Best VPN Service: Top 8 Reviewed + Compared for 2024

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With the best VPN service, you’ll have the means to safeguard your online identity while maintaining your privacy — this is undoubtedly more crucial than ever.

VPN apps shield your internet activities and conceal your location from hackers, your ISP, and government agencies. This makes them a must-have, not only for privacy but for complete online freedom to unblock streaming services and websites blocked in your home country.

Although VPNs may appear complicated, they’re now easier to use than ever. They almost all offer straightforward, powerful apps for a variety of devices, and you can connect to a server anywhere in the world with just one click.

We review and compare the market’s top 8 best VPN services you can use for top-notch speeds, security, and unblocking power.

The 8 Best VPN Services Ranked

Below is a quick glance at the top VPNs for 2024, with ExpressVPN coming out on top as it offers staggering speeds due to its Lightway protocol, unrivaled security, and a boatload of servers around the globe. Here are the market’s best picks ranked on factors like server count, speeds, security, and overall value for money:

1. NordVPN — An Excellent Option That Combines a Ton Of Cutting-Edge Features and Excellent Server Speeds for Just $3.69/month
2. Surfshark — One of the Best VPNs for Streaming, and it Offers Unlimited Simultaneous Connections for Just $2.30/Month
3. ExpressVPN — Top VPN With its Lightning-Fast Speeds, No-Nonsense Approach to Security, and Unrivaled Unblocking Power
4. PureVPN — One of the Best VPNs with A Great Feature-to-Price Ratio
5. IvacyVPN — A Budget-Friendly VPN That Costs a Mere $3.29/month That Can Consistently Unblock a Load of Major Streaming Services
6. CyberGhost — One of the Fastest VPNs With a Huge Range of 8,900+ Servers With Many Optimized for Streaming and Torrenting
7. ProtonVPN — The Best Free VPN with A Password Manager, Secure Mail Service, and More
8. Norton Secure VPN — A Great Choice for Those Who Want Total Device Protection as it Boasts a Powerful Antivirus

Reviews of the Best VPNs

Now, it’s time to take a more detailed look at our top VPNs for 2024, comparing features like security, server speeds, pricing, and more.

1. NordVPN – An Excellent VPN That Combines A Ton Of Cutting-edge Features

NordVPN comes in a close second place, and this provider just seems to do everything well. It can easily bypass geo-locked content on a host of popular streaming sites, keep you safe online when browsing, and everything in between.

It also practically ensures a fast server wherever you go, with over 5,500 servers in over 59+ countries. Plus, you’ll get to use Nord’s proprietary NordLynx protocol, which is a modified version of WireGuard, to connect to those servers.

Split tunneling, an efficient kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and even some bonus features like Onion over VPN and Double VPN that are intended to make your online browsing even safer are all included. Threat Protection is another intriguing feature, but while it’s a good addition, specialized tracker blocks do operate more efficiently.

Meshnet, however, is the most intriguing brand-new component of Nord. This creates its own safe network and enables users to connect devices from anywhere in the world using encrypted NordVPN connections. It’s still in the early stages, but this is definitely a feature well worth looking closer at in the future.

However, NordVPN really shines when it comes to streaming, as you can unblock a ton of Netflix regions, as well as iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and much more. Also, thanks to the excellent speeds on offer through the Nordlynx protocol, you can enjoy all this new content in crystal-clear HD without fear of lag or buffering.

All of this comes at a very attractive price of just $3.69/month if you opt for an annual plan, which we believe is exceptional value for money. Furthermore, you can try the service completely free for 7 days, and if you like what you see, you can sign up for a paid plan hassle-free by taking advantage of the provider’s 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. Surfshark — One of the Best VPNs for Streaming With Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

Surfshark is another reliable VPN service that allows unlimited simultaneous connections on one subscription and offers excellent speeds, all for a ridiculously affordable price. This makes it a top choice for families and businesses looking to cover ample devices without breaking the bank.

