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Everyone from governments to advertisers wants your data, and plenty of people—including your ISP—might be willing to sell it. The good news is that more of us than ever understand the dangers of letting corporations and governments monitor everything we say and do online, and more want to do something about it. But what can be done?
While there's no easy fix for the problem of surveillance capitalism, a VPN service can help you regain a modicum of privacy. We've tested plenty, and these are the top choices we've reviewed so far, followed by what to look for when choosing the best VPN app.
Table of Contents
Proton VPN
Best Overall
Why We Picked It
Proton VPN does it all. It includes multi-hop connections and access to the Tor network via VPN, in addition to the usual VPN capabilities. It also sports a reimagined app interface for a pleasant user experience. While the core paid VPN service has a dead-on average price, it also has the best free VPN subscription we've yet seen.
The company behind Proton VPN recently revamped its entire product line. Now, an account with Proton VPN will also grant you access to other products in the Proton, including Proton Mail and Proton Drive. This includes free accounts. It's an excellent value-add. We are also impressed by its recently released Stealth feature, which is designed to provide additional security to particularly endangered users in countries like Iran and Russia. Proton VPN receives a rare 5-star rating.
Who It's For
Proton VPN is truly a strong overall option. Experienced users will find the features they're looking for, and first timers will find a straightforward experience. It has a great free option, and its paid subscriptions are still an excellent value despite a recent price increase.
PROS
- The best free VPN subscription
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent speed test scores
CONS
- Awkward ChromeOS implementation
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 10 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 67 countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | Unlimited |
NordVPN
Best Premium Features
Why We Picked It
NordVPN has long taken a "kitchen sink" approach to its VPN and includes a little bit of everything. From the start, it has included features such as multi-hop connections and access to Tor over VPN, both of which are still rare among competitors. In the still-newish world of VPNs, NordVPN has also managed to set itself up as an established player that now buys other companies and adds entirely new products in addition to improving its VPN.
NordVPN has always been a solid product to use and has kept up a consistent and modern design across all its platforms. It's not afraid to change, however, being one of the first VPN companies to fully embrace the new WireGuard VPN protocol and RAM-only servers. All this comes at a price, though, as NordVPN charges quite a bit above the average monthly price we've seen across the industry.
Who It's For
NordVPN's greatest strength is that it has something to offer everyone. Privacy wonks appreciate its set of rare tools. People looking to access an otherwise blocked streaming service are empowered by NordVPN's large selection of servers and the ability to select server locations and even specific servers. First-time users should have no trouble getting started, and they may also be intrigued by NordVPN's growing list of additional services—including storage protected by encryption and a password manager.
PROS
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Excellent design
- Traffic routing and file-sharing with Meshnet
- Built-in antivirus tools
CONS
- Expensive
- Lackluster malware-blocking results
- Limited utility of free Meshnet traffic routing
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 6 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 111 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
Hide.me VPN
Best Free VPN
Why We Picked It
Hide.me VPN is a bit of an all-rounder, offering a compelling price alongside a user-friendly client and server distribution that would make lesser services blush. Plus, if you're new to VPNs, the free Hide.me client is on par with some of the better for-pay options we've reviewed.
Who It's For
If you're on a tight budget, tepid about VPNs, or unsure if using one will protect you in the way you need on your network, Hide.me is an excellent choice. By not requiring a credit card to sign up or use the service, all you need is an email address, and you can encrypt your connection for up to 2GB per month. If you decide you like the service and want to get more VPN protection than the free tier offers, Hide.me's premium plan still costs less than average, at $9.95 per month.
