VPN

Best Firefox VPN: TOP 3 VPN Extensions for Mozilla Firefox

Author
Martin Gschwentner
Translation
D Bare
Last update
10. Aug 2023
Ad disclaimer: For links on this page, EXPERTE.com may earn a commission from the provider. This supports our work and has no influence on our editorial rating.

A browser extension search for "VPN" in Mozilla Firefox will return more than 100 results: Good news for anyone who values their online security and privacy. The bad news? The market is congested and confusing.

Which provider deserves your trust? What's the difference between VPN browser extensions and desktop clients? Free or premium? Below, we'll answer all of these questions and introduce you to our three favorite VPN extensions for Mozilla Firefox.

Top VPN Provider 2024
Sponsored
from $3.79
per month
NordVPN
from $6.67
per month
ExpressVPN
from $0.00
per month
Proton VPN
from $1.99
per month
Surfshark
show all

Top 3 Firefox VPN Extensions

Mozilla Firefox is one of the world's most commonly used browsers and VPN developers know it. Most of the larger providers have released browser extensions compatible with Firefox. Since no 'magic formula' exists for perfectly integrating VPN functionality into a browser extension, each developer confronts the challenges of this differently, and our three top providers are no exception.

1.

ExpressVPN: The Safe Choice

ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
(736,465 )
ExpressVPN can impress with a strong performance, a huge server network, and excellently designed applications, but this quality also comes at a higher price.
3,000+ servers
160 cities in 94 countries
reliable performance
good for streaming
secure browser extensions
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
7
Contract Period
1 - 12 months
ExpressVPN 12 Months
$6.67
monthly price
Visit Website*
30 days money-back guarantee

Not only did ExpressVPN take second place in our 27-provider evaluation, but its Firefox extension also ticked all of our boxes. Unlike most VPN browser extensions, it isn't a stand-alone program, but can only be used in conjunction with the desktop client. As such, it's more like an integrated 'remote control' for the desktop client, allowing users to protect their device's traffic from the comfort of their browser.

For anyone who can accept the need to have both (desktop client and browser extension), you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of perhaps the safest VPN browser extension on the market.

ExpressVPN's browser extension offers users a variety of additional settings.

ExpressVPN's Firefox extension is identical to its desktop client: Next to the large "Connect" button, you can browse server locations, quickly connect to a server, or view your recent choices. In Settings, you can configure the program to automatically connect to a VPN when you start your browser, or to spoof your location, preventing HTML-based geo-location.

With its Firefox browser extension, ExpressVPN plays to its strengths, combining performance, security, and convenience in an impressive package.

Review
9.4
excellent
Visit Website*
Check Review
Performance
10 / 10
Security & Privacy
9.4 / 10
Server Network
9.4 / 10
Support
9.4 / 10
Bedienung & Features
8.6 / 10
2.

Windscribe: The Freebie

Windscribe VPN
Windscribe VPN
(160,845 )
With its flexible pricing and a generous free plan, Windscribe is a solid option for budget-minded VPN users. It also has a nice, lean app with lots of features – but sadly, its performance can't keep up.
lots of features
free plan with 10 GB limit
unlimited devices
weaker performance
smaller server network
7.8
good
Data Volume
10 - ∞
Devices
unlimited
Protocols
2
Contract Period
0 - 12 months
Windscribe Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
Download for free

Owing to the lack of an external security audit and a few performance shortcomings Windscribe was unable to claw its way too far up our exhaustive VPN evaluation. However, there wasn't much else to take the provider to task for. After all, it offers a very generous free version that includes 10 GB of data per month and access to a relatively large selection of servers (10 different locations).

The provider's browser extension is worth a look, offering a few interesting extras:

Windscribe's browser extension offers Firefox users additional features.

For example, "Double Hop" mode creates connections in both the desktop client and browser extension, making it possible to route your traffic through two proxy servers simultaneously, enhancing your connection's security. There's also an ad-blocker and features like "Split Personality", which rotates your browser's user agent to reduce the danger of fingerprinting.

In general, Windscribe is a solid choice for a free VPN, with its Firefox browser extension impressive in its own right.

Review
7.8
good
Visit Website*
Check Review
Bedienung & Features
9.4 / 10
Support
8.0 / 10
Performance
8.0 / 10
Server Network
7.4 / 10
Security & Privacy
6.0 / 10
3.

NordVPN: The Speed Demon

Best Overall 2024
NordVPN
NordVPN
(877,857 )
NordVPN is our number one VPN because it combines speed, ease-of-use, and functionality in a slick package that's also pretty affordable.
5,500+ servers, 60 countries
excellent performance
no logs
6 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
6
Protocols
5
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
NordVPN 2-year plan
$3.79
monthly price
Visit Website*
30 days money-back guarantee

NordVPN captured first place in our overall ranking, and its Firefox extension is certainly one of the best from our sample. It emphasizes simplicity and speed: With "Quick Connect", you can instantly create a VPN tunnel to a specific country, or choose one from a list showing the last three countries you've connected to.

For additional security, be sure to activate "CyberSec", the provider's ad and malware blocker, and enable WebRTC leak protection. Beyond those though, the browser extension doesn't include many more bells and whistles.

NordVPN's FIrefox extension offers users a few settings and features, like CyberSec and Block WebRTC.

Another advantage of NordVPN's Firefox extension is that you don't have to install the desktop client to use it. However, as we noted above, if you go this route, only your browser traffic will be protected and encrypted (with HTTPS).

NordVPN's Firefox extension left a good impression owing to its variety of features and no-frills, fast performance.

