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The best VPN service 2021

Having a VPN helps to make you more anonymous online, encrypts your internet use and lets you effectively trick your laptop or mobile device into thinking it's in another location entirely.

And it's the versatility of the best VPNs that have made them such a game-changing bit of kit for laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, streaming devices, smart TVs - even games consoles.

If you're already in the know about what VPNs are and so, this is the place to discover mini reviews of the best VPNs in 2021 following our most recent round of in-depth testing...

2021's best VPN services

What is a VPN?

Short for Virtual Private Network, VPNs are a program or app that allow you to use the internet via secure, encrypted tunnels. So for many, getting a VPN service will be all about privacy - you may want to use them to help keep your online life completely anonymous from prying eyes of your ISP (handy for keen torrenters) or even your government.

But because the best VPNs also let you change your IP address to one in a completely different city or country, these services have taken on a much wider use. VPNs are fantastic for streamers, for example, who want to have access to a whole world of shows and films, or want to watch a sporting event somewhere you ordinarily can't.

While if you're on holiday and find your favorite app is banned (think about some of the internet censorship in Cuba, Turkey, China - even Canada), an online VPN will let you use the internet in the way you've become accustomed.

Below you'll find handy VPN reviews of all the best services on the market - with services like Netflix and states such as Russia getting increasingly aggressive against VPNs, it's imperative to know which provider is strongest. While further down the page there's stacks more information about the software.

The best VPN services of 2021 in full:

ExpressVPN - the best VPN service in 2021 - on a range of devices — (Image credit: ExpressVPN)

1. ExpressVPN

The outright best VPN service for speed, privacy and unblocking

Top marks across the board

Easy to run on almost any platform

Speedy VPN servers in 90+ countries

Strong on encryption and unblocking

Superb 24/7 live customer support

Fewer simultaneous connections than some

Above average prices

Get TechRadar's #1 rated VPN risk-free and with 3 months extra free

We try really hard to pick faults in ExpressVPN when we review it, but it doesn't make things easy! It continues to impress across the board and the 5-star rating we've given the VPN service is testament to the fact it can barely be improved upon.

It starts well right from the off, as ExpressVPN gives you the choice of over 3,000 servers in 160 locations across 94 countries. Its five simultaneous connections will be more than enough for most subscribers (although admittedly most other VPN services on this list permit more) and in addition to fantastic apps on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux (and dedicated extensions for Chrome and Firefox), it's also really easy to use on the likes of Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, smart TVs, PlayStation and, Xbox.

The service already used industry-standard encryption and a choice of various other protocols (including IKEv2, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPsec) to keep your data safe. But its very own open-sourced Lightway protocol is now fully available on all apps and has increased speed and reliability even further.

Away from the numbers and specifications, it's in our real-life testing where ExpressVPN really shines. We love just how easy to use this service is. That might seem obvious, but not every VPN provider out there has worked out how to make its tools intuitive, regardless of what device you're using it on. From desktop and mobile, to TV streamers and browser extensions, ExpressVPN is a doddle to set up and operate for both pros and inexperienced users.

For many people looking for a VPN, it all comes down to how good a service is at unblocking banned websites/services and getting around TV streaming hurdles. So we check to see whether they can unblock geo-restrictions that stop you watching services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and Disney+ from abroad. ExpressVPN unlocks them all admirably, and has really risen to the challenge laid down by Netflix in its ongoing mission to stop VPN use altogether.

ExpressVPN being used on a smartphone — **To sign up to ExpressVPN,** **head to its website now** (Image credit: ExpressVPN)

ExpressVPN is fast. Really fast, with fantastic connection speeds across servers in multiple countries. And that's even when we're using the default OpenVPN protocol in our tests - they get even quicker with the aforementioned Lightway option turned on.

In terms of additional features, ExpressVPN goes above and beyond. Bitcoin payments, P2P support, kill switch, DNS leak protection, solid and reliable performance and a clear no-logging policy that's been verified by independent auditors. It's all there.

It's really worth knowing about this VPN provider's excellent levels of customer support. The support website is stuffed with detailed guides and tutorials to get you up and running. And if you do have any trouble, 24/7 live chat support is on hand to answer your questions. It really works, too - we consistently get helpful responses from a knowledgeable support agent within a couple of minutes of posting our questions.

Frankly, we don't mask the fact of how highly we rate ExpressVPN. It's very simple... it is the best VPN you can get in virtually every scenario. That said, it would be remiss of us not to talk about ExpressVPN's rather 'exciting' week in August 2021. First, it announced that it had been acquired by Kape Technologies, the company that owns CyberGhost and PIA below and has a somewhat controversial history. Then a couple of days later it was revealed that its CIO had been fined for previous hacking allegations. TechRadar's view is that neither incident feels particularly major - although we understand why they rattled a few cages in the VPN world - and we don't see any current reason to stop recommending this provider.

Either way, you can always take advantage of ExpressVPN's quibble-free 30-day money back guarantee that you can use like a free trial – not that we imagine you'd need to use it.

Nordvpn working across devices and platforms

2. NordVPN

The biggest name in VPNs isn't far behind

Unparalleled security smarts

Great at most unblocking

Improved further with NordLynx protocol

Great value subscription options

User experience could still be improved

Has struggles with Netflix

Probably the most recognisable name in the VPN business, NordVPN more than lives up to its lofty reputation. It excels in pretty much every area that you'd wish to care about when choosing your new service and is only a shade behind ExpressVPN in our scoring.

For starters, the levels of security NordVPN has to offer have been impressing us for some time now. Offering AES-256 as standard, you also have the option to turn on its Double VPN system where all your internet traffic is encrypted not once, but twice. Handy to know where your internet anonymity is paramount like when you're on public Wi-Fi or, perhaps, torrenting.

Like its main competitor above, other features include strong DNS leak protection, kill switches (application-specific and system wide), proxy extensions for Chrome and Firefox browsers, and payment options that include Bitcoin, PayPal and credit cards.

