Signing up for one of the best VPN services, or Virtual Private Network, can help you be more anonymous online, encrypt your traffic, or digitally change the location of your computer or phone. When it comes to picking the right one for your needs, there are a lot of things to consider.
That being said, a VPN can benefit anyone from the most basic beginner to an experienced professional and this list can help you find the right one for your needs.
Doing your research to pick the absolute best VPN service is crucial in your overall experience, but that can be a time-comsuming task. There are so many options out there, some of which are free VPNs or cheap VPNs, but unfortunately not all of them are created equally. Worry not, though, as we've done the hard work for you with this guide.
Most of the best VPN providers allow the services to be used on popular devices like gaming consoles, PCs, laptops, phones, routers, and even web browsers like Chrome. Many of them connect in as little as one click, making it easy to use and understand.
If you are going to be trusting a VPN to help anonymize your web traffic and help keep you safe online, you'll want to make sure it is a reputable service. So much of our personal lives are spent online, like checking your bank account, paying bills, keeping up with friends on Facebook, emails, and more. This is all sensitive traffic, and you don't want it falling into the wrong hands. Maybe all you want is the ability to stream a show that's not airing locally to you, and a VPN can help with that as well.
We've gone through hundreds of VPN services and have narrowed down a list to just the absolute best VPN services that you should trust in 2021.
Today's best VPN services
1. ExpressVPN: The absolute best VPN option for most people
This is our top pick for anyone looking to get started with a VPN. It offers a great mix of speed, reliability, outstanding customer service, and affordability. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so give it a shot today.
2. NordVPN: The most well-known VPN for security
NordVPN offers an insane amount of server locations that you can pick from and is one of the best services for unblocking streaming services. It's definitely the most well-known brand in the VPN space right now.
3. Surfshark VPN: The best cheap VPN out there
With plans starting out at about 8 cents per day, it's really hard to skip over Surfshark because it's a paid service. It offers a ton of great features that you'd expect from a VPN provider, and is super simple to use.
How do you pick the best VPN for you?
Finding the best VPN service for you is not quite as difficult as it may seem at first glance. There are a few things that you will want to consider when purchasing a new VPN subscription for yourself, so let's break them down now to help you decide.
First up, you will want to make sure you find is a VPN provider that has a good app that's easy to use, which we've considered strongly in our rating of the below services. Nearly all of the best VPN options will work on Mac, PC, Android, iPhone, Fire TV Sticks, gaming consoles, and more. This is important because the app is something you'll interact with daily to connect to the services, so if it's not easy to use, it may prevent you from wanting to use the service in general.
Another thing you will want to take into account is how many devices can be used by your subscription at the same time, whether or not the companies offer strong customer support for when you run into an issue, and the overall cost of the service that you are signing up for. The best VPN services vary in cost big time and range anywhere from $2 per month up to over $6 per month. Our top pick, ExpressVPN, happens to be one of the more expensive, while our second favorite option, Surfshark, is one of the cheapest.
We have a full list of picks further down in this guide, but our top three best VPN options right now include ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN.
1. ExpressVPN
The single best VPN service for almost everyone
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 3,000+ | Server Locations: 160 in 94 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros
- Superb 24/7 live chat customer service
- Fast & reliable connections
- Lots of international locations
- Netflix unblocking
Cons
- More expensive than some competitors
- Limited to five devices simultaneously
ExpressVPN is the closest you can get to being the single best VPN for every person out there. We've extensively tested the platform, it's apps, and more in our full ExpressVPN review, and it came out with a perfect five star rating. There are a number of factors that weigh into our decision here, like the amazing customer support, strong security measures, and an abundance of servers that are spread throughout various countries. There are no data limits each month when using ExpressVPN either, which means you can set it and forget it which makes it even easier to use.
It's common for VPN providers to have apps for your PC or Mac, and even your phones and tablets. Where ExpressVPN stands out even further is its custom firmware that is offered for some routers, its DNS content unblocking for a variety of streaming hardware, and its browser extensions that make connecting to access it all such a breeze. It's even one of our top VPN for Android picks.
Some of this sounds a bit intimidating, especially if this is the first VPN that you'll ever use. Worry not, though. The software is extremely easy to understand, and couple that with ExpressVPN's stellar customer service and you'll quickly realize there is nothing to worry about. The support agents actually understand the platform and are able to answer questions with actual information, which is surprising to see these days.
