Disclosure: Lucky VPN, NoName VPN and Moon VPN in this list are made by the team behind App How To Use It. The other extensions are independent products.
A free VPN extension is the quickest way to change the address websites see while you browse: you add it to Chrome or Edge, pick a location and click connect. The catch is that free plans are limited, some by data, some by server choice, and a few by how they pay for themselves. Below we compare ten of them using figures from their store listings and official pages, checked in September 2026, and explain how to choose one you can trust.
What a free VPN extension does, and what it does not
Most VPN extensions work as a secure proxy for the browser only. Traffic from that browser goes through the provider’s server, so sites see the server’s IP address instead of yours. Other apps on your computer, such as games, mail clients or a desktop torrent client, keep using your normal connection. If you want every app covered, you need a full VPN app; our guide to VPNs for Windows covers those.
Free VPN extensions compared
| Extension | Free plan limit | Server choice on free plan | Chrome Web Store users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | No data cap, one device | No, a free server is picked for you | 2,000,000 |
| Windscribe | 10 GB a month with a confirmed email (2 GB without) | Yes, about 10 countries | 2,000,000 |
| TunnelBear | 2 GB a month | No, picked automatically since 2026 | 1,000,000 |
| Browsec | Free with a small set of locations | A few free locations | 8,000,000 |
| VeePN | Listing advertises unlimited traffic | See the listing | 15,000,000 |
| Touch VPN | Listing advertises unlimited bandwidth | See the listing | 3,000,000 |
| Hola VPN | Free version uses a peer-to-peer network | See the listing | 4,000,000 |
| Lucky VPN & Proxy (ours) | 1-day full trial, then a smaller free server set | Yes, by country | 2,000 |
| NoName VPN (ours, Edge) | Free, no account | Not stated | 4,000 on Edge |
| Moon VPN (ours, Edge) | Free, no paid tier | United States only | 18,800 on Edge |
User counts are rounded figures shown on the Chrome Web Store or Microsoft Edge Add-ons. Free plans change often, so check the provider’s page before relying on a limit.
The independent options in more detail
- Proton VPN: the browser extension is available on the free plan for Chromium browsers and Firefox. There is no data limit, but the extension chooses the free server and you can use one device. Read our ProtonVPN review.
- Windscribe: the free account gets 2 GB a month, rising to 10 GB once you confirm an email address, with a choice of roughly ten countries.
- TunnelBear: 2 GB of data a month on the free plan. Since 2026 free users cannot pick a server.
- Browsec, VeePN and Touch VPN: popular one-click extensions with a free tier and paid upgrades for more locations and speed. Read each privacy policy before you install.
- Hola VPN: the free version works as a peer-to-peer network, which means other users’ traffic can pass through your device. See our Hola VPN review before choosing it.
Our own free VPN extensions
- Lucky VPN & Proxy for Chrome and Edge: one-click connect with no account. New installs get a one-day trial of the full network, after which a smaller set of servers stays free and a Pro plan unlocks the rest.
- NoName VPN for Edge: a free proxy with no registration.
- Moon VPN for Edge: one United States server, no account and no paid tier. Our Moon VPN guide explains exactly what it does.
How to choose a free VPN extension
- Check who runs it. A named company with a clear privacy policy is a better bet than an anonymous developer.
- Look at the permissions. A VPN extension needs to control proxy settings. It rarely needs to read and change the content of every page you visit.
- Read the free plan limits. A data cap, a fixed server or a trial that ends after a day are all normal, as long as they are stated up front.
- Check the last update date on the store page. An extension that has not been updated for years is a risk.
Is a free VPN extension safe?
It can be, but running servers costs money, so a free service is paid for somehow: by a paid upgrade, by ads, or in some cases by selling data. Several browser VPN add-ons have been caught collecting browsing data over the years, which is why the checks above matter. For online banking or sensitive work on public Wi-Fi, a paid VPN app from an audited provider gives you more protection than any browser-only proxy.
How to install a VPN extension in Chrome
- Open the extension’s page on the Chrome Web Store and click Add to Chrome.
- Read the permission prompt, then click Add extension.
- Pin the extension from the puzzle-piece menu, open it and choose a location.
- Check that it works by searching “what is my IP” before and after connecting.
Frequently asked questions
Does a VPN extension hide my IP in other apps?
No. It only covers the browser it is installed in. Other apps use your normal connection.
Can I use two VPN extensions at once?
No. Chrome and Edge let only one extension control proxy settings at a time. Turn one off before using another.
Why is my free VPN extension slow?
Free servers are shared by many users and may be far from you. Try another location, or a provider whose free plan lets you choose the server.
A free VPN extension is fine for changing your location in the browser now and then. Pick one with clear limits and a known publisher, and use a full VPN app when you need protection for your whole device. For a deeper comparison of the paid services, see our NordVPN and ExpressVPN reviews.