The best VPN services of 2024

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) has become a substantial tool in cybersecurity-conscious users' lives. With it, your online traffic becomes encrypted, which results in enhanced privacy and security. But despite the core features, top-notch VPNs are capable of preventing malware and identity theft, among other threats.

Due to continuously increasing interest in cybersecurity, the VPN market doesn’t stop growing, making it more complicated to choose a reliable service. Therefore, we’ve picked 35 market-leading VPNs overall and put them for testing to see how they stack up against each other.

In this article, you will find a list of the best 11 VPNs of 2024 overall. When testing, we ensured they maintained consistent connection speeds, offered advanced sets of features, and fulfilled fair price-to-quality ratios.

Top 5 VPN services in 2024:

1. 1. ExpressVPN – The best VPN in 2024 overall
2. 2. NordVPN – The most secure VPN on the market
3. 3. Surfshark – The best feature-packed VPN
4. 4. TotalVPN - Combines security and convenience with fast speeds
5. 5. PIA - Best Cheap VPN for regular users

 

What are the main reasons to use a VPN

There are many reasons why you should use a VPN, no matter if you’re casually browsing, traveling, or working online. Here are a few of them:

• Enhanced online security – The most secure VPNs on the market not only mask your original IP address but also help you prevent various types of malware, halt online tracking, and avoid malicious websites, among other things.
• Guaranteed privacy –  With the best no-logs VPNs, your online data becomes inaccessible to snoopers, marketers, and even governmental institutions, making your online experience noticeably more private.
• Unlimited streaming – With a powerful streaming VPN, you can switch your IP address and unblock foreign Netflix libraries as well as streaming services that are only available in the US, for example.
• Stable connection speed – By using a reliable VPN, you mask your online activities from the ISP (Internet service provider), preventing it from throttling your network connection and maintaining fast speeds even while torrenting.
• Online discounts – By changing your IP address with the help of a VPN, you can get services like Spotify Premium cheaper. The same rule applies even to flights.

Best 11 VPN services tested and reviewed in 2024

To be able to distinguish only the very best VPN services in 2024, we measured the capabilities of 35 providers overall. The main aspects we paid attention to included:

Below, you will find the list of the top 11 VPNs reviewed, so you can make an informative decision:

1. ExpressVPN – Market-leading VPN of 2024

ExpressVPN

1

9.9

/10

Visit ExpressVPN

Pros & cons

• Based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction
• Has servers in over 100 locations
• Has integrated top-notch security measures
• User-friendly applications
• Over a month of a risk-free trial

• Pricier than average

ExpressVPN is the best VPN you can find today, as it combines durable security with consistent connection speeds and beginner-friendly usability.

The provider’s dedication to privacy has made it to implement state-of-the-art decisions, such as RAM-only servers that ensure your online data is wiped out from the provider’s servers within each system reboot. Moreover, ExpressVPN follows a strict no-logs policy that’s been independently audited by Cure53.

Here, you will also find other advanced security measures, including market-leading AES-256 or ChaCha20/Poly1305 encryption ciphers, depending on what tunneling protocol you enable. Speaking of which, ExpressVPN offers a proprietary Lightway tunnel, which marvelously combines fast speeds with robust protection.

Aside from encryption, the application has a functional kill switch feature for protecting your original IP at all times. There’s an ad and tracked blocker that ensures you prevent adware or online tracking. And the MediaStreamer feature will help any cinephile unblock geo-restricted streaming services even on devices that don’t initially support VPNs.

The VPN service has a 7-day trial version on both Android and iOS, and you can buy the yearly package starting from $6.67/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find more details in our in-depth Express VPN review.

2. NordVPN – VPN with the best security package

NordVPN

1

9.8

/10

Visit NordVPN

Pros & cons

• Uses RAM-only servers for complete privacy
• Has SmartPlay feature for streaming
• Retains fast connection speeds
• Malware protection is included
• 30-day money-back guarantee

• Android device is mandatory for a free trial
• Only up to 6 simultaneous connections

NordVPN is one of the safest VPNs on the market and it has retained the title for several years in a row, due to continuously improving the security suite.

