In today’s digital world, where cyber threats are everywhere and online privacy is fragile, choosing the right VPN is essential. A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your traffic, helping you browse anonymously, protect your data from hackers and surveillance, and access region-restricted content. Skip the confusing options and flashy ads — our expert guide reveals the top VPNs offering strong security, fast speeds, and smooth streaming.
This guide covers the best VPNs of 2025, and how to choose the best service for your needs while protecting your privacy and security online. We’ll also explain how choosing the best VPN service works to safeguard your information and unblock content across devices.
Ranking VPNs is a challenging process because different users have different needs. From our standpoint, a good VPN needs to at least meet all of the following ranking criteria to be recommended:
- Passed all tests with no leaks that would expose your data online (no DNS or IP address leaks).
- Good performance throughout the network (speed and reliability). VPNs with a larger number of servers and locations tend to provide better performance and speed.
- High-quality VPN apps with all features working correctly.
- Supports secure VPN protocols with strong encryption standards.
- Offers a money-back guarantee.
- Trustworthy and well-established VPN provider with a good track record. Consider the VPN company’s reputation, privacy policies, and commitment to security.
- Strong privacy guarantees with a no logs policy (and bonus points if it’s been audited).
Top VPNs for 2025
Based on the criteria above, here are the top VPN services for 2025:
- NordVPN — Best all-around VPN with secure apps for all major devices and very fast speeds (over 900 Mbps). Great for streaming plus extra security features (with a 77% off coupon).
- Surfshark — Best VPN for many devices (unlimited connections). Visit site >
- Proton VPN — User-friendly and private VPN in Switzerland. Visit site >
- ExpressVPN — Secure and reliable VPN service. Visit site >
- IPVanish — Fast, secure, and audited VPN with excellent support for streaming. Visit site >
- CyberGhost — Secure, fast, private VPN in Romania. Visit site >
- Mullvad — Privacy-focused VPN in Sweden. Visit site >
- Trust.Zone — Basic, affordable VPN service. Visit site >
1. NordVPN — Best all-around VPN service in 2025
| Website | NordVPN.com |
| Based in | Panama |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $2.99/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Deal | 77% Off Coupon |
Let's talk NordVPN. We’ve tested dozens of VPNs again this year, but NordVPN keeps coming out on top with its blistering speed and advanced (and ever-growing) set of features for security and privacy. Whether you’re a casual streamer or a privacy power user, NordVPN gives you the rare combo of dead-simple apps and genuinely advanced tools without forcing you to choose between speed and security.
Powered by the NordLynx protocol (their refined take on WireGuard), we recorded a top download speed of 903 Mbps. This blows away both ExpressVPN and Surfshark in head-to-head tests. That speed is backed by a massive 8,700+ RAM-only servers in 174 locations (no hard drives means physically impossible to store logs), and Nord is rapidly swapping in self-owned 10 Gbps colocated servers for even better performance.
When it comes to actually using your subscription, NordVPN unblocks every major streaming platform: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more. And it can stream the content to Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux as well as other devices like Firesticks, Android TV boxes, and gaming consoles. Torrenters get dedicated P2P-optimized servers, port forwarding where available, and SOCKS5 proxy support for blazing-fast, fully anonymous downloads.
In short, if you want a single VPN that’s actually the best at speed, streaming, torrenting, and ironclad privacy, NordVPN is still the one to beat.
Standout Security & Privacy Features
Here’s what actually sets NordVPN apart from the pack:
- Threat Protection Pro — System-wide ad, tracker, malware, and phishing blocker + the new Email checker that scans links inside emails in real time. Stops threats before they reach your inbox.
- Double VPN servers — Routes traffic through two servers for double encryption. Extra layer for journalists & activists.
- Onion Over VPN servers — They pass your VPN traffic through the Tor network for maximum anonymity.
- Obfuscated servers and NordWhisper — Two different ways to hide your VPN traffic form censorship and blocks. Useful against censorship in China, schools, and workplaces.
- Kill switch + App kill switch — Internet cut-off if VPN drops; can kill specific apps too. No leaks, ever.
- Split tunneling — Choose which apps use the VPN. Bank securely while streaming locally.
- Audited no-logs policy — Multiple independent audits + public bug bounty program. Proven in court twice.
- Post-quantum encryption — Make your NordLynx connection resistant to future quantum computer attacks.
See all NordVPN features here >>
| NordVPN plans | Basic | Plus | Complete | Prime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-month | $12.99/month | $13.99/month | $14.99/month | $17.99/month |
| 1-year | $4.59/month | $5.49/month | $6.49/month | $8.49/month |
| 2-year | $2.99/month | $3.89/month | $4.89/month | $6.89/month |
Deal: Get 77% OFF NordVPN 2-year plans >
Refunds and support: All NordVPN subscription plans come with a full 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test out the VPN risk-free. They offer 24/7 live chat support through their website along with numerous guides and videos.
NordVPN's Cyber Deal is live:
Get 77% Off NordVPN subscriptions plus three extra months below:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30-day money-back guarantee.)
See our NordVPN review for more test results and analysis.
