10 Best VPN Services

All VPNs have one thing in common: They create an online connection between your device and a secure server, masking your online activity from everyone. But beyond that basic function, there are many different features that set VPNs apart from each other.

Different VPN features lend themselves to different activities. I'll go over the most important ones to think about when considering which service to buy, starting with the most obvious one.

• Price: Most VPNs are affordable. You typically won't pay more than a few dollars a month unless you need advanced features. Look for free trial deals and pay up-discounts to save even more.
• Number of servers/countries: VPNs with more server locations give you more options for connection. All VPNs will slow your internet a little bit. Minimize that slowdown by choosing a VPN with a lot of servers.
• Devices: Not all VPNs will work on all devices. Make sure that the VPN you choose works on your phone, computer, Smart TV, and other devices. Don’t forget to check compatibility with your browsers, ad-blockers, and anti-virus software.
• Simultaneous connections: VPNs usually limit the number of devices that can be signed into a single account. If you want to leave your VPN on all the time on several devices, make sure you have enough simultaneous connections in your VPN plan.
• 24/7 Live support: If you’re using a VPN, then security and privacy are probably pretty important to you all the time. So you want to make sure your VPN service has live support even at 3 a.m.
• No-logs policies: Be sure that you get a VPN with a no logs policy, which means that it won’t keep any record of your use. Even though it is legal to use a VPN in the United States, it’s nice to know that you won’t be tracked for doing so.
• Security protocols: There are several common security protocols that VPNs use. The best are called OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and WireGuard VPN. Try to avoid older protocols like PPTP and IKEv2.
• DNS leak protection: Without leak protection, there’s a chance that your DNS queries can be leaked, meaning your internet service provider may be able to see your online activity even with your VPN turned on.
• AES-256 encryption: Most high-end VPNs use AES-256 encryption, which is the gold standard. Don’t settle for anything less.
• Split tunneling: This feature allows you to choose which apps and websites use your VPN and which don’t. It’s great for those who want to use a VPN for browsing online and gaming, but don’t want to use it for streaming Hulu.
• Dynamic IP address: With a dynamic IP address, your IP address is always changing, making it even harder to hack or track.

A virtual private network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a remote server. For example, if you're using a laptop in Las Vegas and turn on a VPN, it might route your internet traffic through a server in Chicago. This masks your IP address and protects your online activity from prying eyes. While connected to a VPN, everything you do online is encrypted, helping prevent unauthorized access, especially on public Wi-Fi. You can safely stream content, back up files to the cloud, browse websites, download movies, or play games, knowing your internet activity is private and secure.

VPNs are typically used through an app on your phone or a service on your laptop or desktop. These apps secure your internet connection by applying real-time encryption, even while you're actively browsing or streaming. If you visit a website that isn’t secure (one without HTTPS), a VPN still protects your data by encrypting the connection from your device to the VPN server. On public Wi-Fi—like in airports or coffee shops—a VPN helps block hackers from intercepting sensitive information like your credit card details or login credentials.

Using a VPN has become essential for protecting your privacy online. In an age of widespread data tracking, cybercrime, and digital surveillance, a VPN helps shield your personal information from hackers, internet service providers, and third-party advertisers. We can’t overstate it—without a VPN, your data is more vulnerable to being monitored, intercepted, or stolen.

If you’re looking for a solid all-around VPN that scores high on every important feature, then NordVPN is the way to go. It uses the highest level of encryption, has a no-logs policy, thousands of servers in dozens of countries, and works with nearly every kind of device, including iPhones and Android phones.

But what makes Nord truly great for casual customers is its user-friendly interface. It’s the perfect entry-level VPN for those who aren’t necessarily computer wizards but still take their security and privacy seriously.

There are four tiers of NordVPN service: Basic, Plus, Complete, and Prime. All four of these plans get you the most important stuff, like direct and anonymized access to thousands of servers and a tracker/ad-blocker.

If you’re willing to pay for the higher tiers of service, then the list of features just grows. It includes data breach monitoring, kill-switch protection, a password manager, malware protection, file encryption, and 1TB of cloud storage.

While Nord is great for casual users, it’s also the gold standard for more serious programmers, hackers, and security experts. It uses diskless RAM servers, which means that they store no data at all. Also, Nord is working on switching everything to colocated servers that are fully owned by the company, meaning there are no third parties involved anywhere in the process.

NordVPN stands out for Mac users thanks to its strong security, reliable performance, and flexible setup options. It offers two different Mac apps: one available directly from the App Store with IKEv2 protocol support for fast connections, and another downloadable from the NordVPN website with additional features and settings. We’ve tested NordVPN extensively and consistently found it to be one of the most secure and user-friendly VPNs on the market.

VPN Unlimited and Surfshark are also solid picks for Mac users. VPN Unlimited offers strong AES-256 encryption and a clean, easy-to-navigate interface, plus it's available directly from the Mac App Store. Surfshark earned high marks in our hands-on tests for its sleek design and accessible advanced settings, making it a great choice for privacy-focused users who want a polished experience.

