Best VPN services for 2025
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NordVPN is my pick as the best VPN provider overall. It offers the ultimate balance between feature variety, connection speed quality, and reliability. You can install it on practically any device to enjoy many of its benefits at a reasonable price. Plus, the provider’s multiple subscription options allow you to choose a plan that fits your particular cybersecurity needs.
Best VPNs of 2025
- NordVPN – the best VPN regarding security and performance
- Surfshark VPN – the most cost-effective VPN for speed
- Proton VPN – the best VPN with an unlimited free version
- ExpressVPN – the best VPN for online privacy
- CyberGhost – budget-friendly VPN for gaming
A VPN (virtual private network) is one of the most versatile cybersecurity tools you can have. It will encrypt your online traffic to make it unreadable and impenetrable to outsiders. It will also mask your IP address and location for improved anonymity. Plus, you can use it to change your location and bypass geographical restrictions. Naturally, the best VPNs include numerous extra perks, like ad blocking and phishing protection.
The research team and I evaluated around 41 VPN services to find out which are truly the best and worth using daily. This article will highlight our selected top VPNs and their various strengths.
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
10 best VPN services in 2025
We thoroughly tested many providers in terms of speed, security, privacy, price, features, and overall user experience. The following list includes ten providers that performed exceptionally well in our internal evaluations.
1. NordVPN – the best VPN service for 2025 overall
| Rating: | |
| Jurisdiction: | Panama (outside 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | 7100+ servers in 118 countries |
| Compatibility: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, audited by PwC |
| Price from: | From $3.39/month |
| Current deal: | Get 72% OFF NordVPN |
Why we chose it
NordVPN is the top VPN provider because of its lightning-fast connection speeds, unrivaled security, and feature abundance. It’s based in Panama and boasts four independent audits of its no-logs policy to emphasize its trustworthiness. Depending on your chosen subscription plan, you’ll also have a wide array of extra cybersecurity perks.
My experience using NordVPN
NordVPN’s goal is to make cybersecurity approachable to anyone, which is apparent from its straightforward setup process and overall ease of use. I had no trouble installing the app in a few minutes, after which I simply had to log in and start using the VPN.
The interface might appear overwhelming initially since there are so many different menus. However, everything becomes clear after using the software for a few minutes. Each menu represents a crucial NordVPN feature and uses a distinct icon that’s uniform across platforms. So, you’ll have no trouble understanding NordVPN’s tools on every platform after using it for a while.
While testing the service, I enjoyed its specialty server selection, which includes obfuscated, double VPN, onion over VPN, and P2P servers. You can connect to these servers on the VPN menu just below the home menu. It includes the world map for quickly picking your desired server location. There’s no need to type in country or city names since you can just navigate the map and click your desired location.
The service provided excellent speeds throughout my tests with its proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol. We measured the provider’s speed retention rates across various countries, and the results were pretty impressive. NordVPN’s average download speed retention rate was 93%, while with uploads, it was 84%. We experienced the fastest speeds when connecting to servers located in the UK and Sweden.
The provider’s Threat Protection Pro feature makes it the most secure VPN available. The feature blocks ads, trackers, malicious websites, and scans downloaded files for malware. Unfortunately, the tool isn’t available on the provider’s cheapest Basic plan, which starts at $3.39/month. You must sign up for the Plus or Ultimate plan to fully unlock NordVPN’s security potential.
NordVPN is based in Panama, and its no-logs policy was audited four times as of December 2024. This makes it one of the best in terms of trustworthiness. Plus, like many other top-tier VPNs (Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost), NordVPN uses RAM-only servers to protect user data on a fundamental level.
Who should pick NordVPN?
I recommend NordVPN to anyone who needs an all-in-one, top-quality VPN for speed, safety, and online privacy. It offers the best performance results in many categories without being excessively priced, although it’s not exactly the best regarding affordability, especially considering its multiple subscription tiers. However, its unique Meshnet feature makes NordVPN more flexible than other VPNs since you can use it for secure file sharing and creating personal LANs. Finally, if you choose pricier subscription tiers, you can receive a password manager, encrypted cloud storage, data breach monitoring, and identity theft insurance.
2. Surfshark – the most affordable VPN for online privacy
| Rating: | |
| Jurisdiction: | The Netherlands (within 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Compatibility: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, audited by Deloitte |
| Price from: | From $2.19/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 86% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Why we chose it
Surfshark is one of the best VPN providers with an excellent price-to-performance ratio. It’s cheaper than NordVPN yet offers similar results regarding connection speeds, security, and online privacy. However, it provides fewer server options, making it less suitable for streaming. It is based in the Netherlands, has an audited no-logs policy, and offers unique privacy-focused features like Alternative ID.
My experience using Surfshark
Surfshark is my go-to alternative VPN whenever NordVPN fails a particular task, which rarely happens. Like with NordVPN, the setup process was straightforward and completed in only a few minutes.
The app interface is pretty minimalistic and doesn’t overwhelm users initially since everything regarding the VPN is available on the home page. More precisely, you can choose the quick-connect option, choose a preferred server location, and select specialty servers without rummaging through any menus. The only noticeable drawback is the lack of a world map for connecting to particular countries without typing or scrolling.
