After another round of testing the best VPNs we've got the latest info to help you decide which app will suit you best. If you're serious about protecting yourself online, and want to get the most out of the internet, there are few better tools than a VPN.
Whether it's unblocking your favorite shows abroad, or bypassing oppressive censorship, we've tested and re-tested the top VPN services to show you how they all compare, and where each one excels.
Keep scrolling for a quick list of our top picks, and even further for in-depth analysis of how each VPN app compares to the competition. You'll see speed tests, pricing, stream unblocking, and even security breakdowns, as well as the most common questions we get asked about VPNs.
5 best VPNs: quick overview
If you're looking for quick answers, here's a brief overview of our top five VPN picks. If you want to know more, jump down to the reviews. If you want to get the best VPN deal, make sure you visit this page in an incognito tab, so you won't get dynamic pricing. You'll have to pay the full cost up-front, and be sure to cancel automatic renewals to
VPN reviews
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Recent updates
We've just finished another round of testing with the top VPN providers and there are some big changes in our rankings. Surfshark's growing feature list and improved kill switch saw it climb up to second, while some streaming issues with ExpressVPN saw it drop to third. After some serious connection issues and overall underwhelming performance from Private Internet Access, it fell out of our top rankings to be replaced by Proton VPN thanks to some consistently high scores over the past year of analysis. But that's not all. We've also added maps of server locations so you can see which VPNs have servers in your region.
The best VPN overall
NordVPN still tops our VPN rankings thanks to its rock-solid performance and great value for money. If you’re just looking for a VPN, it’s an excellent choice for most people: it’s the best VPN for streaming, with consistently fast speeds and airtight privacy. And at almost half the price of Express, it’s one of the cheapest VPNs too.
However, if you’re prepared to spend a little extra, NordVPN also offers a host of cutting-edge security and privacy features that elevates it above its rivals. Sure, if you’re looking for the absolute fastest or cheapest VPN, Surfshark beats Nord. And if you’re in a country where VPNs are banned, we’d recommend Express instead, thanks to its superior XXXXX. But if you want a VPN that consistently performs well in all areas, no one does it better than Nord.
Features
Nord offers three different pricing tiers (Basic, Plus and Ultimate), with one-month, one-year and two-year plans - the latter is the best value for money. The Basic tier costs $XXX upfront for a two-year plan (plus three extra months free), and gives you access to all Nord’s VPN features. However, the Plus tier only costs $XX more ($XXX for two years), and gives you Nord’s industry-leading personal privacy and security tech - we recommend this for anyone XXXXXXX. The top tier, Ultimate, is for X user case. It costs $XXX upfront and gives you 1TB of encrypted cloud storage, plus insurance against identity theft and cyber extortion.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Basic | Plus | Ultimate |
| VPN features | X | X | X |
| Advanced threat protection | Row 2 - Cell 1 | X | X |
| Password management | Row 3 - Cell 1 | X | X |
| 1TB secure cloud storage | Row 4 - Cell 1 | Row 4 - Cell 2 | X |
A basic plan will just get you the VPN and Threat Protection Lite – which blocks common viruses and ads. If you opt for the Plus plan, you'll get something more comparable to ExpressVPN's offering, with the inclusion of NordPass (our pick for the best password manager), a data breach scanner, as well as Nord's Threat Protection Pro, which gives you advanced malware protection, ad and tracker blocking to keep your devices safe from even the newest threats.
This goes further than just a simple DNS-based block list, and uses AI to detect potential threats, but it's still not a full-blown antivirus service like Surfshark offers. While Nord's blocks can check files and websites, it's all preventative. If you get a virus on your device, you'll still want one of the best antivirus apps to quarantine and remove it. Surfshark on the other hand offers a full-blown antivirus with its apps, so you get 360-degree protection.
If you sign up for the Ultimate plan, you'll get all of the above, alongside a terabyte of secure cloud storage with NordLocker. Ever since ExpressVPN's partnership with Backblaze ended, it's one of the few leading VPNs offering secure storage.
On top of this though, Nord's Ultimate plan gives you cyber insurance. It differs from region to region, but if you're in the US, you'll get Identity theft recovery of up to $1 million in coverage, as well as cyber extortion protection of up to $100,000 in coverage. In the UK, you'll get up to £5,000 in scam loss and online shopping fraud recovery. Nord is one of (if not the) only VPNs to offer cyber insurance, so it's a great reassurance to know that it's looking to protect more than just your data.
That's not all there is, though. Double VPN encrypts your data twice by routing it through two servers (instead of one) to make it twice as hard to decode, ensuring top-notch protection against opportunistic cybercriminals. Next, Onion over VPN is a special set of NordVPN servers that lets you access the super-secure Tor network without having to download the Tor browser and configure it yourself.
Another standout feature is Meshnet. It allows you to create your own secure and encrypted network and connect up to 60 devices at a time, making NordVPN the perfect solution for folks who want to communicate securely with devices far away á with Meshnet, it would be as if the devices were all on the same local network. Recent updates to Meshnet have made file sharing faster, and you can personalize device names so that they’re easier to recognize.
With so many tools in its belt, Nord is a one-stop security shop – perfect for keeping yourself safe online.
Read more about Nord's app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
NordVPN offers native apps for all device types, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as Apple TV, Android TV, and even Fire Stick. Since we last tested Nord, it's totally overhauled its TV apps with a fresh new design that's even easier to use. It's a big step in the right direction, because previously its TV apps were cluttered. Now, they're more like ExpressVPN's TV apps – simple and easy to use. Additionally, NordVPN has made small, incremental improvements, including better detection of and notifications about any VPN connection drops.
Nord even works natively on Windows ARM laptops, which typically don't play nice with VPNs, and it was one of the first to do so. That means it's guaranteed to work on the next generation of laptops as Snapdragon chips take the industry by storm. Other VPNs like Proton VPN and PrivadoVPN don't yet work with ARM, so you need to be careful if you're thinking of buying one of the best laptops and bundling in a VPN.
From an overall ease-of-use perspective, we still rank ExpressVPN higher than NordVPN, primarily because it’s more intuitive. For example, the settings menu in Nord’s apps is tucked away slightly and takes a few more taps to find. Additionally, while all the NordVPN apps are powerful and come stacked with features from top to bottom, the map-style interface can be slightly awkward to use on the smaller screens of smartphones – it looks and moves great on tablets and PCs, though.
