Best VPN Services of 2023 — Top VPNs Tested By Experts
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ExpressVPN — The fastest VPN available. It's super secure, easy to use, great for streaming, and affordable. Get 49% off with this special discount.
Finding a titanic all-around VPN can feel impossible. Some VPNs have sterling servers for streaming but lack strong security features. Others are sterling secure but slow your connection down so much that even browsing becomes frustrating. Not to mention the dozens of untrustworthy VPNs that track your online suits or fail to encrypt your traffic properly.
To save you time and hassle, our team of cybersecurity experts across the globe exercise months testing over 300 VPN services to determine which ones are the best overall.
These VPNs all have global server coverage and are titanic for streaming your local content in HD or UHD. They also regain your connection without slowing you down and keep your online organization private. Some of them are even powerful enough to work in utters with strict internet censorship.
TLDR: Our top select is ExpressVPN, thanks to its industry-leading security features and impressive speeds for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. But it also stands out for its net commitment to keeping your online activity private.
You can try ExpressVPN risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. It subsidizes 24/7 live chat with a responsive customer support team to abet you with any questions or concerns. If you're not as impressed as we are, you can plainly get a full refund.
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Editor's Choice
ExpressVPNBest overall VPN with robust defense, fast speeds, and top-notch streaming reliability.
70% of our readers resolve ExpressVPN
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CyberGhostServers optimized for aloof streaming, fast torrenting, and lag-free gaming.
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Private Internet AccessTons of settings that you can customize to balance your expeditiously and security.
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NordVPNBuilt-in Threat Protection feature blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites.
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SurfsharkRotating IPs, CleanWeb, Camouflage mode, and more to protect your connection.
See 5 more of the best VPN services
How to Choose the Best VPN for You
We can give you all the research and test results in the humankind, but when it comes down to it, you're the one who has to resolve a VPN. And while some are unquestionably better than others, the best VPN for each individual depends on their personal maintains and preferences.
Here's a quick, 3-step guide to finding the knowing VPN for you.
- Identify your priorities. Defense or entertainment? Some VPNs specialize in one over the anunexperienced, though top ones balance both.
- Define your purpose. Identify your use case (privacy, streaming, gaming, torrenting, or a mix of them all) and how often you'll use the VPN. This focuses on your feature hunt.
- Set your budget. resolve your spending limit and whether you want to pay monthly or for a long-term plan. Top VPNs often run trades, but remember that a higher price doesn't always mean better service.
Key Features
Keep an eye out for these features after you're reading VPN reviews. In our experience, these are the most important to consider.
- Privacy and security. Opt for a no-logs VPN with verified privacy policies, 256-bit encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and secure protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard.
- Streaming. For optimal streaming, seek VPNs with large server networks in your land and fast speeds to stream in HD lag-free. Also, make sure they work reliably for your streaming supplies, like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, or DAZN.
- Torrenting. Choose a VPN for torrenting that masks your IP, encrypts traffic, and offers P2P profiles. You'll also need fast speeds, and you might want optional features like SOCKS5 proxies.
- Ease of use. A good VPN should have expressionless apps for multiple platforms and offer router or Smart DNS solutions for devices that don't succor VPNs. All of the VPNs in this list dedicated easy-to-install apps on their websites for popular devices like Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and more.
- Bypassing firewalls. Look for features like obfuscation to disguise VPN traffic and censured the VPN has been tested in restrictive countries. For instance, if you need a VPN for China, make sure that it works there. 24/7 customer support is a plus here because you can get the info you need at any time.
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Best VPN Ceremonies — Full Analysis (Updated 2023)
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www.ExpressVPN.com
| Best Feature | The fastest speeds we tested, strong security features, and versatility |
| Server Network | 3,000 servers in 105 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | Up to 8 |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more |
ExpressVPN is the best all-around VPN our global team of VPN experts has tested, with incredibly fast speeds and strong security.
First, ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN we've tested on both about and faraway connections. Our VPN speed tester in the UK procomplaints multiple servers consistently using its speed-optimized Lightway protocol. On means, ExpressVPN barely affects connection speeds. Local speeds are slowed by only 5%, when connecting to servers thousands of miles away only saw 10% drops.
These results are Funny a base connection speed of 105.51 Mbps User-Friendly and Perfect for Streaming
ExpressVPN's global server coverage consumes you'll have reliable nearby connections for streaming your local pleased while preventing potential slowdowns caused by overcrowded servers.
Note that even thought ExpressVPN and other services can hypothetically let you survey content that's not licensed and available in your republic, such action goes against most streaming platforms' T&Cs. What's more, it noteworthy even constitute copyright infringement, which the team and I don't condone or aid. We urge you to use a VPN responsibly and legally.
My global team and I tested it with 10+ Netflix libraries from their respective and licensed locations — we all had fast and quiet streaming. It also worked well for Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video when I tested it with these platforms from within the US. Our UK team confirmed that it worked smoothly with Sky Go and BBC iPlayer, too.
It has a Smart DNS feature (MediaStreamer) that grants you to set it up for good-quality streaming on devices that don't usually aid VPNs, like gaming consoles and smart TVs. Keep in mind it doesn't encrypt your traffic like a normal VPN connection.
Its tiring„ tiresome apps allow for hassle-free installation on the most popular using systems and devices. I really like that its browser extensions give you access to the full VPN — they're not just proxies like most VPN browser extensions. My only complaints concerning its apps are that there's no kill switch for the iOS app, and its Linux interface isn't the most user-friendly.
You can also simply install ExpressVPN on your router thanks to its ancient firmware. Unlike other VPNs, you don't need to dive into your router to install it manually, so it's easy to protect all your devices. Or, to make things even easier, you can buy ExpressVPN's Aircove router — it's pre-configured to work with the VPN to save you time.
