A virtual private network, aka a VPN, is one of the best tools you can use to boost your online privacy and security. It encrypts your traffic and tunnels it through a private server, allowing you to keep your online activities anonymous and hidden from prying eyes.
When looking for the best VPN, you’ll want to consider a few things: First and foremost, does it have a good privacy record; how are its average connection speeds; is it able to effectively and consistently unblock streaming services; and finally, does it have a large enough server network for your location needs? All of my curated picks below deliver these essentials plus more.
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Why you should trust me: Here at PCWorld we’ve been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. For my own part, I’m continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services with an eye toward the features and performance that a VPN user should care about most. To learn more about my testing methodology, scroll below my recommendations.
NordVPN – Best VPN overall
Pros
- Loaded with tons of VPN configuration options
- Outstanding speeds
- Multiple independent no-logs audits
- Included antivirus and password manager
Cons
- Expensive
Why I like NordVPN
It’s difficult to select the best overall VPN. Some services lack privacy but are significantly easier to use and come with tons of features, while others could use a serious interface redesign but have top-notch privacy.
For many years we chose the best VPN based purely on privacy, but VPNs have evolved to be more than just tools to browse online anonymously. Privacy is still important, to be sure, but so are speeds, extra features, server network size, and ease of use. NordVPN has it all, and that’s why it’s my top choice for VPNs.
Nord is the most full-featured service on the market and is just one part of a larger suite of privacy- and security-focused products from parent company Nord Security. The desktop app is very easy to use and offers a ton of different features including access to the TOR network over VPN, multi-hop connections, Meshnet file sharing network, a security suite complete with ad- and malware-blocking, and Nord’s latest password manager and link-checker safety tool.
NordVPN has also gone a long way to bolster user trust with the completion of its fourth independently verified no-logs policy last year. The service also carries out vendor assessments and uses RAM-only diskless servers for increased security. The speeds are outstanding, reaching an average of 72 percent of the base internet speed in a test across all servers — the fastest of any VPN I’ve tested.
Who should buy NordVPN
Since NordVPN is my top overall pick, I think it’s a truly solid option for everyone. It comes with an excellent feature set that will appeal to power users as well as an easy-to-use app that is intuitive and straightforward. Also, there will be no problems accessing any streaming service while using NordVPN and you’ll never have to worry about connection speeds slowing you down.
Additionally, for those who don’t want to bother subscribing to a lot of different security apps, NordVPN offers its own security features such as malware protection, ad- and tracker-blocking, and file-download protection all in one convenient subscription.
ExpressVPN – Best VPN runner-up
Pros
- Excellent speeds
- Easy-to-use interface
- Unblocks all streaming services
- Great security and privacy practices
Cons
- More expensive than many competitors
- Light on some features for a top VPN
Why I like ExpressVPN
Not only is ExpressVPN one of the fastest VPNs I’ve ever tested, but it also has a very easy-to-use Windows app. Its servers are all diskless, running everything in RAM so no data is ever stored long-term. ExpressVPN also has wide device support, as well as a smart DNS feature for set-top boxes, consoles, and more. It’s even branching out to take a more holistic approach to security for users, adding ad- and tracker-blocking and, most recently, a password manager to the service, as well.
It’s not the cheapest VPN out there, but you do get excellent value for the price, and the service is regularly bringing in third-party auditors to validate its privacy credentials.
The only reason I placed it second is due to the slight edge NordVPN has in regards to features and speed. Still, you can’t go wrong if you decide to go with ExpressVPN as your VPN of choice.
Who should buy ExpressVPN
Just like my other top pick, I think ExpressVPN is a great option for everyone. VPN novices will find that they can just download the software, choose their server location, and connect — it’s as simple as that. But more advanced users will be able to choose from features such as split-tunneling, protocol optimization, and a kill switch.
Also, ExpressVPN in its attempt to provide an all-inclusive security suite now offers users ad- and tracker-blocking, parental controls, and most recently, a password manager. Plus, ExpressVPN has one of the most expansive device support networks I’ve ever seen. So the VPN can be used across practically any and all devices — with up to eight simultaneous device connections.
