Best Overall

4.9

Learn More

On NordVPN's website

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NordVPN

• High-quality VPN offering safety and speed
• Loads of servers for multiple connection options
• Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
• Too many confusing plans

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Best Value

4.9

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On Surfshark's website

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Surfshark

• VPN technology offering stability and speed
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Works with Netflix and other streaming services
• Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance

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Best Device Compatibility

4.6

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On ExpressVPN's website

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ExpressVPN

• Premium VPN offering strong security and ultra-fast speeds
• Strict no-logs policy with independent audit
• In-house Lightway protocol for more speed and security
• More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

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Best for Affordable Privacy

5.0

Learn More

On Private Internet Access's website

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Private Internet Access

• VPN offering fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
• Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
• Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra

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Best for Fast Speeds

4.9

Learn More

On Proton VPN's website

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Proton VPN

• Easy to use
• A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
• More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

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Based on our testing, experience, and research, we recommend NordVPN as the best virtual private network (VPN). It’s a reliable and fast service that supports streaming and torrenting. It’s also easy to use and offers high levels of encryption and privacy.

We picked Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access (PIA), and Proton VPN as our second- through fifth-ranked providers. We tested these and other VPNs and ranked them according to their price, speeds, no-logs policies, privacy, and other features.

Let’s see why these are the five best VPNs.

The best VPNs 2024

• NordVPN: Best overall and most reliable
• Surfshark: Best value
• ExpressVPN: Best for device compatibility
• Private Internet Access: Best for affordable privacy
• Proton VPN: Best internet speeds and free plan

Top 5 VPN services compared

VPN	NordVPN Best Overall	Surfshark	ExpressVPN	Private Internet Access	Proton VPN
Starting price	Starts at $2.99/mo	Starts at $1.99/mo	Starts at $6.67/mo	Starts at $2.03/mo	Starts at $4.99/mo (Limited free plan available)
Number of devices	6	Unlimited	8	Unlimited	10
Server count	6,000+ in 60 countries	3,200+ in 100 countries	Server locations in 94 countries	84 countries + 50 U.S. states	1,900+ in 67 countries
Streaming support
Torrenting support
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read Our NordVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Our Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN Read Our ExpressVPN Review	Get PIA Read Our PIA Review	Read Our Proton VPN Review

How we tested the best VPNs

We chose the five best VPNs in this article by comparing features we think are important to consider when choosing a VPN provider. We looked at and/or tested a variety of features and factors, including:

• Price: Our top VPNs (other than ExpressVPN) cost around $5 or less per month.
• Internet speeds: All five VPNs provided fast speeds during our tests.
• Streaming support: We had no issues unblocking different streaming services with each VPN.
• Leaks: There were no DNS or WebRTC leaks when we performed these tests with each VPN.
• Additional features: These VPNs provide features such as split tunneling and kill switches.

NordVPN: Best overall and most reliable

4.9

Limited-time offer: 69% off + 3 extra months

Learn More

On NordVPN's website

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NordVPN

• High-quality VPN offering safety and speed
• Loads of servers for multiple connection options
• Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
• Too many confusing plans

Who it’s best for

NordVPN is best for people who want a VPN that does just about everything right. This includes unblocking different streaming services, providing fast speeds, and having an easy-to-use interface that even beginners can feel comfortable with.

What we liked

Streaming: You can watch Netflix with NordVPN*, as well as other streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Nord is also extremely easy to use, as we found out when using its Windows app on our PC. Simply boot it up, quickly connect to a VPN server, and that’s going to be about it for most users — no need to do anything fancy or complicated to make it work.

Performance: We put NordVPN to the test in three key areas: speed, privacy, and Netflix access. NordVPN performed well in our speed test. We tested it on a MacBook Pro in the U.S. and saw only a 9% drop in download speed when connecting to a U.S. server. 

We didn’t find any glaring issues with NordVPN while testing its speeds and security features. Everything simply worked as intended, which is exactly what you want from a VPN service.

