Best VPN service 2024: 9 options our experts recommend

For true privacy online, it’s best to get yourself a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Your location and online activities become completely hidden once a VPN encrypts your internet traffic, meaning no ISP (internet service provider), trackers, or malicious third parties trying to sell your data can keep tabs on you. The perks of hiding your IP address on the fly aren’t just about privacy, though, as a VPN gives you the keys to unlock the entirety of the internet.

From checking out the latest movies on any country-specific streaming service without geo-restrictions to playing multiplayer games at full speed by keeping ISP throttling at bay, a VPN gives you control of what you do online. These days, that’s an important tool to have, but it’s just as important to choose the right tool for you. You’ll find VPNs made for streaming, while others are better suited for those with multiple devices. Whatever your needs, our round-up of the best VPN services today is sure to include the right VPN for you.

It may be tempting to forgo the subscription fees and opt for a free VPN. However, many free services offer bare-bones protection at best. At worst, you could end up like the
360 million SuperVPN users
whose data was shared in mid-2023. We recommend opting for a free trial that many of our top picks offer to find the best fit, or check out these reliable
free VPNs
.

Top VPNs for your phone, tablet, or computer

ExpressVPN is an excellent choice if you value speed above all else. While it has a relatively small number of servers, they’re located in more countries than any other service on this list, giving you excellent connection speeds wherever you go. ExpressVPN is available on phones, tablets, desktop computers, and gaming consoles, and it’s a great pick if you’re looking to expand your protection to all your devices.

With a built-in kill switch for sudden VPN disconnects and the ability to connect automatically to a new network, ExpressVPN has all the tools you need to browse securely on the go. All of its servers have P2P support, and when coupled with its top-notch security features, this is the best choice for torrenting.

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Similar to Panama, the BVI has no data retention laws. While it is a United Kingdom territory, it is an entirely separate legal jurisdiction.

• Cost: $12.95 per month; $59.94 per six months; $99.84 per year
• Supported platforms: Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: VPN extensions for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox; Router app; Kindle Fire app
• Server locations: 105 countries
• Servers: More than 3,000
• Free trial: 30-day money-back guarantee
• Devices allowed: Up to 8
• Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

For those who want the fastest VPN for their devices, NordVPN is your port of call. At $4.49 per month for its one-year Standard plan or $3.39 per month for its two-year plan, it’s hard to find a better-value VPN. But even though there are cheaper VPNs, NordVPN provides the best balance between features and cost.

NordVPN offers users a Double VPN service. This routes your traffic through two VPN servers, adding an extra layer of security to your browsing. It has a great auto-connect feature, so you’ll be protected when you connect to a new network. It also offers additional benefits. Dark Web Monitor alerts you if your credentials are exposed online, and 24/7 customer support is accessible through the app.

NordVPN is based and operated in Panama. Panama has no data retention laws, so NordVPN is not required to maintain data logs. The company states it does not store any of your data.

• Cost: $12.99 per month Standard plan; $67.35 one-year Standard plan; $81.36 two-year Standard plan
• Supported platforms: Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: Most connected devices
• Server locations: 111 countries
• Servers: More than 6,600
• Free trial: 30-day money-back guarantee
• Devices allowed: 10
• Jurisdiction: Panama

Surfshark is among the most affordable VPNs on this list if you’re willing to subscribe to an annual plan. Why’s that? Well, it’s the best VPN for multiple devices, as it doesn’t limit the maximum number of connected devices for an account, meaning your entire family (and beyond) can be protected.

Surfshark integrates a kill switch and has over 3,200 servers. Beyond its VPN service, the service offers a host of add-ons. These include an ad-blocker, a private search engine, and a web monitor to check if you’ve been affected by a data breach.

It’s worth noting that Surfshark merged with Nord Security (the owner of NordVPN) in 2022. While these services remain functionally independent for now, there are no guarantees this will hold for the future.

• Cost: $10.99 per month Starter plan; $41.88 per year Starter plan; $55.72 for two-year Starter plan
• Supported platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: VPN proxy for Chrome and Firefox
• Servers: More than 3,200
• Server locations: 100 countries
• Free trial: 7-day free trial; 30-day money-back guarantee
• Devices allowed: Unlimited
• Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

CyberGhost’s expensive monthly plan might make some users hesitant to use the service, but its fantastic two-year deal (which then reverts to an annual plan) is even better than IPVanish’s offer. It’s hard to commit to that, so CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost has a decent array of VPN features, and it even now offers split tunneling. Its widespread placement of servers also means you should have a consistent connection wherever you are. It also provides excellent add-ons, including 500GB of encrypted storage with a two-year VPN plan. CyberGhost is an excellent VPN, especially for binge-watching shows thanks to its streaming-optimized servers, but only if you pay for a two-year subscription.

