Finding the best VPN can feel daunting, especially with all the sub-par and insecure VPNs that have flooded the market in recent years. We've tested and ranked all of the top VPNs to help you find the best performers to meet your specific needs.
In today’s world, online privacy and security have never been more important. With hackers, advertisers, and even governments constantly snooping on our digital lives, it’s essential to have a tool that protects our online activities. That’s where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best one?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the best VPN services of 2024, explore different VPN protocols, and discuss the benefits of using the best VPN for various purposes – all while keeping in mind the importance of maintaining your privacy and security online.
Top 10 VPNs for 2024
As we venture further into 2024, numerous VPN services claim to offer the best security and performance. However, not all are created equal. After extensive research and testing, we’ve narrowed down the top 10 VPNs for 2024, focusing on security, performance, and features.
- NordVPN – Best all-around VPN with secure apps for all major devices and very fast speeds (over 700 Mbps). Great for streaming plus extra security features (with a 74% off coupon).
- Surfshark – Best VPN for many devices (unlimited)
- Proton VPN – User-friendly and private VPN in Switzerland
- ExpressVPN – Secure and reliable VPN service
- IPVanish – Fast, secure, and audited VPN with excellent support for streaming
- VPN.ac – User-friendly and secure VPN from Romania
- Perfect Privacy – Secure VPN with advanced privacy features
- OVPN – Secure, fast, private VPN in Sweden
- Mullvad – Privacy-focused VPN in Sweden
- Trust.Zone – Basic, affordable VPN service
Ranking VPNs is a challenging process because different users have different needs. Some people may just want a reliable VPN for streaming. Others may want the maximum amount of privacy and security. 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 IP address leaks or DNS leaks)
- Good performance throughout the server network (speed and reliability)
- 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
- Strong privacy guarantees with a no logs policy (and bonus points if it's been audited)
If a VPN does not fulfill all the criteria listed above, it's not featured in this report. And when you apply this standard to all the VPNs on the market, very few make the cut.
Here are the best VPN services for 2024:
NordVPN – Best all-around VPN service in 2024
Website | NordVPN.com |
Based in | Panama |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $2.99/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 74% Off Coupon |
NordVPN stands out as a comprehensive security suite, offering top-notch security features and a vast server network. With over 6,800+ servers spread across 111 countries, NordVPN delivers a very fast and reliable service. Utilizing AES-256 encryption and supporting both OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, NordVPN safeguards your internet traffic from third parties.
NordVPN continues to stand out as an industry leader with new VPN innovations. It developed the NordLynx protocol, based on WireGuard, to give you the fastest speeds possible, without compromising on privacy. Based on our tests with both NordLynx and WireGuard, performance exceeded expectations with download speeds over 750 Mbps in the latest tests for the NordVPN review.
If you need the best VPN with the fastest speeds, then NordVPN should be a the top of your list. It outperforms other market leaders, as you can see in the ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison report. And while Surfshark is cheaper than NordVPN, Nord still came out on top in the Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison. Based on the latest results, NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN we've tested to date.
In the opening paragraph, we referred to NordVPN as a comprehensive security suite. That is because it is far more than just a basic VPN service. Here is a rundown of the top security and privacy features offered by NordVPN:
- Threat Protection feature to block ads, trackers, malware, and phishing domains on your entire operating system. There is also a “Threat Protection Lite” for mobile devices.
- Double VPN servers that encrypt traffic over two different server locations (while still delivering excellent speeds). This adds an extra layer of protection and also distributes trust over two VPN servers.
- Tor-over-VPN servers that provide the added protection and anonymity of the Tor network, on top of the existing VPN connection
- Obfuscated servers that will conceal your VPN connection and also evade VPN blocks and censorship
- A large and secure network with all servers running in RAM-disk mode, rather than with hard drives
- Kill switches built into all VPN apps to ensure your traffic remains encrypted and protected at all times
- Split tunneling that allows you to selectively route apps outside of the VPN server network
See all NordVPN features here >
NordVPN has also passed independent audits for both security and compliance with no-logs policies. It introduced a public bug bounty program and has an ongoing partnership with Versprite for security audits and penetration testing. NordVPN uses very strong encryption with an AES-256-GCM cipher and DHE-4096 key exchange in implementing Perfect Forward Secrecy.
The upgraded WireGuard protocol with NordLynx uses a ChaCha20 cipher and runs on a clean, lean codebase. Below is a speed test I recorded using a NordVPN server in the US with speed test results over 750 Mbps.
Excellent streaming and torrenting performance
With premium speeds and strong security, NordVPN is our top-rated VPN for torrenting. It also offers P2P servers with large bandwidth channels for fast and consistent speeds, as noted in the NordVPN vs TorGuard comparison.
It also works well for all major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, and more. While most VPNs struggle to ensure access to streaming sites, NordVPN consistently works. You can also use the NordVPN app if you need a VPN for Firestick, TV boxes, Smart TVs, or even gaming systems.
Large number of servers, including specialty servers
NordVPN currently has 6,800+ servers in 111 countries. All servers run on dedicated hardware in RAM-disk mode without hard drives. This improves security and also makes storing logs on the VPN server impossible. Another huge development is that NordVPN has begun rolling out high-speed colocated servers (self-owned hardware) with 10 Gbps bandwidth channels. These servers will provide NordVPN users with even faster speeds and replace all rented servers from third parties.
