The best VPN service in 2023

The best VPN of 2023 is an invaluable tool for staying safer online. This is more important than ever as the range of threats online grows. That's why my team of experts and I at Tom's Guide have reviewed dozens of VPNs hands-on, and ranked the very best providers right here.

Virtual Private Networks are a kind of software that keep your online activity hidden from your ISP, the government, and even hackers. In simple terms, they do this by encrypting all your traffic and routing it through their own servers located around the world, hiding your real location and your activity in the process.

If you just want quick access to the three best VPN services of 2023, simply pick from ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark below – in my expert reviews I rate them as the very best in their respective price ranges. However, If you want more in-depth info, simply keep scrolling for my rundown of the 10 top VPNs available today, and details of how I test VPNs at the bottom of the page.

The 3 best VPNs at a glance

1. ExpressVPN – Get 3 months FREE with the best VPN
I think ExpressVPN is the best VPN in 2023, with great performance in just about every area. It offers class-leading privacy and security features, can unblock just about every streaming site, and is super easy to use. 

Its 30-day money-back guarantee lets you trial the service risk-free, and Tom's Guide readers can claim 3 months free – plus 1 year free of backup software Backblaze.

Save 49% on ExpressVPN's 12-month plan

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2. NordVPN – Big name offers serious security
NordVPN is arguably the biggest name in the VPN industry, and for good reason. As well as its secure and private VPN, it offers a wider suite of cybersecurity tools, including an ad blocker and malware protection.

NordVPN excels when it comes to streaming, and at around $3.49 a month, it sits in the middle ground when it comes to price. Just like ExpressVPN, you'll get a 30-day money-back guarantee to try before you commit.

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3. Surfshark – The best-value VPN on the market
For those looking for a premium VPN on a budget, Surfshark is well worth considering. With top-tier privacy and incredibly fast connections, it's snapping at the heels of pricier brands.

It's excellent for streaming and day-to-day privacy, and offers servers in 100 countries, so you'll never be far from a connection. Best of all, it's currently only $2.30 a month, which includes 3 months free.

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What is a VPN?

If you're wondering what is a VPN, in short it's an application installed on your device that redirects your internet connection through its own servers around the world. This allows you to virtually change your location online, making you more anonymous and tricking sites like Netflix into showing you content that's blocked in your country.

A VPN also encrypts your traffic, which means that if it's intercepted, your activity can't be seen. That goes for hackers, your government, and even your internet service provider – a VPN lets you browse in total secrecy.

This in turn allows you to access sites that might be banned by your ISP – perhaps that's YouTube or TikTok at school, or Western news and social media if you're in Russia or China. 

While VPNs might sound techy, nowadays they're super simple to use. They almost all offer simple, attractive apps for many different devices, and you can get connected in a single click. So, don't be intimidated – if you managed to install Facebook on your smartphone, you can install a VPN as well.

In short, the best VPN makes the internet a freer place, and allows you to do what you want, when you want to do it – and with the current VPN deals on offer, there's never been a better time to sign up.

The best VPNs of 2023: top 5

1. ExpressVPN – the best VPN overall
2. NordVPN – the best VPN bundled with a security suite
3. Surfshark – the best cheap VPN
4. Private Internet Access – the best VPN for Linux
5. Proton VPN – the best VPN for censorship and internet freedom

Our expert-tested list of the best VPNs of 2023

The best VPN overall

It's a big accolade to hand out, but from my extensive user testing and independent review process I can once again confidently say that ExpressVPN is the very best VPN you can buy today. 

On paper, ExpressVPN already impresses: over 3,000 servers in 160 locations spread across 94 countries around the world, a kill switch, split tunneling and obfuscated servers. While some providers have more servers in total, very few have such a wide spread – meaning that wherever you're based, you'll get swift, reliable connections. It has an especially impressive range in Asia, which is often neglected by other providers.

