The Best VPNs for Chromebook 2024

We’ve determined that the best virtual private networks (VPNs) for Chromebook are NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. NordVPN is a comprehensive VPN with additional bundle options that include cloud storage and a password manager, Surfshark is a solid provider with top-notch security built-in, and ExpressVPN can’t be stopped with the speed and power behind its service.

All three options have extensive server libraries, are easy to set up on Chromebook, and use strong VPN protocols for security. Whether you’re just starting your decision-making process or are looking for validation of your choice, we’ve got all the information you need on the best VPN services for Chromebook.

The best VPNs for Chromebook 2024

• NordVPN: Best overall
• Surfshark: Best for additional security
• ExpressVPN: Best for streaming

Top 3 VPN services for Chromebook compared

VPN	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Starting price	$3.59/mo (billed every two years)	$1.99/mo (billed every two years)	$6.67/mo (billed annually)
Free version
Streaming support	Yes — Netflix (unofficially), Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, DAZN	Yes — Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, DAZN, HBO Max, Hotstar, YLE Areena, Abema TV, and more	Yes — Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, Apple TV, Showtime, Sling TV, and more
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

How we tested the best VPN for Chromebook

When choosing the best VPN for Chromebooks, we looked at the features offered, monthly price, customer support options, functionality, and ease of use.

When trying to decide on a VPN, there are several key features that you should consider. These features include:

• Kill switch to protect against IP address exposure
• Fast server network
• Variety of VPN servers
• Lots of server locations
• Unlimited data (or high data caps for free VPNs)
• No-logs policy
• Multiple or unlimited simultaneous connections
• Strong VPN protocol options
• Split tunneling options
• Extras like ad blockers and tracker blockers
• At least a 30-day money-back guarantee
• AES-256 bit encryption

NordVPN: Best for overall

Who it’s best for

NordVPN is best for anyone who wants a robust VPN installed on their Chromebook. Nord offers a variety of cybersecurity features, including some identity protection settings in addition to standard VPN features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and a large server count.

What we liked

We like a lot about NordVPN. It comes with a multitude of features, and you can receive 24/7 support if you need help using or configuring any of them. We don’t anticipate you needing much, however, because NordVPN has always worked seamlessly for us in any testing we do.

A VPN encrypts data, but that can be useless if it slows your internet down to the point you can’t use it. NordVPN’s fast servers can help speed up your internet connection by hiding your activity from your internet service provider (ISP), which will sometimes throttle speeds when a lot of bandwidth is being used.

We also like that all of Nord’s products are accessible from a single dashboard. If you need cloud storage and a password manager, those are also available through Nord. You can purchase them individually or as a bundle, and they’ll all be kept in a single dashboard to make using Nord’s products easily accessible.

What we didn’t like

NordVPN support pages no longer list Netflix as a streaming platform. We’ve tested NordVPN out on Netflix multiple times and can confirm that occasionally it won’t work. Also, we can say it does work more often than not. 

Unfortunately, this is all subjective and may change for you depending on how active Netflix’s anti-VPN bots are that day. We think this is why NordVPN removed Netflix from its streaming support page. Since Netflix is determined to stop VPNs, and VPNs are determined to thwart Netflix, sometimes your VPN might not be able to unblock Netflix.

We also find the amount of plan options Nord offers to be tedious. A lot of competitors will give you perhaps a monthly and yearly plan option, maybe you’ll get a two-year plan option, but that’s usually it. Nord has nine different plans, some of which are bundles that include NordLocker and NordPass. It can be overwhelming if you’re trying to choose.

NordVPN specs

Price range	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	6,800+ servers in 111 countries
Number of connected devices	10
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx (WireGuard)
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Sometimes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

Surfshark: Best for additional security

Who it’s best for

Surfshark is great for anyone looking to add additional security features to their device. Chromebooks, like Macs and Linux OS, tend to be more secure. People assume that they can’t get infected with a virus or malware, but since ChromeOS uses apps, it can absolutely get malware or become susceptible to hackers. Surfshark’s antivirus software is also anti-malware and works in real-time to keep your device protected.

What we liked

Surfshark is just nice. It’s clean, it’s user-friendly, and — dare we even say — it’s pretty. The aesthetics of the dashboard are inviting while remaining completely functional. It’s a perfect VPN for anyone, school-aged to retirement age, who is less than confident when it comes to unfamiliar technology. We love that Surfshark provides a myriad of protection without overcomplicating it.

Many top-notch VPNs offer similar features and functionality. Many antivirus products offer great protection but lackluster VPNs. What we appreciate about Surfshark is that it checks both of those boxes. It’s positioning itself to be a leader in the security industry, not just through a stellar VPN but also as a reliable and powerful antivirus product. It even extends its security knowledge to identity theft protection with Surfshark One+. All of this commitment to security has led us to respect and recommend its product.

What we didn’t like

The only thing we aren’t completely sold on is the fact that Surfshark is headquartered in a Nine Eyes country, the Netherlands. The Eyes Alliances do trade information with each other and have been known to spy on each other’s citizens’ online activities.

