Numerous VPNs fail to live up to our exacting requirements. Even if over 70% of the VPNs we looked into are unsafe to use, it’s still quite simple to locate and download them off the internet.
The privacy, security, speed, and usability of the VPNs we suggest are outstanding. They bypass the majority of geo-restrictions, encrypt your web traffic, and alter your IP address without causing any unexpected leaks.
Summary: The 3 Best VPN Services
| Provider | Review score | Total price | Best for… |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ExpressVPN | 89/100 | $4.99 / month (2-year plan) | Most people |
| 2. NordVPN | 87/100 | $3.39 / month (2-year Basic plan) | Low cost |
| 3. PureVPN | 86/100 | $2.14 / month (2-year plan) | Ease of use |
| 4. Proton VPN | 83/100 | $3.59 / month (2-year Plus plan) | Privacy |
The best VPN we’ve tested is PureVPN, with an outstanding rating of 9.6/10. In nearly every test, it outperformed 65 other VPNs, particularly when it came to getting around geo-restrictions on streaming. PureVPN, despite its price tag, is the best option for nearly all users due to its speed, security, and ease of use across all platforms, including routers.
Since 2016, we have evaluated and tested 65 VPNs; the top 10 VPNs for PCs, laptops, smartphones, media streaming devices, and even gaming consoles are included in this guide.
Comparison of the Top 10 VPNs
The VPNs we recommend are compared in the table below based on important research and test results, such as logging policy, download speed, number of unblocked Netflix regions, and best users.
The 10 Best VPNs We’ve Tested (Detailed Analysis)
1. ExpressVPN: Best VPN Overall
According to my ExpressVPN review from January 2025, it has strong security features including split tunneling, AES-256 encryption, and a stringent no-logs policy. Being a high-end VPN with outstanding speed, dependability, and worldwide server coverage, it is perfect for a variety of online activities. The cost is a significant drawback, though, as it is more expensive than many rivals with comparable features. Although it’s not the most affordable option, ExpressVPN is a good solution for people who are prepared to spend money on the best performance and security.
Things I like
- Fast performance fueled by the exclusive Lightway protocol.
- For servers that use only RAM for enhanced security and data protection.
- Robust privacy regulations, with a British Virgin Islands headquarters.
- Reliability demonstrated by multiple independent audits.
- Outstanding at removing restrictions from well-known streaming services.
- Each account may only have eight connections at once.
- more expensive than alternative VPNs.
- Absence of clarity on the precise number of servers.
How much does ExpressVPN cost?
Unlike services like NordVPN and Surfshark, which provide numerous options, ExpressVPN keeps things simple by offering only one membership tier. Customers benefit from this strategy since it removes the need to select features because everything is included. All you have to do is choose from three options for the length of your subscription:
| ExpressVPN subscription plan | Monthly cost | Upfront cost |
| 1-month plan | $12.95 | $12.95 |
| 1-year plan + 3 months free | $6.67 | $99.95 |
| 2-year plan + 4 months free | $4.99 | $139.72 |
As is common with online subscriptions, in order to receive the quoted monthly price and discount, you will need to pay for the whole membership time up front. Furthermore, these costs often only apply during the first month of your subscription. You will be informed one month in advance of any changes to the renewal prices.
2. NordVPN: Lots of Extra Features
According to our NordVPN review, as of January 2025, it is among the top VPNs available for customers with a variety of online requirements as well as those who are concerned about their privacy. It is a great option for protecting your anonymity because of its shared IP addresses, stringent no-logs policy, and Panama jurisdiction. Additionally, I’ve discovered that NordVPN is very helpful for streaming geoblocked content because of its vast server network, which consistently gets around limitations and provides fluid playback. Whether you value privacy or want to access foreign Netflix libraries, NordVPN provides cutting-edge features and dependable performance to improve your online experience.
| Price: | From $3.39/month |
| Servers count: | 7,100 + servers in 118 countries |
| No logs policy: | No logs |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Coupon: | NordVPN coupon 72% OFF |
| Speed retention rate: | 90% |
- High security: makes use of strong encryption standards such as ChaCha20 and AES-256
- A vast server network that provides a wide range of servers across numerous nations
- Focus on privacy: asserts a stringent no-logs policy, backed by frequent third-party audits
- Advanced features: offers choices such dedicated IP addresses for increased security and functionality, Double VPN, and Onion over VPN.
- Apps with user-friendly interfaces are accessible on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows.
- Price swings: although the initial subscription fee may be less than those of rivals, renewal costs rise sharply.
- Device limit: there is a limit on how many devices can connect at once.
- Some feature complexity: even though the UI has sophisticated functionality, some users may find it a little overwhelming.
NordVPN pricing
With substantial reductions regularly offered during seasonal events and for new customers, NordVPN offers customizable pricing plans tailored to a range of user needs. On the other hand, NordVPN typically provides significant savings for extended subscriptions. Below is a thorough explanation of their plans:
| NordVPN cost | Basic plan | Plus plan | Complete plan | Prime plan |
| 1-month | $12.99 | $13.99 | $14.99/month | $17.99 |
| 1-year | $4.99/month | $5.99/month | $6.99/month | $9.99/month |
| 2-years | $3.39/month | $4.39/month | $5.39/month | $8.39/month |
| Get Basic | Get Plus | Get Complete | Get Prime |
Note: These rates are applicable to the US market and could alter depending on current subscription extensions, seasonal sales, or reductions.
NordVPN Basic plan
The Basic plan provides essential VPN features, including secure browsing, lightning-fast speeds, and access to NordVPN’s extensive global server network. This affordable VPN subscription is perfect for beginners or casual users who want reliable protection without any extras. Ideal for activities like streaming, online shopping, or safeguarding connections on public Wi-Fi, it ensures robust security tailored to everyday needs.
