The Best VPN Services to Use in 2024 | Top VPN Providers for all Devices Tested

ExpressVPN Demo

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs money can buy. It's an easy-to-use software that offers fantastic round-the-clock customer support, and I loved how customizable its apps were for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Express even has setup guides to help you install the VPN exactly how you need it to work!

The apps are really intuitive, considering the sheer volume of features there are to play around with – I never felt overwhelmed, and the modern-feeling user interface surely made a big difference. If you're like me, you'll want to try ExpressVPN and check out its ability to access regional Netflix libraries.

Unblock everything!

With servers in 105 countries , it doesn't matter where you live – ExpressVPN will protect you from ISP and government snooping, and grant you the freedom to do whatever you want online, without the fear of being monitored. If you want to access Netflix libraries from around the world, Express has more than 30 to choose from – and you can get access to iPlayer, HBO, and Hulu too!

If torrenting is more your thing, its secure servers are lightning-fast! My only gripe was that the service doesn't offer port-forwarding, so if this is a deal-breaker for you, you may want to consider another of the best VPNs for torrenting, such as Private Internet Access.

Watertight privacy

It's impressive just how much this service can improve your digital privacy. This VPN also keeps you secure when using public wi-fi networks as well as your home internet. Additionally, if you're looking to unblock restricted content in school or at work – this VPN is ideal.

Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) has even audited ExpressVPN to check its service, and they found it to adhere to its no-logs claims – so you can trust Express to do everything it says on the tin. Add to that a robust obfuscation (stealth) function, and you can use the VPN in places where authoritative government censorship dictates what people can or can't access on the internet.

For added peace-of-mind, it has a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and split-tunneling to ensure that it is highly versatile, useful, and super-secure. This means your internet usage stays private, and if the connection drops, no information gets leaked.

ExpressVPN recently introduced its own proprietary 'Lightway' VPN protocol that promises to be faster, more secure, and more reliable than other VPN protocols available today.

Always fast

This VPN is also consistently one of the fastest VPN providers in the world (we test VPN speeds three times a day, using a proprietary server-based speed test system). Express regularly tops our charts as one of the fastest VPNs available, it consistently scores high and really lives up to the name – I connected to US servers to unblock Netflix from over here in the UK, and I was able to stream 4K content without any delay or buffering.

Nord Demo

NordVPN makes it onto our list of the best VPN services because it combines great performance, a strong focus on privacy, and a raft of useful features.

NordVPN's apps are super easy to use, as a result, we often recommend this service to VPN beginners. They plot all of their servers on a map of the world – which makes it easy to navigate their server list and gives users a brief geography lesson too! NordVPN allows 10 devices to connect at once, and offers great overall value for money, especially if you opt for a long-term subscription.

Enjoyable streaming and much more

Thanks to an abundance of servers that NordVPN has in over 111 countries worldwide, the service is great at accessing Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, iPlayer, HBO, NBC, ABC, and all similar platforms you can think of. Servers optimized for streaming make your leisure time even more enjoyable and effortless.

I tested this service on vacation and I was able to stream BBC One and Two live and watch catchup shows via iPlayer when outside of the UK. I was also able to access Netflix US with ease, which is great. However, I did have some issues with buffering during ads when streaming free content on NBC.

Nord also offers a full Smart DNS service to all users. I tried it out on my smart TV, and although it took me a few moments to set it up, it allowed me to access geo-restricted content on my TV and enjoy my favorite shows from the comfort of my seat. NordVPN also provides handy step-by-step setup guides on their website showing you how to set up their Smart DNS on LG and Samsung TVs, as well as a generic guide if you have a different brand of TV. Its 24/7 customer support is also there should you need more personal assistance.

Private and secure

In terms of privacy, it's outstanding. It is a strict no-logs VPN, which means it doesn't keep track of what websites you visit, nor does it collect any of your personal information. The service is headquartered in Panama, which is another win for the privacy-conscious. XOR obfuscation (stealth servers) makes NordVPN effective at combating VPN censorship. Features such as double-hop VPN add another layer of encryption and further hide your IP address and Tor over VPN further bolsters your anonymity online.

This VPN also has a built-in ad and malware blocker called CyberSec. It works by blocking DNS requests based on a real-time blocklist of harmful websites that may host malware. As such, it should shield you against malware, help prevent botnet control, and block many intrusive web ads. All in all, it's a privacy-oriented service that leaves little to be desired in that aspect.

Affordable, but speedy!

