Choosing a VPN browser extension is not always an easy task, especially when many of the tools simply prohibit it. Thus, more than 10 VPN services have already been blocked in Russia recently, including Opera VPN, VyprVPN, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, Hola, VPN Unlimited and Speedify. In the case of Microsoft Edge, there are still those available for general use in the Russian Federation.
We’ll talk about what these extensions are and how to install them in Microsoft Edge in today’s article.
What is VPN
The abbreviation VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which means “virtual private network” in English. In other words, it is a technology that provides an encrypted connection and works on top of the Internet.
You can connect to it from anywhere in the world. It allows you to anonymously browse blocked sites in a specific region. For example, using this technology in China you can access Google or Facebook. When connecting to a VPN, the provider cannot determine which pages the user has visited, so access to the Internet becomes free.
Microsoft Editor
Are you involved in writing content, assignments, essays, emails, etc.? The Microsoft Editor extension will be a great combination with Microsoft Edge. Microsoft Editor supports multiple languages. This will be very useful when you are sending any email for business purposes.
Download the Microsoft Editor extension for Microsoft Edge
VPN Features in Microsoft Edge
When a user connects a VPN in the browser, virtual network functions are triggered, opening up opportunities that allow:
- Hide and change the IP address, which prevents your ISP and hackers from tracking your online activity.
- Browse any web page anonymously.
- Use VoIP technology without geographical restrictions.
- Bypass firewalls, censorship, regional blocks.
- Avoid price discrimination and make purchases in foreign stores at prices lower than what is offered.
VPNs are also used to gain access to sites that are blocked in the current location. For example, it could be Netflix US or Disney+.
Ad blocking
AdBlock
Chrome Equivalent: AdBlock
We'll start with the extension that everyone knows. AdBlock is the most popular Chrome extension and is also available on Edge. This extension blocks ads across the web, which sounds great, but can be harmful to your favorite websites. Think about the morality of using AdBlock: before you decide to install it.
Winner: Tie.
Adguard AdBlocker
Chrome equivalent: Adguard AdBlocker
Another ad blocking extension is a direct port to the Chrome add-on. This one offers more features than AdBlock and claims to have a smaller footprint. As with AdBlock, remember that ad blocking can affect you even if you don't realize it.
Winner: Tie.
Adblock Plus
Chrome equivalent: Adblock Plus
Another ad blocker, Adblock Plus, is also popular in other browsers. This version for Edge is in beta at the moment, so the developers warn that it has limitations and bugs. So, if you must use an ad blocker, this is not your best choice.
Winner: Chrome, since the Edge version is still in development.
UBlock Origin
Chrome equivalent: uBlock Origin
Add another ad blocker to Edge's list. uBlock Origin prides itself on blocking ads without burdening your browser with additional processing loads. We've talked about the dangers of ad blocking, so we won't repeat it here. At least you have a wide range of choices if you want to block ads in Edge.
Winner: Tie.
How to install an extension in Microsoft Edge
If you have ever encountered installing extensions in Google Chrome, then there will be no difficulties. Microsoft also has an official online store, from where you can download the required plugin in just a couple of clicks.
You can go to it either through this link or through a browser:
- Click on the ellipsis in the upper right corner and select “Extensions” in the menu that appears.
- The next step is to click “Get extensions for Microsoft Edge.” Pay attention to the “Chrome Online Store” button, by clicking on which you can go to the Chrome extension store - thus, you can download extensions for another browser.
- As a result, we are taken to a page with extensions available for download for Microsoft Edge. All you need is to select the required plugin and click on the “Get” button.
VPN extensions are installed in a similar way, which we will talk about in more detail later.
Grammar
Grammarly helps you write better and faster, often without your intervention, by analyzing your writing. It comes with a variety of useful tools that work in popular text editors such as Google Docs and Microsoft Word. It will automatically correct common spelling errors on the fly. And that is not all.
It will also correct your grammar, sentence structure, tone, and suggest better words than the one you chose. Whether you type emails, newsletters, or are a writer/blogger like me, Grammarly is a must-have extension.
