Uncover the Best VPNs: A Comprehensive Guide to the Top 10 Companies
Uncover the Best VPNs: A Comprehensive Guide to the Top 10 Companies
Finding the best VPN is a daunting task, with online privacy on the internet being threatened more than ever before. Before choosing, one must consider many factors, such as security features, customer support, and subscription price.
We’ve compiled a list of the best VPN services currently available. We have done our research to bring you the best virtual private network service providers (VPN services).
These VPN services guarantee maximum security online and have servers spread across different locations, ensuring compatibility. So if you want a virtual private network service provider, look no further than this guide.
Nord VPN
Nord is a provider of high-quality VPN services focusing on privacy and security. They offer fast global speeds across a wide network of secure servers, with server locations in more than 61 countries. This offers access to some of the fastest internet connections available.
Their network is designed to be highly optimized and secure, with servers that are multi-hop & diskless, allowing for increased server security. These servers can be networked together to support larger server farms, making them harder to identify and target by cyber-attackers.
The Good Bits:
- Shared IP address
- Double hop VPN
- Malware protection
- Anti-virus software for added security.
- A strict no-log policy that is verified by a third-party auditor.
The Not-so-Good Bits:
- Does not accept PayPal as a method of payment
- Had a server breach in 2018.
Pricing: From $ 5.99/ month for the 2-year plan
Verdict: Nord is one of the best VPNs because of its security features and privacy policy. It is worth looking into if you’re looking for a service with excellent security and privacy features at an affordable price.
Surfshark
With servers in over 100 countries, Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for streaming services, such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Spotify. Thanks to its 3,200 servers, you can access various locations to get the best streaming experience possible.
As a secure and reliable VPN service, Surfshark offers a kill switch and camouflage features to protect user privacy. These features can help users avoid malware and network issues when they’re connected to public Wi-Fi networks.
The Good Bits:
- Camouflage features
- Kill Switch
- GPS-Spoofing
- Most streaming platforms unlocking
- WireGuard connection
Not So Good Bits:
- Apple apps are not that good
- No split tunneling for Apple
Pricing: $ 2.30 / month
Verdict: Surfshark is an excellent option for travelers concerned about government restrictions. Its vast server network provides access to a wide range of locations so that you can access the internet freely without any censorship. In addition to providing privacy and security online, Surfshark is a great choice for Apple TV users. It has optimized support for devices such as Apple TV and iPhone devices and is one of the best VPNs for streaming iOS content safely and securely.
Express VPN
If you’re looking for a secure connection, then ExpressVPN is one of the best options, with over 3,000 servers across 94 countries. It can block DNS and WebRTC leaks, protecting your online privacy.
It can provide a fast connection with its streamlined approach for iOS and Android devices, making it easy to access the internet on your device.
The Good Bits:
- Full-featured VPN with anonymity and strong protection
- Best for fast streaming and torrenting
- Helps you steer clear of GIS (global intelligence services) like five eyes
The Not-So-Good Bits:
- No dedicated IP address
- Not very affordable
Pricing: $ 6.67/month for an annual plan
Verdict: Although a little expensive, it is the best VPN for streaming and gaming. It can use its proprietary Light-Way VPN protocol, router app, and server network to protect multiple devices. This provides security and privacy features that can’t be found in other service providers.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is a low-cost virtual private network service provider with two-year plans for just $ 2.19 per month. With PIA, users can hide their public IP address and encrypt their internet traffic, making it impossible for third parties to monitor online activities or access private information without permission.
PIA offers one of the largest server networks with over 10,000 servers in 84 countries, including 18 locations in the U.S., providing access to popular places like Australia, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Its diverse network features servers optimized for gaming and streaming and security-friendly servers that support VPN connections and can be used for P2Ping content.
The best value that Private Internet Access offers is its two-year plan, which works out to $ 2.19 per month. This includes four free months of service and is a great way to try out the service and see if it fits your needs and budget before committing to a more extended subscription.
The Good Bits:
- No logging
- Kill switch
- Unrestricted torrenting
- Very configurable
- Very affordable
The Not-so-Good Bits:
- Lack of 3rd party security audit
- So-So speed results
Pricing: From $ 2.19/month for the 2-year plan
Verdict: With so many different options available, there’s sure to be a plan that meets your needs and budget perfectly. However, it’s not very fast compared to more popular VPNs.
IPVanish
IPVanish is among the top-rated VPN providers with a proven track record of providing excellent customer service. IPVanish has over 2,000 servers in 50 jurisdictions worldwide, making it an ideal choice for those who travel often.