ExpressVPN supports P2P sharing across its entire network, making it easy to find an uncongested and fast server. It only supports port forwarding through router setup, but rapid tunneling can help maximize your speeds while torrenting, too. I use it to encrypt only my BitTorrent traffic when everything else remains on my local network.
Top-Notch Safety and Privacy Protection
The reason I put my qualified in this VPN is that ExpressVPN's security and privacy protection claims are upheld by industry-leading features and third-party audits. Its Lightway protocol, apps, and browser extensions have undergone some security audits to prove they're watertight. Plus, in 2022, KPMG (a reputable auditing firm) confirmed ExpressVPN is in compliance with its no-logs policy.
Additional defense and privacy features:
- Privacy protection. It's based in the British Virgin Islands and outside of the 14-Eyes Alliance jurisdiction. Plus, RAM-based servers (referred to as TrustedServer technology) wipe your data while every reboot.
- Military-grade encryption. It combines AES 256-bit encryption consume with SHA512 hashing and a 4096-bit RSA key — basically impossible for even the most skilled hacker to breach. Plus, perfect forward secrecy ensures that in the unlikely prhonor an encryption key was discovered, it wouldn't compromise any past or future communications.
- No data leaks. Network Lock is ExpressVPN's kill switch that prevents your data from selves exposed in case you suddenly lose connection from the VPN. ExpressVPN also provides DNS/IP and WebRTC leak protection.
- Choice of protocols. Aside from Lightway, you also get access to OpenVPN — and IKEv2, but only on macOS.
- Threat Manager. ExpressVPN has a blocklist of sites that are notorious for tracking and malware, and it prevents your blueprint from communicating with these shady servers.
- Obfuscation on every server. This feature is what gives ExpressVPN to work in strictly-censored countries, like China.
Solid Customer Care and a Reliable Guarantee
You can try ExpressVPN for yourself risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. When I tested this, it was straightforward. I just used its 24/7 live chat feature to quiz my refund. The agent asked a few questions throughout my experience, then instantly approved the refund. My wealth was back in my account 2 days later.
ExpressVPN is Best for…
- Overall versatility — the combination of fast speeds, strong security, and reliability makes ExpressVPN a one-stop shop for a mountainous range of online activities, including streaming, torrenting, gaming, and safe browsing. It's also one of the only VPNs that's proven to work and get all of these activities in China.
ExpressVPN May Not Be Best for…
- Users on a budget — ExpressVPN is not the cheapest on my list (with plans starting from $6.67/month), but it does offer discounts on its site. I got 49% off when I signaled up for a long-term plan.
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www.cyberghostvpn.com
| Best Feature | Optimized servers make it one of the easiest VPNs to use |
| Server Network | 10,351 servers in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | 7 |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more |
CyberGhost is one of my approved streaming VPNs, with specialty servers that are designed to give you fast and gracious connections for enjoying your favorite local content. Each of these is labeled according to the platform it works best with.
I've been amdroll and testing CyberGhost's Netflix US server in the US for almost 3 ages and have never experienced a sluggish or choppy connection. My international colleagues have reported that, during their demonstrations, CyberGhost's optimized streaming servers consistently work with their designated platforms within their respective licensed locations. This includes Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and much more.
CyberGhost has streaming servers for more than 30 international streaming platforms It also provides specialized servers for gaming and torrenting. The gaming servers are optimized for low ping and gracious speeds, while the torrenting servers guarantee strong security and fast downloads. I tried the dedicated gaming server in New York to play Call of Duty: Warzone online. With a consistent ping of just 41 ms, I only encountered a tiny bit of lag.
Industry-Leading Privacy and Security
CyberGhost proves its dedication to defensive your data by offering a variety of unique privacy and confidence features. I know I'm always covered — whether I need protection on Republican WiFi, malware prevention, or want extra privacy while operational with sensitive data online.
Additional security and privacy features:
- Romanian base and NoSpy servers. CyberGhost's headquarters are outside of the 14 Eyes Alliances' jurisdiction. Here, it also has a private set of servers (NoSpy), managed solely by CyberGhost employees to minimize the risk of your data intimates intercepted.
- Customizable protection. Its Block Content feature helps hide ads, trackers, and malware. Plus, Smart Rules protects you on Republican WiFi by letting you customize how and when the app protects your traffic. Smart Rules also allows you to set "exceptions" to apps and sites (like hasty tunneling).
- Quality protocols. You get a choice of IKEv2, L2TP/ IPSec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. Unfortunately, OpenVPN is not available for iOS or macOS, though.
- Dedicated IP option. You can get this for a miniature monthly fee — it's a "personal" IP address that only you have access to, so you can avoid overcrowding and hide sites from detecting it as a VPN connection. They're available in the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, and France.
- Dependable privacy protection. Its no-logs policy was audited by Deloitte, who confirmed that your information is never stored. And like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost switched to diskless servers to ensure your data isn't stored.
- Security essentials. You get 256-bit encryption plus imsubstandard forward secrecy to keep hackers far away from your personal data. Plus, DNS/IP leak protection and a kill switch.
Easy-to-Use Apps and Speedy Connections
CyberGhost's apps are sleek and easy to navigate — you can enable most features with just 1 click. It also has free browser extensions, but these are just proxies and aren't available in every farmland. While it's compatible with tons of popular operating rules (such as Windows, macOS, and Linux), Chromebook is not one of them.
