Protecting your online privacy and security is more important now than it ever has been. To keep your sensitive information private, stay anonymous online, or bypass geo-restrictions to access blocked content – whether that's for streaming or censorship reasons – using a trustworthy VPN (virtual private network) is crucial for all your digital devices.
That's where TechRadar can help. We've rigorously tested every major VPN service out there to bring you this comprehensive guide to the best VPNs available today. On this page, you'll find quick recommendations, in-depth analyses of the top options, and detailed speed test comparisons.
Scroll down to discover the best VPN for your needs, and understand why we recommend these specific services over many others in what is now an incredibly crowded market.
5 best VPNs: quick overview
If you're looking for quick answers, we've put together this brief overview of our top five VPN picks. You'll find in-depth analysis of each one directly below.
VPN reviews
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Recent updates
As we come to the end of our latest round of testing, we thought it best to bust out the camera. Alongside some updates to our speed test results, we've also updated our testing images to show you what each VPN's apps look like. If you want to see our latest VPN test results, we'll show you all the data from the hundreds of tests we conduct for each VPN service.
The best VPN overall
NordVPN tops our VPN rankings by offering an unmatched blend of features, speed, unblocking, and value for money. Not only is it half the price of ExpressVPN, it also has more features compared to Surfshark. They're its two nearest rivals, making Nord a no-brainer for most people.
OK, it's not quite the fastest VPN or cheapest VPN (in our testing those awards go to Surfshark), and it doesn't have the absolute best apps (see Express). But as an all-round package, we wholeheartedly view Nord as the best balance of everything.
Features
NordVPN offers all the industry-standard features you'd expect from a modern, top-tier VPN service. Log into the app, select a location, and you can connect to servers all over the world instantly – encrypting all your web traffic and changing your IP address in the simple click of a button. It's easy to use, even for beginners, and has all the advanced features you'd expect if you're more experienced.
With a kill switch and an auto-connect function, you'll automatically connect to a VPN server when you boot it up, and if the connection drops, Nord will automatically quarantine your internet traffic. That's essential if you don't want your location or identity leaking out by accident.
You can even choose what you don't want going through the VPN, thanks to split tunneling. For example, in our testing, we found that it's great for using Android Auto and Apple Car Play without having to turn your VPN off.
But there's so much more than just a fast and reliable connection – NordVPN sports an impressive suite of additional privacy, security, and usability features. There's Threat Protection, which protects you by blocking malicious websites and scanning downloads for malware. Threat Protection has now been split into Pro and Lite, with Pro offering even more features that go well beyond the standard DNS-based blocking. However, bear in mind that while this is a great tool, if you get a virus on your device you'll need a dedicated antivirus to remove it. Nord's core DNS-based blocker is only preventative, not curative.
Alongside this is NordVPN's dark web monitoring, which scans the dark web for your credentials and email address to ensure they haven't been compromised. There are obfuscated servers that can disguise your VPN usage, and a feature called SmartPlay to help you access streaming content when you're not in your home country.
If you want to upgrade to a more expensive plan, you'll get even more features and tools to play with, such as:
Read more about Nord's app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
- NordPass: Nord's own cross-platform password manager (see our NordPass review for more).
- Cyber fraud insurance: to help get your money back if someone steals your identity or hits you with a convincing scam.
- Data breach scanning: to alert you if your details are being sold on the dark web.
- NordLocker: secure, encrypted cloud storage so you don't have to upgrade your devices (see our NordLocker review for more).
App support
Nord has apps for all major mobile and computing platforms, and plenty of supporting materials to help you get set up if you're unsure. For the most part they're simple enough, and you'll be able to connect to a nearby server quickly.
However, the apps can feel busy and cluttered compared to competitors like ExpressVPN, with its simple power button interface. If you aren't confident with technology, you might find yourself forced to reach for the support site to help get you started with setup and some of the features.
As advanced users, our testing team found the apps can be a little unintuitive. It sometimes feels like it takes an extra click to get where you want to go, and the Settings menu may appear slightly hidden if you don't know where to look.
