The Best VPN Service of 2025: Top Picks Reviewed by Experts |

The Best VPN Services of 2025

Our top pick, NordVPN, had less than a 5 percent impact on our internet speed with a network of over 7,600 servers covering 118 countries.

All of our content is written by humans, not robots. Learn More

By Aliza Vigderman , Senior Editor, Industry Analyst & Gabe Turner , Chief Editor Last Updated on Jun 12, 2025

Read about our Methodology and Testing
2,500+ research hours
50+ VPNs reviewed
300 speed tests
6 experts consulted
5 VPNs recommended
All of our content is written by humans, not robots. Learn More
Most Trusted VPN for Privacy

SecurityScore:
9.7 /10

• Strict no-logs policy
• Connect up to 10 devices at once
• 7,159 servers in 118 countries and specialty servers tailored to specific needs, such as P2P or extra security

View Plans Links to NordVPN
Best VPN for Security

SecurityScore:
9.5 /10

• Provides extremely fast download and upload speeds
• Has servers in 117 countries, and also uses WireGuard
• Offers built-in features that boost VPN speeds (split-tunneling and VPN Accelerator)

View Plans Links to Surfshark
Best VPN for Speed

Proton VPN
SecurityScore:
9.3 /10

• Flexible pricing structure
• Trusted brand with unmatched customer support
• Servers in 31 countries and 73 cities

View Plans Links to Proton VPN
VPN Buying Guides:

• VPNs for Streaming
• VPNs for Torrenting
• VPNs for Gamers
• VPNs for Cheap
• VPNs for iPhone
• VPNs for Android
• Free VPNs
• VPNs for Chrome
• VPNs for Mac
• VPNs for Windows

Most VPNs work the same way, so is it really worth the time researching VPNs? We’d say it is. Factors such as speed, number of servers and server locations, and security and privacy features will all affect your overall VPN experience and, thus, your online privacy and security.

Our team of cybersecurity experts tested over 50 VPNs to select the elite few. We believe NordVPN is the best option, with its humongous server network, impressive and stable speeds, and top-notch privacy features, but here’s a list of the VPNs we recommend the most for their unique capabilities.

Hot Deal: VPNs cost about $10 per month, but with NordVPN’s current two-year deal, you can get our top-pick VPN for only $3.39 per month.

The Best VPN Services of 2025

1. NordVPN – Most Trusted VPN for Privacy
2. Surfshark – Best VPN for Security
3. Proton VPN – Best VPN for Speed
4. Private Internet Access – Best VPN for Beginners
5. Hotspot Shield – Best Download Speeds

Expert Take
From Subbu Sthanu, Chief Commercial Officer of IPVanish

A recent survey we conducted shows that there’s a significant misunderstanding about what a VPN actually does. Nearly 75 percent expect it to block ads and trackers. In reality, a VPN shields your internet traffic from ISPs such as AT&T and network operators, and it conceals your real IP address from websites.

Comparison of the Best VPNs

*All the VPNs we tested caused our internet speed to drop, but the fastest VPNs limited the loss to below 10 percent.

Proton VPN

Private Internet Access

Hotspot Shield

Most Trusted VPN for Privacy
Best Security
Best VPN for Speed
Best VPN for Beginners
Best Download Speeds

The Best VPN Services of 2025

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Privacy

SecurityScore:
9.7 /10
View Plans Links to NordVPN

Product Specs

Multihop	Yes
Obfuscated Servers	Yes
Kill Switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

View Plans Links to NordVPN

Why We Picked NordVPN

NordVPN earned the highest spot because of its privacy-focused approach, overall speed and reliability, and ease of use. A NordVPN subscription gives you more than just a VPN. With our NordVPN Plus plan, we enjoyed protection from malware-infected downloads through Threat Protection Pro. It also blocked ads and third-party trackers from the websites we visited. It’s not antivirus software, but it comes pretty close. >> Related: The Best Antivirus and VPN Bundles

What We Like

• Based in Panama, a privacy-friendly country
• Offers multihop and double hop for extra privacy
• Up-to-date encryption and VPN protocols
• Can access blocked website and streaming content
• User-friendly apps

What We Don’t Like

• Steeper prices than the competition
• Manual setup required in restrictive countries
• Antimalware protection not available with the cheapest subscription

NordVPN Privacy – Excellent

We like that NordVPN has all essential privacy features: a kill switch, DNS leak protection and a strict no-logs policy. It also has double VPN servers that send your data through two VPN servers instead of just one. That way, your real IP address is hidden behind two VPN IPs.

The higher subscription tiers also add access to extra privacy services. That includes NordPass (a password manager) and NordProtect, an identity theft protection service.

NordVPN Speed – Very Good

We ran several speed tests, and our average download speed loss with NordVPN was only 5.78 percent and the upload speed loss was 4.11 percent. Those are lower than most VPNs we tested, which is good.

We used several distant servers to watch 4K videos on YouTube, and they always loaded instantly. We also downloaded a 15 GB file, and it took only about seven minutes for the download to finish.

FYI: We tested NordVPN’s double VPN servers too, and our speeds slowed down by up to 80 percent. You should only use these servers when you need enhanced privacy.

NordVPN Security – Excellent

Our favorite security feature is Threat Protection Pro. It’s almost like an antivirus with the way it blocks malware downloads. The best part about it is that it works in the background even when the VPN is off.

NordVPN also provides access to secure VPN protocols: OpenVPN and NordLynx. NordLynx is built around WireGuard, which is very secure and also super fast. Our tests show that NordLynx is about 20 percent faster than OpenVPN.

Pro Tip: Threat Protection Pro is included in the “Plus” plan, but not the “Basic” plan. The “Plus” plan also includes NordPass, one of the best password managers we’ve tested. We recommend choosing it over “Basic.”

