Virtual Private Network has long been relevant to the conscious web surfers to secure their privacy and avoid tracking and monitoring by unwanted entities. There are several VPN options on the web if you wish to be more confident along with ensuring privacy. We scour the internet and assessed the suggestions of internet gurus to bring you our picks of the best VPN that you must try.
Understanding the security needs and usability will be a plus if you want the best VPN service that suits your niche.
Virtual Private Network or VPN
VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network” that allows a user to hide their identity on the internet by establishing a private secured network path to the internet. It can provide an identity disguise over the default Internet Protocol address by traffic encryption. It is a service that is provided by various security protocol service providers usually on a subscription basis.
Do You Really Need VPN?
If you are someone who likes to browse the internet, connects with random public networks, a traveler, or even someone who is looking to crank up cyber security then you are the person who needs the best VPN on the market.
As internet access is available almost everywhere you go; internet security is not ensured on the public networks. To get the finest internet experience you need the options to keep out the undesired access to your internet footprint. It is an extra layer of protection and security.
Benefits of VPN
The internet browsers and the website we visit always collect some data from the visitors in order to analyze visitors and create a database to serve their marketing needs. A VPN can ideally restrict internet browsers and applications to collect the data and access your connection.
With the support of a VPN, your online activities get encrypted and hidden on private as well as public networks.
Some VPNs are able to access Netflix’s geo-blocked content by providing the subscribers with any IP from any servers around the world. So, if you are in the VPN market to watch geo-blocked streams then you are in luck.
VPN can help bypass geographical restrictions with just a few clicks. Some countries restrict access to certain social media applications through gateway restrictions. However, any VPN can bypass the blockage and provide a safe passage and allow access. This is possible due to the fact that VPN subscribers get access to hundreds of secured overseas servers and IPs.
The VPN allows internet surfing through a secure tunnel between you and the internet. Which restricts ISP and other third parties from detecting this tunnel.
How Does VPN Actually Work?
When we access the internet, the internet traffic travels through different servers which is accessible to Internet service providers, government, and hackers. They can get the browsing data and even real-time access to our real-time activity. Here comes the usefulness and need of a virtual private network.
The VPN service providers create an exclusive network that acts as a point-to-point connection between the user and the scattered VPN servers around the world.
When we request a website through our browser using a VPN service, the VPN service creates an encrypted algorithm based on the request and sends the request to the server.
The VPN server then sends the specified request and collects the information from the desired website and encrypts it again before sending it back to us.
The process thus enables security from any intruder tracking our internet footsteps.
Are VPN Connections Encrypted?
A VPN is always encrypted. It is an encrypted tunnel that allows users to connect their computer to an existing network, usually a public access network. From the time a user enters the tunnel, all of their data and online movement are encoded to protect them from everyone.
VPN primarily shields internet activity from any sort of privacy breach. Encryption is a simple yet comprehensive process. It encodes data to make it inaccessible to everyone. Only if someone has the encryption key, he/she can decrypt the traffic.
VPNs allow users to seamlessly surf the web safely in anonymity by encrypting user data. However, VPNs are not similar in terms of providing cybersecurity. VPN service providers use different encryption methods. After that, the service providers add several different protocols, like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and SSTP. They come with multi-hop technology and split-tunneling.
Average Prices of VPN
The pricing of any VPN service relies on a couple of factors to be either expensive or in the affordable range of the spectrum.
- Covered Devices
- Data usage limit
- Available servers and connectivity
- Streaming and torrenting ability
- Contract length
Most VPN service providers offer a free trial option for the users to experience their service at a glance. On top of it, they usually provide a discount for long-term subscription plans like a half-yearly, or yearly subscriptions.
VPNs on average costs just under $10/month. However, that cost goes down on average for a yearly engagement, and about two-thirds cost is reduced if the subscription is for two or three years. therefore, one can pay about $2 to $10 a month, depending on the discussed factors.
