Why a VPN App is Always Better than a VPN Plugin

Posted on Nov 30, 2018 by Summer Hirst
VPN App

If you visit the Private Internet Access website, you’ll notice there are VPN apps for platforms such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and others. And then there are also some browser plugins – for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.

Let’s say you’re on your Windows PC and using Chrome. You can use the Windows app as well as the Chrome plugin. But which one is better?

Comparing VPN apps and plugins

A browser plugin will only protect the traffic that is being sent through the browser. But the app will protect all the traffic that is being sent from your device. This includes tools such as torrenting platforms.

Having a browser plugin might seem convenient. A VPN company might offer Chrome and Mozilla plugins that automatically encrypt your traffic as soon as you start browsing and you’ll never have to open the app.

But a Chrome plugin will secure only the traffic you send through your Chrome browser and the Firefox plugin will secure the Firefox traffic.

VPN plugins will not completely protect you

While you might think that you browse the internet through the browser so it’s enough to secure the browser, you actually use a lot of other applications than just the web browser. A VPN browser plugin will not support several applications including these:
 

  • Email clients such as Outlook. Also email apps on mobile devices
  • P2P tools
  • Social media apps on phones and tablets
  • Shopping apps on phones and tablets
  • Online syncing and backup tools such as Google Drive
  • Instant messaging applications on computer and mobile devices

 
If you use a VPN app, the above-mentioned applications will be made secure.

With a VPN app, you’ll have:
 

  • A high level of security
  • Apps can be easily installed and used
  • Good apps such as those by PIA offer a better user experience and also provide high speeds.

 
So while you may get the option to install an app as well as a browser plugin, it’s always best to go with the app.