Best VPNs of 2024: Upgrade Your Online Security

Best VPNs of 2024: Upgrade Your Online Security

Most of us send our most sensitive personal information through our internet connections. Online security and privacy are becoming more crucial every day. That’s why virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are now indispensable tools for internet users. But what exactly is a VPN, and why do you need one?

What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is your shield in the digital realm. It works by creating a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. Think of it as a private tunnel that keeps your online activities confidential and protected from prying eyes.

The VPN will run in the background the whole time you are on your device, as long as you have signed in.

The VPN has a server that encrypts your data. Your data is encrypted as it leaves your device, passes through the server, and goes safely to its destination.

Why You Need a VPN

Privacy Protection: With cyberthreats and data breaches on the rise, a VPN ensures that your personal information stays private while you browse online.

Anonymous Browsing: Say goodbye to online tracking! A VPN masks your IP address, making it harder for advertisers and others to trace your online movements.

Secure Wi-Fi Connections: Whether you’re at a coffee shop or an airport, a VPN keeps your data safe on public Wi-Fi networks. The VPN works from anywhere because it is works through a remote server or in the cloud.

Freedom from geo-specific filters: A VPN can conceal the physical location of your device when you are browsing the internet. This has two major advantages.

First, you have more privacy against anyone who might be trying to track your movement or find your location. Second, you can get access to more content because you will not trigger geo-specific filters. In other words, you won’t get error messages saying, “This content is not available in your area.”

VPNs improve security

Drawbacks of VPNs

VPNs also have their drawbacks, which is why they aren’t universal.

Cost: VPNs are privately provided because they require a server and staff to maintain it. The cost of most VPNs is quite low—usually only a few dollars a month. But it is an additional item in your monthly budget.

Internet Speed: Sometimes, a VPN will slow down your internet connection. This is probably the most common complaint of VPN users. But it may be well worth it to protect the vital information that most of us now keep on digital devices!

Types of VPN

VPNs come in several different forms, each of which can protect a variety of devices.

1. Remote Access VPN – This type of VPN allows users to access a specific private network remotely. For example, when you work from home, you may need to use a VPN to get into your work network and use your files.
2. Site-to-Site VPN – If your company has several locations, there may be a site-to-site VPN connecting those networks for maximum security.
3. Cloud VPN – Cloud VPNs are usually only offered to businesses by the largest cloud providers, such as Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services. These providers have the technical know-how to provide a VPN that runs directly through the internet to access cloud resources.
4. Mobile VPN – Contrary to what some may tell you on the internet, a mobile VPN is not just a VPN for cell phones. Instead, the term means a VPN designed specifically to be “mobile” between connection types.

Let’s say you are browsing the internet from a VPN on your phone in a public Wi-Fi hotspot, and the hotspot fails. Your VPN will automatically switch over to mobile data mode without disconnecting or needing a restart.

By contrast, some traditional VPNs that have been adapted for mobile devices will not automatically move between connection types. They will disconnect if your connection changes.

VPNs cover cell phones

VPN for Cell Phones

Laptops and tablets are not the only devices that need VPNs. Smartphones are just as vulnerable to cyberthreats as laptops or tablets. We also tend to use cell phones on public Wi-Fi frequently, which is risker than using a home network.

A smartphone VPN ensures that your data remains secure even on the go. The good news is that one type of “mobile VPN” can cover any device that needs to be mobile and move around. So, for example, if you order the popular NordVPN, it will protect your iOS and Android phones with an app and also cover your other devices that may be Windows, Linux, or macOS.

How to Choose a VPN

You will have plenty of choices for a VPN service provider. When you’re deciding which is best for you, don’t forget to consider these common issues:

VPN prices for multiple devices

You will get a certain number of devices covered on your plan at a specific price point. Make sure you choose a plan with the right number of devices for your household needs.

Reputation for privacy of VPN provider

The VPN will protect your data from outsiders, but staff at the VPN will have access to your unencrypted data. Make sure the VPN you choose is known for reliability, integrity, and sterling business practices.

Speed and location of servers

If you will be transmitting large amounts of data, you will want good servers from your VPN. Look for specific information on their websites to tell you about speed and bandwidth before you sign up. And check where your VPN has servers if you plan to conceal your geo-location.

Data caps

Some VPN service providers will cap how much data is allowed to cross your VPN connection each month. If you plan to stream video frequently or send large files, you may need a higher-priced plan that increases your data limits. Or, you can consider a no-data-caps provider such as Proton VPN.

VPN protocol

The VPN protocol is the set of rules your VPN app follows as it protects data when your device sends that data to the virtual private network (VPN) server. Popular VPN protocols include OpenVPN, IPSec, or Wireguard.

Check server locations

Jurisdiction of intelligence alliances

Many VPNs belong to the intelligence alliances known as Five Eyes (FVEY), Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes. These are groups of countries that monitor internet activity and share the data for international security reasons.

