Choose best VPN service for your needs: whether it’s high privacy for your traffic, fast speeds for gaming and streaming, or just an affordable option to bypass geolocation or country restrictions. We put to a test VPNs from 12 vendors, and here are the results!
TLDR: Skip to the table at the end to explore the summary of VPN options.
A Guide to Choosing the Right VPN for Your Needs
When choosing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for yourself, you want a service that guarantees an optimum balance of speed, reliability, and usability.
Here are some things you should consider:
1. Purpose of the VPN
When choosing a VPN, consider the specific purpose you need it for. This can be a key determining factor of what you choose. For instance, one best VPN service may be better for bypassing geo-restrictions and another may be ideal for accessing streaming services.
You may also find the best VPN service that excels at encrypting your traffic while gaming, and others that are better for enhanced security while using public Wi-Fi.
2. Essential Security Features
Choose a VPN service with relevant security features:
- A Kill switch that automatically cuts access to your internet connection if the VPN server drops for any reason.
- A No-Logging Policy to ensure the VPN service retains no browsing metadata that can be traced back to you.
- A selection of robust VPN protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, SSTP, and IPsec. Some VPNs also have custom protocols for better speeds and security.
3. Compatibility
Pay attention to a VPN’s platform support. Ideally, you want a VPN service that works across all your devices. This way, you can secure your internet connection on your laptop, PC, smartphone, smart TV, and other devices.
4. Speed
The speed of VPN traffic is slower because encrypted traffic typically moves slower than plain text. But what contributes even more to the speed is the distance the data have to travel to and from the VPN server.
Simply put, if a VPN service has a number of servers in your region, you’ll likely experience higher speeds.
GoLogin: An Innovative Alternative To VPNs
You can beat online censorship and geo-blocking using a VPN. However, many social media companies and major websites use anti-VPN technology that instantly blocks encrypted connections.
Naturally, browsers with antidetect features are becoming increasingly popular as a solution to this problem. GoLogin is one of the most trusted and reliable solutions in this category.
How does it work compared to VPN solutions? VPN services conceal your IP address and encrypt your traffic. GoLogin’s antidetect technology protects your entire digital fingerprint including your location, device, OS, and other browser characteristics. That way, you’re guaranteed absolute anonymity without the suspicious trail of encrypted traffic.
Moreover, GoLogin gives you access to 5 free proxies with unlimited traffic and bandwidth, including UK and United States. That beats free VPNs, which impose daily or monthly traffic limits.
With the GoLogin web app, you can access the browser from any device without downloading the software.
Platform Support: Web app, Windows, Linux, macOS, Android.
Pricing: Free plan available. Plans start from $49/month (Free trial period is also available).
Verdict: A VPN alternative to ensure full anonymity of your digital profile; access websites sensitive to encrypted traffic.
Download GoLogin for free and manage multiple accounts without bans!
Best VPN Service Apps in 2024
1. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is one of the world’s fastest and most reliable VPN services. It’s designed to mask your IP address, protect your privacy online, access blocked content, and beat internet censorship.
It also features a no-logs policy, DNS leak prevention, and a kill switch in case your connection drops. To protect your internet traffic, it uses OpenVPN, WireGuard, Stealth, and IKEv2 protocols. Moreover, it comes with an in-built Netshield Ad-blocker.
ProtonVPN also boasts over 2,700 high-speed VPN server locations spread across 70 countries, giving you the luxury of accessing geo-blocked content. That includes streaming your favorite shows, access to Tor over VPN, and swift peer-to-peer data transfer.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox.
Pricing: Free plan available. Plans start from $9.99/month.
Verdict: Open-source VPN with privacy features for business and personal use.
2. SurfShark
SurfShark is another top VPN company for users looking for a fast, reliable, intuitive platform. Like ProtonVPN, SurfShark has a suite of robust encryption protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN’s UDP and TCP protocols.
