According to TechRadar, as we look back on a 2025 defined by cybersecurity threats, browsers with built-in VPNs are being pitched as a user-friendly privacy solution. The core trade-off is clear: they only protect web browser traffic, leaving other device apps exposed, unlike full VPNs. Key products in this space include the Aloha browser with a free tier, Microsoft Edge with its “Secure Network,” and the two main recommendations, Opera and Brave. Opera offers a free but unreliable VPN version, with full features behind a paywall, while Brave’s paid version is built on Chromium but costs more than some standalone VPNs like Surfshark or Proton VPN. These browsers typically lack server networks, struggle with streaming quality on platforms like Prime Video, and offer minimal settings, such as no ability to change VPN protocols in Brave.
The Convenience Trap
Here’s the thing: a VPN browser feels like a security shortcut. And for a very specific person, it might be. Think about your tech-averse relative who only uses a laptop for Facebook and online banking. For them, the simplicity is a feature, not a bug. It’s less intimidating than installing a separate VPN app. But that’s where the benefits pretty much end for everyone else.
I think the biggest issue is the false sense of security. You fire up your VPN browser, see the little shield icon, and feel safe. Meanwhile, your email client, your Slack app, your game, and that random weather widget are all sending data completely unprotected. It’s like locking your front door but leaving every window wide open. If your goal is actual device-wide privacy, this is a non-starter.
Streaming and Power User Problems
And then there’s streaming. TechRadar notes these browsers often can’t handle it. The server networks are tiny, especially for Asian regions, and the connections just aren’t fast or reliable enough. Platforms like Prime Video will detect the browser-based VPN and downgrade your stream. So, no 4K for you. Basically, if accessing geo-restricted content or watching in high definition is a priority, you’re going to be disappointed.
For anyone who even slightly knows what they’re doing, the lack of customization is frustrating. Can’t change the encryption protocol? That’s a major red flag for a privacy tool. You’re stuck with whatever default settings the browser vendor chose, which might not be the most secure or fastest option available. You’re trading control for convenience, and in cybersecurity, that’s rarely a good deal.
So Who Is This For, Really?
Look, they’re not useless. They have a niche. The ideal user is someone on an older, slower device who needs a lightweight solution and whose entire digital life happens inside a browser. Or, it’s a genuinely useful first step for a total beginner to understand what a VPN even does. It’s a gateway tool.
But the moment you need to do anything more—protect all your apps, stream reliably, tweak settings, or use advanced features like a password manager or dark web monitoring—you’ve outgrown it. And you’ll end up paying for a standalone VPN anyway. TechRadar points out that Brave’s paid subscription can cost more than proven, full-featured VPNs. That seems like a bad value proposition.
The Bottom Line
My take? A VPN browser is a half-measure. In a world where our phones and computers run dozens of connected apps, protecting just the browser feels increasingly outdated. It’s a solution built for a simpler time. For most people, especially if you’re already considering paying for one, investing in a reputable, standalone VPN service is the smarter, more comprehensive choice. You get what you pay for, and with a VPN browser, you’re often not paying for much.