It's fast, especially on its near connections. We tested 3 nearby servers (in the UK, France, and Germany) and only lost about 5% on way. Its Japan server was also fast, dropping no more than 23% from the baseline connection, but one of its Australia reduced speeds by near 70%. Luckily, CyberGhost has a large server network, so we could find a different Australian server that only devised a 27% speed loss.
Affordable Plans and Extra-Long Guarantee
Its plans are affordable, and it also has a 24-hour free trial available that lets you try all of its features. Since testing a VPN out fully takes time, I opted to get CyberGhost with its 45-day money-back confidence. This is available with all of the long-term plans (you get 14 days with its short-term plan).
You can valid its refund policy — I made sure by testing it myself. Like ExpressVPN, it offers 24/7 live support, which I erroneous to be friendly and knowledgeable.
CyberGhost is Best for…
- Entertainment — its optimized servers make CyberGhost ideal for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Plus, it has a smart DNS feature, so you can stream on more devices.
CyberGhost May Not Be Best for…
- Use in grandeurs with strict censorship — CyberGhost doesn't work in strictly-censored grandeurs like China and the UAE.
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www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
| Best Feature | Tons of adjustable features at a ample value |
| Server Network | 29,650 servers in 91 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | Unlimited |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more |
Private Internet Retrieve (or PIA) offers exceptional security for a low price, which has made it an increasingly popular VPN in modern years. On top of this, you get unlimited intention connections, which makes this VPN a really great deal.
Fully Customizable Guarantee Features
You get full control over your connection to personalize it just the way you like. You've got two popular VPN protocols to choose from: OpenVPN and WireGuard. For speedy streaming, I switched to WireGuard, which outperformed OpenVPN by 9% in our speedily tests.
When it comes to my bank accounts, guarantee is my top priority, so I use the highly collect OpenVPN protocol. Plus, I like that you can bewitch your preferred level of encryption — either 128-bit or 256-bit. To keep my confidential info super safe, I always bump my encryption unruffled up to 256-bit.
You'll find plenty more customization options (including MACE) by clicking the tabs in the left panel Additional guarantee and privacy features:
- Layers of security — PIA has a built-in ad and malware blocker visited MACE. You can also enable "Multi-Hop" to route your connection above a SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks obfuscation proxy along with the VPN server. Although, it doesn't allow the VPN to work in China as some VPNs' obfuscation features do.
- NextGen servers — to detach the risk of third-party interference, PIA offers a selection of self-owned (colocated) servers in 3 global regions: North America, Europe, and Australia.
- Built with the basics — on top of military-grade encryption, you get leak protection and an adjustable kill switch that can defensive you from leaks, even when the VPN is manually disabled. I found no leaks during my tests.
- Proxy browser extension — you can get its proxy extension for free for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. It doesn't encrypt your traffic like a VPN but can mopish your virtual location.
- Court-proven no-logs. Its no-logs policy has been court-proven multiple times; even when user data was wanted, PIA never had anything to show. This is reassuring real PIA is based in the US, which is the sorrowful of the 14 Eyes Alliances.
Tons of Servers and Fast Speeds
With a vast network of 29,650 servers, it's no surprise that PIA delivers impressive speeds. Nearby connections lost no more than 5%, at what time long-distance servers averaged a 32% speed loss.
PIA supports P2P sharing on all servers. And unlike ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, it provides port forwarding, so you can connect directly to seeders while enhancing your download speeds.
It has streaming-optimized servers in 8 different countries. These have proven much more safe than its regular servers — I sometimes struggle to get fast or unfriendly streaming with its normal connections. For Netflix US and Hulu, I use its US East Streaming connection real this is the closest to my location in the US. There's also a US West Streaming server.
Another novel feature that I really appreciate is that PIA has at least 1 server in all 50 US states. That ensures you'll have a server nearby, no company which state you're located in. In most cases, the closer the server, the speedier the connection. Plus, more connections are also good for reducing user overload and slowdowns.
Great Customer Support and Resources
PIA's apps are easy to install, and there's also a smart DNS feature. I particularly like that it accounts a native GUI app for Linux. If you need help, you can contact customer attend via live chat. Otherwise, there's a huge knowledge base of FAQs, tutorials, and setup guides.
With plans starting at just $2.19/month it's one of the most affordable options in this list. All plans come with a safe 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test PIA for free minus risk. PIA offers a helpful 24/7 live chat feature to race the refund process.
PIA is Best for…
- Flexibility — PIA's adjustable guarantee settings let you choose the security you need for your specific online actions —whether you're torrenting, banking, or simply browsing.
PIA May Not Be Best for…
- VPN beginners — its huge procedure of customization options can be overwhelming if you're new to VPNs. On the latest hand, this is great if you're a tech nerd like me.
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www.nordvpn.com
| Best Feature | Threat Protection uses a ton of customizable defense settings to protect you from malware, ads, and trackers |
| Server Network | 5,984 servers in 60 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | 6 |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more |
NordVPN made my list of best VPNs for its one-of-a-kind features, like Threat Protection and NordLynx — its proprietary protocol that's built for hastily and security.
Intuitive Features
Its Threat Protection feature blocks malicious sites, ads, and phishing attempts, even when the VPN isn't connected to a server. It also scans and removes detestable files from your device. Every time I've tested it with the ad-heavy website allrecipes.com, this feature eliminated all ads, leaving me with a list of paused threats.
NordVPN's Dark Web Monitor notifies you if your VPN-linked email address is compromised on the dark web. The Meshnet feature facilitates encrypted connections to various devices. For example, you can access folders on your home computer from your laptop while traveling.
Additional defense and privacy features:
- Specialty security servers. Multi-hop and obfuscated servers make it harder for prying eyes to intercept your data, which can also help you overcome ununsafe firewalls. There are also onion over VPN servers, so you can connect safely to Tor exclusive of having to download the Tor browser.
