When you're looking to improve your online privacy and security, a VPN (virtual private network) is one of the easiest and most effective tools available. Whether you're protecting yourself on public Wi-Fi, hiding your IP address from trackers, or accessing region-locked content while traveling, a VPN adds an important layer of protection by encrypting your internet traffic. However, with hundreds of VPNs competing for your attention, separating the genuinely good services from the mediocre ones can be overwhelming.

We've done the heavy lifting for you. We've tested and reviewed a wide range of VPNs to narrow down the field to the very best options available today—whether you're looking for the best overall VPN, the fastest service, the best free option, or the best choice for privacy, streaming, or travel. Each pick below delivers on the essentials: trustworthy privacy practices, strong connection speeds, reliable streaming access, and a well-distributed server network. Plus, each adds something extra to help it stand out from the competition.

At a glance

• Best VPN overall: NordVPN
• Best VPN runner-up: ExpressVPN
• Best cheap VPN: Surfshark
• Best cheap VPN runner-up: Private Internet Access
• Best free VPN: Proton VPN
• Best VPN for privacy: Mullvad
• Best VPN for travelers: CyberGhost

Our reviewers have decades of combined experience testing computer hardware, software, and services. We put every product through rigorous benchmarking and hands-on evaluation, and we never recommend something we wouldn't want for ourselves.

NordVPN – Best VPN overall

Pros: Tons of VPN configuration options, outstanding speeds, included antivirus and password manager

Cons: Expensive

Price: from 3,89 € per month

Who should use NordVPN? It's difficult to select the best overall VPN. For many years, the best VPN was chosen purely on privacy, but VPNs have evolved to be more than just tools to browse online anonymously. Privacy is still important, but so are speeds, extra features, server network size, and ease of use. NordVPN has it all, making it our top choice and a truly solid option for everyone.

Nord is the most full-featured service on the market, with tools that appeal to power users as well as an easy-to-use app that is intuitive and straightforward even for beginners. The service also carries out regular independent audits and uses RAM-only diskless servers for increased security, so privacy-conscious users can rest assured their data will remain anonymous. For those who deem speed a priority, NordVPN impresses. Speeds in our testing averaged 72 percent of the base internet speed across all servers—making it the fastest VPN we've ever tested.

Further considerations: The desktop app is very easy to use and offers a ton of features, including access to the TOR network over VPN, multi-hop connections, Meshnet file sharing, a security suite with ad- and malware-blocking, and a password manager and link-checker safety tool. There are no problems accessing streaming services, and the server network is extensive. The only real downside is pricing: even with long-term plan discounts, it can seem pricey. Still, you get what you pay for—and in this case, it's more than worth it.

ExpressVPN – Best VPN runner-up

Pros: Excellent speeds, unblocks all streaming services, great security and privacy practices

Cons: More expensive than other VPNs, light on extra security features

Price: from 2,49 € per month

Who should use ExpressVPN? ExpressVPN is a great option for everyone. VPN novices will find that they can easily download the software, choose a server location, and connect—it's as simple as that. More advanced users will appreciate features such as split tunneling, protocol optimization, and a kill switch. Plus, ExpressVPN has one of the most expansive device support networks we've ever seen, with up to 14 simultaneous connections depending on your subscription tier.

Further considerations: ExpressVPN offers wide device support, as well as a smart DNS feature for set-top boxes and consoles. It now provides an advanced version of its Lightway protocol called Lightway Turbo, which increases speeds for many server connections—although not across the board. It has also branched out to offer ad and tracker blocking, plus a password manager. It's not the cheapest VPN, but you do get excellent value. Regular third-party audits and a sterling privacy record add to its appeal.

Surfshark – Best cheap VPN

Pros: Unlimited simultaneous device connections, tons of extra features, low price on long-term plans

Cons: Expensive month-to-month plans, large portion of global servers are virtual

Price: from 1,78 € per month

Who should use Surfshark? Surfshark is one of those VPNs that does everything well. It has blazing-fast speeds, a robust feature set (second only to NordVPN), and excellent privacy credentials thanks to its no-log policy and multiple independent audits. A subscription includes all standard VPN features plus infinitely customizable dynamic multi-hop connections, identity protection alerts, and antivirus/malware protection. The best thing about Surfshark is the price—long-term plans offer comprehensive protection for just over two dollars per month.

