Security and privacy on the internet are genuine concerns of most average users and much more so for corporations or anyone requiring additional security levels. Internet users should be concerned about these problems.
Many individuals use a virtual private network (VPN) to connect their devices or network to the internet to avoid data breaches and safeguard their privacy on the internet. We look at seven of the best VPN services, including CyberGhost VPN, and help you decide which one is ideal for you.
Best VPN Services: Quick Overview
CyberGhost VPN - Best Overall
NordVPN - Best for Extra Data Encryption
ExpressVPN - Best Selection of Countries
Surfshark - Best for Extra Privacy Options
ProtonVPN - Best Free VPN Plan
Windscribe - Best for Flexible Plans
TunnelBear - Best for Security Audit Frequency
Phone use is the most prevalent form of internet access, even if other devices are often used. Nearly half of all website visits and search engine traffic in the United States are made through mobile phones. Of all adult Americans, 85% or around 300 million people use cell phones.
If you have concerns about your browsing history and internet search being inaccessible, you may want to look into other possible security threats. More and more individuals are doing financial transactions online, which raises the danger of private information being stolen by cybercriminals.
Here are seven of the best VPN services.
1. CyberGhost VPN - Best VPN Service Overall
(CyberGhost) | VPN Website logo.
Pros:
Very high speeds.
Allows seven connections simultaneously.
Money-back guarantee for all plans.
Largest server network.
Has a variety of add-ons available
Cons:
Pricey.
Privacy policies are confusing.
Compared to other VPN companies, CyberGhost enables seven devices to be connected concurrently. It’s one of the most okay mobile phone VPNs since many households have many devices.
In addition, CyberGhost provides a variety of additional security features for mobile phone use. CyberGhost’s recommended server location or a server designed for your online activity are also options available to users.
Plan Term Lengths and Discounts: 4.8/5
CyberGhost VPN has four subscription options:
Monthly - $12.99
Yearly - $4.29 per month, billed at $51.48 annually.
Two years - $3.25 per month, billed at $78 every two years
Three years + three free months - $2.29 per month, billed at $89.31 every three years.
All other term durations provide a 45-day money-back guarantee in addition to the 14-day warranty on the monthly plan.
Online Protection Protocols: 4.9/5
In addition to military 256-bit AES encryption, CyberGhost has split tunneling, a kill switch, and other security features. Over 100 sites in 91 countries are available for you to choose as your permanent residence.
Zero Logs Policy: 5/5
According to CyberGhost’s No-Logs policy, your data will not be shared with governments or other parties. CyberGhost claims not to keep track of its users’ activities:
IP address
Session durations
VPN server connection
Accessed websites
Bandwidth usage
Browsing history
Number of Simultaneous Connections Available: 4.6/5
Several ISPs restrict simultaneous connections, but CyberGhost’s seven-device allotment is the greatest. Every day, a single adult could use a tablet, mobile phone, or computer. Because of its high simultaneous connection allowed, CyberGhost is an excellent alternative for families with two or more members.
Servers: 4.9/5
About 7,500 CyberGhost servers may be found in 91 different countries.
Overall Score: 4.8/5
>>Browse securely with CyberGhost VPN
2. NordVPN - Best VPN Encryption
(NordVPN) | Website logo.
Pros:
Uses WireGuard and OpenVPN.
No-logging policy.
Money-back guarantee
Fast support via live chat.
Advanced Threat Protection system.
Cons:
More expensive than other similar options.
Speeds are somewhat slow.
Renewal pricing isn’t straightforward.
Multi-hop connections, split tunneling, and the usage of the Tor browser are some of NordVPN’s features that let users choose how their internet data is routed. In recent weeks, Surfshark, another high-ranking VPN service, announced a merger with the corporation. You may contact NordVPN customer support at any time of the day or night.
Plan Term Lengths and Discounts: 4.3/5
You may pay for NordVPN using one of three methods:
Monthly - $11.99
One year - $4.99 per month, billed annually.