All apps use super-secure, industry-standard AES-256 encryption, paired with OpenVPN and Lightway protocols. Lightway is the standout here, and the in-house, open-source protocol delivers excellent speeds – although this is an area where Express is just beaten by close rivals Surfshark and NordVPN. However, unless you're using a 1Gbps+ connection you won't notice a difference.

ExpressVPN also uses its own TrustedServer technology, which ensures its RAM-only DNS servers retain no information about you or your activity. In short, ExpressVPN is fast and secure – and a recent update has added a well-needed kill switch to iOS. Combined with the 3 months free Tom's Guide readers can claim, you get a lot for your money.

> ExpressVPN is Tom's Guide's #1 VPN – get 3 months FREE 

ExpressVPN's apps are a pleasure to use and almost identical across the board – once you've used one, you've used them all – and the range of devices is huge. Not only can you cover your PC, Mac, iPhone or Android, but your router, Chromebook, Linux PC, Fire TV Stick and a ton more can also enjoy the same protection.

What's more, ExpressVPN can now be used on 8 devices at once, up from the previous 5. This is great news for those who have tons of devices, and addresses one of ExpressVPN's few downsides – although rivals Surfshark and PIA offer unlimited connections on a single plan.

One of the most common reasons to download a VPN is to access geo-blocked streaming content. Here, ExpressVPN really delivers. In my testing, it reliably unblocked a number of Netflix locations, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and works impeccably for regional TV channels around the world. Only a few other providers like NordVPN and Surfshark can match this – and Express is still my #1 streaming VPN.

Of course, improvements can be made with any service, and the same is true here. For example, if you need a dedicated IP or port forwarding, a provider like PIA might be a better fit. 

Finally, a word on customer support. If anything doesn't work as it should – perhaps you're having issues unblocking UK Netflix from the US, for example – the 24/7 live chat support is always on hand. In my experience they have been quick and knowledgeable, and in general much better than most other VPN providers' live chat teams. Plus, the on-site help articles are excellent, too.

When everything is tallied up, it all comes together to make a near-unbeatable package that's well suited to experts and newbies alike – and I think that premium price is well worth what you get.

The best VPN + security suite

Sitting at #2 is NordVPN, and in my full NordVPN review I found that the biggest name in VPN is still one of the very best.

With over 5,500 servers in a generous 59+ countries, NordVPN practically guarantees a speedy server wherever you are – and while it's not present in as many locations as ExpressVPN, you'll still be very well served. You'll likely be connecting to those servers with Nord's own NordLynx protocol, which is a reworked version of WireGuard. In short, it's stable, and delivered searing connection speeds of over 950Mbps in my testing. 

You'll get split tunneling, an effective kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and you'll even get some unusual options like Onion over VPN and Double VPN which are designed to keep you even safer when browsing the web. Another interesting feature is Threat Protection – but while it's a nice addition, dedicated tracker blockers do work more effectively.

Nord's apps are powerful and fairly pleasant to use, but while the map-based interface works well on larger screen such as PCs and tablets, on smartphones it can be more of a hindrance than a benefit – simpler interfaces like ExpressVPN's tend to work better here. 

A recent update also means the PC client can't be resized, and there are inconsistencies between platforms. Despite that, though, the apps are very capable, and you'll be able to install it on a huge range of devices – for just $3.19 a month, it's excellent value.

Nord's most interesting new feature, however, is Meshnet. This allows users to link devices anywhere around the world via encrypted NordVPN connections, creating its own secure network. This has real power, and while Nord hasn't quite worked out how to make the feature clear to users yet, I'm very excited to see where it goes.

When it comes to streaming, however, NordVPN really impresses. You'll be able to unblock tons of Netflix locations, iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime and more – and in recent months Nord and the related Surfshark have proved to be a little more reliable with Netflix than my top choice overall ExpressVPN.

With a 30-day money-back guarantee and some attractive deals running throughout the year, NordVPN is a quality service that only misses out on the top spot thanks to some small UI quirks – and, frankly, the sheer quality of the competition..

