A VPN is incredibly helpful for keeping yourself safe when you are online. It is a form of protection that any internet user would benefit from.
What’s a VPN? It is a Virtual Private Network that encrypts your internet identity and keeps you safe from hackers. It makes it difficult for people to steal your data or track you online.
Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy with a VPN:
- Encryption for all passwords and for your IP address and location
- Lets you share person-to-person files without being monitored
- Bypasses location blockers and filters to let you access more content online
- Allows for anonymous online browsing, keeping you safe from advertising and targeted marketing
- Gives businesses the ability to let their workers access servers remotely.
There are quite a few VPN services out there, but not all of them are equally good. If you sign up for a lousy VPN, your password information or personal data could be hacked or leaked across the internet.
A good VPN service is one that can be tried completely, and it should be designed with modern security and encryption safeguards. It should also be simple enough to use and provide plenty of good features to make it worthwhile.
We are going to talk about the best VPN services for 2021, giving you definitive VPN reviews and helping you find the best VPN service.
Best VPN Services:
SurfShark: Top Choice for VPN
- 7-day trial period
- Extremely affordable
- Allows for whitelisting and multihopping
- Excellent at protecting your personal information
- Includes an ad blocker
CyberGhost VPN: Offers Tons of Features
- Huge server network
- Customer service available 24/7
- 45-day free trial
- Can be used to unblock streaming services
- Works on many devices, including smartphones and video game consoles
- Offers incredible features like split tunneling and kill switch
NordVPN: Very Reliable VPN
- 30-day free trial
- No logs kept
- Allows for optimized P2P and split tunnelling features
- Super fast and responsive
- Boasts a network of 5,400 servers
- Affordably priced
- Respected brand
Express VPN: Very Inexpensive VPN
- Maintains a high rate of speed
- Boasts a server network that reaches nearly 100 countries
- Customer support provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- 30-day trial
- Compatible with multiple devices’
- Easy to use interface
- Tons of options for personalization
HidesMyAss VPN: Ideal for Streaming
- 30-day free trial
- Works flawlessly even when shuffling IPs
- Compatible with tons of devices
- Very fast network service
- Includes coverage for lots of countries
- Comes from the highly trusted Avast company
Reviews for the Best VPN Services
SurfShark VPN
Best free VPN for Mac and for streaming
Works On : Android, Fire TV, Firefox, Mac OS, Linux, iOS
Network Coverage : Includes coverage for more than a hundred locations in 65 countries and boasts more than 3,200 servers
Capacity : No limit on bandwidth in devices
Pricing [Visit Site]
|
Monthly Subscription Plan |
$12.95 monthly |
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2-Year Subscription Plan |
81% less- $2.49 monthly |
Pros :
- Incredibly inexpensive VPN that also offers great quality
- Works on most devices
- Offers multihop and whitelist functions
- Includes ad blocking software
- Your data is protected by robust laws and a no-logs policy
Cons :
- Could be faster compared to some of the competition
When you hear about a free VPN or a service advertised as the best free VPN for PC, it’s good to be a bit wary. The initial service may be free, but you’ll be paying for it somewhere else. It’s worth noting, though, that SurfShark VPN is very affordable, and it comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. There are free trials available with this service for Android, iPhone and Mac OS. The monthly fee is fairly standard, but with a 24-month contract you can get a really good deal while only paying about $2.49 a month.
A SurfShark VPN subscription lets you connect all the devices you want, and there are no limits on bandwidth. It works with most browsers and devices, including Firefox, Chrome, Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Fire Stick TV, and Android.
All of the apps are designed for simple use and single button operation, and they come with a kill switch to make certain that your data isn’t stolen if you lose VPN connection. An ad blocker is included as well. If you want to make use of some more advanced features, you can enjoy whitelist functionality to get around your own VPN and multihop if you want to spread your IP around a few different locations. You can even modify the settings to be able to torrent quicker.
With the SurfShark VPN, you get to enjoy a network that operates in more than 65 countries and that has more than 3,200 servers. SurfShark is located in the British Virgin Islands, a country with very strict data protection and privacy protection laws. On top of that, the service boasts a no-logs policy.
These are all positive factors that point towards SurfShark VPN being one of the best options overall, and the free VPN download trial for Android devices makes it a top choice for the best VPN for Android.
Try Surfshark VPN’s 7-Day Free Trial – View the Best Deals.