When it comes to security, ExpressVPN offers industrial-grade encryption, P2P support, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, no-logging policy, and much more.
When it comes to downsides, there isn't much to complain about. The service checks a lot of the key boxes for what most VPN users will care about and want, though it does charge a bit of a premium for it. The pricing structure is higher than some of the competition, but using our link you can actually save up to 49% on your first year of service, along with an extra three months free. Remember, ExpressVPN gives you a free 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you don't find it valuable or just can't figure it out, you can always get your money back with ease.
ExpressVPN
This is our top pick for anyone looking to get started with a VPN. It offers a great mix of speed, reliability, outstanding customer service, and affordability. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so give it a shot today.
From $6.67 per month at ExpressVPN
When trying to pick the best VPN provider for yourself there are a lot of things to consider. Encryption is one of the most important features of a VPN, and one of the main uses for most people. Think about how much time you spend online each day. You enter banking details, credit cards, passwords, and more all around the web, and sometimes from an unsecured public connection. Using a VPN you can keep all that data secure as it's passed from your phone through the virtual tunnels of the internet.
Another great vpn use is that you can easily connect to a server in a different location than where you are. This is called "spoofiing", and it makes it appear as though your traffic is coming from somewhere it isn't actually. That means you can access local content like concerts, sporting events, news, and even things like Netflix libraries.
The hardest part about a VPN is not actually using it, but instead understanding which one to pick for yourself. Nowadays you can find tons of different VPN options, some of which are free and others that are paid. Some of them have data limits, and others cap the number of simultaneous connections, and picking out the best VPN is not an easy task. Don't panic, though. We've done the hard part and have put various options through their paces so that we could break it down for you. Our top pick, for a number of reasons which are listed below, is ExpressVPN. It provides the best overall balance between price, speed, reliability, ease of use, and customer service.
Check out a full breakdown of all the best VPN services to see the good, the bad, and all the differences that make them unique below. We've also rounded up the best Android VPN apps and best free Android VPN options for your consideration.
2. NordVPN
Best server options of any popular VPN
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, iPlayer, Amazon | Servers: 5,400+ | Server Locations: 80+ in 59 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros:
- Nearly 5,500 servers
- 2048-bit encryption
- Multiple plan options
Cons:
- Security breach in 2018
Now, NordVPN and why it's potentially your next VPN service. The company continually matches or beats all of its competitors in terms of features and speed. There are more than 5,400 servers in almost 60 countries, and Nord opts to go for 2048-bit encryption instead of 256 that others are using.
As you'd expect, NordVPN offers all the standard security features that the competitors do, but comes with some extras as well. You'll have DNS leak protection, a kill switch, apps for nearly every platform out there, and an easy built-in feature to allow you to get around geo-blocks with ease.
While there is a lot of stuff to enjoy about NordVPN, that doesn't mean that it's perfect. Finding servers is a painful experience because they are not organized alphabetically, and trying to navigate the menus is equally as frustrating. The apps could use a bit of an overhaul, but that's a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things.
Back in 2018 one of the company's servers was compromised, but it was just one of more than 5,600. After investigating it, and the confirmation from Nord, it was understood that it was a single server with limited information being obtained. There's a lot at play here beyond just Nord's involvement, and our pals at TechRadar have a great breakdown, so be sure to check that out.
When signing up for NordVPN, you can opt to pay for just a single month of access, or go with a one-year or two-year plan. The cost per month drops significantly as you commit to a longer period of time, with the best pricing being on the two-year plan. Plus, for a limited time, you can score a free month, year, or two years extra when you go for that two-year plan.
Be sure to check out our full NordVPN review now!
NordVPN
From $3.71 per month at NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the most common and biggest names in the VPN space, and it also happens to be one of the best. It offers amongst the largest number of server options and some high-quality app experiences.
3. Surfshark VPN
Best VPN service for those on a budget
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Amazon | Servers: 3,200+ | Server Locations: 100+ in 65 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros:
- Over 1,000 servers available
- Company based in British Virgin Islands
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Privacy policy wording is vague
- Android app is less reliable than other versions
Surfshark may have a fun, cute name for its service, but that doesn't mean it's not one of the best VPN options out there to sign up for. The company allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices to your subscription and keep them all secured at the same time. With Surfshark, you'll have access to over 3,000 different servers that are spread throughout 65 different locations. This gives you plenty of variety when trying to change your location and access content not available locally.
