The most secure VPNs in 2024

Your online data is constantly under threat when it’s not blanketed under layers of protection. Third parties such as your ISP, the government, and hackers can track your online activities and even use your data against you. 

That’s why it’s so important to choose the right virtual private network (VPN). The most secure VPN is one that has a solid no-log policy and provides multiple features to keep your online traffic safe and anonymous.

Not every VPN will have those things and it can be difficult to figure out which one is safe to use. We tested many different services and have compiled a list of the 5 most secure VPNs in 2024.

Most secure VPNs: Our top 5

1. ExpressVPN – Most secure VPN of 2024
2. NordVPN – Safe VPN with advanced security features
3. Surfshark – Most secure VPN for families and large companies
4. Private Internet Access – Most budget-friendly VPN for online safety
5. CyberGhost – Simple and secure VPN with P2P-optimized servers

Before we delve into the details, here are some of the key factors we examined while testing the aforementioned VPNs:

• Security features – What security tools the VPNs offer
• No-log policy – If the VPNs have an independently tested no-log policy
• RAM-based servers – Whether or not the VPNs have RAM-based servers
• Speed – How fast the VPNs are
• Price – How much the VPNs cost

The most secure VPN in 2024

Using a secure VPN is one of the best ways to make sure your online traffic remains safe. It will encrypt your data so that outside parties can’t access it. Here are the 5 most secure VPNs in 2024:

1. ExpressVPN – Most secure VPN in 2024 

ExpressVPN

1

9.7

/10

Visit ExpressVPN

Pros & cons

• Uses Lightway protocol for maximum security
• Audited independently many times
• All of its servers run on RAM
• Includes a tracker blocker

• Doesn’t offer a trial version

ExpressVPN is the best option for people who want robust security measures. It has an impressive range of features, all of which are designed to make you feel safe when you browse the Internet. It uses Lightway protocol, which is known as most secure VPN protocol

The user-friendly interface of ExpressVPN makes it extremely easy to use. Moreover, its intuitive design remains unchanged across all platforms. With 8 simultaneous VPN connection, you can keep your entire family safe.

ExpressVPN’s UI is the same on all platforms.

ExpressVPN’s main features include military-grade encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, and Threat Manager (a tracker blocker). These tools ensure that your online activities stay hidden. 

It’s been audited multiple times and its entire VPN server network runs on RAM. None of your information is stored while the VPN is active. 

You can get ExpressVPN from $4.99/month. There’s no trial version, but you do get a 30-day money-back guarantee with your purchase.

2. NordVPN – VPN with a high number of advanced security features 

NordVPN

1

9.6

/10

Visit NordVPN

Pros & cons

• Includes many advanced security features
• Uses WireGuard/NordLynx protocol
• Has over 7,000 RAM-based servers

• App design isn’t very user-friendly
• No trial version for platforms other than Android

NordVPN is another very secure VPN provider of 2024. It uses WireGuard or NordLynx as its primary protocol and offers many different security features. Just like ExpressVPN, it’s been audited by third-party firms in the past, which shows its commitment towards user privacy.

With features like Multi-Hop, P2P-optimized servers, dark web monitoring, and Threat Protection, keeping your online traffic safe will never be a problem. Multi-Hop servers, in particular, are great at adding an additional layer of security to your online data.

NordVPN on macOS.

It uses military-grade encryption and also includes tools such as a kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection. All of its VPN servers are RAM-based.

One unique feature you get with NordVPN is built-in Onion Over VPN servers. These servers are much more secure than regular ones because they combine the anonymity capabilities of both the VPN and the Tor network.

NordVPN is available from $3.46/month and has a trial version for Android devices.

3. Surfshark – Secure and fast with unlimited simultaneous VPN connection

Surfshark

1

9.5

/10

Visit Surfshark

Pros & cons

• Has over 3,200 RAM-based servers
• Audited by Deloitte
• Has various advanced security features
• Has unlimited simultaneous connections

• Based in a 14 Eyes country

Surfshark has emerged as one of the most secure VPN services in the past few years. The VPN has had multiple audits done and offers various ways to protect your online traffic. It has similar features as NordVPN, but the thing that makes it stand out is its unlimited simultaneous connections capability. 

Similar to NordVPN, Surfshark offers advanced security features like Multi-Hop VPN server, an ad-blocker called CleanWeb, and dark web monitoring. On Android, it has a feature called “GPS overriding,” which reduces the chances of websites finding out that you’re using a VPN.

Surfshark’s desktop app on macOS.

It’s been audited by one of the Big Four firms, Deloitte. It uses military-grade encryption and comes with a kill switch and split tunneling. All 3,200+ servers of the VPN are RAM-based.

Surfshark having unlimited simultaneous connections means you can install and use it on as many devices as you want, making it the perfect VPN for families and large companies.

The cheapest subscription of Surfshark costs from $1.99/month. You can avail a trial version on Android, iOS, and macOS.

4. Private Internet Access – Affordable and safe VPN with advanced settings

Private Internet Access

1

9.4

/10

Visit Private Internet Access

Pros & cons

• Comes with over 30,000 RAM-based servers
• Affordable VPN that offers advanced security features
• Has been independently audited by Deloitte

• Based in a 5 Eyes country

Private Internet Access has a huge list of RAM-based servers. In addition to that, it has a feature called MACE, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites. If you’re on a budget but don’t want to compromise on security, then there’s no other VPN that could beat PIA.

