Surfshark
You rely on the internet to stay connected to friends, family, and coworkers, monitor the news, shop, pay bills, and more. That makes privacy and security more important than ever, and a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the easiest, cheapest, and most effective ways to hide your location and safeguard your online activities from unwanted network intruders.
But if you’re having trouble choosing the right VPN service for your budget and security needs, don’t worry: We can help. Below, you’ll find a list of the best VPNs around. Our comprehensive guide to the best VPN services covers pricing, features, and all the information you need to make an informed decision.
We think NordVPN is the best VPN on the market. It works on mobile and desktop, has more than 5000 servers in 59 countries, and can be used on six devices at once. Sign up today through Digital Trends and save around $200 on your subscription.
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Surfshark
Best for unlimited devices
Pros
Quick, reliable server connections
Plenty of fast servers worldwide
Easy-to-use design
Fast, helpful live chat support
Supports unlimited devices
Cons
No free version
Two-year plan reverts to annual upon renewal
Country of registration: The Netherlands
Cost: $15 per month; $45 for the first year (plus three free months); $59 for the first two years (plus three free months)
Number of servers & locations: 3,200 across 100 countries
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, AndroidTV, tvOS, Kindle, VPN routers
Number of simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Special features: Double VPN hop, 7-day free trial
When it comes to price, Surfshark is hard to beat, and it’s a great option for those looking to protect their privacy while minimizing costs. Surfshark is available for as cheaply as $59 for the two-year plan, and to sweeten the deal even more, that includes an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
Surfshark has a no-nonsense interface, intuitive setup, and simple operation could easily be selling points if you explicitly don’t want to fuss with unnecessary complications. It supports a host of different devices, and it’s one of our top picks for the best Apple TV VPN, too.
That’s not to say it’s completely bare-bones, though; you get multiple encryption protocols to choose from (OpenVPN UDP or TCP, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard) and a double VPN hop that lets you route your connection through two remote servers instead of one, adding an extra layer of security when desired.
Surfshark also works quite well with streaming services, although its speeds aren’t quite as good as other top VPN services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. All in all, though, it’s the best VPN of 2024 for those on a budget, and especially for larger local networks such as family homes and offices.
Surfshark
Best for unlimited devices
Alan Truly / Digital Trends
Proton VPN
Best fast and free VPN
Pros
Quick, reliable server connections
Plenty of fast servers worldwide
Easy-to-use design
Fast, helpful live chat support
Good free version
No surprises on renewal
Cons
Upload speeds are slow
Malware blocker is reputation-based
Country of registration: Switzerland
Cost: $10 per month; $60 per year; $108 for two years
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, tvOS, Kindle, VPN routers
Number of servers & locations: 8,210 across 112 countries
Number of simultaneous connections: Up to 10
Special features: Split tunneling, great free app
Proton VPN has impressive performance and top security, even for the free version. You get unlimited data transfers with no ads. Of course, upgrading to Proton VPN Plus unlocks more servers and advanced features.
You’ll enjoy great download speeds, even with distant servers. Overall performance is reliable and suitable for streaming. The user-friendly design and helpful live chat support make the apps and browser extensions simple to use.
Proton VPN’s commitment to security and privacy stands out. Founded by former CERN scientists, the company prioritizes end-to-end encryption and has a strict no-logging policy. It’s based in Switzerland, which is known to have a strong commitment to privacy.
Proton VPN Plus is a fast, reliable, and secure VPN with affordable pricing, robust features, and a strong focus on privacy make it an excellent choice. For more cybersecurity services, check out the Proton Unlimited bundle, which includes Proton Mail, Proton Pass, Proton Drive, and more.
Proton VPN
Best fast and free VPN
Alan Truly / Digital Trends
NordVPN
Best for security and features
Pros
Quick, reliable server connections
Plenty of fast servers worldwide
Easy-to-use design
Fast, helpful live chat support
Cons
Renewal price more than doubles
Upload speeds aren’t the best
Country of registration: Panama
Cost: $13 per month; $60 for the first year; $81 for the first two years
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, tvOS, Kindle, VPN routers
Number of servers & locations: 6,400 across 111 countries
Number of simultaneous connections: Up to 10
Special features: Split tunneling
NordVPN isn’t free, but with three different encryption protocols (IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and NordLynx), it’s easy to see that this provider values your privacy. The company has also worked hard to build up its server network to include more than 6,400 servers in 11countries around the world.
