Best Free Ip Changer For Chrome
Top 8 100% FREE VPNs for Google Chrome – vpnMentor
Finding a good free VPN for Google Chrome is hard, and the wrong choice could be dangerous: There are so many fakes and scams out there. Even those that are legit might cost you in the long run with data leaks, restricted bandwidth, and slow speeds.
While I prefer to use a low-cost premium service like ExpressVPN, there are free VPNs that are better than others. I’ve carefully tested 37 and ranked the best free VPNs for Google Chrome according to speed, security, quality, and compatibility. Check out my list below to find a free VPN that works with Google Chrome.
Short on time? Here are the best FREE VPNs for Google Chrome
ExpressVPN — Blazing speeds, top-notch security, total anonymity, and unlimited data for streaming, torrenting, and browsing. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Cyberghost — Free Proxy Plugin for Chrome offering encryption, malware protection, and 4 server locations. You can also try the full-featured desktop app for 24-hours free.
ProtonVPN — Unlimited data and speeds, with no logs and no ads. Free version only gives you access to servers in the US, Netherlands, and Japan.
Windscribe — Provides 10GB of free data per month, an effective kill switch, and protection against malware, but the free version can’t access Netflix.
Hotspot Shield — User-friendly design, reliable connections, and access to a US virtual location with 500MB of free data that resets daily. This VPN won’t work for streaming, but it’s a good choice for safe browsing with Chrome.
Plus 2 more really free VPNs
How We Tested and Ranked These VPNs
FAQs
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The Best Free VPNs for Google Chrome – Full Analysis (Updated 2021)
Safe and free VPNs for Google Chrome do exist. However, it’s important to understand the limitations of these services. To save you hours of research, I tested and ranked the best free VPNs for Google Chrome, so you can choose a service that doesn’t put you at risk.
1. ExpressVPN — Fast Speeds + Unlimited Data
ExpressVPN’s Key Features
Unlimited data, speed, and bandwidth
TrustedServer Technology
Access to all 3, 000 servers in 90 locations worldwide
MediaStreamer feature available
Works with: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, and Amazon Prime Video
Compatible with: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, iOS, Windows, Android
ExpressVPN offers unlimited data, lightning-fast speeds, and you can try it all risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, it easily bypasses the Great Firewall of China.
The use of innovative TrustedServer Technology ensures that ExpressVPN’s servers always load the most recent version of software, to help prevent security risks. All of its servers operate solely on RAM, which means your data is never stored to a hard drive for any reason.
ExpressVPN offers military-grade encryption, OpenVPN protocols, DNS leak protection, and a Network Lock feature – basically a kill switch.
It also offers split-tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps and services are tunneled through the VPN. Split tunneling has two major benefits. First, it prevents you from being completely disconnected from the internet if the VPN fails. The second, is it lets you access foreign and local content simultaneously on your device.
ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and most other popular streaming services. The MediaStreamer feature helps you access streaming services on your SmartTV and other compatible devices. If you like torrenting, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice as it offers torrenting and other P2P activity across all of its servers.
For a premium provider, ExpressVPN is surprisingly easy to setup and use. The app has a Smart Location feature that will automatically choose the best server.
The 24/7 live chat support feature is extremely helpful, and you can find detailed setup guides for most compatible devices on the site.
Want to know more? Explore our ExpressVPN review to see the full results of our research and testing.
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2. Cyberghost — Free Chrome Extension for Simple Protection
Free Chrome Proxy Plugin, or you can try the full-featured apps for 24-hours free, plus a 45-day money-back guarantee
7, 260 servers in 90 countries to mask your real location and browse anonymously
Streaming and P2P optimized servers to share, download, and watch content at top speeds
7 simultaneous device connections
Military-grade encryption, a kill switch, WiFi protection, and ad/malware protection ensures your personal data is kept secure
Works with: Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, YouTube TV, and more
Compatible with: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Linux, macOS, Windows, routers, and more
Cyberghost offers its Chrome proxy extension for free. This version masks your IP address, encrypts your data, and blocks malicious content. It includes servers in 4 countries — the US, Romania, Germany, and the Netherlands. I tested its US server and had no issue using my Netflix US account. However, the extension isn’t secure when accessing Flash content, and doesn’t protect against WebRTC leaks. For full access to all of its servers and security features, you can use its 24-hour free trial.
By using a combination of security features, Cyberghost allows you to browse safely. This includes 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, an ad/malware blocker, and WiFi protection. WiFi protection is a feature you can customize easily within the app. I tested this by taking my laptop to a local cafe. As soon as my laptop picked up on their WiFi signal, Cyberghost automatically connected. You’ll never be at risk of cyber threats.
It also offers streaming-optimized servers for specific sites including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney Plus, and more. I tested its Netflix US location (on the Windows app) and it was noticeably faster than the free extension. My connection remained stable, and I was able to watch 3 episodes of Stranger Things with zero buffering. You can share, download, and enjoy content at lightning-fast speeds.
On top of this, Cyberghost has specialty servers for torrenting. I found these easily within the app — each of these is displayed in terms of distance from your location. You can even save your favorite server so you can access it quickly for future use. You’ll never waste time searching for the fastest server to download or share content.
You can test Cyberghost and all of its features without limitations when you use its 24-hour free trial. If you need more time, you can try it out risk-free for 45 days since it offers a money-back guarantee. I tested this policy by requesting my money back via live chat after 27 days. The agent asked a few customer satisfaction questions and then approved my refund. I received the money back in my account within 3 days.
Try Cyberghost Risk-Free Today!