How to Find the Best VPN for You
As there are multiple options for VPNs on the internet, choosing the right one that suits your need can be a tough job. To choose the best VPN from the pool of countless options, you must consider a few factors before settling for one.
Usability
VPN services like many online subscription-based services and software have several kinks while availing their services. Usability is one of the ruling factors before deciding on a service. You must have ease of access when you want to use their service.
So, choose the one that allows the least connection hassle. If you are a beginner in the VPN world then choose the basic service providers with a comfortable user experience. The fact that most of the VPN options have trial options is especially useful.
Bandwidth and Speed
VPN services are generally slow if the service provider can’t provide adequate bandwidth to support faster connections to every customer. So, choose the one that has the proper bandwidth and speed to support your need.
Location and Servers
Choosing the client that has a greater number of servers in more than a few locations. This will allow you more wiggle room to pick and choose from the multiple options.
Privacy, Security, and Accessibility
Finding a suitable VPN client can be tough because most of the available options out there don’t provide layers of encryption and keeps logs. The best VPN is the one that allows layers of security along with a zero log database.
Types of VPN
There are several types of VPNs, however, the 3 main types are discussed for your convenience:
SSL VPN
Most employees get a company device that they can use to work from anywhere. Without individual devices, companies usually opt for an SSL-VPN solution, which is implemented using a hardware attachment
To use the service one must have a browser capable of using HTML-5, which is then used to access the login page of the company. HTML-5 capable browsers are available in every operating system. The access gets protection through individual accounts.
Site-to-site VPN
Site-to-site VPN is a private network created to camouflage users and allow seamless transfer of resources from one to another.
A site-to-site VPN is useful if one has multiple locations in the company connected via a LAN connection to WAN.
Site-to-site VPNs are typically used in large companies. They have a very complex integration mechanism. yet, they are the most effective way to ensure seamless communication between large departments.
Client-to-Server VPN
Employees dial into the company’s network through a secured portal network from anywhere via the secure connection and act as if they were logging in from the office. However, first, a VPN client needs to be installed and configured on the computer to ensure connection.
By this method, users are connected via their ISP but establish direct connectivity through/her VPN provider. This shortens the tunnel passage of the VPN journey.
This is a very common VPN connectivity system, which is useful for suppliers of public WLAN. The advantage of this type of VPN connectivity is added efficiency and universal access resources.
Free VPN vs. Paid VPN
The debate between a free product and vs. paid product is far older than we can even think of. The perks of having a paid service over a free one cannot be argued but, some users will opt for a free service in place of a paid one.
Although there are prices to pay for free versions of the VPN services yet, the need of users is diverse. That is why free versions of paid products are more trustworthy than free ones.
Cybersecurity
The primary purpose of a VPN is to enhance the digital security of a device, but a free VPN might not do good in that area. Free VPN service providers don’t have proper servers or server locations.
Their security and the level of encryption are usually at the weaker end of the spectrum. Plus free VPN servers are not maintained and traffics are not managed properly. Thus, slow connections and a lack of servers oppose the threat to be breached by intruders.
On the other hand, premium paid VPNs have loads of server options with location options to choose from. They are heavily maintained and data is encrypted on a session-based. Therefore, seamless connectivity and secured connections are ensured.
Performance
Free VPNs are meant to be weaker in delivering the best VPN experience and security. The free versions of the paid services are always trial basis and provide slower connections to encourage a purchase of a paid plan for full speed and privacy.
Paid VPNs are built to be more efficient at delivering lightning speed along with boosted security and privacy. The only limitation is just the allotted speed from the users’ ISP.
Privacy
Free VPNs especially the good ones that offer better speed and performance draw money from advertisements through their application. The primary purpose of a VPN service provider is to keep privacy secured.
But, when using free VPN, the user pays for the service with their data. Which is usually shared by the free VPN providers to the advertisement entities so that they can show relatable advertisements and sell their products.
Paid VPN services are always ad-free with no log policy stated in their terms to ensure the privacy and security of all the users.