Top 6 VPNs for Microsoft Edge
Review of the most popular VPN extensions for the Edge browser. Please note that some of them work on a subscription basis, and this is normal, since most often only such solutions allow you to get completely anonymous surfing on the Internet with a high connection speed.
Surfshark
Surfshark is a paid plugin that has over 1,700 servers in 60+ countries, allowing you to find a high-speed connection from almost anywhere in the world. With this VPN you can also access services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video. Moreover, one subscription allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices.
One of the main features of Surfshark is its wide range of security features. These include a kill switch, 256-bit AES encryption, and IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection. Support is available 24/7 via chat and email.
Another feature is the 30-day money-back guarantee. You can install the extension in your browser for free, but to use it you will need to create an account and pay for a tariff plan.
Pros:
- it can be accessed from an unlimited number of devices;
- can hide the IP address and completely protect the Internet connection;
- helps block ads, malware and all types of fraud;
- There is 24/7 user support.
Minuses:
- no free version;
- some servers can be extremely slow.
Cost: 950 rubles per month
Download link: Surfshark
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is one of the fastest VPN services and a great option for those who want to keep their connection as secure as possible while browsing the internet, streaming content, and downloading large files through Microsoft Edge.
CyberGhost's fast connection speeds easily handle any task you need to do with Edge. Streaming video and even 4K streams play fast and smoothly.
CyberGhost does not store metadata or keep traffic logs, which helps protect user privacy.
Pros:
- does not store user activity logs and provides strong encryption to bypass activity detection;
- easy-to-use apps for Edge-compatible devices;
- unblocks Netflix and other streaming services;
- There is a 24/7 support service.
Minuses:
- no free version.
Cost: from 165 rubles per month
Download link: CyberGhost
Browsec
Browsec is a free extension that was developed in Russia, so information about the application and users is stored on servers accessible to the state. It’s worth saying right away that if you are looking for a VPN for maximum anonymity, then Browsec is definitely not suitable.
I also want to note that Browsec cannot protect the user 100% from the threats of hackers and scammers. The fact is that the service does not use the OpenVPN protocol, and the only barrier between hackers and user information is AES-256 encryption.
There is no Kill Switch function, i.e. If the VPN stops working, the user's data will become publicly available. However, the service guarantees traffic protection: to prevent leakage, features such as WebRTC and FlashPlayer should be disabled.
Pros:
- does not require registration;
- 256-bit AES encryption;
- unblocks Netflix US.
Minuses:
- in the free version there are only 4 servers available;
- connection speed limit in the free version;
- Some servers are intermittently unavailable.
Cost: free or from $2.99/month
Download link: Browsec
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is an extremely fast VPN plugin for the Microsoft Edge browser that allows you to connect 6 devices at once with one subscription.
PrivateVPN has fewer servers than some of its competitors, but offers above-average speeds. It protects the user's network traffic with 256-bit encryption and does not log personal information. DNS and IPv6 leak protection is built-in, as is a kill switch. There is also an online chat for support in case the user has problems using it, but the response time takes a long time.
Pros:
- high level of confidentiality;
- most servers provide a reliable and fast connection;
- 30-day money back guarantee.
Minuses:
- small number of servers compared to competitors;
- no free version.
Price: from $8.99
Official page: PrivateVPN
Touch VPN
Touch VPN is a great tool for anonymously accessing the Internet. The main advantage is that it encrypts data, regardless of whether the user is connecting to the Internet from home or from a public Wi-Fi network.
The main goal of this VPN is to protect your privacy and keep it out of the reach of third parties. Touch VPN is free and helps avoid censorship of sites that are geographically restricted.
Pros:
- completely free;
- many servers in 30+ countries;
- high data transfer speed.
Minuses:
- no DNS leak protection.
Download link: free
Official page: Touch VPN
ZenMate VPN
The last extension we'll talk about is ZenMate. It's a free VPN tool that uses strong encryption to protect all traffic and hides your real IP address, making it easy to access any blocked website, protect your data, and surf the web anonymously without bandwidth limits.