This provider has a solid 3,200+ servers in over 60 countries around the world, so wherever you are, you’ll have a reliable server speed, especially as it uses the WireGuard protocol, so you can enjoy lag-free streaming.

It’s also able to unblock a ton of streaming services like ITV Hub, Peacock TV, and various Netflix libraries, which is a plus.

There are a number of strong security features as well, including defense against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC breaches, plus 256-bit AES encryption and an automatic kill switch (which instantly halts all internet traffic when you lose connectivity).

Additionally, users can allow specific apps to completely skip the VPN or automatically block advertisements and malware. Surfshark also doesn’t record any personally identifiable information, making it impossible to link your online activity to you.

Beyond unlimited connections, Surfshark is compatible with all major devices, including Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. So, whatever your gadget, Surfshark has you covered.

This wide range of features and impressive speed come at a price of just $2.30/month, which is excellent value for money. Surfshark is one of the best cheap VPNs on the market. You can also try it free for 7 days or take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee when you sign up for a paid plan.

3. ExpressVPN – The Best VPN Overall in 2024

ExpressVPN is our top pick for the best VPN in 2024, thanks to its lightning-fast speeds on its unique Lightway protocol, excellent security features, and impressive range of servers on offer. It currently boasts over 3,000+ servers spread across 94+ countries, giving you the ability to bypass any geo-locked content easily.

If you want to do some P2P file sharing while torrenting, ExpressVPN is also an excellent choice for this. The service allows torrenting on all servers, ensuring that you receive your files quickly and securely.

You can also enable the Threat Manager tool to safeguard yourself against malware like viruses. Plus, additional protection is on offer with zero-knowledge architecture, 256-bit encryption, and private DNS and DNS leak protection on each server. All this ensures the safety of your activity and prevents any leaks of your data.

Additionally, ExpressVPN uses its proprietary TrustedServer technology to guarantee that no data about you or your activities is stored on its RAM-only DNS servers. In a nutshell, ExpressVPN is quick and safe, and a recent upgrade gave iOS a much-needed kill switch.

Easy-to-use apps are also available for all the major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. Plus, Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are available.

The ability to unblock popular streaming sites like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix US also works well, and you can easily bypass geo-locked content on any device. Beyond this, it’s one of the best gaming VPNs, too, as it has minimal lag compared to other providers.

Despite the fact that ExpressVPN only allows for the simultaneous use of five devices, you can add more connections by configuring the VPN on your router. Or, you can use the MediaStreamer feature instead, so you can stream content on gadgets that aren’t built to support VPNs.

To make this easier, ExpressVPN features a library of troubleshooting instructions that’ll frequently resolve any issues without the need to speak to an expert, but should you need to, the support staff is also available round-the-clock via email or live chat if you require more help.

Overall, it is one of the more pricey VPNs available, with monthly plans starting at $6.67, but we still think ExpressVPN offers excellent value for the money due to its general performance, feature set, and security protocols. Take advantage of the provider’s 30-day money-back guarantee and try it yourself.

4. PureVPN – A Reliable VPN With a Strong Feature-to-Price Ratio

PureVPN provides strong encryption protocols alongside its fast VPN servers, which allows for uninterrupted torrenting and stress-free viewing, two areas where this provider truly excels.

Over 6,500 servers, spread across 78+ countries, are available through the PureVPN network, which means that there’s a good chance you’ll have decent speeds wherever you’re trying to connect from. And because this service uses the WireGuard protocol, streaming performs incredibly well.

Another outstanding aspect of the provider is the large server count, which makes bypassing restricted content a breeze. You can unblock popular streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max and enjoy as much HD content as you like without any annoying buffering.

Since it was the first VPN with an Always-On Audit, it earned its reputation as a service that you can count on to ensure your online data is always protected. To do this, it also includes crucial security features, such as a dependable kill switch, DNS leak protection, Split Tunneling, and Port forwarding.

PureKeep, a password organizer included with your membership, is one of the special features that PureVPN also offers. Like all the best password manager tools, it lets you store your bank information, passwords, and any other private information securely in a vault.