2. Surfshark — Best VPN for many devices (unlimited simultaneous connections)
| Website | Surfshark.com |
| Based in | The Netherlands |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $1.99/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Deal | 87% Off Coupon |
Surfshark is a great option if you are seeking an affordable yet feature-rich and secure VPN solution. While it has an extremely low starting price, Surfshark comes loaded with features, including an IP rotator feature that frequently changes your VPN IP address to enhance privacy and prevent tracking. It also offers a browser extension for quick access to VPN features directly within your web browser, great leak protection settings, access to numerous streaming services, and excellent performance.
Plus, there’s one big benefit with Surfshark that you don’t find with most other VPNs: Surfshark gives you an unlimited number of simultaneous connections under one subscription.
Surfshark maintains strong privacy protection policies and is a no-logs VPN based in The Netherlands. The Surfshark apps incorporate good leak protection features (kill switch) to ensure data remains encrypted and secure without any leaks. There is also a CleanWeb feature to block ads, trackers, and malware domains through the VPN. This is similar to the VPN ad blockers we tested with NordVPN and CyberGhost.
In performance testing, Surfshark has achieved speeds exceeding 750 Mbps, making it one of the fastest VPNs available.
Surfshark offers great security features and user-friendly VPN apps
Surfshark utilizes strong encryption with AES 256 and ChaCha20 ciphers. It supports both the OpenVPN protocols, known for their security and reliability, and IKEv2 VPN protocols, as well as WireGuard. Similar to our other top VPNs, Surfshark runs all servers in RAM-disk mode for added security. It offers 14 double-VPN server configurations, allowing you to encrypt traffic over two servers at the same time.
Similar to NordVPN, Surfshark offers a privacy-focused version of the WireGuard VPN protocol, which you can select right in the app settings. In our tests for the Surfshark review, the WireGuard VPN protocol outperformed most other services in terms of speed, as you can see in the Surfshark vs CyberGhost report.
See all Surfshark VPN features here >
The new and updated Surfshark apps are user-friendly and also loaded with features, without be overwhelming. You can easily select VPN server locations, adjust tunneling protocol options, connection settings, split tunneling, and more.
If you want to stream media and unblock websites, Surfshark is a great choice with 4,500+ servers in 100 countries around the world. It currently supports 16+ global Netflix regions, as well as most other streaming services, including BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney Plus. It is a great VPN for Android and iOS with dedicated mobile apps.
| Surfshark plans | Starter | One | One+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-month | $15.45/month | $17.95/month | $20.65/month |
| 1-year | $3.19/month | $2.99/month | $6.09/month |
| 2-year | $1.99/month | $2.49/month | $2.09/month |
Deal: Get 87% OFF Surfshark 2-year plans >
Refunds and support: All Surfshark subscription plans come with a full 30 day refund guarantee. They have 24/7 live chat support and many user setup guides.
See our Surfshark review for more test results and analysis.
3. Proton VPN — Simple, private VPN in Switzerland
| Website | ProtonVPN.com |
| Based in | Switzerland |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $2.49/mo. |
| Support | Email + Chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Deal | 75% Off Coupon |
You’ll love Proton VPN if privacy is your top priority. This service stands out for its strong focus on privacy and security. Built by the same Swiss team behind Proton Mail, it delivers rock-solid security with a strict no-logs policy that’s been independently audited, OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption respectively. Unlike NordVPN and Surfshark, Proton VPN uses encrypted servers rather than RAM-only servers with disk drives. While we prefer the RAM-only configuration, Proton VPNs encrypted drives can protect your data from most any attacks.
Here’s what you get in everyday use:
- NetShield ad and tracker blocker — think of it as Proton’s version of NordVPN’s Threat Protection.
- Secure Core (double-VPN) — routes your traffic through privacy-hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden before hitting the exit node.
- Great for streaming — reliably unblocks US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu in our latest tests.
- Torrent-friendly — P2P is allowed on most servers, though download speeds don’t quite match NordVPN or Surfshark.
- Stealth protocol — Allows Proton VPN to function on most restricted or censored networks.
Proton VPN has an enormous network, with over 16,900 servers in 127 countries, making it a strong contender among the best services.
| Proton VPN plans | Proton VPN Plus | Proton Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| 1-month | $9.99/month | $12.99/month |
| 1-year | $3.99/month | $9.99/month |
| 2-year | $2.49/month | $7.99/month |
Deal: Get 75% OFF Proton VPN 2-year plans >
Refunds and support: Proton VPN has a pro-rated 30-day refund policy and provides live chat support during Swiss business hours.
See the Proton VPN review for more test results and info.
4. ExpressVPN — Secure and reliable VPN service
| Website | ExpressVPN.com |
| Based in | British Virgin Islands |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $3.49/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Deal | 73% Off Coupon |
ExpressVPN remains a premium VPN service in 2025, delivering solid performance through its easy-to-use apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers while supporting up to 10 simultaneous connections. All apps include reliable leak protection and secure protocols, including the audited, open-source Lightway protocol (optimized for speed and privacy) and an enhanced WireGuard implementation with post-quantum encryption.
