The Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a protection software that protects all of the online activity, increases your anonymity, lowers the likelihood that you’ll be followed online, & even provides you with access to stream services like Netflix that are restricted in other countries.
And fortunately, VPNs are really simple to use. The majority of the time, you just need to hit the connect icon to set up a secure protected connection, which will keep you protected & untraceable even when using the highest – risk public Wi-Fi connections.
Choosing the most suitable VPN might be difficult, however, since there are hundreds of them accessible. That’s why we’re here now to assist. We’ll cover further about VPNs in this post, including how they operate, what you can accomplish with VPNs, how to find a reliable provider, as well as which companies provide the best VPNs available right now.
How to select the top VPN
Beginning with your requirements in mind can help you choose the ideal VPN. It’s a positive indicator if a service offers a wide variety of platforms & places, but what’s most important is that it supports the regions & platforms people actually use.
If your highest focus is streaming, check for a VPN that unblocks your preferred providers. Additionally, P2P functionality on as numerous servers as feasible, a reliable safety feature to protect their identity, as well as a verified no-log rule to ensure their actions remain hidden are all things torrent consumers would desire.
Many VPNs only allow you to link a certain number of devices at once. Choose a supplier that allows more concurrent users or even has no limitations at all when you need to safeguard many mobile devices, computers, smart TVs, as well as other pieces of gear.
A good (or terrible) VPN may often be identified by visiting its help page. Look for extensive, well-written stuff that you believe would be useful to you in challenging circumstances. Although not required, live chat assistance is also appreciated since support team may be relatively fast, with just some suppliers replying within minutes.
Obviously, cost must also be taken into account, but we advise focusing on performance first. In other words, get a VPN that offers all you require. There are numerous excellent value offers on this list, so it does not have to be pricey, & you can always incorporate pricing later to narrow it down the selection to a final option.
1. ExpressVPN
It’s very difficult to maintain a single step ahead of the VPN pack, but ExpressVPN has what it takes to seize the lead. Most individuals can get all the strength & privacy they need thanks to powerful essential features. Every day, new features are introduced, applications are kept very simple to use by clever design, & expert engineering provides outstanding dependability in every way.
Apps, Connections & Servers
The 3,000+ servers offered by ExpressVPN aren’t the most in the industry, but they are dispersed throughout a huge 160 regions in 94 countries..
A standout feature of ExpressVPN is the excellent caliber of its applications. In addition to support Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, & Linux, it also offers the finest router software, installations for Chromebooks, Amazon Fire TV, & Kindle Fire, as well as simple setup instructions for almost anything else.
In contrast to the majority of premium services, such as Surfshark & IPVanish, who go all out with limitless connections, an Express membership just supports five concurrent users. However, five is probably plenty for the majority of customers, since just one in ten VPN users really use much more than 5.
Privacy & Security
ExpressVPN’s all-encompassing strategy outperforms the majority of the competitive rivalry thanks to strict control over server configuration, encryption technologies, its very own secure as well as open-source Lightway protocol, bulletproof kill switches, a transparent privacy statement, & in-depth third-party security & confidentiality audits.
Usability
ExpressVPN excels for us in the way it pays priority to usability elements. Most popular apps would have had at least a few minor annoyances, such as an unordered list or an additional tap that wastes minute here anyway, but Express’s designers not only do not make those errors, they also keep coming up with cleverer workarounds that make things easier & make the entire VPN experience more streamlined.
Performance
In our most recent, thorough speed testing, ExpressVPN’s download rates peaked at such a speed that was above normal, 630Mbps. We are certain that this is the pace you can anticipate to accomplish since it is quite consistent with our prior 2 testing. Although we’ve seen services such as Hide.me & TorGuard deliver more, Express, in all honesty, is fast enough for the majority of customers. We also anticipate that things will only get better because now Express has begun deploying servers with something like a 40Gbps bandwidth cap.
Streaming
We have great news if you’re looking for a VPN to access restricted websites or get around streaming restrictions: ExpressVPN shines in just this area as well. In our most recent tests, the facility not only unblocked a variety of foreign Netflix catalogues, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, as well as BBC iPlayer; however, you may need to test out a few distinct servers prior to actually discovering something that sticks. It has also accomplished so for a very long period, which is a strong indication that it will continue to provide for the near future.
Features
Featuring cutting-edge VPN protocols, encrypted DNS, leak prevention, Network Lock, split tunneling, & other features that we discovered to function wonderfully, ExpressVPN goes over & above in terms of capabilities.
There are a few strange but so very easy features, including a toolbar that you may customize to open your preferred websites or applications when you use the ExpressVPN app. Each review adds anything bright & new towards the list, especially notably the malware-blocking Threat Manager Tracker functions as well as the Simultaneous Connections option for fast transfer times.
Customer Support
Excellent VPN support depends on a number of different elements, & ExpressVPN satisfies all of them. There are pages on the help site that answer almost every query you might encounter in clear, thorough detail. They contain truly useful info; for example, to gain higher speeds, they present all potential protocols in terms of optimum performance, which is precisely what you require to know. A well-organized website makes it simple to discover what you’re looking for. If the support site is unable to assist, there is live chat available. We observed that responses to our inquiries were prompt, as well as that competent agents did a great job of responding to our concerns, such as what servers are ideal to utilize for various streaming services.