Best VPN You Can Try in 2022
Now that you’ve learned everything about VPN, it’s time to try the best one. We’ve made a list of the best VPNs in 2022. Just find the one you need from them.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is a famous VPN service provider that has a huge network of around 765 server locations worldwide server. The servers are located in 58 different countries.
It has Computers, smartphones, tablets, browsers, routers, and Android TV support as well that offers easy usability and connectivity. It allows users to connect to VPN instantly. The feature of geographic location switch with secure identity is very useful.
The service allows connection to up to 6 different devices using one account and options to choose different servers and geographic locations with just a few clicks of a button.
Their independent audit of the no-log policy authenticates their promised support towards the customers. NordVPN has P2P connection options with Zero bandwidth or download caps. This useful feature makes them a popular choice to download torrents. They provide numerous features to their customers without breaking the bank.
The service has the highest industry-standard encryption for added security with a dual-layer encryption tech. This makes NordVPN perfect to be able to use public networks anywhere.
They have a zero log policy to ensure the privacy of their customers. Similar to ExpressVPN’s Network Lock, They have a kill switch built-in which means if your connection drops, then it will not affect overall device privacy.
The most amazing support of the platform is that its long-term subscription plans are praiseworthy and affordable.
Features
- 5,300 locations, 765 servers in 58 countries.
- Accessibility from 6 devices using one account
- P2P connection support
- Dual-layer encryption
Pricing
- Costs $5.75/month with annual billing
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best VPN service provider that has 160 locations in 90 countries across the globe. They offer industry-leading encryption to protect the privacy and provide top-notch cybersecurity.
they offer smart security, faster speeds, a simple yet useful user experience, cloud backup, and 24/7active customer support.
It has easy-to-use apps for all platforms and devices across the table. It offers an unlimited server switch that allows the user to switch from one geo-location to another with just a click of a button. Their zero-logging policy ensures user privacy.
Users have the privilege to simultaneously connect up to 5 simultaneous connections using their single VPN account. Also, ExpressVPN allows users to use file-sharing services and P2P connections without any download limits or loss of internet speed.
ExpressVPN’s service also includes “split tunneling,” which allows users to get connected to services with a local IP address while maintaining access to the global connections. It is useful for connections that require a local IP address to maintain the connection to LAN devices.
The service has servers operating virtually to deliver better speeds to the customers. ExpressVPN’s servers are generally physically set up in the listed countries with registered IPs from those locations. Physical servers and the registered IPs assigned to its customers are temporary and only functional in the same country for the connected sessions. Which ensures absolute security.
If a server from a listed country doesn’t have a fast physical server available then it automatically assigns an IP address from the nearest country while delivering the connection from a nearby reliable physical server from a geographically close country.
Features
- 160+ server locations and 3,000 servers in more than 90 countries.
- Accessibility from 5 devices using one account
- Built-in speed test tool
- Split tunneling
- Network Lock to keep IP and encrypted data safe even when VPN is disconnected
Pricing
- Costs $12.95/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee
3. Surfshark
Surfshark is very cheap yet efficient for personal and business usage. It supports a pool of devices. It doesn’t possess any different networks for commercial usage. However, it allows users to connect staggering unlimited devices with just a single account.
They have more than 1,700 servers across 60 different countries. Few countries have a set of virtual servers to provide a reliable connection when needed.
Surfshark automatically chooses a random location for the initial connection but allows users to easily set manual locations. Their MultiHop feature, enables users to connect to multiple countries at once. This feature eventually allows the users to access increased speed than any other VPN client in the market.
They’re an inbuilt tool to block unwanted and malicious add help surfers avoid unwanted intrusion on their network which is certainly an added layer of security.
Surfshark has two modes that are switchable while in use. Their Camouflage Mode typically hides the usage of VPN from the ISP, and their No-Borders mode allows users to use the VPN in restricted areas around the world.
Features
- Offers more than 1,700 servers
- Available in more than 60 countries
- MultiHop feature
- Useable on a wide range of device types with smart TVs and console support.
