Best VPN Services: Given that the majority of our daily activities take place online, internet security is a serious issue for many people who live in the digital age. Shielding your home or workplace from today’s internet threats may appear to be a difficult endeavour, but a virtual private network is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to do it. With so many providers to select from, it might be difficult to discover the Best VPN Services for your needs, as virtual private networks are not all the same.
However, we have picked the best VPN services and laid out all of their features, pricing, and other facts right here, along with answers to some frequent queries, to help you find the appropriate one for your lifestyle.
Here is the list of the Best VPN Services for 2024
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is not free, but with three encryption methods (IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and NordLynx), it’s clear that this service cares for your privacy. The company has also worked hard to expand its server network, which now includes over 5,200 servers in 60 countries worldwide.
Split tunnelling is a standout feature that makes NordVPN a serious contender for the best VPN service available. Split tunnelling is the ability to whitelist some activities (such as gaming or streaming) to bypass the VPN and use the ordinary “clearnet” for better performance.
From encrypted DNS queries to a kill-switch function that quickly disconnects your connection if you lose sync with the VPN server, NordVPN wants you to feel certain that your data will not fall into the wrong hands. It’s also one of the most transparent VPNs in terms of which servers it offers in which regions, and it gives live chat help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The company has recently strengthened its platform support by adding specialized iOS and Android apps, overcoming its one shortcoming. It can also be used on six devices at the same time. The NordVPN client has one of the most appealing interfaces, and connecting to a server is simple and speedy, therefore it’s also our top pick for the best Chrome VPN extension.
It’s also available for a variety of devices, and it ranked first on our ranking of the best Fire TV Stick VPN. NordVPN may now be installed in a VPN router, expanding the list of compatible devices to include Chromecast, Raspberry Pi, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Fire TV (in other words, anything connected to your VPN router). During our testing, we discovered it to be the fastest VPN in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison, so if speed is important to you, look no further.
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2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN’s claim to be the “#1 Trusted Leader in VPN” may be difficult to establish, but the service still delivers a compelling set of services. It also strives to increase its speed and simultaneous streaming capabilities regularly, and with support for all main platforms (Windows, macOS, Android, and so on), you won’t have to worry about compatibility. ExpressVPN appears on several best VPN lists, including our listings of the Best VPN Services for Linux and the best VPN for Windows, so its rather expensive costs appear to be justified.
The more than 3,000 servers are strategically located among popular tourism sites and urban areas. Any bundle includes high-speed unlimited bandwidth as well as 24-hour customer assistance. With so many features, such as bypassing ISP throttling, built-in threat protection, and split tunneling, it’s no surprise that this vendor is regarded as the best VPN by many users — though you should be aware that ExpressVPN only supports up to five simultaneous connections with a single subscription, the fewest of the services on our list.
They do, however, give a sort of solution for this: If you install ExpressVPN on your router, it can secure all of your devices (since the router counts as one device towards your subscription), regardless of how many other devices are connected to that network hub. In this manner, you can safeguard far more than five devices at the same time.
It was simple to set up ExpressVPN and connect to a VPN server. When we utilized the automatic configuration option, Netflix complained about a proxy in use, but it worked properly when we manually selected a local U.S. server, indicating that it was a working Netflix VPN. Amazon Prime Video worked well, and our other internet testing went off without a hitch.
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3. Surfshark
Surfshark may not be the finest VPN, but when it comes to price, it is hard to top and is an excellent choice for individuals wishing to safeguard their privacy while minimizing costs. Surfshark is offered for as little as $60 for a two-year subscription, which includes an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
Surfshark has a limited feature set. This isn’t always a disadvantage if you don’t require any bells and whistles and simply want a reliable VPN on the cheap. If you don’t want to fuss with extraneous intricacies, the straightforward, no-nonsense interface, intuitive setup, and simple operation might well be selling factors. It works with a variety of devices and is also one of our top selections for the best Apple TV VPN.
That’s not to say it’s completely bare-bones; you get multiple encryption protocols to choose from (OpenVPN UDP or TCP, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard) as well as a double VPN hop, which allows you to route your connection through two remote servers instead of one, adding an extra layer of security when desired.
