A good VPN will improve your online privacy, give you access to streaming content that's blocked in your country, and won't slow you down in the process. In this guide I've rounded up the 10 best VPN services for most people, all of which are super secure and easy to use.
At TechRadar, our experts have spent over 3,000 hours testing more than 100 VPNs—including 28,000 speed tests and 2,800 streaming tests. I've used all this information, alongside my own extensive research, to pull together this ranked list of the very best VPNs.
The most important thing to consider when choosing a VPN is the privacy protection it offers, and I trust every one of the providers here to keep you safe when you're browsing online. Meanwhile, if you're into TV and movies, a VPN that can unblock extra content on Netflix, Disney+, and regional TV sites is a must. If you pay for ultrafast Wi-Fi, making sure your VPN is as fast as possible is a priority.
I've highlighted which VPNs are best for which activity in the guide below so you can quickly find what you're looking for. But, if you're in a rush, here are the three very best VPNs I've tested.
The best VPNs in 2024: my top three
Recent updates
The biggest recent change to this guide was NordVPN taking the #1 spot away from ExpressVPN. While ExpressVPN is still great, NordVPN's ever-growing feature list and bargain pricing mean it's quite simply a better deal for most people. If you want to see the data yourself, check out my latest VPN test results. I've also simplified the page overall to make it easier for you to find the information you're looking for.
The best VPN services in 2024
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The best VPN overall
✔️ You want an all-in-one security suite: NordVPN offers everything from malware protection and ad blocking to cyber insurance for identity theft and fraud.
✔️ You want a Netflix VPN: with consistently perfect scores in our streaming tests, NordVPN's Meshnet feature means you can get around household detection and watch your favorite shows abroad.
✔️ You want a blend of quality and cost: NordVPN offers plenty of features, amazing speeds, and additional security tools, all at a mid-range cost.
❌ You want lots of granular control: NordVPN's apps require a few extra clicks on hamburger menus here and there for manual configurations. Good for beginners, but an inconvenience if you want a specific and nuanced setup.
❌ You want servers everywhere: with 140 locations available, you get a lot of options, but not as many as ExpressVPN.
🔒 NordVPN strikes the perfect balance between security, usability, performance, and unblocking capability, all while offering exceptional customization. Try for yourself and see why it's the best VPN in 2024 with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth NordVPN review for a closer look at the top VPN in all its glory.
NordVPN tops my chart as the best VPN in 2024 thanks to its perfect blend of high-quality features, easy-to-use apps, reliable performance, and exceptional prices. Take advantage of one of the best streaming VPNs, and see for yourself why it's my go-to pick right now.
With automated connections and simplified user interfaces, you simply pick where you want to connect to, and NordVPN instantly finds the best connection for you—meaning you don't have to manually configure your servers. On top of that, NordVPN also offers its NordPass password manager, data breach scanner, and NordLocker secure cloud storage to users on the Complete plan.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
With NordVPN's Meshnet feature, you can create secure private networks in your own home and protect as many as 60 devices at any one time. This makes it perfect for getting around household detection when you want to share your passwords. NordVPN even offers free Meshnet for all users—most companies would charge a premium on top of the regular subscription fees for a service like that.
The apps are designed to be simple and to deter people from accidentally misconfiguring their VPN setup. One of my favorite features is NordVPN's split tunneling suggestions. When the service knows an app won't play nicely with the VPN, it'll give you the option to split tunnel it and let it run outside of the VPN connection.
For example, on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra) it recommended adding Android Auto to split tunneling because it can block your phone from connecting to your car if it detects a VPN connection. Putting aside my grievances with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for not accepting the need for a VPN, this is a helpful tool that makes using a VPN easier and better for everyone.
With customizable pricing plans, you only pay for what you want to use, meaning NordVPN is an amazing option for people who want an all-in-one security solution to cut the cost of their current subscriptions. Even if you're just after a Netflix VPN that goes the extra mile to keep your device secure, NordVPN is an excellent value-for-money option that doesn't skimp on quality or functionality.
