Best VPN Services Of 2023: VPNS Tested And Rated By Our Experts

However, it is essential that you find out how to protect your security the more you rely on the internet. This is what VPN is for, and you have to get the best VPN to ensure your digital security.

Best VPN Services of 2023 – Our Top 5 Picks

1. NordVPN - The biggest name in the business

The Best VPN Product Reviews

A Virtual Private Network or VPN allows the establishment of a protected network connection when accessing the web via public networks. It redirects your IP address to remote VPN servers run by a host to hide it from the prowlers.

This means that you will have private internet access whenever and wherever you want.

Having a good VPN connection is crucial in this day and age. Private internet access can help protect your identity and resources, so come and take a peek at some of the best VPN services this 2023:

#1 NordVPN - The biggest name in the business

NordVPN is one of the most renowned VPN providers throughout the world. This is the combination of real brand power and excellent service, easily making them the best VPN to this day.

It continues to live up to being the biggest player in the industry, and it doesn't fail to deliver despite certain setbacks.

The good thing about the service is that it keeps up-to-date in terms of the features to ensure that new threats are handled. Its most recent rollout is the Threat Protection feature, which makes it possible for users to block malicious sites, trackers, and ads and scan for malware.

It's currently available on Mac and Windows, and it has also recently launched a browser extension for Microsoft Edge.

It has also collaborated with another great VPN service, SurfShark. While remaining as individual products, the two will be sharing resources as a single corporate entity.

It may be atop of the best VPN providers, but it also comes with a price. You may want to go for the longest plan available to get the most value for your money.

Its one-month plan starts at $11.99, but if you commit for one year, the price will be $4.99 per month. The two-year plan offers the best value as of this writing, which is priced at $3.39 a month.

Pros:

• Efficient live chat support that is quick to address concerns

• Additional privacy features and continuous updates

• Unblocks Disney+, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix

• Independent privacy audit

Cons:

• Doesn't have the best mobile interface with an awkward map-based feature

• The subscription price keeps on increasing upon renewal

>>>>Click here for NordVPN<<<<

#2 ExpressVPN - The best VPN service in 2023

Aside from being packed with features, ExpressVPN continues to rise above the challenge presented by the stiff competition it is in. It is stable and has user-friendly apps.

The price tag may be considered premium, but you will get what you pay for since it is noted as one of the best VPN services today.

This VPN service delivers excellent speeds on all platforms and has strict security and privacy features. The service works well for newbies and experienced users with a well-rounded privacy package.

ExpressVPN has been in the business since 2009, making them one of the greats when it comes to VPN providers. Since then, it has delivered superior service from its base in the British Virgin Islands.

It has millions of clients who can attest to how it works well in many parts of the world, its top-notch connection speeds, and its most expansive reach of server locations.

The only setback to the service is the price. Many new users might get intimidated by the $6.67 monthly dues for a 12-month plan.

The amount was supposed to be $12.95 per month, but the service makes the first three months free. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and the use of Backblaze as a cloud backup as part of the 12-month plan.

Pros:

• Superb customer support team

• Excellent speed of its Lightway protocol

• App design looks classy

• Wide reach of locations and plenty of servers

Cons:

• For every plan, the service only offers five simultaneous connections

• Can be seen as more expensive than its contemporaries

>>>>Click here for ExpressVPN<<<<

#3 Surf Shark VPN - Easy to use VPN that's great value

Since they are partners with NordVPN, you may also consider SurfShark as a solid VPN.

This VPN provider is powerful and highly polished. The pricing is also tempting, which qualifies the service as another best VPN option.

Despite being relatively new since it was only established in 2018, many users consider the service one of the best, and it has kept on making waves in the industry.

SurfShark VPN keeps users updated with the latest threats and innovations. Its most recent update is the IP rotating tool called the Nexus feature.

This feature provides a solid VPN connection while changing your IP. It has improved its WireGuard speeds and has also launched an extension for Microsoft Edge.

The company values its no-logs policy, hence its decision to relocate. From the British Virgin Islands, its official base of operations transferred to the Netherlands.

This is due to the country's claim that companies have no legal obligation to retain or log user data.

Aside from the superb technicalities, its biggest draw remains its pricing. As of this writing, its two-year plan that comes with two free months is priced at $2.30 each month.

Pros:

• Offers excellent customer support

• Reliable streaming performance

• Users get peace of mind with its fresh security audit

• Pricing is lower than many other leading names in the industry, with a low introductory price

• Partners with NordVPN, one of the best VPN providers

Cons:

• Speeds can be improved, but they are now close to the other leading services

• Kill switch fails in rare instances

>>>>Click here for Surf Shark VPN<<<<

#4 PureVPN - A middling VPN service that delivers fantastic deals

This is one of the oldest running VPN services to date since it has been around since 2007. You can be sure that PureVPN is a secure VPN service.