Two years - $3.99 per month, billed at $95.76 for the first two years and $99.48 per year afterward
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee with NordVPN.
Online Protection Protocols: 5/5
Instead of using only one VPN server to transport your internet connection, NordVPN employs multi-hop connections. All servers have no disk space whatsoever. Encryption with NordVPN is 256-bit AES.
With CyberSec, harmful advertisements, websites, and bot control are all blocked for clients. Even if your VPN link is inactive, the Threat Protection mechanism safeguards against intrusive adverts, malware, and trackers.
Thanks to the Kill Switch function, Internet access is instantly cut off if the VPN server link fails.
Zero Logs Policy: 4.7/5
Customers’ data is not stored or sold by NordVPN third-party audits, according to NordVPN.
IP addresses
Session information
Traffic logs
Bandwidth usage
Browsing data
Connection time stamps
Number of Simultaneous Connections Available: 4.7/5
Customers may connect up to six devices at once with NordVPN. Six simultaneous connections may be plenty for many people; however, some providers may provide more.
Servers: 4.5/5
NordVPN boasts more than 5,600 servers in 59 countries, making it one of the most popular virtual private networks.
4.6 out of 5 stars overall
>>Get the best prices for NordVPN
3. ExpressVPN - Best VPN Service for Country Selection
(ExpressVPN) | Website logo.
Pros:
Servers are located in 94 countries.
24/7 expert technical support via live chat.
Advanced features.
30-day satisfaction guarantee or your money back.
Offers monthly, six-month, and annual plans.
Cons:
Only five simultaneous connections.
Doesn’t include multi-hop connections.
More expensive than many competitors.
MediaStreamer and Lightway technologies are two of ExpressVPN’s standout features, in addition to the standard level of security you’d expect from a VPN. Unlike other firms, you’ll always be able to get in touch with a qualified tech support staff.
Apps developed by this firm are regularly updated to provide new features and fixes.
Plan Term Lengths and Discounts: 4/5
Customers of ExpressVPN may select from three plan lengths:
Monthly - $12.95
Six months - $9.99 per month, billed at $59.95 every six months
One year + three free months - $6.67 per month, initially billed for 15 months, with renewals every 12 months.
All plans come with a 30-day refund policy.
Online Protection Protocols: 4.6/5
ExpressVPN comes with a kill switch and split tunneling. Customers’ personal information is never stored on the hard disks of this service provider, which employs AES 256-bit encryption.
Zero Logs Policy: 4.7/5
This includes requests to domain name systems and traffic data, which ExpressVPN claims will not be stored.
Number of Simultaneous Connections Available: 4.2/5
The maximum number of devices an ExpressVPN user may connect to concurrently is five, which is at the bottom of the spectrum. You may, however, link your router to your modem to protect your home network. This option protects devices (such as gaming consoles, IoT gadgets, and smart TVs) that connect to the internet via your Wi-Fi network.
Servers: 4.6/5
3,000 servers and more in 94 countries make up ExpressVPN’s global network.
Overall Score: 4.4/5
>>Get the best prices for ExpressVPN
4. Surfshark - Best VPN Privacy Tools
(Surfshark) | Website logo.
Pros:
24/7 customer support is available.
Excellent live chat support.
Powerful privacy tools.
Unlimited number of devices can connect simultaneously.
Uses WireGuard.
Cons:
Kill switch isn’t reliable in all cases.
Speeds are mediocre.
High cost with a monthly subscription.
In addition to a wide range of browser extensions and mobile apps, Surfshark also has unblocking capabilities for smart TVs and gaming consoles. One of the most appealing aspects of the service is that it doesn’t bar the number of gadgets that customers may use at once.
There is a problem with the speed of Surfshark, which is lower than many of its rivals. Another of our top mobile VPNs, NordVPN, is joining forces with this business.