Click to show technical analysis of NordVPN ↓
Servers, connections, and apps: NordVPN is more generous than ExpressVPN when it comes to server count, with over 6100 servers to choose from. Admittedly, they don't cover as many countries, but NordVPN has coverage in all of the most popular regions. What's more, you'll get 10 simultaneous connections to play with, though it's worth remembering that Surfshark and IPVanish don't impose any connection limits at all.
A capable set of apps covers you for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chromebooks, and Android TV, amongst others (and the Windows app recently added a handy "raise ticket" screen). Welcome extras also include browser extensions for Edge, Chrome, and Firefox. Plus, the ability to set up NordVPN on compatible routers means that you can use the service with just about any device you happen to own. But that's not all, NordVPN just launched a link checker tool as another way to keep you safe from scams. In a meeting with Nord's founder, he told me that Nord's proactive methods had already helped to remove over 40 fake websites.
Security and privacy: NordVPN has had an impeccable standard over the past few years—no doubt a show of force in response to Nord's security breach in 2018. If nothing else, the breach was a powerful reminder for the entire industry not to goad hackers, and NordVPN has since added layer after layer of privacy-protecting features and technologies to its service. You don't have to take NordVPN's word on it, though, because it now brings in PricewaterhouseCoopers annually to carry out a thorough independent audit of NordVPN's no-logging policy.
Nord owns and manages many of its servers, for instance, ensuring others can't access them. Its apps use only the most secure protocols, with strong AES-256 encryption for reliable protection. Plus, they're crammed with high-end privacy features: double VPN (known as multi-hop elsewhere) routes your traffic through two servers for extra anonymity, secure DNS further shields your browsing, a reliable kill switch protects you even if the VPN fails, and Nord still can scan downloads for malware with its preventative Threat Protection feature.
Performance: NordVPN cooked up its own custom version of WireGuard, called NordLynx, and the results are pretty impressive. I recorded speeds of over 950 Mbps during my most recent round of testing—which actually maxed out my line. So, as you'd expect, NordVPN now claims the title of fastest VPN. This is consistent with what we saw in previous tests, but shows a clear and consistent improvement to the service (and a need for us to test this with 10 Gb lines).
Usability: you don't reach number one in our charts by making major usability mistakes, and for the most part, NordVPN is a doozy to set up and operate. However, we noticed some small areas where the apps weren't quite as polished as the competition. There are several instances where options and submenus feel hidden. Things often take an extra click more than they should, and it's a less seamless experience than we see with ExpressVPN and Surfshark.
Streaming: NordVPN is fantastic for unblocking streaming services and currently tops our charts for the best VPN for Netflix. As well as Amazon Prime Video, you can use it to unblock YouTube, stream Disney Plus, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, C4, 9Now, and more.
Features: We've noted some of NordVPN's security features already, but other benefits include strong DNS leak protection, two ultra-reliable kill switches (system-wide and application-specific), and even dedicated TOR and double-VPN servers for increased anonymity.
Customer support: NordVPN rarely causes us any serious technical troubles, but if you do run into problems, there are plenty of in-depth tutorials and troubleshooting articles (many are available in multiple languages, sometimes eight or more). Plus, there's always the intelligent chatbot and helpful, experienced live chat support on hand 24/7 in case of real emergencies.
Price: NordVPN's monthly billed plans are a little more expensive than some, but the annual offering is good value for what you're getting. If you're keen on signing up, though, the two-year plan beats most providers for the first term. If you want to give the service a whirl before you commit, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. There's even the option to pay in crypto, if you so wish.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Apps have a novelty that provides a more visually entertaining user experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Good for new users, but more work is needed to make it easier to set up advanced configurations | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest VPNs on the market, maxing out my testing line | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocked everything we threw at it, every time we tried | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | A privacy-first approach that's supported with clear investment in improving the security of its apps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Friendly, supportive and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fantastic value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN for beginners
✔️ You want a VPN that you can set and forget: ExpressVPN's auto-connect feature means that you connect once, and you're always protected.
✔️ You're wanting to access content everywhere: with over 160 locations around the world to choose from, you'll be able to access local content no matter where you are.
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust with your life: between ExpressVPN's regular audits and no-logs policy, you can be certain your information is safe from oppressive regimes.
