The VPN market is full of services claiming to be the most secure, the fastest, or the best around. So, who can you trust? We've reviewed over 140 different VPN services to find the best. This guide will help you cut through the noise to see which VPNs are at the top of the pecking order.
What is the best VPN in 2024?
We've put together a list of the best VPNs in 2024 below - keep scrolling for detailed summaries of all ten of our hand-picked VPNs.
- ExpressVPN - Our top VPN recommendation. A lightning-fast provider with a wealth of premium security features, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN - The best value VPN. You get seamless access to streaming services and sleek apps for all of your devices.
- Surfshark - The best budget VPN, offering unlimited simultaneous connections and servers where you need them, and a zero-logs policy.
- Private Internet Access - The most secure VPN. A service that's proven its commitment to privacy in court! Also provides robust OpenVPN encryption.
- PrivateVPN - The best user-friendly VPN. Installs in a blink and is packed with easy-to-use features, making it ideal for VPN newbies!
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A VPN keeps your internet activity private and prevents websites and other organizations from tracking you as you surf the net. VPNs are also widely used for accessing streaming services not available in your country.
Want to know more?
For more information about how a VPN works, check out our what is a VPN? non-technical beginner's guide.
At ProPrivacy, we've tested over 140 VPNs over the past 10+ years. We've compared speeds, privacy features, encryption standards, price, and other important attributes to help us pick out the best providers. Check out our VPN reviews for a full list of the services we test.
| TEST WINNER ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN |
| Ranking for best VPNs | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Performance | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Reliability | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Free trial | |||||
| Total servers | 3000 | 5300 | 3200 | 3386 | 200 |
| Payment | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency |
| Unblocks: | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu |
| Supported platforms | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android |
The best VPNs to use in 2024: In-depth analysis
Below, you'll find an in-depth analysis of the best VPNs around. All of our top picks are super secure, lightning-fast, and come with generous money-back guarantees – so you can put them to the test without risking a penny.
The best VPN service in 2024: ExpressVPN is our top VPN recommendation. It's incredibly fast, feature-rich, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs money can buy. It's an easy-to-use software that offers fantastic round-the-clock customer support, and I loved how customizable its apps were for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Express even has setup guides to help you install the VPN exactly how you need it to work! The apps are really intuitive, considering the sheer volume of features there are to play around with – I never felt overwhelmed, and the modern-feeling user interface surely made a big difference. If you're like me, you'll want to try ExpressVPN and check out its ability to access regional Netflix libraries. With servers in 94 countries
, it doesn't matter where you live – ExpressVPN will protect you from ISP and government snooping, and grant you the freedom to do whatever you want online, without the fear of being monitored. If you want to access Netflix libraries from around the world, Express has more than 30 to choose from – and you can get access to iPlayer, HBO, and Hulu too! If torrenting is more your thing, its secure servers are lightning-fast! My only gripe was that the service doesn't offer port-forwarding, so if this is a deal-breaker for you, you may want to consider another of the best VPNs for torrenting, such as Private Internet Access. It's impressive just how much this service can improve your digital privacy. This VPN also keeps you secure when using public wi-fi networks as well as your home internet. Additionally, if you're looking to unblock restricted content in school or at work – this VPN is ideal. Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) has even audited ExpressVPN to check its service, and they found it to adhere to its no-logs claims – so you can trust Express to do everything it says on the tin. Add to that a robust obfuscation (stealth) function, and you can use the VPN in places where authoritative government censorship dictates what people can or can't access on the internet. For added peace-of-mind, it has a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and split-tunneling to ensure that it is highly versatile, useful, and super-secure. This means your internet usage stays private, and if the connection drops, no information gets leaked. ExpressVPN recently introduced its own proprietary 'Lightway' VPN protocol that promises to be faster, more secure, and more reliable than other VPN protocols available today. This VPN is also consistently one of the fastest VPN providers in the world (we test VPN speeds three times a day, using a proprietary server-based speed test system). Express regularly tops our charts as one of the fastest VPNs available, it consistently scores high and really lives up to the name – I connected to US servers to unblock Netflix from over here in the UK, and I was able to stream 4K content without any delay or buffering. NordVPN is the best value VPN. With plenty of servers to choose from and user-friendly apps, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. Nord Demo NordVPN makes it onto our list of the best VPN services because it combines great performance, a strong focus on privacy, and a raft of useful features. NordVPN's apps are super easy to use, as a result, we often recommend this service to VPN beginners. They plot all of their servers on a map of the world – which makes it easy to navigate their server list and gives users a brief geography lesson too! NordVPN offers two Mac clients, which is slightly confusing. The older OpenVPN client has more features, but I detected a WebRTC leak when testing it which isn't great. I detected no such problem with the newer IKEv2 client – though it lacks the same depth of features. However, if you're a Windows user, then this service is pretty tough to beat. It allows 6
