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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alan Truly is a Writer at Digital Trends, covering computers, laptops, hardware, software, and accessories that stand out as the most unique and effective solutions. Alan also researches and reviews VR headsets, AR glasses, AI, and robotics, the advances that can redefine how we live and work.
As a kid, Alan marveled at Star Trek, Popular Science, and other science news and sci-fi concepts on the horizon. Now, that future is fast approaching as we work from home, converse with computers thanks to AI, and visit the equivalent of a holodeck with VR and AR. The robot revolution began in factories but could soon reach our homes. What a time to be alive!
Alan's degree in Computer Science from Cal State Fullerton set him up for a diverse career centered around advanced technology. His first job in journalism was as a roving reporter and video editor at a cable TV station in Laughlin, NV before returning to California and starting a video production company specializing in computer animation. After the internet boom, Alan shifted to website design and marketing. He also spent several years as COO of a tablet accessory manufacturer, before returning to communications.
With bylines at Android Police, Peta Pixel, Mixed, and Screen Rant, Alan has written about every type of technology from mobile devices, watches, and tablets to drones, electric vehicles, and space habitats. It's all fascinating and all powered by computing.
Alan lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. A tech-enthusiast since his youth, he stays current on what is new and what is next. With over 30 years of experience in computer, video, and photo equipment, you can expect useful tips and insights in his writing. To stay flexible in mind and body, he practices daily yoga, light cardio, and eats a whole food diet, based on minimally processed plants.
When the weather is nice, and sometimes when it's not, Alan enjoys bringing tech on adventures with beach visits and woods walks. There's no better way to review an FPV drone, AR glasses, and 3D cameras.
Whenever the opportunity arises, Alan advocates for animal rights, green energy, and universal basic income to ease the burden of those without a voice and those who are less fortunate. In his free time, he catches up on the fascinating and unfolding UAP revelations that suggest humans aren't the only intelligent species in the cosmos.
Anthropic has officially filed to go public, and buried inside its S-1 is a blunt warning about the technology at the center of its business. The maker of Claude AI says advanced AI could cause everything from large-scale cyberattacks and geopolitical instability to catastrophic or even existential risks for humanity.
The warnings take up a surprisingly large part of the filing. Axios notes that more than 90 pages, or roughly a third of the prospectus, focus on risk factors. Many of them warn about what could happen as AI systems become more capable and autonomous.
AI giants have a growing autonomy problem on their hands. A new Axios report has revealed that Anthropic's Claude recently accessed publicly available Georgia vote count without human authorization, sparking fresh concerns about AI security ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Some of the best shots in Grok Imagine’s AI-made Odyssey don’t contain actors. Ancient landscapes stretch into the distance. Close-ups of grimy hands suggest people who have touched something rougher than a keyboard. For a few seconds, the illusion holds.
https://twitter.com/imagine/status/2113712964419063911