19 Best VPN Services to Protect Your Online Privacy + Free Options

Are you worried about your online privacy? If yes, then rest assured, you aren’t the only one looking for the best VPNs.

And you have every reason to be skeptical of your online security.

Security is the number one priority for most business. In fact, 25% of I.T. businesses are using machine learning to improve this aspect of their company.

According to the Q2 2018 Threat Report, the number of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks increased in size by 500%.

However, it can be alleviated using a VPN ‘virtual private network.’ A VPN provides an additional layer of security to your networks, whether public or private. As businesses are increasingly becoming digital and people are working remotely from home, everyone sofis turning to paid and free VPNs to protect their sensitive data.

One of the immediate benefits of using a VPN is that your IP address is changed immediately, from the incumbent to the address provided by the VPN.

The updated IP address is usually generated from a different city or country because you log in from a different server.

For instance, you may log in from Kyoto, Japan, but your IP address says you’re in New York, New York.

VPN services provide a superior level of encryption that allows you to connect to public Wi-Fi and still engage in sending and receiving sensitive.

Browsing privately, escaping internet censorship, and enjoying online privacy are some of the most prominent benefits a VPN provides.

There are many other advantages of using a VPN, including:

• Access your business network while traveling.
• Ultra-fast speeds when surfing.
• Allows you to your home network while on the go.
• Download unlimited data files via Torrent.
• Access Netflix and other streaming services without geographic restrictions.

Much like using password managers, VPNs have been a necessity for online privacy and data management over the last decade.

However, as the popularity of VPN continues to spread, the number of providers is also growing exponentially.

How Do You Find the Best Paid and Free VPNs?

With hundreds of VPN service providers (open-source or paid) available on the market, choosing from the best free VPNs on the market can be a daunting task.

The same happens when trying to go with a paid option.

The task becomes even more taxing due to thousands of biased online reviews.

That’s why I scoured through the internet to curate this of VPN reviews.

Before selecting from these VPN companies, make sure to consider some essential VPN uses, such as:

• Download speeds
• Security features
• Torrenting
• Netflix Availability and unblocking capabilities
• Jurisdiction
• Usability
• Maintenance and support
• Number of simultaneous connections
• Cost

After evaluating all of these factors, you can choose the VPN that best suits you.

Let’s get started.

What Are the Best VPNs?

Here are my top picks for the best free VPNs that have paid options to try as well.

1. NordVPN.

Adam’s Take

Looking for a solution that doesn’t keep your data logs? Look no further than NordVPN. Their service offers a diverse range of features, including P2P sharing, double encryption, and connection to the TOR anonymity network. All this means that you can keep your data completely private and secure without sacrificing speed or convenience.

out of 10

Best For

Overall

Price

$3.29/mo-$11.99/mo

Annual Discount

Save 72%

Promotion

30-Day Guarantee

Try NordVPN

Initially released in 2012, NordVPN is one of the best VPN service providers available.

As of September 2019, it operates on more than 5500 servers spread across more than 60 countries. The most significant number of servers are located in the USA, UK, France, Netherlands, Australia, and Canada.

Apart from general VPN servers, it offers a diverse range of services, including P2P sharing, double encryption, and connection to the Tor anonymity network.

One of its advantages is its strategic location in Panama. Due to legal reasons, there are no mandatory data retention laws in Panama.

KEY FEATURES:

• Military-Grade Encryption
• CyberSec (blocks suspicious websites automatically leading to increased protection)
• Military-grade security encryption
• Offers a double VPN feature
• Fully hidden IP Address
• Stringent No Logs Policy
• Bitcoin Payments
• Automatic Kill Switch
• DNS Leak Protection
• Onion over VPN
• Unblocks difficult countries like China
• Lightning speed & Live Streaming
• SmartPlay (allows you to access your favorite streaming sites securely)
• P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Sharing
• High-Speed VPN
• Browser proxy extension

PROS:

• The entire Signup, set up, and installation process is straightforward
• User-friendly interface
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• 24/7 customer support and assistance (Best Customer Service award at 2018 BestVPN.com awards)
• Extremely reliable
• Compatible with all devices and browsers

CONS:

• Performance is heavily dependent on the time of use
• Servers are clustered in and around Europe, with a lack of diversity in location
• No service guarantees
• No customer support via phone

PRICING:

NordVPN offers four pricing plans as of now, including:

• The first NordVPN plan is a monthly plan, which is priced at $11.99/ month.
• The second is a yearly plan, where you pay only $4.99/ month.
• The third plan is a 2-year plan, where you pay only $3.99/ month.

Get started with NordVPN for just $3.99/month. 

2. IPVanish VPN.

Adam’s Take

Looking for a VPN with strong encryption? IPVanish has you covered with AES-256 encryption, one of the strongest in the market. In addition, with more than 1300 servers worldwide, you can connect to any of them and enjoy fast, reliable service.

out of 10

Best For

Encryption

Price

$3.75/mo

Annual Discount

Yes-Save 65%

Promotion

Start Now

Try IPVanish

Initially released in 2012, IPVanish is based in the USA. It started with 32 servers per client for Windows OS and further expanded into iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and Fire TV. It has more than 40,000 shared IP addresses and over 1300 servers that are present in over 75 locations all across the world.

