There's tons of information about the best VPNs online, but if you're not already a bit of a pro, it can be difficult to understand which one is right for you. At Tom's Guide, our team of experts hand-test, benchmark and analyse every single VPN we recommend to make sure they do what they claim to do, and we bring all that data together in an easy-to-digest guide to help you make the right decision.
These days, VPNs often come with a huge amount of extra features, but at their core they do two things: encrypt your data before it leaves your device, and change your IP address. By doing this, they can help protect you from hackers and government surveillance, and let you access streaming content from around the world on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.
Privacy is always our top priority – and every provider on this page is trustworthy and secure to use. But when we test VPNs, we also focus on their speed, ability to unblock content, any added extras, and, of course, we assess value for money. We've just completed our latest round of testing, and some remarkable results mean that our VPN rankings have changed.
If you just want to choose between the three best VPN services of 2024, take a look at my quick roundup of NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN below: they are the very best consumer VPNs available. However, if you want in-depth information, or have a more niche need for a VPN, keep scrolling for my rundown of the 10 top VPNs available today. You'll also find details on how we test VPNs at the bottom of the page.
The 3 best VPNs at a glance
Recent updates
Surfshark moved into second place above ExpressVPN in my latest update, due to its very impressive performance in our latest round of testing. The serious kill switch issue we detected last time has been fixed, while everything we loved has stayed the same – such as flawless content unblocking and incredibly rapid connections. It's also hard to ignore the price difference between Surfshark and ExpressVPN, and with everyone pinching the pennies right now, Surfshark is the more realistic choice for more people.
The best VPNs in 2024
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NordVPN: the best VPN overall
✅ You want the very best VPN service there is. NordVPN is better than ever and thus still the best VPN overall – it covers all the bases.
✅ Netflix access is a priority. As the best VPN for Netflix, NordVPN unblocks more locations than any other provider.
✅ You want more than just a VPN. NordVPN also offers malware detection and ad-blocking on a standard plan, with even more features available on higher tiers.
❌ You like simpler apps. Compared to the likes of ExpressVPN, Nord's map interface is quite busy.
❌ You torrent often. Only some of Nord's servers are configured for P2P, and due to this I've found it can be somewhat slow to download torrents.
NordVPN offers the best overall VPN package, with great privacy at a reasonable price. It's able to unblock just about every streaming service worldwide, and excellent speeds mean it won't be slowing you down. If you want very simple apps, something like ExpressVPN might be better, but overall, Nord leads the pack.
NordVPN is undoubtedly the biggest name in the VPN industry, and in my full NordVPN review I found that it has absolutely earned that reputation. Compared to its biggest rivals, it has a stronger history of privacy than Surfshark, and it offer more for less when compared to ExpressVPN.
With over 6,400 servers in 111 countries, NordVPN practically guarantees a speedy server wherever you are. In fact, Nord increased the number of countries it offers in early 2024, which addressed one of my few complaints about the service – it's now on par with providers like Proton VPN and ExpressVPN in this area.
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 modern, stable, and very fast. Once again, in our latest round of testing it maxed out our 1 Gbps connection at 950+ Mbps, which shored up its place as one of the fastest VPNs we've tested. Bearing in mind that you only need about 30 Mbps to stream 4K Netflix, it certainly won't slow you down.
On the other hand, OpenVPN speeds still haven't improved that much, peaking at 170 Mbps. This is serviceable, but slower than Private Internet Access and Proton VPN, not to mention especially Surfshark, which peaked at 950+ Mbps with this protocol too. Realistically though, a huge majority of users will only ever use NordLynx and therefore you likely won't notice the VPN slowing down your connection at all.
You'll get split tunneling, which is nice if you plan on torrenting, 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. These are probably overkill for most people, but if you need them, NordVPN is the only provider to offer all of these in one place.
Something that hasn't changed in a while is NordVPN's map-based interface – and it can split opinion. On larger screens it's attractive and quite useful, but on smartphones it's a little cramped. That's not to say that it's difficult to use, but it's definitely not as beginner-friendly as ExpressVPN.
Despite that, though, the apps are very capable, and you'll be able to install them on a huge range of devices including mobile devices, smart TVs, Fire TV Sticks and lots more.
One of Nord's most interesting features continues to be Meshnet. This allows users to link devices anywhere around the world via encrypted NordVPN connections, creating its own secure network. Over the last year or so, Meshnet's capabilities have been expanded. You can now send and receive files between any devices set up to do so, use LAN-like virtual networks of up to 60 devices, and even route all your mobile traffic through your home PC.
I can see this being developed a ton in the future, and for a free product – you don't even have to subscribe to NordVPN to get it – it's really exciting.
NordVPN is the best streaming VPN we've ever tested, period. It can unblock tons of global Netflix libraries – UK, US, JP, CA, AU and more – as well as sites like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and more no matter where in the world you are. However, if streaming is your only reason for using a VPN, consider Surfshark. It's a lot cheaper, and performed just as well in our testing.
