Best VPN Service
Best VPN Service: The 10 Best VPN Service Now
The Best VPNs - short for 'Virtual Private Networks' - have traditionally been used software to help keep you anonymous online and virtually change your location. While VPNs used to be niche, they have now become incredibly mainstream, and millions of people around the world are discovering that there is more to them than just torrenting and staying private.
From accessing geo-blocked content on Netflix to evading hackers and censorship, they're extremely versatile - and almost all providers now offer apps for any device, whether it's your Windows PC or your Amazon Fire TV Stick.
If you know what you want, you need not look anymore for our top three picks for The Best VPNs From 2023 To 2024. If you want a little more information on what makes the best VPN before making your choice, all you have to do is keep scrolling, at the bottom of the page you'll find details on Netflix status and comprehensive speed data.
What is The Best VPN?
The competition to be crowned the Best VPN gets tougher every day, but there is still one clear winner who is head and shoulders above the rest – ExpressVPN.
One of the main assets of ExpressVPN is that it is incredibly easy to use on any platform – be it your phone, PC, or even PlayStation. It also came out top of the class in our streaming tests, easily getting around the geo-restrictions of Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video - and, because it offers such fast connections, you'll only be able to watch in HD or 4K. As always
To top it off, you'll also be covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can effectively test the service and its 3,000+ servers for a full month before buying.
- The Best VPN In 2022
- The Best Cheap VPN In 2022
- The Best Netflix VPN In 2022
- The Best Youtube VPN In 2022
- Best Gaming VPN In 2022
- The Best iPad VPN In 2022
- The Best iPhone VPN In 2022
- The Best Android VPN In 2022
- The Best Mac VPN In 2022
Top 10 Best VPN Service Now
1. NordVPN
2. ExpressVPN
3. Surfshark
4. ProtonVPN
5. CyberGhost
6. Hide.me
7. Private Internet Access
8. IPVanish
9. Windscribe
10. Hotspot Shield
1. NordVPN
Pros
- Excellent speeds
- Excellent focus on security
- Supports double encryption
- User-friendly
- No logs
- 24-hour customer service
Cons
- Clunky interface
- Renewal prices are high
| NordVPN Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #1 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu |
| Free Trial | 30 Day |
| Speed | Up to 369 Mbps |
| Servers | 80+ |
| Countries | 59+ |
| VPN locations | 160+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | 6 |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | Yes |
| 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
If you have heard of one of the best VPN providers on this page, it is very likely NordVPN. With a huge presence of YouTuber plugs, TV commercials, and even sports team sponsorships, this is a brand that isn't afraid of the limelight. Thankfully, it's not all bluster either.
Arguably the only VPN on the market with an opportunity to challenge ExpressVPN's dominance, NordVPN is well-rounded and works very well. With a kill switch, all the basic protocols plus WireGuard-based NordLink, excellent encryption, and seriously blistering connection speeds, this is a comprehensive package.
While we're not huge fans of the map-based interface, Nord's apps are stable and reliable, and within them, you'll have a choice of over 5,100 servers in 60 countries. Plus, P2P is supported, and combined with additional privacy features like Double Hop over VPN and Onion, it's a great option for those looking to stay under the radar.
In the past, NordVPN has been a reliable VPN for unblocking Netflix, but ever since the streaming site's strategy has changed, the results have been hit and miss. In our most recent test, we were able to access UK Netflix (as well as iPlayer, Disney+, and the rest), but unfortunately, US Netflix was unavailable. While annoying, these results can vary from day to day, so if this is something you can count on, you've got a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out.
Otherwise, however, NordVPN is an excellent service and we are perfectly happy to recommend it to our readers – and it only misses out on the top spot due to a few minor issues and the fact that the competition is so strong.
2. ExpressVPN
PROS
- High-speed servers
- Strong privacy protection
- Among the fastest VPNs out there
- Wide device support
- 30-day free trial
- Ace 24/7 support service
CONS
- A little more expensive, but worth it
- Only five simultaneous connections
| ExpressVPN Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #2 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu |
| Free Trial | 30 Day |
| Servers | 3,000+ |
| Speed | Up to 580Mbps |
| Countries | 94+ |
| VPN locations | 160+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | 5 |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | Yes |
| 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
Once again, ExpressVPN finds itself claiming the top spot for best VPN as it continues to beat the competition in multiple categories. This time around it showed consistency in our testing, continuing to meet its previous performance highlights in available features, speed, and - for the most part - unblocking.