Further considerations: Monthly pricing is high, but long-term plans are very affordable. Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which has strong privacy laws but is a member of the 14 Eyes alliance—something privacy-conscious users may want to consider, though the independent no-logs policy mitigates concern.

Private Internet Access – Best cheap VPN runner-up

Pros: Multiple independently verified no-log audits, unlimited simultaneous device connections, vast server network

Cons: App is a little clunky, speeds are fairly pedestrian

Price: from 1,79 € per month

Who should use Private Internet Access? Private Internet Access (PIA) has been around for a while and continues to innovate. The latest version demonstrates that user privacy is a top priority, with yet another independent audit of its no-logs policy. PIA is a great VPN for all users, but it really shines in price and its extensive customizable feature set. Power users will love all of the tweaking the app allows.

Further considerations: PIA offers unlimited device connections and an insane server network with over 35,000 servers, though fewer country locations than some competitors. The interface feels outdated, and speeds are not the fastest we've tested. But these issues don't take away from the great value PIA offers.

Proton VPN – Best free VPN

Pros: Excellent privacy and transparency, strong catalog of security features, unrivaled free plan, good connection speeds

Cons: Premium plans aren't the cheapest, not all features available across apps

Price: from 2,99 € per month for paid plans; free plan available

Who should use Proton VPN? Whether you opt for the free or paid version, Proton VPN is a good choice for anyone. The free version appeals to those on a tight budget or those who just need a VPN for occasional safe browsing. There are no ads, and restrictions are tame compared to other services. You get one device connection and access to 10 servers worldwide. Speeds are very good, ranking in the top 10 of all VPNs, paid or free. Since there are no monthly data limits, it's also excellent for streaming—though free servers don't promise Netflix access like some paid servers do.

Further considerations: Proton VPN is from the same company behind Proton Mail, making it easy to integrate into the Proton ecosystem. The company has undergone multiple independent audits confirming its no-logs policy, including for the free VPN. Paid plans are on the expensive side, so try the free version first.

Mullvad – Best VPN for privacy

Pros: Exceptional privacy protections, strong security features, fast connection speeds, transparent and trustworthy company practices

Cons: Weak streaming support, relatively small server network, lacks extra features

Price: 5,00 € per month

Who should use Mullvad? Mullvad is the undisputed king of privacy and anonymity. It doesn't ask for your email address, name, or anything else; instead, it assigns a random account number that acts as your identifier and login. Payments can be made with credit cards or PayPal, but you can also mail cash to remain as private as possible. Mullvad has a strict no-logs policy and doesn't collect identifying metadata, all backed up by multiple independent security audits.

Further considerations: Mullvad is built with one goal in mind: protecting your privacy, even if it means leaving out extra features. It's fast, ranking among the top five for speeds, and offers a standardized fee across all plan lengths. However, it loses value on long-term plans compared to other VPNs, and streaming access can be hit-or-miss.

CyberGhost – Best VPN for travelers

Pros: Enormous global server network, independently verified no-log policy, generous 45-day money-back guarantee

Cons: Server speeds can be hit-or-miss, lacks extra security features offered by competitors

Who should use CyberGhost? If you travel frequently, you want variety and wide coverage in server locations. CyberGhost provides both with a staggering 11,500+ servers across more than 100 countries. Unlike some competitors, these servers aren't all concentrated in the U.S. or Europe. The service even recommends optimized servers for gaming, streaming, and torrenting, and offers special secure physical "NoSpy" servers housed in its home offices in Romania.

Further considerations: CyberGhost has a well-designed Windows app that is intuitive and easy to use. It lacks power-user features like multi-hop and IP rotation, but that shouldn't be a deal breaker for the average user. Speeds are good enough for web browsing and streaming, and the service is upgrading its network to 10Gbps, which should bring a speed boost in the near future.