One stand-out feature that makes NordVPN a strong contender for the best VPN service out there is split tunneling. If you’re not familiar, split tunneling is the ability to whitelist some activities (such as gaming or streaming) to bypass the VPN and use the regular “clearnet” for better performance.
From protected DNS queries to a kill switch feature that automatically disables your connection when you lose sync with the VPN server, NordVPN wants you to know that your information won’t fall into the wrong hands. It’s also one of the most open VPNs about exactly what servers it offers in what countries, and provides 24/7 live chat support for questions.
The company has recently improved its platform support, adding dedicated apps for iOS and Android and thus overcoming its one weakness. You can also use it on six devices simultaneously. The NordVPN client provided one of the most attractive interfaces, and connecting to a server is straightforward and very quick, so much so it’s one of our top picks for the best Chrome VPN extension.
It’s also available for a host of devices and made our list for the best Fire TV Stick VPN. NordVPN can be installed in a VPN router as well, which expands the list of supported devices to include Chromecast, Raspberry Pi, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Fire TV (in other words, anything connected to your VPN router). During our testing, we also found it to be the fastest VPN in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison, so if it’s speed you’re after, look no further.
NordVPN
Best for security and features
Alan Truly / Digital Trends
Windscribe
Best for low-cost build-a-plan
Pros
Great design with plenty of options
Gives helpful warnings on app conflicts
Unique $3/month option to build a plan
Excellent transparency
The AI support chatbot is good
Cons
Unlimited plan costs more than competitors’
Speeds are somewhat inconsistent
Free version has a data cap
Country of registration: Canada
Cost: $9 per month; $69 for the first year; $81 for the first two years
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, FireTV, Kindle, VPN routers
Number of servers & locations: 500 across 69 countries
Number of simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Special features: Split tunneling
If you’re looking for a VPN that fits your specific needs and budget, Windscribe’s “Build a Plan” option is definitely worth exploring. For just $3 per month, you can create a customized plan that includes access to just the locations you need. This flexible pricing model is perfect for those who only require VPN access occasionally or for specific tasks.
Build a Plan lets you choose from a servers around the world, adding as many locations as you’d like. You get 10GB of data per month for each. The minimum is three, and it’s $1 more for each added location. You can add malware blocking for $1 more. You only pay for what you need, so this is a cost-effective solution for occasional VPN use.
If you need continuous VPN protection, you’ll want to upgrade to Windscribe Pro at $9 per month or $69 annually. Speeds are good, and privacy is excellent. Windscribe shares statistics about requests for data, and since 2018 “exactly zero requests were complied with due to lack of relevant data.”
The Windows app is compact, yet easy to navigate, with helpful warnings about app conflicts. While there’s no live chat, the AI chatbot Garry is advanced enough to help with most issues. With its unique pricing model and impressive features, Windscribe is definitely worth considering for VPN needs.
Windscribe
Best for low-cost build-a-plan
Alan Truly / Digital Trends
CyberGhost
Best for user-friendly interface
Pros
Easy-to-use design
Quick, reliable server connections
Fast, helpful 24/7 live chat support
Fast servers worldwide
Cons
Speeds are somewhat inconsistent
Free extension is only a proxy
Limited options
Country of registration: Romania
Cost: $13 per month; $42 for six months; $57 for two years (plus three free months)
Number of servers & locations: 10,000 across 100 countries
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Kindle, VPN routers
Number of simultaneous connections: Up to seven
Special features: P2P support, 45-day money-back guarantee, free trial
With more than ten million active users and over 10,000 servers spread across the globe, CyberGhost is a giant in the VPN space. It’s also one of the most versatile virtual private networks out there, both in terms of supported devices/platforms as well as what activities it’s useful for.
CyberGhost VPN is compatible with computers, mobile devices, smart TVs, and routers, and one great feature of the VPN is that it will automatically connect you to the best server for whatever you’re doing at the moment. That’s a vital consideration for bandwidth-heavy activities like gaming and streaming.
Another feather in the CyberGhost cap is that it supports peer-to-peer file transfers (read: It’s good to go for torrenting, and as we mentioned, it’ll select the best server for it so you get the fastest upload/download times). The interface is great, too, particularly on the computer. It gives you complete control and lots of configuration options including preferred server setups for your most-used programs and apps.
For encryption protocols, CyberGhost supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, wrapping your connection in AES 256-bit encryption to keep your data and IP address hidden. CyberGhost is based in Romania and has a no-logs policy, and while this should keep you safe from certain prying eyes, this hasn’t been independently audited.