• Cost: $12.99 per month; $41.94 for six months; $56.94 for first two years
• Supported platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: Chrome and Firefox proxy extensions; Smart DNS
• Servers: More than 12,200
• Server locations: 100 countries
• Free trial: 45-day money-back guarantee
• Devices allowed: 7
• Jurisdiction: Romania

Private Internet Access (PIA) remains a top VPN choice for anyone who prefers a long-term subscription on the cheap. Its $11.99 monthly plan isn’t anything special, and its six-month plan is still relatively pricey, but its two-year plan (with two months free) drops to $56.94 ($2.19 per month). You get a 30-day money-back guarantee for the service, and there’s also a seven-day free trial for Android and iOS apps.

PIA hosts servers in more than 91 countries, but its primary focus is the US. Along with its incredible 35,000 servers, there it has at least one server in all 50 states, which makes sense due to PIA’s location. If you’re worried about US jurisdiction and its tendency to be less reliable when it comes to privacy, a different VPN service should be a better choice.

There are apps available for most platforms and systems, and PIA lets you connect unlimited devices. This feature combined with the low long-term pricing should make it a competitive option for households looking to up their online privacy.

• Cost: $11.99 per month; $45 for six months; $56.94 for two years
• Supported platforms: Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: VPN extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera; Smart DNS for TVs
• Servers: More than 35,000
• Server locations: 91 countries
• Free trial: 30-day money-back guarantee
• Devices allowed: Unlimited
• Jurisdiction: United States

IPVanish might seem pricey, but its yearly subscription fee is cheaper than most other items on this list. With unlimited devices and fantastic speeds for streaming, it’s perfect if you need a VPN for streaming region-locked content. While it has plenty of countries to choose from, its 2,400 servers in 75 locations is a tad lower than others on this list.

When it comes to privacy, IPVanish falters slightly. While your connection is secure, it’s also located in the U.S., which means government entities have access to data when needed. That said, it has a strict no-logs practice and has been audited by third-party cybersecurity experts. It also offers split tunneling and a kill switch, two of our key VPN features.

IPVanish is a perfect option for accessing region-locked content, but looking elsewhere for the most security features is best.

• Cost: $7.99 per month; $57.24 per year; $80.75 per two years
• Supported platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: VPN router
• Servers: More than 2,400
• Server locations: More than 75 countries
• Free trial: 7 days
• Devices allowed: Unlimited
• Jurisdiction: United States

ProtonVPN grew from the team behind ProtonMail, a crowdfunded project dedicated to widespread online privacy. It also comes with a free tier, which provides a fantastic starting point if you’re new to VPNs.

While the selling point for ProtonVPN might be its free tier, it’s probably not the best bet if you value speed and reliability. With servers in just three countries, it isn’t likely to break any connection speed records. However, looking at the $9.99 per month tier, we see a substantial number of servers and a max bandwidth of 10GB/s, enough to give you decent speed around the globe.

If you care about security and privacy and are willing to pay a little extra, ProtonVPN should be your go-to VPN. ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland. Switzerland is ideal for VPNs, as it has some of the world’s strictest data privacy and retention laws.

• Cost: $9.99 per month; $71.88 per year; $119.76 per two years
• Supported platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: VPN extensions for Chrome and Firefox
• Servers: 4,082
• Server locations: 91 countries
• Free trial: 30-day money-back guarantee
• Devices allowed: 10
• Jurisdiction: Switzerland

As far as free VPNs go, Windscribe knocks it out of the park. With a generous offering of 11 countries to hop between, from the U.S. to Hong Kong, and fantastic speeds that allow for buffer-free streaming, it’s worth giving the service a try.

It’s able to bypass geo-blocked content, which allows you to stream different content libraries on Netflix, Disney+, and more. However, you’ll only get 10GB of monthly data to use. It’s better used for browsing websites rather than streaming, but the upgrades that come with its affordable paid plan can give you unlimited data and a selection of servers in 69 countries. Security features are also a highlight, with its R.O.B.E.R.T system blocking unwanted IPs and domains, split tunneling, anti-tracking tools, and support for torrenting.

It’s based in Canada, a privacy-friendly country, but needs a public security audit to strengthen its privacy standards.

