Five best VPN services. The best VPN services according to user reviews

In light of events related to Internet access restrictions, censorship and site blocking, I consider it necessary to present you with a translation of a comparative article about VPN services from the LifeHacker resource.

Private Internet Access

This is our favorite service, and judging by the number of awards they have collected, yours too. PIA provides not only traffic encryption, but also anonymization coupled with decoupling from regional location. You can choose an output server from a list of almost 1000 servers (in 10 different countries). PIA does not store logs, does not prohibit any protocols or IP addresses, and does not store information about user actions. They also support several authorization methods, almost all operating systems (mobile and desktop), and the cost of services starts from $7 per month. You can connect up to five different devices.

TorGuard

The service offers a choice of different types of servers for different types of actions. Servers that support the torrent protocol - for downloading data, servers with encryption and anonymity - to ensure a safe and private visit to the network, etc. Particular attention is paid to the issue of DNS leaks - they even offer their own test for verification. The cost of a full VPN service starts at $10/month, and if you need specialized ones, they will be a little cheaper. The service has over 200 outlets in 18 countries, no logs, and what's more, they claim that their network is configured in such a way that they themselves have no idea what their users are doing at the moment. They also support almost all operating systems (mobile and desktop), and they also offer an encrypted email service.

IPVanish VPN

An interesting feature of the service is the use of shared IP addresses. This makes it really difficult to identify which users are doing what. In addition, the service has more than a hundred output servers in 47 different countries and the user can choose an output server if, for example, he needs a specific country. The software supports OS X, Windows, Ubuntu, iOS and Android. In addition, the service provides configuration utilities with which you can configure your home router to work with it. The cost of the service is $10/month, and it is possible to connect two different devices if they use different protocols.

CyberGhost VPN

The service has existed for a long time, and, like other participants in the rating, it claims to have no logs and no restrictions on protocol types and traffic. The service offers a choice of output servers in 23 different countries. Interestingly, the service also provides free services, and free users can not only use it without traffic restrictions, but even choose the country of the output server (the free choice consists of 14 countries instead of 23, which is also good). The service supports almost all operating systems.
The only difference between free accounts is that they are disabled after 3 hours of operation and can only work with the official client. The cost of the service starts at $7/month; if you need to connect more than one device, you will need to pay extra.

Do-It-Yourself

Some people believe that if something needs to be done correctly, it is better to do it yourself; and those of them who are sufficiently IT savvy can easily make their own VPN server. If you don't need destination servers in different countries, you can organize your service using OpenVPN or other open source options. Many routers support the OpenVPN protocol, while others can be installed with custom DD-WRT or Tomato firmware. This option gives you full control over encryption, access, and other connection issues.

Other services

Other services include the following:

Hideman VPN – cross-platform, no logging

Tunnelbear – among other things, offers a browser addon

AirVPN is perhaps the most feature-rich service

VyprVPN is a good service, but they keep logs of user activity

Mullvad is a Swedish provider that accepts payments in Bitcoin for greater anonymity. The cost of services is 5 euros/month, a choice of four countries is provided for output servers.

25% Private Internet Access
24% TorGuard
23% IPVanish
19% CyberGhost
09% DIY

Roskomnadzor blocked Telegram and a number of other popular services. In this case, we have prepared for you a selection of the five best VPN services in the world that will help you bypass Telegram blocking.

What is a VPN?

VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a virtual private network that helps you stay safe while surfing the Internet, primarily by protecting your data, ensuring personal safety and confidentiality.

When choosing a VPN -service it is difficult to navigate the abundance of offers. At best, you will simply get confused, and at worst, you will choose a service that does not provide the promised services and will put you in danger.

If the question of choice is acute, you have no experience yet, but this page is open, you are lucky. The editors tested 5 presenters VPN players, and now we’ll tell you which service is best.

For convenience, the cost of services is indicated in dollars, but when visiting sites, be prepared to see the currency of your country.

Which VPN service is best?

Link	OS	Price
	Win, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, ATV, PS, Xbox, Linux	1m - $12.95 6m - 9.99$ ($59.95) 12m - $6.67 ($80.04)
	Win, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Windows Phone, Linux, Chromebook	1m - 10$ 6m - $8.49 ($50.94) 12m - $6.49 ($77.88)
	Win, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Smart-TV	1m - $11.95 12m - $5.75 ($69) 24m - $3.29 ($78.96) 36m - $2.75 ($99)
	Win, Mac, iOS, Android	1m - $9.95 12m - $6.67 ($80.04)
	Win, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Opera	1m - $9.99 12m - $4.99 ($59.88)

Winning in all respects, it took first place. This is a universal service for working with blocked sites/services, while maintaining confidentiality and high connection and data transfer speeds. In second place is one of the most reliable services, the peculiarity of which is P2P technology, which ensures fast data transfer. For those who are interested in downloading via torrents, this VPN is suitable. And third place on the 2018 list was taken by the superfast one.

