10 Best Overall VPNs (for PC, Mac, & Mobile)

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If you’re in a hurry, here are our picks for the top 2 overall VPNs …

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The Best Overall VPNs (with Reviews)

#1. NordVPN – For those who prefer the premium experience

NordVPN isn’t just a VPN. It’s packed with so many features that it effectively functions as a full-featured cybersecurity suite — and a fantastic one, at that.

Security comes first at NordVPN, and the evidence of that is clear. All NordVPN traffic is protected by AES-256 encryption, which keeps your data hidden from even the most advanced hackers.

And NordVPN eschews older, less secure protocols that other providers still offer. Instead, it offers three of the newest, safest options: IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard (which the company calls NordLynx).

NordVPN’s CyberSec ad and malware blocker automatically protects you from online nuisances and dangerous websites. And in the event of a VPN failure, you’re protected by two customizable kill switches.

You have plenty of options if you need extra security, too. Activate Double VPN to tunnel your traffic through two different VPN servers at once, or go with Onion over VPN to access private .onion sites or the deep web.

And should you ever find yourself in China, Russia, Turkey or another country that censors the internet and blocks VPNs, you’re covered, too. NordVPN’s obfuscation settings make your VPN usage virtually impossible to detect, so you can keep browsing the full, unrestricted internet.

But NordVPN isn’t just secure — it’s got plenty of options for fun, too. For instance, take the thousands of optimized P2P servers that enable you to securely torrent anything your heart desires.

Or consider the world of streaming content that’s opened up by NordVPN’s SmartPlay DNS. You can freely access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and tons of other streaming sites no matter where you are.

And really, you could be just about anywhere thanks to NordVPN’s massive array of over 5,800 servers in 59 countries. What’s more, all of the servers are optimized for high performance under heavy load — and that means lightning-fast speeds, even if you’re halfway around the world.

NordVPN’s strict no-logs policy and Panamanian jurisdiction ensure that no matter what happens, your data will never be seen by anyone but you. You’ll be free from surveillance, free from censorship and free to do anything you want online.

And with a generous allowance of 6 simultaneous connections, you don’t have to pick and choose which of your devices to protect.

Other extras, like the ability to purchase static IPs and extensive app support, are just icing on the cake.

Hefty long-term subscription discounts and private cryptocurrency support make NordVPN accessible and affordable for all. And a 30-day money-back guarantee lets you see for yourself just how worth it this VPN is.

The NordVPN experience is thoughtful, intuitive, secure and packed with value. Overall, it’s a phenomenal pick for anyone, regardless of technical knowledge, who wants to keep their data private.

Why Use NordVPN?

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#2. ExpressVPN – One of the most trusted names in the VPN industry

What’s in a name? Well, in the case of ExpressVPN, a fantastic clue as to what you’re getting: super-fast express speeds and the ability to securely exercise your freedom of online expression.

ExpressVPN’s high speeds are well-known in the VPN industry, and in practice, they’re the real deal, too. Ultra-high-capacity servers and dedicated uplinks deliver speeds that are so fast, you might not even realize you’re using a VPN.

And getting those speeds doesn’t require you to cherrypick your servers, either. All of ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ servers in 160 locations provide strong connections — quality of service isn’t limited to the US and Europe like many other providers!

ExpressVPN’s servers also provide unbeatable security thanks to their TrustedServer technology. The servers receive real-time security updates and utilize RAM-only storage, so none of your data is ever stored on a hard drive where it can be recovered, subpoenaed or stolen.

Security doesn’t stop at the server level. All of ExpressVPN’s apps support the OpenVPN protocol with AES-256 encryption — widely regarded as the best combination of unbreakable security, excellent stability and fast speeds.

Accidents happen when you’re online, but ExpressVPN’s advanced leak protection stops your sensitive metadata from betraying your activity in the background. And the Network Lock kill switch locks down your browsing session in the event of a VPN failure.

Split tunneling allows you to direct some of your traffic through the VPN while letting the rest use your regular connection. That’s great news for gamers, streamers, travelers and anyone else who simultaneously accesses local and international content.

And speaking of international content, you’ll be amazed by the streaming libraries that ExpressVPN can unblock. Thanks to the unique MediaStreamer DNS, Netflix geoblocks will be a thing of the past, even on devices like game consoles that don’t support VPNs.

In fact, you won’t have to worry about web censorship in general, even in the strictest countries like China. ExpressVPN can discreetly bypass the Great Firewall and other restrictive VPN blockades around the world.

