Using a VPN is essential if you want to surf the internet safely and discreetly or unlock geo-restricted Netflix and YouTube content.
Just keep in mind that even secure, trustworthy free VPNs have restrictions. They may set data or bandwidth limitations or run a small number of servers that are often overloaded and very sluggish. But I’ve got some other solutions for you.
Although it’s an option, using a VPN doesn’t always need you to spend money on it. You may still use anonymous, free VPN services even if you’re using an uncommon gadget like a Chromebook. Enough intro already. The top free VPNs for Chromebooks are outlined below.
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In This Article
The Best Free VPNs for Chromebook
TunnelBear
Chromebooks and several web browsers support the Canadian TunnelBear VPN. You may use the 500MB of free data per month on up to five devices at once.
In addition to using AES 256-bit encryption and an optional killswitch, they don’t maintain any logs. Internet speeds are little impacted by the connection and remain over 20Mbps. Also, it can get around the geo-restrictions on YouTube, HBO Go, and Kodi.
Downsides
Free TunnelBear isn’t the best option for streaming because of its limited data allocation and lack of compatibility with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, despite being exceptionally fast and secure.
Also, the privacy rating of TunnelBear is impacted by Canada’s participation in the five, nine, and fourteen eyes monitoring alliances.
ZenMate
Chromebooks and several online browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, support the German ZenMate VPN.
With minor restrictions compared to the commercial version, it provides a free, limitless VPN service. They employ OpenVPN as their primary tunnelling protocol and have a no-logs policy.
On Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Spotify, and Amazon Prime, you may use it to access international material. Also, you have access to four server locations in the US, Hong Kong, Germany, and Romania.
Downsides
It is not ideal for privacy since Germany is a part of the 14-eyes surveillance and security alliance. Also, because your internet connection is limited to 2Mbps, it is difficult to view HD material without noticeable buffering.
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HotSpot Shield
A business with locations in Russia and Ukraine created HotSpot Shield. On Chromebooks, the VPN app is accessible, but Firefox, Chrome, and Opera all have official browser extensions.
The 500MB of data included in the free edition, which renews every 24 hours, isn’t endless. They employ Catapult Hydra as their primary tunnelling protocol and provide military-grade encryption.
You can get around the geographic restrictions of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube using the free version.
Downsides
Basic user information including your IP address, email, username, and certain device information is logged by Hotspot Shield. It may be challenging to view videos on streaming services with 500MBs.
The 500MB of data included in the free edition, which renews every 24 hours, isn’t endless. They employ Catapult Hydra as their primary tunnelling protocol and provide military-grade encryption.
You can get around the geographic restrictions of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube using the free version.
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Windscribe VPN
Chromebooks and a select few web browsers are compatible with the Canadian Windscribe VPN. The free edition includes 10GB of data, which renews every 30 days. By mentioning Windscribe on Twitter, users may get an additional 5GB each month.
They adhere to a stringent no-logs policy and use military-grade encryption. Despite having access to 10 different server locations, it only provides you access to Netflix in the US and the UK while unlocking geo-restricted material on YouTube and Kodi.
Downsides
To access the whole library of movies and TV series on Hulu and Netflix, you must upgrade to the paying version. The connection speeds of Windscribe are typical for a free service.
Opera VPN
Opera VPN is a little different choice. It has its roots in Norway, and it is a feature that can be downloaded for free and installed on Chromebook machines.
There are no login requirements or subscriptions, and it is completely free and limitless. Also, they don’t maintain any records and encrypt your data with AES 256 bits.
Downsides
You would have to completely believe Opera’s no-logs assertions since Norway is a part of both the nine and fourteen-eyes alliances. Also, the VPN is only accessible in Singapore, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, and Canada.
Its average internet speed of 2.8 Mbps is not sufficient to load HD movies. Also, using the Opera browser is required to use the VPN, and other Chromebook applications are not protected.
