background pattern: Man in blue shirt working on laptop at home office © Getty Images/iStockphoto
Man in blue shirt working on laptop at home office
If finding the best VPN for your specific needs was a simple matter of comparing brands, prices, and features, this guide would not be essential reading. The fact is you won't find the right VPN without first understanding how a VPN service accomplishes its primary mission: Keeping you safe and protecting you online.
Fundamentally, most VPNs (virtual private network) provide two services: Encrypting your data between two points and hiding the IP address (from which a general location can be derived) where you're located. For those traveling or out and about, the first function was critical because most Wi-Fi available publicly is unencrypted -- so anyone on the network could see what you were sending.
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But VPNs also serve to hide your IP address, replacing the address logged on servers with one in a completely different location -- even a different country. For those worrying about stalking or other threats, this feature could save lives. Most consumers, though, find streaming VPN features compelling because -- in some cases, and with dubious legality -- it allows them to spoof their region of origin to get access to streaming media and sports blacked out from their home locale.
There is no doubt that you should use a VPN service provider when you're using public Wi-Fi when away from home. But what about when you're at home? Should you use a VPN then?
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My general advice is that it's not critical for most people at home, since your ISP rarely wants to look at your traffic. But if you live in an apartment with a bunch of curious roommates all sharing one router, a VPN might prove valuable. If you're connecting to work and want to make sure you're taking all the precautions you can (and if your employer hasn't given you a corporate VPN to use) a VPN service would be useful. If you're connecting to websites that log connection information and you don't want to leave tracks where you are (especially where your home is), you might want to use a VPN. You get the idea: If you want extra protection at home, then a VPN isn't a bad idea.
Now, let's be clear. Using a VPN does add a bit of a load on your computer and can often slow down your connection. That's because your data is encrypted, decrypted, and sent through intermediate servers. Game responsiveness might suffer. If you're a first-person shooter player, you might have enough lag to lose the shot. That said, both computers and VPNs have gotten a lot faster. When I first used a VPN, every... Thing...Slowed... Down... To... An... Unbearable... C-r-a-w-l. But now, the negative impact is almost unnoticeable, and at least one service we spotlight below (Hotspot Shield) actually increased performance, making it one of the fastest VPNs we've seen.
Also, most (but not all!) of the providers we spotlight limit the number of devices you can connect simultaneously, so you may have to pick and choose which home devices connect through a VPN.
We're also spotlighting paid services in this article, although some of them offer a free tier. I generally don't recommend free VPN services because I don't consider them secure. Think about this: Running a VPN service requires hundreds of servers across the world and a ton of networking resources. It's boo-coo expensive. If you're not paying to support that infrastructure, who is? Probably advertisers or data miners. If you use a free service, your data or your eyeballs will probably be sold, and that's never a good thing. After all, you're using a VPN so your data remains secure. You wouldn't want to then have all that data go to some company to sift through -- it completely defeats the purpose.
Before we jump into our cornucopia of VPN services, I want to make it clear that no one tool can guarantee your privacy. First, anything can be hacked. But more to the point, a VPN protects your data from your computer to the VPN service. It doesn't protect what you put on servers. It doesn't protect your data from the VPN provider's VPN servers to whatever site or cloud-based application you're using. It doesn't give you good passwords or multifactor authentication. Privacy and security require you to be diligent throughout your digital journey, and VPNs, while quite helpful, are not a miracle cure.
In this article, we look at a bunch of our favorite VPN solutions. We'll cover many of the best VPN service providers, how to access the native VPNs built into your desktop machine, and even how to use your NAS as a VPN client and host. If you're curious about VPNs, you can learn a lot more in our massive VPN FAQ.
We'll also dig back into what makes the best VPNs tick and answer some more of your questions at the end of this article, so read on. But first, our picks for the best VPNs of 2021.
Best VPN providers
If you're curious about how VPNs work or what a VPN provider can do for you, here's a great VPN overview article. Now that you understand how a VPN service can help keep you safe, let's kick it off with our list of recommended service providers.
A top-rated VPN provider graphical user interface: express.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet express.Jpg Photo by Christian Englmeier on Unsplash
Simultaneous Connections: 5 or unlimited with the router app
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: A whole lot (see the full list here)
Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs
Countries: 94
Locations: 160
Trial/MBG: 30 days
ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers out there, offering a wide range of platforms and protocols. Platforms include Windows, Mac, Linux, routers, iOS, Android, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, and even the Nook device. There are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Plus, ExpressVPN works with PlayStation, Apple TV, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, and the Nintendo Switch. There's even a manual setup option for Chromecast, Roku, and Nvidia Switch.
Also: ExpressVPN review: A VPN speed leader with a secure reputation
With 160 server locations in 94 countries, ExpressVPN has a considerable VPN network across the internet. In CNET's review of the service, staff writer Rae Hodge reported that ExpressVPN lost less than 2% of performance with the VPN enabled and using the OpenVPN protocol vs. A direct connection.
