5 Best VPN Services (2024): For Routers, PCs, iPhones, Androids, and More

In my tests, speeds with TunnelBear were competitive with the other options listed here. One of my favorite parts of TunnelBear is the free trial option, which makes it easy to test drive and see what your speed is without actually doing it. TunnelBear has fewer geographic server locations than some other options, but unless you’re traveling abroad or need to get around certain geographic restrictions, it shouldn’t be a problem for most users. TunnelBear costs $3.33 per month if you buy a year in advance. Fastest VPNNordVPN has been in our guide for years, although after a few bad customer service incidents, we pulled it out to try again. After testing NordVPN for the past six months, and repeatedly asking customer service to resolve the issue, which they did, I’m adding it back to my list of recommendations. In 2020 Nord Security joined Surfshark VPN (recommended above). Both VPNs continue to operate independently, but there is some overlap in the services they offer. Nord’s parent company is based in Panama, which is outside the 14-Eyes Alliance, meaning that there is no one forcing NordVPN to collect user data. makes it a popular choice for sharing torrents. I love the built-in ad and tracker blocking in mobile apps, and NordVPN is great for unblocking entertainment sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Max. The NordVPN app offers a kill switch that will automatically stop traffic if the VPN connection fails, and it supports multi-hop VPN connections. NordVPN supports a variety of good protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec for mobile, and what the company calls NordLynx, which is based on WireGuard’s track record.NordVPN for privacy is also good. In October 2024, in connection with a criminal investigation, NordVPN received a warrant from the Panamanian government to provide user data. The company said “the only information we can provide is payment-related data and confirmation of the existence of an account linked to an email address provided by the authority.” Best for High-Risk Use Cases situations where personal security is very important, don’t rely on VPNs. Use Tor (ideally via tail) instead. Using the Tor network accomplishes some of the same things as a VPN, but it’s different. Tor provides anonymity, which means no one can find out who you are, but not necessarily privacy. People can still see what you’re doing, they just won’t know you’re doing it. (VPNs provide privacy because no one can see what you’re doing when you leave the VPN tunnel, but you don’t have anonymity because the VPN provider knows who you are.)Tor is easy to configure. You just need to download the Tor browser and it will connect you to the web. Once connected to the Tor network, you can browse the web normally. Except everything will be slower. When using Tor, your website requests hop around the Tor network, bouncing between servers, before emerging and connecting to the site you want to visit. This makes Tor slow, sometimes incredibly slow, but it is necessary to protect your anonymity. And yes, you can combine a VPN with Tor, though that’s a bit beyond the scope of this guide. Google One VPN: Google One VPN is part of Google One but is scheduled to be shut down. We never recommend it – don’t forget that Google has repeatedly been caught collecting data it says it doesn’t collect, which is not what you want to hear from a VPN provider. We also don’t recommend VPNs that come with Google Fi or those that come with Pixel phones. If you don’t pay for a VPN, two things will happen: It will die, or you will become a commodity. Most recommended VPNs are around $5 a month; The real policy is worth $5 a month. There are many VPNs out there, but most are worth the money. If you just want to get around some of Netflix’s geographic restrictions, then almost anything will work (I still recommend sticking with the suggested options, but if you can’t stop, go ahead). For more serious actions, such as protecting privacy and data, learn to use Tor. Yes, it’s a little technical, but trust me, you have to learn how to handle it when your life, family, and job are at stake. It is limited to one device and there are only three servers you can connect to, which means it can be slow. No logs, no ads, and no other restrictions. In the trial, it was slower than the paid account, but it worked. Some other VPNs offer a 30-day money back guarantee, here are the details on NordVPN’s refund policy. In addition, it is necessary to remember the saying, “If you don’t pay, you are the product.” Don’t trust VPNs that don’t take money (and don’t trust many of them either). The good news is that all of the options above offer a free trial, which allows you to evaluate how well each VPN works in your unique situation and needs.

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