In addition to the specialty servers discussed above, NordVPN also offers obfuscated servers that conceal VPN traffic as regular HTTPS encryption. This is a useful feature to get around VPN blocks, such as when using a VPN for China. It is also a great feature to break through work or school networks that block VPNs.
NordVPN continues to evolve and improve while remaining one of the top leaders in the VPN industry. Check out the two-year plan with the coupon below for maximum savings.
+ Pros
- User-friendly and reliable apps
- Double VPN andOnion Over VPN servers
- Passed numerous 3rd-party audits
- Strong encryption standards with full support for WireGuard
- Works with Netflix and many streaming sites
- Threat Protection feature to block ads, trackers, and malware
- Professional 24/7 live chat support
- Consistently fast speeds
- Dedicated RAM-servers with 10 Gbps bandwidth channels
– Cons
- Best discounts only available with 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 Holiday Deal is live:
Get 74% Off NordVPN with 2-year subscriptions plus 3 extra months:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee.)
See our NordVPN review for more test results and analysis.
Surfshark – Best VPN for many devices (unlimited)
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 perfect pick for those seeking an affordable yet feature-rich and secure VPN solution. With a starting price of just $2.19 per month, Surfshark comes loaded with features, 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.
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.
Surfshark offers great security features and user-friendly VPN apps
Surfshark utilizes strong encryption with an AES 256 cipher. It supports both the OpenVPN and IKEv2 VPN protocols, as well as WireGuard. Similar to our other top VPN services, 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, it outperformed most other services, as you can see in the Surfshark vs CyberGhost report.
See all Surfshark VPN features here >
The new and updated Surfshark apps (Version 5) 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 3,200+ 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 continues to gain traction in the VPN market. It remains a strong contender while also being one of the best cheap VPNs at only $2.19 per month with the coupon below. That said, monthly prices with Surfshark (paying on a month-to-month basis) are significantly more expensive than long-term subscriptions. Overall, Surfshark strikes the perfect balance between affordability and performance.
+ Pros
- Unlimited connections
- User-friendly apps for all devices and operating systems
- CleanWeb feature to block ads, trackers, and malware
- Works great with Netflix and many other streaming services
- 24/7 live chat support
- Strong encryption and security features (audited)
– Cons
- Limited support for VPN routers
- Above average monthly prices
Refunds and support: All Surfshark subscription plans come with a full 30 day money-back guarantee. They have 24/7 live chat support and many user setup guides.
Surfshark VPN Coupon:
Get 87% off Surfshark VPN plus an additional 4 months extra with the coupon below:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee)
See the Surfshark review for more test results and analysis.
Proton VPN – Simple, private VPN in Switzerland
Website | ProtonVPN.com |
Based in | Switzerland |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $2.99/mo. |
Support | Email + Chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 70% Off Coupon |
Proton VPN is a privacy-focused VPN that was created by the team behind Proton Mail in Switzerland. Offering superior versatility and advanced security features, Proton VPN emerges as a fantastic choice for those looking for a comprehensive VPN solution. With a strong focus on privacy, Proton VPN boasts a strict no-logs policy and robust encryption, ensuring your online activities remain secure and anonymous.
If you want to combine your VPN and ad-blocker together, Proton VPN offers the NetShield feature to block ads and trackers. You can see how this compares to NordVPN's Threat Protection feature in the NordVPN vs Proton VPN comparison. Also similar to NordVPN, ProtonVPN offers Double-VPN servers, which they refer to as Secure Core.
While Proton VPN is largely a privacy-focused service, it also supports some streaming services. It currently works with American Netflix, Amazon Prime, and is also a good VPN for Disney Plus. But that's not all. ProtonVPN works if you need a VPN for Hulu and a few other services. Torrenting is allowed on most servers, although speeds were not as good as our top recommendations above.
One thing to note, however, is that ProtonVPN does not offer any kind of obfuscated serves like we find with Surfshark and NordVPN. Therefore it is not a good solution if you need a VPN for China or any other restricted network that blocks VPNs.
If you want to combine a VPN service with a secure email, you can pick up the plan that includes both Proton VPN and Proton Mail – but it's not cheap. Proton VPN also offers cheaper subscriptions, including a “Basic” plan at around $4.99 per month.
+ Pros
- Useful privacy features (no leaks)
- Secure server network
- Good privacy jurisdiction and data protection policies
- WireGuard VPN support (but not on Linux)
- Above-average speeds
- Transparent company with a good track record
– Cons
- Above-average monthly prices
Refunds and support: Proton VPN has a 30 day refund policy and provides email support (no live chat).
Proton VPN's Holiday Deal is live:
Get 70% Off Proton VPN (drops the price to only $2.99/month) with the coupon below:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee)
See the Proton VPN review for more test results and info.
ExpressVPN – Secure and reliable VPN service
Website | ExpressVPN.com |
Based in | British Virgin Islands |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $6.67/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 49% Off Coupon |
ExpressVPN has long been one of the top VPN services on the market and little has changed over the years. It is a premium VPN that simply works without bugs, problems, or interruptions. And it also checks all the important boxes for privacy, security, and performance.
In terms of VPN apps, ExpressVPN offers everything you would expect from a top VPN. They have custom apps for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even routers. It is one of the few VPNs with port forwarding, but this feature is only available on routers.
All of the VPN apps come with good leak protection settings and also utilize secure VPN protocols. ExpressVPN also has a MediaStreamer app, allowing you to use the service on a wide array of other devices, from Smart TVs to gaming systems. It's also a good option if you need a VPN for Apple TV.