Plan Term Lengths and Discounts: 4/5
Surfshark has three contract durations to choose from
Monthly - $12.95
One year - $3.99 per month, billed at $47.88 yearly.
Two years - $2.49 per month, billed at $59.76 for the first term and renewing at that price annually after 24 months.
You may return the product within 30 days for a full refund.
Online Protection Protocols: 5/5
IKEv2, as well as IKEv1, are the protocols supported by this VPN service. An AES-256 GCM encryption and multi-hop split tunneling tool are just some of the features that customers may use to profit from the service.
As well as URL and ad filtering, Surfshark offers GPS capability. Beginning with the IP Rotator, which is currently in place, Nexus technology will provide additional functionality in the next two years. This technology automatically changes the IP address every few minutes, ensuring an above-average level of anonymity.
Zero Logs Policy: 4.8/5
As stated in Surfshark’s privacy policy, the company does not keep track of user data such as bandwidth consumption or browsing history. It’s a pleasure to read and comprehend this policy.
Number of Simultaneous Connections Available: 5/5
In more prominent families or organizations, Surfshark clients may utilize an infinite number of devices concurrently, significantly improving the overall experience.
Servers: 4.1/5
In all, there are more than 3,200 Surfshark servers located in 65 different countries.
An overall rating of 4.6/5.
5. ProtonVPN - Best for Free VPN Service
(ProtonVPN) | Website logo.
Pros:
Uses WireGuard or OpenVPN.
Inexpensive, flexible plan options
No data limit for the free version.
Has advanced privacy features.
Excellent speeds
Cons:
No ad blocking.
Only five simultaneous connections in the basic plan.
Doesn’t integrate well with Chrome.
Three service levels are offered by ProtonVPN, including a free package with no data limitations, which is a rarity among other providers. Additional privacy features and a user-friendly interface make it an excellent choice.
Plan Term Lengths and Discounts: 4.3/5
If you’re looking for a 100% free VPN service that doesn’t restrict your bandwidth, ProtonVPN is among the few that do. ProtonVPN has three subscription options:
Basic - $4 per month, billed at $48 yearly
Plus - $8 per month, billed at $96 yearly
Visionary (includes a ProtonMail Visionary account) - $24 per month, billed at $288 yearly
Protecting Yourself Online: 4.7
OpenVPN and WireGuard provide security for ProtonVPN users. 256-bit AES encryptions or ChaCha20 ciphers are used. This includes DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and content filtering. Ad blockers, file sharing support, streaming services, Tor access, and Secure Core access may all be included in your subscription, depending on your choice.
Zero Logs Policy: 4.8/5
There is no logging policy on any ProtonVPN subscription.
Number of Simultaneous Connections Available: 4.1/5
Their plan’s price tier determines customers’ ability to utilize several devices simultaneously.
Free – one
Basic – two
Plus – 10
Visionary – 10
Servers: 4/5
There are 1,529 ProtonVPN servers spread throughout 61 countries.
Overall Score: 4.4/5
6. Windscribe - Best VPN Provider Plan Options
(Windscribe) | Website logo.
Pros:
Strong DNS blocking.
Unlimited simultaneous device usage.
Advanced features.
Good value for your money.
Easy to use
Cons:
Below-average speeds.
No security audits
No live chat, although it does offer a chatbot.
No 24/7 support.
More varieties of malware are blocked by Windscribe than other VPN companies. There are more alternatives for customers to choose from here than at most other firms.
Plan Term Lengths and Discounts: 4.8/5
For a little fee, users may “Build a Plan” using Windscribe.
Monthly - $9
One year - $4.08 per month, billed at $49 yearly
Build a Plan - $1 per location, billed monthly
It’s possible to share a single ScribeForce account with as many as five people. The monthly fee for each user is set at $3. Static home IP addresses may be purchased for $8 per month.
In order to qualify for a refund, you must have used less than 10GB of data in the previous three days.
Online Protection Protocols: 4.8/5
It employs AES-256 encryption and protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 to keep your data safe.
