7 options our experts recommend

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is one of the simplest and quickest ways to improve online privacy. There are plenty of ways to prevent

Google

from accessing your data, but these methods don’t help against malicious third parties and hackers. VPNs prevent these third parties from accessing your device’s location and IP address, keeping your internet connection secure. They also prevent your ISP (internet service provider) from monitoring your devices.

There are a lot of VPN services, so we rounded up the best VPNs into one list. We discuss what each VPN offers and what features to look for across all VPNs. We recommend installing and using a VPN on all devices with internet access, including iPhones, desktop PCs, and budget Android tablets.

Our favorite VPNs for your phone or computer

ExpressVPN is an excellent choice if you value speed above all else.


While it has a relatively small number of servers, they’re located in more countries than any other service on this list, giving you excellent connection speeds wherever you go.


ExpressVPN is available on phones, tablets, desktop computers, and gaming consoles, and it’s a great pick if you’re looking to expand your protection to all your devices.

With a built-in kill switch for sudden VPN disconnects and the ability to connect automatically to a new network, ExpressVPN has all the tools you need to browse securely on the go.

All of its servers have P2P support, and when coupled with its top-notch security features, this is the best choice for torrenting.

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Similar to Panama, the BVI has no data retention laws. While it is a United Kingdom territory, it is an entirely separate legal jurisdiction.

• Cost: $12.95 per month; $80 per year
• Supported platforms: Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, and macOS
• Additional support: VPN extensions for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox; Router app; Kindle Fire app
• Servers: 3,000+
• Server locations: 100 countries
• Free trial: 30 days
• Devices allowed: 5
• Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

Source: NordVPN

NordVPN

Also great

Excellent performance at a great price

NordVPN is a great runner-up to ExpressVPN, delivering an even better value with many of the same features and excellent speeds. It doesn’t have servers in as many countries as ExpressVPN, but it does allow up to six devices and works with most major platforms. Pick up a yearly sub for the best value.

Pros

• Excellent value
• Quick speeds and up to six devices at once
• Located in Panama with no required data logs

Cons

• Servers in fewer countries than our top pick
• You can still go cheaper

For those who want the best value VPN for their mobile device, NordVPN is your port of call. At $4.59 per month annually for its Standard plan, it’s hard to find a better-value VPN. But even though there are cheaper VPNs, NordVPN provides the best balance between features and cost.

NordVPN offers users a Double VPN service.


This routes your traffic through two VPN servers, adding an extra layer of security to your browsing. It has a great auto-connect

feature

, so you’ll be protected when you connect to a new network. It also offers additional benefits. Dark Web Monitor alerts you if your credentials are exposed online, and 24/7 customer support is accessible through the app.

NordVPN is based and operated in Panama. Panama has no data retention laws, so NordVPN is not required to maintain data logs. The company states it

does not store any of your data

.

• Starts at: $12.99 per month; $68.85 per year for the Standard plan
• Supported platforms: Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support:
  
  Most connected devices
  
• Server locations: 60 countries
• Free trial: 30 days
• Devices allowed: 6
• Jurisdiction: Panama

Source: Surfshark

Surfshark

Best value

A fantastic budget VPN

Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPN services that is worth recommending, at least as long as you’re signing up for a full year at a time. It has no device limits, allowing your whole family to use it at the same time, and there are more than 3,200 servers spread out over 100 countries. A British Virgin Islands jurisdiction means it has no data retention laws.

Pros

• Very affordable yearly plans
• British Virgin Islands jurisdiction
• More than 3,200 servers in 100 countries
• No device limit

Cons

• Merger with NordVPN might see separate Surfshark servers eventually shut down
• Not the fastest VPN service

Surfshark is among the most affordable VPNs on this list if you’re willing to subscribe to an annual plan. It’s the only one on this list that doesn’t limit the maximum number of connected devices for an account, meaning your entire family can be protected.

Surfshark integrates a kill switch and has over 3,200 servers. Beyond its VPN service, the service offers a host of add-ons. These include an ad-blocker, a private search engine, and a web monitor to check if you’ve been affected by a data breach.

It’s worth noting that

Surfshark merged with Nord Security

(the owner of NordVPN) in 2022. While these services remain functionally independent for now, there are no guarantees this will hold for the future.

