Everything You Need to Know About the VPN Web Browsers
A browser with a built-in VPN (Virtual Private Network) feature is called a VPN web browser. This kind of browser allows users to privately browse the internet with a different IP address without the need to download and install a VPN app. A VPN web browser routes the user’s data through a secure server in a different location to mask the real IP address and encrypts the traffic with various protocols to protect the user. However, instead of routing all of the network traffic from the user’s device, it encrypts only the traffic related to the browser.
In this article, we will introduce the benefits and use cases of VPN web browsers and recommend some of the best and most secure web browsers with VPN functionality.
Benefits of a Web Browser with a Built-in VPN
Switching your regular browser to one equipped with a built-in VPN comes with lots of benefits. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Access to Geo-Restricted Content: One of the main use cases of VPNs in general is to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that are not available in your own locations. Web browser VPNs are more than capable of bypassing these restrictions and in most of them, you can select many servers and locations, so the target web server will detect a different IP address and allow the user to access the content.
- Enhanced Online Privacy: When browsing online, there are always trackers and websites that try to save your IP address and personal browsing information for various purposes. If you wish to have a more private and secure experience, using a VPN web browser will provide it for you as it can encrypt your traffic. On top of that, some of the browsers offer advanced security features that will add extra layers of protection to your online experience.
- Ease of Use: Traditional VPN software, requires downloading, installing, and in some cases complicated configurations. With VPN web browsers, you can toggle the built-in VPN on and start browsing like you always do, with any additional steps.
- Flexibility: VPN web browsers are considered more flexible options because you don’t have to route all your system’s traffic through a VPN server. Unless you’re using split tunneling, a VPN app will encrypt all your traffic from various apps and browsers. Users can use other regular browsers for different websites and only take advantage of the VPN web browser when in need of extra privacy or in the face of restricted content.
Best VPN Web Browsers
The ideal VPN web browser should provide satisfying privacy and security while being fast enough for browsing. Moreover, the built-in VPN should be easy to use. Here are some of the best VPN web browsers to compare and choose the best one based on your needs:
Opera Browser
Opera is a free browser full of features dedicated to the privacy and security of the users. It offers a built-in VPN that you can easily toggle on. The browser provides 100+ high-speed servers in 3 general locations. Usable on desktop and mobile, the VPN doesn’t log any of the online activities. You can get Opera Browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Chromebook. It’s possible to easily sync Opera’s data between different devices. Other features include Aria, the free browser AI helping users with their browsing, a built-in ad blocker, and integrated messengers and social media.
Pros
- Free ad blocker and browser AI
- Support for all popular devices and data sync between them
- Easy to use VPN
- Unlimited data
Cons
- Limited server locations
- Limited customization options
Tor Browser
Tor Browser is a great option for people who want a high level of anonymity for their browsing. Technically it doesn’t use the usual method of VPN encryption and with onion routing, it routes traffic through multiple nodes. Tor browser changes the IP address frequently for IP masking purposes. However, some websites can detect that you are using Tor Browser and they will block your access. It’s completely free and you can download it for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
Pros
- High level of privacy and security
- Completely Free and open-source
- No tracking and logging
Cons
- Slow speed due to multiple layers of encryption
- Not compatible with all websites
Epic Privacy Browser
Epic Privacy Browser is another option that offers a free built-in proxy/VPN to block hundreds of tracking attempts while browsing. Users can enable free VPN servers in many locations including the US, France, Germany, Canada, the UK, and more. Epic Privacy Browser is focused on making the online experience untraceable with no tracking IDs, no web cache, and no DNS pre-fetching. It’s also equipped with an ad blocker and fingerprinting protection. The browser is available to download for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Mac.
Pros
- Advanced protection against tracking
- Fingerprinting protection
- Free ad blocker
- Free VPN with many server locations
Cons
- Lack of extension support
- Basic user interface
Brave Browser
Brave is a free browser but offers VPN and firewall features with a paid subscription. That’s why it provides 300+ VPN servers across 40+ regions. With firewall protection and a no-logs policy, it’s a great option for users who want extra security and privacy. The subscription supports up to 10 devices across Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. With the Brave Shields feature, even if you don’t get the subscription, with the free version you can get rid of trackers and ads with only one click. Moreover, Brave has its own AI assistant named Leo that helps users with their browsing.