The company is based in the British Virgin Islands and has all the basic VPN requirements in place, including AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and an extra security measure in place via its Double Hop capabilities.
You'll be able to easily use and navigate the interface of the apps, as the Surfshark team has stripped out all the extras. The wording in the official privacy policy is a bit unclear, but Surfshark maintains that it does not keep any logs nor user histories for any sessions.
It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you enough time to try it out and see if it's the VPN service for you or not. Be sure to check out our Surfshark review as well. The company recently changed its pricing structure, now giving you 24 months of access for just $59.76 total, which breaks down to about 8 cents per day. After the first two years, it renews annually at this price.
Surfshark VPN
From $1.99 per month at Surfshark
You can connect as many devices as your heart desires at the same time and never worry about any of them being logged. Surfshark also offers a 30-day guarantee that you'll like the product, or it will give you your money back.
4. IPVanish VPN
Best VPN with free cloud storage
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, YouTube, Hulu | Servers: 1,600 | Server Locations: 75+ in 52 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros:
- Over 40,000 shared IP addresses
- Great customer support
- Now offers unlimited devices to be connected simultaneously
- Cloud storage bundle
Cons:
- Server locations don't match what's said
- No iOS kill switch
IPVanish is a provider you won't want to rule out. It offers 1,400 servers spread across 75 different locations, allows for up to 10 devices to be connected at the same time, and boasts an impressive 40,000 shared IP addresses.
There are apps for all the popular platforms, including Roku, Fire TV, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows, and more. They aren't bogged down with useless features and make connecting to the service the fastest and easiest thing to do from within it. You can also bundle IPVanish with SugarSync cloud storage for just a few bucks extra if that's something you need.
Throughout testing IPVanish we noticed the servers were almost always up and running, the download speeds were consistent, and slightly above most of the others we tested. One odd thing that was noticed was that not every server actually existed where it was said to be, which could be problematic for those looking to unblock content in a specific area. This is only a minor thing, but something that's absolutely worth considering.
Another area where IPVanish excels is customer support. You can get support any time since the company offers 24/7 coverage, and agents are able to be reached right from within the iOS and Android apps. It really doesn't get easier than this, and the company recently moved from a 7-day to 30-day money-back guarantee. Give our IPVanish review a read and then get started today.
IPVanish VPN
From $3.75 per month at IPVanish
IPVanish may not have the biggest numbers for stats, but the service that the company offers is reliable and fast. Getting set up takes just minutes, so start today!
5. Hotspot Shield VPN
Best free VPN service with lots of features
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, YouTube | Servers: 1,800+ | Server Locations: 115 in 80+ countries | Trial Period: 45 days
Pros:
- Great customer support
- Unlimited bandwidth each month
- Over 2,500 servers
- Great free plan available
Cons:
- No longer supports OpenVPN protocol
Almost every complaint that we have with Hotspot Shield in our best free VPN post is solved by just paying a few bucks for the company's premium offerings. You step right up to unlimited bandwidth and gain full access to all of its 3,200+ servers that are scattered across 115 different locations. You can connect up to 5 devices at the same time still, and you get that wonderful 24/7 support as an added bonus.
Hotspot Shield is completely ad-free, doesn't log any data. The service is available on a variety of devices, like iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Routers, Chrome, and more. The company switched from OpenVPN support to its own Catapult Hydra protocol, which means you can't set it up on your router, Chromebook, and a few other places.
While talking about areas that Hotspot Shield is lacking, it's worth noting that there is no Bitcoin support, and the raw speeds that it delivered in testing were lower than many of the other services we tested. Hotspot Shield does offer a free 7-day trial, though, so it's definitely worth giving the service a shot.
Hotspot Shield VPN
From $2.99 per month at Hotspot Shield
This is our top recommendation for those looking for a free VPN. You do need to enter your credit card number, but the company won't charge you and you can use the free version of the service beyond the 7-day trial.
6. PIA VPN
Best beginner VPN option
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 36,000+ | Server Locations: 95+ in 77 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros:
- Easy to use apps
- No data limits
- Supports 10 devices at once
Cons:
- Based in the U.S.