3. ProtonVPN – unlimited data and no ads
ProtonVPN’s Key Features
Unlimited data and speed
Uses AES 256-bit encryption and OpenVPN protocol
Free version offers servers in three countries
No logs and no ads
Works with: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube
Compatible with: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Windows, iOS, Android
ProtonVPN offers unlimited data and speeds on its free service, but that’s only one of the reasons it deserves our number two spot.
The company is Swiss-based and has a strict no-logs policy, so your anonymity and data are safe. Plus you won’t have to deal with annoying ads popping up while you’re streaming, the service is ad-free!
Connect to servers in three countries on your free account, including the US, Netherlands, and Japan.
ProtonVPN unblocks most popular streaming services including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. You won’t be able to torrent on the free plan though, it’s only offered on the Basic, Plus, and Visionary plans. If you do decide to upgrade, you’ll also get access to designated torrenting servers.
ProtonVPN’s security features include a kill switch, use of OpenVPN protocols, and 256-bit AES encryption. Industry-standard encryption and protocols keep your data safe as it travels over the internet. The kill switch is a fail-safe to protect your true location from being exposed if you’re suddenly disconnected from the internet or the VPN fails.
It’s interface is well designed, and accessing features is as simple as toggling or pressing a button. You can also opt to use the pop-up tips when you first download the VPN, to get a guided walk-through of its main features.
The support section offers the ability to search by existing categories, or enter your criteria into a search bar. If all else fails, the support team is available via email. Response times are around 24-hours for email, and there is no live chat support. However, the customer support responses are on-point, and the representatives are very friendly.
Want to know more? Explore our ProtonVPN review to see the full results of our research and testing.
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4. Windscribe – top-notch security and supports P2P
Windscribe’s Key Features
10GB of free data per month
Premium security measures at no cost, including no data logs
Free version offers servers in ten countries
Works with: HBO GO, BBC iPlayer, Kodi, and YouTube
Compatible with: Chrome, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Firefox
Windscribe’s free service has a lot of perks that make it worthy of being on this list.
First, it allows a generous 10GB of data usage every month. That’s enough to catch up on a few episodes of your favorite series or even stream a couple of HD movies.
I even found out that if you need more data, you can tweet the company. It’ll gladly gift you an extra 5GB!
You can connect to servers in ten countries with a free account: the US, the UK, Germany, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Romania, the Netherlands, and Norway.
The free version of Windscribe can’t unblock Netflix. However, I was able to access HBO GO, YouTube, and a few other services. Prepare yourself for slow speeds, however. I definitely noticed buffering delays during my test.
If you don’t mind the wait, torrenting works rather well with the free version of Windscribe. A free subscription gives you access to servers that support P2P file sharing. These are clearly labeled in the server list.
On the security front, Windscribe outdoes most free VPNs by offering all the privacy and security settings available in the premium version. Features such as AES 256-bit encryption and the choice of four different VPN protocols keep you constantly protected from cyberthreats.
Adding to that supreme suite of security tools is R. O. B. E. R. T, a fully customizable domain and IP blocking tool. T. allows you to block specific lists of threats on Google Chrome by toggling a single switch in the settings.
Do note that with the free version, your R. access is a bit limited, with only malware blocking and three custom rules.
Last but certainly not least on the list of security features is the inclusion of a VPN kill switch. In the event that Windscribe fails, the kill switch disconnects you from the internet to prevent the exposure of your online activity.
Windscribe also boasts a verifiable no-logs policy. It never monitors your activity or keeps your connection logs, IP timestamps, or session logs.
Windscribe only collects connection data necessary to enforce the limitations of the free version — it never logs anything that compromises your safety or security.
It’s also attractive, intuitive, and easy to use. Regardless of which platform you use it on, the Windscribe VPN app looks identical to the premium option. There aren’t any ads either, which is noteworthy when comparing free VPNs.
Although Windscribe provides an automatic chatbot and many helpful guides and FAQs, live chat support is nowhere to be found.
That’s not to say there’s no support team. If chatbot Garry can’t answer your question, your query redirects to a human representative. It’s not live, but the support team usually responds quickly.
Want to know more? Explore our Windscribe review to see the full results of our research and testing.
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5. Hotspot Shield – fast access to US servers
Hotspot Shield’s Key Features
500MB of free data per day
Lightning-fast connection speeds even over long distances
DNS leak protection and VPN kill switch
Simple, easy-to-use VPN apps for most platforms
Free browser extension for Google Chrome
Works with: Spotify and YouTube
Compatible with: Chrome, Windows, macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Ubuntu, Firefox
Hotspot Shield’s proprietary Catapult Hydra VPN protocol is optimized for speed, making it one of the fastest free VPNs available. This protocol compresses your data and reduces your VPN’s latency, making your connection faster without compromising security.
Despite its speed boost, Hotspot Shield’s free service only allows you to access servers in the US.
When large numbers of free users crowd onto a single virtual location at once, the high server traffic can lead to sluggish connections and longer loading delays.
This might not be a big issue if you live within the US, but if you live farther away from the free US server, you’re going to notice slower connections. You generally get the best VPN speeds by connecting to a server as close as possible to your physical location, so your data doesn’t have to travel far.
On the other hand, thanks to Hotspot Shield’s 256-bit AES encryption and IP/DNS leak protection, your data is virtually impossible to steal.
You also get an automatic VPN kill switch to protect you in the event of VPN connection failure.
You can quickly and easily install its Chrome extension on all your devices. It’s very important, however, to understand that the Chrome extension doesn’t encrypt traffic device-wide — it only encrypts your browser data.
