ChromeOS supports VPNs through native settings, Android apps, and Chrome extensions—but the Android app route gives you full-system protection. Here are the best VPNs for Chromebook, from all-rounders to DIY mesh options.
Chromebooks are great machines for browsing, school, and light work — but they're still computers on the internet, and that means a VPN can be worth having. The catch is that ChromeOS handles VPNs a little differently than Windows or macOS, and not every VPN app plays nicely with it.
The good news: most modern Chromebooks support Android apps from the Google Play Store, which means you get the same full VPN apps that Android phones use. That's the best route by far. ChromeOS also supports built-in VPN connections via L2TP/IPsec and OpenVPN .onc configuration files6, but those are clunky to set up and limited in features. Chrome browser extensions exist too, but they only proxy browser traffic — everything else on your Chromebook (Android apps, system updates, DNS) goes unencrypted.
This guide focuses on VPNs that deliver a great experience on Chromebook, whether you want a polished commercial service, a privacy-first option, or a DIY setup.
ChromeOS gives you three paths to a VPN connection6:
.onc profiles.The takeaway: if your Chromebook supports the Play Store (and most made since 2017 do), use an Android VPN app. It's the only method that gives you full-system encryption with a usable interface.
NordVPN's Android app is fully compatible with ChromeOS and installs directly from the Play Store1. It uses NordLynx, a WireGuard-based protocol, which means fast connection speeds and low battery drain — both important on Chromebooks, many of which are budget hardware with modest CPUs1.
Beyond the basics, NordVPN includes Threat Protection (ad and malware blocking), a large server network spanning dozens of countries, and a kill switch that cuts traffic if the VPN drops. If you want one VPN that handles streaming, general privacy, and security without fiddling with settings, this is the pick.
Specs:
ExpressVPN's Android app runs on ChromeOS via the Play Store and uses its proprietary Lightway protocol for fast, stable connections2. Lightway is designed to reconnect quickly if you switch networks — handy on a Chromebook that moves between home Wi-Fi and public hotspots.
Setup is about as simple as it gets: install the app, sign in, tap connect. ExpressVPN also uses TrustedServer technology (RAM-only servers that wipe on reboot), which is a meaningful privacy feature if you care about server-side data retention2.
Specs:
Mullvad takes a different approach: flat-rate pricing (one monthly fee, no tiers or discounts for long commitments), no email or account creation required, and fully open-source clients3. You can even pay in cash or crypto if you want to stay anonymous.
On Chromebook, Mullvad's Android app supports WireGuard and runs cleanly on ChromeOS3. It won't give you the biggest server network or the best streaming unblocking, but if your priority is privacy — knowing exactly what a VPN logs (nothing, in Mullvad's case) and who runs it — it's hard to beat.
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WireGuard isn't a VPN service — it's a protocol. But if you have a server (a VPS, a Raspberry Pi at home, or anything that can run a WireGuard endpoint), it's the fastest, leanest option for Chromebook4. WireGuard uses state-of-the-art cryptography and has a tiny codebase, which means lower battery drain and faster handshakes than OpenVPN4.
ChromeOS supports WireGuard through the official Android app, available on the Play Store. You'll need to configure your own server and generate keys — this is a DIY option, not a turnkey product. But for self-hosters who want maximum control and zero subscription cost, it's the way to go.
Specs:
Tailscale is a mesh VPN built on WireGuard that connects your devices to each other rather than routing all traffic through a remote server5. If you use your Chromebook to reach a home NAS, a lab server, or another machine on your network while you're away, Tailscale makes that trivial — zero-config setup, no port forwarding, no firewall wrangling5.
It's free for personal use (up to 100 devices) and runs on Chromebook via its Android app. Tailscale isn't a traditional privacy VPN — it doesn't hide your IP from the websites you visit by default (though exit nodes are available). Think of it as a secure, modern replacement for the headache of setting up your own VPN server to reach your own stuff.
Specs:
| Protocol | Chromebook setup | Price tier | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | WireGuard (NordLynx) | Android app | Mid-range subscription | All-round use |
| ExpressVPN | Lightway | Android app | Premium subscription | Easy setup, stability |
| Mullvad | WireGuard | Android app | Flat monthly fee | Privacy |
| WireGuard | WireGuard | Android app / self-config | Free (self-hosted) | DIY self-hosters |
| Tailscale | WireGuard (mesh) | Android app | Free for personal use | Remote access / mesh |
Both offer full Android apps on ChromeOS with modern protocols. NordVPN uses WireGuard (NordLynx) and includes Threat Protection; ExpressVPN uses Lightway and emphasizes server-side privacy with TrustedServer technology1. NordVPN is generally cheaper and has a larger server network; ExpressVPN is pricier but offers a smoother, more foolproof setup experience. For most Chromebook users, either one works well — pick based on price sensitivity vs. setup simplicity.
Commercial VPNs (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad) give you a turnkey product: servers in many countries, apps that just work, customer support. The trade-off is a subscription fee and trust in a third party. Self-hosting WireGuard costs nothing but a server and gives you full control — but you're responsible for security, uptime, and configuration. If you just want privacy on public Wi-Fi, a commercial VPN is simpler. If you're technical and want to route through your own infrastructure, WireGuard is the better choice4.
Tailscale solves a different problem than the others. A traditional VPN routes all your traffic through a remote server to hide your IP and encrypt your connection. Tailscale connects your own devices to each other securely, making it easy to reach home or lab machines from your Chromebook without exposing them to the internet5. They're complementary, not competing — you could run Tailscale for device-to-device access and a commercial VPN for general privacy.
If you've used a VPN's Chrome extension on another platform, be aware that on ChromeOS it only covers browser traffic. Android apps, the Linux container (if enabled), and system-level connections are not protected6. For full-system encryption on a Chromebook, always use the Android app from the Play Store.
AskBuy may earn a commission when you sign up for a VPN through links on this page. That doesn't change our recommendations — we pick based on what works best on Chromebook, not payout. WireGuard and Tailscale are free tools with no affiliate relationship.
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