devices to connect at once, and it's great value for money, especially if you opt for a long-term subscription. This service is able to access Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, iPlayer, HBO, NBC, ABC, and much, much more. I tested using this service on vacation and I was able to stream BBC One and Two live and watch catchup shows via iPlayer when outside of the UK. I was also easily able to access Netflix US which is great and NBC. However, I did have some issues with buffering during ads when streaming free content on NBC. Nord also offers a full Smart DNS service to all users. I tried this out on my smart TV and although it was slightly difficult to set up, it allowed me to access geo-restricted content on my TV. Nord does have handy step-by-step setup guides on their website showing you how to set up their Smart DNS on LG and Samsung TVs as well as a generic guide if you have a different brand of TV. If you like the sound of NordVPN then why not try it for yourself using their 30-day money-back guarantee. I love NordVPN's consistent ability to provide high speeds, this makes it a joy to stream with. I hardly noticed any difference in speeds when browsing the web too. I tested it out when doing more bandwidth-intensive tasks such as connecting to video calls when using the VPN and I didn't notice much of a difference in my usual connection speeds. In terms of privacy, it's outstanding. It is a no-logs VPN, which means it doesn't keep track of what websites you visit and how you use their service. The service is headquartered in Panama, which is a win for the privacy-conscious. Xor obfuscation (stealth servers) make NordVPN effective at combatting VPN censorship. Features such as double-hop VPN -- which adds another layer of encryption and further hides your IP address -- and Tor over VPN bolster its privacy credentials. This VPN also has a built-in ad and malware blocker called CyberSec. It works by blocking DNS requests based on a real-time blocklist of harmful websites that may host malware. As such, it should shield you against malware, help prevent botnet control, and block many intrusive web ads. Surfshark is the best budget VPN. Inexpensive subscriptions and unlimited simultaneous devices constantly impress. With a 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark Demo Surfshark is a popular provider that makes it easy for just about anyone to protect their connection. I was massively impressed with the speed of Surfshark's connection speeds, the number of features they offer, and its large server network. As is to be expected from today's top VPN providers, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support. Although SurfShark is cheap it is packed with useful features. This service offers split-tunneling so you can choose which apps route through the VPN and which don't, a full Smart DNS service that I found great for unblocking TV and movies on my Smart TV, and the fact that Surfshark unlocked every streaming service I threw at it. SurfShark offers users unlimited simultaneous connections meaning you can use this service on as many devices as you want with one subscription. I am a Netflix junkie, so if I am looking to get the most out of our streaming options on the platform and unblock the most Netflix libraries, then I turn to Surfshark. That's because as of this writing, Surfshark can unblock 26 different Netflix libraries from all over the world. I've never had any issues streaming in HD no matter which library I want to access – because Surfshark's speeds are absolutely incredible. Surfshark is registered in the British Virgin Islands and easily meets our requirements for a no-logs VPN. Technical security is also top-notch, and I appreciate the wealth of extra privacy and security features on offer. These include double-hop VPN, DNS-based ad blocking, and malware protection. Surfshark tells us it uses obfuscation "as default with all servers". Unusually, Surfshark's iOS VPN app features a kill-switch, as do its Windows and macOS clients. Its macOS VPN client is, however, otherwise a little light on features. Private Internet Access is the most secure VPN. With top-notch encryption and customizable security tools, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. PIA Demo Private Internet Access (PIA) has long been a consistent favorite with members of Reddit's privacy forums – and for good reason! It's a superb all-rounder, though prospective users may not be thrilled to see that it makes its home in the United States. However, PIA abides by a no-logs policy that's been proven in court on multiple occasions, cementing it as a genuinely private VPN service. PIA's AES 256-bit encryption is first-rate, and will prevent third party snoopers from tracking your digital footprint across the web. Users can also take their pick of protocols! OpenVPN is your best bet if you prioritize stability and security, whereas avid streamers and gamers might want to check out the super speedy WireGuard. I've never detected any IP leaks when using PIA, which is great news for torrenters, who will also appreciate the fact that PIA supports port-forwarding through its NAT firewall. As I mentioned earlier, PIA is based in the United States – home to data-hungry and invasive organizations like the NSA. This isn't ideal, as PIA could be forced to hand over user logs and then served with a gag order, but it's not all doom and gloom. PIA is a no-logs provider, and that means that there wouldn't be any logs or identifiable details to hand over to the authorities if they ever came knocking! In 2022, the company invested in an audit of its infrastructure, which further dispelled any lingering privacy concerns. PIA's server network is staggeringly expansive, with servers spread across 84 countries
. This makes it incredibly easy to geo-hop from one location to another to unblock sites, services, and even local content from back home if you travel overseas. PIA is particularly adept at unblocking US services, seeing as the majority of its servers are based in the States, and that's great news for Netflix fans who want to check out which shows and movies are available across the pond! In fact, PIA's servers are more than quick enough to handle HD streaming from a variety of sites – including BBC iPlayer. There are PIA apps for pretty much all devices and subscriptions allow unlimited device connections. I found the Android and Windows apps particularly easy to use – it only takes a minute to install PIA and run through setup, and then you're ready to go! I was also glad to see that PIA comes set to OpenVPN UDP by default. Users do have the option of diving into the advanced settings for themselves, however, it can be a bit daunting for total beginners. A PIA subscription nets users a bunch of handy security features – like PIA MACE, the VPN's very own ad blocker, which banishes annoying pop-ups and trackers. This comes in handy if you're sharing your