On the basic plan you'll get unlimited access to the VPN, Threat Protection Lite – which blocks malware and phishing links – as well as Meshnet.
Sign up to higher tiers, though, and you'll get access to a password manager, data breach scanning, the upgraded Threat Protection Pro, encrypted cloud storage and even cyber insurance. One excellent piece of news was that Threat Protection Pro was certified as an anti-phishing tool by AV-Comparitives – very impressive for a cheap add-on.
In our last round of reviews we delved into a number of malware-blocking tools that are offered by VPNs. Nord's Threat Protection Pro performed best out of every one we tested, blocking 87% of phishing sites, and 79% of malware sites. Compared to Proton's NetShield, which blocked 19% and 11% respectively, this is a very good performance.
Of course, it would be nice if this was included in the base plan, but seeing as Nord starts at such a reasonable price, it's nice to be able to configure what you pay for rather than paying over the odds and never using half the features available
With a 30-day money-back guarantee and some attractive deals running throughout the year, NordVPN is an elite service that has well and truly earned itself the top spot on this guide. It's not perfect, but it's closer than any of its rivals.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Desktop apps are excellent but a little busy on mobile. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Easy to get started, although map-based interface splits opinion. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest with an average speed of 950 Mbps. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Effortlessly unblocks most content streaming platforms. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Strong encryption with additional features like Threat Protection. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Reliable 24/7 customer support. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Provides ample value for the price. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Surfshark: the best cheap VPN
✅ You're looking for quality on a budget. Surfshark is an absolute bargain, and you get a huge amount for the price.
✅ You have a need for speed. Surfshark is reliably the quickest VPN we've tested.
✅ You have tons of devices. Surfshark's has an unlimited simultaneous connections policy, meaning you can use one plan on as many devices as you like.
❌ You want reliable malware blocking. Surfshark's CleanWeb performed poorly in our phishing and malware tests – NordVPN's Threat Protection is better.
❌ You're a hardcore torrenter. Surfshark is perfectly capable of torrenting, but if this is your main reason for buying a VPN, consider ExpressVPN or PIA.
Surfshark isn't just a great bargain – although it is very affordable. The privacy features it offers are right up there with the very best, and it's seriously powerful when it comes to streaming. It's not quite the full package that NordVPN is, but for the price, it's unbeatable.
If you're looking for the best 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 #2 is seriously impressive.
In our latest Surfshark review, we saw the Netherlands-based provider continue to improve. Previously, we detected a problem with Surfshark's kill switch, but we can happily report that this has now been remedied. It was never a huge problem – we wouldn't have recommended the VPN at all if it was – but the team has listened to our feedback, and now the kill switch is as rock-solid as that of NordVPN or ExpressVPN. This, combined with consistent performance elsewhere, has seen it jump ahead of ExpressVPN into second place in our rankings.
Just like NordVPN, Surfshark's connection speeds have remained reliably rapid, maxing our our test connection at 950+ Mbps when using WireGuard. Even more impressive, though, is that it reached the same speeds when using OpenVPN.
While many VPNs can reach around 900 Mbps when using WireGuard, Surfshark is the only provider that can do the same with OpenVPN. This is unheard of, and if you know that you'll be using OpenVPN a lot, it's the one to go for.
Surfshark is also excellent for streaming video, and the service unblocked every service we tried it with on the first time. This is as good a performance as NordVPN – and for the price, it's a real bargain when you think about how much extra content you're unlocking for yourself.
Surfshark has been hard at work on extra features like MultiHop, and Nexus. According to the company, "connecting to Nexus means that your traffic gets routed through a whole network of servers rather than a single VPN tunnel." Decentralizing your connection is a very interesting innovation, and it's great that Surfshark is exploring new ways to improve VPNs as a whole.
Currently, Nexus offers an IP Rotator – your IP address will be changed every 15 minutes or so – and an IP Randomizer feature is coming soon. This will change your IP address every time you visit a new website
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 limited to the command line. Very impressive for a VPN that costs well under $2.50 a month.
Alternative ID is another nifty feature built in to Surfshark. With it, you can create spoof email addresses and fake aliases that will forward mail to your real address, and can be deleted at any time. This is great for signing up to newsletters for discounts, or even listing online when selling a product. Something new we noticed in our last review is that Surfshark's Chrome extension can now autofill forms with your Alt ID info – very hany.
A fresh addition to Alternative ID is Alternative Number, which allows you to create a spoof phone number to protect your own from spam. This is perfect for using when advertising online, and while there are still a few limitations with it, it's an excellent addition that's not available from any other VPN.
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.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Minimalistic, clean, and intuitive design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Beginner-friendly and easy to understand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Seriously quick and almost on par with NordVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Great at unblocking streaming apps and getting around censorship | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Very reliable, although the malware and phishing add-on could be improved | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Decent 24/7 customer support and tons of help articles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Cheap VPN with excellent value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
ExpressVPN: the best VPN for ease of use
✅ You're looking for a simple, streamlined experience. ExpressVPN is powerful, but has a super simple interface that makes it the best VPN for beginners.