Surfshark’s remaining menus are dedicated to its other outstanding features like Alternative ID, Alert, Antivirus, and Search. Note that these menus are visible even if you have a subscription that doesn’t unlock these tools, which is frustrating. As expected, the cogwheel menu is dedicated to settings where you can enable the CleanWeb ad blocker, Bypasser, NoBorders mode, and switch tunneling protocols. Overall, the user experience on PC and mobile is excellent.
One of the first things I noticed about Surfshark is that its MultiHop feature is customizable, unlike NordVPN’s Double VPN servers. Additionally, CleanWeb works better and includes more options if you install the Surfshark browser extension. Crucially, these perks are included in Surfshark’s most affordable Starter plan, which starts at only $2.19/month.
Surfshark’s speeds in our latest tests were excellent. With WireGuard, the provider retained 93% of the original download speed. However, upload speed retention was only 64% on average. Our previous tests also showed subpar performance regarding upload speeds, meaning this could be a potential issue in Surfshark’s package.
Who should pick Surfshark?
Surfshark is ideal for price-conscious users who prioritize digital privacy. I recommend it over NordVPN for beginners due to its simple interface and excellent introductory plan. Its cheapest Starter plan offers all the essentials for secure daily browsing, but I’m most impressed that it includes the Alternative ID personal detail generator. The most affordable also includes CleanWeb without limitations, which is an improvement over NordVPN’s limited Threat Protection on its Basic plan. And if you’re willing to pay more for optional extras, Surfshark offers a private search engine, data breach monitoring, antivirus protection, and online data removal services.
3. Proton VPN – the most reliable VPN with a free version
| Rating: | |
| Jurisdiction: | Switzerland (outside 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | 9900+ servers in 117 countries |
| Compatibility: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, audited by Securitum |
| Price from: | From $3.59/month |
| Current deal: | Get up to 64% OFF ProtonVPN |
Why we chose it
Proton VPN is one of the best VPNs for privacy and bypassing online censorship. However, I’ve included it in this list to cater to users looking for a reliable free VPN with unlimited data. Regarding trustworthiness, Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, has an audited no-logs policy, and its apps are open-source.
My experience using Proton VPN
As expected, setting up Proton VPN was a breeze. The user interface is straightforward and minimalist, which reminds me of Surfshark in a good way. Moreover, the app includes a world map for establishing connections, similar to NordVPN, and a great option if you want to connect to servers with minimal effort. Interestingly, the server menu allows picking specific servers if you want to get granular.
Proton VPN’s unique selling point is its excellent free tier. Unsurprisingly, it lacks many features and only permits connecting to a handful of countries. On the plus side, it has unlimited data, making Proton VPN an excellent permanent free VPN option for users on a budget. This is practically the only free VPN that I can recommend for daily use.
Although the premium tier has an above-average price (starting at $3.59/month), it’s worth it considering the provider’s reputation and excellent features. For starters, it includes specialty servers for streaming, P2P, and Tor connections. There’s also NetShield to block ads and malicious websites. Additionally, the service includes moderate NAT, which helps resolve connectivity issues while playing multiplayer games or having video calls.
Proton VPN had an average 85% download and upload speed retention rate with WireGuard, which is an excellent result. During our Proton VPN tests, we had the best connection speeds when connecting to the UK.
Like NordVPN, Proton VPN permits only 10 simultaneous device connections per account, which might be unsuitable for larger households. Conversely, it’s more than enough if you’re the only person utilizing this VPN.
Who should pick Proton VPN?
On the one hand, Proton VPN is tailor-made for those who need a reliable and long-term free VPN. However, if you’re willing to subscribe, the service offers a variety of security features for dealing with online censorship. You can alternate between Secure Core and Tor servers, enable the Stealth protocol, and allow Alternative Routing to circumvent various online restrictions. Moreover, the vast server array, which outnumbers NordVPN’s server fleet, is excellent for streaming and gaming.
4. ExpressVPN – trustworthy VPN with robust security features
| Rating | |
| Jurisdiction: | British Virgin Islands (outside 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | Servers in 105 countries |
| Compatibility: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | 8 |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, audited by Cure53 |
| Price from: | From $4.99/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
Why we chose it
ExpressVPN is one of the safest VPN providers because of strong encryption, malware protection, and strong tunneling protocols. Looking deeper, it appears that ExpressVPN has all the standard features. Your data is protected with AES-256-GCM data encryption, the same protocol that's used by IPVanish and Surfshark.
My experience using ExpressVPN
As always, setting up ExpressVPN was a breeze. However, I found the interface a bit too simplistic. The window is tiny on the desktop app, meaning practically all other features are hidden away in various menus. This makes it appear that ExpressVPN has fewer features than it actually does. I was also disappointed by its lack of specialty servers.
What sets ExpressVPN apart from other VPNs is its impressive number of independent audits. As of updating this article in December 2024, the provider’s trust center webpage boasts 19 audits across its various technical features and privacy practices. Combine that with its jurisdiction in the British Virgin Islands and RAM-only servers, and you have a truly reliable VPN for confidentiality.