Multiple independent no-logs audits confirm that ExpressVPN never records your browsing activity, keeping your data completely private and shielded from your ISP. ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming because it reliably unblocks Netflix (including libraries in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and many more), HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, Sling TV, and virtually every other platform. A dedicated Fire TV Stick app and the MediaStreamer smart DNS service make it easy to use on smart TVs, Apple TV, and gaming consoles.
The network consists of over 3,000 servers across 105 countries (some virtual for hard-to-reach regions), delivering consistently fast connections worldwide thanks to Lightway. While ExpressVPN doesn’t use specialty servers, speeds remain excellent for any task.
Additional touches like port forwarding (on routers), plus Chrome and Firefox browser extensions, make ExpressVPN one of the most polished and user-friendly options available.
| ExpressVPN plans | Basic | Advanced | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-month | $12.99/month | $12.09/month | $19.99/month |
| 1-year | $4.99/month | $5.99/month | $8.99/month |
| 2-year | $3.49/month | $4.49/month | $7.49/month |
Deal: Get 73% OFF ExpressVPN 2-year plans >
Refunds and support: All ExpressVPN subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. They offer 24/7 live chat support as well as a large knowledge base with tutorials and videos.
Check out our ExpressVPN review for more info and test results.
5. IPVanish — Fast, secure, audited VPN, great for streaming and torrenting
| Website | IPVanish.com |
| Based in | USA |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $2.19/mo. |
| Support | Email and Chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Deal | 83% Off Coupon |
IPVanish is a solid mid-tier VPN that’s getting better fast — especially if you love streaming and need Fire TV/Apple TV support. Here’s what you’ll get in 2025:
- Streaming powerhouse — reliably unblocks US/UK Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, DAZN, and more in our latest tests.
- Strong security — AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, WireGuard + OpenVPN, audited no-logs policy, always-on kill switch, full leak protection, and Scramble obfuscation for restricted networks.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections — protect every device you own with one subscription.
- Fast and reliable VPN speed — IPVanish consistently delivers high connection speed, with minimal drops in download and upload speeds, making it ideal for streaming, privacy, and overall user experience.
- Rare native apps — dedicated Apple TV app + Firestick app with a working kill switch (most VPNs don’t offer this).
- Clean, beginner-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and routers.
IPVanish is also one of the few VPNs to offer a VPN app for Apple TV. Additionally, it has a VPN app for Firestick with a fully-functioning kill switch, which is rare.
| IPVanish plans | IPVanish Essential | IPVanish Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| 1-month | $12.99/month | $14.99/month |
| 1-year | $3.33/month | $4.49/month |
| 2-year | $2.19/month | $3.29/month |
Deal: Get 83% OFF IPVanish 2-year plans >
Lastly, IPVanish offers excellent customer support, including a 24/7 live chat feature and a 30 day money-back guarantee on yearly and 2-year plans.
See our IPVanish review for more info and the latest test results.
6. CyberGhost — User-friendly and versatile
| Website | CyberGhostVPN.com |
| Location | Romania |
| Price | $2.29/mo. |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Support | 24/7 chat; Email |
| Refund | 45 days |
CyberGhost is the beginner-friendly VPN you’ll actually enjoy using. It has no complicated settings, just one-click protection.
With thousands of servers in 100 countries, it delivers reliable speeds and includes dedicated streaming servers that unblock Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more without guesswork.
What makes CyberGhost stand out:
- Super-simple apps — perfect if you’re new to VPNs or just want something that “works.”
- Strong security — AES-256 encryption, a rock-solid kill switch, a strict no-logs policy (independently audited), and built-in malware protection to help block malicious sites and trackers.
- Can be bundled with antivirus software for comprehensive protection against malware, viruses, and other online threats.
- Dedicated IP option — great for remote work, banking, or avoiding CAPTCHA hell (add-on cost).
- Unlimited device connections — protect every phone, tablet, console, and smart TV in your house.
- 24/7 live chat support that actually responds fast.
- Longest money-back guarantee in the industry: 45 days (14 days on the 1-month plan).
Refunds and support: 45 days on longer plans and 15 days on the monthly plan.
Learn more in our CyberGhost VPN review.
7. Mullvad VPN — Swedish VPN focused on privacy
| VPN | Mullvad |
| Based in | Sweden |
| Logs | No logs |
| Price | $5.44/mo. |
| Support | |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Website | Mullvad.net |
Emphasizing privacy and security, Mullvad VPN offers a user-friendly option to VPN seekers. With a straightforward account setup process and anonymous payment options with cryptocurrency, Mullvad is a solid choice for privacy-minded people.
Mullvad offers many of the same privacy features we see with other top VPNs on this list. This includes content filtering to block ads, trackers, malware, and adult websites, as well as multi-hop VPN support.
While Mullvad does not have the largest network, the servers it does have are reliable and secure. But we did identify a few drawbacks when testing out the network for the Mullvad review:
- Captcha authentication challenges are a recurring struggle when using Mullvad, affecting the everyday usability of the service
- Streaming services, such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer were consistently blocked in our tests
While Mullvad certainly excels in the privacy and security categories, streaming is not one of its strongest areas. Additionally, with a smaller network of servers, it may not be the best VPN for gaming if you are looking to minimize latency and have the fastest speeds.