PROS
- Ten simultaneous connections
- Good server distribution
- Strong speed test scores
- Supports anonymous payments
- Affordable
CONS
- No specialized servers
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 45 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | 10GB Per Month |
Surfshark VPN
Best for Innovative Features
Why We Picked It
Surfshark is a relative newcomer, but it hit the ground running with a slick product that has iterated quickly. While it doesn't have all the features of its competitors, it does offer multi-hop connections and supports WireGuard. More interesting, though, are the innovative things Surfshark is doing behind the scenes, such as transforming its server fleet into a single network called Surfshark Nexus. This allows you to jump to a new VPN server without completely disconnecting. This, in turn, enables another cool feature, IP Rotator, which assigns you a new IP address periodically without ever breaking your connection.
Surfshark's blue color scheme and higher-than-average monthly cost invites comparison to another blue VPN: NordVPN. That company recently purchased Surfshark VPN, but both continue to operate independently. Surfshark VPN has also expanded and now offers antivirus protection at an additional cost.
Who It's For
Surfshark is a good all-around VPN, with its unlimited device protection, appealing app, and rich collection of privacy tools. But it will be especially interesting to those who are looking for cutting-edge features, not only for the privacy and flexibility they deliver but also because they are just plain cool.
PROS
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Large global server presence
- Multi-hop and split tunneling tools
- Intriguing potential in Surfshark Nexus
CONS
- High monthly price
- Some issues with IP rotator feature in testing
- Privacy policy needs clarification
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | Unlimited |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 100 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
TunnelBear VPN
Best for First-Time VPN Users
Why We Picked It
It's easy to dismiss TunnelBear VPN with its funny bear-themed app, bright colors, and limited feature set. It lacks much of the muscle found amongst our top choices. But that does TunnelBear VPN a grave disservice. This VPN is extremely easy to use and features a limited free subscription option, making it an excellent choice for anyone unfamiliar with VPNs. TunnelBear VPN also has one of the most transparent audit processes in the industry, making it a name you really can trust.
Who It's For
TunnelBear VPN is a great choice for anyone new to VPNs, thanks to its simple and friendly interface. It's also a strong option for anyone who just needs a general purpose VPN and isn't going to fuss with network settings.
PROS
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent privacy policies
- Annual independent audits
- Friendly, approachable design (with bears!)
CONS
- No multi-hop connections
- Split tunneling not available on all platforms
- Data limit on free subscription
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | Unlimited |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 23 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | 500MB - 1.5GB Per Month |
ExpressVPN
Best for Global Location Spoofers
Why We Picked It
ExpressVPN recently redesigned its app, but it's not just a pretty thing to look at. ExpressVPN has a very large presence that stretches across 94 countries, and uses very few virtual servers in the process. While it has eschewed the new WireGuard VPN protocol, it instead uses its own technology called LightWay along with the open-source OpenVPN protocol.
Who It's For
With numerous server locations, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for anyone living or traveling outside the US. Anyone keen on spoofing their location (to listen to the BBC iPlayer, perhaps) should be well served, too.
PROS
- Large, diversely distributed fleet of servers
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Split tunneling
- Stylish interface
CONS
- Expensive compared with VPNs with similar feature sets
- No multi-hop connections
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 5 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 105 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
IPVanish VPN
Best for Multi-Device Households
Why We Picked It
Given that the average VPN protects five devices per subscription, VPNs like IPVanish that put no cap on the number of devices protected provide an invaluable service. Furthermore, IPVanish is among the top ten fastest VPNs we've tested, has impressive global server coverage, a good number of added features, and broad platform support.
Who It's For
Anyone predominately concerned about device count limits should have IPVanish near the top of their list. While its actual count of available servers could be higher and its price lower, IPVanish checks all the right boxes for those searching for a widely available VPN that protects all their devices.
(Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
PROS
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Good geographic diversity of servers
- Transparent privacy policy
- Small impact on throughput speeds in our testing
CONS
- Expensive
- Free trial only offered on annual plans via mobile app stores
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | Unlimited |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 52 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
PureVPN
Best for Streaming Enthusiasts
Why We Picked It
PureVPN has a lot to love inside its snazzy, beautifully designed package. It's fast, has a ton of servers around the world, plenty of add-ons, a transparent privacy policy, and excellent results unblocking Netflix, all of which make it an appealing, well-rounded VPN.
