A virtual private network (VPN) is a worthwhile addition to any well-rounded privacy toolkit, but marketing noise and sponsored ads make it difficult to know which option truly is best for your privacy needs. That's where we come in. PCMag has been reviewing VPNs for more than a decade—and writing about them for almost 30 years! To create objective, reliable reviews, our rigorous hands-on testing process combines empirical metrics—such as speed benchmarks and platform compatibility—with a thorough analysis of privacy policies, security technology, server distribution, and more. So when our overall favorite, Proton VPN, receives an Editors' Choice award and a perfect five-star rating, you can trust that it's the absolute best. That said, this story also features nine other highly rated VPNs—we tested them all and found each to excel in its own way. Our top picks are below, with links to full reviews of each service.
Overview
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Best OverallProton VPN
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Best Premium FeaturesNordVPN
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Best for Multi-Device ProtectionSurfshark VPN
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Best for Location SpoofersExpressVPN
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Best for First-Time VPN UsersTunnelBear VPN
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Best for Smart TV UsersCyberGhost VPN
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Best for Unlimited Device CoverageIPVanish VPN
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Best for Public Wi-Fi UseMullvad VPN
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Best Browser ExtensionsWindscribe
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Best for Frequent TravelersHide.me VPN
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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Credit: Proton
Best OverallProton VPN
Pros & Cons
Proton VPN does it all, and that's why it earns a rare five-star rating. While the core paid VPN service price is average, Proton VPN has the best free VPN subscription we've seen. An account with Proton VPN will also grant you access to other products in the Proton family, including Proton Mail and Proton Drive. This includes free accounts, making the app an excellent value-add.
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: In addition to the usual VPN features, including an ad blocker, kill switch, malware blocker, port forwarding, and split tunneling, Proton VPN also offers multi-hop connections and access to the Tor network via VPN.
Privacy and security: Proton's commitment to security shows in its apps. Proton VPN is open source, its code undergoes regular audits, and the company runs a bug bounty program. We were particularly impressed by Proton's Stealth feature, which provides an extra layer of security for individuals in countries such as Iran and Russia. The company also uses full-disk encryption to protect your data, making it inaccessible to law enforcement or government officials. A company representative told PCMag that if one of Proton VPN's dedicated servers ever goes offline due to "unforeseen circumstances," it is immediately wiped and de-provisioned.
Speed and performance: Proton performed well in testing, with 20.11% and 43.21% reductions in download and upload speeds, respectively. Using any VPN will affect your latency, and Proton's results reflect this with an increase of 351.26%.
Streaming: Proton VPN works well with Netflix, providing unrestricted access to every region we pit it against in our latest batch of tests. We had no issues viewing content from catalogs in Australia, Japan, the UK, Canada, and the US.
User experience and ease of use: Proton VPN's slick, streamlined, user-friendly app interface provides a pleasant user experience. The iOS app is an excellent example of intuitive design. Instead of using a dashboard or home screen, all core features are accessible from the navigation menu at the bottom of the screen.
Who It's For
Newbies: Proton VPN's free version is easy to use and full-featured, making it a great choice for new VPN users. Though experienced users are sure to find the features they're looking for, first-timers will appreciate the streamlined interface that lets them connect to a VPN in just a few clicks.
Home users: Proton VPN offers a respectable number of servers worldwide, so you don't need to leave home to watch your favorite shows on a streaming service based in another country. As mentioned above, the paid subscription to the service provides a range of productivity integrations, including Proton's calendar, email, and cloud storage applications, making it a great option for your home office.
Who It's Not For
Esports players: Proton's high latency scores make it a no-go for fast-paced online play. When every millisecond counts, you don't want your VPN holding you back from winning a ranked game. While all VPNs will inevitably increase your latency, we experienced a significant increase with Proton, making it ill-suited for use during competitive games.
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Blocks Ads Can Manually Select Server In Free Version Free Connection Speeds Limited No Free Version Free Version Server Limit US, Netherlands, Japan Free Version Data Limit Unlimited Free Version Simultaneous Connection Limit 1 Geographically Diverse Servers No Ads In Free Version? Yes Public Third-Party Audit Server Locations 129 countries Simultaneous VPN Connections 10 Supported Protocols on Android WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 Supported Protocols on iOS WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 Supported Protocols on macOS WireGuard, IKEv2 Learn More Proton VPN Review -
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Credit: NordVPN
Best Premium FeaturesNordVPN
Pros & Cons
NordVPN, a pioneer in the VPN industry, was one of the first companies to fully adopt the WireGuard VPN protocol and RAM-only servers. Years later, the service remains a solid product, maintaining a consistent, modern design across all its platforms and delivering the best speed performance among the VPNs we have tested. That said, be prepared to pay a substantial fee for the premium service. NordVPN's subscription costs more than the average monthly price we've seen across the industry.
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: The best thing about NordVPN is that it offers something for everyone. A subscription includes features such as an ad and malware blocker, a kill switch, multi-hop connections, split tunneling, and access to Tor over VPN. You also get access to NordVPN Threat Protection Pro, which scans browser downloads for malware and blocks malicious URLs. The Protection Pro features performed well in our phishing protection test but failed the vulnerability-finding test.
Privacy and security: According to NordVPN's privacy policy, the company does not log customers' browsing history, IP addresses, or traffic. The company also requests code audits from third-party cybersecurity firms, though not as frequently as Tunnelbear's annual audits.
Speed and performance: NordVPN excelled in our most recent batch of speed tests, earning it a PCMag Lab Award for fastest VPN. It reduced our download speeds by 1.94%, uploads by 5.54%, and increased latency by 95.65%.
Streaming: People seeking to access a previously blocked streaming service will appreciate NordVPN's reliable speeds and extensive server selection. If you're a Netflix subscriber, you'll be happy to know that we accessed the entire Netflix library while connected to servers in five locations: Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US.
User experience and ease of use: NordVPN's apps look great and perform well in testing. A note, however: This VPN is positioned as a "set it and forget it" tool that will run in the background on your device, which may not be ideal for everyone. When you don't want NordVPN to automatically connect to a VPN (like at home or work), tap the Pause button on the dashboard and mark your current network as Trusted.