ExpressVPN is the best all-round service

Peculiarities

• Number of servers: 700+
• Server locations: 73
• IP addresses: 200,000+
• Maximum number of supported devices: 3-5
• Connection for 1 month costs $9.95

When purchasing the service for 12 months, a monthly connection costs $6.67 or $5 per month.

pros

• Very high performance
• Reasonable cost for a range of tariffs
• Powerful software customizable to client needs

Minuses

• Compared to other services, the monthly tariff plan is more expensive

Price

• Golden Frog VyprVPN for a year for 60$ ($5 per month)
• Premium Golden Frog VyprVPN for a year 80.04$ ($6.67 per month)
• Golden Frog VyprVPN for 1 month for 9.95$

VyprVPN is headquartered in Switzerland, where privacy laws are strictly observed, and the service itself has servers in 73 countries and provides the ability to use an unlimited amount of data. In addition, the functionality provides auto-switching and emergency termination of the VPN connection (kill switch) to maintain the anonymity of your IP address. And you are also protected using proprietary Chameleon and VyprDNS protocols. Please note that connection times and IP addresses are recorded and stored by the service.

VyprDNS has a wide range of clients for different axes, especially simple and understandable software for Windows. But the main advantage here is the highest data transfer speed.

Unlike the first two services, VyprDNS won't refund you if you're not happy with it, but there is a three-day trial period. There are basic and premium plans for packages, as well as the ability to pay for the use of the service every month.

TunnelBear - simple and clear VPN

Peculiarities

• Number of servers: 1000
• Server locations: 20+
• IP addresses: no
• Maximum number of supported devices: 5

Platforms

Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Opera

pros

• Extremely user-friendly software
• Transparent privacy policy

Minuses

• Long distance connections are quite slow

Price

• TunnelBear 12 months for $59.88 ($4.99 per month)
• TunnelBear 1 month for $9.99
• Free 500MB for a month

TunnelBear is a Canadian VPN service with ease of use as its main feature, and a wide range of clients for desktop and mobile devices.

The language of the site is adapted for beginners, everything is written simply without using jargon. For a professional, the description lacks details, and the service itself does not provide a number of parameters for fine-tuning the connection. Accordingly, the conclusion is that TunnelBear is more suitable for ordinary users.

In terms of coverage, TunnelBear offers servers in 20+ different countries around the world and provides the ability to connect up to five devices simultaneously. The company also strictly adheres to the privacy policy, emphasizing this.

Over short distances the data transfer speeds are impressive, but over long distances the connection has problems and the speed drops significantly (although this is normal for a VPN). But the service has a free mode with a limit of 500MB per month and with the ability to increase up to 5GB using a special TechRadar offer. And paid plans offer to pay a reasonable price.

If you want to get complete security, anonymity on the Internet, and open access to blocked resources, we recommend that you immediately purchase ZenMate. Analogues, especially non-commercial ones, cannot be compared with this program, since they cannot boast of the stability and high data transfer speeds of ZenMate.

hide.me VPN It will appeal to both specialists. and for amateurs. The client is easy to use, but very finely customized to suit any requirements and tasks. Costs from $5 per month (there is a free mode with a limited number of countries and traffic), supports all current protocols, allows port forwarding and protects against DNS leaks. It is curious that with such an extensive list of features, its interface is user-friendly. Beginners will only use the “connect” button and be bored with viewing blocked sites, while pros will find any options of interest in the settings, including Kill Switch technology.

CyberGhost– the choice of those who cannot live without torrents. When you connect to a server in a certain country, you immediately see whether it supports p2p (most of these servers can be found in the United States of America). Also, the utility is not “heavy” for the system - it cannot slow down, which is good news. It's only lighter and more stable NordVPN And PureVPN- large and well-known Western providers. They are focused not only on banal bypass of blocking, but also on high-quality protection of personal data. The NordVPN client does not write logs, and the company itself is registered in Panama, which allows it to ignore any requests from the authorities to release users’ personal data.

PureVPN implements double tunneling technology, eliminating the possibility of interception of information and provides users with 700,000 IP addresses with the ability to configure different IPs for different programs and services. For example, a separate address for the browser, a separate one for the torrent, etc. You get a reliable firewall, and the web service provides access to any site.