One of the biggest changes we've noticed is in NordVPN’s Firefox extension: it has been rebuilt from the ground up to make sure it’s as secure as it can be. Besides this, NordVPN has also added a few extra features (such as location spoofing) to its extensions for Chrome and Edge. These extensions do not have the bells and whistles of the desktop or mobile apps, making them a simpler, no-nonsense alternative for users who'd like the basic NordVPN benefits directly from their browser. But this also means that they cannot compete with full-fledged Nord apps that are much better for protecting your entire device (and not just your browser).
What’s more, NordVPN still only offers a command-line interface for Linux devices and has yet to bless its Linux user base with a graphical user interface (GUI). While this is admittedly just a minor gripe, it's still something that should be dealt with, especially when the best Linux VPNs, Private Internet Access and Surfshark, are offering a GUI.
NordVPN's server locations
Use the map to see NordVPN's servers.
Privacy and security
As one of the biggest names in the cybersecurity space, it's no surprise NordVPN offers airtight privacy. It doesn’t log your data (and has proven its no-logs claims four times) and offers industry-standard AES-256-GCM encryption, a reliable kill switch, and extra privacy features like Double VPN and Onion over VPN. Nord and ExpressVPN lead the way when it comes to regular audits, and we believe every VPN should be thoroughly audited.
NordVPN has become the first VPN to have its anti-phishing protection, Threat Protection Pro, certified by the top independent lab AV-Comparatives. We tested it firsthand, and the service blocked 87% of all our sample threats. However, it’s worth noting that when we used a custom browser (Microsoft’s WebView2, a standard Edge-based component) for testing, Threat Protection Pro didn’t do anything at all. So, while it’s undoubtedly an impressive and handy service, it’s not a full replacement of a specialist antivirus software.
NordVPN's post-quantum protection is a recent addition to its security repertoire and is a deal-breaker for any privacy purist. This is due to the swathe of "store now, decrypt later" attacks – hackers and government bodies are hoarding encrypted data to decode down the line when quantum computing is more advanced. NordVPN was slower to act than ExpressVPN, and Mullvad, when it came to post-quantum protection, and this was because Nord wanted to proceed cautiously and wait for the NIST standardizations to come out.
Streaming, unblocking, and speed
NordVPN sits at the top of our streaming guides – it’s the best VPN for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus, and everything else we've thrown at it, too. There's nothing the service could have improved on from our last test results, where it unblocked everything we tested first try (both foreign and local sites) from every location we tried, every single time.
Both Nord, Surfshark, and Proton VPN have consistently scored top marks for streaming over the past year, and It's great to see that they've maintained this level of consistency – it shows that continuing investment in content unblocking. After all, top streaming platforms are constantly trying to block VPN usage, meaning VPNs have to be on their toes to maintain their ability to bypass these sites. Comparatively, ExpressVPN fared less well in our streaming tests this time around, struggling to unblock everything first try, but coming through most of the time.
Take a look at the table below to see what streaming services NordVPN unblocked, and where.
| Netflix libraries | US services | UK services | Australian services |
|---|---|---|---|
| US, UK, AU, CA, JP | Amazon, Disney, Hulu, HBO Max | iPlayer, ITV, C4 | 9Now, 10 play |
For the past year, NordVPN has maxed out our connection lines with peak speeds of over 950 Mbps when using the proprietary WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol. This speed is on par with what we see from Surfshark, Proton VPN, Mullvad, and PrivadoVPN, and is slightly faster than ExpressVPN.
Read more: VPN protocols explained
Nord’s OpenVPN speeds, on the other hand, are a lot slower but have improved by a decent margin. We recorded top speeds of around 173 Mbps in our most recent tests, as compared to 110 Mbps previously. Although these speeds may not seem too impressive, that’s only because some of the absolute fastest providers, like Surfshark and Mullvad, offer over 400 Mbps when using the OpenVPN protocol through a technique called Data Channel Offload (DCO). In reality, though, most folks won't need to use OpenVPN, and even if they do, 110 Mbps is lightning-fast for most home connections in the US and UK – and it’s still over four times faster than you need for 4K streaming (25 Mbps).
NordVPN is going to be more than enough for most people – it's fast, cheap, and relatively easy to use. There are plenty of tools for even the biggest techophiles, but there are some niche use cases where you may be better off elsewhere. If you just want a VPN for streaming your favorite shows, gaming, and keeping yourself safe on public WiFi, Nord is the best tool for the job.
★★★★½
Read more: NordVPN review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | Great for new users, but can be a bit awkward for anyone looking to manually configure their VPN | ★★★★ |
| Speed | One of the fastest VPNs on the market, maxing out my testing line | ★★★★★ |
| Streaming | Unblocked everything we threw at it, every time we tried | ★★★★★ |
| Technical | A privacy-first approach that's supported with clear investment in improving the security of its apps | ★★★★★ |
| Support | Friendly, supportive and professional | ★★★★★ |
| Value | It's the best VPN at one of the best prices | ★★★★ |
The best cheap VPN service
Surfshark just climbed to second place in our rankings after adding its latest phone masking feature and fixing a critical kill switch bug we had previously identified in our testing. It's so much more than just the best cheap VPN, it's also an all-in-one security suite. It has built-in ad-blocking, antivirus, tracker-free web browsing, and a data breach notifier built-in.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen Surfshark give more expensive providers a serious run for their money. In fact, it's consistently been the fastest VPN provider throughout this year. It maxed out our testing line with WireGuard, and it has significantly faster OpenVPN speeds than every other VPN out there. If you want to see the results, jump down to our speed test results.
Features
Surfshark has more features than most premium VPNs on the market and backs it up with exceptional quality. It was one of the first providers to offer unlimited simultaneous connections so you won't have to buy a second subscription if you want to protect your whole family's devices.
Speaking of protection, Surfshark isn’t short on security features. If you choose to upgrade to the Surfshark One+ plan, you'll get your VPN, an ad blocker, a cookie pop-up blocker, data breach alerts, a private web browser, antivirus, and a whole lot more.
Its data removal service comes courtesy of its sub-company Incogni, and actively removes your information from company databases, so your online habits won't be exploited for targeted marketing. Nord previously offered Incogni, but has since dropped the offering, so now Surfshark is the only VPN provider offering a data removal service.
