The 4 Best VPN (2024) // Comparison of January *

How do we test the best VPN of 2024?

We gathered 30 paid and free VPN services that support all modern operating systems, including Windows, iOS, macOS, and Android. We then ran through the following tests:

> Test 1: Logging policy

What is a logging policy?

You might think that using a VPN would guarantee your privacy online. However, that’s not necessarily the case.

A VPN service could track your online activity, including your browsing history and downloaded files. They could also track your location via your public IP address. Many free VPNs, like Hola VPN, sell this information to data brokers and advertisers. This way, they are able to create an alternative income stream that enables them to offer the service for free.

But it also means your privacy is not as protected as you might think. Our research shows that about 30% of all VPN services store logs of user activity – meaning they track what websites you visit. This puts your privacy at risk for two key reasons.

First, your information may end up being sold to the highest bidder. The result might be incessant messages on your devices or crowded browsers as marketers flood them with targeted ads. Second, you might end up being hacked if malware creators breach the provider’s servers.

To ease privacy concerns among users, VPN services usually craft a logging policy that details the user data captured and how long such data is retained. Unfortunately, most policies are often purposefully drafted in complicated wording, making it difficult for the average user to understand what is being said.

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We take our time to read each VPN provider’s privacy and logging policies. This helps us learn what information the company is tracking and whether it’s something we’re comfortable with. Gathering data that are solely geared toward improving the service is okay. That includes the user’s aggregated bandwidth and server load data.

But we draw the line at anything that would involve monitoring and storing your browsing activity or originating IP address. That’s just not acceptable. We want your privacy respected and your anonymity protected.

> Test 2: Ownership

What do we mean by ownership?

In the context of a VPN service, ownership refers to the company or companies that have legal control over the service. Usually, there is a primary company that owns the VPN service and a parent company above that. This structure is known as a corporate holding structure and is very common.

Both of these companies can access your data, in theory. Additionally, the provider and the parent company may be registered in countries with different data retention laws. Such a situation may not automatically create problems for users but can result in conflicts of interest.

For example, the parent company may compel the provider to furnish it with the originating IP addresses. This can happen when the parent company wants to engage in aggressive expansion strategies that target specific geographical regions.

In addition, structured ownership can create legal loopholes the provider can exploit if users sue them for data infringement. This may happen when the parent company is registered in a different jurisdiction where data protection laws may not be as robust.

Our analysis also reveals that only a few companies own a majority of the VPN services on the market today. For example:

• Kape Technologies, based in the U.K., owns Zenmate, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and Private Internet Access (PIA).
• Gaditek, based in Pakistan, owns PureVPN, Ivacy VPN, and Unblock VPN.
• Ziff Davis, from the U.S, owns StrongVPN, IPVanish, Buffered VPN, Encrypt.me, and Perimeter 81, among others.
• Aura / Pango , another United States company, owns JustVPN, Hotspot Shield, and TouchVPN. They also provide VPN technology for a variety of other VPN providers like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Panda, and others.
• CyberSpace, a Dutch company, owns NordVPN, Surfshark, and also Atlas VPN.

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We take a close look at the owner of each VPN service, the country where they are registered, and the applicable data retention laws. We also peruse the history books to find out whether the provider has been caught up in any scandals or some other controversial event. For example:

• In 2011, Kape Technologies, which went by the name Crossrider until 2018, created a platform for the development of browser extensions. Unfortunately, ad injectors and malware creators infiltrated the platform, seriously damaging the company’s reputation.
• During a criminal investigation in 2016, IPVanish, which has always claimed a strict no-logging policy, provided the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with logs belonging to one of its users. But judging by the text in its logging policy, IPVanish was not supposed to have those logs in the first place.

> Test 3: Independent audit

What is an independent audit?

An independent audit in the context of a VPN service is an examination of a VPN provider’s systems and policies by an external, independent body. This audit can help ensure that a VPN provider operates securely and responsibly and that their systems are up to par with industry best practices. At the end of the exercise, the auditor compiles a report with their findings and recommendations.

This report can be useful in helping the VPN company to improve its service. It can also help to reassure potential customers that the VPN provider is trustworthy and reliable.

When choosing a VPN provider, it’s always a good idea to check if they have undergone an independent audit. This can give you peace of mind that you are choosing a reputable service.

Here are a few examples of audits that have been carried out in recent years:

• 2019 , PricewaterhouseCooper ( PwC ) hired look ExpressVPN TrustedServer technology . main goal is was determine company servers deleted user logs reboot .
• 2021 , Cure53 commissioned audit Surfshark server infrastructure .
• In 2022, Deloitte was contracted to investigate PIA’s server environment with a focus on the privacy policy.

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We is check check VPN provider invited independent auditor look systems processes . We is take special interest flaws uncovered audit .

> Test 4: Available VPN protocols

What is a VPN protocol?

VPN protocol is is set instructions establish secure connection devices .

different VPN protocols , advantages disadvantages . common VPN protocols L2TP / IPsec , SSTP , WireGuard , OpenVPN .