• Cost: $12.95 per month; $47.88 per year
• Supported platforms:
  
  Amazon
  
  Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, and macOS
• Additional support: VPN proxy for Chrome and Firefox
• Servers: 3,200+
• Server locations: 100 countries
• Free trial: 30 days
• Devices allowed: Unlimited
• Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

Source: CyberGhost

CyberGhost

Affordable yearly subs

Lots of servers around the world

CyberGhost VPN is another affordable option that we love. It’s best if you pick up a two-year plan, and if that sounds like a big commitment you can always test it out free for 45 days. It has more than 9,000 servers in 91 countries, and it allows for up to seven devices simultaneously. It works across major platforms and has jurisdiction in Romania.

Pros

• Very affordable two-year plans
• More than 9,000 servers in 91 countries
• 45-day free trial
• Up to seven devices allowed at once

Cons

• Expensive monthly plans
• Missing some features, like split tunneling

CyberGhost’s expensive monthly plan might make some users hesitant to use the service, but its fantastic two-year deal (which then reverts to an annual plan) is even better than IPVanish’s offer. It’s hard to commit to that, so CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost has a decent array of VPN features, but it misses out on some standard tools, notably split tunneling. However, this isn’t a deal-breaker, and its widespread placement of servers also means you should have a consistent connection wherever you are. It also offers excellent add-ons, including a Windows security suite for an extra $5.99.

CyberGhost is an excellent VPN, but only if you pay for a two-year subscription.

• Cost: $12.99 per month; $50.64 bi-annually
• Supported platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: Chrome and Firefox proxy extensions; Smart DNS
• Servers: 9,022
• Server locations: 91 countries
• Free trial: 45-day money-back guarantee
• Devices allowed: 7
• Jurisdiction: Romania

Source: IPVanish

IPVanish

Watch everything everywhere

Perfect for streaming region-locked content

IPVanish is a top VPN option if you’re looking to access region-locked content. Its yearly plans are quite affordable, and it comes with the standard set of extra VPN features you’d expect from a top service. There’s no device limit, and it has more than 2,000 servers in 75 countries. A U.S. jurisdiction does give some pause, as there are stricter data retention laws to contend with.

Pros

• Affordable yearly plans
• No device limit
• Great tool to access region-locked content
• More than 2,000 servers in 75 countries

Cons

• United States jurisdiction
• No third-party security audits

IPVanish might seem pricey, but its yearly subscription fee is cheaper than most other items on this list. With unlimited devices and a massive range of server locations, it’s perfect if you need a VPN for streaming region-locked content.

When it comes to privacy, IPVanish falters slightly. While your connection is secure, it hasn’t received a third-party audit, raising questions about whether your data is safe. However, it offers split tunneling and a kill switch, two of our key VPN features.

IPVanish is a perfect option for accessing region-locked content, but looking elsewhere for the most security features is best.

• Cost: $11.99 per month; $53.99 per year
• Supported platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: VPN router
• Servers: 2,000+
• Server locations: 75 countries
• Free trial: 7 days
• Devices allowed: Unlimited
• Jurisdiction: United States

Source: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

Best open-source VPN

Free and paid VPN tiers

ProtonVPN is an open-source service from the creators of ProtonMail. It offers a free tier for all users, though you should step up to a real plan if you want the best speeds. There’s no device limit, meaning your entire family can use it, and it offers 2,991 servers in 68 countries. A Switzerland jurisdiction is ideal, as it has strict data and privacy laws.

Pros

• Free tier is available for all users
• Up to 10 devices at once
• 2,991 servers in 68 countries
• Switzerland jurisdiction, open-source VPN

Cons

• Relatively expensive yearly plans
• Speeds could be better, especially with free tier

ProtonVPN grew from the team behind ProtonMail, a crowdfunded project dedicated to widespread online privacy. It’s also the only option on this list with a free tier, which provides a fantastic starting point if you’re new to VPNs.

While the selling point for ProtonVPN might be its free tier, it’s probably not the best bet if you value speed and reliability. With only 24 servers in three countries, it won’t break any connection speed records. However, looking at the $10 per month tier, we see a substantial number of servers and a max bandwidth of 10GB/s, enough to give you decent speed around the globe.

If you care about security and privacy and are willing to pay a little extra, ProtonVPN should be your go-to VPN.

ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland.

Switzerland is ideal for VPNs

, as it has some of the world’s most strict data privacy and retention laws.

• Cost: $10 per month; $71.88 per year
• Supported platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, and macOS
• Additional support: Chrome and Firefox
• Servers: 2,991
• Server locations: 68 countries
• Free trial: None, unlimited free tier available
• Devices allowed: 10
• Jurisdiction: Switzerland

Source: Google

Google One

Best for Google phones

Top VPN for Pixel phones

Google One is a complete membership package, but the VPN portion can be had for free if you’re a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro owner. This should land you five years of service, though the features are seriously limited and you might find transfer speeds frustrating.