Privacy: Nord provides fast VPN speeds, has a strict no-logs policy with multiple independent audits, and offers a specialty server network to suit your internet connection needs. This includes P2P, double VPN (also known as multi-hop), and obfuscated servers.

What we didn’t like

Pricing: Unlike competitors ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PIA, which offer three plans, NordVPN has nine. More plans don’t always equal better. You can only enjoy access to NordVPN, a password manager, a data breach scanner, and 1 TB of storage if you pick the most expensive plan, Complete. Inevitably, you’ll pay more money this way (even if it is cheaper in the long term).

Other VPNs — like CyberGhost, PIA, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN — provide more budget-friendly options. CyberGhost, for example, offers a two-year plan for $2.03/mo. PIA has a three-year plan for $2.03/mo.

NordVPN specs

Surfshark: Best value

4.9

Limited-time offer: 82% off + 4 months free

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On Surfshark's website

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Surfshark

• VPN technology offering stability and speed
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Works with Netflix and other streaming services
• Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance

Who it’s best for

Money-wise, Surfshark is a pretty sweet deal. ExpressVPN’s lowest cost is $6.67/mo, while NordVPN’s lowest cost is $2.99/mo. Surfshark's 24-month plan comes out at $1.99/mo, which is 70% cheaper than ExpressVPN's one-year plan and 33% cheaper than NordVPN's two-year plan. Talk about serious savings!

Another one of Surfshark's standout features is its unlimited device connections. NordVPN and ExpressVPN have caps on their device limits — NordVPN at six and ExpressVPN at eight. For the price, Surfshark is most suitable for families and individuals with a ton of devices needing VPN coverage. Even better, Surfshark doesn’t limit speed or bandwidth on its unlimited device connections so that you can surf the web without lag. 

What we liked

Pricing: One thing we appreciate about Surfshark is its affordability. It understands not all of us have the same needs, and that’s reflected in its plans and pricing structure.

Surfshark offers three pricing options:

• Monthly plan: $3.99/mo
• 1-year plan: $2.69/mo, billed annually
• 24-month plan: $1.99/mo, billed every 24 months

Now, let's talk about what you get for this low price. Surfshark splits its features into three groups:

• Surfshark Starter: This plan has three of the 12 total features — a secure VPN, an ad and malware blocker, and a cookie pop-up blocker.
• Surfshark One: With this plan, you get 10 out of 12 features, like real-time email breach alerts, ID breach alerts, a private search engine, 24/7 antivirus protection, and webcam protection, in addition to what's in the Starter plan.
• Surfshark One+: This is the full package, giving you all 12 out of 12 features, including data removal from company databases and people search sites.

How to get the best deal: For the best deal on Surfshark, consider choosing the 24-month plan at $1.99/mo, as it offers the most savings. This way, you get comprehensive features to keep you safe online without breaking the bank. Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free and see if it suits your needs.

Devices: Of the providers on this list, Surfshark is one of only two VPNs that offer access to unlimited simultaneous VPN connections. That’s an important feature depending on your situation, which could include using a VPN on a phone, laptop, tablet, and desktop computer.

And if you’re sharing a VPN with other people, the device count quickly adds up. This could be an issue with any other VPN on this list, especially ExpressVPN (eight-device limit) and NordVPN (six-device limit).

Performance: We also like how we had no issues with speeds or using Surfshark with Netflix. And the fact that Surfshark has servers in 100 countries, which is more than NordVPN (60), Proton VPN (69), and Private Internet Access (91).

What we didn’t like

Privacy: Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is associated with the Five Eyes Alliance. Countries within the 5, 9, and Fourteen Eyes alliances are known to share global surveillance information with each other, including surveillance on their own citizens.

VPNs are legal in these countries and there are likely no issues with privacy concerns as long as Surfshark and other providers stick to their no-logs policies.