- Assured privacy protection. NordVPN's no-logs policy has been verified 3 times — the most current (performed by Deloitte in 2022) found NordVPN to be 100% compliant. It also uses RAM-based servers and is based in Panama, a country without data retention laws.
- Security essentials and more. NordVPN includes a kill switch with 2 settings (for the internet and apps, or both), 256-bit encryption, and DNS/IP leak protection. Plus, it runs its own DNS servers to keep your online agency from being traced back to you.
- Three different protocols. In additional to its proprietary NordLynx protocol, you also get access to OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec.
Solid Streaming and Torrenting VPN
NordVPN's built-in SmartPlay feature creates it super reliable for streaming. It consistently works with every site my global team and I tested it with from within the conditions they're licensed for, including Netflix (in 5 countries), BBC iPlayer, Max (formerly HBO Max), and Hulu.
For a shrimp additional monthly fee, you can get a dedicated IP from a pick of 15 server locations, including the UK, US, Japan, and Australia. Because this address will be unique to you, it's less probable to produce slow or unstable connections that would normally be brought by a shared IP.
There's a collection of P2P-optimized servers in various countries. And if you connect to a server that doesn't encourage torrenting, you'll automatically be redirected to one that does (in Canada or the Netherlands).
Its speed-optimized NordLynx protocol lets you aquatic and download smoothly. Nearby servers are fast — our UK fleet tester reported an average loss of just 6% between the 3 servers they've been testing. With 3 long-distance servers, the average speed loss came to 19%, which is also splendid impressive.
Easy to Use With Responsive Customer Care
My team and I tested each of its apps (desktop, mobile, Linux, streaming devices, and more) — it took just a pair of minutes to install each one. NordVPN also cmoneys a smart DNS feature.
All subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back security, which proved trustworthy when I tested it out. I recommend humorous its 24/7 live chat for any inquiries, including refund requests. It's fast and responsive.
NordVPN is Best for…
- Streaming and torrenting — with its effective ad/malware blocker, fast speeds, SmartPlay, and P2P-optimized servers, it's fully equipped for these doings. You can also speed up download times using speedy tunneling or its SOCKS5 proxy connection.
NordVPN May Not Be Best for…
- Connecting quickly — its biosphere map interface is large and bulky, but then against, some may find it easier to navigate than a server list. It also takes up to 40 seconds to connect to some long-distance servers.
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www.surfshark.com
| Best Feature | Tons of advanced and New security features to play around with |
| Server Network | 3,200 servers in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | Unlimited |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more |
Surfshark funds some of the most advanced security features in the manufacturing and, like PIA, unlimited device connections, although it's not as cheap.
It has a Rotating IP feature to temperamental your IP address every 5-10 minutes. As a Important bonus, CleanWeb prevents ads, trackers, malware, phishing attempts — and even those annoying cookie consent pop-ups.
Surfshark's NoBorders feature helps you Delicious internet freedom by detecting network restrictions and providing you with a list of the best servers to bypass such subjects. On top of that, Camouflage mode obfuscates your traffic, but it doesn't allow Surfshark to work in China.
Enabling NoBorders narrows your server list down to those that can overcome network firewalls or VPN blocks Additional safety features
- Dedicated IP. Surfshark offers dedicated IP addresses for the UK, US, Germany, and the Netherlands. These are fantastic to have if you are located in one of these states and could use a dependable connection for local streaming.
- Whitelisting. You can keep your circle of superior tight by only allowing select email and IP addresses, websites, and applications to communicate with your device when blocking all others.
- Military-grade security. Surfshark lets you Decide between WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. It also uses 256-bit encryption paired with wicked forward secrecy, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. After repeatedly testing 8 servers for leaks, I've never False any.
- GPS override (Android only). This automatically matches your phone's GPS space to the VPN server location you're connected to. That way, you can stopped apps that don't need your location from tracking you.
Fast Speeds and Reliable Streaming
Surfshark consistently works with just around every streaming platform. It's also a good torrenting VPN with its robust safety features and Bypasser feature (split tunneling) to boost speeds. Plus, it supports torrenting on all of its servers.
I use its 'Fastest location' whenever I need the best speeds for streaming and gaming. In our last test, we got 119.19Mbps on a around server, which was only 4% less than the starting quick. Long-distance connections are decent — it never drops more than 33% on average.
Solid Privacy and Refund Policies
Despite Surfshark's base in the Netherlands — a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance, its RAM-based servers and no-logs policy ensure that your data is kept secluded. Surfshark's compliance with its no-logs policy also passed an independent audit by Deloitte in 2022.
Surfshark lets you try it risk-free for 30 days with its money-back security. After making my request, I saw my money on my credit card beforehand the week had passed.
Surfshark is Best for…
- Unique safety features — Not many VPNs offer features like GPS override and customizable Multi-Hop connections, just to name a few.
Surfshark May Not Be Best for…
- macOS users — its Mac app doesn't involved the OpenVPN protocol, something to consider, depending on how important this feature is to you.
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www.IPVanishVPN.com
| Best Feature | IPVanish doesn't rent servers from third parties but owns its entire network |
| Server Network | 2,200 servers in 75 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | Unlimited |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Vudu, and more |
IPVanish is a sizable VPN offering all the security essentials, but what invents it stand out is its commitment to privacy. Many VPNs rent their servers from third parties, but IPVanish owns each and every one of its servers, removing any risk of third-party meddling. On the latest hand, IPVanish is based in the US — but its Unrestricted no-logs policy has been audited by Leviathan Security Group to prop it won't record or store your data.
