The best VPN service in 2024 (2024)

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• Top 3 at a glance
• 1. Best VPN overall
• 2. Best for beginners
• 3. Best cheap VPN
• 4. Best Linux VPN
• 5. Honorable mentions
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• Industry rankings
• Speed test results
• How to pick a VPN
• How we test
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Best VPN - quick menu

1. NordVPN

Plenty of security tools, simple apps, and amazing performance

Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (CLI), routers and more | 24/7 support: Yes | Refund period: 30 days | Number of servers: over 6,100 | Server locations: 140 | Countries: 110 | Simultaneous connections: 10

Packed with great features

Reliable Netflix unblocking

One of the fastest VPNs around

Customizable pricing plans

Easy to use

Not great for advanced users

Fewer server locations than ExpressVPN

Subscribe if:

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Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

🔒NordVPNstrikes 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.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth NordVPN review for a closer look at the top VPN in all its glory.

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.

2. ExpressVPN

High-quality, and perfect for anyone new to VPNs

Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Available on: Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Linux (command-line only), Routers, almost everything else | 24/7 support: Yes | Refund period: 30 days | Number of servers: over 3,200 | Server locations: 160 | Countries: 94 | Simultaneous connections: 8

Easy to use for beginners

Apps for almost everything

Fast servers in over 94 countries

Ultra-reliable security features

Expert 24/7 live customer support

An expensive choice

Not as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark

Recent DNS leak (now fixed)

Subscribe if:

Don't subscribe if:

Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

🔒ExpressVPNstrikes 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.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth ExpressVPN review for a closer look at the service, and see why it's our top VPN for beginners.

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 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 ownsimultaneous VPN connection survey datashowed 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-sourceLightway 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 protocoland 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.

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 ourfastest VPNwith 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-edgeVPN 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.

3. Surfshark

The best cheap VPN - amazing speeds and a premium service

Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (GUI), routers and more | 24/7 support: Yes | Refund period: 30 days | Number of servers: over 3,200 | Server locations: 143 | Countries: 100 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited

Incredibly fast

Unblocked everything in our tests

Unlimited connections

Pause VPN feature

Unclear virtual server locations

Windows kill switch is still buggy

No notification if your VPN drops

Subscribe if:

Don't subscribe if:

Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

🔒Surfsharkis 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.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth Surfshark VPN review and see why the fastest VPN is also our #1 budget pick.

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.

4. Private Internet Access (PIA)

The best VPN for Linux with a dedicated GUI for most distros

Streaming sites unblocked: US Netflix, Amazon, Disney Plus, Hulu, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (GUI), routers and more | 24/7 support: Yes | Refund period: 30 days | Number of servers: Over 20,000 | Server locations: Over 100 | Countries: 84 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited

Port-forwarding support

Open-source apps

Lots of features and customization

Dedicated streaming servers

Apps can be difficult for beginners

Below-average WireGuard speeds

Subscribe if:

Don't subscribe if:

Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

🔒Private Internet Accessis 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.

Want to know more?

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.

5. Proton VPN

A VPN that continues to advocate for internet freedom everywhere

Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (GUI), routers and more | 24/7 support: No | Refund period: 30 days - free version available | Number of servers: over 2,900 | Server locations: 85 | Countries: 67 | Simultaneous connections: 10

Open-source apps

Free plan with unlimited bandwidth

Improving speeds and coverage

Lots of free tools

Not the best value for money

Customer support needs improvement

WireGuard Windows connection time is slower than most

Subscribe if:

Don't subscribe if:

Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

🔒Proton VPNis a well-known brand and a popular free Linux VPN that even offers protection for hackers on Kali.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth Proton VPN review and find out how it keeps up the fight for internet freedom.

6. PrivadoVPN

The best free VPN in 2024

Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max | Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Smart TVs | 24/7 support: Website and email | Refund period: 30 days | Number of servers: over 300 | Server locations: 63 | Free locations: 13 | Countries: 48 | Simultaneous connections: 10

Unblocks plenty of streaming services

Excellent features, even on the free version

Fast WireGuard-powered apps

No security audits

Single-month plan is pricey

Fewer servers than Express, Nord and Surfshark

Subscribe if:

Don't subscribe if:

Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔒PrivadoVPNoffers a decent mid-tier premium service, but it's hands-down the best free VPN on the market right now.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth PrivadoVPN review and see why this free service is so good at unblocking Netflix.

