ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and others — we’ve compiled a list of the best VPN services to protect your internet connection and online privacy that you can trust.
Best VPN Services
NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
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Why do you need a VPN?
A VPN is a technology that “masks” your internet journey: for example, allowing you to visit websites as if you were in another country.
When you connect to a VPN, a secure channel is created between the user’s computer and the VPN server, and its data is encrypted. Your ISP won’t know what sites you’ve visited or what information you’ve transmitted or received over the network. A pleasant bonus – VPN services allow you to use the resources, which are prohibited by the authorities of a particular country on the geographical principle or on the basis of the decisions.
Bypassing the blocking is not a violation of the law.
You can freely access blocked websites by simply choosing and downloading a VPN program to your Windows/macOS/Linux computer or installing a VPN for Android or iOs.
Paid or free VPN?
There are paid and free VPN services. Can you trust a free VPN? Not always. News that another company is peddling user data appears quite often. Therefore, to ensure a stable and secure connection, we recommend choosing paid programs. Their developers care about their reputation and do not leak confidential information about their clients. Choose a high-quality service and you won’t regret it.
What are the main advantages of paid VPN?
- maximum protection and multi-level encryption;
- high performance;
- no limits on the speed of connections;
- adblocking;
- technical and customer support from the developer.
When you choose a free VPN, you risk getting service with low performance and low connection speed.
What are the main features of a good VPN?
Encryption
Security is a major factor when it comes to using a VPN. It is best to use those services that use at least 256-bit AES encryption. This is the same level of security that most government agencies use to protect sensitive data.
No logs
A no-logging policy means that the VPN operator keeps no record of the data you exchange with them and the sites you visit. This ensures your privacy is protected, even if the service is forced by law to hand over information about its customers. Many free VPN services can’t make that promise, as they make money by selling your personal information to advertisers. For the best operators, this is one important factor.
For example, ExpressVPN and NordVPN — not only have made this commitment. They have conducted an additional audit of their services (by PricewaterhouseCoopers) and received unbiased confirmation that they do not record or store any identifiable user data.
Speed
The routing of your Internet connection through other countries affects speed. The strength of the impact depends on several factors. The best VPN providers invest heavily in powerful servers and fast connections. It’s important to them to ensure that their services don’t slow you down online. ExpressVPN, for example, hardly slows you down, even when you connect to servers located in the US and Australia.
Accessing geo-blocked websites and streaming services
Some streaming video services and other sites try to find and block connections outside the country. A good VPN should be able to bypass this restriction and give you access to whatever you want to watch. CyberGhost, for example, has a long list of dedicated streaming servers that can help you access video services worldwide very easily.
The ability to connect to different devices at the same time
Good VPNs allow you to connect from multiple devices. And it’s handy if you want a VPN to work on your phone as well as your computer or Smart TV. The best VPNs can be used on at least five devices at once, and some (like Surfshark VPN) allow an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
24/7 customer support
If you choose a good paid VPN – you’re entitled to expect decent customer support. Developers usually offer online tutorials to help you make the most of the service’s features. And 24/7 customer support is available through online chat. It’s all just in case you need help with anything at any time of day.
Choosing the best VPN for a secure connection
There are so many choices of VPN services, but not all of them are equally good. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. We’ve put together a list of the best ones you can trust. We’ve looked at:
- The fastest, safest, and most effective VPNs.
- With high and reliable speeds and great bandwidth for the Internet
- Tested and proven to work with popular devices and services.
Discover the best VPN offers and test out free trials of VPN services:
- NordVPN — universal VPN, best data encryption.
- ExpressVPN — best VPN for streaming data.
- Surfshark — the best VPN to protect multiple devices, best value for money.
- IPVanish — the best VPN for downloading torrents.
- CyberGhost — the best VPN for Mac.
- Hotspot Shield — the best VPN for Netflix.
- Private Internet Access — Best VPN for Windows.
- Encrypt.me — the best VPN with unlimited devices.