With its latest feature, Alternative ID, it generates a brand new identity and email address to use online to protect you from spam or having your details harvested. I personally love this feature because of its phone number generator. You get a fake phone number that will redirect to your phone number until you disconnect it. If that creep in the bar keeps asking for your number, just give them the fake one and show it ringing, then, when they're gone, disconnect the number and they won't be able to call or text you at all. Nord also offers email masking, but no one else offers any sort of phone masking like this.
We put Surfshark's ad and malware blocker, CleanWeb, to the test once again, and it massively improved its ab-blocking score from 3% to 84% in our latest round of tests. Its antivirus manages to block 94% of phishing sites, but only 34% of malware sites in our last round of testing. This is interesting, as we see more dedicated malware testing services like AVTest gave Surfshark top marks for protection back in June.
Last but not least, Surfshark's obfuscation technology (called Camouflage Mode) helps you bypass VPN blocks by hiding the fact you're using a VPN, and its No Borders feature detects if your current network is facing any restrictions and automatically recommends servers that perform best under those restrictions.
With so many features to play with Surfshark is a great choice for anyone looking to consolidate security and privacy services, and just get a single subscription.
Read more about Surfshark's apps support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
In addition to neat and powerful apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, Surfshark also offers outstanding support for Linux, thanks to a fully functioning graphical user interface. This makes installing and using the VPN app on Linux as simple as it is on any other OS. Additionally, Surfshark has finally launched a dedicated app for Apple TV, further expanding its list of native apps, which also includes client options for Amazon Fire Sticks, routers, and browsers.
Surfshark has made several positive changes to its browser extensions since our last round of analysis. For starters, it now includes location spoofing, which tells your browser to use the VPN’s virtual location. Furthermore, it also automatically fills out web data forms with your chosen Alternative ID.
A good portion of Surfshark’s jump in our rankings can also be accredited to the assortment of app improvements it has made. These include the launch of dedicated widgets, which will allow you to connect, pause, and disconnect the VPN without opening the full mobile app. Additionally, it’s now easier to log into Surfshark on a new device - just scan a QR code on another device that is already logged in.
All in all, although Surfshark’s apps might come across as busier than, say, ExpressVPN at first glance, everything is actually neatly organized, with a quick-connect button on the homepage (similar to ExpressVPN) allowing you to secure your connection instantly. This makes Surfshark a plug-and-play solution ideal for beginners. Furthermore, many of the VPN’s features (like Alternative ID) are easily accessible through the bar at the bottom, with the VPN configurations (including advanced settings) also being just a few taps away inside the Settings menu.
Surfshark's server locations
Use the map to see Surfshark's servers.
Privacy and security
Surfshark wouldn’t be a regular in our VPN rankings if it wasn’t a privacy-focused provider. It backed up its privacy claims with an audit by Deloitte in January 2024, and continues to offers all the essential features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection. However, Surfshark is yet to offer post-quantum protection, which may compromise the security of users if they are the target of a "store now, decrypt later" attack – where hackers are hoarding encrypted data to decode it with a quantum computer in a few years.
One major positive, however, is that Surfshark has fixed the Windows kill switch issue we previously noted in our analysis. Until now, we were able to break the kill switch by closing the process in task manager, silently disconnecting the VPN in a way the kill switch should catch, but it didn't. However, we worked with the team over at Surfshark to get this issue resolved, and after a series of rigorous tests, we were able to prove that it was indeed fixed.
It's great to see that Surfshark is improving its security, and we're keen to see if it joins NordVPN and ExpressVPN in the post-quantum world soon.
Streaming, unblocking and speed
Like NordVPN, Surfshark, too, performed a clean sweep of streaming services in our latest tests, continuing its flawless record from last time. We used multiple locations (the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan) and streaming sites in our testing, including Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as smaller platforms like 9Now and 10 Play, and Surfshark, once again, managed to effortlessly unblock them all. The consistency is impressive and exactly what we’ve come to expect from top providers.
While there’s hardly anything to choose between Surfshark and NordVPN when it comes to sidestepping geo-restrictions on sites, streaming enthusiasts will arguably be better off with Surfshark, as it presents a more affordable option.
Take a look at the table below to see what streaming services Surfshark unblocked, and where.
| Netflix libraries | US services | UK services | Australian services |
|---|---|---|---|
| US, UK, AU, CA, JP | Amazon, Disney, Hulu, HBO Max | iPlayer, ITV, C4 | 9Now, 10 play |
Surfshark is the undisputed champion when it comes to speeds, and it has been dominating our speed tests for a while now. It’s the fastest VPN service right now, knocking it out of the park with speeds of over 950 Mbps when using the WireGuard protocol.
Although Surfshark’s OpenVPN speeds saw a drop (down to 460 Mbps from 640 Mbps), it continues to deliver the quickest OpenVPN speeds of all the providers we tested, with PIA, its nearest competitor, behind at 257 Mbps, NordVPN at 173 Mbps, and ExpressVPN at 160 Mbps. Surfshark achieves these speeds through Data Channel Offload (DCO) – a technique that few other providers have utilized. Overall, whether you’re streaming 4K content or chipping away at opponents in a high-octane online game, Surfshark will provide you with a seamless experience.
Surfshark is the epitome of quality without cost, and its alternative ID feature is something I'd recommend to everyone. Being able to give a fake but working phone number to someone who won't leave you alone and then being able to disconnect it after the fact goes beyond personal privacy, it can help you get away from creeps in the club, too. If you want a full personal privacy suite, Surfshark ticks all the right boxes.
★★★★½
Read more: Surfshark review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | A comfortable middle-ground between NordVPN and ExpressVPN | ★★★★ |
| Speed | One of the fastest providers around | ★★★★★ |
| Streaming | Another full house – Surfshark keeps getting perfect scores in our unblocking tests | ★★★★★ |
| Technical | A much-improved antivirus tool, but the Windows kill switch can fail under very extreme circumstances | ★★★★ |
| Support | Support site has come a long way | ★★★★ |
| Value | So much for so little – no one else can match the value | ★★★★★ |
The best VPN for beginners
ExpressVPN has dropped a rank in our latest round of deep dives due to some minor streaming issues with Australia and Japan, and underwhelming threat protection scores. Despite this, it's still the best VPN for beginners thanks to its simple design and the way it automates configuration to give you the fastest and safest connection possible every time.