Before sending the data of your session out anywhere, PIA assigns you a new IP address to help hide your online identity. It uses AES 256-bit encryption and has a no traffic logging policy.
There are more than 36,000 servers, which is a huge amount, but they are only spread amongst 95 locations, which is lower than most of the competition. Luckily, there are no data limits, though. This means that you're able to keep your sessions connected for everything you do without the worry of running out of data each month.
The apps are easy to use, and once you set them up the first time all you have to do is click a single button to instantly get connected.
As a United States-based VPN company, PIA does store a little bit of user data on hand. Lots of VPN companies talk about no-logging and not keeping any information, so this is something worth keeping in mind as you sign up for it.
PIA VPN
While PIA may have lower server locations than most of the competition, it features zero data limits, 10 simultaneous connections, and easy-to-use apps, meaning it still remains a winner in our book.
7. PureVPN
Best shared IP address selection
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 6,500+ | Server Locations: 180+ in 140+ countries | Trial Period: 31 days
Pros:
- Over 6,500 servers
- Round-the-clock customer support
- Tons of shared IP addresses
- Works with almost every device & browser
Cons:
- Only works on five devices at once
These days, odds are you stream a lot of your media via an app or online, and PureVPN is one of the best VPN providers for this. The service works with Android TV, Roku, Kodi, Xbox, PlayStation, and so much more. There's also a router VPN option that lets you use PureVPN on up to five devices that are connected through the router.
PureVPN offers over 6,500 server locations (which is amazing) and they are spread across 140 different locations. Given the variety of locations, PureVPN is able to maintain fast speeds for streaming relatively easily and allows you to easily unblock content on Netflix, Amazon, and other streaming services with ease.
There's an automatic kill switch that ends your internet session should the VPN disconnect so you don't have to keep monitoring it in the background. This little bit of behind-the-scenes magic just adds a bit more of a sense of security while you are using the service. It supports up to five simultaneous connections, which is a bit lower than some of the competition.
PureVPN offers round-the-clock customer support 365 days a year, and edges out the competition by offering a 31-day money-back guarantee instead of just 30 days. We have a full PureVPN review to check out as well.
PureVPN
PureVPN offers a ton of server options spread wide in different areas and has great customer support. You can try PureVPN for yourself in full for just $0.99 and then save 47% on its 1-year plan. Alternatively, its 2-year plan goes for just $3.33 per month if you already know it's for you. PureVPN is so confident you'll like its service, that it offers a 31-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free either way.
8. CyberGhost VPN
Best streaming VPN with easy one-click connections
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 6,800+ | Server Locations: 110+ in 90 countries | Trial Period: 45 days
Pros:
- Over 6,900 servers available
- Based in Romania & Germany
- Automatic server matching for geo-restricted content unblocking
- 45-day money-back guarantee on 3-year plan
Cons:
- Connection speeds are slower than competition
CyberGhost is a company that's based out of Romania and Germany. It has more than 6,900 different servers that span more than 110 locations, which is quite impressive.
Where CyberGhost really excels though is in its interface. The company doesn't make you guess which server to use for certain tasks, it helps you identify them with ease. Select the geo-blocked service that you want from a list, like Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, etc, and then it will show you the best servers to connect to in order to view the content. Once connected to the server, the app will even open a browser window for you so you can start streaming. That's convenience if we've ever seen it.
Additionally, the service can block ads, trackers, and malicious sites. It automatically sends you to the HTTPS version of each site to ensure you are viewing the most secure option you can. On mobile, you can enable data compression to help save you some MBs while on the go.
Thanks to the ease of use, speeds, and reliability it offers, CyberGhost has been able to bring over 10 million users to its service. The pricing is quite competitive, and by signing up for longer-term plans you can help reduce the per-month cost of the service as well. Will you be the company's next subscriber? Check out our full CyberGhost VPN review for all the details.
CyberGhost VPN
From $2.75 per month at CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost makes using a VPN easy by helping you choose the best server to use for certain tasks, and it generally offers some of the best pricing around as well.