The best cheap VPN

If you're looking for a cheap VPN that outperforms products twice its price, look no further than Surfshark. The services in this guide are ranked by quality, not price, so to see a VPN that's so affordable sitting at #3 is seriously impressive.

In my Surfshark review, I found its apps great to use, and offer all the privacy and security essentials such as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, and the superfast WireGuard protocol. Surfshark's been hard at work on extra features like MultiHop, and Nexus – the latter of which is not currently fully formed, but looks promising.

If you're a hardware hoarder, Surfshark's unlimited simultaneous connections policy may put it above my #1 and #2 picks. You can install one plan on any number of devices – great for complete protection, or even sharing with those in your home. And, as a Linux VPN, Surfshark is one of the few providers to offer a full GUI – most others are only command line. Very impressive for a VPN that costs well under $2.50 a month.

In the most recent testing, connection speeds rose considerably, and on my 1Gbps connection it maxed out at a staggering 950Mbps. That makes Surfshark the one of the fastest VPN providers I've ever tested – beating out the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PIA, and CyberGhost. Plus, it's currently proving to be very reliable for streaming. I've had some issues before, but almost every provider has at some point.

However, when I put Surfshark's kill switch through my rigorous testing procedure, we did manage to catch it out and get it to reveal us very briefly. However, the situation in which this happened is unlikely to happen in the real world. And, unfortunately, Surfshark's support isn't quite as good as ExpressVPN's or NordVPN's.

Overall, Surfshark is an excellent budget option, and when you consider its price, what small sacrifices you may need to make seem really quite insignificant.

The best VPN for Linux

Private Internet Access has been around for a long, long time, but unlike other dinosaurs of the VPN game, it's stayed on an upward trajectory rather than falling to the new guard. 

In fact, it's risen another place to #4 since my last Private Internet Access review.

While PIA doesn't disclose its server network size, I believe it to sit at around 20,000 servers, which makes it by far the most server-rich provider on the market. Combine that with 84 available countries and you've got yourself quite the spread. 

PIA really stands out when you get under the surface a little. Its desktop apps offer port forwarding – a relative rarity – and its kill switch is super reliable. 

Also, its proxy browser extensions are also very good, with updated tech that allows for faster browsing. For newbies and those looking for a simpler experience, though, this could very well be a little annoying or intimidating.

It's great for streaming, with access to Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer. I have expanded my streaming testing even further this time round, and as an improvement on last time, PIA was able to unblock every single service.

We're also still waiting for PIA to complete a full independent security audit, but the good news is that it's started the process. The zero-logging policy has been audited and confirmed as true, so now I'm just waiting on the full shebang.

For those looking for a highly featured, reliable service that's keenly priced, I'd recommend giving PIA a go – it has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out risk-free.

The best VPN for internet freedom

The Swiss-based Proton brand has had quite the makeover recently, and its star product Proton VPN has been given a well-earned bit of zing. Now that the fresh new look matches its stellar performance, it's even easier to recommend. 

Connections speeds are good, topping out at 510Mbps with WireGuard and around 210Mbps with OpenVPN, although even with the proprietary VPN Accelerator tech, it can't match up to the likes of Surfshark.

You'll also get a comprehensive zero-logging policy and string encryption, and Proton VPN will certainly appeal to those looking to use their VPN for absolute online privacy.

What's more, Proton VPN also offers its Secure Core servers, which are located in physically secure locations in privacy-friendly countries. You can choose to use these, and then route to a destination of your choice for added anonymity. Proton Unlimited also adds the entire privacy suite of Proton Mail, Proton Drive, and Proton Calendar for a fairly reasonable price.

However, it's not all work and no play for Proton – in my testing for the full Proton VPN review it proved to be a real standout when it comes to unblocking Netflix, reliably accessing a number of useful locations, as well as BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Amazon Prime. However, it couldn't crack 10Play when I tried.

However, Proton VPN really stands out thanks to its commitment to helping users around the world access a free and uncensored internet. One such example of this is its partnership with news company Deutsche Welle. Even free users can connect to a dedicated server and access unbiased news anywhere in the world. 