7. IPVanish

A speedy VPN with lots of customization

Streaming sites unblocked: US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now | Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (GUI), routers and more | 24/7 support: Yes | Refund period: 30 days | Number of servers: over 2,200 | Server locations: 75 | Countries: 50 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited

Blistering speeds

Independently audited

Unlimited simultaneous connections

Dedicated Linux GUI

Couldn't unblock Disney+ in our latest round of tests

Couldn't unblock Netflix AU or CA in our latest round of tests

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Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔒IPVanishis a budget-friendly provider with plenty of great features and unlimited simultaneous connections. It's come a long way since our last deep-dive.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth IPVanish VPN review to find out more about this popular VPN provider.

8. Windscribe

A popular free VPN with open-source apps

Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Disney, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (CLI), routers and more | 24/7 support: No | Refund period: 3 days - free version available | Number of servers: over 400 | Server locations: 112 | Countries: 69 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited

Unlimited device connections

Crammed with advanced features

10GB a month free plan

Open-source apps

No 24/7 live chat support

No security audit

Subscribe if:

Don't subscribe if:

Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔒Windscribeoffers an amazing free plan, but its premium service struggles to compete with the industry leaders in terms of value.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth Windscribe VPN review to find out more about this popular VPN provider.

9. CyberGhost VPN

A good value VPN with plenty of features

Streaming sites unblocked: US Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (CLI), routers and more | 24/7 support: Yes | Refund period: 45 days | Number of servers: over 9,260 | Server locations: 116 | Countries: 91 | Simultaneous connections: 7

Above-average WireGuard speeds

Can be used on almost anything

45-day money-back guarantee

Audit is hard to access

Annoying device limit scheme

Support site isn't the best

Subscribe if:

Don't subscribe if:

Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔒CyberGhost VPNis a popular choice for beginners with easy-to-use apps and a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth CyberGhost VPN review to find out more about this popular VPN provider.

10. Mullvad

A fast VPN that prioritizes security over streaming

Streaming sites unblocked: None | Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (GUI), routers and more | 24/7 support: No | Refund period: 30 days | Number of servers: over 650 | Server locations: 72 | Countries: 43 | Simultaneous connections: 5

Sign up without handing over any personal information

Super-fast speeds

App and infrastructure audits

Accepts cash payments

Couldn't unblock streaming services in our tests

Apps could use some improvement

Subscribe if:

Don't subscribe if:

Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔒Mullvadis an incredibly reliable service that people can trust with their lives, but if you're hoping to stream shows abroad, I'd recommend looking elsewhere.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth Mullvad VPN review to find out more about this popular VPN provider.

Click to show more ↓

Too much of our internet usage is under-protected. I'm sure you're thinking "But Andreas, almost everything uses HTTPS nowadays" and that's true, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to beat.

Backdoors and encryption cracking are becoming increasingly problematic, and with the development of quantum computing, HTTPS traffic is currently susceptible to a store now, decrypt later (SNDL) attack. This is where someone saves encrypted data, waiting for when quantum computers are capable of decrypting the information—experts believe this could happen in just five years given the current rate of development.

So what does this mean for you? It means that a VPN is the best way to protect yourself online—not just now, but in the future, too!

Click to show more detailed information ↓

Locations: think about where you want to connect from and where you want to connect to. Physically closer servers will give you faster connection speeds, but if you want to access foreign content, you need to make sure the VPN provider has servers in that country. You also need to consider whether those servers are physically located in that country.

Servers that are physically there (often referred to as "bare metal servers") may be slower to connect to, but will more easily unblock the local content. However, virtual servers can be just as effective at unblocking content but may be physically closer to you—enabling better speeds. Knowing whether a server is a physical or virtual instance can help you make a better decision about which provider to pick.

Unblocking capability: if streaming shows and movies is a top priority for you, look for a VPN that unblocks your favorite services like Netflix or Player. Similarly, some services offer dedicated servers for specific tasks, like streaming and torrenting, which make it easier to unblock your favorite content regardless of where you are.

Features: it's an industry standard to offer features like a kill switch and encryption protocol customization, but not all VPNs are created equal, and some features are of higher quality. If you're a journalist or political dissident, having security features that won't accidentally break and leak your data can be the difference between life and death, so always invest in a proven service like the ones noted above.