And Nord actually bests ExpressVPN on pure server count, cranking things up to an eye-watering 5,000 (in 60 countries), while also allowing for one more simultaneous connection at six.

The provider's custom NordLynx protocol has certainly been an eye-catching development in the last year or so. It has helped to make Nord's connection speeds some of the fastest we've recorded and more reliable, even from servers that are further afield.

NordVPN being used on a Windows laptop — (Image credit: NordVPN)

We also admire Nord's dedication to putting the tarnishing news of historic data breaches behind it. It now brings in PricewaterhouseCoopers to carry out a thorough audit of its no-logging policy every year.

NordVPN has traditionally been a very strong tool for unblocking a wide variety of apps and streaming services, including WhatsApp, YouTube, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer and more. But it hasn't reacted as quickly to other VPNs in the fight to keep accessing worldwide Netflix catalogs. Hopefully this is just temporary and Nord will be firing on all cylinders again soon.

Not only are NordVPN's troubleshooting articles plentiful, these tutorials are also really useful. And there's always chatbot and excellent live customer support on hand 24/7 if you're still struggling.

If we have one other quibble, it would be with the user experience that NordVPN supplies. Just little things like the destination cities not being listed in alphabetical order or searching through menus for specialist task functions left us wishing for tweaks. That's especially the case when it comes to its otherwise effective mobile apps. But, these are pretty minor minus points and, as with any VPN reviews you'll find on the internet, we understand that this ultimately comes down to personal preference.

NordVPN has a few options available included monthly subscriptions and an excellent value two-year special offer. If you want to give the service a whirl before you commit, NordVPN provides a 30-day money back guarantee.

Surfshark VPN working on several devices

3. Surfshark

Don't be fooled by the cheap pricing - an excellent VPN service

Eye-catching prices

Unlimited devices covered

A dream to use

Excellent unblocking

Lacks the speeds of the top two

The odd kill switch issue

We understand that the prices available for Surfshark are the factor that will stand out most when you're considering a new VPN, but there's way more to like about Surfshark than mere dollars and cents.

When you first head to its website, Surfshark's laid-back and playful branding takes software that may be a bit intimidating to newcomers and makes it really accessible and user-friendly.

So if you're somebody who is easily bamboozled and, ultimately, put off by complicated menus and myriad options, Surfshark - like ExpressVPN above - could be the ideal VPN for you. It keeps its interface completely stripped back and free from complication. All you'll really see are options for 'Quick connect' and 'All locations', accompanied by a Settings icon, and nothing else at all really. Whether that level of detail (or lack thereof) is a boon or a drawback entirely depends on your perspective.

That said, when it comes to keeping you and your online identity secure, Surfshark is all business. It has now added the new protocol in town WireGuard to its OpenVPN UDP and TCP and IKEv2 options. In addition, Surfshark boasts a private DNS and an extra security blanket via a double VPN hop. And we found it successfully gets to grips with unblocking geo-restricted access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and others.

Coming back to the price, sign up to Surfshark's two-year plan and the effective monthly cost comes in at less than $2.50 USD / £2 GBP / $3.50 AUD. That's a marked difference from the VPN services sitting above in this guide.

And that's for unlimited connections, too. So if you plan to use your VPN on your laptop, desktop (compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux), tablet, a couple of mobile phones (iOS and Android both covered) and Amazon Fire TV Stick for watching overseas TV, the one account will cover you on all of them simultaneously. And theoretically you could even let friends and family members use your sub, too.

Surfshark offers a 30-day money back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to give it a try before committing for a longer period.

So where does it lose marks? Not too many places, but competition is tough these days - especially when Express and Nord have managed to improve their server speeds so substantially, while Surfshark's have remained merely 'good'. And, thorough as our testers are, we have noticed the odd issue with Surfshark's kill switch. The result is far from lethal, but it doesn't quite reach the levels of perfection that Express has attained.

But it always feels like this company is trying to raise its game, and in May 2021 it let independent security consultants Cure53 complete a security assessment to "to thoroughly examine and evaluate the security posture exposed by the Surfshark server" - it ultimately confirmed that there was "a very solid security premise at Surfshark".

And we'd certainly say that a place in the top three out of the 200+ VPNs we've reviewed isn't bad going, and the above 'negatives' are unlikely to put off the bargain hunters among you.

Graphic of Private Internet Access working on various devices — (Image credit: Private Internet Access)

4. Private Internet Access

A strong all-round VPN that keeps on improving

So many servers

Feature-filled apps

New features added

Good value

No security audit

Below average WireGuard speeds

It may not be quite the fastest VPN, or the cheapest, or the most powerful, but Private Internet Access (often stylized as simply PIA) is still a likeable VPN provider with more than enough features to justify a place on your shortlist.

Its most notable claim of recent VPN reviews is a huge increase in PIA's server count. It took things from a mediocre 2,000ish to an almost unfathomable 30,000+. The latest count we're told is more like 10,000, which still puts it way ahead of the rest when it comes to pure server numbers.

That sure sounds impressive, but it wouldn't be worth a thing without quality VPN clients and a wealth of security smarts. Thankfully, PIA offers a healthy mix of privacy features and security protocols (including WireGuard) - this extends to its first rate Chrome extension, which adds in the option to block location access, third-party cookies, website referrers and more.

Whether you're intending to use your VPN mostly on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux or maybe a mix, they're all reliable, easy to use, with more features than most. That's not just us saying that either, as the user reviews on the App Store and Play Store are generally really positive. And there's support here for up to 10 simultaneous connections, so it's easy to cover pretty much all of your devices on one reasonable subscription.

The reason PIA keeps climbing in our rankings of the top VPNs is because it continues to improve. Since our last round of testing, it has added SmartDNS to its features list - another string to its bow in helping you watch region-restricted content.

