Best VPN service 2024

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) masks your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic. The best VPN service can also unblock geo-restricted websites, so you can stream your favorite content from anywhere in the world.

All of the VPNs listed below offer a good network of servers, great customer service, and rock-solid security for all your gaming, streaming, torrenting, privacy and security needs.

Taking into account pricing, ease of use, and connection speeds, these are the VPN services that we recommend.

The best VPN

NordVPN is the most popular name in the industry for a reason. It offers the best all-around package we've ever seen, combining incredible security, exceptional performance, and easy-to-use apps with a vast network of over 6,000 servers in 110+ countries—and all that at rates cheaper than previous #1, ExpressVPN. 

One of Nord’s biggest draws is its all-in-one security package. Besides a reliable kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and an independently audited no-logs policy, you also get a password manager, data breach scanner, secure cloud storage, and the latest addition, a link checker tool that tells you whether a URL is legit and safe or contains malware.

Plus, NordVPN comes with a couple of security features you won’t find elsewhere, such as Double VPN and Onion over VPN. Double VPN routes your internet traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, encrypting your data twice—and Onion over VPN is a special set of Nord VPN servers that lets you access the Tor network without ever having to download the Tor browser.

In addition to being the fastest VPN in testing (clocking over 950 Mbps consistently), NordVPN is also the best streaming VPN, thanks to class-leading unblocking capabilities that can reliably bypass the toughest of geo-restrictions time and time again. We tried it with all big-name streaming services and it worked well with all of them.

A standout NordVPN offering is the Meshnet feature. This allows you to create your own private network and link up to 60 devices from anywhere around the world—think of it as a secure LAN because it connects devices directly. This makes file sharing, multiplayer gaming, and virtual routing easier than ever. The best part? NordVPN doesn't charge extra for Meshnet.

While Nord's 10 simultaneous connections should suffice for most families, if you want to share your VPN with lots of devices, you would be better off with Surfshark or PIA, both of which come with unlimited simultaneous connections. Plus, we found that Nord’s map-based interface works better on larger screens of tablets and PCs than on smartphones where it feels quite busy. 

The lack of super simple apps is perhaps the only noticeable chink in Nord’s otherwise mighty armour—so, if you are a non-tech-savvy beginner, we would recommend ExpressVPN. 

Overall, though, NordVPN is the #1 VPN in testing, offering everything you would expect from a high-quality VPN—privacy, security, great streaming support, and reasonable prices. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee and see if it’s for you.

The best VPN for beginners

ExpressVPN walks into most top VPN lists without a shadow of a doubt, because no matter what you ask of it, it delivers. While it comes at a premium and doesn't offer as many privacy tools as NordVPN—two major reasons it's no longer the reigning champion—it's still a world-class package. 

You get blazing speeds, tons of server connections, best-in-class unblocking, and rock-solid privacy features, including a free password manager and a proprietary open-source Lightway protocol that's both fast and secure.

ExpressVPN's biggest selling point, though, is its simplicity and usability. From automatically suggesting servers for the fastest connection to useful one-click connect, it is one of the most plug-and-play solutions out there. 

Also, it offers similar interfaces for every platform, so setting up is a breeze regardless of your device type. In addition to the standard Windows, Mac, etc, there are also dedicated ExpressVPN apps for Chromebook, Fire Stick TV, and routers, as well as dedicated extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

As the best VPN for beginners, ExpressVPN also comes with an auto-connect feature so that you can connect once and stay protected always—and friendly 24/7 support along with an in-depth knowledge hub of help articles round up what's an excellent service for newbies. 

While it doesn't have as many servers (3,000+ is still nothing to sniff at, though) as, say, NordVPN or PIA, it is present in a whopping 160 locations around the world, which is more than any other provider on the list, allowing you to connect from and to anywhere. 

Add to this its powerful unblocking capabilities and ExpressVPN is a top choice for getting around content blocks. It reliably unblocked several Netflix libraries, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, etc. in recent rounds of testing, which puts it on par with the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark.

