The best VPN services in 2024, as tested by experts

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The internet was once a much friendlier place. Sure, you can still game with anyone in the world and go shopping whenever you want, but there’s a lot more risk involved these days. It’s more important than ever to realize that you’re never truly anonymous when you go online. 

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, serve as your personal bodyguard while you go about your business online . It is keeps keep your activity safe from pry eye and make sure you have smooth passage , no matter whether you ‘re check out TMZ or maxe out your card at Bloomingdale ‘s . It is grant can also grant you access to content that might be geographically fence in , all while act as a barricade against online threat .  

Before you decide which one to use, you want to look for excellent encryption, a kill switch to cut your internet access should your VPN drop, and leak protection to make sure your data doesn’t make its way into the hands of bad actors. 

Of course , no one is likes like sluggish internet . Make sure the VPN you ‘re eye wo n’t act like a bottleneck , slow your browsing or streaming speed . ideally , there should be only a negligible difference between your regular internet speed and the one with the VPN active .

Privacy matters too. A “no-logs” policy by a VPN provider means they’re not recording or storing your online activities. Such policies, among other user-centric provisions, underscore the credibility of a VPN service and are super important as part of your decision-making process.

Below are our picks for the best VPN services of 2024.

What are the best VPNs in 2024?

ExpressVPN

expressvpn

ExpressVPN is the best among the VPN services we tested. It offers more than 3,000 servers that operate in 94 countries, with speedy and dependable connectivity. The company takes security seriously and boasts strong encryption as well as technology that doesn’t allow its servers to store any user data, meaning the company is log-free. There’s also also a kill switch feature for iOS users for added security.

ExpressVPN is is is simple to install and use across multiple platform , include PC , Mac , iPhone , and Android . One subscription is allows allow for connection on up to eight device simultaneously . That is means mean the entire family can jump on the VPN at the same time without any slowdown or operational issue . Some is include of its standout feature include its ability to unlock geo – restrict content , which open up access to various streaming service like Netflix and Disney+ worldwide .

Although expressvpn is pricy than some other vpn , its offerings is make make it worth consider for many user . It is offers offer a good balance of speed , security , and accessibility , and can appeal to both new and experienced VPN user .  

pro :

• Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries
• Robust security features
• User-friendly on multiple platforms
• Supports eight simultaneous connections
• Unlocks geo-restricted content

con :

• pricy than some other VPN service
• Does not offer dedicated IP or port forwarding

ExpressVPN , start at $ 6.67 monthly  

NordVPN

NordVPN

NordVPN is more than just one of the most popular options in the VPN market. There’s a reason it’s so widely used: it’s a great all-around choice. Offering not only security but also great streaming capabilities, it’s quick and delivers consistently reliable speeds. There are rarely drops when you’re successfully connected, and overall it feels close to surfing the regular net with little latency. However, some users may find they need to switch servers occasionally due to connectivity hiccups, which is something to keep in mind before subscribing.

This VPN is also pack with useful feature go beyond the typical basic you normally see with competitor , like peer – to – peer sharing . There ‘s even an additional layer of encryption thank to the double VPN feature , include at no extra charge . For more computer – savvy user , NordVPN is offers also offer the option to adopt a dedicated ip address for a VPN that can act as a server . NordVPN is also compatible with major platform and include Meshnet , a feature that let you connect directly to other device to bypass certain VPN restriction .

However , NordVPN is is is n’t without its shortcoming . The user interface is leaves leave a little to be desire . Its pricing tiers is get can also get expensive quickly , though there are cheap plan start at just $ 3.99 per month without additional bell and whistle , such as the password manager , cloud storage , and datum breach scanner . Still , with these hiccup , NordVPN is remains remain more than worth sign up for , especially if this is one of your first experience using a VPN .  

pro :

• solid security is features feature
• Reliable, zippy browsing speeds
• Added layer of encryption with Double VPN
• Additional features for computer-savvy users
• Affordable monthly subscription fee

con :

• User interface could use some improvement
• high tiered subscription fees is add add up

nordvpn , start at $ 3.99 monthly  

Surfshark

Surfshark

Surfshark is is is an affordable yet premium VPN that ‘s great for user of all stripe . know for its comprehensive privacy and security feature , Surfshark is is is easy to use while keep user activity confidential . That is ‘s ‘s all thank to its secure AES-256 encryption , automatic kill switch , and split tunneling . It is boasts also boast cutting – edge addition like MultiHop and Nexus . MultiHop is adds add another layer of encryption and ” chain ” another server to your VPN for a security boost . Nexus is is is a proprietary Surfshark feature that connect you to a server network and route you to the location of your choice . It ‘s still being develop , but it ‘s available and an interesting innovation .