Other VPNs we liked

With the large number of VPNs out there, it's good to know that several rise above the fray. Not all make our list of the best, but the following are strong options in their own right:

• PrivadoVPN: A strong overall service, but the free version really stands out and is second only to Proton VPN. The server network is smaller and it lacks some extra features.
• Windscribe Pro: Great security, with a Windows client and browser extension that work in tandem to block ads while keeping your browsing private. It also has a decent free version, but a wonky interface and small server network hold it back.
• Hide.me: A well-rounded service with a fantastic array of configurable settings, making it a power-user's dream. Latest tests showed inconsistent speed results, and the Windows app can be tricky for beginners.
• IPVanish: This U.S.-based VPN nails the basics: decent speeds, a large global server network, and privacy promises backed by independent audits. However, it stumbles with unblocking streaming services and the monthly price is steep.
• Norton VPN: A simple and effective VPN from a trusted security giant. It has a dead-simple interface and recently saw big upgrades to features and privacy commitments, but it only offers yearly pricing and the server network is still on the smaller side.

How we test VPNs

We judge VPNs on a variety of criteria including server network, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease of use, additional features, and cost. Speed tests are kept as simple as possible: we average connections between different global locations for any given VPN and then compare them to our baseline internet speed to get a good picture of overall connection speeds.

We thoroughly research and analyze the privacy policies and histories of each VPN and note any outstanding discrepancies or data collection issues. We also compare the value of the service based on its price and additional features to the industry average to help you understand what you'll get for your money.

How to choose the best VPN

One of the first things to look for is the number of servers and locations. A semi-reliable way to tell if a VPN is worth your time is to look at the server network—anything with 1,000 or more servers and 30 or more country locations will do.

Speed: Reading reviews online will give you a general estimate. Look for reviews that give a relative average of connection speeds rather than direct Mbps comparisons for a more accurate picture.

Privacy: Check for a no-logs policy, independent audits, and the company's location. All of these give you an idea of whether a VPN is transparent with its data collection policies and if it's subject to government data sharing requirements.

Price: Do you want a monthly or yearly subscription? Some top VPNs might be pricey month-to-month but become quite affordable with long-term plans.

VPN features you should care about

Kill switch: If your VPN disconnects unexpectedly, the kill switch automatically blocks internet access, keeping your online activities from being revealed.

Split tunneling: This lets you designate certain traffic to be encrypted and sent through the VPN, while other content, such as games, remains unhindered.

Multi-hop: When you want extra privacy, multi-hop sends your traffic through two or more VPN servers, re-encrypting at each pass.

Protocols: WireGuard is our preference. It's open source, continually refined, and the best choice for most people.

Best VPN FAQ

What is the best VPN?

NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN. It has the fastest speeds, a large server network, and the most full-featured offering on the market. No other VPN provides as much value or as extensive a feature set.

What is the best cheap VPN?

Surfshark is our pick for the best cheap VPN. It provides great speeds, robust features, and excellent privacy credentials at a very low long-term price. In terms of budget-friendly services, Surfshark simply can't be beat.

What is a VPN?

VPNs create a secure tunnel between your PC and the internet. When you connect, your traffic is routed through a selected server to make it appear you're browsing from that server's location. The VPN app encrypts your data, preventing third parties like your ISP from seeing your online activities. While a VPN strengthens privacy and security, it does not make you totally anonymous.

Can I be tracked with a VPN?

VPNs reduce exposure and keep your ISP from seeing your traffic, but they don't stop site-level tracking or logged-in identity. Signing into websites while using a VPN still reveals your identity to those sites.

Will a VPN protect me on public Wi-Fi?

Yes, a VPN helps protect you on public Wi-Fi by encrypting your data and masking your IP address, making it much harder for hackers to intercept sensitive information. However, it won't make you completely secure—always use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

Most likely you'll see a moderate speed decrease due to the encryption and rerouting process. The impact depends on server location—choosing a server far away will cause greater latency. Most modern VPNs maintain high-speed infrastructure, so browsing and streaming remain smooth with a reliable service like those on this list.

Source:PCWorld News