Nord's product team told us that this was actually somewhat intentional. They don't want the average user to manually configure their connections, in case they make their VPN less secure or effective. Nord has all the data to know which servers are going to give you the best configuration and wants to take all that hard work out of the mix.
Privacy and security
Nord has a solid reputation for privacy and security – the company regularly submits to independent audits and is also a key member of the VPN Trust Initiative. There are only two scratches on its otherwise flawless 12-year track record.
The first was a data center breach in 2018, during which, it was established, no user information was exposed and the center was immediately secured. My opinion on this is that NordVPN shouldn't have poked the bear by saying hackers would never be able to access its servers on Twitter. In reality, this is ancient history in the VPN world, and Nord has gone above and beyond to prove its security since then.
The second is that Nord is yet to release its quantum-safe key exchanges. For most people, this isn't an issue. However, for anyone who might be targeted by a government organization, the lack of post-quantum protection might be a concern. As quantum computers become better, government agencies are hoarding encrypted data to decrypt down the line. By comparison, only ExpressVPN offers post-quantum protection, so if this is a deal-breaker for you, that's where you should look.
In the grand scheme of things, these issues are minor and shouldn't deter the average person from using NordVPN.
Streaming and unblocking
Accessing streaming sites around the world is a big driver for lots of VPN users, and NordVPN shines here. It currently tops our best streaming VPN guide as the all-round best service at unblocking streaming services without being detected.
In our latest round of VPN tests, we found it reliably unblocks virtually all international Netflix libraries, Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer in the UK, and almost all others globally.
| Netflix libraries | US services | UK services | Australian services |
|---|---|---|---|
| US, UK, AU, CA, JP | Amazon, Disney, Hulu, HBO Max | iPlayer, ITV, C4 | 9Now, 10 play |
Speed
In our speed tests, Nord maxed out our gigabit full fiber testing line with 950 Mbps on WireGuard but dropped to only 110 Mbps using OpenVPN (see below for a quick VPN protocols explainer). The reality is that most people will never need to use OpenVPN (just use the default settings and Nord handles all that for you) which means Nord is basically as fast as it's possible to be. Even if you did connect using OpenVPN, 110Mbps it's still four times faster than you need for 4K streaming (which only needs 25 Mbps), and more than fast enough for everyday use. At these speeds, you won't notice any buffering or slowing down whatsoever.
I think NordVPN is going to be more than enough for most people. Its potent combination of pricing, features, speed, and reliability makes it the best all-around service out there and performs consistently well in our regular testing. If you've got specific needs and uses in mind, I'd recommend checking out our more focused buying guides, but if you're just after everyday protection and Netflix unblocking, but you're unsure which VPN to get, my advice is to trust Nord.
★★★★½
Read more: NordVPN review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | Great for new users, but more work is needed to make it easier to set up advanced configurations | ★★★★ |
| Speed | One of the fastest VPNs on the market, maxing out my testing line | ★★★★★ |
| Streaming | Unblocked everything we threw at it, every time we tried | ★★★★★ |
| Technical | A privacy-first approach that's supported with clear investment in improving the security of its apps | ★★★★★ |
| Support | Friendly, supportive and professional | ★★★★★ |
| Value | It's the best VPN at one of the best prices | ★★★★ |
The best VPN for beginners
A significantly higher monthly subscription price and a more limited feature set compared to NordVPN hold ExpressVPN back from the top of our list, but it's got plenty to offer anyone in the market for a VPN.
It's a strong choice if you're concerned about keeping your data safe online, with a widespread selection of servers to pick from, robust security tools and protocols, and excellent speed results. But the main reason we love it so much is because it undoubtedly has the most user-friendly apps of any other service, so it's a brilliant option if you're new to VPNs or confused about the technology.
For the more security-minded user, its hard to argue with ExpressVPN's offering. Not only does Express have its own bespoke VPN protocol in Lightway, it also offers all the main features provided by Nord, including auto-connect and a safety net-providing kill switch.
ExpressVPN calls its kill switch tech Network Lock. It ensures you can only access the internet via the VPN's secure connection, and blocks all traffic should the VPN connection drop for any reason, preventing any of your data from being leaked online.