Since our last round of testing, we've seen an impressive jump in Express' VPN speeds, and it's now on par with some of the fastest VPN providers. It's not quite as fast as NordVPN and Surfshark, but it's clear to see that Lightway can handle speed just as well as WireGuard and NordLynx can.
Features
At its core, ExpressVPN is a privacy-first VPN. Compared to a full-suite Surfshark or NordVPN subscription, ExpressVPN offers fewer features. However, it comes with attention to detail and a wealth of perks that solidify it as the most secure VPN around.
One of its leading innovations is IP shuffle, which assigns a different IP address to every website you visit. This makes it much harder to track your internet usage across sites, whereas most other VPNs that use a single IP for all of your sessions will create an identifiable pattern. It's a great function if you need a VPN you can stake your life on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's built-in ad blocker stopped more ads than any other VPN tested with a whopping 90% stoppage rate. However, when it came to blocking malware and phishing sites, it didn't catch a single one. This was a real surprise, and after retesting we realized that the issue is that it struggles to block new threats. When we retested with threats that were over a day old, it blocked 21 of 25. For comparison, Nord's Threat Protection Pro blocked 79% of malware sites and 87% of phishing sites.
On the plus side, Express offers its very own password manager with every subscription. ExpressVPN Keys is a convenient addition to ExpressVPN's repertoire, and in keeping with its security promises, it commissioned Cure53 to conduct an independent audit of the security of Keys – which it passed with flying colors. Keys isn't as fully-fledged as NordPass, but when it's bundled into your subscription, it's a great way to cut costs without having to pay more.
If you're looking to customize your VPN, Express offers some excellent tools for all users, but unlike every other VPN I've tested, it even has a parental control feature, that'll block adult sites to keep your children safe from things they shouldn't see on the internet, as well as cybercriminals.
Read more about ExpressVPN's app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
ExpressVPN is available across MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms, as well as smart devices like gaming consoles, routers, and even Amazon Fire TV. The Windows and Mac apps in particular are slick, intuitive, and arguably among the best-designed VPN interfaces available to new and experienced VPN users today. Linux remains a command-line only interface, but a GUI (visual app) is in development.
Getting started with desktop apps is fairly straightforward. With the exception of a small quirk during the install process, which requires you to enter login credentials from the ExpressVPN dashboard instead of your email, there's really nothing complicated at all. Enable your VPN with a one-click connect from the home screen, and you're good to go.
Diving into your ExpressVPN Android or iOS app while you're on the move is just as uncluttered and intuitive as it is on a desktop. For extra streamlining purposes, I recommend making use of the convenient "shortcuts" feature that allows you to create instant access to specific apps immediately after connecting to the VPN.
If you're a VPN power user and want to install it on your router, you can use ExpressVPN on certain Asus, Linksys, and Netgear routers, as well as its in-house AirCove router. The best part about ExpressVPN on a router is Device Groups, which gives you total control over the configuration of devices connected to your router.
ExpressVPN's server locations
Use the map to see ExpressVPN's servers.
Privacy and security
There's a reason ExpressVPN is the most secure VPN on the market – it constantly invests in researching ways to break and improve the security of VPNs across the industry, and was the first to identify a new type of DNS leak earlier this year.
ExpressVPN's stellar audit history is the industry benchmark for VPN security. A total of 18 separate audits of its overall security and no-logs policy set an industry precedent, including the latest KPMG-verified no-log privacy policy claims in the July 2024 transparency report.
The provider's TrustedServer technology is the main reason for a lot of its security prowess. This is Express' unique approach to ensuring your data remains completely safe. The technology is based on RAM-only servers that are reinstalled weekly. Because of the regularity of updates and data wipes being performed, there is little damage an attacker could do. The company is so confident that it offers a $1 million bug bounty should you ever get inside an Express server.
Express launched its very own encryption protocol, Lightway, as a means to compete with WireGuard, and offer up a replacement for OpenVPN – since OpenVPN is over 20 years old and was never designed for today's bandwidth capabilities. Since WireGuard is almost impossible to obfuscate perfectly (truly hiding the fact that you're using a VPN), Lightway is a modern alternative offering cloaking capabilities on par with OpenVPN.
AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption comes as standard, with a quantum secure hybrid 1000-dimension ML-KEM and 4096-bit RSA key exchange. Even if a third party were to somehow capture your data, ExpressVPN uses such strong encryption that, with today's technology, it would take thousands of years to decode.
Then there's the Shuffle IP feature, which allocates a random IP address to every site you visit. This means there is absolutely no correlation between your online activity, making it that much more difficult to track. In contrast, a poorly configured rotating IP would generate a wave pattern, making your activity stand out more than normal.
The only area for improvement is in Express' DNS-based threat protection. We'd love to see ExpressVPN revamp its phishing and malware protection, which is where it falls behind rivals like NordVPN and Surfshark quite significantly. This doesn't affect your VPN connection, but does fall short of the all-in-one solution that budget-conscious privacy seekers are often looking for.
Streaming, unblocking and speed
For the past few years, ExpressVPN has maintained a perfect score in our stream unblocking tests, but this time around it unblocked every region we tested, but only unblocked Netflix Australia in one out of three locations, Netflix Japan in two of three locations, and 10 Play Australia in only one of three locations. While you technically only need one to work, Express was the only top provider to experience issues in this regard.
The table below shows every region we were able to unblock with ExpressVPN, but keep in mind what we said above.
| Netflix libraries | US services | UK services | Australian services |
|---|---|---|---|
| US, UK, AU, CA, JP | Amazon, Disney, Hulu, HBO Max | iPlayer, ITV, C4 | 9Now, 10 play |
ExpressVPN struggled in our previous speed tests, but some internal analysis made us realize that this was actually a result of our virtual testing rig. When we tested on actual computers and phones, the speeds shot up. During testing, speeds on our gigabit line hit 898 Mbps with Lightway – coming in just shy of Nord and Surfshark at over 950 Mbps. Previously, we've seen Express dip as low as 410 Mbps, which makes us question the consistency of those speeds, but with that said, anything over 200 Mbps is still absolutely soaring, so don't let these figures fool you. As I explained to u/EndUnfair264, ExpressVPN has never been slow.