Who It’s Best For

We recommend NordVPN to users who are looking to improve their overall digital security, especially if you plan to sign up for the mid-tier or top-tier plans with Threat Protection Pro, NordPass and other bonus privacy and security features.

Surfshark provides very strong privacy. It has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited, just like that of NordVPN. Plus, we like how it uses only RAM-based servers, which means all data is wiped with each server reboot.

The VPN also has other good privacy tools: a kill switch, double VPN support and Alternative ID, which generates an alternative email address and persona. We recommend using the alternative email generation if you need to sign up on sites you don’t trust. Data shows that over 422 million records were leaked in the third quarter of 2024, 1 and a lot of those records include email addresses.

Surfshark Speed – Good

Surfshark offers fast download speeds that kept our speed loss to about 8 percent during our tests — not as fast as NordVPN, but still plenty fast. Our concern is the upload speed. Even when connecting to nearby servers, our upload speed dropped by as much as 80 percent and averaged around 50 percent through 10 tests. That made our YouTube uploads take longer.

Expert Tip: Most online activities don’t require fast upload speeds, just good download speeds. For example, on Netflix, you only need 15 Mbps to stream 4K content, and just 3 Mbps to stream HD videos. 2

Surfshark Security – Excellent

Surfshark has obfuscation (called Camouflage Mode), which hides your VPN traffic. The feature makes encrypted VPN traffic seem like normal traffic. That’s handy if you’re on a restrictive network and you’re worried about network admins monitoring VPN usage.

The VPN has a built-in ad blocker, too, called CleanWeb. In our tests, it blocked 90 percent of ads on all sites we visited. It also stopped us from accessing unsafe HTTP sites.

User-Friendly Apps

We found Surfshark easy to use even with its extensive feature set. Connecting to a VPN is straightforward, since there’s a quick-connect tool that instantly connects you to the fastest server location.

We also appreciate how neatly organized all the VPN features are in the settings menu, unlike the TotalAV VPN app we recently tested. Because that app combined TotalAV’s feature-rich antivirus and VPN, the features were scattered everywhere.

Streaming Services

A nice little side effect of using a VPN is gaining access to streaming content from outside your country. You can use it to unblock Hulu if you’re outside the U.S., for instance, or access Disney+ shows not available in your region. Surfshark made both our lists of the best Disney+ VPNs and best Hulu VPNs. It also worked well with other streaming services we tested, such as Netflix, Max, Spotify and even YouTube TV.

FYI: Learn more about the best VPNs for YouTube TV. Surfshark is also great for streaming devices. It’s one of the best VPNs for Apple TV and a highly rated VPN for Fire TV.

Who It’s Best For:

Surfshark is an affordable but well-stacked VPN. We recommend it if you’re looking for a VPN to use day to day, but its Surfshark One subscriptions are particularly handy for those looking for a VPN and antivirus software.

Proton VPN is one of the best VPNs for privacy in 2025. The VPN doesn’t store user IPs and browsing data. We also like how its no-logs policy has been independently audited.

The VPN also offers Secure Core servers for users looking for enhanced privacy. These servers send your data through two VPN servers (like NordVPN’s Double VPN), one of which is located in a privacy-friendly country, such as Switzerland, Sweden, or Iceland.

FYI: All Proton VPN apps are open-source, meaning that anyone can inspect the code for security issues. Since not everyone can do that, we like how Proton VPN had all of its apps audited by a security firm.

Proton VPN Speed – Very Good

Our most recent speed tests show that Proton VPN almost rivals NordVPN when it comes to connection speeds. Proton VPN slowed down our download speeds by around eight percent on average. Also, it only slowed down our upload speeds by four percent.

Proton VPN also has built-in features that increase VPN speeds: split-tunneling and VPN Accelerator. Split-tunneling lets you only route traffic that you want to encrypt through the VPN. And VPN Accelerator is a tool unique to Proton VPN that boosts VPN speeds on distant servers. In our tests, VPN Accelerator increased our speeds by as much as 50 percent.

>> Related Reading: Proton VPN vs. NordVPN

Proton VPN Security – Very Good

Proton VPN provides great security. Its Secure Core servers protect your data with an additional layer of encryption. Also, its NetShield feature not only gets rid of ads, but also protects you from shady websites.

The VPN doesn’t use RAM-only servers like NordVPN and Surfshark. But this isn’t an issue in our opinion, as Proton VPN uses full-disk encryption (FDE) to secure its servers instead. With FDE, user data can’t be compromised, even if one of Proton VPN’s servers are seized.

Test Results: NetShield blocked over 90 percent of ads in our tests. It also stopped us from accessing unsafe links. But keep in mind that it can’t protect you against malicious downloads, like NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro can.

Who It’s Best For:

We mainly recommend getting Proton VPN if you want a lot of control over your VPN speeds. Its huge server network and speed-boosting features make it very easy to optimize your connections to get the best speeds.

4. Private Internet Access – Best User Experience

SecurityScore:
9.4 /10
View Plans Links to Private Internet Access

Product Specs

Multihop	Yes
Obfuscated Servers	Yes
Kill Switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

View Plans Links to Private Internet Access

Why We Picked Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is a fast, reliable and secure VPN, but it especially stands out when it comes to user experience. It has a VPN app for every device: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV. It also allows unlimited connections, and we found the apps highly customizable for different uses, such as browsing, streaming, torrenting and online gaming. >> Related: The Top VPNs for Online Gaming

What We Like

• Strict logging policy
• Fast on Windows
• Excellent user experience
• Netflix access

What We Don’t Like

• Slower upload speeds
• Live chat support needs improvement
• Not as feature-rich as other VPNs

Private Internet Access Privacy – Very Good

Private Internet Access is one of the best no-log VPNs in 2025. We read its privacy policy (which has been independently audited), and can confirm the VPN doesn’t log user IP addresses and browsing traffic, just like NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN. It also doesn’t store usage metrics, such as connection timestamps and bandwidth usage.