Pros
- VPN servers within many locations
- Firewall protection
- Free tracker and ad blocker
- Free AI assistant
Cons
- VPN is not free unlike other options
- Limited device support
Aloha Browser
As a web browser focused on privacy and security, Aloha Browser is a free option that provides unlimited VPN protection in a few locations. The VPN connection is protected with 256-bit AES encryption and DNS leak protection. Aloha Browser also has a Premium version that offers more than 80 server locations. In addition, the browser provides an ad blocker with a regional filter and app redirect blocking. Aloha Browser is available on Windows, Mac OS (Beta), Android, and iOS.
Pros
- No logs and data collection
- Unlimited data
- Advanced encryption
- Free ad blocker
Cons
- Limited VPN server locations
- Some features are locked behind subscription
| VPN Web Browser | Security Features | VPN server locations | Pricing |
| Opera Browser | No-log service, DNS leak protection, data encryption | Free: 3 locations VPN Pro: 30 countries | Free VPN Pro for €4 per month |
| Tor Browser | Multi-layered encryption, no-logs policy | No locations | Free |
| Epic Privacy Browser | Advanced tracking protection, Fingerprinting protection, no log and data collection | 7 countries | Free |
| Brave Browser | Firewall protection, tracker protection, ad blocker, no-logs policy | 40+ regions | 9.99$ per month for VPN |
| Aloha Browser | No data logs, 256-bit AES encryption | Free: few locations Premium: 80+ locations | Free Premium for $7.99 |
VPN Web Browsers vs. Standalone VPN Services
Standalone VPN services that are not limited to browsers are very popular among users who regularly use VPNs. You can compare web browsers with standalone VPNs in different areas to find out which one is the best one for your needs:
- Coverage: Web browser VPNs only protect browser traffic, while standalone VPNs usually encrypt all internet traffic. So if you are using other apps on your device, they won’t be protected by the VPN server. This can provide more flexibility for some users who only need to protect their browsing data and don’t want other traffic to go through the VPN server.
- Security: Standalone VPNs usually offer better security with stronger encryption. On the other hand, to keep the browsing speed high enough, web browsers use more basic encryptions and don’t offer the most advanced privacy and security features.
- Speed: Using basic encryptions and adding fewer layers to the connections, makes VPN web browsers generally faster than standalone options that take advantage of heavy encryption methods.
- Server Locations: Standalone VPN service providers usually offer a wide range of servers worldwide. Whereas, to keep it simple and cost-efficient, web browser VPNs provide limited servers to choose from.
- Cost: Many VPN web browsers are free or provide the built-in VPN at an affordable cost. Standalone services are more competitive and try to provide many features and servers, hence the higher subscription prices.
Turn your Regular Browser into a VPN Web Browser
If you want to keep using your favorite browser, you can simply turn it into a VPN web browser by installing VPN extensions or add-ons. Most of the reliable VPN service providers offer extensions for popular browsers such as Firefox and Google Chrome. These extensions are often lightweight versions of the full VPN service and like web browsers with built-in VPN functionality, they encrypt traffic that passes through your web browser. Here are some of the best VPN providers that offer extensions and add-ons for browsers:
- NordVPN – Chrome, Firefox, Edge
- ExpressVPN – Chrome, Firefox, Edge
- Surfshark – Chrome, Firefox, Edge
- CyberGhost – Chrome, Firefox
Conclusion
Overall, VPN web browsers are reliable options for getting extra security and privacy while browsing. Most of them are available for free and alongside VPN, provide tracker and ad blockers. We recommend using the ones with a no-logs policy and multiple server locations. However, if you need maximum security and a high level of encryption, standalone paid VPN services are better options that offer advanced features and protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most well-known VPN web browsers are safe to use and will provide enough protection for regular use cases but they are mostly limited to a few VPN servers and basic encryptions.
Yes, to some extent, but most VPN web browsers manage to keep the browsing speed high because they only encrypt browser traffic and don’t use advanced encryption techniques.
VPN web browsers significantly lower the chance of being tracked and block most of them but still, if the browser doesn’t offer advanced protection, websites can track you through cookies, fingerprinting, and more.
Yes, you can visit the web version of the streaming services with VPN browsers but if you want to use streaming apps and have a smoother streaming experience, you need a standalone VPN app on your device.