subscription with less tech-savvy friends or family, or if you frequent streaming sites like 123movies. The split tunneling feature is another great addition which lets you pick and choose which apps or sites are routed through the VPN connection, so you can check out local services (like banking apps) whilst enjoying geo-restricted content (like international Netflix libraries). All in all, PIA is fantastic provider that ticks the right boxes – and the VPN's customer support is available 24/7 if you need help getting things set up or picking out a server. You can try PIA for yourself by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee, and a free 7-day trial is even available for Android and iOS users! PrivateVPN is the best user-friendly VPN. Speedy, sleek, and perfect for VPN newcomers, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. PrivateVPN Demo PrivateVPN well and truly lives up to its name by providing a privacy-focused no-logs service – and all for a price that won't break the bank! In addition, PrivateVPN's easy-to-use apps and friendly customer service agents have drawn consistent praise, making it a great VPN for tech newbies. PrivateVPN has servers scattered across 63 countries
– so you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking out a new virtual location. You might notice that my other top VPN picks have more servers in more places, but PrivateVPN is still a young provider with plenty of growing to do. Plus, it's clear that the service places an emphasis on quality – seeing as I had no trouble connecting to any of its servers at home or when using public wi-fi hotspots. And I keep coming back to PrivateVPN because it's seriously quick. It can more than hold its own when compared to better established (and more expensive) services, and there are no hidden bandwidth caps or data allowances to be concerned about. Even more impressive is the fact that PrivateVPN buys its internet capacity straight from the IP transit provider. This cuts out the middle-man and gives customers a speed boost! So, whether you plan on streaming in HD, hopping into online games, or doing some torrenting, PrivateVPN has you covered. PrivateVPN is another service that well and truly lives up to its name. Users benefit from robust OpenVPN encryption that'll keep snoopers (and other bad actors) from keeping tabs on their online activity. There are other VPN protocols available to play with, although WireGuard is currently off the menu (and in Beta)... for now! IPv6 and DNS leak protection add another layer of security, ensuring your identifiable data stays out of the hands of third parties and malicious agents, and I've never experienced any IP leaks when putting PrivateVPN to the test. In addition, torrenters will be glad to learn that PrivateVPN supports port forwarding. PrivateVPN makes its home in Sweden, which, thanks to some nasty data retention laws, isn't the privacy safe haven it used to be. However, the VPN has assured us that it sticks around in Sweden to retain full access to its central data center, as well as ownership and control over its hardware. This keeps snooping and unauthorized access to a minimum – which I'm happy to hear! Likewise, it's also great to see that PrivateVPN abides by a zero-logs policy, although a public audit would be a final cherry on top of a pretty tasty security sundae. PrivateVPN is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux devices, as well as routers, and offers users 10
simultaneous connections. This is in line with the industry average – although other services are starting to offer way more! However, I really appreciate just how easy it is to get PrivateVPN set up on your laptop or phone. The process only takes a few clicks, regardless of whether you're a VPN veteran or a total tech novice. PrivateVPN can also unblock pretty much any streaming service under the sun! This is thanks to its free dynamic dedicated IP addresses that are dished out to users and largely unrecognized by streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, to name a few. If you have any burning questions, or want help picking out the perfect server, reach out to PrivateVPN's superb customer service team. The team is composed of in-house developers who aren't afraid of techy questions – and they're around 24/7 via email and live chat! It's well worth taking PrivateVPN for a test run by using its 30-day money-back guarantee, or the 7-day free trial. ProtonVPN is the best privacy-oriented VPN. Robust security, excellent speeds, and impressive unblocking power, topped off with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Proton Demo ProtonVPN has a strong focus on privacy, which is unsurprising, seeing as the service was developed by the same folks who brought us ProtonMail! Users can even opt for a free or premium account. ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, a country known for its strong privacy laws, although its recently passed surveillance legislation is a little concerning. Premium ProtonVPN subscribers will be able to connect to locations scattered across the globe with ease – thanks to servers in 67 countries
! This makes it incredibly easy to bypass restrictions imposed by your ISP, workplace, or even government, and check out content previously inaccessible to you. I particularly like ProtonVPN's quick connect feature, which comes in handy if you don't have a specific server in mind, but want a tailor-made recommendation. ProtonVPN might not be the quickest VPN service out there, but it's more than capable of handling streaming marathons and online calls – as well as gaming, torrenting, and downloading. The ProtonVPN free plan comes with unlimited bandwidth, just like its premium counterpart, and if you don’t mind having access to just three server locations, may provide everything you need from a VPN. As you'd expect, ProtonVPN's technical security is superb, with no IP leaks in sight! Strong AES 256-bit encryption keeps prying eyes from snooping on your browsing sessions and identifiable data, too, and users can take their pick of protocols. OpenVPN is my personal favorite, seeing as it's a battle-tested option that's almost impossible to crack, but if you're looking for a speedy connection, it's well worth giving WireGuard a go. ProtonVPN also comes with a built-in kill-switch which will prevent your original IP address from leaking in the event of a VPN dropout, and Tor over VPN is also available, along with a handy ad-blocker! In addition, ProtonVPN's SecureServer network is a refinement of the "double-hop VPN" concept. I'm glad to see that ProtonVPN abides by a no-logs policy – and that the service has invited a third party auditor, SEC Consult, to comb through its claim. This proactive approach to privacy is what sets the bar for other providers! ProtonVPN's apps are easy to use and install, and are compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux devices. You'll also be able to use ProtonVPN with a VPN-enabled router! Up to 10