Speaking frankly, PIA isn't currently close to appearing on our list of the fastest VPNs. It isn't the slowest around and won't significantly hold you up for most 'normal' web activity. But for gamers looking for an edge, streamers who hate the merest hint of buffering and torrenters not wanting to hang around, maybe you should go from one of the better/faster options on this list.

But PIA still does plenty to stand out from the crowd and the pricing beats a lot of the competition - often throwing in free extra months or additional security licences when you sign up for more than a year.

ProtonVPN - best vpn — (Image credit: ProtonVPN)

5. ProtonVPN

The biggest climber in our VPN review charts

Loads of features

Free plan with unlimited bandwidth

Top quality apps

Improving speeds and coverage

Customer support needs improvement

Some features limited to Plus plan

Of all the VPNs we reviewed in our latest tests, ProtonVPN is the one that improved most noticeably and is deserving of its place within our five top VPN services.

Over the last months and years, Proton has been a VPN provider on a mission. Its server network has shot from a few hundred to nearly 2,000 (still less than most, but heading in the right direction) and it has made notable improvements to its clients and apps, adding new features and support.

The most significant of those in 2021 was WireGuard, which has now been fully rolled out. That bodes well for Proton's future proofing. But even if it hadn't, our speed testing witnessed some of the most eye-catching OpenVPN speeds around. In short, you don't have to worry about waiting to be connected if you're in a hurry to turn on ProtonVPN, and then afterwards you can just leave it working in the background knowing it won't slow down your internet connection.

Proton has really improved its streaming skills, too, becoming a reliable provider for getting around geo-restrictions when you're abroad. It breezed past BBC iPlayer, aces Amazon Prime Video and netted us access to foreign Netflix catalogs without much trouble at all - that's in a year where more reputable providers (ahem, NordVPN) have encountered problems. Although it should be noted that this is only the case if you have a Plus subscription - you won't get this kind of quality from its free or Basic tiers.

The very fact that Proton is based in Switzerland, instantly makes you just feel safer. And that's only enhanced by terrific kill switches, the opportunity to pay by Bitcoin and solid P2P support for torrenting.

There's still room for some improvement, of course. We'd love to see Proton take a leaf out of Surfshark's book and make the apps and clients feel a bit friendlier and less technical. We understand that 24/7 customer support is on its way, which will be an additional plus. We also feel just a little bit irked that the 30-day money back guarantee works on a pro-rata basis - if you use it for 15 days, say, you'll only get a 50% return. Feels like poor form, although at least Proton has a very useful free VPN if you do want to give it a try without any cost whatsoever.

So ProtonVPN isn't perfect, but it is on the rise and challenging the top of our VPN podium. It still doesn't have that many servers or locations, and it's quite expensive if you need all the features we've described here (though a basic plan costs less than $5 a month). This is a powerful and trustworthy service, though, and if that's your top priority, we'd recommend you take a look.

CyberGhost - best VPN — (Image credit: CyberGhost)

6. CyberGhost

Feature-packed clients and impressive configurability

Excellent performance levels

Loads of features

Speedy live chat help

Lots of locations

No security audit

The odd usability issue

VPN service CyberGhost has been a firm favorite of ours for some time now, and it's no surprise that it has a user base of over ten million subscribers. The company covers the basics well, with more than 7,000 servers spread across 90-odd countries, apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, torrents allowed and speedy live chat support.

CyberGhost shines no matter what device you're planning to use it on. Beneath its clean, easy to follow interface lies a sea of fantastic features and functionality. It will quickly connect you to the right server for you if you're specifically looking to stream or torrent, for example.

And extra touches like its Smart Rules panel shows that the engineers at CyberGhost have really put some thought into the user experience. It allows you to automatically connect to your preferred server launch a particular app (such as your default browser in incognito mode) when you boot up your computer. A genuinely useful added bonus.

We need to spend just a bit of time mentioning the speeds CyberGhost demonstrated in our most recent tests. When we jumped on to the WireGuard protocol, we witnessed connection speeds that gave the likes of NordVPN and ExpressVPN a run for their money.

Website unblocking has historically been another strong suit of CyberGhost's, and we're glad to report that it has upped its game again in our streaming tests. We got access to US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus through its servers. And while we couldn't get access to exclusive Netflix content in regions like Canada and the UK, that isn't unusual of VPNs in 2021.

To break into the hallowed top five, we'd like to see CyberGhost clean up a few of the rough edges we witnessed. Not having an audit or a great support site really does matter, the Windows app keeps shtum when it disconnects, and it irritates us that once you've registered your seven devices, you then have to deregister one before you're able to use CyberGhost on another computer, phone or other gadget.

With a meaty 45-day money back guarantee and fair pricing (especially if you're willing to commit), CyberGhost is still well worth a closer look. With parent company Kape showing more and more ambition in this cybersecurity field (we mentioned its purchase of ExpressVPN above), you're in the hands an organization that continually seeks to push the envelope.

Hotspot Shield - best VPN contender working on different devices — (Image credit: Hotspot Shield)

7. Hotspot Shield

A strong VPN service that has been overtaken by others

Fast connection speeds

Super-easy to use

P2P support

Excellent exclusive pricing

Speeds no longer market leading

Would welcome more privacy peace-of-mind

Hotspot Shield 's premium VPN gives you full access to 1,800+ servers in more than 80 countries, support for connecting up to five devices, 24/7 customer support and, of course, absolutely no ads at all. It's yet more evidence that taking the plunge and paying just a few dollars a month gets you a far superior VPN experience - especially when you read more below about its exclusive pricing just for TechRadar readers.

Performance has been a major selling point for a few years now, with Hotspot Shield's proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol helping to deliver some of the fastest and most consistent download speeds around. That said, it has rather 'stood still' in this regard of late, and services with WireGuard or that have their own proprietary protocols (like ExpressVPN's Lightway or Nord's NordLynx) have now overtaken Hotspot when it comes to outright speed.