Features
ExpressVPN comes with more than just strictly privacy-focused features. There are plenty of additional tools to make your internet experience just that bit more streamlined.
It comes with a built in ad-blocker, which can tame some of the more annoying aspects of the internet, and help you save precious mobile data that would otherwise be wasted loading video and banner ads.
There's also an optional password manager called ExpressVPN Keys that you can use if you don't already have one (here's why you might want to). These days, where everyone has a hundred different accounts, a password manager is an essential tool – making it easier to log into each different site, while keeping your details secret and safe at the same time.
Read more about ExpressVPN's app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
ExpressVPN's mobile and desktop apps are quick to install and simple to use. The sleek interface will appeal particularly to the beginner VPN user, though it's slightly let down by the settings screens in the desktop app, which feel dated and basic.
The mobile app includes a graph showing your current IP address, and the amount of time your device has been protected by the VPN, both of which are missing from the desktop app. Also missing is the Security Assistant, which is a useful tool for helping protect your privacy and control your personal data by walking you through a series of device configuration and online security checks.
Streaming, unblocking and speed
In our latest VPN testing, we found ExpressVPN to be an entirely competent and reliable tool for unblocking international versions of Netflix, Disney+, and many other localized services in the US, UK, Australia, and beyond. We've found Nord to be slightly more reliable, in that it's easier to find a server and location that works – so Nord is currently at the top for the best streaming VPN. However, Express is still unlikely to disappoint you on this one.
ExpressVPN has stumbled with its speeds in the past, but really impressed during our latest round of analysis. During testing, speeds on our gigabit line hit 898 Mbps with Lightway – coming in just shy of Nord and Surfshark at over 950 Mbps. In the past, we've seen Express dip as low as 410 Mbps, which makes us question the consistency of those speeds. That said, anything over 200 Mbps is still absolutely soaring, so don't let these figures fool you. Like I explained to u/EndUnfair2645: ExpressVPN has never been slow.
When it comes to OpenVPN, Express dropped to 160 Mbps this time around (down from 210 Mbps last time). While these speeds are still more than sufficient for gaming and 4K streaming, it's still a big drop compared to NordVPN, or the king of our speed tests, Surfshark. It's worth noting that Express is investing heavily in its Lightway protocol in order to make it a superior alternative to WireGuard – even going so far as to make it open-source.
With the easiest-to-use apps and a hyper-focus on your privacy and security, I think ExpressVPN is the best choice for anyone looking for absolute security, with none of the hard work. You'll have to be OK with paying that little bit extra, though. If not, you're better off choosing either Nord or Surfshark, both of which cost less than half the price.
★★★★½
Read more: ExpressVPN review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Features | An automated one-click connect means you get the safest, fastest protection possible – without having to configure it yourself | ★★★★★ |
| Speed | Fast enough for streaming, online gaming, and torrenting, with a big focus on low-latency bandwidth | ★★★★ |
| Streaming | Consistently unblocks every site and region we test | ★★★★★ |
| Technical | ExpressVPN's teams are constantly improving the industry, but a recent DNS leak (now fixed) caused a stir | ★★★★ |
| Support | Always available, friendly, and helpful | ★★★★★ |
| Value | An expensive option, but if you want something you can stake your life on, it's worth every penny | ★★ |
The best cheap VPN service
Surfshark isn't just our pick as the best cheap VPN, it's also a one-stop security suite. It has built-in ad-blocking, antivirus, tracker-free web browsing, and a data breach notifier built-in – not to mention a tool called Alternative ID, which generates a brand new identity and email address to use online to protect you from spam or having your details harvested. It's premium protection without the price.
With one of the cheapest subscriptions in our list, Surfshark suits budget-conscious internet users who have a lot of devices they wish to protect and don't want to compromise on features, or try using one of the many free VPNs out there due to the restrictions they have on bandwidth and number of simultaneous connections.
Features
One of the crown jewels of Surfshark's features list is Incogni. This is a service that automates the process of requesting the deletion of personal data stored by data brokers and advertising companies. This gives users a chance to push back and reclaim at least some of their digital privacy from increasingly common and invasive data-tracking practices.