P2P is supported on all servers without restrictions, making ExpressVPN a torrenter’s paradise. And you can take your filesharing (and the rest of your browsing) anywhere thanks to the richly-featured mobile apps.

Router support, browser extensions and a zero-logs policy round out these phenomenal offerings. And your privacy is further bolstered by ExpressVPN’s British Virgin Islands home base, which keeps your data safe from Fourteen Eyes and other surveillance.

It may be a little pricier than some of its competitors, but ExpressVPN gives you what you pay for and more. And when it comes to privacy, that’s worth every penny.

Why Use ExpressVPN?

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#3. Surfshark – Top-of-the-line security, worldwide streaming site access and an airtight no-logs policy

Government surveillance, the constant flow of new software exploits, hackers lurking around every digital nook and cranny… it’s enough to get the Jaws theme playing in your head every time you open your browser.

But Surfshark changes everything.

A relative newcomer to the VPN scene, Surfshark has made a big splash with its accessible approach to cybersecurity. Its deceptively simple apps run on all the most popular OSes and pack a stunning amount of features inside.

Surfshark starts with the basics: it offers IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN as protocols, both of which protect your data with the latest AES-256-GCM encryption. You’re safe no matter which of the 1,000+ servers or 61 countries you connect to.

Every Surfshark session is further secured by a kill switch, private DNS and leak protection. These ensure that all of your data stays private at all times, even if your connection drops or your metadata tries to slip through the cracks.

And the CleanWeb ad and malware blocker frees you from annoying ads, phishing sites and malicious downloads.

From there, you can add several different security enhancements depending on your needs. If you’re trying to bypass the Great Firewall of China, for instance, you can activate NoBorders Mode and access the whole internet, not the government-censored version.

Or you can enter Camouflage Mode to disguise your VPN usage as regular internet traffic, avoiding detection by network administrators, ISPs or your boss. And the MultiHop option lets you obscure your digital footprint even further by tunneling your traffic through two VPN servers.

Surfshark’s Whitelister split tunneling feature lets you pick and choose which apps use the VPN and which don’t. You can simultaneously protect your torrent client while allowing your mobile banking app to use your regular connection.

Speeds are super-fast, which makes Surfshark great for torrenting and HD streaming. Even better: torrenting is allowed on all servers, and Surfshark reliably unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, ESPN and many other streaming sites.

Unfortunately, Surfshark doesn’t support router installation. But with no simultaneous connection limit, you don’t need a router VPN to protect every last one of your devices at all times.

Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction that’s well-known for its privacy friendliness. With no data retention laws, it’s an ideal home for a zero-logs VPN provider like Surfshark.

Generous long-term discounts reduce Surfshark’s initially high price to just a few dollars a month, making it one of the most budget-friendly picks on this list. You get a premium experience at an affordable price — what more could you ask for?

Why Use Surfshark?

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#4. IPVanish – One of the best VPNs for multitaskers and torrenters

IPVanish clearly strives to impress, and its efforts don’t go unnoticed. Its attention to detail and comprehensive approach to security set it apart from the rest of the crowd.

For proof, look no further than the IPVanish server pool: over 1,400 top-tier servers in over 75 locations. All of these servers are owned and managed by IPVanish, not a third-party company, which means they’re far less likely to be compromised or unlawfully accessed.

The servers, all of which fully support P2P, are distributed across every continent except Antarctica. You’ll never be too far from an IPVanish server — and that means incredible speeds whether you’re at home or abroad.

IPVanish’s easy-to-use apps reliably pick the fastest server automatically, but they also let you customize your connection. You can pick your preferred protocol (OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec or L2TP/IPsec) and still enjoy the same military-grade AES-256 encryption.

Built-in obfuscation prevents governments, ISPs and websites from detecting your VPN usage with deep packet inspection (DPI). This allows you to circumvent regional censorship from countries like China.

And the ability to defeat DPI also opens up a host of new streaming libraries. Netflix and BBC iPlayer famously use DPI to block VPN users from their streaming content — but with IPVanish, you can stream with ease.

A kill switch and leak protection ensure that your data is always locked-down. For even more privacy, IPVanish lets you automatically refresh your IP address at specific intervals, letting you browse the web without a trace.

10 simultaneous connections keep your whole household covered, from phones to computers to streaming boxes. And easy router configuration expands your coverage even further, protecting your IoT devices, game consoles and smart TVs.

A SOCKS5 proxy for torrenting is included free of charge, as is 250GB of encrypted cloud storage and file backup. These little extras add up to a huge value, especially if you’d otherwise be paying for them separately.