✅ You want to stream global content. From Netflix to Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer, ExpressVPN is super reliable.
✅ You value your privacy. Whether you're in the US, Europe, or even China, ExpressVPN's countless audits and history of protecting its users should inspire confidence.
❌ You're on a strict budget. ExpressVPN certainly isn't the cheapest on the market. Those looking for a better price may want to consider NordVPN or Surfshark.
❌ You want a fuller suite of software. Despite the introduction of the password manager Keys, other VPNs like NordVPN offer a wider range of additional features.
ExpressVPN is perfect if you're not hugely tech-savvy, and just want rock-solid privacy and great streaming performance. Since our last round of testing, it has dropped from 2 to 3 in our rankings due to both its higher price and its fairly slim selection of extra features outside the core VPN, but that being said, it has a very good history of protecting its users, and is a joy to use.
ExpressVPN has two things at heart: excellent privacy, and super-simple applications. Thanks to that, we rate it as the best VPN for beginners, and in our latest ExpressVPN review, we found that a couple of key areas have improved.
On paper, the numbers are reassuring: over 3,000 servers in 160 locations spread across 105 countries around the world, a kill switch, split tunneling, and obfuscated servers. These have been stable for a long time now, but realistically, we don't need to see expansion here.
Of course, some providers like Proton and NordVPN have way more servers overall, but the quality of the servers is far more important than the sheer number of them. From conversations I've had with the ExpressVPN dev team, it's clear that they invest in smaller numbers of powerful servers rather than lots of cheap ones, and the slightly smaller number of servers isn't a downside. What's more, it has an impressive range in Asia, which is often neglected by other providers.
All apps use AES-256 encryption, which is the industry standard, paired with OpenVPN and Lightway protocols. Lightway is the standout here - the in-house, open-source protocol delivers excellent speeds of around 900 Mbps, while OpenVPN tops out at around 170 Mbps.
It's worth noting that in our last round of reviews, we discovered that the way we were testing speeds (using a cloud PC) put ExpressVPN at a disadvantage, although it's still hard to pin down exactly why this is. When we adjusted our method, ExpressVPN's speeds shot up, meaning that one of our biggest complaints about the provider has been fixed. However, if you're after maximum speed, go with NordVPN or Surfshark.
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.
Its apps are pleasant to use and are very consistent across the board – once you've used one on any device, you've used them all – and the range of supported systems 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. On top of that, I also rate it as the best iPhone VPN thanks to its excellent apps.
One of the most common reasons to download a VPN is to access geo-restricted streaming content, and ExpressVPN is a great choice for this. In my testing, it unblocked a number of Netflix locations, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and works impeccably for regional TV channels around the world. We did have a couple of hiccups with Australian and Japanese Netflix libraries – but the majority of times we tried to access these locations, everything worked perfectly.
ExpressVPN doesn't have the breadth of additional privacy tools compared to rivals like NordVPN. ExpressVPN's free password manager Keys is a nice addition, but when you consider NordVPN offers things like Meshnet, Threat Protection Pro – better than ExpressVPN's own Threat Manager – a data breach scanner and even cyber insurance, Express looks a little limited.
What's more, even with the introduction of the 2-year plan, ExpressVPN is still considerably more expensive than both NordVPN and Surfshark. It may be tricky to justify the extra spend unless you really need a VPN to be super simple to use.
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 an excellent package that's well suited to experts and newbies alike – and I think that premium price is well worth it if simplicity and privacy are your biggest concerns.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Simple, navigable design that’s easy on your eyes and straightforward to understand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Beginner-friendly, little to no expertise needed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Reliable and very fast, although some others deliver higher peak speeds. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Servers in 160 locations and 90 countries ensure limitless content | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Top-notch security with 256-bit AES encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Expert assistance is available 24/7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Slightly more expensive than other options | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN for privacy
✅ You're looking for a decent free plan. While Proton's free service can't match up to its paid plan, it's still very useful for emergencies.
✅ You want a provider that advocates for internet freedom. Proton as a company has demonstrated its commitment to internet freedom by offering, among other things, free servers dedicated to accessing Deutsche Welle's unbiased reporting.
✅ You need servers in Africa or Asia. Proton has the best spread of locations in these continents.
❌ You're looking for a bargain. Proton is fairly pricey when compared to the likes of PIA and Surfshark – although Tom's Guide readers get an extra discount.
❌ You want comprehensive support. Proton VPN has excellent articles on-site, but finding them can be complex, and live chat isn't 24/7
Proton VPN has been around for a long time, but in the last couple of years it's shown a lot of improvement, and it definitely one to consider alongside the big names. It's fairly easy to use, but also offers a number of extra features – and it's very effective when it comes to streaming. Extra apps including a password manager, secure email, and even cloud storage, so you can protect your whole ecosystem if you fancy. If you want to try it out, it offers one of the best free VPNs, too.