Apart from offering a wide range of VPN services, such as military-grade security, unlimited bandwidth, and high-speed connections, IPVanish is one of the few providers allowing simultaneous connections on multiple devices. It is well known for its no-log policy, which ensures the privacy of its users.
The Good Bits:
- Diverse server network
- Free SOCKS5 proxy
- Kill switch and no logs
- Military-grade, Forced 256-bit encryption
- Unlimited connections
The Not-So-Good Bits:
- Not good customer support
- Price increases every year
Pricing: From $ 3.99 monthly
With all these features and advantages, IPVanish is one of the best VPN providers for online security and privacy. The service offers a 7-day money-back guarantee to test the service without any hesitation.
Atlas VPN
Atlas is a superb service provider of virtual private network (VPN) servers with over 750 servers in 37 countries. It is best known for its free version of servers and a money-back guarantee. Still, users can also access unlimited servers with unlimited data, unlimited server switching, unlimited connection time, and unlimited simultaneous connections for both Android and iOS devices.
The free version of the Atlas server is chock-full of features. The user can access streaming services from all around the world, including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Besides, the server has unlimited bandwidth, data, and unlimited server switching.
The Good Bits:
- Users can tinker with split tunneling (WireGuard and IKEv2
- AES-256 encryption
- No logs
- Streaming optimized servers
The Not-So-Good Bits:
- Fewer countries and servers
- Based in the US (5-Eyes Country)
- No browser extension
Pricing: $ 2.05 per month
Verdict: Atlas is a good choice if you want good speed with multiple devices streaming on popular platforms and torrenting at low prices.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost provides high-quality, privacy-friendly internet access with a whopping 9,700 servers in 91 countries. It is best known for its reliable connection speeds and ample server options.
The CyberGhost service is committed to providing its users with a safe and private internet connection, using market-standard WireGuard tunneling protocol and AES-256 encryption.
The Good Bits:
- Wireguard protocols
- 7 simultaneous devices
- Good speed scores
- 3rd party audits
The Not-So-Good Bits:
- Expensive pricing for the value provided
- Bugs and app issues on Apple
Pricing: $ 2.19
Verdict: CyberGhost has one of the most widespread server networks and is powered by robust security protocols. However, its pricing doesn’t justify the features.
ProtonVPN
Proton provides internet security tools, including ProtonMail, ProtonCalendar, ProtonDrive, and ProtonVPN. ProtonVPN provides 1,800 servers in over 66 countries worldwide, making it easy for users to access content from anywhere. The provider also has a transparency report on user privacy and security features so that customers can make informed decisions.
The provider has a proprietary VPN protocol called Stealth, currently available for Android, iOS, iPad, and macOS users. This protocol can be used to obfuscate internet traffic and protect user privacy.
The Good Bits:
- A free version is good
- Torrent support
- Improved features for Apple devices
- Open-source apps
The Not-So-Good Bits:
- High pricing
- Slow customer support response
Pricing: From $ 4.99 per month
Verdict: With the ProtonVPN service, users can enjoy fast upload speeds and low latency on both Windows and Mac computers. However, not all features are available for all plans, such as browser extensions or 24/7 live chat support. And you need to pay a high price for all perks.
Ivacy
Ivacy is a VPN service provider that provides access to high-quality servers worldwide for secure internet access. In addition to server locations in 20 countries, it also features 5,700 servers in 68 countries worldwide.
The Good Bits:
- No Logs
- AES-256 encryption
- Split tunneling function
- Above-average performance with OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.
- Allows P2P
- Very low starting prices
The Not-So-Good Bits:
- No Kill Switch (For Apple)
- No Linux App
- No default leak protection
Pricing: From $ 1 per month
Verdict: It offers anonymous payment options, top security features, and good streaming performance. With a wide range of servers and security features, Ivacy is a great choice for those looking for online privacy and security at the cheapest cost.
PureVPN
PureVPN is one of the market’s best-known and highly-rated VPN service providers. It has over 6,500 servers across 78 countries, including Hong Kong, making it an excellent choice for anyone accessing popular content from anywhere.
In addition to these features, PureVPN provides various streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. Thus, it can unblock access to popular content globally. However, it can’t access US Netflix or bypass internet censorship measures of any kind.
The Good Bits:
- Android TV compatibility
- P2P support
- AES-256 encryption
- No DNS leaks
- Port forwarding support
The Not-So-Good Bits:
- Privacy problems in the past
- Connectivity issues sometimes
- Additional fee for some features
Pricing: From $ 2.08 per month
Verdict: These security features help protect users from online security threats and guarantee their privacy. Overall, PureVPN is a good choice for reliable protection and worldwide access to diverse streaming services.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Stefan Coders; Pexels; Thank you!
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