The Best VPN Services for 2021

Best VPN Services for 2021: Online security is more important today than ever before. One common method for protecting yourself online is the use of a Virtual Private Network — or VPN for short. It allows you to safely send information when using public networks via a group of networked computers and faraway servers. Not all VPNs are the same, however, so we took some time to find the best VPN services.

Best VPN Services for 2021

We’d like to note at the start that signing up for free VPN services — especially those dedicated to mobile apps — can be a risky business. Know that all “free” services are making money off of you somehow, whether it be from advertisements or something less innocuous, such as selling user activity data. The best VPNs typically promise no activity or user logs … but they come with fees.

We’ve scoured the web for reviews, testimonials, and statistics on which are the best VPN choices. Then we tried out the services for ourselves, taking notes on ease of use and testing network speeds. Keeping all of these factors in mind, these are the services that stood out.

IPVanish

IPVanish offers all the key features you could need from a VPN and at a great price, too. With the regular sales part of the Vanish experience, you can commit for a year at a very low price, enjoying the protection that comes from a choice of more than 1,600 VPN servers across more than 75 different locations.

Besides offering extensive protection whether you’re browsing from home or using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, Vanish also makes it simpler to avoid Deep Packet Inspection — a method used by ISPs to limit your internet speed at times. The VPN offers unmetered data transfer caps and there’s no limit on how many devices you can use it with so it’s incredibly flexible for high-volume users.

No logs are kept plus there’s a choice of multiple connection protocols which is useful if you want to get more involved in your VPN settings. 24/7 customer support means the VPN is always on hand to help you out, too. Not that you should need it too often thanks to simple-to-use apps for all major platforms.

If you want even more from IPVanish, you can also opt to sign up to its VPN+Storage plan offering all of the above plus 500GB of secure storage including multi-folder syncing and ransomware protection.

Combined, it’s a great service and it’ll even help you avoid geo-restrictions on many of your favorite streaming services too.

• Cost: $10 on a monthly basis, $90 for an annual subscription ($7.50 monthly)
• Number of servers: 1,600+
• Number of server locations: 75 cities worldwide
• Clients supported: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android
• Number of simultaneous connections: Unlimited

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access does everything you could want from a good VPN. It hides your IP address, protects your information, and scrambles your browsing activity using a variety of encryption methods. It also tends to have one of the best VPN sales for Black Friday and similar events.

We tested Private Internet Access using its Windows installer, which configures the VPN protocols and provides a simple utility in the taskbar to turn the VPN connection on and off. While the interface was spartan, the performance was excellent. Our test system consistently maintained over 110 Mb/s download and 19 Mb/s upload speeds with the VPN connection turned on, very close to our usual 125 Mb/s download and 20 Mb/s upload speeds.

On the downside, Netflix complained about a proxy and Amazon Prime Video wouldn’t play due to a geographical restriction. These errors occurred whether we used the automatic setting or selected a local U.S.-based server. However, Private Internet Access claims that users can get “unrestricted access to all the content you want” since their VPN service supports Netflix and “all other major streaming services.”

• Cost: $12 on a monthly basis, $40 for an annual subscription ($3 monthly), $79 for three years ($2 monthly)
• Number of servers: 32,839
• Number of server locations: 101 locations among 78 countries
• Clients supported: Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android — several browser extensions
• Number of simultaneous connections: Up to 10

TorGuard

With a name like TorGuard, the software better offer strong protection. The software’s hallmarks lie in its ability to connect to a mélange of services for different activities, with four different packages available based on various needs.

The VPN service will run you $10 each month, which includes port forwarding, OpenVPN obfuscation, malware blocking, and no activity logs. Like most VPN services, the program will prevent websites from viewing your personal IP address, thus preventing others from identifying you or your geographic location.

The TorGuard Windows client was easy to install and made quick work of connecting to a VPN server, including the ability to choose a server location prior to connecting.

Internet service provider

The internet speed on our test system dropped from our usual 125 Mb/s download to 53 Mb/s, and our upload ran at 17 Mb/s compared to our usual 20 Mb/s. That’s not the best performance in our testing, but all internet services that we tested worked without a hitch, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

• Cost: $10/month for Anonymous VPN ($60 for the annual package); Anonymous Email service plans start at $9 per month; Business VPN plans usually start at $32 per month (when not on sale); Streaming Bundle plans are $22 per month ($121 annually)
• Number of servers: 3,000+
• Number of server locations: 50+ countries
• Clients supported: Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android
• Number of simultaneous connections: Up to eight for Anonymous VPN (non-business) users

NordVPN

With three different VPN protocols (IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and NordLynx), it’s easy to see that NordVPN values your privacy. But the company has also worked hard to build up its server network to include more than 5,400 servers in 59 countries around the world.