I love NordVPN's consistent ability to provide high speeds, this makes it a joy to stream with. I hardly noticed any difference in speeds when browsing the web too. I tested it out when doing more bandwidth-intensive tasks, such as connecting to video calls when using the VPN, and I didn't notice much of a difference in my usual connection speeds.

Despite being one of the best services on the market for speed, security, and features, NordVPN is unbelievably affordable. If you subscribe long-term, you get great discounts and deals, so you won't even notice the difference in your monthly budget. If you're not fond of long-term commitments, there are plenty of short-term subscription plans you can choose from. NordVPN is very flexible in that regard, too.

If you like the sound of NordVPN, why not try it for yourself using their 30-day money-back guarantee?

Surfshark Demo

Surfshark is a popular provider that makes protecting your online connections a piece of cake. It's user-friendly, reliable, and affordable, so its popularity doesn't come as a surprise. I was very impressed with the speed of Surfshark's connection speeds, the number of features they offer, and its large server network.

As is to be expected from today's top VPN providers, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support. On top of that, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which makes it great value for the price you pay.

Jam-packed with features

Although Surfshark is cheap (especially its long-term plans), it's packed with cutting-edge features. This service offers split-tunneling so you can choose which apps route through the VPN and which don't, a full Smart DNS service that I found great for unblocking TV and movies on my smart TV, and plenty of other solutions for a streamlined online experience.

Surfshark offers users unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can use this service on as many devices as you want with one subscription, and there's also the fact that Surfshark unlocked every streaming service I threw at it.

Nexus technology is another great innovation by Surfshark, which empowers you to use all its servers at once. Instead of directing your online traffic through one server, Nexus detects the safest connections for you, making you practically untraceable online – without compromising speed. Its advanced features, such as IP randomizer, IP rotator, and Dynamic Multihop are there to give you an extra layer of protection by scrambling your IP address even more.

Unblock Netflix and more!

For Netflix junkies, like myself, who are looking to get the most out of your streaming options on the platform and keep watching favorite shows on our travels – feel free to turn to Surfshark. At the time of writing, Surfshark can access 26+ different Netflix libraries from all over the world. In other words, no matter where you find yourself, the chances are you'll have access to your home catalog, or at least a similar one.

I've never had any issues streaming in HD no matter which library I want to access – because Surfshark's speeds are absolutely incredible. Its open VPN speeds can fluctuate from time to time, but, luckily, Surfshark has made WireGuard its default VPN protocol recently, so there are no concerns about facing any buffering or lags when streaming.

Surf the web in private

On top of being blazingly fast and efficient, Surfshark is also very private. The VPN is registered in the British Virgin Islands and it meets all our requirements for a no-logs VPN – including its several independent audits.

Technical security is also top-notch, and I appreciate the wealth of extra privacy and security features on offer, like the Nexus features mentioned above, but also many others. This VPN also includes free DNS-based ad blocking and malware protection for free in all its plans. If you want a dedicated IP address, however, you'll have to pay a couple more bucks on top of your regular subscription price. But, they can come in very handy and save you some extra time when revisiting the same services, as you get to avoid the annoying CAPTCHAs and so on.

Surfshark tells us it uses obfuscation "as default with all servers", which is more great news security-wise. All its apps feature a kill-switch, so you're protected from data leaks even if your VPN connection drops. Don't believe you can get such a private and secure VPN for such a low price? You don't need to trust us, you can test the service risk-free, with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

PIA Demo

Private Internet Access (PIA) has long been a consistent favorite with members of Reddit's privacy forums – and for good reason! It's a superb all-rounder, though prospective users may not be thrilled to see that it makes its home in the United States. However, PIA abides by a no-logs policy that's been proven in court on multiple occasions, cementing it as a genuinely private VPN service.

A torrenter's paradise

PIA's AES 256-bit encryption is first-rate, and will prevent third party snoopers from tracking your digital footprint across the web. Users can also take their pick of protocols! OpenVPN is your best bet if you prioritize stability and security, whereas avid streamers and gamers might want to check out the super speedy WireGuard. I've never detected any IP leaks when using PIA, which is great news for torrenters, who will also appreciate the fact that PIA supports port-forwarding through its NAT firewall.

As I mentioned earlier, PIA is based in the United States – home to data-hungry and invasive organizations like the NSA. This isn't ideal, as PIA could be forced to hand over user logs and then served with a gag order, but it's not all doom and gloom. PIA is a no-logs provider, and that means that there wouldn't be any logs or identifiable details to hand over to the authorities if they ever came knocking! In 2022, the company invested in an audit of its infrastructure, which further dispelled any lingering privacy concerns.