Who It's For
PureVPN's global Netflix compatibility, massive list of servers to choose from, and excellent scores in our speed tests make it an ideal choice for privacy-conscious users who stream a lot of video. Its pricing structure is a bit convoluted, but once you've paid, you'll find this VPN a pleasure to use.
PROS
- Geographically diverse servers
- Quick upload and download speeds in our testing
- Smart, snazzy client design
- Globally unblocked Netflix
- Numerous, affordable add-ons
- Transparent privacy policy
CONS
- Confusing pricing
- Unclear where virtual servers are located
- Few additional privacy features
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 10 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 139 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
Mullvad VPN
Best for Bargain Hunters
Why We Picked It
As we said above: Mullvad VPN and IVPN share two unique features: a privacy-protecting account system and the ability to purchase the service with anonymous cash payments. Mullvad VPN goes further than IVPN, however. Mullvad VPN no longer accepts recurring payments, meaning that they know nothing about their customers. Mullvad VPN is also radically transparent, giving customers an enormous amount of information about how their service works. Best of, Mullvad VPN is flat rate and extremely affordable—just 5 Euro ($5.09 at time of writing) per month.
Who It's For
Mullvad VPN's service is all about knowing as little about its customers as possible, and that does come with some drawbacks. It also doesn't have the best interface we've seen. But it's a great price for an excellent service that packs all the features of the best VPNs on the market.
PROS
- Affordable
- Requires no email or account information
- Radically transparent
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and port forwarding
CONS
- Awkward desktop interface
- Servers in a small range of countries
- Pay-as-you-go system may confuse some customers
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 5 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 38 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
IVPN
Best Transparency Policy
Why We Picked It
IVPN has a few important privacy-related features that we find impressive. First, it uses a privacy-protecting account number system that requires very little personal information. Second, it accepts untraceable cash payments sent directly to its HQ. Mullvad is one of the few VPNs that can match it thus far. IVPN goes beyond the competition, however, with its strong stance on transparency, releasing the results of audits and presenting as much information as possible about how customer information is handled and how the company works to protect its users' privacy.
Who It's For
IVPN will appeal to people who are keen to reveal as little about themselves as possible and want a VPN company that is firmly dedicated to doing the same. Furthermore, some of IVPN's advanced features—such as its multi-hop connectivity and use of the new WireGuard protocol—are sure to appeal to anyone who wants tight control of their network security.
PROS
- Flexible, affordable pricing
- Powerful multi-hop system
- Privacy is baked into its account system
- Strong stance on transparency
CONS
- Offers few server locations
- Multi-hop and account ID features might confuse some
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Blocks Ads | |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | 7 |
| 500+ Servers | |
| Server Locations | 32 Countries |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Free Version | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
What Is a VPN, and Why Do I Need One?
Using a VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted connection to a server controlled by the VPN provider. From there, your traffic exits onto the web as usual. If you only connect to websites secured with HTTPS, your data will remain encrypted, even after leaving the VPN. It sounds simple, but VPN usage can improve your online privacy.
Think of this: when your car pulls out of your driveway, someone can follow you and see where you're going, how long you spend there, and when you return. They might even peek into your car to learn more about you. With a VPN app, it's like driving from your house into a tunnel, exiting into a closed parking garage, switching to a different car, and driving out. No one who was following you can know where you went.
Likewise, no one snooping around your network can see what you're doing when you use a VPN connection. Convenient public Wi-Fi networks are also convenient for attackers. How do you know, for example, "starbucks_wifi-real" is the coffee shop's actual Wi-Fi network? A prank popular among security researchers prank is to create a network with the same name as a free, popular service and see how many devices automatically connect.
VPNs protect your data using a variety of publicly available and proprietary encryption protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP, IKEv2, and more.