CyberGhost VPN
This service offers tons of features and maximum customization
Works On : Android, Edge, Firefox, Chrome, server, Mac OS, Linux, Windows
Network Coverage : Operates across 89 countries with more than a 105 locations and more than 6,500 servers
Capacity : Provides unlimited bandwidth to as many as seven devices
Pricing [Visit Site]
|
Monthly Subscription Plan |
$12.99 monthly |
|
1-Year Subscription Plan |
82% savings- $2.25 monthly |
Pros :
- A massive server network
- Customer service available 24/7
- Connects to every kind of devices including Smart TVs and video game consoles
- Great at removing blocks from streaming services
- Boasts split tunneling and network kill switch
Cons :
- Not the most reliable option
CyberGhost is moving up the ranks of VPN networks, offering some of the best features available even though it is a relatively new entry into the market.
In their short time on the market, CyberGhost has amassed quite a network, covering 89 countries with around 6,700 servers. This gives them the ability to provide a lot of speed and plenty of variety for their customers. That also makes them a great VPN for removing blocks from streaming services and makes it easy for them to stay one step ahead of the streaming services that are trying to prevent access.
CyberGhost has a massive number of apps that work on smartphones like IOS and Android devices. It also works with Firefox and Chrome browsers as well as smart TVs like Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV. It works for most operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and Mac OS.
The app is made to be very easy to use, and it operates with a single button to provide full VP and protection. It also recommends ideal server locations for you depending on what operation you are attempting. The automatic kill switch is included to help prevent the unintentional leaking of data if your VPN connection is interrupted. The company also provides a 24/7 hotline to help with any technical problems.
VPN customization is possible through features like split tunneling that lets you send some traffic through your VPN and some through your regular network. CyberGhost ensures your privacy is protected by using a no-logs policy and by using powerful AES 256-bit encryption. They doesn’t detail whether their service is audited by a third-party, however. One of the benefits of using CyberGhost VPN is that you can connect as many as 7 devices and not run into any bandwidth problems, all while using one subscription. They offer a free VPN for iPhone trial, that lets you test out the service 45 days. You’ll pay about $13 monthly or you can get a 2-year contract for around $2.25 per month.
Try CyberGhost for 45 Days Free Trial Risk-Free – View the Best Deals .
NordVPN
A very reliable and respected VPN service
Works On : Android TV, Android, Firefox, Mac OS, Windows, Linux, Chrome
Network Coverage : Available in 59 countries across 80 locations with more than 5,400 servers
Capacity : Provides unlimited bandwidth to up to six devices
Pricing [Visit Site]
|
Monthly Subscription Plan |
$11.95 monthly |
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1-Year Subscription Plan |
58% less- $4.92 monthly |
Pros :
- Quite possibly the quickest VPN you can buy
- A respected name without a high price tag
- Operates on a network of more than 5,000 servers
- Boasts powerful features like optimized P2P and split tunneling
- This VPN service has a no-logs policy
Cons :
- Doesn’t cover many countries compared to the competition
NordVPN boasts a large network coverage area, and it’s VPN service provides great security features. One of the standout aspects of this service is that it is very user-friendly. Their network only covers 59 countries, which is smaller than most of the other VPN services. However, NordVPN seems to have chosen only the best locations in which to offer its services. They also have a ton of servers, which makes it easy to find a very quick server for your VPN needs.
The NordVPN service is considered the fastest VPN available. It can be classified as a turbo VPN thanks to how well it uses technology like the NordLynx protocol and how quickly it operates even when double transferring or bouncing.
A single subscription gives you coverage for as many as six devices, and there’s no limit on how much bandwidth you can use. The service works simply for the majority of devices and browsers, including Android TV, Android, Mac OS, Chrome, Linux, Firefox, and Windows.
NordVPN has lots of great features to make use of, like a kill switch that keeps your data from being sent out if your VPN connection drops. It also includes ad blockers and split tunnelling (which lets you pass some of your internet activity through your own network and some through the VPN. It also offers a dedicated IP address that can be useful for private business operations.
It lets you pick from multiple servers to find one that is very quick and suitable for P2P torrenting. This ensures uninterrupted streaming, and the double encryption feature can protect your IP address by changing it as you browse.
This company also offers a no-logs policy, which is helpful for protecting your data and personal information. This policy is carried out by a third party to protect from breaches of data.
They also have a customer service hotline that is available 24/7. Subscribers can access the number of troubleshooting information online to help them with any issues they may run into. Advanced features like these are what makes NordVPN possibly the VPN Chrome users will want to sign up with.
NordVPN may be a big name in VPN services, but it’s still quite affordable. You’ll pay only $11.95 a month, but you can save a lot more if you sign up for a whole year at once, costing you under $5 a month. They offer a VPN free trial for 30 days.
Try NordVPN 30 Days Risk-Free – View the Best Deals.