Swiss-based privacy provider Proton is best known for Proton Mail, but in our latest Proton VPN review, we found that it's right up there with the very best. In fact, it has jumped up to position 4 in this guide, overtaking the venerable Private Internet Access.
In my latest round of testing, speeds have stayed very impressive. Again, we saw connections of over 950 Mbps when using WireGuard. This matches the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark, and is a big positive over the likes of PIA and ExpressVPN.
What's more, when using the old faithful OpenVPN (essential for Stealth Mode), we saw speeds of up to 220 Mbps. That's very fast, although not quite up there with Surfshark or PIA.
You'll also get a comprehensive zero-logging policy and strong encryption, and Proton VPN will certainly appeal to those looking to use their VPN for absolute online privacy. In July 2024, it passed a third no-logs audit, and it's great to see this consistent commitment to protecting its users.
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 streaming testing 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.
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.
If you're a fan of Proton as a whole, it also offers Proton Mail, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, and Proton Calendar. These all offer the same protections that the VPN does, meaning that you can effectively keep everything you do safe within the Proton ecosystem. These are all available under one "Proton Unlimited" subscription – which is actually fairly affordable at $9.99 per month.
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.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Intuitive and dynamic design with the dark mode as a standout | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Some desktop features may be too technical for regular users to understand | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Seriously fast and up there with the best | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks most sites on the paid subscription | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | State-of-the-art security with Swiss law protection and an independent audit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Decent response time with countless guides | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Not the most budget-friendly, but there’s a free plan for new users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Other quality VPNs I've tested
I think that one of either NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, 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 ExpressVPN to the absolute bargain that is Surfshark.
However, if you have a very particular feature you're looking for, there are plenty of other trusted providers to choose from. Below I'll run down a number of other VPNs I'm comfortable recommending – and while they're not quite as versatile and well-rounded as my top picks, they could still be worth considering if it provides a niche feature you're looking for.
✅ You're a Linux user. PIA is an excellent VPN for Linux users, and is one of the few providers to offer a native GUI (Surfshark being another).
✅ You want proof of a no-logs policy. PIA has had its claim of no logging proven in court twice. That's just about as reliable proof as you're going to get.
✅ You want a server in every US state. This is perfect for getting around things like sporting blackouts and shopping restrictions, or doing research on medical procedures banned in your state.
❌ You prioritize connection speed. With peak speeds of around 430 Mbps in my testing, PIA certainly isn't slow – but there are much faster out there.
❌ You value simplicity. PIA definitely presents as more of an 'expert' option, meaning that newbies could be intimidated by the additional functionality and settings.
Private Internet Access is the exact opposite of ExpressVPN: it's cheap, has tons of customizable features, and at times, it's a bit complicated to use. The brand often interacts with its userbase and develops the features they want, and it's also excellent for streaming.
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.
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 over 90 available countries and you've got yourself quite the spread.
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. We've expanded my streaming testing even further this time round, and as an improvement on last time, PIA was able to unblock every single service.
PIA really stands out when you get under the surface a little. It has all the basics like a kill switch and split tunneling, but there's are some genuinely valuable extras that experts will love. For example, for those looking for the best VPN for torrenting, PIA's port forwarding ability gives you a ton of flexibility when it comes to setting up how your device routes your traffic.
Other more expert features include adjusting your MTU size, the MACE ad blocker, a powerful automation system, variable encryption levels and VPN obfuscation. Admittedly, for the vast majority of people much of that will go unused, but if you're a proper techie who likes to get stuck into the settings, PIA is a dream.
Similar to Surfshark, Private Internet Access also offers all subscribers unlimited simultaneous connections. This means that you can keep as many devices as you like protected – and potentially share your details with your family and friends if you're feeling generous. For some, this might not be a huge selling point, but for gadget obsessives, it's a must-have feature.
In April 2024, Private Internet Access passed an independent audit of its server network, and this confirms that it aligns with all the company's claims. Combined with its audited privacy policy and proven no-logs policy, PIA has some clout when it comes to privacy.
PIA certainly isn't perfect, though. If you're a beginner just looking for simple, accessible applications to help protect you online, PIA probably isn't the best choice. The amount of customisation is great for those who'll use it, but quite simply a bit much for those who won't.
Connections speeds are also a little behind the pack. Topping out at around 430 Mbps in my testing, it's certainly not slow, but it's nothing like the 950+ Mbps I've seen from NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, and even Mullvad.
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. But, if you're after simplicity, Surfshark or ExpressVPN will likely be better for you.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Loads of customization options, can be a bit overwhelming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Great for tech-savvy users, not too beginner-friendly | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Decent speeds but falls behind the industry heavyweights like NordVPN and Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | 20,000+ servers in 91 countries for smooth and fast content unblocking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Best-in-class encryption with a proven no-log policy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Adequate resources, plenty of guides, and a contact form to reach the team | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | One of the cheapest VPNs, all the more ideal for the long term. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✅ You're looking for a bargain. Often almost hitting the $2-a-month barrier, CyberGhost is very affordable
✅ You want a long refund period. CyberGhost gives you 45 days to make up your mind, rather than the industry-standard 30.