Great for streaming right out the gate

PIA's server network is staggeringly expansive, with servers spread across 84 countries . This makes it incredibly easy to geo-hop from one location to another to unblock sites, services, and even local content from back home if you travel overseas. PIA is particularly adept at unblocking US services, seeing as the majority of its servers are based in the States, and that's great news for Netflix fans who want to check out which shows and movies are available across the pond! In fact, PIA's servers are more than quick enough to handle HD streaming from a variety of sites – including BBC iPlayer.

There are PIA apps for pretty much all devices and subscriptions allow unlimited device connections. I found the Android and Windows apps particularly easy to use – it only takes a minute to install PIA and run through setup, and then you're ready to go! I was also glad to see that PIA comes set to OpenVPN UDP by default. Users do have the option of diving into the advanced settings for themselves, however, it can be a bit daunting for total beginners.

Put it to the test

A PIA subscription nets users a bunch of handy security features – like PIA MACE, the VPN's very own ad blocker, which banishes annoying pop-ups and trackers. This comes in handy if you're sharing your subscription with less tech-savvy friends or family, or if you frequent streaming sites like 123movies. The split tunneling feature is another great addition which lets you pick and choose which apps or sites are routed through the VPN connection, so you can check out local services (like banking apps) whilst enjoying geo-restricted content (like international Netflix libraries).

All in all, PIA is fantastic provider that ticks the right boxes – and the VPN's customer support is available 24/7 if you need help getting things set up or picking out a server. You can try PIA for yourself by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee, and a free 7-day trial is even available for Android and iOS users!

PrivateVPN Demo

PrivateVPN well and truly lives up to its name by providing a privacy-focused no-logs service – and all for a price that won't break the bank! In addition, PrivateVPN's easy-to-use apps and friendly customer service agents have drawn consistent praise, making it a great VPN for tech newbies.

Don't slow down!

PrivateVPN has servers scattered across 63 countries – so you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking out a new virtual location. You might notice that my other top VPN picks have more servers in more places, but PrivateVPN is still a young provider with plenty of growing to do. Plus, it's clear that the service places an emphasis on quality – seeing as I had no trouble connecting to any of its servers at home or when using public wi-fi hotspots.

And I keep coming back to PrivateVPN because it's seriously quick. It can more than hold its own when compared to better established (and more expensive) services, and there are no hidden bandwidth caps or data allowances to be concerned about. Even more impressive is the fact that PrivateVPN buys its internet capacity straight from the IP transit provider. This cuts out the middle-man and gives customers a speed boost! So, whether you plan on streaming in HD, hopping into online games, or doing some torrenting, PrivateVPN has you covered.

Shield your surfing

PrivateVPN is another service that well and truly lives up to its name. Users benefit from robust OpenVPN encryption that'll keep snoopers (and other bad actors) from keeping tabs on their online activity. There are other VPN protocols available to play with, although WireGuard is currently off the menu (and in Beta)... for now! IPv6 and DNS leak protection add another layer of security, ensuring your identifiable data stays out of the hands of third parties and malicious agents, and I've never experienced any IP leaks when putting PrivateVPN to the test. In addition, torrenters will be glad to learn that PrivateVPN supports port forwarding. 

PrivateVPN makes its home in Sweden, which, thanks to some nasty data retention laws, isn't the privacy safe haven it used to be. However, the VPN has assured us that it sticks around in Sweden to retain full access to its central data center, as well as ownership and control over its hardware. This keeps snooping and unauthorized access to a minimum – which I'm happy to hear! Likewise, it's also great to see that PrivateVPN abides by a zero-logs policy, although a public audit would be a final cherry on top of a pretty tasty security sundae.

Unblock content on demand

PrivateVPN is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux devices, as well as routers, and offers users 10 simultaneous connections. This is in line with the industry average – although other services are starting to offer way more! However, I really appreciate just how easy it is to get PrivateVPN set up on your laptop or phone. The process only takes a few clicks, regardless of whether you're a VPN veteran or a total tech novice. PrivateVPN can also unblock pretty much any streaming service under the sun! This is thanks to its free dynamic dedicated IP addresses that are dished out to users and largely unrecognized by streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, to name a few.

If you have any burning questions, or want help picking out the perfect server, reach out to PrivateVPN's superb customer service team. The team is composed of in-house developers who aren't afraid of techy questions – and they're around 24/7 via email and live chat! It's well worth taking PrivateVPN for a test run by using its 30-day money-back guarantee, or the 7-day free trial.

Proton Demo

ProtonVPN has a strong focus on privacy, which is unsurprising, seeing as the service was developed by the same folks who brought us ProtonMail! Users can even opt for a free or premium account. ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, a country known for its strong privacy laws, although its recently passed surveillance legislation is a little concerning.