VoIP performance is reliable and can also save you a ton of money if your service charges more for international calls. However, IPVanish may not be appropriate for business usage, as there’s no option to use a dedicated IP address.

IPVanish is based in the USA, but its strict no-logs policy ensures that despite the country’s reputation, your browsing data will never be exposed or monitored.

Taking advantage of IPVanish’s long-term discounts only sweetens the deal even more. Overall, it’s a fantastic value for those in need of a VPN with a top-class user experience and thoughtful features.

Why Use IPVanish?

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#5. CyberGhost – Excellent customer service and a huge range of compatible devices

Based in Romania, one of Europe’s most forward-thinking countries when it comes to online privacy, CyberGhost makes the list for its simple yet comprehensive take on VPNs.

It starts with impressive numbers: over 6,100 servers in 89 countries. Over 1,000 of these are located in the USA, with the rest nicely distributed across every inhabited continent.

Many of these servers are optimized for specific uses like P2P and streaming.

CyberGhost’s P2P-friendly servers are located in countries with more favorable filesharing laws and provide the high, stable speeds necessary for torrenting. The streaming servers have been enhanced to reliably unblock Netflix, Disney+, BBC, HBO and hundreds of other streaming sites.

VPNs are notorious for unstable connections and poor speeds, but CyberGhost avoids that stereotype. Other providers may have higher peak speeds, but CyberGhost’s speeds are consistently above average — and that means fewer timeouts and steadier downloads.

CyberGhost’s apps can be as simple or complex as you want them to be. A one-click connection option lets you get online fast, while advanced settings let you customize your experience to fit your needs precisely.

You can choose your own protocol (OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, L2TP/IPsec, WireGuard) and set up your own connection rules (like connecting every time you open a particular app). No matter what, you’ll be protected by unbreakable AES-256 encryption.

Leak protection and a kill switch come standard, but for a small extra monthly fee, you can get even more security by using CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers. These are top-tier servers located in a private data center for greater security, with a dedicated uplink for higher speeds.

An additional monthly fee allows you to get a dedicated IP address for business, banking or gaming purposes.

7 simultaneous connections, plus router support, ensure that you’re protected across all of your devices. And CyberGhost works on many devices that aren’t supported by other VPNs, like the Amazon Fire TV Stick and smart TVs.

An iron-clad no-logs policy lets you rest easy knowing that there’s no record of your browsing activity, ever. And since you can pay with Bitcoin, your payments can remain anonymous as well.

Unfortunately, CyberGhost doesn’t reliably bypass the Great Firewall of China and other regional censorship. But if you’re not in a highly-restrictive country, it’s an excellent choice for the most privacy-conscious users.

Why Use CyberGhost?

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#6. Private Internet Access (PIA) – Versatile, affordable and loaded with features

Versatile, affordable and loaded with features, Private Internet Access is a stellar VPN for all types of users.

You’ll have no trouble getting the VPN running on all your devices, thanks to extensive OS support and 10 simultaneous connections. There are even browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Opera.

The apps are incredibly easy to use, even for those with limited computer experience. They install quickly on all devices and give you a true one-click VPN experience.

But if you want to customize your connection, you’re by no means limited to the app’s whims. The proof starts in the server selection pool, where you can pick from over 3,300 servers in 43 countries.

Each of these servers has a gigabit uplink for ultra-fast speeds, so you can stream, torrent, game or browse with smooth efficiency. Server coverage is sparse in Africa and South America, but the vast majority of users will have no problem finding a speedy nearby server.

Customization options continue with Private Internet Access’s encryption settings. These are some of the most versatile options in the industry: you can pick a preset security profile or select your own individual encryption, authentication and handshake ciphers.

But for maximum security, Private Internet Access defaults to military-grade AES-256 encryption — the best in the world. Of all the protocol options available in the apps — OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec and PPTP — only PPTP lacks AES-256 support.

The integrated Netfilter firewall prevents unwanted connections, phishing attempts and invasive web tracking. And a SOCKS5 proxy gives you a fast, secure way to torrent from any of Private Internet Access’s servers.

Streaming performance isn’t as comprehensive as it is with other providers, but you can still unblock US Netflix, Hulu and several other sites.

Although Private Internet Access is based in the USA, its no-logs policy is airtight — and it’s been proven in court. Though the VPN has been asked to hand over user logs on several occasions, it’s never been able to do so, because the logs just don’t exist.

Private Internet Access accepts several anonymous payment options, including cryptocurrency and retailer gift cards. If you want to keep your VPN off your financial records, these options make it far easier to do so.