ZenMate has been on the market since 2013. Since its inception, the product has grown into one of the largest and most respected VPN services with 47 million users and 3600+ servers in 74 countries.
One of the advantages is that the extension does not store logs or logs. Another benefit is access to content. For example, you can access Netflix and other popular streaming services.
Pros:
- free, but there is a paid premium version;
- 3600+ servers in 74 countries;
- strong encryption;
- high connection speed;
- unblocks Netflix US.
Minuses:
- IP address leakage is possible;
- there is logging.
Cost: free
Download link: ZenMate
Web development
BuiltWith Technology Profiler
Chrome equivalent: BuiltWith Technology Profiler
This extension is not difficult. Whenever you run it on a website, it will tell you what technologies it is built with. Any frameworks, web servers and other libraries are displayed clearly for you. Not too useful for the average user, but perhaps useful if you want to know what your favorite sites are made of.
Winner: Tie.
Page Analyzer (Microsoft)
Chrome equivalent: Page Analyzer (NJN)
Page Analyzer allows you to scan for problems on your site. It can find compatibility, performance, and accessibility issues so you can have a cleaner, stronger site. If you're trying to fix an issue on your site, make it more accessible to users, or are working on SEO, this is a good start.
Winner: Edge. The Chrome extension only checks for compatibility issues with specific browsers, not the site itself.
BrowserStack
Chrome equivalent: BrowserStack
Developers who create websites must pass many tests. Just because a website looks good in Chrome doesn't mean it won't have problems in Firefox. Additionally, they should sometimes test mobile browsers and even ancient browsers like Internet Explorer 8. BrowserStack makes this easy by allowing developers to test their site in dozens of real browsers without using virtual machines. This is a paid service intended for business use, so this extension is useless without a subscription.
Winner: Tie.
Live editor for CSS and LESS - Magic CSS [no longer available]
Chrome Equivalent: Live Editor for CSS and LESS - Magic
Here is another extension for website developers. Using it, you can test CSS changes in real time. Again, if you regularly work with CSS and website design, this is a neat tool, but the average user won't see much use in it.
Winner: Tie.
JSON Formatter for Edge
Chrome equivalent: JSON Formatter
JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation; We've covered the basics if you're interested. This extension takes raw JSON input and formats it into a developer-friendly form. If you are developing a website, this is very convenient. For home users, you won't find much use here.
Winner: Tie.
Save to Pocket
This extension is similar to OneNote Web Clipper - the first one simply takes a screenshot of the page, and this simply saves any content in the cloud - links, pictures, videos, and so on. It is convenient because you can attach a tag to saved materials for further quick search. Synchronization can be carried out between different browsers, mobile devices or computers.
The add-on saves links, pictures, videos and other content in cloud storage
AdBlocker Ultimate
“You can never have too many ad blockers!” — with these words, the AdBlocker Ultimate extension slips into our mini-rating. It is no worse than the first, in addition it blocks hacker attacks and tracking, malicious domains, video advertising, and also improves performance. A small window that pops up when you click on the icon in the upper right corner displays small statistics.
This is what the add-on window looks like with some statistics
Actions with the mouse
With this extension you can simplify basic browsing tasks. To do this, you just need the mouse, click on its right button and hold it down, and thus “draw” a figure corresponding to a specific command. If the figure is drawn incorrectly, a hint picture will be displayed in the upper right corner.
If the figure is drawn incorrectly, a hint will appear in the upper right part of the window
Enhancer for YouTube
YouTube is the most popular service that people use for entertainment, education, work, etc. To somehow diversify your experience with YouTube, you can use the Enhancer extension. It allows you to personalize the video player as much as possible by changing the theme, removing all annotations and advertising, that is, leaving only the main video content and additional tools that may be needed after or during viewing. In addition, the extension helps you control playback volume, select the appropriate video quality, and select the most optimal viewing modes.