FYI: Some VPNs log connection timestamps and bandwidth usage to improve their services. We don’t have an issue with this type of logging, as it doesn’t compromise user privacy.

Private Internet Access Speed – Excellent

Private Internet Access’ speeds were fast during our tests, regardless of the device we were using. We know every VPN will reduce our normal speeds. But the best ones minimize the impact. With that in mind, here’s our PIA speed test results:

Baseline	Private Internet Access	Percentage difference
Download speed (Mbps)	95.08	90.48	-4.39%
Upload speed (Mbps)	94.44	14.86	-84.26%
Average ping (ms) – lower is better	3	86.7	2,790%

Expert Take
From Subbu Sthanu, Chief Commercial Officer of IPVanish

“A common issue I encounter is customers experiencing slow speeds because they use far-away servers or don’t take advantage of the fastest VPN protocol options. I noticed that the best way to fix slow VPN speeds is to use a nearby server or switch from OpenVPN to WireGuard.”

Private Internet Access Security – Very Good

Private Internet Access uses MACE (an ad blocker) to help enhance online security. We tested it and had very good results. On ad-heavy pages, it blocked banner, pop-up and video ads. It also stopped us from accessing unsafe websites.

And just like NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN, Private Internet Access offers obfuscation. It’s an extra layer of security if you want to hide your VPN use from your network admin or the government.

Encryption Options

We like how Private Internet Access lets you choose between 256-bit AES encryption (the default after VPN installation) and 128-bit AES. You can switch between ciphers when you use the OpenVPN protocol; 128-bit AES is strong, but overall less secure than 256-bit AES. It was faster by about 4 percent during our tests though. That’s why we prefer 128-bit AES for less privacy-demanding tasks, such as streaming Netflix and online gaming.

Highly Efficient Apps

It only took us about two minutes to install each one of PIA’s apps, and it took only about 10 seconds to find and connect to a server. We also like how PIA offers standard split tunneling and the less common inverse split tunneling (see our split tunneling guide for a detailed explanation). We used the feature to send traffic from our Zoom app through the VPN, which improved our video call speeds.

Who It’s Best For:

We recommend Private Internet Access to anyone who’s looking for a very intuitive VPN. It has apps for all major platforms, it’s very easy to install and use, and it also allows unlimited connections.

Hotspot Shield Speed – Excellent

Hotspot Shield was the fastest VPN we tested, with just a 3.17 percent reduction from our usual download speeds — even lower than NordVPN’s speed loss. That said, Hotspot Shield’s upload speed didn’t perform as well, dropping by as much as 80 percent just like Surfshark. Hotspot Shield is great for downloading large files and streaming videos, but skip it if you’re a regular uploader.

Hotspot Shield Security – Very Good

Hotspot Shield delivers security through a number of built-in app features. It offers leak protection against IPv6, DNS and WebRTC leaks by providing a private DNS. We ran over 20 tests, and we never experienced any leaks.

We’re also very happy with the VPN’s proprietary Hydra protocol. It uses military-grade encryption and provides obfuscation, allowing the VPN to work in restrictive countries that censor the internet (such as China and Russia).

Who It’s Best For:

Hotspot Shield is an excellent option for users interested in super-fast download speeds. Its Hydra protocol maintains very fast download speeds on both nearby and distant servers.

Other VPNs We Tested

The five VPNs we listed above provide the best value in 2025, but they aren’t the only good VPNs we tested. Here are three more VPNs that almost made it to our main list:

1. Norton Secure VPN – Great VPN to Bundle With Other Security Tools

View Plans

Links to Norton.com

Norton Secure VPN is a decent VPN service. But it really shines when you bundle it with Norton’s other security tools. For example, Norton Antivirus, which is among the best antivirus services in 2025. Or LifeLock, which is the best identity theft protection service on the market.

Unfortunately, Norton Secure VPN didn’t meet our requirements to be listed in our top five list. One of the main reasons is because it only has servers in 30 countries. That’s a really low number when you consider that our top five picks have servers in at least 80 countries.

2. IPVanish – Best Cheap VPN

View Plans

Links to IPVanish

IPVanish maintains very good download and upload speeds, so much so that it actually rivals NordVPN and Proton VPN. It also has a huge server network, with servers in 112 countries. And it’s great for torrenting since all servers allow P2P traffic – plus, it has SOCKS5 proxy support too. It’s also easy to use, and allows unlimited simultaneous connections.

The main reason it didn’t make it to our top five list is due to its spotty streaming access. For example, in our tests, it was only able to connect to Netflix 50 percent of the time.

3. ExpressVPN – VPN with Optional VPN Router (Great for Gaming)

View Plans

Links to ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, maintains very fast speeds, and has user-friendly and feature-rich apps. It’s also great for gaming since it has a native router app, so you don’t need to perform a manual setup to use the VPN on a gaming console.

But ExpressVPN’s pricing is pretty steep. It offers excellent value, but so do NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN. NordVPN is slightly more affordable than ExpressVPN, but Surfshark is almost 50 percent cheaper than ExpressVPN. And Proton VPN and ExpressVPN’s two-year plans are tied in price, but Proton VPN’s one-year plan is 25 percent cheaper.

Our Methodology for Testing and Ranking VPNs

To give you objective and honest recommendations, we personally tested more than 50 VPNs over a span of six months. We assessed each VPN across multiple platforms, including desktops, smartphones, and smart TVs. We also ran dozens of speed tests and IP address leak tests.