❌ You're on a strict budget: in a cost-of-living crisis, ExpressVPN is an expensive choice. If you can't afford its prices, we'd recommend looking towards NordVPN or Surfshark.
❌ You need a full security suite: ExpressVPN prides itself on being one of the best VPNs, and that's where it focuses its attention. If you need an all-in-one solution with built-in antivirus capabilities, Express may not be the right pick for you.
🔒 ExpressVPN strikes the perfect balance between security, usability, performance, and unblocking capability, all while offering a simple and easy-to-use app. Try for yourself and see why it's one of my favorite picks with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth ExpressVPN review for a closer look at the service, and see why it's our top VPN for beginners.
ExpressVPN previously topped my list as the best VPN because of the way it automates all of those complicated configurations that most other apps would have you do manually. However, its high price point, limited toolkit, and a recent DNS leak (now fixed) meant that NordVPN was able to dethrone them after six years in first place.
Everything is laid out in a simple and clear design that makes it great for beginners. With one-click connect, you just tap the power button and you're instantly protected. ExpressVPN also shows suggested servers for the fastest connection, as well as your recent connection history and amount of time protected.
► Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you're looking to access content abroad, ExpressVPN's server library is enormous. With 160 locations across 94 countries, that's more than almost any other provider. Whether you're wanting to watch the latest series on HBO Max or stream your favorite shows on BBC iPlayer, ExpressVPN has plenty of servers in the US and UK.
ExpressVPN is always there to offer support—with teams available 24/7. In my personal testing, I found ExpressVPN had issues split tunneling Android Auto in my car, which meant it occasionally wouldn't work. After relaying this information to ExpressVPN, the devs pushed out a new update, almost immediately, to fix the issue and ensure Android Auto was detectable in the split tunneling list.
ExpressVPN offers some amazing speeds, but it does have its drawbacks. Unfortunately, it's not as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark, which both maxed out our tests. However, the speeds it does offer (410 Mbps) are still over 15 times what you'd need for streaming in 4K ultra-high-definition and gaming online. If you just want an app you can set and forget, ExpressVPN is perfect. Plus, it comes with a built-in password manager and Threat Manager to keep your security simple.
Be sure to set up the auto-connect and kill switch functions if you want to make sure your device and data are protected at all times. This means that even if your VPN connection is interrupted, your data will still be protected, and you won't accidentally reveal what you were doing online. I use it on my phone so I know I'm always protected when I'm out and about.
For the everyday user, ExpressVPN will go above and beyond your needs to protect your device and data. It's excellent in all situations, and focuses on providing a service that people can trust with their lives—and many of its users do. With so many high-quality security features, ExpressVPN gives genuine peace of mind while you're using the internet.
Click to show technical analysis of ExpressVPN ↓
Servers, connections, and apps: ExpressVPN offers over 3,200 servers, which isn't as many as NordVPN (over 6,100) or Private Internet Access (over 20,000), but they're spread across a vast 160 locations over 94 countries—compared to NordVPN's server network across 110 countries, and Surfshark's 141 locations in 100 countries. That's a pretty fantastic array of options to choose from, so you'll always be able to access content wherever you want it.
ExpressVPN only supports Linux through a command-line interface (CLI). If you need a GUI, Private Internet Access and Surfshark offer better ease of use.
ExpressVPN supports Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, alongside routers, Amazon Fire Sticks, Apple TV, and more. Plus, its site has straightforward setup guides for just about everything.
ExpressVPN subscriptions only support eight simultaneous connections, which is lower than most other leading providers offer. Surfshark and IPVanish go the whole hog with unlimited connections. However, eight is likely enough for most users, and our own simultaneous VPN connection survey data showed only 1 in 10 VPN users use more than 5 connections at the same time.
Security and privacy: from tight control over its server setup to military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable services out there. It even created a proprietary and (uniquely among VPN providers) open-source Lightway protocol, to offer users a faster, more secure VPN experience.
ExpressVPN's Network Lock kill switch held up to our stress tests, meaning you can trust it with your life—it's not going to accidentally leak your data. Couple that with its clear privacy policy, and wealth of regular, detailed third-party privacy and security audits, show that ExpressVPN's comprehensive approach betters most of the competition with a dedication to privacy and quality of construction that few genuinely offer.