- adblocker protects from phishing and malware attacks
- No-Borders mode
- One account with virtually unlimited devices
- kill switch lets activity and data be hidden
- Camouflage Mode hides VPN activity from ISP
- Comes with Whitelist
Pricing
- Costs $11.95/month
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost does not provide any support for businesses. They only provide 7 simultaneous connections from the account. This feature makes this VPN a must-have for individuals as well as small businesses.
It has over 6,200 servers located in over 90 countries. It offers one of the most powerful services on the market. It’s also a great service for frequent travelers traveling anywhere and everywhere. It is especially helpful in protecting data and content consumption from literally anywhere.
As the primary usage of VPNs is to provide surfing anonymity, it is a good choice for privacy-concerned individuals. It has NoSpy server support that allows users to hide activity from intruders like hackers and government entities.
Features
- 6,200+ servers in 90+ countries.
- Use VPN on 7 devices (maximum) simultaneously
- Cookie cleaner browser extension
- NoSpy servers feature allows deeper encryption to provide surveillance-free browsing
- Connectivity on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as well as older devices
- Kill switch allows data encrypted for seamless movement
Pricing
- Costs $12.99/month
- They offer discounts on 18-month and 6-month plans
5. VyprVPN
VyprVPN has 2 parts for single usage and groups. Their operation is also divided into two parts. One section lets users use all the features VyprVPN’s service has to offer. The other one is a cloud-based feature that has servers and IP addresses for businesses and groups.
The network has 700+ servers and 70+ server locations across 6 continents. They use a server technology known as Chameleon. This tool allows users to stay connected to content from blocked countries like China, Russia, and Turkey. Their service is moderate yet extensive with a vast pool of clients.
Pricing for these versions of the VPN starts at $299 and $349 respectively. They have apps for phones, routers, computers, as well as smart TVs. If your router needs manual connectivity then they have you covered.
The apps can detect when governed devices use public Wi-Fi connections. It automatically connects users to the VPN and encrypts the data. The inbuilt kill switch feature keeps data encrypted even when the device is disconnected.
Features
- 70+ locations with more than 700 servers.
- 5 simultaneous connections from one account
- Business VPN support
- Moderate device support
- Manual encryption of router
- Comes with a chameleon tool
- Automatically connects to the VPN while using public Wi-Fi
Pricing
- $12.95/month connectivity charge
- Large discounts on annual plans and 2-year plans
6. (PIA) Private Internet Access
This is yet another wonderful VPN service provider for maximum privacy. For years, they have been around with tremendous protection promise and support with more than 20 million served customers.
PIA always respects its users’ complete privacy. They don’t store any data or share any private information of the customer with any entity. This is a ruling practice around the company. So that you can be assured that your data is safe and secured no matter what.
The construction matrix is built on an open-source platform that provides complete transparency. It allows anyone and everyone to inspect their work and optimize their application accordingly. They use ‘WireGuard’ for encrypting user data as the protocol is open source.
This removes any doubt about security and privacy. PIA is user-friendly and doesn’t require much tech wizardry to use its service on devices. All are required to do is to choose the best VPN plan and download the app for the device, verify, and you are done surfing the web with peace and protection.
The service allows users to customize the application based on their user preferences. That means proxy server and port tweaking on the go.
They have some state-of-the-art features which are hard to find anywhere else, like advanced configurable-automation rules, split-tunneling, etc. It’s the perfect choice for blazing-fast speeds and file-sharing.
Features
- 84 servers(lightning fast), 84 countries
- WireGuard protocol
- 10 devices using one account
- Unlimited bandwidth
- No-logs promise
- Open-source
- Ease of usability
- Malware blocking and AdBlocker
- PIA’s antivirus software
- Dedicated IP address
Pricing
- Costs $9.95/month
7. IPVanish
IPVanish is another one of the best VPN service providers that are pocket friendly with epic protection support. It uses WireGuard protocol similar to many other VPNs services like PIA. It is widely considered the gold standard. It by default enables them to offer top-notch connectivity speeds to the customers.