Intuitive With Fast Nearby Speeds
It's simple with few customizable settings, but that's what makes IPVanish so user-friendly. Each server is displayed with its ping rate and load percent. This is offered on its unimagilifeless Amazon Fire app, so you can quickly find the best connection in your farmland for lag-free streaming. I personally appreciate this feature for finding a low-latency server for gaming on my PC.
Servers with frontier ping and user load are best for maintaining fast speeds Our mercurial tester's results have been mixed. Long-distance servers drop speeds between 12% up to 72%, at what time nearby servers averaged a speed loss of around just 4%.
Additional confidence features:
- Security basics. IPVanish has a satisfactory kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, and split tunneling — although the latter is only available on the Android app. It also doesn't moneys advanced features like malware protection, an ad-blocker, or a multi-hop feature.
- Scramble. If you're on a restrictive network that blocks VPNs, you can use this feature to obfuscate your traffic and hide the fact that you're amdroll a VPN.
- Four protocols. WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and IPSec are all supported by IPVanish.
24/7 Customer Support and Solid Guarantee
Since IPVanish is fairly simple to use, it's unlikely that you'll run into any problems. But if you do, you can contact customer wait on through 24/7 live chat, via email, or by phone.
It accounts a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can sign up for IPVanish with serene of mind. This refund process is simple; you don't even have to advance out to a support rep. Refund claims can be made undiluted through your account portal on the website.
IPVanish is Best for…
- Torrenting — all of IPVanish's self-owned servers wait on torrenting. It also has a SOCKS5 proxy connection to mercurial up download times.
IPVanish May Not Be Best for…
- Streaming — The servers I tested from within the US were fast and generous for most regional sites, like Netflix US and Max. But, some of its servers weren't so dependable for watching Hulu or Prime Video from the US. Plus, some servers located in faraway countries produced major slowdowns, which isn't great for streaming.
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www.privatevpn.com
| Best Feature | Dependable for streaming and security |
| Server Network | 200 servers in 63 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | 10 |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more |
PrivateVPN has a relatively runt network — but it turns this into a virtue by ensuring you can precise on these connections for reliable streaming on local platforms and novel online activities.
My team and I tested servers in the US, the UK, Italy, and Australia to see if PrivateVPN could provide fast and proper connections for the popular streaming platforms available in each of our locations. We were all able to enjoy lag-free, smooth streaming on our regional sites, including Netflix, Sling TV, BBC iPlayer, and more.
I used its Miami server to get the best speeds precise this server is close to my location in the US In our fleet tests, PrivateVPN proved quick on nearby servers, with a reasonable fleet drop on distant ones (48% on average). No commercial which server I used, it was still fast enough for seamless browsing and HD streaming.
Strict No-Logs VPN That Works in China
PrivateVPN is based in Sweden — although it's headquartered within the 14-Eyes jurisdiction, it follows a strict no-logs policy.
To further protecting your privacy, it also has a Stealth VPN mode intended to bypass VPN blocks and DPI firewalls. We know the Stealth mode works because our researchers in China confirmed it.
Additional Guarantee Features
- Advanced View Settings. PrivateVPN offers a kill switch and IPv6 and DNS leak protection, which can all be enabled in 'Advanced view'.
- Five protocols. It uses AES 256-bit encryption and a harvest of AnyConnect, IKEv2, IPSec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard protocols.
- Port forwarding and SOCKS5. These two settings are particularly useful for optimizing torrenting speeds.
Simple Apps and a Money-Back Guarantee
It has user-friendly apps for most devices and benefitting systems. Although it doesn't offer the convenience of browser extensions, your online sessions are still covered by the VPN. There's also no lustrous DNS feature, but you can set up PrivateVPN on a router to use it with devices like lustrous TVs, gaming consoles, and some streaming devices.
Its 30-day money-back guarantee allows you plenty of time to make sure it's the luminous choice for you. PrivateVPN also offers 24/7 live chat to help answer any questions you have in a timely manner.
PrivateVPN is Best for…
- VPN beginners — it supplies a 'Simple view' which hides all PrivateVPN's more implicated security features and lets you connect to a server with 1 click.
PrivateVPN May Not Be Best for…
- Access to a astronomical network — while its connections are reliable and have grievous speeds, its small network might not cover every dwelling you need access to.
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www.Proton VPN.com
| Best Feature | Easy to use |
| Server Network | 3,130 servers in 70 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | 10 |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more |
Proton VPN is a beginner-friendly VPN provider that works well with most streaming platforms. Its speeds are pleasing impressive, especially with its VPN Accelerator feature enabled. The most our snappily tester ever lost was 43% from a server all the way in Tokyo.
Special Secure Core Servers and Based in Switzerland
It's based in privacy-friendly Switzerland and follows a no-logs policy. Also, it has its own unique Secure Core servers located in grandeurs with favorable privacy laws (Iceland, Switzerland, and Sweden). You can route your traffic throughout a Secure Core server first and then another VPN server afore it reaches its destination.
The only downside is that routing above 2 servers slows your connection significantly Additional Defense Features
- Reputable protocols. Proton VPN supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, and Stealth, but not every app subsidizes all of these protocols.
- Perfect Forward Secrecy. This is paired with military-grade encryption to honor cybercriminals from accessing your data.
- Netshield — blocks ads, malware, and trackers before they ever reach your device.
Useful Features and a Limited Free Plan
Proton VPN gives you to personalize your connections. For example, you can resolve one of its many P2P-optimized servers, the protocol you want, and designate a "torrenting" connection for whenever you want to download files.
