3 browser-based VPNs to try if you want more privacy when online

If you’re looking for something more lightweight that still ups your online security, the growing suite of browser-based virtual private networks are worth looking into.

Easier to use than standalone VPNs, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Brave Browser now all offer options designed to keep you scrolling fast while hiding your IP. Here are three we recommend.

Note: we also recommend tweaking your browser’s settings to take advantage of current privacy options you’ve already got onboard.

Brave

Rather than being just a simple proxy service, Brave’s built-in browser VPN for iPhone and iPad delivers a full encryption experience. Strong security often comes at the expense of speed, but not so when paired with Brave Browser’s lightning speeds.

The browser feature, called Brave Firewall + VPN, is actually a combination of its VPN and its Brave Firewall protection software, which blocks malicious websites and trackers more thoroughly than most of its competitors. And unlike most other browser-based VPNs, Brave Firewall + VPN offers full device encryption.

It costs $10 per month or $100 per year, and a single subscription can be used on up to five devices.

Firefox

Mozilla’s Firefox Private Network add-on is a proxy service that’s worth checking out if you want a light layer of privacy while browsing on public Wi-Fi. It doesn’t offer full-device encryption the way its standalone Mozilla VPN does, but it doesn’t drag your speeds down as much either. It’s also easy to use: its single, on-off switch makes it a breeze to operate.

And, yes, it’s free. While we usually would not recommend using a free VPN, again, this isn’t really a VPN: It’s a proxy service that offers extra privacy, not the full VPN suite of tools.

If you want to really cover your tracks by upgrading to a full VPN, use a paid service with a proven privacy track record.

Chrome

Chrome doesn’t have a native VPN built into it. Instead, you’ll need to use browser-based extensions from your preferred VPN to get the same effect.

We recommend using the Chrome extension from our Editors’ Choice VPN service, ExpressVPN. You can also use it on Firefox, Edge, Brave and Vivaldi browsers. You’ll still need to have downloaded the full ExpressVPN app, but the lightweight browser extension allows you to streamline your VPN use to just geolocation changes and a couple other core privacy features.

In October 2020, Google launched its own standalone VPN as part of its $100 annual bundle package for Google One subscribers with a 2TB account. If you’re already a Google One user and simply looking for an extra layer of protection while using free public Wi-Fi, this VPN could be a great fit.

If you’re interested in keeping your browsing and usage data private from corporations and government entities, however, we’d urge you to consider carefully Google’s history of sharing and collecting user data before you use its products.

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