While the company does not log browsing history or traffic destinations, it does log dates connected to the VPN service, amount transferred, and VPN server location. We do want to give ExpressVPN kudos for making this information very clear and easily accessible.
Exclusive offer: Buy 12 months, get 3 months free (click the red button below)
View Now at ExpressVPN Leak-free and unlimited connections a close up of a fish: surfshark.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet surfshark.Jpg Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Firefox, Chrome
Logging: None, except billing data
Trial/MBG: 30 day
At two bucks a month for a two-year plan (billed in one chunk), Surfshark offers a good price for a solid offering. In CNET's testing, no leaks were found (and given that much bigger names leaked connection information, that's a big win). The company seems to have a very strong security focus, offering AES-256-GCM, RSA-2048, and Perfect Forward Secrecy encryption. To prevent WebRTC leaks, Surfshark offers a special purpose browser plugin designed specifically to combat those leaks.
Also: Surfshark VPN review: A feature-rich service with blazing speeds and a security focus
Surfshark's performance was higher than NordVPN and Norton Secure VPN, but lower than ExpressVPN and IPVanish. That said, Surfshark also offers a multihop option that allows you to route connections through two VPN servers across the Surfshark private network. We also like that the company offers some inexpensive add-on features, including ad-blocking, anti-tracking, access to a non-logging search engine, and a tool that tracks your email address against data breach lists.
View Now at Surfshark Interesting options to enhance VPN protection a view of a snow covered mountain: nordvpn.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet nordvpn.Jpg Photo by Karl Köhler on Unsplash
Simultaneous Connections: 6
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Chrome, Firefox
Logging: None, except billing data
Countries: 59
Servers: 5517
Trial/MBG: 30 day
NordVPN is one of the most popular consumer VPNs out there. Last year, Nord announced that it had been breached. Unfortunately, the breach had been active for more than 18 months. While there were failures at every level, NordVPN has taken substantial efforts to remedy the breach.
Also: My in-depth review of NordVPN
In our review, we liked that it offered capabilities beyond basic VPN, including support of P2P sharing, a service it calls Double VPN that does a second layer of encryption, Onion over VPN which allows for TOR capabilities over its VPN, and even a dedicated IP if you're trying to run a VPN that also doubles as a server. It supports all the usual platforms and a bunch of home network platforms as well. The company also offers NordVPN Teams, which provides centralized management and billing for a mobile workforce.
Also: My interview with NordVPN management on how they run their service
Performance testing was adequate, although ping speeds were slow enough that I wouldn't want to play a twitch video game over the VPN. To be fair, most VPNs have pretty terrible ping speeds, so this isn't a weakness unique to Nord. Overall, a solid choice, and with a 30-day money-back guarantee, worth a try.
View Now at NordVPN Deep capabilities hidden in an easy-to-use app logo: ipvanish.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet ipvanish.Jpg
Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, plus routers, Fire Stick, and Kodi
Logging: None, except billing data
Servers: 1,500
Locations: 75
Trial/MBG: 30 day
IPVanish is a deep and highly configurable product that presents itself as a click-and-go solution. I think the company is selling itself short doing this. A quick visit to its website shows a relatively generic VPN service, but that's not the whole truth.
Also: My in-depth review of IPVanish
Its UI provides a wide range of server selection options, including some great performance graphics. It also has a wide variety of protocols, so no matter what you're connecting to, you can know what to expect. The company also provides an excellent server list with good current status information. There's also a raft of configuration options for the app itself.
In terms of performance, connection speed was crazy fast. Overall transfer performance was good. However, from a security perspective, it wasn't able to hide that I was connecting via a VPN -- although the data transferred was secure. Overall, a solid product with a good user experience that's fine for home connections as long as you're not trying to hide the fact that you're on a VPN.
The company also has a partnership with SugarSync and provides 250GB of encrypted cloud storage with each plan.
View Now at IPVanish Open source with a dedicated focus on security graphical user interface, application: protonvpn.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet protonvpn.Jpg
Simultaneous Connections: Depends on plan
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers
Logging: None, except billing data
Countries: 54
Servers: 1,077
Trial/MBG: 30 day
We really like the ProtonVPN story. The company was created by engineers and scientists who met at CERN (the European Center for Nuclear Research -- where the Web was invented) with a focus on creating encrypted email and VPN communications with the idea of protecting the communication of activists and journalists. The company is also headquartered in Switzerland, which has very strong privacy laws.
In terms of product, ProtonVPN has a belt-and-suspenders approach to security, layering strong protocols on top of perfect forward secrecy, on top of strong encryption. Not only does ProtonVPN have a kill switch, but it also has an always-on VPN, which attempts to restore VPN service if it's dropped mid-communication. Finally, we like that all apps are open source and the company reports that they are independently audited.
