A VPN or virtual private network will help you stay safe and secure online while above all keeping your private stuff private
The best VPN service right now is ExpressVPN. It’s the best all-round option for speed, privacy and unblocking websites. A close number two is IPVanish which is another very reliable VPN that we like a lot – particularly the way it handles P2P and torrenting. And the third best VPN in 2018 is VyprVPN – amazing for speed in particular. Read more about these VPN services and more below!
1. ExpressVPN
The best all-round VPN for speed, privacy and unblocking
- Number of servers: 1800+
- Server locations: 148
- IP addresses: 30,000
- Maximum devices supported: 3
- Wide range of secure VPN apps
- Superb 24/7 live customer support
- Ultra fast VPN servers in 94 countries
- Only supports 3 connections
ExpressVPN delivered outstanding performance in our speed tests and excellent customer support.
ExpressVPN offers 145 locations across 94 countries, alongside an excellent range of tailored clients, with some great efforts for mobile and desktop on the software front. You get native clients for Windows, Mac, Linux, plus iOS, Android and even BlackBerry (albeit a couple of models) on the mobile front.
But that’s not all, add routers (they do their own firmware), VPN browser extensions and DNS content unblocking for a wide range of streaming media devices and Smart TVs, giving you a very extensive VPN solution.
What’s also really helpful is that there are loads of web-based tutorials which are easy to follow to help you get up and running with the service. ExpressVPN’s website also offers live chat support, with agents staffed 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about their service.
You also get P2P support, a kill switch (to help your IP stay concealed if your network drops), and very solid overall performance levels.
Downsides? ExpressVPN supports just three simultaneous connections per user, and their service comes with a premium price tag. But if you want a reliable, ultra fast and highly secure provider, ExpressVPN may be a great fit. While they don’t have a free trial option, ExpressVPN has a ‘no hassle’ 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the service.
2. IPVanish
Awesome for torrenting and other P2P traffic
- Number of servers: 950+
- Server locations: 60+
- IP addresses: 40000+
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- No traffic logs
- Excellent download speeds
- Configurable software
- No free trial
While many VPN providers try to stand out with their free plans and cheap commercial products, IPVanish talks more about service quality. It’s “the world’s fastest VPN” says the website, boasting 40,000+ shared IPs, 950+ VPN servers in 60+ countries, unlimited P2P traffic, five simultaneous connections, a no logs policy and more.
The price is still going to be an issue for some – it is more expensive than the average VPN, but IPVanish’s high speeds, choice of locations and excellent client are hard to beat (although in our latest look at the Windows client, we did find it potentially susceptible to the odd network issue, perhaps more so than rival software). If you’re after quality, take the plunge with this VPN, and if somehow you end up unhappy with the service there’s a 7-day money-back guarantee.
3. VyprVPN
Great for performance and security
- Number of servers: 700+
- Server locations: 73
- IP addresses: 200,000+
- Maximum devices supported: 3-5
- Very fast performance
- Good value annual plans
- Powerful, configurable clients
- Monthly plans are dearer
This VPN provider is based in Switzerland, where there are favourable privacy laws, and it’s a very well-specified service boasting 73 server locations and unlimited data usage.
There are also some great extras such as auto-connect options to make things easy for you, a kill switch, and you get bolstered security courtesy of the firm’s proprietary Chameleon protocol and VyprDNS. Note that on the logging front, some logs are maintained (connection times, IP addresses).
VyprVPN also offers a commendably wide range of clients and its Windows software benefits from an easy-to-use interface. Perhaps the best news, though, comes on the performance front – this VPN is certainly speedy.
One point you should be aware of is that VyprVPN doesn’t do refunds at all, but there is a 3-day trial. In terms of what’s on offer here, you can subscribe either monthly or annually to a Basic or Premium plan (you get three connections with the former, and five with the latter).
4. NordVPN
An ultra-secure provider
- Number of servers: 2029
- Server locations: 61
- IP addresses: N/A
- Maximum devices supported: 6
- Quality mobile and desktop clients
- Up to six devices
- Good performance
- Session logging policy is unclear
Despite being based in a country located in Central America – hardly a tech hub – NordVPN‘s current products match or beat the competition in just about every area.
Over 2,000 servers in 61 countries, 2048-bit encryption, 6-device support as standard, strong DNS leak protection, automatic kill switch, handy security extras, optional dedicated IP addresses, and payment options including Bitcoin, PayPal and credit cards.
Performance was good, too, with impressive speeds on short connections, and some very palatable results with longer distances, too. There is a slight niggle with the privacy policy here, though, because while the provider maintains a ‘no logs’ policy, the exact stance on session logging – and whether any of this takes place – is unclear.
NordVPN has three service options available and its most popular and by far best value plan is the 1-year subscription (aside from the aforementioned 2-year special offer, that is).
5. TunnelBear
If you want an easy-to-use provider, you got it
- Number of servers: ~1,000
- Server locations: 20+
- IP addresses: N/A
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- Extremely user-friendly
- Wide range of client software
- Transparent privacy policy
- Long-distance connections can be slower
TunnelBear is a Canadian-based provider which is notable for a number of reasons, perhaps the foremost of which is its emphasis on ease-of-use. You get a wide range of clients, covering both desktop and mobile devices thoroughly, and the software is highly user-friendly.
Even the website steers clear of using jargon, and talks about how a VPN works in simple layman’s terms. As you might guess, though, expert users might find the lack of details rather off-putting – and more importantly, there aren’t many low-level options to tweak your connection either. So this is really designed with beginners in mind.
In terms of coverage, TunnelBear offers servers in 20+ different countries across the globe, and gives you up to five simultaneous connections. This provider is strong on the privacy front, as well, clearly and concisely explaining its policies, and again not drowning you in jargon (of the legal variety in this case, rather than the technical kind).
Performance is also impressive over shorter hops and solid to the US, although really long-distance connections such as Singapore can see speeds drop considerably (that’s not unusual for VPNs, though).
Future Tech 