First things first, ExpressVPN offers a network of 3,000 servers located in 94 different countries, so you can have your IP address displayed in 160 locations around the world.
With the strength of its Lightwave protocol, ExpressVPN continues to deliver great results in terms of its speed with as high as 570-580 Mbps. While other providers are taking the lead in this regard, ExpressVPN's steady stability shows reliability rather than fluctuating from one extreme to another.
Beyond that, it also forays into its software with a clean, functional interface on its dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android on top of gaming consoles, Amazon Fire Sticks, and Apple TVs. It's gone even further with its Router VPN - good news for those who don't want to be limited by its five simultaneous connection limit.
Even with solid online tutorials, if the concept of a VPN turns your head, Express will get you up and running in no time. P2P is fully supported and it is very fast so you can torrent using the maximum bandwidth of your broadband connection.
More interested in using your VPN for streaming content from overseas? ExpressVPN has you sorted there too. In our tests, we check to see if each VPN can get around the geo-restrictions imposed by the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video. It ticked all those boxes, so although Netflix's use of VPNs has waned evermore, it's worth noting that ExpressVPN also had some difficulty. In our recent testing, however, it was able to unblock libraries in the US, Australia, and Canada, with some difficulty in the UK.
3. Surfshark
PROS
- Unlimited devices supported
- Reliable connections
- Longer plans are of great value
- Great for streaming
CONS
- Not as fast as some
- Lacks the speeds of the top two
| Surfshark Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #3 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu |
| Free Trial | 30 Day |
| Speed | Up to 324 Mbps |
| Servers | 3,200+ |
| Countries | 65+ |
| VPN Locations | 100+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | Unlimited |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | Yes |
| 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
If you're looking for the absolute bang-for-buck, British Virgin Island-based Surfshark should be on your radar. Offering comparable performance in many areas, at less than half the price of some of its competitors, it's a great option for those looking to save their cash.
Surfshark's apps are simple and effective but don't think they're weak. While they can't compete with the most technically of the bunch, you'll have a kill switch, more than 3,200 servers to choose from, split tunneling, and industry-standard AES-256 encryption.
If you have tons of tools to cover, Surfshark stands out as well. While ExpressVPN offers 5 simultaneous connections and Nord offers 6, all Surfshark plans are unlimited. This means whether you have 5 or 105 devices on which you want to set up a VPN, a Surfshark plan can do it all.
Unfortunately, however, Surfshark has also been affected by Netflix's changes, and currently, it is only able to unblock US Netflix - not the UK, Canada, Australia, or others. However, there are BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and tons more streaming sites available. Speeds are also a bit low over the competition, but as long as you don't get a base connection of over 400Mbps, you won't notice any difference.
Overall, Surfshark is an excellent budget option, and when you consider its incredibly low price, any minor issues have to go away!
4. ProtonVPN
PROS
- Privacy & security focus
- Excellent speeds
- Loads of features
- Top-quality apps
- Free plan with unlimited bandwidth
- Improving speeds and coverage
CONS
- Fairly expensive
- No 24/7 live chat support
| ProtonVPN Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #4 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu |
| Free Trial | 30 Day |
| Speed | Up to 300 Mbps |
| Servers | 1,600+ |
| Countries | 85+ |
| Server Locations | 63+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | 10 |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | No |
| 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
Of all the VPNs we reviewed in our latest tests, ProtonVPN is the one that has improved the most and deserves its place within our top five VPN services.
Over the past months and years, Proton has been a VPN provider on a mission. Its server network has shot from a few hundred to about 2,000 (still less than most, but is heading in the right direction) and it has made notable improvements, adding new features and support to its clients and apps.
The most important of them in recent times was WireGuard, which has now been fully rolled out. This bodes well for the future-proofing of protons. But even if it didn't, our speed test saw some of the most eye-catching OpenVPN speeds. In short, you don't have to worry about waiting to connect if you're in a hurry to turn on ProtonVPN, and then later you can leave it working in the background, knowing that it's your device. Will not slow down the internet connection.