simultaneous connections are permitted, depending on your subscription plan, and this should be more than enough to secure all of the gadgets in your house... and then some! P2P activity is permitted on specific torrent-friendly servers, and streaming fans will be able to check out some of the world's most in-demand services, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. Other than a FAQ-style support page, which is useful despite not being extensive, support is only via email, and responses can take a day or two to arrive. I waited a day to hear back from the ProtonVPN team – and was nevertheless impressed by the quality of the response when it eventually landed in my inbox. You can take ProtonVPN for a test drive yourself by making good use of its 30-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost is the best newbie-friendly VPN. Competitively priced, a huge network of servers, and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost VPN is a well-established VPN provider with an incredible reputation. It is a no-logs service based in Romania; a superb location for privacy thanks to its lack of mandatory data retention directives. Plus, this VPN had its software developed in Germany – a country that is known to have some of the best developers in the world. VPN speeds are always a case of fine margins, and from our experience, CyberGhost can certainly keep up with the pack. I don’t really like unnecessarily complicated services – and believe me, there’s plenty on the VPN market – so if you’re looking for something that does the job without forcing you to faff around with settings, look no further than CyberGhost. I found that you can download CyberGhost and start using it straight away. CyberGhost VPN has all the features you need to gain privacy both at home and on public wi-fi, and robust OpenVPN encryption ensures that you will always be able to conceal your traffic from your internet provider and even the government. The kill-switch feature means that this VPN is also perfect for torrenting. However, this VPN currently lacks obfuscation – which makes it a poor choice for people living in places where VPN usage is banned. CyberGhost promises access to Netflix US using its 'streaming optimized servers'. It also gives users the ability to unblock other popular streaming services like iPlayer, Hulu, and Prime Video. Add to that a connection limit of up to seven devices at the same time, and the whole family can stream their favorite shows from around the globe! If you're struggling to unblock a particular library, CyberGhost offers 24/7 live chat support if you need it, and you can test the service yourself thanks to its 45-day money-back guarantee. It's a superb all-rounder that is a great value for money on the longer subscription periods. IPVanish is the best VPN for families (or groups), thanks to unlimited simultaneous connections and streamlined apps for all platforms, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. IPVanish Demo IPVanish thoroughly impressed with how easy the app was to use across every platform on which I tried it. Whether I was using it on my laptop at work, or on my mobile devices when I was out and about, the apps performed consistently well. I found IPVanish to be easy to set up on a router, which allowed our team to stream all kinds of content through a TV on our lunch breaks. The service has easy-to-use apps and nothing that you need is ever more than a few clicks away – so you can switch servers to hop around the world and stream your favorite content. Anybody who wants to test the service – and who wants everyone they know to test the service – can do so risk-free, thanks to this provider's 30-day money-back guarantee and unlimited simultaneous connection allowance. Where unblocking is concerned, IPVanish has servers in over 75 countries
, and those servers provide access to popular services such as BBC iPlayer and Netflix US. Privacy features such as DNS leak protection, a kill-switch, and XOR obfuscated (stealth) servers make it great for concealing your VPN use when necessary. I always make sure I've got a kill-switch active, so I know none of my information gets leaked if the VPN suddenly disconnects. Despite being based in the US, which is admittedly not always considered the best place for a privacy-based service to be based, IPVanish makes up for this by ensuring it runs a completely no-logs service that's been independently audited, and by giving users a wealth of security options. This means that once a session ends, there is never any record of what you do while connected. VyprVPN is the best all-rounder VPN. It unblocks virtually any site and service, is incredibly speedy, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. VYPR Demo VyprVPN has always been known for the high technical quality of its service – aided by the fact that it owns and manages its entire network. I tried out VyprVPN's applications for a number of platforms and find its interface to be very user-friendly and straightforward. Even with the technical quality it has, the provider has done a good job to not overcomplicate things. VyprVPN keeps it minimalist, but advanced settings can be easy to find. Their apps provide you with server ping times, which is useful to see which ones will be quickest. This feature really helped when I was trying to find a fast server to use for streaming and gaming. VyprVPN was the first (and still one of very few) services to have its no-logs claims verified by a respected independent third-party auditor. So kudos for that indeed. On top of this, the company also boasts its proprietary obfuscation (stealth) protocol, Chameleon, which is designed to bypass strict government censorship, and can even get around deep-packet inspection (DPI). The provider has addressed concerns over its privacy credentials by moving to Switzerland and going 100% no-logs, and has begun to allow torrenting on its network, which is great. With servers in over 64 countries
, up to 10
simultaneous connections per subscription, and a host of privacy features, you've got plenty of options to choose from. You can even put the service through its paces with its 30-day money-back guarantee and see how it compares with the other leading providers on this list. Ivacy is the best gaming VPN. With servers dotted all over the globe and great unblocking power, speed, and cross-platform apps. Also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Ivacy Demo Ivacy is a VPN that's been in the game for a while, but the Singapore-based service has reinvented itself recently, and I'm impressed with the results. Ivacy offers an impressive list of security features along with speedy servers – making it ideal for streamers and sports fans. Ivacy boasts an impressive server network, with servers in 100