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Betternet VPN
Betternet is a US-based VPN that provides both a free version and subscription options. In addition to being a Chrome browser extension, it is simple to use and install on Chromebook devices. 500MB will be available to you each day to use for internet browsing.
Betternet does not track or keep your IP address or any other information that might be used to identify you online. Also, the service employs IPSec and OpenVPN tunnelling techniques together with AES 256-bit encryption.
Even with a free membership, you can use this method to get around geo-restrictions and censorship on Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu. Not to add, one account may be used on up to five devices simultaneously.
Downsides
You can only access US servers with the free version, which is wonderful if you want more privacy and security but useless for streaming if you’re already in the US.
ProtonVPN
Swiss-based ProtonVPN offers both free trials and ongoing subscription packages. Its feature-rich Android app supports Chromebook devices in full.
You can access limitless internet with a free ProtonVPN subscription and unblock geo-restricted YouTube and Kodi material. Proton is a privacy- and security-focused business that doesn’t keep any logs and employs AES 256-bit encryption, OpenVPN, and the WireGuard tunnelling protocol.
Downsides
Low internet connection speeds make streaming difficult. You can only access the US, Japan, and the Netherlands as your three server locations.
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Hide.me
The 2GB of free bandwidth per month offered by hide.me’s free subscription is more than enough to update your social media profiles, emails, and website.
Watch Netflix movies or use Spotify to listen to your favourite music. Because there is no speed throttling, hide.me is a fantastic choice if you enjoy torrenting. In addition, it has 57 locations with 2,000 servers.
If you want to try the full version, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can pay with Paypal or Bitcoin for anonymity.
Your data and location are secured with IP leak prevention, 256-bit military-grade encryption, and a kill switch against hackers and other outside parties. Split tunnelling and limitless server switching are other characteristics of hide.me.
Downsides
Unfortunately, you can only use one device at a time and you are only allowed to use the free version in five places.
How I ranked and tested these VPNs
I examined the top free VPN services for Chromebook to identify those that provided a service without restrictions. Unfortunately, there isn’t a truly free VPN that provides speed, security, dependability, and unlimited use.
For that, you need a premium VPN. I did discover nine VPNs that are both free and secure to use, but there are some trade-offs.
Based on the combined findings of security, speed, use limits, and dependability, we rate our suggestions. I also considered the availability of the servers, compatibility, logging policies, support for streaming, and extra features like malware blocking.
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FAQs
Are unpaid VPNs secure?
Some free VPNs are simply unreliable, and some are downright dangerous. Some free VPNs save money by omitting necessary security features like high-grade encryption and kill switches because VPNs are expensive to construct.
Unknown to you, other people have been known to download potentially harmful software like trackers and malware to your device. Because of this, we took the necessary steps to ensure the safety and dependability of every free VPN on our list.
Are VPNs legal?
Yes, most nations permit the use of VPNs. A few nations have laws that make using a VPN either illegal or illegal with some legal ambiguity. Iraq, Belarus, and North Korea are included in this. In nations like China, Turkey, and Russia, VPN use is strictly prohibited.
Don’t be concerned if you’re travelling to one of these nations. There haven’t been any instances of travellers being penalized for using a VPN.
How do free VPNs make money?
The majority of free VPNs have the bad habit of collecting user data, selling it to other parties for a fee, and then keeping it.
You should carefully examine a VPN’s privacy rules and data usage practices so that you are aware of where your information is going. You may use any of the free VPNs on our list, however, and be sure that your data is secure.
Choosing the best VPN for your Chromebook
True security with a free VPN is hard to come by. They frequently have unstated limitations and drawbacks. The VPNs that made it into our list, nevertheless, are secure and trustworthy as a result of many hours of testing and research.
They do have certain restrictions, but they’ll keep you safe while using public WiFi, protect your data, and for the most part, they’ll also give you access to some international content—at least until your data limit is reached.
However, premium VPNs provide very fast connections and great levels of protection. Most allow torrenting and smooth streaming than free VPNs.