Even if you're trusting, you might not want to trust your internet service provider (ISP). In the US, your ISP has enormous insight into your online activities. To make matters worse, Congress has decided your ISP is allowed to sell your anonymized browsing history. Selling your data seems egregious since you are already paying for the service. A VPN prevents even your ISP from keeping tabs on you.
Another VPN benefit is that your true IP address is hidden behind the address of the VPN server. This makes it harder to track you. Even dedicated observers have trouble telling whose internet traffic is yours because your data is mixed in with everyone else's using the server.
Hiding your IP address has another benefit: it makes it harder for snoops to figure out your location. You can use this to your advantage and connect to distant VPN servers to spoof your location. You might also want to hide your whereabouts if you're using BitTorrent.
It's important to understand that if your VPN connection goes down, the privacy protection you rely on goes with it. For this reason, most VPNs offer a kill switch feature, which shuts off your network traffic when your VPN connection drops. The only catch? This feature is generally turned off by default, so you might want to toggle yours on in your VPN app when you set it up—or at least familiarize yourself with how it works and turn it on when your privacy is critically important. You can read more about this essential security feature in our kill switch explainer.
Note: VPNs are sometimes confused with proxies, but they are not the same thing. To learn more, see our explainer on VPNs vs. proxies.
What Are the Limitations of VPNs?
VPN services, while helpful, don't provide every kind of threat protection. A VPN can't help if you download ransomware, nor can it give up your data in a phishing attack. We strongly recommend using local antivirus software, enabling multi-factor authentication wherever available, and using a password manager to create and store unique, complex passwords for each site and service you use.
What Is Two-Factor Authentication?
There are also limitations to how anonymous you can be with a VPN. Advertisers use many tactics to gather data on you and track your movements, from online trackers to browser fingerprinting. We recommend using your browser's anti-tracking features and installing dedicated ad or tracker blockers.
Many VPN services also provide their own DNS resolution system as a security feature. Think of DNS as a phone book that turns a text-based URL like "pcmag.com" into an IP address computers can understand. Savvy snoops can monitor DNS requests and track your movements online. Greedy attackers can also use DNS poisoning to direct you to bogus phishing pages designed to steal your data. When you use a VPN's DNS system, it's another layer of protection. Read how (and why) to change your DNS server for more on DNS and your security.
There's debate among security experts about the efficacy of VPNs. Since most sites now support secure HTTPS connections, much of your online experience is already encrypted. Secure DNS products like Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 exist precisely because some feel VPNs are overkill. Still, a VPN covers the information not already protected by HTTPS, places a buffer between you and the people controlling internet infrastructure, and makes online tracking harder.
VPNs are useful for improving individual privacy, but there are also people for whom a VPN is essential for their safety. Journalists and activists often rely on VPN services to circumvent local government censorship and safely communicate with the outside world. Check the local laws before using a VPN in China, Russia, or any country with repressive internet policies. Another place people might want to use a VPN is in a war zone such as Ukraine, where hiding locations might well be a matter of life and death.
You'll want to access the free Tor network for comprehensive anonymization of your traffic. While a VPN tunnels your web traffic to a VPN server, Tor bounces around your traffic through several volunteer nodes, which makes it much harder to track. Using Tor also grants access to hidden dark websites, which a VPN cannot do. Some services, such as NordVPN and Proton VPN, offer Tor access on specific servers. Note that Tor will slow down your connection even more than a VPN.
Note that a VPN protects you against mass data collection and casual criminals who vacuum up user data for later use, but a determined adversary will almost always find a way to breach your defenses. If this does happen to you, read our story on what to do when you've been hacked.
How Do I Choose a VPN?
The VPN market has exploded in the past few years, growing from a niche industry to an all-out melee. Many VPN service providers are capitalizing on the general population's growing concerns about surveillance and cybercrime, which means it's getting hard to tell when a company is providing a useful service and when it's selling snake oil. Fake VPNs have even popped up, so be careful.
