A VPN can go a long way in providing security to your online activity. That said, they can be pricey and there’s the added hassle of having to download and install software on your device. Fortunately, there are a number of browsers that offer built-in VPNs to safeguard your sensitive information when browsing the web.
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- 1. Brave
- 2. Firefox
- 3. Opera
- 4. Epic
- 5. MIcrosoft Edge
- 6. Aloha
- 7. Avast Secure (formerly Tenta)
- 8. UR Browser
Tip: Find out how to choose a VPN server before you get a VPN.
1. Brave
Price: $9.99/month, $99/year
Even without their built-in VPN, the Brave browser made a name for itself by focusing on user privacy. Automatically blocking trackers and advertisements has always been a draw, but with a built-in VPN, Brave is positioning itself as an all-in-one solution for users dead set on online anonymity. The most notable feature of Brave’s VPN – dubbed Brave Firewall+VPN – is the fact that it encrypts all of your activity, not just those within the browser. This makes Brave’s VPN a more comprehensive solution than other browser VPNs.
That said, Brave’s VPN lacks some of the more robust features found in other paid VPN services. First off are the server locations. Brave boasts servers in 13 countries while other VPN services have a much larger network of servers around the world. Furthermore, Brave’s VPN pricing isn’t super competitive. At $9.99 per month (or $99.99 per year), it’s hardly a bargain. That said, it does have a 7-day free trial. What makes Brave’s VPN attractive is that it protects your entire device, and it is bundled into the browser. You don’t have to download extra software or shell out your info to a separate company. In the case of Brave’s VPN, convenience is worth something.
2. Firefox
Price: $9.99/month, $59.88/year ($4.99/month)
Firefox’s built-in VPN is known as Mozilla VPN. Like the Brave Browser’s VPN, Mozilla VPN protects your entire device, not just your browsing activity. This provides more comprehensive protection and security, provided you’re willing to pay for it. Boasting 500 servers in over 30 countries and the ability to run Mozilla VPN on up to 5 devices on a single subscription, it definitely has a lot going for it. Mozilla VPN also utilizes the WireGuard protocol, which is known for its speed and efficiency.
That said, other standalone VPN providers offer many more server locations. In addition, other VPN providers usually offer the user a choice between which VPN protocols they prefer using. For example, some prioritize speed, whereas others are focused more on stability. Of course, being built-in to the Firefox browser makes Mozilla VPN easy to use. Furthermore, the asking price for a subscription is competitive, provided you opt for the year-long contract. Mozilla VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if it’s not for you, it’s easy to cancel and get a refund.
3. Opera
Price: Free
The built-in VPN of the Opera browser is one of the most generous and easy to use. Opera’s VPN is completely free to use, no subscription fees or payments required. In addition, the VPN can be used without any limits – there are no data caps or speed throttling. Given the fact that Opera’s VPN is completely integrated into the browser, users have access to it as soon as they install and launch the browser. There is no need to download any additional extensions or software. Opera also boasts a no-log policy. The Opera team claims that they do not store any user activity, so users can rest assured that their data isn’t being collected.
The most significant drawback to Opera’s built-in VPN is the fact that there are limited connection locations available. At the time of this writing, there are only three general locations users can connect to. This can be problematic for folks who are aiming to circumvent geo-restrictions, as there simply aren’t many server locations at your disposal to spoof the real IP address.
4. Epic
Price: Free
Like Brave, Epic Privacy Browser has a strong focus on privacy and security. By default, Epic blocks all sorts of things with questionable utility. Trackers, ads, browser fingerprinting and more are all blocked. Epic even prevents browser-based crypto mining which stops websites from hijacking your PC to assist in the mining of cryptocurrency.
As far as VPN functionality, Epic has a built-in encrypted proxy. A proxy functions similarly to a standard VPN, both masking your IP address and encrypting your browser data. Epic’s proxy service has servers located in 8 countries, which is significantly less than other VPN providers. That being said, Epic’s proxy service is free. It should also be noted that website functionality may be impacted by Epic. This is due to the strict privacy settings employed by Epic which can break some features of certain websites. Overall, Epic is a good choice for those focused on privacy. That said, its built-in proxy service is not as robust as a traditional VPN.