Unlike NordVPN, ExpressVPN includes a password manager with the starting VPN subscription at no extra cost. However, a significant difference is that NordPass has excellent cross-device compatibility, while Keys only supports browsers and mobile devices. ExpressVPN will also block trackers and malicious sites with its Threat Manager tool. Crucially, many customers praise ExpressVPN’s geo-block removal capabilities on the most popular streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.
The latest In-house ExpressVPN speed tests resulted in 91% download and 84% upload speed retention rates. Shockingly, we had the fastest download speeds in Singapore, while upload speeds maxed out in the Netherlands. Most importantly, ExpressVPN achieves these results with its proprietary Lightway tunneling protocol, which was built from scratch.
Who should pick ExpressVPN?
I recommend ExpressVPN for those who need a simple but highly effective VPN without excessive features. Unlike NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN doesn’t have multiple subscription tiers, which would make it difficult to decide. However, the downside is that ExpressVPN is pretty expensive with its $4.99/month starting price. However, its technical features and reliability are top-notch, which is further supported by the provider’s numerous audits. So, I think ExpressVPN is definitely worth the extra cost.
5. CyberGhost – cost-effective VPN for gaming and streaming
| Rating: | |
| Jurisdiction: | Romania (outside 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | Servers in 100 countries |
| Compatibility: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | 7 |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, audited by Deloitte |
| Price from: | From $2.03/month |
| Current deal: | Get 84% OFF CyberGhost + 4 months FREE |
Why we chose it
CyberGhost is a budget-friendly VPN with solid technical features and exceptional ease of use. It offers an impressive variety of specialty servers for various tasks, with gaming and streaming being notable highlights. The service is based in Romania, has an audited no-logs policy, and is cheaper than many other best VPN services.
My experience using CyberGhost
Like most VPNs, installing CyberGhost was straightforward. The interface is very good, not too minimalistic or overcrowded. The left side showcases the service’s specialty servers, which I believe is one of CyberGhost’s greatest strengths. Most notably, the streaming servers are further categorized by specific services, making it exceptionally easy to unblock your desired content. This feature makes CyberGhost one of the most beginner-friendly services available.
Another standout category is gaming servers, although these aren’t segmented by specific video games. There’s good variety across Europe and America, and you can sort the servers by ping to find the most optimal one for your needs. And like many other VPNs, such as NordVPN and Proton VPN, CyberGhost’s feature set includes servers optimized for torrenting.
CyberGhost has other great perks besides its specialty servers. For starters, it’s based in Romania, which isn’t part of the notorious Five Eyes alliance. Additionally, its no-logs policy was audited by Deloitte, which also audited Surfshark. However, note that CyberGhost’s simultaneous device limit is only 7, which might be limiting for larger households boasting many devices. On the other hand, this limitation is understandable, considering the provider’s starting price of only $2.03/month.
Our latest speed tests resulted with CyberGhost showing better performance regarding download speeds. It maintained 91% of the original download speed, while upload speeds dropped to about 74%. Considering CyberGhost's affordable price, these results are great and will ensure no lagging issues while streaming or gaming.
Who should pick CyberGhost?
CyberGhost is best equipped to cater to users needing an affordable VPN primarily for streaming and gaming. Its cheap price and user-friendly interface make it an excellent choice for beginners who need a simple but effective VPN that doesn’t require a considerable investment. Additionally, its WireGuard implementation and wide server array yield excellent connection speeds and grant access to a wide variety of global content. Plus, it has good security features to protect your daily online activities from various cyberthreats.
6. IPVanish – well-balanced and reliable VPN for daily use
| Rating | |
| Jurisdiction: | United States (within 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | 2400+ servers in 100 locations |
| Compatibility: | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, audited by Leviathan |
| Price from: | From $2.19/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
Why we chose it
IPVanish is a reasonably-priced VPN with excellent essential features and a handful of unique extras. Although it’s based in the US, which is a founding member of the Five Eyes alliance, its no-logs policy was audited to dispel any suspicions. Like Surfshark, IPVanish is affordable, uses the WireGuard protocol, and supports unlimited device connections.
My experience using IPVanish
Installing IPVanish was a simple procedure of following the on-screen instructions. The app’s interface is pretty good and includes some neat customization features. For example, you can slide around the dividing line between the world map and connection details to suit your preferences. Additionally, the server selection menu shows each server’s current load, which helps if you need a server with less traffic.
Like NordVPN, IPVanish offers a feature called Threat Protection, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites. The upside with this provider is that it grants the fully-equipped feature even when subscribing to its cheapest Essential plan, which starts at $2.19/month. However, the tool is relatively simple because it has no customization options. The second subscription plan adds extra features like cloud backup, a secure browser, and a customer support phone line.
In my experience, IPVanish works well for streaming and unblocks foreign movies without much trouble. However, my main concern is that the service has only 2400+ servers across 100 countries, giving users fewer country options than with top-ranking providers like NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN. On the plus side, IPVanish features include unlimited device connections, meaning everyone in your household will be able to use the VPN without restrictions.