worldwide locations, and the majority of these servers are P2P friendly! Geo-hopping from continent to continent is particularly easy, and Ivacy is one of only a handful of VPNs to offer a substantial presence in Africa, with servers in Egypt and South Africa. In addition, Ivacy is an incredibly quick provider that can keep up with data intensive tasks like streaming, torrenting, and VoIP calls, so you won't have to deal with sluggish load speeds or buffering. ISP throttling will also become a thing of the past with an Ivacy subscription, seeing as the VPN's encryption prevents your ISP from keeping tabs on your activity, and thereby precludes any throttling! During my research, I discovered that Ivacy uses the IKEv2 protocol by default, but also supports OpenVPN (UPD and TCP), and L2TP/IPsec. IKEv2 tends to be quicker than OpenVPN in most cases, but if security is your main concern, you'll want to stick with OpenVPN wherever possible. Ivacy's technical security is great, and I never encountered any IP leaks whilst trialing the service. Gamers will also be glad to learn that the VPN can protect against DDoS attacks that might otherwise interrupt their high-stakes online matches or tournaments! And, unlike other services, Ivacy’s Android and Chrome extensions secure your connection using HTTPS. Ivacy sticks to a staunch no-logs policy, although I'd like to see fewer trackers on the provider's website, and it'd also be great to see Ivacy invest in a public audit of its privacy policy, too. The VPN is based in Singapore, where there are no data retention laws, so users can rest assured that their identifiable details aren't being logged for future use. Ivacy customers will get 10
simultaneous connections to play with – and this is fairly generous! This should also be enough to cover all of your most important devices, as well as share your subscription with any friends or family who are interested in safeguarding their own digital privacy. Ivacy can be installed on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux devices, and is also compatible with VPN routers. If you're into streaming, then you're in luck! Ivacy is able to access six major Netflix catalogues, as well as Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and ESPN – so you'll always have fresh content to check out. The Ivacy customer service team is available 24/7 via live chat and email, and you'll be able to pay for your subscription via card, PayPal, or even cryptocurrency, if you'd rather stay as anonymous as possible. And, like all of our top VPN picks, Ivacy's 30-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of time to trial the service without risking your money. 1. ExpressVPN
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Unblock everything!
Watertight privacy
Always fast
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Unblock shed loads of content
Cheap, but Speedy!
Private and secure
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Jam-packed with features
Unblock Netflix and more!
Surf the web in private
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A torrenter's paradise
Great for streaming right out the gate
Put it to the test
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Don't slow down!
Shield your surfing
Unblock content on demand
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No more limits
Jam-packed with privacy features
Stay connected
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Fast connections, no faff
Feature-rich, and that's how we like it!
Guaranteed access to the American Netflix library
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Excellent Router support
Unlimited connected devices make it great for big families
Plenty of security features to keep you safe
9. VyprVPN
www.vyprvpn.com
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Keeping things simple
A privacy trend-setter
Plenty to choose from
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Compare VPN speeds
Speed is a hugely important factor to consider when choosing a VPN. If you pick a slow service, then you'll struggle to stream the content you love, be unable to game online, and end up wasting time waiting for web pages to load. To help you avoid these sluggish services, we regularly test VPN speeds to ensure that we only recommend the fastest VPN services on the market.
Take a look at the table below to compare the server speeds of 2024's best VPNs.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Private Internet Access | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Performance | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Speed | 100 | 568.0 | 254.93 |
| ProPrivacy.com SpeedTest (average) | 100 | 85.9 | 62.2 |
And, for more information about how we conduct these speed tests, head on over to our in-depth VPN speed methodology page.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN is an online service that uses encrypted connections between your device and servers in its network to provide you with privacy and freedom online. You can use a VPN to gain data privacy on a PC, Mac, mobile device, or a router. Check out the video below for more information about how a VPN works.
What is a VPN Used For and How Does a VPN Work? ProPrivacy Explains �...
By using one of our top VPN picks, you'll gain all the following advantages:
- No one on the internet (including the sites you visit) will see who you are, or who your ISP is, because their "view" back to you is obstructed by the VPN server.
- Your ISP will not be able to see what you get up to on the internet because its "view" is similarly obstructed by the VPN server.
- Your ISP won't be able to snoop on your data, either, seeing as it'll be encrypted between your device and the VPN server.
- You'll also be protected from hackers and data thieves, because the data you transmit online will be fully encrypted, unreadable, and totally hidden from view.
- VPN servers are located all over the world, which is great for evading censorship or pretending to be somewhere else to access geo-restricted content.
ExpressVPN Discount Coupon How we pick the best VPNs - VPN testing methodology
With hundreds of consumer-facing VPNs circulating online, it can be extremely tricky for consumers to find the best VPN. We know that some VPNs use exaggerated advertising to attract subscribers, which can make it easy to end up with a VPN subscription you wish you had never paid for.
