A virtual private network (VPN) is one of the simplest ways to strengthen your online privacy and security. Whether you're protecting yourself on public Wi-Fi, hiding your IP address from trackers, or accessing region-locked content while traveling, a VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure server. The challenge is that there are hundreds of VPN providers competing for attention, and separating genuinely excellent services from average ones can be overwhelming.

We've tested and reviewed a wide range of VPNs to narrow down the field to the very best options available today. Whether you're looking for the best overall VPN, the fastest service, the best free option, or the best choice for privacy, streaming, or travel, our list has you covered.

At a glance: The 7 best VPNs

• NordVPN: Best VPN overall
• ExpressVPN: Best VPN runner-up
• Surfshark: Best cheap VPN
• Private Internet Access: Best cheap VPN runner-up
• Proton VPN: Best free VPN
• Mullvad: Best VPN for privacy
• CyberGhost: Best VPN for travelers

When looking for the best VPN, you need to consider several factors: trustworthy privacy practices, strong connection speeds, reliable streaming access, and a large, well-distributed server network. Every VPN featured below delivers on those essentials and adds something extra to help it stand out from the competition.

NordVPN: Best VPN overall

Pros: Tons of configuration options, outstanding speeds, includes antivirus and password manager.
Cons: Expensive.

It's difficult to select the best overall VPN. For many years, reviewers chose the best VPN based purely on privacy, but VPNs have evolved to be more than just tools for anonymous browsing. Privacy is still important, but so are speeds, extra features, server network size, and ease of use. NordVPN has it all, making it the top choice for most users.

Nord is the most full-featured service on the market. It offers tools that appeal to power users, yet its app is intuitive enough for beginners. The service undergoes regular independent audits and uses RAM-only diskless servers for increased security, so privacy-conscious users can rest assured their data remains anonymous. For those who prioritize speed, NordVPN impresses: in our testing, speeds averaged 72 percent of the base internet speed across all servers, making it the fastest VPN we've ever tested.

The desktop app is easy to use and includes features such as Tor-over-VPN, multi-hop connections, a Meshnet file-sharing network, ad and malware blocking, and a password manager. It also works flawlessly with streaming services and offers an extensive global server network. The only real downside is pricing: even with long-term discounts, NordVPN can be pricier than competitors. Still, you get what you pay for, and in this case, it's more than worth it.

ExpressVPN: Best VPN runner-up

Pros: Excellent speeds, unblocks all streaming services, strong security and privacy practices.
Cons: More expensive than other VPNs, light on extra security features.

ExpressVPN is a great option for everyone. VPN novices will find they can easily download the software, choose a server location, and connect. More advanced users can take advantage of features like split-tunneling, protocol optimization, and a kill switch. ExpressVPN also boasts one of the broadest device support networks of any provider, with up to 14 simultaneous device connections depending on your plan.

The only reason it places second is that NordVPN has a slight edge in features and average speeds. Still, ExpressVPN offers excellent value, with wide device support and a smart DNS feature for set-top boxes and consoles. Its advanced Lightway protocol now includes a Turbo version that increases speeds on many connections. ExpressVPN has also expanded into holistic security, adding ad and tracker blocking and a password manager to its service.

It's not the cheapest VPN, but you get strong value for the price. The service regularly brings in third-party auditors to validate its privacy credentials and has a sterling user privacy record. Multiple subscription tiers let you pick a plan that fits your budget.

Surfshark: Best cheap VPN

Pros: Unlimited simultaneous device connections, tons of extra features, low price on long-term plans.
Cons: Expensive month-to-month plans, many global servers are virtual.

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. Subscriptions include all standard VPN features, plus customizable dynamic multi-hop connections, identity protection alerts, and antivirus/malware protection.

The best thing about Surfshark is its price. A long-term plan can cost just over $2 per month, which is unheard of for a premium VPN with this feature set. It's a great all-around choice for most people, especially those who want to save money without sacrificing quality. While month-to-month plans are pricey, committing to a longer term offers substantial savings. Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which has strong privacy laws but is a member of the 14 Eyes data-sharing alliance. That said, its independently verified no-logs policy means user data is not stored.

Private Internet Access: Best cheap VPN runner-up

Pros: Multiple independently verified no-log audits, unlimited simultaneous device connections, vast server network.
Cons: App is a bit clunky, speeds are fairly pedestrian.

Private Internet Access (PIA) has been around for years and continues to innovate. Its latest version has undergone yet another independent audit of its no-log policy, proving that user privacy is a top priority. PIA offers one of the least expensive subscription plans of any top VPN, both monthly and long-term.

Power users will appreciate the extensive customization options in the app. PIA also provides unlimited device connections and a massive server network with over 35,000 servers. However, the service has a rather outdated interface, and speeds are not the fastest we've tested. Still, the great value and strong privacy protections make it an excellent choice.

Proton VPN: Best free VPN

Pros: Excellent privacy and transparency, strong security features, unrivaled free plan, good connection speeds.
Cons: Premium plans aren't the cheapest, not all features available across apps.

Whether you choose the free or paid version, Proton VPN is a good choice for anyone. The free version appeals to those on a budget or anyone who just needs a VPN for occasional secure browsing. Many free VPNs come with ridiculous limitations or annoying ads, but Proton VPN has no ads, and its restrictions are tame. The free plan includes one device connection and access to 10 servers worldwide.