For example, this is a godsend for those in countries like China and Russia who prefer not to consume state-controlled news.

It's getting trickier by the day to pick faults with Proton, but there are still a couple of sticking points. Firstly, while some servers do support P2P traffic, there are relatively few compared to the competition – although if Proton detects P2P activity, it'll seamlessly redirect you to a compatible server. 

Prices have recently dropped across the board, but it's still not cheap. However, sign up for 2 years and you'll get a decent deal, with a generous 10 simultaneous connections to boot.

Overall, Proton VPN is very much on the up, and it's evident the developers are putting in some hard work rather than resting on their laurels. Thanks to that, Proton VPN is a service we can wholeheartedly recommend.

The best of the rest

We think that one of either ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Private Internet Access or Proton VPN will be the best VPN for the vast majority of users. They all deliver excellent speeds, provide class-leading privacy and security features, are effective at unblocking tons of content around the world and are super simple use.

They also cover a range of price points, ranging from the premium-priced (and worth it) ExpressVPN to the absolute bargains that are Surfshark and PIA.

However, if you have a very particular feature you're looking for, there are plenty of other trusted providers to choose from. Below I'm running down all the other VPNs I'm comfortable recommending – and while they're not quite as versatile a well-rounded as my top picks, they could still be worth considering.

CyberGhost is another long-standing name in the world of the best VPNs, and in that time it's developed a reputation for privacy, streaming performance, and torrent-friendly servers.

With over 9,700 servers, CyberGhost has one of the largest server networks in the industry, and with a spread of 91 countries, there's plenty of variety when it comes to picking which to connect to.

In my expert CyberGhost VPN review, the Romanian provider delivered great connection speeds of up to 730Mbps (although this is down since my last test), and while few users will have base connections capable of such heady heights, it's still quite an accolade. 

CyberGhost's apps had an overhaul in 2021, and with the introduction of Version 8, the experience is much more modern and sleek. 

However, you'll only be able to install CyberGhost on 7 devices – and after that, you'll need to unregister a device to use another, rather than simply logging out on one device like almost all other providers allow.

CyberGhost's apps offer some very useful dedicated streaming features like Netflix and iPlayer-optimized servers. It's fairly capable when it comes to unblocking, and in my last testing I saw it unblock some Netflix libraries (not the UK), iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. 

Disney+, however, was unavailable, and the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark are better providers for streaming.

One of my biggest issues with CyberGhost in my last review was that it hadn't undertaken a security audit of any kind. This time round it's still not perfect, but it has had its no-log policy audited by Deloitte. Let's hope a full server and app audit is in the works

Our expert Windscribe review found the provider's free VPN that gives users 10GB of data a month very useful, but it also offers a fairly-priced paid service that delivers unlimited data and lets you connect as many devices at once as you like. Most other VPN services permit only five to 10 at a time.

Windscribe is compatible with many platforms – including routers and Amazon Fire and Kodi TV set-top boxes. The service offers a great variety of connection options, has a wide geographic reach with hundreds of servers, and presents an appealing, if minimal, user interface. It's also good for watching overseas Netflix, and has dedicated 'Windflix servers' to enable this – although I couldn't tap into Netflix Japan this time round.

The service's Chrome VPN extension is a standout feature. As one of the best on the market, it offers tons of features and can be used without installing the desktop client – great for work computers of other devices you can't install software on. 

For those that do install the desktop client, you'll notice the brand-spanking Windscribe 2.0 software has tidied up the interface and offers a ton of nifty features – although newbies may be overwhelmed. One such feature is Decoy Mode on Android which, although very niche, could be invaluable to dissidents in truly extreme situations.

Once of my previous complaints was that Windscribe simply wasn't very fast compared to others, but since then it's upped the ante, topping out at a respectable 700Mbps.

You can pay for a Windscribe subscription with Bitcoin, you don't even have to provide an email address, and the service is based in Canada, which may appeal to users wary of US authorities.

