Best VPN for Chromebook UK 2026
Chromebooks are cheap, light and popular with students and families, but ChromeOS does not come with a VPN service of its own. Here is which VPNs suit a Chromebook and how to get one running in minutes.
Chromebook VPN Options at a Glance
Using a school or work Chromebook?
Chromebooks managed by a school, college or employer are often locked down by an administrator, who can block app installs and VPN connections. If your Chromebook is managed, follow your organisation's rules. Everything in this guide is about Chromebooks you own yourself.
Our Top VPNs for Chromebook
Both picks offer an Android app from the Google Play Store, which runs on most recent Chromebooks, plus a Chrome browser extension for older models. Details below come from each provider's own information.
NordVPN is our top pick for Chromebook owners because it gives you two ways in. On a Chromebook that runs Android apps, you install NordVPN from the Google Play Store and connect with one tap. On older models, or if you only want to cover your browsing, the NordVPN Chrome extension does the job from the toolbar.
Why it suits a Chromebook: the app is light and simple, which matters on budget machines with modest memory, and one subscription also covers your phone, tablet and home computer.
- ✓ Android app installs straight from the Google Play Store
- ✓ Chrome extension for browser only protection on any Chromebook
- ✓ Threat Protection features to help block malicious sites and trackers
- ✓ Up to 10 devices on one account
- ✓ 30-day money-back guarantee
Surfshark is the best value choice if the Chromebook is one of many devices in your home. Every Surfshark plan allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so the family Chromebook, the children's tablets and everyone's phones can share one subscription. Like NordVPN, it offers an Android app through the Google Play Store and a Chrome extension.
- ✓ Unlimited simultaneous connections on every plan
- ✓ Android app from the Google Play Store for Chromebooks that run Android apps
- ✓ Chrome extension for quick browser protection
- ✓ CleanWeb to help block adverts and trackers
- ✓ 30-day money-back guarantee
App or Extension: Which Should You Use?
There are three ways to run a VPN on a Chromebook. The provider's Android app is the best option for most people, because it can protect the whole device rather than a single browser.
| Method | What it covers | Ease of setup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android app from Google Play | ✓ Whole Chromebook | ✓ Easy | Most Chromebooks made in recent years |
| Chrome browser extension | Chrome tabs only | ✓ Easy | Older Chromebooks, quick browsing cover |
| Manual setup in ChromeOS settings | ✓ Whole Chromebook | ✗ Fiddly | Confident users following provider instructions |
Note: To check whether your Chromebook runs Android apps, open Settings and look for Google Play Store under Apps. If it is there, you can install the full NordVPN or Surfshark app. If not, use the Chrome extension instead.
How to Set Up a VPN on a Chromebook: Step by Step
Setting up NordVPN or Surfshark on a Chromebook that supports Android apps takes a few minutes:
Open the Google Play Store
Open the Play Store from the Chromebook launcher and search for your provider. Install the official app, checking the developer name so you avoid copycats.
Log in and allow the VPN connection
Open the app, sign in, and accept the request to set up a VPN connection when ChromeOS asks for permission.
Connect to a server
Tap quick connect for the nearest server, or pick a UK server if you want to keep UK streaming services working while you travel. A key icon appears in the ChromeOS status area when the VPN is on.
Older Chromebook? Use the extension
If your model has no Play Store, add the provider's extension from the Chrome Web Store and sign in from the toolbar. Remember it protects browser traffic only.
Tip: turn the VPN on before you join public Wi-Fi
Chromebooks often travel to cafes, libraries and lecture halls. Get into the habit of connecting the VPN before you sign in to anything on a shared network. Our public Wi-Fi guide explains why it matters.
Why Use a VPN on a Chromebook?
ChromeOS is a secure operating system, with automatic updates and sandboxed apps. A VPN does a different job: it encrypts the connection between your Chromebook and the internet.
Protection on public Wi-Fi
Chromebooks are built to be carried around, and that means a lot of time on networks you do not control. A VPN encrypts your traffic so other people on the same network cannot see what you are doing.
More privacy from your internet provider
With a VPN switched on, your broadband or mobile provider sees that you are connected to a VPN server rather than every site you visit.
Watching UK services while abroad
If you take a Chromebook on holiday, connecting to a UK server can help you reach the UK streaming services you already pay for. Our guide to watching UK TV abroad covers this in detail. Netflix recommends 15 Mbps for 4K, which most UK broadband handles comfortably.
Students: check the rules first
Many students use a Chromebook for university work. Using a VPN on your own device is legal in the UK, but your university network may have its own acceptable use policy. Our best VPN for students guide covers this in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Protect Your Chromebook?
NordVPN and Surfshark both run on Chromebooks through the Google Play Store and the Chrome Web Store, and both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Affiliate links, we may earn a commission. Prices correct as of November 2026.