✅ You like easy-to-use apps. Clean and clear, CyberGhost's apps are super intuitive.
❌ You want to use lots of devices. Instead of allowing you to log in and out to make the most of your simultaneous connections, CyberGhost only allows 7 installations. To use another device, you'll have to remove it completely.
❌ You need top-tier support. CyberGhost's support is decent, but nothing like the quality of ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
CyberGhost is an established provider that's trusted by an incredible 36 million users. It's private and secure, and its apps are great to use. However, it falls a little behind the pack when it comes to streaming, and its device limit is quite restrictive, especially if you're sharing within your household.
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 11,000 servers, CyberGhost has one of the largest server networks in the industry, and with a spread of 100 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 760 Mbps, 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.
This can be a real pain if you're right on the edge of how many devices you're active on. We'd implore CyberGhost to change this silly feature – why not go unlimited like fellow Kape Technologies-owned provider PIA?
Back to positives, 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, iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
Some smaller streaming sites like the Australian site 10Play were unavailable, however, and the likes of ExpressVPN, 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.
Overall, CyberGhost is a cheap, effective VPN provider that impresses when it comes to torrenting and general privacy. However, it's honestly quite outclassed by the providers above.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Very nice to use, with good customization. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Simple layout means it's great for beginners and experts alike. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Great performance, and only outsped by the very fastest. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Claims to have dedicated streaming servers, but sometimes failed to access Netflix and Disney+. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Good baseline tech with an audit from Deloitte. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Not bad, but customer support agents could be more helpful. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Excellent price considering what you're getting. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✅ You're after a quality Chrome extension. Windscribe offers the best standalone proxy Chrome extension available, which is great for quickly accessing blocked sites and changing location.
✅ You want the best ad- and tracker-blocker. Windscribe's blocking tech is some of the best I've tested.
❌ You want a premium plan. While the free plan is excellent, if you're willing to pay, there are much better options.
❌ You want an audited VPN. While Windscribe is open-source, it's fallen behind the competition in terms of independent auditing.
Windscribe absolutely shines when it come to the things it gives you for free. You'll get a generous amount of servers, and a great proxy extension that I use day-to-day at Tom's Guide. However, paid plans are expensive and complicated, and the vast majority of users will want to look elsewhere when parting with their cash.
Our expert Windscribe review found the provider offers an excellent free version that gives users 10 GB of data a month, but it also offers a 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. One failure I did notice, however, was unblocking amazon Prime Video.
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 an excellent 950 Mbps.
This matches up to the very fastest providers on the market, and it's great to see Windscribe pushing more established [players like this.
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.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fairly well laid out, but the UI is quite cramped | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not too tricky, but others are simpler to get going with. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest I've tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Impressive, with the only issue being Japanese Netflix. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Solid code and open-source, but no audit. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | No live chat, but the knowledgebase is good. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | The free plan offers a lot, but the paid plan is simply too expensive. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
✅ You want unlimited connections. Just like Surfshark, a single IPVanish plan can be used on unlimited devices.
✅ You're a fan of in-depth interfaces. IPVanish has slightly toned down its techiness, but it still shows tons of data in the app.
❌ You want to pay the same price forever. Be aware that if you don't cancel and resubscribe at the end of your plan, prices go through the roof.
❌ You're a Netflix addict. IPVanish is a decent VPN when it comes to streaming, but it can't unblock some niche locations like Japan Netflix.
IPVanish has been around for a long time, and is pretty good across the board. It's fast, decent for streaming, and offers plenty of customization. However, compared to the leading providers, it hasn't quite kept up with the pack.
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 good speeds of around 770 Mbps when using WireGuard, which is respectable, but down a little since my last test.
Its OpenVPN speeds are good but nothing special, at around 230 Mbps in my testing, but most users will be using WireGuard 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 Netflix Australia.
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.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fairly attractive, but complex to navigate | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not as easy as many other providers | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Very good speeds of around 770Mbps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Pretty reliable, but not flawless | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Audited, reliable, and trustworthy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Articles aren't hugely helpful, although live chat is available | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Decent to begin with, but renewals hikes are hefty | ⭐⭐⭐ |
✅ Privacy is your #1 concern. Mullvad doesn't require you to submit any identifying info. That means no email address, no name, no nothing.
✅ You want to pay with cold, hard cash. Mullvad is one of the only VPNs that accepts posted cash as payment.
❌ You want to stream content. Mullvad isn't set up for streaming, nor is this a priority for the provider. Go for ExpressVPN, Nord, or Surfshark if this is a deal-breaker.
❌ You're after a cheap choice. No matter how long you sign up for, you'll be paying $6/€5 a month. No discounts or deals here.
Mullvad is well-known and widely recommended online for its privacy features, and I can't disagree. For those looking for a very private VPN service, it's a good choice, but in terms of streaming, speed, app features and general usability, it can't compete with the top three.