The service also comes with split tunneling, a kill switch feature for when you lose your connection, and you can use up to six devices simultaneously. If you’re not familiar, split tunneling is the ability to whitelist some activities to bypass the VPN for better performance.

From protected DNS queries to automatic kill switches, NordVPN wants you to know that your information won’t fall into the wrong hands. It’s also one of the most open VPNs about exactly what servers it offers in what countries, and provides 24/7 live chat support for questions.

The company has recently improved its platform support, adding in iOS and Android and thus overcoming its one weakness.

The NordVPN client provided one of the most attractive interfaces, and connecting to a VPN server was straightforward and very quick.

We found performance to be somewhat spotty, however, with our fastest connection running at 53 Mb/s down and 26 Mb/s up, compared to 125 Mb/s down and 20 Mb/s with the VPN connection turned off. We did have an issue connecting to Netflix, but Amazon Prime Video ran without issue. Our other internet tests went without a hitch.

• Cost: $12 per month; $59 for the first year; $99 for the first two years of service
• Number of servers: 5,410
• Number of server locations: 59 countries
• Clients supported: Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android (including Android TV), a few browser extensions, and a whole host of other devices
• Number of simultaneous connections: Up to six

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN’s “#1 Trusted Leader in VPN” claim may be a bit difficult to prove, but the service offers a compelling list of features nonetheless. It also constantly tries to make consistent improvements in speed and simultaneous streaming capabilities, and with support for all major platforms (Windows, MacOS, Android, etc.), you won’t need to worry about compatibility. ExpressVPN shows up on a number of “best VPN” lists, and so its relatively high prices seem justified.

The more than 3,000 servers are all well placed throughout common travel destinations and urban centers. Any package will land you high-speed unlimited bandwidth and 24-hour customer service. With so many features, including bypassing ISP throttling and split tunneling, it’s no wonder this vendor is considered among the best — although you should note that ExpressVPN only supports up to five simultaneous connections with a single subscription, which is the lowest number of the services on our list.

But they also provide a workaround of sorts for that: If you install ExpressVPN on your router, your router can protect all of your devices and the router only counts as one device towards your subscription, regardless of how many other devices are connected to that router. This way, you can have more than five devices protected at once.

Setting up ExpressVPN and connecting to a VPN server was easy enough. Performance, when connected to the VPN server, was average, at 49 Mb/s down and 16 Mb/s up, compared to our usual speeds of 125 Mb/s down and 20 Mb/s up. Netflix complained about a proxy being in use when we used the automatic configuration option, but it worked fine when we manually selected a local U.S. server. Amazon Prime Video played just fine, and our other internet tests completed without issue.

• Cost: $8/month when billed annually; $10/month when billed every six months; $13/month when billed monthly
• Number of servers: 3,000+
• Number of server locations: 160 locations across 94 countries
• Clients supported: Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Consoles, Wi-Fi routers, smart TVs, browser extensions
• Number of simultaneous connections: Up to five (but you can have more if you install ExpressVPN on your router)

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is one of the newest VPN services, and it boasts some star-studded founding members. The company was founded at CERN, the birthplace of the internet, and grew out of the ProtonMail service that’s been protecting the email of activists and journalists for years.

The service acts as a Swiss company and is thus free from the laws of the U.S. and the European Union. It’s also not a member of the “fourteen eyes surveillance network,” so user traffic isn’t logged and passes through privacy-friendly countries, so you needn’t worry about your true IP address being revealed.

Rather than the standard inexpensive-to-operate PPTP and L2TP/IPSec protocols, ProtonVPN only uses OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols. You can use the service for free, but you’ll have to settle for a limit of three countries, one device, and medium speeds. Naturally, there are more robust paid plans available as well.

The recent introduction of Linux, iOS, and MacOS clients has significantly enhanced the service, making it compatible with the full suite of popular operating systems and platforms.

Installing and configuring ProtonVPN’s Windows client is simple enough to do, and it provides some of the best in-use statistics. At 39 Mb/s down and 18 Mb/s up (compared to the usual 125 Mb/s down and 18 Mb/s up), its performance was at the lower end of our comparison group. Amazon Prime Video and most of our other test services (except for Netflix) connected without a hitch.

• Cost: Free for a limited plan, you pay $4/month when billed annually for the Basic plan (two devices and high speeds, 43 countries). Next, you can pay $8/month when billed annually for the Plus plan (10 devices and the highest speeds, 55 countries). Lastly is the Visionary Plan, coming in at $24/month when billed annually (10 devices, mail account, all other Plus features)
• Number of servers: Depends on plan (up to 1,240)
• Number of server locations: Depends on plan (up to 55 countries)
• Clients supported: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux
• Number of simultaneous connections: Up to 10 (only one with the free plan)

Does everything I use need a VPN?