Are there cheaper VPNs? Yes. However, in our experience we've found ExpressVPN to be worth every single penny as it offers class-leading privacy features, good speeds, and most notably, easy-to-use apps across the board that surprisingly come with a good amount of customization, too, making it ideal for just about everybody, including experts and newbies. Be sure to make the most of its 30-day money-back guarantee to see how it compares to NordVPN.

The best low cost VPN service

If you're looking for quality on a tight budget, Surfshark could be the best VPN service for you. Despite donning the best cheap VPN tag, Surfshark boasts a jam-packed feature set consisting of high-quality security offerings, lightning-fast speeds, and good streaming support capable of giving premium providers a run for their money. 

The headline news, though, is that you can use Surfshark on unlimited devices, which is handy if you have a house full of tech addicts. It's worth noting that others like ExpressVPN and NordVPN limit you to 8-10 simultaneous connections. 

The Surfshark apps are brilliant, too—they’re a doddle to use—especially the mobile apps. As for the desktop apps, while they may seem a little complex at first glance, you'll quickly admire how everything is simply laid out in sidebars, tabs, and buttons. 

As for speeds, Surfshark knocked it out of the park, consistently hitting download speeds of over 950 Mbps in our recent tests. What’s more, although a network of 3,000 servers doesn’t match the market leaders, they’re smartly spread across 100 countries, so you can connect to your favorite regions no matter where they are on the map.

You get all the usual bells and whistles, including split tunneling (Surfshark calls it Bypasser), AES-256 encryption, PrivateDNS leak protection, and ad-blocking, as well as antivirus protection, MultiHop, and Surfshark's unique Incogni service that automatically requests data brokers to delete any personal data.

However, privacy obsessives should take note of the fact that Surfshark’s kill switch failed when we put it through rigorous testing. On the bright side, though, that’s very unlikely to happen in real life. Next, Surfshark’s customer support is decent, but it lacks the depth you get with the two providers above. 

NordVPN and ExpressVPN are certainly more reliable—plus they have the edge when it comes to unblocking websites, but if the lure of unlimited connections is too strong, or you fancy a thoroughly premium VPN for a bargain price, Surfshark is a great buy. 

It comes with a price tag of less than $2.50 a month, which is nothing short of mouthwatering, plus you get a 30-day money-back guarantee to try before you commit. Lastly, Surfshark could just as easily also be the #1 choice for Linux users, as it comes with a dedicated Linux GUI—most of the competition only offers a command-line interface. 

The best VPN for Linux

Private Internet Access has been delivering users a reliable, secure, and cost-effective solution for more than a decade now, and its recent upgrades, including open-sourcing all its apps, have made it more compelling. 

In addition to a super reliable kill switch, PIA also comes with port forwarding, which is not something you’ll find on every VPN. Also, it's perhaps the only VPN to have proven its no-logs claims in court, twice, ensuring complete peace of mind.  

Just like Surfshark, PIA also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can share your VPN subscription with every single friend and family member. Moreover, it comes with a GUI, making it a better VPN than Nord and Express for Linux users.

PIA apps are some of the most configurable we've seen. So, even though they may look overwhelming at the outset, you can cut down all of the clutter by hiding features you don't see yourself using day-to-day. Still, if you're new to VPNs and would like a plug-and-play VPN app, and a simpler experience overall, we would recommend you opt for ExpressVPN or Surfshark. 

PIA’s streaming capabilities deserve a special mention, too. It was one of the few VPNs that unblocked every single streaming service in testing—that’s largely because of its 20,000-ish servers (including dedicated servers for streaming) in 84 countries.

Although PIA maxed out at a relatively average 360 Mbps when we last tested it, it's still fast enough for everything you will need it for, including streaming, gaming, and torrenting. However, it's still worth noting that it doesn't hold a candle to the big three (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark) all of which offer blazing speeds.