We looked at a number of key factors to rate, rank and compare VPNs, but these are the main areas we considered:

• Security: We make sure the VPN uses industry-standard encryption ciphers (AES or ChaCha20). We also make sure it uses secure protocols, such as OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2/IPSec.
• Privacy: We check each VPN’s privacy policy to make sure the service doesn’t log user data, such as IP addresses and browsing traffic. We also check if the VPN has undergone third-party security audits. In addition, we use leak testing tools (like IPLeak.net 5 ) to make sure that the VPN doesn’t leak our IP and DNS data.
• Speeds: We test each VPN’s speeds on both nearby and distant servers. We make sure to recommend only VPNs that maintain fast speeds for browsing, streaming, gaming, video calls and other online activities.
• Streaming and torrenting: We check if the VPN can access popular streaming services, such as Netflix, Disney+ and Max. We also make sure the VPN allows torrenting on some servers (ideally all servers).
• User experience: We install all of the VPNs apps on our personal devices. We then note how easy it is to navigate the apps, find and change settings, and connect to different servers.
• The overall value: We check each VPN’s pricing options to make sure it’s affordable. We also check if the VPN service has a free version, a free trial or a generous money-back guarantee.

>> Find Out More: A 2025 Guide to VPNs

What Does a VPN Do?

VPNs encrypt your internet traffic. That means they make it completely unreadable so nobody can spy on it — not your ISP, not hackers and not the government. VPNs also hide users’ IP addresses. Basically, when you use a VPN to access websites, only the VPN’s IP address will be visible.

The top VPNs — the ones we tested and ranked above — offer tried and tested encryption standards. They also don’t log your IP address or what sites you browse.

How to Choose a VPN

Picking a VPN starts with understanding what you want to use it for and how much you’re willing to pay. After testing over 50 VPNs, we learned that some are ideal for privacy-conscious professionals and others let you watch your favorite overseas show before it premieres locally. Some other considerations include:

• Security features: Your VPN should use industry-standard encryption and include tools like kill switches and secure protocols. These features ensure your IP, DNS data, and browsing activity remain hidden.
• Apps: The best VPNs offer apps for Windows, MacOS, and smartphones. We like to use browser VPNs and split tunneling to minimize data usage. You might prefer apps for gaming consoles and streaming devices.
• Server locations: Check to see if the VPN you’re interested in has physical servers in the countries they list or if they use virtual servers. This can impact performance.
• Extra features: More VPNs are offering extra digital security tools like password managers, antivirus software, and identity theft protection services. If you’re already paying subscriptions for these apps, you might be able to save some money by bundling them together.
• Costs: Speaking of pricing, always check if what you’re paying is an introductory discount or the ongoing rate. We also recommend looking for VPNs with money-back guarantees. It’s a good way to test a VPN before committing long-term.

The Fastest VPNs We Tested

When we test VPN speeds, we use the Ookla Speedtest tool3 to measure three important metrics: the download speed, upload speed, and latency (or ping). We test each VPN 10 times, average the result, and compare it to our speeds when we’re not connected to a VPN. The lower the impact on our baseline speed, the better.

Average download speed (Mbps)	Download speed loss	Average upload speed (Mbps)	Upload speed loss	Average ping (Mbps)	Latency loss
NordVPN	89.11	5.78%	90.72	4.11%	78.3	2510%
Surfshark	87.25	7.78%	47.32	49.98%	135.8	4427%
Proton VPN	86.07	8.18%	90.66	4.08%	78	2.50%
Private Internet Access	90.48	4.84%	14.86	84.26%	86.7	2790%
Hotspot Shield	91.47	3.17%	18.88	80.03%	79	3850%

In our latest VPN speed test conducted in June 2025, we found NordVPN’s download and upload speeds never slowed by more than six percent – even when testing distant servers. Proton VPN also performed well, decreasing our download speeds by eight percent, and our upload speeds by only four percent.

With a baseline speed of 94.46 Mbps, Hotspot Shield’s download speed only dropped to 91.47 Mbps (that’s just a three percent slowdown). As you can see, though, the upload speeds slowed by up to 80 percent. Based on these results, we don’t recommend using Hotspot Shield for securely uploading large files.

Can You Trust The Top VPN Services?

A VPN encrypts your traffic and changes your IP, but it could still log that data. The VPN could then share it with third parties, such as advertisers.

Here’s how we determine if we can trust a VPN service:

• Privacy policy: We read the VPN’s privacy policy to make sure it actually doesn’t log any data that could be tied to our identity, such as IP addresses and browsing traffic.
• Third-party audits: We can easily access and read a VPN’s privacy policy, but we have no way to actually confirm that the VPN adheres to it. That’s where third-party audits come in. Trustworthy VPNs undergo independent security audits that verify their no-log claims.
• Company headquarters: Where a VPN company is located matters, because some countries have laws that could compromise user privacy. In India, for example, VPN companies are required to log usage data (IP addresses, visited websites, etc.).

FYI: Some VPNs are located in 5/9/14 Eyes countries. These countries are part of an alliance and share surveillance data with one another. Such VPNs are safe, provided they undergo regular audits to prove that their no-log claims are true.

The Best VPNs Around The World

We conducted a comprehensive study of how adults in the United States use and shop for VPNs, and we found that 68 percent of the survey respondents use a VPN. The importance of using a VPN isn’t exclusive to the U.S. or North America alone, though. In Australia, for example, research shows that there’s an uptick in VPN users who opt for paid services over risky, free VPNs. The latest statistics show that six out of 10 Australian VPN users are now using premium VPNs. 4

In light of that, we made a list of VPN recommendations for countries with high VPN usage:

• Spain
• Japan
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• South Korea
• The Netherlands
• Mexico
• United Arab Emirates
• Australia
• France
• Germany

Bottom Line

VPNs have tons of use cases. They protect your online data and privacy, they improve streaming and online gaming, they secure your torrenting traffic, and they prevent bandwidth throttling.