Cure53 audited ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol and confirmed its security for the second time in a row. If you're wondering whether you should use Express' proprietary protocol, the answer is "yes." It's a faster, more secure alternative to traditional OpenVPN encryption—a protocol that's over 20 years old.
Usability: where ExpressVPN really shines for me, is its simple user interface. With a one-click connection feature, you're protected instantly. You can even set the app up to auto-connect when your device turns on, and customize your encryption to suit your needs better, be it torrenting, streaming shows from abroad, or gaming online.
Most top apps have at least some minor irritations—an unsorted list here, wasting time with an extra click there—but ExpressVPN developers prefer to work smarter, not harder. This means simplifying tasks and making your VPN experience smoother and more straightforward.
If a premium, reliable service isn't enough, get 3 months extra for free on a 12-month plan and get 1 year of unlimited cloud storage from Backblaze, a password manager, and Threat Manager when you sign up today.
Performance: ExpressVPN's speed saw a drop in our latest tests, coming in at 410 Mbps with Lightway, and 210 Mbps with OpenVPN. For context, 25 Mbps is enough to stream shows at 4K Ultra HD, so this is more than enough for most people.
It's worth noting that this result is down significantly from our previous test (750 Mbps for WireGuard and 250 Mbps for OpenVPN). While Surfshark is currently our fastest VPN with speeds averaging over 950 Mbps, ExpressVPN still scores highly and would be more than enough for the most data-intensive tasks.
Streaming: this is yet another area where ExpressVPN excels, as in our latest tests the service unblocked Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer library in every region we tested.
Features: ExpressVPN goes above and beyond with cutting-edge VPN encryption protocols, a kill switch (called Network Lock), split tunneling, and more—all of which we found to work admirably. It also expanded to hardware with the Aircove router. All of these features together give you a robust service that adapts to meet your needs—without compromising on security or privacy.
There are some unusual but helpful touches, such as a configurable toolbar that launches your favorite apps or websites from the ExpressVPN app (no more fumbling around with your browser or the Windows Start menu). There's almost always something shiny and new to add to the list on every review, including Threat Manager, where you'll be able to put a stop to invasive (and downright irritating) ads speed up your browsing sessions, and block adult sites, giving you more control over how your kids navigate the web.
Customer support: available 24/7, ExpressVPN's live chat is always there if you have a question or an issue and want a human response. I found replies to my queries to be speedy, with knowledgeable agents generally doing an excellent job of answering our questions like what servers are best to use for different streaming services.
Smart website organization ensures it's easy to find what you need, and the support site is also crammed with clear and detailed articles, covering just about every topic you can think of. The articles include genuinely useful information, in clear and simple terms. For instance, instead of saying "Try another protocol" to get better speeds, it lists all possible protocols in the best-performing order—telling you exactly what you need to know.
Price: ExpressVPN is more expensive than leading competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark. However, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can still give it a try and get your money back, risk-free to see how it compares to the competition. Put it to the test, and see for yourself why it's one of my go-to picks for a VPN.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Elegant and simple, there's no clutter and everything has its place | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | An automated one-click connect means you get the safest, fastest protection possible—without having to configure it yourself | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fast enough for streaming, online gaming, and torrenting, with a big focus on low-latency bandwidth | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Consistently unblocks every site and region we test | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | ExpressVPN's teams are constantly improving the industry, but a recent DNS leak (now fixed) caused a stir | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Always available, friendly, and helpful | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | An expensive option, but if you want something you can stake your life on, it's worth every penny | ⭐⭐ |
The best cheap VPN service
✔️ You want the best budget VPN: Surfshark is the perfect blend of cheap and cheerful, with lots of features, unbelievable speeds, and a reliable network—all at a low price.
✔️ You need a fast VPN: currently topping our charts with over 950 Mbps average speeds, Surfshark isn't just fast, it's faster than all of our top picks.
✔️ You want a cheap security suite: much like NordVPN, Surfshark comes with an array of internet security tools to keep you safe.