IPVanish performed reasonably well in our latest speed tests, although its upload speeds weren’t particularly great. The download speed retention rate averaged around 91%, while for uploads, it dipped to 58%. These are promising results, although I can’t recommend IPVanish if you plan on uploading loads of files with this VPN.
Who should pick IPVanish?
IPVanish is a suitable option for those needing an effective, affordable VPN with a few extra features. If you choose the pricier Advanced subscription tier, you’ll get a secure browser and Livedrive cloud storage, which can be a compelling advantage over the competition. Meanwhile, the Essential plan, which starts at $2.19/month, only includes the VPN and its accompanying features. It’s a good option considering its price, but it pales compared to what other providers offer in their starting subscription plans.
7. Norton VPN – beginner-friendly VPN with cybersecurity extras
| Rating: | |
| Jurisdiction: | United States (within 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | 2000+ servers in 30 countries |
| Compatibility: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| No-logs policy: | No |
| Price from: | From $3.33/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 54% OFF Norton VPN |
Why we chose it
Norton VPN is a simple but affordable VPN that includes only the essential VPN security features along with a separate antivirus app. It’s included in this lineup to cater to absolute VPN beginners who need a simple VPN service that isn’t overcrowded with features and setting menus. The service is based in the US, and its no-logs policy wasn’t audited.
My experience using Norton VPN
Installing this beginner-friendly VPN was no trouble at all. Initially, you can see that this VPN service doesn’t offer much, which is great news if you need a minimalistic VPN. A large portion of the app is dedicated to the On switch. Alongside it is the server selection menu, which only allows you to pick your desired country. Moreover, you can only connect to servers in 30 countries, the lowest variety on this list. Regarding specialty servers, the only option is the torrent-optimized servers. Overall, there’s no risk of getting overwhelmed while using Norton VPN.
The settings menu is also barren. The general menu allows you to enable basic things like the kill switch, launch at startup, and automatic updates. The second menu is Ad Tracker Blocking, which lacks any customization options. The last worthwhile menu is Split Tunnel, which controls the split tunneling feature. With Norton VPN, you can only choose which apps to exclude from the VPN tunnel.
Norton VPN test results were quite good in our latest connection speed evaluations. The average download speed retention rate was 79%, while upload speed was 78%. These are interesting results, considering that Norton VPN doesn’t allow choosing a preferred tunneling protocol on the desktop app.
My primary concern about this VPN is that, like IPVanish, it’s based in the US. However, what’s even more disappointing is that a reliable third party didn’t audit Norton VPN’s no-logs policy. As such, I can’t recommend this service to people prioritizing privacy. Conversely, you’ll have a decent all-in-one cybersecurity tool if you choose a plan that includes Norton’s antivirus service. Prices start at $3.33/month if you pick a plan with just the VPN.
Who should pick Norton VPN?
Norton VPN suits customers who need a bare-bones VPN that includes P2P-optimized servers. The service has very few features and customization options, meaning it’s excellent for beginners who easily get confused or overwhelmed by too many choices. Additionally, it’s a viable option if you want a service that’s primarily an antivirus with a VPN add-on, unlike Surfshark, which is a VPN first and antivirus second.
8. PureVPN – reliable all-in-one VPN
| Rating: | |
| Jurisdiction: | British Virgin Islands (outside 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | 6000+ servers in 65 countries |
| Compatibility: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, audited by Altius IT |
| Price from: | From $2.14/month |
| Current deal: | Now 83% OFF PureVPN + 2 FREE months |
Why we chose it
PureVPN is a reliable and effective VPN that offers so many optional extra features that it could be used as an all-in-one cybersecurity solution. As expected, including all those perks in your shopping cart will make PureVPN more expensive than ExpressVPN. In any case, the service is based in the British Virgin Islands and has an audited no-logs policy to appeal to privacy enthusiasts.
My experience using PureVPN
As always, the installation was straightforward with PureVPN. I was surprised that after logging in the first time, the app asked me for my primary VPN goals (streaming, security, etc.). I skipped this part because I wanted the standard experience, but I think less-experienced users will appreciate this detail.
The interface is pretty modern and functionally similar to many other providers that keep the navigation menu on the left side of the app. It’s clear what each menu does, so finding your desired features is a breeze. The server selection menu allows you to filter servers by type. On Windows, available server options include P2P, quantum resistant, port forwarding, and virtual. Interestingly, available server options depend on your tunneling protocol, which feels limiting.
PureVPN showed great connection speed results with the WireGuard protocol, although the retention percentage was lower for uploads. The average download speed retention rate was 93%, but with uploads, it was only 75%. On the plus side, the upload retention rate increased from 59% compared to our previous PureVPN tests.
Like NordVPN and Surfshark, PureVPN offers multiple subscription tiers with varying benefits. The options are very similar to NordVPN’s plans since you have options with a password manager, a file encryption tool, and dark web monitoring. Additionally, it overlaps with Surfshark by offering data removal services. Another unique feature is that PureVPN offers 5-year subscription plans, which is terrific if you want to postpone renewal considerations far into the future. In any case, PureVPN prices start at only $2.14/month.