No more limits

Premium ProtonVPN subscribers will be able to connect to locations scattered across the globe with ease – thanks to servers in 91 countries ! This makes it incredibly easy to bypass restrictions imposed by your ISP, workplace, or even government, and check out content previously inaccessible to you. I particularly like ProtonVPN's quick connect feature, which comes in handy if you don't have a specific server in mind, but want a tailor-made recommendation.

ProtonVPN might not be the quickest VPN service out there, but it's more than capable of handling streaming marathons and online calls – as well as gaming, torrenting, and downloading. The ProtonVPN free plan comes with unlimited bandwidth, just like its premium counterpart, and if you don’t mind having access to just three server locations, may provide everything you need from a VPN.

Jam-packed with privacy features

As you'd expect, ProtonVPN's technical security is superb, with no IP leaks in sight! Strong AES 256-bit encryption keeps prying eyes from snooping on your browsing sessions and identifiable data, too, and users can take their pick of protocols. OpenVPN is my personal favorite, seeing as it's a battle-tested option that's almost impossible to crack, but if you're looking for a speedy connection, it's well worth giving WireGuard a go. ProtonVPN also comes with a built-in kill-switch which will prevent your original IP address from leaking in the event of a VPN dropout, and Tor over VPN is also available, along with a handy ad-blocker! In addition, ProtonVPN's SecureServer network is a refinement of the "double-hop VPN" concept.

I'm glad to see that ProtonVPN abides by a no-logs policy – and that the service has invited a third party auditor, SEC Consult, to comb through its claim. This proactive approach to privacy is what sets the bar for other providers!

Stay connected

ProtonVPN's apps are easy to use and install, and are compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux devices. You'll also be able to use ProtonVPN with a VPN-enabled router! Up to 10 simultaneous connections are permitted, depending on your subscription plan, and this should be more than enough to secure all of the gadgets in your house... and then some! P2P activity is permitted on specific torrent-friendly servers, and streaming fans will be able to check out some of the world's most in-demand services, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.

Other than a FAQ-style support page, which is useful despite not being extensive, support is only via email, and responses can take a day or two to arrive. I waited a day to hear back from the ProtonVPN team – and was nevertheless impressed by the quality of the response when it eventually landed in my inbox. You can take ProtonVPN for a test drive yourself by making good use of its 30-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost Demo

CyberGhost VPN is a well-established VPN provider with an incredible reputation. It is a no-logs service based in Romania; a superb location for privacy thanks to its lack of mandatory data retention directives. Plus, this VPN had its software developed in Germany – a country that is known to have some of the best developers in the world.

Fast connections, no faff

VPN speeds are always a case of fine margins, and from our experience, CyberGhost can certainly keep up with the pack. I don’t really like unnecessarily complicated services – and believe me, there’s plenty on the VPN market – so if you’re looking for something that does the job without forcing you to faff around with settings, look no further than CyberGhost. I found that you can download CyberGhost and start using it straight away.

Feature-rich, and that's how we like it!

CyberGhost VPN has all the features you need to gain privacy both at home and on public wi-fi, and robust OpenVPN encryption ensures that you will always be able to conceal your traffic from your internet provider and even the government.

The kill-switch feature means that this VPN is also perfect for torrenting. However, this VPN currently lacks obfuscation – which makes it a poor choice for people living in places where VPN usage is banned.

Guaranteed access to the American Netflix library

CyberGhost promises access to Netflix US using its 'streaming optimized servers'. It also gives users the ability to unblock other popular streaming services like iPlayer, Hulu, and Prime Video. Add to that a connection limit of up to seven devices at the same time, and the whole family can stream their favorite shows from around the globe!

If you're struggling to unblock a particular library, CyberGhost offers 24/7 live chat support if you need it, and you can test the service yourself thanks to its 45-day money-back guarantee. It's a superb all-rounder that is a great value for money on the longer subscription periods.

IPVanish Demo

IPVanish thoroughly impressed with how easy the app was to use across every platform on which I tried it. Whether I was using it on my laptop at work, or on my mobile devices when I was out and about, the apps performed consistently well.

Excellent Router support

I found IPVanish to be easy to set up on a router, which allowed our team to stream all kinds of content through a TV on our lunch breaks. The service has easy-to-use apps and nothing that you need is ever more than a few clicks away – so you can switch servers to hop around the world and stream your favorite content.

Unlimited connected devices make it great for big families

Anybody who wants to test the service – and who wants everyone they know to test the service – can do so risk-free, thanks to this provider's 30-day money-back guarantee and unlimited simultaneous connection allowance.