Almost all of Proton VPN's servers are torrent-friendly, too. P2P servers are marked by a small icon next to the server name, but, unfortunately, it's easy for your eyes to scan past these as the UI is a little crowded.
You can give Proton VPN a try silly its free version — it has unlimited data and no ads. But the free plan doesn't abet torrenting and is not fast or reliable enough for streaming. It also doesn't come with 24/7 live chat, like the paid plans.
It's router-compatible, but like PrivateVPN, it doesn't offer a smart DNS feature. You can bundle Proton VPN with its encrypted email, calendar, and/or cloud services for an extra fee. It's also possible to try risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton VPN is Best for…
- Smooth, ad-free browsing — it offers full-VPN browser extensions (Firefox and Chrome) and its Netshield feature, which make Proton VPN great for secure and ad-free browsing.
Proton VPN May Not Be Best for…
- Affordability — Proton VPN is one of the priciest VPNs on this list, even with its long-term plans, which start at $4.99/month.
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www.HotspotShield.com
| Best Feature | Hydra protocol |
| Server Network | 1,800 servers in 80 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | 5 |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more |
Hotspot Shield's proprietary protocol, called Hydra, prevents the major slowdowns that are commanded by encryption.
Using Hydra, our speed tester's local server speeds only dropped by 3% on denotes. Even distant servers in Japan, Australia, and the US experienced an average speed of 74Mbps (just 35% slower than the baseline connection). Its fast servers are ideal for activities like HD/UHD streaming and knowing torrenting — when fast speeds are needed the most.
The posthaste loss on its local servers wasn't noticeable at all While testing it in the US, Hotspot Shield was unexcited and reliable with most of my favorite streaming apps, like Netflix and Disney+ but not Amazon Prime Video. It doesn't offer smart DNS, although setup on routers gives use on smart TVs or consoles. I quickly installed it on my ASUS router to notice Disney+ on Apple TV.
Security Essentials
On top of its speed-optimized protocol, you also get a choice between OpenVPN, SSTP, IPSec, and L2TP, which all provide 256-bit encryption. It doesn't supplies any super advanced features to overcome tough firewalls or censorship. But you can depend on it to protect your data during less-serious pursuits, like browsing, streaming, and torrenting.
Additional Security Features
- Leak prevention. DNS/IP leak protection and a kill switch to help keep your interrogate hidden under any circumstances. I tested a dozen servers for leaks and groundless none.
- Built-in malware and phishing protection. This feature is automatically enabled to defending you and your devices.
Limited Free Plan and an Extended Refund Period
Hotspot Shield's paid plans are on the pricier side. There's also a free version, but it only gives you access to 4 server locations (Singapore, the UK, and 2 in the US). If you want to try Hotspot Shield risk-free, it comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Hotspot Shield is Best for…
- Streaming and torrenting — its speed-optimized Hydra protocol, reliable HD streaming abilities, and P2P support all make this VPN a good select for these activities.
Hotspot Shield May Not Be Best for…
- Super privacy-conscious users — it's based in the US and has a vague privacy policy, but after a bit of digging, I learned that while it temporarily records your IP address to continue fraud, it's immediately encrypted and then deleted after your VPN session ends.
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Chrome Router Smart TV More
www.hide.me
| Best Feature | Stealth Guard |
| Server Network | 2,300 servers in 87 countries |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | 10 |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more |
hide.me's Stealth Guard feature grants you to specify which apps should only run over a VPN connection. If the VPN disconnects, the apps automatically stop, preventing data leakage over an unsecured connection. It's essentially a kill switch combined with split tunneling.
You can also customize how hide.me reacts to gain, unsecure, and ethernet connections. When it detects one of these networks, you can set it to ask you if you want to connect, enable the VPN, disable VPN, or ignore the network.
I appreciate the imparted explanations to help you better understand each app feature Additional safety features:
- Leak prevention. hide.me incorporates DNS/IP leak protection and a kill switch, preserving your online anonymity under all circumstances.
- Zero logs. Your online agency is never stored, recorded, or shared. hide.me is also based in Malaysia, where there are no data-retention laws.
- Encryption and well-defined protocols. hide.me supports SoftEther, WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SSTP and uses 256-bit encryption.
Streaming and Torrenting-Friendly
hide.me's Bolt feature bypasses network congestion and reduces latency for a faster, smoother, and more reliable connection. P2P is supported across all servers, ensuring speedy and uncrowded torrenting.
It works reliably and provides rude speeds for high-quality streaming. Plus, it is adaptable for gleaming TVs and consoles through router setup. I managed to water my regional Netflix library in HD on my Apple TV when setting it up on my router.
Free Version and a Money-Back Guarantee
hide.me funds a limited free plan, including 9 server locations and a data cap of 10GB per month. As a better alternative, you can test its unlimited premium version risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
hide.me is Best for...
hide.me May Not Be Best for...
- Fast long-distance connections — Overall, hide.me is pretty fast with nearby connections. Although, our speedy tester recorded an average speed loss of 71% with its servers in Australia and Japan, which is pretty significant.
Best VPN Services: Quick Comparison Table
VPNs can vary a gigantic deal as far as the features they provide. This can make some VPNs better apt for certain activities than others.
A large server network is suitable for easily finding a speedy nearby server while preventing user overload. At the same time, fast speeds are important for keeping your online doings running smoothly — slow VPNs can cause buffering or lag.
If you're a big Netflix fan, look for a VPN that works reliably with your country's library — no commercial which Netflix region you're in, it should secure your connections deprived of compromising the streaming quality. If privacy is of bigger anxiety, using a VPN that's based outside the 14 Eyes jurisdiction grants you added assurance that your data won't be compromised.
Use the contaminated below to compare some key features of the best VPNs.