Who It's For
Frequent travelers: NordVPN has virtual servers in 80+ countries, although most physical servers are located in the UK and the US. This means you have a lot of VPN connection choices when you're traveling. It's also easy to quickly connect to a VPN using the app, so you don't have to worry about snoops on public Wi-Fi networks in airports or hotels.
Newbies: NordVPN's interface makes it easy for first-time users to connect to a VPN immediately. We especially like the level of control NordVPN offers customers. For example, if you're new to VPNs, you may want to let NordVPN choose the fastest connection for you and just stick with it. As you become more comfortable navigating the app, you can select a server from a drop-down menu.
Who It's Not For
Monthly subscribers: One of the biggest drawbacks of Nord is its high monthly subscription price. It's nearly $30 per month for the top-tier plan, making it three times the cost of similarly featured products like Proton. That price drops dramatically if you subscribe to an annual plan, but we don't recommend buying long-term subscriptions unless you're certain that the VPN will continue to work for your use case a year or more down the line.
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Blocks Ads Free Version Data Limit No Free Version Geographically Diverse Servers Server Locations 118 countries Simultaneous VPN Connections 6 Supported Protocols on Android NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN Supported Protocols on iOS NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec Supported Protocols on macOS NordLynx (based on WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2 Learn More NordVPN Review -
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Credit: Surfshark
Best for Multi-Device ProtectionSurfshark VPN
Pros & Cons
Surfshark delivers a consistent experience across all major operating systems, and it supports unlimited simultaneous device connections. While it has a high up-front monthly cost, you gain access to a wealth of handy security tools and features that help justify the lofty price point.
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: Surfshark's network boasts adequate global coverage, with a presence in 100 countries. Advanced connection options, such as multi-hop and post-quantum encryption, along with the VPN's bespoke Dausos protocol, make it easy to tailor your security preferences. Beyond a standard VPN, Surfshark aims to be a one-app solution for all things privacy. You can configure an antivirus, ad blocker, and additional identity protection tools all in a single hub.
Privacy and security: Privacy policies can be confusing and dense. Surfshark takes a more comprehensive approach, offering an in-depth yet digestible policy that explains how the company handles data. The service has verified these claims with frequent third-party audits and quarterly transparency reports.
Speed and performance: Surfshark performed impressively in testing. We only saw a 7.73% decrease in download speeds, a 7.12% decrease in upload speeds, and a 201% increase in latency.
Streaming: Netflix access was no problem for Surfshark. It accessed every regional catalog we tested without running into blocks.
User experience and ease of use: The user experience is consistent across all applications. Each version of Surfshark features a sleek design with clearly defined benefits. It's easy to pick up and use as a new user, and it has enough depth for more experienced users to tinker with.
Who It's For
Media Streamers: Surfshark is a solid choice for those looking to watch their favorite shows from anywhere without compromising on security. The VPN was one of the fastest we have tested, and it easily unblocked regional Netflix catalogs. We did not experience stuttering or slow load times even when connected to distant locations.
Users who want a one-app solution: Surfshark's biggest selling point is its ecosystem of privacy tools. It's a good choice for those who may not want a handful of subscriptions to different services. With Surfshark, you can configure an array of tools all from a single control hub under one account.
Who It's Not For
Users who only need a VPN: Surfshark's high price is justified by its bundled tools, including scam protection, antivirus, and identity theft coverage. It's not worth the cost if you're only looking for a VPN to secure your connection.
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Blocks Ads Free Version Data Limit No Free Version Geographically Diverse Servers Server Locations 100 Countries Simultaneous VPN Connections Unlimited Supported Protocols on Android WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 Supported Protocols on iOS WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 Supported Protocols on macOS WireGuard, IKEv2 Learn More Surfshark VPN Review -
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Credit: ExpressVPN
Best for Location SpoofersExpressVPN
Pros & Cons
ExpressVPN boasts an attractive interface, servers in 113 countries, solid speed test results, and its own proprietary Lightway VPN protocol. It is leading the pack with its future-forward approach, incorporating post-quantum encryption to prevent advanced hacking methods from becoming viable. The downsides? You can't use the VPN for free, and a subscription costs a bit more than average.
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: ExpressVPN includes standard VPN features such as a kill switch and split tunneling. There's also a dark web scanner. If you buy the two-year plan, you can use the data removal request service, which sends requests to data brokers on your behalf to clean up your online presence. The multi-year subscription also includes up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. An ExpressVPN subscription also gives you access to Express VPN Keys, the company's password manager, and Threat Manager, a malware and tracker blocker. The service has partnered with holiday.com and provides subscribers with an eSIM ranging from 1 to 5GB, depending on the subscription length.
Privacy and security: ExpressVPN does not log customer browsing activity or connections, and its privacy policy states that it does not sell customer data. ExpressVPN undergoes periodic independent security audits and publishes a thorough transparency report on its website that lists customer data requests from law enforcement, as well as any gag orders or national security letters. ExpressVPN also operates a bug bounty program that allows security researchers to stress-test the company's systems and report vulnerabilities in exchange for a financial reward.
Speed and performance: ExpressVPN performed at an average level in our latest tests. Our download speeds went down by 15.48%, and upload speeds decreased by 13%. Latency was also impacted, increasing by 109.40%.
Streaming: During the latest round of testing, we were able to access four out of five regional catalogs. The US, UK, Canada, and Australia were unblocked, while our connection to Japan was detected and blocked by Netflix.
User experience and ease of use: ExpressVPN offers apps for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. The company also supports Linux customers through the command line or a handy GUI. The interfaces across all the apps make it easy to connect to a VPN quickly. Connections were stable while connected to ExpressVPN’s network. We did not experience stuttering or excessive buffering while streaming on Twitch or YouTube.
Who It's For
Newbies: If you first heard of VPNs or, specifically, ExpressVPN via an ad read by your favorite YouTuber, you're not alone. That's probably why ExpressVPN made the app incredibly easy to navigate. People unfamiliar with VPNs will appreciate the app's simplicity. Connecting for the first time is as simple as downloading the app, pressing the big connection button, and minimizing the window. That's it!