ExpressVPN and NordVPN are often switching placement at the top of our list of the best VPNs. They both have an incredible commitment to security and are constantly innovating to make their services faster and easier to use.

Right now, I am particularly impressed with Express VPN’s speeds. Maybe it’s the fact that it has servers in nearly twice as many countries as Nord, or maybe it’s the company’s proprietary “Lightway” protocol, but either way, it’s our top pick for a VPN that doesn't slow your internet speeds.

There’s plenty to love about ExpressVPN. It offers all of the key features to look for in a top-shelf VPN, including a robust no-logs policy, lots of servers, an ad-blocker, and a simple, user-friendly interface.

ExpressVPN is especially good for new VPN users because it has a whole host of explainer videos that can help you use its basic and advanced features.

In terms of price, Express VPN is similar to Nord if you pay month-to-month. But if you’re willing to pay for a couple of years up front, Nord’s prices do start to look a little better. That said, ExpressVPN keeps its pricing simpler by offering just a single monthly plan that comes with all of the bells and whistles (rather than having three separate options, like Nord).

ExpressVPN will work with almost every kind of device, but you will be limited to five simultaneous log-ins, which is one less than Nord.

ExpressVPN is a strong match for Android phones, tablets, and smart TVs. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you a risk-free way to test its features and secure your online activity. With thousands of reviews on the Google Play Store, it still maintains an impressive 4.5-star rating, proof that Android users trust and enjoy the service.

If you’re willing to pay for two years up front, then you can get more bang for your buck with Surfshark than any other VPN service. At just $1.99 a month, Surfshark’s two-year price is on par with budget VPNs, while its quality still remains in the big leagues.

Not only does Surfshark have thousands of servers and top-tier features, like an ad-blocker, but it also allows you to have unlimited simultaneous connections. That makes it ideal for folks with tons of devices in their household.

Surfshark has nearly every security feature one could want from a VPN, including AES-256 encryption, a strong no logs policy, and 24/7 live chat in case something goes wrong with your connection.

Where the service falls a little bit short is in the interface. While you can use many advanced features, like split tunneling, they aren’t very easy to set up. Whereas ExpressVPN and NordVPN feel highly intuitive and make it easy for VPN-newcomers to use, Surfshark feels a bit clunkier.

For example, if you want to manually connect to a specific server, you can’t just click a button. You have to use a whole different sign in method, know the hostname of the server, and input the server credentials. It’s a whole process.

That value extends to Linux users, too. Surfshark is easy to install across most Linux distributions and gives you room to customize settings as needed. It even supports advanced protocols like Shadowsocks, WireGuard, and L2TP—features you don’t always see in budget-friendly VPNs.

Some of the biggest issues that VPN users face is slow internet speeds and high ping. This can be a huge pain for online gamers who want to stay competitive at the highest levels. Luckily, there’s CyberGhost. It’s not only one of the most affordable options out there, but it also ranks among the best cheap VPN services.

CyberGhost ranks as one of the best VPN for gaming thanks to its massive network of over 11,500 servers and low-latency performance. In our hands-on testing, it consistently delivered smooth gameplay and minimal ping—ideal for competitive online gamers. It's also one of the most affordable options if you commit to a two-year plan. Want to see how it stacks up? Check out our full list of the best VPNs for gaming performance. 

While CyberGhost is the standout pick for gamers, it might not be the best option for everyone else. Our reviewers have experienced some big issues with streaming, which slowed buffering speeds and quality significantly.

CyberGhost is especially compatible with Windows, making it a top pick for gamers who use a PC. Its user-friendly setup includes numbered, step-by-step instructions with screenshots, so you can get connected quickly and start gaming with minimal hassle. With support for up to seven simultaneous connections, CyberGhost also protects your full setup—whether you're gaming on a desktop, laptop, or other devices—while delivering stable speeds and low ping.

We’ve all gotten used to free internet services—email, search, even streaming. Now, there's a surprisingly solid VPN that doesn't cost a dime. 

Proton VPN is part of a privacy-focused project launched in 2014 by a group of European scientists aiming to build an internet that defends personal freedom. Today, Proton offers several open-source, end-to-end encrypted services, including Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and Proton VPN. I'ts one of the few free VPNs that offers unlimited data and strong encryption. If you want to explore more no-cost options, check out our list of the best free VPN services.

While the Proton VPN Free plan isn’t as robust as the company’s paid plans, it will give you access to the most essential functions, including servers in five different countries: Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland and the United States. You can only connect one device at a time, but you will have some premium features, like an automatic kill switch. 

Besides the restrictions on servers and simultaneous connections, Proton VPN’s free plan has other limitations. There’s no ad-blocker. You won’t be able to stream on Netflix or other services. You won’t have torrenting support.

But if you just want a VPN to anonymize your browsing, then this is the way to go. Plus, you can always decide to upgrade to a paid plan if you decide you want more.

