The Best VPN Services for 2023

TorGuard stands as a VPN provider highly regarded for its exceptional customizability, earning praise from a dedicated user base. Despite the name’s resemblance to Tor, the free open-source privacy software, TorGuard is a distinct entity.

TorGuard offers a range of privacy features and services, available through distinct subscription tiers tailored to your specific needs:

• Anonymous VPN plans
• Anonymous Pro VPN plans
• Business VPN plans
• A variety of encrypted email services with different subscription options

Our primary focus was on the anonymous VPN plan, which provides an extensive array of features suitable for everyday protection. Notably, it’s the most cost-effective plan, priced at $29.99 for the first year. Additionally, you can opt for a dedicated IP address add-on, priced at $3.99 per month, making it the most budget-friendly direct IP address option on our list of top VPNs.

The basic tier offers unlimited bandwidth and permits up to eight simultaneous device connections. TorGuard is compatible with various operating systems, including macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. While it can also be configured manually, it supports platforms like Kindle, PlayStation, Xbox, and Chromebook.

For businesses in need of more than eight simultaneous connections, TorGuard offers business plans priced between $32 and $169 per month. These plans come with at least one dedicated IP address, multiple email accounts, and additional features.

During our testing, TorGuard VPN required several setup attempts before functioning properly, even necessitating contact with customer support and changes to login credentials. While the customer support team proved to be responsive and helpful, we do not recommend TorGuard VPN for those seeking a user-friendly VPN option.

NordVPN stands as a swift and highly secure VPN solution boasting a range of distinctive features. Renowned for its top-tier security, it couples robust AES-256 encryption with an integrated ad and malware blocker, and further enriches your online privacy through double VPN services, also recognized as multi-hop connections.

Pricing-wise, NordVPN’s standard package comes in at $59.88 per year and allows you to connect six devices simultaneously. Additionally, it grants you access to an extensive network of over 5,000 servers spread across more than 50 countries.

NordVPN extends its utility with a comprehensive suite of add-ons to enhance your VPN experience. These include NordLocker for file encryption, NordPass as a capable password manager, and notably, the option to secure a dedicated IP address. For customers within the United States, the Incogni add-on is available, designed to collaborate with data brokers in erasing your personal information from third-party databases.

In consideration of businesses, NordVPN also offers a Team subscription tailored to small enterprises, although specific pricing details are not readily available.

In terms of performance, our testing revealed that the initial setup and configuration process was somewhat intricate. However, once fully configured, NordVPN delivered a smooth and reliable experience, with no issues like sluggish connection speeds or server disconnections.

TunnelBear stands as a popular VPN choice celebrated for its user-friendliness and robust security features. The platform’s standout feature, and our personal favorite during testing, is its sleek and intuitive interface, adorned with a delightful collection of animated bears. Setting up the VPN is a straightforward process – download the app, select your desired country, and flip the switch. It quietly operates in the background, ensuring the confidentiality and security of your online activities on any network.

When it comes to security, TunnelBear prioritizes it. The service employs robust AES 256-bit encryption and conducts regular independent security audits to safeguard user privacy and data security. Furthermore, TunnelBear staunchly upholds a no-logs policy, guaranteeing that your browsing activity is neither recorded nor sold, making it a reliable choice for those with privacy concerns.

TunnelBear delivers a fast and dependable connection, offering servers in 47 countries across the globe. However, it’s worth noting that we encountered some delays when connecting to new servers. In one instance, a server took up to 2 minutes to establish a connection, which contrasts with other VPNs that usually connect within seconds. Nevertheless, once connected, our speeds remained consistent.

TunnelBear provides both a free plan and paid options starting at $3.33 per month, catering to a variety of user needs and preferences.

hide.me offers a multitude of compelling features that make it a standout choice. It excels in ensuring top-tier online security and privacy, employing AES-256 encryption and incorporating safeguards like a kill switch to prevent data transmission to potential threats. With these protective measures, hide.me effectively conceals your online activities beneath multiple layers of security, rendering your personal information virtually invisible, especially on Wi-Fi hotspots. This is particularly significant for individuals who frequent public Wi-Fi networks and businesses that extend network access to visitors.

Furthermore, hide.me embraces the latest protocols to fortify Wi-Fi connections. Protocols such as IKEv2 IPsec, WireGuard, OpenVPN, SSTP, and SoftEther serve to safeguard your data on any Wi-Fi network. The versatility of hide.me extends to mobile devices and home routers, facilitating comprehensive protection for all your connected devices.

During our evaluation of hide.me, we appreciated its intuitive and user-friendly interface, along with consistent connection speeds across various servers and countries. While there was some minor latency during server transitions, it was not a significant issue. However, we did encounter occasional challenges with the kill switch feature, as it did not function reliably when changing servers.