Proton has also improved its streaming prowess, becoming a reliable provider for getting around geo-restrictions when you are abroad. It surpassed BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video, and gave us access to overseas Netflix catalogs without much trouble – this is in a year where the more reputable providers (ahem, NordVPN) have faced problems. However, it should be noted that this is only if you have a Plus subscription - you won't get the kind of quality from its free or basic tiers.
The fact that Proton is based in Switzerland makes you feel safe right away. And this is only enhanced by the awesome kill switch, the opportunity to pay by bitcoin, and solid P2P support for torrenting.
There is certainly still some room for improvement. We'd love to see Proton take a leaf out of Surfshark's book and make the apps and client feel a little friendlier and less technical. We understand that 24/7 customer support is ongoing, which would be an added plus. We also feel a little upset that the 30-day money-back guarantee works on a pro-rata basis - if you use it for, say, 15 days, you'll only get a 50% return. Seems like bad form, though at least Proton has a very useful free VPN if you want to try it out for no cost.
So ProtonVPN isn't perfect, but it is rising to the top of our VPN podium and challenging it. It still doesn't have as many servers or locations, and it's quite expensive if you need all the features we've described here (though a basic plan costs less than $5 per month). However, it is a powerful and reliable service, and if that is your top priority, we recommend that you check it out.
5. CyberGhost
PROS
- Excellent performance levels
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Loads of features
- Speedy live chat help
- Lots of locations
CONS
- The interface could be better
- No security audit
| CyberGhost Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #5 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu |
| Free Trial | 45 Day |
| Speed | Up to 548 Mbps |
| Servers | 7,500+ |
| Countries | 91+ |
| Server Locations | 105+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | 7 |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | Yes |
| 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
VPN service CyberGhost has been our favorite for some time now, and it's no surprise that it has a user base of over ten million customers. The company covers the basics well with over 7,000 servers spread across 90 countries, apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, torrent permissions, and instant live chat support.
CyberGhost shines no matter what device you plan to use it on. Beneath its clean, easy-to-follow interface is a sea of great features and functionality. For example, if you're specifically looking for streams or torrents, this will quickly connect you to the right server for you.
And additional touches like its Smart Rules panel show that CyberGhost's engineers have put some thought into the user experience. This allows you to automatically launch a particular app (such as your default browser in Incognito Mode) from your preferred server when you boot your computer. Really useful bonus.
We just need to spend a little time referencing the speeds CyberGhost demonstrated in our most recent tests. We saw connection speeds when we jumped to the WireGuard protocol, which gave NordVPN and ExpressVPN a run for their money.
Website unblocking has historically been another strong suit of CyberGhost, and we're happy to report that it has upped its game again in our streaming tests. We got access to US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus through its servers. And while we couldn't get access to exclusive Netflix content in regions like Canada and the UK, it's not uncommon or even the best VPN from 2023 To 2024.
To break into the holy top five, we'd like to see CyberGhost clean up some of the rough edges we've seen. Whether it's audited or not having a great support site, the Windows app keeps shutting down when it's disconnected, and it bothers us that once you've registered your seven devices, you won't be able to use CyberGhost. One has to deregister before it can happen. Another computer, phone, or any other gadget.
With a 45-day money-back guarantee and reasonable pricing (especially if you're willing to commit), CyberGhost is still well worth a look. With parent company Cape showing greater ambition in this cybersecurity arena (we mentioned the purchase of ExpressVPN above), you are in the hands of an organization that constantly strives to push the envelope.
6. Hide.me
PROS
- Great speeds
- Useful free version
- Very configurable app
- Some superb server speeds
- Hugely configurable
- String on streaming
CONS
- Connection times can be slow
- No security audit
- May overwhelm inexperienced users
| Hide.me Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #6 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Hulu |
| Free Trial | 30 Day |
| Speed | Up to 390Mbps |
| Servers | 2,000+ |
| Countries | 48+ |
| Server Locations | 75+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | 10 |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | Yes |
| 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
A new entry on our best VPN list, Hide.me is an excellent tool that delivers some major developments that see it enter our top ten. Boasting a generous free option, this could be a great move for those who are new to VPNs and looking to give it a whirl.