Price Plans
2. NordVPN
There is a ton to admire about NordVPN, even if it just missed taking first position in the ratings. The service is indeed an easy pick for any VPN shortlist since it is quick, incredibly powerful, affordable, & goes beyond in order to establish its security qualities in each & every area.
Apps, Connections & Servers
With a whopping 5,000+ servers, Nord actually outperforms ExpressVPN in terms of sheer server number. Express offers 94 countries covered compared to 60 for NordVPN, but NordVPN probably has servers in just about any country you’re most likely to need. It supports a maximum of six concurrent users, which is one more than ExpressVPN, but numerous other providers, such as Surfshark, Windscribe, & a few more, don’t impose any restrictions on the number of connections.
One can get a good selection of programs for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chromebooks, Android TV, as well as other platforms. Edge, Chrome, & Firefox plug – ins are included as welcome bonuses, & setting up NordVPN on supported routers enables use of the services with almost everything.
Privacy & Security
The firm kicked into overdrive following its data breach some few years back and has ever since implemented layer by layer of confidentiality technologies & features.. NordVPN has always been equipped with ton of security protections. You do not need to believe us when we say NordVPN is capable since it now hires PricewaterhouseCoopers on a yearly basis to conduct a complete external investigation of its own no-logging policy.
For example, Nord controls & monitors several of its servers to prevent unauthorized access. Apps are loaded with sophisticated privacy protections & only utilize the latest secure methods, such as robust AES-256 encryption. Secure DNS helps protect ones browsing, a dependable kill switch safeguards you regardless of whether the VPN fails, as well as Nord has recently introduced the capability to scan downloads for malware including its Threat Protection function. Double VPN, also recognized as multihop elsewhere, routes ones traffic via 2 servers for additional security.
Usability
One doesn’t get to number 2 in our rankings by having terrible usability, but NordVPN is generally challenging to set up & use. However, there were a few minor flaws that set the applications apart from the competitors. Cities are not alphabetically arranged, OpenVPN connection times are longer than typical, and interruptions need 2 clicks instead of one there are no Favorites upon that Windows software, and so on. Minor flaws that don’t detract from these program’s overall excellence. However, we also can’t disregard these particulars at around this level since they contribute to the distinction between such a decent VPN as well as a superb one.
Performance
NordVPN has created NordLynx, a unique variant of WireGuard. The findings are outstanding, with network speeds peaking at 880Mbps in earlier testing & hitting a considerably over normal 760Mbps during our most recent evaluation. While it’s not the fastest speed we’ve ever witnessed, it still performs well & offers much more adequate speed for the majority of devices & connections.
Streaming
A lot of different applications & online streaming, such as WhatsApp, YouTube, Disney Plus, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, plus others, may be unblocked with NordVPN. Following a few shaky months, we are beginning to see it operating at peak efficiency this time around in terms of providing you with access to international Netflix collections.
Features
A few of NordVPN’s encryption techniques have previously been mentioned, but the service also offers powerful DNS leak prevention, system-wide & application-specific kill buttons, plus compatibility for crypto currency payments in addition to PayPal & credit cards. With such a Dark Web Monitor which notifies you of data breaches & the most new update of the virus-scanning, ad plus tracker-blocking Threat Protection, it is also expanding through into area of internet safety suites.
Customer Support
Although NordVPN seldom gives us any technical difficulties, there seem to be a ton of in-depth lessons & troubleshooting guides accessible when you do. In addition, there is always a friendly, knowledgeable live chat support team as well as a perceptive chatbot available around-the-clock for genuine situations.
Price Plans
3. Surfshark
The market-breaking headline pricing is the initial element you’ll observe when you visit the Surfshark site. This is a really amazing offer, but just don’t simply concentrate on the numbers. There’s a lot more to Surfshark.
Apps, Connections & Servers
Although Surfshark’s network only has 3,200 servers, which is less than others, it is likely to covers the places you want because of its 100+ locations throughout 65+ countries. The network access is possible via a variety of devices, including Amazon Fire as well as other smart TVs, as well as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, & iOS ones. Furthermore, because Surfshark has no connectivity or device restrictions, unlike with the majority of the competitors, it’s not necessary to keep records of the gear you have attached at any single moment.
Privacy & Security
The applications from Surfshark more often than meet the requirements for VPN privacy: safe protocols, robust encrypting, as well as a kill button to avoid traffic exposure inside the event that the VPN disconnects. But this is only the beginning. The service employs a Multi-Hop VPN to make it harder to others to monitor you, secret DNS to protect your browsing activity, & ad, tracker, & malware prevention to ward off additional privacy-invading threats.
Usability
The applications from Surfshark have additional tabs, sidebars, & buttons compared to the competitors. The fact that they offer far too many capabilities as well as, apart from a few minor usability issues, are easy to use doesn’t really surprise me at all.
Additionally, several of Surfshark’s capabilities might significantly simplify your life. Established your VPN usage in Surfshark’s Bypasser if you simply require it for surfing, streaming, & possibly P2P, & anything else will utilize your normal connections.