If that’s not a deal-breaker, CyberGhost is a strong contender for the best VPN of 2024 (take a look at our NordVPN vs CyberGhost comparison for more information on how it stacks up to the best) if you’re looking for the sweet spot between versatility and price. A limited-time introductory offer lets new subscribers grab their first two years of service for $57, which averages to just over $2 per month.
CyberGhost
Best for user-friendly interface
Alan Truly / Digital Trends
PrivadoVPN
Best deal on strong privacy
Pros
Very low prices
Good speed for some servers
Easy to set up and use
Free version has servers in 10 countries
Supports split-tunneling and kill switch
Cons
Download speed varies greatly
Free version is capped
Live chat has limited hours
Country of registration: Switzerland
Cost: $11 per month; $24 per year; $36 for two years
Number of servers & locations: 500 servers across 49 countries
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, tvOS, Kindle, VPN routers
Number of simultaneous connections: Up to 10
Special features: P2P transfers, SOCKS5 proxy support, free data-capped basic plan
With VPNs, it’s all about location, location, location. PrivadoVPN is a Swiss company and is thus free from the laws of the U.S. and the European Union. Switzerland has pretty robust privacy laws, as well. It’s also not a member of the “fourteen eyes surveillance network,” so user traffic isn’t logged and passes through privacy-friendly countries. That means you needn’t worry about your true IP address being revealed.
Interestingly, PrivadoVPN operates one of the smaller server networks of all the providers on our list, measuring in at more than 500 servers spread between 49 physical locations in 47 countries, but that doesn’t preclude it from being a contender for the best VPN of 2024. That’s because it only offers physical server locations not virtual ones because it is not willing to compromise the quality of its service so it can promote a higher number.
If routing around region-based content restrictions and other geographical hassles is your priority, you might be better served with a VPN that has a wider global server spread, such as ExpressVPN. Although, having said that, PrivadoVPN is a fraction of the cost and covers a large chunk of countries, so if the one you’re wanting to virtually jump to is on its list, then we’d recommend taking it for a spin.
PrivadoVPN has it where it counts, though, with several encryption protocols to choose from: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SOCKS5. The addition of SOCKS5 proxy support is noteworthy, as it allows for fast and seamless peer-to-peer transferring of large files, which is something many VPNs shy away from. This makes PrivadoVPN perhaps the best VPN service for peer-to-peer file transfers if that’s your primary use case for one of these services.
It’s not the cheapest VPN on our list, although that’s offset by the fact that you can use the VPN on up to ten devices simultaneously. There’s also a free app-based package that gives you 10GB of bandwidth per month.
PrivadoVPN
Best deal on strong privacy
Alan Truly / Digital Trends
ExpressVPN
Best for speed and reliability
Pros
Quick, reliable server connections
Plenty of fast servers worldwide
Easy-to-use design
Fast, helpful live chat support
Cons
It’s expensive
No free version or trial
Country of registration: British Virgin Islands
Cost: $13 per month; $60 for six months; $80 per year (plus three free months)
Number of servers & locations: 3,000 across 105 countries
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, tvOS, Kindle, VPN routers
Number of simultaneous connections: Up to eight
Special features: Split tunneling
ExpressVPN’s “#1 Trusted Leader in VPN” claim may be a bit difficult to prove, but the service offers a compelling list of features nonetheless. It also constantly tries to make regular improvements in speed and simultaneous streaming capabilities, and with support for all major platforms (Windows, macOS, Android, etc.), you won’t need to worry about compatibility. ExpressVPN shows up on a number of best VPN lists, including our list of the best VPN for Linux and the best VPN for Windows, so its relatively high prices seem justified.
The more than 3,000 servers are all well-placed throughout common travel destinations and urban centers. Any package will land you high-speed unlimited bandwidth and 24-hour customer service. With so many features, including bypassing ISP throttling, built-in threat protection, and split tunneling, it’s no wonder this vendor is considered the best VPN by many users — although you should note that ExpressVPN only supports up to eight simultaneous connections with a single subscription, which is the lowest number of the services on our list.
But they also provide a workaround of sorts for that: If you install ExpressVPN on your router, your router can protect all of your devices (as the router itself only counts as one device towards your subscription), regardless of how many other devices are connected to that network hub. This way, you can have well more than five devices protected at once.
Setting up ExpressVPN and connecting to a VPN server was easy enough. Netflix complained about a proxy in use when we used the automatic configuration option, but it worked fine when we manually selected a local U.S. server, so it’s a working Netflix VPN. Amazon Prime Video played just fine, and our other internet tests were completed without issue.
