What is the best VPN for personal use?

How can a personal VPN protect you?

Here are some ways that a VPN keeps you safe: 

• Encrypts your traffic: a VPN uses encryption protocols to disguise your online traffic, making it unreadable to anyone trying to snoop.
• Hides your IP (Internet Protocol): whatever you do online, your IP address — which contains identifying information, including your location — is left behind. However, after connecting to a VPN server, your real IP address is concealed and replaced by the server’s IP address. 
• Prevents ISP (Internet Service Provider) tracking: Internet Service Providers can see and track your online activities, from the websites you visit to the files you download. It’s not uncommon for this data to be collected and sold to third parties. It then may be used for targeted ads or even elaborate phishing attacks. A VPN helps to shield your online activities from ISP tracking by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address. 

How to choose the best VPN for personal use

The ideal candidate for the best personal VPN should check several vital boxes. Keep your eyes peeled for: 

• Security: AES-256 is the leading industry standard for encryption. A few premium VPN services, including Surfshark, also offer ChaCha20 encryption for the WireGuard protocol. Ideally, your VPN should operate on 100% RAM-only servers, which wipe all data upon reboot. 
• VPN protocols: a VPN protocol is a set of rules that defines how your data moves through the VPN server and onto the internet. Modern VPNs use WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, or their proprietary protocols. Look for a provider that offers these options, as some older VPN protocols, such as PPTP or SSTP, are no longer considered secure.
• Privacy: most trustworthy VPNs have a no-logs policy. However, an independently verified no-logs policy holds far more weight since it ensures that your provider stays true to its word and doesn’t track, store, or profit from your data. 
• Server count: both the number and locations of a VPN’s server infrastructure matter. With a larger server count, you’re more likely to avoid server overcrowding, making you less likely to suffer from a slow connection. Meanwhile, more server locations increase your chance of finding a server close to you.  
• Simultaneous connections: many users have multiple devices connected to the internet at the same time. So, it’s essential to look for a VPN that lets you secure numerous devices at once. For instance, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
• Additional features: top-rated VPNs often go the extra mile by providing additional features such as a kill switch, obfuscated servers, double VPN, and more. 
• Pricing: the best personal VPN services shouldn’t break the bank. Look for an affordable VPN that fits your budget and still provides excellent value. 

What is the best personal VPN service?

To find the best VPN for personal use, you’ll need to compare market-leading VPN services. Let’s see what they have to offer and how they stack up against Surfshark:

Surfshark vs. NordVPN

Both Surfshark and NordVPN put security first with robust AES-256 encryption, RAM-only servers, and independently audited no-logs policies. They’re also evenly matched in features. Both providers offer features like kill switch, private DNS, obfuscated servers, and double VPN.  

You’ll see a slight difference in their protocols. Surfshark offers WireGuard alongside OpenVPN and IKEv2. While NordVPN switches out WireGuard with its proprietary NordLynx protocol. As for servers, NordVPN has a larger server count, but Surfshark covers more locations worldwide. For a personal VPN, you’ll want to pick the VPN provider with more server options near you, as it will guarantee the best speeds and the smoothest connection. 

Surfshark also stands out in terms of the number of supported simultaneous connections. Despite being cheaper than NordVPN, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections to cover all your devices. In contrast, NordVPN sets its limit to six devices at a time. 

Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN

Surfshark and ExpressVPN offer AES-256 encryption, RAM-only servers, and audited no-logs policies for privacy protection. Their server counts are also neck and neck, with Surfshark’s  3200+ servers in 100+ countries and ExpressVPN’s 3000+ servers across 105 countries. 

However, protocols are where they differ. Surfshark supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, while ExpressVPN uses Lightway instead of WireGuard. The gap widens when we look at the number of supported connections. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections — enough to cover your entire household. Contrastingly, ExpressVPN caps the limit at eight devices.

The most significant distinction lies in their pricing. Surfshark is the cheaper option and offers a range of additional features. Conversely, ExpressVPN has a higher price point, yet you’d lack features like double VPN.

Surfshark vs. CyberGhost

Surfshark and CyberGhost cover the bases with top-tier AES-256 encryption, RAM-only servers, and audited no-logs policies. The two also support OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols. 

However, each VPN provider has its unique appeal. CyberGhost’s massive server count minimizes the risk of overcrowding, making it a good option for speed-conscious users. Plus, for those seeking a budget-friendly VPN, CyberGhost is marginally easier on the wallet. 

That said, Surfshark’s slightly higher price has its value — it comes with additional features not offered by CyberGhost. Obfuscated servers and double VPN are just two of them. Moreover, users with multiple devices will also appreciate Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections, a sizable advantage over CyberGhost’s limit of seven.