In testing, speeds were very good even on the free version, ranking in the top 10 of all VPNs, paid or free. Since there are no monthly data limits on Proton's free servers, it's also an excellent option for streaming, though free servers don't guarantee Netflix access. The company comes from the same team behind Proton Mail, a privacy-focused email service, and offers multiple independent audits confirming its no-log policy. The premium version is somewhat expensive, so we recommend trying the free plan first.

Mullvad: Best VPN for privacy

Pros: Exceptional privacy protections, strong security features, fast connection speeds, transparent company practices.
Cons: Weak streaming support, relatively small server network, lacks extra features.

Mullvad is the undisputed king of privacy and anonymity. It doesn't ask for your email address, name, or anything else. Instead, it assigns a random account number as your identifier and login. Payments can be made with credit cards, PayPal, or even mailed in cash to remain as private as possible. Mullvad also has a strict no-logs policy and collects no identifying metadata, all backed by multiple independent security audits.

Mullvad is built with one goal in mind: protecting your privacy, even if it means leaving out extra features. It's still an excellent VPN for everyday use, ranking among the top five for speeds. The service offers a standardized fee across all plan lengths, making it very affordable month-to-month but less valuable for long-term commitments. Users who want to bypass streaming restrictions may need to look elsewhere, as Mullvad has weaker streaming support.

CyberGhost: Best VPN for travelers

Pros: Enormous global server network, independently verified no-log policy, generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Cons: Server speeds can be hit-or-miss, lacks extra security features.

If you travel frequently, you need variety and wide coverage in server locations. CyberGhost provides both with an astonishing 11,500+ servers across 100+ countries. Unlike some competitors, these servers aren't concentrated in the U.S. or Europe. The service recommends optimized servers for gaming, streaming, and torrenting, and even has special secure physical "NoSpy" servers housed in its home offices in Romania.

CyberGhost has a well-designed Windows app that is intuitive and easy to use. It lacks some power-user features like multi-hop and IP rotation, but that shouldn't be a deal breaker for most users. In testing, servers in Europe offered excellent speeds, while Asia was slower. Overall, speeds are good enough for web browsing and streaming. The service is currently upgrading its network to 10Gbps, so expect faster connections in the future.

Other VPNs we liked

Several other VPNs stand out even if they didn't make the top 7:

• PrivadoVPN: A strong overall service, but its free version truly shines and is second only to Proton VPN. The server network is smaller, and it lacks some extra features.
• Windscribe Pro: Excellent security, with a desktop client and browser extension that block ads while keeping browsing private. It has a decent free version, but a wonky interface and small server network hold it back.
• Hide.me: A well-rounded service with a fantastic array of configurable settings. Recent tests showed inconsistent speeds, and the Windows app can be tricky for novices.
• IPVanish: This U.S.-based VPN nails the basics: decent speeds, a large server network, and privacy promises backed by independent audits. However, streaming unblocking is inconsistent, and monthly pricing is steep.
• Norton VPN: A simple and effective VPN from a trusted security brand. It has a dead-simple interface and recently received big upgrades to its feature set and privacy commitments, but it only offers yearly pricing and has a smaller server network.

How to choose the best VPN

Start by examining the number of servers and locations. A reliable VPN should have at least 1,000 servers and 30 country locations. Next, consider speed. Reading reviews that provide relative average connection speeds is more useful than direct Mbps comparisons. Check privacy protections: does the VPN have a no-logs policy? Has it undergone independent audits? Where is the company located? All these factors determine transparency and potential data-sharing requirements.

Finally, review pricing. Monthly subscriptions can be expensive, but long-term plans often offer significant discounts. Look for features that actually matter, such as a kill switch, split tunneling, multi-hop, and protocol support. WireGuard is our preferred protocol because it is open source, fast, and continually refined for security.

VPN FAQ

What is the best VPN?

NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN. It has the fastest speeds, a large server network, and the most comprehensive feature set of any service we've tested.

What is the best cheap VPN?

Surfshark is our pick for the best cheap VPN. It offers great speeds, robust features, and excellent privacy credentials for a very low long-term price.

What is a VPN?

VPNs create a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. Web traffic is routed through a selected VPN server, making it appear as though you're browsing from that server's location. The VPN encrypts your data, preventing third parties like your ISP from seeing your online activities. A VPN is essential for public Wi-Fi and for spoofing your location, though it doesn't make you completely anonymous.

Can I be tracked with a VPN?

VPNs reduce exposure but don't eliminate tracking. They keep ISPs from seeing traffic, but they don't stop site-level tracking or logged-in identity. For example, signing into a website still reveals your identity, and Google can collect cookies if you log into Gmail while using a VPN.

Will a VPN protect me on public Wi-Fi?

Yes, a VPN encrypts your data and masks your IP address, making it much harder for hackers to intercept sensitive information. It protects against man-in-the-middle attacks, but you should still use strong passwords and two-factor authentication for full security.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

Most VPNs cause a moderate speed decrease due to encryption and rerouting. The impact depends on server location; faraway servers cause greater latency. Modern VPNs with good infrastructure maintain high-speed connections, so browsing and streaming remain smooth with reliable services.

Source: PCWorld News