The free version of Hotspot Shield gives you a lot of protection, but it does have other limits. Its data cap of 500MB per day isn’t enough for torrenting or streaming. The free version is best for casual browsing — you can surf the web for about eight hours before running out.
You won’t be able to watch your favorite Netflix shows or torrent your beloved movies, either — it’s not possible using this free service.
When you try to stream as a free user, Hotspot Shield blocks you with a premium payment wall.
Hotspot Shield is a US-based service and is therefore subject to surveillance and intelligence-sharing agreements of nations like the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. The VPN doesn’t collect information about your actual browsing history, so this isn’t necessarily a big deal.
But Hotspot Shield does collect data related to your IP address, geographic location, mobile device ID, and more. Since the free version is supported by ad revenue, Hotspot Shield also shares this information with Google to create targeted ads within the app.
Shortcomings aside, Hotspot Shield remains a secure and user-friendly free VPN option to protect your data while you browse the web with Google Chrome.
For support, Hotspot Shield does have live chat, but you have to log in with your account info to use it. You may also email the company your questions.
Want to know more? Explore our Hotspot Shield review to see the full results of our research and testing.
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6. – premium security at no cost
’s Key Features
2GB of free data per month
Fast downloads on local servers
Minimal logs policy
Free of ads
Easy-to-use custom apps
Works with: Kodi, YouTube, HBO GO, Sky Go, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video
offers a user-friendly extension for Google Chrome. While the company promises to never throttle your connection, your data usage is capped at 2GB a month. That’s enough for about seven hours of SD streaming or 30 hours of browsing, which is plenty for a day but not a lot for a whole month.
’s free VPN unblocks a handful of streaming sites, but you’ll need to test different servers to find which works. The monthly data cap also severely limits your streaming ability.
Torrenting is permitted on three of ’s servers. However, here too, the data cap proves to be a major hurdle.
For free users, only offers five server locations in four countries — Canada, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the US (East Coast and West Coast local servers). If you’re not close to one of these virtual locations, you may struggle with slower connections.
One downside to ’s free service is that you can’t use the VPN on multiple devices simultaneously. For example, this means that you can’t protect your phone and your laptop at the same time.
The free version of is just as anonymous and secure as the premium VPN service. provides AES 256-bit encryption, a VPN kill switch, and protection against DNS and IP leaks.
It even operates its own DNS servers to guarantee that your personal data remains safe.
Most free VPNs sell your data to third parties in order to make money. is based in Malaysia, and it doesn’t collect any identifiable personal data. only keeps non-persistent logs of connection data.
Because it only uses these logs for troubleshooting purposes and erases them every few hours, it in no way exposes your secure identity. You can also ask for this data to be deleted upon request.
provides 24/7 customer support via chat, which is great for answering basic questions, but it’s not as helpful when it comes to more technical VPN problems. You can email the technical support team in such situations; however, don’t expect a rapid response.
One refreshing feature of is that, unlike other free VPN services, it has a strict ad-free policy, so it never bombards you with ads in order to make money.
Want to know more? Explore our review to see the full results of our research and testing.
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7. TunnelBear – fast speeds and anti-VPN-blocking technology
TunnelBear’s Key Features
500MB of free data per month
Bypasses government censorship
Servers in 20+ countries for free
Works with: YouTube, Kodi, HBO GO
Compatible with: Chrome, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Firefox, Opera
TunnelBear’s download speeds are quite good — in fact, they’re nearly as fast as those of the premium service.
But TunnelBear’s free service limits you to 500MB data monthly, so you won’t be able to make full use of that speed. 500MB is only enough for about eight hours of browsing the web each month.
TunnelBear’s VPN network size is excellent for a free VPN. With more than 20 countries from which to choose, you’re a lot more likely to find a fast server near your physical location.
TunnelBear doesn’t work with Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer. This doesn’t really change much, as the 500MB monthly data allowance limits you to less than a half-hour of SD video anyway.
Torrenting is allowed on all server locations; however, this is also limited by data restrictions.
TunnelBear is a decent option when it comes to dealing with countries with strict censorship, like the UAE or Turkey. The GhostBear protocol hides your VPN traffic to get around VPN blocks.
Although the data cap again limits this tool, it’s perfect for those times when you may need to quickly access a couple of government-blocked sites or browse while connected to public WiFi.
As with most of the top free VPNs I’ve listed here, TunnelBear provides the same level of privacy as the premium offering.
In addition to AES 256-bit 256 encryption, TunnelBear has a Vigilant Mode. This is the vendor’s version of a kill switch, which blocks all unsecured traffic if the VPN fails.
When it comes to trust and transparency, TunnelBear has one of the clearest privacy policies of any VPN. None of the data logged by TunnelBear is personally identifiable. TunnelBear only uses the data to troubleshoot and monitor data limits on the free service.
The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) finds that each TunnelBear server provides full disk encryption, malware and intrusion scans, and intrusion protection techniques. With TunnelBear, you’re truly free to surf the internet without any worry.
TunnelBear offers free extensions for Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. However, unlike TunnelBear’s free desktop VPN, the browser extensions aren’t full VPNs and only encrypt your browser traffic and hide your IP address.
TunnelBears’s Chrome extension is also incredibly easy to use. Its Closest Tunnel feature allows you to connect to the most optimal server with the click of a button.
The service doesn’t have live chat, but it does have a help section that may answer many of your questions. For more specific help, you have to submit a ticket.
Want to know more? Explore our TunnelBear review to see the full results of our research and testing.