Location spoofers: ExpressVPN has a lot of server locations around the world, making it a great pick for anyone who wants to spoof their location for any reason. For example, you could use the VPN at home in Canada to route your web traffic through a London-based server.
Who It's Not For
Multi-hop users: ExpressVPN doesn't provide multi-hop connections (also known as Double VPN).
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Blocks Ads Free Version Data Limit No Free Version Geographically Diverse Servers Server Locations 105 Countries Simultaneous VPN Connections 10-14 Supported Protocols on Android Lightway Supported Protocols on iOS OpenVPN, IKEv2 Supported Protocols on macOS Lightway, OpenVPN, L2TP Learn More ExpressVPN Review -
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Best for First-Time VPN UsersTunnelBear VPN
Pros & Cons
TunnelBear VPN’s fun, bear-themed interface makes it seem less serious than it is. In truth, the service takes privacy seriously. It has one of the easiest-to-use interfaces and provides excellent service, backed by powerful features. You can try it out for free with a data-limited plan, making it an easy choice for anyone trying a VPN for the first time.
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: TunnelBear VPN offers a totally free version of its paid service. The main drawbacks? You're limited to 2GB of browsing data each month and can't select servers individually. The premium version ($9.99/month) lifts this data cap. TunnelBear’s sole focus is on its VPN service, which has a wealth of advanced features at an affordable price. Always-on mode, a Kill Switch (VigilantBear), split tunneling (SplitBear), and advanced obfuscation (GhostBear) are common features across all platforms. TunnelBear VPN is available in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, as well as on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
Privacy and security: TunnelBear VPN has one of the best privacy policies we've read. It is written in plain terms and provides clear, simple explanations of the company’s data practices. TunnelBear's privacy policy states that it does not collect information about users' web activity or store DNS queries, IP addresses, or timestamps.
Speed and performance: TunnelBear VPN performed quite well during our latest round of testing. It slowed download and upload speeds by 6.33% and 4.27%, respectively, and increased latency by 17.76%.
Streaming: While connected to TunnelBear, we had unrestricted access to every regional Netflix catalog we tested. That said, if you're hoping to do a lot of location spoofing, TunnelBear may not be your best choice. TunnelBear has servers in 45 countries, which is right around average for the VPNs we've reviewed. While the country coverage is limited, TunnelBear operates its entire network with physical servers, which gives the company more control over data handling practices compared with a virtual server infrastructure.
User experience and ease of use: The TunnelBear app for Windows was snappy and responsive yet cute and colorful. The "cute" we're talking about is in the app's animations. For example, when you connect to a VPN server, a notification appears in the form of a bear wearing a hat representative of that country.
Who It's For
Newbies: Thanks to its simple and user-friendly interface, TunnelBear VPN is an excellent choice for anyone new to VPNs. It's also a strong option for anyone who just needs a general-purpose VPN and doesn't need to fuss with too many network settings.
Design lovers: In a category filled with dark, high-tech, or utilitarian-looking apps, it's fun to encounter a bright, cheery app that doesn't take itself too seriously. There's even a Bear Sounds option in the Settings menu. If you turn it on, a roaring sound plays whenever you connect or disconnect from a VPN server.
Who It's Not For
Frequent travelers: TunnelBear's server network is robust, considering that it uses only physical servers. However, you may find the coverage lacking if you're a frequent flyer who needs nearby access in many countries.
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Are All Features Available In Free Version? Blocks Ads Free Connection Speeds Limited No Free Version Free Version Server Limit Limited to Closest Server Free Version Data Limit 2GB per month Free Version Simultaneous Connection Limit Unlimited Geographically Diverse Servers No Ads In Free Version? Yes Public Third-Party Audit Server Locations 47 Countries Simultaneous VPN Connections Unlimited Supported Protocols on Android WireGuard, OpenVPN Supported Protocols on iOS WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 Supported Protocols on macOS WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN -
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Credit: CyberGhost
Best for Smart TV UsersCyberGhost VPN
Pros & Cons
CyberGhost VPN is a pricey but extremely capable service with an enormous network of servers. In addition to VPN connections, the service includes antivirus protection for Windows and an ad blocker. We also like that CyberGhost has completed a third-party audit.
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: CyberGhost isn't free, and its subscription is more expensive than most competitors at $12.99 per month. The seven supported simultaneous device connections exceed the industry average of five, but they still fall short of the growing number of competitors that have removed this limit entirely. Standard features, such as a kill switch and split tunneling, are present, as are advanced options like CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers and an ad blocker.
Privacy and security: According to the company's privacy policy, CyberGhost does not store user IP addresses, DNS queries, browsing history, connection/disconnection timestamps, session duration, bandwidth, or the VPN server you connect to, which is excellent. Quarterly transparency reports give details on every request the company receives from outside entities. None of these requests has resulted in handing over user data.
Speed and performance testing: CyberGhost boasts a vast network of 11,500 servers across 100 countries. Even better, those servers are fast. It delivered excellent results in our speed tests, beating much of the competition. The app reduced download and upload speed test results by 8.73% and 4.41%, respectively, while increasing latency by 92.06%.
Streaming: CyberGhost provided unrestricted access to five regional Netflix catalogs during testing. The service’s streaming servers are optimized for accessing regional content, and we did not experience any stuttering or long load times while connected to the network.
User experience and ease of use: We like the look of CyberGhost's apps and found it easy to connect to a VPN server immediately. CyberGhost supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Who It's For
Smart TV users: Want to watch region-locked content on a larger screen? CyberGhost supports more smart TV platforms than other VPNs, including Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, Google TV, Roku, and Samsung Smart TV.
Frequent travelers: CyberGhost's extensive server network makes it a top choice for globetrotters. No matter where you are, there's a chance you can use a local CyberGhost VPN server. Local servers provide better average speeds and reduced latency.
Who It's Not For
Short-term users: Not only does CyberGhost charge significantly more for its monthly plans, but it also restricts access to certain advanced features, such as NoSpy servers, to long-term subscribers.