Surfshark VPN boasts MultiHop technology, which allows you to connect to 2 VPN servers simultaneously to ensure the highest connection stability. A powerful computer network allows developers to guarantee a good connection, and together with a VPN you get a much more reliable firewall than the standard one in Microsoft Windows.

VPN Unlimited- on the contrary, it does not impose any special requirements on hardware, is cheaper and offers a choice of several servers with torrents. This means that you get consistently high speed, and if you notice a slowdown, you simply switch to a free server (there are more than 50 of them in 35 countries around the world). VPN Unlimited also allows you to remove Internet Security and ad blockers from your computer. The program contains Anti-Malware and Adblock. You just need to activate them in the settings. For $39 a year, it's hard to imagine anything better!

Hideman VPN And OpenVPN- products for professionals. They do not need advertising or detailed descriptions. Let us only note that Hideman has a port forwarding function, which is not available in similar utilities.

Completely free projects Betternet And Psiphon Suitable for inexperienced users, especially for bypassing blocking. The developers do not guarantee the security of your data and do not position the programs as secure surfing tools.

Hotspot Shield, on the contrary, was created to protect connections in free networks, but also helps to bypass restrictions on visiting certain resources. Available both by subscription and in a free edition with limited speed. It is the best choice for those who always forget to pay for a subscription in advance. Firstly, it provides a significant discount on a six-month to annual license. Secondly, it does not stop working, but simply limits speeds after the subscription expires.

TunnelBear for Microsoft Windows – a completely new look at the VPN interface. The utility is unusual, made with humor and style. We recommend downloading the trial version just for fun if you have a free minute.

Russian HideGuard VPN It attracts with its lack of a paid subscription and good characteristics, but it raises questions regarding security, to which the developers do not provide answers. The same can be said about Hola VPN– free software is not recommended by security experts, although it is popular among users. There are also many browser extensions - speedify, frigate and others. We haven't mentioned them because there are no full versions for PC. But you can find separate reviews of these services on the pages of our website.

A virtual private network helps keep your data and your devices private. We've reviewed all the best VPN services so you can choose the one that's best for you. There are over 300 VPN service providers to choose from, so it can sometimes be difficult to make sure you choose the right one. It's not always easy even for technicians, but here we are ready to help you. Almost every service on this list has the option to download a free trial and test out the VPN.

VPN services have taken a giant leap in a growing niche of online products, from hidden in a dark corner of the Internet to almost essential services for everyone with an Internet-connected device. Along the way, the quality of service, features and ease of use have improved, and now VPN is so easy to use that it is accessible to even the most unenlightened users. Moreover, the competition has become so strong that VPN prices have also decreased and services have been improved. In short, there has never been a better time to get started with a VPN than now. On this page you will find the best VPN options no matter what device you want to use. And we'll also touch on some basics in terms of what a VPN is and what it's for.

What is a VPN?

So what is a VPN? VPN stands for "virtual private network" and it acts as a private, encrypted tunnel between you and the Internet. In practice, it's like a private filter that completely anonymizes you online so no one can see who you are or what you're doing. Even your ISP can't see what you're doing, downloading or browsing. So, a VPN not only makes your connection completely private, but also makes it completely secure. The encryption that the VPN service uses is strong, meaning that your device cannot be hacked and your data stolen.

There are many practical uses for a VPN service. Want to access a website blocked by your ISP? VPN will make this website accessible in just one click. Want to access the US version of Netflix from the UK? Just install a VPN in the US and you're there. Do you want to access adult films with complete anonymity? Do you want to download torrents without being blocked by your ISP? It's simple.

Review of the best VPN services

Most VPN services are available as apps for any device, be it a Windows laptop, Apple Mac, iPhone or iPad, Android device, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or even a Smart TV. And many allow you to log in from up to 5 devices at once, so with one account you can keep all your gadgets safe and anonymous. You simply install the app, open it and tell it what your desired location is. All encryption is done in the background, so the VPN service's app does all the hard work for you.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best all-around VPN for most people, whether you want to unblock websites, stay safe, or maintain a super-fast network.

• Number of servers: 2000
• Server locations: 148 in 94 countries
• IP addresses: 30,000
• Maximum supported devices: 3
• Application: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Routers, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Smart TV
• 30-day return guarantee

Advantages of the service:

• Available on any device
• Amazing 24/7 customer support with support in 94 countries
• Cost: $6.67/month to $12.95/month

ExpressVPN has 148 locations in 94 different countries. This means you can change your IP address in 148 locations around the world. ExpressVPN delivers great performance and software with dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and BlackBerry, as well as select smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV Sticks, Apple TV, PS4 and Xbox, and even your router. P2P support allows you to use the maximum bandwidth of your broadband connection. ExpressVPN is reasonably priced, provides good service, and supports three simultaneous connections. There's no free trial, but there is a free 30-day money-back guarantee if the service doesn't meet your needs - it's a good way to test it out if you're not sure.

