Picking a VPN service is a daunting task as we start 2019 with a lot of uncertainties when it comes to online privacy and security. With hundreds of different VPN providers out there, choosing the right one means striking the right balance between services, ease of use and pricing.
Those looking for a solid VPN service will obviously want to do their due diligence to find the best match. If that’s you – you’ve come to the right place.
We've surveyed the market and collected our pick of the best VPNs out there, all sorted into different categories. Our guide will also be constantly be updated with all the latest information, providing all the information you need to know.
1. ExpressVPN
The best offshore VPN for privacy and unblocking
Number of servers: 3000+ | Server locations: 160 | IP addresses: 30,000 | Maximum devices supported: 3
Admirable scope of quality apps
Great customer support
Plenty of servers
Only supports a maximum of three devices
Get 3 months free with an annual plan on our #1 rated VPN
ExpressVPN has long been recognised as one of the world's top VPN providers, with fast speeds and solid customer support.
ExpressVPN has long been recognised as one of the world's top VPN providers, with fast speeds and solid customer support.
With 148 locations in 94 countries and available through plenty of clients, it’s the best services out there. Regardless of your platform, you will find a native client, as ExpressVPN offers clients for Mac, Windows, Linux, but also iOS and Android, and even BlackBerry (albeit limited to a handful of models).
ExpressVPN also offers routers with custom firmware and VPN browser extensions, making it an all-around great service.
A wide variety of simple and useful web-based tutorials will make sure you're up and running in no time. This includes P2P support, a kill switch and generally good performance.
The only negative here is that only three connections can be supported at the same time, and it's hardly the cheapest service out there. There's no demo, but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can choose from these packages:
- [$6.67 a month] Save 49%, 12 months (plus 3 months free) - $99.95
- [$9.99 a month] 6 months - $59.95
- [$12.95 a month] 1 month - $12.95
2. NordVPN
Security is its middle name
Number of servers: 5064 | Server locations: 62 | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 6
Intuitive clients for both desktop and mobile
Supports up to six devices
Strong performance
Unclear session logging policy
One would expect such a powerful solution to be located in one of the world’s largest tech hubs, but NordVPN is located in Central America.
Its key advantages are a large pool of servers (5,000+), and more than 60 locations around the globe. It can support up to six devices at the same time, and the data gets a 2048-bit encryption. Features like DNS leak protection, killswitch, dedicated IP address and being able to pay with cryptocurrency are also very worth mentioning.
Even when it came to the most important part – performance – NordVPN stood strong. Its speeds for short connections were commendable, long-term ones – delicious. The downside is the privacy policy – its stance on session logging is somewhat unclear. IT does state a ‘no logs policy’, though.
There are three different packs to choose from, so here is what’s on offer:
- 36 month plan - $2.99 per month ($107.64 total cost)
- 12 month plan - $6.99 per month ($83.88 total cost)
- 1 month plan - $11.95 per month ($11.95 total cost)
3. IPVanish
Great for P2P and torrenting
Number of servers: 1000+ | Server locations: 60+ | IP addresses: 40000+ | Maximum devices supported: 10
No traffic logs
High download speeds
Adjustable software
Lacks free trial
For IPVanish, its key selling point is the quality of service.
The company claims to offer “the world’s fastest VPN”, with more than 40,000 shared IPs, almost a thousand VPN servers spread across 60 countries, unlimited P2P traffic, five connections and lo logs.
If the price is your main concern you might want to look elsewhere, but in other case, IPVanish is a serious contender with fast speeds, plenty locations to choose from and a well-built client (even though its latest Windows client could use a bit more work – it suffers from the odd network issue).
Again, it's not the cheapest product out there, but with this service you get what you pay for, and there is a seven-day money back guarantee.
- 12-month plan - $6.49 per month ($77.88 total cost)
- 3-month plan - $8.99 per month ($26.97 total cost)
- 1-month plan - $10 per month ($10 total cost)
4. Hotspot Shield
Awesome solution for online browsing
Number of servers: 2500+ | Server locations: 25 | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 5
Affordable plans
Speedy conenctions
Offers seven days for free
Lacks on the server front
Hotspot Shield Elite is another of the market's top offerings, coming with all the necessities at a competitive price and the ability to purchase a lifetime license. Private browsing, “access all content”, and up to five simultaneous devices – those are the aces up Hotspot Shield’s sleeves.