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Blocks Ads Free Version Data Limit No Free Version Geographically Diverse Servers Server Locations 90 Countries Simultaneous VPN Connections 7 Supported Protocols on Android WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 Supported Protocols on iOS WireGuard, IKEv2 Supported Protocols on macOS WireGuard, IKEv2 Learn More CyberGhost VPN Review -
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Credit: IPVanish
Best for Unlimited Device CoverageIPVanish VPN
Pros & Cons
Worried about a VPN app not working on all of your devices? IPVanish doesn't have any device limits, which is particularly helpful for those of us with multiple devices. If that's not enough, the app also offers expansive global server coverage, high-quality features, and broad platform support. It's a little expensive, though, as monthly plans start at $14.99. (Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: Most of IPVanish's offerings are on par with the competition. The VPN app supports double-hop connections, offers an ad/malicious website/tracker blocker, and has a kill switch and split tunneling. If you spring for the higher-priced subscription tier, you can also use the Secure Browser. The browser only exists on IPVanish's cloud servers, so any website traffic (including malware or viruses) never reaches your device.
Privacy and security: We were impressed by IPVanish's privacy policy, which uses clear, easy-to-understand language. There's even a table showing the data types collected by IPVanish, noting why the company collects them, how long they're stored, how they're collected, and how long they're retained. Most of your personal data, like your name, address, or email address, is retained for 45 days after you delete your account.
Speed and performance: IPVanish excelled in our speed tests. Results show that IPVanish decreased download speed test scores by 4.98% and decreased upload speed test scores by 15.7%, making it one of the fastest VPNs we've tested. The latency score was a little more sobering, though, as IPVanish increased it by 98%.
Streaming: IPVanish performed poorly in our latest round of streaming tests. We test every VPN against five regional Netflix catalogs in the US, UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia. IPVanish only provided access to the UK and Japan. All other regions detected the VPN and blocked our connection.
User experience and ease of use: We had no trouble installing and starting up IPVanish on a Windows desktop; however, we found the app's interface, with its graphs and maps, a bit confusing. Overall, though, our experience using the app was painless. We quite like that there's a searchable server list with filters for country, latency time, and protocol.
Who It's For
iOS users: As with many VPN apps, IPVanish's features may vary across platforms. For instance, the company's iOS app features a few interesting tools that aren't available to Android customers. For one, there's the Connect On Demand option, which is helpful when you only want to connect to the VPN in specific circumstances, such as when using public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or an airport. There's also Alternative Connection Mode, which, when turned on, helps you stay connected in places where VPN use is heavily monitored or restricted.
Multi-device households: IPVanish works on a wide range of platforms, which is ideal for someone with a lot of devices. It supports computers, mobile devices, and smart TVs. You can also use the app on streaming devices like Google Chromecast, Nokia Streaming Box, Nvidia Shield, and Onn, which is unique. There's even an app for the Apple Vision Pro! Unlike other VPNs, IPVanish does not offer a VPN browser extension, but the Secure Browser is available as an extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
Who It's Not For
Binge watchers: IPVanish didn't unblock every Netflix region we tested, which means it might not be the best pick if your primary use for a VPN is streaming.
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Blocks Ads Free Version Data Limit No Free Version Geographically Diverse Servers Server Locations 150 Locations Simultaneous VPN Connections Unlimited Supported Protocols on iOS WireGuard, IKEv2, IPSec, OpenVPN Learn More IPVanish VPN Review -
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Best for Public Wi-Fi UseMullvad VPN
Pros & Cons
At 5 euros ($5.59 as of publication) per month, Mullvad VPN is a great value in a crowded market. The open-source app demonstrates a commitment to privacy from the outset by using an anonymous number system to identify your account, rather than relying on an email and password combination. Its privacy policy is concise and easy to read, too.
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: Mullvad has a lot of great features at the affordable price of just five euros. It has a robust ad and tracker blocker that performed well on text-based sites during our tests. It has handy advanced features like multi-hop and split tunneling. Each subscription supports five simultaneous device connections.
Privacy and security: You can use Mullvad without attaching any personal information to an account. You can purchase an account by sending cash directly to Mullvad. The privacy policy outlines all of the ins and outs of how the company handles data. Mullvad is a no-logs VPN that does not retain user data, and the company takes a stance against affiliate marketing by not engaging in it or any paid sponsorships to promote its service. The VPN’s policy measures were put to the test in 2023 when it was searched by the Swiss police, during which no data was found or handed over.
Speed and performance: Mullvad VPN performed well in our speed tests, with an 8.04% reduction in download speeds, a 5.54% reduction in upload speeds, and a 74.78% increase in latency. Just keep in mind that we don’t recommend choosing a VPN based solely on speed scores. Our tests are a snapshot of a single location at a single time. Your experience will likely vary based on your proximity to a VPN server, among other factors.
Streaming: Mullvad isn't geared toward streaming, and its unblocking results reflect that. We could only access Netflix while connected to US or Canadian servers. Catalogs in the UK, Japan, and Australia were completely blocked.
User experience: Mullvad has a straightforward, no-frills interface that is clearly organized. It's easy to set up a connection and scroll through the server list. Advanced options are a couple of clicks away, making it a breeze to configure the VPN to your liking. It’s not as flashy as its higher-priced competitors, but we appreciated its simplicity and ease of use.
Who It's For
People who want to save money: If you're looking for an ultra-low-price, ultra-private VPN, Mullvad is an excellent value.
Anyone who wants to pay in cash: Cash leaves no trace, and Mullvad is one of the few VPNs that lets you pay in cash. If you want the best privacy you can get and don't want to leave a digital trail, then Mullvad is the way to go.
Who It's Not For
Netflix watchers: Mullvad isn't suitable for streaming, and the company doesn't prioritize playing the cat-and-mouse game of accessing regional content on streaming platforms.
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Free Version Data Limit No Free Version Geographically Diverse Servers Server Locations 50 Countries Simultaneous VPN Connections 5 Supported Protocols on Android WireGuard, OpenVPN Supported Protocols on iOS OpenVPN, WireGuard Supported Protocols on macOS WireGuard, OpenVPN Learn More Mullvad VPN Review -
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Credit: Windscribe
Best Browser ExtensionsWindscribe
Pros & Cons
Windscribe has plenty going for it: A free version, an unrivaled support database, and company transparency about customer data collection and use.