Zero Logs Policy: 4.5/5
As stated by Windscribe, your activity, IP address, and VPN session data are not logged by the service. It does keep track of how much bandwidth you’ve used over the last 30 days, as well as the day and time you last logged in.
Number of Simultaneous Connections Available: 5/5
Users of Windscribe are allowed to use as many devices as they like at the same time.
Servers: 3.5/5
More than 500 Windscribe servers are located in more than 60 countries.
Overall Score: 4.5/5
7. TunnelBear - Best VPN Provider for Independent Security Audits
(TunnelBear) | Website logo.
Pros:
Detailed independent yearly security audits.
Good speeds
Thorough privacy policy.
Easy to use.
Cons:
Not as many features as other providers.
Free version has an extremely low data limit
Doesn’t unblock several streaming services that competitors do.
At an affordable price, TunnelBear offers a complimentary version and discounts for students.
Plan Term Lengths and Discounts: 4.7/5
There are three pricing tiers at TunnelBear, the first of which is free.
Three options are available for the Unlimited plan:
Monthly - $9.99
One year - $4.99 per month, billed at $59.88 yearly
Three years - $3.33 per month, billed once at $12.
In order to utilize TunnelBear’s Teams plan, you’ll need at least two people. The monthly fee for each user is $5.75. A two-year membership for verified students is available at a 70% discount.
Online Protection Protocols: 4.1/5
AES 256-bit encryption is used by TunnelBear to protect your data. Despite the fact that it uses OpenVPN protocols, WireGuard is not supported. Virtual servers make up just under 20% of TunnelBear’s servers, which are only deployed in case of high demand.
Zero Logs Policy: 5/5
There is a lot of detail in Tunnelbear’s privacy policy. On its website, TunnelBear asserts that it doesn’t gather DNS queries or IP addresses. However, because of the bandwidth cap on this plan, it logs free customers’ data consumption.
Number of Simultaneous Connections Available: 4/5
When compared to other VPN services, TunnelBear only allows for a maximum of five devices per account.
Servers: 4/5
About 3,000 servers are spread across 49 countries in the TunnelBear network.
Overall Score: 4.4/5
>>Get the best prices for TunnelBear
Ranking Methodology
This list of the top VPNs was compiled using a variety of parameters, including
Pricing
The number of allowed simultaneous connections
Zero log policies
Speeds
Encryption protocols
Features
Our top selections were those that excelled in certain areas and satisfied our requirements.
Best VPNs Buying Guide
Consider frequently asked questions about virtual private networks (VPNs).
What Is a VPN?
An encrypted connection is established between your computer and the internet using a VPN. A tunnel, which offers an encrypted connection, ensures that your internet surfing remains secret. Additionally, it can get beyond firewalls and change your IP address to one in a different part of the world, allowing you to visit websites with geographical limitations.
An internet protocol address is a number that identifies a particular internet access point. An IP address links devices’ browsing histories to their actual locations. Third-party data miners and hackers seriously threaten your safety and privacy if you enable your gadgets to reveal their precise position.
A VPN protects your online identity by masking your IP address. Instead, you’ll see the IP address of your VPN service provider. Using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic may help keep your data safe from hackers and data breaches, deflect advertising, mask your browsing and online purchase history, and safeguard your money.
Even though a VPN offers significant protection for your cellular phone and other gadgets, it does not provide anonymity or make you hack-proof. To be safe, don’t open attachments from unknown senders or click on URLs you don’t recognize.
Should You Use a VPN Constantly?
If your VPN isn’t operational, it’s doing you no good. Several advantages accrue when you use your VPN regularly:
Accessing public Wi-Fi networks increases the danger of cyberattacks. A “twin” network, a phony one that looks and acts like the one you want to use, may be connected to your device without your knowledge. This is when a VPN comes in handy.
Hacking and identity theft may occur when you do financial transactions online. Performing sure your VPN is constantly running prevents you from accidentally making transactions without using your secure tunnel.