9. TunnelBear VPN
Best easy-to-use VPN option
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 1,000+ | Server Locations: 26+ in 26 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros:
- App is super simple to use
- Uses independent specialists to conduct audits
- Apps available for major platforms
Cons:
- Limited server locations
TunnelBear may not be the best option of this list for those looking for granular control over where they are connecting or how their VPN is operating. The company goes for a much more simplistic approach, which works for most people in all honesty. The interface is very clean and easy to understand, and the apps are available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and there are even a few browser extensions.
The focus on simplicity goes beyond just the app, though. There are only 26 server locations, which is a good bit less than many of the others are offering. That's not a huge concern, though something to note if you're looking to connect to specific locations.
On the privacy front, which is what most people are using a VPN for, TunnelBear scores some extra points for its hiring of independent specialists to run a security audit on its servers. This is something no one else is doing, and we wish that more companies would follow suit and do the same.
TunnelBear VPN
From $0 per month at TunnelBear
The data limit is low, but if you are just looking to test the water or use it infrequently, TunnelBear is a great choice to consider.
10. StrongVPN
Best gaming VPN for players & streamers
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 950+ | Server Locations: 59 in 35 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros:
- Great connection speeds
- No logging at all
- Built-in WireGuard support
Cons:
- Limited number of server options
StrongVPN really excels when it comes to those looking to game while connected to a VPN, but that doesn't mean that you can't use it for other things as well. It comes with WireGuard integration that allows for an industry-leading speed and performance level which is something that's very important. Beyond just gaming, it works across other platforms like Android, Mac, iOS, Windows, Linux, and more.
There is an absolute zero-logging policy which means that StrongVPN collects no data on your sessions, what pages you look at, your location, or any of that. You can connect up to twelve devices at the same time, which should cover pretty much all of your devices at the same time.
While it may not seem to compete when it comes to the number of servers, how many locations they are in, and all that, but StrongVPN manages to have some of the best connection speeds around. You can also use it to easily unblock media content from different streaming services that may not be available where you are. With prices starting at just $2 per month, you'll want to give StrongVPN a try!
StrongVPN
From $3.33 per month at StrongVPN
The built-in WireGuard support here makes StrongVPN a gamer's dream VPN. Give it a try today and see how you like it!
11. ProtonVPN
Best security-focued VPN provider
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 1,200+ | Server Locations: 55+ in 55 countries | Trial Period: 30 days
Pros:
- Based in Switzerland
- Many servers utilize 10 Gbps connections
- Has great free plan with unlimited bandwidth
Cons:
- Free plan users are deprioritized during peak hours
Proton may not offer the most servers, or have them spread out in the most locations, but if there is one thing that the company knows it's privacy and security. ProtonVPN is designed to ensure that no one can eavesdrop on your connection, and it does so by routing your connection through fully encrypted tunnels.
The company is based in Switzerland, which means that it benefits from additional strong legal protection. Switzerland offers some of the world's strongest privacy laws, and remains outside of the EU and U.S. jurisdiction, meaning that it can't be coerced into spying on any users.
There are strong no-logging policies, DNS leak protection, a kill-switch, and it can be used as an always-on VPN that automatically reconnects to a server should the connection be interrupted at any point. All of the servers have a minimum speed of 1 Gbps, and many of them actually use a 10 Gbps connection.
Before you get started with the paid service, you can always try ProtonVPN out for free. It is worth noting that the company does prioritize paid users during peak times, so on a free plan you may notice slower speeds when more people are online.
Whether you end up wanting a free or paid plan, Proton is definitely a VPN provider worth considering.
ProtonVPN Free
From $0 per month at ProtonVPN
From the creators of the secure and encrypted ProtonMail comes ProtonVPN. There are no data limits here, but free users are deprioritized in favor of paid ones during peak usage times.
12. Windscribe VPN
Best free VPN with option to earn extra data monthly
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube | Servers: 400 | Server Locations: 110 in 63 countries
Pros:
- Free plan offers generous data bucket
- Supports unlimited simultaneous connections
- Apps for all major platforms
Cons:
- Speeds can be a little slow
- No 24/7 support
We featured Windscribe on our best free VPNs post as well because of the unique approach it takes to data allotment. With the paid plans, however, you get an unlimited amount of data to use each month and can connect an unlimited number of devices at the same time. It has more than 400 different servers that span across 60 different locations, which is about average.