Where unblocking is concerned, IPVanish has servers in over 75 countries , and those servers provide access to popular services such as BBC iPlayer and Netflix US.

Plenty of security features to keep you safe

Privacy features such as DNS leak protection, a kill-switch, and XOR obfuscated (stealth) servers make it great for concealing your VPN use when necessary. I always make sure I've got a kill-switch active, so I know none of my information gets leaked if the VPN suddenly disconnects.

Despite being based in the US, which is admittedly not always considered the best place for a privacy-based service to be based, IPVanish makes up for this by ensuring it runs a completely no-logs service that's been independently audited, and by giving users a wealth of security options. This means that once a session ends, there is never any record of what you do while connected.

VYPR Demo

VyprVPN has always been known for the high technical quality of its service – aided by the fact that it owns and manages its entire network. I tried out VyprVPN's applications for a number of platforms and find its interface to be very user-friendly and straightforward.

Keeping things simple

Even with the technical quality it has, the provider has done a good job to not overcomplicate things. VyprVPN keeps it minimalist, but advanced settings can be easy to find. Their apps provide you with server ping times, which is useful to see which ones will be quickest. This feature really helped when I was trying to find a fast server to use for streaming and gaming.

A privacy trend-setter

VyprVPN was the first (and still one of very few) services to have its no-logs claims verified by a respected independent third-party auditor. So kudos for that indeed. On top of this, the company also boasts its proprietary obfuscation (stealth) protocol, Chameleon, which is designed to bypass strict government censorship, and can even get around deep-packet inspection (DPI).

The provider has addressed concerns over its privacy credentials by moving to Switzerland and going 100% no-logs, and has begun to allow torrenting on its network, which is great.

Plenty to choose from

With servers in over 64 countries , up to 10 simultaneous connections per subscription, and a host of privacy features, you've got plenty of options to choose from. You can even put the service through its paces with its 30-day money-back guarantee and see how it compares with the other leading providers on this list.

Ivacy Demo

Ivacy is a VPN that's been in the game for a while, but the Singapore-based service has reinvented itself recently, and I'm impressed with the results. Ivacy offers an impressive list of security features along with speedy servers – making it ideal for streamers and sports fans.

Global coverage

Ivacy boasts an impressive server network, with servers in 100 worldwide locations, and the majority of these servers are P2P friendly! Geo-hopping from continent to continent is particularly easy, and Ivacy is one of only a handful of VPNs to offer a substantial presence in Africa, with servers in Egypt and South Africa.

In addition, Ivacy is an incredibly quick provider that can keep up with data intensive tasks like streaming, torrenting, and VoIP calls, so you won't have to deal with sluggish load speeds or buffering. ISP throttling will also become a thing of the past with an Ivacy subscription, seeing as the VPN's encryption prevents your ISP from keeping tabs on your activity, and thereby precludes any throttling!

Privacy defender

During my research, I discovered that Ivacy uses the IKEv2 protocol by default, but also supports OpenVPN (UPD and TCP), and L2TP/IPsec. IKEv2 tends to be quicker than OpenVPN in most cases, but if security is your main concern, you'll want to stick with OpenVPN wherever possible. Ivacy's technical security is great, and I never encountered any IP leaks whilst trialing the service. Gamers will also be glad to learn that the VPN can protect against DDoS attacks that might otherwise interrupt their high-stakes online matches or tournaments! And, unlike other services, Ivacy’s Android and Chrome extensions secure your connection using HTTPS.

Ivacy sticks to a staunch no-logs policy, although I'd like to see fewer trackers on the provider's website, and it'd also be great to see Ivacy invest in a public audit of its privacy policy, too. The VPN is based in Singapore, where there are no data retention laws, so users can rest assured that their identifiable details aren't being logged for future use.

Cross-platform compatibility

Ivacy customers will get 10 simultaneous connections to play with – and this is fairly generous! This should also be enough to cover all of your most important devices, as well as share your subscription with any friends or family who are interested in safeguarding their own digital privacy. Ivacy can be installed on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux devices, and is also compatible with VPN routers. If you're into streaming, then you're in luck! Ivacy is able to access six major Netflix catalogues, as well as Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and ESPN – so you'll always have fresh content to check out.

The Ivacy customer service team is available 24/7 via live chat and email, and you'll be able to pay for your subscription via card, PayPal, or even cryptocurrency, if you'd rather stay as anonymous as possible. And, like all of our top VPN picks, Ivacy's 30-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of time to trial the service without risking your money.