NordVPN is one of a few VPN providers that has its app certified by ioXt for complying with the top requirements for security and privacy. Since the VPN is based in Panama, a non-4/9/14 Eyes country, it’s not answerable to any legal authority. Moreover, it doesn’t keep any logs, and all its servers are RAM-based, so it’ll never have anything to hand over to any third party.

Furthermore, NordVPN boasts an impressive security suite with features like AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption ciphers, proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol, and specialized servers, such as obfuscated ones, included. Additionally, you will find the Threat Protection toolkit with a functional ad and tracker blocker, anti-malware, and dark web protection.

With 5810+ servers in 60 countries and built-in features, like SmartDNS and SmartPlay, this VPN also makes a great choice for streaming. Not only it can unblock the majority of streaming services, but it also helps you do that on devices that originally didn’t support VPN apps, such as Samsung TV.

Unlike ExpressVPN, NordVPN only has a 7-day free trial version on Android, but you can get the yearly package starting from $3.39/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more about the features in our NordVPN review.

3. Surfshark – VPN with the best price-to-quality ratio

Surfshark

1

9.7

/10

Visit Surfshark

Pros & cons

• Allows unlimited parallel connections
• Beginner-friendly apps
• Cheap subscription plans
• 30-day risk-free trial

• Apps for iOS and macOS are weaker
• No free plan

Surfshark is one of the most feature-rich VPNs today which also allows having unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a VPN with the best price-to-quality ratio.

Despite being based in the Netherlands, a 9-Eyes member, Surfshark has a strict no-log policy verified by Deloitte, its RAM-only servers ensure the provider doesn’t retain any information, and a spotless past only strengthens the trust in the VPN. Moreover, Surfshark provides durable online security with the most advanced encryption and lightning-fast but secure connection using the popular WireGuard tunneling protocol.

Similarly to ExpressVPN or NordVPN, Surfshark is an excellent VPN for streaming. Boasting 3200+ servers in 100 countries, the provider can help you unblock both popular and local streaming services. Plus, the SmartDNS feature ensures that you can stream geo-restricted content even on non-VPN devices.

Surfshark offers full protection with its “Surfshark One” bundle that has an antivirus, data leak protection, and a secure search engine, among others. If not taking the bundle, the main VPN app offers a double VPN (also known as MultiHop), the NoBorders feature for using a VPN in heavily censored regions, and the Android app even receives the GPS spoofer for complete untraceability.

Surfshark’s yearly package is available starting from $2.29/month, and it allows you to try the app with a 7-day free trial on macOS, iOS, and Android or with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all devices.

Get to know more in our Surfshark review.

4. TotalVPN – Cheap VPN with decent online protection

TotalVPN

1

9.7

/10

Visit TotalVPN

Pros & cons

• Great for use in the US (12 US server locations)
• Very affordable pricing
• Has a free plan
• User-friendly applications

• Small server fleet
• Doesn’t use the WireGuard tunneling protoco

TotalVPN comes from one of the cybersecurity giants – TotalAV, and it excels in providing affordable and reliable online security. Its prices start from $1.58/month only.

TotalVPN, like other reputable VPNs available, uses the AES-256 encryption cipher to ensure that your data remains unreadable even to the most advanced predators. Furthermore, the service adheres to a strict no-logs policy, guaranteeing that your online data remains private and confidential, and is only accessible to you. Yet, the provider doesn’t use RAM-only servers nor its no-logs policy has been audited.

TotalVPN offers the OpenVPN tunneling protocol as its best option. Even though this tunneling protocol is considerably outdated now, it’s well-known for ensuring a secure network connection. What also makes this VPN secure is its reliable kill switch feature and DNS leak protection that both strengthen the protection for your original IP address.

Furthermore, this VPN provides you with a package of additional security features once the TotalAV Internet Security or TotalAV Total Security subscriptions are chosen. This way, you receive a top-notch antivirus suite or even a reliable password manager.

Apart from premium subscriptions, TotalVPN offers a forever free plan. However, with it, you can protect only one device at a time and choose from only three server locations.