Finally, the company offers a very generous free service, allowing one machine to connect at medium speed, but there doesn't appear to be any limit to the amount of data used in the free plan.
View Now at Proton VPN service hosted on its own infrastructure a close up of a snake: vypervpn.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet vypervpn.Jpg
Golden Frog, the company behind VyprVPN, claims to be "A company as old as the Internet itself," yet its own about page says the company was founded in 2009. Apparently, the founders of Golden Frog were founding companies back in the 90s, and they conflated the two facts. I'm always a bit uncomfortable when a security company conflates facts.
On the plus side, we like that Golden Frog owns and manages its own infrastructure and does not rely on hosting companies. VPN infrastructure is often a murky thing, with the VPN service providers renting time from available data centers in host countries.
The company offers a huge array of client software, including apps for routers and even BlackBerry devices. Apps support key features like a kill switch, a zero-knowledge DNS service, and their own Chameleon VPN protocol for added security. The company's no-log service was last audited in 2018, so they're a bit overdue.
Golden Frog, also registered in Switzerland, is a standout in their effort to provide privacy and thwart censorship. When China began its program of deep packet VPN inspection, Golden Frog's VyprVPN service added scrambled OpenVPN packets to keep the traffic flowing.
View Now at Golden Frog It's Norton, a known and trusted brand. What else is there to say? a chain link fence: norton.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet norton.Jpg Photo by John Salvino on Unsplash
Simultaneous Connections: Based on plan
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Logging: None, except billing data
Countries: Unspecified
Locations: Unspecified
Trial/MBG: 60 day
We found performance is middle-of-the-road and platforms are limited to Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android. Don't even think of using it on routers, Linux, or gaming platforms. Pricing is weirdly and unnecessarily tiered. The service raises its price by ten bucks when you jump from 1 device to 5, and another ten bucks when you jump to ten devices. Given the full ten simultaneous device package is a good deal at $59, it's odd that it's nickel-and-diming the lower tiers.
Also: Norton Secure VPN review: More work is needed for this privacy product to shine
We're recommending Norton not as much because it's a great VPN (it's really kinda meh), but because it's from a brand we've long come to know and trust. The company also offers live 24/7 phone support and has an excellent 60-day money-back guarantee. The company also offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee, but oddly doesn't promote it. The only place it's mentioned is deep inside their refund policy document.
View Now at Norton Clear and understandable instructions logo, map: strongvpn.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet strongvpn.Jpg
Simultaneous Connections: 12
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, Synology, Kindle, Kodi, and routers
Logging: None, except billing data
Countries: 30+
Servers: 950+
Trial/MBG: 30 day
StrongVPN stands out because its setup, website, and support materials are clear and easy to understand. We found setup to offer just the right amount of explanation when we needed it.
Also: My StrongVPN in-depth review
The fact that StrongVPN doesn't log anything is a big win, but it's offset a bit by the fact that our testing showed endpoints can tell you're using a VPN. To be sure, data is nicely encrypted, but if you're trying to hide the fact that you're on a VPN, Strong isn't for you. That said, it had solid performance, an excellent UI, and did the job. Plus, they recently upped the number of simultaneous connections from five to twelve. That's nice to see. The company also includes 250 GB of SugarSync secure storage with all plans.
View Now at StrongVPN Astonishing performance a close up of a fire: hotspot.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet hotspot.Jpg Photo by Sergi Viladesau on Unsplash
Simultaneous Connections: 5
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, router, TV
Logging: None, except billing data
Countries: 80
Locations: 115
Trial/MBG: 45 days
This is a company that has had some ups and downs in its coverage. That said, the company seems to have resolved its issues successfully. But I'm burying the lede for this story. Here's what you need to know about Hotspot Shield: performance was astonishing.
Also: My in-depth review of Hotspot Shield
The company kept sending me bragging emails, claiming exceptional performance. Since reviewers often (always) get "we're the best" emails, it's something we ignore like the background noise it usually is. But then my editor challenged me to put Hotspot Shield to the test. And you know what? For most countries, while the VPN connection was active, it actually out-performed non-VPN connection speed. Go ahead and read my review. Surprised the heck out of me.
View Now at Hotspot Shield A bundle of security features beyond VPN logo: cyberghost.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet cyberghost.Jpg Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash
Simultaneous Connections: 7
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: All you'd expect and a lot more
Logging: None, except billing data
Countries: 89
Servers: 6,381
Trial/MBG: 45 days
The CyberGhost client is more than a VPN connection driver. The company's offering is a decently complete full security system, including ad-blocking, malicious website blocking, online footprint blocking (blocking cookies from dropping), and forced https redirect.