KEY FEATURES:

• More than 40,000 shared IP addresses
• More than 1300 VPN servers in over 75 locations globally
• AES-256 encryption, one of the strongest in the market
• Unlimited bandwidth
• SOCKS5 web proxy
• 256-bit AES encryption
• Zero traffic logs
• SOCKS5 web proxy
• Access to censored apps and websites
• IKEv2, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPsec VPN protocols
• Unlimited server switching
• 10 simultaneous connections on multiple devices
• Unlimited P2P traffic
• Geo-locked content access and no geo-restrictions

PROS:

• 24/7 customer support
• Compatible with all browsers and devices
• One of the fastest VPN service providers
• Easy installation and ease of use
• Anonymous browsing experience
• Access to censored apps and websites
• 7-day money-back guarantee
• TOR compatibility

CONS:

• Third-party reviews are not very promising
• Allegations of data anonymity compromise for the Homeland Security made in the past
• No live chat customer support
• Pricing plans are slightly on the higher side
• Service is overwhelmingly towards US-based clients

PRICING:

IPVanish VPN offers two basic pricing plans.

• The first plan is a monthly one, at $10.99/ month, billed monthly.
• The second one is an annual plan and costs $3.75/ month. With this plan, you are billed $44.99 annually and can save 65%.

The payment options are extensive; you can pay by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Delta, and PayPal.

Get started with IPVanish. 

3. CyberGhost VPN.

Adam’s Take

If you value data security and privacy, CyberGhost VPN is the perfect solution. CyberGhost VPN encrypts your traffic to keep it private and secures your online identity with military-grade encryption. If you want to protect your identity and keep your data safe, CyberGhost VPN is one of the best ways to do it.

out of 10

Best For

Data Security

Price

$2.29/mo-$12.99/mo

Annual Discount

Yes-Save 82%

Promotion

45-Day Guarantee

Try CyberGhost

CyberGhost VPN has been in the industry for over 15 years and provides fast and secure VPN services to stream and browse without any limitations.

With their suite of online privacy tools, you can unblock streaming services, stream sporting events, get better deals online, and access blocked websites. Additionally, their platform provides data security by hiding your IP address, securing bank transactions, and protecting your digital identity.

With a single subscription, you can protect up to 7 devices at the same time and mask your server with hundreds of options.

KEY FEATURES:

• One-click connect to anonymize your internet connection.
• 120 server locations in over 88 countries for a total of 6,200+ servers.
• Smart rules and manually-configured privacy triggers.
• Secure file sharing with no bandwidth limits.
• Kill switches to make sure your real IP address is never exposed.
• A strict “no logs” policy so that your data is never stored.
• 24/7 live customer support.

PROS:

• Excellent features for Mac users and compatible with all Mac products.
• A 45-day money-back guarantee.
• Very fast connection speeds due to their network of worldwide servers.
• Independently-operated no-spy servers.
• A fully-dedicated IP address.

PRICING:

CyberGhost VPN has different pricing plans based on your term length. Their best value is the $2.29/month plan, which covers three years (and you get three extra months free VPN).

Get started with CyberGhost VPN and get two extra months free.

4. ExpressVPN.

Adam’s Take

For those that want to keep their browsing habits and personal information private, ExpressVPN is a great option. In addition to its privacy features, ExpressVPN also boasts IP masking, meaning that your location and identity will be hidden from anyone trying to track you down. I recommend giving ExpressVPN a try if you’re looking for an easy way to increase your online privacy.

out of 10

Best For

Privacy

Price

$8.32/mo-$12.95/mo

Annual Discount

Yes-Save 35%

Promotion

30-Day Guarantee

Try ExpressVPN

Initially released in 2009, ExpressVPN is a virtual private network service offered by Express VPN International Ltd, which is registered in the British Virgin Islands.

The VPN software is mostly sold as a privacy and security tool, which encrypts the web traffic of users, and masks their IP addresses.

Touted as one of the largest VPN services in the world, it runs more than 2500 remote servers all over the globe, spanning across 94 countries and more than 150 locations. The largest numbers of its servers are located in Brazil, Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

KEY FEATURES:

• Access content, even blocked sites, from anywhere in the world ( even while traveling)
• 16 server locations across 94 countries
• Allows anonymous browsing
• Full IP address masking
• No data is written to the hard drive, which results in ensuring security
• No connection and activity logs
• VPN split tunneling
• Private, encrypted, zero-knowledge DNS
• Allows you to stream online sports
• Protects you against rogue attacks on public Wi-Fi

PROS:

• Best-in-class security encryption
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• 24/7 live chat support
• Network lock kill switch
• Extremely reliable
• Compatible with all devices and browsers, including Windows, iOS, Mac, Android, Linux, routers, game consoles, smart TV

CONS:

• Little expensive than market competitors
• Limited settings options
• Limited configuration options
• No phone support. You can get in touch only via email or chats

PRICING:

The price is $12.95 for a one-month subscription to ExpressVPN, $8.32 per month for an annual subscription, and $9.99 per month for a subscription of 6 months.

