ExpressVPN has introduced a hybrid browser extension alongside a dedicated app for Meta Quest headsets, expanding its service into virtual reality while reshaping how desktop browser protection works.
The company describes the new extension as an industry-first hybrid model that combines a standalone browser proxy with the ability to control full-device VPN encryption from a single interface.
Traditional VPN browser extensions typically function either as lightweight proxies that only protect browser traffic or as remote controls that toggle the main desktop application on and off.
ExpressVPN’s hybrid approach merges those two models, allowing users to run browser-only protection for faster, lower-overhead sessions or switch instantly to full-device encryption without opening a separate app window.
The extension also introduces a Smart Routing feature that enables users to assign different VPN locations to specific websites within the same browser session.
Smart Routing allows one tab to connect through a selected country while another uses a separate VPN location or bypasses the VPN entirely, reducing the need to repeatedly change global settings.
The extension retains privacy safeguards including WebRTC leak blocking and HTML5 geolocation spoofing, which help prevent browsers from exposing a user’s real location through underlying system calls.
ExpressVPN states that the new hybrid extension supports its Lightway protocol, which includes post-quantum cryptographic protections designed to defend against future decryption methods.
ExpressVPN has also launched a native application for Meta Quest headsets, making full-device VPN protection available directly through the Meta App Store.
The Meta Quest app encrypts all traffic passing through the headset rather than limiting coverage to browser sessions, addressing growing use of VR devices for social networking, streaming and productivity.
VR headsets increasingly function as standalone computing devices, and full-device encryption can help reduce ISP throttling during bandwidth-intensive applications such as VR gaming and media streaming.
ExpressVPN confirmed that hybrid browser functionality will also extend to the Meta Quest browser, enabling lighter browser-only protection for users who prefer not to run full background encryption during performance-sensitive tasks.
The hybrid browser extension is available now for Chrome and Firefox, while the Meta Quest application is live in the headset’s app store with broader feature integration expected to follow.
For a broader comparison of how ExpressVPN stacks up against rivals including NordVPN and Surfshark, see our Best VPN guide, where we rank and test the top services across speed, privacy and overall performance.