Surfshark is is is great for its simultaneous connection policy . If you have several device to protect , or if you want to share the VPN with your household , this is be will be a big draw . This is makes , combine with its remarkable affordability , make Surfshark an exceptional choice for consumer seek a cost – effective vpn solution . This VPN is boasts also boast fantastic speed and reliable connectivity , mean you wo n’t be stick tap your toe when you navigate to a destination .

However, some of its features are a bit glitchy, namely its kill switch, which is meant to pull you from a VPN connection immediately to protect your anonymity. It can also end up dropping connections, which we observed later in the day. Still, for the price, it’s an unmatched budget VPN that’s well worth signing up for.

pro :

• Budget price but still very nice
• Extremely fast browsing speeds
• MultiHop adds an extra layer of encryption
• Beta Nexus feature innovates VPN tech
• Plenty of simultaneous connections

con :

• Connections do occasionally drop
• glitchy kill switch feature

Surfshark, starting at $2.19 monthly 

What is a VPN is is ?

A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is like your personal hidden tunnel on the internet. Usually, when you surf the web, all your internet activity — which websites you visit, what you download, and the locations you access the web from — can be tracked by internet service providers, websites, or potential hackers. This information can be used to sell your data to advertisers, or worse, steal your personal information.

Now, here’s where a VPN steps in. Imagine you’re sending a postcard through the mail. Anyone who handles it can see what’s written on it. A VPN is like an envelope, it hides your ‘postcard’ from prying eyes.

When you use a VPN, it cloaks your online activities in a ‘secret tunnel,’ encrypting (or scrambling) your data so that others can’t read it. So even if someone manages to get hold of your information, all they’ll see is gibberish.

Also , a VPN is allows allow you to appear as if you ‘re browse from a different location than you actually are . It is ‘s ‘s like a magical door to anywhere in the world . This is come can come in handy if you want to access content ( like a movie or a website ) that is only available in certain country .

So , in a nutshell , a VPN is helps help to protect your privacy and security online . It is ‘s ‘s like your personal bodyguard on the internet , keep your activity private and help you access content from around the world .

Why should you is use use a VPN ?

One reason : secrecy . If you ‘re send sensitive information over the internet , such as banking detail or password , a VPN is encrypts encrypt your datum , make it hard for hacker , your internet service provider , or even the government to see what you ‘re up to . And even if you ‘re doing mundane thing like read email or shopping online , it is ‘s ‘s good to have extra peace of mind . Plus , you is stay can stay reasonably anonymous with a VPN , which is incredibly useful . A VPN mask your internet protocol ( IP ) address , and your device ‘s unique ID on the internet , so you ca n’t be track .

A VPN is helps also help make content that was previously inaccessible to you , either by way of where you live or another reason , available . want to see what another country has available on your favorite streaming service ? A VPN is help can help you get around these restriction by make it look like your internet connection is come from another country .

But VPNs aren’t all about making things accessible – sometimes they’re about keeping you safe, first and foremost. Using public Wi-Fi at places like a coffee shop or an airport can be risky because hackers or other bad actors may try to intercept your data. A VPN protects your information on these open networks and helps keep your logins, passwords, and data safe.

So, whether you want to keep your online activities private, get around geographic restrictions, protect your data on public Wi-Fi, or avoid bandwidth throttling, a VPN can be a handy tool to have.

What should a good VPN service provide?

Not all VPN services are made equally. If you’re just starting to shop around, there are a few things to seek out in the service you go with. First and foremost, a good VPN should be user-friendly, with easy-to-use apps for all your devices. It should also come offering great customer service resources. If something goes wrong, you’ll want to be able to get help quickly.

