Last Updated on May 23, 2024 by Jhonni Jets
A virtual private network, or VPN, is an essential tool for protecting your privacy and security when browsing the internet. By routing your internet connection through an encrypted tunnel, a VPN obscures your online activities and physical location from hackers and your internet service provider. With governments increasingly ramping up online surveillance and censorship, choosing a reliable VPN with strong privacy protections is more important than ever.
In this article, we evaluate 8 top VPN services based on factors like encryption standards, logging policies, speed and reliability, compatibility, and value. Our goal is to help you find the best VPN to suit your unique privacy and security needs. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how VPNs work and be equipped to make an informed choice for safeguarding your online activities.
Table of Content
NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers thanks to its excellent speed, privacy protections, and wide device compatibility. It has over 5,500 servers in 60 countries, one of the largest server networks in the industry. NordVPN uses the industry-standard AES-256-GCM encryption and supports protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard.
NordVPN has a strict no-logging policy that has been verified by independent audits. The company is based in Panama, a country with no mandatory data retention laws, further bolstering its privacy credentials. Users also get advanced features like an automatic kill switch, double VPN hopping, and Onion over VPN to route traffic through the more private Tor network.
In testing, NordVPN has proven very fast and reliable for streaming and downloading. It works seamlessly on all major platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and routers/smart devices. While not the cheapest option, it offers excellent value with discounts for 2-year plans. Overall, NordVPN is one of the top-rated VPNs for its powerful feature set and commitment to user privacy.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has built a reputation as one of the fastest and most user-friendly VPN services around. It has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries to choose from. ExpressVPN implements the AES-256-CBC encryption standard and supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and Lightway protocols. For extra privacy, it has proprietary Lightway protocol that uses UDP instead of TCP for improved speed and security.
ExpressVPN has received independent audits verifying its zero-logs policy. The company is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside the jurisdiction of mass surveillance laws like the USA PATRIOT Act. In terms of speed, ExpressVPN consistently delivers high speeds across all platforms. This makes it perfect for streaming HD videos, gaming, and using business applications. It works seamlessly on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and even routers.
ExpressVPN offers excellent 24/7 live chat and email support for any issues. While not the most affordable long-term, it provides quality service with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Overall, ExpressVPN is a top choice for its incredible speeds and ease of use without compromising on industry-leading security features or privacy protections.
Surfshark
Surfshark is one of the fastest growing VPN services thanks to competitive pricing and a user-friendly interface. It has over 3,200 servers in 65 countries for joining VPN sessions. Surfshark implements the industry-standard AES-256-GCM encryption and uses the OpenVPN protocol by default. It also provides optional protocols like IKEv2/IPSec and WireGuard for improved speeds.
Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy and is based in the British Virgin Islands outside of mass surveillance regimes. Independent audits have verified that it does not store user connection logs, bandwidth usage, timestamps, or IP addresses. The company even allows VPN chaining for extra privacy. Surfshark delivers consistently fast speeds across all platforms without impacting bandwidth intensive activities.
Unlike most competitors, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to protect unlimited devices for a single monthly fee. This makes it an extremely cost-effective solution, especially for larger families or households. Surfshark works seamlessly on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. Overall, it provides great speeds and competitive pricing without having to compromise on security or privacy features.
CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost is another reputable VPN provider, especially for beginners thanks to user-friendliness and around-the-clock support. It has over 7,400 servers in 91 countries for joining virtual locations. CyberGhost uses the industry-standard AES-256-GCM encryption by default and supports OpenVPN protocol.
Based in Romania outside 14 Eyes jurisdictions, CyberGhost does not store connection logs, usage data or IP addresses according to independent audits. It offers an automatic kill switch and split tunneling for advanced traffic management. CyberGhost delivers consistently fast speeds across all platforms without bandwidth throttling. This allows smooth streaming, gaming, and routine web usage.