Also: My in-depth review of CyberGhost
With more than 6,000 servers deployed in 89 countries and 112 locations, CyberGhost has a larger number of servers than many of the other VPN providers we surveyed. Performance was adequate. It provided enough bandwidth to stream video and get your job done, but it certainly wasn't a rocket. Also, if you're trying to hide the fact that you're using a VPN, you'll want to look elsewhere. That said, for a solid overall security package, CyberGhost is a good option.
View Now at CyberGhost 31-day guarantee because sometimes that extra day matters a sign in front of a lake: purevpn.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet purevpn.Jpg Photo by Adam Vradenburg on Unsplash
Simultaneous Connections: 10
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and a lot more
Logging: None, except billing data
Countries: 140
Servers: 2,000
Trial/MBG: 31 day
Most VPN providers license their international server presence from local providers all over the globe. PureVPN doesn't. They own their own self-managed network of more than 2,000 servers in 140 countries. This allows the company to support its full range of protocols (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, and IKEv2). It also offers PPTP, but it's so porous, you probably shouldn't use it.
Given the tough times due to the novel coronavirus, PureVPN has sent its support folks home, but they're up and running providing 24/7 support from the safety of sheltering in place. So even though business isn't as usual, PureVPN has, like many companies, routed around the problem using internet technology to keep connected. We also like the 31-day money-back guarantee, support for a wide range of devices, including Kodi, Roku, and Boxee boxes.
View Now at PureVPN A tremendous number of servers text: pia.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet pia.Jpg
Simultaneous Connections: 10
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Opera
Logging: None, except billing data
Countries: 76
Servers: 17,605
Trial/MBG: 30 day
One of the more interesting aspects of Private Internet Access is the wealth of payment options the company offers. Sure, you can pay by credit card. But you can also pay with cryptocurrencies including BitcoinCash, Bitcoin, Zcash, Ethereum, and Litecoin. If you're not all up on the crypto-craze but still don't want to leave a record of your payment, you can use over 100 brands of gift cards, including those from Best Buy, GameStop, Home Depot, Lowes, Target, and Walmart.
The company supports a good range of protocols and you can use it on your customized DD-WRT router. We do like the quick setup, included ad, malware, and tracker blocker, and unlimited bandwidth is always appreciated.
View Now at Private Internet Access Relative newcomer that keeps improving each time we look at them a bird flying in the sky: goose3.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet goose3.Jpg Photo by Cephas CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikipedia
Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited
Kill Switch: Yes
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, Chrome, routers
Logging: None, except billing data
Countries: Unspecified
Locations: Unspecified
Trial/MBG: 30 day
Here's the thing about Goose VPN. It's called "goose VPN." That's nearly irresistible for a writer. When I asked, I was told geese make excellent guard animals, having performed guard duty in ancient Rome, an Air Defense Command base in Germany, and a brewery in Scotland. Hence Goose VPN, where the goose is the mascot for a service that guards your Internet access.
When I first started talking to the folks at Goose VPN a few years ago, they didn't offer a kill switch and only had clients for the Big Four. But, as time went on, they've been adding features and capabilities regularly and their offering is now a nice, robust system. Plus, here's something really cool. Unfortunately, since the last time we looked at them, the company ditched its lifetime plan. Now, they offer yearly plan durations similar to their competitors. Finally, the company offers a reasonable 30-day money-back guarantee.
View Now at Goose VPN Native VPN support on your desktop
If you're connecting to a corporate VPN, you may not need to purchase a VPN service. All the major desktop operating systems include VPN capabilities. Here's how to get started using those.
Connect to a corporate VPN with Apple a laptop computer sitting on top of a table: mac.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet mac.Jpg Photo by Michail Sapiton on Unsplash
If you're connecting to an existing corporate virtual private network, you may not need an additional service. MacOS comes with native VPN support built right in.
Apple provides VPN support for High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, and now Big Sur. Just pop open System Preferences, head over to the Network tab, and either import the configuration file you were provided or hit the plus button and add a VPN interface. Here's a handy tip sheet from Apple that will walk you through the process.
View Now at Apple Connect your laptop with Google a close up of electronics: chromebook.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet chromebook.Jpg
Sadly, this simple solution isn't built into the standard Chrome browser. If you're just using the browser on a Mac or Windows machine, you'll need a different solution.
That said, if you're rocking a Chromebook, all you need to do is open Settings and then Network. Click Add Connection. Then all you need to do is choose between OpenVPN and L2TP over IPSec. Google has a handy cheat sheet right here to guide you through the process.
View Now at Google Another reason to love open source background pattern: wireeguard.Jpg © Provided by ZDNet wireeguard.Jpg Photo by Rekjezt on Unsplash
WireGuard is Linux's new baked-in VPN capability. Its code is relatively simple and small, making it far easier to maintain, test, and debug. Linus Torvalds, Mr. Linux himself, calls WireGuard "a work of art."
