5 Best VPN Browsers | Browse the web privately with a built in VPN

Using a browser with a built-in VPN will improve your online privacy by hiding your real IP address and encrypting your traffic. Popular browsers such as Chrome, track users, even when in incognito mode and provide no privacy features. If you’re tired of using browsers that don’t provide security, then there are plenty of alternatives available.

In this article, we compare the best web browsers with VPNs and discuss whether they are as truly secure as they claim to be.

The best VPN browsers

We have researched the options out there and have listed the best VPN browsers below. When assessing browsers with built-in VPNs, we considered three key factors: privacy, functionality, and ease-of-use. With privacy as our top priority, we concluded that the best browsers with built-in VPNs were as follows:

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Advantages of using a VPN browser?

A VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and the website you’re accessing, allowing you greater privacy and hiding your web use from your internet service provider (ISP), government, and third-party organizations. A VPN browser is a good alternative to the standard browsers that we are used to, as they can offer greater privacy and security. A good VPN browser will allow you to browse the internet with an extra layer of security and is a handy way of protecting your device on public Wi-Fi networks.

There’s a lot to take into account when debating whether to switch to a VPN browser (but that’s where we come in).

Considerations

If you’re deciding on whether to use a browser with a built-in VPN, keep in mind:

• Not all browsers that claim to provide VPNs offer true VPNs and often use HTTPS proxies instead.
• There is only a small list of browsers with built-in VPNs.
• Free VPN browsers are often subject to WebRTC and DNS leaks.
• VPN browsers rarely provide the same device-wide security, customization, and protection as a standalone VPN.
• Not all VPN browsers are capable of geo-spoofing.

What about Tor?

It is worth noting that, despite what some websites claim, Tor is not a VPN browser and there are some key differences between the two. While both are proxy-based technologies, there is very little crossover between them. The simplest way to explain the difference is that Tor gives true anonymity, while VPNs help to prevent prying eyes from seeing your internet usage (such as governments, ISPs, or websites).

Learn more about Tor

So which is better?

That depends on what you want to use it for. If you want to do something that could land you in a lot of trouble (such as whistleblowing), use Tor. If what you’re doing won’t land you in trouble (such as P2P torrenting), or if you don’t want to be tracked and traced online, use a VPN.

Alternatives to using a browser with a built-in VPN

There are plenty of alternatives to using a browser with a built-in VPN, but for privacy, we recommend using a standalone VPN service instead, as they can provide stronger, system-wide protection on multiple devices. For more details about VPN providers, head over to our detailed VPN reviews.

Using a premium VPN service

For the best protection, privacy, and security, we recommend using a premium standalone VPN. There are lots to choose from, so if you want to know where to begin, check out our list of the best VPNs. If you’re concerned about the price, then don’t worry, there are plenty of cheap VPNs on the market. A good VPN doesn’t have to cost the world, but it’s important that you find the right one for you.

Can I use a free standalone VPN service instead?

Depending on what you need, a free VPN service may work better than a VPN browser. However, they still won’t work as well as a premium VPN service. When deciding on VPNs, it’s important to remember that free VPNs:

• Often restrict users’ data and speed – slowing your overall internet speed and even stopping your browsing completely
• Regularly struggle with geo-spoofing
• Rarely have sufficient encryption
• Are known to sell on user information and data
• Often infect your devices with malware

Does a VPN hide my browsing history?

A VPN can help hide your browsing history from external observers like your Internet Service Provider (ISP), government, or potential hackers. However, a VPN doesn’t hide your history from your web browser or online services where you’re logged in. For instance, if you’re logged into Google and use Chrome, Google can still see your searches. Also, websites and apps where you log in, such as Facebook, can track your activity. To enhance privacy, consider using private browsing modes, clearing cookies, and regularly deleting your browser history.

Can my web browser be hacked?

Yes, your web browser can indeed be hacked. Hackers can exploit weaknesses in browsers to gain unauthorized access. These tactics include injecting harmful code into websites (cross-site scripting), tricking you into clicking malicious links (phishing), or intercepting your communication with a website (man-in-the-middle attacks). These attacks can lead to serious issues like identity theft or data loss.

But don’t worry, there are ways to protect yourself, like using a browser with a built-in VPN. Keep your applications and operating system updated with security fixes. Use reliable software and be careful about clicking email links or downloading files from unknown sources. These recommendations will help to prevent your browser from being hacked.

Conclusion

As with most all-in-one packages, browsers with built-in VPNs try to do a little too much at once, often diluting what you would otherwise gain by using a standalone VPN. We would always recommend pairing a better privacy-focused browser with a reputable VPN service, but if you are set on getting a VPN browser, then here is a reminder of our top picks:

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