When it comes to keeping your personal details secure you want to use VPN services for any application and device that you use. This includes having VPN protection for laptops and tablets as well as phones, Xboxs or smart televisions. If you want to gain access to streaming sites that have been unavailable for any reason in your nation you need an IPv4 network connection. It can be as straightforward as putting in VPNs for Chrome or Amazon Fire TV sticks. Whatever your reasons for requiring a VPN, generally it will make sense to get them installed on as much of your internet connected device as possible.

Is ExpressVPN or NordVPN better?

But ultimately NordVPN should be an easier choice. Almost as speedy, it features more servers for your choice & offers more control over your security setup compared to ExpressVPN. Besides being great for streaming, the device also provides an extremely strong unblock capability and specialized IP Address option.

What’s the best VPN for gaming?

The VPNs usually have high speed security features and are affordable in comparison with the other providers. The Speed VPN only connects to games from different countries. Free VPN services may not be quick enough, but fortunately high-end security providers will be able to provide more choices at lower costs. Since VPN services often reduce their speeds by half — that means you can pick the one that performs well for speed testing. The Surfshark system surpassed our speed race and is currently the most cost efficient VPN. We provide the most advanced VPN software to install on a gaming console.

Other VPNs in the mix

Below is another list of VPNs: – It will be re-exampled in a few hours. PureVPN doesn’t record connections. The company has been part of the no log campaign since 2018, verified in a third-party Audit of Althius IT. PureVPN offers a 30-day refund and accepts Bitcoin payments, which allows anonyme browsing and further enhances anonymity. The PureVPN software also includes Kodi support on Chromebooks. PureVPN VPN has a longstanding reputation among VPN users as being a reliable VPN solution with full GDPR integration. Strong VPN hits our favorite lists with a great infrastructure and a good price.

How do I choose the right VPN for me?

When choosing a VPN, it takes a couple of simple knowledge of the purpose it is used for and the amount it will cost. There are numerous VPNs on offer, and these three things should be a good combination between speed security and price. This page contains FAQs for choosing a vpn for gaming streaming video, working from home, or other privacy-crime occupations. In general however, a VPN provides adequate security, won’t log your activities, offers essential features like DNS leak protection and kill switches, offers servers where necessary and can provide you fast connections speed.

Our Best Free VPNs of 2022 Rating

Top Free vpn for 2019 If you do not have additional capabilities like high data and P2P limits or quick connection speed, a free VPN could help you. Our review of Best Free VPN 2022 was calculated using our review of Top VPN 2022. Our best Free VPNs allow the use of encrypted files and private searches. Use VPNs to prevent unauthorized use, some of these compromise your data security which can cause identity theft or worse. This risk is not worth taking merely to save some cash every month. Before getting started, you should also check out the list of the top VPN sites.

How does a VPN work?

(USNS & WRC) (US). VPNs help you hide your online activities. Imagine the tunnel between the Internet and the servers of the Internet service provider you have. All searches in a browser pass through a tunnel to your ISP site. The servers then retrieve the requested details and send them to your device through a tunnel. Since both your device and your server are linked directly through tunnels, a hacker may find what your website is about to do or intercept it. Using VPN technology, your online queries will be encrypted and sent to a VPN server for authentication.

How do I use a VPN for Netflix?

It can be harrowing to travel in countries where the Internet is restricted to censored sites. You can use your own VPN to bypass government restrictions by downloading content from a website such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Choose a free VPN that automatically selects where you’re connecting and has the ability to block. Our three best choices are based on this. You don’t always have to use obfuscation to block Netflix. But because streaming providers actively try to block their VPN connections, obfuscation is an effective strategy.

What’s the best VPN for working from home?

You might also be using multiple devices when you are working remotely. There’ll be many simultaneous connections with a VPN and a lot of draughts on networks. Choose one VPN which lets you subscribe to as little as one device and uses high speed for fast connection, so you don’t lose connection with other networks. However, your priority when using a VPN is to protect confidential financial and medical data. Our best three VPNs were found to be secure and each had different amounts of connections they could use for the basic-level subscription.

Which VPN is compatible with Netflix?

Netflix remains the most popular streaming service on the Internet and has become a very difficult VPN service. Netflix has different content across several countries and US users are also able to watch a wide variety of television series from different countries. Using a VPN however can easily change your location, though the recent update to streaming technology makes the device more efficient. We regularly check out top provider lists in order to check our recommendation’s accuracy. Let’s discuss where the best VPN service can unblock?

What is remote-access VPN?

Remote access VPNs use internet-enabled public systems to provide secure access to remote networks. Especially important are organizations and corporate networks. The Internet is critical to the communication of employee emails. VPN client devices connect to a VPN gateway on their network. It’s common for a network gateway for authentication that requires authentication by identifying a device as an authorized user. The system creates a link to the computer to access internal computer networks such as file servers, printers and intranets.

