Virtual private networks (VPNs) promise the ability to stream any content from anywhere. They unlock content from abroad on almost any streaming service you use regularly, which can come in handy if you’re into an obscure BBC exclusive that isn’t available in the United States.
But that’s really just one small benefit of VPN services. VPNs provide a private traffic tunnel to keep your internet service provider out of your business, and provide an extra layer of security to protect your browsing habits.
We tested the nine most popular VPN services available now to come up with our top picks, and explain what you need to know before paying for one. Our top pick remains ProtonVPN, thanks to its easy-to-use interface, no-logs policy, and open-source framework, while other popular options like NordVPN weren’t as successful. While we think ProtonVPN is the best VPN for most people, we also point out other good options you can consider.
The VPNs we tried ranked consistently in all of our tests, but ProtonVPN stood out as a strong option due to its overall security, usability, and privacy features. Proton Technologies’ suite of services includes Mail, Calendar, Drive, and a VPN known for its end-to-end encryption. This makes it a strong contender for overall security, but its VPN stood out as a particularly well-rounded independent service.
ProtonVPN’s no-logs policy has passed audits, and the company has attested to not complying with law enforcement requests. Because it’s based in Switzerland, there are no forced logging obligations, according to the company, making it a safe VPN option. Plus, it’s based on an open-source framework, and has an official vulnerability disclosure program, as well as clear definitions on what it does with personal information.
While ProtonVPN offers a free version, it’s limited compared to other options, with access to a server network in only three countries. Its paid version, which costs around $5.39 per month, includes access to VPN server locations in over 65 countries on up to 10 devices at a time. Although we wouldn’t consider it a cheap VPN, it’s a relatively affordable price for basic protection. For dedicated Proton Technologies users, they can pay closer to $8.63 for a monthly plan to access the entire suite.
ProtonVPN passed our geoblock, streaming, and gaming tests with only a very small toll on connection speeds. It also comes with malware-, ad-, and tracker-blocking as an additional service, plus a kill switch feature on the latest version of macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. It’s available on most major operating systems, routers, TV services, and more, including Firefox, Linux, and Android TV. For dedicated Linux users, ProtonVPN added a new Linux-specific app to support its services in August.
By signing up for Windscribe’s free plan with their email, users can get 10GB of data per month, unlimited connections, and access to over 10 countries. We chose it as the best free VPN because of its high security and wide range of server locations compared to other free VPNs. According to the company, it has over 500 servers in over 60 countries, and it can be configured for routers, smart TVs, and more on top of common operating systems.
Windscribe has no recent independent security audits, but it publishes a transparency report indicating it has complied with zero requests for its data, runs a vulnerability disclosure program encouraging researchers to report flaws, and offers multiple protocols for users to connect.
Plus, it’s easy to use. Setup is intuitive and it passed our geoblock, streaming, and gaming tests. The paid version costs from $5.75 to $9 per month, depending on the plan you choose, and includes unlimited data, access to all servers, and an ad/tracker/malware blocker. Or, for $1 per location per month, users can create a plan tailored to the VPNs they want to access. Windscribe is still expanding its reach, adding Japan to its list of available locations.