As well as being able to run the service on devices where you can use its native Windows, Mac, Android or iOS apps, Hotspot has added functionality to support use on routers, Linux and TV streamers, too. A SmartVPN feature - that let's you select websites on which the VPN will be bypassed - is another welcome addition, especially if you only really wanted to keep your VPN on when shopping, banking, streaming, etc.

If you really just want a VPN to help you stream more varied content, Hotspot unblocks most of the major streaming services. Unfortunately, the recent Netflix strategy to freeze out IP proxies is working pretty effectively and Hotspot Shield is currently useless as a VPN for Netflix.

To springboard back up to the top of this chart, we'd like to see Hotspot uses bring in some independent auditors to verify its logging practices. Especially as the provider does admit to logging VPN sessions, bandwidth, domains accessed and IP addresses. All of these are reasoned out on Hotspot's website, but we'd welcome an auditor's view on things. There's also room for improvement on its iOS app, which just doesn't quite match the high quality desktop or Android experience.

But subscribe for more than just a month at a time, and Hotspot Shield becomes one of the best priced premium VPNs on the market. And if you try it and still aren't impressed, then there's a generous 45-day money back guarantee that will let you get your money back without issue.

IPVanish - Best VPN — (Image credit: IPVanish)

8. IPVanish

A really solid VPN solution - but streamers should look elsewhere

Owns and manages its own servers

Powerful, configurable apps

WireGuard option has electrified speeds

Reliable security features

Patchy streaming unblocking

Bit pricey

IPVanish has been a reliable performer in our VPN tests for years. The service has some impressive stats: 40,000+ shared IPs, 1,900+ VPN servers (and growing) in 70+ locations, unmetered P2P traffic, unlimited simultaneous connections and 24/7 customer support. On the subject of support, we really like that you can access it directly from your Android or iOS app on mobile.

There's something about IPVanish that just feels comforting when you get started. It's probably the reassuring graphs and charts in the desktop app that does it. But rest assured, it's not just about looks as IPVanish has the security smarts (AES-256 encryption, kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection) to fit the bill as a great choice for the privacy conscious.

While the Android and iOS apps don't seem to get updated or refreshed that often, there's probably a good reason for that - they function really well. The Android VPN app is a particular feather in IPVanish's cap, with more settings and options than most of the competition and the ability to really configure it to your ideal set up.

With the likes of Nord, Express and Hotspot all rolling out their own proprietary security protocols, IPVanish was beginning to look a little bit left behind in terms of modernisation and speeds. Enter WireGuard - the service finally added the option and speeds have, predictably, gone through the roof.

So far, so positive. If streaming's your thing, however, IPVanish doesn't claim to be your best friend. And it shows: our latest round of testing showed struggles to unblock Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus or large swathes of Netflix shows, which makes it hard to wholeheartedly recommend if you're looking to uncover a new world of content to watch.

But overall, if you need its unbarred simultaneous connections or the power and configurability of its apps, take the plunge with this VPN service. And if somehow you end up unhappy you're protected by a 30 day money-back guarantee.

Windscribe logo on a laptop screen

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

9. Windscribe

Reliable VPN service with a tempting free tier

Unlimited device connections

Crammed with features and functionality

Speedy WireGuard protocol supported

Handy freebie to try out

Fewer servers than competition

Where's the live chat support?

Windscribe is a trusted name in the VPN industry and it delivers a high quality product with plenty going for it. From a beginner's perspective, you you get clients for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux, for instance, as well as slick browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Opera extensions. A single subscription covers unlimited devices, too, so you can cover them all with Windscribe.

While seasoned users will revel in some of Winscribe's more advanced features that you just don't find anywhere else. Take, for example, the ability to use OpenVPN setup files from other providers to connect to their servers from Windscribe's app. Quite niche, perhaps, but we like that Windscribe is thinking outside the box.

Streaming Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and YouTube via Windscribe is also possible. That makes the provider a sound option for streamers that want to watch overseas content or their own programming from abroad - unless you're a Netflix subscriber, as Windscribe has struggled to react to Netflix's latest blackout.

The network has locations in 110 cities spread across more than 60 countries, but its 400-odd servers in total are far fewer than what most other providers have on offer. WireGuard is now fully operational and works reliably, even if speeds are a little down on the peaks we've seen from other providers.

And unfortunately, there's no 24/7 support, so any questions you have might not get answered for a while. That seems like a big miss these days, with all of the big competition offering an on the spot advisor to pick up queries. Similarly, it's high time it joined the likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN and got an independent eye in to verify its privacy policy.

Windscribe doesn't tick every available box then, then, but the service does have a lot of interesting features. If you're looking for a new VPN, use the free plan to find out what Windscribe can do for you. The free tier limits you to ten locations but gives you a generous 2GB-10GB data allowance a month.

StrongVPN - best VPN — (Image credit: Future)

10. StrongVPN

Strong by name...

Can be used on loads of devices

Really tempting cloud storage freebie

WireGuard on all devices

Strong on streaming

Below par speeds

Fewer server options than most

You can't accuse StrongVPN of being vague when it comes to its name. Unlike premium services such as CyberGhost and Windscribe, there's no doubt left in anybody's mind what StrongVPN is all about.

StrongVPN offers a litany of protocols (L2TP, SSTP, OpenVPN, IPSec and IKEv2) including the super speedy WireGuard on all of its apps, and an impressive roughly 60,000 VPN IP addresses.

Outside sheer brawn, StrongVPN takes something of a minimalist approach, favouring strength over style. But what it does, it does with aplomb. For starters, you have to applaud the decision to include the ability to connect up to 12 of your devices at any one time. So that will cover your desktop, laptop, mobile, tablet, streaming device and...well, a fair few more.

And if your primary aim is to find the perfect piece of software to help you stream all your favorite services, we found that StrongVPN easily unblocked streaming sites like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video from overseas (although we had no luck with BBC iPlayer).