When you read reviews looking for a good service, don't just focus on connection speed since that's the factor you (and the VPN) have the least control over. Since nearly all VPN companies offer some mixture of the same technologies, consider value when looking for your best VPN service. How can you get the most for the least? Look for extra VPN features like split tunneling, multi-hop connections, and so on. You may not always need these, but they're helpful when you do.
Nearly every VPN service provider has its own app with a full GUI for managing connections and settings, and we recommend using it. You might dismiss such things as mere Chrome and prefer to manage your VPN connections manually. This works, but it is tedious, requires manual updating, and doesn't give you access to the additional privacy tools many VPNs provide. When considering a VPN, decide whether you can stand looking at it.
The best way to know if a VPN works for you is to try it in your own home. See if you can access all the sites and services you need. Find out if the interface is usable and if the speeds in your area are acceptable. Some VPN services provide free trials, so take advantage of them. Make sure you are happy with what you signed up for, and use any money-back guarantees if not.
This is why we recommend starting with a short-term subscription to ensure you are happy with the service. Yes, you may get a discount by signing up for a year, but that's more money at stake should you decide the service doesn't meet your performance needs.
Sometimes, a VPN will be tacked on to another service as a sweetener. These are tricky to compare since they often have features different from those of the average VPN. The VPN included with Google One lacks many of the tools we expect with a VPN but also comes with 2TB of cloud storage—unmatched by any VPN service we've seen. In cases like this, it's best to consider what you want to use a VPN for and whether a tacked-on VPN meets those needs.
Is There a 100% Free VPN?
Not all VPN services require payment. There are, in fact, many excellent free VPNs. But every free VPN we've tested has limitations. Some limit you to a few simultaneous connections or devices on an account. Others restrict your data or limit you to a handful of servers. Still others do all of the above.
Finding the best free VPN is an exercise in balancing those restrictions. TunnelBear, for example, lets you use any server on its network but limits you to 500MB-1GB per month. Editors' Choice winner Proton VPN has the unique distinction of placing no data restrictions on free users, but it does limit which servers you can access.
For those of you who are at least willing to put down some cash, we also have a roundup of the best cheap VPNs.
Can I Trust My VPN to Protect My Privacy?
If you're using a service to route all your internet traffic through its servers, you have to be able to trust that service. It's easier to trust companies that have been around longer simply because their reputation is likely to be well-established. The trouble is that the VPN industry is young, and some VPN companies play dirty. In this environment, figuring out who to trust is difficult.
At PCMag, we give special attention to the privacy practices of VPN companies and not just the technology they provide. We read the privacy policies in our testing and discuss company practices with VPN provider representatives. We look for a commitment to protecting user information and practices that gather and retain as little user information as possible.
As part of our research, we also determine where the company is based and under what legal framework it operates. Some countries don't have data-retention laws, making it easier to keep the promise of "We don't keep any logs." It's also useful to know under what circumstances a VPN provider will hand over information to law enforcement and what information it would have to provide (and what it could provide) if that happened. For more, see our story on VPN logging.
The best VPN services have a privacy policy spelling out what the service does, what information they collect, and what they do to protect said information—ideally in plain English. Some companies explain they collect some information but don't inform you how they intend to use it. Others are more transparent.
What Are the Best VPNs for Streaming and Banking?
Some security-conscious companies like banks may be confused by your VPN. If your bank sees you logging in from what appears to be another US state or even another country, it can raise red flags. Expect to see captchas and more frequent multi-factor authentication requests when your VPN is on.
Netflix and other streaming services often block VPN access since a VPN can access region-locked content. Unfortunately, a service that works today may be blocked tomorrow, and vice versa. That could be an issue for many readers because while the preponderance of you appear to use VPNs to protect yourselves, nearly a quarter use VPNs primarily for streaming.
Recommended by Our Editors
In general, we found VPNs have improved their ability to access streaming content. In previous years, it was unusual to find a VPN that could stream Netflix content from outside the US. Keep in mind that accessing region-locked streaming content can breach terms of service, and PCMag cannot supply legal advice for such situations.