5. Private Internet Access – VPN with the most servers

PIA VPN

1

9.6

/10

Visit Private Internet Access

Pros & cons

• Thousands of servers worldwide
• Has an app with GUI for Linux users
• Unblocks popular streaming platforms
• 7-day free trial via iOS and Android devices

• Mediocre connection speeds
• Based in the US (5-Eyes country)
• No free plan

Private Internet Access is a provider with a jaw-dropping number of servers available, which makes it a great VPN for traveling. That said, you receive 35000+ servers in 84 countries.

It’s located in the USA, but it’s a no-log VPN that has also been independently audited by Deloitte back in 2022. Moreover, PIA’s servers run on RAM-only, meaning your data is deleted within each system reboot. Not to mention the top-class encryption cipher it uses to keep your online traffic inaccessible to any third parties.

Private Internet Access comes with a kill switch, an ad and tracker blocker, split tunneling, and more. It’s also a dedicated IP VPN, meaning for an additional fee you can receive an IP that isn’t shared with anyone else, which enhances the possibility of bypassing geo-blocks and masking the VPN activity overall.

If you’re a Google Chrome user, you can install the Private Internet Access browser extension to get more features, like choosing specific websites to connect to the VPN and blocking third-party cookies. PIA may also be one of the best VPNs for Linux users as it has a Linux application with a graphical user interface.

Private Internet Access has a free 7-day trial version that’s available on iOS and Android devices. The subscriptions’ prices start from $2.11 per month, and they come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read more about the features in our detailed PIA review.

6. CyberGhost VPN – VPN for bypassing geo-restrictions

CyberGhost VPN

1

9.5

/10

Visit CyberGhost VPN

Pros & cons

• Located in a privacy-friendly country
• Has nearly 10000 servers
• Independently audited no-logs policy
• Dedicated servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting

• Possible WireGuard connection issues
• No 12-month subscription plan
• Apple apps are simpler

CyberGhost is one of the best providers to choose for unblocking geo-restricted content, as it boasts 9200+ servers in 91 countries and has specialized servers for gaming, streaming, and torrenting.

CyberGhost is a secure VPN provider that uses advanced encryption to ensure the privacy of your online data. They follow a no-logs policy that has been audited by one of the Big Four global firms, Deloitte. In addition, they use RAM-only servers for even greater privacy. And for consistent speeds throughout your session, CyberGhost employs the WireGuard tunnel.

It lacks the customization options that ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer, but that also means the app is extremely user-friendly and ideal for beginners. It comes with all the essentials – a functional kill switch, split tunneling for customizing your VPN traffic, as well as an ad and tracker blocker, that leaves no chance for annoying pop-ups to interrupt your browsing experience.

What also distinguishes this VPN is the selection of dedicated servers. With them, you will quickly find suitable servers for torrenting, gaming, or streaming. Speaking of streaming, CyberGhost unblocks platforms, like Netflix, Max, BBC iPlayer, or Hulu effortlessly.

CyberGhost VPN offers a 45-day money-back guarantee and also a 24-hour free trial. The prices start from $2.19/month, and you can have up to 7 simultaneous connections.

Get to know more about this VPN in our CyberGhost review.

7. IPVanish – Minimalistic VPN for robust protection

IPVanish

1

9.4

/10

Visit IPVanish

Pros & cons

• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Has a customizable kill switch feature
• Free SOCKS5 proxy for torrenting
• 30-day money-back guarantee

• Doesn’t work in China
• Free trial via smartphones only
• No free version
•  

IPVanish is a VPN provider known for its minimalist approach and high-security standards. The provider makes it a perfect choice for both beginners and tech-savvy users.

The provider has a large server fleet of 2000+ in 75 countries overall, and it owns most of its data centers, making your data safer with them than with most other VPNs. Due to an extensive server fleet and the implementation of the WireGuard tunnel, there are near-zero chances of coming across traffic congestion or slow speeds.