PPTP is generally the fastest protocol, but it’s not as secure as the other options and is obsolete at this point. L2TP/IPsec is a good balance between speed and security, though it can be a bit slower than PPTP. SSTP is only available on Windows, but it’s very fast and secure.

OpenVPN is the most secure option, but it can be slow. WireGuard is a next-gen protocol that improves upon the reliability of OpenVPN. It’s faster and has less code, making it easier to audit and debug.

best VPN protocol is depend depend needs . speed important factor , WireGuard is is probably best bet . security important , OpenVPN is is way . need works Windows Mac , L2PT / IPsec is be SSTP best option .

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We connect our devices to each VPN service and then check the protocols offered. We also check whether the availability of these protocols spans all devices.

> Test 5: Supported encryption standard

What is an encryption standard?

When you encrypt digital data, you’re essentially creating a code that only someone with the right key can decode. This process is essential for ensuring the privacy of sensitive information, whether it’s being sent over the internet or stored on a computer.

Encryption standards is specify specify data encoded decoded , different standards different purposes . Data Encryption Standard ( DES ) released 1977 symmetric key algorithm , meaning key encrypting decrypting data .

2002 , DES replaced Advanced Encryption Standard ( AES ) , secure efficient version Rijndael block cipher . AES is uses uses block size 128 bits key size 128 , 192 , 256 bits .

If you’re looking for a VPN protocol that’s both fast and secure, you can’t go wrong with AES-128 or AES-256, either in the GCM or the CBC version. Our research puts GCM ahead of CBC in terms of speed. However, CBC is still a good option if you’re looking for compatibility with older devices.

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We check the default encryption standard deployed by the VPN service. We also check whether the user is presented with alternatives.

> Test 6: Basic security features

What are basic security features?

To keep your data safe, it’s important to choose a VPN with robust security features. Ideally, you should go for a VPN that offers AES-256 encryption, as this is the strongest type of encryption currently available.

Additionally, ensure the VPN uses OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, as these are the most secure. Split tunneling is also a valuable security feature, as it allows you to route some traffic through the VPN while still accessing other websites and services directly.

Finally, a kill switch – , prevents data exposed VPN connection unexpectedly drops .

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We is connect connect VPN service check basic features offered . split tunneling kill switch feature provided , we is run run tests check work promised .

> Test 7: Advanced security features

advanced security features is are ?

Everyone deserves to have their privacy respected. The following advanced security features can help ensure that your personal information remains confidential:

• Ad, tracker, and malicious website blockers help to keep your data safe by preventing third-party websites from tracking your online activity or infecting your device with malware.
• A dedicated IP address helps access servers accessed authorized IP addresses .
• Double VPN encrypts traffic twice added protection .
• Obfuscated servers difficult network administrators identify websites visiting . They is help help hide fact VPN .
• GPS location override allows you to choose which location is displayed on apps and websites.
• RAM-only servers wipe all data from the server upon reboot, making it impossible for anyone to access your information after you have logged off.

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We is check check advanced security features VPN service provides . We is run run tests determine efficiency effectiveness features .

> Test 8: IP leak

What is an IP leak?

When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN server. This protects your data from being intercepted by third parties.

An IP leak occurs when your VPN connection fails to route your traffic through the encrypted tunnel. This can happen for several reasons, such as using an outdated VPN protocol or connecting to a malicious server.

Leaks can be dangerous because they mean your traffic is no longer protected by encryption. This can expose your personal information, like your browsing history and location, to anyone monitoring your traffic.

An IP leak can compromise your online security in other ways. For example, if you’re using a VPN to access a secure website, an IP leak could allow someone to intercept your traffic and redirect you to a fake or malicious website.

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We connect our devices to a VPN provider and run an IP address lookup. If the original IP address appears instead of a server-generated address, that’s evidence of a leak.

> Test 9: DNS leak

DNS leak is is ?

Imagine internet giant city . city , billions websites , website unique address . find way city , you is need need map . This is is Domain System ( DNS ) comes .

DNS is is like internet map , translating human – language domain names machine – readable IP addresses . type URL like SoftwareLab.org , DNS is take automatically 165.227.148.211 .

Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operate their own DNS servers that power their mapping service. This means that your ISP can see every website you visit. That’s why high-quality VPN services always have their own DNS servers—to keep your browsing history safe from prying eyes.

A DNS leak describes a situation where your DNS queries are routed via your ISP instead of the VPN’s DNS servers. This exposes your browsing history and can even allow your ISP to block certain websites it doesn’t approve of.

Thankfully , ways prevent DNS leaks , high – quality VPN providers taken steps ensure service leak – free .

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We is connect connect VPN provider run DNS server lookup . DNS server owned ISP service , that is ’s sure sign leak .

> Test 10: WebRTC leak

WebRTC leak is is ?

WebRTC is a handy little technology that allows you to communicate with websites in real time. This means you can stream live video and audio without installing any extra software. WebRTC works by exchanging a range of data between your web browser and the website, including your public and local IP address.

