The unfortunate reality is that there’s a widespread desire for your data, extending from governments to advertisers, and even your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might be tempted to sell it. However, the positive aspect is that a growing number of individuals are becoming aware of the risks associated with allowing corporations and governments to monitor their online activities. Moreover, a larger portion of the population is eager to take action to address this concern.
While the issue of surveillance capitalism doesn’t have a straightforward solution, a VPN service can offer a means to reclaim a degree of privacy. We’ve conducted extensive testing and have identified the top choices among the VPN services we’ve assessed thus far. In the following sections, we will discuss the leading options and provide guidance on what to consider when selecting the best VPN application.
1. Proton VPN
ProtonVPN stands out for its comprehensive offerings. It goes beyond the standard VPN capabilities by providing multi-hop connections and access to the Tor network via VPN. What’s more, it boasts a revamped app interface that enhances the overall user experience. While the core paid VPN service comes at an average price point, it also offers the best free VPN subscription we’ve encountered.
Who Should Consider Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a strong all-around choice. It caters to both experienced users who seek advanced features and first-time users who prefer a straightforward experience. With a robust free option and reasonably priced paid subscriptions, it continues to offer excellent value, even following a recent pricing adjustment.
2. Nord VPN
NordVPN has consistently adopted a comprehensive approach, offering a wide array of features. Right from the beginning, it provided functionalities like multi-hop connections and Tor over VPN access, features that remain relatively uncommon in the VPN landscape. In the relatively new world of VPNs, NordVPN has managed to establish itself as a prominent player that not only enhances its VPN but also acquires other companies, introducing entirely new products to its portfolio.
Who NordVPN Caters To ?
NordVPN’s greatest strength lies in its ability to cater to a broad audience. Privacy enthusiasts appreciate its unique set of tools, while individuals seeking access to restricted streaming services benefit from its vast server network and the option to choose specific server locations. Novice users will find it easy to get started, and they might also be intrigued by NordVPN’s expanding range of additional services, which encompass encrypted storage and a password manager.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN recently redesigned its app, but it’s not just a pretty thing to look at. ExpressVPN has a very large presence that stretches across 94 countries, and uses very few virtual servers in the process. While it has eschewed the new WireGuard VPN protocol, it instead uses its own technology called LightWay along with the open-source OpenVPN protocol
Who It’s For ?
With numerous server locations, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for anyone living or traveling outside the US. Anyone keen on spoofing their location (to listen to the BBC iPlayer, perhaps) should be well served, too.
4.Private Internet Access VPN
Private Internet Access was once recognized for its budget-friendly pricing and subpar user interface. However, today, neither of those perceptions holds true. Private Internet Access has adopted a sleek interface that allows for a tailored user experience. While it has raised its monthly subscription cost, it remains only slightly above the average pricing we’ve encountered across the products we’ve tested.
Private Internet Access offers valuable privacy features, such as multi-hop connections. The customizable interface is particularly advantageous here, granting easy access to advanced settings or allowing them to be discreetly tucked away.
Who Benefits from Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is well-suited for users who appreciate customization and prefer to configure their workspace to their exact specifications. Privacy enthusiasts will find its feature set appealing, and its unlimited simultaneous connections make it an excellent choice for covering all devices within a household.
5. PureVPN
PureVPN is a reputable Virtual Private Network (VPN) service renowned for its commitment to online privacy and security. With a strong emphasis on safeguarding user data, it employs robust 256-bit encryption and supports top-tier VPN protocols. PureVPN maintains an extensive server network spanning 140+ countries, facilitating access to geo-restricted content and ensuring consistent high-speed connections. Users benefit from unlimited bandwidth and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. The service’s no-log policy underscores its dedication to user privacy. With features like split tunneling and a kill switch, PureVPN offers a versatile and reliable solution for individuals seeking secure, anonymous internet access.
Why We Picked It
PureVPN ranks among the top VPNs for travelers, boasting a vast network of over 6,500 servers across 78 countries, encompassing regions like the U.K., Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. This extensive server presence proved invaluable for our travel experiences, eliminating the need to connect to dubious Wi-Fi networks and circumventing internet censorship. PureVPN effectively concealed our online browsing history and IP address, enhancing our online anonymity and security.
6. TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear VPN often gets overlooked due to its playful bear-themed app, vibrant colors, and a somewhat restricted set of features. It may lack some of the robust capabilities of our top choices, but underestimating TunnelBear VPN would be a disservice. This VPN stands out for its extreme user-friendliness and offers a limited free subscription option, making it an excellent pick for individuals who are new to VPNs. Notably, TunnelBear VPN also boasts one of the most transparent audit processes in the industry, cementing its reputation as a trustworthy provider.
Who Benefits from TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear VPN is an excellent choice for VPN newcomers, thanks to its intuitive and approachable interface. It also serves as a solid option for those seeking a general-purpose VPN without the need to tinker with complex network settings.
7. CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN boasts arguably the most extensive array of VPN servers. While server quantity alone isn’t a definitive measure of quality, when combined with its expansive server locations spanning 90 countries, CyberGhost VPN emerges as a formidable choice for those seeking global VPN coverage. It’s important to note that it doesn’t encompass all aspects, such as the absence of multi-hop connections and the company’s pending release of third-party audit results.
Who Can Benefit from CyberGhost VPN
With its extensive server network and diverse server locations, CyberGhost VPN provides optimal chances of connecting to a nearby VPN server regardless of your location. It offers numerous options for altering your virtual location. Despite having a slightly higher monthly subscription fee than the industry average, its annual rate is more competitive than most of the competition.
8. Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN provides a respectable range of privacy features and fundamental VPN capabilities, which, theoretically, align with the leading VPNs available. Particularly appealing is the ability for paying users to establish an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, while free users receive a generous data cap. However, our firsthand experience uncovered certain design idiosyncrasies and unconventional behavior, diminishing the overall user experience. We also recommend that the company undergo an independent third-party audit to assess its policies and infrastructure. For an all-encompassing VPN solution at a more competitive price point, our top recommendation remains Proton VPN, which offers a broader array of tools.
Why We Chose Atlas VPN
Although Atlas VPN is a newcomer to the VPN industry, it has already left a significant impression on us. We found that it provides the robust security measures we anticipate from a top-tier VPN, including AES-256 encryption and a stringent privacy policy. Furthermore, Atlas VPN offers a wealth of additional benefits, such as access to multiple streaming platforms, the flexibility of unlimited simultaneous connections, dynamically changing IP addresses during browsing, and a complimentary data breach monitoring service. We anticipate that this VPN will garner increasing attention in the coming months and years.
9. Surfshark VPN
Surfshark may be a relative newcomer, but it made a strong entrance into the VPN scene, quickly adapting to stay competitive. While it may not offer the full suite of features found in its counterparts, it does provide multi-hop connections and supports the WireGuard protocol for enhanced security.
The blue color scheme and a slightly higher-than-average monthly cost might draw parallels to another blue VPN provider, NordVPN. It’s worth noting that NordVPN recently acquired Surfshark VPN, but the two continue to operate independently. Additionally, Surfshark VPN has expanded its offerings to include optional antivirus protection, albeit at an extra cost.
Who Can Benefit from Surfshark
Surfshark presents a compelling array of features, but its real standout feature is the absence of any restrictions on the number of devices that can be used with a single subscription. While most VPNs limit users to just five devices, Surfshark allows large families or households with numerous devices to secure all of them under a single subscription.
10. IPVanish VPN
IPVanish is a trusted and feature-rich Virtual Private Network (VPN) service, renowned for its commitment to ensuring user privacy and online security. With an extensive network of servers spanning over 75 locations globally, IPVanish offers users a diverse selection of server options. It places a strong emphasis on user data protection, employing AES-256 encryption and supporting secure VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2. Crucially, the service adheres to a strict no-logs policy, safeguarding user information. IPVanish’s high-speed connections make it suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming and gaming. Moreover, it allows unlimited simultaneous connections, permitting users to secure multiple devices under one subscription.
Why IPVanish ?
What distinguishes IPVanish from other companies is its unwavering dedication to customer service. We cannot stress enough how often we encounter difficulties in obtaining responses to our technical inquiries from various companies. A significant number of VPN providers lack phone support, and many do not offer round-the-clock assistance.
IPVanish, on the other hand, provides friendly customer service representatives available for contact at any hour through both phone and online chat channels. Remarkably, IPVanish maintains competitive pricing, with a one-year subscription, for instance, costing only $3.33 per month. This combination of robust support and affordability sets IPVanish apart.