A 100% money-back guarantee covers all plans for the first 30 days of service. Just select your plan, enter your email address, and choose your preferred mode of payment, and you’re up and running!

Get started with ExpressVPN and save 35%. 

5. StrongVPN.

Adam’s Take

I like StrongVPN as they are one of the longest-serving providers and have a solid global presence. They continue to invest in their network and keep up to date with the latest technologies, which is great for me as a customer. With more than 59000 IPs in their network, I’m sure you’ll always be able to find a connection that suits your needs.

out of 10

Best For

Dedicated IPs

Price

$3.66/mo-$10.99/mo

Annual Discount

Yes-Save $87.90

Promotion

30-Day Guarantee

Try StrongVPN

StrongVPN is one of the oldest VPN providers in the world, having started operations way back in 1994. Now, it is one of the market leaders and global VPN providing giants.

Currently, it is available in more than 25 cities, with more than 950 servers and 59000IP addresses. Backed by excellent infrastructure, it is one of the top choices when it comes to choosing a VPN service provider.

They also provide a dedicated IP address to cater to your needs. Moreover, it is quite easy to use and has two very cost-effective plans that provide optimum value for money.

However, its global presence is not as impressive, especially when you consider the amount of time it has been active in the market.

KEY FEATURES:

• Zero logging of connections and activity
• ‘Best Available Location’ option
• Offers up to 12 simultaneous connections
• No speed limit
• Strong DNS
• Certified no-logs policy
• Strong AES-256 Encryption
• L2TP, SSTP, OpenVPN, IPSec, and IKEv2 protocols
• Security on public Wi-Fi
• WireGuard protocol beta

PROS:

• Works with Netflix and Hulu
• Professional and prompt customer service
• 24/7 customer support
• More than 12000 satisfied customers
• Compatible with all devices and browsers
• Excellent infrastructure
• Superior service all across the world
• 30-day money-back guarantee

CONS:

• Slow (on most servers)
• User-interface is somewhat clunky and not very user-friendly
• The US government may intervene at any time (due to US jurisdiction at the location)

PRICING:

StrongVPN offers two plans to its users.

• The first is a monthly plan, payable every month at the rate of $10.99.
• The second one is an annual plan, billed at $3.66/ month for the first year.

Get started with StrongVPN.

6. PureVPN.

PureVPN is another highly transparent VPN service provider, backed by GZ systems. It is based out of Hong Kong and has more than 2000 servers operating out of 180 server locations.

Moreover, it offers more than 300,000 IP addresses and is one of the best in the market right now. PureVPN is also the first VPN service provider that is fully compliant with the newly implemented GDPR.

KEY FEATURES:

• GDPR-compliant
• 256-bit AES encryption
• Military-grade encryption
• Internet kill switch
• Split tunneling
• 5 multi-logins
• Fully encrypted even when you use public Wi-Fi
• No data stored
• Port forwarding option (premium)
• Dedicated IP (premium)
• P2P protection (premium)
• Certified no-log policy
• Kodi and Chromebook solutions

PROS:

• Supports bitcoin payments
• High-speed streaming
• 24/7 technical support
• 31-day money-back guarantee
• Unlimited server switching and bandwidth
• Compatible with all browsers and devices
• Evenly distributed across the globe for optimum service

CONS:

• Slow download speed
• Sometimes faces a streaming error with Netflix USA
• Complains about the validity of no-log policy claim
• There are some complaints about customer support

PRICING:

PureVPN provides three pricing plans.

The paid plans start at $10.95/ month (billed every month). If you opt for an annual plan, you can save up to 47% at $5.81 per month. The third plan is a 2-year plan, where you have to pay $3.33/ month for 2 years. With this plan, you can save up to 71%. All the plans come with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

It also offers a wide range of payment options, including credit cards, Paypal, Alipay, Paymentwall, and BlueSnap. On top of that, you can gift 12 free monthly accounts to your near and dear ones.

Get started with 2 years of PureVPN for just $2.88/month. 

7. Norton Secure VPN.

Norton Secure VPN is a world leader in security products and solutions. One of the best parts about this VPN service provider is that we know about its ownership, unlike other VPN providers who avoid divulging any information regarding ownership. Its accountability and strong backing make it one of the top choices.

Moreover, with 1500 servers across more than 200 server locations and 30 countries, it offers a wide service area.