There are clients for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and extensions for all the popular browsers. You can manually set up Windscribe on your router, Kodi, and more with a little extra effort.
Unfortunately, Windscribe speeds can be a little bit slow (due to the low overall server count, likely), and there is no 24/7 support which means that you may have to wait a bit to get any issues you encounter resolved. It may not be the fastest, or offer the most options, but Windscribe is definitely worth considering. You'd be best off to check out the free plan for a month first, and then upgrade based on your needs.
Windscribe VPN
From $0 per month at Windscribe
You can add to the healthy 10GB data allotment by tweeting your love for the Windscribe service and inviting friends. It's a great way to bring even more data to your free pool.
What about the other VPN companies?
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other VPN providers. We've worked with our pals at TechRadar to test as many of them as possible and come up with a list of just the best. It seems like a new VPN provider pops up each week, and some of them make some pretty crazy promises.
We'd recommend sticking to one of the options mentioned here when you get started with a VPN. We are constantly looking at new offerings, reviewing our picks on this list, and ensuring that the information included in this guide is as accurate as possible.
Best VPN of 2021 at a glance
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN service you can use in 2021 (From $6.67 per month)
- NordVPN - One of the biggest names in the space with a server selection to match (From $3.71 per month)
- Surfshark - Perfect for those on a budget and looking for ease of use (From $2.49 per month)
- IPVanish - One of the easiest VPN options to use (From $5.20 per month)
- Hotspot Shield VPN - A reliable VPN provider that has servers in a ton of locations (From $2.99 per month)
VPN FAQs
If you're in the market for a VPN and need a little more information on exactly what a VPN is, what you can use a VPN for, and some basics like that, we have you covered. There are a lot of competitors covered above, but picking the right one for you is dependent on your needs. Let's take a look deeper into VPNs and help you decide which one to buy.
✏️What is a VPN?
A VPN is a Virtual Private Network. The idea behind it is to add an extra layer of security to whichever network you are trying to connect to, be it your home broadband, public Wi-Fi, or your mobile connection. It allows you to send and receive data privately while connecting to that network.
Once connected, your traffic is routed through a "tunnel" which encrypts the data so that outside eyes can't sleuth it. The protection prevents people from being able to not only see what is happening but also prevents them from knowing where it is happening from.
In addition to adding security, you can use a VPN to "spoof" your location by connecting to a server that's based in a different location. This means you'd be able to bypass some geographic restrictions and view content that you may not have been able to otherwise.
⚙️How do VPNs work?
Though it seems complicated at first, a VPN works in a pretty simple manner. Behind the scenes, the VPN provider routes your traffic through a set of servers that can then protect it via encryption and change its location. That means others can't see what you are doing on public connections.
Instead of going from Your Device to the website, a VPN adds a middle step. Now the pathway actually looks goes from Your Device to Secure VPN servers then ends up at the website.
All of this is done in the background once you are connected to the service and a server, adding very little lag to the process. One of the coolest parts is that you can be sitting in an airport in New York and connect to a server in Europe, without having to move. You'd think that this extra step could slow your speeds, or put a delay in getting things done, but many of the best VPN providers offer fast speeds and reliable connections, so you barely notice that it's even connected in the background.
⚖️Are VPNs legal?
In most areas of the world, VPNs are perfectly legal. Some countries have put bans in place to restrict VPNs as a whole, and others have limitations on their use cases, though these generally apply to people who live there not travel there.
For the countries that do restrict VPN uses, there are oftentimes some providers that are specifically approved for use there. This means that you may not have as many options, but some are better than none. For example, in China companies have to get Chinese government approval, and those who use unapproved VPNs can be fined heavily.
On the other hand, in the United Arab Emirates, things are far more serious. The fine for using a VPN (any of them) is over half a million dollars and you can be sentenced to jail time.
If you are unsure of the legalities of a VPN where you live, be sure to seek some information from local authorities before getting one installed.
❓Is a VPN worth it?
Having a VPN is a really smart choice to make these days, especially if you travel a lot and spend any time at all on public Wi-Fi spots (think airport lounges or your local coffee shop). These don't offer any of their own security measures, so you'll want to make sure your data is safe while you use it.
So much of our day-to-day activity is done online. Think about how many times you've accessed bank information from a public network, or logged into your most personal accounts from the airport. All of it is unprotected, and in the hands of the wrong people, it could be bad news for you.