Fortunately, Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means nothing you do through its service is recorded or saved. You can’t trade intelligence if you don’t write it down! Otherwise, we’re ready to ride Surfshark’s wave.

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

ExpressVPN: Best for streaming

Who it’s best for

ExpressVPN is best for anyone who’s tired of wondering whether their VPN will unblock streaming services on any given day. ExpressVPN might be the most powerful VPN available. Between fast and obfuscated servers, you’ll be able to access streaming services without ever looking like you’re using a VPN.

What we liked

It’s just so fast. Seriously. You may have tried a free or paid VPN in the past and been less than impressed. ExpressVPN, however, has blazing-fast speeds and uses obfuscated servers. Obfuscated servers make it look like you aren’t using a VPN, which is why it can get around geo-restrictions and streaming blocks — yes, you can even watch Netflix with ease. This is why it’s perfect for streaming on all of your devices.

If you’re wondering how you can stream on every device if you can only use eight devices simultaneously, don’t worry, there’s a workaround. You can install ExpressVPN on your own router, or you can purchase the Aircove, ExpressVPN’s proprietary router, with the VPN already installed. A router counts as one device and blankets your entire home in VPN coverage. Installing a VPN on a router can be confusing, so ExpressVPN eliminated that issue by creating its own router. Just another reason we love them.

ExpressVPN even offers its own proprietary protocol it built using its knowledge of the VPN industry and security infrastructure. Lightway is ExpressVPN’s preferred protocol that’s based on an open-source code framework. ExpressVPN claims you’ll be able to connect to its VPN even faster when you choose to use this protocol.

What we didn’t like

Power is pricey. ExpressVPN leans toward being the most expensive VPN, and you’ll need a separate subscription even if you purchase the Aircove. While the Aircove comes already set up, it will work like a regular router unless you enter your subscription credentials.

ExpressVPN is cheaper per month if you purchase a yearly plan, but that might be out of budget for some people. If you’re subscribing monthly, you’ll pay the most out of all of the payment options ExpressVPN offers. If ExpressVPN is your choice, the most economical solution is to purchase an annual subscription.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries
Number of connected devices	8
VPN protocol	Lightway (proprietary), OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Honorable mentions

Even though our top choices are some of the best VPNs available, they might not fit everything you’re looking for in a VPN service. In that case, you’ll want to check out our honorable mentions.

These VPN services are fast, secure, and offer a lot for streamers. Each of them is available for Chromebooks and has a variety of features that make them great choices. And, yes, VPNs are legal almost everywhere unless your government has specifically banned them.

• Private Internet Access: Private Internet Access (PIA) has over 10 years of experience in the VPN industry. This means it really honed its skills when it comes to your VPN experience. Many of the additional features, like a dedicated IP address, you may be looking for with a VPN come with PIA. It’s definitely worth checking out.
  
  Get PIA | Read Our PIA Review
• CyberGhost: CyberGhost likes streamers. It touts itself as being a great VPN for streaming and definitely supports that claim with a seemingly endless list of streaming services it supports. But in addition to that, CyberGhost also cares about privacy. Its no-logs policy means you’re getting a streaming-forward VPN that won’t collect your data. That’s a win in our book.
  
  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

How to set up a VPN on Chromebook

Setting up a VPN on a Chromebook is similar to setting one up on a Mac. Like macOS or iOS, you’ll need to install an app from the store. Chromebooks use Android apps from the Google Play Store, so you’ll need to make sure your Google Play account is set up and ready to use. All of the VPNs we’ve recommended are available in the Google Play Store.

Here’s how to set up a VPN on Chromebook:

1. Find your chosen VPN on the Google Play Store.
2. Download the app by following the on-screen instructions.
3. Open the app and sign in.
   
4. Navigate back to the main dashboard and turn on the VPN. 

Alternatively, you can install a Chrome VPN extension to use on the Chrome browser. This may be more restrictive on available servers, and won't protect your internet activity outside of the browser. However, it's a great solution if you only want a VPN for local content. Here's how to install a VPN's Chrome extension:

1. Navigate to the Chrome Web Store and find your chosen VPN.
2. Click "Add to Chrome" and then "Add Extension" to install the extension.
3. Once the extension is installed, sign in to the VPN.
4. Connect to a server of your choice.

Best VPNs for Chromebook FAQs

Bottom line: The best VPNs for Chromebook

The best VPNs for Chromebooks are NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, while PIA and CyberGhost are honorable mentions. Our top three choices are powerful, private, and offer all of the features we suggest having in a paid VPN product. Additional features like bundles, antivirus, and top-of-the-line server power put NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN at the top of the list.

If you’re in the market for a VPN, consider our options. We’ve reviewed them all extensively and have in-depth breakdowns of each service’s pros and cons. With that knowledge, we gave you our best choices. We’re confident that any of these products will not only get you the VPN service you want but the quality of service you deserve.

3 best VPNs for Chromebook 2024

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
NordVPN	$3.59/mo (billed every two years)	Best overall	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
Surfshark	$1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best for additional security	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review
ExpressVPN	$6.67/mo (billed annually)	Best for streaming	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review