- Proton VPN — the best VPN for privacy.
- HideMyAss! (HMA) VPN — the best VPN for Linux
NordVPN
VPN service provides a secure, encrypted channel for online traffic. No one will be able to access the data you transmit over the Internet. NordVPN is the best VPN if you want to use public Wi-Fi in peace. Only a few providers offer dual VPNs, and NordVPN is one of them. Your traffic is routed through two VPN servers instead of one, so your data is encrypted twice.
The service guarantees secure access to personal information or work files, an encrypted internet connection, and hidden browser history. NordVPN has a strict no-logging policy and a secure IP address. Watch, stream and download without any problems.
Key Features
Works on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
Streaming sites unlocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC
Trial Version Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Number of servers: 5000+
Countries: 59
Maximum number of supported devices: 6
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN offers a very good combination of speed, security, and performance. You can use it virtually anywhere: on your smartphone and on your computer.
ExpressVPN offers all the encryption and security features you’d expect from a top-rated VPN provider:
- 256-bit AES connection protection, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, emergency disconnection, and split tunneling.
- Anonymous download and browsing information. No connection or activity logs.
- Meanwhile, ExpressVPN offers unlimited bandwidth and access to any content regardless of location.
Key Features
Works on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
Unlocked streaming sites: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video
24/7 Support: Yes
Trial Version Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Number of Servers: 3000+
Countries: 94
Maximum number of supported devices: 5
Surfshark
Surfshark is among the VPN services that have very little effect on the average internet speed. This makes it easier to download torrents and upload movies and TV shows.
You get a different IP address each time you connect, so you are very difficult to track. All of this makes Surfshark a convenient VPN service for Torrent users.
In addition, Surfshark is based in a country that is not part of international intelligence agreements. Therefore, your data is safe from the prying eyes of governments.
Benefits of Surfshark:
- View streaming services and access popular TV platforms.
- Torrent downloads. Surfshark works with P2P traffic with no speed limits.
- Ad blocking, viruses, and phishing sites.
- Connect multiple devices to one account.
- No logging at all (no one will be watching you).
Support of modern protocols (IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN) and security options (DNS leak protection, auto disconnection from the network if VPN connection is lost, proven military-grade encryption algorithm, etc.).
Key Features
Works on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Streaming Sites Unlocked: Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon, iPlayer, Disney+
24/7 Support: Yes
Trial Version / Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Number of Servers: 3200+
Countries: 65
Maximum number of supported devices: No restrictions
IPVanish
IPVanish is popular with Android users. But you can use it anywhere. The service uses strong encryption methods and provides high download speeds. It does not track or collect user activity data.
The split tunneling feature protects your selected portion of the traffic while keeping access to your local network devices.
Key features
Works on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
Streaming sites unlocked: Netflix, YouTube, Hulu
24/7 Support: Yes
Trial Version Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Number of Servers: 1600+
Countries: 52
Maximum number of supported devices: unlimited
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is one of the services offering convenient speeds for everyday Internet use. The service automatically connects you to the server best suited for your purposes. It can block trackers, ads, and malicious websites.
VPN protocols and encryption standards protect you from hackers and eavesdropping even when using unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs on the market, but it has some drawbacks. Users say it may not be the best option for iPlayer fans.
Key features
Works on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
Streaming sites unlocked: Netflix, Hulu, YouTube
24/7 Support: Yes
Trial Version / Money Back Guarantee: 45 days
Number of Servers: 7000
Countries: 90
Maximum supported devices: 7
Hotspot Shield
The company offers very good speeds among other VPN providers thanks to the Hydra protocol. So you can watch Netflix on both your PC and smartphone without any lags or freezes. If you want to check it out, try the free Android version. If so, the 500MB daily limit will make it difficult to use the streaming services.
Hotspot Shield has its drawbacks, for example, it’s not the best VPN service for BitTorrent fans.