Performance-wise it lacks for nothing, there’s an ever so slight increase in latency, with both upload and download speeds a bit faster after being connected.
What we’d like to see is more freedom for configurations, and more locations. However, with such high speeds and competitive prices, there’s very little room to feel unsatisfied. At the end of the day, there is a seven-day trial for everyone to see for themselves.
Just as with other VPN services, the two-year subscription is the best overall offer:
5. CyberGhost
Rich clients and awesome configurability
Number of servers: 3000+ | Server locations: 60+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 7
Advanced features
Solid performance
Supports torrents
Interface needs work
With multiple clients, rich with different features, it’s no wonder this VPN service handles more than 10 million users. CyberGhost covers Microsoft’s and Apple’s operating systems, but also iOS and Android. The interface is not the best out there and could definitely use some work, but these disadvantages are easily overshadowed by the awesome features this VPN offers.
One feature in particular, which stands out, is the option of kicking off the VPN when specific apps are launched.
Torrent users will be happy to hear that this service supports them on most of its servers. Performance-wise it is solid.
It offers a free plan that comes with a few caveats, including just one device at a time, being a bit slower than the commercial version, and ads. Data usage is unlimited, and for those looking to buy, they have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The service offers four different plans:
6. TunnelBear
Easy to use VPN
Number of servers: ~1,000 | Server locations: 20+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 5
Great user experience
Plenty of clients to choose from
Solid privacy policy
Long-distance connections can slow down
Whenever someone mentions TunnelBear, ease of use is the first thing that comes to mind. This Canada-based VPN offers extremely good user experience, but also plenty of clients to choose from on both desktop and mobile platforms.
Its hassle-free approach is clearly visible from the company's website – the language is as simple as it can be. Experts, on the other hand, might not enjoy not being able to get access to all the nuts and bolts of the clients. So if you're a beginner – this one is for you.
TunnelBear comes with servers in more than 20 countries and offers up to five connections at the same time, which is pretty good, all things considered. It has strong privacy measures and clear policies.
It also performed really well in our tests, even though long-distance connections seem to drop in speed.
There is a free plan limiting you to 500MB per month. Paid plans offer unlimited data and are fairly cheap, including:
7. Windscribe
A VPN which gives you unlimited connections
Number of servers: 300+ | Server locations: 50+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Great free plan
Tough privacy policy
Could be speedier
This service offers four native clients – one for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. Be advised that the Android one is still new and could be a bit unstable, so proceed at your own risk. There are also solidly built browser add-ons.
Windscribe's strongest selling point is that it offers unlimited connections with its commercial plans, so it can cover everything, regardless of how many machines you throw at it.
With a clear-cut privacy policy and a simple, powerful Windows client, it’s easy to see why Windscribe made it to this list. Performance might disappoint you a bit as we can only describe it as average.
Still, it offers a free plan with 10GB monthly data (albeit for one device only).
The Pro plan offers unlimited data, and can be bought either as a monthly, yearly or a biennial plan:
8. VyprVPN
Great choice for those looking for security
Number of servers: 700+ | Server locations: 70+ | IP addresses: 200,000+ | Maximum devices supported: 3-5
High performance
Competitive pricing
Easy to use interface
Monthly plans can be expensive
VyprVPN looks to stand out from the crowd with a useful unlimited data usage offering.
The service is also based in Switzerland, meaning it can benefit from the country’s advanced privacy laws. There are more than 70 server locations around the world, and comes with cool features like auto-connect or a killswitch.
Clients are very intuitive, especially the Windows offering, and the service includes VyprDNS and the Chameleon protocol to provide extra security.
There are no refunds, but there is a three-day trial. When it comes to subscribing, you can choose either a monthly or an annual plan, be it either Basic or Premium.
Here is what it offers:
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