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: With a free plan, you receive 10GB of browsing data each month if you confirm your email address, and 2GB if you don't. Free customers can access servers in 10 countries, including Canada and Switzerland. The data cap and server limitations are the only restrictions for free customers. Otherwise, you get access to features such as a kill switch, multi-hop connections, and split tunneling.
Privacy and security: Windscribe doesn't log your data, which underpins its built-in privacy features. First, its fast and anonymous sign-up process allows you to use the VPN app without sharing a lot of personal data. Next, you can pay for the app using various payment methods, including cryptocurrency. On Windscribe's website, you can find the company's ethics statement and a transparency report detailing every law enforcement request it receives. This is an excellent policy that we hope more VPN companies will adopt in the future.
Speed and performance: Windscribe's speed and performance were just so-so in testing. For example, download speed test scores decreased by 10.66%, and upload speed test scores by 13.20%. Latency went up by 67.01%.
Streaming: We could access the entire library when connected to five Windscribe servers in Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US.
User experience and ease of use: Minimalists will appreciate Windscribe's modest app interface. The Settings menu features a helpful guide to all the app's functions. For example, if you're unsure which VPN protocol to use, click the information button next to the setting's label and read the corresponding support page, which explains what the feature is and how to use it.
Who It's For
Parents: Windscribe has a content-filtering feature, commonly found in parental control apps, called Robert (which stands for Remote Omnidirectional Badware Eliminating Robotic Tool). You can use it to block ads, gambling content, malware, porn, social media, and more during your browsing experience.
People who like browser extensions: Windscribe's extensions include special tools not available in desktop or mobile apps. The Windscribe extensions have built-in ad/malware/tracker blocking tools. You can also change your time zone to appear in the country you are connected to, spoof your GPS location, and delete cookies whenever you close a browser tab.
Who It's Not For
Paid trial users: Windscribe offers one of the best free VPNs on the market, so you should have ample time to try out its features. Even so, the premium plans offer only a seven-day refund window, so be sure to test everything you can on the free version before you buy.
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Blocks Ads Free Version Free Version Data Limit 10GB Per Month Geographically Diverse Servers Server Locations 69 Countries Simultaneous VPN Connections Unlimited -
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Credit: Hide.me
Best for Frequent TravelersHide.me VPN
Pros & Cons
Hide.me is both affordable and feature-packed. The free version starts with a five-day premium trial, then becomes limited. The limited free plan includes unlimited data across seven server locations. You'll experience slower connection speeds with the free plan, but it's a great way to try out the service before investing in the premium plan, which costs $11.99 per month.
Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: You can use Hide.me VPN on any device running Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, or Windows. The company also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, as well as manual connections via Synology, QNAP, or a router. The features vary by platform, but on Windows, you get configuration options such as auto-connect, a kill switch, multi-hop connections, and split tunneling.
Privacy and security: Hide.me requires only your email address to create an account. With a wide range of secure, anonymous payment options, it’s easy to limit the data the service can access. According to the privacy policy, the company collects your email and stores it in an encrypted form in a secure facility. Hide.me doesn't store any customer payment information or other personal details, including your IP address or physical address. Additionally, the service uses physical servers rather than virtual machines, giving the company greater control over how user data is handled.
Speed and performance: In our most recent tests, we were impressed with Hide.me’s performance. Download speeds decreased by 5.93%, upload speeds decreased by 22.72%, and latency increased by 92.11%. These results outperform the average impact across all VPNs we tested.
Streaming: The app's website claims it works seamlessly with popular streaming services, including BBC iPlayer and Disney+. During testing, we accessed Netflix while connected to servers in Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US with no issues or limitations.
User experience and ease of use: Hide.me's interface can be somewhat disorganized on Windows. Given its customization, new users may feel overwhelmed by the busy dashboard. Other platforms lose that dashboard but gain a more streamlined, user-friendly interface.
Who It's For
Budget-conscious customers: If you're on a budget, the features included in the free Hide.me client are on par with some of the paid options we've reviewed. The SmartGuard feature is particularly interesting: It is an all-in-one ad blocker, malware blocker, parental control app, and website filter.
Frequent travelers: Hide.me has servers in 57 countries, making it a suitable option for those who travel frequently and want to connect to a nearby, fast server. The auto-connect feature also helps mitigate the risks of connecting to public Wi-Fi in airports or hotels.
Who It's Not For
Multi-device users: Hide.me is affordable and packed with excellent features, but you'll be limited to a maximum of 10 simultaneous device connections. It may not be the right pick if you have a bunch of devices at home and at work that you need protected at the same time.
Specs & Configurations
500+ Servers Blocks Ads Can Manually Select Server In Free Version Free Connection Speeds Limited No Free Version Free Version Server Limit Five Locations Free Version Data Limit 10GB Per Month Free Version Simultaneous Connection Limit 1 Geographically Diverse Servers No Ads In Free Version? Yes Public Third-Party Audit Server Locations 89 Simultaneous VPN Connections 10 Learn More Hide.me VPN Review -
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Rating |
5.0 Exemplary |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
3.5 Good |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
5.0 Exemplary |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
Best For | Best Overall | Best Premium Features | Best for Multi-Device Protection | Best for Location Spoofers | Best for First-Time VPN Users | Best for Smart TV Users | Best for Unlimited Device Coverage | Best for Public Wi-Fi Use | Best Browser Extensions | Best for Frequent Travelers | Best Overall | Best Premium Features | Best for Multi-Device Protection |
Blocks Ads | |||||||||||||
Simultaneous VPN Connections | 10 | 6 | Unlimited | 10-14 | Unlimited | 7 | Unlimited | 5 | Unlimited | 10 | 10 | 6 | Unlimited |
500+ Servers | |||||||||||||
Server Locations | 129 countries | 118 countries | 100 Countries | 105 Countries | 47 Countries | 90 Countries | 150 Locations | 50 Countries | 69 Countries | 89 | 129 countries | 118 countries | 100 Countries |
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Free Version | |||||||||||||
Free Version Data Limit | Unlimited | No Free Version | No Free Version | No Free Version | 2GB per month | No Free Version | No Free Version | No Free Version | 10GB Per Month | 10GB Per Month | Unlimited | No Free Version | No Free Version |
Buying Guide: The Best VPN Services We've Tested for 2026
Is a VPN Worth It?