Highly configurable, you can choose between several protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEther, SSTP, and the recently added WireGuard, which delivers some impressive speed results that see it hitting above-average figures. Scoring 750-780 Mbps, it ranks exceptional when you consider our fastest VPN IPVanish peaks at 750-900 Mbps. You'll also get port forwarding, as well as DNS, IP, and similar leak checking.
Hide.me is also a great option for those who like to unblock streaming platforms. Hide.me adds Prime Video to its list along with US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus. If you're abroad and want to use your streaming services as you would back home, then Hide.me should do just the job.
It's worth noting that we experienced a few kill switch niggles during testing, and for some, the interface can prove too complicated if you're a newbie to VPNs. That said, it's still a clean and intuitive one to work with and one to check out if you're at all enamored with its free offering.
7. Private Internet Access
PROS
- Very configurable apps
- Good value for money
- Unblocks US Netflix, iPlayer, and more
- Reliable apps and kill switch
- Very useful browser extensions
CONS
- No security audit
- WireGuard speeds are not up to scratch
| Private Internet Access Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #7 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu |
| Free Trial | 30 Day |
| Speed | Up to 430Mbps |
| Servers | 10,000+ |
| Countries | 78+ |
| Server Locations | 100+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | 10 |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | Yes |
| 30 Day Money Back Guarantee | Yes |
Private Internet Access is on its upward trajectory, and in our last two rounds of reviews, we've seen experienced providers find a new lease on life and start challenging dogs once again.
Possibly the largest server network of any provider – PIA does not disclose numbers, but it is at least 10,000, and possibly as high as 35,000 – it is bound to get you a decent connection no matter where you are. There is no possibility of overloading.
PIA is also quite capable of streaming, unblocking US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. While WireGuard's speeds aren't quite as good, PIA is still fast enough to stream in HD.
However, PIA stands out when you get below the surface. Its desktop apps offer port forwarding - a relative rarity - and its kill switch is super reliable. In addition, its proxy browser extensions are great, with updated technology that allows for faster browsing.
However, we are still waiting to give our independent security audit on PIA, so unlike some providers like Express, Nord, and Proton, we have to take any privacy claims at face value. However, PIA has a good track record, so we don't have much doubt.
If you are looking for one of the best VPNs that are both cheap and capable, then Private Internet Access might be right for you.
8. IPVanish
PROS
- Loads of great features
- Fastest WireGuard speeds
- WireGuard speeds through the roof
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Live chat and phone support
- Can now access BBC iPlayer
CONS
- No access to Netflix or Disney+
- Patchy streaming unblocking
- Bit pricey
| IPVanish Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #8 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Hulu |
| Free Trial | 30 Day |
| Speed | Up to 488 Mbps |
| Servers | 2,000+ |
| Countries | 50+ |
| Server Locations | 75+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | Unlimited |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | Yes |
| 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
IPVanish is a US VPN that has been in the game for a long time and is widely regarded as a secure, reliable, and trustworthy provider. Seemingly designed for the more technical user, it has a bunch of useful extras and powerful apps that display all the data you want.
IPVanish recently implemented WireGuard, but thanks to that update it's now one of the fastest services we've tested. Its OpenVPN speeds aren't as impressive, but most users will be using the new protocol anyway. 'Scramble' is an interesting feature that allows VPNs to be used in countries such as China, and although it is not as robust as other specialized China VPN services, it is still very useful.
We are now able to unblock BBC iPlayer as well, but Disney+ still isn't. However, one major disadvantage is Netflix, and IPVanish cannot unblock any library, anywhere in the world. We hope this will be addressed soon, but there are no guarantees.
For those using a VPN, IPVanish's apps can seem a bit intimidating, just like those from ProtonVPN. Graphs are going up and down, dropdowns for selecting servers and locations, metrics-like scrolling numbers, and a map interface (which is better than NordVPN). For those who know what they're doing, that's great, but for the greener user, it can all be a bit much.
On the subject of apps, IPVanish doesn't tend to provide such frequent updates as its competitors. While they're stable, it does mean that new features are slow to arrive, and if there's something new on the horizon, it could still take months before it's introduced - just look at how long WireGuard took to arrive.
Overall, though, while it's lost a bit of grounding on top services, IPVanish is still well worth considering, especially if you're a fan of intense, technical software.