ExpressVPN
Very inexpensive yet very worthwhile VPN
Works On : Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Server
Network Coverage : Covers nearly 100 countries with more than 3,000 servers
Capacity : Offers unlimited bandwidth for as many as five devices
Pricing [Visit Site]
|
Monthly Subscription Plan |
$12.95 each month |
|
1-Year Subscription Plan |
35% savings- just $8.32 each month |
Pros :
- Great security easter that won’t slow it down
- Customer support available 24/7
- Very easy to use and compatible with lots of devices
- Made to be easy to use
- Server network includes over 90 nations
Cons :
- Not the cheapest option by far
This VPN has been leading the market for a while now, and they are one of the most respected VPN services around. They are always improving their security measures, and they have a large network, compassing more than 3,000 servers.
ExpressVPN has some of the fastest VPN speeds you’ll see anywhere. It’s a common problem when using a VPN that your internet speed slows down, but it’s barely a problem at all with ExpressVPN. They also ensure that your connection is encrypted using protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. To further protect your privacy, ExpressVPN utilizes TrustedServer and records no logs of your activity.
Their VPN is also designed to be really simple to use, without much of a learning curve. Plus, it works with most devices, like gaming systems, phones, PCS, tablets, and more.
One of the best included features is the network lock kill switch, which can stop internet access if you lose connection to the VPN. That will prevent your data from being leaked. ExpressVPN also includes a feature called VPN tunneling that lets you funnel some internet activity to your own network and some through the VPN. This can help ensure that you have full access to services and websites that might need to verify your location such as your banking provider.
All of these great features are backed up by a 24/7 hotline that lets you talk to a customer service agent rather than a robot.
We believe this is the best free VPN for internet users who just want a free trial for a short period. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for first time users. It works with iPhone and Android and all the major browsers as well, including Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. This Firefox VPN works incredibly fast and is perfectly compatible. It also lets you connect as many as five devices on your one subscription, giving enough bandwidth for anyone to use as much as they want.
How much will you pay for ExpressVPN? The monthly subscription is $12.99, but the one-year subscription is significantly cheaper, costing $8.32 per month
Try Express VPN for 30 Days, Risk-Free – View the Best Deals .
HidesMyAss VPN
Avast has made a great VPN service that is the premier Netflix VPN
Works On : iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Mac OS, Windows, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Android TV, smart TV, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Network Coverage : Coverage in 210 countries with nearly 300 locations and more than a thousand servers
Capacity : Unlimited bandwidth provided for as many as five devices
|
Monthly Subscription Plan |
$12.95 monthly |
|
1-Year Subscription Plan |
35% savings- $8.32 monthly |
Pros :
- Avast antivirus creates one of the most trusted VPNs
- Covers more countries than any other VPN
- Compatible with almost any device imaginable
- Smooth connection most of the time
- Speedy network service
Cons :
- Not the cheapest option available
HideMyAss VPN was created by Avast, which is the major antivirus brand. They’ve been offering antivirus software for over a decade, but only recently started offering a VPN service.
One of their standout features is that they offer servers in 210 different countries. That means you can choose a location that suits you, and their VPN service is backed by a powerful encryption, a no-logs policy and the powerful OpenVPN protocol. All of this ensures you get to enjoy a very safe and secure service.
HideMyAss gives you incredible connection speeds of 20 GBPS on their VPN, and that makes it the best VPN for Netflix. You can stream in 4k while using multiple other devices to browse the internet anonymously. 180 of their servers are optimized to ensure you get a flawless, smooth streaming experience. One of the features they offer is built-in speed testing to ensure a very fast connection no matter what. This is why we consider them the fastest VPN.
A subscription to their VPN service connects and protects as many as five devices without limiting your data, and you can pay extra to have 10 devices covered.
They offer dedicated apps to protect multiple devices very easily. These apps can cover the standard smartphones and PCs, but there are also apps available for Playstation Xbox consoles, as well as most types of smart TVs. You can even connect your router to the VPN service for maximum protection.
All the apps are designed very simply and meant to be user-friendly. They offer some intelligent features like an IP shuffle that lets you move your digital location around. You can also continue to stay connected when you move between different IPs, and the kill switch features ensures that none of your data leaks out if you lose VPN connection.
HideMyAss is considered a really affordable option. It’s a great browser VPN that you can get for about $12 a month. For those who are interested in signing up for 36 months, you can pay less than $3 a month for that package. Because this VPN service comes from Avast, you can be sure they’re going to stay in business for a long time. They offer a free VPN for PC trial that lets you get your money back within 30 days if you’re not satisfied.