When it comes to OpenVPN, Express dropped to 176 Mbps this time around (down from 210 Mbps last time). While these speeds are still more than sufficient for gaming and 4K streaming, it's still a big drop compared to NordVPN, or the king of our speed tests, Surfshark. It's worth noting that Express is investing heavily in its Lightway protocol in order to make it a superior alternative to OpenVPN – so it's no surprise that it's not investing in improving its OpenVPN speeds.
ExpressVPN may be an expensive option, but if you just want to set it and forget it, there's no better pick. The attention to detail is second to none, and that's reflected in the consistently high scores it's had over the years. If you have to stake your life on a VPN, this is the one to choose.
★★★★½
Read more: ExpressVPN review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Features | An automated one-click connect means you get the safest, fastest protection possible – without having to configure it yourself | ★★★★★ |
| Speed | Fast enough for streaming, online gaming, and torrenting, with a big focus on low-latency bandwidth | ★★★★ |
| Streaming | Usually unblocks every site and region we test, but there were some hiccups in our last round of testing | ★★★★ |
| Technical | ExpressVPN's teams are constantly on the cutting edge of the industry – its security is unrivalled | ★★★★★ |
| Support | Always available, friendly, and helpful | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Even with the new two-year plan it's an expensive pick, but this is the best price it's ever had | ★★★ |
4. The best VPN for small businesses
Proton VPN just shot up in our ranks thanks to its consistently strong results over the past year and another independent audit of its no-logs policy. Its variety of products aren't cheap, but are an excellent upgrade option for anyone looking to secure their small business with more than just a VPN from a tried and tested brand.
Beyond the massive size of its VPN server network, Proton offers a password manager, secure documents and storage, Calendar, and even a crypto wallet. Because of the breadth of its offering, Proton provides a superb solution for everyday internet users looking to secure their search, as well as businesses looking to firm up their data thanks to Proton's impressive business offering.
Features
Most of the additional features in Proton VPN's paid version either make the VPN trickier to block, or enhance your privacy. Secure Core is one example, which initially sends your VPN traffic through a physically owned, hardened VPN server in a high-security location, and then sends it on to a second endpoint VPN server. This means your traffic is secured twice, eliminating the worry of your IP being exposed and the endpoint server being hacked. While sensible for connecting from countries where VPNs are banned or with extreme censorship, it's a bit excessive for everyday use.
Alternative Routing is another noteworthy feature, which routes your VPN traffic along an external third-party-provided route. This allows you to connect to services that are otherwise blocking access from Proton VPN's servers, with the trade-off of also allowing services outside of Proton VPN's remit to see your home IP. More specifically, with this feature enabled, you'll be able to access some sites that would otherwise detect your VPN use, but it's unlikely you'll get past an ISP's DPI monitoring.
These two features exemplify Proton VPN's offering of expert features that fit specific use cases. The VPN over Tor feature is another addition, allowing you to use certain Proton VPN servers to access the Tor network directly. While not intended for mass usage, this feature may be ideal for those looking for extra anonymity, such as whistleblowers or journalists.
For the business-minded, Proton's secure storage and documents offer a privacy-conscious alternative to the traditional Google Suite. It shows you're a business with security and privacy at its core. There is also a dedicated business VPN if you have employees that need protecting, too. With the full business suite, you can get 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage per user, 15 custom email domains, secure calendars, user permission management, and even a password manager.
VPN Accelerator is a standout, non-privacy-focused feature in this otherwise very privacy-conscious VPN service. This technology uses advanced TCP routing and multithreading to ensure better speeds for connecting to servers worldwide. It allows you to keep a good portion of your bandwidth where network instability would otherwise cause you to slow to a crawl. This makes it ideal for situations where there's excessive packet loss or high latency.
If you're an avid torrenter, you'll be glad to know torrenting is also effortless. Proton VPN supports port forwarding, which makes it ridiculously simple to connect to other devices in a P2P network. Fewer and fewer VPNs offer port forwarding nowadays, and the only other leading provider to still offer it is Private Internet Access.
Additional bells and whistles include DNS leak protection, thanks to Proton VPN's own private encrypted DNS servers, a kill-switch, and split tunneling across all apps. A NetShield Ad-blocker also comes as standard, complete with blocking malware, trackers, and adds, and enhancing browsing speed and privacy.
Read more about Proton VPN's app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS all feature dedicated Proton VPN apps. While you can expect roughly the same experience from all of them, it's worth noting there is some feature disparity between versions. For instance, the MacOS version doesn't have split tunneling or OpenVPN, whereas the Linux app is a full GUI program generally on par with the Windows app. The main takeaway is that all of the service's security features are readily available across all platforms.
ProtonVPN is one of the only free VPNs on the market with a GUI for Linux, so if you're a lover of open-source operating systems, you don't have to sacrifice usability if you don't want to pay for a VPN, either.
Compared to the rest of the apps in our top 5 list, Proton VPN's desktop app design comes with a quirky (and honestly, cool) feature. After accessing the home menu, you'll be welcomed by a map of every VPN location available for access, adding a visual design aspect not present in competitors. Add the black and purple color palette, and you almost get the feeling you're starring in an espionage flick of sorts.
On mobile apps, you'll notice that the same minimalistic menus and clandestine color scheme that make Proton VPN so easy to navigate on desktop. I'd be remiss not to point out the Android app's recent refresh, which now boasts additional support for Android TV resolutions (complete with a kill switch for Android TVs), and more detail about servers in the location list.
Proton VPN's server locations
Use the map to see Proton VPN's servers.
Privacy and security
Privacy and security are the two main reasons why Proton VPN exists. Besides its proprietary Stealth protocol, you'll also have the option to choose from WireGuard and OpenVPN, depending on which platform you're using. You don't have to worry about accidentally choosing an insecure protocol when setting up the service, since both WireGuard and OpenVPN have been thoroughly tested by countless audits and real-world deployments.
The Stealth protocol claims to get around deep packet inspection (DPI) where provider look into your internet traffic to see whether or not you're using a VPN. It's an impressive claim that we've not seen since VyprVPN with its Chameleon protocol, but I'm not taking it at face value. A moderator for the ProtonVPN subreddit claimed that "Stealth is basically WireGuard over TLS" which, if true, is concerning. WireGuard is difficult to obfuscate at the best of times, and I've never seen a provider offer what I would call "true obfuscation" for WireGuard – where you can't tell someone's using a VPN at all. Every obfuscated WireGuard instance I've seen has been more akin to painting stripes on a horse and calling it a zebra.