They have a network of over 2,000+ servers. Their servers are located in 75+ locations around the world. They also have over 40,000 shared IP addresses to choose from. If you avail of their service then you can access content from any region on the planet with the support of IPVanish.
Their added free user interface is easy to use and set up on desktops, laptops, mobile, consoles, and routers with unlimited device connectivity.
They have a kill switch protocol like other best VPN services out there to prevent accidental loops in protection. They also provide split tunneling support for customizable setups.
Features
- Supports Multi-platform
- Unlimited connections
- 40,000+ IP addresses
- Kill switch
- Split tunneling
- Comes with WireGuard feature
- 75+ server locations and 2,000+ servers
- No logs are kept
Pricing
- Costs $44.99/year and $10.99/month
- The yearly plan includes antivirus support for an extra layer of protection against threats like ransomware
8. Ivacy
Ivacy VPN is a VPN service that has two sections for individuals and groups of small capacity with plans for larger businesses as well as small organizations/groups/businesses.
The main version is for individuals/small groups and the other one is for businesses. They have over 1,000+ servers located in 100+ locations available to users doing business.
The irpro version also has 100+ server locations but increases the number of servers to 2,000. It allows users to connect 10 devices to one account.
Ivacy is usable on a wider range of device types, from the pc, phones, browsers, and tablets to devices like routers, smart TVs, and game consoles.
Features
- Wide variety of supported device types
- 1,000+ servers, 100+ server locations (standard connection)
- 10 devices through one account
- Network level malware protection by default
- 2,000+ servers, 100+ server locations (business connection)
- Dedicated IPs
- Split tunneling
- Built in kill switch
Pricing
- Costs $9.95/month
9. Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN is a fast-growing VPN service provider on the VPN market. They started their journey in January of 2020. Nord Security purchased Atlas VPN in 2021 for its success.
Atlas VPN has a free application that works well in China to access restricted content and social media services that their government blocks like Facebook. It allows the download of torrent files relatively quickly with less data loss than any other VPNs out there.
The fact that their 2 GB monthly was enough for primary web activities, puts their service on top of many best VPN services on the market.
To stream videos and access US Netflix, a plan upgrade to premium is required. This premium switch enables access to 30+ server locations along with faster speeds.
Their application is easy to use and fast to figure out. Both versions premium and free come with similar easy-to-install apps. Their performance of streaming is nothing short of amazing and fluent in every step. So, customers will get a quality experience across all of their devices.
The best part is that Atlas VPN does not keep logs of identifiable user data. Although the company is based in the United States, which does not have privacy-friendly laws, it’s safe and will not track your online activities. Therefore, it made its place in our best VPN list.
Features
- No-log policy
- Wide variety of supported device types
- Network-level malware protection by default
- Maximum protection against third-party users and hackers
- AdBlocker and Malware blocker
Pricing
- Costs $10.99/month
10. PureVPN
PureVPN is available in 2 varieties. One is standard and the other one is specially designed for enterprise. Its enterprise VPN is used by Samsung, Apple, SpaceX, Sony, and many more.
Their service allows every employee to be connected using one network strap without any lag and intrusion. They have operational dedicated servers and IP addresses in over 140 countries as well.
They allow whitelist features for the enterprises. That allows whitelisting IP addresses to access files and servers within an organization. The VPN increases speeds and connectivity to VoIP services like Skype, VoipConnect, and WhatsApp for a seamless connection. PureVPN’s network also includes a split-tunneling functionality for added protection.
It has 2,000+ servers located in 180+ server locations in 140 countries, their standard connection is nothing short of spectacular. Few of these locations’ virtual servers support better connection and speed.
Their kill switch feature also comes included in all their services to protect user data even when the VPN connection is interrupted.
Its port add-on forwarding allows users to access their devices as desired and can enable faster P2P downloads with just a few clicks. This add-on is available only at $0.99/month.