Surfshark also offers other security features, such as Camouflage Mode, its implementation of obfuscated servers; and CleanWeb, its ad/tracker/malware blocking solution. It also offers unlimited simultaneous connections for busy households with lots of devices.
Read more about Surfshark's app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
Like NordVPN, Surfshark has quite a busy app compared to competitors like ExpressVPN. While it gives you a lot of information and options, it can be intimidating if you're not used to using them.
In use, the app is solid and usually reliable. However there have been instances with the Windows app where the killswitch doesn't work properly, leaving you using your device thinking you were safe, when in fact you were unprotected. This is a rare case, though, and normally Surfshark's apps are reliable and offer plenty of configuration and customization options for whatever your specific need might be
Streaming, unblocking and speed
Surfshark is the king of the hill when it comes to our speed tests, reaching speeds of over 950 Mbps when connected through WireGuard and a chart-topping 460 Mbps using OpenVPN. That's why it's our top pick as the best super-fast VPN currently available.
As with our two top VPN picks, we found it can unblock multiple Netflix libraries as well as Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and most others, making it a solid and cost-effective choice for those who want to stream foreign libraries. The only real downside is if you live in China: Surfshark struggles to reliably defeat China's Great Firewall and there are better options available.
Surfshark is a perfect example of a premium service that doesn't make you feel like you've been mugged at the checkout. It always performs on par with Nord and Express in our tests, and it's always been my go-to pick for friends and family looking for a cheap VPN that actually works. Plus, at this price, it's hard to argue with its position at number 3 in my rankings.
★★★★½
Read more: Surfshark review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | A comfortable middle-ground between NordVPN and ExpressVPN | ★★★★ |
| Speed | One of the fastest providers around | ★★★★★ |
| Streaming | Another full house – Surfshark keeps getting perfect scores in our unblocking tests | ★★★★★ |
| Technical | A much-improved antivirus tool, but the Windows kill switch can fail under very extreme circumstances | ★★★★ |
| Support | Support site has come a long way | ★★★★ |
| Value | So much for so little – no one else can match the value | ★★★★★ |
The best VPN for Linux and torrenting
It can be difficult to get a VPN client set up on Linux. The process often requires confidence with the command line interface (and if you don't know what that is, there's little need to read further).
This is why PIA is our top pick for Linux users, especially those who might be new to the platform. With an easy installation process and a full-featured GUI app, PIA makes using a VPN on Linux a breeze.
PIA is also excellent for power users who need a high degree of flexibility when it comes to installation and configuration. Getting into the settings can be a bit overwhelming for new users – there's a huge number of features on offer, more on that below. But if you don't need all that additional functionality, there's a nice, simple connect button to get you online.
Features
So, as well as an impressive GUI experience for Linux users, PIA offers a more-than-respectable array of additional features. There's support for an unlimited number of devices, split-tunneling to allow you to choose which apps use the VPN and which don't, and PIA Mace which is an ad/tracker/malware blocking tool. There's also multi-hop connections for additional security, obfuscated servers to hide your VPN usage completely, support for port-forwarding to optimize your torrent downloads, and more.
It's a good service, and one that has plenty of loyal, long-term customers, which is always a good sign. But for most users, we think this VPN is simply outmatched by the more appropriate options higher in our guide.
Read more about PIA's app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
PIA's mobile apps are minimalist and easy to get to grips with for the average user. The service employs a similar design language to ExpressVPN, with a large, friendly power-button icon to start a connection.
However, the desktop app can be a bit confusing as it sits in the system tray and is pretty packed with features. The Linux app also has all the same features as the MacOS and Windows ones, and there are even two command line options for those who prefer the old-fashioned way of doing things.
Streaming, unblocking and speed
PIA is a rather weak offering when it comes to both speed and unblocking ability. It struggled in our speed tests, with WireGuard speeds dropping to 330 Mbps and OpenVPN down to 270 Mbps.
Now, this is still more than enough for multiplayer games and 4K streaming. So while we would hope for better results, PIA remains very usable: you can still take advantage of its ability to unblock all the more popular streaming sites, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more.