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.
On that connection speed note, though, in my last testing it topped out at a very impressive 950 Mbps – just as fast as the highest flyers.
What's more, though, is that when using OpenVPN, Mullvad outpaced every other provider I tested except for Surfshark, topping out at a heady 410 Mbps. If you'll be using OpenVPN and don't care about streaming, it could be a great choice.
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.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Pretty simple apps on most devices. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not the easiest, and assumes a bit of knowledge. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Good speeds using both WireGuard and OpenVPN. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Can access blocked websites on occasion, but absolutely no streaming sites are unblocked. | ⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Privacy-first business model inspires confidence | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Email support is swift and knowledgeable, and almost makes up for the lack of live chat. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Quite expensive, but at least there are no price hikes. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
✅ You want to delve deep into your settings. Hide.me offers almost unparalleled customization of its settings.
✅ You need cloud storage. The bundled Internxt cloud storage is a bonus – if you'll use it.
❌ You're a beginner. Hide.me's customization is a double-edged sword – if you don't really know what you're doing, you're better off with a simpler provider like ExpressVPN or Surfshark.
❌ You're a Mac user. Hide.me's Mac offering doesn't quite match up with its other platforms.
If you're looking for powerful, customizable VPN solution, then Hide.me might be well up your alley. However, when compared to the elite providers like ExpressVPN, PIA, and NordVPN, there's little it does better, and it's just not as nice to use.
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 950 Mbps 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.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Plenty of options for those who want them, although Mac app is underpowered. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Great for tech-savvy users, not too beginner-friendly. | ⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Good speeds, but slower than last time i tested it | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Good access to a lot of sites, but some inconsistency. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Decent feature-set and encryption, but a kill switch issue and dated audit hold it back. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Good articles and fair live-chat support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Great pricing on longer plans | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
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.
Article sources
A virtual private network (VPN) is "a type of communication tunnel that is highly secure for private services and communication over the internet." See Cybersecurity fundamentals: a real-world perspective by Kutub Thakur and Al Sakib Khan Pathan (CRC Press, 2020).
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.
Complete industry standings
| Provider | Row 0 - Cell 1 | Summary |
| 1. NordVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Our choice of the best VPN with unrivaled privacy features and apps for tons of platfoms.. |
| 2. ExpressVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Very high quality service with simple, effective apps and excellent privacy. |
| 3. Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Our choice as the best cheap VPN, and also the fastest I've tested. |
| 4. Private Internet Access | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Excellent for Linux thanks to a dedicated GUI, and the no-logs policy has been proven in court twice. |
| 5. Proton VPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Great paid and free plans, with the option of a wider security suite. |
| 6. CyberGhost | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Easy to use, fast, and cheap – a good choice for newbies. |
| 7. Windscribe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Free plans standout more than paid, and the Chrome extension is very useful. |
| 8. IPVanish | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | An established provider that's still top-tier, but lags behind the best |
| 9. Mullvad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | A very privacy-focused VPN that even accepts cash, but don't expect to stream with it. |
| 10. Hide.me | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Fast, and great for those who like to tinker with settings under the hood. |
| 11. PrivadoVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The very best free service, with extraordinary Netflix unblocking performance. |
| 12. TunnelBear | ⭐⭐⭐½ | Simple and effective, but too basic for all but the lightest users. |
| 13. PureVPN | ⭐⭐⭐½ | Well-known for its incredibly cheap deals. |
| 14. Hotspot Shield | ⭐⭐⭐½ | Speedy VPN with a few interesting features. |
| 15. StrongVPN | ⭐⭐⭐ | Mid-range provider that's making improvements. |
| 16. VyprVPN | ⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent for evading VPN blocks in countries like China, but generally outclassed elsewhere. |
| 17. AstrillVPN | ⭐⭐⭐ | Another provider known for its excellent performance in China |
| 18. Norton VPN | ⭐⭐⭐ | Secure but feature-poor bundled VPN from AV giant. |
| 19. AirVPN | ⭐⭐½ | Hacktivist-built provider that sits in the mid-tier. |
| 20. TorGuard | ⭐⭐½ | Useful VPN for torrenting and accessing overseas websites. |
How to choose the right VPN
The competition between the best VPNs becomes stiffer every time I re-review all the different providers – and with new features and usability tweaks coming regularly from the developers, change is always on the horizon.
When choosing the right VPN for you, it's worth considering what you'll be using it for. Will you be wanting to stream tons of global Netflix libraries? If so, in my testing NordVPN proved slightly more effective than ExpressVPN with Netflix. If you're a beginner, though, ExpressVPN's beautifully streamlined interface will likely appeal more.
Linux users will want a GUI, so Private Internet Access will look appealing, while those with tons of devices will appreciate Surfshark's unlimited simultaneous connections policy.
In short, make note of your must-haves from your VPN. Then read through my complete list, perhaps delving into my expert reviews, and then sign up to the one that ticks the most boxes.