Review
9.4
excellent
Visit Website*
Check Review
Performance
10 / 10
Security & Privacy
9.4 / 10
Bedienung & Features
9.4 / 10
Support
9.4 / 10
Server Network
8.6 / 10

Alternatives

Most VPN providers offer browser extensions and considering Mozilla Firefox's global popularity, it's usually the first platform that developers consider. Detailed reviews of our sample of VPN providers (27 in all) can be found in our comprehensive comparison.

Best Overall 2024
NordVPN
NordVPN
(877,857 )
NordVPN is our number one VPN because it combines speed, ease-of-use, and functionality in a slick package that's also pretty affordable.
5,500+ servers, 60 countries
excellent performance
no logs
6 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
6
Protocols
5
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
NordVPN 2-year plan
$3.79
monthly price
Visit Website*
30 days money-back guarantee
Proton VPN
Proton VPN
(144,686 )
With its open source philosophy and extra security features, Proton VPN targets security-conscious VPN users. But thanks to its user-friendly interface and suitability for streaming, it's worth a look for a wide audience.
open source & external audits
2,900+ servers in 67 countries
great performance
free plan without data limit
not suitable for China
9.1
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
1 - 10
Protocols
3
Contract Period
0 - 24 months
Proton VPN Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
Free forever
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN
(207,223 )
Surfshark is one of the cheapest providers on the market, but it's a lot more than a great budget option: the relatively new VPN boasts strong protection, many features, and a great support with 24/7 live chat.
3,200+ servers in 100 countries
unlimited number of devices
many apps (Linux, FireTV, ...)
cheap 24-month plan
expensive monthly plan
8.8
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
unlimited
Protocols
3
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
Surfshark 24 months
$1.99
monthly price
Visit Website*
Get 83% Discount
HideMyAss! VPN
HideMyAss! VPN
(86,656 )
HideMyAss' main claim to fame is its impressive server infrastructure, but the VPN also delivers solid speeds and handy features like its IP Randomizer. When it comes to streaming, however, it's not always the most reliable choice.
290 locations in 210 countries
IP Randomizer
strong performance
support with live chat
unreliable for streaming
8.6
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
1
Contract Period
12 - 36 months
HideMyAss! 36 months
$2.99
monthly price
Visit Website*
30 days money-back guarantee
hide.me VPN
hide.me VPN
(31,514 )
Hide.me secures its place in our top 10 with good to very good grades in all test categories. The app is filled to the brim with handy features, the performance is solid, and with 10 GB of data per month, the free tier is also worth a look.
78 locations in 49+ countries
many features, incl. split tunneling
free plan with 10 GB monthly
anonymous payment
no recent audit
8.4
good
Data Volume
10 - ∞
Devices
1 - 10
Protocols
7
Contract Period
0 - 36 months
hide.me Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
Free forever
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access
(99,300 )
Besides its huge server network and its audit-proofed 'no logs policy', Private Internet Access sets itself apart from the competition with its module-based app that can be adjusted to each users' habits.
34,000+ servers in 84 countries
customizable VPN client
wide range of features
independent audit 2022
performance could be better
8.2
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
10
Protocols
2
Contract Period
1 - 36 months
Private Internet Access 3 Years
$2.19
monthly price
Visit Website*
CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN
(219,165 )
CyberGhost offers a lot of bang for the buck, especially in the 2-year plan. It has lots of features, even more servers, and quick support including live chat. We had occasional performance issues, however.
8,000+ servers
affordable prices
7 simultaneous connections
fast support with live chat
7.8
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
7
Protocols
7
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
CyberGhost 2 Years
$2.37
monthly price
Visit Website*
45 days money-back guarantee
show all

Perhaps you're wondering why we've only included premium or freemium providers and services in our Top 3. Especially for mobile devices, there seem to be countless "free" services that provide VPNs or VPN browser extensions.

However, these are nearly always "free" in name only, since you "pay" for them with your data. Because online security and anonymity are the reason why VPNs exist in the first place, we only recommend established providers. These either charge a subscription fee or offer limited functionality for free (freemium).

Should you still opt for a "free" service, we advise doing your homework and checking up on the provider, as well as what is installed on your device or operating system when using their service.

Differences Between a VPN Client and a VPN Browser Extension

So far as browser extensions are concerned, referring to them as "VPNs" is technically inaccurate. By and large, these aren't VPNs at all, since such networks are only created at the operating system level, routing all data traffic from your computer to others, and not just that of a single program or app. As such, browser add-ons create proxy connections that only have an impact on their traffic, as opposed to that of your entire device.

How effective they are depends on the type of encryption they use: While qualitative VPN clients rely on protocols like OpenVPN, browser extensions tend to utilize less robust encryption.

In short: A VPN browser extension only protects your browser's data traffic, and even then, the encryption it uses is fairly weak. A VPN client, on the other hand, shields all traffic sent over your Internet connection, not only that from your browser. When taking a look at the three best VPN browser extensions for Mozilla Firefox from our sample, you might notice a few exceptions to this rule, however.

Top VPN Provider 2024
Sponsored
from $3.79
per month
NordVPN
from $6.67
per month
ExpressVPN
from $0.00
per month
Proton VPN
from $1.99
per month
Surfshark
show all
Author (German Version): Martin Gschwentner
Martin Gschwentner majored in American Studies and Media Studies in Germany, the USA and France and works as a freelance editor in Paris. He is a doctoral student at the Institute for English and American Studies at the University of Paris Diderot, where he is researching the influence of money on US politics. On EXPERTE.com he writes about IT security, data protection and software for the self-employed and small businesses.
Translation: D Bare
* Ad disclaimer: For links marked with an asterisk, EXPERTE.com may earn a commission from the provider. The commission has no influence on our editorial rating.
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Best Overall 2024
Sponsored
NordVPN
5,500+ servers, 60 countries
excellent performance
no logs
6 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
Review
excellent
Try NordVPN now
30 days money-back guarantee