Not all VPNs offer great value, though. But the ones we tested are safe and easy to use, maintain fast speeds, and offer great streaming and torrenting support. Our personal favorite is NordVPN, but Surfshark, Proton VPN, Private Internet Access, and Hotspot Shield are also good options.

VPN FAQs

NordVPN offers the best value since it’s extremely secure, very fast, excellent for streaming and torrenting, and really easy to use. But there are also other good options. Surfshark is great for security, Proton VPN is good for optimizing VPN speeds, Private Internet Access has highly customizable apps, and Hotspot Shield offers very fast download speeds.

Yes, as long as you stick to top VPN services (like NordVPN, Surfshark, or Proton VPN). Top VPNs use industry-standard security and privacy features to protect your data, like military-grade encryption, a kill switch, a strict no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection.

Hotspot Shield and Proton VPN offer the best free versions, as they both provide unlimited bandwidth. Hotspot Shield’s free plan is great for desktop users, while Proton VPN’s free version is excellent for privacy.

Yes, they can do so via IP blocks and VPN traffic blocks (called DPI blocks). Some examples of countries that block VPNs include China, Russia, and Turkey. Most top VPNs get around these blocks by refreshing their IPs really fast and using obfuscation. But it’s impossible to guarantee that they’d be able to always bypass such blocks.

NordVPN provides the best streaming and torrenting support. It works with over 20 popular streaming services, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Max, YouTube TV, and Amazon Prime Video. It also allows torrenting on servers in over 110 countries, and provides SOCKS5 proxy support for very fast P2P downloads.

NordVPN provides the best speeds for browsing the web, streaming HD and 4K videos, downloading large files, and playing online games. Our tests show that it doesn’t slow down download and upload speeds by more than six percent on average.

Surfshark and Private Internet Access are both excellent for families because they allow unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you can install and use the VPNs on as many devices as you want. Surfshark is great for high-end security, while Private Internet Access has very intuitive and customizable apps.

Best VPN services: 8 top picks for every VPN need

A virtual private network, aka VPN, is one of the best tools you can use to boost your online privacy and security. But in the vast ocean of available services, it can be incredibly difficult for most people to find the best VPN for their needs. Thankfully, we at PCWorld are VPN experts and we’re here to help.

NymVPN – Forget everything you know about VPN

Many traditional VPN services still store logs centrally, meaning your activity could be traced back to you if they’re hacked or forced to hand over data. NymVPN is different. It uses a mixnet – a decentralized network that blends your traffic with others, making it virtually impossible to trace who did what.

Try NymVPN now and get 5 months free with the 2-year subscription plan!

When looking for the best VPN, you’ll want to consider a few things: First and foremost, does it have a good privacy record; how are its average connection speeds; is it able to effectively and consistently unblock streaming services; and finally, does it have a large enough server network for your location needs? All of my curated picks below deliver these essentials and more.

NordVPN – Best VPN overall

• Loaded with tons of VPN configuration options
• Outstanding speeds
• Multiple independent no-logs audits
• Included antivirus and password manager

Price When Reviewed: Basic plan from $3.09 a month for two years. Usually $12.99.
2-Year Plan $3.09 a month
1-Year Plan $4.99 a month
Monthly Plan $12.99 a month

Who should use NordVPN?

It’s difficult to select the best overall VPN. For many years we chose the best VPN based purely on privacy, but VPNs have evolved to be more than just tools to browse online anonymously. Privacy is still important, to be sure, but so are speeds, extra features, server network size, and ease of use. NordVPN has it all, and that’s why it’s my top choice for VPNs and a truly solid option for everyone.

Nord is the most full-featured service on the market with tools that will appeal to power users as well as an easy-to-use app that is intuitive and straightforward even for beginners. The service also carries out regular independent audits and uses RAM-only diskless servers for increased security, so the privacy-conscious user can rest assured their data will remain anonymous.

For those who deem speed a priority, NordVPN will impress as well. Speeds in my testing averaged 72 percent of the base internet speed across all servers — making it the fastest VPN I’ve ever tested.

NordVPN: Further considerations

NordVPN’s desktop app is very easy to use and offers a ton of different features including access to the TOR network over VPN, multi-hop connections, Meshnet file sharing network, a security suite complete with ad- and malware-blocking, and Nord’s latest password manager and link-checker safety tool. Also, there will be no problems accessing any streaming service while using NordVPN and it has an extensive server network to connect to all over the world.

The only real downside is that NordVPN’s pricing can be more expensive than many other VPN services. Even with the discounts offered by long-term plans, it can still seem pricey. Still, you get what you pay for and in this case, it’s more than worth it.

ExpressVPN – Best VPN runner-up

• Excellent speeds
• Easy-to-use interface
• Unblocks all streaming services
• Great security and privacy practices

• More expensive than many competitors
• Light on some features for a top VPN

Price When Reviewed: From $4.99 a month for 2 years + 4 free months
2-Year Plan $4.99 a month
1-Year Plan $6.67 a month
Monthly plan $12.95 a month

Who should use ExpressVPN?

Just like my other top pick, I think ExpressVPN is a great option for everyone. VPN novices will find that they can easily download the software, choose their server location, and connect — it’s as simple as that. But more advanced users will be able to choose from features such as split-tunneling, protocol optimization, kill switch, and more.

Plus, ExpressVPN has one of the most expansive device support networks I’ve ever seen. So the VPN can be used across practically any and all platforms no matter what device you’re trying to protect — with up to eight simultaneous device connections.