Who should pick PureVPN?
PureVPN is ideal for those who want to have as many VPN features in one subscription as possible. The provider is trustworthy and has an impressive selection of subscription plans and more optional extras alongside that. However, this variety can appear overwhelming to newcomers, and having so many features in one plan will tremendously escalate the overall price. Alternatively, PureVPN can be surprisingly affordable if you choose its starting plan and sign up for a five-year subscription.
9. TotalVPN – solid VPN with included antivirus
| Rating: | |
| Jurisdiction: | United Kingdom (within 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | 50+ servers in 30 countries |
| Compatibility: | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | 8 |
| No-logs policy: | No |
| Price from: | From $1.59/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 80% OFF TotalVPN |
Why we chose it
TotalVPN is an alternative to Norton VPN if you want a VPN and antivirus combo where the antivirus service takes center stage. It has a reasonably effective VPN with basic features, while the antivirus is much more well equipped. Note that the service is based in the US and its logging policy wasn’t audited.
My experience using TotalVPN
Installing TotalVPN on my device was pretty easy. Regarding the interface, you might be disappointed to see that the VPN isn’t the primary feature when opening the software. Instead, the VPN is simply a menu item on the side with a handful of settings. Personally, I would prefer it if the VPN app were separate from the antivirus software, as is the case with Norton VPN.
With TotalVPN, all you can do is select the country you want to connect to and then enable the VPN. There aren’t any specialty server options to enhance your experience in any way. Moreover, the server network spans only 50+ servers across 30 countries, which is hugely underwhelming. The country variety is greater only than Norton VPN’s, but the server numbers are the lowest on this list.
While testing TotalVPN, I tried using the service to stream geo-blocked content, and the results were somewhat satisfying. It took a few attempts to unblock Hulu, but it worked eventually. Still, in my experience, other VPNs usually unblock streaming platforms on the first try.
Connection speeds were quite good during our latest speed evaluations. TotalVPN had a download speed retention rate of 85%, but its upload retention rate was 48%.
Regarding downsides, TotalVPN is based in the US, which is a core member of the Five Eyes alliance. This aspect is made even worse by the fact that an independent third party didn’t audit the provider’s no-logs policy. Still, these facts don’t necessarily mean that TotalVPN is unreliable, especially if you’re looking for a security-focused antivirus and VPN combo.
Who should pick TotalVPN?
Like Norton VPN, TotalVPN is suitable for those who need a reliable antivirus service that comes with an acceptable VPN. The VPN is pretty simple but will do the job of masking your IP address and encrypting your traffic, which is enough if your security needs are minimal. Meanwhile, the antivirus service is excellent, offering reliable protection against various cyberthreats.
10. Bitdefender VPN – solid VPN from an antivirus provider
| Rating: | |
| Jurisdiction: | Romania (outside 14-Eyes) |
| Server network: | 4000+ servers in 53 countries |
| Compatibility: | Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| No-logs policy: | No |
| Price from: | From $2.92/month |
| Current deal: | Get up to 50% OFF Bitdefender VPN |
Why we chose it
Like Norton VPN and TotalVPN, Bitdefender VPN is a VPN from a service primarily known as an antivirus provider. However, Bitdefender stands out because its VPN is fairly feature-rich and available as a separate VPN app. Like CyberGhost VPN, this provider is based in Romania, which isn’t beholden to the Five Eyes alliance.
My experience using Bitdefender VPN
Once again, the installation process was a breeze. I was glad that Bitdefender’s VPN is available as a separate application from its antivirus software. The app looks good and has enough features and settings to not appear underwhelming, as with Norton VPN.
Bitdefender VPN includes all the standard features you’d expect from a decent-quality VPN, such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection. It also includes split tunneling if you’d like to customize your VPN tunnel on a per-app basis. However, you can only pick which apps will bypass the VPN connection, which isn’t as flexible as with other providers like NordVPN and Surfshark.
Bitdefender VPN is more versatile than Norton VPN and TotalVPN because it allows you to choose your preferred VPN tunneling protocol. Available options include OpenVPN and WireGuard. It also has a more expansive server network spanning 4000+ servers across 53 countries.
Unfortunately, the impressive server numbers didn’t result in good streaming performance. The provider could only unblock BBC iPlayer in our Bitdefender VPN tests, while other platforms like Netflix and Hulu didn’t budge.
The latest connection speed results were pretty good but not particularly impressive. The download speed retention rate was around 84%, but upload speeds dropped to 48% of the original speeds.
Who should pick Bitdefender VPN?
Once again, Bitdefender VPN is viable for users wanting a VPN and antivirus service combo. The unique selling point here is that Bitdefender VPN is a separate app that’s pretty robust in its own right. It’s also reasonably priced, starting at only $2.92/month if you purchase Bitdefender VPN separately. However, I recommend choosing an affordable VPN-first service like Surfshark or CyberGhost at this price point.