But it comes up short in other areas - read up and down this page and the 900-odd servers, 50-something cities and 30 countries perhaps feels somewhat behind what the others on this list offer. Our latest set of speed tests weren't overly encouraging - even with WireGuard turned on. And there are overdue improvements to be made with its support site and lack of audits.

But see for yourself - StrongVPN still has a lot going for it, as well as that familiar 30-day money back guarantee. And, as an extra added perk, it will throw in 250GB of free secure cloud storage from the reputable SugarSync when you sign up for one of StrongVPN's already-reasonable annual plans.

Graphic of Hide.me VPN logo showing on various devices

(Image credit: Hide.me)

11. Hide.me

VPN with growing reputation and quality

Some superb server speeds

Hugely configurable

Strong on streaming

Decent free plan to try

The odd security issue

May overwhelm inexperienced users

In our latest round of VPN testing, Hide.me is a new entry that has very conspicuously nearly stormed into our top 10. Although it's been around for a decade, we reckon Hide.me is one to watch and only a few small niggles has stopped us placing it higher.

So what does Hide.me do well, first of all? Land on its website and you immediately feel like this is a provider that means business. There's none of the playfulness that we see from the likes of Surfshark or Tunnelbear, just reassuringly straight messages about its mission and features.

In an industry that gets quite complicated with holding companies and complicated webs of who-owns-who, Hide.me remains independently run. We wonder if that's what gives it the latitude to innovate its own custom technologies and make the product so highly configurable.

To the average user, that means a few crucial plus points. For one, its WireGuard protocol delivered some of the very fastest server speeds that we witnessed in our latest tests. We realise that speed isn't everything, but it feels like a provider that's showing it wants to walk the walk.

It's pulled the rabbit out of the hat when it comes to streaming, too. We had success unblocking US Netflix, which isn't a given these days, as well as the likes of iPlayer in the UK and overseas Amazon Prime libraries.

Prices are middling and there's that usual 30-day money back guarantee in place. And don't forget about the 10GB/month free plan, if you want to look before you leap.

So what's currently holding Hide.me back? Well, while we admire the provider's no-nonsense approach, the flip side of that coin is that the apps feel just a little bit intimidating for somebody that's dipping their toe into the VPN waters for the first time. We'd like to see an update to its historical security audits (the one quoted on site appears to date back to 2015 - that's ancient history in this field), and we did spot a few potential kill switch issues that impact security with OpenVPN and usability with WireGuard.

So still a little way to go before Hide.me can challenge the big boys. But this is certainly one to watch.

hidemyass - best VPN — (Image credit: HMA)

12. HideMyAss! (HMA) VPN

A quality VPN from antivirus vendor Avast

Huge breadth of server locations

Really handy live support

Audited no-log policy

Strong OpenVPN speeds

Limited protocols available

Not the service for streamers

Of all the VPNs on this list, it's HideMyAss! that tops the lot when it comes to server location numbers. It's somehow scouted out servers in around 200 locations across more than 200 countries worldwide. And so while other providers might give you just a handful of locations outside Europe and North America, HideMyAss! manages 15 locations in the Middle East, and 40+ in each of Africa and Asia Pacific.

Of course server variation is far from everything (in fact, it's a fairly minor 'win' in the grand scheme of things). but the jocular provider has been around a while now and is owned by reputable cybersecurity company Avast. It clearly takes privacy very seriously, and joins the list of VPN providers that have brought in independent auditors to confirm that it's firing on all security cylinders.

Its apps are easy to use and cover the basics very well. You can use HideMyAss! (or HMA as it seems to prefer these days) almost everywhere, too, with custom apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux

Unlike most VPN services on this list, HMA doesn't go big on the protocols it offers. It's basically OpenVPN or zip. On the flipside, that does still mean support for maximum compatibility with other devices (there are tutorials to help you set up the service on routers, Smart TVs and games consoles) and it recorded some of the niftiest numbers we witnessed in our hands-on speed testing for OpenVPN.

Alas, its online support website is pretty underwhelming. We're just glad that there are customer advisers available via 24/7 live chat that you're able to speak to in the event that any of the set up or use becomes problematic.

And we're afraid that it's still far from an ideal VPN for streaming. Other than iPlayer, HMA really struggled to unblock most of the other big names in TV streaming. A black mark, but it won't matter to you if your main reason to grab a VPN is for sure-fire anonymity online.

VyprVPN - best VPN — (Image credit: google)

13. VyprVPN

Traditionally solid VPN that feels like it's getting left behind

Privacy-focussed VPN

Up to 30 simultaneous connections

Reliable connection availability

Slow connections

Has lost some streaming capabilities

VyprVPN is the second Switzerland-based provider on this list and is probably one of the more famous names on it as well. It boasts plenty of the features you'd expect of a modern VPN, including a no-logging policy that's audited by an outside security company, instantaneous live chat support, and the WireGuard protocol on its desktop clients and mobile VPN apps.

It may only have 700-odd servers - much less than most of the competition these days - but they're spread far and wide across 60+ countries and are all fully owned by VyprVPN itself. That means it doesn't have to rely on third-party web hosts, thus making the whole operation immediately feel more secure. And the other positive upshot is that by developing its own Chameleon protocol, Vypr does a good job of getting you online safely in all corners of the globe (handy if you need a VPN in China, for example)..

Android user that knows you'll be using the VPN frequently on your phone? Then VyprVPN is a fine foil. Open up the app and it looks just like the full Windows client (that's a good thing, by the way) and features a hatful of handy features: kill switch, DNS leak protection, start-up and auto-reconnect options, URL filtering. The iOS app doesn't quite squeeze as much in as the Android version (no kill switch, for example), but it's still nice to use on iPhone.

That said, the apps haven't been updated for a while now. And that seems to sum up VyprVPN in a nutshell. The service is starting to feel rather more dated than it's key competitors. Connection speeds are off the pace, it can no longer unblock foreign Netflix catalogs, website support is basic, and we haven't seen any truly innovative features added for a good while now.