ExpressVPN has passed numerous audits for security and also privacy (no logs VPN audits). Unlike some of the other top VPNs, ExpressVPN does not support the WireGuard VPN protocol. Instead, they offer the Lightway protocol, which is a self-developed protocol that is very similar to WireGuard, but also better for privacy (by default). Lightway has now been audited and is fully open source.
ExpressVPN is also a powerhouse when it comes to unblocking content and streaming. It is a great VPN for HBO Max and Netflix, unblocking numerous regions around the world. ExpressVPN has a dedicated Firestick VPN app and also works with BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, Hulu, and more. Additionally, the MediaStreamer app will allow you to use ExpressVPN on many types of streaming devices.
And if you want to use a VPN browser extension, ExpressVPN also has you covered. They offer VPN extensions Chrome and Firefox browsers (see the best VPNs for Firefox). We found the ExpressVPN apps to all be reliable, user-friendly, and secure in our test results. Below is the ExpressVPN Windows app that we tested.
The ExpressVPN server network is also quite extensive. They currently offer 160 VPN server locations spread across 94 different countries. While ExpressVPN does not have any specialty servers, as we see with Surfshark and NordVPN, the network is nonetheless extensive and covers a large variety of countries. That being said, we find that both ExpressVPN and Surfshark utilize virtual server locations for some remote regions.
Note: As we reported back in 2021, ExpressVPN was acquired by Kape Technologies. While this puts ExpressVPN under an umbrella of other providers, we have seen that ExpressVPN continues to operate independently. Additionally, we also researched the background of Kape Technologies and learned more about the company's history. Overall, this merger will help to ensure ExpressVPN continues to operate and grow, with a large company standing behind its development.
+ Pros
- User-friendly and secure apps
- Split tunneling feature (for macOS, Windows, and routers)
- Works with Netflix and most streaming services
- 24/7 live chat support
- Passed independent third-party audits for security and no-logs
- Very large server network
– Cons
- Above average prices
- Fewer features than other leading VPNs
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.
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 VPN is a rising player in the VPN market, offering a suite of features that cater to various user needs. One of the highlights of IPVanish is its excellent streaming capabilities. In our own tests, we found that IPVanish can easily bypass geo-restrictions and allows users to access a wide array of content from different regions. We found it to easily unblock Netflix US and UK, and it also streamed BBC iPlayer with ease. IPVanish also claims to work well with Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus, DAZN, and more.
When it comes to security, IPVanish doesn't compromise. It employs robust security measures to ensure user data remains private and secure. The VPN uses AES-256 encryption, and fully supports the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols in its applications. IPVanish also has a strict no-logs policy, which has also passed a third-party audit.
IPVanish also includes a kill switch feature – a critical security feature that automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leakage. Additionally, IPVanish offers IP and DNS leak protection, further enhancing its security profile. It also has a “Scramble” protocol that obfuscates VPN traffic, similar to the obfuscation features we find with other VPNs.
The VPN apps provided by IPVanish are user-friendly and compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms. Whether you're using Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS, IPVanish has got you covered. The apps are easy to navigate and offer a seamless user experience, even for VPN newcomers. They also provide advanced settings for experienced users who want to customize their VPN experience.
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.
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.
+ Pros
- Strong security features, multiple VPN protocols, and a kill switch
Extremely fast and reliable connection speeds
Wide range of reliable apps
Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Audited, no-logs policy
Ability to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer
Cons
- No cryptocurrency payment options
- Based in the United States
See our IPVanish review for more info and the latest test results.
VPN.ac – A user-friendly and secure VPN from Romania
Name | VPN.ac |
Location | Romania |
Price | $3.75/mo. |
Logs | No logs |
Support | |
Website | VPN.ac |
VPN.ac is a security-focused VPN that offers good performance and features at a competitive price. It is based in Romania and was started by a team of network security professionals. VPN.ac did well in testing for the review with fast speeds, strong encryption, and good privacy features.
VPN.ac currently supports the WireGuard VPN protocol. However, unlike with NordVPN and Surfshark, it takes some work to set up and use correctly because it is not supported directly in the apps. VPN.ac's apps incorporate built-in leak protection, port selection, and offer a variety of VPN protocols and ciphers to choose from. They also have specialty servers, including double-VPN servers, P2P servers, and Obfuscated servers.
In addition to the desktop VPN app, you can also use VPN.ac's secure proxy browser extensions, available for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. This makes VPN.ac a good VPN for Chrome and other browsers.
+ Pros
- Dedicated bare-metal servers with self-hosted encrypted DNS
- Excellent speeds with plenty of available bandwidth
- Multi-hop (double VPN) server configurations
- Obfuscation features with many different encryption options
- Secure proxy browser extensions
- WireGuard VPN support
Cons
- Does not work well for streaming
- Fewer features than other leading VPNs
- Limited refund window (7 days)
Refunds and support: All plans come with a 7 day refund window. Support is available via email and they also have a knowledge base with many tutorial guides.
Discounted trial: You can get a discounted one-week trial for only $2 (see the FAQ section in the menu).
The VPN.ac review has more test results and analysis.