Surfshark specs

ExpressVPN: Best for device compatibility

4.6

Save 49% on 12 months + 3 months free

Learn More

On ExpressVPN's website

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ExpressVPN

• Premium VPN offering strong security and ultra-fast speeds
• Strict no-logs policy with independent audit
• In-house Lightway protocol for more speed and security
• More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

Who it’s best for

ExpressVPN is the way to go if you are device-agnostic yet have several device types. You can use ExpressVPN on the standard operating systems, Windows and macOS, as well as Linux and Chromebooks. For mobile devices, it works on Amazon Fire tablets, Android, and iOS, which covers most smartphones and tablets.

ExpressVPN also supports routers from brands like Asus, Linksys, and NETGEAR. If your router isn't on the list, you can manually configure it for use or grab ExpressVPN’s proprietary Aircove router with the VPN already installed — one of our top picks for the best VPN routers available right now.

When it comes to streaming, you're covered with options like Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Android TV. ExpressVPN even protects you with browser extensions for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. And for those smart TVs that don't support ExpressVPN, you can still manually configure it on LG and Samsung smart TVs. 

What we liked

Streaming: We like that ExpressVPN offers Smart DNS, which it calls “MediaStreamer.” MediaStreamer lets you watch content on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer, even on devices that can't run a VPN. You can set it up on devices like Apple TV, Xbox, PlayStation, and more.

Using ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer, you can:

• Watch shows and sites that are geo-blocked in certain places on any device that can connect to the internet.
• Get access to websites with strict rules that can't be unlocked with a regular trick like changing your virtual location.
• Avoid setting off security systems that check your IP address, and messing up your browsing experience.

Performance: Regarding performance, we tested ExpressVPN in speed, privacy, and the ability to access Netflix. We ran speed tests on a MacBook Pro in the U.S. ExpressVPN signaled strong performance, with only a 39% reduction in download speed when connected to an Australian server.

ExpressVPN hides our IP address for privacy and keeps our online activity secure by routing it through its VPN servers. It also allows us to watch Netflix with content from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia without any hiccups. 

Privacy: Overall, ExpressVPN is popular for a reason. It provides a strict no-logs policy backed up by an independent audit. You can also contact a live chat representative 24/7 with any questions.

What we didn’t like

Pricing: ExpressVPN is expensive, starting at $6.67/mo. That’s more than four times the price of Private Internet Access ($2.03/mo) and twice the cost of NordVPN ($2.99/mo).

The cost is our main gripe with ExpressVPN, other than the fact it doesn’t officially publish a server count. We know that server counts can change frequently, but there’s got to be at least a rough estimate.

ExpressVPN specs

Private Internet Access: Best for affordable privacy

5.0

Save 83% on a 2-year subscription + 4 months free

Learn More

On Private Internet Access's website

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Private Internet Access

• VPN offering fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
• Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
• Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra

Who it’s best for

People who want an affordable VPN that doesn’t skimp on online privacy, security, or streaming support. Private Internet Access (PIA) provides fast speeds, has highly rated mobile VPN apps, and has a starting price of $2.03/mo that’s hard to beat.

What we liked

Pricing: None of the other VPNs on this list cost less than $2.03/mo, only Surfshark. PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs around.

Performance: Add to that the fact that PIA is an excellent service for the price point, having passed our streaming and speed tests with flying colors, and you’ve got quite the product on your hands.

This includes unblocking Netflix in multiple regions and giving us some of our best speed results for the different VPNs we tested. Throw in a strict no-logs policy with an independent audit plus support for unlimited device connections and you’re looking at a secure, fast, and affordable service.

What we didn’t like

Privacy: PIA is based in the U.S., which has its fair share of privacy concerns and issues. This might not mean anything to you as long as PIA sticks to its no-logs policy and protects users’ anonymity.

On a separate note, we’ve had a few chats with PIA customer support about different things. We like how the service is 24/7, but the chats haven’t been overly helpful.