The service comes with a 45-day refund period and 24/7 multi-channel customer support for any issues. While not the most competitively priced long-term, it provides excellent value for its quality service. CyberGhost works seamlessly on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux and routers. Overall, it is a great VPN for beginners that need round-the-clock support without compromising on privacy features.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused VPN offered by the same company behind encrypted email service ProtonMail. It has over 1,400 servers in 56 countries to choose from. ProtonVPN implements the industry-standard AES-256-CBC encryption and supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard protocols.
As a privacy startup based in Switzerland, ProtonVPN takes a strong stance on no-logging and has logging-free servers located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions. Independent audits verify the no-logs claims. ProtonVPN delivers fast, uncapped speeds with torrenting allowed on paid plans. It is optimized for seamless use on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS devices.
While free users have limited server access, paid plans provide excellent value starting from $4/month. All plans support P2P/torrents, maximum security features, fast servers, and streaming/gaming without compromising on privacy. Overall, ProtonVPN is a top choice for those wanting the highest level of security and privacy through a no-logs VPN, especially at its wallet-friendly pricing.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market, starting from just $3-$6 per month. It has over 3,300+ servers in 78 locations worldwide to connect to. PIA implements the industry-standard AES-256-GCM encryption and supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard connection protocols.
Based in the US, PIA doesn’t keep any activity, connection or usage logs according to independent audits. It offers advanced features like port forwarding, torrenting support and automatic kill switch. PIA delivers stable, fast speeds across all platforms for streaming, gaming and routine use. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux devices.
PIA provides excellent customer support through online chat, email and a knowledgeable support community forum. While its infrastructure is smaller than some top competitors, it makes up for affordability without logging policies and deliver reliable speeds. Overall, PIA is one of the most competitively priced VPN services that doesn’t compromise on key features or logging policies.
IPVanish
IPVanish is a speed-optimized VPN service suitable for unblocking geo-restricted content. It currently has over 1,500 servers in 75 locations worldwide to choose from. IPVanish implements the industry-standard AES-256-GCM encryption and supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard protocols.
Based in the US, IPVanish does not store user connection, activity or usage logs according to independent audits and has strict no-logs policies. It delivers consistently high speeds for torrenting, streaming, gaming and regular use across all platforms. Apps are intuitive to set up on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux systems.
A subscription provides unlimited bandwidth and fast connections which makes it suitable for high-bandwidth activities like HD streaming and torrenting. IPVanish provides 24/7 multi-platform customer support and a 7-day money back guarantee. While pricier than some options long term, it delivers excellent performance for privacy focused torrenters and streamers.
HideMyAss
HideMyAss VPN (HMA) is a well-established service with servers in over 290 locations for great coverage. It uses the industry-standard AES-256-GCM encryption and supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and Stealth protocols. HMA allows torrenting on all plans and provides unlimited bandwidth.
While based in the UK under the jurisdiction of the Investigatory Powers Act, HMA states it implements strict no-logs practices and jurisdictions outside 14 eyes for maximum privacy. It delivers consistently fast speeds for streaming, torrenting, gaming or regular use across all platforms. Apps are easy to set up on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
HMA provides 24/7 multi-channel support and a 30-day money back period. While not the most affordable long-term, it provides great server coverage without bandwidth limits at competitive monthly pricing. Overall, HMA is a reliable and complete VPN service suitable for advanced users looking great global coverage.
Conclusion
VPNs have become an essential defense against unwanted online surveillance, censorship, and hackers. By encrypting your internet connection and hiding your physical location, a VPN protects your right to privacy on the internet. The top VPN providers highlighted in this article – NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, ProtonVPN, PIA, IPVanish and HideMyAss – are trusted options that deliver fast speeds without having to compromise on important privacy features like zero-logging policies.
When choosing your VPN, consider factors like cost, security protocols, jurisdiction, supported devices, speed, reliability, customer support and privacy policy. VPN technologies are constantly evolving, so confirm your preferred provider stays at the cutting edge of encryption standards and keeps improving its infrastructure and features. Used properly, VPNs give you the freedom and control to enjoy a safe, private and uncensored internet experience.