A virtual private network, commonly called a VPN, is a privacy tool that can help protect your information online. It can encrypt your data and hide your IP address from others.
Once you’ve decided on which VPN is best for you, you might have the option of downloading a VPN app or using a VPN browser extension. Both give you VPN protection, but each one offers a different degree of protection.
We’ll walk through the differences between VPN apps and browser extensions, and how to decide which one is right for you.
What is a VPN app?
Both VPN apps and browser extensions offer protection, but to different degrees.
If you want the most protection for all your web-based activities, then you should consider a VPN app. But you should also know that with that coverage, all your online activity might suffer from slower internet speeds — including app-based streaming and gaming.
If you want VPN protection while surfing the web, but want to avoid slower speeds when streaming videos in HD or 4K, then you should consider a VPN browser extension. With a browser extension, you can pick and choose which browsers — and their traffic — are protected by your VPN. Just remember that not all your traffic is protected with a VPN browser extension.
Are either VPN apps or browser extensions illegal?
Using a VPN in any form isn’t isn’t illegal — unless using a VPN is illegal in your country — but it could lead to other repercussions.
Using a VPN could violate a site or service’s user agreement, and you could face punishment for doing so, like account termination or suspension. You could also face legal trouble if you use a VPN to access content that is illegal in your area.
We advise reading through a site or service’s user agreement before using a VPN. It’s also important to remember that illegal activity is still illegal, even if you’re masking your location with a VPN.
For more on VPNs, here are the best VPNs of 2023 and here’s what to know about geo-blocking and VPN obfuscation.