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8. Betternet – 500MB of free data every day
Betternet’s Key Features
Perfect forward secrecy
US virtual location
Easy to use
Works with: YouTube, Kodi
Compatible with: Chrome, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
With Betternet, you get 500MB of free data that resets daily, which is enough for about eight hours of browsing the web or checking your social media. It’s not enough data for streaming, and during my tests, I found out that Betternet doesn’t even allow streaming on free accounts anyway.
Betternet limits you to one free US virtual location, so it can unblock some websites available in the US but nothing else. If you live far from the US, you might see issues with your connection speed as the data has to travel a greater distance.
Betternet offers a dedicated browser extension for Google Chrome that’s easy to navigate. It didn’t impress me with its speeds during my tests, but its connections are stable and reliable.
The browser extension secures your private data with SSL encryption, and I didn’t detect any IP or DNS leaks in my testing.
Betternet adds an extra layer of security with perfect forward secrecy. This ensures your encryption key changes regularly so hackers can’t compromise your data.
Betternet’s solid security makes it a good choice for secure browsing. It can protect your privacy and mask your identity when you’re on the go and need to connect to an unsecured public WiFi network.
However, it’s not the best option for complete anonymity. This VPN doesn’t offer an automatic kill switch, which could leave small amounts of data exposed if your VPN connection suddenly drops.
Betternet is supported by ads, which means it shares some of your data with third-party advertisers. You also have to deal with annoying advertisements whenever you use the service.
If you have questions, you have to depend on the help center page of the website or send an email.
Want to know more? Explore our Betternet review
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How We Tested and Ranked These Free VPNs
When considering free Chrome VPNs for this list, I focused on compatibility, safety, and value.
All of the VPNs here provide Chrome extensions or are fully compatible with the browser so you can browse, download, and stream.
The services here also offer premier security features such as data encryption and no-logs policies so that your personal details and browsing habits are kept private.
And most importantly, these free VPNs for Chrome provide value. Despite data caps, low server choice, and poor unblocking capabilities, they still allow you to browse the web and get things done, if only for a little while.
What’s the catch with free VPNs?
Free VPNs are great whenever you’re in quick need of a VPN and don’t want to commit to a premium service. However, they commonly feature a number of drawbacks when compared to their premium counterparts.
Premium VPNs offer airtight encryption and advanced security features to protect you from things like malware and DNS leaks. The best premium VPNs hire security experts to perform independent audits of their browser extensions, so you can be sure they’re secure.
The same thing doesn’t hold true for free VPNs, which most often have limited security features to cut costs. Some free VPNs can leave you unprotected from trackers, malware, and spying eyes. Some even share your private data with third-party advertisers, or worse, will hand your info over to government authorities.
Free VPNs typically have strict data limits to convince you to upgrade to premium plans. With limited data, you won’t be able to stream more than an episode or two — that is, if you can stream at all.
Most free services also can’t bypass geoblocks on Netflix and other streaming sites. Some providers are capable of accessing streaming sites, but they don’t allow you to stream with free accounts. They also tend to limit you to crowded free servers, which leads to annoying buffering, lags, and low-quality video.
Do these free VPN providers keep log files?
Many free VPNs log your data, sometimes even including your online activity and browsing history! None of the VPNs on this list collect any data about what you do while you’re using the VPNs.
However, most of them do collect some connection logs, such as how long you’re connected to the VPN and how much data you use. This is unavoidable because it’s the only way for free VPNs to enforce data limits.
Does a VPN impact browsing speed?
A reduction in speed is nearly unavoidable when using any VPN — whether it’s a free service or a premium one. Nevertheless, premium VPNs usually only suffer a slight reduction in speed, whereas your speed may be heavily compromised when using certain free VPNs.
The biggest factor affecting your speed when using a VPN is the encryption process that your data undergoes as it travels from your device to the VPN server. With free VPNs, there’s a range of other factors resulting in speed reduction, including limited server locations, outdated VPN encryption protocols, and VPN-imposed limitations on speed.
What are the top features I should look for in a VPN for Google Chrome?
Airtight security is essential in a VPN for Google Chrome. Some VPNs don’t offer the same level of security in their browser extensions as in their secure VPN apps.
Ideally, your VPN should offer a dedicated browser extension that features robust encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection to mask your location and protect your private data from spying eyes.
The Bottom Line
Google Chrome’s built-in security features are simply not enough to protect your data and privacy. With the free VPNs on this list, you can protect yourself from cyber threats and access government-censored content.
But remember, even the best free VPNs will come with limitations that restrict how much you can do.
Data caps may keep you from streaming or only allow you a few hours of browsing time per month. Limited server access can keep you from unblocking the sites you want to browse. Slow speeds can leave you waiting and waiting for pages to load.
If you want a VPN with unlimited data and lightning-fast speeds that can bypass geoblocks on streaming services, a budget-friendly premium VPN like ExpressVPN is your best option for Google Chrome. It may not be free, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it with confidence.
Have you decided that a premium VPN is the way to go? Head over to our current deals and discounts page to save money on your subscription.
Have a need for speed? Check out our ranking of the fastest VPNs according to our expert speed tests.
Top VPNs for Chrome that you can try risk-free with money-back guarantees…
Privacy Alert!
Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we’ve tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it’s currently offering 49% off.
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The 5 Best Free Chrome VPNs to Unblock Any Website – Nira
Co-founder of Nira
Advertisers, governments, schools, and companies are watching where you go online. While advertisers just want to follow you around and sell you stuff, your school or company might block certain websites so you can’t access them.