VPNs Explained
VPN is an acronym for “virtual private network”, and it protects you as you use the internet. It keeps your browsing data private and hides your IP address, allowing you to use the internet through encrypted servers.
What this does is make it very difficult for anyone to hack or access your information. It also hides your IP address to completely disguise it and even make it look like it is coming from another country.
The first companies to use VPN technology were businesses that were trying to protect their data. This required VPN users to be on the company’s site to have access to the company’s data. VPNs are able to hide the user’s IP address even if they are in a remote location. It can make it appear as though they are accessing the server through a location that has been approved. It also reduces security risks to those who are working remotely as data is being transferred.
VPN services are incredibly useful, which is why they have been merge two to the public. VPNs help create a secure connection between your internet access and the VPN network. This secures all the data that is passed through that connection to keep out spying, prying eyes.
When using a VPN, your internet activity is protected, but your IP address can also be hidden. It can be made to look like it is from another country provided by the VPN service. This can make it look like you are accessing the internet from a different location in the world, and you can even use the service to move your IP address around, which gives the impression that your internet activity is coming from different locations.
VPNs are able to provide protection to you on any device and mask your identity. A VPN iPhone service can mask where you are using your iPhone from and make it look like you are using it from a different country. This applies to any device you use a VPN on.
How Can VPN Services Be Used?
If you’re curious as to why someone might use VPN technology and what would be the benefit of the protection it offers, the following information may be very helpful to you.
Protect Your Data at All Times with a VPN
You may be reasonably safe on your home internet or your work internet, but a public Wi-Fi access spot can be risky. How can you tell what kind of protocols are in place to protect your data? You don’t know what information is being collected and what data is being leaked. A VPN can protect your data by encrypting it and keeping it safe on public networks.
Open up Geofenced Content with a VPN
Some online content is locked based on where you are located. A lot of the internet is cordoned off, particularly streaming content. A Firefox VPN can give you access to streaming content that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to unlock. You can use a VPN to access services like Hulu or contents on Netflix or Amazon that may be region locked. A VPN can be used to disguise your location and make it look like you are in a country with more access to the streaming content on that service.
You can use a VPN to bypass firewalls, particularly in countries where internet access is extremely limited. Internet restrictions for citizens are very common in many Asian countries, and if that’s something you have to deal with, a VPN can help you get around it.
If internet restrictions are something you have to deal with, a VPN can help you get around it.
You Can Shop Internationally Using a VPN
If you are trying to get a flight from one country to another, but you see that your search results give you much higher rates than what someone in another country would see for the same flight, the problem comes down to your location. You can get around that using a VPN, as airlines will offer different prices based on where customers are located.
You can access and benefit from a vast international marketplace using a free VPN for Windows that lets you test out the service and see if it is to your liking..
Torrent and Transfer P2P Safely with a VPN
Torrenting or P2P transfers may be limited by law. Torrenting may be illegal in some places and morally ambiguous in other places. You can torrent any type of data you like, but some people use it to transfer pirated or copyrighted content, such as movies, music, television shows and video games.
With a VPN, you can place your IP address where torrenting is accepted. You’ll be able to hide your identity using a VPN service
Picking the Right VPN
If you start looking at all the VPN Services out there, you’ll see that there are tons of them. It may seem like most of them do basically the same job. It really doesn’t matter which one you pick, though. Here are some differences you should consider.
Are They Trustworthy?
You should be worried about which VPN provider you use, as some of them are not as well respected and trusted as others. Why is that?
You have to consider that you are trusting this company with your data and your encryption. You want to make sure that those protocols they have in place to protect your data work as advertised. You should also understand that the VPN provider can monitor your data. They could easily take that data for themselves or leak it to others. This is why it’s so important to find a reliable and trusted VPN provider.
Online security is something that a lot of VPN companies take very seriously. You can use the website Trustpilot to find out how reliable and trusted a business is.
Data Protection
A VPN service can be helpful in protecting your information from hackers or someone who might want to see what you were doing. The way encryption works is pretty incredible and rather complicated, but you can find information on all of that online that covers encryption in-depth. As a quick rule of thumb, you should look for VPN Services that use IKeV2 and OpenVPN protocols as well as AES 256-bit encryption.
Another protective factor to look for is whether the VPN provider has a no-logs policy. That means they will not keep records of your internet activity. So, if someone comes looking for your information, the provider will have nothing to give them.
You may want to look for VPN services that are located in countries where powerful data privacy laws are in effect. This means that they are less likely to pass on your data to third parties. Not many VPN services will be located in the US. Most of them are in Romania and the British Virgin Islands.