Perfect Privacy – Secure VPN with advanced privacy features
Website | Perfect-Privacy.com |
Based in | Germany |
Logs | No logs |
Price | $8.95/mo. |
Support | |
Refund | 7 days |
Deal | 31% Off 2-year plans |
If you are looking to attain the highest levels of privacy and security, Perfect Privacy may be a good choice. It is based in Germany with a strict no-logs policy and is run by a dedicated team of privacy enthusiasts. Although it might be overkill for some users, Perfect Privacy offers numerous advanced features to choose from:
- Multi-hop VPN servers: With Perfect Privacy, you can route your traffic across multiple VPN server hops (up to four). This offers a higher level of protection for those who want it. Additionally, the NeuroRouting feature (supported on all devices) dynamically routes traffic across multiple hops in the VPN network.
- Ad/tracking blocker: The TrackStop feature blocks thousands of ads and trackers, as well as malware and phishing domains at the VPN server level. You can also activate a filter to block social media trackers, like some of our other recommended VPNs with ad blocking.
- IPv6 support: Perfect Privacy is one of the few VPNs offering full IPv6 support (you get both an IPv4 and IPv6 address).
- Port forwarding: Perfect Privacy allows you to customize your port forwarding settings, which is ideal if you need a good VPN for torrenting.
- Strong encryption: This VPN secures data using an AES-256 cipher with a 4096-bit key exchange. Users can choose between OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2 protocols.
Similar to Surfshark, Perfect Privacy gives users an unlimited number of connections, but at a much higher price. The server network is also smaller than other VPNs, with only 25 locations around the world. However, all of these servers are running on dedicated hardware with high-bandwidth channels to still offer good speeds.
You can use Perfect Privacy with custom apps for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android, along with support for other devices (including iOS). While the apps do not feel quite as polished as some other VPNs, it does offer a lot of features if you need a VPN for Windows or other desktop operating systems.
+ Pros
- Multi-hop VPN chains, up to 4 servers (self-configurable)
- Zero logs with an unlimited number of connections
- Dedicated bare-metal servers with full IPv6 support
- Obfuscation support (Stealth VPN)
- Customizable firewall and port-forwarding options
- TrackStop filter to block ads, trackers, malware, and more
Cons
- Expensive
- Does not work well with streaming sites, such as Netflix and Disney Plus
- No iOS VPN app
Refunds and support: 7 day refund window with all subscriptions. Email support is available 24/7 and they also have a user forum.
See the Perfect Privacy review for more test results and analysis.
OVPN – Secure, fast, privacy-focused VPN in Sweden
VPN | OVPN |
Based in | Sweden |
Logs | No logs |
Price | $4.24/mo. |
Support | Email & Chat |
Refund | 10 days |
Website | OVPN.com |
Next up on our list is OVPN, one of the best VPNs from Sweden. It was started in 2014 with a simple goal to be the “most reliable and trustworthy VPN provider.” They go to great lengths to safeguard the data of their users with a multi-layered approach to security. OVPN’s entire network runs on self-owned dedicated bare-metal servers with ample bandwidth and strong security. All servers operate in RAM-disk without hard drives, multi-hop configurations are supported, and no logs are stored.
OVPN did well in our tests, competing among the top VPN providers. It offers secure apps that include built-in leak protection settings, and even has a full GUI Linux client with all features available. While OVPN does offer an Android app, the iOS app remains in development. The WireGuard protocol is also supported, but not directly in the apps, like with NordVPN and Surfshark.
From the very beginning, OVPN has offered a transparent and privacy-focused service. Here are some noteworthy details:
- Transparent and public-facing leadership (can be verified on the website).
- Monthly transparency reports are published going all the way back to 2014.
- OVPN even has insurance that will cover any legal fees necessary to fight against demands for user data by third parties.
- A 2020 court case proved OVPN is true to its no logs VPN policy
- Completely anonymous payments and signup methods
Even though OVPN is a privacy and security-focused service, they still offer some support for streaming services. This includes Netflix and Hulu, although they currently do not support as many streaming channels as NordVPN or Surfshark.
+ Pros
- Designed for maximum user privacy and security
- Dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and support for other devices
- No IP address or DNS leaks detected
- Support for streaming and torrenting
- Lots of configuration options
- Monthly transparency reports
- Multiple payment methods including anonymous payments
– Cons
- Small server network with few locations
- Above average prices
Refunds and support: 7 day refund window with all subscriptions along with email support (no live chat).
See the OVPN review for more info.
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 server 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.
+ Pros
- Strong privacy and security features
- Dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
- No IP address or DNS leaks detected
- Audited
- Accepts private payments
– Cons
- Smaller server network
- Above average prices
- Captcha issues affect usability
- Does not work well for streaming
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.
Trust.Zone – Basic VPN with above average performance
VPN | Trust.Zone |
Based in | Seychelles |
Logs | No logs |
Price | $1.99/mo. |
Support | |
Refund | 10 days |
Website | Trust.Zone |
Trust.Zone is a smaller, privacy-focused VPN service 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 boasts a good selection of servers around the world, despite being a smaller VPN. Prices are quite reasonable at only $2.25/month with the two-year plan. When you pay with cryptocurrencies, you'll get an additional 10% discount.
TrustZone now 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. Therefore you cannot simply choose the WireGuard VPN protocol directly in the VPN client, like we see with NordVPN and Surfshark.
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.
+ Pros
- Competitive prices
- Great speeds and reliability
- Good leak protection settings
- Can try the VPN for free
- P2P torrents allowed
- Dedicated IP addresses are available
Cons
- Fewer features than competitors
- No custom VPN clients for Mac OS (but still supported)
- Clunky apps
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).
