Google is finally bringing its VPN to desktop users with the latest enhancement to the Google One VPN service.
The move means that macOS and Windows users will only need an active Google One premium subscription to enjoy better online privacy in one click.
After promising it for a while, users in 22 countries can now protect their sensitive data on their PC or laptop with a Google-owned VPN. These include many European countries such as France, Italy and the United Kingdom, along with the United States, Japan, Mexico and Taiwan.
Google One VPN for macOS and Windows
As mentioned, users will need an active Google One premium subscription of at least 2TB, with a starting price of around $10/month.
The move is the latest in a series of releases and updates to Google’s VPN service.
Google’s new Pixel 7 range of smartphones launched pre-loaded and ready to go at no extra cost before the company later confirmed it would remain a free VPN for up to five years, or better, for exactly the same time as the smartphone will support updates security.
Compared to the competition, it is certainly not the cheapest VPN. However, there are some useful additional privacy tools, such as more space in encrypted cloud storage. In addition, you can share your VPN connection and other benefits with up to five people at the same time.
It is worth noting that Google One VPN does not quite match the features offered by our favorite VPN providers on the market.
For starters, it lacks some advanced security features like auto-connecting when you access an unsecured Wi-Fi network, or useful extras like blocking malware and phishing sites.
For those looking for a reliable VPN for streaming, Google One VPN is also not the right choice. That’s because you can’t switch servers or spoof your location to bypass geographic restrictions. This means you won’t be able to access censored sites either.
When it comes to VPN encryption protocols, the choice is quite short as it only supports Google’s custom offering, but we still consider it safe and suitable for basic privacy use.
Despite these shortcomings, if you already pay for a premium Google One plan, you can now perform your online activities in an even more secure way, regardless of the device you use, all without having to subscribe to another service.