Refunds and support: 30 day refund window with all subscriptions along with email support (no live chat).
See the Mullvad VPN review for more info.
8. Trust.Zone — Basic VPN with above average performance
| VPN | Trust.Zone |
| Based in | Seychelles |
| Logs | No logs |
| Price | $1.77/mo. |
| Support | |
| Refund | 10 days |
| Website | Trust.Zone |
Trust.Zone is a smaller, privacy-focused VPN based in Seychelles, which is another good offshore privacy jurisdiction. It offers basic, user-friendly VPN apps for Windows, iOS, and Android with built-in leak protection. Additionally, Trust.Zone supports other operating systems through third-party apps, such as Tunnelblick and OpenVPN Connect. Trust.Zone VPN works across a wide range of devices and platforms, making it easy to protect your privacy whether you use a desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
Trust.Zone boasts a good selection of servers around the world, despite being a smaller VPN. It supports the WireGuard protocol, but it requires custom setup and configuration. You will need to download config files from TrustZone and then import these into the WireGuard client.
Speed tests for the Trust.Zone review were good, with most servers around my full baseline speed. Trust.Zone supports streaming US Netflix and Hulu, and also does not restrict torrenting on their network. It is one of the best VPNs with a free trial, allowing you to test the service without entering any payment info.
If you want to give Trust.Zone a test run, you can do so completely free for 3 GB of bandwidth or 3 days, whichever comes first.
Refunds and support: TrustZone has a 10 day refund window as long as you don't exceed 1 GB of data. Support is available through email (no live chat).
Get a 3 Day Free Trial of Trust.Zone VPN >>
See also the Trust.Zone review for more details.
How to choose the best VPN
Given the plethora of services on the market, selecting the one that best suits your needs can be challenging. Several factors should be considered when selecting a VPN, including:
- Security: Look for AES-256 or ChaCha20, the industry leading encryption standards used by all the top VPNs, secure protocols (WireGuard/Lightway/OpenVPN), a reliable kill switch, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and extras like ad/tracker blocking.
- Privacy: Demand a strict, independently audited no-logs policy and give extra credit for a headquarters in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
- Speed: All the VPNs we recommend here are fast enough for 4K streaming and gaming.
- Network: While all the VPNs covered here have servers in key countries around the world, a general rule of thumb is more servers in more locations is better.
- Device support & simultaneous connections: Native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, plus the ability to support at least 5 devices actively using the VPN at once.
- Streaming performance: If you stream video, your VPN must reliably unblock Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, etc.
- Torrenting: If you are into torrenting, a VPN should have P2P-optimized servers with good speeds and no bandwidth limits.
- Ease of use & support: Beginner-friendly apps and 24/7 live chat that actually solves problems.
- Value & guarantee: Low long-term price + at least a 30-day money-back guarantee. Many VPN companies offer discounts for long-term subscriptions, making them more affordable than monthly plans.
When evaluating which VPN to choose, consider how the VPN services work across your devices, the reputation and privacy policies of the VPN provider, and the extra features they offer beyond basic encryption.
That’s why all-rounders like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN keep topping our lists – they nail every single one of these points for most people.
How to get the best VPN performance and speeds
Maximizing the benefits of your VPN extends beyond merely selecting a trustworthy provider. There are several tips and tricks you can use to optimize your VPN performance.
Here are some tips for getting the best VPN speeds and reliability:
- Use the closest server possible to your physical location to reduce latency and improve both internet speed and connection speed.
- Choose the least crowded server or the “recommended” server if your VPN app identifies one, as this can help maximize VPN speed.
- Experiment with different VPN protocols. OpenVPN UDP offers a good mix of security and speed. WireGuard is the fastest VPN protocol we’ve tested and can help minimize speed loss.
- Use a wired (ethernet) connection rather than WiFi. Wired connections are generally faster and more consistent, helping to maintain optimal connection speed.
- Disable unnecessary features and settings in your VPN client to reduce resource usage and improve VPN speed.
- Update your VPN client and operating system to the latest versions to ensure the best possible performance.
- Upgrade your internet connection to a higher speed to help offset any speed loss from using a VPN.
Conclusion on the best VPNs
To briefly recap this best VPN roundup guide, here are the best VPNs that have passed all of our tests and earned a recommendation.
- NordVPN — Best all-around VPN with secure apps for all major devices and very fast speeds (over 900 Mbps). Great for streaming plus extra security features (with a 77% off coupon).
- Surfshark — Best VPN for many devices (unlimited connections). Visit site >
- Proton VPN — User-friendly and private VPN in Switzerland. Visit site >
- ExpressVPN — Secure and reliable VPN service. Visit site >
- IPVanish — Fast, secure, and audited VPN with excellent support for streaming. Visit site >
- CyberGhost — Secure, fast, private VPN in Romania. Visit site >
- Mullvad — Privacy-focused VPN in Sweden. Visit site >
- Trust.Zone — Basic, affordable VPN service. Visit site >
In an era of shrinking digital privacy and ever-tougher streaming restrictions, a good VPN is essential. It can restore your privacy, bypass geo-blocks, and let you watch the content you pay for, no matter where you are.