IPVANISH

An excellent VPN service specifically designed for streaming and downloading large amounts of data

• Number of servers: 950
• Server locations: 60
• IP addresses: 40000
• Maximum supported devices: 5
• Brilliant speeds
• Great apps for all devices
• Reliable brand
• Using 5 devices simultaneously
• Subscription cost: $6.49 to $10/month

IPVanish is one of the most recognizable names among all VPN services. They've been around for years, and if you've read about VPNs in the past, you've probably seen some of their ads! IPVanish is certainly not one of the budget offerings on the market, but it is still slightly cheaper than ExpressVPN. Like Express, IPVanish doesn't offer a free trial (though it does have a seven-day money-back guarantee if the service doesn't meet your expectations). It promises to be the world's fastest VPN, with over 40,000 IP addresses, 850 servers in 60 countries, unlimited traffic and support for up to five simultaneous connections. This is an advantage over ExpressVPN, which only offers three connections at a time - IPVanish may be a better option for you if you want to connect your entire family to one plan, for example. There's also no logging policy, meaning the service doesn't collect data about what you do.

VyprVPN

Reliable VPN service for increased productivity and security

• Number of servers: 700
• Server locations: 73
• IP addresses: 200,000
• Maximum number of supported devices: 3
• Good VPN options
• Free trial
• Use on 3/5 devices
• Price from $5 to 9.95/month

Switzerland is famous for its laws protecting privacy, and that's where VyprVPN operates, although its servers are located in 72 other countries. If you're used to VPN services that absolutely kill your data speeds, you'll be pleasantly surprised by VyprVPN, which allows you to make the most of your bandwidth. The service also offers many useful options, including auto-connection, kill-switch and enhanced security through its own Chameleon protocol and its own DNS service. VyprVPN has a free trial so you can try the VPN for free and see the benefits.

NORDVPN

One of the biggest names in the VPN field.

• Number of servers: 3500
• Server locations: 60
• Device support: 6
• Cost from $3.99/month to $11.95/month

Central America isn't the first place you might think of when it comes to cutting-edge technology, but NordVPN is there with the best VPN services. It has 1,015 servers in 59 countries, supports up to six devices at once, and has a feature list that includes a circuit breaker, dedicated IP addresses, strong DNS leak protection, and the ability to pay in Bitcoin. You can take advantage of the free trial, and if you like it, sign up for the three-year plan, which is currently only $99!

Tunnelbear

Super easy to use VPN service for beginners

• Number of servers: ~1,000
• Server locations: 20
• Maximum devices: 5
• Extremely convenient
• Wide range of client programs
• Transparent privacy policy
• Cost from $4.99/month to $9.99

TunnelBear is designed for a very specific group of people: people who want to use VPN services, but don't want to mess with the setup or become IT specialists. And it's perfect for this market, with a very simple interface and no complexity. Truth be told, all VPN services do this these days, but TunnelBear really stands out. Subscription with five simultaneous connections, servers in 20 countries and decent performance on any site. There is a free version that limits you to 500MB of monthly data, and if you pay annually, the price of the full version drops from $9.99 to $4.99 per month.

VPN service WINDSCRIBE

An excellent VPN service that offers unlimited connections

• Number of servers: 348
• Server locations: 50
• Number of devices: Unlimited
• Cost from $3.75/month to $4.50/month

Windscribe offers unlimited device connectivity. The reason is that, unlike other VPN services on this list, it does not offer unlimited data. So you're limited to 10GB of data each month, and the free plan only allows one device. There are apps for Windows, Mac and iOS, but not for Android. The service also offers browser add-ons with useful features such as ad blocking.

Hotspot Shield

A well-known VPN service that isn't as good as others

• Number of servers: 2000
• Locations: 20
• Supported devices: 5
• Low price
• Excellent download speeds
• 7-day trial
• From $2.99/month to $12.99/month

How much does a VPN cost? Hotspot Shield can cost you as little as $150 for life, or $2.99 ​​per month if you opt for an annual subscription. For the money you get a decent set of features, including the ability to use up to five devices and good performance. There is a seven-day trial which gives you more than enough time to test it out. The disadvantages include the slow speed of some servers on the list.

How safe is it to use a VPN?