Also: Linux's WireGuard VPN is here and ready to protect you
So what do you need to set up WireGuard? More and more of the VPNs we spotlighted support WireGuard right out of the box. You can download it for Linux. But you can also download a package for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and FreeBSD. It's like most open source products, in that you'll need to do some reading and thinking to make it work. But it's free, solid, safe, and, as Linus says, "Can I just once again state my love for it."
View Now at WireGuard VPN for your whole home network
Many of the commercial VPN services discussed above offer router-based VPN solutions. Even though I have a pretty powerful router, I prefer to run my VPN on my NAS. Here are two NAS-based VPN solutions that will get you connected securely.
A mini-FAQ about VPNs
I answered a bunch of common questions above our big list of the best VPNs for 2021. But here's a quick lightning round of questions and answers about VPNs, just to round out your knowledge.
Do VPN providers limit usage? Some do. Check when you sign up. For non-free plans, none of the providers we recommended limit the amount of data you can use. But almost all limit how many devices you can use at once.
What does logging really mean? Logging is the recording of data about your usage and it occurs everywhere. Every website, at minimum, records an IP address, time, and data accessed so they can track traffic. All VPN providers have to check credentials against recorded personal data to make sure you paid, but a few let you sign up with Bitcoin, allowing you to completely hide your identity. When we say a VPN doesn't log data, we mean they don't track what sites you visit and for how long, but they may track how much of their own infrastructure you use.
Is it legal to use a VPN? Yes, in most countries. Some countries (and you should read my guide for more in-depth info) have made VPN use illegal. And even in countries where it's legal, it's likely to be illegal to use a VPN to spoof a streaming service into giving you content that otherwise wouldn't be accessible. Plus...
Can I use a VPN to get free Netflix or watch a blacked-out sports event? Sometimes, but it's likely illegal and probably fattening. There's an ongoing arms race where the media vendors are getting better at identifying and blocking VPN connections, so each case is different. And that's all we can say about it, because... Illegal.
If I have a VPN to my office, do I need a VPN service? The VPN to your office will secure your link to your office. If you want to secure your link to anywhere else, you'll need a VPN service.
Should I use a VPN on my phone or tablet? If it's your data and you want it to be secure, yes. The same choices are valid regardless of what kind of device you use to transmit and receive data over the Internet.
What's this kill switch thing? So let's say you're surfing along and all of a sudden your VPN connection fails. Your phone or computer is likely to immediately try to reconnect and do so directly, without going through a VPN. All of a sudden your data is unprotected. A kill switch is a feature in your device's VPN app that detects that connection fail and immediately shuts down network access. Like with everything, it's not a 100% perfect solution, but these days, I wouldn't recommend using a VPN that doesn't offer a kill switch.
What do simultaneous connections mean and why should I care? I'll give you a personal example. When I travel, I often take my laptop and my tablet. I use the laptop to write and I use the tablet as a second screen to look stuff up. I have two connections I'm using at once and I want my VPN to protect both. If my wife is also doing the same thing, that's four connections. Add our phones and you have six connections. If we're using all those devices at once that's simultaneous connections. The more the better.
What about all those weird protocol words? If you've been shopping for a VPN service, you've undoubtedly come across a bunch of names like SSL, OpenVPN, SSTP, L2TP/IPSec, PPP, PPTP, IKEv2/IPSec, SOCKS5, and more. These are all communication protocols. They are, essentially, the name of the method by which your communication is encrypted and packaged for tunneling to the VPN provider. To be honest, while VPN geeks can argue over protocols for hours, you're probably good enough if you just use the default set up by your provider.
How to choose
I could write an entire article about how VPNs work and how to choose, and, in fact, I did. Rather than repeating it all here, I'm just going to point you to How to find the best VPN service: Your guide to staying safe on the internet.
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Our process
This list did not involve as much original research and testing as some of my other recommendation lists. That's because I've been writing VPN articles every month or so since early 2017. I have looked at a lot of VPN providers.
Many of the providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews, written either by me or by CNET's product evaluation team. (See: The best VPN services for 2021.) For those, we have tangible testing numbers. Other VPNs have been ones we've been talking about for years, spoken with their management and their users, and have developed a generally positive impression.
A few of the VPNs (Hotspot Shield, in particular) had a more rocky road. They had some tough PR at the beginning and made some seemingly ludicrous claims about speed. It wasn't until I brought them in house and pounded on them for a few weeks that I realized that their claims were justified. Sometimes, products just surprise you.
But here's the thing: All these vendors have solid money-back guarantees and we would not have recommended them otherwise. We do test VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test from all locations. Every home, every community, every local ISP, and every nation has a different infrastructure. It's essential that once you choose, you test for all your likely usage profiles, and only then make the decision to keep the service or request a refund.
One thing to consider is whether you're looking for a solution for working at home vs. Traveling. For example, if you travel rarely (even before COVID-19), have strong bandwidth at home, and have a NAS or a server box, you might want to VPN to your home server from your machine's native client, and then out to the world. If you're newly home for the duration and your company has a dedicated VPN, you'll want to use whatever process they've set out for you.