At ProPrivacy we make it our mission to provide trustworthy VPN advice to our readers. To do this, we have created a precise VPN testing review process. Our robust testing method allows us to classify VPNs using rigorous metrics.
To this end, we check market-leading VPNs for DNS and IP leaks, test the apps for security purposes, factor in the encryption strength, compare what each VPN can do to give you freedom online, and check how fast the VPN’s servers are.
Below, you can see a list of features we looked for when recommending the best VPNs:
- Apps for all devices and platforms to let you gain security across all your tech.
- Secure AES encryption to protect your browsing habits against data snoops, hackers, and government agencies.
- A wide choice of IP addresses across the globe to let you access regional services or bypass online censorship.
- A choice of fast VPN protocols that are suited to streaming in HD, gaming, torrenting, and making video calls.
- A zero logs policy that ensures the VPN provider never retains records of what you do online, and will never seek to profit from that data or pass it on to third parties.
- The ability to access a wide choice of popular services like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Disney Plus.
- Advanced security and privacy features, including obfuscation, DNS leak protection, malware filtering, ad blocking, split tunneling, port forwarding, and a kill-switch.
- A multiple simultaneous connection allowance to let you use the VPN on all your devices at once.
CyberGhost VPN Discount Coupon The advantages of using a VPN service
A VPN is an extremely simple tool, but it provides a great wealth of benefits. We think everybody should use a VPN as it helps them gain added freedom and security online. We explain in more detail below.
The benefits of using a VPN service
For just a few dollars a month, you'll receive the following benefits from your VPN:
Privacy from your ISP or government
A VPN encrypts your internet data and proxies your DNS requests. This basically means that your ISP is completely unable to track what you are doing online. If your ISP can't track your web activity, that means the government, hackers, or advertisers also won't be able to get their hands on that information. This makes a VPN an extremely effective tool for protecting your privacy.
If you want to learn more about government surveillance? We take a closer look at website and government surveillance in our ultimate online privacy guide.
Privacy when visiting websites
Websites can see your real IP address when you visit them. If you're using a VPN, however, they just see the IP of the VPN server you're connected to, not your true IP address. You should, however, combine the use of a VPN with browser add-ons which prevent website trackers for maximum privacy.
Evading censorship
Governments all over the world force ISPs to blacklist certain websites. In China, the list of websites and services that are blocked is huge. China is by far the clearest example of online mass censorship, to find out how you can get around Chinese content blocks, check out our guide listing the best VPNs for China.
Using a VPN is the perfect way to unblock any restricted content; no matter where you happen to live. A VPN lets you pretend to be in a different country so that you can bypass any local censorship.
See how our top VPNs compare:
| No Value | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted DNS | ||||
| Kill-switch | ||||
| Obfuscation (stealth) | ||||
| IPv6 leak protection | ||||
| WebRTC leak protection | ||||
| Bare-metal servers? |
Accessing streaming services
Online streaming services use geo-restrictions to ensure that content is only available in specific regions. They do this to protect licensing agreements. For the consumer, this is annoying because the streaming service you are paying for actually has much more content!
Using a VPN opens the door to all those extra TV shows and movies by letting you pretend to be in a different country, and thus bypass any restrictions.
Netflix US, UK, and Canada, for example, have much larger and more sought-after libraries of titles than elsewhere around the globe. With a VPN you can access Netflix (and other popular international streaming services like BBC iPlayer) from virtually anywhere in the world! This is true even if the service is restricted on your wi-fi network.
What can the best VPNs unblock?
| No Value | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | |||||
| iPlayer | |||||
| Amazon Prime | |||||
| Hulu | |||||
| Disney+ |
Staying secure on wi-fi hotspots
It is possible for hackers – or the companies who run wi-fi networks – to access user data when they are browsing on a public network. Using a VPN encrypts all the data between your device and the VPN server, protecting you from anyone looking at or intercepting your data via public wi-fi. More information on this topic can be found in our VPNs for public wi-fi guide.
Torrenting in safety
Other torrent users need to know your IP address in order to share torrent files. Unfortunately, it's not just other torrenters who can see your IP. To protect your privacy, always use a VPN when torrenting. We recommend checking out our best VPNs for torrenting guide for an in-depth look at what you should consider before you torrent anything.
What can torrenters expect from our top VPNs:
| No Value | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port selection | |||||
| Port-forwarding | |||||
| Torrenting allowed? | |||||
| Split-tunneling | |||||
| Dedicated servers? |
Are VPNs legal?
VPNs are legal just about everywhere in the world, barring countries such as Iraq, Oman, and Turkmenistan. Even in the countries where VPNs aren't easily accessible, VPNs are blocked by ISPs in order to prevent people from using them. The important distinction to remember is that while using a VPN is not usually in and of itself illegal, what you do while using one can be. It's best to check the law where you live in order to be completely sure that you understand the specifics regarding the legality of VPN use in your country.
We take a more in-depth look at the legality of VPNs in our are VPNs legal? guide.
Some VPN providers you should avoid!