This is often done in a heavy-handed, thoughtless way. Either by using algorithms to block entire topics or by blacklisting individual sites. The Chinese government, for example, blocks every Google domain. That includes Gmail. If you’re traveling to China and use Gmail, it’s nearly impossible to do your job while traveling.
You can also find that you’re barred from websites and content based on your location. Netflix, for example, serves completely different content based on your location. You might be halfway through an amazing series and then lose access by traveling to another country. The reverse is worse. I’ve come across amazing shows while traveling, got halfway through, and then lost access once I got home when I didn’t even realize the country access was different.
So how do we get around these restrictions?
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
Strictly speaking, there’s no such thing as “Chrome VPN, ” but plenty of VPNs have a Chrome extension that lets you control the VPN through your browser. Many are completely free too. If you want easy access to the sites you want, wherever you are, they’re great choices.
First, a word of caution…
Free vs Paid VPNs
Paid VPNs are subscription services. They own servers, have employees, and incur other costs in order to provide the VPN service. Free VPNs get their revenue elsewhere. Some sell your data, some show you ads, some are freemium versions of paid VPNs.
In general, if you’re worried about privacy and security, get a paid VPN. I highly recommend going with ExpressVPN.
If you’re not worried about your private data and just want to get around site blocks without having to pay anything, consider one of the free options.
The 5 Best Free Chrome VPNs
1: CyberGhost – Best for Regular Unblocking
Free Server Locations: Germany, Netherlands, Romania, and United States
Paid Server Locations: 4, 800 servers across 58 countries
Encryption standards: 256-bit AES
Privacy: Logs connection attempts but anonymizes them. Doesn’t log traffic or IP addresses
Connection Speed: Won’t significantly slow down most users’ connection speed.
Pricing: Chrome extension is free. Subscriptions start at $12. 99 a month or $5. 99 a month billed annually.
How it works
Install from the Chrome store and fire it up from the extension bar. Choose your server location by clicking on the one that’s currently active.
Under the hood, CyberGhost’s Chrome extension is built on the Ethereum blockchain, meaning it’s one of the most private options out there.
They do warn you upfront that “this browser plugin is not secure when accessing Flash content and does not protect you from webRTC leaks. ” It’s also not good at unblocking streaming sites.
2: Browsec – Most Convenient
Browsec is faster than most free VPNs, secure, and easy to use.
Free Server Locations: Netherlands, Singapore, United Kingdom, and United States
Paid Server Locations: 12 locations
Privacy: Doesn’t collect personally identifying information but does collect meta-data. It is location in Russia so be warned.
Connection Speed: Up to 100MB/s but you’re more likely to get speeds of 10-15MB/s
Pricing: Has a freemium plan. Premium subscriptions start at $4. 99 per month or $3. 33 per month billed annually
Install the extension and then click on it. You don’t need to be signed in or have an account to use the Chrome extension. Location is reliable between websites, there are plenty of servers to choose from, and the interface is simple and intuitive.
I strongly recommend not using this service for anything sensitive. Since it’s located in Russia, I would assume anything you’re doing is being tracked.
3: TunnelBear – Best for Infrequent Usage
TunnelBear is a real VPN with a Chrome extension. Unlike most premium VPN services, TunnelBear has a free account with a data limit instead of a time limit. If you want a real VPN’s power and control, but only occasionally, TunnelBear will work for you.
Free Server Locations: Access to all paid servers
Paid Server Locations: Servers in 20 countries
Encryption standards: 256 bit symmetric encryption
Privacy: Logs connections but not traffic or IP addresses.
Connection Speed: Fast, connections as 50MB/s even on free plans
Pricing: Free accounts are free forever, paid accounts start at $9. 99 per month or $4. 99 per month billed annually
Install the extension, click on it and you’ll be asked to create an account. All you need is your email address, and when you confirm your free account you’ll get access to the 500MB a month that comes with a free account.
Be warned, doesn’t play that well with some other Chrome extensions — when we tested it, Ghostery and OneTab crashed.
4: HotSpot Shield – Easiest and Most Reliable Unblocking
HotSpot Shield is a freemium tool built around its Chrome extension, with no data or time cap.
Free Server Locations: Germany, Russia, Canada, and Netherlands
Paid Server Locations: India, Singapore, UK, France, and the US are available
Encryption standards: 256 bit AES encryption
Privacy: Collects aggregate activity logs but not traffic or IP addresses
Connection Speed: Usually fast enough but it will slow noticeably for more distant servers
Pricing: Has permanent free accounts, paid subscriptions start at $12. 99 per month or $9. 99 per month billed annually
Install the extension and you’re guided through a five-screen onboarding flow in the extension itself before you connect. You can choose your server by clicking on the one you’re connected to.
You’ll also see options for a cookie blocker, malware blocker, RTC protection, and a tool called Sword that creates spoof traffic while you browse to confuse trackers trying to identify you.
5: Windscribe – Most Flexible Server Locations
Free Server Locations: US, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and the UK
Paid Server Locations: Wider range of global servers as well as dedicated “Windflix” servers specifically designed to unblock Netflix
Encryption standards: 256-bit AES encryption
Privacy: Collects connection logs but not traffic or IP addresses
Connection Speed: Struggles with uptime and distant servers do display a noticeable lag.
Pricing: Freemium plans, paid subscriptions start at $9 per month or $4. 08 per month billed annually
Install and you’re prompted to sign up. Once you create your free account, you’re automatically connected.
You get 2GB of free data with WindScribe, but they do their best to help you make the most of it. The default setting is “Cruise Control, ” which doesn’t use any of your data allowance until you encounter a blocked website. When that happens, Windscribe flicks itself on automatically to get you access, choosing the appropriate server location to get you access.