❌ You need a bulletproof kill switch: our testing showed some issues with Surfshark's kill switch. If an accidental IP leak could put you in danger, we'd recommend ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
❌ You need even more server locations: If 143 locations still isn't enough for you, you're better off with ExpressVPN.
🔒 Surfshark is an exceptional value-for-money VPN. With unparalleled speeds and unlimited simultaneous connections, you get a lot of VPN for a low price. Try for yourself and see why it's our favorite cheap VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth Surfshark VPN review and see why the fastest VPN is also our #1 budget pick.
Surfshark isn't just the best cheap VPN, it's a whole security suite. With built-in ad-blocking, antivirus, tracker-free web browsing, and even a data breach notifier built in, it's premium protection without the price.
Surfshark recently launched its latest innovation, Incogni: a service that automatically requests the deletion of personal data stored by data brokers. I love this tool because it finally gives us the tools to reclaim our digital privacy from invasive data-tracking practices and companies.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
With unlimited simultaneous connections, you can protect every device you own on a single subscription, as well as every device your friends and family own, too. Admittedly, we've not tried to test how many devices we could install Surfshark on, but that's because it would require everyone at TechRadar to spend all of their time installing the software until Surfshark asked us to stop—and that would take far too much time to do.
If you're one of the many Linux users looking to shore up their privacy with a VPN, you'll be glad to know that Surfshark has a dedicated Linux GUI for some of the most common distros. It's one of the few leading VPNs that offer more than the standard command-line interface for Linux, and it shows the genuine love and care the service has for its users.
Where Surfshark falls short, however, is its torrenting and unblocking capabilities. Once marketing itself as the VPN for streaming, it struggles to compete against the likes of NordVPN in recent tests. That said, it's not incapable. We were able to reliably unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and more in our latest round of tests.
Because of this amazing blend of capability, features, and immense speed, it's no surprise that Surfshark tops our charts for the best cheap VPN and the fastest VPN. It's the perfect pick for anyone looking to protect the devices of everyone they know.
Click to show technical analysis of Surfshark ↓
Servers, connections, and apps: Surfshark's network has 3,200 servers, not quite as many as some, but with 100 countries, there's an excellent chance it covers the regions you need. A wide range of apps enables accessing the network from Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices, along with Amazon Fire and other smart TVs. And unlike most of the competition, there's no need to keep track of the hardware you've got connected at any one time because Surfshark doesn't have any connection or device limits.
Security and privacy: Surfshark's apps more than cover the VPN privacy basics: secure protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN), strong encryption, and a kill switch to prevent exposing your traffic if the VPN drops. But that's just the start. The service also uses private DNS to shield your browsing activities, and Multi-Hop VPN to make it even more difficult for others to track you, while ad, tracker, and malware-blocking keep other privacy-busting dangers at bay.
Performance: Surfshark continues to offer fantastic speeds, with WireGuard-powered downloads hitting over 950 Mbps consistently in our tests. OpenVPN got a huge boost and soared in at 640 Mbps. That probably won't be an issue if you're accessing Surfshark from the standard apps (you'll just set them to use WireGuard), but it might affect you if you're installing Surfshark on a router.
Usability: Surfshark's desktop apps look a little more complex than the competition, with tabs, sidebars, and buttons to explore. But that's no real surprise when they have so many features, and with one or two small usability exceptions, they're simple enough to operate. Things are much simpler on mobile, and there are plenty of great tools for Android users, too.
What's more, some of Surfshark's features can do a lot to make your life easier. If you only need to use a VPN for browsing, streaming, or maybe P2P, set that up in Surfshark's Bypasser and everything else will use your regular connection—simple.
Streaming: If you're tired of streaming services preventing you from accessing overseas content, Surfshark can help. It immediately got us into US, UK, Australian, Japanese, and Canadian Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, C4, 9Now, and BBC iPlayer.
Customer support: If you need help setting up Surfshark, or if it's not quite as you expected, the support site is on hand to help. It doesn't quite have the depth we see from the two above providers, but the articles you do get are hugely detailed. Open an installation guide with some VPNs, and you'll get little more than "go to this app store link and install it as usual." Do that at Surfshark, and you'll get screenshots for every single installation step, detailed guidance on using all the app's main features, links to other relevant articles, and even a video tutorial if you'd prefer.