On a brighter note, Proton's no-logs policy was verified by Securitum in July 2024, marking its third consecutive annual no-logs audit (all past audits are available for viewing on Proton VPN's website with no account registration needed). The fact that you don't need to register to see this information is a testament to the transparency few other providers can match.
However, Proton VPN doesn't use RAM-only servers, which is a point of concern, but it does use full-disk encryption on all of its servers – it's still secure, but it does increase the risk if Proton is served a warrant. Regardless, none of your connection or browsing data ever comes close to being written to disk, so the degree of risk is minimal.
Streaming, unblocking and speed
If you expected Proton VPN's premium plan wouldn't unblock streaming services because the free VPN can't unblock them, you'd be wrong. For the past year, Proton's premium plan has unblocked every service we've tried first time – unblocking every Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon library we tested.
More regional services like 9Play, 10Now, ITVX, Channel 4, and BBC iPlayer were also a breeze. Easily accessible and without any hassle, Proton VPN didn't seem to struggle one bit.
Check out the table below to see what services Proton VPN unblocked, and where.
| Netflix libraries | US services | UK services | Australian services |
|---|---|---|---|
| US, UK, AU, CA, JP | Amazon, Disney, Hulu, HBO Max | iPlayer, ITV, C4 | 9Now, 10 play |
When it came to speed tests, Proton once again nailed its WireGuard speeds – maxing out our lines with over 950 Mbps. On the downside, our latest testing round across various protocols demonstrated an overall significant drop in Proton VPN's average speeds.
When it came to long-distance connections, 630 Mbps was the maximum speed during testing from the UK to the US on WireGuard. That's not bad at all, and you're unlikely to notice any slowing down.
OpenVPN testing results were a bit disappointing, however, as they dropped from 400 Mbps down to nearly half at 220 Mbps. While we always anticipate lower speeds over OpenVPN compared to WireGuard, it was a surprise to see such a significant drop.
Proton has a long history of advocating for digital privacy, and regularly highlights censorship around the world through its VPN observatory. With fast servers, excellent unblocking, and a full suite of additional features, it's popularity is hard-earnedIf you're looking for a commercial VPN to secure your business, Proton is an excellent choice.
★★★★
Read more: Proton VPN review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | While more complex than some, its range of availability and superb Linux app seriously impress. | ★★★★ |
| Speed | Despite some drops on OpenVPN, it's still comfortably able to handle anything you'd throw at it. | ★★★★ |
| Streaming | No issues whatsoever. Seriously capable at unblocking whatever you may want to watch. | ★★★★★ |
| Technical | Good levels of security alongside numerous audits in the past. | ★★★★ |
| Support | Support availability and success lacking compared to competition. | ★★★ |
| Value | Seriously cheap considering the number of tools and features included in the plans. | ★★★★★ |
5. The best free VPN
Perhaps you can't quite stretch to the cost of Surfshark's monthly subscription, or you don’t want to pay for two years all at once. There is an alternative to the other VPNs in this list, and that’s PrivadoVPN’s free plan. While it’s not the best choice if you plan to be online all the time, or do a lot of streaming or torrenting, it’s got a generous monthly bandwidth limit. While it doesn’t match up to providers like NordVPN, it has a solid set of features if you want some basic added security when you're out and about away from home.
PrivadoVPN is going to suit someone who needs to use a VPN very occasionally and for trivial matters. We wouldn’t recommend it if you're seriously concerned about keeping your online identity and activities safe, but it’s a useful stopgap for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to a full VPN subscription.
Features
Like other free VPNs, PrivadoVPN can’t offer anywhere near the same sort of features as premium providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. There are no password managers, no obfuscated servers, and nothing like Surfshark’s Alternative ID or Incogni.
You do, however, get an ad blocker to protect you from online advertising, a kill switch to protect your data in case of a problem with your VPN connection, and even split tunneling to enable you to decide which apps use the VPN and which don’t. It’s a decent offering for something that costs nothing at all, but doesn’t compete with the reliability you get with a paid subscription.
Read more about Privado's app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
Privado’s apps follow the tried-and-true design employed by competitors such as ExpressVPN, with a big, friendly connect button to get you online, and your current location and new IP addresss on display. The location list can be sorted not only by name or location, but also by latency, showing you which server will get you the best connection. There’s a decent amount of configuration options available for those who want to dabble, though not as much flexibility as you might find in PIA.
PrivadoVPN's server locations
Use the map to see PrivadoVPN's servers.
Streaming, unblocking and speed
Access to streaming sites is a big draw for most VPN subscribers, and while PrivadoVPN can unblock some sites such as Disney+ and the BBC iPlayer occasionally, it isn’t a service we would recommend if this is something you’re going to do a lot. You’d be far better off with a VPN like Surfshark, with its cheap two-year subscription and far more advanced unblocking capabilities.
Where PrivadoVPN does shine is in our speed tests, with impressive results rivaling Surfshark and NordVPN for WireGuard connections, though OpenVPN is another story, with speeds dropping all the way down to 220 Mbps. Still, that's plenty fast enough to stream in 4K and to game reliably, but again, there are better options like Surfshark for this.
Check out the table below to see which streaming services we could unblock with PrivadoVPN's free service.
| Netflix libraries | US services | UK services | Australian services |
|---|---|---|---|
| US, JP | Disney | N/A | 9Now, 10 play |
PrivadoVPN's offering is impressive for a free VPN, and while I wouldn't recommend it for everyday use due to the hit-and-miss performance with streaming providers and monthly bandwidth limit, it still fills a useful niche for occasional use. There's also a paid plan if you want to upgrade later, but if you're considering doing that, I'd still recommend going for one of the better options higher up on the list.
★★★★
Read more: Privado Free review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | Easy to use and clearly laid out | ★★★★ |
| Speed | The low end of average for a leading service, but generally fast enough for anything you could throw at it | ★★★ |
| Streaming | Some hiccups despite a dedicated unblocking team | ★★★ |
| Technical | Good scores on paper, but currently lacking an independent audit | ★★★ |
| Support | Decent email support, but not a lot of of on-site help | ★★★ |
| Value | Nothing beats free | ★★★★★ |
Also tested
To be able to recommend the best VPN services, we have to thoroughly review – and regularly re-review – all the major options, including the respected services below.
Expand to see more VPNs we've reviewed ↓
VPNs to avoid
There are some VPN services that we've come across over the years, however, that stand out for all the wrong reasons. Here's a quick look at VPNs you should avoid.