On the downside, this VPN doesn’t have RAM-based servers for now, which isn’t a deal breaker because the VPN service does have a no-log policy and it’s had external audits so we know it doesn’t keep any record, other than your billing information. Moreover, the provider uses next-gen AES-256 encryption, making your online data virtually impossible to decrypt.

Aside from core security measures, IPVanish offers you a customizable kill switch feature that you can choose to use as a regular kill switch or to block LAN traffic. You also receive a free SOCKS5 proxy, and the traffic obfuscation feature that helps you use a VPN in places where the VPN use is illegal.

To test the app, you can use a 7-day free trial on smartphones or a 30-day money-back guarantee on all devices. The prices start from $3.69/month.

Dive into more details in our IPVanish review.

8. PrivateVPN – The best torrenting VPN

PrivateVPN

1

9.4

/10

Visit PrivateVPN

Pros & cons

• Has HTTP and SOCKS5 proxies
• Up to 10 simultaneous connections
• Decent connection speeds
• 7-day free trial is available

• No WireGuard tunneling protocol
• Doesn’t have the split tunneling feature
• Poor server fleet

PrivateVPN is the top pick for users who need a torrenting VPN due to the implementation of HTTP and SOCKS5 proxies.

PrivateVPN provides an impressive feature of customizable encryption with a choice between AES-128-GCM and AES-256-CBC ciphers. This is particularly useful when you require faster connections, as more complex encryption ciphers tend to affect connection speeds more severely.

Nevertheless, PrivateVPN is located in Sweden (14-Eyes member) and it also hasn’t gone through independent no-log policy audits, hence, we can only hope that it plays a fair game and doesn’t violate users’ privacy. On the other hand, the provider uses the OpenVPN tunneling protocol instead of the WireGuard tunnel, which may result in slower but slightly safer connection speeds.

PrivateVPN provides a unique Port forwarding feature that helps you access your devices remotely. Additionally, you can also use the Stealth VPN, which conceals your VPN connection and enables you to use a VPN in regions with high censorship, such as Russia, Iran, North Korea, and other similar countries.

The provider provides you with a 7-day free trial once you contact them via email. The prices start from $2.00/month, and there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check our PrivateVPN review to learn more.

9. Proton VPN – Premium VPN with a free plan

Proton VPN

1

9.3

/10

Visit Proton VPN

Pros & cons

• Uses full-disk encryption
• Privacy-friendly jurisdiction
• Free plan with unlimited data

• Pricier than most VPNs
• Inconsistent speeds are possible
• No live chat support

Based in Switzerland, a non-14 Eyes member, Proton VPN is one of the most reliable VPN providers on the market, that also has a great free plan.

The VPN service will give you full protection from IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. The VPN service uses full-disk AES-256 encryption which ensures that your privacy is well-protected. Additionally, it is open-sourced, which means that users can contribute to the development of the app.

Proton VPN has dedicated servers for torrenting which work with almost every torrenting client like BitTorrent and uTorrent. It also comes with a built-in Tor over VPN, a VPN accelerator to boost your speeds when you’re connected to distant servers, an ad and tracker blocker called NetShield, split tunneling, and more.

A free Proton VPN plan doesn’t have data or speed caps, it comes with a kill switch feature and a double VPN included. You can test the premium version using a 30-day money-back guarantee. The prices start from $3.99/month.

Visit our in-depth Proton VPN review to learn more.

10. PrivadoVPN – Economical VPN provider

PrivadoVPN

1

9.2

/10

Visit PrivadoVPN

Pros & cons

• The free plan gives 10 monthly GB
• Allows up to 10 parallel connections
• Supports WireGuard tunneling protocol

• Price increases after the subscription renewal
• Small server fleet
• Hasn’t been audited

PrivadoVPN is a simple but reliable VPN for an affordable price. It has a free plan that gives you up to 10 GB per month.

PrivadoVPN provides two advantages regarding your privacy, as it’s located in Switzerland, which isn’t a member of the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance. The VPN also follows a no-log policy, meaning it doesn’t collect your online data. Nonetheless, it hasn’t been independently audited, so there’s no proof that it approaches user privacy with full respect.