But, generally speaking, it doesn't hurt to have a VPN provider already set up and in your kit bag. Most home-based traffic won't require VPN usage, but if you're on any sort of shared connection, having a VPN provider is a good idea. Also, if you ever think you'll need to access the Internet from out and about -- like a hospital or doctor's office, then having a VPN provider can be a win. Likewise, if you want to obscure where you're connecting from (this might be more important now that we're always in the same place all day), a VPN provider might help.
Finally, don't expect miracles. Your home-based pandemic broadband pipes are likely to be more clogged than ever before. Everyone is at home, many people are streaming movies to stay sane, and there are only so many bits that can fit at any given time. If you experience traffic slowdowns, be sure to check not only your VPN, but your Wi-Fi connection between your device and your router, your connection to your broadband provider, and even their connection to upstream providers.
That said, we're all in this together. Hang in there and stay safe. How are you managing your home-based networking? Let us know in the comments below.
You can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @DavidGewirtz, on Facebook at Facebook.Com/DavidGewirtz, on Instagram at Instagram.Com/DavidGewirtz, and on YouTube at YouTube.Com/DavidGewirtzTV.
Scam VPN App Is Bringing In $1M Per Month – Is It On Your Phone?
Apple’s iOS infrastructure is fairly robust when it comes to app downloads and services. Unlike third-party platforms, Apple’s App Store is guarded against malicious apps or those that don’t meet the requirements.
It is almost unheard of to find out that an app slipped through Apple’s quality checks. So, when an application does make it through, it is a big deal. It gets even worse if the app in question purports to be a virtual private network (VPN). Tap or click here to see how VPNs work.
That actually happened recently. A fake VPN app was discovered and is ripping people off by the millions. Keep reading for details on this preposterous scam and a better, safer option.
Here’s the backstory
Developer and co-founder of the Fleksy keyboard app Kosta Eleftheriou recently found the Privacy Assistant: StringVPN app. And red flags were immediately raised. Eleftheriou has taken it upon himself to expose hundreds of fake apps and alerted his Twitter followers of the questionable VPN app.
The app has several 5-star ratings, which are obviously fake. This tricks Apple’s algorithm into thinking the app is legitimate and pushes it higher in the rankings. The app claims to be a “fully-featured mobile connectivity and network signal speed test tool,” but that isn’t true.
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According to Eleftheriou, the fake reviews are translated from other apps. The contact email is a Gmail account registered in Russia, and the developer’s blank website is registered in India.
I don’t know what’s worse about this app:
– “Translated” fake reviews– “Recommended by Apple” popups in Safari– https://t.Co/Kq5lRrKCWc contact email– Blank website, registered in India– $9.99/week subscription– Grossing $1M (!) a month
What is Apple even doing?? Pic.Twitter.Com/5oUBCJ2GNh
— Kosta Eleftheriou (@keleftheriou) April 7, 2021
The $9.99 per week subscription nets the scamming company about $1 million each month. Violating Apple’s App Store rules, the application doesn’t provide pricing for weekly or monthly subscriptions, leaving annually as the only option.
What can you do about it?
Apple has stringent rules in place to minimize occurrences of fake or deceptive apps. But what actions can you take if you paid for the app? Well, according to several of the real reviews and warnings, it’s going to be difficult.
As the contact email address and website is non-functioning, getting a refund through the developers will be futile. Others have contacted Apple directly with refund requests, with not much success.
Your best move would be to delete the application from your device immediately and contact Apple for a refund. You could also approach your bank to stop any payments going towards the developer and file a fraud complaint.
There are lots of shady VPN apps out there. Many of the free options aren’t free at all. Instead, they sell your private data to third parties who then target you with personalized ads. As they say, if it’s free, you are the product.
That’s why it’s important to use a VPN that you can trust. Try the only VPN that Kim trusts and uses, our sponsor, ExpressVPN.
You can now get an extra three months free using Kim’s link for listeners and readers. Go to ExpressVPN.Com/Kim to try it out.
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Free Windows VPN: Are They Worth Downloading And Which Ones Are Good?
If you're a casual user searching for the best VPN, there's no doubt you'll have come across a huge range of both paid and free VPN options for Windows – and the choice between the two is probably the biggest one you'll have to make in the process. So, can a free Windows VPN really cut the mustard, or is it worth investing in a premium provider?
On this page, we'll run down what you need to look out for when it comes to picking a free Windows 10 VPN, what features you need, which providers are worth testing out, and if, in reality, spending a couple of dollars a month is the right decision.
If you want to see the best free Windows VPNs right away, click the 'Jump To' tab at the top of the page. If you want to learn a little more about how they work and what your options are, just keep scrolling.
