READ MORE ABOUT PROTON VPN ▼
Proton VPN is easy enough to use, in the main, but there are some slight irritations on a few platforms. There are apps available for pretty much all your devices – including Linux with a graphic interface – but the Chrome browser extension version isn’t quite as reliable as the VPNs higher up, and, given the popularity of both Chrome and browsing when it comes to VPN use, it’s quite the frustration. It’s also a bit of an annoyance that the split tunneling feature isn’t available on MacOS with Proton VPN either.
Proton VPN also loses marks in this category for customer service. Like the others in this list, the live chat isn’t 24/7. It’s only available during Swiss work hours – not great if you’re based on Pacific Time in the States or you live in Australia or New Zealand.
Read more details on Proton VPN’s apps and ease of use.
Proton VPN is a good choice for both streaming and torrenting. Port forwarding is available and there are dedicated, P2P-optimized servers, which is great for the latter.
Proton also has more country locations than any other VPN. If you’re looking to connect to a regional service in Africa (22 countries) or the Middle East (14 countries) then it should be high on your list. It also has more Asia locations covered than any other provider on this page.
The trade-off is that there aren’t so many server locations in the US or across Europe, but most countries are covered in those places, even if there’s not much at the city/region level. More to the point, Proton VPN had no trouble with any local or international streaming services we tried. We managed to access the desired Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus libraries with every server we tried.
Read more details on Proton VPN unblocking and content .
Proton VPN has been built from the ground-up as a privacy-first product and there are plenty of features that show that off. Proton’s Secure Core sends your VPN traffic through an extra secure server in a privacy-friendly location (Switzerland, Iceland or Sweden) and then on to the endpoint VPN server. Similar to NordVPN’s Double VPN system, that means your traffic is secured twice, reducing the risk of your IP getting exposed if the endpoint server is hacked.
As well as OpenVPN and WireGuard, Proton uses its own Stealth protocol which hides the fact you’re even using a VPN which could be very important if you’re in a region where VPN use is banned.
Equally, you can opt to use the Alternate Routing feature instead which sends your IP-relocated internet traffic through a third-party server, like Amazon’s, for example. That helps to get around sites that don’t play nice with VPNs.
You can also connect direct to the Tor network through some Proton VPN servers which might be handy if you’re in a line of work that requires extra anonymity.
Proton VPN Plus also brings use of the NetShield Ad-blocker feature. It did a decent job with ads and trackers, although the malware blocking end wasn’t particularly comprehensive. Get a decent AV for that instead.
Read more details on Proton VPN privacy and security .
Proton VPN plays second fiddle when compared to the speeds on offer with other VPNs on this list. The VPN Accelerator feature does a good job of automatically finding the routes with better speeds when connecting to long-distance servers but if a fast VPN is your no.1 feature, then Proton won’t be the best choice.
Do bear in mind, though, that for streaming purposes, Proton VPN still has plenty under the hood. Indeed, its latency and jitter scores were nice and low, which arguably, is more important for some use cases.
Read more details on Proton VPN speed and performance .
The free version of Proton VPN is one of the best free VPNs available, and definitely worth your consideration, depending your needs. The paid version of Proton VPN is the one to go for if you want to use the streaming functionality, though. Upgrade to Proton Unlimited if you want all of that plus access to the full suite of Proton web products including Proton Mail, Proton Drive and more.
Here’s a comparison table of the Proton VPN plans so you can see for yourself:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell – Column 0 Proton Free
Proton VPN Plus
Proton Unlimited
1-month price Free
$9.99/month
$12.99/month
12-month price Free
$3.99/month
$9.99/month
24-month price Free
$3.59/month
$7.99/month
VPN ✅
✅
✅
Streaming ❌
✅
✅
Server choice ❌
✅
✅
Malware protection ❌
✅
✅
Tracker blocking ❌
✅
✅
Ad-blocker ❌
✅
✅
Tor over VPN ❌
✅
✅
Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, and Pass Free features only
Free features only
✅
It’s not all about money. The best things in life are free. Well, the fifth best things, at least. A paid VPN is a better for choice anyone serious about using a VPN on a regular basis but, if you’re looking to dip your toes in the VPN waters and see whether you like the feel, PrivadoVPN and its free tier are a good choice.
Why? Because you get to play with most of the important features that a paid VPN offers and that’s not the case for many of the other best free VPN services. You can do things like unblocking access to trans-Atlantic Netflix libraries (in a limited way) and you also get the security that PrivadoVPN won’t sell your data to make up for the fact you’re using its service for free.
READ MORE ABOUT PRIVADOVPN FREE ▼
PrivadoVPN Free doesn’t come with as much customization and functionality as a paid VPN and the upside of that is that it’s certainly easy to use. There are apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, Android TV, iOS, Apple TV, FireTV and there’s a Chrome extension too. If you’re struggling to install them, then the online knowledge base is good but live chat access is limited.