In addition to a free version, hide.me offers subscription plans priced at $9.95 per month for a month-to-month subscription, $5.82 per month for a 6-month plan, and an appealing $2.22 per month for a 27-month subscription, which totals $34.95 annually.

Private Internet Access (PIA) holds a prominent position in the VPN arena, and rightfully so. It grants access to servers in 84 countries, although it doesn’t explicitly disclose the total server count. What’s even more appealing is its affordability, with an annual payment option priced at just $1.76/mth*.

While other VPN providers may tout more advanced features, we believe that PIA strikes the perfect balance for most small business users, offering a compelling combination of cost-effectiveness and features.

Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that the user interface (UI) can occasionally feel a bit intricate due to the wealth of features, and its connection speeds, while adequate, may not be as remarkable as some other VPNs featured on this list.

For an additional $2.25 per month*, PIA provides the option to acquire a dedicated IP address, a valuable feature for users with business-related VPN requirements.

*Please note that prices may vary and are subject to change.

It’s noteworthy that, while CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, and PIA offer competitive pricing and strong features, there are reservations within the cybersecurity community regarding these VPN services, all of which are owned by Kape Technologies. Formerly recognized as “Crossrider,” the company gained notoriety for its involvement in creating and operating a platform used for adware injection. Kape Technologies has consistently affirmed the trustworthiness of its VPNs, but consumers should bear this information in mind, particularly if they have heightened privacy concerns.

ProtonVPN is a dependable VPN service with its headquarters in Switzerland, renowned for its unwavering no-logs policy and open-source, audited applications. With both free and paid options and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee, ProtonVPN offers users a spectrum of choices to safeguard their online privacy and security. The extensive global server network ensures swift connections and supports up to 10 devices simultaneously. Our testing revealed that setting up and using ProtonVPN was remarkably user-friendly, with consistent speeds and minimal latency when switching between servers.

ProtonVPN is compatible with all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. Notably, it seamlessly integrates with the Tor network, enhancing privacy. Being based in Switzerland, ProtonVPN is not subject to the surveillance alliances of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes.

The company also provides a free basic VPN plan, suitable for occasional usage. However, the free plan has certain limitations, making the paid plans a better choice for more serious users. Paid plans commence at $5.34 per month when opting for a 24-month payment plan, totaling $128.09. Monthly subscriptions, as typical with most VPNs, come at a slightly higher cost, with paid plans starting at $10.69 per month.

In a VPN market crowded with imitations, Surfshark distinguishes itself by offering a range of distinctive features. These include split tunneling, allowing you to selectively route specific apps through the VPN tunnel, and multihop connections that route your connection through multiple servers for enhanced security.

Surfshark boasts a substantial network of over 3,200 servers and is attractively priced start at $53.13 for 27 months. Additional features encompass CleanWeb for ad-free browsing, Camouflage Mode to thwart ISP snooping, NoBorders mode for VPN access in restricted regions, and more. Notably, the standard plan supports an unlimited number of concurrently connected devices, making it an excellent choice for personal use.

It’s worth noting that Surfshark presently only offers Dedicated IP add-ons for Android and not other operating systems. However, it does provide manual access to a limited number of shared static IP addresses at no extra cost, which can be advantageous for remote access to work-related documents. This feature alone may render Surfshark ideal for users with specific workflow requirements.

VPN Unlimited, a VPN provider based in New York, stands out for its broad compatibility, offering dedicated apps for various devices, an intuitive user experience (UX), and the option to access a dedicated IP through an upgrade. Additionally, it offers a subscription plan tailored to businesses.

However, while VPN Unlimited meets these criteria, a closer examination reveals what sets it apart from excellence. Its lifetime plan is priced at $199.99, making it relatively more expensive compared to its competitors, and it offers only five device “slots.” This system is less flexible than what some competitors provide and requires you to assign each device to a specific slot, which occupies the slot even if the device is not actively connected to the VPN. In our testing, we also noted that connection speeds were less remarkable compared to other VPNs on the list. Notably, VPN Unlimited was one of the few services where we encountered video buffering while testing streaming.

For users needing more than the initial five devices, additional devices can be purchased in increments of one, five, or ten, with the option to pay on a monthly, annual, or one-time lifetime fee basis for an additional five devices. Dedicated IP addresses are also available but come at a relatively high price point, with a Personal Static IP priced at $12.50 per month.

VPN Unlimited provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a worthwhile choice to try out, even if certain aspects of the service give you some pause.

ExpressVPN is a prominent figure in the personal VPN market, recognized for its exceptional security and user-friendliness. It delivers an intuitive VPN application with advanced technology working behind the scenes. Alongside the standard AES-256 encryption and VPN protocols, ExpressVPN introduces its proprietary Lightway protocol, enhancing speed without compromising security.

