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internet speed
VPN networks reduce your internet speed a bit because you route your traffic through an encrypted server before communicating with apps, websites, and other Internet services. The fastest VPNs have an average download speed loss of 20% or less. In general, even people with slower connections – such as satellite internet – won’t notice a paltry 20% drop. For bandwidth-intensive applications like gaming, streaming 4K video, or uploading large files, you’ll want a virtual private network with minimal speed loss. Casual users with faster internet speeds should be fine with more than a 20% speed loss, but we’re looking for VPNs that keep the speed loss under 50%.
privacy
VPNs strengthen your privacy by masking your IP address, which, like your physical address, shows identifying information about your geographic location. At a minimum, we recommend a VPN with 256-bit encryption, a strict no-logging policy, and DNS leak protection. Because logging is difficult to verify, look for regular third-party audits. (You can too Must be skeptical from your VPN provider’s zero-log claims).
In addition, transparency reports offer peace of mind. We also suggest sticking with a VPN that includes a kill switch. Users who are more concerned about privacy, such as investigative journalists or political activists, will appreciate advanced features such as obfuscation (making it harder for ISPs to determine that you are using a VPN), Tor over VPN (for additional encryption using the Tor network) and double VPN (which relies on a second connection to a VPN server to improve encryption). People with critical privacy needs should consider a VPN provider with jurisdiction outside the intelligence-sharing communities of the Five, Nine, or 14 Eyes for even greater peace of mind.
Server network
When considering VPN server networks, look at the total number of servers as well as country locations. For example, a virtual private network company may have twice the total number of servers as a competitor, but half as many different country locations, meaning you have fewer international choices. At the high end, the most comprehensive travel VPNs offer over 90 individual countries, but anywhere over 60 countries will work for many people.
Outside of country locations, some VPNs allow file sharing between all servers, while others have dedicated P2P (peer-to-peer) options. For purposes such as torrenting, check whether your desired provider allows file sharing on all servers or on selected ones.
You will also sometimes find dedicated servers such as Tor (The Onion Router) via TPN, Double VPN or obfuscated servers. Onion over VPN and Double VPN servers provide additional privacy by strengthening your encryption even more compared to a standard VPN connection, with Tor using the Onion network, while double VPN relies on a second VPN tunnel. On the other hand, obfuscated servers make it harder for apps, websites, or ISPs to tell that you’re using a VPN.
Device support
Consider your devices and what you want to run the VPN on. Most VPN companies offer apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android/Android TV, iOS/iPadOS, and web browsers. Apple TV apps are increasingly common, with ExpressVPN, NordVPN and IPVanish including TVOS apps. A GUI application may be easier for Linux users than a command line interface option. Surfshark, Proton, and PIA all have Linux GUI applications, making them attractive choices for Linux VPNs. You can usually install a VPN on your router for whole-home coverage and use it on devices that don’t support native VPN apps, such as Xbox consolesalthough this will usually void the router’s warranty.
Although most VPN companies allow you to install an app on as many gadgets as you like, sometimes you are limited to simultaneous devices. ExpressVPN allows eight, while NordVPN and Proton give you 10. Surfshark, PIA and IPVanish are unlimited. Even with a provider like Express, Proton, or Nord, you can still install a VPN on as many devices as you like, but you’ll only be able to have a few active sessions at a time. Most people should be fine with even eight to 10 simultaneous connections, but families or hardcore power users may feel limited.
Streaming capabilities
While VPNs can be great for privacy, they are also useful for unblocking regionally restricted entertainment content. You can use a VPN to watch streaming services like Max or Hulu from your country when traveling abroad. On the other hand, VPNs unlock access to foreign NetflixDisney Plus and Amazon Prime Video libraries.
price
You can sign up for a monthly, bi-annual, annual or multi-year VPN subscription. While multi-year deals usually get you the most savings, we generally recommend sticking with an annual plan for the best savings with the lowest risk. The VPN you sign up for may initially be fast, private, and great for geo-unblocking, but it may become slower, suffer a data breach, or stop allowing access to foreign Netflix Libraries over a year.
High-end VPNs like Express will set you back $100 a year, with high-value providers like Surfshark and PIA offering year-round prices of $40 to $60. Some companies include price increases: NordVPN typically charges $60 per year for your first year, after which your plan renews at $100 every 12 months. Similarly, Surfshark costs $48 per year upfront, then renews at $60 per year. Work out a budget, then find a VPN provider that meets the requirements while keeping price increases in mind. Notably, you can renew while avoiding increased renewal rates by taking advantage of seasonal discounts like Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals.
Additional VPN factors to consider
Do not use free VPN providers: With the exception of Proton, you’ll only find paid VPN options in this list above because they’re the only ones we can recommend.
Look for a no-logs VPN, but understand the caveats: The best VPNs keep as few logs as possible and make them as anonymous as possible, so there’s little data to give away if the authorities come knocking. Even no-logging VPNs are not 100% anonymous.
There are privacy restrictions VPNs currently provide to iOS users: Recent Independent research has come out suggesting that iPhones and iPads running iOS 14 or later may be vulnerable to device-only VPN leaks, regardless of which VPN is used. Apple users concerned about potential leaks can take extra precautions by installing their VPN on a home router to ensure their entire Wi-Fi network is encrypted. Some iOS users can potentially reduce the likelihood of leaks while outside a home network by enabling the VPN off switch and selecting OpenVPN protocols. You can also try closing all apps, enabling your VPN, and then enabling and disabling airplane mode before using your device normally. Apple advises users to activate their devices Always On VPN profile for additional protection.
VPN transparency is important, but canaries are just the beginning: Many services use “warrant canaries” to passively indicate to the public whether or not they have been subpoenaed by a government authority. This is because many investigations by national security agencies cannot be actively disclosed by law. Like the lack of logging problem, warranty canaries are not always as clear as they seem. You should spend more time investigating whether your prospective VPN has cooperated with authorities in the past and how and when they disclosed this fact.
Think twice about using a US-based VPN: The Patriot Act is still US law, and that means US-based VPNs don’t have much protection if and when the feds show up with subpoenas or national security letters in hand, requiring access to servers, VPN user accounts, or other data. Yes, they may have some access data if the service has a strong no-logs policy, but why not just choose a service that’s based outside of Uncle Sam’s jurisdiction? (If this worries you, you’ll also want to avoid countries with which the US has intelligence-sharing agreements.)
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