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Best VPN Services

The online world can be a wonderful yet scary place. Nowadays, we use the internet for everything, from shopping to speaking with friends and accessing entertainment. However, our online activity is monitored, and our data is at risk of being sold to advertisement companies. Even worse, cybercriminals are always on the lookout for ways to get their hands on our information. That’s where VPN services come in. Although they offer several additional benefits, their main objective is to help you surf the web privately and securely.

Best VPN services of 2024

Editor's choice 2024
NordVPN logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
Intuitive multiplatform apps
Double VPN and P2P support
Plenty of security features
Large VPN network with consistent speeds
Surfshark logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
Intuitive multiplatform apps
Double VPN
WireGuard protocol
Outstanding device support
IPVanish logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
Unlimited devices
No-log policy
24/7 support
Reliable security tools
ExpressVPN logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
Extensive device support
Exceptional speed
Intuitive apps
Convenient extras
CyberGhost VPN logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
Suitable for all VPN users
Great security features
Seven simultaneous connections
24/7 customer support
ZoogVPN logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
24/7 customer service
Competitive price
Good connection speed
Based in Greece
Private Internet Access logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
Unlimited devices
DNS leak protection
Suitable for all users
Completely customizable
TunnelBear logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
Very easy and fun to use
Kill switch and traffic obfuscato
Browser extensions and Chrome blocker
Good speeds

Other VPN services

NordVPN
NordVPN
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Intuitive multiplatform apps
  • Double VPN and P2P support
  • Plenty of security features
  • Large VPN network with consistent speeds
  • Trustworthy no-log policy
  • Limited VPN protocols options
Starting price: $3.99/mo Visit NordVPN
Screenshots
Offers
51% off NordVPN standard
Up to 67% discount on NordVPN with special discount
30-day risk-free trial of NordVPN
7-day free trial of NordVPN
Surfshark
Surfshark
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Intuitive multiplatform apps
  • Double VPN
  • WireGuard protocol
  • Outstanding device support
  • Affordable longer plan
  • Limited free trial
  • Expensive monthly plan
Starting price: $2.29/mo Visit Surfshark
Video overview
Offers
79% discount with 2-year plan
Up to one year of free use through friend referrals
30-day risk-free trial of Surfshark
7-day free trial of Surfshark
IPVanish
IPVanish
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Unlimited devices
  • No-log policy
  • 24/7 support
  • Reliable security tools
  • Competitive pricing
  • No desktop free trial
  • Based in the U.S
Starting price: $2.99/mo Visit IPVanish
Screenshots
Offers
Up to 76% off IPVanish
30-day money-back guarantee with IPVanish
Free 7-Day Trial of IPVanish Mobile
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Extensive device support
  • Exceptional speed
  • Intuitive apps
  • Convenient extras
  • 7-day free trial for mobile devices
  • Higher prices than competitors
  • Only 8 simultaneous connections
  • No multi-hop
Starting price: $6.67/mo Visit ExpressVPN
Screenshots
Offers
49% off ExpressVPN
30 days free with ExpressVPN's referral program
Three months free with ExpressVPN's yearly subscription
7-day free trial for android and iOS
30-day money-back guarantee with ExpressVPN
CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Suitable for all VPN users
  • Great security features
  • Seven simultaneous connections
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Transparent no-log policy
  • Free trial limited to one day
Starting price: $2.75/mo Visit CyberGhost VPN
Screenshots
Offers
Only $2.75 per month for three years
One year for free
24-hour free trial with CyberGhost
45-day risk-free trial of CyberGhost
ZoogVPN
ZoogVPN
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • 24/7 customer service
  • Competitive price
  • Good connection speed
  • Based in Greece
  • Always improving
  • Bandwidth limit on free plan
Starting price: $1.75/mo Visit ZoogVPN
Screenshots
Offers
Just $1.75 per month for ZoogVPN premium account
Free VPN account with 2GB of bandwidth
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Unlimited devices
  • DNS leak protection
  • Suitable for all users
  • Completely customizable
  • Attractive pricing
  • Slow servers
  • Lack of a free version
Starting price: $2.19/mo Visit Private Internet Access
Screenshots
Offers
Only $2.19 per month for Private Internet Access
30 days free with PIA's referral program
500GB of cloud storage with PIA
7-day free trial of Private Internet Access
30-day money back guarantee with Private Internet Access
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Very easy and fun to use
  • Kill switch and traffic obfuscato
  • Browser extensions and Chrome blocker
  • Good speeds
  • DNS leak protection
  • No P2P allowed
  • Limited server network
  • Poor customer service options
Starting price: $5/mo Visit TunnelBear
Screenshots
Offers
Just $5 per month for TunnelBear
Forever-free VPN account at TunnelBear