The VPN encrypts your data using AES-256 cipher and offers you three types of tunneling protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard – the top option available today. Moreover, PrivadoVPN has implemented IP leak protection for your DNS, IPv4, and IPv6.

You also receive additional security features, such as a functional ad blocker that will remove annoying and dangerous ads from your browser. You can use the split tunneling feature for customizing your online traffic. There’s also a Parental controls feature that allows you to manage your children’s access to content.

PrivadoVPN’s prices start from $1.11/month, and there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test premium features risk-free.

11. Atlas VPN  – The most user-friendly VPN

AtlasVPN

1

9.0

/10

Visit AtlasVPN

Pros & cons

• Intuitive and minimalistic apps
• Reliable free app version
• Protects unlimited devices at once
• Great for streaming

• Located in the US
• The server fleet could be bigger
• Free plan has a 5 GB data cap

Atlas VPN has been known as one of the top VPN options for users with no prior experience, and it’s like that for several reasons, including performance, ease of use, and affordability.

Seemingly a simple VPN, Atlas VPN has integrated all essentialities into its applications. There’s market-leading encryption and also the WireGuard tunnel that helps the provider retain fast and secure connections. Morso, you get the IP rotator, which switches your IP address every other minute and noticeably enhances your online privacy.

On the downside, Atlas VPN is based in the US (5-Eyes Alliance member), and it also hasn’t gone through a single no-logs policy audit. Nonetheless, the no-logs policy itself clearly states a respectful approach to your privacy.

Despite minimal privacy concerns, Atlas VPN is a trustworthy option due to its advanced set of extra features. With it, you’re protected from infected websites, the data breach monitor looks after your sensitive information at all times, and the MultiHop+ feature encrypts your traffic twice.

Just like TotalVPN, Atlas VPN also offers a free plan. With it, you can protect one device at a time and connect to four server locations, but a 5 GB data cap comes alongside. Other than that, the Atlas VPN prices start from $1.64/month, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on the side.

How we select only the best VPNs at TechLapse

Selecting the best VPNs out of an extensive and continuously growing market requires us to conduct dedicated tests regularly. This ensures that we provide you with current and relevant recommendations for your selection. Each assessment includes the key factors we look for:

• Security – We ensured they included unbreakable encryption ciphers and extras, such as a kill switch, an ad blocker, obfuscated or other specialized servers, and more.
• Privacy – Our priority VPNs were those that had independently audited no-logs policies and RAM-only servers.
• Quality – We selected VPNs with the lowest percent of the IP leak possibility and the most consistent connection speeds.
• Compatibility – We chose VPNs that work with multiple devices (dedicated applications, SmartDNS feature.)
• Unblocking capabilities – We tested each VPN in terms of how successfully it unblocks streaming services, foreign versions of apps, and websites.
• Affordability – Our selected cheap VPNs aim to offer the best price-to-quality ratio.

Customer opinion on best VPN in forums

The majority of internet users value social opinion, so we scoured forums to find the best VPNs based on customer feedback:

Best VPN services according to Reddit

Numerous Reddit discussions are debating on which VPN service providers are the best. After digging through numerous comments, we learned that NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN are the top 3 VPN providers according to Reddit users, due to their advanced security measures, ease of use, and affordability.

Best VPN services according to Quora

Quora, a popular question-and-answer platform, is often used by internet users to discover the most trustworthy VPN services. The top picks among commenters were NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost, with a focus on their reliability and connection speeds.

Best VPN services according to Discord

Discord, which was initially developed for gamers, has transformed into a versatile platform that is used by various communities, including those who are looking for trustworthy VPN providers. After reviewing over a dozen discussions, we came to know that Proton VPN, Windscribe, and Mullvad are some of the most favored VPNs among Discord users. All three VPNs have free versions that do not compromise your online privacy.

Are VPNs only used for safety?

No, VPNs aren’t only used to enhance online security. This cybersecurity technology was originally created to mask your online traffic by employing governmental-grade encryption and safeguard your data from potential third-party interference. Nonetheless, there are several other cases when a VPN comes in handy.