Overall, Private Internet Access is one of the cheapest premium VPNs, as it asks for very little ($2.19 a month on a 2-year commitment) and delivers loads. It's packed to the brim with privacy and security tools, top-notch unblocking, the highest number of servers we've seen in a VPN, as well as some free extras, such as a free email breach scanner and Boxcryptor license to encrypt and secure your cloud storage.

Although the service isn't as rapid as the rest of the competition and the desktop apps are admittedly more geared towards experts, these shouldn't be looked at as impediments. Put it to the test with a 30-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself.

A secure VPN with a free plan

Proton VPN is an incredibly secure VPN service based in Geneva, Switzerland. This means users benefit from some of the strongest privacy laws in the world, making it an excellent choice for those who are concerned about civil liberties.

Proton VPN was created by the scientists, engineers, and cryptographers behind Proton Mail, one of the world’s largest encrypted email services, so it's a trustworthy choice. The apps are all open source, meaning anyone can inspect them. You can even pay for your monthly subscription anonymously, via Bitcoin.

A highlight is Proton’s Secure Core servers, which are ultra-secure, underground servers in Iceland, Switzerland, and Sweden all of which are extremely privacy-friendly countries. If you choose to use the Secure Core technology, your online traffic will be routed through one of these servers first and then to your destination, adding an extra layer of protection.

While WireGuard speeds aren't near-class-leading, Proton's OpenVPN speeds (350 Mbps) are faster than most—only Mullvad and CyberGhost are faster.

Sure, there's undoubtedly huge amounts of security, but Proton VPN is just as excellent for those who want to have fun, too. It unblocked everything we threw at it in our testing, including several Netflix regions, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. 

Proton VPN is also one of the best free VPNs, thanks to a generous free plan that comes with unlimited data (most free providers cap you at 10GB/month) and gives you access to 3 server locations i.e. US, Netherlands, and Japan. If you'd like more servers plus the ability to bypass geo-restrictions for free, try PrivadoVPN Free.

One of the biggest Proton VPN positives is its partnership with Deutsche Welle, a German news company, to allow users access to independent and unbiased news anywhere in the world. The best part is that even those on Proton's free plan can make full and unrestricted use of this. 

All in all, Proton VPN is an impressive beast and while it's admittedly more expensive than some of the best VPN services, it's worth a serious look, especially by the privacy purists—and you also get 10 simultaneous connections, which is on par with industry standards.

What's more, if you're willing to spend a little extra, you can get Proton's entire privacy suite including Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and its password manager for a fraction of the cost you'd have to spend elsewhere for a similar package. Leverage its 30-day money-back guarantee and take it for a spin, and that without risking a single penny.

How to choose a VPN

The right VPN service for you depends on your intended use case—gaming, torrenting, streaming, or a little bit of everything? Once you have a clear idea of that, consider the following factors to zero in on the best VPN for your needs.

Look for a VPN with tons of servers around the world so that you can enjoy fast and reliable connections from and to anywhere. If you're a streaming head, make sure you choose a provider with servers in regions whose content you want to watch. 

Subsequently, pick a VPN with strong unblocking powers so that you can access region-locked content libraries of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, iPlayer, etc. If you frequently travel abroad (for work or otherwise), especially to surveillance-heavy countries with strict internet censorship such as China or Turkey, you'd be better off with a secure VPN with obfuscated servers.

Next, evaluate the quality of security features on offer. The VPN you pick must have a strict no-logs policy, a reliable kill switch, and leak protection, and it should support the most popular and secure protocols. While these come standard with most high-quality VPNs, not all of them are created equal. 

Also, consider the price you’re willing to shell out and the number of devices you want to protect. If you’re on a thin budget, consider opting for a good cheap VPN—and if you want to protect every single family in your household (or share the VPN with friends and family), providers like Surfshark and PIA that come with unlimited simultaneous connections will fit your bill.

If you're new to VPNs, you'd also want a VPN that's easy to use and comes with lots of reliable support options, such as email, live chat, and phone support, as well as a comprehensive set of help articles for help on the fly.