Private Internet Access specs

Proton VPN: Best internet speeds and free plan

4.9

Learn More

On Proton VPN's website

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Proton VPN

• Easy to use
• A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
• More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

Who it’s best for

People who want a high-quality VPN that’s easy to use, has a free subscription plan, and unblocks different streaming services. Proton VPN was also one of the fastest VPNs from our speed tests, finishing with some of the best results among the VPNs we tested.

What we liked

Streaming: Proton VPN had no issues with unblocking different streaming services, including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Proton advertises that its VPN offers much more streaming support for services including Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, and more.

Performance: Proton VPN's Plus servers, exclusively for Plus plan users, offer some great perks. They let you stream content from services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, block ads and trackers to speed up browsing, support file sharing through BitTorrent, and provide a one-click option to route your internet traffic through the Tor network for added privacy.

In most places, these servers boast super-fast speeds, up to 10 Gbps, ensuring a smooth and secure online experience.

Features: Feature-wise, Proton VPN's free plan is a standout offering in the world of free VPNs. Unlike most free VPN services with usage caps and speed limitations, Proton VPN's free plan is unlimited. It doesn't impose any data caps or speed limits. With 92 free servers in three countries is an excellent value for a free VPN.

Privacy: We like that Proton VPN encrypts at a high level with AES-256 encryption and sticks to its no-logs policy. Fun fact: The Proton VPN no-logs policy was tested in a Swiss court in 2019 when data was requested from a foreign country. Proton couldn’t comply with the request because there wasn’t any information to give due to its no-logs policy.

What we didn’t like

Features: The free plan is obviously not as good as the paid options, considering you potentially get slower connection speeds, you’re limited to servers in three countries, and only paid subscribers get access to a live chat support feature. You can also only connect one device at a time and there’s limited functionality (no torrenting or streaming support).

Pricing: So depending on your needs, the Proton VPN Free option might not work for you at all. Proton VPN paid options are also a bit costlier than many other VPN providers. Starting at $4.99/mo, you’re skirting the edge of being affordable.

Proton VPN specs

Honorable mentions

These VPNs may not be on our top recommendation list, but they are worth mentioning for certain users.

Here are our honorable VPN mentions:

CyberGhost

CyberGhost has over 10,000 servers in 100 countries and a strict no-logs policy. Standout features include a dedicated IP address, NoSpy servers, and servers optimized for torrenting, streaming, and gaming.

While it unblocks Netflix just fine, the user experience gave us trouble. It's headquartered in Romania, which is a pro because Romania isn't part of any data-sharing alliances.

Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN is a fast and secure option with over 1,000+ servers in 48+ countries. It offers features like a kill switch and split tunneling.

However, it can't unblock all streaming services (like the U.K.) and lacks dedicated IP addresses. It's also headquartered in the United States, a con because the U.S. is part of the Five Eyes Alliance, known for data sharing.

Get Atlas VPN | Read Our Atlas VPN Review

ClearVPN

ClearVPN has a user-friendly interface with settings that are clear and understandable. It's a great option for beginner VPN users or if you don't need all the bells and whistles. It also offers a free plan with servers in the U.S. and the Ukraine that doesn't cap your bandwidth or data usage, so you can try it out risk-free as long as you like. 

Unfortunately, ClearVPN failed our testing for DNS leaks, so your online activities might not be safe while using the service. It did pass the WebRTC leak test, so your IP address is safe in that regard.

Get ClearVPN | Read Our ClearVPN Review

IPVanish

IPVanish has over 2,200 servers across 75+ VPN locations. It supports torrenting, has unlimited devices, and independently verifies its no-logs policy. This is great news if you have a family or multiple devices. If not, it’s more expensive than its competitors.

Also, the desktop interface looks old-fashioned, but the mobile app is user-friendly and works well. It also doesn’t have a kill switch on iOS. IPVanish is headquartered in the U.S., which might be a con due to data-sharing concerns.