Try #1-rated ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days For absolute security and unlimited streaming, we recommend ExpressVPN first and foremost as the best service on the market. If you're worried about spending money, you're covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you don't think it's worth it, and if you stay on you'll get three months FREE courtesy of Tom's Guide.View Deal
What's the benefit of a free Windows VPN?
VPNs (virtual private networks) anonymize your activity by encrypting your Internet traffic and hiding it from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Popular uses of VPNs include avoiding government and advertiser tracking, accessing sites that are blocked at work or school, and for changing your location to watch overseas TV – you can find out more by reading how does a VPN work.
Free Windows VPNs promise all of this for absolutely no cost – and that's quite understandably an incredibly tempting proposition.
If you pick a quality provider (we'll suggest a few below), you can expect some of these features to work, and if you just want to check your emails in privacy, briefly become anonymous for a sensitive Google search, or change location to check the price of a product in a different country, a free Windows VPN could be useful. However, there are inevitably some downsides...
The downsides of free Windows VPNs
If you're planning on using your free Windows VPN regularly and for lots of different VPN uses, you'll need great speeds, the power to unblock geo-restricted content, P2P support and, of course, unlimited data transfer – and there's simply no provider that's generous enough to give you all of that for free.
Almost all have a data cap of some kind, ranging from a meagre 500MB to 10GB or more a month, but at some point that's going to run out. You'll also notice your server selection will be restricted. So, for example, if you wanted to use your free Windows VPN as a free Netflix VPN and watch a TV show only available in Canada, you may well find that server restricted, and only available for paying users.
And, of course, that's assuming your free Windows VPN is able to access Netflix and the like which is, frankly, unlikely.
It's also worth considering how your free service makes money and is able to keep its servers up and running. With 'freemium' services it's quite clear – they want you to upgrade from the limited free version to the fully functioning paid service, and free users are supported by those who pay – but 100% free Windows VPN services may well be a little more shady. They could be selling your data, or using your device as an exit node for other users. We'd never recommend using a free service that doesn't have a paid option.
free windows VPN
(Image credit: Anton Shaparenko/Shutterstock) Is a free Windows VPN worth it?
It all depends on how you're planning on using your free Windows VPN. If you think you'll be connecting once in a while for a few minutes and then switching back off again, it may well be a good choice.
However, if you're planning on torrenting, streaming geo-blocked content or want access to thousands of servers worldwide, only a premium provider will do.
That doesn't mean you have to spend a bomb to get world-class VPN cover, though. Almost all providers offer a 30-day or more money-back guarantee so you can trial the unrestricted service and then claim back the money paid if you don't think it's worth it. You can also find some great VPN free trials if you want to test a service over a shorter time.
Below, we'll round up the very best free Windows VPN services available today, and we'll also suggest some great-value premium providers that will have you covered no matter what you plan on using your VPN for.
FREE WINDOWS VPNS
1. ExpressVPN – try the best VPN risk free for 30 daysIf you want the best way to get a free Windows VPN, we’d suggest trying out ExpressVPN – its 30-day money-back guarantee is generous and, if you choose to, you’ll be refunded no questions asked. However, it’s also our highest-rated VPN, and you can claim three free months on 12-month plans.View Deal
2. Surfshark – the best-value VPN on the marketIf Express is a little pricey but you're still considering a fully featured VPN, Surfshark is an excellent choice. For just $2.49 a month you'll get unlimited connections, intuitive apps, really swift servers and world-class streaming support – plus a no-quibble 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
3. NordVPN – the biggest name is a safe betNordVPN is probably on your radar, and it's definitely a paid service that's worth considering. With over 5,000 servers, great streaming power, polished apps and incredible encryption, $3.71 a month doesn't sound too bad – and again, make a claim within 30 days and you'll get every penny back.View Deal
The best free Windows VPNs
ProtonVPN free Windows VPN
(Image credit: ProtonVPN) 1. ProtonVPN
Unlimited data is class-leading
Unlimited data
Some Netflix access
Secure
Throttled speeds
Limited servers
If you're going to go with a truly free Windows VPN, we'd recommend ProtonVPN. Standing out from the crowd by offering totally unlimited data, you really can set it and forget it – and although speeds are limited compared to the premium plans, it's still fairly usable.
If you do upgrade to a paid plan you'll have access to the worldwide Secure Core servers, but even free users have a choice between servers in the US, the Netherlands and Japan.
Surprisingly, ProtonVPN Free has even had some success at accessing Netflix, but we wouldn't rely on it. The best bit, though? New users will get a seven-day free trial of the unrestricted ProtonVPN service (every server, full features, and unthrottled speeds) without having to hand over any payment details whatsoever. That's a seriously good bargain.
Sign up now on ProtonVPN's website
2. Hotspot Shield
Great free option from super-fast provider
500MB of data a day
Decent speeds
Ad-supported on some platforms
Hotspot Shield has been a favorite of ours for a long time, offering reliable free protection that's simple and effective.