9. Windscribe
PROS
- Unlimited device connections
- Free plan available
- Excellent browser extensions
- Crammed with features and functionality
- Speedy WireGuard protocol supported
- Handy freebie to try out
CONS
- Not the fastest
- No live chat support
- Fewer servers than the competition
| Windscribe Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #9 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu |
| Free Trial | No |
| Speed | Up to 480Mbps |
| Servers | 400+ |
| Countries | 110+ |
| Server Locations | 63+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | Unlimited |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | No |
| 3-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
Windscribe is a trusted name in the VPN industry and offers a high-quality product that has a lot going for it. From a beginner's standpoint, you get clients for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, for example, as well as slick browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera extensions. A single subscription also includes unlimited devices, so you can cover them all with Windscribe.
While experienced users will enjoy some of Winscribe's more advanced features you won't find anywhere else. Take, for example, the ability to use OpenVPN setup files from other providers to connect to your servers from Windscribe's app. Quite a space, perhaps, but we like that Windscribe is thinking outside the box.
It is also possible to stream Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube through Windscribe. This makes the provider a good choice for streamers who want to watch foreign content or their programming from abroad - unless you're a Netflix subscriber, as Windscribe has struggled to react to Netflix's latest blackout.
The network has locations in 110 cities spread over 60 countries, but its total of 400 servers is far fewer than other providers. WireGuard is now fully operational and works reliably, even if the speeds are a bit low on the peaks seen from other providers.
And unfortunately, there isn't 24/7 support, so none of your questions may be answered for a while. This seems like a big omission these days, with all the big competition offering an on-the-spot advisor to take on questions. Likewise, it's high time to join the likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN and have a free eye to verify their privacy policy.
Then Windscribe doesn't tick every available box, but the service does have a lot of interesting features. If you're looking for a new VPN, peruse the free plan to find out what Windscribe can do for you. The free tier limits you to ten locations but gives you a data allowance of 2GB-10GB a month.
10. Hotspot Shield
PROS
- Fast connection speeds
- Decent free version
- Super-easy to use
- Great live chat support
- P2P support
- Excellent exclusive pricing
CONS
- Some very minor logging
- Speeds no longer market-leading
- WireGuard speeds lag behind top providers
| Hotspot Shield Specification | |
|---|---|
| Ranking | #10 |
| Operating System | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Unblocked | iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu |
| Free Trial | 45 Day |
| Speed | Up to 410Mbps |
| Servers | 1,800+ |
| Countries | 80+ |
| Server Locations | 110+ |
| Maximum Devices Supported | 5 |
| 24/7 Live Chat: Yes | Yes |
| 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
Hotspot Shield's premium VPN gives you full access to 1,800+ servers in over 80 countries, support for connecting up to five devices, 24/7 customer support, and of course, absolutely no ads. It's yet more proof that taking the plunge and paying just a few dollars a month gets you a better VPN experience - especially when you read more about its special pricing just for TechRadar readers.
Performance has been a major selling point for a few years now, with Hotspot Shield's proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol helping to deliver some of the fastest and most consistent download speeds. That said, it has been 'stable' in this regard as of late, and services with WireGuard or that have their proprietary protocols (like ExpressVPN's Lightwave or Nord's NordLink) have now outright overtaken Hotspot when it comes to speeds. Huh.
As well as being able to run the service on devices where you can use your native Windows, Mac, Android or iOS apps, Hotspot has added functionality to support use on routers, Linux, and TV streamers as well. A SmartVPN feature – which lets you select the websites on which the VPN will be bypassed – is another welcome addition, especially if you just want to keep your VPN running when shopping, banking, streaming, and more.
If you want a VPN to help you stream more diverse content, Hotspot unblocks most major streaming services. Unfortunately, recently Netflix's strategy to freeze IP proxy is working very effectively and Hotspot Shield is currently useless as a VPN for Netflix.
To springboard back to the top of this chart, we'd like to see Hotspot bring in some independent auditors to verify its logging practices. In particular, the provider accepts for logging VPN sessions, bandwidth, domains accessed, and IP addresses. These are all argued out on Hotspot's website, but we'd welcome an auditor's perspective on things. Its iOS apps also have room for improvement, which doesn't exactly match the high-quality desktop or Android experience.