Comparison of the top VPN services
In the table below, I compared the 10 best VPNs with all their most notable features. Explore the benefits and differences of each VPN service to make an informed decision when choosing.
| Brand | Ranking | Free trial | Starting price | Money-back guarantee | Servers | Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Yes, 7-day | $3.39/month | 30-day | 7100+ servers in 118 countries | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | |
| Surfshark | Yes, 7-day | $2.19/month | 30-day | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more | |
| ProtonVPN | Yes, unlimited | $3.59/month | 30-day | 9900+ servers in 117 countries | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, HBO Max, Disney+ | |
| ExpressVPN | Yes, 7-day for mobile devices | $4.99/month | 30-day | Servers in 105 countries | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | |
| CyberGhost | Yes, 1-day on a desktop, 3-day on Android, and 7-day on iOS | $2.03/month | 45-day | Servers in 100 countries | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ | |
| IPVanish | Yes, 7-day | $2.19/month | 30-day | 2400+ servers in 100 countries | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more | |
| Norton VPN | Yes, 7-day | $3.33/month | 60-day | 2000+ servers in 30 countries | BBC iPlayer, Max | |
| PureVPN | Yes, 1-day | $2.14/month | 30-day | 6000+ servers, 65 countries | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube | |
| TotalVPN | Yes, 7-day | $1.59/month | 31-day | 50+ servers in 30 countries | YouTube | |
| Bitdefender VPN | No | $2.92/month | 30-day | 4000+ servers in 53 countries | BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
How VPNs have been tested
The VPN testing process involved me conducting hands-on testing from a customer’s perspective and the research team conducting more technical testing. This process allowed us to gain a more thorough understanding of each VPN while also gaining more perspective from different team members. Then, we ranked the providers using weighted variables.
I did most of my testing on my Lenovo T14S ThinkPad, which runs Windows 11. Meanwhile, the research team used a Windows laptop and a MacBook Air laptop to compare the two OSes. However, we also examined the mobile apps on our various personal smartphones. Below is a summary of the categories we analyzed and how much they influenced the overall ranking.
- Privacy and security (20%). VPNs are primarily a cybersecurity tool, so we’re giving this category significant weight in our ranking system. The team and I evaluated various VPN privacy policies to ensure they don’t collect excessive customer data. We also took into account each provider’s country of jurisdiction since that influences their commitment to cooperating with government agencies. Lastly, we checked for independent audits confirming the providers’ overall reliability. Naturally, we tested various technical features to ensure they work as advertised.
- Speed and performance (20%). Connection speeds significantly impact the user experience in every situation. We analyzed each VPN’s server network and conducted speed tests using the Ookla speed testing tool. During our latest December 2024 tests for this article, baseline speeds were 500Mbps download, 500Mbps upload, and 1 ms ping. The table below shows all providers' numerical and percentage speed retention rates on this best VPNs list.
| Brand | Average download speed, Mbps | Average upload speed, Mbps | Average ping, ms | Average download speed retention, % | Average upload speed retention, % |
| NordVPN | 468 | 423 | 150 | 93 | 84 |
| Surfshark | 466 | 320 | 123 | 93 | 64 |
| Proton VPN | 428 | 426 | 135 | 85 | 85 |
| ExpressVPN | 455 | 423 | 117 | 91 | 84 |
| CyberGhost | 456 | 373 | 125 | 91 | 74 |
| IPVanish | 459 | 293 | 136 | 91 | 58 |
| Norton VPN | 398 | 390 | 126 | 79 | 78 |
| PureVPN | 465 | 378 | 108 | 93 | 75 |
| TotalVPN | 428 | 241 | 126 | 85 | 48 |
| Bitdefender VPN | 422 | 282 | 129 | 84 | 56 |
- Usability and user experience (15%). We paid attention to each VPN’s app interface and overall user experience while using the service. This part also includes evaluating device compatibility and our customer support experience because those aspects influence how you’ll experience the service. Not to mention the simultaneous connection limit, which also influences a VPN’s usability and versatility.
- Server network and locations (15%). As you can imagine, evaluating the server network involves checking the number of available servers and country options. We also checked the underlying technology and whether the provider offers specialty servers, such as double VPN or obfuscated options for bypassing online censorship.
- Features and customization (10%). A top-tier VPN should grant numerous extra features with robust customization options so the customer can make various adjustments to fit their needs. As such, we tested all the essential VPN features and the various extras that set each provider apart.
- Cost and value (10%). I analyzed each service’s price and weighed it against its overall package to determine if the VPN provides good value for money. It was also vital to evaluate each provider’s money-back guarantee, free trial, and refund policies to see if they’re viable for risk-free testing.
- Personal experience (10%). I shared some of my thoughts and experiences about each VPN and what it was like using them. Note that my opinions had little impact on the ranking system since we gave more weight to objective and technical metrics.
Why use a VPN?
You should primarily use a VPN for its cybersecurity benefits, such as encryption and IP address masking. However, it also unlocks another world of possibilities thanks to its ability to change your location.
Arguably, the most popular VPN use case is streaming. Changing your location with a VPN unlocks movies and TV shows unavailable in your region. The best streaming VPNs ensure lag-free and HD-quality streaming regardless of how far the VPN server is. This perk works with many popular streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Max, BBC iPlayer, and more.