All of this costs just $2.08/month, which is excellent value for money, especially since you can also take advantage of the provider’s generous 31-day money-back guarantee for a stress-free purchase.

5. IvacyVPN – A Budget-Friendly VPN That Can Unblock A Load Of Major Streaming Services

The VPN market has only recently seen the entry of IvacyVPN, but nevertheless, it scores highly on our list, particularly due to its extraordinarily low costs and unblocking skills. Plus, no matter where you’re located, your connection will be very stable as this service offers an incredible 5,700+ servers in 100+ countries around the world.

This means that unblocking geo-locked content has never been easier—it does this well on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more. The provider also uses the WireGuard protocol, which contributes to its good performance.

Strong download and upload speeds allow for easy streaming of HD video, and if WireGuard causes you problems, you can always switch to OpenVPN and see if that solves the problem.

IvacyVPN excels in terms of security and encryption and employs military-grade encryption, known as the AES 256-bit cipher. To protect against malware and viruses corrupting files, you also get a kill switch, leak prevention, a no-logs policy, a dedicated IP, and a secure download option.

For all popular platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, there are intuitive and powerful apps available, and IvacyVPN takes a step further by offering compatibility for Android TV and Amazon Fire devices in addition to Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions.

In fact, due to the Android TV support and powerful app, IvacyVPN is one of the top Android VPNs. That said, perhaps the biggest selling point of all, though, is the price. If you sign up for a 5-year plan, you’ll pay just $1/month.

Features like Port Forwarding or a Dedicated IP come as add-ons, but they are also affordable at just $1 and $1.99/month, respectively. Not only is this truly brilliant value for money, but it blows a lot of other competitors out of the water. You even get access to a 30-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind.

If you experience any issues, a ticket-based email system and a live chat function are available 24/7, plus useful instructions and FAQs.

6. CyberGhost VPN – Robust VPN With a Huge Range of Servers With Many Optimized for Streaming and Torrenting

Another established brand in the best VPN industry is CyberGhost VPN. Over the years, it’s earned a reputation for anonymity, streaming efficiency, and torrent-friendly servers. In fact, it undoubtedly offers one of the largest server networks in the sector, with over 8,900 servers distributed throughout 91 countries.

The CyberGhost apps also underwent a redesign last year, so the user experience is significantly more streamlined and contemporary. However, you may only install it on seven different devices at a time. After that, you can no longer log out of one device and use another, as practically all other providers do.

To keep you safe online, CyberGhost adheres to a strict no-logs policy. You also get leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling for further security when you’re browsing the internet or doing anything else.

Moreover, the dedicated streaming capabilities on offer, such as Netflix and iPlayer-optimized servers, are incredibly helpful. It’s more than capable of unblocking popular streaming services, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix,  and Amazon Prime. Sadly, it struggled to consistently unblock Disney+, which could be down to trial and error.

All of this comes in at an affordable monthly package costing $2.19/mo. This provider also offers a very generous 45-day money-back guarantee for 6-month plans or a 14-day money-back guarantee for those who sign up for a monthly subscription.

7. ProtonVPN – The Best Free VPN with A Password Manager and Secure Mail System

Proton has been in the cybersecurity game for many years now, first getting into the spotlight for its secure mail system, ProtonMail. Now, they’re also a major player in the VPN space with a reliable option that features one of the market’s leading free plans.

The free plan allows you to access 3 different servers on one device and also gives you access to some excellent bonus features, including a password manager and secure mail system. This makes it an attractive option for those on a budget or for people who want to test the service out before committing to a long-term plan.

Security-wise, Proton is one of the safest VPNs out there and uses ChaCha20 with WireGuard, alongside AES-256-CBC, to keep you safe at all times. Throw in a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and two-factor authentication, and you’ve got yourself an ultra-secure connection at all times.

However, one of the standout features that have VPN purists licking their lips is Proton’s decision to go Open Source. This means you can browse through all of their documentation online (through GitHub.) Whilst this isn’t very exciting for an everyday VPN user, it does offer complete transparency into the service.