Key features
Works on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
Streaming sites unlocked: Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, iPlayer, Hulu, Prime, Disney+
24/7 Support: Yes
Trial Version / Money Back Guarantee: 45 days
Number of Servers: 1800+
Countries: 80
Maximum number of supported devices: 5
Private Internet Access
Tests on Windows devices have shown that PIA provides fast download speeds. It can be said that it is a good option for Windows devices. It also provides great features for iOS and Android devices. PIA’s performance on Mac is mediocre, as is its client support.
In addition, a top-notch Chrome extension makes PIA a handy VPN for Chrome. It can block location access, website links, third-party cookies, and more.
PIA is one of the best VPNs with a strict privacy policy. But you should bear in mind that the company is based in the United States. The US is a member of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes international surveillance networks.
Key features
Works on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
Streaming sites unlocked: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu
24/7 Support: None
Trial Version / Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Number of Servers: 35000+
Countries: 78
Maximum number of supported devices: 10
Encrypt.me
Encrypt.me is not as well known as other companies on our list of top 10 VPN providers. Nevertheless, it offers digital security for an unlimited number of devices at a reasonable price.
Note that Encrypt.me has some privacy-related drawbacks. It is based in the US and keeps customer data for 16 days before deletion. Another drawback is that the service won’t help you unblock Netflix.
Key Features
Works on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Unlocked streaming sites: YouTube, iPlayer
24/7 Support: No Trial/Warranty
Trial/ Money Back Guarantee: 14 days
Number of Servers: 130+
Countries: 75
Maximum number of supported devices: Unlimited
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a good service with a handy set of VPN features. There’s a free version with minimal features and a premium subscription that provides extra protection for email, storage, and calendar tools.
The main features of the service:
- High-speed connection (servers with up to 10 Gbps).
- Ad blocker (NetShield is a DNS filtering feature that protects against malware, blocks ads, and prevents web trackers from tracking you while using the Internet).
- Strict no-activity-logging policy.
- Strong encryption. All network traffic is encrypted with AES-256, keys are exchanged using 4096-bit RSA, and HMAC with SHA384 is used to authenticate messages.
Key Features
Works on: Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows
Streaming sites unlocked: Netflix, YouTube
Trial version/Money Back Guarantee: 30 days, free version available.
Number of servers: 1700+
Countries: 63
Maximum number of supported devices: Up to 10
HideMyAss! (HMA) VPN
HideMyAss boasts the largest number of available countries. One of its distinctive features is the easily configurable settings for Linux VPN clients or OpenVPN. A detailed manual for this operating system makes installation easy even for beginners. That’s why we recommend it as the best VPN for Linux PCs.
The HMA is not ideal for streamers. Only Netflix is unlocked. It won’t open Amazon Prime Video, Disney or + BBC iPlayer to you. However, P2P is allowed, so you can use a torrent.
Key Features
Works on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
Streaming sites unlocked: Netflix, YouTube
24/7 Support: Yes
Trial Version Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Number of Servers: 1000+
Countries: 190
Maximum number of devices supported: 5
10 reasons to use a VPN
The first main function is security. But today, there are many more VPN features.
You can also use a VPN for such purposes:
- Defeat censorship. Some governments restrict citizens’ access to information. The most popular problem is blocked social networking sites. The data encryption and private DNS servers used by VPN providers allow you to access any site. Even if it is banned in your country.
- Use streaming sites without a speed limit. Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) around the world limit connection speeds for Youtube or Netflix to reduce traffic usage. A VPN can save users from slow buffering, glitches, and other obstacles.
- Watch other countries’ TVs streaming for free. The Internet gives you the opportunity to watch almost all TV channels in the world. This means that you can watch original programs from ABC, Discovery Channel, and BBC on your computer, and in most cases for free. There is, however, a limitation. You, the viewer, must be in the country where the channel is located. To get around this hurdle, you need a VPN.
- Unlock full bandwidth for online gaming. Like streaming sites, some online games consume a lot of traffic. In addition, game makers sometimes use BitTorrent to distribute updates and bug fixes. Internet service providers often blacklist this software. Using a VPN removes these restrictions.