Surfshark – Best cheap VPN
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Works well with Netflix
- Built-in extras such as ad tracker and malware blocking
- Low price on long-term plans
Cons
- Indicators for ping or server load are not readily available
- Based in the Netherlands and subject to government data sharing requests
Why I like Surfshark
Surfshark is one of those VPNs that does everything well. It has blazing-fast speeds, a robust feature set second only to NordVPN, and excellent privacy credentials thanks to its no-log policy and multiple independent audits. But the best thing about Surfshark is the price. Taking advantage of its 2-year plan offer will net you comprehensive protection for just over $2 per month. That’s basically unheard of for a premium VPN service. A subscription comes with all of your standard VPN features, plus infinitely customizable Dynamic MultiHop connections, identity protection alerts, and antivirus/malware protection.
While the price for a monthly subscription to Surfshark might be a bit steep, the long-term plans are much more affordable. I typically advise against long-term VPN plans as the market changes so frequently, but Surfshark is a rare exception. It’s an established company with a reliable track-record and consistently good service. If you want to save some money and get one of the best VPNs on the market, look no further.
Who should buy Surfshark
Surfshark is a great all-around VPN option for most people. That being said, those who don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for their VPN will find that Surfshark easily meets their needs without breaking the bank.
Private Internet Access – Best cheap VPN runner-up
Pros
- Multiple independently verified no-log audits
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Vast server network
- Great extra features such as multi-hop and split tunneling
Cons
- App is a little awkward to use
- Speeds are fairly pedestrian
Why I like Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) has been around for awhile and has demonstrated that it can continue to innovate and improve with each passing year. The latest version of PIA is no different. By putting itself through yet another independent audit of its no-logs policy it keeps proving that user privacy is its top priority.
It also comes with a solid all-around feature set, but the one that stands out with PIA is its split-tunneling. While this is a common feature in most of the services on this list, PIA goes above and beyond. Not only does it allow users to pick and choose which apps they wish to run through the VPN, but it also allows them to designate IP addresses and DNS requests. It even comes with the option for an app-based kill switch, which will block traffic only on specific apps should the VPN connection break. Power users will find that they can tweak these two highly configurable features in tandem to fully optimize their connections.
There are a few awkward interface issues and PIA isn’t the fastest service I’ve ever tested. But neither of these issues make the service any less viable.
Who should buy Private Internet Access
PIA is continuing to establish itself, along with the likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN, as one of the best VPNs around. I think it can be a great VPN for all users. However, where PIA really shines is in its extensive customizable feature set. Power users and those who like their apps to be customized to their individual needs will especially love all of the tweaking that this app allows you to do — even outside of just split-tunneling.
Proton VPN – Best free VPN
Pros
- Excellent free plan
- Great privacy tools
- Reliable and transparent no-logs policy
Cons
- Expensive
Why I like Proton VPN
If you’re looking for speed and top-notch privacy in a free VPN then Proton VPN is an excellent choice. Many free VPNs come with either ridiculous limitations or annoying ads. Mercifully, Proton VPN has no ads and the restrictions are fairly tame compared to other services. For the low, low cost of nothing, you’ll get a one-device connection limit and access to five servers located in Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the U.S. In my testing I also found that speeds were very good even with the free version, ranking in the top 10 of all VPNs, paid or free and it works with streaming services such as Netflix.
The VPN is from the same company behind Proton Mail, a privacy-focused email service, and those same values are carried over here as well. The company has undergone multiple independent audits confirming its no-logs policy — including the free VPN, as well. Overall, you get a lot for paying nothing and this easily makes it our favorite free VPN.
Who should use Proton VPN
Whether you opt for the free or paid version, Proton VPN is a good option for anyone. The free version specifically will appeal to those on a tight budget, or those who just need a VPN to do the occasional online task safely and securely online. Since there are no monthly data limits on Proton’s free VPN servers, it’s also an excellent option if you want to stream videos while using a VPN — just be aware, the free servers don’t promise to work with Netflix like some of Proton’s paid servers do.