The custom-tailored servers for Netflix are great too. If your primary goal is to get access to different Netflix regions, definitely consider this VPN, it makes that process super easy.
What if the website you want to view is still blocked?
Websites like YouTube and Netflix are engaged in a kind of arms race with VPN users, many VPNs are blocked by these sites. If you’re doing a lot of unblocking, or you want to unblock sites that are particularly VPN-proof, go with a paid VPN.
ExpressVPN – Best Paid VPN
Living up to its billing, this is the fastest full-featured VPN out there. It has an effective stealth mode so watchers won’t even know you’re using a VPN, solid encryption, and reliably unblocks everything on the internet.
There’s a Chrome extension but you need a subscription to use it. The desktop and mobile apps are easy to use too. It’s priced at $12. 99 a month or $9. 99 per month for a six-month subscription.
If you’re going to be using a VPN heavily, I highly recommend going with ExpressVPN.
The best free VPN 2021 | TechRadar
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We all like a free lunch, and the same can definitely be said when you download a VPN. Why bother paying for yet another piece of software when there are so many free VPNs out there for desktop and mobile? We certainly understand the temptation, but it’s worth exercising some caution, your reason for having a VPN is just about having a bit more security on your laptop or mobile when using public Wi-Fi every now and then, a freebie can do a decent job. And with more and more people needing to work safely and stay entertained at home, it’s no surprise free VPN users are growing in this page, you’ll find our pick of the best options available to download today. We’ve assessed the ability of the top free VPNs to see which will keep your online activity anonymous without you having to spend a thing. ExpressVPN might take the crown of our favorite premium provider in the world, but the best free VPN at the moment is Hotspot Shield – we explain why we think so free VPNs are so handy however, why did our recent survey find that less than half of users opt for a freebie over a paid-for service? That’s because they do have their limitations, and you should really be aware of them as they could significantly restrict what you were hoping to use your VPN problems with free VPNsFree VPN services may cost nothing but there is usually a good reason for that – it means the provider will be turning a profit in some other way, usually with invasive advertising or by selling your browsing data to third-parties (rather defeating the whole drive for privacy in the first place), free services tend to limit the amount of data you can use and the speed you can use it at, rendering them practically useless for streaming video, torrenting or as an extra layer of reliable security in your day-to-day online life. And don’t expect the kind of easy access support or server range that you get with the paid services, before we get stuck in to our list of the best free VPN downloads, it’s worth knowing that a paid-for version can cost as little as around $2/£2 per month and will give you much better performance and protection. 1. ExpressVPN: Try TechRadar’s #1 VPN for free
We have reviewed more than two hundred VPN providers, both free and paid, and our top recommendation right now is ExpressVPN. Given the risks of using free VPNs, we think the price is absolutely worthwhile – plus, it comes with a no-questions-asked 30 day money back guarantee, too.
View Deal2. NordVPN: The world’s biggest VPN brand
Chances are, even if you don’t know a lot about virtual private networks you may have heard of NordVPN. It advertises on TV, sponsors sports teams and has been a leader in the market for over seven years. Nord doesn’t quite lead the way right now but it’s still a fantastic service and currently $3. 30 USD per month.
View Deal3. Surfshark: World-class VPN, very reasonable price
Still too expensive? Then look no further than Surfshark. From just $2. 49 USD per month it’s a fantastic, premium option that’s unbelievably simple to use and has become a TechRadar favorite. It offers most of the same features as the other top services, just for less money.
View DealThe best free VPN for 2021:(Image credit: Hotspot Shield)1. Hotspot Shield Free VPNOur #1 free VPN – easy-to-use and get started in an instantSupported on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Servers available: 1 | Data limit: 500MB per day | 24/7 live chat support: NoMost of the premium version featuresSo easy-to-useSimple to set upFast max speedsOnly one serverData limitThe premium version of Hotspot Shield takes its place among the top paid-for services on the web and, indeed, near the top of our fastest VPN countdown. So it’s little surprise that its free option is so popular. Those on the free plan are limited to 500MB of data per day (so around 15GB per month). That may sound restrictive, but compared to one or two on this list, it’s actually one of the more generous limits (although, of course, not a patch on the unlimited data you get with paid-for services) security is your sole aim, then Hotspot is on the same wavelength, boasting the same ‘military-grade encryption’ that most premium VPNs shout about. In addition to security, Hotspot Shield Free also won plaudits in our testing for being so friendly to use. Whether on its mobile version or on desktop, you won’t find it the hair-pulling user experience offered by some the past we’ve seen the odd issue around the free Hotspot Shield download. For the period of a few weeks at the start of 2021, Hotspot was completely killing the ability to search on Google when switched on. All we got was an error – and we tried this out a lot from a variety of locations and devices. Thankfully this issue appears to have been sorted can choose to anchor yourself to one of 70-odd countries if you pay $2. 50 per month for the Premium version of Hotspot, and this should enable you to access just about anything you want; in the free version you’re limited to one US-based location that Hotspot Shield chooses for you, and you’ll have to put up with ads if you’re using on Android. – Head through to the Hotspot Shield website to download nowTechRadar needs you! We’re looking at how our readers use VPNs, in order to help improve our coverage and make sure we’re giving the best advice. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the survey below. It won’t take more than 60 seconds of your time.