SurfShark employs a kill switch, a unique Rotating IP feature, Split Tunneling, Dynamic MultiHop, and Bypasser to boost your online data safety and privacy further. Having that many options is good for users who prefer configuring their VPNs manually.
Unlike other VPN services, SurfShark uses unique RAM-only servers that prevent permanent storage of internet traffic. It also has over 3,200 servers across 100+ countries, giving you unlimited access to thousands of IP addresses worldwide.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Plans start at $15.45/month.
Verdict: RAM-only VPN service with a massive server network.
3. NordVPN
With NordVPN, you get all the top features every VPN needs. You can choose its native NordLynx encryption or switch to the more mainstream OpenVPN or IKEv2/IPsec. NordLynx offers faster connection speeds, making it ideal for leisure activities like streaming shows.
Its protocols also ensure seamless digital protection for all its users. This includes a kill switch and an ad blocker. Moreover, NordVPN offers split tunneling, dedicated IPs, and a dark web monitor.
Being one of the fastest VPNs, NordVPN also supports Double VPN protection, Private DNS servers for secure file sharing, and LAN parties. It boasts 6,000+ servers across 111 countries and is available across multiple devices and apps.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Plans start at $12.99/month.
Verdict: VPN with Ultra-fast browsing and video streaming speeds.
4. CyberGhost
Much like NordVPN, CyberGhost offers one of the fastest internet speeds in our testing. Their servers are optimized for streaming content, P2P torrenting, and gaming while providing maximum security for users.
Like SurfShark, CyberGhost employs RAM-only servers, deleting your data instantly once your session ends. This guarantees maximum privacy and security alongside top-notch features such as DNS leak protection, a no-logs policy, dedicated IP options, and an automatic kill switch.
Moreover, you can configure CyberGhost’s encryption protocols depending on your use case, choosing between OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPsec, and other standard VPN protocols in the market.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Plans start at $12.99/month.
Verdict: VPN service for P2P torrent downloads and gaming.
5. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN prides itself on its fast speeds, reliability, and robust security. This results from its Lightway VPN protocol, ExpressVPN’s answer to WireGuard and Nordlynx.
The Lightway protocol gets you lightning-quick VPN connections to its servers while ensuring unmatched speeds for streaming, data transfer, gaming, and other use cases.
Like the OpenVPN protocol, Lightway is open-sourced, which makes it transparent to users and security audits.
Additionally, ExpressVPN supports the already time-tested OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.
A VPN subscription comes standard with a no-logs policy, kill switch, split-tunneling features, and more. It also has an abundant selection of servers in 105 countries.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Plans start at $12.95/month.
Verdict: Reliable VPN service with a huge server network.
6. Mullvad VPN
Mullvad employs a blind approach to creating new accounts. To ensure maximum data and identity privacy, Mullvad enables you to generate a unique account number without ties to your email address, phone number, or address.
Once done, you can use this account number to purchase a plan for your VPN service.
Like its counterparts, Mullvad servers use OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Bridge encryption protocols. Additionally, Mullvad VPN is open-source and open to public audits and reviews.
It employs a no-log policy and keeps real-time data on live servers, including server issues and scheduled maintenance, to ensure maximum uptime and reliability.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: $5/month (Fixed price).
Verdict: VPN service for complete anonymity.
7. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield has switched from other encryption protocols to its proprietary Hydra protocol. Like NordLynx and Lightway, the Hydra protocol is engineered for optimum streaming, gaming, and downloading speeds, as demonstrated by speed tests conducted by independent auditors.
Unlike other providers, Hotspot Shield offers a free but basic plan for individual users. However, you need a premium membership to access over 115+ virtual locations worldwide. Also, it has an intuitive user interface, especially for Windows operating systems.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Free plan available. Plans start at $12.99/month.
Verdict: VPN service with the best user interface for Windows users.
8. Windscribe VPN
If you’re on a limited budget, Windscribe can be a valuable VPN, as it offers a basic plan for individuals.
