With so many scams and hackers knocking about, the best VPN apps in 2024 have quickly become the must-have tool to keep you safe online. Don't let the technical name and nature fool you, though. VPN apps are incredibly straightforward, and unblock your favorite shows around the world.
But don't think any old VPN will do the trick. Most promise the world, claiming total anonymity, security, and access to everything everywhere. Honestly, most of these are scams. At TechRadar, we have more than 15 years of experience between us, and spend over 3,000 hours testing VPN services every year—including 28,000 speed tests, 2,200 stream unblocking tests and hundreds of VPN review updates.
If you're looking for the top VPN services on the market, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark lead the way. But each offers different experiences, pricing, and features. Let's take a look at how their security, unblocking performance, speeds, ease of use, and pricing compare. For in-depth analysis, as well as a look into how I test VPNs, what you should consider when buying one, and the most common VPN questions I get asked, keep reading.
The three best VPNs in 2024
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Recent updates
In the biggest shake-up for six years, ExpressVPN was dethroned by NordVPN for first place, as the big-name brand matches its sheer wealth of features with immense quality and customizable pricing options. If you want to see the data yourself, check out my latest VPN test results.
The best VPN services in 2024
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In the biggest shake-up for six years, ExpressVPN was dethroned by NordVPN for first place, as the big-name brand matches its sheer wealth of features with immense quality and customizable pricing options. If you want to see the data yourself, check out my latest VPN test results for more.
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 on the market 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 the best VPN for most use cases, 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 100 locations in 97 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.