VPN speed test results:
Testing the performance of VPNs is about more than just the maximum download speed you can get. We're looking to see how reliable the network is, whether the speeds are consistent, and how they hold up for the most data-intensive tasks.
We look at download and upload speed, latency (the delay in sending your data), and jitter (the variation in delay – known as ping). We compare this over both short and long distances to see how these speeds differ and change. It's good to know how your VPN handles long-distance data transfers when you're unblocking content from abroad.
There are two main protocols we test:
- WireGuard: the latest and greatest in VPN technology that's found rapid popularity thanks to its speed and simplicity. We also compare proprietary protocols like NordLynx and Lightway in our WireGuard speed tests, as both take inspiration from WireGuard, but aren't the same thing.
- OpenVPN: more than two decades old, OpenVPN remains a popular choice for the most cautious individuals
Read more: what is a VPN protocol?
As we complete our current round of testing, we'll be expanding this section with more information. For now, though, check out the fastest download speed results:
Here are some screenshots from our latest speed tests.
You'll likely notice that some of these results are way over 950 Mbps, so you're probably wondering why we don't give those figures in our analysis. The answer is simple: we're testing on gigabit lines that are supposed to be capable of up to 1,000 Mbps. When we see results above that, it shows that our lines have been maxed out – so we cap our current test results at 950 Mbps.
We use 1-gigabit lines because it allows us to test whether the everyday person will be able to max out their own home broadband.
Read more: The fastest VPN for outright speed 2024
How we test VPN services
VPNs are notoriously difficult to test consistently. Their performance can vary a lot across different global locations and device types – and the figures from speed tests and other benchmarks tend to change over time as well, which means you need to re-test regularly to stay up-to-date. You’ve also got the fact that these VPN services are by their nature secretive black boxes, and so it’s hard to verify claims such as a no-logging policy.
Our process is to subject these VPN services to a custom array of tests designed to determine which ones to avoid – and which ones rise above all the other good ones and deserve a recommendation on this page.
Feature analysis: we begin by gathering as many technical details as possible about each VPN service, analyzing things like network size, server locations, and supported protocols and encryption methods. These features are compared and will then inform how we conduct our subsequent tests.
Privacy and security: we analyze and probe the privacy policies and encryption methods the service offers, and pay close attention to any independent security audits that the provider has undergone. If a provider does not submit to outside testing, that is usually a red flag. We’ll also run many of our own proprietary practical tests to verify crucially important features, such as DNS leak protection and the effectiveness of kill switches.
Performance testing: using multiple device types over a 1Gbps internet connection, we measure connection speeds multiple times at regular points during the course of a day (and regularly throughout the year), and we also check connection times, benchmark DNS queries, browse websites, look at video streaming performance, and generally evaluate the real-world experience of using each VPN.
Unblocking abilities: we test each services’ ability to unblock region-restricted content across global platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and many more.
Support and reliability: we engage with the VPN services’ customer support offerings, such as live chat and email support. It’s important to look for responsiveness and effectiveness here, and we’ll also analyze the help sections on the providers’ own websites to see how easy they make it to troubleshoot issues.
You can read more about our testing process on our methodology page.
How to choose a VPN
Make sure you choose the right VPN for your needs. I can't tell you which one that is – I can only show you the cream of the crop to help you make a more informed decision. But, if you're not quite sure what to look for, here are the most important considerations to help you find the best VPN:
Price: arguably the most important factor – make sure it's within your budget. Anything under $2.50/£2.50 per month is cheap, up to $4.50/£4.50 per month is about average, and anything over $5/£5 per month is on the expensive side. Don't forget, you'll pay the full subscription up-front, so keep that in mind before you get to the checkout. Whether you get a premium, cheap, or free VPN, just make sure it's safe.
Apps: does it have apps for your devices? If so, are the apps easy to use, or are they confusing and cluttered? The less you know about VPN tech, the simpler you want to go.
Features: does it have all the usual mod cons you'd expect from a VPN – a kill switch, auto-connect, split tunneling? If not, you may want to look elsewhere. What other value propositions does it have? Maybe you want a built-in password manager or an antivirus.
Security: is it meeting industry standards for encryption with WireGuard and OpenVPN? Is it offering quantum-secure key exchanges to protect you from future data breaches?
Privacy: does it have a no-logs policy, or does it just say it does? Some providers claim they're no logs, but in reality, they're just not logging a specific thing – and they're fleecing you elsewhere. You can find this information by looking at the VPN service's Privacy Policy. Take a look at the data collected when using the apps (not the site) and how that data is used. Remember: if there is even a shred of data being collected that could link back to you (like your IP address, any identifiers, or even browsing data), then you don't want to use that service.
Unblocking power: while most, if not all, VPNs will claim to unblock everything everywhere, only a few can actually put their money where their mouth is. If unblocking content is your priority, then get a VPN that's proven to work.
Performance: it's not just about download speeds, you want consistent and reliable connections that won't randomly drop or cause immense packet loss. If you find that a VPN is cutting your speeds by more than 20% I'd recommend checking your server, and if you're on the closest one (physically), I'd recommend trying a different service.
Server locations: are there servers in your area (or the area you want to unblock)? If so, are they physical or virtual servers? Virtual servers tend to be a bit of a gimmick, and will often become slow and congested, so if you see a provider saying they have tens of thousands of servers to pick from, just be wary. Remember, it's about quality, not quantity.
Customer support: is there live chat support or is it just an email ticketing system? I've seen it all, and the better the customer support, the more invested the VPN is in giving you a better experience. Look for good knowledge hubs filled with helpful articles and a diverse range of contact methods.
Money-back guarantee: these refund periods are ideal for giving a VPN a serious test drive without committing your cash. The industry standard is 30 days, but some providers offer more (like CyberGhost – 45 days). Check the provider's website before you buy and double-check the money-back guarantee, so you know how long you have to pull out if you're not 100% happy with it.
If you want to know more, we've got a whole guide on how to choose a VPN.
