Which VPNs Are the Best?

Download Astro
Download Astro
May 26, 2022
What’s the best VPN? It may seem like a simple question but the answer really depends on your needs and what you want from a VPN.  Every service has its strengths and weaknesses.  Someone who’s mostly concerned about security will likely choose a different VPN than someone who is more interested in streaming.
Below, we’ve put together our list of the top five overall VPNs, as well as our top picks for most secure, fastest, best for streaming and best free VPN. 
The Top 5 Best VPNs
Number of servers: 5092
Server locations: 62 countries
Number of simultaneous connections: 6
Country/Jurisdiction: Panama
Pros:
• Easy-to-use clients for desktop and mobile devices
• Can connect up to six devices at once
• Fast speeds
• 2048-bit encryption
• Good prices
Cons:
• Vague session logging policy
• Slow refunds
It’s hard to find something not to like about NordVPN.  This is an extremely fast VPN with excellent encryption and a large server network.  It’s great for streaming and allows torrenting on its servers, making this a great choice for those looking to gain access to lots of content.  Their terrific customer service also makes this an excellent option for those who are new to VPNs.
2) ExpressVPN
Number of servers: 2000+
Server locations: 94 countries
Number of simultaneous connections: 3
Country/Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Pros:
• Wide range of quality apps
• 24/7 customer support
• Fast speeds
• 30-day money back guarantee
• Compatible with Tor
Cons:
• Only supports 3 simultaneous connections
• Higher than average costs
ExpressVPN gives users virtually everything they could want from a VPN.  With servers located in 94 different countries, this VPN gives users access to more content than almost any other service.  Their apps are also known for their sleek design and easy use.  ExpressVPN’s prices are a little higher than most but their 30-day money back guarantee lets you try out the service first, before you commit to a purchase.
Number of servers: 3239
Server locations: 33 countries
Number of simultaneous connections: 5
Country/Jurisdiction: United States
Pros:
• Multiple encryption options
• Torrent-friendly
• Fast download speeds
• Low prices
• Strict no logging policy
Cons:
• No live chat support
• Located in the US
Private Internet Access has been offering VPNs for longer than most other companies in the industry and because of this, they’re one of the world’s most trusted VPN providers.  The company offers extremely fast speeds and gives users the option to choose from several different encryptions.  PIA’s prices are also very reasonable given everything that they offer.
Number of servers: 303
Server locations: 37 countries
Number of simultaneous connections: 5
Country/Jurisdiction: Switzerland
Pros:
• Strong encryption
• Free version available
• Supports Tor
• Kill switch included
• Does not keep any logs
Cons:
• Limited torrenting available
• Low number of servers
ProtonVPN offers strong encryption at a very good price.  They also provide a free version that even though lacks the many features of the premium version, is still very effective at keeping you safe online.  The service is compatible with the Tor network, includes a kill switch and has one of the strictest privacy policies available.  The only downside is their lower number of servers.
Number of servers: 2500+
Server locations: 26 countries
Number of simultaneous connections: 5
Country/Jurisdiction: United States
Pros:
• Low prices
• Excellent download speeds
• 7-day free trial
• Excellent user experience
• Great apps
Cons:
• Few server locations
• No live chat support
Hotspot Shield is widely-known for being an extremely user-friendly VPN.  Combine that with their low prices and quick download speeds, it’s easy to see why this VPN has such a large following.  They also offer a 7-day free trial, so you can give Hotspot Shield a test run before you purchase a subscription.  The only drawback is their low number of server locations.
Most Secure VPN
NordVPN utilizes AES-256 encryption which is the most secure and best available.  It also uses double VPN technology for its users’ internet connections, routing requests through two separate secure servers for even more security.  By being located in Panama, NordVPN is out of reach of the 5 Eyes Alliance ensuring that governments can’t gain access to their users’ data.
Fastest VPN
Various speed tests continue to prove that Private Internet Access is one of, if not the fastest, VPN’s available.  Download speeds can reach as high as 80mbps, which is remarkable when you consider the amount of encryption they use to protect their users’ data and information.  If you’re looking for a VPN that won’t slow down your connection, this is the one.
Best VPN for Streaming
ExpressVPN
While it’s not the fastest VPN available, ExpressVPN has extremely consistent speeds which some might argue is the most important when it comes to streaming.  The service is extremely reliable when it comes to unblocking content on Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and with servers in 94 different countries, they have access to more content than most other VPNs.
Best Free VPN
No free VPN is going to be as robust as one of the premium options but Windscribe comes pretty close.  The company gives users 10GB of free data every month, which is far more than most other free offerings.  Windscribe is excellent at unblocking Netflix content while also using sophisticated encryption to keep your data safe.  The free version has a relatively small number of servers available but when you compare it to other free VPNs, Windscribe is clearly the best option.

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