KEY FEATURES:

• Bank-grade encryption
• Anonymous browsing
• Access your favorite website, videos, and apps while on the go
• Blocks unwanted advertisements that may track your activities
• 100% encryption of data sent and received while using public Wi-Fi
• Compatible operating systems like iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android

PROS:

• Transparent ownership
• 24/7 live customer support
• Phone support available
• Compatible with all browsers and devices
• Available in over 30 countries
• 60-day money-back guarantee
• Reasonable pricing plans
• Backed by the name and brand of Symantec

CONS:

• Does not support Linux
• Can’t be used with routers and set-top boxes
• Does not support P2P
• No kill-switch feature
• Does not support BitTorrent
• Payment only through PayPal and other credit cards

PRICING:

The monthly plans start at $4.99 for one device, $7.99 for 5 devices, and $9.99 for 10 devices.

Annual plans start at $39.99 for one device or five devices and $59.99 for 10 devices. However, the annual plans change after the first year. After 1 year, the pricing is $49.99 for one device per year, $79.99 for 5 devices per year, and $99.99 for 10 devices per year.

The monthly plans, on the other hand, do not change after the first year.

8. Surfshark VPN.

A relatively new player in the VPN service provider market, Surfshark is based out of the British Virgin Islands. Most of its clientele is across Europe. With 800 plus servers across more than 45 countries, it goes above and beyond to ensure the optimum service.

It is decidedly compatible with locations like Australia, Germany, Canada, India, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands. Although its pricing plans are a little on the higher side, it more than makes up for it with features it provides.

KEY FEATURES:

• You can effectively hide IP address
• Allows split tunneling
• Industry-leading AES-256-GCM encryption
• Default IKEv2/IPsec secure protocol
• Camouflage mode for that additional layer of security
• MultiHop (lets you connect via multiple countries at once)
• NoBorders mode allows you to use the internet in restricted areas
• Private DNS and leak protection
• Kill switch incorporated
• Strict no-logs policy
• Unlimited device connectivity all at once
• CleanWeb feature ensures you are free from malware and phishing attempts and surf without any ads or trackers
• Whitelist feature allows split-tunneling

PROS:

• Unlimited device connectivity
• DNS and leak protection
• 24/7 expert support
• Very user-friendly interface
• Not subject to any mandatory data retention laws

CONS:

• One of the costliest VPN services in the market
• Speed results vary widely
• Geographic locations of the servers are not evenly distributed
• Static IPs may be a turn-off for some customers

PRICING:

Surfshark VPN offers three pricing plans.

• The first one is a monthly plan, at $12.95/ month( billed every month).
• The second plan is an annual plan, where you are billed $3.99/ month for 12 months. In this plan, you get the option to save as much as 69%.
• The last one is for 2 years, billed at $2.49/ month. The total bill payable is $59.76 every 24 months.

With these plans, you also get a 7-day free trial on Google Play and Apple app store.

9. Hotspot Shield.

Hotspot Shield, operated by AnchorFree Inc, was catapulted into international prominence after it was used during the Arab Spring protests to bypass government censorship in Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia.

Hotspot Shield initially started operations in 2005 in California, USA, and later expanded its services to the parts of Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Russia. It is currently available in more than 70 countries and has more than 2500 servers and 50,000 IP addresses.

KEY FEATURES:

• Premium VPN Servers
• Private browsing and unlimited content access
• Best-in-class malware, phishing, and spam protection
• 100% Ad-Free
• Unlimited Bandwidth
• Personal Data Security
• Wi-Fi Security (100% data encryption)
• Supports Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, along with plugins for Chrome and Firefox
• Fully supports torrenting
• 256-bit encryption
• Support routers and media players
• Kill switch feature
• No-logs policy

PROS:

• Compatible with all browsers and devices
• 45-day money-back guarantee
• Phone and online support available
• Great user experience
• Netflix compatible
• HD quality streaming

CONS:

• Does not support Linux
• Has been accused of spying on user traffic in the past
• Does not support P2P
• Protocol support limited to L2TP/IPSec and Hydra
• No TOR compatibility
• DNS leak may occur through chrome extensions
• Ticketed customer support (which may take time sometimes)

PRICING:

You get three pricing plans with Hotspot Shield.

• The first plan is a monthly plan, billed at $12.99/ month.
• The second plan is an annual plan, where you have to pay $7.99/ month for 12 months. The total annual bill payable is $95.88, and you get an opportunity to save 38% with this plan.
• The third plan is a two-year plan, billed at $6.99/ month for 24 months.

The payment method is secure and brisk. All you need to do is select your plan, enter your email address, and choose your method of payment. You can make the payment using debit cards, credit cards, and PayPal.

10. Private Internet Access VPN.

Launched in 2010, Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the best VPN service providers in the market. Located in the USA, and based out of Colorado, it has servers located 37 locations and has more than 3200 servers worldwide.

It provides value for money, as the price is on par with or less than most of the competitors in the market. One of its advantages is that it has clear ownership, unlike many of its competitors. However, the company has not revealed the number of available IP addresses.