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(Image credit: ProtonVPN)2. ProtonVPN FreeGet unlimited data allowance without paying pennySupported on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Servers countries: 3 | Data limit: Unlimited | 24/7 live chat support: NoNo monthly data limits! Surprisingly full feature setGreat on the privacy frontSpeed throttlingLimited supportProtonVPN is among our favorite free VPNs. While the stand-out feature is undeniably that it offers zero limits on the amount of data you can use with your VPN use, there's plenty more to admire outside that would be remiss of us not to begin with that headline selling point, though. ProtonVPN doesn’t impose any data restrictions. In other words, you’re free to use as much data as you want every month - that's really rare for a free VPN provider, as you'll discover below with the others on this free version of this service has servers in three locations, spread nicely around the world: in the US, Japan and the Netherlands. There are clients for Windows and Mac, of course, as well as apps for Android and iPhone. On desktop, we like the option to toggle on automatic connections when you start up your computer. And some unusual features for a freebie are included, too, like split-tunnelling and DNS leak are, naturally enough, limitations for the free plan to incentivize upgrading to a paid-for offering. We think the most notable is the fact that free users get a lower priority when it comes to speed compared to paying subscribers. There’s no P2P support either and speeds may drop at peak times when lots of users are around and paying folks get priority. And Proton makes it very clear that you'll need to upgrade to its Plus tier if you want to use your VPN for if you can live with all that, this is an impressive provider with a strict no logging policy, and you can sign up with nothing more than your email address and a username of your choosing. There aren’t even any ads on the website, let alone the client. - Go to the ProtonVPN website to download this free VPN(Image credit: Windscribe)3. Windscribe freeSuper secure with a generous data capSupported on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Server countries: 11 | Data limit: 2-10GB per month | 24/7 live chat support: NoSterling privacy policyEasy to start and useEven works with NetflixSpeeds are sometimes inconsistentStandard 2GB data in a month isn't muchThe folk at Windscribe are vigorously and vocally proud of their free VPN offering... and why shouldn't they be! It's a really strong option thanks to its generous data allowance and commitment to protecting your get 2GB bandwidth per month as standard - so not much. But that is easily upped to a more palatable 10GB if you're happy to give Windscribe your email address. The free version lets you choose from 11 remote server locations including the UK, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, Turkey and eight US VPN cities at last count). It's a 'freemium' model in play here, so there are some gentle nudges to get you to sign up to the unlimited version if you like what you see, but the upselling isn't too annoying or tting started with its desktop clients or super useful Chrome extension is easy - you'll be jumping around the world on different servers in no actually don't expect free VPNs to help us get around region blocking from certain apps, sites and streaming services. So we were delighted when Windscribe went above and beyond the call of duty in our Netflix VPN testing. Unlike most others, it got us full access to exclusive content in the US, Germany and UK (as well as to BBC iPlayer in the latter). Of course the data limit is going to stop you from too many massive binges, but good to know for the odd show on your travels or dscribe doesn’t store connection logs, IP stamps, or visited sites; when you’re actively connected to a server it stores your username, the server you’re connected to and the amount of data transferred, but this is erased within three minutes of the session ending. And if that isn’t all enough to tempt you, there’s even a built-in adblocker, malware protection and firewall. A word on speeds though. We found Windscribe to be less consistent them some competitors and at times it took a while to even connect to a server. But they're fairly minor complaints in the grand scheme of things... did we mention it was free! (Image credit: Tunnelbear)4. TunnelBearProtecting your identity with easeSupported on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Servers countries: 20+ | Data limit: 500MB per month | 24/7 live chat support: YesReally user-friendlyBoth mobile and desktop clientsDecent speedsMeagre data limitNot many options or settingsTunnelBear might have something of a cutesy design, but it's a serious free option, especially after its acquisition by security giant, McAfee. There are free and paid-for subscriptions to choose major restriction with the free plan is that you are limited to 500MB of traffic each month. That really is a tiny amount and means you can only really use it at those times when you feel like you need a little extra protection and want to go down the free route. You won't be able to keep it on all the time and you can forget using this VPN for torrenting and streaming. Obviously going for a provider like ExpressVPN or NordVPN alleviates this pain point it least this free version doesn't limit you on available servers, making all 20+ countries of the premium service available. And TunnelBear recently tuned up its privacy policy, so it now collects even less data on users – removing the need to supply a first name to sign up, and ditching its record of the user’s number of total lifetime connections. (Image credit: Speedify)5. SpeedifySecure, speedy and with lots of serversSupported on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Servers available: 50+ | Data limit: 2GB per month | 24/7 live chat support: NoNifty performance boosting techSolid on the privacy frontSoftware has few low-level controlsSpeedify, as the name suggests, has one main aim as a free VPN provider: to ensure that while you benefit from encryption, your internet connection remains as speedy as possible. To that end, this provider will make use of all available internet connections to get the best possible performance, potentially combining, say, an Ethernet connection (fixed broadband) with a tethered mobile connection. Even if you only have one type of internet connection, the firm claims its turbocharging technology will still help speed things free plan boasts full access to those servers (just as with the subscription options), the only restriction of the free offering being that you’re limited in the amount of data you can download. Free users get 2GB of data each month. That’s not a huge allowance, and certainly not as much as some other rivals you’ll see elsewhere on this page, but it’s more than some, and still enough for covering some basic surfing and email this provider is definitely worth a look on the performance front, as during our testing, the aforementioned speed-granting technologies did actually prove themselves to have a positive effect. 