Pros

• Free access for Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro owners
• Great if you’re only concerned about basic VPN functionality

Cons

• Limited features
• Transfer speeds are generally slow

Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro users should check out

Google One’s VPN

. This VPN is short on features, but owners of these smartphones get access for free. If you have a different Google device, you can still pick up a Google One membership that includes the VPN. However, we don’t recommend paying for Google One just to land the private network functionality.

Google One doesn’t offer many of the features found on other paid VPN services, but we included it in our list since it’s affordable and easy to set up on Android. If you’re truly concerned about online privacy, we recommend sticking with one of the other great VPN services in this collection.

How we chose our top VPN picks

AP’s editors and writers have used and tested hundreds of VPNs on almost every smartphone, tablet, and computer available. During our testing, we identified these essential VPN features:

• 
  Multi-device support
  
  : While using a VPN on your phone is essential, you’ll want to use one on most of your devices. Our selections work on multiple devices simultaneously.
• 
  Server locations
  
  : Multiple server locations are essential, especially if you use a VPN to access geo-fenced content or services.
• 
  Compatibility with multiple operating systems
  
  : A good VPN should have, at the bare minimum,
  
  apps
  
  for Android, iOS, MacOS, and Windows.
• 
  Solid speeds
  
  : Although your Wi-Fi or data speeds may slow slightly when connected to a VPN, you should be able to use your phone or laptop without any problem.
• 
  Logging
  
  : VPNs should not log, monitor, or store your activity while connected.
• 
  Jurisdiction
  
  : We listed the jurisdiction for each VPN. Do your own research to see if you believe jurisdiction is important, but we give you a jump by listing it for each VPN.

What makes a good VPN?

If you’re unfamiliar with VPNs, read our VPNs for beginners guide. This tells you everything you need to know, explains terms like split tunneling and kill switches, and provides a breakdown of the most common VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and ikev2.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with VPNs, you’re ready to choose one. But what should you look for when the top VPNs offer the same core service?

Despite the same core service, each VPN provider has unique functionality. Some offer faster speeds, while others have more server locations for consistent connections. Consider your situation carefully when selecting a VPN. For example, suppose you travel a lot but aren’t fussed about internet speed. In that case, you’ll want a VPN that offers the most server locations for a consistent VPN connection and a kill switch if you accidentally access unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

Another critical point to consider is how many devices a single subscription supports. Most VPN subscriptions offer simultaneous connections on multiple devices, but the exact number varies. This means you can improve your security on Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows, as well as browsers like Chrome and your router, through one subscription.

Another critical feature to look out for is split tunneling. This allows you to route some apps through a VPN while letting others access the internet directly. This is handy if you’re struggling with bandwidth in your location, but there’s another convenient use. By routing your streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video through different servers, you can trick them into thinking you’re located elsewhere, allowing you access to region-locked content. In this scenario, look for the fastest VPNs with the most bandwidth.

If you regularly torrent content, you must have a VPN installed. As torrenting involves installing files from unknown sources, your privacy goes out the window without a VPN active. In this scenario, you’ll want a VPN with the best privacy that’s optimized for P2P sharing.

Choosing the VPN that’s right for you

There are countless VPN services vying for your attention, but you have to be particularly careful with which option you sign up for. VPNs vary in many different ways, and you might see one feature that looks good but is only hiding a lack of something else. With all that in mind, the best bet for your money today is ExpressVPN. It’s one of the pricier services available, but it offers the best speeds out of the bunch. It’s loaded with extra features that make your private life as easy as possible, and ti works across most devices with an internet connection.

ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 servers spread out over 100 countries, giving you plenty of options when you need to connect no matter where you are in the world. Its British Virgin Islands jurisdiction means there aren’t any data retention laws, and the service has an excellent reputation for security and privacy. You can use up to five devices simultaneously per account, and there’s even a 30-day free trial to see if it’s right for you.

If none of these options seem right, you can create a self-hosted VPN on your Android device in under 30 minutes. However, this method won’t give you the range of useful features these Android apps offer.

Source: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Best overall

Our favorite VPN service

ExpressVPN offers the best speeds, making it ideal for P2P sharing, gaming, streaming, and general browsing. You can use up to five devices simultaneously, and it supports more than 3,000 servers across 100 countries. It is relatively pricey, but you can always go in for the 30-day free trial to see what it’s all about.