While PIA's speeds are nothing to write home about, it still shines as the best VPN for Linux users. The massive array of configurable features along with its proven track record make it the perfect choice for privacy purists. Couple that with a server in every state in the US, and you've got one of the most secure VPNs for Americans possible. With all of that in mind, it's a nightmare for beginners. If you're new to VPNs, I'd recommend steering clear of PIA until you're more comfortable with the technology.
★★★★
Read more: Private Internet Access (PIA) review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | Not the best for beginners, but great for advanced users | ★★★ |
| Speed | Good speeds, but generally average compared to industry leaders | ★★★ |
| Streaming | Dedicated streaming servers and an enormous global network help you unblock anything and everything | ★★★★★ |
| Technical | The latest and greatest in VPN tech, and a proven no-logging policy | ★★★★★ |
| Support | A mass of knowledge online and expert support on-hand at all times | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Budget-friendly and offering plenty of features that would normally cost you twice as much | ★★★★★ |
5. The best free VPN
Perhaps you can't quite stretch to the cost of Surfshark's monthly subscription, or you don’t want to pay for two years all at once. There is an alternative to the other VPNs in this list, and that’s PrivadoVPN’s free plan. While it’s not the best choice if you plan to be online all the time, or do a lot of streaming or torrenting, it’s got a generous monthly bandwidth limit. And while it doesn’t match up to providers like NordVPN, it has a solid set of features if you want some basic added security when you're out and about away from home.
PrivadoVPN is going to suit someone who needs to use a VPN very occasionally and for trivial matters. We wouldn’t recommend it if you're seriously concerned about keeping your online identity and activities safe, but it’s a useful stopgap for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to a full VPN subscription.
Features
Like other free VPNs, PrivadoVPN can’t offer anywhere near the same sort of features as premium providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. There are no password managers, no obfuscated servers, and nothing like Surfshark’s Alternative ID or Incogni.
You do, however, get an ad blocker to protect you from online advertising, a kill switch to protect your data in case of a problem with your VPN connection, and even split tunneling to enable you to decide which apps use the VPN and which don’t. It’s a decent offering for something that costs nothing at all, but doesn’t compete with the reliability you get with a paid subscription.
Read more about Privado's app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
Privado’s apps follow the tried-and-true design employed by competitors such as ExpressVPN, with a big, friendly connect button to get you online, and your current location and new IP addresss on display. The location list can be sorted not only by name or location, but also by latency, showing you which server will get you the best connection. There’s a decent amount of configuration options available for those who want to dabble, though not as much flexibility as you might find in PIA.
Streaming, unblocking and speed
Access to streaming sites is a big draw for most VPN subscribers, and while PrivadoVPN can unblock some sites such as Disney+ and the BBC iPlayer occasionally, it isn’t a service we would recommend if this is something you’re going to do a lot. You’d be far better off with a VPN like Surfshark, with its cheap two-year subscription and far more advanced unblocking capabilities.
Where PrivadoVPN does shine is in our speed tests, with impressive results rivaling Surfshark and NordVPN for WireGuard connections, though OpenVPN is another story, with speeds dropping all the way down to 220 Mbps. Still, that's plenty fast enough to stream in 4K and to game reliably, but again, there are better options like Surfshark for this.
PrivadoVPN's offering is impressive for a free VPN, and while I wouldn't recommend it for everyday use due to the hit-and-miss performance with streaming providers and monthly bandwidth limit, it still fills a useful niche for occasional use. There's also a paid plan if you want to upgrade later, but if you're considering doing that, I'd still recommend going for one of the better options higher up on the list.
★★★★
Read more: Privado Free review
| Features | In brief | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | Easy to use and clearly laid out | ★★★★ |
| Speed | The low end of average for a leading service, but generally fast enough for anything you could throw at it | ★★★ |
| Streaming | Some hiccups despite a dedicated unblocking team | ★★★ |
| Technical | Good scores on paper, but currently lacking an independent audit | ★★★ |
| Support | Decent email support, but not a lot of of on-site help | ★★★ |
| Value | Nothing beats free | ★★★★★ |
Also tested
To be able to recommend the best VPN services, we have to thoroughly review – and regularly re-review – all the major options, including the respected services below.