ExpressVPN
Best for speed and reliability
Alan Truly / Digital Trends
TorGuard
Best for flexibility on a budget
Pros
Very low prices
Impressive speed from some servers
Easy to set up and use
Base plan includes pinned IPs
Cons
Speed varies greatly
Claims 24/7 support, but I had no luck
Located in a Five Eyes alliance country
Country of registration: United States
Cost: $10 per month; $30 per year
Number of servers & locations: 3,000 across 50 countries
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android, Kindle
Number of simultaneous connections: Up to eight
Special features: Port forwarding
Starting at $10 per month for unlimited speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and port forwarding access for up to 8 simultaneous connections, TorGuard’s anonymous VPN is another great option. You’ll have access to over 3,000 servers across more than 50 countries, with internal encrypted DNS, excellent compatibility, and much more.
One of the neat things about TorGuard is they also offer a proprietary travel VPN router, sold separately, which you can use when you move around the country, or world. Basically, it keeps your connection encrypted and safe anywhere.
As for the VPN itself, you can upgrade to other tiers, including a $13 per month tier which boosts your simultaneous connections to 12 total — a great option if you have a big family or group of users in your home, like roommates. Either way, the strong connections, no logs policy, and private email options will keep you browsing anonymously.
TorGuard
Best for flexibility on a budget
PureVPN
PureVPN
Best for long-term savings
Country of registration: British Virgin Islands
Cost: $13 per month; $48 per year; $51 for two years (plus three free months); $130 for five years
Number of servers & locations: 6,000 across 65 countries
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, tvOS, Kindle, VPN routers
Number of simultaneous connections: Up to 10
Special features: P2P support, split tunneling, premium add-on features
With a name like PureVPN, this virtual private network had better offer some viable protection — and it does. The software’s hallmarks lie in its ability to connect to a mélange of services for different activities, with wide compatibility with various devices and software interfaces.
The average cost is as low as $2 per month with a two- or five-year plan, making PureVPN another one of the best cheap VPNs on our roundup. That subscription includes port forwarding, multiple encryption protocols (PPTP, SSTP, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, and OpenVPN UDP/TCP), malware blocking, P2P support, and an audited no-log policy. You can also get some premium add-ons like encrypted file transfers and a password manager at extra cost.
As with any good virtual private network service, PureVPN will prevent websites from viewing your personal IP address, thus preventing others from identifying you or your geographic location. And with more than 6,500 servers on six continents, you won’t be at a loss for worldwide connection points to choose from.
Like NordVPN, PureVPN features split tunneling that allows you to whitelist certain activities you don’t need or want to go through the VPN, allowing you to use online services and browse the web through the VPN and on the clearnet simultaneously. PureVPN also offers you a personal IP address for you to use with certain sites and services — a good idea for those that require logins.
PureVPN
Best for long-term savings
IPVanish
IPVanish
Best for 24/7 support
Country of registration: United States
Cost: $13 per month, $40 for the first year, $53 for the first two years
Number of servers & locations: 2,400 across 90 countries
Clients supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, tvOS, Kindle, VPN routers
Number of simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Special features: Independently audited no-logs policy
IPVanish offers all the key features you could need from a VPN at a great price. With regular sales being part of the IPVanish experience, you can commit for a year at a very low cost, enjoying the protection that comes from a choice of more than 2,000 VPN servers across more than 90 different locations.
Besides offering extensive protection whether you’re browsing from home or using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, IPVanish also makes it simpler to avoid Deep Packet Inspection — a method used by ISPs to limit your internet speed at times. The VPN offers unmetered data transfer caps and there’s no limit on how many devices you can use it with so it’s incredibly flexible for high-volume users and larger local networks.
No logs are kept, plus there’s a choice of multiple connection protocols which is useful if you want to get more involved in your VPN settings. 24/7 customer support means the VPN is always on hand to help you out, too. Not that you should need it too often thanks to simple-to-use apps for all major platforms. It’s a great service and it’ll even help you avoid geo-restrictions on many of your favorite streaming apps.
IPVanish
Best for 24/7 support
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most secure VPN?
All of the VPNs on our list have high ratings for security, but there are a few specific things you should look for if your safety threshold is a bit higher than that of an average user. We suggest paying attention to:
No-log policies: This is the VPN promising that they don’t log locations or activities for any user. Certain VPNs offer third-party verified audits, while others provide detailed information on their code so users can see for themselves.
Location: A variety of countries have specific regulations requiring data retention so they can investigate illegal activities, etc. Certain VPNs claim they avoid these restrictions by having their headquarters in places like the Bahamas or Panama. This is a somewhat murky subject, but worth watching for.