Not all VPNs provide users with a good service, in fact, some VPNs provide substandard encryption, sell user data, or even contain malware. Below we list the VPN providers that you should definitely avoid at all costs.
| Provider | Why avoid? | Extra info |
|---|---|---|
| Hola | Can sell data to third parties* Shares emails with marketing partners. Sells traffic data to sister firm. Shared anonymized data to third parties. | Fraudulently steals & resells user bandwidth through sister company Luminati. DNS and WebRTC leaks detected. |
| Betternet | Can sell data to third parties.* Allows advertisers to cookie users' browsers. Displays targeted advertising. Parent firm can access all data. | Lets advertisers track and log user data. IP Leak in Chrome browser extension. Contains 14 tracking libraries in total (according to CSIRO report). |
| Hotspot Shield Free | Can sell data to third parties.* Redirects users to affiliate sites when browsing. Displays targeted advertising in-app and on websites. | Uses five different third-party tracking libraries. Shares data with third-party affiliates and partners. Shares all data with parent company. |
| Psiphon | Can sell data to third parties.* Allows ad partners to track users. Displays targeted advertising. | Shares data with their advertising partners. Shares data with third-party affiliates and partners. Shares all data with parent company. |
| HoxxVPN | Can sell data to third parties.* Isn't a VPN (it's a Shadowsocks proxy service). DNS and WebRTC leaks. Tracks user activities and works with authorities. | Keeps logs and sells them to third-party partners. Shares data with third-party affiliates and partners. |
| SuperVPN | Willing to disclose information to authorities. Reports of it being infected with malware. Tracks user activities and works with authorities. | Extensive access to users' sensitive information. Stores session logs in the UK and US. |
| ArchieVPN | Reports of being heavily infested with malware. | Performs real-time analysis (claims this is for troubleshooting only). |
| Onavo Project | Can sell data to third parties.* Uses user info for advertising and marketing. Displays ads to users. | Belongs to Facebook. Shares and sells user data with third parties. |
| HatVPN | Has no available privacy policy. Reports of being heavily infested with malware. Invasive app permissions. | Could be doing anything they want with user data. Developed and based in China. |
| VPN by Apalon | Invasive app permissions. Shares data with third parties for marketing purposes. | Displays ads. In-app purchases. |
| Private Pipe VPN | Shares data with affiliate partners. Displays targeted ads on websites. | Confusing privacy policy (claims no logs, but contradicts this claim). |
| Tuxler VPN | Can sell data to third parties*. Uses logs to target ads at users. | Shares user browsing data with advertising firms. |
| GO VPN | Can sell data to third parties*. Admits to using customer data to build out their database. Displays targeted ads through the platform. | Belongs to Chinese firm Talking Data. Willing to sell usage logs to third parties and partners. Extremely invasive app permissions. |
| Hexatech | Can sell data to third parties*. Allows advertisers to track and log user data. Advertisers can access user data whenever they want. | Created by Betternet (belongs to a marketing firm). Displays ads to users. |
| TouchVPN | Can sell data to third parties*. Adds Cookies, Pixel Tags, and Web Beacons to user browsers. | Shares anonymous data with third parties. |
| Faceless.me | Doesn't work. The privacy policy is too ambiguous to be taken seriously. | Has no support if you have concerns or questions. |
| FinchVPN | Can sell data to third parties*. Reports of being heavily infested with malware. | N/A |
| Cross VPN | Reports of being heavily infested with malware. | N/A |
| VPN OneClick Free | Reports of being heavily infested with malware. Outdated PPTP encryption on Android. | Based in the UAE. |
| Flash Free VPN | Invasive app permissions. | Uses 11 third-party tracking libraries. |
| Fast Secure Payment VPN | Reports of being heavily infested with malware. | N/A |
| sFly Network Booster | Reports of being heavily infested with malware. | N/A |
| IP-Shield VPN | Contains third-party tracking software. | N/A |
| WiFi Protector VPN | Uses 5 tracking libraries. | N/A |
| TigerVPNs | Fraudulently steals and resells users' bandwidth. | N/A |
| Private WiFi | Appears to have poor or no encryption. | N/A |
*according to the privacy policy
What goes into the best VPN software?
The very best VPN services offer advanced features and provide the highest possible levels of online privacy and security. Below, we've drawn up a list of the core VPN features a service must have in order to be considered reliable:
- Effective IPv4 and IPv6 DNS leak protection.
From a privacy and security perspective, simply disabling IPv6 connectivity is fine. - Mitigation against WebRTC leaks.
WebRTC leaks are a browser issue and can prevent traffic using the VPN tunnel. Some VPNs, however have additional security features that prevent this happening. - Kill-switch.
A kill-switch prevents your IP address from becoming exposed in the event of a VPN dropout. - Easy to use.
Although in reality, most VPN software is pretty easy to use these days. - Advanced features.
The very best VPNs are super versatile because they have advanced features such as split tunneling, port forwarding, multi-hop connections, malware protection, ad blocking, Smart DNS, and more.
Private Internet Access Discount Coupon Features that the best VPNs offer
As noted above, we think that effective IP leak protection and a kill switch are features that any decent VPN service should offer. Other features that top VPNs offer to set themselves apart from the pack include:
No logs policies
What a VPN provider does with user data has a massive impact on whether that VPN can actually be considered truly secure. A no-logs policy provides 'privacy by design'. This kind of policy ensures that the VPN provider stores no records of what its users do while connected.