Yes, a VPN is worth getting if you value online privacy. It's also worth picking one up if you want to spoof your location for any reason. A VPN can make activities like buying local goods and watching regional content easy.
On the privacy side, you get significant protections with a VPN. Without a VPN, entities such as your internet service provider (ISP) can track your online activities and sell that data to advertisers. A VPN won’t completely anonymize you from every threat, but it is a simple way to limit your digital footprint. It can also help circumvent unwanted internet restrictions while you travel internationally. While VPNs have a lot of great uses, no service is perfect.
Take the marketing language VPN providers use when sponsoring your favorite YouTube video or podcast with a healthy grain of salt—they don't make you untraceable, and they aren't a privacy panacea. That said, a VPN is a valuable tool that's becoming increasingly necessary as internet restrictions tighten worldwide. Plus, as more and more security suites add VPN services to their offerings, you may have access to a good one if you already pay for a security suite to keep your devices free of malware and spyware.
What Is a VPN, and How Does It Work?
A VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted connection to a server controlled by the VPN provider. From there, your traffic exits onto the web as usual. If you only connect to HTTPS-secured websites, your data remains encrypted even after you leave the VPN. It may sound simple, but using a VPN can significantly improve your online privacy.
Think of this analogy: When your car pulls out of your driveway, someone can follow you and see where you're going, how long you spend there, and when you return. They might even peek into your car to learn more about you. With a VPN app, it's like driving from your house into a private tunnel, exiting into a closed parking garage, switching to a different car, and driving out. No one who is trying to follow you can know where you went.
Likewise, no one snooping on your network can see what you're doing when you're using a VPN. Public Wi-Fi networks may not be as dangerous as they once were due to the widespread adoption of HTTPS, but there is still a small risk if you connect to an insecure site while on a compromised network. How do you know if, for example, "starbucks_wifi" is the coffee shop's actual Wi-Fi network? Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks aren't likely, but a potential attacker could use an altered Wi-Fi connection to route your traffic to an insecure site and steal your credentials. A VPN can help by encrypting your traffic, making it unreadable to any snoopers.
In the US, your ISP has enormous insight into your online activities. To make matters worse, your ISP can sell your anonymized browsing history. Selling your data seems egregious since you are already paying for the service. A VPN prevents even your ISP from keeping tabs on you.
Another benefit of using a VPN is that your true IP address is hidden behind the VPN server's IP address. This makes it harder for you to be tracked. Even dedicated observers have trouble telling which internet traffic is yours because your data is mixed in with everyone else's using the server.
Hiding your IP address has another benefit: It makes it harder for snoops to figure out your location. You can use this to your advantage and connect to distant VPN servers to spoof your location. Location spoofing is a versatile tool that can give you access to local news, unlock regional content catalogs, and help you buy goods in certain countries.
It's essential to recognize that if your VPN connection is disrupted, the privacy protection you rely on is compromised as well. For this reason, most VPNs offer a kill switch that shuts down your network traffic when your VPN connection drops. The only catch? A kill switch is generally turned off by default, so you might want to toggle yours on in your VPN app when you set it up—or at least familiarize yourself with how it works and turn it on when your privacy is critically important.
Note: VPNs are sometimes confused with proxies, but they serve different purposes. To learn more, see our explainer on VPNs versus proxies.
What Can’t a VPN Protect You From?
VPN services, while helpful, don't provide comprehensive threat protection. A VPN can't help you if you download ransomware, find yourself part of a data breach, or give up your information in a phishing attack. We strongly recommend using local antivirus software, enabling multi-factor authentication wherever available, and using a password manager to create and store unique, complex passwords for each site and service you use. Those are all good security measures you should take in addition to using a VPN.
There are also limitations to the level of anonymity a VPN can provide. Advertisers use tactics such as online tracking and browser fingerprinting to collect data on you and track your online activity. We recommend using your browser's anti-tracking features and installing dedicated ad or tracker blockers. Think of a VPN as a bulletproof vest. It doesn’t defend against every attack vector, but it does block some of the most critical threats to your privacy.
Many VPN services also provide their own DNS resolution system as a security feature. Think of DNS as a phone book that turns a text-based URL like PCMag.com into an IP address computers can understand. Savvy snoops can monitor DNS requests and track your movements online. Attackers can also use DNS poisoning to direct you to bogus phishing pages designed to steal your data. When you use a VPN's DNS system, it provides an additional layer of protection. Read how (and why) to change your DNS server for more.
There's debate among security experts about the efficacy of VPNs. Since most sites now support HTTPS, much of your online experience is already encrypted. Secure DNS products like Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 exist precisely because some feel VPNs are overkill. Still, a VPN protects information not already protected by HTTPS, creates a buffer between you and the people who control the internet infrastructure, and makes it harder for potential prying eyes to track your online activity.
Some security-conscious industries, such as banking, can mistake VPN traffic for fraudulent activity. If your bank detects that you are logging in from what appears to be another US state or even another country—or if it simply suspects that a VPN is in use—it can raise red flags. That's because if a hacker were trying to get into your bank account from another country, they'd use a VPN, too. Expect CAPTCHAs and more frequent multi-factor authentication requests when your VPN is on, or be prepared for your bank to block you from logging in altogether.
VPN vs. Antivirus: Do You Need Both?
Just as antivirus utilities evolved into multifunction security suites, over the past year, we’ve seen VPN services add additional security features, from password managers to built-in antivirus protection. Norton VPN Ultimate, for example, contains most of the same features as the Norton 360 Deluxe suite. Nord's Threat Protection is like an antivirus, but it lacks the expected ability to scan local files for malware. Surfshark One’s antivirus component earned good scores against malware and a perfect score against phishing fraud. It incorporates a handful of other security features, but not enough to rival top security suites.