• Cost: free; $9 per month; $69 per year
• Supported platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Additional support: VPN extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera; Router app
• Servers: Unknown
• Server locations: 63 countries
• Free trial: Unlimited
• Devices allowed: Unlimited
• Jurisdiction: Canada

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users should check out Google One’s VPN. This VPN is short on features, but owners of these smartphones get access for free. If you have a different Google device, you can still pick up a Google One membership that includes the VPN. However, we don’t recommend paying for Google One just to land the private network functionality.

Google One doesn’t offer many of the features found on other paid VPN services, but we included it in our list since it’s affordable and easy to set up on Android. If you’re truly concerned about online privacy, we recommend sticking with one of the other great VPN services in this collection.

How we chose our top VPN picks

AP’s editors and writers have used and tested hundreds of VPNs on almost every smartphone, tablet, and computer available. During our testing, we identified these essential VPN features:

• Multi-device support: While using a VPN on your phone is essential, you’ll want to use one on most of your devices. Our selections work on multiple devices simultaneously.
• Server locations: Multiple server locations are essential, especially if you use a VPN to access geo-fenced content or services.
• Compatibility with multiple operating systems: A good VPN should have, at the bare minimum, apps for Android, iOS, MacOS, and Windows.
• Solid speeds: Although your Wi-Fi or data speeds may slow slightly when connected to a VPN, you should be able to use your phone or laptop without any problem.
• Logging: VPNs should not log, monitor, or store your activity while connected.
• Jurisdiction: We listed the jurisdiction for each VPN. Do your own research to see if you believe jurisdiction is important, but we give you a jump by listing it for each VPN.

What makes a good VPN?

If you’re unfamiliar with VPNs, beginners can get the lowdown with our specialized guide. It covers everything you need to know, including defining terms like split tunneling and kill switches and a breakdown of the most common VPN protocols, like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and ikev2.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with VPNs, you’re ready to choose one. But what should you look for when the top VPNs offer the same core service?

Despite the same core service, each VPN provider has unique functionality. Some offer faster speeds, while others have more server locations for consistent connections. Consider your situation carefully when selecting a VPN. For example, suppose you travel a lot but aren’t fussed about internet speed. In that case, you’ll want a VPN that offers the most server locations for a consistent VPN connection and a kill switch if you accidentally access unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

Another critical point to consider is how many devices a single subscription supports. Most VPN subscriptions offer simultaneous connections to multiple devices, but the exact number varies. This means you can improve your security on Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows, as well as browsers like Chrome and your router, through one subscription.

Another critical feature to look out for is split tunneling. This allows you to route some apps through a VPN while letting others access the internet directly. This is handy if you’re struggling with bandwidth in your location, but there’s another convenient use. By routing your streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video through different servers, you can trick them into thinking you’re located elsewhere, allowing you access to region-locked content. In this scenario, look for the fastest VPNs with the most bandwidth.

If you regularly torrent content, you must have a VPN installed. As torrenting involves installing files from unknown sources, your privacy goes out the window without a VPN active. In this scenario, you’ll want a VPN with the best privacy that’s optimized for P2P sharing.

Choosing the VPN that’s right for you

While a VPN’s true purpose is to hide your online presence by encrypting your traffic and changing your IP address, the best of the bunch takes this privacy to the next level. Even better, our picks of the best VPNs are constantly evolving — adding more servers and countries, offering new security features, and delivering even greater speeds. Still, each comes with a particular speciality that may better suit your needs.

That’s why we chose ExpressVPN as our top pick, as it excels in all areas. It offers over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, boasts incredible unblocking power to get past virtually all restrictions, and has lightning-fast speeds for buffer-free streaming and gaming thanks to its Lightway protocol. Along with its flurry of advanced security tools, like its Threat Manager and MediaStreamer Smart DNS, and being based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN is a no-brainer for most.

Need the best speeds possible? NordVPN will be happy to oblige. Now boasting over 6,600 optimized servers in 111 countries, you can nip around the world at lightning-fast speeds with a reliable, stable connection. It’s great for streaming and gaming, and offers a wealth of privacy tools and handy features, like its Threat Protection and Meshnet, to keep your devices connected and protected. It’s also located in Panama, so rest assured your data will stay safe.

Surfshark continues to offer the best value of the lot, and not just because of its unlimited device connections. Its list of 3,200 servers in 100 countries is generous, and its speeds can be up there with the likes of NordVPN. It has plenty of reliable features to use, too, including its CleanWeb 2.0 and Camouflage mode with obfuscation technology that makes your VPN connection look like a regular one. All that for a low-cost subscription plan? Now that’s real value.

Thinking of staying anonymous online for free? There are big differences between free and paid VPNs, so be sure you’re in the know about what you’re signing up for. As another alternative, you can create a self-hosted VPN on your Android device in under 30 minutes.