It's still a reliable stalwart of a VPN option however, and is still worthy of your shortlist if you're looking for some bargain pricing.

TunnelBear - Best VPN — (Image credit: TunnelBear)

13. TunnelBear

An easy-to-use VPN service with plenty of privacy perks

Extremely user-friendly

Substantial security audits

Well-designed mobile apps

Not good for streamers

No trial period

TunnelBear is a Canadian-based VPN service with a strong emphasis on ease-of-use and bear-related humor. Fortunately, usability does get priority over the bear pun, though sometimes it's a close-run thing!

The focus on a product that's simple an effective is actually quite refreshing in a forest of other VPNs that claim to have every tiny feature under the sun. Whether you're going to be using TunnelBear on desktop or generally on its very attractive mobile apps for Android or iPhone, this provider makes using a VPN an absolute cinch.

TunnelBear scores plus points for privacy, too, with the company hiring independent specialists to run a public security audit on its servers, systems and code. If only all other providers were that brave.

While we're on the subject of other providers, however, TunnelBear does come up short in a few areas of direct comparison. There's support for starters, with not a lot of online articles and a complete omission of live chat support present. You can't pay by PayPal for your subscription (although Bitcoin users have that option) and it's very surprising these days not to see a money back guarantee available if you're dissatisfied. So if you really do like the look of this provider, we'd suggest giving the underpowered free version a whirl first.

And streamers bear-ware (wow, it really rubs off!) as this VPN really struggled in its attempts to unlock foreign Netflix catalogs and BBC iPlayer.

But if you're happy with the basics, there's plenty to like here. Performance was another highlight, with speedy UK and European servers and solid results from the US.

PureVPN working on desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet — (Image credit: PureVPN)

15. PureVPN

Worthwhile VPN that delivers fantastic deals

One plan covers up to 10 users

Some sensational pricing

Runs almost anywhere

Below average speeds (and no WireGuard)

Various app issues

If you've seen us talking before about PureVPN, it was probably around Black Friday time - this provider really knows how to turn bargain hunters' heads, with some pretty preposterous offers like five years of VPN use for less than $100! It's easy to see why a lot of people now use PureVPN.

And on the face of it, the dollar pricing isn't the only number that looks good on paper here - there's over 6,000 servers spread across around 80 countries, 10 simultaneous connections with your account, and a host of servers running at 20Gbps.

That's a good foundation to build from, and we like that PureVPN functions with such a wide range of devices, too. Other notable perks include payment by Bitcoin, the presence of handy split tunnelling tools, and some ability to unblock streaming sites like Netflix and Disney+.

You may be wondering, then, why PureVPN only just makes it on to the bottom of our chart. Unfortunately, there are just enough niggles here to put PureVPN down the pecking order. It hasn't yet adopted WireGuard, for example, and its speeds on OpenVPN are slow enough to make us worried about lagging when we're using the internet.

Its apps aren't really as functional or smart as what most other providers now have on offer for mobile, and the support site has broken links and 404s that gives the overall impression of a VPN that needs some TLC. We also experienced some issues with the kill switch that, again, isn't an absolute disaster, but neither does it instil confidence in the service.

So if you spot it during the sales season and can't resist the pricing, we suspect you won't be too disappointed. But for pure quality, PureVPN can't compete with the best VPNs in the business.

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Virtual Private Networks - an explanation of VPNs

VPN stands for 'virtual private network' and describes a piece of software that has fast become an everyday piece of online kit for individuals and businesses alike. They're popularity in recent years has been staggering - largely based on their offering a means of additional cybersecurity, but also for the other applications they offer.

All the traffic that passes through your VPN connection is secured by encryption and cannot, in theory, be intercepted by anyone else, making it the safest mainstream way to browse the web privately and, for the most part, anonymously. That allows individuals, organizations and business to send and receive data while maintaining the secrecy of a private network.

That means you could use one to create a secure "tunnel" into your company network to enjoy access to private internal systems. But, because you end up directing all of your traffic through an independent, secure server, also means you could browse and access content you might otherwise not be able to get where you are physically - such as a Netflix catalog in another country or using your VPN for BBC iPlayer.

Just bear in mind though that VPN setups are only as secure as the weakest link in the entire chain. So if your device has already been compromised with malware already, using a VPN won't save you from being spied upon, although a good antivirus could.

VPN uses: 10 handy ways you can use your VPN

You'll see that most VPN services out there talk about security first and foremost on their websites. But they've become much more than that in modern times. Among the most popular VPN uses are:

Safer public Wi-Fi: Don't risk others getting their grubby hands on your data and identity when using hotel, airport or shopping centre public Wi-Fi. Jump on a VPN and be sure that everything you do is encrypted
Unblock foreign Netflix: Not strictly allowed in the company's Ts&Cs, but a VPN can help you watch that film or show that has landed on your country's Netflix yet but you just know is available somewhere else in the world
Full internet access in countries with censorship: Governments in China, India, UAE, Russia, Turkey, Cuba and many more block certain services and sites - think WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, even Googleu0021 VPNs can help get access to them if you're in those countries for holiday or business
Safe torrenting: Even if your torrenting habits are purely lawful, its P2P nature means that you still risk being exposed to folk trying to steal your data. Turning on a VPN while you torrent will help keep your data encrypted and identity safe.
Stream sport: Your country not showing that boxing, soccer, basketball or cricket match? Find out what country is and then use a VPN to get on a server there and watch as if you were in that country
Working from home: Covid-19 related lockdown has been a catalyst for more and more people working from home. Individuals and businesses can make sure they stay safer online with a VPN
Cheaper holidays: You've probably heard before that flights and hotels can cost different amounts dependant on your IP address. Luckily, a VPN can help mask or change your IP address...
Quicker internet: If you're somewhere that throttles your internet speeds by dint only of your location, then geo-spoofing to somewhere else entirely could help you avoid the slow down
Better gaming: Not only can you make sure that your identity is protected when you game online, but most VPN providers will also protect you against troublesome DDoS attacks, too
Social media unblocking: Schools and offices can be such spoilsports, blocking social media and games sites so you can't use them. Not unless you jump on a VPN server in an entirely different location...