KEY FEATURES:

• Secure apps (no leaks identified in testing)
• Excellent privacy and security features
• Blocks advertisements, malware, and phishing attempts
• Tested and proven no logs VPN provider
• Updated, user-friendly apps
• P2P support
• PPTP, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPSec
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Great for Torrenting
• Can connect up to 10 devices at one time
• Port forwarding and DNS leak protection

PROS:

• Great online security documentation and guidance
• 7-day 100% refund policy
• Instant set-up (user-friendly installation and setup procedure)
• Great user experience
• Anonymous payment options
• Payment via bitcoins possible
• Email customer support
• Runs a strong affiliate program with good affiliate commissions

CONS:

• Refund policy is 7-day instead of the usual 30-day
• No Live chat and phone support option
• 24/7 customer support only for North American customers

PRICING:

Private Internet Access provides three paid plans.

• The first is a monthly plan, payable at $9.95/ month.
• The second plan is an annual plan, which is billed at $3.33 per month.
• The third plan is a 3-year plan. With this plan, the amount payable is $2.03 per month.

All the plans offer great value for money. Moreover, you get flexible payment methods, where you can make payments via PayPal, Bitcoin, Visa, Zcash, Litecoin, among others.

11. UltraVPN.

UltraVPN is one of the newest VPN service providers in the market right now. When it comes to the features, it ticks all the right boxes and provides excellent value since it is priced lower than most of its competitors with the same features.

With more than 55 server locations, it is one of the ‘truly global’ VPN service providers. The best part is that it provides impressive service even in areas like Eastern Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia. On top of that, it is exceedingly user-friendly and takes strict security measures.

KEY FEATURES:

• No bandwidth gaps and speed loss
• 256-bit encryption
• Zero logging policy
• Extremely secure firewall
• Can get around government censorship with ease
• Full access to social media
• 100% security even when using public Wi-Fi
• Allows Torrenting
• High compatibility with Netflix streaming (it has a dedicated server just for Netflix)
• VPN kill switch feature (for additional security)

PROS:

• One of the most customer-friendly service providers
• Unblocks and supports Netflix
• 24/7 customer support
• Provides excellent phone and live chat support
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Offers some of the most affordable pricing plans
• Compatible with all browsers and devices

CONS:

• Can run on only 3 connections at one time (compared to 5 and 10 connections for most of its competitors)
• High speed is not always available. Most of the time, speed is average to slow
• No double encryption
• Payment only by credit card or Paypal

PRICING:

UltraVPN offers three versatile and affordable pricing plans, and each one of them provides value for money.

• The first plan is a monthly plan, billed at $7.99 per month. With this plan, you have an opportunity to save up to 20%.
• The second is an annual plan and is billed at $4.99 per month. The amount payable is $59.88 per year, and you have an opportunity to save up to 25%.
• The third plan is the 24-month plan, billed at $2.99 per month. The total amount payable after 24 months is $71.76. And with this plan, you get an opportunity to save 55%.

All the plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can make quick payment via credit card or PayPal.

12. TunnelBear VPN.

Founded in 2011, TunnelBear VPN is one of the best VPN service providers in the market. It is based out of Toronto, Canada, and was acquired by McAfee in 2018.

One of its standout features is that it runs exceptional VPN service for corporates. Moreover, it also provides a free version of 500 MB of VPN, which allows you to test out the product for yourself.

It is not a bulky product and is one of the most affordable service providers in the market right now. Furthermore, it allows you to browse the internet with addresses of more than 20 countries.

KEY FEATURES:

• One of the cheapest products in the market (value-based)
• Conducts annual, independent security audits (one of the very few VPN service providers to do this)
• Can connect up to 5 devices on a single connection
• Strong AES-256-bit encryption
• Bypass local censorship
• Access global content
• Prevent IP based tracking
• Compatible with multiple devices and browsers
• Zero user log (Canada has no laws on data retention)
• Vigilant Mode available on advanced plans (prevents data leaks when you get disconnected from your Wi-Fi)
• GhostBear (an advanced feature that lets you bypass areas that block VPN)
• Whitelisting of trusted networks

PROS:

• Easy set-up
• User-friendly and ease of navigation
• Safe Wi-Fi protection
• Very high speed
• 24/7 customer support
• Connect up to 5 devices at once
• Offers a strong affiliate program
• Provides more than 900 servers across more than 20 countries

CONS:

• Not enough support for setting up the service on a router or gaming console
• BBC iPlayer cannot be accessed
• Cannot change the protocol
• Long-distance connections are usually prolonged

PRICING:

At first, you can use 500 MB of VPN for free every month. A tweet about the provider can get you up to 1 GB per month.

If you want to purchase a plan, there are two options.

• The first one is an unlimited plan, coming in at $3.33 per month.
• The second one is a plan for Teams, coming in at $5.75 per month.

13. VyprVPN.

Founded in 2009-2010 and owned by Golden Frog, VyprVPN is based out of Switzerland. With excellent customer support, a wide range of server networks, and proprietary software, it is one of the best VPN service providers in the market today.