How we test the best VPN services
When it comes to recommending a product that users will entrust with quite possibly every byte of their online life, I have to be absolutely sure that my choices are correct, and thoroughly tested.
For a comprehensive rundown, check out out our full methodology of how we test VPNs. For the time-poor, though, here are the crib notes.
Unlike some sites, I don't simply reel off a spec sheet and declare the provider with most impressive claims the winner. Instead, I work with our dedicated in-house team that gets hands-on with all the providers listed (and more).
Every 6 months, after scouring the website for new claimed features or changes in policy, we sign up to a plan and install it on a range of devices. The Windows app sees the most rigorous testing, and it's here that we'll try to break the kill switch, ensure any leak protection is working correctly, and measure connection speeds.
The other apps, including the Mac VPN and Android VPN, also see comprehensive testing, and we'll check every available setting in every app to make sure it's functioning as promised by the provider.
As we use the apps, if anything appears to be behaving strangely we'll investigate that. We might dig into the source code, or view the contents of its RAM. This general usage stage is also how we make decisions on aesthetics and ease of use – although these are admittedly more subjective.
Then comes the streaming testing. We'll test each VPN with all the big streaming sites from a number of locations to ensure it's working as claimed. As Netflix is still hugely popular and somewhat troublesome when it comes to VPNs, we test the biggest providers every month to make sure my recommendations are still relevant.
The experts that test VPNs at Tom's Guide
These are the experts who have tested, reviewed, and ranked the best VPNs in this guide:
Mo is VPN Editor at Tom's Guide. He's covered VPNs since 2020, and in that time he has helped test and review over 100 providers. Mo handles the day-to-day testing of VPNs, making sure that they work for real people in real situations. He also undertakes ongoing streaming testing to make sure these services can unblock everything they claim, and produces video content to discuss and demonstrate the software.
Anthony Spadafora is the Senior Security and Networking Editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and malware to password managers. He also undertakes VPN testing for Tom's Guide and TechRadar, which includes running all of our US-based speed tests.
What's the fastest VPN?
Good connection speeds are incredibly important to VPN users – if a VPN slows your internet to a crawl it's unlikely to be used regularly, leaving more devices unprotected. And, now that one of the most common uses for VPNs is streaming, being able to load HD and 4K content without buffering is more important than ever.
In my review process, I test every VPN service on a 1 Gbps line. I measure the speeds with a number of tools, including the Ookla SpeedTest website and CLI, nPerf, Netflix's Fast, and others. I then take the average (median) of each tool's results to generate an accurate range of speeds. I repeat these tests morning and evening to ensure accuracy.
In my most recent testing, Surfshark and NordVPN proved to be the fastest providers, just about maxing out my 1 Gbps connection at 950+ Mbps.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | WireGuard or proprietary | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| 1. NordVPN | over 950 Mbps (maxed out my line) | 140 Mbps |
| 2. Surfshark | over 950 Mbps (maxed out my line) | 130 Mbps |
| 3. IPVanish | over 950 Mbps (maxed out my line) | 225 Mbps |
| 4. Windscribe | over 950 Mbps (maxed out my line) | 330 Mbps |
| 5. Hide.me | over 950 Mbps (maxed out my line) | 260 Mbps |
| 6. Norton VPN | over 950 Mbps (maxed out my line) | 240 Mbps |
| 7. Mullvad | 900 Mbps | 530 Mbps |
| 8. PrivadoVPN | 880 Mbps | 130 Mbps |
| 9. Atlas VPN | 860 Mbps | N/A |
| 10. ExpressVPN | 750 Mbps | 230 Mbps |
| 11. FastestVPN | 730 Mbps | 170 Mbps |
| 12. PureVPN | 650 Mbps | 140 Mbps |
| 13. CyberGhost | 630 Mbps | 360 Mbps |
| 14. Private VPN | 610 Mbps | 110 Mbps |
| 15. Hotspot Shield | 570 Mbps | N/A |
| 16. TunnelBear | 500 Mbps | 310 Mbps |
| 17. Proton VPN | 460 Mbps | 350 Mbps |
| 18. Private Internet Access | 360 Mbps | 310 Mbps |
| 19. Mozilla VPN | 360 Mbps | N/A |
| 20. Google One | 345 Mbps | N/A |
| 21. VyprVPN | 325 Mbps | 105 Mbps |
| 22. Astrill VPN | 390 Mbps (inconsistent testing results) | N/A |
Which VPNs work with Netflix?
Netflix is still the most popular online streaming service, and it also turns out it's now one of the most problematic for VPNs.
Netflix shows different content in different countries, so US subscribers will be able to watch different shows to those in the UK, Japan, or Germany. By using a VPN, though, you can virtually change your location, but recent updates by the streamer means that its VPN detection and blocking tech is more effective than ever.
I test the top providers every month (at a minimum) to make sure my recommendations are up to date. Below, I'll outline which locations the best VPN services can currently unblock.
