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How to Use a VPN with Brave Browser on PC [Properly]
Having issues setting up a VPN on your Brave browser? The guide below will help you out!
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Brave is aprivacy-focused desktop and mobile browser. It rolls a firewall and a VPN into one, making it fairly secure.
But does this mean you wouldn’t need a third-party VPN when surfing the web with Brave?
Let’s find out.
DoesBravehave aVPN for PC?
Brave is based on Google’sopen-source Chromium code, so any ethical hacker can dissect it and look for security vulnerabilities.
Like Google Chrome, Brave doesn’t cost a dime to download. As long as nofirewall or antivirus is interrupting its installation process, it’s painless to set up.
But what separates it from Chrome is that it rejects trackers by default. Plus, it can shield you from malicious files that can infect your device.
Moreover, this powerful browser uses less memory and helps prolong the battery life of your electronics.
Since it doesn’t collect and sell data to keep the lights on like tech giants do, it generates revenue by offering itsnative premium VPN service, among others.
The problem is that it’s currentlyavailable to iOS and Android users only. As of writing, the Brave VPN PC versions are still in the works.
That said, Brave can still hide your IP address.
By opening this browser’s private window, you can use Tor as a web proxy to help obscure your location and search with peace of mind using DuckDuckGo.
Still, Bravecan’t encrypt the data tunnels of PCsyet.
Luckily, you can easily add a robust third-party VPN to Brave on Windows becauseit supports most, if not all, Chrome extensionsfound in the Chrome Web Store.
How to enableaVPN in Brave Browseron aPC
For this setup instruction, let’s use Surfshark VPN as an example:
Which are the bestVPNservices for theBrave PCbrowser?
Here are the best options when pairing Brave with a third-party VPN:
Surfshark VPN–The most affordable
Surfshark is a Windows, Chrome, and router VPN with a global network of3,200+ RAM-only serversin100+ countries.
With no simultaneous connection cap, you caninstall it on as many PCs as you want.
Surfshark VPN’s impressive feature set includes a kill switch, system- and app-level split tunneling, MultiHop, and an IP rotator.
What’s more, this service prevents DNS leaks, offers static IPs, and can route Brave traffic through encrypted tunnels using OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.
To top it all, you’ll get a 30-day money-back guarantee after placing your order.
Surfshark
Private Internet Access (PIA)–Great for security
With PIA, you can obscure your Brave traffic via its open-source Windows app or Chrome extension, or install it directly on your router.
This provider’s server fleet covers80+ territories, with most of its 10Gbps RAM-only hardware housed in the US.
But, despite the dangers of operating on Uncle Sam’s turf, PIA’sno-logs policyhas been able to hold up multiple times in the past.
This VPN vendor sells dedicated IPs as extras. But its regular subscriptions include WireGuard and OpenVPN protocol options andSOCKS5 proxies.
PIA plans permit up to 10 simultaneous device connections and come with a 30-day refund guarantee.
Private Internet Access
ExpressVPN–Amazing speed
ExpressVPN offers IPs from94 countries and territories. And you can pair it with Brave through its Chrome extension, Windows app, or your router.
This VPN provider runs its servers on RAM instead of hard drives, emptying data storage after every reboot.
Rounding out its arsenal are OpenVPN and Lightway protocols, the Network Lock kill switch, split tunneling, and IPv6 leak protection.
ExpressVPN gives you up to five simultaneous connections.
All plans come with a30-day money-back guaranteeto make your purchase risk-free.
ExpressVPN
NordVPN–Wide server network
Like every good Brave VPN for Windows, NordVPN has a native Windows app, Chrome extension, and supports routers.
Its network of5000+ 10Gbps serversencompasses50+ countries and territories. And it hasspecialty hardwarecapable of obfuscation, double VPN, and Onion over VPN
Likewise, it runs private DNS, gives access to dedicated IP addresses, promises IPv6 leak protection, and has a kill switch. On top of that, it has dark web monitoring capabilities.
When it comes to tunneling protocols, NordVPN uses OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec. It doesn’t support WireGuard, as its proprietary option NordLynx is arguably a better version of it.
With NordVPN, you can securely browse the internet through Brave using the service on up to six devices at the same time.
And you get a full refund if you decide to cancel your subscription within the first 30 days.
NordVPN
CyberGhost–Perfect for European users
CyberGhost controls9,100+ VPN serversthat can provide shared IPs associated with110+ global locations. And it offers full Brave VPN PC support.
What’s more, this VPN vendor refuses to use third-party data centers. It self-manages its so-calledNoSpy serversin its own facilities to keep malicious parties at bay.
Like every Brave VPN for desktop worth its salt, CyberGhost employs military-grade encryption, leverages OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols, uses RAM storage, and has a kill switch.
More importantly, this VPN provider takes pride in itsstreaming-optimized hardware, which does a great job of unblocking popular streaming platforms in various countries.
And you can pair it with Brave onup to seven devices.
This vendor is so confident that you won’t regret your purchase, it boldly offers afull refund within 45 days.
Additionally, you can download and use its Chrome extension atno cost, albeit with limited server location options.
CyberGhost
Conclusion
It’s a bummer that the Brave VPN PC subscription remains unavailable. But it may be a blessing in disguise.
If you use Brave with an established third-party VPN, you’ll be able to push the boundaries of this celebrated privacy-focused browser.
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
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Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.
