VPN: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
After testing the leading VPN services, we found the top options for privacy, security, and reliable streaming access. Our experts compare features, speed, and pricing to help you find the right VPN for browsing, streaming, or staying safe on public Wi-Fi.
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The Best VPNs We've TestedUsing a VPN (or virtual private network) is one of the best ways to protect your online privacy. We review dozens every year, and these are the top VPNs we've tested.
By Justyn Newman
Our Current Top Tested Picks
Proton VPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Proton VPN provides unmatched privacy, value, and features—with the industry's best free plan and an exceptional premium experience—making it the top VPN service we recommend.
Full Proton VPN ReviewPros
- Best free plan we've seen
- Industry-leading privacy standards
- Global server network
- Slick, accessible client
- Numerous additional privacy tools
- Ample customer support options
Cons
- High latency scores in testing
Pros
- Best free plan we've seen
- Industry-leading privacy standards
- Global server network
- Slick, accessible client
- Numerous additional privacy tools
- Ample customer support options
Cons
- High latency scores in testing
NordVPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
NordVPN offers a comprehensive suite of privacy and security features that extend far beyond traditional VPN protection, including advanced encryption, threat detection, and more.
Full NordVPN ReviewPros
- Support for multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Excellent speed results
- Global server coverage
- Wealth of available features and add-ons
- Built-in antivirus tools
Cons
- Expensive, and annual pricing could be clearer
- Antivirus component could be better
Pros
- Support for multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Excellent speed results
- Global server coverage
- Wealth of available features and add-ons
- Built-in antivirus tools
Cons
- Expensive, and annual pricing could be clearer
- Antivirus component could be better
Surfshark VPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Surfshark is a top-tier VPN with strong data protection and innovative security tools that make it a standout choice for anyone seeking a premium all-in-one privacy solution.
Full Surfshark VPN ReviewPros
- Excellent server coverage and performance
- Well-defined privacy policy
- Regularly published transparency reports
- Innovative Dausos security protocol
- Affordable long-term plans
Cons
- High monthly cost (unless you opt for an annual plan)
Pros
- Excellent server coverage and performance
- Well-defined privacy policy
- Regularly published transparency reports
- Innovative Dausos security protocol
- Affordable long-term plans
Cons
- High monthly cost (unless you opt for an annual plan)
ExpressVPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
ExpressVPN is a top service for frequent travelers thanks to its expansive global network, polished design, strong performance, and forward-looking security features like post-quantum encryption and ExpressAI.
Full ExpressVPN ReviewPros
- Large, diverse, widely distributed fleet of servers
- Fast speed test results
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Support for post-quantum encryption protocols
Cons
- Expensive monthly and annual plans
- No multi-hop connections
Pros
- Large, diverse, widely distributed fleet of servers
- Fast speed test results
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Support for post-quantum encryption protocols
Cons
- Expensive monthly and annual plans
- No multi-hop connections
TunnelBear VPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
TunnelBear VPN forgoes complicated apps in favor of a simple yet powerful service that takes user privacy seriously and can protect your entire household with just one account.
Full TunnelBear VPN ReviewPros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent privacy policy
- Consistent features across platforms
- Annual independent audits
- Friendly, approachable design
Cons
- No multi-hop connections
- No server selection on the free plan
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent privacy policy
- Consistent features across platforms
- Annual independent audits
- Friendly, approachable design
Cons
- No multi-hop connections
- No server selection on the free plan
CyberGhost VPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
CyberGhost’s vast network of task-specific servers makes it a good VPN for streaming, torrenting, and location spoofing, while quarterly transparency reports give you regular insight into requests from law enforcement.
Full CyberGhost VPN ReviewPros
- Extensive server network
- Task-specific servers
- Quarterly transparency reports
- Impressive in-app privacy tools
- Affordable long-term subscriptions
Cons
- No multi-hop connections
- Limited add-ons
- High monthly price
Pros
- Extensive server network
- Task-specific servers
- Quarterly transparency reports
- Impressive in-app privacy tools
- Affordable long-term subscriptions
Cons
- No multi-hop connections
- Limited add-ons
- High monthly price
IPVanish VPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
IPVanish VPN is fast, covers a substantial portion of the globe with its servers, and allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, albeit at a higher price than many competitors.
Full IPVanish VPN ReviewPros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Good speed results in testing
- Customizable multi-hop servers
- Transparent privacy policy
- Knowledgeable support team
Cons
- Expensive
- Confusing annual renewal rates
- Mixed results unblocking Netflix
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Good speed results in testing
- Customizable multi-hop servers
- Transparent privacy policy
- Knowledgeable support team
Cons
- Expensive
- Confusing annual renewal rates
- Mixed results unblocking Netflix
Mullvad VPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Mullvad VPN’s anonymous signup, steadfast privacy measures, and advanced features make it an excellent choice for an unbeatable price.
Full Mullvad VPN ReviewPros
- Affordable
- Requires no email or account information
- Radically transparency
- Stalwart privacy standards
- Anonymous account system
Cons
- Awkward desktop interface
- Modest server network
- Inconsistent Netflix unblocking
Pros
- Affordable
- Requires no email or account information
- Radically transparency
- Stalwart privacy standards
- Anonymous account system
Cons
- Awkward desktop interface
- Modest server network
- Inconsistent Netflix unblocking
Windscribe
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
From its deep set of features to its class-leading transparency, Windscribe offers an excellent, refreshingly clear-cut VPN experience.
Full Windscribe ReviewPros
- Industry-leading company transparency and communication
- Large number of payment options
- Best free plan of any VPN we've tested
- Anonymous signup allowed
- Unlimited number of simultaneous connections and devices
- Helpful AI support bot
Cons
- Short refund window
Pros
- Industry-leading company transparency and communication
- Large number of payment options
- Best free plan of any VPN we've tested
- Anonymous signup allowed
- Unlimited number of simultaneous connections and devices
- Helpful AI support bot
Cons
- Short refund window
Hide.me VPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Hide.me VPN offers truly unlimited free trials, great performance, and tons of security options to protect your data. Even better, its pricing plans are simple, easy to understand, and affordable.
Full Hide.me VPN ReviewPros
- Ten simultaneous connections
- Reliable Netflix access
- Privacy-first policies
- Affordable
- Full-featured free plan
Cons
- Average server numbers
Pros
- Ten simultaneous connections
- Reliable Netflix access
- Privacy-first policies
- Affordable
- Full-featured free plan
Cons
- Average server numbers
Latest VPN Stories
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TunnelBear VPN forgoes complicated apps in favor of a simple yet powerful service that takes user privacy seriously and can protect your entire household with just one account.
$120 for Three-Year Plan
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