- ExpressVPN: UK, US, Australia, Canada, Japan
- Proton VPN: UK, US, Australia, Canada, Japan
- Surfshark: US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan
- NordVPN: US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan
- IPVanish: US, UK, Japan
- Hotspot Shield: US, UK, Canada, Japan
- CyberGhost: US, UK, Canada, Japan
Best VPN FAQs
How do I choose the best VPN service?
Choosing the best VPN for can be a tricky process – that's why I've put together this comprehensive guide. However, for most people, I'd recommend my #1 VPN NordVPN as the best choice.
It works great as a VPN for Netflix, a torrenting VPN, and even an iPlayer VPN, so whatever you need your VPN to do, it's got you covered – all the while keeping you protected with its rock-solid encryption.
For beginners, ExpressVPN will be a better choice. It's just as powerful and secure, but the apps are streamlined in a way that makes it incredibly easy to use and simply set and forget.
If you're after a cheap service, I'd also recommend bargain VPN Surfshark as a great option. It's not as fully-featured as Nord, but it's usually available for around $2.49 a month.
Is it illegal to have a VPN?
Short answer – no.
Using a VPN is not illegal, and it's perfectly legitimate to want to protect your data and activity. Having one on your computer and using it regularly in pursuit of watertight web security and location spoofing is in no way unlawful.
However, using a VPN to hide illegal activity doesn't make you above the law, so downloading copyrighted material is still illegal even with a VPN. Similarly, using a VPN goes slap bang against Netflix's Ts&Cs, and the provider has the right to terminate your subscription if they catch you – although that's never actually happened.
Countries like China and the UAE have made laws against VPN use, but due to their use in business it's impossible to outlaw VPNs outright. However, in those cases it's well worth reading up on what you may or may not be permitted to use a VPN for, and consider if the very small risk is worth taking.
What makes a great VPN?
The most basic qualities you should look for are speed, privacy and ease of use. These might seem like basic attributes, but in reality few providers have found a happy medium.
Connection speed relies on having a wide range of well-maintained servers. This allows the VPN to provide excellent speed and bandwidth to everyone using its servers.
Having excellent security is a fairly basic requirement, but hard to get right. If you're concerned about that, make sure your VPN has an airtight privacy policy, and a no-logging policy is even better. Some services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have also been independently audited to prove their claims.
Finally, although many users might be au fait with tech, more and more newbies are looking to start using VPNs. If that's you, it's definitely worth making sure that your provider has well-designed apps on all the devices you expect to use with the service.
Are no-fee VPNs any good?
Naturally, free services are very popular products because everyone likes to save their money. And, they can be handy bits of software if you're not somebody that's likely to keep their VPN turned on all the time and just want it for occasional use for staying safe on public Wi-Fi. Oh, and if you don't mind ads...
For most people, though, free services provide a false economy. They tend to have limited servers in just a handful of locations, often restrict you to a single device and almost always have a limit on the amount data you can use per day or month.
Those data limits rule out using your VPN for streaming or torrenting, and if you want to keep your VPN running 24/7 for a permanent privacy layer, a no-fee VPN just isn't going to work.
What VPN protocols are there?
There are several different VPN protocols, not all of which are used by all of the VPN services I have reviewed. Most operating systems have built-in support for at least one of these protocols, which means you can use that protocol – and a willing VPN service – without client software. The full-fledged VPN services have online instructions for how to do this, as well as how to set up routers to connect directly to the services.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN is very secure, open-source and widely used. Most VPN services support it, but except for Chrome OS and Linux, few operating systems do. This protocol can be used in either TCP (web) or UDP (streaming) mode; the latter is sloppier but faster. You'll need either the VPN service's client software or one of the many free alternatives. Either way, you'll still need to pay for the VPN service.
L2TP/IPsec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with Internet Protocol Security): L2TP is not secure itself, so it's generally paired with the IPsec secure-networking standard. The combination of the two was once thought to be very secure when properly implemented, but some VPN services suggest that you use OpenVPN instead. L2TP/IPsec has native support in Windows, OS X/macOS, Android, Chrome OS and iOS. Most VPN services support it.
IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2, generally with IPsec): This is a new-ish standard that is very secure when properly implemented. It has native support in Windows, iOS and recent versions of OS X/macOS.
SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol): SSTP is a Microsoft protocol with native support on Windows Vista and later versions. It's thought to be quite secure, but only Microsoft knows for sure.
PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol): This standard is largely obsolete, with many known security flaws, but it's fast. It has native support built into Windows, Android and older versions of Mac OS X and iOS; Apple dropped support with macOS Sierra and iOS 10. Use PPTP only for streaming content, as it won't protect your data.
WireGuard: The newest of these protocols, WireGuard combines reportedly excellent security with great speeds. Developed from the ground up, it uses far less code than its predecessors, meaning a better, simpler user experience. However, it's not yet supported by many VPN services, although as it gains traction more and more are beginning to implement it. Some, like Mozilla VPN, solely use WireGuard.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