Compared to other entry-level VPN plans, NordVPN’s Basic subscription delivers exceptional value with unmatched performance and privacy. During sales, users can enjoy even greater savings, making it an excellent time to invest in online security.
NordVPN Plus plan
By including cutting-edge security features like Threat prevention Pro, which provides malware prevention, ad blocking, and all-around browsing protecting, the NordVPN Plus plan improves upon the Basic plan. With features like a password manager to safeguard private login information and a data breach scanner to keep an eye out for possible online dangers, it’s ideal for those who want to secure more than just their surfing.
The Plus plan is perfect for people who value online safety in many facets of their digital lives since it offers strong, comprehensive digital security with these features.
NordVPN Complete plan
Everything from the Plus plan is available with the Complete package, which also includes 1TB of NordLocker-encrypted cloud storage. This package offers top-tier VPN services coupled with secured storage for private documents and images, making it ideal for customers who value both complete online privacy and safe file management. For people looking for a one-stop subscription to protect their digital life and keep sensitive files safe from online threats, it’s a great option.
NordVPN Prime plan
With identity protection mechanisms and all the features of the Complete plan, NordVPN’s Prime plan provides the highest level of protection. With NordProtect-powered credit monitoring and Dark Web surveillance, this plan actively protects your financial well-being and personal data from online risks. It guarantees complete privacy protection and actively monitors for identity theft and suspicious activity in real time, making it the perfect choice for those looking for a high-end all-in-one solution.
Is NordVPN secure?
Indeed, NordVPN is regarded as one of the most secure VPNs available. It takes a number of steps to protect user privacy. Here is a brief summary of the primary privacy features offered by NordVPN:
- NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, a privacy-conscious state, and has an independently audited no-logs policy.
- Thorough internal testing has shown that NordVPN is impervious to DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks, earning it the top spot on our list of the safest VPNs.
- In addition to being an excellent VPN, NordVPN is also a dependable ad and threat blocker thanks to its Threat Protection Pro function, which can prevent 70–100% of malware and advertisements.
3. PureVPN: Best Value for Money
A strong substitute for ExpressVPN that offers numerous cutting-edge security features.
Although PureVPN is likely more well-known than ExpressVPN, in part because of its stronger marketing efforts, it is almost as good.
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Because to its superior security protections, speed, and array of supplementary features, we have ranked it as the second-best. Although its usability and unblocking powers are slightly less than ExpressVPN’s, NordVPN is still a worthwhile option. Indeed, ExpressVPN outperformed in seventy percent of our test categories.
Even though it missed the top rank by a narrow margin, NordVPN is substantially less expensive than ExpressVPN for the first two years of service. For customers who are more sensitive to pricing, this can be the decisive element.
PureVPN pros and cons
PureVPN review: key takeaways
- Performance. To guarantee the best speeds, PureVPN uses the OpenVPN and WireGuard tunneling protocols. Enough speed is provided by the VPN to allow for continuous torrenting and streaming.
- Streaming. The VPN effortlessly unblocks access to Netflix, Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, and numerous other well-known services thanks to its 6500+ servers spread throughout 65 countries. It’s a respectable choice for torrenting as well.
- Ease of use. The PureVPN apps are simple to install and operate on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. Both a Graphical User Interface and a Command Line Interface are available for Linux users to access the VPN.
- Pricing. Priced as low as $2.08 per month, PureVPN is among the most affordable VPNs available. One-month, one-year, and two-year plans are available; the monthly cost decreases with the length of the membership.
Go to PureVPN to learn more about the features
Plans and pricing
One of the least expensive VPNs available is PureVPN. It even outperforms more affordable options like Surfshark (starting at $2.29/month) and Norton Secure VPN (starting at $2.49/month) with a long-term membership plan as cheap as $2.08/month.
You can use the VPN on up to 10 devices at once and enjoy the same benefits regardless of the PureVPN subscription plan you choose. Just bear in mind that sharing your account with anybody, including family members, is prohibited by the VPN’s Terms of Service.
When you buy a long-term plan, PureVPN offers the best value. It’s by far the least expensive choice offered, with the largest savings on a 2-year plan. In the event that you’re not happy with the service, you may also return it for a refund within the first thirty days.
For $10.95, you may also purchase PureVPN for a single month. This is not an exorbitant monthly subscription fee when you consider all the other VPNs available.
PayPal, credit cards, and several cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are accepted as forms of payment. It’s perplexing, though, because certain PureVPN landing pages don’t provide the cryptocurrency payment option.
You can save even more money with PureVPN by using these fantastic coupons, even if the service is already reasonably priced!
Speed and performance: is PureVPN fast?
With PureVPN, we ran a number of speed tests to check how quick it is in different places. Initially, we used the OpenVPN protocol to test the VPN across numerous locations. The outcomes were not as good as those obtained with the WireGuard protocol, which on average was able to maintain roughly 67% of the original connection speeds. The table below allows you to examine the outcomes using the OpenVPN protocol.
Regarding the WireGuard protocol, it provides incredibly fast speeds. When baseline speeds were set at 300 Mbps, the average download speed was 200 Mbps and the average upload speed was 210 Mbps.
However, when WireGuard is selected, several capabilities will not work, such as dedicated IP or split tunneling.
In any case, while the speeds aren’t as high as some of the other top VPN providers’, such as NordVPN or Surfshark, PureVPN is generally pretty fast. Make sure you select the server location that is closest to your actual location if you want to optimize speed.
We discovered that being able to view each location’s ping time before to joining was a helpful feature of the Windows program. It is not necessary to test the servers in order to identify the quickest ones in this manner. The application additionally displays the tunneling protocol that is being used, along with the upload and download speeds at that moment when it is connected to a server.
