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With the NSA spying on everyone and your personal privacy being encroached upon further every day, isn’t it about time you took the initiative to look for the best VPN in 2023?
VPNs are a great way to throw government agencies, snooping co-workers, and malicious marketers off your scent with the help of internet transmission protocols that protect your identity no matter where you’re browsing on the web. But how do you know which services are there to protect you, and which are just trying to sell your info right back to advertisers for a quick buck?
Thanks to its super cheap price, hugely functional desktop client, and download speeds that leave the rest in the dust, it was no wonder we named Express VPN as the #1 pick for the best VPN of 2023.
When you compare VPN service providers, there are a lot of various factors that set the best VPNs apart from snake oil; and that’s “Virtual Private Network” if you don’t know what VPN stands for. In my three years of experience of writing on the subject, I can say confidently that I’ve seen just about everything the latter has to offer, and on the whole, you need to pay attention to three key features to make certain that you get the best service possible: security protocols, server locations, and reputation.
As far as encryption goes, in general (but not always), a VPN will encrypt the traffic sent over its wires using a number of different protocols, which can vary depending on the service you go with.
These include PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, and IPSec, all of which have their own benefits and drawbacks. To explain the technical details of each would (and has) taken several encyclopedias to get through, but on a high level, the only thing you need to know is that all the services we’ve recommended in this list specifically use a blend of the top encryption technologies, in order to maintain the fickle balance between being well-protected and still maintaining a decent amount of internet speed.
Related: 6 of the Best Paid and Free Antivirus Apps for Mac
Next up is the number of server locations the VPN supports. All of the VPNs on this list support at least 10 servers from all corners of the globe, which is important when you want to reduce the number of jumps in the chain from the server back to your computer. The more hoops your connection has to go through to get to the server, the slower it’s going to be, so having a server location as near to where you live is key when running a VPN throughout the day.
Finally there’s the reputation of each company we chose, which is something that can’t be bought, or even really quantified for that matter. Since my time as the top contributor and part-time editor for the website VPNCreative, I’ve seen quite literally hundreds of various services come and go in that amount of time, and the ones that survived did so because they have the trust and confidence of their customers. Trust is a hard thing to find in the Wild West of the web, so knowing that your VPN provider is doing everything in its power to keep your information secure is paramount above all else.
Other considerations were paid to services that specifically go out of their way not to track any of your personal data in the case of a server subpoena, as well as those that have a robust mobile app for anyone who wants to protect their traffic on the go.
Ever since the Snowden leaks first started in 2013, it’s become increasingly more apparent why personal privacy on the internet is one of the most pertinent and important issues of the modern era.
But even forgetting the unwarranted surveillance of billions between agencies like the NSA and GCHQ, a VPN is still useful for keeping your information safe from malicious adware programs that might try to scrape your data for a profit. They’re also for accessing geoblocked content on popular streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu, which will often segment their catalogs of content depending on the country you’re connecting from.
Lastly a VPN is a great investment if you’re concerned about the threat of identity theft (which you should be whether or not it’s happened to you before). Often these digital thieves will scrape your IP address from a malicious server, then trace all your activity back to build a picture of who you are and how you act on the web. After that it’s just a matter of some quick social engineering and your entire life is in their hands, pretty much the last place you’d want it to be.
VPNs take care of all of this by putting a wall of spoofed IP addresses between you and the rest of the internet, making it impossible for any outside forces to accurately tie activities like online shopping or mobile banking back to your real name or identity.
Award:Editor’s Choice/Best VPN Service
Price: $12.95 mo/$99.95 yr | Number of Servers: 136 | Server Locations: 87 countries | Free Trial?: 30-day Money-back Guarantee | Read Full Review: ExpressVPN Review
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: The Android for ExpressVPN is mobile simplicity at its finest.
If you read through any of the thousands of ExpressVPN reviews, you’d know just how much its users love the simplicity and ease of the mobile app experience. Although it doesn’t have a free trial, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with its services.
With the help of the “On” button which acts as a hot-swappable widget on Android phones, getting connected to the closest VPN server to your current location literally becomes “the push of a button”, and you’re online in seconds. ExpressVPN offers one of the best VPN services on mobile unblocking streaming sites such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer among others, includes a kill switch and also offers 24/7 Live Chat support if you run into any problems.
ExpressVPN also uses OpenVPN as its primary encryption technology, which is known for both its quickness and connection reliability when transmitting smaller packets like those you might send/request from your phone.
Mobile VPN usage is all about getting protected quickly and getting on with your day, which is why ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Android users.
View on Express VPN
Award: Fastest VPN
Price: $3.09 mo/$83.43 yr | Number of Servers: 5,000+ | Server Locations: 59 countries | Free Trial?: Yes | Read Full Review: NordVPN Review
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: NordVPN lets you stream TV and movies available in certain countries over others without sacrificing speed.
If you’re into streaming services like Netflix but can’t access certain shows or movies not available in your country, NordVPN is a reliable solution to gain access to that media. If you’re concerned about security while using NordVPN because of so many server network locations across multiple countries, let it be known that NordVPN is a secure option. The VPN uses a specialty server which has security features that help protect user data like a double VPN and dedicated IP options. Just like the VPN itself, NordVPN’s customer service is quick and reliable.