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Best VPN FAQ

What is the best VPN for 2021?

Right now, ExpressVPN tops our list of the best VPN. The reasons are many (and explored in depth in this article) but in short it's because it delivers reliable, fast server connections; is jam-packed with security smarts; is a joy to use whether on desktop, mobile or other devices; has a proven track record of unlocking blocked websites and streaming services; and in the unlikely event you do run in to difficulties, has fantastic, human customer support available 24/7.

You can try it out for 30 days risk-free thanks to its completely no-quibble money back guarantee. And when you sign up for an annual plan now, it also throws in a whole year of secure, unlimited cloud backup - courtesy of Backblaze.

How do VPNs work?

A VPN is designed to make using the internet safer, more private and more convenient, and it does that by creating a secure connection between you and the site or service you want to access. All traffic between you and the site or service is encrypted, so it's meaningless to anyone else.

To make this happen, a VPN takes your internet traffic and reroutes it through its own servers – so instead of going like this:

Your device —> The website

And back again like this:

The website —> Your device

It goes like this:

Your device —> Secure VPN servers —> The website

And back again like this:

The website —> Secure VPN servers —> Your device

That doesn't just improve security - although that's the main reason for doing it - it also disguises where you are. Your computer, smartphone, tablet or games console might be in London, but as far as the website is concerned you could be connecting from New York, or from Mumbai, or from Naples.

That means VPNs can also protect your privacy and get round "geo-blocking", which is when a site uses your location information to decide whether or not it's going to let you see or hear something.

You can explore the inner machinations of this software further in our full guide: "How does a VPN work?".

Why do I need a VPN?

There are lots of reasons why you might need a VPN. One of the most important ones is data security, especially when you're out and about. How often have you connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot somewhere public, such as in a bus terminal, train station, café or airport? Wi-Fi hotspots aren't particularly secure things, but with a VPN you can be confident that nobody's eavesdropping when you do your online banking or send the boss your top secret world domination plans.

A VPN protects you from fake hotspots, which are convincing-looking Wi-Fi hotspots designed to steal people's data and/or personal information. Even if you connect, your data can't be intercepted.

VPNs can also protect your privacy by disguising your location. For some of us that means it prevents those ubiquitous trackers from following us around the internet, and it enables us to get past geoblocking when we travel – handy if you want to catch up on that box set but aren't in the same country as your subscription. But for others it's life-saving, because it evades censorship and government monitoring of communications. A VPN makes it much harder to identify the source of an upload, or what websites a person might have visited.

Should I pay for a VPN?

Some companies now offer a basic service that won't cost you anything at all. So, are free VPN services as good as their paid-for counterparts then?

In short... no. As you'd expect, there are catches, and they typically start with a data cap. TunnelBear VPN's free plan limits you to 500MB a month, for example.

Free products also typically have usage restrictions. Most companies don't want you to soak up all their bandwidth on torrents, so ZPN is typical in blocking P2P. Then there's the adverts and the session limits and the general lack of service level agreement: free means that it doesn't come with any implicit warranties.

Free plans are fine for simple needs, then - maybe protecting your laptop's wireless hotspot traffic on the occasional trip - but if you're looking for anything more advanced, a commercial product is best.

When is the best time to buy a VPN?

For most products like laptops, smartphones, mattresses and more, we'd usually suggest you wait until Black Friday deals or other sales events hit. And while the top VPN providers are starting to get the hang of these sales seasons, there are pretty much constantly some excellent VPN deals to be had across the entire year - so don't feel like you have to wait.

How do I get a VPN?

Thankfully, downloading and installing your new VPN is much easier than trying to understand the ins and outs of how they worku0021 All of the best VPNs listed above make it really quick to get started on desktop or, if you're on mobile, then you could go to the App Store or Play Store and download them there, instead.

Usually, the prices are quoted in their effective monthly cost, but note that you will need to pay the full amount upfront.

Once installed, you can then get extensions added to your chosen web browser, and go about adding functionality to your various devices. That includes your computer and mobile phone of course, but also your games console, tablet, TV streaming devices - even your internet router.

Are VPNs legal?

VPNs are legal in most of the world, but some countries have either banned VPNs altogether or put very severe restrictions on their use. Those bans are more relevant to the people that live there than to people who travel there: we're not aware of any tourists being thrown in the clink for running a VPN to secure their hotel Wi-Fi, but clearly it's wise to be careful in more repressive regimes.

In countries that do restrict VPN use there's often a distinction between approved and unapproved ones. For example, in China VPNs must be approved by the Chinese government, which suggests that they're the last things you should rely on to hide your activities from the Chinese government. If you use an unapproved one, you can be fined heavily.

In the United Arab Emirates, you can be fined over half a million dollars and/or thrown in jail for using any VPN. It's a similar story in Russia, while in Iran use of an unapproved VPN can put you in prison. In Uganda, ISPs block all VPN services, Oman bans unapproved ones and Iraq, Belarus and Turkmenistan ban all VPNs. So does North Korea.

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ExpressVPN on multiple devices — VPNs can be used across pretty much all your devices (Image credit: ExpressVPN)

How to choose your VPN

There are several factors to consider when you're choosing a paid VPN. Here are six tips.

1. Does the plan have servers in every country and region you need? Having more than one server in a country can help spread the load, but doesn't guarantee improved performance, so don't assume a plan with 6,000 servers will automatically beat another with 1,000.

2. Check the number of simultaneous connections supported. Five is the bear minimum you should accept, which allows you to have PCs, mobile and tablet connected at the same time. But beware, many companies say this is for a single user only, and they all have fair usage policies to prevent people hogging resources. If you let the entire family download and stream videos separately then you'll run into trouble.

3. Some providers list the connection protocols they use. OpenVPN and IKeV2 are good choices, fast and secure. You might see SSTP and the older PPTP, as well as protocol options (TCP or UDP for OpenVPN). You don't need to understand the low-level details, but having the extra choice can help the service make faster and/or more reliable connections.

4. All VPN companies say they don't log whatever you're doing online, but inevitably they collect a little data. Some services record the day your account logged on, the amount of data you used, and delete anything else when the session closes. Others add items like your incoming IP address and the server you used, and keep the data for months, even years. If you're concerned, check the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service to find out more.

5. It's important to consider the client, the software which handles your connections. These all have a list of servers and a Connect/ Disconnect button, but could you use more? Some clients display server load and ping time in the interface, helping you choose the right server. Regular users might appreciate a "Favorites" system to save and recall specific servers. If you know what you're doing, having access to low-level network settings will help you tune the whole system.

6. Finally, there's the price. Beware of apparently cheap deals: these may have restricted features, exclude taxes, be discounted for the first billing period only, and renew automatically, so that apparent one-off £3.99 might become almost £10 next month. Look for a 'Pricing' link, read the small print, and if possible use something like PayPal where it's easy to check and cancel a subscription yourself.

Once you've found what looks like your top VPN candidate, be sure to take it for a trial before you spend any big money. But a VPN free trial can only tell you so much, so once that's expired, pay for a month, run as many tests as you can, then upgrade to a better value plan (usually yearly) if you're still happy.

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VPN services and what you can use them for

If there's one worry when it comes to using technology and the internet, it's privacy. By using a VPN, you can, in theory, prevent your internet service provider (ISP) and government from seeing your internet history.

VPNs have also emerged as a popular tool in the freedom of speech movement. You're able to avoid censorship within organisations (check out our best China VPN page, for more information on that) and from third-parties. For example, if you have a view that goes against the priorities of your employer, you don't have to worry about them finding out.

People also use VPN technology to "geo-spoof" their location. This results in users customising their location settings to be able to use overseas services. A great example of this is watching a TV programme or online product that's only available in a specific country, perhaps due to legal or licensing issues - that's why using a VPN for Netflix has become so popular.

You can resort to a VPN to protect yourself from hackers too. If you're outside and sign up to use a public internet hotspot - perhaps in a cafe or library - there is the chance someone could try to break into your device. This can lead to you losing valuable data, such as passwords.

This technology is also emerging as a popular force in the world of business. When you're traveling around for meetings all the time, it's normal to connect to third-party networks. With a VPN, you can access your firm's intranet without the worry of being targeted by cyber criminals.

Many VPN services - there are about 400 of them on mobile and desktop - offer different pros and cons, so if you're looking to access Hulu or BBC iPlayer from a different region, dial into your office network or simply stay safe and secure online, you'll find a service tailored precisely to your needs.

Furthermore, a VPN can be used to avoid having your internet connection throttled, and that's certainly relevant at the moment given what Verizon is up to over in the States. According to reports, the ISP has capped Netflix streaming at 10Mb, and also throttled video on its unlimited plans meaning that smartphone viewers can't achieve a better quality than 480p.

It's also interesting to note that while phishing remains a major danger online, a VPN can help protect you against malware or con tricks when web browsing.

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VPN services: what they can let you watch

As well as keeping you safe and sound while browsing the web, VPN services are also handy for catching your favorite TV shows and live sports while you're out of the country. If you've ever tried to stream something on your tablet or laptop while on holiday only be told that rights restrictions mean you can't, then this is for youu0021 Changing your IP address to a server in your homeland will get around the problem.

We've produced individual guides on how to watch certain shows and events with a VPN - here are just a few of them:

Navigate the tricky route of how to watch NFL live streams
More of a b-ball fan? Then beat the blackouts with an NBA live stream
The EPL is back and you can watch Premier League live streams anywhere
Elite European soccer: see how to live stream Champions League
Smell the tyres and petrol - watch an F1 live stream
Grapple fan? Discover how to watch UFC live streams around the world
The hottest TV ticket in town - discover how to watch Succession
Follow more zany adventures and watch Ricky and Morty season 5 online
See all the emergency room drama - how to watch Grey's Anatomy
Gripping UK crime drama with Line of Duty season 6

How we test VPN services

When we test these services for our VPN reviews, we're looking for features, value, and clear and honest pricing. Free ways to learn more about a service - free plans, trial periods, refund periods - are important, and we also looked for companies which maintain your privacy when you sign up (no email address required, trials available without credit cards, Bitcoin available as a payment option).

The official product pages never tell you everything you need to know, so head off to the Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions pages to find the real details. Does the company log more data than you'd expect, or keep it for a long time? When might it share information with others? Are there any restrictions on who can sign up? (Some providers say you must be 18 or over, or that the service is for personal, non-commercial use only.) Any other catches?

VPN performance is difficult to measure as there are so many variables, but we used multiple techniques to try and get a feel for each service's abilities. We use speed test tools to measure the latency, upload and download speeds for a distant connection (typically UK to US), repeated the test immediately with the VPN turned off, and looked at any changes. We follow this up with a much shorter connection (such as UK to Netherlands) to see a more typical peak performance.

VPNs will always give you a new IP address, but some services may have DNS or other leaks which give clues about your identity. We visited IPLeak.net and other privacy sites to look for problems.

In terms of the client and interface, we're looking for top VPN server selection tools (by country, region, server, speed, with filters, a Favorites system, perhaps with server load or ping time displayed), with plenty of configuration options, but also a client which stays out of the way until it's needed.

Finally, we weigh up these individual factors, came up with an overall score, and narrow these down to the best VPNs around.

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Adam is the Editor-in-Chief of Subscriptions and Services at Future, meaning that he oversees many of the articles TechRadar produces about antivirus software, VPNs, TV streaming, broadband and mobile phone contracts - from buying guides and deals news, to industry interest pieces and reviews.