ability to offer the necessary IP addresses to unblock restricted content.
Nonetheless, if you’re looking for an affordable and quick solution for your browser to catch your favorite show or movie on streaming, read more about the best free VPN services available for Chromebook.
The Bottom Line
All of the VPNs listed here will provide users with a very reliable, highly capable service. However, without doubt, the best VPN that is available to use for Chromebook users and any other Chrome systems is ExpressVPN. Users will not experience any drop in speed during use, while enjoying a far superior, secure and encrypted connection. Its flexibility, customer service and ease of use are second to none. Plus, its security features are the best around. ExpressVPN therefore provides that much needed, extra layer of protection that all Chromebook users need.
Google Chromebook users are especially at risk from having their personal information compromised when accessing an unencrypted Wi-Fi network. We have reviewed numerous VPNs and ranked them based on several key aspects. Based on our reviews, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Chromebook because of its security protocols, user friendly interface and customer service. Read our reviews to find out which Chromebook VPN is best for you.
One of the best VPNs For Chromebook is Express VPN.