Kill switches: When a VPN service suddenly drops or has an outage, a kill switch will automatically keep you from connecting to the internet, ensuring that your location or data are not accidentally exposed.
Double encryption: Some of the best VPN services offer a double encryption mode that will encrypt data twice instead of just once. It may not be necessary, but if you are truly worried about hacking attempts it could be useful.
A choice of security protocols: For those who really want to dig into privacy options, the ability to switch between security protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2 can be useful.
Due to the fact that it ticks all of these boxes, and thanks to additional advanced features like split tunneling, NordVPN takes the cake as the most secure VPN you can subscribe to right now.
Should you use a VPN in 2024?
In the most basic terms, a virtual private network allows you to safely send information when using public networks via a group of networked computers and faraway servers. And while VPNs are effective at what they do, you should be aware of their limitations.
For general data encryption and protection when online, they are an excellent choice. They can help prevent data throttling by hiding you from your ISP (internet service provider). They can get around regional restrictions or price changes by allowing users to switch servers at will. Additional features can restrict web access, help detect malicious sites, and other services.
On the other hand, even the best VPN is not a security panacea. They can be detected and banned by governments, for example, and low-quality versions can log and even sell your data. Services can also block access to content when a VPN is used, which is why trying to get around something like Netflix’s regional restrictions can be hit or miss.
All that said, so long as you understand their limitations and adjust your expectations accordingly, we definitely think that you should use a VPN in 2024 if you’re concerned with online privacy and security.
Should you use a free VPN or buy one?
Signing up for free VPNs, while tempting at first glance, can be a risky business. Know that all “free” services are making money off of you somehow (the old axiom that states “if something’s free, you’re the product” comes to mind), whether it be from advertisements or something less innocuous, such as selling user activity data. The best VPNs typically promise no activity or user logs and many boast third-party audits of this claim but do have fees.
We’ve narrowed down the very best VPN service options above, but thanks to frequent deals and discounts, you’ll find that even the best services don’t cost that much. The small savings you get by using a free VPN really aren’t worth the trade-off in performance and protection. Check out our guide to are free VPNs are safe for more in-depth info about the risks and compromises involved with these.
Shopping on a budget? We’ve also rounded up all the best VPN deals.
Is using a VPN illegal?
Virtual private networks themselves are perfectly legal in most jurisdictions, including the United States, and there’s nothing illegal about using one for anything you’d do on the internet that’s not an unlawful activity. At its most basic, a VPN is simply a network of privately operated servers that you connect to and through which your internet traffic is routed. That said, VPNs can still put the user in a legal gray area under certain circumstances. This largely comes down to geography.
Certain countries and jurisdictions, particularly those where the state engages in censorship, have laws against circumventing these government restrictions, up to and including blanket bans on virtual private networks. China, Cuba, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, and Russia are a few countries known for restricting or completely prohibiting VPN usage. If you’re concerned about this, make sure to read up on your national and local laws before you start shopping for a VPN.
It also should go without saying that a VPN doesn’t cast a magic spell that makes illegal activities legal. Any action that is unlawful when conducted online without a VPN is still unlawful when using a VPN. This includes piracy. Peer-to-peer file-sharing protocols such as BitTorrent have many legitimate uses (open-source software distribution, for example), but illegally sharing copyrighted materials isn’t one of them. Bear this in mind if you’re specifically looking for a good VPN for torrenting.
Also, know that virtual private network providers are beholden to the laws of whichever country they’re registered in and may have to hand over information to law enforcement during the course of an investigation. Virtually all VPN operators boast a “no logs” policy, meaning that they do not keep a record of user activity. In this case, there would be nothing to hand over, although there’s no way to be fully certain that a VPN provider’s “no log” policy is being followed to the letter.
Some VPNs have their no-log practices audited by independent third parties on a regular (typically annual) basis, but this still doesn’t offer 100% certainty. The only way to be sure that you stay out of trouble while using a VPN is to simply obey the law. A virtual private network is for protecting your privacy and keeping your sensitive personal information secure — not for conducting illegal activities outside of the purview of law enforcement.
Finally, note that while not illegal, using a VPN does violate the terms of service of certain websites and apps (Netflix is one notable example). While breaking a company’s terms of service is not a crime, it can still result in that site or app restricting your access to its services and even shutting down your account. Virtual private networks often advertise that they are streaming- and gaming-friendly, but in our own tests, we have frequently found this to be hit-and-miss. Be sure to do your research if you plan to use your VPN activities like these.
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