Aside from unbreakable encryption, VPNs apply other measures that ensure your online privacy isn’t violated. They follow no-log policies assuring that your online data remains uncollected, and these policies are often independently audited by such companies as Cure53 or Deloitte.

Moving from security and privacy, bypassing geo-restrictions to access different types of content is another main reason why VPNs are continuously gaining popularity. With top-notch VPN services, you can unblock a variety of Netflix catalogs and foreign streaming services in general. You can also unlock different TikTok regions or access different versions of the app store.

By changing your IP location to a region with a different economic situation from where you are, you can access services or flights at more budget-friendly prices. For instance, you can get YouTube Premium noticeably cheaper.

How to start using ExpressVPN on your device

All VPN services on the list, including ExpressVPN have built their applications to be suitable for beginners; therefore, to use a VPN, you won’t need to gain specific technical knowledge. But to assure you, we will show how it’s done with the top VPN on the market in a guide below:

1. Choose a VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN, now 49% off.
2. Download and install the VPN application onto your device.
3. Set up the VPN account and log in.
4. Head to the Settings section and select the tunneling protocol you want to use.
5. Enable additional security features you prefer to utilize, such as the Threat Manager in ExpressVPN.
6. Navigate back to the servers list and connect to a desired server location.
7. Open your browser and enjoy a secure online experience.

What type of VPN should you pick - free or paid?

There’s no straightforward answer to whether you should choose a free or a paid VPN service, as the final decision should always be made based on your needs. However, as experts, we believe that free VPN services come with a higher level of risk compared to premium services.

First, free-of-charge VPN services lack numerous advanced security features. Unlike paid VPNs, they often utilize outdated encryption ciphers and tunneling protocols, lacking specialized servers and ad blockers. Additionally, it's common for free VPNs to collect user logs, which are then sold to third parties for various reasons, including generating income.

Moving further, free VPN services usually limit the amount of data they’re going to encrypt for you, in other words, you receive data caps. Aside from data caps, the connection speed can also be interrupted, making it impossible to stream or comfortably browse, which is effortless when using a paid service.

In conclusion, the majority of free VPNs can be unsafe to use. There is only a handful of reliable free VPN services, like Atlas VPN or Proton VPN, that safeguard your online identity either for free or for a fee. But the best alternative to a free service is to use a premium VPN with a free trial or a 30-day money-back guarantee. This way, you can get to use premium service for free for over a month.

Browse securely for free with ExpressVPN

If you're aiming to secure your online data without paying, look no further. ExpressVPN is the top VPN pick on the market, which ensures advanced protection, fast connections, and a user-friendly experience.

9.9

/10

1

• State-of-the-art security features
• Lightning-fast speeds
• 30-day risk-free trial

Get ExpressVPN

Cyber security tips to know

Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran VPN user who wants to increase protection for their online identity, we have come up with some tips that will keep you safe. Here are some things you should keep in mind when using a VPN:

• Always use a kill switch so that if the VPN connection goes down, your data remains safe.
• Keep your VPN software updated. Always check for updates and make sure you’re using the latest version of your VPN.
• If you’re using a free VPN, avoid browsing sites where you have to deal with sensitive information and transactions, as there have been cases when free VPNs collected and sold users’ data to third parties.
• Always pay with cryptocurrency if the VPN allows you to.
• Use split tunneling if you’re getting slow speeds. Split tunneling will allow you to choose specific apps that will connect to the VPN service. For example, if you’re getting slow speeds, you can choose to connect only your browser to the VPN.

Conclusion

You’ve learned that each reputable VPN can be the best in a certain category. That means the quality of a VPN service strongly depends on the user’s needs. Nevertheless, there are core features that every top network security tool should include and maintain properly.

Considering this, ExpressVPN is the best VPN of 2024 and excels in maintaining secure and fast connections. The provider also makes sure that every user gets a possibility to test the service, either using a 7-day free trial via smartphones or a 30-day money-back guarantee despite the device you’re connected with.

If you’re aiming for an affordable or even a free VPN, then we recommend choosing TotalVPN which has both – a forever free version of the app and also a paid plan that costs less than two bucks per month.