Or, if that sounds too much like hard work, you could just open a live chat session. We're usually talking to an agent in a minute or two, and most of our test questions had helpful and accurate replies right away.
Price: While Surfshark's monthly billed plan isn't as cheap as some others, sign up for the two-year deal and the effective monthly cost comes in under $2.50—that's spectacular value for what you're getting in total here.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A simple app with a clear layout | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | A comfortable middle-ground between NordVPN and ExpressVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest providers around | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Another full house—Surfshark keeps getting perfect scores in our unblocking tests | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | A much-improved antivirus tool, but the Windows kill switch can fail under very extreme circumstances | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Support site has come a long way | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | So much for so little—no one else can match the value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN for Linux
✔️ You want a VPN that's proven its claims: PIA is one of the only VPN services that can say it's proven its no-logs policy in court—not once, but twice.
✔️ You need a dedicated Linux GUI: with apps for the most popular distros and over 10 years in the industry, it's a long-standing favorite in the Linux community.
✔️ You need a customizable torrenting VPN: port-forwarding and a mountain of torrent-friendly servers make PIA an excellent pick for P2P file sharing.
❌ You want the easiest VPN to use: PIA's technical prowess is both a blessing and a curse, and its orientation towards technical users means that it isn't the easiest for absolute beginners.
❌ You want a built-in password manager: unlike ExpressVPN and NordVPN, PIA doesn't offer a password manager for users.
❌ You want the fastest VPN: PIA offers good speeds for torrenting and is comparable to ExpressVPN, but it is nowhere near the speeds on offer with NordVPN and Surfshark.
🔒 Private Internet Access is an industry veteran, and a long-standing favorite of privacy purists like myself. Put it to the test with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth Private Internet Access VPN review and see why this low-cost option is also great for Linux.
Private Internet Access has over a decade of experience in the industry and has outlasted the majority of its competition for one simple reason: it does exactly what it says on the tin. While most leading services will commission regular third-party audits, PIA goes a step further and makes its software open-source so anyone in the world can view, audit, and verify its privacy claims.
If that's not enough, PIA is perhaps the only VPN that has proven its no-logs claims in court, twice. When American authorities presented a warrant for information, PIA gave them absolutely nothing, because there was nothing to give in the first place. If you need a VPN that will genuinely protect your digital privacy, nothing gives peace of mind like having your policies proven true.
▶ Try Private Internet Access on unlimited devices.
My favorite feature is the utterly enormous network on offer. There are tens of thousands of servers to connect to—giving you plenty of opportunities to access content in the country you want. Dedicated streaming servers make it easier to unblock your favorite shows around the world, and with more IPs on offer than any other pick on our list.
All subscriptions come with a free email breach scanner and Boxcryptor license to encrypt and secure your cloud storage. Both of these come as standard with all PIA subscriptions, and when you factor in that most competitors would charge extra for those same features, its value for money increases exponentially.
The mobile and tablet apps are easy enough to use and are absolutely rammed with features and security tools, but the desktop apps are better suited to more technical users. As such, it generally lacks that intuitive feel and attention to detail that comes with ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. Plus, PIA is one of the few Linux VPN services with a GUI (visual app), rather than a simple command-line interface like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
While it definitely suits advanced users best, PIA has an absolutely impeccable record and comes with built-in threat protection and ad-blocking functionality. It's easy to see why privacy purists are so fond of the service.
Click to show technical analysis of Private Internet Access ↓
Servers, connections, and apps: PIA more than delivers on the network basics, with tens of thousands of servers distributed across 84 countries. Platform support is more standard (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux), but the Chrome extension stands out for its cookie-blocking and other bonus privacy tools. Whatever you're using, unlimited simultaneous connections also means you can protect every device you own.
Security and privacy: PIA preserves your privacy by using the highly secure OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, while its MACE feature keeps ads, trackers, and malware at bay. In our testing, it blocked 96% of trackers, 65% of malware, and 81% of ads. The company has open-sourced its apps, too, allowing anyone interested to check the code and confirm it works as advertised.