ProtonVPN does everything you’d want from such a tool in today’s market. It can unblock a variety of streaming services (although not as many as our top 3) and offers reliable speeds thanks to the Wireguard support. Whilst the streaming performance could be boosted by dedicated servers, there’s still enough here to enjoy content in high quality.

At $4.99/month for a 2-year plan, it certainly isn’t the cheapest option on this list, but it does have one of the best free plans of any VPN we’ve tested, which earns itself some extra points from us.

8. Norton Secure VPN — A Great Choice for Those Who Want Total Device Protection

Although Norton Secure VPN is exceptionally quick and performs admirably as a straightforward add-on to the Norton 360 security suite — one of the best antivirus solutions on the market — it, unfortunately, lacks the strength, functionality, and unblocking capabilities of other top VPN solutions.

That said, it’s an incredibly easy-to-use VPN that can unblock various streaming services, such as Netflix and Prime Video. Thanks to Wireguard support, you can enjoy all of your favorite content on these platforms in crystal-clear quality.

However, Norton’s network offers only 29 countries, and there are no city-level options. Although there are servers in Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa, the majority are in Europe and North America – which does limit you somewhat.

There are apps for the most popular devices, including Windows, Mac, and iOS, and you can connect to up to 10 devices at once. This is more than most other providers on this list, making it a good option for large families.

Plus, P2P is supported, though not everywhere, and the Norton software will connect to the closest torrent-friendly area if you select the ‘Torrent-Optimized Region’ option.

Starting at just $2.99 per month for a single device license, Norton Secure VPN is a little expensive for what it can offer. However, you can access the VPN alongside Norton 360 Deluxe (for up to 5 PCs, Macs, smartphones, or tablets) and also benefit from parental controls, a password manager, 50GB of cloud backup space, and a firewall for PCs and Macs.

Compare the Market’s Top VPN Services

Now that you’ve seen our top 8 best VPNs in 2024, we’ve made life even simpler for you to compare all of the important features. Below is a table that highlights key factors like the server count, average speed, and more:

How Do VPNs Work?

Without a VPN, the whole web can see your IP address, a distinctive number exclusive to your home network. By serving as an intermediary and rerouting your traffic, a VPN hides your IP address. As you connect, it also adds encryption or a tunnel around your identity to prevent your ISP, governments, hackers, and anybody else from watching how you use the internet.

Why Do I Need a VPN?

There are a number of reasons why you need a VPN, for example, if you want to access public Wi-Fi safely, without fears that hackers or snoopers might steal your data, a VPN prevents this. Below are some of the other reasons why implementing a VPN into your daily life is beneficial:

Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is useful, but security suffers as a result. Someone might be watching your online behavior while you’re checking emails at a nearby coffee shop or mindlessly scrolling through social media at the airport.

By disguising your browser history, financial information, account passwords, and more from malicious online strangers when you’re using other networks, a VPN secures your data.

Stay Hidden From Your ISP

You’re less likely to be attacked by strangers at home than you are when using public Wi-Fi, but your data is still in danger. All of your internet data is accessible to your ISP or internet service provider, whoever it might be, or any other business you pay each month for Wi-Fi. When, where, and how you browse are all visible to your ISP.

Even if you’re using “incognito” or “private” browsing mode, this data can still be gathered and sold to marketers. It could be harmful if it falls into the wrong hands in the event of a data breach. A VPN can help hide your IP address from your own ISP.

Accessing New Content

One of the most common uses of a VPN is to bypass geo-locked content on streaming sites and other platforms. For example, a certain TV show or movie might be on UK Netflix but not in your home country’s library.  So, you could use a VPN to mimic your location to one in the UK, thus unlocking a whole new library of content.

NordVPN works particularly well with bypassing geo-locked content. It has a ton of servers all over the world powered by the company’s own Lightway protocol, so you can watch as much HD content as you like.

Work Remotely More Securely

One key advantage of a VPN is its data encryption capabilities. Encryption is the process of putting data into a coded format that obscures its meaning, and it can protect sensitive data.