The main reason to use a VPN is security. In theory, data that travels over a VPN cannot be intercepted by anyone else, so it can protect your online banking, or confidential business communications, but there are other benefits. A VPN can make it much harder for someone to track you online. Services may overcome geographic blocks that prevent you from accessing certain specific services, such as online video.

When we say that in theory a VPN cannot be intercepted, there is a cardinal security rule to consider: if you are using the service on a device that has already been exposed to malware such as keyloggers or other viruses, then the VPN will not be able to protect you properly. If you work with Windows, then good antivirus software is absolutely essential.

Can a VPN provide complete anonymity online?

VPNs can make your browsing private, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're anonymous. VPN services can and do keep logs of traffic (even those that say they don't log traffic need to log some information, or they won't be able to function properly), and those logs can be requested by authorities. Think of VPNs as curtains: people can't see through your curtains if you've closed them, but curtains won't hide your home.

In practice, this means that VPNs are great for bypassing geo-blocks, protecting your online banking, and allowing business communications to run smoothly. However, if you use the Internet for any illegal purposes, it is not a magic wand that will make you invisible.

What are the differences between VPN and Proxy?

A proxy server is another way to hide your real location. When transmitting data through a proxy server, the data first arrives at this server and then is transmitted further. The main difference is that VPNs protect all of your traffic, while proxies are typically limited to specific types of data, such as peer-to-peer networking or web browsing.

Why buy a subscription when there are so many free VPNs?

Because you get exactly what you pay for. Rather, with free VPN services, you get what you don't pay for in the form of advertising, lower priority connections, app blocks, session restrictions, and in most cases, no quality of service guarantees. If you want to temporarily protect your laptop in an internet café, a free VPN will do the trick, but for anything more serious, we recommend a paid product.

Which VPN service is better to choose?

To choose the best VPN, look beyond price. Start with the basics: how many simultaneous connections can you make? Are there specific security protocols you want to use? Does the ISP have servers in the locations you want to use it from and in the locations you want to connect to? How much data will they record about you and how long will they keep it? If possible, try downloading the free version before purchasing. In some cases, there won't be a free trial, but most reputable VPN providers offer a money-back guarantee if the service doesn't meet your expectations.

Recently, the issue of changing location on the Internet has become especially relevant. Users are trying to find the most convenient and fast server to use for their own purposes. The best free VPN is difficult to determine, but there are several decent options.

Why do you need a VPN?

A VPN is a virtual private network that allows a user to change their location on the network by using a third-party IP address.

This server is used for several purposes:

• gaining access to a resource that is prohibited in the user’s country;
• purchasing from an online store that does not cooperate with the buyer’s country;
• for work (services, programs, etc.);
• carrying out unlawful and illegal actions;
• and much more.

Now let’s look at the programs and services that best cope with the task.

Applications for iOS and Android

There are a huge number of applications for smartphones that provide VPN services. The following are considered the most popular and proven.

The program is in the TOP of both application stores. There are two use cases:

1. Free - after connecting to the network, one ad block will be displayed, which disappears after minimizing the application. Only a small number of countries are available for connection (this is enough for everyday tasks).
2. Paid - no advertising and full access to the list of countries. Paid servers are faster than free ones.

The interface is intuitive - when starting, just press the central button.

You can install the application on iOS and Android from the store.

Another popular smartphone application that is shareware. If you use the free version, then after connecting to the VPN, one ad block will be displayed, which you can simply close.

There are also several countries to choose from through which the connection will occur. Of course not the fastest options.

Computer programs

Now let's talk about anonymizers that need to be installed on your computer.

A very popular client that can be installed on any operating system (Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Routers).

To use, just download the program, run it and press the connect button. The number of countries is limited in the free version. If you want to diversify your choice, you can buy the Premium version.

From the official website you can download the version for your operating system. Click below to go.

Hotspot Shield

This application, like the previous one, can be installed for free with the option of purchasing a Premium account. Connection is fast, the client interface is intuitive and simple.

Click the button below to go to the official website and install the program.

Browser extensions

If you just need to change the location while using the browser, you can install extensions.

Important! The utilities are designed for Google Chrome.

A convenient extension that can be accessed with one click. Once installed, an icon will appear on the toolbar. Connecting to a virtual private network is easy. It is possible to select a country.


This utility is installed through the Google Chrome store. The Touch VPN link is below.

On the official website you can select the extension version. Once clicked, you will be taken to the store for installation.

conclusions

A variety of services allows you to choose the best option specifically for you. You can use a virtual network on any type of device. We looked at the most popular programs that are relatively free.