While it lacks a dedicated IP option, Private Internet Access’s low price point and fantastic array of features easily make it one of our top overall VPN picks.

Why Use PIA?

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#7. VyprVPN – Huge global server network, a verified no-logs policy and a reputation for excellent speeds and service

VyprVPN, from Swiss software company Golden Frog, provides end-to-end privacy and a premium user experience, with a special emphasis on server security.

Each of VyprVPN’s 700+ servers is owned and used exclusively by the company. Without any third parties maintaining or accessing the servers, you can know for sure that nobody is viewing your data.

Every server runs its own NAT firewall to block unrequested inbound traffic. This ensures that hackers can’t intercept your traffic and attempt to sneak their way into your computer.

And all of the code running on the servers is 100% written by the VyprVPN team. There’s no chance of any malicious code making its way into your VPN tunnel.

These top-tier server clusters feature high-end hardware and are located in 64 countries around the world. Uniquely, coverage is excellent in the Middle East and South America in addition to the USA and Europe.

Speeds are fantastic thanks to the dedicated uplinks on each of the servers. And if they start to falter due to high load, VyprVPN’s dynamic server switching will automatically connect you to a faster server.

VyprVPN offers five protocols: PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN and Chameleon. Except for PPTP, all the protocols are protected by military-grade AES-256 encryption.

Chameleon is an obfuscation protocol that can defeat the deep packet inspection used by websites and governments to detect VPN usage. It lets you avoid censorship in China and circumvent VPN blocks enforced by Netflix.

VyprVPN reliably unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and many other sites, especially when using the Chameleon protocol. And torrenters will appreciate the restriction-free P2P policy and unlimited bandwidth.

The stylish VyprVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. They feature leak protection, a kill switch and VyprDNS — VyprVPN’s private, encrypted, zero-knowledge DNS.

Additionally, VyprVPN provides numerous guides for installing the VPN on your router, streaming box or NAS system. 7 simultaneous connections let you protect yourself no matter what device you’re using.

VyprVPN is a true zero-logs provider, and since it’s based in Switzerland, there’s virtually no chance of any government getting its hands on your information. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t accept any payment options that afford you the same anonymity.

Overall, VyprVPN is an excellent choice for those in need of the strongest privacy protections. It’s particular well-suited for those who live in or travel to countries that ban or restrict VPNs.

Why Use VyprVPN?

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#8. TorGuard – Offering the industry’s most unique and diverse security features

TorGuard began as a tool to help torrenters stay safe while filesharing, but it’s grown into something much more powerful than that.

With over 3,000 servers in more than 50 countries, TorGuard is a true worldwide privacy solution. Each server is carefully maintained and optimized to deliver super-fast speeds regardless of whether you’re one city over or halfway around the world

TorGuard features more protocols than just about any other provider. Most users will default to OpenVPN or IPsec, but PPTP, SSTP and L2TP/IPsec are also available.

Additionally, TorGuard offer four stealth protocols: SSL OpenConnect, SSL AnyConnect, SSL Stunnel and Stealth VPN.

The three SSL protocols disguise your traffic as regular HTTPS traffic. If anyone is monitoring your network, they won’t be able to tell that you’re using a VPN — they’ll just see ordinary web browsing.

Stealth VPN is TorGuard’s obfuscation protocol, which is useful for avoiding deep packet inspection. Netflix, your boss and your government won’t be able to use their sophisticated technologies to detect and block your VPN activity.

And AES-256 encryption makes your traffic virtually impossible to read even if it’s intercepted along its route. Advanced users can even customize their encryption ciphers — for instance, choosing between AES-256-CBC and AES-256-GCM.

TorGuard is unique in that it offers dedicated streaming IPs for an additional monthly fee. These IPs are guaranteed to work on sites like Netflix and Hulu.

The dedicated IPs are also useful for business and online gaming. You can even opt for a residential UK or US IP that will fool even the strictest sites, like BBC iPlayer.

Torrenters will be pleased to know that P2P is still a strong suit for TorGuard. With port forwarding capabilities and no server restrictions, it holds true to its roots as a P2P enhancer.

TorGuard’s apps run on all the major OSes and many routers. But with 8 simultaneous connections, you may not even need to configure the VPN on your router to cover all your devices.

A built-in malware and ad blocker keeps your browsing experience tracker-free. Additionally, the TorGuard apps are designed to be leak-proof, protecting your DNS queries and IPv6 address.

TorGuard offers multiple anonymous payment options and is reasonably priced, even at the monthly level.

