In an increasingly connected world, where privacy concerns and data breaches are on the rise, virtual private network (VPN) services have become essential tools for safeguarding our online presence. A VPN not only provides a secure connection but also grants access to restricted content and ensures anonymity while browsing the web.
With numerous VPN providers in the market, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. To ease your decision-making process, we have compiled a list of the best 10 VPN services that you should consider trying in 2023. These top-notch services combine robust security features, excellent performance, and user-friendly interfaces, promising an unparalleled online experience.
What is a VPN and Why use a VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, establishes a secure and private connection between your device and the internet. It provides several benefits to users. One major advantage is the added security it offers. By encrypting your internet connection and hiding your IP address, VPNs make it difficult for hackers, identity thieves, and other malicious actors to intercept your online activity and steal your personal information.
VPNs also improve privacy by prohibiting your ISP from tracking your online activities and selling your browsing information to advertisers. They also safeguard your privacy from government surveillance and censorship, which is especially important in countries with restricted internet rules.
Additionally, VPNs give you access to regionally restricted content. You can access websites, social networking platforms, and video services that are otherwise inaccessible to you by connecting to a VPN server in a different country.
When utilizing public WiFi, which is frequently unsafe and exposes your internet activity to other users on the network, using a VPN is a good decision. By encrypting your connection, a VPN makes using public Wi-Fi safer.
Finally, companies typically deploy VPNs to give distant workers secure access to their network and resources. VPNs are now a crucial tool for many businesses as remote work becomes more and more common.
Top 10 VPN Service that you can try in 2023
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN stands out with its impressive features. It boasts over 3,000 servers in 160 locations across 94 countries, providing swift and reliable connections no matter where you are. It has a particularly strong presence in Asia, which sets it apart from other providers who often neglect that region.
The apps offered by ExpressVPN prioritize your security. They utilize industry-standard AES-256 encryption and support both OpenVPN and Lightway protocols. Lightway, in particular, stands out for its excellent speeds, although competitors like Surfshark and NordVPN surpass ExpressVPN in this aspect. However, for most users, the difference in speed won’t be noticeable unless you have a connection speed of 1Gbps or higher.
ExpressVPN provides reliable and comprehensive support, available 24/7. While it may have a higher price compared to other options, the premium pricing is well worth it considering the rock-solid privacy features, support for various devices, excellent performance for torrenting, and overall reliability.
2. Proton VPN
ProtonVPN is an all-inclusive VPN service that offers a range of impressive features. In addition to the standard VPN capabilities, it provides multi-hop connections and access to the Tor network via VPN. The app interface has been redesigned to ensure a pleasant user experience.
What sets ProtonVPN apart is its exceptional free VPN subscription, which surpasses other providers. Even its core paid VPN service offers an average price that is competitive. It caters to both experienced users seeking advanced features and first-time users looking for a straightforward experience.
ProtonVPN not only offers affordability but also excels in terms of privacy tools. It provides numerous advanced tools to enhance user privacy and maintains a strong stance on customer privacy.
The client interface of ProtonVPN is sleek and user-friendly, allowing easy navigation and access to features. Furthermore, it has achieved excellent scores in speed tests, ensuring a smooth and fast browsing experience. Overall, ProtonVPN is a highly recommended option for its good pricing, advanced privacy tools, commitment to customer privacy, user-friendly interface, and impressive speed test results.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is a reliable VPN service with a wide network of over 5,500 servers in 59+ countries. While it may have fewer locations than ExpressVPN, you can still expect a speedy server wherever you are. NordVPN utilizes its own NordLynx protocol, which is a modified version of WireGuard. This protocol ensures stability and impressive connection speeds, reaching around 820Mbps in testing.
NordVPN maintains a consistent and modern design across all its platforms, offering a user-friendly experience. It stays ahead of the game by embracing new technologies, such as the WireGuard VPN protocol and RAM-only servers, which enhance security and privacy.
