ExpressVPN launches VR app & hybrid browser extension

ExpressVPN has launched a dedicated app for Meta Quest headsets and introduced a new hybrid browser extension that lets users choose between browser-only protection and full-device VPN coverage.

The Meta Quest app is available in the Meta App Store and provides full-device VPN protection directly on the headset, making ExpressVPN one of the early VPN providers to offer a standalone virtual reality option.

ExpressVPN has also rolled out what it calls an industry-first hybrid extension that combines proxy-style browser protection with the option to connect to the ExpressVPN app for full-device coverage. This differs from standard VPN browser extensions, which often work only at the browser level and do not protect the rest of the device.

VR Focus

Meta Quest is a product line developed by Reality Labs, a division of Meta. The devices are among the most widely used consumer VR platforms and include built-in browsers and app ecosystems similar to mobile operating systems.

VPN use on VR headsets has been less common than on PCs and smartphones, partly because of limited app availability and platform restrictions. A dedicated Quest app suggests a growing market for privacy tools on non-traditional consumer devices.

Meta Quest users can install the app now for full-device coverage. A Meta Quest browser extension is also expected to arrive soon, offering browser-only protection without affecting the rest of the device.

Hybrid Extension

The new browser extension has two modes. Users can run it independently as a proxy-based tool that protects browser traffic even without the VPN app installed, or connect it to the ExpressVPN app to extend coverage beyond the browser to the wider device.

The extension includes a feature called Smart Routing, which lets users assign different VPN locations to individual websites. This allows users to browse multiple services under different regional settings in a single session.

It also includes split tunnelling controls, which let users choose which apps use the VPN. Split tunnelling is common in some VPN clients but less common in browser-first products and extensions.

The extension also includes HTML5 geolocation control and WebRTC leak protection, along with access to ExpressVPN server locations and support for the company's Lightway protocol.

In proxy mode, Smart Routing can set rules based on specific websites or regions. This may suit users who want different privacy settings across services or different region-based access without repeatedly changing settings.

Platform Reach

The hybrid extension is being rolled out across ExpressVPN's browser products. The company said the release reflects broader consumer behaviour across devices and browser-based environments.

Users can install the extension from the Chrome Web Store or the Firefox Add-ons library. ExpressVPN did not provide a timeline for platforms beyond Meta Quest, Chrome, and Firefox, but positioned the hybrid approach as a way to offer VPN coverage in environments that do not support traditional apps.

Meta Quest is one example. VR operating environments often have curated app stores and different permission models from standard desktops. A browser-only approach can provide narrower protection where an OS-level VPN is unavailable or unwanted.

"Most VPNs make you choose: either a simple browser proxy or a full-device app. Our new hybrid browser extension does both in a single tool. You can protect just your browser when you want something lightweight, or switch to full-device coverage with a click. We're excited to launch this first-of-its-kind extension in the industry", said Shay Peretz, Group Chief Operating Officer, ExpressVPN.

Founded in 2009, ExpressVPN operates as a consumer VPN provider and also offers additional security products, including a password manager and router-focused tools. The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands and has been part of Kape Technologies since 2021.

A Meta Quest browser extension is expected to become available soon and will provide browser-only protection on the headset.