Tip: if you are using Ubuntu, you can also easily set up a proxy server in Ubuntu.
5. MIcrosoft Edge
Price: Free
Microsoft Edge has a built-in VPN service dubbed Edge Secure Network. This encrypts your Internet connection but does not provide any protection outside the browser itself. While the Edge Secure Network is easy to use and even features an automatic VPN activation when you connect to an open Wi-Fi network, there are some significant limitations.
When connected, the Edge Secure Network automatically selects the nearest server location. It does this to optimize performance, however there is no ability to manually change the server location. This can severely limit the VPN’s effectiveness for certain applications, such as bypassing geo-restrictions. Furthermore, while the VPN is free, there is a strict data cap of 5GB per month. This limit is very much on the stingy side as moderate to heavy users will blow through 5GB in no time. Ultimately, Edge’s built-in VPN is handy, but there are too many cut corners to make it a legitimate competitor.
6. Aloha
Price: Free, $3.99/month, $24.99/year for Premium
Like many other browsers with built-in VPNs, Aloha is a browser with a laser focus on privacy and security. Aloha’s built-in VPN boasts impressive features such as 256-bit AES encryption, a no logs policy and a kill switch if the VPN connection drops out. Aloha’s VPN service is also completely free and has no data caps. While this may sound too good to be true, there are some caveats.
Aloha’s VPN is two-tiered. The free version only encrypts activity within the browser. Aloha’s premium VPN provides device-wide protection. Furthermore, the premium version of the VPN gives users access to over 80 server locations. The free version is limited to a handful of servers, which can limit its usefulness, particularly when getting around geo-restrictions.
7. Avast Secure (formerly Tenta)
Price: $5.99/month, $39.99/year
The Avast Secure Browser was previously known as Tenta. The Tenta browser made waves thanks to its integrated VPN that was completely free and boasted unlimited data. Since being acquired by Avast, and rebranded, the VPN has been locked behind a pay wall. That said, the functionality remains. The VPN uses the OpenVPN protocol and features additional privacy tools like ad blocking and prevention of DNS leaks.
While the VPN feature is now going to require payment, Avast does give users the option to try it free for 30-days. This is one of the more generous trial periods available, so you can properly put it through the paces to see if it is suitable for your purposes. If you weren’t aware, Avast peddles a number of different applications, so expect to be cajoled into considering them as well during the installation and any subsequent uninstallations.
8. UR Browser
Price: Free
UR Browser is based on Chromium and is currently still in a beta phase, meaning that it is still being developed. This means that the final version of UR browser might change as things are tweaked and ironed out. That said, UR browser is yet another browser with a focus on user privacy and security. It includes various privacy-centric tools including an ad blocker, tracker blocker and even a built-in virus scanner.
UR browser also features a built-in VPN which is free and offers unlimited data usage. That said, the VPN only has a paltry 16 server locations, which can be a dealbreaker. In addition, use of the VPN is dependent on the creation of an account. For many privacy hawks, the idea of supplying any personal information is a red flag.
Wrapping Up
VPNs are an excellent way to safeguard your data. However, the sheer amount of VPN providers available can make things confusing. A VPN built-in to your browser can help streamline things, but they’re not all made equally. Some offer their VPN for free, but come with significant drawbacks. It’s important to assess your online activity and what features are most important to you. In addition, you’ll want to see if the VPN has servers in countries with robust privacy laws. Finally, don’t forget to protect your mobile devices with a VPN as well!
Image credit: Kevin Pastor via Pexels Screenshots by Ryan Lynch
Ryan Lynch –
Staff Writer
Ryan is an English & Film Studies teacher. He splits his time between Australia and the United States. He passes the time on long haul flights by playing retro video games from his youth.
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