Surfshark vs. PIA

The Surfshark vs. PIA comparison is similar to what we saw with CyberGhost. Both VPN providers prioritize security — protecting with 256-AES encryption, RAM-only servers, and audited no-logs policies. Both also allow unlimited simultaneous connections to secure all your household devices. 

As to where they differ, the first clear contrast is that PIA offers AES-128 in addition to AES-256 for encryption. While having more options is always good, it’s also worth noting that AES-256 provides greater security. 

Each VPN provider has its own strengths when it comes to servers. PIA offers more servers than most VPN providers on the market. However, Surfshark covers more ground when it comes to locations. As for pricing, PIA is a tad bit cheaper. Surfshark, on the other hand, justifies its value by providing ample features. 

Surfshark vs. IPVanish

Surfshark and IPVanish are both solid options for personal VPN use. Their plans include industry-leading AES-256 encryption, verified no-logs policies, and helpful features like obfuscation. Plus, unlimited simultaneous connections are also included to sweeten the deal.  

However, they’re far from identical and have distinct characteristics that set them apart. For instance, Surfshark has transitioned to 100% RAM-only servers for enhanced privacy. Meanwhile, IPVanish is still yet to make the move.  

The duo’s server counts and locations underscore their contrasts, too. While Surfshark has a larger server count and broader global coverage, IPVanish has more servers concentrated in the Americas. Depending on your location, this distinction could be a deciding factor when you’re weighing between Surfshark and IPVanish. 

When it comes to pricing, Surfshark is the more affordable option.

Surfshark vs. ProtonVPN

While both Surfshark and ProtonVPN are reputable premium VPN options, there are some areas where ProtonVPN lags slightly behind. First off, Surfshark was one of the first VPNs to transition to 100% RAM-only servers. Meanwhile, ProtonVPN has yet to adopt this technology.

As for servers, ProtonVPN offers more overall, but Surfshark covers more countries. And their differences in this aspect extend beyond mere numbers. 

With Surfshark, you get unrestricted access to all of its 3200+ servers. With ProtonVPN, your server access depends on your plan. VPN Plus plan subscribers can access all of the servers, while VPN Free plan users are limited to specific servers in the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, and the United States. 

It’s important to consider the duo’s limits for simultaneous connections if you share a VPN account with your household members or switch between multiple devices. With Surfshark, you can seamlessly secure numerous devices at a time since it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. As for ProtonVPN, it allows up to 10 connections, which is still quite generous. 

Surfshark vs. Mullvad

With a laser focus on privacy, both Surfshark and Mullvad offer AES-256 encryption and RAM-only servers. However, these are the only similarities the two VPN providers share.

Surfshark offers three protocol options: WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Meanwhile, Mullvad doesn’t offer the IKEv2 option but still includes WireGuard and OpenVPN. 

While Mullvad and Surfshark both have a no-logs policy, only Surfshark’s no-logs policy has been audited by an independent auditor — the Big Four firm Deloitte. 

Server-wise, Surfshark has 3200+ servers across 100+ countries, whereas Mullvad has a much smaller server infrastructure with 600+ servers in 40+ countries. 

When it comes to pricing, Surfshark is the cheaper VPN of the two. In contrast, Mullvad is pricier but allows cash payments — a boon if you prefer to purchase your VPN anonymously.  

So, what’s the best VPN for personal use?

Choosing the best personal VPN is a very, well, personal decision. Ultimately, it all boils down to your specific priorities, requirements, and preferences. Just remember that a VPN is, first and foremost, an online security tool. So make sure your choice has secure encryption, modern protocols, and additional features for your security.

FAQ

Are personal VPNs worth it?

Yes, personal VPNs are worth it. They provide an essential layer of security and privacy by encrypting your online traffic, masking your IP address, and shielding your data from tracking. 

What’s the difference between a VPN and a personal VPN?

While VPN and personal VPN are often used interchangeably, VPN is the umbrella term for the technology. It covers personal VPNs as well as VPNs for businesses, remote access, and site-to-site VPNs. 

A personal VPN is meant for individual users to encrypt internet traffic and conceal their IP addresses.

What is the best free personal VPN?

There’s no best free personal VPN. Free VPN services typically struggle to provide quality protection due to their limitations. These include subpar security, data caps, and limited server selections. Even worse, many free VPN providers compromise privacy and security by selling user data to finance their services.  

What is the best personal VPN for Windows?

The best personal VPN for Windows depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, a VPN for Windows should offer a range of security features, AES-256 encryption, RAM-only servers, and a no-logs policy. It’s also important to consider a selection of servers, the number of simultaneous connections, and whether the Windows app is user-friendly.