Despite that, you still get a great VPN, including 10 GB of free bandwidth, unlimited connections, servers in 11 countries, and the protection of OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols.
Moreover, it comes with a browser extension that secures your browser by blocking ads and malicious scripts from running. You also get Windscribe’s no-log policy, anti-DNS leak features, and team accounts, with centralized billing and management.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Free plan available. Plans start at $9/month.
Verdict: VPN service for team accounts and centralized billing.
9. Private Internet Access (PIA)
PIA offers the best VPN protocols and the most affordable plans. You can choose between OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 robust protocols, which keep your internet traffic from prying eyes.
PIA is also open-source, so you can audit it for privacy and security. Besides that, PIA comes with a strict no-logs policy, split tunneling, ad-blocking, a kill switch, and an option to pay with cryptocurrencies or gift cards to maintain absolute anonymity.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Free plan available. Plan starts at $11.95/month.
Verdict: VPN service for an unlimited number of devices.
10. IP Vanish
IP Vanish gives you access to over 40,000 different IP addresses across 2,400+ servers and 90+ countries. It provides security using IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard protocols, an industry standard many providers use.
That makes IP Vanish ideal for business and personal use cases, including streaming sports and using your Amazon Fire Stick.
This VPNs offering a unique split-tunneling option based on apps or domains, enabling you to access the internet securely, regardless of your setup.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Plans start at $12/month.
Verdict: Affordable VPN service.
11. TunnelBear VPN
If you’re a beginner with VPNs, TunnelBear is your best bet. With its intuitive interface, the VPN is accessible in a fun and attractive way. Despite that, it uses up-to-date AES-256 encryption and OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols to keep you protected full-time.
Like many other offers, you get a kill switch, a strict no-logs policy, split-tunneling, and P2P-friendly servers for all your needs. TunnelBear is also accessible on unlimited devices and can defeat VPN-blocking technology using its GhostBear feature.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Free plan available. Plans start at $3.33/month for single users and $5.75/user/month for teams.
Verdict: Best beginner VPN service.
12. Hide.me VPN
Hide.me VPN offers IPv6 support, IP leak protection, Multihop, a no-logs policy, split tunneling, and a kill switch. It protects users employing the robust OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEther, SSTP, and WireGuard protocols.
You can also access its free VPN service and free proxies for personal use on different projects.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV.
Pricing: Free plan available. Plans start at $9.95/month.
Verdict: Excellent privacy protection at an affordable price.
Summary On Best VPN Service Tools
Here’s a quick summary of all the VPN services explored above. Choose wisely according to your needs.
| VPN Service | Pricing | Verdict |
| GoLogin Browser | Free version available. Plans from $49/month | The best alternative to VPN services |
| ProtonVPN | Free version. Plans from $9.99/month | Open-source VPN with the best privacy features for business and personal use |
| SurfShark | From $15.45/month | RAM-only VPN service with a massive server network |
| NordVPN | From $12.99/month | VPN with Ultra-fast browsing and video streaming speeds. |
| CyberGhost | From $12.99/month | VPN service for P2P torrent downloads and gaming |
| ExpressVPN | From $12.95/month | Reliable VPN service with a huge server network. |
| Mullvad VPN | $5/month | VPN service for complete anonymity. |
| Hotspot Shield | Free version. Plans from $12.99/month | VPN service with the best user interface for Windows users. |
| Windscribe VPN | Free version. Plans from $9/month | VPN for team accounts and centralized billing |
| Private Internet Access | Free version. Plans from $11.95/month | VPN service for an unlimited number of devices |
| IP Vanish | From $12/month | Affordable VPN service |
| TunnelBear VPN | Free version. From $3.33/month | Best beginner VPN service |
| Hide.me | Free version. From $9.95/month | Excellent privacy protection with limited features |
Download GoLogin for free and manage multiple accounts without bans!
