Brave supports “nearly all extensions that are compatible with Chromium,” and “any extension found in the Chrome Web Store will also work in Brave,” so VPN providers typically offer a Chrome extension that you can install in Brave.
A VPN browser extension can be either (a) a browser-only proxy/encrypted tunnel for traffic inside the browser, or (b) a “controller” that requires the provider’s desktop app and turns the full VPN on/off.
Important limitation: a browser extension usually does not protect traffic from other apps on your device (messengers, games, system updates), unless it’s controlling a system-wide VPN app.
TOP VPN extensions for Brave (shortlist)
- ExpressVPN extension: positioned as a Brave-compatible option (via Chromium extension support) and typically includes browser-focused privacy controls.
- NordVPN extension: commonly listed among top choices for Brave-style setups and general browser extension use.
- Surfshark extension: often recommended for a simple browser workflow and broad compatibility with Chromium browsers.
- CyberGhost extension: actively published guidance for Brave users and positioned as easy to set up.
- Private Internet Access (PIA) extension: frequently mentioned in Brave VPN roundups for privacy-focused users.
VPN extensions comparison (Brave)
ExpressVPN (browser extension)
The ExpressVPN browser extension is designed to control the ExpressVPN app from your browser, and ExpressVPN lists Brave as a supported browser for the extension.
ExpressVPN documents three key extension privacy features: HTML5 geolocation spoofing, WebRTC blocking (to obscure your IP from WebRTC leaks), and HTTPS upgrades (“use the encrypted HTTPS versions of websites whenever available”).
ExpressVPN also notes you need the desktop app installed (Windows/Mac/Linux with minimum versions) for the extension to work as intended.
NordVPN (Chrome/Brave extension)
NordVPN’s Chrome Web Store listing says the extension can disable WebRTC to prevent IP leaks and includes “Threat Protection” in the extension feature set.
NordVPN’s support documentation describes extension features like split tunneling (“Exclude from VPN”), WebRTC blocking to avoid leaking your real IP, and Threat Protection that blocks ads/unsafe sites via DNS filtering (and notes you must be connected to a NordVPN server for it to work).
Practically, this makes NordVPN’s extension a strong “browser privacy layer,” but you still need the full app for system-wide protection beyond the browser.
Surfshark (browser extension)
Surfshark’s extension is closely tied to CleanWeb, which Surfshark positions as ads/trackers blocking plus extra browsing protections.
Independent coverage of Surfshark CleanWeb explains that in the browser extension you can get a cookie pop-up blocker plus data breach and malware alert functionality, and that these advanced functions are browser-level (not device-wide).
This makes Surfshark attractive if your main goal is a cleaner, safer browsing experience inside Brave, but you should treat it as browser-scope unless you also use the full VPN app.
CyberGhost (Brave use)
CyberGhost publishes a dedicated Brave VPN download/info page, indicating it targets Brave users as a supported scenario.
In practice, you should confirm whether you’re installing a browser extension (proxy-style, browser-only) or using the full CyberGhost app (system-wide), because the privacy/leak-protection capabilities differ a lot between these modes.
Before relying on it for privacy-sensitive tasks, verify DNS/WebRTC leak behavior with tests because browser extension routing can have DNS leak edge cases.
Private Internet Access (PIA) (Brave use)
PIA is commonly included in “best VPN for Brave” style roundups, which is usually a sign it’s widely used with Chromium-based browsers.
As with CyberGhost, confirm exactly what you’re using (extension vs full app) and what it covers (browser-only vs device-wide), then run DNS/WebRTC leak tests after setup.
If leak protection is a priority, don’t assume it’s perfect by default—validate with a DNS leak test and a WebRTC leak test after installation.
| VPN (extension) | Works in Brave? | Extension type (typical) | WebRTC leak protection | Extra privacy/security features in extension | Key limitations / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Yes (via Chromium/Chrome Web Store compatibility). | Usually a controller for the desktop VPN app (not just a standalone proxy). | WebRTC blocking is available as a toggle in the extension. | HTML5 location spoofing and “HTTPS Everywhere/HTTPS upgrade” style protection are listed as extension features. | Some advanced controls (protocol, deeper network options) are typically handled in the desktop app, not only the extension. |
| NordVPN | Yes (Chrome extension works in Brave). | Proxy-style browser extension (protects browser traffic), commonly used alongside the app. | NordVPN states you can block WebRTC leaks via the extension settings. | Chrome Web Store listing highlights IP leak protection and mentions Threat Protection in the extension context. | Browser extension protects mainly browser traffic; for system-wide protection you generally use the VPN app. |
| Surfshark | Yes (Chrome/Chromium extension works in Brave). | Browser extension positioned as a VPN/proxy extension for the browser. | Not claimed in the cited Surfshark sources above as “WebRTC block” explicitly, so verify in the extension settings and with a leak test. | CleanWeb (ads/trackers blocking + malware alerts) and Bypasser (split-bypass for chosen sites) are stated extension features. | Feature set may differ by browser/version; confirm what is available in the Brave-installed extension build you use. |
| CyberGhost | Yes (promoted for Brave use; installs as a compatible browser-based solution). | Often marketed for easy setup for browser users (varies by product: extension vs full app). | Not confirmed in the cited CyberGhost page snippet here; verify in official docs/settings before relying on it. | Not confirmed in the cited source here; treat as “depends on plan/extension version.” | If you need strong leak controls, confirm DNS/WebRTC handling and whether it’s proxy-only or app-controlled. |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | Yes (commonly included in Brave VPN roundups; extension availability depends on store/region). | Browser extension exists for Chromium browsers (exact behavior varies). | Not confirmed from the sources above; verify WebRTC/DNS protection in official extension docs before relying on it. | Not confirmed from the sources above. | Treat as “verify before use” for leak protection; run WebRTC/DNS leak tests after installing any VPN extension. |
How to install and configure a VPN extension (Brave)
- Install: open the Chrome Web Store page for the extension and click “Add to Brave,” then read the permission prompt carefully before confirming.
- Manage: Brave → Menu → More Tools → Extensions, where you can enable/disable, remove, and open “Details” to review permissions and options.
- Safety rule: Brave explicitly warns that it “cannot vouch for the security or privacy of third‑party extensions, or how they’ll handle your data,” so you must treat extension permissions as a high-risk decision.
Technical limitations and leak risks (what can go wrong)
WebRTC IP leaks can occur when you use proxy-style setups, because WebRTC may expose network details unless it’s forced to use the proxied/VPN route.
Brave provides a setting called “Disable Non‑Proxied UDP,” and community guidance indicates enabling it should route WebRTC traffic through the VPN and reduce IP-leak risk, but you should still verify with a WebRTC leak test after changes.
DNS leaks can also happen with browser extensions due to DNS prefetching behavior; some testing found DNS requests may still go through the system DNS in certain extension/proxy scenarios.
Rules of use, legal constraints, and user data security
Rules of use (practical): use a VPN for lawful privacy and security (public Wi‑Fi, anti-tracking, safer browsing), and don’t assume a VPN changes what is legal in your jurisdiction.
Legal/contract constraints: always review the provider’s terms and privacy policy, and remember Brave’s warning that third‑party extensions may handle your data in ways Brave doesn’t control.
User data safety checklist: minimize extension permissions, prefer reputable vendors, enable WebRTC protections (e.g., Brave’s “Disable Non‑Proxied UDP”), and test for DNS/WebRTC leaks because extension-based routing can fail in edge cases.