What’s the most secure VPN for privacy?

When choosing an encrypted internet provider, don’t forget the speed or the price. Achieving purely through securing the environment. Your VPN may be slower, but speeds and security are important. Avoid VPN service providers or browsers. If you worry about government surveillance in your current country you can choose a VPN located outside that country you are in and don’t choose a VPN that operates from a jurisdiction outside that country. Similarly, US journalists should avoid VPNs that have jurisdiction within the United States.

Is VPN legal?

VPNs can be easily installed and operated in almost every jurisdiction, Generally speaking. I think you should not worry about using VPNI for online surveillance because there is no danger of getting into legal trouble if this happens. In certain places, VPN services are also illegal. If you are using a VPN on a computer network outside the United Arab Emirates or China, it may cause legal problems for the VPN service. The ironic fact is that it is the world of Internet censorship that is prevalent across most countries.

How we test VPNs: our methodology

Our review starts at the provider’s site and takes us through the details about their products and features in detail. List the services offered by the providers? Can we hope for a better life? What are some privacy guidelines? Do you notice a few things? Are prices fair and transparent? Once the user signs up, we download and test VPN applications for Windows, Android and iOS. The Windows app is often tested by us to check the kill switches, search out data leaks and generally confirm everything is working properly.

Should I worry about consolidation in the VPN industry?

VPN industry trends are showing no signs that they are decreasing. It was the last time NordVPN announced its merger with Surfshark in February. As of today, only three companies control most VPN provider companies, including some of the prestigious CNET picks listed here. The problem of consolidated VPN services is a legitimate concern. It is a general issue that VPN ownership structure is often bad for users. In the VPN industry where privacy is crucial, ownership transparency is equally important.

What’s the best free VPN?

No one. Yeah. Although VPNs exist on a wide array of websites, they are not among them. VPN security can cost a company a great amount of money: Free VPN services are incredibly often malware-laden data snooping. The growing VPN industry is hypercompetitive now and prices for the best VPNs often fall below $5 monthly. Its lowest priced VPN is among our most reliable and fastest VPN providers overall. Check the list below of cheap VPNs for the best prices.

The best VPN in 2022

Below we will see each VPN vendor. Please note: the list is continually updated. This guide will continue to evolve as it goes through more tests for VPN services. The following lists our favorite 2022 totals. We will identify the traits allowing for a more narrow analysis to be performed. Express VPN is awarded a top VPN by our readers. Despite this VPN service stating that it has trusted servers, ExpressVPN has built in a way to avoid logs on users’ websites.

What is a mobile VPN?

Unlike VPN services, mobile phones can be used with their mobile devices. Each provider we recommend has an Android version of their desktop client. Use a mobile app for better privacy on any device. Mobile VPNs typically use smaller memory sizes and consume less CPU power, it provides faster connection speeds as well and consumes less energy. Most VPN client apps on the mobile platform will have more encrypted encryption options than desktop apps.

VPN speed testing – our results

Good connection speeds are crucial when using vpn. Having a VPN that can stream HD videos is a necessity. Our testing process is performed using 1 Gbps lines on the VPN. Our tests measure speed using several tools including Okla Speed Test Site and CLI, nPerf and Netflix Speed. We then take the average of the results of each instrument to generate optimum speed. Our tests are repeated each morning and night to guarantee accurate data.

Do I need a VPN?

All Internet users who have access to a VPN device are protected by encryption which protects the connection to the VPN Server. This is important. So the internet service providers that are spying on you cannot tell the site from where you are. In addition, it prevents them from seeing personal data such as bank accounts, account numbers and bank information. Whoever wants privacy protection on the internet can use the VPN.

How to choose the best VPN?

Finding the best VPN begins with your needs. It is good to have many providers that offer multiple platforms. Streaming should be considered if you are the best choice in the VPN world, It will disable any unwanted websites from streaming services. And torrent users will want P2P support on the maximum number of sites possible. Many VPNs allow you to connect to different devices simultaneously.

How do I know if my VPN is working?

If you are trying to access an internet server you can change your IP address or register your location to a server you connect to. You can find it online via whatismyipaddress.com. If your VPN isn’t blocking your Internet access you will lose all your information to your iSP. If your leak has occurred, you can visit sites such as dnsleakest.com and ipleak.net.

Our Best VPNs for iPhone Rating

List of Top VPNs for iPhone. Offer: Get 3 FREE additional months with a 12 month unlimited plan. Offer: Get 2 additional months FREE with two year plans Our Best VPN for iPhone is a list compiled of the best and most rated VPNs. This VPN is recommended on any iPhone or iPad user list.