Best VPN services: 8 top picks for every VPN need

Price When Reviewed:Basic plan from $3.09 a month for two years. Usually $12.99.

Who should use NordVPN?

It is difficult to choose the best VPN. VPNs are no longer just tools for anonymous browsing online. They have evolved into much more than that. Privacy is important, but so are speed, extra features, the size of the server network, and ease-of-use. NordVPN is my top VPN choice and a solid option for anyone.

NordVPN is the most feature-rich service on the market, with tools that appeal to power users and an intuitive app that’s easy to use even for beginners. The service performs regular independent audits, and uses RAM-only servers with no disks for increased security. Privacy-conscious users can rest assured that their data will remain anonym.

NordVPN is also a good choice for those who prioritize speed. In my testing, speeds averaged 72 percent the base internet speed on all servers – making it the fastest VPN that I’ve tested.

NordVPN: Additional considerations

NordVPN’s desktop app is easy to use, and it offers a lot of features, including access to TOR over VPN, Meshnet, a security suite with ad and malware blocking, and Nord’s latest password manager, as well as a link-checker tool for safety. NordVPN has a large network of servers that you can connect to from all over the globe. NordVPN can be more costly than other VPN services. Even with discounts for long-term plans it can still be expensive. You get what you pay and in this instance, it is more than worth it.

Price When Reviewed:From $4.99 a month for 2 years + 4 free months

Who should use ExpressVPN?

Like my other top choice, I believe ExpressVPN is an excellent option for everyone. VPN novices can download the software and choose their server location. Then, they simply connect. Advanced users can choose from features like split-tunneling and protocol optimization.

ExpressVPN also has one of the largest device support networks that I’ve seen. The VPN can be used on any platform, no matter which device you are trying to protect. It supports up to eight simultaneous connections.

I only placed it second because NordVPN has a slight advantage in terms of features and speed. ExpressVPN is a great VPN to choose.

ExpressVPN: Additional considerations

ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices, including set-top boxes and consoles. It also has a smart DNS option for these devices. It has even started to branch out to take a holistic approach to users’ security, adding ad and tracker blocking and, most recent, a password management service to the service. It’s not cheap, but it offers excellent value. The service regularly brings in third-party auditors who validate its privacy credentials. ExpressVPN uses diskless servers that run everything in RAM, so data is never stored on a long-term basis. Plus, it’s proven to be a great privacy provider.

Price When Reviewed:Starter plan from $1.99 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $15.45 a month.

Who should use Surfshark?

Surfshark is one of those VPNs which does everything well. It offers blazingly fast speeds, a feature set that is second only to NordVPN and excellent privacy credentials due to its no log policy and multiple independent auditors. A subscription includes all the standard VPN features plus dynamic multi-hop connections that can be customized, identity protection alerts and antivirus/malware security. Surfshark’s best feature is its price. You can get comprehensive protection by taking advantage of the 2-year plan for less than $2 per month. This is a pretty rare offer for a premium VPN. Surfshark offers a great VPN solution for the majority of people. Surfshark is a great VPN option for those who do not want to spend a lot of money on their VPN. If you’re looking to save money while getting one of the best VPNs available, then look no further.

Surfshark – Further considerations

Although the monthly subscription price to Surfshark may be exorbitantly high, the long term plans are considerably more affordable. I usually advise against long-term VPN subscriptions because the market is so volatile, but Surfshark makes an exception. It’s a well-established company with a good track record and consistent service.

Potential users should also be aware that Surfshark’s headquarters are in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has strong privacy laws but is also a member of the 14 Eyes Data Sharing Alliance. This means that the government can ask Surfshark for user data. The company’s policy of not logging should not matter, but privacy-conscious users are advised to be aware before committing.

Price When Reviewed:From $2.19 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Unlimited devices.

Who should use Private Internet Access (PIA)? Private Internet Access (PIA), which has been around since a while, has shown that it can continue innovating and improving with each passing year. The latest version is no exception. By undergoing yet another independent audit, PIA has proven that the privacy of its users is its top priority.

It can be a good VPN for all users. PIA’s real strength is its extensive feature set and affordable price. It offers one of the most affordable subscription plans, both monthly and over a long period of time. This app is perfect for power users who want to customize their apps to suit their needs.

Private Internet Access – Further Considerations

PIA offers generous unlimited device connections, and a server network that boasts over 35,000 servers. However, it has fewer country locations compared to other top competitors.

I found that the service has an outdated interface, and there were a few issues with it. It’s not the fastest service that I’ve tested. The speeds are well below what I’ve seen. PIA’s great value shouldn’t be affected by these issues.

Price When Reviewed:1 year: $59.88 ($4.99/mo) I 2 years: $107.76 ($4.49/mo)

Who should use Proton VPN Proton VPN, whether you choose the free or paid versions, is a great option for everyone. The free version is ideal for those on a budget or who only need a VPN occasionally to perform online tasks safely and securely.

Most free VPNs have either ridiculous restrictions or annoying ads. Proton VPN is free of ads and has a relatively tame set of restrictions compared to some other services. You can get five servers in Japan, the Netherlands and Poland for free. In my tests, I found that the speeds were excellent even with the free version. It ranked in the top 10 VPNs, whether paid or free. Proton’s free VPN servers have no monthly data limit, so they are a great option for streaming videos. Just be aware that the free servers cannot guarantee Netflix compatibility, unlike some of Proton’s paid servers.