It is packed with valuable features at prices that remain affordable. It currently has an overwhelming number of servers (6,500) situated in 78 countries.

Aside from a vast selection of locations to connect to, it is loaded with features that may appeal to those with experience using this kind of service. These features include DNS leak protection, IPv6, and P2P support.

The pricing of the service is average, but you will get cheaper deals if you avail of the more extended plans. As of this writing, its one-month plan is priced at $10.95.

It will get cheaper when you avail of longer plans. Your monthly would fall at $3.32 for a one-year plan and $2.04 per month for a two-year plan.

PureVPN offers quality specs, and you can trust the service for its security. It has a kill switch to cut your connection out for dropped VPN, supports split tunneling, IPv6 leak protection and DNS, and it gives you access to IKEv2 and OpenVPN.

They added a zero-logging audit in its latest update, and it has also relocated its base from Hong Kong to the British Virgin Islands.

Its server infrastructure is also starting to upgrade from 10 to 20Gbps.

As one of the cheapest VPN out there, this company is surprisingly good when it comes to their services. Since they've been running for a long time, many experienced users consider them the best VPN.

Pros:

• Supports a wide range of devices

• Useful for BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Netflix

• You can share numerous simultaneous connections

• The zero-logging audit update

Cons:

• The kill switch and other apps tend to be slightly buggy

• Cannot unblock Amazon Prime Video

• Has poor customer service support

>>>>Click here for PureVPN<<<<

#5 StrongVPN - Robust VPN that lives up to its name

This one may not be the best VPN, but it boasts of a reliable VPN service. You can count on StrongVPN for mobile support and decent performance, especially when used on many devices for browsing, streaming, and other tasks at the same time.

This VPN provider has been in the industry since 2005, and it has continued to grow through the years. It offers two choices for the plans — one month for $10.99 and one year for $43.99 for the initial year and $79.99 for every year after.

It has a 30-day money-back guarantee despite having no VPN free trial. You can use such time to test all features before continuing with the plan.

This is a good choice for new VPN users. It is simple, and the company provides a straightforward explanation of how everything works.

Pros:

• Has SugarSync storage of more than 250GB

• Capability to unblock Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Netflix

• Can be used for more than 12 simultaneous connections

• Offers a money-back guarantee for 30 days

• Uses the 256-bit encryption for an excellent basic privacy

Cons:

• Cannot unblock BBC iPlayer

• WireGuard below average speeds

>>>>Click here for StrongVPN<<<<

What Is VPN?

As much as the internet is helpful, it also becomes confusing at times with the acronyms used to pertain to specific services.

For example, you have to obtain an IP from your ISP so you can have a URL to access the DNS — and it doesn't stop there before you even get private internet access.

While experts may have no issues understanding all these ABCs, what about the average internet user? It's actually no big deal that you don't understand all these as long as you can use them with ease.

However, there is one acronym that all computer owners and users must know, and this is VPN or Virtual Private Network.

There are numerous VPN services out there, such as Norton Secure VPN, Proton VPN, CyberGhost VPN, Robust VPN, and more.

VPN is a measure done to secure or encrypt your data to keep it safe. It serves as a layer of protection in shielding your identity, giving you private internet access while browsing the web.

You must never be too trusting when surfing the web. You never know when a hacker will attack and access your data or files without your consent.

You've seen it on the news, and the number of victims of online hacking won't stop when people don't take action to secure their connection and protect what they've got.

That's why getting the best VPN service is crucial today.

Here's what it's like to have your computer secured with a VPN. The usual way of accessing the internet is by doing it directly via your internet service provider (ISP).

The connection can be fast, but it is rarely secured. You can also be easily traced through your dedicated IP address, and DNS leaks will only give you further headaches.

Who can possibly be interested in tracing you? Aside from hackers, your online activity may be traced by advertisers.

You may suddenly get a deluge of notifications in your social media accounts or emails about a miracle slimming pill on sale, furniture on sale, meet and greet your favorite artist for a small fee, and many others.

The owners of these advertisements may have accessed your online activity and suggested ads related to the sites you've visited or seen.

On the other hand, when you access the internet through the use of a VPN, your connection won't be directly made via your ISP.

Instead, it will go through what can be compared to a secure tunnel that will direct your connection to a server based in another location. The location can be in a different country or another city.

With unlimited simultaneous connections, the server network will access the internet on your behalf. It works by masking your location so you won't be easily traced.