Mullvad – Best VPN for privacy
Pros
- Good speeds
- Inexpensive monthly plan
- Unrivaled anonymity
- Open-source
Cons
- Struggles with unblocking streaming services
- Smaller server network
- Lacks some extra features that other VPNs offer
Why I like Mullvad
Mullvad is the undisputed king of privacy and anonymity. I’ve never seen another VPN that actively resists knowing who you are the way Mullvad does. Mullvad doesn’t ask for your email address, name, or anything else. Instead it assigns a random account number that acts as your identifier and login.
Mullvad accepts payments using standard methods such as credit cards and PayPal, but you can also mail your payment in cash to remain as private as possible. Mullvad has a no-logging policy and doesn’t collect any identifying metadata from your usage.
Mullvad is also fast, ranking among our top five for speeds.
Who should buy Mullvad
Mullvad is all about privacy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a more than capable VPN for any user. But the ultra-privacy conscious will find the most to like in its anonymized payment system, commitment to not collecting metadata, and strong privacy promises. I did find some hiccups when trying to access streaming services, so users who want their VPN to bypass location-restricted content may want to look elsewhere.
Hotspot Shield – Fastest VPN
Pros
- Very fast
- Large country selection and plenty of servers
Cons
- Domain visits are recorded, though not tied to you
- Expensive
Why I like Hotspot Shield
While other top picks on this list boast above-average speeds, Hotspot Shield is on another level. No other service (beyond NordVPN) comes close to hitting the speeds I’ve seen with Hotspot Shield. This isn’t just a one-off occurrence either; Hotspot Shield has consistently been at the top with speeds that are 12 to 15 percentage points above the competition. In my tests, Hotspot Shield maintained around 66 percent of the base speed. That’s substantially faster than you’ll see with most VPN services — though your experience may vary.
On the downside, Hotspot Shield comes with a smaller feature set that some of the other top VPNs and its privacy policy may not sit well with some. Still, Hotspot Shield has excellent speeds, its desktop application is well-designed, and as a bonus it works with U.S. Netflix.
Who should buy Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is for those looking to maintain the fastest connection possible with the minimum loss of base speed. In the past it was far and away the fastest VPN I had ever tested, but in recent years other services seem to be catching up.
Regardless, it is still one of the best around if connection speed is your main concern. I also found that it can access location-restricted content on most major streaming services. This, combined with its excellent speeds, makes it a good option if you mainly use a VPN to access streaming content.
CyberGhost – Best VPN for travelers
Pros
- Independently verified no-log policy
- Seriously impressive server spread
- Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Server speeds can be hit-or-miss
- Lacks some extra security features offered by competitors
Why I like CyberGhost
If you travel frequently then you want variety and wide coverage in the server locations from your VPN. CyberGhost provides both by offering a staggering 9,000+ servers for users to connect to, which is more than twice as many as most other VPNs on this list. Unlike some competitors, these servers aren’t all concentrated in the U.S. or Europe, either.
The server spread totals 120+ countries all across the world. The service even recommends optimized servers to users for various needs such as gaming, streaming, and torrenting. In my testing I found that some of the servers were faster than others, with servers located in Europe having excellent speeds and servers in Asia not fairing as well. But overall, the speeds are good enough to do most of what you want to do with a VPN — web browsing, streaming, etc.
CyberGhost also has a well-designed Windows app that is intuitive and easy to use, even when tweaking settings. It lacks some of the power-user features that other VPNs on this list provide such as multi-hop and IP rotation, but that shouldn’t be a deal breaker for the average user. Ultimately, CyberGhost is a straightforward and easy-to-use VPN service with an incredible number of server locations.