The only reason I placed it second is due to the slight edge NordVPN has in regards to features and speed. Still, you can’t go wrong if you decide to go with ExpressVPN as your VPN of choice.

ExpressVPN: Further considerations

ExpressVPN’s servers are all diskless, running everything in RAM so no data is ever stored long-term. The service also has wide device support, as well as a smart DNS feature for set-top boxes, consoles, and more. It’s even begun branching out to take a more holistic approach to security for users, adding ad- and tracker-blocking and, most recently, a password manager to the service, as well.

It’s not the cheapest VPN out there, but you do get excellent value for your money, and the service is regularly bringing in third-party auditors to validate its privacy credentials.

Surfshark – Best cheap VPN

• Unlimited simultaneous device connections
• Works well with Netflix
• Built-in extras such as ad tracker and malware blocking
• Low price on long-term plans

• Indicators for ping or server load are not readily available
• Based in the Netherlands and subject to government data sharing requests

Price When Reviewed: Starter plan from $1.99 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $15.45 a month.

Starter 2-Year Plan (+ 3 free months) $1.99 a month
Starter 1-Year Plan (+ 3 free months) $3.19 a month
Starter Monthly Plan $15.45 a month

Who should use Surfshark?

Surfshark one of those VPNs that does everything well. It has blazing-fast speeds, a robust feature set second only to NordVPN, and excellent privacy credentials thanks to its no-log policy and multiple independent audits. A subscription comes with all of your standard VPN features, plus infinitely customizable dynamic multi-hop connections, identity protection alerts, and antivirus/malware protection.

But the best thing about Surfshark is the price. Taking advantage of its 2-year plan offer will net you comprehensive protection for just over $2 per month. That’s basically unheard of for a premium VPN service. Surfshark is a great all-around VPN option for most people. That being said, those who don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for their VPN will find that Surfshark easily meets their needs without breaking the bank. If you want to save some money and get one of the best VPNs on the market, look no further.

Surfshark: Further considerations

While the price for a monthly subscription to Surfshark might be exorbitant, the long-term plans are much more affordable. I typically advise against long-term VPN plans as the market changes so frequently, but Surfshark is a rare exception. It’s an established company with a reliable track-record and consistently good service.

The only other thing that potential users should be aware of is that Surfshark is based out of the Netherlands. The country itself has strong personal privacy laws, but it’s a member nation of the 14 Eyes Data Sharing Alliance, meaning the government could require Surfshark to share user data if asked. It shouldn’t matter due to the company’s no-logs policy, but it’s still something privacy-conscious users should be aware of before committing.

Private Internet Access – Best cheap VPN runner-up

• Multiple independently verified no-log audits
• Unlimited simultaneous device connections
• Vast server network
• Great extra features such as multi-hop and split tunneling

• App is a little awkward to use
• Speeds are fairly pedestrian

Price When Reviewed: From $2.19 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Unlimited devices.

2-Year Plan (+4 free months) $2.19 a month
6-Month Plan $7.50 a month
Monthly plan $11.99 a month

Who should use Private Internet Access?

Private Internet Access (PIA) has been around for awhile and has demonstrated that it can continue to innovate and improve with each passing year. The latest version of PIA is no different. By putting itself through yet another independent audit of its no-logs policy it keeps proving that user privacy is its top priority.

I think it can be a great VPN for all users. However, where PIA really shines is in its price and extensive customizable feature set. It has one of the least expensive subscription plans of any top VPN, both monthly and long-term. Plus, power users and those who like their apps to be customized to their individual needs will especially love all of the tweaking that this app allows you to do.

Private Internet Access: Further considerations

PIA also provides generous unlimited device connections and an absolutely insane server network that claims to have over 35,000 available servers, but with fewer country locations than other top competitors on this list.

The service does have a rather outdated interface and I found a few awkward interface issues. It’s also not the fastest service I’ve ever tested, with speeds well below the fastest I’ve seen. But neither of these issues should take away too much from the great value PIA offers.

Proton VPN – Best free VPN

• Excellent free plan
• Great privacy tools
• Reliable and transparent no-logs policy

Price When Reviewed: 1 year: $59.88 ($4.99/mo) I 2 years: $107.76 ($4.49/mo)
1-device limited plan Free

Who should use Proton VPN?

Whether you opt for the free or paid version, Proton VPN is a good option for anyone. The free version specifically will appeal to those on a tight budget, or those who just need a VPN to do the occasional online task safely and securely online.

Many free VPNs come with either ridiculous limitations or annoying ads. Mercifully, Proton VPN has no ads and the restrictions are fairly tame compared to other services. For the low, low cost of nothing, you’ll get a one-device connection limit and access to five servers located in Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the U.S. In my testing I also found that speeds were very good even with the free version, ranking in the top 10 of all VPNs, paid or free. And since there are no monthly data limits on Proton’s free VPN servers, it’s also an excellent option if you want to stream videos while using a VPN — just be aware, the free servers don’t promise to work with Netflix like some of Proton’s paid servers do.

Overall, you get a lot for paying nothing and this easily makes it our favorite free VPN.

Proton VPN: Further considerations

The VPN is from the same company behind Proton Mail, a privacy-focused email service, so it’s very easy to integrate the VPN into the whole Proton ecosystem if you so wish.

The company has undergone multiple independent audits confirming its no-logs policy — including the free VPN, as well. The monthly price for the premium version does come in at the expensive side though, so I would recommend trying out the free version first before you upgrade.

Mullvad – Best VPN for privacy

• Good speeds
• Inexpensive monthly plan
• Unrivaled anonymity
• Open-source

• Struggles with unblocking streaming services
• Smaller server network
• Lacks some extra features that other VPNs offer

Price When Reviewed: $5.26 a month (€5)

Who should use Mullvad?