However, the premium features of NordVPN come at a higher price compared to the industry average. Despite the cost, NordVPN offers additional benefits such as multi-hop connections, split tunneling, and Tor connections, expanding its functionality. It also provides traffic routing and file-sharing through Meshnet, as well as built-in antivirus tools.
Overall, NordVPN is a trustworthy choice for its wide server network, stable connection speeds, sleek design, advanced features like multi-hop and split tunneling, and commitment to privacy and security.
4. Surfshark
Surfshark is a relatively new player in the VPN market, but it has quickly gained recognition by offering a polished product that keeps up with the competition. Although it may not have as many features as some of its competitors, Surfshark does provide multi-hop connections and supports the WireGuard protocol.
Surfshark’s blue color scheme and slightly higher monthly cost may remind you of another well-known blue VPN provider: NordVPN. Interestingly, NordVPN recently acquired Surfshark VPN, but both brands continue to operate independently. Surfshark VPN has expanded its offerings and now includes antivirus protection as an optional add-on for an extra fee.
One standout feature of Surfshark is its support for unlimited devices, allowing you to protect all your devices with a single subscription. The recent update has also expanded Surfshark’s presence to over 100 countries, providing a wider range of server locations. Considering the features it offers, Surfshark VPN provides great value for the price and is particularly effective for streaming content.
It features unlimited device support, extensive server network, and affordability make it a strong choice, especially for streaming. Just be aware of the potential price hikes after the initial term and the slightly limited support options.
5. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) has established itself as a long-standing player in the VPN industry. Unlike other older VPN providers, PIA has managed to keep up with the evolving landscape rather than fading into obscurity. What sets PIA apart becomes evident when you dig deeper.
PIA’s desktop apps offer a feature that is relatively rare among VPN providers: port forwarding. Additionally, its kill switch feature is highly reliable, ensuring your internet connection remains secure at all times. PIA’s proxy browser extensions are also noteworthy, employing updated technology that enables faster browsing speeds.
However, for newcomers or those seeking a simpler VPN experience, PIA’s robust features might be a bit overwhelming or intimidating. On the bright side, PIA performs exceptionally well for streaming, granting access to popular platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer.
PIA offers excellent value for the price, and its apps and kill switch deliver consistent performance. It has successfully passed a no-log audit, demonstrating its commitment to user privacy. While PIA’s apps are powerful, they can be complex to navigate, which might not be ideal for users seeking a more straightforward experience. It’s important to note that a full app audit is still in progress, indicating ongoing efforts to enhance security.
6. TunnelBear
TunnelBear VPN may be easily dismissed due to its playful bear-themed app, vibrant colors, and limited set of features. However, underestimating TunnelBear VPN would be a disservice. This VPN is incredibly user-friendly and offers a limited free subscription option, making it an excellent choice for individuals who are unfamiliar with VPNs.
Moreover, TunnelBear VPN stands out for its highly transparent audit process, establishing itself as a trustworthy name in the industry.
TunnelBear VPN is a fantastic option for VPN newcomers, thanks to its simple and welcoming interface. It also serves as a reliable choice for users who require a general-purpose VPN without the need for intricate network configurations.
Notable features of TunnelBear VPN include unlimited simultaneous connections, excellent privacy policies, and annual independent audits to ensure accountability and security. Its design is friendly and approachable, complete with adorable bears to add a touch of charm.
7. Windscribe
Windscribe is a highly compatible VPN that works seamlessly across various platforms, including routers, Amazon Fire devices, and Kodi TV set-top boxes. It offers a wide range of connection options, boasts a vast network of servers in multiple locations, and presents an attractive, albeit minimalist, user interface.
One notable feature of Windscribe is its effectiveness in bypassing geo-restrictions, particularly for accessing overseas Netflix. It achieves this through dedicated ‘Windflix servers’ designed specifically for this purpose.
Additionally, Windscribe’s Chrome VPN extension is exceptional, offering a wealth of features and the convenience of not requiring the installation of the desktop client. This makes it ideal for work computers or other devices where software installation is restricted.