The problem is that because this data exchange makes up WebRTC’s standard functionality, there’s no quick fix. You could tweak your browser’s settings such that it’s able to block WebRTC requests, but this doesn’t always work. A VPN service is your best bet.

A VPN will allow authorized WebRTC connections to continue, but it will ensure that the VPN server’s IP address is sent instead of your own. This will protect your privacy and keep your data safe.

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We is connect connect devices VPN service conduct WebRTC lookup major browsers like Chrome Firefox . WebRTC leak , original IP address displayed .

> Test 11: Download speed via OpenVPN

What is OpenVPN?

OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that has been widely adopted by VPN providers due to its security and reliability.

introduced 2001 , OpenVPN protocol is undergone undergone continuous improvement thanks open – source nature , allows inspect critique code . Today , widely considered secure VPN protocols available . It is ’s compatible operating systems .

The OpenVPN protocol comes in two versions: UDP and TCP. Most VPN services use UDP as the default option because it’s the fastest. TCP sacrifices speed in favor of greater control over data transmission.

Until the recent introduction of WireGuard, OpenVPN was considered the gold standard among VPN protocols.

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For each VPN service, we set the Windows app to the OpenVPN protocol and then test the download speed. To push the VPN to the limit and test its performance under pressure, we use a 1Gbps (1,000 Mbps) internet connection.

> Test 12: Supported speed via WireGuard

What is WireGuard?

WireGuard is a new type of VPN protocol designed to be simpler, faster, and more efficient than older protocols like OpenVPN and IPsec. WireGuard is open-source, meaning anyone can audit the code for security issues or bugs.

In our tests, we found WireGuard to be around 60% faster than OpenVPN. WireGuard is also available for all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

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We test the download speeds of each of the top VPN providers on Windows using the WireGuard protocol. To get the best performance available to a regular user and make it easier to compare results, we test the speed on a 1 Gbps internet connection.

> Test 13: (Virtual) VPN servers and locations

( virtual ) VPN servers is are ?

VPN server is is powerful computer runs specialized VPN software . software is allows allows server create encrypted connection , tunnel , VPN clients . , server is have special hardware designed specifically VPN use . This is makes makes server efficient creating maintaining tunnel .

Most VPN servers are physical servers, which means they’re located in the country indicated in the VPN app. So when you select one of these servers, your web activity is tunneled through the physical server in that country. This gives you a local IP address, which can be useful for accessing certain websites or applications.

, countries is have physical servers . instance , tiny mountainous country is have Andorra VPN servers borders . case , you is connect connect server bordering country , France Spain , displays location Andorra .

Virtual servers are becoming more common and can be located anywhere in the world. These servers are often more expensive than physical servers, but they offer more flexibility in terms of location.

we is test test ?

We check the number of servers and locations available for each VPN provider. We also examine whether users can narrow their search for servers and choose one at the country or city level. We also check whether the provider uses physical servers, virtual servers, or a mix of both.

> Test 14: Streaming compatibility

What is compatibility with a streaming service?

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to compatibility with a streaming service. In some cases, you might not be able to see all the series and movies that are available. This is because some shows are only available in specific countries.

example , Netflix is have certain shows accessible United States . trying access shows country , you is be luck .

However, there is a way to get around this issue. By using a VPN service, you can change your IP address to appear as though you’re located in the United States. This then gives you access to all the shows that are normally only available in the U.S. In theory, this should work perfectly and allow you to watch whatever you want.

Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. Netflix has sophisticated software that can detect when users are connecting via a VPN server. If they detect this, they will block access to Netflix entirely until the VPN is turned off.

This means there’s a constant battle between streaming services and VPN providers. Only the most sophisticated VPNs will be able to give you uninterrupted access to your favorite shows.

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We test whether a VPN provider can get around the geo-restrictions imposed by major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer in the U.S. For Netflix, we also check other countries, like the U.K., Japan, Germany, Italy, and Australia.

> Test 15: Torrenting compatibility

compatibility is is torrent network ?

In a nutshell, torrenting is a type of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing. When you download a file via torrenting, you’re not downloading it from a central server. Instead, you’re downloading pieces of the file from other users who have already downloaded it.

Torrenting is a fast and efficient way to download large files and is relatively simple to set up. You only need a torrent client (such as uTorrent or qBittorrent) and a magnet link for the file you want to download.

course , downsides torrenting . example , download speed is be unpredictable downloading bits pieces file different sources . P2P system , potential copyright infringement careful downloading .

we is test test ?

We check whether a given VPN provider supports peer-to-peer networking on at least some servers.

> Test 16: Annual price and price per device

What is the annual price and price per device?

Most VPN services usually charge a monthly fee. The price generally decreases the longer you commit to the service.

compare prices different providers , we is looked looked cost – year contract implied price device maximum number connected devices considered .

On this basis, it’s evident that most VPN services are priced similarly. ExpressVPN is the only exception, as its price is significantly higher than all the others.

Some VPN services allow unlimited device installations, making their price per device quite low.

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For each provider, we calculate the monthly cost of a one-year contract. We also divide this price by the number of simultaneous connections allowed to determine the price per connection.