Moreover, it continues to rank substantially high in the list of the ‘World’s most powerful VPN.’ With more than 200,000 IP addresses and 700 servers in more than 50 locations, VyprVPN stands out from many of its competitors. The best part is that it manages its software, hardware, and networks all by itself.

KEY FEATURES:

• Proprietary, built-in DNS servers
• Blocks malware, phishing attempts, and ads
• Strong AES-256-bit encryption
• Cyphr (personal messaging service which does not log any user data)
• 5 simultaneous connections
• Public Wi-Fi protection
• Chameleon tool (helps users overcome local censorship and access prohibited sites)
• VPN kill switch
• Audited no-log VPN
• High-end encryption/NAT firewall

PROS:

• 30-day money-back guarantee
• High-speed streaming
• Free from any data retention laws
• Sign up, and activation is simple and easy
• 24/7 customer support
• Live chat feature available
• Guided tour and set up flow tutorial for easy installation and set-up

CONS:

• Does not allow you to pay anonymously
• Does not provide a wide range of payment options
• Maintains a 30-day log history
• Bulky interface
• No customer support via phone call

PRICING:

This service provider offers 4 plans – 2 monthly and annual, each.

The first monthly plan is a normal plan, billed at $9.95 per month, and offers simultaneous connections of up to 3 devices. The second one is the premium plan, billed at $12.95 per month, and comes with features like cloud and Chameleon.

It also offers two plans:

• Yearly: $8.33 per month
• Monthly: $15 per month

All the pricing plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is great since it allows you to test out the product without losing your money.

It also offers flexibility in payment options and allows you to pay via PayPal as well as credit cards.

14. HideMyAss (HMA VPN).

Based out of the UK and founded in 2005, HideMyAss (HMA VPN) has become one of the best VPN service providers available in the market right now. It became a subsidiary of the Czech cybersecurity giant Avast since 2016.

As of 2018, the company had more than 8000 servers across 280 locations all over the world. Furthermore, they have over 3000 IP addresses.

KEY FEATURES:

• Servers that operate at 20gbps
• 100% hidden IP address
• One subscription can connect up to 5 devices
• Smart kill switch
• Split tunneling
• P2P optimized servers
• Military-grade encryption
• Automatic connection rules
• Unblocks access to geo-restricted content
• DDoS protection (one of the few VPN providers with this attribute)
• AES-256-bit encryption (military-grade encryption)

PROS:

• Present in 190 countries
• Compatible with Linux
• 24/7 customer support
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• More than 1000 servers across 290 locations in more than 190 countries

CONS:

• Limited torrenting capabilities
• Uses throttling against users
• They log the actual IP addresses of the users that might get leaked to the government
• Connection start/end times logged ( the UK monitors online activity)
• Kodi, Amazon Firestick is not compatible

PRICING:

HideMyAss (HMA VPN) offers three pricing plans.

• The first plan is a monthly plan, priced at $11.99 per month.
• The second plan is an annual plan, billed at $6.99 per month. Here, the amount payable is $83.88 for 12 months. With this plan, you can save up to 42%.
• The third plan is a 36-month plan, which is one of the unique plans available in the market. The amount payable per month is $4.29, and you are billed $154.44 for 36 months. In this plan, you can save up to 64%.

Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.

15. TorGuard VPN.

TorGuard VPN is yet another impressive, feature-rich VPN service providers in this list.

With more than 3000 servers in more than 50 countries, it is a great platform to avoid and escape censorship, and access prohibited and blocked websites. It also has a good presence in Southeast Asia, which is quite uncommon with the majority of VPN service providers.

It is a product laced with some of the coolest features and at affordable prices. In short, it offers users good value for money.

KEY FEATURES:

• Allows 8 simultaneous connections
• Has a kill switch
• Domain system leak protection
• Malware, phishing, and ad blocker
• Torrenting is allowed
• Unlimited speed and bandwidth
• OpenVPN/WG/SSTP/IPSec
• OpenConnect SSL Based VPN
• TorGuard Stealth Proxy
• No Logs Kept, 100% Private
• DNS leak protection
• AES-256-bit encryption
• NAT firewall
• Supports UDP and TCP
• Perfect forward secrecy (TLS)
• Multiple GCM and CBC ciphers

PROS:

• 30-days money-back guarantee
• More than 3000 servers in 50 countries
• Excellent 24/7 customer support
• 7-day free trial
• Compatible with all browsers and devices
• Stealth protocols to escape detection
• Many browser extensions available

CONS:

• Kill switch feature not available on mobile devices
• Torrenting activities limited to specific cities only

PRICING:

When it comes to pricing, TorGuard VPN is one of the most flexible service providers and has a plan for everything you might possibly want.

• The first plan is a monthly plan, priced at $9.99 monthly.
• The second plan is for 3 months (quarterly) and is priced at $19.99.
• The third plan is a semi-annual (6 month) plan and is priced at $29.99.
• The fourth plan is an annual plan, priced at $59.99.
• The fifth plan is biennial, priced at $99
• The sixth plan is triennial, priced at $139.99

You also get a variety of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and even cryptocurrencies.