Mullvad is the undisputed king of privacy and anonymity. I’ve never seen another VPN that actively resists knowing who you are the way Mullvad does. Mullvad doesn’t ask for your email address, name, or anything else. Instead it assigns a random account number that acts as your identifier and login. The service accepts payments using standard methods such as credit cards and PayPal, but you can also mail your payment in cash to remain as private as possible. Mullvad has a no-logging policy and doesn’t collect any identifying metadata from your usage.

The name of the game with Mullvad is privacy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a more than capable VPN for any user. But the ultra-privacy conscious will find the most to like in its anonymized payment system, commitment to not collecting metadata, and strong privacy promises.

Mullvad: Further considerations

Mullvad is also fast, ranking among our top five for speeds, and offers a standardized fee across all plan lengths. While this makes it very affordable month-to-month, it does lose value compared to other top VPNs that significantly reduce their prices in the long-term.

I also found some hiccups when trying to access streaming services, so users who want their VPN to bypass location-restricted content may want to take that into consideration before subscribing.

Hotspot Shield – Fastest VPN

• Very fast
• Large country selection and plenty of servers

• Domain visits are recorded, though not tied to you
• Expensive

Price When Reviewed: $9.99 per month I $83.88 per year
Monthly rate $9.99/mo
Yearly rate $79.99 ($6.66/mo)

Who should use Hotspot Shield?

Hotspot Shield is for those looking to maintain the fastest connection possible with the minimum loss of base speed. While other top picks on this list boast above-average speeds, Hotspot Shield is on another level. No other service (beyond NordVPN) comes close to hitting the speeds I’ve seen with Hotspot Shield. This isn’t just a one-off occurrence either; Hotspot Shield has consistently been at the top with speeds that are 12 to 15 percentage points above the competition. In my tests, Hotspot Shield maintained around 66 percent of the base speed. That’s substantially faster than you’ll see with most VPN services — with the obvious caveat that your experience may vary on a number of outside factors.

Regardless, it is still one of the best around if connection speed is your main concern. I also found that it can access location-restricted content on most major streaming services. This, combined with its excellent speeds, makes it a good option if you mainly use a VPN to access streaming content.

Hotspot Shield: Further considerations

Hotspot Shield comes with a smaller feature set that some of the other top VPNs and its privacy policy may not sit well with some. It has also unfortunately never undergone an independent audit so those who are concerned with privacy, may want to look elsewhere.

Also, while Hotspot Shield in the past was far and away the fastest VPN on the market, in recent years other services have been catching up. It’s worth it to weigh how much speed means to you before committing to the service. If you’re unsure then I recommend trying out the free version to take it for a spin.

CyberGhost – Best VPN for travelers

• Independently verified no-log policy
• Seriously impressive server spread
• Generous 45-day money-back guarantee

• Server speeds can be hit-or-miss
• Lacks some extra security features offered by competitors

Price When Reviewed: $2.19 a month for two years + 2 free months. Usually $12.99 a month.
2-Year Plan (+ 2 free months) $2.19 a month
6-Month Plan $6.99 a month
Monthly Plan $12.99 a month

Who should use CyberGhost?

If you travel frequently then you want variety and wide coverage in the server locations from your VPN. CyberGhost provides both by offering a staggering 9,000+ servers for users to connect to, which is more than twice as many as most other VPNs on this list. Unlike some competitors, these servers aren’t all concentrated in the U.S. or Europe, either. The server spread totals 120+ countries all across the world. The service even recommends optimized servers to users for various needs such as gaming, streaming, and torrenting.

Due to its plethora of servers and locations, CyberGhost is one of the best options for finding a server no matter where you are in the world. For those who travel a lot or just need access to a diverse and vast server spread, CyberGhost is definitely worth consideration.

CyberGhost: Further considerations

CyberGhost also has a well-designed Windows app that is intuitive and easy to use, even when tweaking settings. It lacks some of the power-user features that other VPNs on this list provide such as multi-hop and IP rotation, but that shouldn’t be a deal breaker for the average user.

In my testing I found that some of the servers were faster than others, with servers located in Europe having excellent speeds and servers in Asia not fairing as well. But overall, the speeds are good enough to do most of what you want to do with a VPN — web browsing, streaming, etc.

Other VPNs we liked

While we believe that the above VPNs are currently the best money can buy, there are a few other noteworthy services that deserve attention: PrivadoVPN is a strong overall service, but the free version of the VPN really stands out and is second only to Proton VPN. Windscribe Pro offers great security, with both a Windows client and browser extension that work in tandem to block ads while keeping your browsing private and its free version is a good option for everyday activities. Hide.me is a well-rounded service that ticks almost every box and the fantastic array of configurable settings make it a power-user’s dream. U.S.-based IPVanish nails all of the basics: good speeds, a large server network, and privacy promises backed up with independent audits. TunnelBear is an undeniably charming VPN that is extremely easy to use, and doesn’t overwhelm with too many features or country options, which makes it ideal for VPN novices or those who aren’t the most tech-savvy.

I’m continuously evaluating new VPNs and reevaluating services I’ve already tested on a regular basis, so be sure to come back for more recommendations and to see what else we’ve put through their paces.

Can I get a better VPN deal?

Here at PCWorld, we are regularly hunting down the best VPN deals to help you get the most bang for your buck. VPN services are frequently running deals throughout the year, so you should have a few chances to snag your favorite VPN on a steep discount if you can time it right.

While the prices for all VPNs on this list are updated daily, they do not account for special deals or offers. It’s best to keep checking our deals article to see what new limited-time discounts are on offer each week. Additionally, sales events such as Amazon Prime Day in mid-July and Black Friday at the end of November provide excellent opportunities to find even cheaper VPN deals.