What is a VPN? 🛡️

A virtual private network (VPN) is software that encrypts your internet traffic, protecting your online activity. It allows you to connect to servers all over the world, tricking websites into thinking you’re located somewhere else.

The best way to visualize how a VPN works is to imagine that you’re entering a tunnel by yourself. This tunnel is made of strong materials, protecting you from people outside looking at you. This way, you can browse online with complete privacy, regardless of whether you’re using your home network or public Wi-Fi.

 

Why do you need a VPN?

There are plenty of reasons why you need to use a VPN service:

  • Unrestricted access to the internet: A VPN allows you to reach websites blocked by the network’s admins. This way, VPN services are often used to bypass restrictions implemented by the government, schools, companies, or even ISPs.
  • Bypassing geo-blocking: Some VPN services are able to bypass geo-blocks created by websites. With a VPN, you’re able to unblock content that’s not available to you due to your location, such as streaming services, online games, or apps.
  • Securing your connection: By encrypting internet traffic, VPNs make browsing the web more secure. In addition to ensuring that hackers can’t access your information while in transit, they also shield your devices from being hacked when using public Wi-Fi.
  • Stops ISP throttling: ISPs might throttle your connection due to a variety of reasons. They do this by limiting the internet speed of your IP. Since VPN services change your IP, they’re able to fix this issue and improve your connection speed.
  • Prevent tracking: Nowadays, most websites track your movements online in order to target ads specifically to you. By providing anonymity, these companies won’t be able to track you.
  • Cheaper flights: Some websites, such as plane ticket sellers, will increase prices when they’re visited by the same IP several times. With a VPN service, the website isn’t able to understand that you’re the one visiting the website and, therefore, you will be able to pay lower rates for your flight.

How to choose the best VPN for you

The VPN industry is an oversaturated market. There are hundreds of providers out there, making it difficult to pinpoint which one to choose – especially when they all seem very similar. When searching, keep in mind the following:

Standard features 🛡️

Regardless of the reason you’re getting a VPN service, there are a few standard boxes that need to be ticked. The first is that the network needs to be reliable and comprehensive. A VPN network with a low number of servers may frequently get too crowded, disturbing your browser experience due to low speeds and stability. Plus, it’s essential that the provider operates their own network of servers instead of borrowing from another service.

When it comes to the app itself, features you shouldn’t pass on include:

  • End-to-end encryption 🔒: The most basic feature a VPN service has to offer.
  • Kill switch ✋: Stops the internet connection when the VPN service malfunctions to ensure privacy at all times.
  • No DNS leaks 🔰: If a VPN service has DNS leaks, then websites will be able to route back to your IP. So, always test the provider for DNS leaks on a neutral website like https://www.dnsleaktest.com/.
  • Multiplatform 📱: One subscription should be enough to protect all your devices, including your computer, phone, and smart TV.
  • Protocols 📃: Although beginners will usually prefer the plug-and-play aspect of VPN services, it’s always better to have a few options when it comes to encryption protocols (OpenVPN, IPSec, Wireguard, L2TP, etc.).

