A VPN, or virtual private network, is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your online privacy and security. Whether you’re protecting yourself on public Wi-Fi, hiding your IP address from trackers, or accessing region-locked content while traveling, a VPN adds an important layer of protection by encrypting your internet traffic. The problem is that there are hundreds of VPNs competing for your attention, and separating the genuinely good services from the mediocre ones can be overwhelming.
This guide narrows down the field to the best options available today, based on hands-on testing and analysis. The picks cover the best overall VPN, the fastest service, the best free option, and the best choices for privacy, streaming, and travel.
At a glance
- NordVPN: Best VPN overall
- ExpressVPN: Best VPN runner-up
- Surfshark: Best cheap VPN
- Private Internet Access: Best cheap VPN runner-up
- Proton VPN: Best free VPN
- Mullvad: Best VPN for privacy
- CyberGhost: Best VPN for travelers
Key facts
- NordVPN posted the fastest average speeds in our testing, sustaining roughly 72 percent of the base internet speed across all servers.
- ExpressVPN unblocks all major streaming services and supports up to 14 simultaneous connections depending on the subscription tier.
- Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous device connections and has a very low long-term plan price.
- Private Internet Access offers more than 35,000 servers and unlimited device connections at a budget-friendly price.
- Proton VPN’s free plan is ad-free, has no monthly data limits, and includes servers in five countries.
- Mullvad uses a flat fee of 5 euros per month and does not require an email address or name.
- CyberGhost has more than 11,500 servers in over 100 countries, making it a strong travel companion.
NordVPN – Best VPN overall
Pros
- Tons of VPN configuration options
- Outstanding speeds
- Included antivirus and password manager
Cons
- Expensive
Who should use NordVPN? It’s difficult to select a single best VPN for everyone. Privacy used to be the main deciding factor, but modern VPNs have evolved into much more than anonymous browsing tools. Privacy still matters, but so do speed, extra features, server network size, and ease of use. NordVPN has it all, which makes it the top choice for most people.
NordVPN is the most full-featured service on the market. Its apps appeal to both power users and beginners, and the underlying security is backed by regular independent audits and RAM-only diskless servers. For privacy-conscious users, that means data remains anonymous and nothing is written to a hard drive.
Speed is another highlight. In testing, NordVPN averaged 72 percent of the base internet speed across all servers, making it the fastest VPN tested. The desktop app includes access to the Tor network over VPN, multi-hop connections, a Meshnet file-sharing network, ad and malware blocking, a password manager, and a link-checker safety tool. Streaming services work without problems, and the server network reaches all over the world.
The main downside is price. NordVPN is more expensive than many rivals, even with long-term plan discounts. Still, the combination of performance, privacy, and features makes it worth the money for most users.
ExpressVPN – Best VPN runner-up
Pros
- Excellent speeds
- Unblocks all streaming services
- Great security and privacy practices
Cons
- More expensive than other VPNs
- Light on extra security features
Who should use ExpressVPN? ExpressVPN is a great option for everyone. Beginners can download the software, choose a server location, and connect in seconds. More advanced users can take advantage of split-tunneling, protocol optimization, a kill switch, and other configuration options.
ExpressVPN also has one of the broadest device support networks available, working across nearly every platform with up to 14 simultaneous connections depending on the subscription tier. It ranks second in this list because NordVPN has a slight edge in features and average speeds, but ExpressVPN remains an excellent choice.
Further considerations: ExpressVPN offers a smart DNS feature for set-top boxes and consoles, plus an advanced version of its Lightway protocol called Lightway Turbo. That protocol boosts speeds for many connections, though not all. The service has also added ad and tracker blocking and a password manager, giving users a more complete security suite. Multiple subscription tiers are now available, and the company regularly commissions third-party audits to verify its privacy practices. ExpressVPN has an especially strong record of protecting user privacy.