You get a lot of value for nothing, and this is why it’s our favorite free VPN.

Proton VPN – Further considerations

Since the VPN is provided by the same company that provides Proton Mail – a privacy focused email service – it’s easy to integrate into the entire Proton ecosystem, if you wish.

Multiple independent audits have confirmed the company’s no-logs policy, including for the free VPN. The premium version is expensive, so I recommend you try out the free version before upgrading.

Price When Reviewed:$5.26 a month (€5)

Who should use Mullvad?

Mullvad has been crowned the undisputed king in privacy and anonymity. I’ve never seen a VPN actively resist knowing who you are like Mullvad. Mullvad does not ask for your name, email address or any other information. It assigns you a random account code that serves as your login and identifier. You can pay using PayPal or credit cards, but you may also choose to mail in your payment. Mullvad does not log any of your activities and does not collect any metadata that can identify you. Privacy is the name of the game when it comes to Mullvad. Don’t misunderstand me, it’s an excellent VPN for anyone. The ultra-privacy conscious users will appreciate its anonymized payment system and commitment to not collect metadata.

Mullvad: Additional considerations

In addition to being fast, Mullvad ranks among our top five VPNs for speed, and has a standard fee across all plans. It is very affordable on a month-to-month basis, but it loses value when compared to top VPNs who reduce their prices significantly over time.

There were also some issues when I tried to access streaming services. Users who want their VPN service to bypass geographically restricted content may want to consider this before subscribing.

Price When Reviewed:$9.99 per month I $83.88 per year

Who should use Hotspot Shield? Hotspot Shield allows you to maintain the fastest possible connection with the least amount of loss in base speed. Hotspot Shield has a level of performance that is above average. Hotspot Shield is the only service that comes close to matching the speeds I have seen. Hotspot Shield’s speeds are consistently 12 to 15 percentage point faster than the competition. Hotspot Shield was able to maintain 66 percent of its base speed in my tests. This is significantly faster than most VPN services, but your experience will vary depending on a variety of factors.

It is still one the best VPN services if you are concerned about connection speed. It also allows me to access content that is restricted by location on most major streaming services. Its excellent speeds and this feature make it a great option if your primary use of a VPN is to access streaming content.

Hotspot Shield – Further considerations

Hotspot Shield has a smaller feature set than some of the top VPNs, and its privacy policies may not be to everyone’s taste. It has never been subjected to an independent audit, so those concerned about privacy may want to consider other options.

While Hotspot Shield was the fastest VPN in the past, other services have caught up in recent years. Before committing to a service, it’s important to consider how important speed is to you. If you are unsure, I recommend that you try out the free version.

Price When Reviewed:$2.19 a month for two years + 2 free months. Usually $12.99 a month.

Who should use CyberGhost CyberGhost?

You want a VPN that offers a wide range of server locations and variety if you travel frequently. CyberGhost offers a staggering 9,000+ server locations for users to connect, which is twice as many servers as most other VPNs in this list. These servers are not all based in the U.S. and Europe like some of their competitors. The server spread is 120+ countries across the globe. The service recommends optimized servers for users based on their needs, such as gaming, torrenting, and streaming. CyberGhost’s plethora servers and locations makes it one of the best choices for finding a server, no matter where you may be in the world. CyberGhost is a great option for those who travel frequently or need access to an extensive and diverse server spread.

CyberGhost: Additional considerations

CyberGhost has a Windows app that’s intuitive and easy-to-use, even when you’re tweaking settings. It doesn’t have some of the advanced features other VPNs provide, such as IP rotation and multi-hop. But that shouldn’t be an issue for the average user.

I found that certain servers were faster than other servers. Servers in Europe had excellent speeds, while servers in Asia did not. Overall, the speeds are fast enough to do everything you need a VPN for — web browsing, streaming videos, etc.

How we test VPNs.

VPNs are evaluated on a number of criteria, including the server network, connection speed, privacy protections and features, as well as ease-of use. PCWorld’s guide to how we evaluate VPN services is a detailed guide.

The speed tests are kept as simple and straightforward as possible. We average the connection speeds between different global locations and compare them with our baseline internet speed in order to get an accurate picture of the overall connectivity speeds.

In order to get a good picture of the overall connection speeds, we thoroughly research and analyze each VPN’s privacy policies and history. We also note any discrepancies and data collection issues. We try to accurately represent how the VPN feels. However, we are not able to determine the user’s experience or ease of use. We also compare the price of the service and its additional features with the industry average in order to give you a better idea of what you will get for your money.

Why you should trust PCWorld’s VPN reviews and advice

We have been testing computer hardware, services, and software since the 1980s. We put each product through its paces as PC users and reviewers. We do this by benchmarking and doing a hands-on evaluation. We wouldn’t recommend anything we wouldn’t use ourselves.

Who curated this piece? Sam Singleton, PCWorld’s VPN reporter and all-rounder, is

. When he is not searching for the best deals, he covers VPNs, productivity programs, laptops and a wide range of consumer-grade software and hardware.

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