6. ’re on a hiding to something with this privacy-conscious serviceSupported on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Servers available: 5 | Data limit: 10GB per month | 24/7 live chat support: YesStrong on privacyNo adverts or speed throttlingLimited to one offers both paid and free VPN products, with the latter giving you 10GB of data per month to play with. There are other limits too: you can only connect a maximum of one device, and are limited to five server locations (including the US and a Canada VPN) rather than the 50+ locations paying subscribers the plus side, however, this provider won’t throttle the connection speed of free users, and further promises that it keeps no logs and stores no user data, so won’t pass on any data to third-parties in order to try and make a profit (simply because it doesn’t have any data to pass on). There are no adverts here, either, and it even offers P2P support on its five available free VPN get native software for Windows PC and Mac, Android and iOS, with the clients being smartly designed, plus there’s 24/7 technical support (which is in place even for free users). Performance was impressive in our testing, too. Overall, then, this is a more-than-solid free offering which tries to maintain your privacy, without too many a free VPN worth getting? Honestly, there isn't one easy answer to this question. It depends on what you want to use your free VPN for. If it's just about having a bit more security on your laptop or mobile when using public Wi-Fi, they can be just the ticket. Jump on the service, turn on an encrypted server connection and crack on with your online activities safe in the knowledge that no prying eyes will be able to see your private if your main purpose is to have a streaming VPN say, or want to use it while downloading terabytes of torrent files, a free VPN just isn't going to do the trick. For starters, most of them limit you to a daily or monthly data allowance that you'll rinse through in no time at all. While most don't have the kind of easy access support or server range required to make those activities easy with a virtual private to choose a free VPN: 5 must-ask questionsThe couple of years have witnessed the rise of global threats to individual privacy with long maintained rights to anonymity and net neutrality being undermined with a cloak of virtual private networks are not the panacea to being safe, secure and private on the internet, it is an essential component of the arsenal for individuals inclined to seek these you don’t have one yet, you can grab one for free, without having to pay a single penny for one. Just be careful though as not all free VPN providers are created equal and some might even compromise your are five questions you need to ask yourself before you download and install one. What is its business model? Providers are in for the money and running such a business does cost a lot especially if it is a popular one. Some will use their free version, just like Dropbox, as a marketing tool to entice potential customers to move to a paid version once they are happy with the free one. Most however will sell user data or provide a something to a third party that will, again, compromise your privacy. 2. How does it protect my PC? Most providers usually use a desktop application that runs in the background encrypting your data while you surf the web. However, that’s only solves part of the problem. Your laptop can still be fingerprinted because of the permissiveness of tracking solutions that can be found on almost all websites online. A few, including WIndscribe, have a more holistic approach by integrating the equivalent of a super ad-blocker3. What do I lose by going free? Usually one can expect a free product to have some corners cut and that is indeed the case for all providers. Some offer more free bandwidth than others, major locations and even ad blocking, P2P and firewall with an easy paid for upgrade path that unlocks unlimited bandwidth with more locations and OpenVPN Configs. 4. Does your provider log anything? Make sure that your provider doesn’t store users’ internet activity. You can usually check that in the terms and conditions page or the end user license agreement, commonly known as EULA. Sadly, a lot of providers prefer to frustrate end users with long T&Cs or privacy statements that often hide significant details about how they operate. On the other end of the spectrum are providers that will erase everything after your session closes and don’t keep logs. 5. Can I sign up completely anonymously? Having a provider that you can subscribe to without an email address and one that accepts Bitcoin payments, for maximum privacy, is pretty much the best you can expect online. Some providers also offer double hopping where you can obfuscate your traffic further by essentially doubling down on free VPNs dangerous? While the main criticism of free VPNs is that they just aren't half as useful as the paid-for alternatives, there are genuine dangers lurking with some proponents (thankfully not with the services pinpointed above) example, research in 2020 suggested that around 40% of the free Android VPNs available on the Google Play Store do not protect their users' privacy to an adequate level. So the extra online protection you thought you would be getting just isn't to get a premium VPN for freeStill just can't quite decide on whether to go for a free VPN or a premium paid-for option? There may be a perfect compromise, as pretty all of the world's best providers let you try them risk - and cost - free. Our dedicated guide to the best VPN free trials will help you locate one and get 'll see some familiar names mentioned there. Our #1 one favorite service in the world ExpressVPN tops the list, allowing you to give it a try for 30 days. While the news is even better with the likes of Hotspot Shield, where the money back guarantee extends all the way to 45 's worth pointing out that you do have to pay upfront for these services. But they pride themselves on making the money back as hassle free as possible, allowing you to claim a full refund online without is a VPN anyway? Need one for mobile? See the best iPhone VPN and Android VPNWhich is better? ExpressVPN vs NordVPN
Adam is the Editor-in-Chief of Subscriptions and Services at Future, meaning that he oversees many of the articles TechRadar produces about antivirus software, VPNs, TV streaming, broadband and mobile phone contracts - from buying guides and deals news, to industry interest pieces and reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about best free ip changer for chrome
Can you change your IP address on chrome?
Click Settings. Under Internet connection click twice on the network you want to set the IP address for. Click the Network tab. … Under IP address: enter the new IP address.
Which free VPN extension is best for chrome?
The 5 Best Free Chrome VPNs1: CyberGhost – Best for Regular Unblocking.2: Browsec – Most Convenient.3: TunnelBear – Best for Infrequent Usage.4: HotSpot Shield – Easiest and Most Reliable Unblocking.5: Windscribe – Most Flexible Server Locations.ExpressVPN – Best Paid VPN.
What is the best free IP changer?
The best free VPN for 2021:Hotspot Shield Free VPN. Our #1 free VPN – easy-to-use and get started in an instant. … ProtonVPN Free. Get unlimited data allowance without paying penny. … Windscribe free. Super secure with a generous data cap. … TunnelBear. Protecting your identity with ease. … Speedify. … Hide.me.