- Buy airline tickets, and book hotels cheaper. Airlines, hotels, and car rentals may have different rates for different locations and customer categories. Stay anonymous and choose an IP address in another country to avoid higher costs.
- Save money on VOIP calls. These calls are convenient and fairly inexpensive, but the cost depends on your location and where you’re calling. A VPN can help you save money. Choose a VPN server located in a certain country to use cheaper local VOIP.
- Use “free trials”. Some sites limit the amount of information you can get for free (articles, etc.). But you can use a VPN: switch your IP address and start a new session as a new visitor.
- Share files via torrents. Torrents are used for legal activities as well. Not just for breaking copyright laws. But their use can lead to problems with regulatory agencies. Alas, many torrent services are not efficient enough to prevent the leakage of identities. So use a VPN to use torrents securely.
- Enjoy watching sports broadcasts. Watching live sports broadcasts regularly can be expensive. Some broadcasts can be watched for free in some countries but not in others. A VPN can help save money for sports fans.
- Avoid being overheard. No one wants to be overheard. If you use a home network or work in an office, eavesdropping can be prevented. But if you access the internet from public places (airports, hotels, or internet cafés) you may be in trouble. Such connections are not encrypted and are not protected by your personal and inaccessible password, making them easily accessible to intruders who aim to infiltrate your privacy. To avoid this problem, it is recommended to use a virtual private network.
Limitations of VPN services
VPN services offer increasingly sophisticated tools to destroy your digital footprint, but they’re not omnipotent. You should be aware of their limitations to preserve your personal data.
If you download ransomware or fall victim to a phishing attack, no VPN will protect you. Use antivirus software and two-factor authentication when possible. Create unique and complex passwords for each site you use.
Advertisers are evolving with VPNs. They have different tactics to collect user data: browser fingerprinting, and online trackers. Use anti-tracking features in browsers and check out special tracking blockers.
How to choose a VPN service
The VPN market is growing rapidly as fears of surveillance and hackers become more and more prevalent. What should you look out for to choosing the best VPN service? Here are some of the main factors to consider:
- Purpose
If you want a VPN service that you can connect all the devices in your home, you should consider a VPN for your router (you can connect multiple devices to such a service at the same time).
If you often watch movies online, you need a VPN service that guarantees a high-speed and reliable connection as well as unlimited network bandwidth.
Those who travel a lot and rely heavily on public WiFi networks need a VPN service that guarantees the highest level of security with servers around the world.
Once you’ve determined what you mainly need a VPN service for, make a list of the features that are important to you and the features you can opt out of. After that, it will be much easier for you to choose the exemplary VPN service.
- Cost
Many VPN companies offer a combination of the same technologies, but their prices vary. Aim to get the most for the least money. But even the most expensive service may not guarantee security. Do your research, and read reviews. Check for advanced features like split tunneling.
You may not need these features every day, but when the time comes you’ll be glad you have them.
- Reliability
There’s no point in using a VPN if you don’t trust your provider. Look for some of the mainstream services with a great reputation. The best VPN players are honest about their strengths and weaknesses and offer clear privacy policies. Some release third-party audits or transparency reports.
- Easy to use
The application installation process and interface of many VPN services is quite complex. It is quite tedious to use such programs, update them and install add-ons. Therefore, it is important to find a service where everything is as simple as possible and the interface is user-friendly and understandable.
Some VPN services install their applications virtually, so you do not have to do anything at all yourself.
Choose your VPN
Using a VPN is an easy way to protect your online privacy and a tool for bypassing unwanted Internet restrictions. We’ve compiled a list of the best services to help you choose. But none of the services listed here are perfect. And there are situations where using a VPN makes no sense at all.
Virtual private networks are valuable tools to enhance your online privacy, but they can’t protect against all threats. You should keep in mind the limitations of keeping your personal data safe. We also recommend that everyone use a password manager, activate multifactor authentication wherever it is available, and install an anti-virus app.