16. Buffered VPN.

Based out of Gibraltar, Buffered VPN is one of the most innovative VPN service providers available.

With a well-designed website and ease of use, it is primarily popular with the new age internet users. However, with 27 server locations worldwide, it is not as prominent and big as some of the other key players in the market. That said, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for it with its level of service.

The best part about Buffered VPN is its industry-leading data encryption, which allows you to enjoy an unrestricted browsing experience.

KEY FEATURES:

• Compatible with all devices and browsers
• Limitless bandwidth
• Server switching (unlimited)
• AES-256-bit data encryption (military grade)
• Up to 5 simultaneous connections allowed
• User information not logged
• The location ensures it is free from data retention laws
• Military-grade data encryption
• NAT firewall

PROS:

• Very fast and reliable
• 24/7 customer support, including online chat service
• Online chat service
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Present all over the world (27 servers globally)
• Runs an affiliate program
• Accept payment through bitcoins

CONS:

• No free trial
• VPN app for android OS unavailable
• Speed may decline as the distance increases from servers
• Does not have a huge network like some of its competitors

PRICING:

All their pricing plans come with 24/7 customer support and high-speed unlimited bandwidth. Buffered VPN provides three pricing plans.

• The first one is a monthly plan, priced at $12.99 per month.
• The second one is a yearly plan and is priced at $6.59 per month. Here, you are billed $79 for 12 months. You stand to save up to 49% with this plan.
• The third plan is their most popular plan and is for a 2-year subscription. Here, the plan is priced at $4.12 per month, and the amount billed is $99 every 2 years. With this plan, you stand a chance to save up to 68%.

You can pay via credit card, PayPal, and bitcoins.

17. Overplay VPN.

Overplay VPN offers fantastic VPN services and is available in over 50 countries all across the world. With a wide range of features like unlimited server switching, it offers perfect value for money. On top of that, they support all browsers and devices, which makes it a great option.

KEY FEATURES:

• Access to censored media and websites
• Zero internet traffic logs
• SmartDNS (provide access to restricted web content)
• Unlimited region and server switching
• Unlimited bandwidth and Peer-to-Peer traffic
• More than 650 servers in over 50 countries
• User-friendly apps
• Military-grade encryption
• Anonymous browsing
• PPTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN protocols
• Three simultaneous VPN connections

PROS:

• Online security
• Easy access
• Fast and easy to use user-interface
• Compatible with all browsers and devices
• 5-day money-back guarantee
• Auto-reconnect
• Good compatibility with Netflix

CONS:

• No free trial
• Simultaneous connections limited to 3
• No bitcoin mode of payment
• Customer support only via email

PRICING:

Overplay VPN are two types of plans:

Uncensored internet:

Here, there are monthly and annual plans. The monthly plan is priced at $4.95 per month. The annual plan is priced at $49.95 for 12 months (you can save 15%). Both plans have unrestricted web browsing and parental control.

Uncensored internet plus encryption:

Here, the monthly plan is priced at $9.95 per month. The annual plan is priced at $99.95 for 12 months, and you get a chance to save 16%.

Both the plans come with no Internet Service Provider (ISP) throttling and high-speed connections based on speed tests.

18. Windscribe VPN.

Launched in 2016, Windscribe VPN service provider is based out of Toronto, Canada. It’s a relatively new VPN provider but is one of the best in the industry.

Windscribe’s primary focus on innovation and data privacy has earned it quite a few brownie points. The good news is that it offers a pricing plan (with basic features) that allows free users to try and test the product before upgrading to one of its paid plans.

Moreover, it has servers in over 60 countries and 110 cities.

KEY FEATURES:

• Huge network (60 countries and 110 cities)
• R.O.B.E.R.T. feature (blocks ads of all your choices)
• Strictly no logs policy
• AES-256 cipher with SHA512 authority and a 4096-bit RSA key
• Timewarp (changes your time zones)
• Cookie Monster (keeps a tab on cookies and deletes them)
• Port forwarding
• Split tunneling
• Firewall
• Secure hotspot
• Proxy gateway
• Flexible connectivity
• Autopilot (picks the best location for you)
• Double Hop (proxy connection through any two servers)

PROS:

• Ad-Blocking
• WebRTC Slayer (prevents leaks)
• Location warp (can spoof your location details)
• Free usage option of up to 10 GB data per month

CONS:

• Does not have a wide range and even distribution of server locations
• Paid plans are expensive
• No customer support via chat or phone; the only option is by raising a ticket
• Below-average speed

PRICING:

Windscribe VPN offers three basic plans.

• The first one is a monthly plan, payable at $9 per month.
• The second one is a yearly plan priced at $4.08 per month, with $49 payable for every 12 months. You can save up to 55% with this plan.
• The third plan is customizable. You can build it as per your requirement, at the rate of $1 per location per month.

Payment options include PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bitcoins.