The app is easy to navigate thanks to the alphabetical list of server locations per country. It also does the thinking for you by using its algorithm to analyze the list of servers and presents to you whichever server suits your needs. If you realize that your VPN disconnects at a certain point, NordVPN uses kill switches to disconnect any apps you can connected to the interest along with the Internet connection as well.
View on NordVPN
Award: Best For Torrenting
Price: $6.95 mo/$39.95 yr | Number of Servers: 3,341 | Server Locations: 24 countries | Free Trial?: No | Read Full Review: Private Internet Access Review
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Private Internet Access puts minimalist design on top of a service that just works the way you want it to, every single time.
Private Internet Access might not be the sleekest looking VPN or the one with the most expensive mobile app, but what it lacks in polish it more than makes up for in speed, functionality, and features. The PIA VPN can be used on almost any device, with tailored Apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, as well as 3 browser extensions, and although it doesn’t have 24/7 support, it offers detailed tutorials.
PIA is the enthusiasts VPN, one that just works the way you want it to without all the extra marketing materials or flash layered on top. It looks like a piece of software that hasn’t been updated in a decade, but the backend has some of the fastest servers and most secure encryption in the industry.
When you use a VPN you want something that’s no muss, no fuss, and gets you where you’re trying to go with as little interference necessary. PIA comes with a malware/phishing filter, as well as its proprietary MACE ad-blocking software which has a level of protections that’s even more robust than what you might get with Adblock Plus or UBlock Origin. Speaking of protection PIA also offers a kill switch to protect you whenever the VPN drops, which means your details don’t get leaked out.
Lastly, PIA is far and away the cheapest option of the bunch, which can be all the more valuable if you’re already paying $100 a month or more to your ISP as it is. At just $6.95 per month on 30-day cycles and $39.95 a year ($3.33 a month), PIA has managed to combine everything we love about a product into a single, seamless package.
If you want a VPN that’s fast, protects your connection, rarely suffers any performance loss on downloads, and won’t break the bank, Private Internet Access is one of the best VPNs for 2023. And as one of the best services it is our #3 pick.
View on PIA
Award: Best VPN With The Most Countries
Price: $12.95 mo/$47.88 yr | Number of Servers: 3200+ | Server Locations: 99 countries | Free Trial?: Yes | Read Full Review: Surfshark VPN Review
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Surfshark VPN has servers across a large range of countries, offering the most geographic diversity in this list.
Surfshark lets you use a secure service across an unlimited number of devices, so all your devices will be covered under Surfshark without having to pay extra. Avid streaming service users will appreciate the huge number of countries it covers so that you can watch TV shows and films from whichever country you desire, plus the ad-blocker makes sure your watch sessions go uninterrupted.
Surfshark also offers KillSwitch where if your VPN connection drops, you’ll be disconnected from the internet. You can also be connected to two servers at once and hop between the two for extra security and privacy. If you find yourself not satisfied with Surfshark, they offer a 30-day money back guarantee. Surfshark also discloses that transaction information is kept as anonymous as you may want it to be, in case you’re concerned about personal transactional details.
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Award: Best VPN For No-Logging
Price: $10.99 mo/$47.89 yr | Number of Servers: 2000+ | Server Locations: 75+ countries | Free Trial?: No | Read Full Review: IPVanish Review
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Huge number of server locations means the fastest speeds in the business.
We love how IPVanish is one of the most private VPN services since it has a no-logging policy and doesn’t track your Internet activity, so you’re able to have that peace of mind that there’s no record of your activity that could be accessed in the future in case of a leak or data breach. You can use an unlimited number of devices with the service too, so all your devices will have a clean record and won’t have an activity log recorded of your browsing history. Navigating the app is simple enough and the fast speeds make your Internet browsing more seamless.
IPVanish does not offer a free trial at the moment, which we believe that many would appreciate a test run of the service before paying for it. It does happen to have to cheapest monthly payment on the list. And if you want a refund if your purchase isn’t satisfactory, the service does offer a 30-day money back guarantee.
View on IPVanish
Encryption Methods
Server Locations
Internet Speeds
Malware/Phishing Protection
Trial Option
Mobile App/Compatibility
Price
Company Reputation
VPN vs. Proxy: Before you sign up for a subscription, you need to know the difference between a proxy and a VPN service. While technically both achieve the same effect (ghosting your IP through an external server), that’s where the similarities end. A proxy simply takes your raw traffic and spoofs the IP behind it, without any real encryption or protecton behind it, or actually protecting it in any real way. A VPN on the other hand utilizes all the protocols we’ve talked about to layer billions of bits of encryption on every website you visit or files you download.
Double-Check the Number of Supported Connections: All the VPNs on this list support at least five simultaneous connections, but not all VPNs are created alike. If you want to connect a desktop, laptop, tablet and phone to the same VPN account and run them together without one or the other getting logged out, you’ll need a provider that supports multiple connections.
Now that you’ve got your pick for the best VPN for 2023 with Express VPN, it’s time to do a deep dive into the best routers of 2023 so you can implement an extra layer of protection when you’re browsing anonymously on the web.
Linksys routers are especially good for anyone who wants to install a third-party VPN-friendly firmware on their router like DD-WRT, which you can learn how to do yourself from the handy guide found here. Other considerations for upstart VPN users are tools like the website What’s My IP, which you should be using regularly to make sure your VPN isn’t suffering from the occasional IP leak.
If you are new to the world of private networks,...
If you are new to the world of virtual private...
If you are new to the world of digital networks,...