Meet the team
Meet the experts behind our best VPN guide:
A privacy purist at heart, Andreas is a VPN expert who believes that the best VPN doesn't have to be the most expensive – it's about what's right for you. He tests Windows and Android VPN apps, picks apart privacy policies, and investigates the technical security of VPNs behind the scenes to uncover whether they're actually secure, or just saying they are. View author page
Mike is head-geek and has been our lead tester for years – he's responsible for our speed analysis, stream unblocking tests, and functionality testing. He'll find out if a kill switch won't hold up under stress, or whether or not your IP address is likely to leak out. Mike is always peeking behind the curtain to see how a VPN app is coded to unveil the truth of a VPN's build quality. He also tests VPN apps on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire stick, and Roku. View author page
River helps take care of cybersecurity content on TechRadar, with articles ranging from breaking news pieces and reviews to buying guides. Their goal is to help all our readers advocate for their digital privacy, and find the best VPN services and deals in the process. View author page
Chiara keeps us on the cutting edge of news and product updates, reporting on rumblings in the industry, feature launches, and all things digital privacy. View author page
Frequently asked questions
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a tool that creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and another location on the internet. VPNs can be used to ensure privacy and security online by masking your IP address – and thus your location – and encrypting data that's transmitted to and from your device, making it impossible for third parties to intercept or track your activities.
Put simply, under normal services your ISP can monitor and track which websites you access and the data you're transferring. But using a VPN means no one can see your data or what you're doing online, and improves your security, privacy, and anonymity.
Do I need a VPN?
VPNs are (for the everyday person) a luxury that is better to have and not need, than to need and not have. They provide an extra layer of security in your day-to-day internetting, and they're handy for unblocking your favorite shows.
However, for some people, they're absolutely vital. Journalists, political activists, and people around the world use VPNs to protect themselves from oppressive governments, access foreign media, and learn and report on global truths. If you want to make sure you're able to evade censorship and propaganda while maintaining anonymity and privacy online, a VPN is non-negotiable.
Most people fall into the general security camp. You likely won't need to stake your life on a VPN, but if you want peace of mind in a rapidly progressing digital age, then a VPN should form a key part of your security measures.
Is a VPN easy to use?
It's super easy to use most VPN apps, regardless of how techy you are, though some services are better suited to first-timers than others. All the VPNs we recommend on this page are easy to use. However, if you're looking for a straightforward setup and a simple UI, I'd recommend sticking to ExpressVPN. Its apps are sleek and simple, and the one-click connect feature will automatically match you with the best server.
What can you use a VPN for?
Aside from protecting your internet connection and securing your data and devices from cyber criminals, VPNs can help you unblock your favorite streaming services abroad, help you get cheaper prices when shopping online, and most come with additional features, like antiviruses, password managers, and even alternative ID functions to prevent all the marketing spam. Some brands, like Surfshark, even include phone number masking, letting you create a working fake phone number that you can give out, use, and deactivate at your own discretion – no more creepy guy in the club harassing you for your number. Just give him the fake one and deactivate it when he's gone!
Read more: benefits of using a VPN
Which VPN protocol should you use?
There are a handful of VPN protocols on offer, and the one you choose depends on what you're using your VPN for. Most people can happily let their VPN app choose and never have to worry about it.
If speed is your top priority, and you want to strike a balance between performance and privacy (while unblocking international content), then WireGuard will work like a charm. We explain what that is in more detail in our What is WireGuard article. However, it's incredibly difficult to properly hide the fact you're using a VPN with WireGuard.
For folks who want a super-secure VPN experience, OpenVPN is tried, tested, and the most reliable protocol available today (see our What is OpenVPN explainer for more. You can also see our other top recommendations for security in our most secure VPN provider guide). These settings are available inside the app of your provider. However, OpenVPN is more than two decades old and is comparatively slow. Alternatively, ExpressVPN's Lightway is poised to replace OpenVPN as a good blend of security and speed, since it can be properly obfuscated to hide your VPN usage from prying eyes.
Paid VPNs vs free VPNs – which should you get?
Free vs paid VPNs is an age-old debate. The reality is that most free VPNs aren't worth using, and even the best free VPNs come with limitations. Before you try a free service, I'd recommend taking advantage of money-back guarantees and free VPN trials from the best providers before taking a risk on a free plan.
Are VPNs legal?
VPNs are legal in most places around the world – but the things you get up to online while using one can still break the law. Just because you're using a VPN doesn't mean everything you do is suddenly legal – committing crimes with a VPN is still committing crimes after all. If you're after a VPN for China, for example, you can only use government-appointed providers. Turkey has attempted to block VPN sites and servers that don't play ball with its laws, and some anti-VPN rules in the UAE and Oman could land users in hot water. Iraq, North Korea, and Turkmenistan, meanwhile, have banned VPNs outright.
How to check if your VPN is working
To check if your VPN is working as it should, you'll need to see if the IP address or DNS requests are leaking. Open up an incognito or private browsing window and search for "What is my IP address". Find an IP address checker and run the test before switching on your VPN – it'll tell you your original IP address. Then, close the window, connect to your VPN, open a new window, and run through the IP-checking test again. If you see the same IP address, your VPN might not be connected properly or experiencing a DNS leak. If you're using ExpressVPN, I recommend opening multiple IP address checking sites to see if you get multiple IPs with IP shuffle.
How to reduce the cost of a VPN
If you want to get the best deal, make sure you open an incognito tab/window to proceed without any cookies that could see you getting inflated prices. Then head on over to our VPN deals hub for the biggest and best discounts available today. If you're still on the fence about picking up a VPN, or want to try a few services before committing to one, the best way to slash the cost is to use money-back guarantees. Switching between the best providers and getting a refund will give you months of free protection while you find the best one.
Will a VPN slow my internet speed?
If you're using a fast VPN, then it shouldn't. While a VPN can't speed up your internet connection, it can prevent bandwidth throttling, and using a speedy service with a reliable network means you won't notice an impact on your browsing speeds.
Can I use a VPN for my business?
You can and you should. A business VPN is a great tool to protect your organisation, and the best ones even offer granular control so you can choose who can do what, and what they can't have access over. Just remember that business VPNs and consumer VPNs offer different levels of control.
More VPN buying advice
- The best VPN deals
- The best free VPN
- The best cheap VPN
- The fastest VPN for outright speed
- The best VPN for Netflix
- The best VPN for Amazon Fire Stick
- The best VPN for BBC iPlayer
- The best VPN for streaming
- The best VPN for Windows PCs
- The best VPN for iPhone
- The best VPN for Android
- The best VPN for Mac
- The best VPN for China
- The best VPN for India
- The best VPN for US
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