A VPN also adds vital security against rising threats like data breaches and malware. Top providers go further: NordVPN, for example, bundles powerful extras like Threat Protection, which blocks malware, ads, and trackers in one clean package.
That combination of speed, reliability, streaming power, and all-round protection is why NordVPN stays our #1 recommendation — especially with the current 77% off deal.
On a tighter budget? Check our regularly updated guide to the best working VPN coupons.
Please check out hide.me! It´s a really good service , everything works well and they have good customizable apps.
I used a VPN service (SurfShark) which is very good in terms of security. However, it was difficult to get an IP that was not recognized quickly by services that do not accept the use of VPN and blocked. Is there any VPN service that, in addition to security, has IPs that escape this control? I don’t mean dedicated IP.
I thought of Proton VPN which allows you to choose servers and not just countries. Or Nord VPN. Do you have any suggestions?
It depends on what you are using. Windows, Linux, Mac, etc.
The browsers that you are using and
if you have a lot of security add-ons like
ublock origin or maybe you have issues with your dns settings.
In the past 3 years, I have used airvpn, mullvad, nordvpn,
torguard and a few others without any major issues from being
blocked on popular websites . . . google, youtube, facebook, etc.
It would help others reading this if you told us
what devices you are using, how are they set up, etc.
Plan B
I do not know how many vpn providers you
have tried in the past 6 months . . . but you could
try a few that you have never used and maybe you will
find one that you like and does not cost too much per year.
Most providers offer refunds between 7 and 30 days.
Also, as I said in my other comment, maybe it is simply
the way you have your browser, modem, router and vpn
set up . . . that gives you issues when trying to go on websites.
Sven Sir these days I prefer Surfshark VPN over Nord VPN. I just like the overall feel of Surfshark VPN over Nord. Even though Nord VPN is a complete product and does not advertises extra in its interface unlike Surfshark where one has to pay for its search, antivirus and Alert which are subpar and need not be purchased, still I feel Surfshark is more snappy and simple yet robust and reliable.
OVPN got acquired by Pango Group, very bad thing as it is US based.
https://www.ovpn.com/en/blog/next-chapter-for-ovpn
My God, this should have not happened. I am very surprised. Isn’t it the same company which owns Hotspot Shield and Ultra VPN? Hotspot Shield itself provides infrastructure and even its Hydra Catapult protocol to VPNs like Bitdefender VPN. I am subscribed to Dashlane Family Plan and I have ton’s of Hotspot Shield VPN Premium accounts lying around and I also get Bitdefender VPN from Neeva Search. But I don’t use these and prefer Nord and Surfshark VPN for which I shell out extra money every year as these are superior VPN..
Hi Sven Sir,
What are your views on US Restrict Act senate bill, which is vaguely worded and can potentially ban VPN in USA where in USA ISPs are allowed to sell customer data to third parties since 2017. While the bill might not pass now, considering prevailing geopolitical situations and a fear of further conflicts, if adverse circumstances arises the bill might get passed.
So as one can see from the below 500 word reviews, Nord VPN has lesser cons and the cons are not deal breaker; Surfshark VPN has more features than Nord VPN albeit some key features are in the form of affordable addon, is priced more competitively than Nord and has unlimited simultaneous connections and has more much more locations covered.
In the nutshell Surfshark VPN has more features but few more cons too while Nord VPN is more well rounded without necessarily lacking anything.
Previously Surfshark VPN was behind Nord VPN but now both are neck and neck. In my opinion if IPs being blacklisted and CAPTCHAS are not a deal breaker then for an average Joe Surfshark VPN is the better choice.
I would say go for Surfshark VPN.
My Nord VPN review in 500 words:
PROS:- Fast Speeds; No leaks; Stable connections; Sufficient servers, IPs and locations; Great PC and Android Apps; Numerous well implemented security and privacy features; Static IPs; Obfuscated Servers; RAM only servers; IPs not blacklisted; Dedicated IP available; Unblocks Str.; Fast, professional and helpful support; Independently Audited; Privacy friendly jurisdiction; CONS:- Expensive subscription renewal price and monthly price; NOT CONSISTENT as performance varies from server to server;
My Surfshark VPN review in 500 words:
PROS:- Fast Speeds; No leaks; Stable connections; Lots of servers, IPs and locations; Great Android App; Numerous well implemented security and privacy features; Static IPs; Unlimited connections; Unblocks Str.; RAM servers; SShk NEXUS; Fast, friendly and helpful support; Independently Audited; Additional paid security and privacy Addons; CONS:- Expensive subscription renewal price and monthly price; IPs blacklisted leading to CAPTCHAS and blocks; Slow Open VPN speeds; PC app is slow and clunky.
Hi RP Community,
NordVPN latest Realise notes:
”
We’ve redesigned the Threat Protection experience! Threat Protection is now divided into “Web protection” and “File protection” for more clarity and convenience.
…
Fixed: The issue of Threat Protection suddenly causing high CPU usage and network problems (*ouch*) has been solved.”
”
GL all,
Hi RP Community,
NordVPN Threat Protection (NTP) fails again.
