We tested the best VPNs available and ranked them based on speed, security, and features, for all of your private browsing and streaming needs.
The best virtual private networks (VPNs) do two things: Encrypt your data between two points, and hide the IP address where you’re located. This keeps your data secure, and prevents others from stealing your passwords or spying on your online activity.
Using a VPN is particularly important when traveling, or when using a public Wi-Fi network, like in a coffee shop or a hotel. VPNs are also great for streaming because they unlock access (in some cases, with dubious legality) to content and sports unavailable in a user’s location. While VPNs are not a silver bullet for personal security, they are definitely a very valuable tool that’s worth investing in to keep your browsing and your data secure.
We’ve tested all of the best VPNs on the market, evaluating them based on speed, number of servers, security features, price, and more. Our pick for the best VPN overall is ExpressVPN, thanks to its fast and reliable connection and the wide range of platforms it works on. It’s not the cheapest VPN available (though we do have another pick for best value VPN below), but if you want a solid VPN for the foreseeable future that is click-and-go, ExpressVPN is for you. Read on to find the best VPN for you depending on your devices and needs.
What is the best VPN?
The best VPN is ExpressVPN, thanks to its wide platform availability, great performance, reliability, and server locations in 105 countries.
However, there are many VPN options on the market that are worth your time — and, potentially, your dollar, should you choose to subscribe to them. When you consider which VPN to choose, keep in mind that the longer subscription you choose, the cheaper the VPN will be.
Best VPN service
Price
Kill switch
Countries
Simultaneous connections DNS leak detected?
ExpressVPN
$6.67 per month with 1-year plan
Yes
105
Eight X
Surfshark VPN
$2.29 per month with 2-year plan
Yes
100
Unlimited X
NordVPN
$3.99 per month with 2-year plan
Yes
61
Six X
Private Internet Access
$2.03 per month with 2-year plan
Yes
91
Unlimited X
Proton VPN
$4.99/month on a 2-year contract
Yes
71
1-10, varies by plan X
How did we test the best VPNs?
We ran a series of tests in February 2024 on each VPN’s paid service to see how they compared.
The tests were performed with a broadband connection in the UK with an average starting speed, without a VPN, of 57.41Mbps download and 18.05Mbps upload. (Yes, they are terrible, but they are the best the UK currently offers where I live.)
The following speeds are in Mbps. We also tested for the presence of DNS leaks.
Please keep in mind that results may be different for you and vary from country to country, so the below should be considered a snapshot. They may also be impacted by your ISP provider and broadband subscription. For example, the starting speed is a snail’s pace compared to some US offerings.
The below results are not the exact speeds you should expect. You can instead use these results for a general idea of how your speeds could change with a VPN enabled. You should also remember that the further away the VPN server, the more your speed may be impacted. Speeds will typically be quicker when you connect to a local server, compared to selecting Australia, for example.
Which is the right VPN for you?
We have written about how VPNs work and how to find the best VPN service for you. Regarding our top recommendations, depending on what is most important for you, these are the VPNs we believe would suit your needs best:
Choose this top VPN service…
If you want…
ExpressVPN
A robust server network. ExpressVPN is a service I have used for years, and I find it invaluable on a daily basis. You can expect multi-platform support and relatively minor speed downgrades when you are streaming.
Surfshark VPN
The least expensive top VPN. Surfshark is a consistent player in our top VPN lists, and for good reason. It might not always be the fastest, but for the price point, you can’t argue against its value for money.
NordVPN
Consistent speeds. NordVPN isn’t the cheapest VPN available, but it remains one of the most consistently fast and stable connection providers. It’s great for streaming, too.
Private Internet Access
Unlimited simultaneous connections. Private Internet Access is a great choice if you want a set-and-forget, affordable VPN able to support and protect as many devices as you like.
Proton VPN
A variety of add-on features and the comfort of open source security.