If you’re an individual considering purchasing a VPN for your business, one advantage is that employees can access your office network and view confidential documents on their personal devices while they’re not at work. This will help to keep sensitive information protected off-site.

Save Some Cash

A VPN’s ability to disguise your location can help you save money if you’re willing to do some research. Airlines and subscription services are just two examples of several business types that charge various fees for the same amenities or goods. You can make significant savings if you change your location to where services are provided at a lower cost.

For example, YouTube Premium is much cheaper in Argentina than, say, the US. So if you regularly use YouTube and want to save some money on your monthly subscription, a VPN can be a great asset.

Are Free VPNs Worth it?

We wouldn’t recommend using a free VPN for several reasons. For example, they’re often littered with annoying pop-up ads and scams that can potentially give your device malware. They also often have data caps, so you wouldn’t be able to watch an episode of your favorite show or a full movie anyway.

Plus, they have far fewer servers than premium plans, which leads to them being blocked quite quickly. Some claims even suggest that free VPN providers have sold customer data to third-party organizations and advertisers—the complete opposite of what they claim to do.

Of course, the free versions recommended here are reputable and offer the same security as their premium counterparts. However, they still have fewer servers, lackluster unblocking power, and data caps.

Instead, we recommend using a premium provider like NordVPN. The plans start from just $3.29/month, and it guarantees lightning-fast speeds, excellent security and encryption, and so much more.

How Do I Choose a VPN Provider? Key Factors to Consider

There’s a lot to consider before signing up for a plan with a VPN provider, and a lot of it depends on what you’ll use it for. To help you, there are some important factors you should consider listed below:

Server Count and Speed

Nothing is more annoying than a slow internet connection, especially when downloading or streaming videos. Although a VPN will inevitably slow down your connection, some providers permit a very slight change in speed so that you can still have quick, dependable connectivity.

You ideally want the WireGuard protocol as a minimum, although ExpressVPNs Lightway protocol and NordVPNs NordLynx are incredibly reliable and speedy alternatives. Also, you want to make sure the provider has servers all over the world.

The more servers there are closer to you, the better your connection will be, and it also makes unblocking geo-locked content easier in more countries, which is a win-win.

Security and Encryption

The end result of a VPN is to offer a secure connection with less risk. This is why features like OpenVPN capability and AES-256 encryption should be on your radar. Additionally, you might want to check for VPNs that offer anonymous payment methods and use open-source software. An audited no-logs policy is also a huge plus.

User-Friendliness

You probably have a hectic schedule and don’t have the time to spend learning about how to use a VPN. The good news is that user-friendly VPN interfaces are widely available with most of the top providers. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you should be able to use them without any trouble.

Device Compatability

If you use many devices, the VPN you select should support them all. It should provide excellent connectivity on your PC, laptop, and smartphone. Limiting yourself to a VPN that just supports one device is a mistake, given the variety of situations in which VPN access will be useful.

Support Team

Customer assistance is crucial unless you’re tech-savvy or have in-depth knowledge of VPNs. Find a VPN that provides helpful information that can assist you if you get stuck, if at all possible. Excellent assistance is indicated by a comprehensive, frequently asked questions (FAQs) section, live chat, and committed personnel.

Price

A top VPN shouldn’t break the bank, and it’s important to look at the features you’re getting and make sure the price aligns. All of the providers on this list offer good value for money, as they have strong security, fast speeds, and so on. Be wary of free VPNs, as they can often cause worse than they do good.

Conclusion | What is the Best VPN Service to Use in 2024?

There are some excellent VPNs on this list, all with strong features and reliable household names, but only one can come out on top. Our top pick is NordVPN, as it has some of the fastest speeds of any VPN service out there, mainly thanks to the company’s own NordLynx protocol.

It also offers next-gen XChaCha20 encryption, user-friendly apps for all popular devices, and can unblock pretty much every streaming service you can throw at it. All of this for just $3.69/month if you opt for a long-term plan – plus, you’re protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee, should you change your mind at any point.

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