TunnelBear is a fun, low-cost VPN with a great bonus. It offers a completely free plan with 2GB of protected browsing. You can also get it for just $3.33/month with a three-year plan or $9.99 if you pay monthly. You can also get a free Chrome ad blocker—even if you don’t sign up or make an account.

VPN Unlimited is a solid budget pick with flexible pricing. It costs $5.00/month with a yearly plan, or $9.99 if you pay monthly. There’s also a $199.99 lifetime option that can save you money in the long run. 

IPVanish is a good choice if you want a flexible and affordable VPN. It's $2.19 per month with a two-year plan (chump change), though the monthly price is higher if you don't commit long-term. One big plus is that you can use it on up to 10 devices at once, which is great for families or anyone with lots of tech.

Apple is often ahead of the curve when it comes to data privacy. Whether you're using Apple’s built-in iCloud Private Relay or a third-party app like NordVPN, most iOS VPNs are held to high standards.

These three VPNs delivered solid speeds, strong privacy features, and smooth performance on iOS.

NordVPN is best for security: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for iPhone users who want strong privacy and reliable performance. It offers a huge network of global servers, all running on diskless RAM for added data protection. The iOS app is easy to use and backed by Nord’s strict no-logs policy, which helps keep your browsing activity private, even from your internet provider. 

ExpressVPN offers the best features: One of ExpressVPN’s best features is split tunneling, which lets you choose which apps or sites use the VPN connection and which don’t. It offers a level of control most mobile VPNs don’t offer. ExpressVPN also supports a wide range of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and even routers, making it the most feature-rich VPN for Apple households.

Hotspot Shield is best for mobile streaming: Delivering some of the fastest speeds we’ve tested, Hotspot Shield is ideal for watching Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+ without annoying buffering—something most VPNs struggle with. Its strong encryption also blocks malware and phishing threats, and the Premium plan includes extras like 1Password and spam call blocking.

Those are the top five recommended VPNs for most users. But hey, why not throw in another five honorable mentions for those who want more choices? Let’s start with Hotspot Shield, which is a great option for those who want to binge Netflix in many different regions.

I am not advocating doing anything that might violate a service’s terms of use. But if, hypothetically, someone wanted to use a VPN to stream shows and movies that are only available in certain regions, that person might want to try Hotspot Shield.

TunnelBear isn’t necessarily outstanding when you compare it to other top VPNs. It has a decent number of servers, a good security policy, and a fair number of features, but it’s nothing to write home about.

However, this VPN does offer a free ad-blocker that you can use as an extension on Google Chrome, which will get rid of pesky ads and stop third parties from tracking your internet activity.

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a quality VPN with thousands of servers in 91 countries. It’s stuffed full of cool extra features for online browsing, like adware and malware blockers and a powerful firewall that warns you when your data is compromised.

Our reviewers have also found that it performs very highly with torrenting software, making it ideal for those who are transferring big files.

If you’re using a VPN, you probably care about privacy. But there’s privacy and then there’s privacy. If you’re interested in getting truly anonymous (like off-the-grid, disappearing, Jason Bourne-style anonymous), then Mullvad is your best bet.

This VPN service lets you sign up without giving any identifying information. Just generate a sign up code from your browser, pay in any number of untraceable ways (crypto or even cash), and then get to browsing. Once you’re online, you’ll be protected by a VPN with the highest levels of encryption that includes regular security audits.

With a sleek and simple user interface, PrivateVPN (not to be confused with Private Internet Access VPN) is a good starter VPN with a low cost of entry. It supposedly works very well on public Wi-Fi hotspots and is easy to use on iPhone and Android devices, making it ideal for those who are on the go.

IPVanish is a great choice for Windows users thanks to its clear, beginner-friendly setup. It includes step-by-step guides with tips, screenshots, and a how-to video. One of its biggest advantages is support for unlimited devices—including laptops, desktops, smartphones, and tablets—all under one secure connection.

PureVPN is a top pick for Amazon Fire devices. With one account, you can protect multiple devices, including your Fire TV Stick, Fire-powered smart TVs, and Amazon tablets. PureVPN’s clear setup instructions make it especially beginner-friendly, so you can configure settings directly on each device without extra hassle. It’s one of the few VPNs that works seamlessly as an Amazon Fire app, giving you full control without needing a second device.

Ultrasurf isn’t the most feature-rich VPN out there, but it’s one of the best for anonymous browsing. You don’t need to provide any personal information to use it, and it’s completely free. Just download, install, and enable encryption to keep your web activity private—no sign-up required.

Our reviewers have stress-tested all of the most popular VPNs on the market, checking for speed loss, ping spikes, security flaws, and other vulnerabilities. We’ve taken these results and done even more research into these companies' prices and policies. From there, we narrowed it down to the ten top-performing services in various categories.

We made our final recommendations based on different use cases and price points. Our goal is always to help our readers find a service that fits their particular lifestyle.