See also the Trust.Zone review for more details.
How to choose the best VPN
Given the plethora of VPN 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
- Privacy (no logs)
Speed
Server coverage
Device compatibility
- Support for streaming, torrenting, and any other activity you want to do with your VPN
First and foremost, consider the security features offered by the VPN provider. Strong encryption, secure VPN tunneling protocols, and additional security features such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection are essential. VPNs that have ad blocking capabilities are also an efficient solution to block ads, trackers, and more.
Another vital factor is speed and performance. A slow VPN connection can hinder your online activities, making it difficult to stream, game, or simply browse the web. When evaluating VPNs, consider their server coverage, speed tests, and number of simultaneous connections allowed. A larger server network can help distribute the load and reduce congestion, resulting in faster connection speeds.
Note: You can verify the speed tests of every VPN recommended here by clicking on the respective VPN review.
Device compatibility is also crucial when choosing a VPN. Ensure that the VPN provider supports the devices and operating systems you use regularly. Additionally, check if the provider allows multiple simultaneous connections, as this will enable you to secure all your devices with a single VPN subscription.
Lastly, consider how well your VPN supports the specific activities you want to be doing with the VPN. Some VPNs block torrenting on certain servers, others are horrible when it comes to streaming or gaming. This is one reason why well-rounded VPNs that perform well in nearly all areas dominate the top of our lists on this website. VPNs like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN simply work for the majority of people under most use cases, all backed up by excellent customer support.
Choosing the best VPN for privacy
Choosing the right VPN is essential for preserving your online privacy and anonymity. The best VPNs for online privacy should possess a strict no-logs policy, robust encryption, and additional security features, such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
By choosing a VPN that prioritizes user privacy, you can be confident that your online activities will remain private, even if the VPN provider is compelled to answer to law enforcement, there will be no customer data available. This is why we place such a big emphasis on no logs VPN services, with added points for third-party audits.
These VPNs have passed third-party audits verifying their no-logs policies:
- NordVPN has passed four separate no-logs audits performed by outside auditing firms. It has also completed different infrastructure security audits and has an ongoing partnership with Versprite to conduct infrastructure checks and carry out penetration testing to identify and fix any vulnerabilities.
- ExpressVPN has also passed three different no-logs audits performed by PWC.
- Proton VPN passed a no-logs audit conducted by Securitum.
- Surfshark passed a no-logs audit earlier this year, as well as numerous security audits.
- IPVanish passed a no-logs audit conducted by Leviathan Security Group.
Another factor to consider with privacy and security is support for multi-hop connections. This adds an additional layer of security and also distributes trust across two or more servers. Simply put, this offers a higher level of privacy and security beyond single-hop VPN servers:
- NordVPN: Double-VPN servers as well Tor-over-VPN servers
- Surfshark: Double-VPN servers with 13 different configurations around the world.
- VPN.ac: Offers 22 double-VPN servers
- Proton VPN: The Secure Core feature consists of double-VPN server configurations.
- Mullvad: Mullvad allows a simple on/off multi-hop feature with the WireGuard protocol.
- Perfect Privacy: You can create multi-hop servers with every server in their network, with up to four servers. The NeuroRouting feature also routes traffic across multiple servers in the network.
Additional privacy features like ad blockers and malware filters are also beneficial and worth considering.
Choosing the best VPN for streaming
Unblocking and streaming geo-blocked content is among the most popular uses of VPNs. By connecting to a VPN server in another country, you can effectively bypass regional restrictions and access content that is otherwise unavailable in your location. This includes popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as websites and online games.
When choosing a VPN for streaming, it’s important to select a provider that offers fast speeds, a large server network, and dedicated streaming servers. Additionally, the VPN should be compatible with the devices you use for streaming, such as smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
Our top recommendation for streaming right now is NordVPN, Surfshark, or IPVanish. Here's why both of these VPNs stand out in the streaming category:
- Full access to all streaming services. NordVPN, for instance, provides the best access to all major streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, HBO Max, SkyGo, and many more.
- Fastest VPN speeds to stream media without any pauses, interruptions, or buffering.
- Apps for all streaming devices, including computers, mobile devices, TV boxes, tablets, as well as support for gaming systems, Smart TVs, and more.
- 24/7 live chat support to show you exactly how to stream the service you need on the platform you are using.
Below I'm using NordVPN to stream American Netflix. NordVPN currently supports the following Netflix regions: US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Japan, Australia, Italy, India, and more. (You can check with NordVPN support about whether a given region or service is supported.)
Aside from unblocking content around the world, VPNs are also crucial for protecting yourself against ISP snooping and potential copyright issues when streaming from third party sites or when torrenting. (This is discussed more in our VPN for Kodi guide.)
Another important consideration when streaming is consistently fast speeds and also large server networks around the world to give you access to various regional streaming sites. Once again, in both of these areas NordVPN and Surfshark deliver.
VPNs for Android and iOS mobile devices
These days people spend a lot of time on mobile devices. Whether it is streaming Netflix on your iPhone or browsing the news on an Android, you will want to stay secure. Additionally, you will want unrestricted access to the content you need on your mobile devices.
Here are a few factors to consider when selecting a good VPN for your Android or iOS device:
- WireGuard VPN protocol – This protocol performs the best on mobile devices that may go in and out of connectivity. Connections are quick to establish, very stable, and fast.
