Top 10 Best VPN Providers

Now, if you're scratching your head wondering what a VPN even is, let's start from the basics. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Essentially, it's a service that creates a secure connection between your device and the internet. When you use a VPN, all the data you send and receive travels through an encrypted tunnel, keeping it safe from prying eyes.

The concept of VPNs emerged in the late 90s as a response to a growing need for secure communication over the internet. With an increasing number of businesses going online and employees starting to work remotely, the internet suddenly became a wild west, with hackers and cybercriminals lurking at every corner. VPNs were the knights in shining armor, providing a secure pathway for data to travel between remote users and their corporate networks.

Over the years, VPNs have evolved and expanded their use beyond just corporate networks. Nowadays, they're used by everyday internet users like you and me for a variety of reasons. One of the main ones is to keep our data private and secure. With the right VPN, you can surf the web, shop online, and stream your favorite shows without worrying about someone snooping on your activities or stealing your data.

Another popular use of VPNs is to bypass geographic restrictions. Ever tried to watch a show only to find out it's not available in your country? A VPN can help with that. By masking your IP address, it can make it seem like you're browsing from a different country, unlocking a world of content.

Now, onto the main event: the best VPN providers. With your help, we've rounded up some of the top-rated VPN providers. These are the services that have impressed people with their speed, reliability, privacy features, and ease of use.
The Top Ten
1 Express VPN

I've been using Express VPN for about a year now, and it's the best one I've used. It works wonderfully. The customer service is amazing, and there are options for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and even your router.

But the best part is the Network Lock. If your VPN connection goes down, the app (at least the Windows and Mac editions) will cut off any internet traffic to protect your privacy. The only criticism is that the iOS and Android versions don't have a Network Lock, but I'm certain that'll be added in the future.

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2 Private Internet Access

I've used it for several years and have encountered barely any problems. I'd say it's a very reliable and stable provider with a variety of features. It doesn't store any of your communication logs or monitor your internet activity, although it may collect some of your information (such as email address). Having operated as one of the oldest VPN providers for years, it hasn't had any kind of data leaks since its inception. The price is also affordable. Overall, it's a useful, reliable, and stable VPN.

Private Internet Access lives up to its name, providing exactly the service they promise: privacy. With one-click activation and connection, it's user-friendly. Windows 7, Vista, XP, and NT/2k are all supported, as are Mac and Linux systems. Setup for these operating systems is straightforward. Offering unmetered bandwidth and no logging, there are no restrictions on the amount of traffic. Very affordable pricing at $6.95 a month and $39.95 a year.

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3 TorGuard Visit Website
4 HMA VPN

This is the best! Ought to be the first.

5 PureVPN

I was pleasantly pleased with the billing department at PureVPN. I mistakenly applied for their services twice and received an invoice that I was sure had been paid. I inquired about it using the live chat offered for contact. I'm sorry, I don't recall the name of the person assisting me, but they provided patient and clear instructions. For the help and clarification, I am grateful.

As for the product, it is better than the previous one I used. PureVPN works without any noticeable slowdown or issues. Although I've only had it for a few days, I am pleased. Good customer service will always be high on my list. Keep up the good work!

6 ProtonVPN
7 VPN.ac
8 Surfshark
9 Hotspot Shield
10 Mullvad

ExpressVPN? Nope, that has weak 1024-bit keys. (Not good for security.)

NordVPN? Also nope. They don't disclose major security breaches immediately. (Also not good for security.)

While both of them are probably great for privacy alone (I've never used a VPN, though), they're weak in security. If your product is weak in terms of security, then the privacy aspect of your product is useless.

So why do countless sources online recommend these two? Those sources are in ExpressVPN and NordVPN's affiliate programs. They probably get a free trial of those VPNs in exchange for a good review. There was once a list recommending 10 VPNs, and 8 of them were included because affiliate programs told them to leave a good review. (The two that weren't were Mullvad and ib.VPN.)

Once again, I don't use a VPN. I instead use Tor sometimes. But if you need a trustworthy VPN, I'd go for Mullvad. I use their browser and it's absolutely great. (It's basically Tor but with faster loading times. They achieved this by removing a Tor feature.)

Also, VPNs do NOT provide anonymity. I've seen a commenter on the CyberGhost listing claiming they were anonymous online because of that VPN. This is a common misconception.

The only way to stay anonymous online is to use the Tor browser (WITHOUT A VPN. OTHERWISE, YOU WILL NOT BE ANONYMOUS) and don't give out any identifying information about yourself. Ever.

Thank you.

The Contenders
11 StrongVPN
12 CyberGhost VPN

Best VPN provider ever! I've been using it for 3 years now without any problems! The servers in the US are great for streaming!

It's really awesome! It helps me stay anonymous online without anyone watching my activity.

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13 Windscribe
14 OkayFreedom VPN

Doesn't bombard you with ads. Doesn't keep logs. It's fast and supports five different identities (German, France, US, Swiss, British). Features automatic recognition of blocked content and is easy to use. Made in Germany. One-year subscription costs $69.95. What more could you want?

I tried Hotspot Shield and it messed up my computer. I tried plenty of others and ended up with OkayFreedom. I love the support.

15 AirVPN
16 Faceless.me VPN
17 Hola
18 Cargo VPN
19 Turbo VPN
20 VyprVPN

The apps are actually easy to use, which is not the case for most VPN software. I got the Premium package so I can have three simultaneous connections, and any country I'd really want to connect to is represented with at least one VyprVPN server.

The software is really easy to use, but there are also a bunch of more granular features, like their kill switch, that are nice to see on the platform. It's a little on the expensive side, but the features they offer make it worthwhile to me for the time being.

21 BTGuard

Torrent anonymously with BTGuard. Get unlimited speeds and bypass throttling now with our easy install. Compatible with uTorrent and Vuze.

22 SecureLine Avast VPN
23 Ultrasurf
24 Opera VPN
25 UFO VPN
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