Coming from the other direction, many traditional security suites have included a VPN component for years. Some are in-house productions, like Norton’s. Other companies, such as Bitdefender, license VPN technology from third-party providers. Mergers and acquisitions further complicate these issues, making it difficult to determine who owns what, who's licensing which technologies, and which tools were developed from scratch versus acquired from someone else. Thankfully, we keep track, and you can find that information in greater detail in our individual reviews.
What Is the Best Free VPN?
Not all VPN services require payment. In fact, there are many free VPN services available. But every free VPN we've tested has limitations. Some limit you to a few simultaneous connections or devices. Others restrict your data or limit you to a handful of servers. Still others do all of the above.
Finding the best free VPN involves balancing those restrictions. Proton has the unique distinction of placing no data restrictions on its free users; however, it does limit server access to a handful of randomly selected regions.
Choosing a free VPN does come with its fair share of risk. There are many unscrupulous apps and services out there that may do more harm than good. Avoid VPNs that are ad-supported or ask for invasive permissions when you download them. If a deal sounds too good to be true, then it likely is. A safer option is to choose one of our recommended budget-friendly VPNs.
What Is the Best VPN for Mac and iPhone?
While this list includes the best VPNs we've tested, you may be looking for one specifically for Mac. The majority of top options have comparable apps for macOS, though macOS presents some unique challenges for developers. Certain features, such as split tunneling, are often more challenging to deploy successfully across both macOS and iOS. For complete details, read our roundup of the best VPNs for Macs. Based on our testing, the best options for Apple devices are Proton and Nord. We have a full comparison between Proton and Nord here.
What Is the Best VPN for Torrenting?
When using BitTorrent, consider using a VPN for added security and privacy. Many ISPs and network managers block torrenting altogether, and a VPN can prevent them from seeing that you're connecting to a peer-to-peer sharing service. Of course, torrenting certain files may get you in trouble, especially if the practice is banned in your area, so proceed at your own risk. To find the right service for staying safe while torrenting, head over to our roundup of the best VPNs for torrenting.
What Is the Best VPN for Gaming?
Gamers need privacy protection, too. While using a service that can increase your latency and generally interfere with your connectivity may not appeal to you, you might want to play a game that isn't available in your area, or you might not want to expose your real IP address to other gamers. VPNs might even make it more difficult for rivals to use distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to disrupt gameplay. Read our story on the best VPNs for gaming for help picking the VPN that strikes the right balance between performance and privacy.
Can a VPN Get Around Government Censorship?
VPNs are useful for enhancing individual privacy, but they are also essential for the safety of some individuals. Journalists and activists often rely on VPN services to circumvent local government censorship and communicate safely with the outside world. Check the local laws before using a VPN in China, Russia, or any country with repressive internet policies. Another place people might want to use a VPN is in a war zone such as Ukraine, where hiding locations might well be a matter of life and death.
A VPN protects you against mass data collection and casual criminals who vacuum up user data for later use. Still, a determined adversary will almost always find a way to breach your defenses. If this happens to you, read our story on what to do when you've been hacked.
VPN vs. Tor: What’s the Difference?
To add another layer of anonymity to your traffic, you can layer certain VPN connections with the Tor network. While a VPN tunnels your web traffic to a VPN server, Tor bounces your traffic through several volunteer nodes, making it much harder to track. VPNs have a similar feature called multi-hop, which achieves the same goal by using additional VPN servers rather than volunteer nodes. Tor also lets you reach .onion sites, which a VPN alone can’t. Some services, such as Nord and Proton, offer Tor access on select servers. However, it's important to note that Tor isn't perfect, either. Read our explainer on the dark web and how to access it for more.
How to Choose a VPN
The VPN market has experienced significant growth over the past decade, expanding from a niche industry to a highly competitive and crowded one. Many VPN service providers are capitalizing on the general public's growing concerns about surveillance and cybercrime, making it difficult to distinguish between companies that offer a useful service and those that make misleading claims. Fake VPNs have even emerged, so be cautious. As more VPNs enter the market, hacks and breaches are likely to become increasingly common.
When reading reviews to find a good service, don't just focus on connection speed, as that's the factor you (and the VPN) have the least control over. Since nearly all VPN companies offer a combination of the same technologies, consider value when selecting your best VPN service. How can you get the most for the least? Look for additional VPN features, such as split tunneling, multi-hop connections, and more. You may not always need them, but they're helpful when you do.
Recommended by Our Editors
Nearly every VPN service provider has its own app with an interface for managing connections and settings, and we recommend using it. You might dismiss such things as window dressing and prefer manually managing your VPN connections. However, this can be tedious and often doesn't provide access to the additional privacy tools many VPNs offer.
The best way to determine whether a VPN works is to try it in all the environments where you plan to use it, such as at home, at work, and at school. Some VPNs offer free trials or completely free subscription tiers, so take advantage of them. Free VPN access lets you check whether you can access all the sites and services you need and test the speeds in your area to see if they're acceptable.
We recommend starting with a short-term subscription to ensure you're satisfied with the service before committing to an annual, two-year, or lifetime paid plan. Yes, you may get a discount by signing up for a year, but that means more money is at stake should you decide the service doesn't meet your needs after the fact.
How to Set Up a VPN?
Getting a VPN is easy; setting one up on your machine can be a bear, however, if you don't know what you're doing. What server should you connect to? Should you let the software choose for you? What security features should you enable?
We answer these questions in our story on choosing and setting up a VPN. If you don't like the idea of downloading yet another app, you can also configure Windows 11 to connect directly to the service you choose. You can read about it in our story on setting up a VPN in Windows 11—be warned, however, that this is not the easiest way to do it. Likewise, you can set up a VPN on your router, but we recommend doing so only if you're technically inclined.
VPNs protect your data using a variety of publicly available open-source encryption protocols, as well as proprietary ones. The most common open-source options include OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP, IKEv2, and others. Meanwhile, some VPNs are looking toward the future with post-quantum encryption technology.
