A VPN (Virtual Private Network) service is a great way to make sure you have a secure network connection while you’re online. We’ve put together the best VPNs for a variety of budgets, devices and usage cases, so you can find the best one for your needs.
In addition, a good VPN allows you to access your browsing history, torrent files, and blocked or regionally restricted content. They are great when traveling or working in a remote public place.
Updated, 8/24/21: Checked all selections for accuracy. Picks for iPhone, Android, and Mac included.
What does a VPN do?
Each of your devices (your computer, smartphone, etc.) has its own unique IP address, which tells the services who you are, what and where you are. A VPN sits between your devices and however connects to the Internet by deceiving your device’s IP address. Everything you do online goes first through the VPN, then to the router, which makes your router (and everything outside of your device) think your There is a separate identity.
VPN is great when you’re planning to roam online over an insecure connection (a network that doesn’t ask for your password), like in a cafe, because it keeps your information (Such as your browsing history and any data you transfer)) A VPN protected from the glare offers other benefits, such as access to geographically limited content, as it allows you to connect to the Internet. Allows you to communicate as if you were doing it from a VPN location, not yours.
You can also do many other things with VPN, including access to your work or home network while traveling, bypassing Internet censorship, viewing special video content for other areas, and downloading files.
What to look for in a VPN service
If you need to use a VPN, getting started is easy: just choose a service, sign up for the company’s site, and download the client. Here are a few things to look for when selecting a VPN:
- Too many servers: The more VPN servers there are, the faster your connection speeds up and, in general, the more country connection options you will have. This means you won’t have to deal with buffering or throttling issues.
- High simultaneous touch: You’ll get more power if you need to connect multiple devices to your VPN at the same time. The best VPN services allow you to connect up to five devices at once, if not more.
- Great ease of use: For those new to VPNs, a clean and clearly labeled interface, as well as easy access to customer support, is important. For experienced users, this could mean an app that is configurable and packed with extras such as Kill Switch, Data Compression (for mobile), and automatic HTTPS redirection.
- Excellent security and no logging: Good VPN services will not monitor, log, or sell any of your personal information, such as which website you visit. They also ensure that they are protecting you from strong encryption (AES 256-bit) and regular security audits. Finding out about most VPNs is also surprisingly difficult, which is why we’ve made sure you can trust all the picks on our list.
Best overall VPN: Express VPN.
Express VPN (starting at $ 6.67 / mo) is our choice for the fastest and most powerful VPN service. This is great for retrieving blocked websites from the past and keeping your computer safe. It has more than 30,000 IP addresses, 160 server locations in 94 countries, and more than 3,000 servers. It also has the support of a strict no-logging privacy policy, so go ahead and surf with peace of mind (more detailed insights in this ExpressVPN review).
This is even more impressive when you combine it with broad platform support: native clients for Mac, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. Do you want to cover your smart TV, routers and gaming consoles? They have browser extensions in addition to custom firmware options. The Android app even works on Chromebooks, so you’re all over the board.
Express VPN doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to advanced features. It offers split tunneling, network lock kill switch, server speed test, zero knowledge DNS, and unlimited bandwidth. For beginner VPN users, no need to worry: Express VPN has a lot of tutorials and guides that you can use, as well as 24/7 live chat support so you can walk in no time.
Best Budget VPN: Tunnel Beer
Tunnel beer (free) is not only easy on your wallet, it is easy on the eyes. With cute bears and a very user-friendly interface, this is a great option for newcomers to VPN. Its free service is limited to 500 MB per month, and if you want more, subscription options start at $ 4.95 per month, giving you unlimited secure browsing for five devices and preferential customer service.
While Cute Bear makes the graphics service fun and accessible, TunnelBear really shines with its unbelievably amazing privacy policy. It will never log or sell your browsing activity, and it does an independent annual service audit, something you wouldn’t see with other VPNs.
Tunnel Beer Express is a simpler and less powerful VPN than well-known options like VPN, but it’s still a solid option for new users and those who don’t care much about the many customizations and innovative features. Do It has only 22 server locations and 1,800 servers, so it’s fine to work in a coffee house but probably not ideal for heavy users. Tunnel Beer offers apps for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android, and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Opera. To be a free VPN, Tunnel Beer is a solid choice.
Best VPN for multiple device connections: IPVanish.
If you need to connect multiple devices to a VPN at once, IPVanish (starting at $ 3.75 / mo) is your perfect match. With it, you can connect up to 10 devices at a time without any hassle. IPVanish has great statistics, offering you more than 1,300 anonymous servers in over 75 global locations, and 40,000 shared IP addresses. It also has a clear zero logs privacy policy and protects your data with 256 bit AES encryption.
The VPN service has user-friendly apps for all devices: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome OS, Fire TV, and routers. Apps are solid and feature-rich, with options such as automatic IP address cycling. One of the major disadvantages of IPVanish is that its interface is not as accessible and intuitive as others, so it may not be the best choice for novice users. However, with its 24/7 customer support, customers can quickly find answers to questions and issues when they need them most.
Best VPN for iPhone: Proton VPN
Switzerland-based Proton VPN (with free, paid options) is a great VPN for iPhones because it offers fast and secure service with many features. Its easy-to-use interface, robust privacy policy, and artillery of privacy tools don’t hurt either.
VPN’s simple app interface is easy enough for anyone to use. When you open the VPN, you’ll see a world map, and from there you just need to tap one of the flags. Intuitive interface makes it easy. Navigate to the menu and other settings to your liking, search and toggle., Too.
The free plan offers 23 servers in three countries and a medium speed connection. Upgrading to one of the basic or plus plans (starting at $ 4 per month) gives you high speed, access to hundreds of servers in over 40 countries, multiple connections and P2P / BitTorrent, and much more. ۔ Love Proton Mail? Collect both together in the Visionary Bundle for $ 24 each month and enjoy all the benefits of the Plus Plan.
Best VPN for Android: Hide.me.
Using an Android smartphone or tablet? Go with Hide.me (starting at 4.99 / mo). The VPN based in Malaysia has a very easy to use interface, with two simple buttons: one to turn it on or off, and the other to change the location. Set up the server, connect to it, and start browsing. It also has a complete login privacy policy.
This is a good VPN for Android users (especially those who travel frequently), as it offers a large server network spread across the globe. It offers decent speeds, though it may not be the ultimate choice for a 4K streaming marathon. The price of this VPN is decent overall but if you spring for the annual plan you will get a better deal, as it is only $ 4.99 per month.
Alternatively, any Android users who are also heavy duty Google users will want to check the VPN through Google One. If you have a 2TB or larger plan ($ 9.99 / month), this fast and smooth VPN is automatically added and is available to you. In addition, it is highly secure and private, with an open source client library and regular independent audits of its end-to-end systems. This VPN is currently only available on Android, although Google is working to bring it to iOS, Windows and Mac OS soon.
Best VPN for Mac: Strong VPN.
If you’re a heavy duty or advanced user, StrongVPN (starting at $ 3.33 / month) is a great option, whether you’re torrenting or streaming Netflix. It even has the “best available location” option if you don’t want to manually select a connection point. The company has a strict no-logging privacy policy for your browsing history and IP address, but is based in Florida, so it is subject to the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes policies.
This VPN has more than 950 servers spread across 30 countries and can support up to twelve connected devices simultaneously. If you sign up for StrongVPN’s annual plan, you’ll pay only 33 3.33 for your first year. From there, it jumps from $ 40 to $ 79.99 a year. You can also choose a $ 10.99 monthly plan, or try the service completely free for 30 days before committing to any plan.