IPVanish is a US VPN that's been in the game for a long time, and it's widely regarded as a safe, reliable, and trustworthy provider. It's designed for the more techy user, it boasts a bunch of useful additions and powerful apps that display all the data you could wish for.

In my testing for the IPVanish review, I saw the provider deliver respectable speeds of around 720Mbps when using WireGuard, which is comparable to close rivals CyberGhost and Windscribe. 

Its OpenVPN speeds are poor, at just 120Mbps in my testing, but most users will be using the new protocol anyway. 'Scramble' is an interesting feature that allows VPN use in countries like China, and while it's not quite as robust as other specialized China VPN services, it's still very useful.

When it comes to streaming, it's also a mixed bag. I got access to US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Prime (which is an improvement from last time we checked), but unlike providers further up this list, we couldn't tap into any other Netflix locations like Australia or Canada.

One of my biggest criticisms in my last review was that IPVanish rarely updated its apps – and it looks like the devs were listening. The brand new interface looks great, retains many of the in-depth features I loved, while integrating a Favorites function as well as in-app support. However, on the flip side, it's a shame that some niche features have been removed, rather than tucked away more neatly.

Overall, though, while it's lost a little ground on the top services, IPVanish is still well worth considering, especially if you're a fan of in-depth, techy software.

In my expert Mullvad review, I found that the Swedish provider eschews 'gimmicks' for true privacy performance. However, while this certainly endears Mullvad with techies and old-school VPN veterans, the crowd-pleasing likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN arguably offer a better proposition for the casual user.

With no tricks and a very transparent website, Mullvad's one of the few providers that avoids making disputable claims of "unblocking anything" or
"guaranteed anonymity". 

Rather, it leads by example by never taking any personal details, accepting cash payments sent through snail mail, and offering simple, effective and open-source apps. New additions include the ability to purchase account numbers through Amazon – an anonymity plus point – and a fresh DNS server audit.

It also avoids the incredible complexity of other 'expert' VPNs, and while a very small selection of users will want to tweak countless DNS settings, many will simply appreciate the no-nonsense approach to online privacy.

As I said, though, Mullvad does lack in some important areas that many users won't want to compromise on. While connection speeds are very impressive, in line with IPVanish, CyberGhost, and the like, it's not able to unblock any streaming services – and likely never will. 

The apps also lack some fairly commonplace usability features like automatic selection of the nearest/fastest location, and no favorites list. Plus, if you run into any issues you'll have to rely on email support or the bare-bones support site rather than live chat.

Overall, though, if you're looking for a transparent, privacy-focused VPN, you could do a lot worse than Mullvad.

Hide.me has been around since 2011, and in that time it's developed quite a following and has made quite an impression on the VPN industry.

With around 2,000 servers in 75 locations, it's in the mid-pack when it comes to network size – outstripped by PIA, CyberGhost, NordVPN, and others – but in practice this is more than enough for just about any user. Connections are lightning-fast too, topping out at a mega 880Mbps in my last round of testing.

Hide.me's Windows VPN apps are powerful and configurable, with plenty of protocol choices, DNS protection, torrenting support, and more. It's evidently aimed at the advanced user, and those with the knowledge and inclination to trawl through the settings will be greatly rewarded. 

However, for many, it's quite possible that it'll all be too much and won't deliver such a seamless experience as more welcoming providers like ExpressVPN – and its Mac offerings are much weaker than the competition.

It's also worth noting that I experienced some minor technical issues with the apps, including an issue with the kill switch which could potentially compromise users when changing server.

In my streaming testing, Hide.me impressed. It's able to access a number of Netflix locations alongside BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. 

Finally, Hide.me also has some excellent privacy credentials – although it hasn't undertaken any kind of audit since 2015, and even then there's very little detail. But, overall, it's a great choice, especially if you like to tinker with your software – and the new free 2TB cloud storage plan courtesy of Internxt isn't to be sniffed at.