The best VPN service 2024

VPN apps running on various devices during TechRadar's testing

Protecting your online privacy and security is more important now than it ever has been. To keep your sensitive information private, stay anonymous online, or bypass geo-restrictions to access blocked content – whether that's for streaming or censorship reasons – using a trustworthy VPN (virtual private network) is crucial for all your digital devices.

At TechRadar, we’ve just finished rigorously re-testing all the major VPN services and our rankings have seen some changes. While NordVPN remains our top recommendation for most users, Surfshark has climbed up to second spot – thanks primarily to its amazing speeds, brilliant unblocking, improved kill switch, and bargain price. That pushed ExpressVPN, which suffered from some streaming issues, down to third. Meanwhile, Private Internet Access has dropped out of the top five altogether, and been replaced by Proton VPN.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find quick recommendations, followed by in-depth comparisons of how these top VPNs stack up in terms of speed, security, and features. Scroll down to find the best VPN for your needs, and see why these services stand out in an increasingly crowded market.

5 best VPNs: quick overview

Here's a quick rundown of our top five VPN picks. For more analysis of each provider, jump down the page to our in-depth reviews.

1. NordVPNThe best VPN overall30-day money-back guarantee

1. NordVPN – from $2.99 per month
The best VPN overall
NordVPN tops our rankings as the best VPN overall and the best option for most people – it came out a clear winner from our latest round of extensive testing. Offering excellent and intuitive apps across most platforms, bulletproof security and a treasure trove of features, it covers all the bases, and also flawlessly unblocked every global streaming service we tested it against. It's great value for money compared to some of the others in our list, starting at $2.99 per month if you're happy to pay for two years upfront ($80.73). You can also try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not ready to commit to the cost.

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2. SurfsharkThe best cheap VPN (and also the fastest)30-day money-back guarantee

2. Surfshark – from $1.99 per month
The best cheap VPN (and also the fastest)
Surfshark's consistently high scores in our speed and streaming tests, along with its growing list of privacy tools, saw it take the number two spot in our latest list for the first time ever. Currently on sale from just $1.99 per month (as with the other services, you do have to pay for two years upfront to get the best price – that'll set you back $55.72), it's vastly better than any other VPN in this bracket, and considerably cheaper than any other VPN with a similar feature set. Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try before you buy.

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3. ExpressVPNThe best VPN for beginners30-day money-back guarantee

3. ExpressVPN – from $5.32 per month
The best VPN for beginners
It may have dropped to third in our rankings, but we still rate ExpressVPN as the best VPN for beginners. Watertight security, easily accessed apps, and a wealth of server options all ensure that it's a great choice for anyone – but particularly those who want to make things as easy as possible. Starting at $5.32 per month ($143.76 upfront) on the new two-year plan, it's still more expensive than most, which is one key reason why it isn't higher in the list. However, you can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee to give it a demo and see if it's worth the cost.

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4. Proton VPNA great pick for small businesses

4. Proton VPN – from $3.59 per month
A great pick for small businesses
Jumping up to fourth in our rankings for the first time, Proton VPN rivals Nord and Surfshark for its feature set, but is a bit more expensive. Starting at $3.59 per month (two-year plan, $86.11 upfront), Proton offers an array of great tools for small businesses and sole traders, such as secure docs, email, calendar, storage, a password manager, and even a crypto wallet. It's great for small businesses that want to cut costs without sacrificing privacy and security. For most people, though, we'd recommend the options above.

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5. PrivadoVPN The best free VPN

5. PrivadoVPN – paid version from $1.48 per month
The best free VPN
We rarely recommend that someone use a free VPN because there are so many drawbacks. They don't reliably unblock streaming services, usually only allow one device to connect at a time, and tend to be less trustworthy with your data (free VPNs need to monetize you in one way or another). However, if you're only planning to use a VPN sparingly, or one time for something trivial, we rate Privado as the best of the free options thanks to its impressive speeds, key security features, and ability to unblock more geo-restricted content than most other free services.