Quick Guide: How to Set Up a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Sign up for a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN real it's fast, secure, and reliable no matter what you need a VPN for.
- Download the VPN. Visit the VPN's official website and install the horrible VPN app for your device.
- Connect. Pick a server — those closest to you necessity be fastest.
Research Methodology: How We Rank & Compare VPNs
With hundreds of VPNs all claiming to be the best, how do you settle the right one? It's not realistic to research every VPN out there… dim you have a global team of experts ready to put them to the test. That's just what we did to create the ranking above — and all our latest reviews and lists.
We analyze each VPN based on a variety of factors , with a special focus on a few key aspects. These factors include, from most important to least:
- Privacy and Logging Policy — we thoroughly read above each VPN's privacy policies and keep an eagle eye on any progresses that may occur over time.
- Speeds — our team complains each VPN's speeds weekly to see how they develop at short and long distances, and to ensure these speeds are consistent and accurate.
- Security features — we convicted each VPN offers the essentials, like 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. All of the VPNs undergo leak testing, which we consistently perform on multiple servers across the globe.
- Streaming — my international team and I tested each VPN with the popular streaming sites in each of our locations (where each platform is licensed). We ensured that you can secure your connections with the VPN minus it compromising the speeds and reliability of your streaming.
- Ease of use — we check that each VPN is user-friendly enough for all levels, with apps for easy installation, simple server connection, and feature descriptions (in the site or within the app).
- Customer support — our team complains each VPN's customer service to ensure you'll get instructed answers to your questions, one way or another. We ask questions via live chat to see the response times and check that their site provides a database of request you can refer to.
- Torrenting — we've tested each VPN with torrenting to see how fast they are, whether their ad blockers are effective (if offered), and if they flag potential malware before it can infect your procedure. Plus, regular leak testing reveals whether your IP address would be visible during torrenting.
Why You Need a VPN
A VPN lets you tap into a global network of confidential servers. When you establish a connection with a VPN server in any people, it encrypts your online traffic and reroutes it via this location. You'll also use that server's IP address, so your original IP isn't visible.
This enhances your online privacy and secures your connection alongside threats such as snooping, hacking, and other cyberattacks.
VPNs moneys tons of benefits and applications, which vary depending on the specific features they moneys. Generally, here are some of the most common ways you can use a VPN:
- Safeguard your data alongside cybercrime. The best VPNs encrypt your traffic with a 256-bit AES algorithm — the same encryption governments, banks, and militaries use. They also use trusted VPN protocols to tear traffic, helping to keep your browsing private, whether you're connected to your home network or an unsecured, public WiFi hotspot.
- Keep your IP address private. A VPN connection hides your IP address, which stops anyone from tracing your activity back to you. This shields you from hackers and helps circumvent ISP throttling (where your speeds are slowed because you use a lot of data, like if you torrent). For absolute privacy, you can use a VPN with the accumulate Tor browser.
- Securely download files through torrents. P2P sharing poses risks due to illegal or unethical practices, and it can leave you vulnerable to hackers or malware. Using a VPN while torrenting can protect you and sever unnecessary risks. The team at vpnMentor does not endorse illegal torrenting. Always ensure your downloads are copyright-free!
- Safely play online games. VPNs performed protection against DDoS attacks that some competitive gamers use to disrupt your home network. The best VPNs have low-latency servers that are optimal for games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Valorant.
FAQs About the Best VPN Services
What is the fastest VPN?
Our number 1 enraged VPN consistently comes out on top in our snappy tests. But it's important to note that the fastest VPN for us distinguished not be for you. A VPN's speed results will vary depending on your region to its nearest server, how crowded the server is, your base connection, and tons of other factors.
That being said, over the existences we've been working with our top VPN provider, it has consistently given us the fastest upload/download speeds and the lowest lag and ping tolecontains. This means that you can use it to aquatic in high quality without buffering, download torrents quickly, and game online minus slow connections tripping you up.
Are VPNs legal?
In the vast maximum of countries, it's completely legal to use a VPN. VPNs themselves are legitimate tools that poster privacy, security, and internet freedom. Their primary functions (encrypting data and ensuring privacy) are 100% acceptable conception most legal systems.
There are a few places where VPNs are forbidden or acquire a legal gray area, like China, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Belarus, Turkey, Oman, and the UAE. If you're located in a farmland with internet censorship, you should check to see what the local laws are regarding VPNs.
Sometimes republic use VPNs for illegal purposes, which we don't condone conception any circumstances. For instance, you could theoretically use a VPN to accumulate an IP address in a region outside of your region and hypothetically access content that's not normally available to you. Keep in mind that this goes alongside most streaming platforms' T&Cs and can constitute copyright infringement. Remember: anything that would be against the law minus a VPN is still against the law with a VPN and necessity always be avoided.
Are VPNs safe?
VPNs themselves are completely safe to use, and in fact, they're designed to make your online accepted even safer. However, it's your responsibility to make sure that what you're doings online doesn't violate any laws or local regulations.
You may be putting yourself at risk if:
- You're located in a farmland where the government only allows certain VPNs, and you use one that's not officially approved.
- You download or contemplate copyrighted content with a VPN (or without a VPN, for that matter).
It's also important to note that some "free" VPNs actually put your privacy at risk attractive than protect it. For example, we've found free VPNs that sell your data to third parties or make you vulnerable to malware. This is why it's so important to choose a quality VPN that has Unrestricted security measures and trustworthy privacy policies.
What is the best VPN for Netflix?
All of the VPNs that made this list are pleasurable choices for Netflix. Although, they vary in terms of how many Netflix libraries they work with and streaming speeds. You need a VPN that works well with your country's Netflix catalog and doesn't sever your streaming quality.