- Fast speeds – With the WireGuard VPN protocol and an upgraded network of dedicated servers, NordVPN is faster than ever before. It outperforms other VPNs and will give mobile users excellent performance.
- Great mobile apps – I really like NordVPN's mobile apps (both Android and iOS) for two reasons. First, they are very secure with reliable leak protection features and strong encryption. Second, they include all of the main features of the desktop client, including Threat Protection, WireGuard support, and all specialty servers.
- Better battery life – With NordVPN's WireGuard implementation, you will find your mobile battery life is better than with the OpenVPN protocol used by most other VPNs.
- Ad blocking – Blocking ads and trackers on your mobile device is crucial not only from a privacy and security standpoint, but it will also greatly improve performance. Additionally, ad blocking VPNs will also help to save your data without all the ads running in the background.
With extremely fast performance, secure apps that support WireGuard, and added features to block ads and trackers, NordVPN and Surfshark also top the list of the best VPNs for Android and iOS mobile devices. Mullvad VPN also had great mobile apps in our recent tests for the review. Finally, we also have a guide on the best VPNs for iPhone and iOS devices.
How to get the best VPN performance and speeds
Maximizing the benefits of your VPN service 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. This generally reduces latency and improves performance.
- Choose the least crowded server or the “recommended” server. Some VPNs help you select the best VPN server by showing server bandwidth loads or having “recommended” servers based on distance and loading.
- Experiment with different VPN protocols. OpenVPN UDP offers a good mix of security and speed. WireGuard is the fastest VPN protocol we've tested. Trying different VPN protocols and encryption options may help to find the best fit for your network.
- Consider antivirus and WiFi interference. Sometimes antivirus software or other WiFi networks may interfere with VPN speeds.
- Use a wired (ethernet) connection rather than WiFi. Wired connections (with high-quality ethernet cables) generally provide faster and more consistent speeds than WiFi.
Disable unnecessary features and settings in your VPN client to reduce resource usage
Close any unnecessary applications and processes running in the background to free up system resources
Update your VPN client and operating system to the latest versions
- Upgrade your internet connection. Your VPN will not be able to exceed the baseline connection speed of your internet provider.
Fastest VPN: The fastest VPN we have tested to date is currently IPVanish.
The top VPN recommendations in this guide were thoroughly tested and offer excellent speeds. Here is a recent speed test with IPVanish at 829 Mbps download speeds with a US server:
IPVanish definitely exceeded our expectations in the performance category in the latest round of test for the IPVanish review.
Are VPNs safe?
If you are using a good, reputable VPN service that effectively secures your traffic (no leaks), then yes, a VPN is safe to use. But therein lies the catch because there are many unsafe VPNs on the market, especially when it comes to free VPN services. So you need to choose your VPN very carefully. We will explain further below.
You can also see various discussions on Reddit about the safety of VPNs, such as on this best VPN Reddit post.
Are VPNs legal?
In general, the answer is yes, it is perfectly legal (and normal!) to use VPNs, even if you are in places like China where VPNs are restricted. VPNs are used every day by businesses and individuals throughout the world for basic privacy and security purposes. Businesses rely on VPN technology and encryption for security reasons and it would not make sense for this to ever become illegal.
That being said, China currently has a “ban” on non-approved VPN services that do not go along with state censorship requirements. The United Arab Emirates and a few other Gulf State countries have laws against people using VPNs to evade state censorship, which we covered in our guide on the best VPNs for UAE. Fortunately, this is not an issue in Western countries, where VPNs remain a safe, legal, and popular tool. (But of course, none of this is legal advice!)
Risks of free VPN services
Despite their apparent appeal, free VPN services can often harbor hidden risks and threats. For example, many free VPNs have been found to leak user data, exposing your online activities to hackers, advertisers, and other malicious actors.
In addition to data leaks, free VPN services may engage in other malicious activities, such as injecting ads into your web traffic or even referring affiliate traffic to potentially harmful websites. Therefore, it’s crucial to be cautious when using a free VPN and to carefully research the provider’s reputation and security practices before using their service.
Here a few well-documented reasons showing why free VPN services are often risky:
- Malware – Malware is often hidden in free VPN services to collect your data. One study found malware in 38% of free VPN apps for Android devices.
- Tracking – Tracking libraries hidden in free VPNs are also used for data collection. The popular Betternet free VPN app was found to contain 14 different tracking libraries.
- Third party access to your data – Everything you do through a free VPN could be provided to third parties – and many VPNs explicitly state this in their privacy policies. Hotspot Shield was publicly called out for doing this by the Center for Democracy and Technology.
- Browser hijacking – Some free VPNs have been found to hijack and redirect browsers to e-commerce sites, such as Alibaba and eBay, through partner networks.
- Traffic leaks – This is perhaps the greatest risk for people using a free VPN because it exposes your identity. One study found that 84% of free Android VPN apps leaked user data, thereby rendering the VPN useless.
Even if you are just a casual streaming user, such as using a VPN for Amazon Prime, you will still want to avoid risky free VPN apps.
VPN Protocols Explained
The level of security, speed, and performance varies across different VPN protocols. Here’s an overview of some of the most common VPN protocols and their benefits and drawbacks:
OpenVPN: This open-source protocol offers a strong balance between security and speed. It is highly secure and widely utilized, making it a popular choice among VPN users.
- WireGuard: This is a relatively new VPN protocol that offers upgraded security and consistently fast speeds. It also performs well on mobile devices.