By default, the layout is a lot simpler than many, and the user-interface is uncluttered. There’s the location manager, where you choose which server you wish to connect to; the kill switch; the connect button; and a handy reminder of how much data you have left; and that’s pretty much it. Hit ‘Click to Connect’ and away you go!
Read more details on PrivadoVPN Free apps and ease of use .
Streaming is where PrivadoVPN stands head and shoulders above other free VPNs. There’s not really much streaming on offer elsewhere, without paying, because of very low data allowances and limited, or often no, server choice.
PrivdoVPN Free allows you to access its 12 servers across 9 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands UK, and USA. You also get 10 GB of data to use each month. That’s about 10, hour-long, TV shows at standard definition. If you need more than that, then maybe it’s time to pay for your VPN.
If you do bust the limit of your allowance, then PrivadoVPN will allow you to connect still but only on the 1 Mbps server. With no servers in Australia, New Zealand or Italy, there are a lot of great free streaming services that you miss out on here but it did still manage to unblock Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and ITV in our recent tests.
Read more details on PrivadoVPN Free streaming performance.
PrivadoVPN Free brings access to its VPN but not much else in the way of privacy and security features, aside the kill switch. It uses AES-256 encryption and offers OpenVPN, WireGuard protocols as well as the usually slower IKEv2, if you need.
We love that PrivadoVPN doesn’t sell its free users’ data to fund the gratis access. We love its strict no-logs policy. We love that it’s based in Switzerland too, where data protection laws are super tight. But the fact that PrivadoVPN has never had a third-party audit to check all this? Not so much. But then audits cost money and the users aren’t paying, so, you know.
Read more details on PrivadoVPN Free privacy and security .
You might expect a free VPN to be significantly slower than the paid options on this page but that’s not the case with PrivadoVPN Free. It maxed out our 950 Mbps VPN speed testing rig using WireGuard, like many of the others on this page. Like we say, you get a lot more than the other best free VPNs with PrivadoVPN. What you don’t get is the unlimited ability to use it.
Read more details on PrivadoVPN speed and performance .
PrivadoVPN would much rather you signed up to its paid VPN service. The free version is not easy to find on its website. It’s usually a greyed-out button buried pretty deep on the sign-up page.
In many ways, it has a point, though. PrivadoVPN Free is a good service but if you need a VPN on the regular, you’re better off reaching into your pocket. We even have a special $10 discount through our link which is how you get the prices below.
Here’s a feature comparison table of the PrivadoVPN Free and paid plans and you can see if you agree:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell – Column 0 PrivadoVPN Free
PrivadoVPN
1-month plan price Free
$10.99/month
12-month plan price Free
$1.33/month
24-month plan price Free
$1.11/month
VPN ✅
✅
Server countries 9
48
Data Limit 10GB/30 days
Unlimited
Simultaneous connections 1
10
Ad blocker ❌
✅
Parental controls ❌
✅
Other VPNs we’ve tested We rate the five VPNs above as the best available right now but there are plenty of other VPNs that we’ve reviewed. If you see a killer VPN deal out there for one of them, it might be worth your consideration, certainly if it’s high up this list. We’ve put the highest scoring VPNs at the top. The ones near the bottom are VPNs you should avoid.
What is a VPN? A virtual private network (VPN) is a tool that creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and another location on the internet. VPNs can be used to ensure privacy and security online by masking your IP address – and therefore your location – and encrypting data that’s transmitted to and from your device, making it impossible for third parties to intercept or track your activities.
Without a VPN, your ISP can monitor and track which websites you access and the data you’re transferring. Install a VPN and no one can see your data or what you’re doing online.
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What does a VPN do? A VPN provides security, privacy, and anonymity to you and your devices when using the internet. VPNs can also unblock your favorite streaming services from abroad, help you get cheaper prices when shopping online and they’re a terrific tool for protecting yourself on public Wi-Fi.
Most good VPNs have ad-blockers and will deal with those annoying cookie-consent pop-ups too. You can read more about the benefits of using a VPN.
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How to buy a VPN There are two important things to note when buying a VPN: you have to pay the full amount up-front BUT most come with 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can change your mind for a full refund.
So, for example, if NordVPN’s Basic plan is advertised at $3.39 per month for 24 months, that means you’ll need to pay the whole $81.36 when you sign up. (You may also have tax to pay on that, region depending.) You’ll then receive 24 months of service before you’d get the choice to pay again for another term.
As for the money-back guarantee, we’ve tried it, and it works. Most of our top picks also have 24-hour live customer support which makes it all the easier.
Finally, once you’ve bought and installed your chosen VPN, we’d advise deactivating any auto-renew settings. Some auto-renew prices can be eye-watering compared to the initial fee. Take a look at more things to consider when buying a VPN.
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What to look for in a VPN NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN are probably going to fit most people’s needs but if you’ve some specific use cases or have some key criteria, then you should probably consider the following. You can read more about each in our article on choosing a VPN.
