Here are the best VPN deals available today along with a guide on how these virtual private networks work and why you need one.
Almost everything we do today is internet-connected in some way, so it’s only natural that online privacy and security might be on your mind. Our social lives, financial accounts, work, classes, and even home appliances are increasingly dependent on the internet, which offers us many conveniences we couldn’t imagine just a decade ago — as well as new dangers to be aware of. The easiest way to protect you and your family from online threats (and even minor annoyances like geography-based streaming restrictions) is with a virtual private network, or VPN, which encrypts and reroutes your connection through remote servers. You don’t have to pay out the nose to sign up for one of the best VPN services, either, and to prove it, we’ve rounded up the best VPN deals available right now from our favorite providers.
Why sign up
Surfshark is a top-rated virtual private network that operates more than 3,000 servers in 60-plus countries around the world. The Surfshark software is a bit bare-bones, but the VPN itself is very effective. The no-frills interface is actually a plus if you value simplicity and ease of use, and if you also want a good value, then Surfshark is a great pick and happens to be the cheapest VPN deal on our roundup if you opt for the two-year plan.
Although it’s simple, Surfshark still has it where it counts. It offers multiple encryption protocols (including OpenVPN UDP or TCP, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard) and performs very well with good data speeds, something we confirmed in our hands-on tests. It’s compatible with pretty much all common devices and software ecosystems — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, smart TVs — and as a nice bonus, your subscription lets you cover as many devices and users as you want. If the price alone didn’t make Surfshark a great VPN deal, then the lack of user limits makes it a downright steal.
It’s not the fastest for things like streaming and online gaming, although it still works quite well for that. Surfshark punches well above its weight and is one of the best VPN deals up for grabs right now. There’s also a seven-day VPN free trial available for Android, iOS, and MacOS if you want to give it a spin first with no commitment.
Why sign up
You’ve likely heard of NordVPN, and that popularity is well-deserved. It’s arguably the best VPN as well as one of the best VPN deals available right now. It uses some of the toughest encryption protocols (such as IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and NordLynx) across its 5,000-plus worldwide servers, and it works great with pretty much all computer and mobile operating systems as well as streaming devices. It’s fast, too, and is easily one of the best Netflix VPN services if streaming speeds are a concern.
NordVPN is registered in Panama, a country known for its customer privacy laws, and delivers great connection speeds in all of our tests. It’s been one of our favorites for years, and continues to improve by adding more device compatibility and expanding its app ecosystem. You can even install it on a VPN router, which will route all your internet traffic through NordVPN without having to install and use the app on each individual device. This also allows you to bypass the six-user limit.
Another great feature of NordVPN is split tunneling. With split tunneling, you can choose which traffic goes through the VPN and which stays on the clearnet.