A major international financial institution I am a customer of was blocking services to me, and I isolated this to having NTP activated or inactivated. It clearly and demonstratively works with NTP ‘off’ and clearly and demonstratively fails with NTP ‘on’. Further, once testing these major sites, NTP ‘on’ – ‘off’ a few times (less then 10 times), they fingerprint the browser and block access completely.
NTP doesn’t work well.
Major Corps have fingerprinting tech which is well beyond privacy browsers – sure disabling JS may defeat this fingerprinting but then when JS is disabled, they block access because JS is disabled.
The sites I have come across with these capabilities are companies who use Cloudflare, a major international bank I am a customer of, and a major government new agency. If these organisations what to fingerprint you they will, and if they can’t they will block you.
GL
In practice NordVPN ‘Threat Protection’ is full of bugs.
Today it was slamming my CPU. Not even my AV runs my CPU continuously at 100%.
Previously, ‘Threat Protection’ by Nord, was being flagged by Cloudflare.
-Buggie software – should be still in beta.
@BoBeX Sir I beg to differ. On my pc Threat Protection by Nord is very CPU efficient.
Hi @Love is Empathy and Dignity,
A fair assessment of a service comes from a range of testers.
I am glad you shared your experience.
Hi Sven Sir,
What are your views on self hosted VPNs? Suppose a user is technical enough to be able to self host VPNs for his or her personal needs, should he or she make the effort to self host VPN or pay for a trustworthy VPN provider? Which is better for online security and privacy point of view?
Hi @Ambrosial_Skunk, Self hosted VPNs are not usually recommended for privacy. If you actually are technical enough to self-host a vpn you would be not here asking this question.
In short, a self hosted VPN will not mix your traffic with other users.
By all means set up a self hosted VPN, just think of it as an educational exercise and not a privacy tool.
GL,
I found only Express VPN is completely transparent with the number of server locations (data centres) they have. This information is located on their website and you don’t need to be a premium member.
As an example. Express VPN for Canada have 4 locations: two in Toronto, one in Montreal, and one in Vancouver. This seems quite common. Whereas the heavily promoted Surfshark and NordVPN won’t reveal the same information even when contacting their support team. NordVPN claims so many data centres but in reality only a few work, say, 4 for Canada that work.
As such, the importance of trying before you buy is imperative/prudent in choosing a VPN provider. I think this is something this site should remind everyone.
Good day. I was wondering about Express VPN since some sites mention that it was bought out by a corrupt company and the head chief person served time in prison for fraud? Is any of that true? It’s super difficult to find companies that aren’t being egregiously disrespectful. I’ve tried Mullvad and IVPN as well as Nord. However, Nord glutinously over advertises even after you pay for the subscription. Mullvad I’ve had the least issues with but it would be great to learn of more options.
Hi Dada, ExpressVPN continues to run independently. When it was bought out, we did look closely at the background of Kape (formerly Crossrider), the overall parent company. That said, it continues to be a great option, but only you can decide who to trust, and that’s a subjective decision.
While ProtonVPN is very good, two other excellent VPN’s that should be considered and are open source are:
1) IVPN – https://www.ivpn.net/
2) Mullvad – https://mullvad.net/
Both are on F-Droid and are available on iOS, have open-source mobile clients, and are independently audited. Best of all, neither of them require an email address to open an account.
Any info on Google’s VPN now being made available?
Can Switzerland base Vpn’s be trusted now with what happen to Proton? Thank You
Yes, I believe so. And remember the incident was Proton Mail logging, not Proton VPN. Email and VPN are fundamentally different services. An inbox that one uses for regular criminal activity will attract a lot of bad attention. A large network of VPN servers around the world that store no logs and are used by thousands of other people is a tough target. And there are also verified no logs VPN services you can consider.
Thank you, Sven. I have seen other reviews about Perfect Privacy, which said that their Windows app was buggy. That was my experience, too.
Hi, Sven!
Could you take a look at UltraSurf [https://ultrasurf.us/]? I’ve used it a few times, but I wonder if it’s really reliable.
Hi RP,
Using a NordVPN, it appears that sites using Cloudflare technology are blocking requsts using Nord-Threat Protection.
I only noticed this today.
It is clear as day. Threat protection off and the page loads, Threat protection on and “Access denied – Error Code 1020”
Regards,
BoBeX
That’s drawing a line in the sand. What if they move that line? It would be fine for them to turn on their users for illegal behavior? Everything from torrenting to hiding data from your internet provider can be illegal these days. A great VPN service should not be able to provide any data, info or logs, and realize that they have to accept the bad with the good, in the name of privacy.
Have you used the privacy app Exodus or Exodus Shark3 to see all the trackers & permissions on android vpn? Scan you imaging what is done with a more powerful pc desktop versions of vpn apps?
Have you reviewed Mozilla VPN yet? (Does it even qualify?!)
No review yet, but Mozilla VPN is just a rebranded version of Mullvad VPN.
Hi Sven,
Hope all is well with you.