A solid no-logs policy seals the deal and earns TorGuard the title of one of the best overall VPNs.

Why Use TorGuard?

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#9. KeepSolid VPN Unlimited – Great for binge-watching Netflix

KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is an excellent choice for those who like to get their VPN experience just right. A wealth of options, advanced settings and account add-ons make it one of our top 10 overall picks.

The choices begin with your protocol. You can select OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, L2TP/IPsec or the latest WireGuard protocol. WireGuard is a particularly exciting, ultra-fast option that few other providers have begun offering.

By default, Android and Windows use OpenVPN, while iOS and macOS use IKEv2/IPsec. Both of these protocols are considered the most secure out there, especially when paired with AES-256 encryption.

Over 400 servers are available in more than 80 locations. The server count is low compared to other providers, but VPN Unlimited’s servers are ultra-high capacity, negating the need for more servers.

And the servers are nicely distributed across every continent, so you’ll always be able to find a quick, reliable server nearby. Servers in more remote locations are a bit slower than average, but most others are consistently fast, even approaching regular connection speeds.

You can easily pick the fastest server thanks to VPN Unlimited’s built-in load analysis and ping tests. These tools give you a better idea of your options on demand, so you don’t need to waste your time connecting to different servers.

In addition to its regular servers, VPN Unlimited offers specialized streaming and torrenting servers. The streaming servers are constantly refreshed with new IPs that let you avoid Netflix blocks, while the torrenting servers are designed for extra safety and speed when torrenting.

A DNS-level firewall makes it impossible for unwanted connections to break into your connection and put your data at risk. And the KeepSolid Wise obfuscation protocol lets you bypass VPN bans and enjoy the full internet in countries like China.

VPN Unlimited’s add-on features are what set it apart from the rest. For an additional monthly fee, you can get a dedicated IP address, extra simultaneous connections and even your own personal VPN server.

But the default subscription gets you 5 simultaneous connections at a very reasonable price, even if you pay by the month. VPN Unlimited also offers a lifetime subscription for a one-time fee — a worthy investment if you want to stay private in the years to come.

KeepSolid is based in the USA, but its zero-logs policy means that your data is safe despite the presence of Five Eyes in the jurisdiction. Additionally, the USA has no mandatory data retention laws, so the zero-logs policy can be fully enacted.

Why Use VPN Unlimited?

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#10. PrivateVPN – A specialist in unlocking geo-restricted content

PrivateVPN is a smaller company than many of its competitors, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on features and value. In fact, in an industry filled with big promises, its focused approach works to its advantage.

Based in privacy-friendly Sweden, PrivateVPN stays true to its name with a zero-logs policy. And the privacy protections don’t stop there: all 150+ servers in 60 countries are owned by PrivateVPN, so no third parties can interfere with your data.

150 servers don’t sound like a lot, but in this case, quality matters more than quantity. The servers use top-of-the-line hardware for maximum uptime, and PrivateVPN still covers more countries than other providers with thousands of servers.

Speed is another reason why, with VPNs, smaller is sometimes better. Lower server loads mean more bandwidth, and more bandwidth means higher speeds — that’s why PrivateVPN’s speeds are some of the best in the business.

PrivateVPN supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, L2TP/IPsec and PPTP. Additionally, you don’t need to use the PrivateVPN app to access the VPN — the company provides configuration files for use with third-party or open-source clients.

You’ll be as secure as can be with AES-256 encryption, a kill switch and advanced leak protection. And if you need help getting set up, PrivateVPN offers free remote help and installation from its developers.

But you probably won’t need any help, because the versatile and intuitive PrivateVPN apps are incredibly easy to use. They’re available for all the main OSes, and if you have a router or another device you’d like to protect, manual configuration is dead simple.

PrivateVPN allows torrenting on all of its servers and promises at least one open port on each server for port forwarding. The company recommends torrenting on the UK and Sweden servers, which have extra bandwidth to keep your filesharing smooth.

You’re also welcome to stream on any of PrivateVPN’s servers, which are usually successful at unblocking BBC iPlayer and many international versions of Netflix. And as far as wider censorship goes, PrivateVPN is able to bypass the Great Firewall of China with the L2TP protocol.

PrivateVPN is extremely affordable, with monthly costs well below average. It’s an especially good deal considering the reliability and simplicity of the service you get — premium features at a economical cost.

Overall, PrivateVPN is a fantastic option for those who value high-quality customer support, dependable service and affordable price points.

Why Use PrivateVPN?

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Remember …

“Big Brother is watching you.”

— George Orwell, 1984