In most cases, a VPN is a nominal cost each month, and there are even some free options that are definitely worth considering. For the price of a cup of coffee, or a fast-food lunch, you could add protection to all your browsing sessions for the whole month. If you do the cost-benefit analysis yourself, you'd probably come down on the side of wanting a VPN.
💻What are the best VPN uses?
There are many use cases for having a VPN, though there are two huge ones that most people will be drawn to. The first use is for additional security and privacy a VPN to secure their traffic, especially when connecting to public and open Wi-Fi. This is becoming a more popular requirement in the business world where people are constantly traveling. Many companies require the use of a VPN in order to access the company's intranet and services.
Alternatively, many will use a VPN to be able to connect to a server in a different location to access content that may be regionally blocked. This is known as "spoofing" your location, and it allows you to do things like watch Netflix, Disney+, and more from anywhere even if it isn't officially supported where you live.
There are plenty of other uses for VPN services as well.
💰Is a paid VPN better than a free VPN?
Many VPN companies these days offer both free and paid VPN options, but when you opt for the free one you make some sacrifices. Most of the time, the free versions allow for fewer devices to be connected at the same time, slower speeds, fewer servers, and limits on data usage per month.
Some services, like ProtonVPN, offer unlimited data but will offer better speeds to paying customers during peak times. Windscribe allows you to score extra data each month by referring friends and tweeting about the service, so there are definitely ways to live with a free VPN, you just need to be a bit more aware of the limitations and factor those into your decision making.
Upgrading to a paid plan ensures that you see no ads, oftentimes means that there are no data limits, and many companies offer unlimited connections as well.
Any VPN (free or paid) is better than no VPN at the end of the day. Give a free service a shot to see if it works out for you, and if you are happy with it, then maybe you should consider upgrading to a paid option for an even better experience.
🔎What to look for when picking a VPN?
There's a whole lot of information above about different VPN providers, but knowing what's important to look for isn't always easy. We've broken it down into a few easy things that everyone should be focused on when researching different VPN providers.
- Does the provider have servers in the country you need? Sometimes you are looking to watch specific content, or you only want to be able to connect to local servers, and every single VPN provider operates in different areas. Pure server count isn't always the biggest factor in determining speed or reliability — be sure to look specifically at location.
- Can you connect everything you want at the same time? Some providers offer only one connection at a time while others offer more spaces or even an unlimited amount. This is critical because you don't want to be worrying about disconnecting one device to protect another. Get one that works for everything you need it to or even one that an run on your router to cover all of the devices in your home.
- What is the logging policy? Many providers have a "no-logging" policy, but that doesn't always mean the same thing to each of them. Be sure to read through their FAQ and take a look at the privacy policy so that you totally understand what information (if any) is being collected when you use the service, and how it is used.
- Are you comfortable with the pricing structure? Prices vary from free to $10 or more per month for some services. The longer you commit to using the service (buying a one- or three-year plan) the cheaper you can get the per-month rate. It may prove worth spending a little more upfront to keep yourself protected for a longer period of time, for less. Most have trial periods or money-back guarantees, too.
📺Can a VPN unblock regional content?
One of the big selling points for many people is that you can use your VPN to spoof your location, meaning that you can access content that may not be available locally where you are at that moment. This is great for those who frequently travel and want to keep up with local shows.
Depending on your service of choice, you can use it to unblock content from Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and much more. Normally, you just need to connect to the VPN, then select a server based where the content you want to watch is streaming, and then you are able to watch it like you are in that country.
Some VPN services, particularly those with fewer servers, may have issues when it comes to unblocking some streaming content as their servers may be blacklisted by the content provider if they want to stop this process.
We've got a guide on the best streaming VPNs, as well as specific best BBC iPlayer VPN and Best Netflix VPN guides of those are the services you're looking at accessing.
📱Should I use a VPN on my phone?
In an ideal world, you would use a VPN on every device that connects to the internet. This is the absolute best way to keep yourself and your data safe from tracking, hacking, and more.
Luckily, every one of the VPNs mentioned in this best VPN guide offer mobile apps, which means you can easily get started using it on your iPhone or Android device. We've also rounded up the best VPNs for Android along with the best VPN for iPhone, so be sure to check those out.
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