PPTP: Although largely obsolete, PPTP is known for its fast connection speeds. However, it has numerous known security vulnerabilities, making it an unsuitable choice for most users.
L2TP/IPsec: L2TP is not inherently secure, so it is typically used in conjunction with the IPsec secure-networking standard. While this combination offers decent security, it can be slower than other protocols.
IKEv2: A relatively new standard, IKEv2 provides strong security when implemented correctly. It is particularly suited for mobile devices, as it can quickly switch between networks without losing the VPN connection.
Most VPNs apps allow for easy protocol selection right in the VPN settings, as you can see below with Surfshark VPN.
To choose the right VPN protocol, it’s important to take into account your individual needs and preferences and the security and performance levels each protocol can deliver. See our guide on OpenVPN vs WireGuard to determine how these popular protocols perform.
How does a VPN work?
VPN functions by:
Establishing a secure, encrypted link between your device and the internet
Routing your internet traffic through a remote server
Changing your IP address
Encrypting your data
This ensures that your personal information, browsing history, and any sensitive data you transmit over the internet remain private and secure.
What devices can you use with a VPN?
A VPN can work with nearly any device that connects to the internet:
- Computers – Whether you’re running Windows, Mac OS, Linux, or even a Chromebook, you will be able to use a VPN on your computer. Installation and setup options will depend on the VPN service you go with.
- Phones and tablets – VPNs are also very popular on phones and tablets. Whether you are running Android or iOS, you will be able to use your VPN on any smart phone or tablet. Ubuntu Touch should also work with a VPN.
- Routers – When you install the VPN on your router, all the devices that connect to your router will be using the encrypted VPN tunnel – without the need to install VPN software on each device. The router will only count as one VPN connection under your subscription, even if there are numerous devices using the router’s encrypted VPN connection. There are some important considerations before you do this – see my VPN router guide for setup tips.
- TV boxes – Most TV boxes are built on the Android operating system. This means that you can install a VPN on your TV box using your VPN service’s Android app. Check with your VPN provider for instructions.
- Smart TVs – Whether or not you can use a VPN on your smart TV will depend on the type of smart TV you have and whether your VPN supports it. Android-based smart TVs can use an Android VPN app.
- Fire Stick and Fire TV – VPNs can also be used on Fire Stick and Fire TV. For more information, see the best VPN for Firestick and Fire TV guide.
When choosing a VPN that supports multiple devices, be sure to check the provider’s simultaneous connection limit, as well as the compatibility of the VPN with the devices and operating systems you use regularly. This will help ensure that you can secure all your devices with ease and maintain your online privacy across multiple platforms. See also our guide on using a VPN for multiple devices.
VPN for Torrenting
Torrenting or Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing can jeopardize your privacy and security by exposing your IP address and online activities to other users on the same network.
By using virtual private networks specifically designed for torrenting, you can ensure your online activities remain private and anonymous, even when engaging in P2P file sharing.
The best VPNs for torrenting should offer:
Robust encryption
A strict no-logs policy
Support for P2P traffic on their servers
Features such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection
Additionally, these features can help ensure your privacy remains intact even if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
VPN for Gaming
Gaming with a VPN can yield several benefits, including enhanced security, quicker connection speeds, and the ability to access geo-blocked gaming content. By connecting to a VPN server that is geographically close to the gaming server you’re trying to access, you can potentially reduce latency and improve your overall gaming experience.
When choosing a VPN for gaming, look for a provider that offers fast speeds, dedicated gaming servers, and compatibility with your gaming platforms. Additionally, consider the VPN’s simultaneous connection limit, as this will allow you to secure all your gaming devices with a single subscription.
VPN for Travel
While traveling, a VPN enables you to access content that’s only available in your home country, including streaming services, websites, and online games. Additionally, using a VPN for traveling can ensure your security on public Wi-Fi networks, protecting your devices from hackers and other potential threats.
To use a VPN for travel, simply follow these steps:
Create an account with a VPN provider.
Download their VPN app onto your device.
Sign in with your account.
Select a server location.
Connect to the server.
Once connected, you can use your device as usual while the VPN is enabled, ensuring your online activities remain private and secure even when you’re far from home.
Using a VPN on a router
Configuring a VPN on your router offers comprehensive network protection, securing all devices connected to your home network with a single VPN subscription. This is particularly beneficial for devices that don’t natively support VPN client software, such as gaming consoles and smart TVs.
To set up a VPN on your router, you’ll need to follow the specific instructions provided by your VPN provider and router manufacturer. This process may vary depending on your router model and the VPN service you choose, so it’s essential to consult the relevant documentation and customer support to ensure a successful setup.
Using a VPN in Restricted Countries
In regions with stringent internet censorship, a VPN emerges as a handy tool to circumvent restrictions and access blocked content. By connecting to a VPN server in another country, you can effectively “tunnel” through the censorship and access websites and services that would otherwise be unavailable.
However, using a VPN in a restricted country can also come with risks, as some countries have laws prohibiting the use of VPNs. Additionally, not all VPNs are secure enough to protect your data from government surveillance or other malicious actors. We have VPN guides for some of these locations:
It’s crucial to thoroughly research the laws in the country you’re in and choose a reliable and secure VPN service to ensure your online activities remain private and secure.
Conclusion on the best VPNs
To briefly recap this best VPN roundup guide, here are the VPN services 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 700 Mbps). Great for streaming plus extra security features (with a 74% off coupon).