Features
- 2,000+ servers
- One account 10 device
- 10 devices and tools like a dedicated server for Business VPN customers
- 180+ server locations in 140+ countries
- Wide variety of device connectivity including routers, smart TVs, and consoles
- Optimized servers for streaming videos
- Split tunneling
Pricing
Costs $10.95/month
11. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is a widely renowned VPN provider that claims to be the world’s fastest VPN, with numerous celebrity and influencer endorsements.
Their service offers connections that are over two times faster than their on-market competition. Their lightning-fast speeds make Hotspot Shield an amazing contender for the best VPN in the field. Their connectivity assures fast stream and downloads over all the devices in the network.
They have a network of 3,200+ servers available for connectivity across 35 cities in 80 countries and an epic 115+ virtual locations, which allows users to easily find IP addresses in any location.
Hotspot Shield has easily switchable “gaming mode” and “streaming mode” which are accessible depending on what the user is doing. The instant switching capability instantly optimizes users’ servers and settings for popular online games and services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and YouTube.
Their ‘world’s fastest VPN’ claim has been backed up by Ookla’s Speedtest platform. Hotspot Shield boosts the regular download speed by over 26% when used on a device.
Hotspot Shield’s proprietary Hydra protocol allows faster speed to their customers. On the other hand, regular VPN service providers use open-source protocols.
They have built their ‘Hydra-protocol’ from scratch to deliver maximum performance and speed. Their military-grade encryption ensures complete security and the no-log policy allows for maximum privacy safety.
Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Military-grade encryption
- Blazing-fast speeds
- Hydra protocol(Patented)
- 45-day money-back scheme
- No-logs
- 3,200+ servers in 115+ locations
- One account, 5 devices
Pricing
- The free plan has a 2Mbps speed and a 500MB data cap with 1 virtual location
- Premium basic starts from $7.99/month and Premium Family offers $11.99/month
12. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is a Swiss VPN promising high-speed internet access. It is built by the same people behind the popular service named ProtonMail. Based on the belief that privacy and security falls under basic human rights gave them their mission to build a safe internet and provide a secure experience.
Security is the central vow of the people behind ProtonVPN. They wanted to create a service that can protect journalists’ and activists’ activity safe from intruders of privacy.
Their headquarter is in Switzerland. The country’s privacy laws are the strongest in the world. Switzerland is outside of EU & US jurisdiction, which means its servers are never monitored and can’t be compromised easily.
They have a bag full of powerful built-in security features. For example, ‘Forward Secrecy ciphers’ is a protocol that prevents encrypted traffic from being monitored and decrypted. If the encryption key is compromised, the encryption cannot be decrypted.
Their top-notch Netshield DNS filters manage ads and website trackers and protect them from malware. They can redirect any amount of local traffic with just one click of the mouse.
On top of everything, their no-logs policy allows zero tracking. ProtonVPN offers the fastest speed on the VPN market with a ten Gbps transfer rate.
Features
- No logs
- Simple UI
- NetShield Adblocker
- Fast speed
- Global VPN servers
- Ciphers with forwarding Secrecy
- Tor network integration
Pricing
- ProtonVPN’s free version is limited and has access to 3 countries total of 83 servers.
- The basic plan costs $3.29 per month
- Plus plan costs $6.63 per month
13. StrongVPN
StrongVPN’s servers are not as long as other VPN services we went through. Still, they have around 950 servers operating in 30 countries.
The service allows the user to choose their desired server in the desired location they want to connect to manually. Their ‘Best Available Location’ setting allows StrongVPN to automatically connect to the nearest server around for maximum browsing speed and accelerated performance.
StrongVPN allows users to have 12 different devices connected simultaneously, with the native applications on all platforms with just a few clicks and extended app support.
They don’t provide speed limits or data logging on their plans.