Windscribe has made significant improvements in WireGuard speeds, enhancing the overall performance of the VPN. The apps provided by Windscribe are feature-packed, ensuring a comprehensive VPN experience. The pricing plans are flexible and offer decent value for the features provided. Windscribe also boasts the best built-in tracker blocker among VPNs, enhancing user privacy and security.
However, it’s worth noting that Windscribe’s apps may not be the simplest to use, potentially requiring some time to familiarize yourself with their functionality. Additionally, Windscribe lacks 24/7 live chat support and has yet to undergo an independent audit.
8. CyberGhost
CyberGhost VPN boasts an extensive collection of VPN servers, making it one of the largest in the industry. While server quantity alone doesn’t guarantee quality, CyberGhost VPN sets itself apart with its broad range of server locations across 90 countries.
This makes it an attractive choice for users seeking global VPN coverage. However, it’s worth noting that CyberGhost VPN does have some limitations, such as the absence of multi-hop connections and the yet-to-be-released results of a third-party audit.
With its vast server network and diverse server locations, CyberGhost VPN offers excellent opportunities to find a nearby VPN server no matter where you are. It also provides numerous options for disguising your location, enhancing privacy and accessibility. While the monthly subscription rate of CyberGhost VPN is slightly higher than the industry average, its annual pricing undercuts many of its competitors.
Key strengths of CyberGhost VPN include its large and well-distributed fleet of servers, allowing up to seven simultaneous connections, and offering various add-ons, including antivirus protection. It also delivers outstanding speed test scores, ensuring a smooth and fast browsing experience. Additionally, CyberGhost VPN recently completed a third-party audit, further bolstering its credibility.
9. IPVanish
IPVanish is a well-established US-based VPN provider known for its long-standing reputation as a safe, reliable, and trustworthy service. While it caters more to tech-savvy users, it offers a range of useful features and robust apps that provide comprehensive data insights.
With the WireGuard protocol, IPVanish delivers respectable speeds of approximately 720Mbps, on par with competing providers like CyberGhost and Windscribe. However, its OpenVPN speeds are comparatively slower, averaging only 120Mbps during testing. Nonetheless, most users will likely opt for the newer protocol.
One interesting feature offered by IPVanish is “Scramble,” which enables VPN usage in countries like China. While it may not be as robust as specialized China VPN services, it still serves as a valuable tool. IPVanish has also been verified as a no-logging VPN, ensuring user privacy and data security. Additionally, it supports unlimited simultaneous device connections, making it convenient for multi-device usage.
Despite its strengths, the IPVanish apps can be somewhat complicated, which may pose a challenge for some users. However, for those seeking a feature-rich VPN with a trusted reputation, IPVanish remains a solid choice.
10. Mozilla VPN
Mozilla, renowned for its Firefox browser and advocacy for an open internet, is also making waves with its VPN service. Unlike profit-driven companies, Mozilla, being a non-profit organization, has different motives and approaches when it comes to data gathering.
To sustain itself, Mozilla relies on subscription payments for its VPN service. Despite this, Mozilla VPN remains straightforward, visually appealing, and user-friendly, making it a solid choice for VPN users.
With a clean and intuitive interface, Mozilla VPN provides a seamless experience. While its pricing may be higher than Mullvad VPN on its own, every penny spent on Mozilla VPN goes towards supporting a non-profit organization. The value of contributing to a good cause may vary for each customer.
Mozilla VPN stands as a reliable service with a simple yet elegant design. Powered by the privacy-focused Mullvad VPN, it benefits from their expertise and commitment to user privacy. Additionally, Mozilla VPN offers advanced features like multi-hop connections and split tunneling, enhancing privacy and customization options.
Conclusion
A VPN offers a straightforward method to safeguard your online privacy and can help bypass undesired internet restrictions. While the listed services may not be flawless, there may be occasions when using a VPN may not be necessary. Nevertheless, a VPN remains an invaluable tool and a worthwhile addition to your personal security arsenal.