Who should buy CyberGhost
Due to its plethora of servers and locations, CyberGhost is one of the best options for finding a server no matter where you are in the world. For those who travel a lot or just need access to a diverse and vast server spread, CyberGhost is definitely worth consideration.
Other VPNs we like
PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is a strong overall service both with its premium and free versions. While either plan is recommended, it’s the free version of the VPN that really stands out. With 13 global servers to choose from, a generous 10 simultaneous device-connection limit, and up to 10GB per month of high-speed data, it’s one of the best free VPNs around. In my testing I found that even the free servers were able to unblock streaming services — something that’s virtually unheard of with other free VPNs.
Windscribe Pro
Windscribe Pro is not only very affordable, but it’s also really easy to use and offers great security, with both a Windows client and browser extension that work in tandem to keep your browsing private and pop-up free. Windscribe also offers a free option that’s among my favorites, and is a great way to test out the service before deciding if you want to upgrade to a paid tier.
Hide.me
Hide.me is so close to being on the list of best VPNs. It only falls short due to some speed inconsistencies and an unpolished interface. That being said, it’s a well-rounded service that ticks almost every box and the fantastic array of configurable settings make it a power-user’s dream. I recommend starting with the free version to try it out and see if it fits your style before committing.
IPVanish
U.S.-based IPVanish nails all of the basics. It has good speeds, a large server network, and backs up its privacy promises with independent audits. It also offers very affordable longer-term subscription plans. It doesn’t come with as robust a feature set as some of the other top services, but the price and VPN performance are hard to match.
TunnelBear
TunnelBear is an undeniably charming VPN that keeps it simple. It’s extremely easy to use, not overwhelming you with too many features or country options which makes it ideal for VPN novices or those who aren’t the most tech-savvy. It isn’t the fastest VPN and it can sometimes struggle with Netflix, but the cheerful vibe and overall positive user experience will appeal to many.
I’m continuously evaluating new VPNs and reevaluating services we’ve already tested on a regular basis, so be sure to come back to see what else we’ve put through their paces.
Recent VPN reviews and features
- Hotspot Shield: A blazing fast VPN that works with streaming services, but privacy concerns hold it back a bit.
- ExpressVPN: Still our top VPN due to its fast speeds, good feature set, and excellent privacy.
- NymVPN: An innovative decentralized VPN with promise, but it has some kinks to work out before it comes out of beta.
- Should you use a VPN browser extension: What you gain, what you give up
- 9 things you realize when you first start using a VPN
- VPNs and the law: How often does law enforcement actually request VPN logs?
What to look for in a VPN
One of the first things you should look for when shopping around for a VPN is the number of servers and locations. It’s difficult to judge any VPN by just one feature, but a semi-reliable way to tell if a VPN is even worth your time is to look at the server network. Anything with 1,000 or more servers and 30 or more country locations will do.
The next thing to consider is a VPN’s speed. This may be tricky to do since you aren’t likely to be able to test connection speeds without paying to use the service. Reading reviews online will give you a general estimate. Look for reviews, like ours, that give you a relative average of connection speeds rather than direct Mbps speed comparisons for a more accurate picture.
You’ll also want to read up on a VPN’s privacy protections. Does it have a no-logs policy? Has it undergone any independent audits of its servers? Where is the VPN company located? All of these will give you an idea of whether or not a VPN is transparent with its data collection policies and if it’s subject to government data sharing requirements.
Other factors you’ll want to take into consideration are the overall ease-of-use, user experience, and any additional features. Some of these features, such as split-tunneling and kill switches, can be extremely useful for certain purposes and might sway your subscription decision one way or the other.
Finally, as with all subscription services, you’ll want to review the price of a VPN service. Do you want a monthly or yearly subscription? Some top VPNs might be pricey month-to-month, but actually become quite affordable with long-term plans.
How I tested
I judge VPNs on a variety of criteria including server network, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease-of-use, additional features, and cost. For a more detailed guide on how my process, check out PCWorld’s comprehensive guide on how we test VPN services.