ExpressVPN caters well to personal users with server access in 105 countries, offering versatile options. However, its suitability for businesses is limited. It lacks a specific business tier and features such as dedicated IP addresses. While it’s a dependable choice for individual users, it may not align with the needs of businesses seeking VPN solutions.

ExpressVPN is designed to safeguard the privacy of individual VPN users, not for corporate use, where tracking employee activities may be essential. As a result, it does not provide services tailored to businesses.

The pricing for ExpressVPN is $99.84 for the first year, followed by a renewal cost of $155.4.

In our testing, ExpressVPN demonstrated some of the most impressive connection speeds among VPNs on this list. It also proved to be straightforward to set up and use, although its customization options were somewhat limited.

It’s noteworthy that, while CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, and PIA offer competitive pricing and strong features, there are reservations within the cybersecurity community regarding these VPN services, all of which are owned by Kape Technologies. Formerly recognized as “Crossrider,” the company gained notoriety for its involvement in creating and operating a platform used for adware injection. Kape Technologies has consistently affirmed the trustworthiness of its VPNs, but consumers should bear this information in mind, particularly if they have heightened privacy concerns.

CyberGhost stands out as one of the best and most user-friendly VPNs available. It strikes an ideal balance, combining a robust set of features with an intuitive interface suitable for users of all skill levels. Noteworthy features include dedicated server locations tailored for streaming and torrenting, as well as privacy-focused NoSpy servers.

Like other top-tier VPNs, CyberGhost employs AES-256 encryption to ensure the security of your data and is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and more. The pricing options include $54.58 for two years and three months as your initial term, or a monthly billing option at $12.06 per month. Should you require a dedicated IP, it’s available for an additional $2.41 per month. CyberGhost offers a generous 45-day refund period for terms longer than six months, and 14 days for monthly plans, allowing you to explore the system without a long-term commitment.

Throughout our testing, CyberGhost maintained consistent connection speeds, even when assessing multiple servers located across different continents. Its user-friendly interface also facilitated a quick and hassle-free setup process.

Mullvad VPN and IVPN share a couple of unique features, including a privacy-centric account system and the option for customers to make anonymous cash payments. However, Mullvad VPN takes privacy to the next level. They’ve discontinued the acceptance of recurring payments, ensuring they retain minimal customer data. Furthermore, Mullvad VPN is exceptionally transparent, providing customers with a wealth of information about the inner workings of their service.

Mullvad VPN is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and more. It offers a flat-rate pricing structure that is exceptionally affordable at just 5 Euros ($5.34) per month, regardless of whether you choose monthly, yearly, or decade-long subscriptions.

Additionally, Mullvad offers the Mullvad Browser, a privacy-focused web browser developed in collaboration between Mullvad VPN and the Tor Project. This browser is designed to minimize tracking and fingerprinting, offering an alternative to the Tor Browser for users who wish to maintain privacy without using the Tor Network.

IVPN is operated by a dedicated team of cybersecurity experts and privacy advocates. It boasts a comprehensive feature set, including a kill switch, split tunneling, multihop, and robust Domain Name System (DNS) protection measures.

IVPN stands out for its user-friendly interface and intuitive configuration options. With IVPN, you can easily customize your VPN protocol, choose your preferred server for connection, and activate the VPN’s kill switch or ‘firewall’ feature.

What sets IVPN apart is its independently audited no-logs policy and a robust Anti-Tracker Mode designed to block tracking by Facebook and Google. Additionally, it provides multifactor authentication (MFA), a standard security feature found in other VPN services.

IVPN provides two subscription options: the IVPN Standard plan, starting at $2 per week and going up to $140 for 3 years ($3.89 per month), which includes 2 devices and the AntiTracker feature. The second option is the IVPN Pro plan, which starts at $4 per week and goes up to $220 for 3 years ($6.11 per month). The IVPN Pro plan includes all the features of the Standard plan, along with the addition of multi-hop support, and allows for up to 7 devices.

If you’re a dedicated Mozilla Firefox user with a focus on privacy, Mozilla VPN represents an excellent choice for your virtual private network needs. It’s essentially a rebranded version of the privacy-centric Mullvad VPN, offering many of the same features, albeit with slight variations like a more traditional account system and a user-friendly interface.

While we commend Mozilla’s strong commitment to privacy, both in its VPN and broader endeavors, the limited feature set may pose challenges for small businesses and remote workers.

In the realm of security, Mozilla takes a rigorous approach. It employs robust AES 256-bit encryption and undergoes regular third-party security audits. Moreover, Mozilla adheres to a strict no-logging policy, ensuring that network data remains confidential, making it a reliable choice for individuals concerned about online privacy. Additionally, Mozilla VPN is built on open-source code, providing transparency and accessibility to all its codebase.