- Surfshark – Best VPN for many devices (unlimited)
- ExpressVPN – Secure and reliable VPN service
- Proton VPN – User-friendly and private VPN in Switzerland
- IPVanish – Fast, secure, and audited VPN with excellent support for streaming
- VPN.ac – User-friendly and secure VPN from Romania
- Perfect Privacy – Secure VPN with advanced privacy features
- OVPN – Secure, fast, private VPN in Sweden
- Mullvad – Privacy-focused VPN in Sweden
- Trust.Zone – Basic, affordable VPN service
In a world with eroding digital privacy, it's crucial to use a VPN to not only restore privacy, but also to unblock content for streaming. Many services, including Netflix, are now restricting access using various parameters. A VPN remains the best tool to access the content you want from anywhere in the world.
A VPN is also a great choice for adding an extra layer of security to your connection. We're constantly bombarded with news about security risks and data breaches in the news. And these risks continue to grow over time.
Some VPNs can effectively bolster security through also integrating anti-malware features into the service, such as the Threat Protection feature with NordVPN. This is one reason why our top recommendation remains NordVPN, especially with the 74% off coupon.
In this guide, we examined the top-rated VPNs that met all of our criteria. These services passed all tests with no data leaks. They also offer good speeds, reliable VPN apps, and strong encryption standards. Additionally, they are located in safe privacy jurisdictions and have an established track record and good reputation.
And for those who are on a budget, you may want to check out our guide on the best VPN coupons that are currently working now.
That's all for now. Stay safe, secure, and private online in 2024 and beyond!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 best VPN?
NordVPN is the #1 best VPN, having outperformed other services with speed tests, overall features, streaming and torrenting support, and having passed numerous third-party audits. It offers strong performance, dedication to privacy, and has been recognized among other virtual private network services. Surfshark is a close second.
Which is the best VPN for free?
Based on our in-depth tests, Proton VPN is the best free VPN, albeit with lots of restrictions. Nonetheless, Proton VPN stands out for its strong commitment to security and privacy, while also offering fully-featured apps. The free plan does come with lots of restrictions and limitations, however, but at least it's safe and secure.
What are the main benefits of using a VPN?
Using a VPN offers numerous benefits, such as improved privacy, access to geo-restricted content, increased security on public Wi-Fi networks, and prevention of ISP throttling.
How do I choose the best VPN for my needs?
When choosing a VPN, take into account the security features, server coverage, speed, device compatibility, and provider reputation to ensure you get the best service for your needs.
This best VPN guide was last updated on December 4, 2024 with new info and test results.
korsko
Please check out hide.me! It´s a really good service , everything works well and they have good customizable apps.
Julio Mendes
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?
Shadow
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.
shadow
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.
Super Sven
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.
endforovpn
OVPN got acquired by Pango Group, very bad thing as it is US based.
https://www.ovpn.com/en/blog/next-chapter-for-ovpn
Super Sven
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..
Super Sven
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.
Ayu
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.
Ayu
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;
Ayu
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.
BoBeX
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,
BoBeX
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
BoBeX
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.
Love is Empathy and Dignity
@BoBeX Sir I beg to differ. On my pc Threat Protection by Nord is very CPU efficient.
BoBeX
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.
Ambrosial Skunk 🦨
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?
BoBeX
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,
Following
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.
Dada
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.
Sven Taylor
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.
Mike
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.
Bart
Any info on Google’s VPN now being made available?
John
Can Switzerland base Vpn’s be trusted now with what happen to Proton? Thank You
Sven Taylor
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.
Frank
Thank you, Sven. I have seen other reviews about Perfect Privacy, which said that their Windows app was buggy. That was my experience, too.
Bruno
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.
BoBeX
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
X
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.
DB
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?
Plums
Have you reviewed Mozilla VPN yet? (Does it even qualify?!)
Sven Taylor
No review yet, but Mozilla VPN is just a rebranded version of Mullvad VPN.
ArnonS
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
Sven Taylor
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.
James
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.
Sven Taylor
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.
Badger
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.
Junteenth
Hi Badger, where is the info on who signed these deals? How reliable is the source? I would like to read more.
stemart
I believe Nord and Surfshark have merged although I don’t think that changes much on the front-end for users.
Sven Taylor
Yep, you are correct, they did merge but Surfshark will continue to operate independently. We covered it here.
Humano
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
Dost Muhammad
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
Ned
Good Lord they have been busy! Fortunately I always don a tin foil hat before turning on any electronic device.
Junteenth
Oh, Ned…thanks for a good belly laugh! I’ll look for my aluminum hat…..
Vern
Humano
No.
shadycasei
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
Cipollino
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!
Dave
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.
Shadow
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”.
Atze
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.
Sven Taylor
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.
Junteenth
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.
Frank
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.
Luca
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.
Sven Taylor
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.
Shannon
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?
Sven Taylor
Again, I recommend using a VPN, not just a SOCKS5 proxy.
Julie
Has been given an offer he can’t refuse by recommending EXPRESS VPN despite their less than respectable new owner?
Sven Taylor
We took a close look at Kape Technologies and there’s nothing very alarming. Read that linked article for the full story.
Brichards
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.
paganpilot
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.
Sven Taylor
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.
Vladimir Ivanovic
Any comment about Private Internet Access VPN?
Sven Taylor
Sure, here is the PIA review.
ArnonS
Hi
What about the AdGuard vpn and SWisscows vpn? If I use both the of them
Regards
Arnon
ArnonS
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?