Surfshark – Best cheap VPN
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Tons of extra features
- Low price on long-term plans
Cons
- Expensive month-to-month plans
- Large portion of global servers are virtual
Who should use Surfshark? Surfshark does almost everything well. It has fast speeds, a feature set that is second only to NordVPN, and solid privacy credentials thanks to a no-log policy and multiple independent audits. Subscriptions include standard VPN features plus customizable dynamic multi-hop connections, identity protection alerts, and antivirus and malware protection.
The biggest selling point is price. A two-year plan often works out to just a few dollars per month, which is exceptional for a premium VPN with this feature set. It is an ideal option for budget-conscious users who still want a full-featured service.
Potential users should note that Surfshark is based in the Netherlands. The country has strong privacy laws, but it is part of the 14 Eyes data-sharing alliance, meaning the government could theoretically request user data. The company’s independently verified no-log policy should mitigate that concern, but privacy-focused buyers may want to keep it in mind.
Private Internet Access – Best cheap VPN runner-up
Pros
- Multiple independently verified no-log audits
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Vast server network
Cons
- App is a little clunky
- Speeds are fairly pedestrian
Who should use Private Internet Access? Private Internet Access has been around for years and continues to improve. Its latest version remains an excellent value, with yet another independent audit confirming its no-log policy. The service is a good fit for all users, but it is especially appealing to power users who like customizing every part of their VPN app.
PIA has one of the lowest subscription prices among top VPNs, both monthly and long-term. It also offers unlimited device connections and an enormous server network with more than 35,000 servers. The network covers fewer country locations than some competitors, but it is still very broad.
The app has an outdated interface and a few awkward interface issues. Speeds are not the fastest tested, but they are good enough for daily browsing, streaming, and general use. The overall value is strong.
Proton VPN – Best free VPN
Pros
- Unrivaled free plan
- Great privacy tools
- Reliable and transparent no-logs policy
Cons
- Premium plan is expensive
- Some minor unblocking issues
Who should use Proton VPN? Proton VPN is a great choice whether you choose the free or paid version. The free plan is ideal for people on a tight budget or those who only need a VPN occasionally. It has no ads and the restrictions are tame compared with many other free services.
With the free version you get one-device connection and access to five servers in Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the United States. Speeds are very good for a free service and are among the top 10 of all VPNs, paid or free. There are no monthly data limits, so you can stream video as long as you accept that the free servers are not guaranteed to work with every streaming platform.
Proton VPN comes from the same company behind Proton Mail, a privacy-focused email service, so it integrates neatly into the wider Proton ecosystem. The no-log policy has been confirmed by multiple independent audits, including for the free plan. The premium version is somewhat expensive, so it makes sense to try the free tier before upgrading.
Mullvad – Best VPN for privacy
Pros
- Exceptional privacy protections
- Strong security features
- Fast connection speeds
- Transparent and trustworthy company practices
Cons
- Weak streaming support
- Relatively small server network
- Lacks extra features
Who should use Mullvad? Mullvad is the best VPN for anyone who puts privacy above everything else. It does not ask for an email address, name, or other identifying details. Instead, it gives you a random account number that serves as your identifier and login. You can pay with credit cards, PayPal, or even by mailing cash.
Mullvad’s no-log policy is strict and it does not collect identifying metadata from your usage. The service has been validated by multiple independent security audits. It is built with one goal in mind: protecting your privacy, even if that means leaving out extra features. It is still fast, ranking among the top five VPNs for speed in testing.
Mullvad charges a flat fee of 5 euros per month for all plan lengths. That makes month-to-month service very affordable, but long-term users may find less value compared with rivals that offer deep discounts on annual plans. Streaming performance is also weaker, so users who need to bypass regional content restrictions may want to look elsewhere.
CyberGhost – Best VPN for travelers
Pros
- Enormous global server network
- Independently verified no-log policy
- Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Server speeds can be hit-or-miss
- Lacks extra security features offered by competitors
Who should use CyberGhost? Travelers need variety and wide coverage in server locations, and CyberGhost delivers both. It offers more than 11,500 servers in over 100 countries, which is more than twice as many as most other VPNs on this list. The servers are spread across the world, not concentrated in just the United States or Europe.