Speed tests are kept as simple as possible. I average the connections between different global locations for any given VPN and then compare them to our baseline internet speed to get a good picture of the overall connection speeds. I thoroughly research and analyze the privacy policies and histories of each VPN and note any outstanding discrepancies or data collection issues.
Experience and ease-of-use are subjective, but I try my best to give an accurate representation of how it feels to work with the VPN. And finally, I compare the value of the service based upon its price and additional features to the industry average to help you gain an accurate picture of what you’ll get for your money.
FAQ
What is a VPN?
VPNs create a secure tunnel between your PC and the internet. You connect to a VPN server, which can be located in the United States or a foreign country — say, France or Japan. Your web traffic then goes through that server to make it appear as though you’re browsing from that server’s location, and not from your actual location.
When you’re using a VPN, it’s difficult for others to snoop on your web-browsing activity. Only you, the VPN service, and the website you’re visiting will know what you’re up to.
A VPN can be a great response to a variety of concerns, such as online privacy, anonymity, greater security on public Wi-Fi, and, of course, spoofing locations.
Is it legal to use a VPN?
Yes! It is perfectly legal in most countries, including the United States, to use a VPN. While using a VPN, you might find some websites that try to block your connection, but this is an individual website’s use policy and has nothing to do with the legality of the VPN itself. One thing to note though, while it’s legal to use a VPN, some of the activities done while using a VPN might be illegal. Such things as downloading pirated copyrighted content or accessing dark web markets are illegal whether you use a VPN or not.
Do VPNs protect against malware and computer viruses?
No, a VPN connection itself does not protect you from malware and computer viruses. It does however encrypt your internet traffic and keep prying eyes from accessing your browsing history.
Some VPN services, such as NordVPN, do, however, provide additional security features such as ad- and malware-blockers, anti-phishing warnings, and a password manager. This seems to be a trend from VPN providers to offer extra security features, but they are still a ways away from offering comprehensive protection. I still recommend that everyone use a dependable antivirus suite along with a VPN to ensure full protection.
Will a VPN affect my internet speeds?
Most likely you will see a moderate speed decrease to your internet while using a VPN. This is mainly due to the process of your internet traffic being rerouted and encrypted through a VPN server before heading on to its destination. The amount of latency you will experience through this process is down to what country’s server you choose to proxy your traffic through. If you choose a server located on the other side of the world, then you will notice a much greater hit than if you were to connect to a server nearby in your same country.
Thankfully, most modern VPNs should have the infrastructure to maintain high-speed, secure data transfer rates. So it’s likely you can still browse and stream with no noticeable impact while using a reputable VPN like those listed above.
Will a VPN make me anonymous online?
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as just turning on your VPN and disappearing off grid. While VPNs certainly offer better privacy and security, they don’t make you completely anonymous. There are a mindboggling number of ways that companies track you across the internet and a VPN isn’t capable of blocking all of them. For example, when you sign into a website, your identity is still revealed to that website, VPN or not. Or when you log into your Gmail account while using a VPN, Google can now collect personalized cookies based on your browsing.
How many servers should my VPN have?
There is no set number of servers that make one VPN better than another. However, most major VPN providers offer between 3,000 to 5,000 servers. Also, we recommend avoiding any paid services whose providers have under 1,000 servers as this may be an indication that the company is not yet well established, meaning that there is a higher chance for reliability issues.
It is common for VPN providers to advertise the number of servers they have, but this is largely a marketing gimmick and doesn’t generally equate to the quality of the VPN provider itself. Things such as the spread of server locations and server quality are as important, if not more so, than the number of available servers.
Editor’s note: Because online services are often iterative, gaining new features and performance improvements over time, our reviews are subject to change in order to accurately reflect the current state of the services.
Author: Sam Singleton, Assistant Editor, PCWorld
Sam Singleton is PCWorld's VPN beat reporter and jack of all trades. When he's not on the hunt for the best computer deals he's covering VPNs, productivity software, laptops, and a wide gamut of consumer-grade hardware and software.