19. Mullvad VPN.

Mullvad VPN was launched in Sweden in 2008. With evident ownership, it is one of the most transparent VPN service providers in the market.

As of 219, it has more than 370 servers across more than 30 countries. According to Mullvad, ‘privacy is a universal right,’ and they try to uphold this spirit with their product.

On top of that, it is compatible with nearly all browsers and devices and is also one of the best value-for-money VPN service providers in the world.

KEY FEATURES:

• Strict no-logging policy
• Industry-standard strong encryption (AES-256-bit)
• great speed
• VPN Kill switch
• Torrenting is allowed
• Protection against mass surveillance
• Fights blocking and throttling
• Anonymous account (without any private information)
• Allows users to surf locally blocked websites (fights censorship)

PROS:

• Does not fall under the purview of data retention laws
• Easy-to-use user interface
• Quick set-up and installation
• 100% no-logging policy
• Compatible with all browsers and devices
• Server fully owned and not rented
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Best-in-class speed

CONS:

• No affiliate programs
• No browser extension or apps for mobile devices
• No ad blocking feature
• VPN service is free only for 3 hours after sign up
• Technical support only via email

PRICING:

Unlike its counterparts, Mullvad offers a single pricing plan. Its VPN services are priced at a flat rate of 5 GBP per month. It has annual plans as well, but the rate is the same as the monthly one.

Payment with one of their recognized cryptocurrencies could fetch a discount of 10%. It also offers a limited, free trial period of only 3 hours after you sign up.

Other VPN solutions that have a free plan along with a paid plan, and that were not covered in this article are Hide.me and Protonvpn free.

Important Features To Consider

Data Limit

A paid VPN service with high-end security features usually comes with a data limit.

While a completely free VPN services may be ideal for checking Gmail or surfing Facebook, if you’re looking to utilise the full features of a VPN such as downloading files and watching online content, then you’ll want to consider how much data your service provides.

Even the best free VPN will have data limits.

Paid version vs free version

Your internet activity is monitored , no matter who provides it. That’s just the price you pay for having an internet connection.

A premium service with a VPN will cost you money, but it’s worth it for the security and privacy that they offer.

Many VPNs offer a free version , but these are usually limited in features. The best VPNs provide you with a full suite of security options, including strong encryption, double VPN, NAT firewall and DNS leak protection.

The good thing about risk-free services is that you can try before you buy.

Free VPN services will allow you to experience the benefits of a VPN – but what’s the point if your data and privacy can be compromised?

Data allowance

Free VPN providers usually have a low data allowance. If you use a VPN for more than checking your Gmail, then it could be worth considering how much data you’ll need.

The best free VPN services will typically have a data allowance of between 1GB and 10GB. If you use more than this, then you will need to upgrade to a paid plan.

VPN on the go

Some VPNs can also be run on an iPhone or Android smartphone. These are mainly limited to surfing the web.

Free VPN apps are usually available to download on smartphones, but they aren’t always as secure as their desktop counterparts.

Other services

Some companies offer a free VPN service that you can try, but this is usually limited in terms of features.

Having a secure VPN connection is great, but other services can also be included in a package. These include malware and ad blocking, web filtering and protection against phishing scams.

Top 3 reasons to use a VPN

Security

A virtual private network provides you with anonymity online, which enables you to stop eavesdropping. As well as this, hackers will be unable to track your browsing history by monitoring your IP address.

The VPN redirects your internet connection so it looks like you are browsing from another country. This makes it harder for anyone who wants to get hold of your personal information – including cybercriminals.

A VPN acts as a secure tunnel between you and the internet. A VPN can also be used to mask your location, which allows you to access blocked websites or watch online streaming services from different regions.

Bypassing restrictions on internet freedom

Whether it’s authoritarian governments or restricting ISPs that limit your access, a virtual private network is the best way to bypass censorship.

With a VPN you can unblock sites such as YouTube and Facebook, using servers located all over the world. This gives you unrestricted internet access wherever you are based!

When traveling abroad, a VPN can give you access to your home services and computer files, as though you were still there. Just connect to a server back home, and start browsing as if you were sitting in front of the screen at home!

Privacy-free zone

We live in a digital world – with smart meters, TVs, cars – even baby monitors – all connected online. Connected devices leave a digital footprint that reveals our personal information.

A virtual private network prevents this by hiding your IP address and encrypting your data so that those looking to intercept it cannot do so. This means that Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Government institutions, and hackers won’t be able to snoop on your activity or steal personal such as banking details or passwords.

Best VPNs: Executive Summary.

Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly critical with each passing day, and the effects of data breaches are palpable across all industries. It has thus become essential to provide the greatest possible security to online activities. After all, one can never be too sure.

The right VPN can help secure your network and web hosting from hackers, unwanted listeners, and of course, the government. A VPN service provider can offer you a safe haven from unwarranted snooping and attention. It can also be a great way to protect your privacy, stream more content, and be worry-free while browsing the web.

With the number of VPN service providers growing by the day, here were the best of the lot this year. Happy browsing!