As more states pass age-restriction legislation, another kind of region-locked content that may increasingly require a VPN to watch is porn. For example, Pornhub is blocking visitors from Utah and also anyone trying to connect from larger markets such as Texas. For a guide to watching adult content despite such blocking, check out our guide on how to watch porn safely, as well as our picks for the best VPNs for viewing Pornhub.
Lastly, because a VPN encrypts your data as it's transmitted from your device, accessing local devices on the same network is often impossible. A great example is the Google Chromecast media streamer. If you have a VPN running, you won't be able to use a Chromecast. You may as well be on a different Wi-Fi network. Some VPNs allow for split-tunneling, letting you designate applications and sites that can travel outside the VPN connection. Others include an option to make traffic visible to LAN devices.
How Many Devices Can My VPN Protect at Once?
Some important things to look for when shopping for a VPN include the total number of simultaneous connections the VPN service allows, the number of servers it has, and its server location count.
Most VPN services allow you to connect up to five devices with a single account. Any service offering fewer connections is outside the mainstream. You'll need to connect every device you wish to protect to the VPN service, so a mere two or three licenses will barely be enough for even one person, let alone a connected couple or family.
This paradigm may be changing, however. Many services now offer far more than five simultaneous connections. Some have even done away with the restriction entirely, offering protection for unlimited devices. Avira Phantom VPN, IPVanish VPN, Surfshark VPN, and Windscribe VPN all place no limit on the number of simultaneous connections. (Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
Of course, there are more than just phones and computers in a home. Game systems, tablets (including Chromebooks), and smart home devices such as light bulbs and fridges all need to connect to the internet. Many of these things can't run VPN software on their own. Some VPN companies provide instructions on how to configure a router to use a VPN, which would protect all the devices on the network. There's some debate on whether this will cause even more unforeseen complications. We don't recommend this solution to anyone other than an experienced and patient tinkerer.
Where Are My VPN's Servers?
The distribution of VPN servers is a key consideration. Having numerous servers in diverse locales means that, no matter where you travel, you should be able to find a nearby VPN server. The closer the VPN server, the better the speed and reliability of the connection it offers. Remember, you don't need to connect to a far-flung VPN server to gain security benefits. Depending on where you live, a server down the street is as safe as one across the globe.
We also look at how many virtual servers and virtual locations VPN companies use. A virtual server is just what it sounds like—a software-defined server running on server hardware that might have several virtual servers onboard. A virtual location is a server configured to appear somewhere other than where it is physically located.
While neither approach is inherently problematic, it's worrisome to choose one location and discover your server is somewhere else entirely. Some VPN companies take a smart view of virtual servers, using them to provide VPN support for regions where it might be too risky to house a server physically. When VPNs use these technologies, we prefer they be transparent about it.
What's the Fastest VPN?
When a VPN is active, your web traffic takes a more circuitous route than usual, often resulting in sluggish download and upload speeds as well as increased latency. The good news is that using a VPN probably isn't going to remind you of the dial-up days of yore.
When we test VPNs, we use the Ookla speed test tool. This test provides metrics for latency, download speeds, and upload speeds. Any one of these can be an important measurement depending on your needs, but we tend to view the download speed as the most important. After all, we live in an age of digital consumption. See our story on how we test VPNs for the full details. (Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
The chart below shows our most recent speed test results, and we have an entire piece dedicated just to the fastest VPNs we've tested.
Should You Use a VPN?
Using a VPN is a simple way to protect your privacy online and can help circumvent unwanted internet restrictions, too. None of the services listed here are perfect, and there will surely be times when using a VPN won't make sense. All that said, a VPN is undoubtedly a valuable tool. It's well worth having one in your personal security toolbox.
Click through the review links of the best VPN service providers above for detailed analysis and performance results. Once you've picked, be sure to read our feature on how to set up and use a VPN to get the most from your chosen service.
Max Eddy contributed to this story.