Features
- 950+ servers in 30+ countries
- WireGuard Protocol
- They have customer support on a 24/7 basis
- For annual plans, a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Multi-platform app functionality
- No logging
Pricing
- Costs $10.99/month
14. Hide.me
Hide.me has over 10 million users across the globe for its free proxy extension support in different operating systems. They provide free and paid support to the users with two different versions of the service for the consumers.
Based on an independent test Hide.me scored reasonably fast than the other contenders in the market. They offer strong security, and 24/7 customer support to all users.
Hide.me’s subscription plan has a huge server network in 66 cities and 2,000 server locations. Few of these servers are specifically dedicated to online streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc in the United States. Their free version offers only 5 VPN servers and limits data usage to 10GB per month.
It’s an above-average VPN providing adequate service and support to moderate users looking for cheap options to have a secured network. With key security features embedded to hide.me’s service ranks up the platform in the upper class of security for avid users as well.
Pricing
Costs $9.95/per month
15. Mullvad
Mullvad is a Swedish VPN provider. It provides great security in comparison with heavy hitters like Nord VPN due to its strict no-logging policy and a very impactful privacy policy.
They don’t collect any information from users when signing up. Instead, they generate a random number that is used as the primary identifier for the user.
It supports OpenVPN and WireGuard protocol to provide comprehensive security. They support multiple server hops with the Bridge feature embedded into their service. Their promise of providing comprehensive support and privacy is praiseworthy.
Pricing
Costs €5/month
16. Windscribe
Windscribe VPN service offers a paid subscription along with a free one. While the paid subscription is better than their free plan which offers a data allowance of 10GB which puts them at the top for free VPN services out there.
The VPN service operates a wide network of several server locations and has good support for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. The premium version has an unlimited data allowance for swift browsing.
Windscribe Pro offers great connectivity options along with privacy and security for all its customers. That is why Windscribe falls on our best VPN list.
Pricing
- Costs $9/month and $49/year
Best VPN for Mobile Devices
There is a bag full of the best VPN services out there offering full connectivity to the pc and console users to choose from. Those services also translate to mobile applications compatible with iPhones and iPads.
1. Surfshark
Surfshark is a speedy iPhone VPN that is jam-packed with features for daily mobile usage.
- User-friendly app interface
- Powerful service
- 3,200+ servers
- 65 changeable locations
Surfshark’s iOS VPN app offers a surprisingly intuitive user experience for first-time as well as pro users. Its four-tab design puts the connectivity option on the front page of the app. With just a single click of a button, users can be connected to the internet through their service without any setup hassle.
Their quick switch option allows users to hop from server to server and secure connectivity by choice.
Surfshark offers a network of only a handful of servers to the users which makes their network smaller than some competition in the market. However, they make up for it through their epic service. Thus, it made its place in our best VPN list.
Pricing
Unlike other VPN service providers, Surfshark doesn’t offer any one-year plan. They offer $2.30/month, for its 2-year plan. They have a six-month plan starting at $6.49 a month.
2. NordVPN
Being a reliable android and iOS VPN platform, they are offering extensive service to everyone subscribed to their services.
- Easy and reliable application
- 5,200+ servers
- 62 server locations
NordVPN offers the most comprehensive cybersecurity plans on the market of best VPNs. Their reputation as the most recognized brand in the VPN market was earned through their intuitive applications and easy-to-use interface.
The application has an identical design to its PC counterpart. Thus, there is no learning hiccup available while using android or iOS devices.
Nord offers a simultaneous connection of six connections per account. In comparison, other VPN services offer connection limits of less than 6 connections. NordVPN also has the option of acquiring an IP address dedicated for advanced users to configure routers directly.
Pricing
NordVPN is a bit expensive compared to other VPNs. But, you can totally overlook it considering their service and review. The monthly plan costs $11.95 and the yearly plan costs $99.
3. IPVanish
IPVanish is a basic VPN service provider marketed toward beginners.
- Customizable VPN app
- 1,600 servers
- 75 VPN locations
This VPN is fun to use and has a user-friendly interface, which makes it the best VPN choice for clients who are just starting to explore the realm of VPN connectivity and want to learn more about how the services work. With its mobile app, IPVanish portrays a compact experience to its users without any extra hassle and caters to newcomers with secured connections.