You can get a dedicated IP address for an additional fee to boost your anonymity. A dedicated IP address will only be used by you, as opposed to a shared IP address which is used by multiple users from different regions. This makes it harder for websites to know that you’re connected to a VPN.

Private Internet Access has an “advanced kill switch,” which stops your online traffic from being leaked.

Other features you get with your PIA subscription include things such as an advanced VPN connection with kill switch, split tunneling, military-grade encryption, and DNS leak protection. The VPN has been audited by Deloitte.

Private Internet Access is perhaps the cheapest VPN on the market. It costs from $2.03 per month and has trial versions for every platform.

5. CyberGhost – Safe and secure VPN for beginners 

CyberGhost

1

9.3

/10

Visit CyberGhost

Pros & cons

• The VPN’s no-log policy has been audited by Deloitte
• Has 11,500+ RAM-based servers
• Uses WireGuard and military-grade encryption to secure your data

• Doesn’t have many advanced features like NordVPN or Surfshark

CyberGhost’s simple interface may discourage some people from giving it a try, but the VPN doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to security. It uses RAM-based servers and is also the third VPN service on this list whose no-log policy has been audited by Deloitte. 

The VPN service uses WireGuard protocol and has a kill switch and split tunneling. It uses military-grade encryption and DNS leak protection to ensure that no one can know about your online activities. 

It also has a built-in ad-blocker and VPN servers that are optimized for streaming and torrenting. These optimized servers are constantly being updated to make sure they always work and you can use sites without any problem. You can also get a dedicated IP address at an extra cost.

CyberGhost’s built-in ad-blocker.

CyberGhost can be used on unlimited simultaneous VPN connection. It’s available from $2.03/month and has a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Safest VPNs compared

If you’re in a hurry to protect your online traffic, then we’ve made a table that summarizes the key features of our top 5 secure VPNs. Take a look at the list below and see which VPN provider piques your interest:

Methodology: How we tested secure VPNs

As mentioned above, there were many factors that helped us create this list. Let’s take a brief look at some of them and see how we rated our most secure VPN provider:

• Security features – Our list includes VPNs that have multiple security features such as a kill switch, military-grade encryption, split tunneling and DNS leak protection.
• No-log policy – Having an audited no-log policy is important because it shows the VPN company takes its users’ privacy seriously. All of the VPNs on our list have been audited by independent firms.
• RAM-based servers – RAM-based VPN servers erase whatever information is stored during a VPN session. The VPNs on our list have thousands of RAM-based servers so they don’t store any data.
• Speed – Lightway and WireGuard/NordLynx are two of the fastest and most secure VPN protocols in the industry. All of our top secure VPNs use these two, along with a few other secure and fast protocols.
• Price – All our top safest VPNs offer money-back guarantees and have affordable subscription packages.

Why do I need a secure VPN?

You need a secure VPN provider because it's the best and most convenient way to protect your online traffic. By encrypting your online data, you’re preventing outside parties from accessing it. 

When you’re connected to a VPN, your data is passed through a secure tunnel. This is especially important if you frequently deal with confidential information.

Some reasons why you need a secure VPN. (Source: nordvpn.com)

Using a secure VPN is also important if you want to watch geo-restricted content from other countries and download torrents. A VPN will alter your IP address to make it look like you’re in a different location. This way, it’ll be harder for people to trace your activities back to you.

How to increase VPN provider security

If you’re using a VPN for the first time, you might be confused about which settings to choose. Here are some tips:

• Keep the kill switch on - Kill switch is a feature that automatically disables your Internet connection if your VPN disconnects for any reason. Turning it on prevents accidental data leaks to your internet service provider (ISP) when VPN providers suddenly stops working.
• Use split tunneling – Split tunneling will allow you to include or exclude certain apps or sites in or from the VPN connection. One part will be passed through the VPN and the other through your regular connection. Use this feature to make sure that apps or sites that use confidential information are always connected to the VPN.
• Choose secure VPN protocols – Almost every VPN uses multiple protocols. We recommend you stick to Lightway or WireGuard/NordLynx to get the best security.
• Keep your VPN updated – Check for updates regularly because they often contain security patches and bug fixes. If you don’t update your VPN, your data won’t be completely secure.
• Use Multi-Hop servers – If your VPN offers Multi-Hop VPN server, we highly recommend using it instead of regular one. These VPN servers route your online traffic through two locations, making your data even more secure.

Are free VPNs considered secure?

Generally speaking, free VPNs aren’t considered secure because many of them show ads and sell your data to advertisers. They have very limited security features and servers. 

Many free VPNs don’t even update their servers, so they might not always work with geo-restricted sites. Another problem with most free VPNs is that they don’t use RAM-based servers, so we don’t know whether or not they store your data.

With that being said, there are some free VPNs that don’t show ads and are safe to use. A good example is ProtonVPN. You can check out our list of best free VPNs to find more options.

ProtonVPN’s free version on macOS.

Nevertheless, we recommend using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN if security is what you want. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can easily try it out and see if it’s right for you.