Read Our IPVanish Review

Privado VPN

Privado VPN’s free plan offers 12 global servers, while the paid is supposed to have “hundreds” of servers across 48 countries. Privado VPN is budget-friendly, allows up to 10 connections, and works well with Netflix.

However, it hasn't completed an independent audit of its no-logs policy and has fewer servers. It's based in Switzerland, which is generally considered a pro for privacy.

Get Privado VPN | Read Our Privado VPN Review

FAQs

Bottom line: The best VPNs tested by our experts

NordVPN is the best VPN service according to our testing, research, and personal experience. Nord provides fast speeds, unblocks popular streaming services, and prioritizes user security and privacy. Following Nord, we have Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and Proton VPN rounding out our top five list, in that order.

5 best VPNs 2024

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
NordVPN	Starts at $2.99/mo	Best overall	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
Surfshark	Starts at $1.99/mo	Best value	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark VPN Review
ExpressVPN	Starts at $6.67/mo	Best device compatibility	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review
Private Internet Access	Starts at $2.03/mo	Best for affordable privacy	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access VPN Review
Proton VPN	Starts at $4.99/mo (Limited free plan available)	Best internet speeds and free option	Read Proton VPN Review

What is a VPN and how does it work?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a technology that is essential to have in your cybersecurity toolbelt today. Imagine a VPN as a secret passage on the internet. A VPN works to creates a safe, hidden path between your device and a special server run by your VPN provider of choice.

When you use a VPN, all your internet data becomes like secret code that no one can understand if they try to snoop on you. Also, the VPN server gives you a fake address — almost like wearing a disguise — so websites and surveillance can't figure out where you really are.

People use VPNs to stay safe online, especially on public Wi-Fi networks, and to avoid throttling by their internet service provider. VPNs can also help you visit websites that are off-limits in some places or watch shows from other countries. Other use cases are bypassing censorship laws and helping activists and journalists correspond with the rest of the world.

How to choose the best VPN

Consider these questions to choose the best VPN for you:

• How much does it cost? Look for a VPN that costs around $5 or as a good starting point for an affordable service.
• Does it keep logs of user data? Make sure a VPN has a strict no-logs policy you can review online and that an independent audit by a trusted company has been conducted.
• Does it offer a large number of servers? Check to see if there are enough servers to support loads of users. Around 2,000 or more in at least 50 countries is roughly the average.
• How secure is it? Verify if a VPN uses AES-256 or equivalent encryption and secure VPN protocols, such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, or something similar.
• Does it slow down your internet speed? Run speed tests during free trials or if you have a 30-day money-back guarantee. A small drop in speed is expected with VPNs, but anything that might affect your everyday online activities is likely too much. Keep in mind that more distant servers typically slow down your speeds more.

Free vs. paid VPNs: Which is better?

Trying a free VPN might seem like a money-saving idea, but it often leads to slow, unreliable connections and a higher risk of data leaks. Free VPNs can't match the quality and security of paid ones, which offer faster speeds and better protection for your online activities.

Also, paid VPNs are more likely to unblock streaming services like Netflix, making them a safer and more reliable choice in the long run. Lastly, free VPNs are notorious for capturing your data and selling it to advertisers, or even injecting spyware into your activity. If you are someone who values privacy and your personal data being left alone, the majority of free VPNs aren’t going to cut it.

Thankfully, there are ways to save money on VPN services. From choosing a low-cost VPN app with lots of value like Surfshark to waiting for holiday deals, there are multiple hacks to fit a VPN’s extra security into your budget.

4.9

Limited-time offer: 69% off + 3 extra months

Learn More

On NordVPN's website

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NordVPN

• High-quality VPN offering safety and speed
• Loads of servers for multiple connection options
• Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
• Too many confusing plans

Author Details

Ben Walker

About the Author

Ben Walker is a writer at All About Cookies with a passion for all things internet and technology, whether it's using VPNs while away from home or organizing his life with password managers.

Cheyenne Lightfoot