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Chrome Incognito vs VPN: 7 Key Differences to Be Aware Of

Note that there are a few VPNs you can also choose to use on Chrome

13 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

There are many web browsers available that you can download, and each one serves the needs of different people.

Notably, there are browsers for more privacy-focused people. You can also download browsers that facilitate productivity and offer many features but are not that good at securing your data.

Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers across platforms. It has various features, but it isn’t regarded as one of the privacy-focused browsers.

However, questions might arise about what if you use Google Chrome with a VPN, and will it be safe as the Incognito mode? What is the difference between Google Chrome Incognito mode and a VPN?

If you have the same question and are looking for a comprehensive guide on Chrome Incognito vs VPN, then you are in the right place. Because here, we will try to answer all the questions you might have regarding this topic. Let us check it out.

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Do Chrome VPNs work on incognito?

There are a few different VPNs you can use on Chrome. Some are extensions found on the Chrome extensions store; others are the regular cross-platform VPNs you will usually use on your device.

Each of these options may work differently on Chrome incognito. But generally speaking, a VPN that works well on Chrome will work regardless of your browsing mode.

And if you need a VPN, we encourage enabling it even if you are browsing in incognito since private mode does not offer total privacy.

What is private browsing mode or Incognito mode?

Private browsing mode, otherwise known as an incognito mode in Google Chrome, lets you surf the internet without allowing other people using your device to see your browsing history.

Google Chrome Incognito mode does not store your history or the websites you visit. But several users have reported that their web searches in Incognito mode are being stored andshowing up as suggested searchesin the Omnibox.

There are some benefits of using Chrome Incognito mode:

That is it when it comes to the benefits of using Google Chrome Incognito mode. Do note that Incognito mode doesn’t make you visible to everyone.

Your IP and online activities are still visible to others, including your Wi-Fi network administrators or people sharing a Wi-Fi network with you.

Additionally, the Incognito mode does not hide locations or sites visited by your ISP, search engines, employers, or schools. Incognito mode just hides you from those who have physical access to your PC or laptop. Downloads and bookmarks are also saved.

Chrome Incognito vs. VPN

How does Chrome Incognito keep your browsing private?

As already mentioned, Google Chrome Incognito mode is a feature that helps you keep your browsing history and data private from other people that use your device.

The functionality of Chrome Incognito mode is pretty simple. For example, when you switch to an incognito tab, Google Chrome creates an Incognito browsing session.

You will notice that when you open an Incognito tab, it takes you to a new tab, away from the regular tabs you might have left open. All the new tabs you open within the Incognito tab will be part of the same session.

All the corresponding tabs will be closed when you close the Incognito tab.

In Google Chrome Incognito mode, the browser does not keep track of your browsing history, cookies, or site data. Even the permissions that you give to a particular website aren’t saved.

Besides, using the Incognito mode also means you will not be signed into any of your accounts. Therefore, you will have to manually enter your credentials to log in to the websites in Incognito mode.

On the other hand, your activity is still visible to your employer, ISP, or parental tracking software if it is in use.

Let’s take a look at the advantages of using Google Chrome Incognito mode:

Let us discuss the disadvantages of using Chrome Incognito mode:

How does a VPN protect your privacy?

We are connected to the internet in almost every walk of our lives. Right from shopping, to booking tickets, to payments, to entertainment, everything is done online.

Whenever you visit a website, it stores cookies as website data. This allows advertisers to target you with ads based on your searches.

But this can be avoided if you use a trusted and good VPN app or service. A VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Unlike the Incognito mode, which provides online safety on a local level, it also adds a security layer on a network level.

Using aVPN allows you to access restricted websites, download apps or software that aren’t available in your region, access your files from anywhere in the world securely and privately and use torrents for all the stuff you already know.

The advertisers will have a hard time tracking you. However, your location is practically impossible to track since a VPN encrypts your connection.

When VPN is enabled, it connects to the internet through a private server. This makes it appear that a private server is trying to access a website rather than an individual, hiding your IP address.

If you use Windows, you can also use the built-in VPN that comes with Windows 10 and 11. We have a dedicated guide that details it andhow you can use the Windows built-in VPN.

Apart from the brief benefits of VPN mentioned above, below is a comprehensive list of the benefits of using a Virtual Private Network, i.e., VPN.

After looking at the different benefits of using a VPN, let us check out the downsides of using a VPN.

Private Internet Access is one of our recommended VPNs that you can opt for. It comes with servers in over 77 countries, is 100% open-source, and does not store VPN logs or leaks.

If you are encountering issues with the PIA VPN, you can connect with its world-class 24/7 customer support, and if you do not like the VPN services, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a list of other trusted and some of the best VPNs available, you can check out this guide on the5 best VPNs for Windows 11, selected after three months of usage and tests.

Why should you use Incognito mode with a VPN?

Be it Chrome Incognito mode or any VPN, there are certain drawbacks or disadvantages attached to both; however, there is a way to fill this gap.

You can use a VPN with the Chrome Incognito mode. In doing so, the gaps in the VPN can be filled by the Incognito mode and vice-versa.

And for those who are wondering whether VPNs work with the Incognito mode, the answer is yes. VPNs work with Chrome’s Incognito mode and other browsers.

When you use a VPN with Chrome Incognito mode, all your internet traffic will be routed via the encrypted channel by the VPN, and the no-logging policy gives you total privacy.

So, for example, when you use private browsing mode, you are not logged in to Google or any other services. This will prevent the service providers from storing the cookies and targeting your ads based on your searches.

On top of this, the VPN will reroute your network traffic to a different location, not allowing the websites to see your actual IP address.

Duckduckgo vs Chrome incognito

Cookies, history, and any data you’ve input into forms are deleted from your computer when you use the incognito mode to browse.

This deleting only happens after you close all your open tabs to conclude your session. Therefore, even if you keep the incognito tabs open for days or hours, that information will continue accumulating.

DuckDuckGo is unique in that it prevents trackers while you browse and doesn’t keep any of the information about your surfing.

Is a VPN better than incognito mode?

Every major browser has some incognito mode, whether it goes by the name InPrivate, Private Window, or anything else. However, a VPN is more efficient than the incognito mode in protecting your online identity.

In contrast to VPNs, incognito mode is perfect for keeping your online activity hidden from other users of the device.

You can check out our guide on thebest VPNs to use with Google Chrome. If you do not wish to install a separate VPN app and want to use a VPN extension, we have got you covered in our guide on thebest Chrome VPN extensions to protect your online privacy.

Apart from this, if you are experiencing Chrome VPN issues, you can check out our guide onhow to fix it, and if you arefacing VPN not working with Google Chrome, then we have a guide that will also resolve the issue.

Chrome Incognito vs VPN: 7 Key Differences to Be Aware Of#

Do Chrome VPNs work on incognito?#

What is private browsing mode or Incognito mode?#

Chrome Incognito vs. VPN#

How does Chrome Incognito keep your browsing private?#

How does a VPN protect your privacy?#

Why should you use Incognito mode with a VPN?#

Duckduckgo vs Chrome incognito#

Is a VPN better than incognito mode?#