Price
Anything under $2.50/£2.50 per month is a cheap VPN; up to $4.50/£4.50 per month is about average; and anything over $5/£5 per month is on the expensive side. There are also free VPNs but they usually come with limited usage and features. They’re not great for streaming or gaming. The longer the term of your agreement, the cheaper the price. Anything less than a year tends not to be great value.
Apps
Most VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android but do check. Linux users and anyone looking to install a VPN on an Amazon Fire Stick, a router or smart TV should definitely read the small print on this one.
Security & Privacy
Is it meeting industry standards for encryption? Is there a kill switch? Does it have a no-logs policy, and has it been audited? Look out for nifty security features that ensure no patterns to link you and your given IPs, and for anything that will help prevent encrypted data from getting cracked either now or in the future. And check the company’s track record to make sure they have kept customers safe in the past.
Server locations
Does the VPN you’re interested in have physical servers in the countries you need or just virtual VPN servers? That might be one where you live or one in a country with a geo-blocked streaming service that you’re trying to access.
Performance
Can you trust VPN speed tests? Well, you can certainly trust performance. Consistency and quality are critical. You’ll suffer poor performance if the VPN you’ve chosen has issues with latency or jitter. The end result will be packet loss during data transfer which you’ll experience as buffering or a stream dropping when using video-based applications eg: video calls, online gaming, watching Netflix.
Extras
Many providers include more than just the VPN. There are ad-blockers, password managers, anti-virus system and even cyber insurance bundled in sometimes. Are these things you’d like too, or are you better off keeping costs down? Picking the right price plan is usually the key here.
Customer support
Most of our top VPN providers have excellent, 24/7 live customer support. They’re there to help you with any issues from solving your streaming problems to arranging the refund from your money-back guarantee. If the service you’re looking at doesn’t offer something similar, then you might want to think again.
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Are VPN’s legal? Yes. VPNs are legal to use in most places around the world. The exceptions are North Korea, Belarus, Oman, Iraq and Turkmenistan, where VPNs are illegal, and China, Russia, Turkey, UAE, India, Iran, Egypt, and Uganda where you can only use a state-approved VPN, the actual privacy of which would be questionable at best.
But, as far as everyone in the US, UK, Europe and most other places go, yes, VPNs are perfectly legal to use. Go get one!
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Do you need a VPN? Good question. No. Not everyone needs a VPN. But they can be useful depending on who you are, what you do and how you like to use the internet and online services.
If you want to access to streaming services from all around the world – BBC iPlayer, ITV, SBS On Demand, 9Now, RAIPlay, Max, ESPN+, Sling, Hulu, etc – then a VPN is the best way to do that. Equally, a VPN is perfect for making sure you can access the right libraries for Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus.
Primarily, though, VPNs are about online security. For the everyday user, that might mean staying safe while using public Wi-Fi, or minimizing cookies and trackers harvesting your details as your browse the web and use other connected services. That should lead to less email spam and fewer chances of cybercrime attacks too because you’re far less likely to have your details stolen in any online database hacks.
Some VPNs can offer a more ad-free online experience too while others have built-in tools to help steer you away from fraudulent websites and malware.
The only group for whom we’d say that VPNs are a must are journalists, political activists and people around the world who need to protect themselves from oppressive governments, access foreign media, and learn and report on global truths. If you want to make sure you’re able to evade censorship and propaganda while maintaining anonymity and privacy online, a VPN is a non-negotiable.
For any of those reasons above, or if you just want peace of mind that you’re more in control of your personal data in a rapidly progressing digital age, then a VPN is probably a good idea. Give one a go and try for yourself. Most have a 30-day money back guarantee if you decide a VPN is not for you.
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Are free VPNs as good as paid VPNs? A free VPN might be enough if you don’t intend to use it much or don’t need to use it for streaming or gaming. There are some bad free ones out there but if you choose one of the best free VPNs then you won’t come unstuck.
A free VPN is usually limited in the amount of data it offers each month or by the number of server locations it offers. That’s why streaming on a free VPN isn’t usually going to work. You can certainly expect far fewer features on a free VPN too.
Take a look at our free vs paid VPNs page for a better idea, and do check out these free VPN trials of paid services. All those listed there will offer a refund inside of 30 days if you’re not happy with the service.
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How we test VPN services We’ve been testing VPNs for longer than almost any other online publication and feel very confident about our methodology.
Each VPN is tested twice per year on TechRadar . That way, we can be sure that this guide is as up-to-date as possible whenever you happen to be reading it. Every recommended VPN on this page has been fully reviewed.
We test all the VPNs on the following categories:
Feature analysis: Technical details, network size, server locations and supported protocols.
Privacy and security: Privacy policies, encryption methods, independent security audits, data leak protections.
Performance testing: Connection speeds, connection times, video streaming performance, web browsing performance, gaming performance, torrenting performance.
Unblocking abilities: VPNs are tested against over 20 of the most common streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and many more.
Support and reliability: Customer support facilities, such as live chat and email support and help sections on provider websites.
You can read more about about our full VPN testing methodology here.
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