Performance
Speeds have not always been a strong point for Surfshark, but we observed a significant improvement in our most recent assessment, with superb 790Mbps download maximum speeds driven by WireGuard. In contrast, the slow OpenVPN connection speed was roughly 150Mbps. You can simply configure them to utilize WireGuard, so accessing Surfshark from default applications shouldn’t present a problem. However, if you want to put Surfshark on a router or use it alongside a third-party program, it may.
Streaming
Surfshark can assist if you’re fed up with streaming providers blocking the access to foreign material. We were able to access Netflix in the US, the UK, Australia, Japan, & Canada as well as Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, plus BBC iPlayer right away. The Surfshark website also claims that it unblocks “HBO Max, Hulu, DAZN, Hotstar, YLE Areena, AbemaTV,” among other services, however we did not test this.
Customer Support
The support site is available to assist you if you require assistance trying to set up Surfshark or if it isn’t exactly what you were expecting. Although it does not nearly have the depth of the 2 companies mentioned above, the articles one does receive are extremely informative. You won’t get much information when you read a “How to install” instruction for certain VPNs other than “go to this app store link & configure it as normal.” If you accomplish that at Surfshark, you’ll receive screenshots for each stage of the setup process, thorough instructions on how to use every function of the software, connections to other useful articles, as well as video lesson if you’d like.
You may also start a live chat session if that seems like an excessive effort. In a moment or two, we’re often speaking with an agent, as well as the majority of the time, the answers to our exam questions were correct & useful.
Price and Plans
4. Private Internet Access
Since the inexpensive VPNs often make significant compromises to achieve those headline statistics, picking a VPN based only on price might be problematic. However, Private Internet Access (abbreviated as PIA) is an uncommon case. Somehow it managed to provide a quality service with such a ton of features at astonishingly inexpensive costs.
Apps, Connections & Servers
Whereas a staggering 10,000 high-speed servers evenly deployed across 84 countries, PIA better than meets network requirements. The supported platforms (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, & Linux) are more widespread; however the Chrome extension distinguishes apart due to its cookie-blocking functionality and additional privacy measures. Whatever it is you’re using, a liberal 10 device restriction allows you to simultaneously connect much more the machines to PIA.
Privacy & Security
Utilizing the extremely secure OpenVPN & WireGuard protocols as well as the MACE function, which blocks advertisements, trackers, & viruses, PIA protects your privacy. The business has also made its applications open-sourced, enabling anybody with a desire to examine the code & verify that it functions as promised.
The ioXt Alliance officially recognized the Android app, attesting to its compliance to industry best practises. Although there isn’t a more general service audit yet, we’ve heard that one is coming.
Usability
The abundance of capabilities in PIA’s applications might make the panels seem crowded. However, uniquely, you may set them up to accentuate your preferred qualities & conceal everyone else. The greatest of both worlds is achieved: professionals receive the necessary power, while anybody seeking simplicity may simplify the program to include just a Start button.
Performance
In our opinion, PIA’s performance is its weak point, with median download speeds of 320 Mbps, which are less over half those of the best competitors. But let’s also be reasonable. Whether you’re mostly surfing or streaming, so PIA ought to be more than quick enough, but this can be an issue if you’re playing games, downloads, or utilizing other speed-critical programs.
Streaming
PIA fared well in most categories, but its unclogging efficiency isn’t nearly market-leading. We were able to connect to US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, & Disney Plus using the program, but it was unable to get past the BBC iPlayer security measures.
Customer Support
If PIA’s adequate help website is unable to resolve your issue, you may now approach a support agent directly through live chat. In our perspective, polite & experienced customer service representatives answer within a few minutes, focus on the query, have the expertise to identify complex issues, & can provide precise & valuable advice.
Price and Plans
5. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has much more over ten years of expertise in the VPN industry and has developed into a top-tier service with a robust feature set, along with some somewhat odd extras.
For example, the company’s powerful network, which consists of 7,000–8,000 primarily torrent-friendly servers, is dispersed throughout an amazing 90+ nations. There really are applications available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, as well as other smart TVs, plus you can set it up on gaming consoles with the help of Smart DNS support.
The applications provide a variety of useful & unexpected features. You may configure policies to join immediately whenever you open certain applications, as only one example. For example, you might have CyberGhost link to its US Netflix server immediately when you open the Netflix app. When you launch your P2P software, it could connect to the closest server for the fastest speed.
The applications lack one or two extremely fundamental features while being otherwise quite strong. If you are not looking at the program window, you won’t be able to tell whether you’re linked or if the VPN drop since the Windows app does not provide a notice when it joins or disconnects, for example.
Performance
With WireGuard connectivity surpassing 800Mbps during our most initial experiments & OpenVPN hitting 400Mbps & more, double the speed of other providers, CyberGhost’s “highest speed” is quite astounding.
Streaming
Other feature of streaming was how easily CyberGhost unlocked US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, & Disney Plus. Additionally, the applications offer dedicated areas for Hulu, HBO Max, as well as other streaming services.
Price and Plans