As a result, your Internet service provider and other 3rd parties may sell your personal information to advertisers who will use it to target you with customized advertisements. External parties and your ISP won’t be able to view your browser history if you’re always using a virtual private network (VPN).
The degree of safety offered by any website is not the same for all of them—those who pose a more significant threat to your safety than others. By regularly utilizing your VPN, reduce the dangers of visiting insecure websites, particularly those without an HTTPS extension.
ISPs might restrict gamers’ access via speed reductions or regional restrictions. These restrictions may be circumvented with a VPN, enabling users to enjoy streaming movies from other countries and enhancing their gaming experience.
Do VPN Providers Sell Your Data?
Even though a VPN is designed to keep your surfing history private, some VPNs will sell your browsing history to other parties. Your usage and connection records should be erased if you choose a service that does not maintain logs.
Your online behavior, the sites you visit, and the personas you use during internet sessions are all recorded in your VPN use logs. The amount of bandwidth you use, when you connect, how long it lasts, and how often you connect are all recorded in your VPN connection logs.
Even though a VPN service may maintain these logs for troubleshooting reasons, you need to know that they will not trade your information and will destroy your records after a reasonable amount of time.
What Is VPN Encryption?
Without encryption, any information you send over the internet or via your bank account may be accessed by anybody. Even if hackers intercept your data, they will not be able to read it thanks to encryption, which only approved users can decode.
AES 256-bit encryption is used by many of the best VPN services. OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 are other options.
What Are Split Tunneling and Multi-Hop Connections?
You’ll encounter these phrases when researching the best VPNs. Split tunneling allows you to pick and choose which applications use your VPN to access the internet and which don’t. To keep your IP address hidden, multi-hop connections employ more than one server.
What Is a Server?
Networks, network systems, and devices are managed and stored by a powerful computer known as a server. A VPN server usually consists of VPN software running on top of a standard server.
VPN services widely use virtual and physical servers. Virtual servers may run on a real server without requiring the actual hardware.
A VPN provider’s overall service might be adversely affected by the excessive number of servers it employs. With additional servers, each can handle a smaller number of users, resulting in faster rates for everyone. Additionally, this implies a more significant number of IP addresses and a more reliable connection than a VPN.
The more server locations there are, the better off you’ll be since you’ll have access to a broader range of server configurations.
How Can You Choose the Best VPN for You?
It’s important to know what features to look for in a good VPN for mobile devices, but they might differ depending on the user. Individuals who use a VPN for leisure internet surfing may have different goals than those who use a VPN for business or while traveling overseas. Find out whether the VPN service provider you’re considering:
Keeps zero logs, or if they sell your information.
Uses robust encryption technologies
Has free trials or money-back guarantees
Offers reliable server coverage in your location
Works on all of your devices, regardless of the operating system.
Provides high-speed connections
Offers round-the-clock support
Allows enough simultaneous connections for your needs
Each service’s extra functionality should also be considered, such as ad blocking, streaming unblocking, additional security layers, and transparency. Check out what consumers, tech-savvy society members, and neutral parties have to say about each service provider in various reviews.
The monthly and yearly expenses and other cost promotions such as complimentary months of service should be included after you have a list of suitable candidates. Even though most carriers provide substantial savings for annual subscriptions, it’s a good idea to enroll for a free trial if offered at the beginning or for a month. If the VPN does not fulfill your expectations, you may try it before committing to a long-term contract.
>>See prices for CyberGhost VPN
Are You Prepared to Make a Decision on the Best VPN Services?
If you are concerned about your online privacy, you should consider utilizing a virtual private network (VPN). This is a better option than linking your phone or other gadgets directly to the internet, which might compromise your privacy.
It is essential to look at reviews and other factors when deciding which of the best VPN services suits your requirements. Some VPN network operators and services are better than others, just as with any other product or service. Choosing a reputable service to protect your personal information is essential.