Surfshark also works well with streaming services, albeit its speeds aren’t quite as fast as those of other top VPN providers such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Overall, it’s the best cheap vpns in 2022 for individuals on a tight budget, and especially for larger local networks like family homes and companies.
4. IPVanish
IPVanish provides all of the essential VPN capabilities at an affordable price. With recurring sales as part of the IPVanish experience, you can commit for a year at a very low cost while enjoying the security that comes from a choice of over 2,000 VPN servers in over 75 different countries.
Apart from providing comprehensive protection whether you’re browsing from home or a public Wi-Fi hotspot, IPVanish also makes it easier to circumvent Deep Packet Inspection, a practice used by ISPs to reduce your internet speed at times. The VPN has unmetered data transfer caps and no limit on the number of devices it can be used with, making it ideal for high-volume users and bigger local networks.
There are no logs retained, and you may choose from a variety of connection protocols, which is great if you want to get more engaged with your VPN settings. The VPN is there to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You shouldn’t need it too often, due to the easy-to-use apps for all main platforms.
If you want to get even more out of IPVanish, you can sign up for its VPN + Backup subscription. This package includes everything of the above, as well as 500GB of safe cloud storage, multi-folder syncing, and ransomware protection. It’s a fantastic service all around, and it’ll even help you evade geo-restrictions on many of your favourite streaming apps.
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5. AtlasVPN
AtlasVPN is one of the Best VPN Services, a newcomer to the VPN sector, but it is filled with safe and dependable features that challenge even the industry’s heavyweights. What’s wonderful about this VPN is that it provides one of the best free data plans on the market, and if you want to upgrade to faster, premium servers, it only costs $40 per year or $72 for three years. While the server network is far smaller than that of its competitors, it is a newer service with much more room to grow.
In terms of security, even though the service is new, it did not cut any shortcuts when building server security. You may rest easy knowing that you’re safe behind 256-bit encryption, WireGuard protocols, IPv6 leak protection, and a slew of other features. Whether you’re just surfing the internet, making essential transactions, gaming, or streaming, AtlasVPN’s servers are appropriate for you.
Atlas now provides SafeSwap servers, a fresh new technology that improves anonymity and security. You may use SafeSwap to cycle IP addresses without ever having to switch between VPN servers. AtlasVPN is currently the sole supplier that provides this service. SafeSwap uses a pool of IP addresses, with outgoing traffic directed to the various addresses, but you won’t notice any loss in performance – which is critical if you’re streaming.
Last but not least, you can use AtlasVPN on all of your devices (if the client supports VPN) to keep yourself safe no matter where you are. You don’t have to worry about being kicked from the VPN if you hit the limit of simultaneous connections. AtlasVPN is so simple to install on all devices that even your grandparents could use it to be safe online. The free data plan can let you or your family members have access to VPN services to better grasp the inner workings of keeping safe online.
6. Hotspot Shield
With even the greatest VPN, speed may be a limiting factor, and Hotspot Shield — a relatively new competitor in the virtual private network field — chose to make that issue its primary focus. With up to gigabit speeds, we can confidently claim that Hotspot Shield appears to have achieved its goal.
Speedtest.net also ranked the virtual private network as the fastest VPN in 2019 and 2020, thus it doesn’t appear to be a marketing ploy. Hotspot Shield, on the other hand, isn’t a one-trick pony, and it has more to offer than just fast speeds. It also has military-grade encryption and unlimited bandwidth on its list of features.
Hotspot Shield is also fairly easy to set up and use, but we’d like to see more customization choices, such as control over encryption methods. This is part of the package, though, because Hotspot Shield employs its own proprietary “Hydra” encryption technique, which the business claims is what makes it so fast. That appears to be the nature of this beast.
Another factor to consider, and a potential disadvantage, is that, like ExpressVPN, you are limited to five simultaneous connections per subscription. If you accept these limitations and are willing to make some sacrifices for speed — perhaps you’re looking for the Best VPN Services for gaming or the best VPN for Kodi — Hotspot Shield is an excellent choice that delivers on its promise of speed.