Gaming is another activity that can benefit from a VPN’s ability to alter your location. Simply connect to a different country, and you’ll be able to play games that are unavailable in your home country. Moreover, a gaming VPN will mask your identity and location from other gamers in online lobbies, which is a terrific security and privacy benefit. After all, it’s not unheard of for gamers to employ DDoS attacks against their opponents in online competitions.
Besides geo-block removal, a VPN is one of the best tools for improving online privacy. For starters, its encryption will make your online activities unreadable to your ISP, Wi-Fi network administrators, and other onlookers. Secondly, it will hide your IP address and location, making it practically impossible to track you.
For some, a VPN is crucial to bypass online censorship and other restrictions on free speech. However, such overbearing countries typically outlaw VPNs due to their anonymity potential. In such cases, it’s vital to choose a VPN with a flawless reputation, audited no-logs policy, and jurisdiction outside the Five Eyes alliance. After all, an unreliable VPN will expose you to the authorities one way or another.
Finally, you should use a VPN whenever you travel abroad for vacation or other reasons. For starters, a good travel VPN will prevent data theft on public, poorly secured Wi-Fi networks where malicious hackers run rampant. Secondly, it will ensure you have access to your usual online content from your home country, such as your favorite TV shows or your local bank.
Theoretically, you can use any VPN for streaming, gaming, bypassing online censorship, and privacy. However, only a few VPNs have the necessary features and connection performance to ensure excellent results in all these areas. So, you have to consider your priorities and choose a VPN with the specialized features most relevant to your essential needs.
Personally, I’d choose NordVPN because it showed the best results in all areas during in-house tests. It easily unblocked foreign streaming content while ensuring secure connections with its specialty server options. The price is also pretty reasonable, although it gets more expensive on higher subscription tiers. At the same time, choosing the pricier subscriptions means you’ll have almost all cybersecurity bases covered. One crucial exception is that NordVPN doesn’t offer full-fledged antivirus software.
VPN provider compatibility
Device compatibility is a crucial factor when choosing VPNs because you need a service that works with all the devices you own. This means having apps for various operating systems and device types. Moreover, it should support enough simultaneous connections to cover the devices you and your family own if you plan on sharing a VPN subscription.
I’ve compiled a table comparing the supported platforms and simultaneous connection limits of all the best VPN providers on this list. That way, you’ll have an easier time picking a suitable service for your needs. However, keep in mind that this table compares only the most popular devices and operating systems. Some providers work with even more devices than are listed here.
| Brand | Windows | macOS | Android | iOS (iPhone/iPad) | Linux | Router | Android TV | tvOS (Apple TV) | Browser extensions | Simultaneous connections | Starting price |
| NordVPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 10 | From $3.39/month |
| Surfshark | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Unlimited | From $2.19/month |
| Proton VPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 10 | From $3.59/month |
| ExpressVPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 8 | From $4.99/month |
| CyberGhost | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 7 | From $2.03/month |
| IPVanish | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Unlimited | From $2.19/month |
| Norton VPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | 10 | From $3.33/month |
| PureVPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 10 | From $2.14/month |
| TotalVPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | 8 | From $1.59/month |
| Bitdefender VPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | 10 | From $2.92/month |
What is a safe VPN?
Generally speaking, a safe VPN must include effective technical security features and have a reliable reputation regarding user privacy. These two general terms encompass many aspects, so let’s cover those here in more detail.
Technical security covers features like the kill switch, DNS leak protection, encryption standards, and bonus tools like ad and malware blocking. Many of these features are considered mandatory for VPN services, but you’d be surprised how many fail in this regard. For example, Hola VPN’s free tier used its customers' devices as residential proxies, which is a severe security issue.
VPNs, by definition, must include encryption. Otherwise, they’re simply proxies. But, it’s vital to ensure the encryption is strong enough to withstand brute-force attacks by threat actors. That’s why the best VPNs use AES-256 encryption, which is strong enough to endure any deciphering attempts by malicious actors. At the same time, it isn’t excessively complex to negatively affect performance. Additionally, some VPNs complement this encryption cipher with ChaCha20 for better results.
Another crucial consideration is the provider’s VPN tunneling protocol selection. In short, you should only pick VPNs that offer modern and reliable VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard. Conversely, you should avoid providers that rely only on old and outdated protocols like PPTP or SSTP.
WireGuard is the gold standard when it comes to VPN protocols as it ensures both top speeds and security. NordVPN and ExpressVPN also have proprietary protocols – NordLynx and Lightway – that are considered some of the safest and fastest. OpenVPN is another great tunneling protocol that trustworthy VPNs use.
As for VPN provider reputation, the most important factors are the no-logs policy and jurisdiction. Most VPNs claim to adhere to a no-logs policy, but you shouldn’t just take their word for it. A trustworthy VPN will have those claims confirmed by an independent third party through an audit.
Secondly, the VPN must reside in a country with proper user privacy protections in place. For example, a good VPN shouldn’t be based in a country with ties to the Five Eyes alliance, which has the potential to share any collected user data with allied countries. Instead, VPNs should be located in neutral countries like Panama or Switzerland.
