A VPN browser extension encrypts and reroutes traffic only for the browser it is installed in. It does not cover other apps, system updates or background traffic from your device. If browser-only protection is what you need, six services are worth comparing: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Proton VPN, Surfshark, Private Internet Access and Windscribe.
This is a reader-focused comparison, not a lab-tested ranking. We did not run speed, leak or streaming tests on these extensions for this article. The order reflects how fully each provider documents its browser support and controls, and every feature claim below is attributed to the provider or to the editorial comparison named beside it. Check the current extension page before you buy, because browser lists, plan limits and features change.
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What a browser extension actually protects
Before comparing names, settle what you are buying. Three points decide most of the choice:
- An extension routes only the traffic of the browser it runs in. Other applications, operating-system updates and background device traffic stay outside its protection.
- “VPN extension” can mean two different products. Some are proxies that handle browser traffic only. Others are controllers for a full desktop app.
- Only ExpressVPN documents both models side by side. Its Remote Control Mode controls the desktop app, which encrypts all device internet traffic, and it requires an activated desktop app. It is unavailable on Chromebook and Meta Quest. Its Proxy Mode runs independently and encrypts only browser traffic.
If you need protection for email clients, games or other programs, a browser extension will not provide it. Install the full app from the provider instead.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
Check browser support before anything else
Support varies by browser, and the installation route matters. The table below lists what each provider’s documentation states. Blank cells mean the provider did not state support for that browser in the sources cited here, not that support is absent.
| Provider | Chrome | Firefox | Edge | Brave | Vivaldi | Other browsers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Yes | Yes | Yes, via Chrome Web Store extension (no dedicated Edge extension) | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| NordVPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Proton VPN | Yes (Chromium-based) | Yes (Firefox-based) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Chromium, Opera; Safari unsupported |
| Surfshark | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Private Internet Access | Yes, with Chrome-specific tools | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Windscribe | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Two practical rules follow from this. Chromium-based browsers such as Edge, Brave and Vivaldi generally install a Chrome-store version, so confirm the provider lists your browser before you rely on it. Firefox has its own built-in option, covered in a separate section below.
How this shortlist was built
There is no independent test that ranks these six services, so the list is not a verdict on which one is fastest or most private. Each candidate was assessed on five reader-facing questions:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
- Does the provider document browser support for Chrome, Firefox or your browser?
- Does it state what the extension does and does not cover?
- Does it document leak protection, such as WebRTC controls, or a browser kill switch?
- Does it offer split tunneling, exclusions or automatic connection?
- Is there a free option, and what limits apply?
Providers with primary documentation covering these points appear first. Two services are included on the strength of a single editorial comparison, which is noted in their entries.
The six candidates
1. ExpressVPN: strongest documentation of both models
ExpressVPN lists support for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave and Vivaldi, and its support page was last updated August 19, 2026. The extension can run in Proxy Mode, which encrypts only browser traffic, or in Remote Control Mode, which drives the desktop app. Its support article also describes optional location spoofing and WebRTC blocking. Choose it if you may want to move between browser-only and whole-device protection with the same subscription.
2. NordVPN: browser kill switch and exclusions
NordVPN’s Chrome, Edge and Firefox extension sends browser traffic through a proxy server. Its documented controls include URL and domain exclusions, WebRTC leak protection, scam and phishing protection, timezone matching, and a browser kill switch. That kill switch blocks the browser’s internet access if the VPN connection drops. NordVPN describes the extension as a proxy, so do not read it as protection for the whole device.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
3. Proton VPN: split tunneling by website
Proton documents extensions for Firefox-based browsers and Chromium-based browsers, including Edge, Brave, Chromium, Opera and Vivaldi. Safari is unsupported. Features include Secure Core, auto-connect and split tunneling by website. Each active browser connection counts toward your plan’s connection limit. Proton states that the extension protects browser activity only, not system updates or other apps. Its documented limits are covered in the limits section below.
4. Surfshark: browser-level ad and tracker blocking
Surfshark lists Chrome, Edge and Firefox. Its extension protects traffic that passes through the browser, while its desktop and mobile apps encrypt all device traffic. The product page describes Clean Web blocking for ads, trackers and cookie pop-ups, plus a WebRTC protection setting. Surfshark also promotes no-logs claims backed by audits. Treat those as the company’s statements unless you read the audit report yourself.
5. Private Internet Access: Chrome-specific tools
TechRadar’s comparison of VPN extensions, dated May 22, 2026, describes Private Internet Access (PIA) as offering Chrome-specific tools and browser coverage. The exact browser list, kill switch details and plan terms are not stated in that comparison. Check PIA’s current documentation before relying on it for a non-Chrome browser.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
6. Windscribe: a free extension
TechRadar’s May 22, 2026 comparison describes a free Windscribe extension and browser tools. It does not set out the free plan’s data limits, the supported browser list or the kill switch behaviour. Windscribe is included because it is the one free browser extension in this list. Check its current extension page for those details.
Side-by-side feature comparison
The table covers the features most likely to change your choice. “Not stated” means the provider’s documentation cited here does not mention the feature. It does not mean the feature is missing.
Recommended Free Tools
| Provider | Coverage | Kill switch | WebRTC protection | Split tunneling or exclusions | Auto-connect | Free option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Browser-only (Proxy Mode) or whole device (Remote Control Mode) | Not stated for the extension | Yes, optional blocking | Not stated | Documented as an option | Not stated |
| NordVPN | Browser proxy only | Yes, browser kill switch | Yes, leak protection | Yes, URL and domain exclusions | Not stated | Not stated |
| Proton VPN | Browser activity only | Not stated | Not stated | Yes, by website | Yes | Not stated |
| Surfshark | Browser traffic only | Not stated | Yes, WebRTC setting | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Private Internet Access | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Windscribe | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Free extension (TechRadar, May 22, 2026) |
Firefox’s built-in proxy option
Mozilla is rolling out a built-in VPN feature for Firefox, starting with Firefox version 149. It is a browser proxy that masks your IP address for Firefox traffic only. It is free for eligible users, requires a Mozilla account and has a monthly data limit of 50 GB. Access is staged and may vary by region and user eligibility, so it may not be available in your account yet. If you already use Firefox and only need a free option for browsing, check this before installing a third-party extension.
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Limits every browser extension shares
Proton VPN publishes the most specific list of limitations, and they apply to browser extensions in general:
- Some browser protocols and experimental browser features can bypass proxy settings.
- The extension cannot protect data sent before it starts. Turn on auto-connect if you want protection from the start of a session.
- Individual HTTPS connections can make browsing somewhat more vulnerable to fingerprinting than the full VPN app. Proton recommends the full app where security is a high priority.
Trust is the other limit. An extension is only as private as the provider running its servers, and privacy promises are the provider’s own claims unless independently audited.
Quick Recap
Choosing by need
- If you may later want whole-device protection on one subscription, ExpressVPN is the clearest option, because its documentation covers both modes.
- If you want a browser kill switch and a list of sites to exclude, NordVPN documents both.
- If you want to route specific websites through the VPN and leave others direct, Proton VPN documents split tunneling by website, and its plan connection limits count each browser connection.
- If you want a free browser-only tool and use Chrome or Firefox, compare Windscribe’s free extension with Firefox’s built-in option, and check each one’s current limits.
- If you use Safari, none of these extensions will work. Proton VPN states that Safari is unsupported, and the other providers here do not list it.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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