Are VPNs Safe? How to Tell If a VPN Is Trustworthy
If you're using a service to route all your internet traffic through its servers, you have to be able to trust that service. It's easier to trust companies that have been around longer because their reputation is likely well-established, and they have more to lose if they mistreat customers. The trouble is that the VPN industry is relatively young compared with antivirus software, for example, and some VPN companies play dirty. Determining whom to trust can be challenging.
At PCMag, we pay special attention to the privacy practices of VPN companies, not just the technology they provide. We read their privacy policies as part of our testing procedure and discuss company practices with representatives. We look for a commitment to protecting user information and practices that gather and retain as little user information as possible.
As part of our research, we also determine the company's location and the legal framework under which it operates. Some countries don't have data-retention laws, making it easier to keep the promise of "we don't keep any logs." It's also helpful to know under what circumstances a VPN provider would hand over information to law enforcement and what information it would have to provide (and what it could provide) if that were to happen.
The best VPN services have a privacy policy that clearly outlines what the service does, what information it collects, and how the company protects that information—ideally in plain English. Some companies explain that they collect certain information, but fail to inform you how they intend to use it. Others are more transparent. We discuss these details in every VPN service review we write.
What Is the Best VPN for Netflix and Streaming?
Netflix and other streaming services often block VPNs because they allow you to access region-locked content. Because of this, a service that works today may be blocked tomorrow.
For example, if you're watching Brooklyn 99 on Netflix from a US-based IP address while waiting for your flight to the UK, you may find that the show isn't available on the service when you land at Heathrow. This is due to how major studios distribute local content licenses: some shows are globally distributed, while others are licensed for viewing only in specific countries.
We test five countries here at PCMag each time we review a VPN: Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US. The results of those tests are presented in the chart below, along with descriptions of how we categorize the types of Netflix libraries that may be encountered during testing.
Lately, Netflix has seemingly stepped up its efforts to block VPNs. This means fewer VPNs can reliably access streaming content compared with the last couple of years, when most succeeded in unblocking most services. It is still possible to find a VPN that can stream Netflix content from outside the US. It's important to note that accessing region-locked streaming content can breach your preferred streaming service's terms of service, so be aware that doing so may result in your account being terminated.
What Is the Best VPN for Pornhub?
As more states pass age-restriction legislation, another kind of region-locked content that may increasingly require a VPN to watch is porn. In response, Pornhub has blocked access for any users connecting from more than 25 different states in the US. For a guide to watching adult content despite such blocking, check out our guide on how to watch porn safely, as well as our picks for the best VPNs for viewing Pornhub.
Do You Still Need a VPN for TikTok?
The bipartisan TikTok ban was scheduled to take effect on January 19, 2025, but the situation was eventually resolved when a joint venture led by Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX took majority control of TikTok's US operations on January 22, 2026.
While there is no ban scheduled, it's not out of the question, given growing concerns about age-verification laws and censorship legislation worldwide. Check out our piece on the best VPNs for TikTok to ensure you have access to your favorite creators no matter what happens.
How Many Devices Can You Use With One VPN?
When shopping for a VPN, consider the following key factors: the maximum number of simultaneous connections, the number of servers, and the number of server locations.
Most VPN services let you connect up to five devices with a single account. Any service offering fewer connections is outside the mainstream. You need to connect every device you wish to protect to the VPN service, so a mere two or three licenses often are barely enough for one person, let alone a connected couple or family.
This paradigm may be changing, however. Many services offer far more than five simultaneous connections, while others have eliminated the restriction entirely, providing protection for an unlimited number of devices. TunnelBear, IPVanish, and Windscribe all place no limit on the number of simultaneous connections. (Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
Of course, there are more than just phones and computers in a home. Game consoles, smart TVs, and many smart home devices such as light bulbs and fridges need to connect to the internet. Many of these things can't run VPN software on their own. To solve the issue, some VPN companies provide instructions on configuring your router to use a VPN, which protects any devices connected to your home network.
Why Does VPN Server Location Matter?
One key consideration when selecting the right VPN is the company's global server distribution. Having numerous servers in diverse locations means that, regardless of where you travel, you should be able to find an available server nearby. The closer the server, the better the connection speed and reliability it offers. Remember, you don't need to connect to a far-flung VPN server to gain security benefits. A server down the street is as safe as one across the globe.
We also examine the number of virtual servers and virtual locations used by VPN companies. A virtual server is just what it sounds like—a software-defined server running on server hardware that might have several virtual servers onboard. A virtual location is a server configured to appear to be located elsewhere than its physical location.
While neither approach is inherently problematic, choosing one location and discovering your server is somewhere else entirely is worrisome. Some VPN companies take a smart approach to virtual servers, using them to deliver VPN services in regions where physically hosting a server might be too risky. When VPNs use these technologies, we prefer that they be transparent about it.
What Is the Fastest VPN?
When a VPN is active, your web traffic takes a more circuitous route than usual. In most cases, this added hop can result in slower download and upload speeds and increased latency compared with a connection that isn't routing through a VPN. The good news is that using a VPN probably won't make you feel like you're back in the dial-up days of yore.
When we test VPNs, we use Ookla's Speedtest tool. This test provides metrics for latency, download speeds, and upload speeds. Depending on your needs, any of these can be an important measurement; however, we tend to view download speed as the most crucial. We test each VPN ten times and record the median score for each performance category. For more information, see our story on how we test VPNs for the full details.
In our most recent batch of speed tests, NordVPN emerged as the top performer, earning a PCMag Lab Award. You can read more about the results in our full breakdown of the fastest VPNs we've tested.
What Is the Best VPN Overall?
There are many choices when picking a VPN—so many that we have Editors' Choice-winning VPNs for several use cases. Our current favorite is Proton, which gets a rare 5-star rating and an Editors' Choice award. It takes a strong privacy stance, is fast in our testing, and boasts an impressive collection of advanced tools and an excellent free tier. Nord may cost a bit more, but it offers numerous security tools and extras, earning it a 4.5-star rating, our Editors' Choice for premium VPNs, and our Lab Award for the fastest VPN. Windscribe, another Editors' Choice, ties Nord's score thanks to its radical privacy and transparency policies—getting started doesn't even require an email address—along with its feature-packed apps across all the platforms we tested.