I love that PIA is open-source, but it feels a bit half-hearted now. There appears to have been no significant app updates in more than a year, and the last update we observed doesn't have its source available because it only had "minor changes". This is something I'll be keeping a close eye on, and pointing out to PIA in my next conversation with its engineers.
Performance: speeds continue to plague PIA, with WireGuard speeds maxing out around 330 Mbps in our latest tests. This is still fast enough for most uses, like streaming, torrenting, or gaming online, but it's still worth noting that this is a fairly average speed nowadays.
Usability: PIA's apps have a huge number of features, and the mass of panels can look cluttered and be very overwhelming to some users. But unusually, you can configure them to highlight your favorite features and hide everything else you don't care about. It's the best of all worlds: experts get the power they need, while anyone looking for simplicity can cut the app down to little more than a simple connect button.
Streaming: PIA was one of the few services that unblocked every service in every region we tested. With dedicated streaming servers, it's incredibly easy to watch your favorite shows, anywhere in the world.
Customer support: PIA has a great support site, and if you can't find an answer to your questions, you're now able to immediately ask a member of the support team via live chat. In our experience, friendly and knowledgeable agents respond within a minute or two, pay close attention to the question, and have the knowledge and experience to diagnose tricky problems and deliver accurate and insightful advice.
Price: While the monthly plan has jumped up a few dollars, PIA is one of the cheapest premium VPNs on the market. Plus, these aren't headline prices that double on renewal, either—they're just great value.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lots of customization, but could do with some decluttering | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not the best for beginners, but great for advanced users | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Good speeds, but generally average compared to industry leaders | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Dedicated streaming servers and an enormous global network help you unblock anything and everything | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | The latest and greatest in VPN tech, and a proven no-logging policy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | A mass of knowledge online and expert support on-hand at all times | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Budget-friendly and offering plenty of features that would normally cost you twice as much | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Other VPNs I've tested and recommend
Between myself and the team, we've conducted hundreds of VPN reviews over the years—so many that I've frankly lost count. Here are six more VPN providers that may not be the best overall, but they're excellent alternatives that I would still recommend.
✔️ You need a free Linux VPN: Few VPNs offer serious Linux support, and Proton VPN is the only service to offer a GUI for freemium Linux users.
✔️ You want a totally unlimited free VPN: if you need lots of data every month, ProtonVPN doesn't limit your monthly usage.
❌ You need a fast VPN: Windows connection speeds were a bit slow in our testing, so we'd recommend NordVPN or Surfshark if speed is a deal-breaker for you.
❌ You want lots of locations to choose from: while Proton VPN has improved greatly, it still offers a limited range of locations and countries to choose from—especially on its free plan.
🔒 Proton VPN is a well-known brand and a popular free Linux VPN that even offers protection for hackers on Kali.
Check out our in-depth Proton VPN review and find out how it keeps up the fight for internet freedom.
Proton VPN is a big-name brand that regularly advocates for digital privacy rights around the world. With servers in 95 locations around the world, you can access your favorite streams with dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Android TV, and Chromebook.
Trust is important when you're choosing a VPN provider, and Proton VPN does more than most to reassure you that your privacy is safe in its hands. You can pay anonymously via Bitcoin, even cash. Proton VPN's apps are open-source, allowing anyone to inspect the code, and they've been independently audited, too.
▶ Try Proton VPN's unlimited free plan.
Technical privacy and security features start with strong encryption and Proton is investing in WireGuard so much that it's sunsetting OpenVPN and IKEv2 support on Mac. If you want to increase your anonymity, MultiHop VPN passes your traffic through several VPN server, and a rock-solid kill switch keeps your identity safe if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
Our test results saw Proton VPN peak at an average of over 950 Mbps for WireGuard—maxing out my testing line— and a well above average of 400 Mbps for OpenVPN traffic.
Proton VPN's support site still has some overly complicated articles, and although the company has added live chat, agents aren't always available. When you do get ahold of someone, though, we've found them to offer top-notch advice, and email questions usually get helpful replies within a few hours.