No-logs policy 🚫

The main objective of using a VPN service is to have a private connection. So, what would be the point of subscribing to a service that may keep logs of your data? As a rule of thumb, you should always go with a provider that has a no-logs policy. Better yet, choose a VPN service that has zero-knowledge architecture, meaning that they don’t have any access to your information and, therefore, can’t pass it on to anyone else (government, advertisement companies, etc.).

Speeds ⚡

Since VPN services reroute your connection to their servers (some of them located extremely far away), internet speeds usually go down and pings go up. For a smooth user experience, it’s essential that the VPN provider is able to provide fast and stable connections.

Streaming ▶️

Streaming content that isn’t available in the user’s location has become one of the main reasons why people use a VPN service. As a result, streaming providers have caught up and have come up with countermeasures. So, if your main objective is to unlock geo-blocked content, make sure to choose a provider that can unblock the websites you want to use. Be very careful with the marketing these companies sometimes have, as several VPN providers claim they’re able to unblock certain streaming services when they can’t.

On the bright side, some VPNs come with dedicated servers for streaming, which provide faster and more stable connections to allow users to watch their favorite TV shows without constant buffering.

Headquarters location 📍

VPN services need to follow the laws where their headquarters are located. So, it’s preferable to opt for a VPN provider that is located in privacy paradises, where there are strict laws protecting citizens’ privacy, such as Switzerland or Malta.

Optional features for specific situations 🌐

Specific situations require specific needs. For example, if you want to bypass government censorship in the country where you live, it’s essential that you go with a VPN service that provides top-notch privacy and security.

Remember that some countries with strong internet censorship forbid the use of VPN services. So, if you’re located in one of these areas and need to use a VPN, make sure you choose a highly secure solution that provides advanced features like a double VPN and multi-hop, just to name a few.

Meanwhile, people who are into P2P should consider a VPN service that provides P2P-dedicated servers to ensure smooth torrenting and seeding.

 

Paid vs free VPN services

There are many free VPN services out there – especially for mobile devices. However, you need to be very careful with these free options. As the saying goes, ‘if something is free, you’re the product’. This statement is especially true for the VPN industry, where many free providers keep logs of your online activities and sell them to third-party ad agencies.

Moreover, free VPN service connections are not the most reliable. They usually have smaller, overloaded server networks, so connections are usually slow and unstable. Of course, advanced features and customization are off the table. Even so, there are some free options that can surprise you – you just need to research the product thoroughly to ensure you’re not using an insecure app.

Some VPN services offer limited free versions that are as secure as the paid ones. Plus, there are a couple of companies that are extremely transparent on how they make money with their free VPN service. While not perfect, you can at least see if it’s information you’re willing to share in exchange for your free ride. Still, it’s important to mention that paid VPNs are usually affordable.

Free VPN services 🆓
Paid VPN services 💸
May keep logs No-logs policy
Low speeds High speeds
May contain ads No ads
Small VPN network Medium or large VPN network
Basic security features Advanced security features

Best VPN services for different devices

Best VPN services for streaming

Ready for safe and unblocked web surfing?

Using a VPN is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Even if you aren’t interested in bypassing internet restrictions, the added security and privacy VPN services provide are essential for today’s online landscape.

The best part is that you don’t need to break the bank to get a reliable VPN service with advanced security features, high speeds, and a stable VPN network. Plus, a free VPN can be enough for internet users who don’t require all the bells and whistles – just make sure you’re signing up for a service that has the objective of keeping you secure instead of making a quick buck.

It’s important to remember that VPN services are just one piece of the big puzzle that is online security. Using a password manager, an internet security suite, and a secure browser are all essential to safeguard your digital self.

VPN services FAQ

Are VPNs safe?
Do VPN services know your traffic?
Are VPNs legal?
Can VPNs change your location?
Which locations are included in a VPN service?
Can VPNs make the internet faster?
Can a VPN be tracked?
Can you turn a VPN on and off?
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