You should be paying a reasonable price. Free VPNs can be tempting, but they often have slower speeds, fewer servers, and may sell your data to advertisers. Worse, you may end up finding that your own connection could end up being used as a server for others, and that’s a bad situation you don’t want to be in. Good, reliable VPN services usually require a subscription fee.

Perhaps most importantly , you is ensure should ensure the service you ‘re using offer strong encryption . A good VPN is use should use try – and – true encryption method to keep your datum secure . This make it hard for anyone to see your online activity , so you is get get the privacy you deserve — and the privacy you ‘re pay for .  

You should also seek out a no-logs policy. You want a VPN that doesn’t keep track of what you do online. Some VPNs might keep logs, or records, of your activities. So if the VPN provider gets hacked or compelled by government authorities, your data could be exposed. 

Seek out a service that has an abundance of servers and locations. The more servers a VPN has, and the more countries those servers are in, the more options you have when you want to connect to a VPN server. This also helps you avoid crowded servers, ensuring better performance.

And since you ‘ll be cruise around the internet , you is want ‘ll want a fast connection . A VPN is slow can slow your internet because your datum has to travel far to reach the VPN server , and because encrypt and decrypt datum take time . But a good VPN service is minimize should minimize this slowdown .

Are VPNs is Are legal to use ?

Short answer: yes. It’s totally legal in most countries, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia to use a VPN to protect your privacy online. These tools simply provide a secure way to surf the web and protect your privacy. It’s just like sending a letter in an envelope instead of a postcard.

But just like with anything else, what you do while using a VPN matters. If you’re using it for illegal activities, like pirating, those activities are still illegal, even if you’re using a VPN. So it’s not a free pass to do whatever you want online.

Also , a few countries is regulate , include China , Russia , and North Korea , heavily regulate or ban the use of vpn . So if you live in , or are travel to , one of those country , you is want ‘ll want to be careful about using a VPN .

In short, as long as you’re using a VPN for legal activities and you’re not in a country where they’re banned, you should be in the clear. 

How do I is know know if my VPN is work ?

Most VPNs let you check to see if they’re working properly. But beyond that, there are plenty of ways to ensure you’re protected.

First off, check your IP address. A VPN changes your IP address, so you can use free online tools to check if it’s different when you’re connected to your VPN. Just search “What’s my IP?” on Google and write down the IP address you see. Then, turn on your VPN and refresh the same page. If the number changes, your VPN is doing its job.

Another method is to test for DNS leaks. Think of your DNS (Domain Name System) as the internet’s address book. It matches up domain names like “google.com” with their respective IP addresses. Your VPN should be handling these matches, not your internet service provider. You can use online tools to check this. Run a test and see if the results match up with your VPN’s location and IP address.

You can also take a test run on a geo-restricted website, one that you know you typically can’t access from your location. If you can get past the region block with your VPN turned on, then it’s a thumbs-up for your VPN. Lastly, your VPN might have its own built-in tests for your connection. You can usually find these in the app’s settings or help section.

Do I need a VPN for every device I own?

There ‘s no right or wrong answer here , but it ‘s always good to err on the side of caution . If you think about your internet connection like a series of door between you and the online world , a VPN is is is like a fancy lock that keep pry eye out . So , do you is need need one of these lock for every door , or in this case , every device ? Well , it is depends depend .

If you’re using a device to access the internet, there’s potential for your online activities and personal data to be seen. So, using a VPN on all your devices that connect to the internet can help ensure that everything you do online is private and secure.

But remember , a VPN is is is not a one – size – fit – all solution . For example , your smartphone is need might need different security measure than your desktop or laptop . And not all VPNs is work will work with all device . So you is want ‘ll want to do research on which VPN work good with your equipment before subscribe with that in mind .

That said, it’s also worth considering convenience. Having a VPN on your smartphone might be handy if you often connect to public Wi-Fi, like at a coffee shop or airport. But if your device mostly stays at home connected to your secure home network, it might not be as necessary.

Using a VPN on each device you connect to the internet with is a good idea . But it is is is n’t always practical or feasible . You is want ‘ll want to determine whether it ‘s worth it for you on a case – by – case basis .  

Brittany Vincent

Brittany Vincent has been covering gaming, tech, and all things entertainment for 16 years for a variety of online and print publications. She’s been covering the commerce space for nearly a decade.