Below is a table summarizing the most essential safety features of the best VPNs on this list.
| Most secure VPN | Rating | Encryption | No-logs policy | Jurisdiction | Security features |
| NordVPN | AES-256, ChaCha20 | No logs, third-party audited by PwC | Panama | Kill switch, leak protection, Threat Protection Pro, Double VPN, Onion over VPN, Dark Web Monitor, Obfuscated servers | |
| Surfshark | AES-256, ChaCha20 | No logs, third-party audit by Deloitte | The Netherlands | Kill switch, leak protection, CleanWeb, MultiHop, Camouflage Mode, NoBorders mode, Alternative ID | |
| Proton VPN | AES-256, ChaCha20 | No logs, third-party audit by Securitum | Switzerland | Kill switch, leak protection, NetShield, Stealth protocol, Secure Core | |
| ExpressVPN | AES-256, ChaCha20 | No logs, third-party audit by Cure53 | British Virgin Islands | Kill switch, leak protection, Threat Manager, Stealth server | |
| CyberGhost | AES-256 | No logs, third-party audit by Deloitte | Romania | Kill switch, leak protection, NoSpy servers, Block content | |
| IPVanish | AES-256 | No logs, third-party audit by Leviathan | United States | Kill switch, leak protection, Threat Protection, Scramble OpenVPN | |
| Norton VPN | AES-256 | No logs, not audited | United States | Kill switch, leak protection, Ad Tracker Blocking | |
| PureVPN | AES-256 | No logs, audited by Altius IT | British Virgin Islands | Kill switch, leak protection, Tracker Blocker, Dark Web Monitoring | |
| TotalVPN | AES-256 | No logs, not audited | United Kingdom | Kill switch, leak protection, ad blocking, antivirus | |
| Bitdefender VPN | AES-256 | No logs, not audited | Romania | Kill switch, leak protection, ad blocker, tracker blocker |
Can free VPNs be trusted?
Whether a free VPN is trustworthy depends on a few crucial factors. For the most part, you shouldn’t use free VPNs just to be safe. But if you really need a free VPN for basic protection, here are a few tips to consider.
Firstly, my suspicion towards free VPNs comes from the fact they don’t have a revenue stream, which is essential for maintaining a VPN network. Running a high-quality VPN requires developers with a good understanding of cybersecurity and server hardware. Without these things, your VPN will grant subpar security and underperform. And, as far as I’m aware, you can’t have these things without money to pay the people’s salaries and the servers’ operational costs.
Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about that if the free VPN has a premium tier. This shows that the VPN has a revenue stream to maintain its infrastructure. Secondly, it proves the provider doesn’t have to resort to data collection to make ends meet. But you can be sure of that only if the VPN has an independently audited no-logs policy.
In my opinion, the best example of a reliable free VPN is Proton VPN. For starters, it’s an established, reliable provider based in Switzerland that was audited multiple times by Securitum. Moreover, its free tier doesn’t overpromise on features but still offers unlimited data, so you can use it for as long as you need.
Video review
If you’d like a more visually stimulating review of the best VPN services in 2025, consider visiting our YouTube channel. You’ll see all the VPN providers in action while hearing detailed commentary about their essential features. The following video categorizes many VPNs in a tier list to give you a different perspective on their overall quality.
Final thoughts
Our extensive evaluations concluded that NordVPN is the best overall VPN in 2025. Firstly, our speed tests showed that it ensures the fastest connection speeds with its NordLynx protocol and massive server network. Swift speeds are essential for other activities like streaming, torrenting, and gaming, in which NordVPN excels. Moreover, its security features, like Threat Protection and Dark Web Monitor, make it one of the most secure providers available.
However, NordVPN is by no means perfect. For some, its 10-device simultaneous connection limit might be restrictive. If that’s the case, consider providers like Surfshark and IPVanish, both of which permit unlimited device connections.
Secondly, the best VPN isn’t the cheapest, especially if you choose one of its pricier subscription plans that unlock more features. That’s why I’ve included more affordable alternatives like Surfshark and CyberGhost for readers prioritizing affordability.
FAQ
Do VPNs keep logs of my activities?
No, many VPNs are trustworthy and don’t keep any user activity logs. Audits conducted by independent third parties usually confirm this. However, free VPNs and premium providers without any independent audits shouldn’t be trusted completely.
How much should I pay for a VPN service?
VPN services come in many price ranges, meaning you’ll definitely find one that fits your budget. A typical VPN service without many extras will cost around $2 or $3 per month when committing to a long-term contract. However, there are also pricier options costing anywhere between $5 and $8 per month if you need extra cybersecurity features.
How does a VPN improve my online security?
Firstly, a VPN encrypts your entire online traffic, rendering it utterly unreadable to all unwelcome onlookers. Secondly, it masks your IP address and location for improved online anonymity. Lastly, a VPN tunnel makes your connection immune to man-in-the-middle attacks, which can occur if you connect to unreliable public Wi-Fi networks.
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