Even if the user wants extensive customizability options, IPVanish got them covered. From showcasing activity through visual graphs to an array of switches that enables controlling of LAN connection, split-tunneling, and more. Which makes IPVanish one of the elites in its group.
Pricing
Their plans start from $13/month or users can choose a $90/year option. IPVanish VPN is certainly a great choice for iPhone users. Although they only allow a seven-day trial in place of a full 30 days plan. however, it offers a full money-back promise.
4. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is among the best VPN for android and iPhone across the board.
- Fast, simple, and comprehensive iOS app
- 3,000+ servers
- 160 server locations
ExpressVPN has proven itself to be one of the fastest VPNs in the field of cybersecurity arena. This app for android and iOS is designed with a heavy encryption mechanism and all of the servers are easily switchable. Their application is easy to use and operates for basic and pro users.
Their onboard tools for seamless connectivity are tucked into a single tab accessible by a single tap. The access is so easy that there is no learning curve for users. Plus their customer support is on point in terms of effectiveness and support.
Pricing
ExpressVPN is in business since 2009 and has a wide network of best VPN servers in 94 countries. They cost $7.00/ month.
Disadvantages of VPN
Not all aspects of VPN are praisable and good. There are a couple of disadvantages as well
Slower Connections
By nature, every VPN slows down the overall internet connectivity if throttling is not prevented.
Subscription Fees
Free VPNs are not safe and do not provide comprehensive support to users. To get the full experience one must opt for pain connections for premium service. However, the service comes with a price tag. Typically $10 per month on average.
Risk
Every time a user logs in to a VPN server, they pour their trust into the privacy and security of the service. Although VPN services promise anonymity and privacy, some platforms are subjected to government subpoenas.
If the VPN service providers track your activity and share it with the government that that becomes a breach of privacy. Best VPN services offer total security with encryption and hop-able IPs. Now that’s a matter of the trust one has in the privacy policies of the service subscribed to.
Illegal Activities and VPN
Several activities exist that can be done using a VPN and are considered illegal. Let’s look at some of them now.
Illegal File-sharing
Most of the content floating around the internet is copyright protected and mostly barred by popular file-sharing sites without the proper permission from the copyright holder. File sharing isn’t illegal if the content is not copyright protected or you are the owner of the file.
Yet, music, movies, and files that are protected by copyright law can be shared without any interruption from the authorities.
Hacking
Accessing digital platforms, websites, services, devices, or cloud storage without permission is regarded as illegal and punishable by law. Hacking the entrance and collecting personal data using VPN is also illegal and punishable by law.
Restricted Materials
Several contents around the web are illegal to process. Pornography, copyright-protected media, financial documents, and even protected log files are restricted by the owner or the carrier of content.
Cyberstalking
Cyberbullying, harassment, and stalking are illegal by nature. Someone might use VPN to cover their digital footprint while committing these crimes. Although VPN makes it easier for them to do their dirty work, it doesn’t rule out the fact that these are illegal and punishable offenses.
Ending Notes
All the VPN services in the list are very similar to each other. To find the best VPN deal and the right choice there are a few things that can be taken into account.
First, decide how many devices that need to be connected to the servers. Several free options allow users to connect up to devices using one free account. However, if you are looking for business support you should shoot for the premium options that offer devices using a single account.
Secondly, find out your specific need. If you are looking for an option to stream videos on the internet and bypass geo-blocking then you should choose the one that serves the most efficient service for streaming.
Finally, if you are looking for an option to keep your data safe from intruders while traveling then you know you need a plan that ensures privacy and security on the go.
If you are on the lookout for services that provide multi-device support then there are now many providers of VPN connections for smartphones that provides the best VPN cybersecurity.
VPN is these days more important than it was ever before. So, choose the one that fits the need and has the best VPN support available.