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VPN reviews

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Recent updates

There have been some big changes in our rankings following our latest round of testing. Surfshark has jumped from third to second position, pushing ExpressVPN from two down to three, while Proton VPN has replaced Private Internet Access at number four. We've also added maps of server locations so that you can see which VPNs have servers in your region.

The best VPN overall

NordVPN apps running on various devices during TechRadar's testingTechRadar Editor's Choice award logo

1. NordVPN

The best VPN overall: a fantastic blend of features and functionality for a low monthly cost

App support: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, web browsers, and more | Server locations: 140 | Server countries: 111 | Customer support: 24/7 email support, live chat, and knowledge hub | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Refund period: 30 days

Accesses every streaming site
Super-fast VPN speeds
Tailored pricing plans
Dedicated torrenting servers
Packed with features
Apps aren't as easy to use as ExpressVPN or Surfshark

We continue to rate NordVPN as the best VPN for most people, thanks to its rock-solid performance, excellent features, and great value for money. If you’re just looking for a VPN service that does all the basics well, it’s the standout choice for most people. It’s also the best VPN for streaming, and offers consistently fast speeds, as well as airtight privacy. Plus, at almost half the price of ExpressVPN, it’s one of the cheapest VPNs there is, too.

Features

Nord now offers three different pricing tiers: Basic ($2.99/month on the two-year plan; $80.73 upfront), Plus ($3.89/month; $105.04 upfront) and Ultimate ($5.89/month; $159.03 upfront).

Basic gives you all the VPN features and functionality, but also bundles in what Nord calls Threat Protection Lite – software that blocks common viruses and ads. The basic plan is absolutely all you need if you just want normal VPN functionality without any of the extras, and you shouldn't feel compelled to be upsold if that's all you need.

Plus is comparable to ExpressVPN's feature set, in that it bundles in a load of extras. It gives you NordPass, which we rate as the best password manager on the market, as well as a data breach scanner, and Nord's Threat Protection Pro tool, which delivers advanced malware protection. You also get ad and tracker blocking to keep your devices safe from even the newest threats.

This goes further than just a simple DNS-based block list, and uses AI to detect potential threats. However, it's still not a full-blown antivirus service like Surfshark offers. While Nord's blocks can check files and websites, if you get a virus on your device, you'll still want one of the best antivirus apps to quarantine and remove it. Surfshark offers a full-blown antivirus with its apps, so it would be a better option if you’re looking to cut costs and don’t want to buy an AV and VPN separately.

The Ultimate plan, meanwhile, gives you all of the above, alongside a terabyte of secure cloud storage with NordLocker. Ever since ExpressVPN's partnership with cloud backup solution Backblaze ended, Nord is one of the few leading VPNs offering secure storage. It also gives you cyber insurance that covers you to varying degrees against identity theft recovery and cyber extortion etc. Nord is the only leading VPN to offer cyber insurance, so if you’re particularly concerned about identity theft – and it’s a growing issue – the Ultimate plan is well worth considering.

If you find all of that overwhelming, our advice is to start with the basic plan, which gets you all the brilliant VPN features. You can always upgrade for the extras at a later date.

Expert Verdict: NordVPN
Andreas Theodorou Editor-in-Chief Tech Software
Expert Verdict: NordVPN
Andreas Theodorou

NordVPN is more than enough for most people: it's fast, cheap, and relatively easy to use – but with plenty of tools for even the biggest technophiles. There are some niche cases where you may be better off with another service (Express is a better choice for countries with extreme censorship, for example). But if you just want a VPN for streaming your favorite shows, gaming, and keeping yourself safe on public WiFi, Nord is the best VPN for the job.