Five Eyes: UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand

Nine Eyes: UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway

Fourteen Eyes: US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, and Spain

Not everyone is against this kind of monitoring. But if your VPN provider is based in these jurisdictions, your info might at some point be handed over by government request. Still, if you’re not engaging in major international crime or espionage, this won’t cause you any problems.

All the VPNs on our list are based outside of Fourteen Eyes countries, with the exception of Surfshark, which is based in the Netherlands. However, SurfShark claims a no-logs policy that should prevent your data from being handed over to any governments.

Top 4 VPN Services of 2024

Here are 4 VPN providers regarded by most reviewers as the best available for personal use.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN is based in Switzerland. Location matters, because many European countries have stricter standards than the U.S. to protect your data privacy. Switzerland is also outside of the Fourteen Eyes intelligence jurisdiction. As a result, Proton VPN has a reputation for being very trustworthy and straightforward.

This provider has a “no-logs” policy, which means that their server does not store information about your online activity. In addition, unlike most VPNs, this service won’t impose data caps.

Proton also offers a free tier of its VPN service that is almost as good as its paid service. Because most free VPNs perform poorly, the Proton Free VPN is a stand-out offering in the industry.

Proton VPN uses the VPN protocols OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Stealth, plus IKEv2 for macOS. It also has a Smart Protocol feature that bypasses government censorship (in states such as China) by finding the best VPN protocol configuration depending on your location.

Proton VPN is compatible across many devices, including smartphones. You can have up to 10 devices on the paid Plus plan. Proton VPN is not quite as fast as NordVPN and tends to be similar to Surfshark in a speed loss of about 30%.

NordVPN

With an extensive server network, NordVPN provides excellent global coverage. The only downside of its global reach is the potential compromise of security caused by having offices in several countries. Because of this split identity, NordVPN is not subject to the stricter data laws of Proton VPN. NordVPN does also claim a strict no-logs policy, however, and does not keep your IP addresses on file.

NordVPN has over 5200 servers in 60 countries. It also features an automatic kill switch to interrupt your internet connection if the connection is not secure. This feature is crucial to prevent compromises or infections. You’ll also get Double VPN, which encrypts your connection not once but twice.

NordVPN is known as one of the fastest VPNs with the least speed loss at only 10% from the original connection when the VPN is activated. NordVPN is also protected by 256-bit AES, which is military-grade encryption.

NordVPN uses the VPN protocols OpenVPN and Nordlynx, which is based on WireGuard. Though NordVPN supports phones, the interface is not as mobile-friendly as ExpressVPN’s.

NordVPN will support 6 devices for you.

Speed loss?

ExpressVPN

Known for its lightning-fast speeds, ExpressVPN offers a user-friendly interface, making it ideal for beginners. Your online activities are safeguarded by military-grade encryption.

ExpressVPN has 160 locations in 105 countries, and 3,000 servers. These servers are obfuscated, meaning that they are hidden from internet monitors. You will have no shortage of servers all over the world, and especially in Asia!

Like the other VPN providers here, ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption. Protocols are OpenVPN and Lightway.

Testers report that ExpressVPN is not the fastest of the VPNs—that honor goes to NordVPN. So, if you have a slow original connection, you may notice slow speeds with this VPN. Speed loss may vary between 18-25%.

ExpressVPN also uses RAM-only servers that will not retain any information about your activity online. And unlike Surfshark, it will cover your phones as well as your laptops and notebooks. You can cover up to 8 of your devices with ExpressVPN. But ExpressVPN will be more expensive than some other VPN options.

Surfshark

This budget-friendly option doesn’t compromise on features. Unlimited simultaneous connections and robust security protocols make Surfshark stand out. You will also enjoy a CleanWeb feature that blocks ads and cookie pop-up requests.

Surfshark has all the security bells and whistles such as the automatic kill switch and camouflage mode, which disguises even the fact that you are using a VPN. Camouflage mode makes encrypted traffic look like non-encrypted traffic to monitors. This is called “obfuscation” by VPN experts.

Surfshark’s camouflage mode works very well in China. That alone might make it worth considering for international travelers.

One downside of Surfshark is that you will experience more speed loss. Some tests have shown Surfshark losing 20 – 30% of the speed of the original connection, which is not ideal. Of course, the faster your internet connection, the less speed loss will affect your activities.

Surfshark does not limit your devices on the plan.

VPN pricing

VPN Pricing

Choosing Your VPN Provider

If you haven’t used a personal VPN before, it may seem hard to choose. But based on the tips in this article, you can take a good look at speed, pricing, and protection and get started!

One good strategy may be to sign up for a VPN provider for one month and see if you like it. You can then order a year-long plan, because as you can see, you may over 60% with some annual plans.

Upgrading your Internet Speed

If you find that you want to upgrade your internet speed in order to use your VPN most effectively, check out all the plans and providers in your area by entering your zip code.