I’m using AdGuard as stand alone app for adds blocking etc(tried their new service too twice, the AdGuardVPN, but it doesn’t work well, so I immediately removed it). The app itself works well and I am happy, and the question is:
Adguard regular app offer you “DNS protection, allows you to use custom DNS servers and enhances your privacy by encrypting your DNS queries”
When I enabled it I can choose DNS servers as Adguard DNS option , isn’t the same as VPN service? It enable the vpn mode at my phone automatically.
Regards
ARNON
Hi Arnon, no, encrypted DNS (AdGuard DNS in this case) does NOT offer the same protections as a VPN. This is only handling your DNS requests, but your traffic remains unencrypted and your IP address remains exposed to the world, and your internet service provider can still record every website you visit, even if you aren’t sending them DNS requests. Meanwhile, a VPN will not only encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address, it will also encrypt and resolve all your DNS requests.
I was at the end of my contract, same connection problems, same timing as you. I just made a whole new account and everything is working great again. I agree live chat agents are hit and miss, more to the miss end. Ask for advanced tech person, prob, wouldnt heip I spents days trying to get nordvpn working No luck. Nordvpn also told me to shut off the new threat protection formally cybersec because it is in beta so they have some rollouts that may have caused some problems is my guess. As for as the nord bot password, Change your password it is IMPORTANT, as it says to me also they are not made to last forever no matter how complex.
Hi Ronny, our rankings are based on test results. ExpressVPN dropped a few years ago due to performance issues, limited features, and a higher price. NordVPN outperformed the others with the NordLynx (WireGuard) protocol. ExpressVPN, however, has also been improving in recent months and should work fine with Amazon Prime US.
Other US VPN providers, including TorGuard, have entered into confidential settlement agreements with the movie studios that sued them.
The opaque nature of those agreements is cause for serious concern. Such an agreement could require a back-door for content producers to get user IP addresses in real-time. It could provide for packet sniffing capabilities for content producers or their agents. None of that would run counter to claims by the VPN provider that they do not keep logs, had not received warrants, were not providing information to law enforcement, etc.
Lawyers don’t have to make an entire settlement agreement confidential in order to keep private how much money was paid, and to whom. If the whole thing is confidential, that is cause for serious concern.
I would strongly recommend that you recommend that users not sign up with any VPN provider that is operating under one or more confidential settlement agreements. At the very least, the VPN ratings should include that as a major “con” point.
Hi Badger, where is the info on who signed these deals? How reliable is the source? I would like to read more.
I believe Nord and Surfshark have merged although I don’t think that changes much on the front-end for users.
Yep, you are correct, they did merge but Surfshark will continue to operate independently. We covered it here.
Hi guys, can VPN protect us from illegal methods used by the governments like Russia, China , their satelite states and Secret Services:
Remote Neural Monitoring, Electromagnetic Mind reading, Brain Scanning, Brain Mapping, Brain Hacking, Belief System Hacking, A.I. Intrusion, A.I. Harassment, Illegal A.I. Experiments on Human Brain, Artificial intelligence Programmed Bots, Remote Neural Monitoring, Electronic harassment, Electromagnetic torture, Voice to Skull, Electromagnetic Directed Weapon Brain Assault, Synthetic Telepathy, Dreams Sabotage, Smartphone Monitoring, Psychic Attacks, Bio-amplification RADAR torture, Breaking down of the human will ..e.t.c.
Many of these methods are used also by the tech Giants like Google, Facebook, PayPal, Amazon, Microsoft, Twitter, Tesla etc
Have fun
illegal methods used by the governments like Russia, China , their satelite states and Secret Services:
Remote Neural Monitoring, Electromagnetic Mind reading, Brain Scanning, Brain Mapping, Brain Hacking, Belief System Hacking, A.I. Intrusion, A.I. Harassment, Illegal A.I. Experiments on Human Brain, Artificial intelligence Programmed Bots, Remote Neural Monitoring, Electronic harassment, Electromagnetic torture, Voice to Skull, Electromagnetic Directed Weapon Brain Assault, Synthetic Telepathy, Dreams Sabotage, Smartphone Monitoring, Psychic Attacks, Bio-amplification RADAR torture, Breaking down of the human will ..e.t.c.
Many of these methods are used also by the tech Giants like Google, Facebook, PayPal, Amazon, Microsoft, Twitter, Tesla etc
Have fun
Good Lord they have been busy! Fortunately I always don a tin foil hat before turning on any electronic device.
Oh, Ned…thanks for a good belly laugh! I’ll look for my aluminum hat…..
Humano
No.
Freedome’s logs are not just customer logs that can get forcefully by police (without judge’s order), they are “privacy information” under Coercive Measure act (pakkokeinolaki)
According to highest court, crimes that are done with using VPNs, is still under crime investigation, but as VPN information falls under teleoperator laws, requires police to get judge’s order for search.
I would recommend to not use Freedome VPN at all, and would advise to not use servers on any VPN (that stores logs!) that are located in Finland, this court case been very shady.
https://www.is.fi/digitoday/tietoturva/art-2000008732480.html
Sven, thank you for your great work and helping us to find the right solutions, really appreciated!