If the VPN never has any record of what its users do, it is impossible for that VPN to comply with a government warrant for data. As a result, it doesn't matter who approaches the VPN with a data request, there is simply nothing available in terms of user data to pass to them.
The better VPN providers additionally enlist third-party auditors to check over their infrastructure to ensure that personally identifiable information isn't being stored.
For more information on privacy by design and VPNs, please check out best no logs VPNs.
Strong encryption
IP leaks are probably a bigger danger to your privacy when using a VPN than the risk of someone trying to break the encryption used to protect your data. But as we just said, a good tool is good by design, so a good VPN uses strong encryption.
What VPN encryption protocols do our chosen VPNs provide?
| No Value | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPTP | |||||
| L2TP/IPSec | |||||
| SSTP | |||||
| IKEv2 | |||||
| OpenVPN | |||||
| WireGuard | |||||
| Shadowsocks |
Smart DNS
Smart DNS is an alternative technology to a VPN -- one that is used exclusively to spoof your location. It provides none of the privacy and security benefits of a VPN and is therefore only really useful for accessing streaming services. That said, however, it does offer some advantages over using a VPN:
- It’s faster because no encryption/decryption is required, which means that buffering issues are less likely.
- Almost every internet-capable device can be configured to use Smart DNS, including many devices such as games consoles and smart TVs which cannot run a VPN client.
- Services that block VPNs can often (but not always) be accessed by Smart DNS instead. Stand-alone Smart DNS services are often comparable with the cost of a VPN service, but a number of top-tier VPN services throw in a Smart DNS service as an extra feature included in the cost of the VPN subscription.
Obfuscation technology
Some governments use packet inspection and a simple firewall to block VPN-encrypted traffic. This allows repressive governments to cut people's internet if they are found to be attempting to conceal their online activities.
Most VPNs allow you to route OpenVPN connections over TCP port 443 in order to simulate regular HTTPS traffic. This method can be effective in certain instances, but will not work against more determined efforts to block VPN use. Some providers go the extra mile by providing more advanced ways to defeat VPN censorship. Please see How to bypass VPN blocks for more information on this subject.
Accessing Netflix
Netflix is, of course, one of the most popular streaming services around, so any VPN worth its salt should be able to access a range of different Netflix regions. We also think a VPN should be able to access BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Crunchyroll, and more.
Unless a VPN service takes special measures to evade such blocks, it is unlikely you will be able to use it to access these types of streaming services.
Fortunately, a number of top VPNs specialize in accessing these and other streaming platforms. Head over to our Netflix VPN page for a list of the best services for the job.
What Netflix Libraries can you unblock with our favorite VPNs?
| No Value | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | |||||
| UK | |||||
| Canada | |||||
| Japan | |||||
| France | |||||
| Germany | |||||
| Number of Netflix libraries | 20 countries | 16 countries | 22 countries | 2 countries |
Additional stuff
Many VPN services offer additional features such as double-hop VPN, DNS filtering, built-in malware protection, one-click access to the Tor network, and more. We are a little ambivalent about many of these, although they can undoubtedly be useful to some users.
When considering any extra bells and whistles, be sure to consider if they are actually useful to you before allowing them to impact your purchasing decision.
What can I actually do with a VPN?
If you are new to VPNs, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. As you probably know, a VPN is primarily designed to give you online privacy. It works by encrypting your data to prevent local networks, ISPs, government agencies, wi-fi hotspot providers, and other eavesdroppers (including hackers on public wi-fi) from being able to intercept and view your data.
The benefit of the encryption provided by a VPN is that nobody knows what you are doing online. This prevents profiling that leads to personalized ads, and potentially even targeted pricing, which can drive costs up.
In addition to gaining an important layer of privacy, VPNs also provide many practical benefits. The way a VPN works allows you to pretend to be in a different location. As a result, you can do any of the things below:
- Watch foreign streaming platforms and TV services
- Use home services such as internet shopping or internet banking while abroad
- Use public wi-fi without being tracked by the hotspot provider
- Access foreign game servers
- Bypass torrent blocks and download torrents privately
- Use online casinos and foreign bookies
- Purchase flights and hotel accommodation for less
- Purchase software, online services, and games for less
- Bypass blocks when using public wi-fi
- Bypass censorship imposed by the government
- Bypass blocks at work or in school
FAQs
Conclusion
This article should provide you with food for thought. All the VPNs in our top 10 list are excellent services, so you can’t really go wrong. With that said, let's review our top picks:
- ExpressVPN - Our top VPN recommendation. A lightning-fast provider with a wealth of premium security features, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN - The best value VPN. You get seamless access to streaming services and sleek apps for all of your devices.
- Surfshark - The best budget VPN, offering unlimited simultaneous connections and servers where you need them, and a zero-logs policy.
- Private Internet Access - The most secure VPN. A service that's proven its commitment to privacy in court! Also provides robust OpenVPN encryption.
- PrivateVPN - The best user-friendly VPN. Installs in a blink and is packed with easy-to-use features, making it ideal for VPN newbies!