Countries Included
It is a good idea to make sure that the VPN you choose will be able to give you access to a specific content that may be geofenced. Ensure that the VPN has servers in the country where you would like your IP address to appear to be from.
Applications and Devices
Many VPN services will limit how many devices can be covered by their service. Based on the subscription you get and the service you sign up with, you may be able to have 10 devices with the VPN installed, but only be able to use six or seven of those devices at once. If you wanted one subscription to cover your entire family, this could be important to consider.
You should also make sure that the VPN provides applications to let it work on many devices you use. Many of them won’t include apps for the VPN to work with Smart TV devices or gaming consoles.
Which VPN service is the best?
The VPN provider you go with will depend on what kind of things you want to do with a VPN. We feel that SurfShark is the top option overall because of their robust features, trustworthiness, excellent security, and expansive network.
Is it illegal to use a VPN?
In most parts of the world, VPNs are perfectly legal. Some countries limit them or ban them outright, though. It’s advisable to check the laws for your local area, and anything that is considered illegal where you live would still be illegal while using a VPN. You can still be punished by the law the same way as you would if you were doing illegal activity online, whether you are using a VPN or not.
Which free VPN is the best?
If you’re looking for the best free VPN for PC, you should consider the limits that will be placed on you for using a free VPN service. You may be limited by how much data you can download each month, as free VPNs usually offer very limited data packages. They’re trying to encourage you to sign up for a subscription.
Look out if you find a free VPN for Windows. Make sure you’re actually getting the features you think you are and that the features you want are not trapped behind a paywall. The best VPN for iPhone or any other device will not be free. You’ll have to pay for the really good features.
Will I need to sign up for a different VPN service for each of my devices?
The majority of VPN services let you connect at least five devices at once on the VPN network. A single VPN service to be able to protect all of your devices that connect to the internet, though you may not be able to use all of them at the same time on the basic subscription plan.
You will see that many VPN services are advertised as the best VPN for iPhone or the fastest VPN for PC, but some of this is hyperbole. Some of it, however, indicates that a particular VPN service is designed for a particular kind of device. This doesn’t mean that you cannot use the same VPN service on other kinds of devices.
You should make sure that the most used device will be well covered by the VPN subscription that you are picking and that compatibility is provided for other devices that you use. You shouldn’t have any problem using a single subscription on all of your devices, though.
Will all VPN services unlock all streaming services?
VPN services can be used to unblock streaming content that has been geofenced. A VPN app can be used to access Netflix shows that would not be available outside the country. It can be used to stream BBC programs from somewhere other than the UK. However, not all VPNs will be able to unlock all content on streaming services like these.
The BBC, Netflix, and other content services use a lot of technology to identify and block VPN services to the content they provide. They may block suspicious-looking IP addresses and may be able to see through the VPN service you are using. You could end up getting blocked on those services because you’re using a VPN that isn’t very effective at getting around their geofencing protocols. They may not have access to all of your internet details like they would if you were not using a VPN, but they can still effectively block you.
This is why it’s important to use a reliable and trusted VPN service and to use one that stays constantly updated. Many of the best VPN services will work around Netflix and other streaming services and the geofencing protocols that they have in place. You may want to try a free VPN for Netflix to test out if it will work for you and what you’re wanting to do with it before you sign up for a subscription plan. Before you buy, it is important for someone who plans to be using it to access geo-fenced content to ensure it can access that content.
A lot of forums will have this information available as well, and you can check those before you sign up for a VPN service. Expect your VPN to experience outages from time to time or you may not be able to access information, streaming content, or shopping services that you would be able to if the VPN were active.
Closing Thoughts
A VPN can be very helpful for keeping yourself safe online and giving you access to hundreds of additional movies and television shows that you would not otherwise be able to stream.
It can be tough to find the best VPN service, since there’s a lot to pick from. Not all of them are worth your money, though. Picking the right one may come down to what you want to do with it and how affordable the service is.
Look out for free VPN Chrome or other supposedly free VPN services. You may find that they are not as free as they advertise themselves to be. You should also pick a service that is reputable, and it’s a good idea to check VPN reviews before you download one to use. There’s a lot of information online about the different VPN providers, so if you just do your research, you should be able to narrow down your choices to the right one for you.
You can also use the research that’s been provided for you here and the information in this article to choose the top VPN service.
If you are looking for the top vpns but not necessarily a cheap vpn, SurfShark is the way to go with 7 day free trial. If you want super fast service, NordVPN is your best option. If you want a very affordable VPN that still has decent features and security, and cyberghost is your old service. If you’re looking to hide your internet activity in the widest range of countries, HideMyAss is the best choice. For the best VPN for avid Gamers, SurfShark VPN is the obvious choice.
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