Guys, look at this checklist before continuing with the use/purchase of VPN Service:
1. Annonimous payment (GiroPay, SOFORT or other) + Annonimous registration posible?
2. Browser Extensions avialable?
3. Free (or test) version avialable?
4. Linux GUI avialable?
5. No cross-site tracking? (VPN cannot promise that they “do not log your data” when they use cross-site tracking)
6. No Servers in Russia? (ALL VPN’s with the servers in Russia, collaborating with the Russian State Militia Gang
of Russian Secret Services: “FSB” (former KGB), 100% ALL of them!! Don’t believe them if they claim that they don’t do it!)
7. No overmarket their products? (the advertisements are abusively and everywhere).
Have Fun!
Please note that authentication for NordVPN requires a functioning browser and connectivity to IP network addresses that I typically block outbound (I am extremely tight with my allowed outbound traffic – no Gargle or CDN networks). Seems antithetical for a VPN client to use another app for authentication IMHO.
A company based in Russia
and a government that spies on their citizens
( just like the CIA in the USA ) I would stay away from them.
WHAT PERSONAL DATA DO WE PROCESS AND HOW DO WE USE IT
My Kaspersky, Kaspersky Account, Kaspersky Small Office Security Management
Console, and Anti-Theft Web Management (hereinafter referred to as the “Service”)
The categories of data
In order to use the Service and have access to all of its functions,
you will provide following personal data:
your email address and password when you register on our Service;
mobile phone number;
information about your devices and licenses;
information you provided to Kaspersky Lab’s technical support;
expiration date of your bank card and the last 4 symbols of your bank card number;
statistical information about your browser (domain names, IP addresses, network provider, browser types and other information about client environment, which Kaspersky Lab applications you use and how you use them, the web page you were visiting immediately prior to visiting our website, pages of our website that you visited, the time spent on those pages, information you searched for on our website, access times and dates, and other statistics from people who visit our site);
full list of data collected on managed devices by My Kaspersky, please refer to section “Conditions regarding data processing”;
full list of data collected on managed devices by Kaspersky Small Office Security Management Console, please refer to section “Conditions regarding data processing”.
Can Panama be considered a safe spot for a VPN provider, jurisdiction-wise?
I’m sure that Switzerland can be trusted to adhere to their privacy laws, I’m less sure for Panama as a very small country with a complicated relationship to shady international interest groups (Panama Papers) as well as lying in the backyard of the US.
I’d love to use Nord offering such a comprehensive service, but for the time being I’ll stick with Vypr, though their Linux implementation is really lacking.
Yes, VyprVPN is definitely not the best solution for Linux users.
Having kept a close eye on the VPN space for the past seven years, I am still confident that Panama is a good jurisdiction. With regard to Switzerland, it is no silver bullet. Just last year a Swiss court forced ProtonMail to log IP addresses of a specific Proton user who was under investigation. Affter ProtonMail gave up logs to police, the customer was arrested in France. So it was a case of “no logs unless the police ask us for logs” type of a situation.
Hi, about Panama: I did research about two years ago that completely verified Panama as a good juristiction. This partly depended on the fact that Panama did not class vpn providers as a telecom. This info is online if you seek it out. I don’t know if that legal class by has changed since then.
Thank you, Sven. In light of how the Swiss cops forced ProtonMail to turn in user logs, I hope that you can do a follow-up article on safe and reputable email services.
Hi Sven,
Why you guys didn’t include any VPN with the SOCKS5 solution. It is my favourite way of downloading torrents (Qbitttorent). I am using Torgurd. I am not sure how good they are.
Overall, TorGuard is a decent option, but it has some drawbacks. I can see the reasoning behind using a SOCKS5 proxy for torrents, but the full VPN client (with the kill switch activated) would probably be safer in most cases.
Why would you use SOCK5 when many VPN providers discourage their use despite having configuration settings? It’s my understanding with SOCKS5 your ISP is aware you’re torrenting so I don’t see what’s the point of using a VPN with the SOCKS5 protocol?
Again, I recommend using a VPN, not just a SOCKS5 proxy.
Has been given an offer he can’t refuse by recommending EXPRESS VPN despite their less than respectable new owner?
We took a close look at Kape Technologies and there’s nothing very alarming. Read that linked article for the full story.
Surfshark has a “Product ideas—> Suggest an idea” section on their website for their customers & claims to have a no-root firewall feature (app-level kill switch) planned for 2022. This would be a game changer for me & negate the need to root my android devices to install AFwall, as this is becoming more & more difficult with newer devices.
Hopefully other VPN providers have similar plans to incorporate a no-root firewall feature in their apps.
Any privacy concerns about the SurfShark NordVPN merger that was just agreed (2 Feb 22)? It appears it will just be an internal merger at Tesonet and the companies say they will stay separate.
Yep, that’s how I’m reading the situation as well. The companies will continue to operate independently as they always have, but with a common parent company. No concerns as of now, but I plan to cover this in an article today to go over the details.
Any comment about Private Internet Access VPN?
Sure, here is the PIA review.
Hi
What about the AdGuard vpn and SWisscows vpn? If I use both the of them
Regards
Arnon
I meant as ADGuard anyway has access to any sensitive data as passwords any webpage I visit, credit cards etc, same Swisscows search engine, why not to use their vpn service too?