★★★★½

Read more: NordVPN review

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FeaturesIn briefScores
UsabilityA fresh redesign makes it easier to use than ever before – but it's still slightly clunky on mobile★★★★
SpeedA super-fast VPN that won't slow you down while browsing, streaming, or gaming★★★★★
StreamingUnblocks every streaming platform you can think of, including smaller, region-specific sites ★★★★★
TechnicalHas a clear commitment to improving app security, and an impressive roster of privacy tools ★★★★★
Support24/7 live chat and email ticketing system, and offers friendly, round-the-clock support★★★★★
ValueIt's the best VPN, and with Black Friday pricing, it's one of the cheapest too★★★★

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The best cheap VPN service

Surfshark VPN apps running on a laptop and mobile during TechRadar's testing

2. Surfshark

The cheapest and fastest VPN – almost half the price of Express

App support: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, web browsers, and more | Server locations: 143 | Server countries: 100 | Customer support: 24/7 email support, live chat, and knowledge hub | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Refund period: 30 days

The fastest VPN around
Unlimited device coverage
Packed with features
Offers a real antivirus
Perfect streaming scores
The kill switch isn't reliable
Unclear virtual server locations
No notification if your connection drops

Surfshark has jumped to second place in our rankings, after adding a new phone masking feature and fixing a critical kill switch bug that we identified in our previous testing. With one of the cheapest subscriptions in our rankings, it's our top choice for the best cheap VPN. But it's more than this: it's also an all-in-one security suite, with ad-blocking, antivirus, tracker-free web browsing, and a data breach notifier built-in.

Surfshark gives more expensive providers a serious run for their money. It's consistently been the fastest VPN provider this year. It maxed out our testing line with WireGuard, and it has significantly faster OpenVPN speeds than every other VPN out there. (See our speed test results for proof.)

Features

Surfshark has more features than most premium VPNs and delivers them with exceptional quality. It was one of the first providers to offer unlimited simultaneous connections, so you won't have to buy a second subscription if you want to protect your whole family's devices.

Speaking of protection, Surfshark isn’t short on security features. If you choose to upgrade to the Surfshark One+ plan, you'll get your VPN, an ad blocker, cookie pop-up blocker, data breach alerts, a private web browser, antivirus, and a whole lot more.

Its data removal service comes courtesy of its sub-company Incogni, and actively removes your information from company databases, so your online habits won't be exploited for targeted marketing. Nord previously offered Incogni, but has since dropped it, so now Surfshark is the only VPN provider offering a data removal service.

With its latest feature, Alternative ID, it generates a brand new identity and email address to use online to protect you from spam or your details from being harvested. I personally love this feature because of its phone number generator. You get a fake phone number that will redirect to your phone number until you disconnect it. If that creep in the bar keeps asking for your number, for example, just give them the fake one and show it ringing. Then, when they're gone, disconnect the number and they won't be able to call or text you at all. Nord also offers email masking, but no one else offers any sort of phone masking like this.

Surfshark's ad and malware blocker, CleanWeb, has massively improved its ab-blocking score, jumping from 3% to 84% in our latest round of tests. Its antivirus blocked 94% of phishing sites, but only 34% of malware sites. This is interesting, as more dedicated malware testing services like AVTest gave Surfshark top marks for protection back in June.

Last but not least, Surfshark's obfuscation technology (called Camouflage Mode) helps you bypass VPN blocks by hiding the fact you're using a VPN. Its No Borders feature, meanwhile, detects if your current network is facing any restrictions and automatically recommends servers that perform best under those restrictions.

With so many features to play with, Surfshark is a great choice for anyone looking to save money by consolidating security and privacy services, and just getting a single subscription.

Expert Verdict: Surfshark
Andreas Theodorou Editor-in-Chief Tech Software
Expert Verdict: Surfshark
Andreas Theodorou

Surfshark is the epitome of quality without cost, delivering a full, personal privacy suite, as well as the fastest speeds out there, for a lot less than the other premium VPNs in this list. Its alternative ID feature is something I'd recommend to everyone.

★★★★½

Read more: Surfshark review

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FeaturesIn briefScores
UsabilityClean apps for all devices with no clutter or ads to slow you down★★★★
SpeedThe fastest VPN we tested, maxing out our testing line★★★★★
StreamingProvides affordable and reliable access to all the most popular streaming sites★★★★★
TechnicalA privacy-first provider that's solved its lingering Windows kill switch issue★★★★
SupportLive chat support is quick and personable, and there's a well-stocked help center★★★★
ValueUnbeatable value. Awesome unblocking power, speed, and security for a bargain price★★★★★