How we test VPNs

We judge VPNs on a variety of criteria including server network, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease-of-use, additional features, and cost. For a more detailed guide on our evaluation process, check out PCWorld’s comprehensive guide on how we test VPN services.

Speed tests are kept as simple as possible. We average the connections between different global locations for any given VPN and then compare them to our baseline internet speed to get a good picture of the overall connection speeds.

We thoroughly research and analyze the privacy policies and histories of each VPN and note any outstanding discrepancies or data collection issues. Experience and ease-of-use are subjective, but we try our best to give an accurate representation of how it feels to work with the VPN. And finally, we compare the value of the service based upon its price and additional features to the industry average to help you gain an accurate picture of what you’ll get for your money.

Why you should trust PCWorld for VPN reviews and buying advice

Here at PCWorld we’ve been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. As reviewers and users of PC hardware and software, we put every product through its paces using rigorous benchmarking and hands-on evaluation. We’d never recommend something we wouldn’t want for ourselves.

Who curated this article?

Sam Singleton is PCWorld’s VPN beat reporter and jack of all trades. When he’s not on the hunt for the best computer deals he’s covering VPNs, productivity software, laptops, and a wide gamut of consumer-grade hardware and software.

How to choose the best VPN

One of the first things you should look for when shopping around for a VPN is the number of servers and locations. It’s difficult to judge any VPN by just one feature, but a semi-reliable way to tell if a VPN is even worth your time is to look at the server network. Anything with 1,000 or more servers and 30 or more country locations will do.

Speed

The next thing to consider is a VPN’s speed. This may be tricky to do since you aren’t likely to be able to test connection speeds without paying to use the service. Reading reviews online will give you a general estimate. Look for reviews, like ours, that give you a relative average of connection speeds rather than direct Mbps speed comparisons, for a more accurate picture.

Privacy

You’ll also want to read up on a VPN’s privacy protections. Does it have a no-logs policy? Has it undergone any independent audits of its servers? Where is the VPN company located? All of these will give you an idea of whether or not a VPN is transparent with its data collection policies and if it’s subject to government data sharing requirements.

Price

As with all subscription services, you’ll want to review the price of a VPN service. Do you want a monthly or yearly subscription? Some top VPNs might be pricey month-to-month, but actually become quite affordable with long-term plans.

Additional features

Other factors you’ll want to take into consideration are the overall ease-of-use, user experience, and any additional features. Some of these features, such as split-tunneling and kill switches, can be extremely useful for certain purposes and might sway your subscription decision one way or the other.

FAQ

What is the best VPN?

NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN. Not only does it have the fastest speeds and a large server network, but it’s also the most full-featured VPN on the market. There is currently no other VPN on the market that provides as much value or as extensive a feature-set as NordVPN and that’s why it’s our top pick.

What is the best cheap VPN?

Surfshark is our pick for the best cheap VPN. Not only does it provide great speeds, but it also comes with a robust feature and excellent privacy credentials. If you opt for a long-term plan, Surfshark offers all of this for pennies on the dollar compared to many other VPNs. In terms of budget-friendly services, Surfshark simply can’t be beat.

What is a VPN?

VPNs create a secure tunnel between your PC and the internet. When you connect to a VPN your web traffic is routed through the chosen VPN server to make it appear as though you’re browsing from that server’s location, and not from your actual location. The VPN app will also encrypt your data so that any third parties such as your ISP can’t see your specific online activities. A VPN can be a great response to a variety of concerns, such as online privacy, anonymity, greater security on public Wi-Fi, and, of course, spoofing locations.

Can I be tracked with a VPN?

While VPNs certainly offer you better privacy and security, they don’t make you completely anonymous nor keep you from being tracked entirely. A VPN will keep your ISP from seeing your traffic, but there are a mindboggling number of ways that other companies or sites track you across the internet. For example, when you sign into a website, your identity is still revealed to that website, VPN or not. Or when you log into your Gmail account while using a VPN, Google can now collect personalized cookies based on your browsing.

Will a VPN protect me on public Wi-Fi?

Yes, a VPN can help protect you when using public Wi-Fi by encrypting your data and masking your IP address. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to hijack your online traffic and steal sensitive information like passwords or credit card details. Public Wi-Fi is often vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, where hackers intercept your data en route to the server. A VPN can protect against this by encrypting the connection, thereby making your data unreadable and all but useless to any potential snooping third parties.

It’s worth noting however that VPNs can only protect you from certain threats and it won’t make your device or traffic completely secure. It’s always good practice to use strong passwords, enable extra layers of security such as two-factor authentication, and regularly update your apps and devices to patch any vulnerabilities.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

Most likely you will see a moderate speed decrease to your internet while using a VPN. This is mainly due to the process of your internet traffic being rerouted and encrypted through a VPN server before heading on to its destination. The amount of latency you will experience through this process is down to what country’s server you choose to route your traffic through. If you choose a server located on the other side of the world, then you will generally notice a much greater hit than if you were to connect to a server nearby in your same country.

Thankfully, most modern VPNs should have the infrastructure to maintain high-speed, secure data transfer rates. So it’s likely you can still browse and stream without much of a noticeable impact while using a reliable VPN like those on this list.

Related content

• PCWorld software reviews
• Should you use a VPN browser extension: What you gain, what you give up
• 9 things you realize when you first start using a VPN
• VPNs and the law: How often does law enforcement actually request VPN logs?
• 5 VPN features you need to start using today
• 14 VPN terms and features everyone should know
• NortonVPN vs. Proton VPN: Which VPN is better in 2025?
• Best VPN for streaming Netflix
• Fastest VPN
• Best free VPN
• Best VPN for Android
• Best free VPN for Android
• Best VPN for torrenting

https://www.security.org/vpn/best/

https://www.pcworld.com/article/406870/best-vpn-services-2.html