If you still don’t think it’s fast enough for your digital lifestyle, Hotspot Shield also offers a VPN free trial. New customers are entitled to a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is the most generous guarantee on our list. There is also a free VPN option, but speeds are limited to 2Mbps.
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7. PrivadoVPN
It’s all about location, location, and location when it comes to VPNs. PrivadoVPN is a Swiss firm, so it is not subject to the laws of the United States or the European Union. Switzerland too has rather strict privacy regulations. It’s also not part of the “fourteen eyes monitoring network,” user traffic isn’t logged and is routed through privacy-friendly countries. That means you don’t have to be concerned about your genuine IP address being revealed.
Interestingly, PrivadoVPN has one of the smallest server networks of any provider on our list, with about 320 servers scattered across 58 physical locations in 47 countries, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a contender for the best VPN of 2022. This is due to the fact that it only provides physical server locations rather than virtual ones since it is unwilling to sacrifice the quality of its service to promote a bigger quantity.
If avoiding region-based content restrictions and other geographical annoyances is a concern, you could be better served by a VPN with a larger global server network, such as ExpressVPN. However, PrivadoVPN is a fraction of the price and supports a huge number of countries, so if the one you want to virtually leap to is on its list, we recommend giving it a try.
PrivadoVPN, on the other hand, has it where it matters, with multiple encryption protocols to pick from OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SOCKS5. The addition of SOCKS5 proxy functionality is important since it enables rapid and seamless peer-to-peer file sharing, which is something that many VPNs avoid. If peer-to-peer file transfers are your primary use case for one of these services, PrivadoVPN may be the finest VPN service for you.
It’s a little more expensive than others, at $8 per month or $60 for the first year (which works out to $5 per month on average), but that’s offset by the fact that you can use the VPN on up to ten devices at the same time. There’s also a free app-based package with 10GB of monthly bandwidth.
8. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a VPN behemoth, with over 10 million active users and over 7,000 servers located throughout the globe. It’s also one of the most adaptable virtual private networks available, both in terms of supported devices/platforms and activities.
CyberGhost VPN works with desktops, mobile devices, smart TVs, and even gaming consoles, and one of its biggest features is that it will automatically connect you to the optimal server for whatever you’re doing at the time. This is critical for bandwidth-intensive activities like gaming and streaming.
Another feather in CyberGhost’s cap is that it enables peer-to-peer file transfers (read: it’s suitable for torrenting, and as previously stated, it’ll choose the best server for it to ensure the quickest upload/download times). The interface is also excellent, particularly on the computer. It provides comprehensive management and a plethora of configuration choices, including favorite server configurations for your most-used programs and apps.
CyberGhost supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard encryption protocols, covering your connection in AES 256-bit encryption to keep your data and IP address private. CyberGhost is based in Romania and boasts a no-logs policy, which should keep you safe from prying eyes but has not been independently reviewed.
If that isn’t a deal-breaker, CyberGhost is a strong contender for the best VPN of 2022 (see our NordVPN vs CyberGhost comparison for more details on how it compares to the best) if you’re searching for the best balance of functionality and pricing. A limited-time introductory deal allows new customers to get their first three years of service for $89, which works out to just more than $2 per month.
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9. PureVPN
With a name like PureVPN, you’d think this virtual private network would provide adequate security — and it does. The software’s distinguishing features include its ability to connect to a variety of services for various activities, as well as its wide interoperability with numerous devices and software interfaces.
PureVPN is another of the top inexpensive VPNs on our list, with prices ranging from $11 for one month to $48 for two years. Port forwarding, several encryption protocols (PPTP, SSTP, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, and OpenVPN UDP/TCP), malware blocking, P2P support, and an audited no-log policy are all included in this subscription.
PureVPN, like any other reputable virtual private network service, will block websites from reading your unique IP address, preventing anyone from identifying you or your geographic location. And, with over 6,500 servers on six continents, you won’t be short of global connectivity options.
PureVPN, like NordVPN, supports split tunneling, which allows you to whitelist activities that you don’t require or want to go through the VPN, allowing you to utilize online services and browse the web through the VPN and on the clearnet at the same time. PureVPN also provides you with a personal IP address to use with specific websites and services, which is a smart idea for those that require logins.