But subscribe for just over a month at a time, and Hotspot Shield becomes one of the best-priced premium VPNs on the market. And if you try it and still aren't impressed, there's a generous 45-day money-back guarantee that'll let you get your money back without any problems.
What Is VPN (Virtual Private Network)?
VPN stands for 'Virtual Private Network' and describes a piece of software that has rapidly become an everyday piece of online kit for individuals and businesses. Their popularity in recent years has been staggering – largely based on the means of additional cyber security they offer, but also for the other applications they offer.
All traffic passing through your VPN connection is protected by encryption and, in theory, cannot be intercepted by anyone else, making it the most secure way to browse the web privately and for the most part, anonymously. becomes the mainstream method. It allows individuals, organizations, and businesses to send and receive data while maintaining the confidentiality of a private network.
This means you can use one to create a secure "tunnel" in your company network to enjoy access to private internal systems. But, because you direct all of your traffic through a free, secure server, it also means you can browse and access content that you can't physically access – like any other Catalog Netflix in the country or use your VPN for BBC iPlayer.
How To Choose Your Best VPN?
Top 6 Tips For Choose Your Best VPN Right Now
1. Does this plan have servers in every country and region you need? Having more than one server in a country can help spread out the load, but it doesn't guarantee better performance, so don't assume that a plan with 6,000 servers will automatically beat another with 1,000.
2. Check the number of supported simultaneous connections. Five is the minimum you must accept, which allows you to connect PC, mobile, and tablet at the same time. But beware, many companies say it's only for one user, and they all have fair use policies that prevent people from using resources. If you let the whole family download and stream individual videos, you will be in trouble.
3. Some providers list the connection protocols they use. OpenVPN and IKEV2 are good options, fast and secure. You can see SSTP and the older PPTP, as well as protocol options (TCP or UDP for OpenVPN). You don't need to understand the low-level details, but having additional options can help make a faster and/or more reliable connection to the service.
4. All VPN companies say they don't log everything you're doing online, but essentially they do collect a little data. Some services record the day your account is logged on, the amount of data you use, and delete anything when the session is closed. Others add items like your incoming IP address and the servers you use and keep the data for months, even years. If you are concerned, see the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service to learn more.
5. It is important to consider the client, the software that handles your connection. They all have a list of servers and a connect/disconnect button, but can you use more? Some display the server load and ping times in the client interface, to help you choose the right server. Regular users may appreciate the "Favorites" system for saving and recalling specific servers. If you know what you're doing, having access to low-level network settings will help you tune the whole system.
6. Finally, there is the price. Beware of apparently cheap deals: These may have restricted features, excluding taxes, may be waived only for the first billing period, and may automatically renew, so that the $3.99 one-time lump sum may be waived the next. The month should be about $10. Look for a 'pricing' link, read the small print, and if possible use something like PayPal where it's easy to check and cancel the subscription yourself.
Once you find what your top VPN candidate looks like, be sure to take it for a test before spending any big money. But a VPN free trial can only tell you so much, so once it expires, pay for a month, run as many tests as you can, then upgrade to a better value plan (usually yearly) If you're still happy.
What Makes a Great VPN?
The most basic qualities you should be looking for are speed, privacy, and ease of use. These may sound like basic features, but in reality, few providers have found a happy medium.
Connection speed depends on a wide range of well-maintained servers. This allows the VPN to provide excellent speed and bandwidth to everyone using its servers.
Having excellent security is a fairly basic requirement, but it's hard to fix. If you're concerned about that, make sure your VPN has an airtight privacy policy, and a no-logging policy is even better. Some services, such as ExpressVPN and NordVPN, have also been independently audited to substantiate their claims.
Finally, although many users may be picky with technology, more and more newbies are looking to start using a VPN. If that's you, it's definitely worth making sure your provider has well-designed apps on all of the devices you hope to use with the service.
What Is The Best VPN For 2023 To 2024?
Right now, ExpressVPN tops our list of the best VPNs. There are many reasons for this (and are explored in-depth in this article) but in short, it is because it provides reliable fast server connections; Security is jam-packed with smarts; Is a pleasure to use on desktop, mobile, or other devices; Has a proven track record of unlocking blocked websites and streaming services, and in the unlikely event you run into difficulties, superb, human customer support is available 24/7.