Similarly, additional tools are becoming popular in the VPN industry as providers look to all-in-one solutions. Services like NordVPN and Surfshark now offer the option to upgrade to a full security suite with antivirus, cloud storage, and data breach tracking included in your subscription.

Torrent users will obviously want P2P support on as many servers as possible, in addition to an independently audited no-logs policy to ensure all your online activities stay private.

Simultaneous connections: most VPN services limit the number of devices you can protect at any one time, and some will even have a download limit for the app. If you have multiple mobile devices, laptops, smart TVs, or other hardware to protect, you will absolutely want to go for a provider that supports more simultaneous connections. Providers like Surfshark, Private Internet Access, and IPVanish offer unlimited simultaneous connections so you can protect every device you own.

Support: One of the best ways to spot a good (or bad) VPN is to check its support site. Look for lots of detailed and well-written content that you feel would help you in whatever tricky situations you may find yourself in. Live chat support is always a welcome sight, as it shows a commitment to helping users as quickly as possible. That said, email support can be surprisingly speedy, with some providers responding in minutes.

Apps: depending on your device, you may be limited in your choice of what provider you can pick. While most services offer apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, very few offer support for Linux, routers, and smart TVs. Even fewer offer a dedicated graphical user interface (a visual app) for Linux, and those that do, only do will mostly offer them for the most common distros like Ubuntu. Be sure to check what the app looks like for your device as well as what setup support is available too.

Price: of course, there's the always cost to consider, too, though we'd suggest concentrating on functionality, first. If price is a key concern, take a look at our list of the best cheap VPNs and bear in mind that you don't always have to compromise on quality.

In short, look for a VPN with everything you want to actually do. That doesn't have to be expensive – there are some great value deals on this list—and you can always use price later to prune your shortlist down to a final choice.

Click to show our testing methodology ↓

Next, we ask ourselves the following questions: what security tools does the provider offer? Does it promise the world, or is it more realistic? Does the privacy policy clearly say how your data is handled? Are there any catches in the small print? Is the pricing open and honest? Ultimately, we're considering not just what the provider says it gives you, but what it really gives, and whether you can trust it with your data.

In order to make sure our reviews are as honest and realistic as possible, we make every effort to sign up for the services anonymously, so our results aren't skewed by the services knowing they're being tested by us.

After signing up for a plan, we install and test the Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux VPN apps, as these are the most popular platforms. Then, we move on to testing the features within those apps, like the kill switch, checking for data leaks, and generally confirming everything works as advertised.

As we do this, we play around with the different encryption protocols on offer, connect to different servers, throw malware at it, and generally look for any way we can stress test the service. If anything breaks under any of our tests, we report it back to the provider so they can fix the issue, but we make sure to include both the issue and the provider's response in our results where appropriate.

We test every VPN provider's speeds at least 120 times across two sessions, and use both a US home connection and a 1 Gbps UK data center to show us a provider's potential versus the real-world application. We measure using different encryption protocols, speed test websites, and features and use the average of the best session as the provider's peak speed. In doing so, you get a better understanding of what you can really expect when you use the service, and not just an arbitrary figure of its fastest speed.

A good VPN should be able to unblock multiple streaming services. To check this, we try to access geo-exclusive content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer, repeating the test from three different locations around the world to get an idea of how the service performs in real life.

In our day-to-day testing, we take a more focused approach depending on the needs of the specific use cases we're writing about. Such as how easy it is to set up the VPN, how much attention to detail there is in the design, and whether a beginner can pick it up easily. We carry out constant real-world testing to make sure our analysis is always accurate and relevant.

However, we don't just trust what we see on the surface of a VPN provider's website.
We'll view the contents of its RAM, even decompile and browse its source code (if we can) to find out what's going on behind the scenes and whether the service gives genuine protection or just a false sense of security.

Want to know more about how we test VPNs? We have a much more in-depth explanation on our VPN testing methodology page.

Andreas has been with TechRadar as Future PLC's Editor-in-Chief of Tech Software since March 2023, supporting content and teams on VPNs, antivirus, and other cybersecurity tools. He's previously written for and led content at ProPrivacy, Business2Community, and The Tech Report. After completing a Master of Research degree, Andreas fell in love with all things cybersecurity; combining his passions to help expose the prevalence of ad tech in the charity sector and raise awareness of digital privacy around the world.