CyberGhost recommends optimized servers for gaming, streaming, and torrenting. It also has secure physical NoSpy servers housed in its home offices in Romania. That level of coverage makes it one of the best options for finding a reliable connection no matter where you are.
The Windows app is well designed and intuitive. It lacks some power-user features like multi-hop and IP rotation, but those are not essential for most travelers. In testing, European servers were very fast while some Asian servers were slower. The service is upgrading its network to 10Gbps, so speeds should improve in the near future.
Other VPNs we liked
There are many solid VPNs that did not make the top seven. PrivadoVPN is a strong overall service with a standout free version, but its server network is smaller and it has fewer extras. Windscribe Pro offers great security and both a Windows client and browser extension, though its interface can be confusing. Hide.me has a fantastic range of configurable settings for power users, but my latest tests showed inconsistent speeds. IPVanish handles the basics well, including decent speeds and a large network, but streaming support is patchy and the monthly price is steep. Norton VPN is simple and effective, with recent upgrades to its features and privacy commitments, but it only offers yearly pricing and its server network is still smaller than most competitors.
How to choose the best VPN
Start with the server network. Look for a service with at least 1,000 servers and 30 or more country locations. That gives you a good chance of finding a nearby server and unblocking content from different regions.
Speed matters too, but you likely cannot test it without subscribing. Read expert reviews that give a relative average of connection speeds instead of raw Mbps figures, since raw numbers depend heavily on your own internet connection.
Check privacy protections carefully. Does the VPN have a no-log policy? Has it been independently audited? Where is the company located? These details tell you whether the service is transparent about data collection and whether it may be subject to government data-sharing requirements.
Price is also important. Some VPNs are expensive month-to-month but become much more affordable on long-term plans. Compare renewal pricing, promo prices, and money-back guarantees before committing.
VPN features you should care about
A kill switch automatically blocks internet access if the VPN disconnects, preventing accidental exposure of your traffic. Split tunneling lets you choose which apps or sites use the VPN and which connect directly, so gaming or local streaming can avoid slowdowns. Multi-hop sends your traffic through two or more VPN servers, re-encrypting it at each step for extra privacy. Protocol matters as well; WireGuard is generally the best choice for speed and security, while OpenVPN is a proven fallback.
How we test VPNs
VPNs are tested on server network, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease of use, extra features, and cost. Speed tests average connections between different global locations and compare them with a baseline internet speed. Privacy policies and company histories are thoroughly analyzed for data collection issues or discrepancies. Ease of use is assessed through hands-on experience. Finally, each service is compared with industry averages on price and features to determine overall value.
Best VPN FAQ
What is the best VPN?
NordVPN is the best VPN overall. It offers the fastest speeds in testing, a large server network, and the most complete feature set of any service currently available. It provides exceptional value for both beginners and advanced users.
What is the best cheap VPN?
Surfshark is the best cheap VPN. It combines fast speeds, a robust feature set, and excellent privacy credentials, all at a very low long-term price. The unlimited device connection policy adds even more value.
What is a VPN?
A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. Your traffic is routed through a selected VPN server, making it appear as if you are browsing from that server’s location. The VPN also encrypts your data so your internet service provider and other third parties cannot see your specific online activities.
Can I be tracked with a VPN?
A VPN reduces exposure and keeps your ISP from seeing your traffic, but it does not stop all tracking. Websites can still track you through logins, cookies, and browser fingerprinting. If you sign into a service while using a VPN, that service knows who you are.
Will a VPN slow down my internet?
Most VPNs cause a moderate speed decrease because your traffic is encrypted and rerouted through another server. Connecting to a server on the other side of the world will produce a bigger slowdown than connecting to a nearby server. A high-quality VPN with modern infrastructure should still allow smooth browsing and streaming.
Source:PCWorld News