You can try it out risk-free for 30 days, thanks to its completely no-quibble money-back guarantee. And when you sign up for an annual plan now, it throws in an entire year of secure, unlimited cloud backup - courtesy of Backblaze.
Why Do I Need A VPN?
Online security is the main reason people get a VPN. Because these services encrypt all of your Internet traffic, it means you effectively become anonymous online, and any activities you perform will be hidden from the likes of your workplace, governments, ISPs, and hackers.
Over the years this has made them mandatory for any time that you are surfing the web over an unsecured connection. How often are you connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot in a public place, such as a bus terminal, train station, cafe, or airport? Wi-Fi hotspots aren't particularly secure things to do, but with a VPN you can rest assured that no one listens when you do your online banking.
That said, there are very valid arguments for saying that VPNs are no longer as essential as they once seemed for security. The rise of websites that use HTTPS means that a large portion of your Internet data will already be encrypted anyway. So when it comes to cyber security, VPN services are becoming a good additional security blanket rather than an essential software.
But it is in the versatility of the VPN where you get the added value. Because they hide your location and make it look like you're using a different IP address, they help prevent those ubiquitous trackers from following us on the Internet, and giving us geographies when we travel. -Enables Obtaining Blocking - Easier to get hold of that box set if you wish but are not in your subscribed country. But for others, it is a lifesaver, as it evades censorship and government surveillance of communications. A VPN makes it very difficult to identify the source of the upload or the websites a person has visited.
Is VPNs Legal?
VPNs are legal in most of the world, but some countries have either banned VPNs outright or put very severe restrictions on their use. Those restrictions are more relevant to the people who live there than they are: we don't know of any tourists throwing in the clink to run a VPN to secure their hotel Wi-Fi, but the obvious Formally, it is wise to be careful in more repressive regimes.
In countries that restrict the use of VPNs, there is often a difference between approved and disapproved. For example, VPNs in China must be approved by the Chinese government, which states that they are the last things you should rely on to hide your activities from the Chinese government. If you use a disapproved one, you could be fined heavily.
In the United Arab Emirates, you can be fined over half a million dollars and/or imprisoned for using any VPN. It's a similar story in Russia, while in Iran using an unapproved VPN can land you in jail. In Uganda, ISPs block all VPN services, Oman has banned the disapproved ones, and Iraq, Belarus, and Turkmenistan have all banned VPNs. So does North Korea.
Is Using a VPN Online Legal?
VPN services are legal in most countries (though watch out for countries that regulate or outright prohibit the use of VPNs). It is perfectly legal to hide your IP address and encrypt your Internet traffic.
There is nothing about using a VPN that is illegal and the VPN services themselves do not and cannot do anything illegal.
The only thing illegal is if you break the law when using a VPN - for example, if you infringe on someone's copyright. But it is an act of infringement that is illegal, not the use of a VPN.
Can a VPN Make You Anonymous Online?
VPNs can make your browsing private, but that doesn't mean you're anonymous. VPN services can and do log traffic (even those that say they don't need to log some information, or they won't be able to function properly), and those logs may be requested by the authorities. Think of a VPN like a curtain: People can't peek through your curtains if you have them turned off, but the curtains won't hide your home.
What this means in practice is that VPNs are fine for bypassing geo-blocks, protecting your online banking, and keeping business communications free of interception. However, if you are using the Internet to fight an oppressive regime or to do anything else that might attract the attention of the authorities in your occupancy, a VPN is not a magic wand that will make you invisible.
How Do I Choose an Online VPN Service To Download?
Choosing the best VPN for you is much more than going for a free VPN versus a paid-for provider. In short, don't just look at the price, not least because many services offer huge discounts if you subscribe for a longer period.
Start with the basics: How many simultaneous connections can you have? Are there any special security protocols you want to use? Does the provider have servers in the places you want to use it and the places you want to connect to? How much data will they log about you, and how long will they keep it? Most importantly, will you be able to unblock Netflix and Disney Plus?
Wherever possible, try before you buy. In some cases, the free trial won't do, but most reputable VPN providers offer a money-back guarantee if the service doesn't meet your expectations.