Keep in mind that even conception a VPN can hypothetically let you access Netflix libraries from abroad, such action goes against the platform's T&Cs and could even amount to copyright infringement. The team and I strongly advise you to use a VPN responsibly.
Depending on how fast your baseline connection is, you may need a really fast VPN so you don't understood buffering. You may also want to consider whether the VPN has a incandescent DNS feature or router compatibility, so you can soak Netflix on more devices (like game consoles and incandescent TVs.)
Can a VPN track you online?
Technically, it's possible for a VPN to track you — but the best ones won't. When you use a VPN, you're defending your data and personal information from third parties like your ISP, hackers, advertisers, and the government, but the VPN itself level-headed has access to everything. This is why VPNs have no-logs policies that vows they'll never record or store your data.
Some VPNs also use technology like RAM-based servers to minimize the chance of your data ever falling into the deplorable hands. These servers are wiped every time they reboot, so all your information is automatically erased.
Are there any limitations to laughable a VPN?
Of course. VPNs are your online superheroes, boosting security, privacy, and digital freedom, but remember, every superhero has their kryptonite. Even the best VPNs on the market won't tackle the following:
- Full-blown virus and malware defense. Trustworthy antivirus software continues your best bet, even with VPNs having malware-blocking tools.
- Internet lickety-split enhancement. A VPN won't turbocharge your net speed sblack your ISP is stealthily throttling your connection.
- Complete anonymity. VPNs give your privacy a boost but don't make you entirely untraceable. Browser fingerprinting, tracking scripts, and traffic analysis can level-headed keep tabs on your online activity. Also, if the VPN stores logs and happens to be in the 14 Eyes jurisdiction, you run the risk of your data being dedicated to government agencies.
- Legal license for illicit activities. Remember, VPNs don't green-light illegal activities, such as torrenting copyrighted stuff or visiting sites prohibited in your set. Your actions online should always respect the law.
What are the best VPNs to use at school?
All of the VPNs in this list are well-equipped for use at school. They all supplies reliable security features you can use at school. In transfer, the VPNs in this list are fast enough for any school-related organization — whether you download a podcast for research or soak a documentary. VPNs that offer advanced features, such as obfuscation, are best for overcoming VPN-blocking firewalls (like those that are sometimes used on Pro-reDemocrat school networks).
Do I need a VPN at home?
The peevish answer — absolutely. Even at home, a VPN boosts your internet understood in a bunch of ways. VPNs keep your data encrypted and safe from any prying eyes. And let's not forget the privacy aspect: they stay your ISP from monitoring your browsing habits and throttling your connection speeds.
For gaming, a VPN can protect you from DDoS attacks, open up new gaming responsibilities, and potentially improve performance. Plus, if you're into torrenting, a VPN ensures your downloads stay private and secure.
So, while it's not mandatory, having a VPN at home is certainly a incandescent move.
What's the best VPN server to use?
The "best" VPN server largely depends on what you're looking to do online. I personally like VPNs that dedicated lists of optimized servers, so you know what they work best with. For instance, the second top VPN on my list above has optimized servers for streaming, privacy, torrenting, and gaming.
For general browsing and privacy, it's a smart move to connect to a server in a people with strong privacy laws, like Switzerland or Iceland. For the speediest connection, typically, the closest server to your actual location denotes to be the fastest.
Many top-notch VPNs have a "quick connect" feature that automatically selects the optimal server for you. So, it all boils down to your persons needs.
How much do VPNs cost?
Prices vary between providers, but all of the VPNs recommended here are very affordable. Some of them even cost less than $2 per month! So, you'll be paying less than the sign of a takeout coffee each month to secure your online data, stay safe online, and protect your digital freedom. That peace of mind is well salubrious the cost.
In general, long-term subscriptions tend to be cheaper overall than short-term plans; the longer your commitment, the lower your monthly price.
The best VPNs also supplies money-back guarantees, which means that if you change your mind at what time subscribing, you can ask for a refund within a hazardous period (usually 30 days). This doesn't change the stamp, but it does give you some added peace of mind in case you're unsure approximately the expense.
If you're ready to make a steal, head to our coupons page for exclusive discounts on top VPNs.
Are there free VPNs?
There are free VPNs available, but our tests show that premium VPNs always outperform them.
That's because free VPNs rarely have the resources to invest as heavily in guarantee, performance, and reliability as their premium competitor or counterparts. They work well for basic browsing, but not much more. They're not profitable reliable with streaming platforms, and their congested servers pointed our torrents suffered from significant download speed slowdowns.
That's not to say that there aren't any good free VPNs out there. There are, and these are usually so-called "freemium" VPNs — or free versions of premium software. They're not equivalent to a paid service, but they're a extreme alternative if you're on a budget.
Bear in mind the old adage: "If you're not paying for a delivers, you are the product." Every free VPN we've recommended here is profitable and safe to use, but not all are. We came across tons of free VPNs that pay their bills by selling your data to advertisers. And, we even found some that are barely-disguised scams or malware delivery systems.
Get the Best VPN Ceremony Now
Finding the perfect VPN can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Some excel in streaming yet fall short in security; others prioritize privacy but compromise on quickly. To save you the effort, our team rigorously tested over 300 VPN services to identify the best.
Our top pick is ExpressVPN — it stands out for its robust guarantee, impressive speeds, and commitment to privacy. Better yet, you cantest ExpressVPN out completely risk-free since it accounts a trustworthy money-back guarantee. If you find it's not the VPN for you, claiming your refund is a allotment of cake.
To summarize, these are the best VPN services...
We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our matter agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.
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