Virtual private networks, or VPNs, are one of the greatest ways to safeguard your online privacy. These are our best recommendations after testing and reviewing a large number of them.
Virtual private networks, protect our privacy by encrypting our IP addresses and browsing information. The best VPNs make use of the most advanced technology while maintaining affordable costs. Additionally, they provide the quickest speeds in addition to a wealth of helpful features that enhance our online privacy and digital security.
They prevent websites and internet service providers from monitoring our IP addresses and online activities. They safeguard our information against hackers and dangerous websites. They also enable us to get around geo-restrictions and censorship.
We’ve tried dozens of VPNs, but only a few stand out as the best of the best. To help you choose the best VPN service for you in terms of features, security, speed, price, and other important considerations, we’ve put them all in this guide. Let’s look at it!
- Top VPN for Privacy: NordVPN
- Best VPN for Security: Surfshark
- Best VPN for Windows: Private Internet Access VPN
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- Top VPN for Mac: CyberGhost
- Zoom’s Best VPN: ProtonVPN
NordVPN VPN
NordVPN is among the most secure VPN services available. The best security features, including AES-256 encryption, the OpenVPN protocol, and Nord’s own NordLynx protocol, are available with a NordVPN subscription. There are also other features that you won’t find elsewhere, such as Meshnet, which effectively transforms NordVPN into a global local area network (LAN).
In a VPN industry that is overly crowded, NordVPN stands out. It even made TIME’s list of the Best Inventions of 2022 due to how inventive it is as a VPN. NordVPN is praised for its capacity to offer top-notch security and privacy without affecting internet speed, as we were also able to demonstrate when we tested NordVPN. For further detail, you can check the NordVPN review.
Who has the most to gain:
NordVPN is the best choice for those who are extremely concerned about their privacy because it provides best-in-class online protection. However, even inexperienced and casual VPN users can take advantage of NordVPN’s outstanding array of added features.
Surfshark VPN
For Surfshark, security is the name of the game. It provides the standard privacy features found in VPNs, but frequently also includes extra security-enhancing capabilities. Camouflage Mode makes it feasible to utilize a VPN even if you don’t want your network administrator, school, or government to know you’re doing so.
A VPN isn’t all that Surfshark is. Under the umbrella of its Surfshark One product, the company provides a wide range of cybersecurity capabilities. A safe search engine, antivirus software, data leak monitoring, and, most recently, webcam protection are all included in this membership. See all of your possibilities by visiting our page on Surfshark memberships.
Who has the most to gain:
Users concerned about governmental limitations will find Surfshark to be a good VPN because of its camouflage mode. Surfshark is for you if you fear difficulty connecting to a VPN in places like schools, the workplace, or nations that don’t allow VPNs.
Private Internet Access VPN
In general, Private Internet Access is quick, but its speed on Windows was very impressive. Additionally, the app performs admirably. It has countless customization options to satisfy VPN experts while still being user-friendly enough for VPN beginners.
Although having its headquarters in the US may create some questions, Private Internet Access’ strict privacy policy guarantees that our browsing and personal information will remain private. Private Internet Access also presents a convincing argument for itself because of its robust encryption and fast, covert VPN technologies.
Who has the most to gain:
Although PIA has some decent mobile apps, PC programs provide the most features. Therefore, those who mostly use desktop computers for business and recreation should utilize this VPN.
CyberGhost VPN
Although we only tested CyberGhost in the United States, you shouldn’t have any trouble connecting elsewhere in the world because it has over 7,500 servers in 91 different nations.
CyberGhost is a wonderful choice for privacy because it is based in Romania and is not a part of those global monitoring networks we keep mentioning. In addition, Romania has almost no data retention rules of its own.
Who has the most to gain:
While it’s true that longer subscriptions have the highest costs, CyberGhost’s adaptability makes it a fantastic VPN for just about everybody.
ProtonVPN
Although the name change from ProtonVPN to Proton sounds insignificant, it has significant implications for the VPN provider. It now features the whole Proton collection of cybersecurity solutions as Proton. ProtonMail, ProtonCalendar, ProtonDrive, and ProtonVPN are all included in this. Therefore, Proton is a reliable personal VPN to use at the office.
Paying particular attention to the ProtonVPN tool, we had excellent speeds when testing it on Windows and Mac. Additionally, setting up the app before Zoom meetings is simple because of how user-friendly it is.
Who has the most to gain:
Proton prioritizes online privacy with a wide range of privacy-focused technologies. So, you should think about Proton if your line of work necessitates more privacy, like if you’re a journalist.
Final thoughts
Downloading VPN software from the Apple Store or Google Play is all that is necessary to get one; if using a browser extension is more convenient for you, you may do so as well. Of course, since not all VPNs are created equal, we advise doing extensive research on the VPN before connecting. Our Best VPN Page is an excellent place to start; scroll up to discover our top, tried-and-true selections.