10. TunnelBear
Our second-to-last selection isn’t as feature-rich as the others in our best VPN of 2022 list, but it’s worth mentioning if you’re looking for another no-frills (read: cheap) virtual private network that doesn’t bog you down with features you don’t need. TunnelBear prioritizes use and newcomer friendliness. If you’re new to VPNs and find it all a little overwhelming, this giant bear might be the one for you.
TunnelBear’s key selling point is its simplicity and convenience of usage. You do not need to choose encryption protocols or perform any other complicated setup. That’s bad news for expert users who want more control and customization options, but it’s wonderful news for regular people who don’t want or need all that nonsense in their way. TunnelBear accomplishes its goals with strong encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logging policy, as well as full yearly independent audits that the company makes public.
That simplicity, though, comes with a few drawbacks. For starters, there is no free VPN trial or money-back guarantee, which may be a deal-breaker for many people who are new to VPNs and don’t want to commit to the service right away. If this describes you, you’re generally better off with a VPN that offers a 30 to 45-day money-back guarantee.
TunnelBear, on the other hand, has a limited free plan that serves as a type of trial, but it won’t give you a true sense of what the VPN can do. The second disadvantage of TunnelBear — and this could be a deal-breaker depending on your requirements — is that it isn’t truly geared for streaming (and you can forget gaming). In addition, the server network is modest.
If you can live with those constraints, TunnelBear is a dependable and incredibly user-friendly VPN that works well for web browsing, online work, and general internet use. It’s also one of the more affordable options, as long as you go for the $120 three-year plan, which costs $3.33 a month.
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11. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access fulfills every need for a decent VPN. It conceals your IP address, safeguards your data, and scrambles your surfing behavior by utilizing several encryption technologies such as OpenVPN and Wireguard. Private Internet Access also boasts the most servers and the most diverse server selection of any VPN company on our list.
The PIA client source code is likewise publicly available, so there are no questions about how the software operates (or whether or not any backdoors or other nasties are lurking in the code). Split tunneling, a kill switch in the event of a lost connection, dedicated IP addresses, and anonymous payments while making online purchases are also nice features.
We tested Private Internet Access using its Windows installer, which configures the VPN protocols and includes a simple taskbar program for turning the VPN connection on and off. While the UI was simple, the performance was outstanding. With the VPN connection turned on, our test system constantly maintained above 110Mbps download and 19Mbps upload speeds, which is extremely near to our average 125Mbps download and 20Mbps upload rates.
On the negative side, Netflix complained about a proxy, and Amazon Prime Video refused to play owing to a geographical restriction. These issues happened regardless of whether we utilized the automated option or a local U.S.-based server. Private Internet Access, on the other hand, boasts that its VPN service allows users “unrestricted access to all the content you desire” because it supports Netflix and “all other major streaming providers.”
12. Kaspersky VPN
Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection may be suitable for people looking for a low-cost VPN solution that effectively masks your IP address and secures you online. A full year’s subscription to Kaspersky is a mere $30, or $5 each month.
Perhaps even more attractive is the free bandwidth service offered by Kaspersky VPN to its subscribers. If you’re not sure how VPNs operate and want to try one out before committing to a subscription, you can use the free data service first. While some providers may offer more megabytes per month, the advantage of using Kaspersky’s VPN is the combination of its free service and low monthly pricing. If the premium product isn’t a good fit, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
In independent speed tests, Secure Connection surpassed nearly all others, making it an excellent companion for gaming, streaming, torrenting, and downloading. It now supports popular streaming sites and allows you to connect your router and other devices straight to the VPN to protect your entire network.
Overall, if you’re searching for a comprehensive service that provides great privacy protection, Kaspersky is a low-cost alternative you may use for digital anonymity. It features industry-standard 256-bit encryption, a stringent no-logging-of-user-activity policy, a kill switch, and P2P-compatible servers. When compared to other competitors, Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection’s cost and strong fundamentals make it an outstanding starting VPN for both newcomers to digital privacy and seasoned IT, experts.
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