Whether you work from a traditional office, from your home, iPhone, or on the road, a VPN is one of the best ways to protect yourself from data breaches on the internet, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.
VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network, these services allow users to browse the internet privately, and securely connect to open or public Wi-Fi networks.
VPNs give users the ability to change their virtual location by redirecting the connection through one of its servers located around the world.
However, the problem with the internet is that It’s inherently insecure leaving any internet user vulnerable to cyberattacks.
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What Does A VPN Do?
A VPN creates a private tunnel over the open internet, that’s between your computing device and the VPN provider’s data center.
A VPN will encrypt all of your traffic, so you’re hidden from hackers, your internet service provider, and governments.
Fundamentally, most VPNs (virtual private networks) provide two services:
- Encrypting your data between two points
- Hide the IP address where you’re located
VPNs are useful in unblocking geo-restricted content and can be a vital tool for accessing information in countries with repressive governments.
VPNs are powerful and important for anyone that wants to maintain a high level of safety and privacy online.
Many consumers also find streaming VPN features compelling. In some cases, and with legality, users can spoof their region of origin to get access to streaming media and sports blacked out from their home.
Top VPN Services
These top VPN solutions focus on the number of server locations, level of encryption, and compatibility with phones, computers, and TVs, to determine a No. 1 overall. Plus, we tell you the free VPNs worth trying.
ExpressVPN
Best VPN Overall
ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers out there, offering a wide range of platforms and protocols.
| Pros | + Fast and reliable connection + Works on tons of platforms + Transparent privacy policy |
| Cons | – More expensive than many competitors – Only 5 simultaneous connections |
ExpressVPN Features:
- Simultaneous Connections: 5 or unlimited with the router app
- Kill Switch: Yes
- Speed: speedy and consistent connection
- Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs
- Countries: 94
- Trial/MBG: 30 days
Platforms include (see the full list here):
- Windows
- MacOS
- iOS
- Android
- Chromebook
- Kindle Fire
- Linux
- Routers
- Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick
- Android TV
- Chromecast with Google TV
You can also manually set up ExpressVPN to work with some gaming consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch) and TVs (Apple TV, Roku, etc.) that do not support its app.
ExpressVPN is very upfront and transparent about the information they collect:
| Does Not Log: | Does Log: |
| – Browsing history – IP address – Traffic destination | – Info about how the service is used – Amount of data transferred – Dates connected to the VPN (not times) – Location of the VPN server |
Surfshark VPN
Best VPN For Value
Surfshark has a solid VPN with a good price for the two-year plan – it costs under $2.50 a month (paid upfront).
They make security a priority with AES-256-GCM, Perfect Forward Secrecy, and RSA-2048 encryption, as well as, a browser plugin designed specifically to stop WebRTC leaks.
| Pros | + Unlimited simultaneous connections + Wide range of useful features + Available on all major platforms |
| Cons | – Fewer features for Apple devices |
Surfshark VPN Features:
- Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited
- Kill Switch: Yes
- Logging: None, except billing data
- Countries: 95
- Trial/MBG: 30 day
Platforms:
- Windows
- MacOS
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
- Fire TV
- Firefox
- Android TV
Complementary and inexpensive add-on features:
- Anti-tracking
- A search engine that doesn’t log your information
- A scanner that searches data breach lists for your email
- Connect through two VPN servers with Surfshark’s multihop option
However, not all of these features are available for Apple devices.
Surfshark’s performed better than Norton Secure VPN and NordVPN but below IPVanish and ExpressVPN.
BVA: Business IT Services & Solutions
Let BVA come onsite to perform a quick evaluation of your current technology to find any issues that are costing your business. Then, we’ll provide you with our technical solution recommendations, which will enhance your business and solve your current IT issues!
NordVPN
Best VPN For Travel
NordVPN is one of the most widely used consumer VPNs available.
For most users, it checks all the boxes: Secure, good for streaming, and all the bells and whistles you’re likely to need.
| Pros | + Fast & consistent speed + Extensive server network + Easy-to-use apps |
| Cons | – Only six concurrent connections |
NordVPN Features:
- Simultaneous Connections: 6
- Kill Switch: Yes
- Logging: None, except billing data
- Countries: 59
- Servers: 5500+
- Trial/MBG: 30 day
Platforms:
NordVPN can run on all of the major platforms and a number of home-network platforms.
- Windows
- MacOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
- Android TV
- Chrome
- Firefox
Nord offers features beyond a basic VPN:
- Supports P2P sharing
- Option for a second layer of encryption through what it calls Double VPN
- You can set up a dedicated IP address if you want to run a VPN that doubles as a server
- Its Onion over VPN unlocks TOR capabilities over its VPN
- Provides VPN and cybersecurity services to businesses through its NordLayer product
It’s a strong choice, and you can always try it for 30 days and get a full refund.
IPVanish VPN
Best Highly Configurable VPN
At a glance, IPVanish may seem like a relatively generic VPN, but it’s a capable and very flexible product.
| Pros | + Unlimited connections + Ultra-fast connection speed + Very flexible product + Wide range of protocols |
| Cons | – No two-year plan – Price increases after only a year – Hard to keep connection hidden |
IPVanish VPN Features:
- Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited
- Kill Switch: Yes
- Logging: None, except billing data
- Servers: 2,000+
- Countries: 50
- Trial/MBG: 30 days
Platforms:
- Windows
- MacOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
- Fire TV
- Android TV
- Kodi
As far as protocols go, there is a wide range of options. Its app also has an extensive array of configuration options.
Looking at how it performs, the connection speed was insanely fast, and the transfer performance was good.
One security issue ZDNET found is a user wasn’t able to obscure they were connecting with a VPN. However, there was a secure data transfer.
The bottom line is that IPVanish is a product with a good user experience and is solid overall, as long as you don’t need to keep the fact that you’re using a VPN hidden.
Proton VPN
Best Open Source VPN
This VPN service was focused on creating encrypted email and VPN communications with the idea of protecting the communication of activists and journalists.
They offer a strong approach to security, layering strong protocols on top of perfect forward secrecy on top of strong encryption.
All apps are open source, and the company reports that they are independently audited.
| Pros | + Free VPN plan (for a single connection) + Lots of extra add-ons are available |
| Cons | – Only the most expensive plan unlocks streaming, P2P, and Tor over VPN |
Proton VPN Features:
- Simultaneous Connections: Up to 10, depending on the plan
- Kill Switch: Yes, and an always-on VPN, which attempts to restore VPN service if it’s dropped mid-communication
- Logging: None, except billing data
- Countries: 60+
- Servers: 1,700+
- Trial/MBG: 30 day
Platforms:
- Windows
- MacOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
- Routers
- Android TV
Proton VPN recently announced the development of a new VPN protocol it developed, called Stealth.
This protocol is designed to bypass internet censorship and VPN blocks by making your VPN traffic look like a normal connection.
It is built differently than most popular VPN protocols, which gives it a unique advantage in avoiding internet filters.
They offer a very generous free VPN service, allowing one machine to connect at medium speed, but there doesn’t appear to be any limit to the amount of data used.
What Is The Best VPN Service?
We found the best VPN is ExpressVPN. It offers a wide range of platforms, great performance, and has server locations in an exceptionally high number of countries.
Which Is The Right VPN For You?
Tips to help you evaluate a VPN service
BVA: Business IT Services & Solutions
Let BVA come onsite to perform a quick evaluation of your current technology to find any issues that are costing your business. Then, we’ll provide you with our technical solution recommendations, which will enhance your business and solve your current IT issues!