Proton VPN may focus on its privacy-protecting abilities, but it also knows how to have fun. Our latest tests allowed us hassle-free access to content from US, UK, Aussie, and Canadian Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer. Unlike PrivadoVPN, Proton VPN doesn't offer the same unblocking reliability to both premium and free users, and Proton VPN's free servers couldn't unblock a single streaming service.
With Proton's calendar, password manager, secure email, and cloud storage tools you can create a whole security suite for yourself at a fraction of the cost of the competition. Many of Proton's apps have free versions for you to use, too.
Continuing its efforts to combat censorship around the world, Proton launched the VPN Observatory to monitor spikes in VPN usage. The Observatory uses that information to raise the alarm when sudden acts of censorship have taken place around the world.
Proton VPN isn't cheap, but it's open source and superbly transparent, with plenty of features and great unblocking abilities. Plus, a generous ten-device limit—more than the likes of Express or Nord—means it's likely you can connect and use all your devices at the same time.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Dark and edgy, it's good if you want that "hacker" vibe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Simple and clear designs make it good for beginners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Incredibly fast WireGuard speeds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocked everything we threw at it | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Audited and open-source so anyone can verify its claims | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Support articles are helpful and usually have plenty of images | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Expensive compared to Surfshark and PIA, but still reasonable | ⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You need a reliable free service: PrivadoVPN doesn't hide its most important features behind a paywall like ProtonVPN, so you get a reliable service without spending a penny.
✔️ You want to stream Netflix: a dedicated geo-unblocking team means that even free users benefit from reliable US and UK Netflix unblocking.
❌ You want lots of server options: while the free service has 13 locations, it's still incredibly limited, and the same can be said for the premium service compared to the likes of PIA and Surfshark.
❌ You need more than 10 GB of data per month: PrivadoVPN's free service has a data limit on its uncapped server speeds, but after that's used up, you go into "over quota mode" where you're limited to 1 Mbps. If you need unlimited data for free, I recommend Proton VPN.
🔒 PrivadoVPN offers a decent mid-tier premium service, but it offers the best free plan available right now.
Check out our in-depth PrivadoVPN review and see why this free service is so good at unblocking Netflix.
PrivadoVPN is a mid-tier premium VPN with an unbeatable free version. On a premium subscription, you get 10 simultaneous connections, a zero-logs policy, an ad blocker, parental controls, and even threat protection to help keep your devices safe from malware.
When it comes to the free version, some of these features are locked behind the enticing premium paywall. But you still get plenty of customization.
▶ Try PrivadoVPN absolutely free.
Our latest round of testing showed a fantastic 950 Mbps download speed, which is more than enough for streaming in 4K, gaming online, and seamless torrenting. It even handles its own bandwidth and transit routes, so you get fantastic speeds and almost no server congestion—even on free servers.
I spoke with one of PrivadoVPN's representatives about how pleased I was that they offered WireGuard encryption on the free plan, and they responded with "Of course. We wouldn't want to lock something so important behind a paywall." This just goes to show how much they value users, regardless of whether or not they're premium customers.
Its easy-to-use apps allow for plenty of customization. You can utilize one-click connections and a kill switch to make sure you're always protected, even if your VPN connection drops.
PrivadoVPN has a dedicated geoblocking team, that constantly looks to bypass censorship and regional content restrictions. What's more, it doesn't make free users suffer with sub-par servers—making it one of the only free services that can reliably unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime.
PrivadoVPN has yet to verify its privacy credentials with an independent audit. Privado told us that an audit would require months of standstill for development, and that would prevent them from delivering on the needs of their users. Privado plans to pursue an audit as soon as possible, but it needs to make sure it's offering the best service it can at all times. This admittedly feels a little hollow given the app doesn't feel as wholly polished as some of the competition.
I like that PrivadoVPN doesn't give you a reduced priority if you're a free user. If you find yourself stuck, Privado has 24/7 email and live chat support for customers—regardless of what plan they're on. In a cost-of-living crisis, it's refreshing to see a VPN provider go so far with its freemium plan. Digital privacy is a right and one that PrivadoVPN clearly defends.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A simple yet colorful design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |