VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) offer a variety of features and benefits, such as keeping your browsing private, hiding your geographic location, bypassing blocked websites, and accessing online streaming services.
Make sure you have the latest VPN that suits your needs and be prepared for whatever 2023 brings.
But what are the most important factors to consider when comparing VPN services?
We’ve researched and compared several VPN providers based on the most important factors, including privacy and security, speed, number of servers and locations, streaming and torrenting, supported software, and pricing plans.
Breaking Down our Top10 Choices: Which is Best For Your Needs:
- ExpressVPN. Fast and secure browsing
- NordVPN. Best for its high quality
- Perimeter 81. Best for its strong network security
- Surfshark. Safe and Affordable Browsing
- Private Internet Access: Maximum Privacy Protection
- Norton Secure VPN: Strict No-Logs and Encryption Policy
- IPVanish: Fast, Reliable, and Affordable VPN Service
- CyberGhost: Easy-to-Use VPN
- ProtonVPN: Security and Anonymity
- UltraVPN: Unlimited Bandwidth and Military-Grade Encryption
Our Top 10 Best VPN Services & Software – Quick Reviews:
ExpressVPN
- Best for its Excellent Speed
- Number of Servers/Locations: 3,000+
- Price: Excellent Speed
ExpressVPN is a well-known name in the VPN world. With a built-in speed checker, you can choose the fastest servers. Plus, ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, giving you a wide range of options. ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support, which is a great advantage when your VPN goes down or you need quick help. Additionally, you can choose to route only a portion of your device’s traffic through the VPN, with split tunneling.
Pros
- Trusted brand in the industry
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- More expensive than other services.
- Only 3 devices at a time
NordVPN
- The best option for its good quality and affordable price.
- Number of servers/locations: Over 5,500
- Price: Good quality at an affordable price.
NordVPN is a secure VPN service based in Panama, a privacy-conscious country. This VPN service is known for its excellence in complete privacy, advanced security, and internet freedom. NordVPN keeps no logs, and given its size, the country’s laws don’t require it. It has the world’s largest VPN server network, with 5,500 servers in 59 countries.
Pros
- Double-hop VPN servers
- One of the most affordable plans on the market.
- 6 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Some servers aren’t as fast as others.
- No live chat.
Perimeter 81
- Ideal for business users
- Number of servers/locations: 18 countries
- Price: Business users
Perimeter 81 is an industry-leading VPN and offers some of the best network security features I’ve seen. Built-in antivirus, the ability to connect up to five devices, and servers in 18 different countries.
While it’s a bit pricey, it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. I recommend giving it a try if your business needs a network security solution that’s easy to use and implement.
Why we chose Perimeter 81: We chose Perimeter 81 for its powerful network security features, advanced encryption, and business-specific tools.
Our experience: We found Perimeter 81 to be very easy to install and use. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, and the mobile and desktop apps are intuitive.
Pros
- Quick setup possible
- Intuitive interface
- Advanced network security
Cons
- Expensive
- No free trial
Surfshark
- Best option for safe browsing at a good price
- Number of servers/locations: 1,700+
- Price: Safe browsing at a good price
Surfshark VPN is relatively new and has earned its place among the elite services. Based in the British Virgin Islands, Surfshark https://play.google.com/benefits from a no-logs policy and favorable data protection laws that ensure the safety of user information. It also has a strict no-logs policy and does not collect personally identifiable information.
Pros
- Whitelisting, multi-pass, and stealth mode
- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer
- Extremely strong privacy and security features
Cons
- Email support could be faster
- No free trial
Private Internet Access
- The best way to access every corner of the internet.
- Number of servers/locations: 20,000 servers in over 70 countries
- Price: Access every corner of the internet
Private Internet Access is a VPN service that is known for being the most anonymous on the market. It has an extensive server network (20,000 servers in over 70 countries), a zero-logging policy, and software available for almost all operating systems, including browser extensions.
With PIA, you can not only stream and download content at high speeds, but also browse securely. Private Internet Access notifies you when a website may be dangerous to your data, integrates firewalls, IP leak protection, and much more for complete security.
Pros
- Free email. Email breach monitoring
- No content restrictions
- Anonymous payments
Cons
- Expensive monthly plan
- No free trials
Norton Secure VPN
- Ideal for Netflix streaming
- Number of servers/locations: Servers in 29 countries
- Price: Netflix streaming
Norton Secure VPN is associated with the Norton name, which means you get the infrastructure and customer support of an experienced industry giant like Norton. Norton Secure VPN works flawlessly on both desktop and mobile devices. The number of servers is lower than the competition, but features like unlimited bandwidth, OpenVPN protocols, a zero-logs policy, and a 60-day money-back guarantee prove that Norton Secure VPN is much more than just a household name.
Pros
- Known for its success in unblocking Netflix
- Includes unlimited bandwidth
- With a 60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Less server options than the competition
- Strict anti-torrent policy
IPVanish
- Ideal for those who use multiple devices
- Number of servers/locations: 1,600 servers in 75 locations
- Price: For those who use multiple devices
IPVanish is a great choice for a fast, affordable, reliable, and secure VPN service anywhere in the world. From a solid money-back guarantee and competitively priced flights to an unparalleled level of service quality, IPVanish offers an impressive package for the industry.
Pros
- Unlimited connection
- Super-fast connections
- Anonymous torrenting
Cons
- Live chat needs improvement and better uptime.
- No free option (but there is a risk-free trial).
CyberGhost
- Ideal for customers looking for an easy-to-use VPN.
- Number of servers/locations: 6000+.
- PriceClients is looking for an easy-to-use VPN.
CyberGhost is a fast and secure VPN service owned by a privacy-focused company based in Bucharest, Romania. This VPN service has been around since 2011 and fully understands the needs of the digital world: internet freedom and privacy. CyberGhost VPN is a privacy solution and follows a strict zero-logs policy. It offers a lot of features that show its potential.
Pros
- Easy-to-use platform
- Works with Netflix US
- Available plans
Cons
- Poor reputation
- Not all servers support torrenting
ProtonVPN
- Great for security and anonymity
- Number of servers/locations: 347 servers in 31 countries
- Price: Security and anonymity
ProtonVPN is a reliable VPN that prioritizes security and privacy. It includes all the features you need to protect yourself no matter what you do online. Privacy-conscious customers will appreciate features like a kill switch that terminates your connection if the VPN server goes down, even temporarily. DNS leak protection that prevents your DNS requests from being leaked. and reliable encryption, including OpenVPN protocols and AES-256 encryption.
Pros
- Absolutely flawless Swiss provider.
- Secure core, encrypted VPN tunnel, built-in TOR
- Unlimited bandwidth
Cons
- Doesn’t have as many servers as some competitors.
- Only the top-tier packages have access to all features.
UltraVPN
- Ideal for budget-friendly short-term plans.
- Number of servers/locations: 116. Number of servers in 61 locations.
- Price: Budget-friendly short-term packages.
UltraVPN offers private and secure internet access on over 100 servers in 61 countries. In a competitive market, UltraVPN stands out with its short-term packages. For example, its 1-month package costs just $6.99, which is about half the price of major VPN providers, while its 6-month package costs $4.99, which is significantly cheaper than its major competitors.
The VPN service has clients for Windows and MacOS and apps for iOS and Android. Setup is quick and easy, and the software only takes 30 seconds to download and install. Once you’re logged in, you’ll have VPN connections and a kill switch available with a single click.
Pros
- Competitive monthly and annual plans
- 30 days money back guarantee
- Easy-to-use clients/applications
Cons
- There is no free trial
- No browser extensions
Reviewing the Top VPN Services: Our Methodology
Top10.com VPN reviews are based on objective facts. Our reviews are based on the VPN provider’s website, trusted third-party websites, customer reviews, and product usage through free or, in some cases, paid trials.
It is not always possible to use a product for its full lifespan. However, reviewers will attempt to complete the registration process, make inquiries to customer service to verify response times, and perform any other tasks that may be required during the review period.
For the rest of the information, we rely on what the brand itself says about its offerings, customer reviews and complaints, ratings from independent agencies like the Better Business Bureau, and credible news publications.
Some of the key features we compared when analyzing the VPN services on our list were:
- Price
- Number of servers
- Supported software
- Netflix access
- Cancellation policy
What You Need to Know Before Choosing a VPN
The best VPN is the one you least notice. So choosing a VPN is a little different from, say, buying a car. The most important factors (security, anonymity, reliability) are the ones you’ll only notice when they’re not relevant.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself:
What will you be using the VPN for? Do you plan to stream Netflix? Download torrents? Avoid intrusive government censorship? Make sure the VPN you choose meets your needs.
What level of privacy do you need? Each provider has different types of data encryption and privacy standards. Some guarantee a no-logging policy, while others may share some of your data with third parties. Decide how important this is to you and find the service that best suits your needs.
How many people will be using it? VPN services are usually used by multiple people, although the number varies from provider to provider. Whether you have a family, roommates, or are the only user, this can help you narrow down your options.
What Types of VPNs Are There?
Not all VPNs excel at the same features. For example, the best VPN for Netflix is not necessarily the best VPN for downloading BitTorrents. Some VPNs specialize in streaming, while others may be better for general anonymity, geo-spoofing, or Android users.
Are VPNs Safe and Secure?
Yes, although your security depends on the VPN provider you choose. A reputable, well-rated VPN is trustworthy and will do more than enough to protect you and keep your online activity private. However, there are questionable VPN providers out there, and it’s best to avoid them.
How to Know: Pay attention to privacy and encryption standards. A good VPN service will have strong encryption protocols, a clearly defined privacy policy (such as a no-logs policy), and solid security features like DNS leak protection.
Tips on VPN Providers
There are many options when it comes to VPN services. Narrow your list down to the features that matter most.
Look for a service that has fast speeds to keep your connection smooth, strong security features to keep your connection private, and simple functionality so you can log in and use your VPN without any issues. Also, look for a service that offers P2P file sharing, and make sure the price is reasonable.
Here are a few more things to keep in mind.
Don’t settle for cheap. We all want to save money. Price is a reasonable criterion when purchasing any product or service. But you get what you pay for, and, especially with VPNs, a cheap service can do more harm than good. A bad VPN can give you the impression of security, making you feel more free in your online activities, while in reality making you vulnerable. We’re not saying you should go for the most expensive option. But don’t be swayed by price alone. Privacy has value; if it’s the difference between an unknown provider and a trusted one, it’s worth investing a few extra dollars to ensure you’re truly protected.
Customer Service Issues. Internet security is a major issue these days, and each of us should be proactive in keeping our information safe. A reliable and responsive customer service team is essential when you have questions about your privacy or need to resolve an issue. Plus, good customer service is often a sign of a reliable company. Live chat support
How Much Does A VPN Cost?
The average price for a legitimate VPN is around $4 per month. Some start at $2.50, while others can go up to $9.99 or more.
It’s worth noting that the price varies depending on the length of the subscription. The same company may charge $3 per month for a long-term subscription and $12 per month for a monthly subscription. For example, buying a VPN for two years can significantly reduce the price, while paying monthly can dramatically increase your monthly costs.
Free VPNs do exist, although it’s recommended to avoid them or use them with caution. While a free VPN may be sufficient for very simple web tasks, it’s unlikely to have the necessary technology and security measures to protect activities like online banking, downloading, and streaming.
Other Brands We Reviewed
This list of 10 VPNs was compiled from companies that have chosen to partner with oneTop10.com. In total, we’ve analyzed over 50 brands in our VPN provider research, and we’re constantly reviewing new ones. Interested in the pricing and features of some great VPNs not listed here? Check out our in-depth reviews of some of these great VPNs.
- Private Internet Access
- Hotspot Shield
- ProtonVPN
- Powerful VPN
- Torguard
A VPN for Any Occasion
VPN services provide an invaluable service to anyone who uses the internet. While people choose to use a VPN for a variety of reasons, it’s useful for all internet users, from casual users to Netflix fans, hardcore gamers, and of course, those who bank and shop online. Whether you’re looking for increased privacy or security, or want to access globally blocked content or download and share files, a VPN offers the benefits you’re looking for.