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The best VPN for beginners

ExpressVPN apps running on a laptop and mobile during TechRadar's testing

3. ExpressVPN

The best VPN for beginners – Express does all the hard work so you don't have to

App support: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, web browsers, and more | Server locations: 163 | Server countries: 105 | Customer support: 24/7 email support, live chat, and knowledge hub | Simultaneous connections: 8 | Refund period: 30 days

Super simple apps
Great for streaming
Automatically configures everything
Leading the industry for security
More server locations than other VPNs
Lets parents block adult sites
Double the cost of NordVPN
Light on additional features
Not as fast as NordVPN and Surfshark

ExpressVPN has dropped a rank in our latest round of testing, due to some minor streaming issues with Australia and Japan, and underwhelming threat protection scores. Despite this, it's still the best VPN for beginners thanks to its simple design and the way it automates configuration to give you the fastest and safest connection possible every time.

Since our last round of testing, we've seen an impressive improvement in ExpressVPN's speeds, and it's now on par with some of the fastest VPN providers. It's not quite as fast as NordVPN and Surfshark, but it's clear to see that Lightway can handle speed just as well as WireGuard and NordLynx can.

Features

At its core, ExpressVPN is a privacy-first VPN. Compared to a full-suite Surfshark or NordVPN subscription, Express offers fewer features. However, it comes with attention to detail and a wealth of perks that solidify it as the most secure VPN around.

One of its leading innovations is IP shuffle, which assigns a different IP address to every website you visit. This makes it much harder to track your internet usage across sites, whereas most other VPNs that use a single IP for all your sessions will create an identifiable pattern. It's a great function if you need a VPN you can stake your life on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's built-in ad blocker stopped more ads than any other VPN we tested, with a whopping 90% stoppage rate. However, when it came to blocking malware and phishing sites, it didn't catch a single one. This was a real surprise, and after retesting we realized that it struggles to block new threats. When we retested with threats that were over a day old, it blocked 21 of 25. For comparison, Nord's Threat Protection Pro blocked 79% of malware sites and 87% of phishing sites.

On the plus side, Express offers its own password manager with every subscription. ExpressVPN Keys is a convenient addition to ExpressVPN's repertoire, and in keeping with its security promises, it commissioned Cure53 to conduct an independent audit of the security of Keys – which it passed with flying colors. Keys isn't as fully fledged as NordPass, but when it's bundled into your subscription, it's a great way to cut costs without having to pay more.

If you're looking to customize your VPN, Express offers some excellent tools for all users, but unlike every other VPN we've tested, it also has a parental control feature, which blocks adult sites to keep your children safe from things they shouldn't see on the internet, as well as from cybercriminals.

Expert Verdict: ExpressVPN
Andreas Theodorou Editor-in-Chief Tech Software
Expert Verdict: ExpressVPN
Andreas Theodorou

ExpressVPN may be an expensive option, but if you just want to set it and forget it, there's no better pick. The attention to detail is second to none, and that's reflected in the consistently high scores it's had over the years. If you have to stake your life on a VPN, this is the one to choose.

★★★★½

Read more: ExpressVPN review

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FeaturesIn briefScores
FeaturesThe very best option for beginners, thanks to one-click connect and streamlined apps★★★★★
SpeedPerformance impressed after we adjusted our testing process - but still trails after NordVPN and Surfshark★★★★
StreamingSome hiccups with Netflix Australia and Japan, and 10 Play, but otherwise flawless ★★★★
TechnicalNo other VPN can claim to have undergone as many independent audits, or be as dedicated to developing cutting-edge security tools ★★★★★
SupportLive chat support is available around the clock, with quick responses from knowledgeable agents ★★★★★
ValueIts two-year plan is cheaper than ever, but it remains an expensive choice (almost twice as expensive as NordVPN) ★★★

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4. The best VPN for small businesses

Proton VPN iOS homescreen being shown in a living room setting

(Image credit: Future)

4. Proton VPN

The best VPN for small businesses – fast speeds, secure storage, and more

App support: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, web browsers, and more | Server locations: 141 | Server countries: 112 | Customer support: Not 24/7, email support available | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Refund period: 30-day money-back guarantee