Some platforms are ad-supported, and you'll often be encouraged to upgrade, but it's by no means intrusive and is a small sacrifice to make when you think about what you're getting.
However, it ranks below ProtonVPN here for a couple of reasons. To start, there's no trial or taster of the full service like Proton's seven-day introduction, and if you plan on doing anything data-intensive, you'll find that 500MB restriction, well, restrictive.
When it comes to streaming on Netflix, Hotspot Shield is an absolute no-go – while some free or unspecialized VPNs can get you access to Netflix Original and nothing more, Hotspot Shield Free actually blocks the site itself in an attempt to get you to upgrade. That's either very annoying, or pretty smart on the provider's part, because paid plans are great streaming VPNs.
For casual use, Hotspot Shield is an excellent choice, and if you do ever choose to upgrade, it's one of the best in the business.
Sign up now on the Hotspot Shield website
The best free Windows VPN trials
Surfshark free Windows VPN
1. Surfshark
The best cheap VPN also offers a 7-day trial
Great for streaming
Proper free trial
Excellent apps for all devices
Not hugely configurable
As the best cheap VPN on the market, it's no surprise Surfshark is rearing its head here. And, while it can be a bit tricky to get up and running, the provider does offer a genuine free Windows VPN trial.
To get it, you just need to head to the App Store on your smartphone. Once you've downloaded the app, you'll be offered a seven-day free trial. Simple.
However, for real flexibility we'd recommend signing up for a full plan and claiming a refund back if you're not happy with the service. It's a no-quibble process, and you get a month rather than a week of free access if you do choose to get a refund.
Either way, Surfshark blows any free provider out of the water with excellent streaming power, great security, good speeds and, of course, unlimited data. All of that for less than $2.50 a month? Not bad in our opinion.
Sign up now on Surfshark's website
2. NordVPN
Another big gun offers seven days free
Get extra 1 year or month free
Fully audited and secure
Great for streaming
Good connection speeds
Mobile apps can be awkward
You'll probably recognize the name NordVPN – it's everywhere from soccer sponsorships to TV ads. It's not all mouth and no trousers, though, and it's got the credentials and performance to live up to its boastful persona.
You'll get access to tons of Netflix libraries, excellent security and apps on loads of devices (although the mobile interface is a little clunky).
Just like Surfshark, when downloading the app on mobile you'll be offered a free seven-day trial – but again, we'd recommend going for the money-back route. It's quick and easy to do so if you want, and you'll get full access to every feature for a whole month before committing.
Sign up now on NordVPN's website
The best free Windows VPN money-back guarantees
ExpressVPN free Windows vpn
(Image credit: ExpressVPN) 1. ExpressVPN
Test the best for a whole month risk-free
Top-class Netflix unblocking
Excellent apps
Great customer support
Pay before you try (but you can get it back)
We make no bones about it – we think ExpressVPN is the best of the best when it comes to just about every VPN. However, for those on a budget it can prove a little expensive, but there's a way around this.
After you've signed up to any plan, you've got 30 days to test out the service and make sure it's the one for you. If it's not, for any reason, you can claim your money back at the end of the trial and you won't have spent any money at all. Of course, though, you can only do this once.
All things considered, we think ExpressVPN provides the best service available today, and while there are cheaper options out there, if you can spare a couple of extra dollars a month, it's the one to go for.
Sign up now on ExpressVPN's website and claim three months free
2. Cyberghost
Perfect for those on a budget
Super cheap limited time offer
Specialised for streaming and torrenting
Massive 45-day guarantee
Tons of servers
Experience is slightly unpolished
If ExpressVPN is too rich for your blood, CyberGhost offers a bargain alternative with a huge 45-day money back guarantee.
It doesn't offer a truly free Windows VPN experience, but you'll get over 6,000 servers plus good streaming support, and it's also excellent for torrenting. A nifty server filtering feature takes the guesswork out, too.
While at this price point we probably prefer Surfshark, CyberGhost's huge money-back guarantee is very tempting, giving you a month and a half before you have to commit. You can't ask for much more than that.
Sign up now on the CyberGhost website
Free Windows VPN FAQ Can I stream with a free Windows VPN?
If we're honest, free Windows VPNs aren't going to be great for streaming thanks to slower speeds, inferior unblocking tech and data limits – if you want to watch worldwide content, we'd recommend a premium service like ExpressVPN.
However, some providers can give limited access to sites like Netflix, and other sites like YouTube should be no problem – unless you've run out of data.
Why do I need a free Windows VPN?
A free Windows VPN can offer a quick and easy solution to staying private when on public Wi-Fi, keeping your identity private from ad trackers, and even just giving you peace of mind that your ISP can't see what you're looking at online.
However, if you want to use more advanced things with your VPN like torrenting, streaming geo-blocked content and keeping it all day, every day, a paid option is a better bet.
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