The internet thinks that you are located where the server is. As a result, you will keep your location and data safe while enjoying private internet access.

You can even enjoy streaming services at peace without worrying about invasion of privacy via your account.

So, why is a private internet access VPN important? Remember that whenever you access a website, that site can see some levels of data about your computer.

This is possible since your computer connects to the server that hosts the site, making simultaneous connections in a few clicks.

You can think of this service as a hotspot shield. When you have the best VPN, your data gets scrambled since you don't access the website directly, but your connection reroutes to a private server.

This makes it difficult for third parties to access your actual data or track your online activities.

With a number of simultaneous connections, these services will hide your identity without even breaking a sweat. The best VPN services protect IP addresses from being intruded by online criminals, establishing a secure connection either for private or public use.

Quick Recap on VPN's History

When the VPN industry was first conceptualized, they were initially intended to protect the sensitive data of big corporations from being sent to private and public networks. This was the standard VPN protocol back then.

As WikiLeaks gained popularity in many households through the years, the personal VPN market has also experienced significant growth. Unlimited connections allow each user to browse the internet without fear, and VPN connections are now a necessity for the wary internet user.

Encryption

As you learn more about VPNs, it is necessary to understand that not all VPN encryption is the same. Common terms you may encounter include 128-bit encryption versus 256-bit encryption or PPTP versus OpenVPN.

You don't actually have to understand all these and other protocols for simultaneous connections as a personal user. You must only have the basic understanding that the higher bit encryption rate works better than its lower counterparts, making it the best VPN option.

However, any form of VPN encryption can already be deemed better than having nothing at all.

Above all else, the main usage of a VPN is to secure your browsing activity. However, it has added uses if you own a small business. It enables you to give your business network remote access.

You can also choose to set up VPN traffic at your home to make it possible to access files and computers on your local network even when you are not in the office. Again, this is made possible with the help of simultaneous connections from the best VPN service.

VPN uses a private network for your internet traffic no matter your purpose for using the service.

If the purpose is public, VPN allows you to connect to the secure servers of a private network before rerouting your connection for private internet access. If it's for private use, VPN enables you to access computers and files without exposing them to probable hackers waiting for unsecured connections.

Another essential thing to take note is that a free service may not be the best choice. While there may be free VPN providers out there, numerous professionals work hard to develop a highly-secured VPN software.

If you want services from the best VPN companies, you might as well pay for it. There's a slim chance of even getting private internet access from a free VPN service.

How Do VPNs Work?

To help you understand how VPNs work, it's like going to a coffee shop and connecting to the internet without worrying that a hacker somewhere in the same area could access the websites you are visiting or passwords you're typing.

A VPN also tricks or spoofs the internet by making it think you're in a different location. For example, you are using the internet with your computer from your home in South Korea, but you can spoof your location to Paris or California with a VPN.

It becomes more important if you are a frequent traveler who likes using a streaming service like Amazon, Hulu, Pandora, Netflix, and others that restrict access depending on geo-location.

Remember that hackers can also access devices other than your personal computer, such as an Android TV.

Added Level of Security

This is the main purpose of VPNs — to add a bunch of security features to your connection. A secure VPN works by enabling you to change your IP address, so it would look like you are accessing internet traffic from a different location.

These VPN providers use strong encryption when you first course your connection via their network for extra security. This is the standard VPN protocol.

How can they do all these? The best VPN services use specific VPN protocols or the instructions given to the computer about how they should connect with a VPN server.

After telling your computer what it is supposed to do, it establishes your connection and maintains stability while you are connected. The encryption standards are part of the protocols used by these VPN services.

If you need more protection, you can always use two VPN servers (double VPN) for a more secure and private internet access.

Learning About VPN Encryption

Since encryption is the main reason a user needs for VPN usage, here's a brief idea about it. No matter the connection you're using, many of your online activities already have some form of encryption.

However, it doesn't prevent the encrypted connection from exposing your personal details.

It's like this — think of your web connection as a tunnel with layers of encryption. The latter is supposed to hide from others your online activity.

For example, you logged into your Facebook account. This means that you have passed your personal information from your computer to the social media site via a tunnel that only you can access.

This is the same process that happens when you use a VPN, only this time, it is more secure and the encryption stronger. In this setup, your data is given to a VPN server.

The information becomes anonymous before the VPN lets it out to the internet. In short, VPN encrypts everything to make it hard to access from the outside.

Most of these VPN services use a 256-bit key AES cipher. AES or Advanced Encryption Standard is a block cipher that is considered a standard in the industry, which works by breaking data into blocks before encrypting them.

So when your computer connects to a VPN service, the server works so that you get to access an encrypted connection. It verifies that you are accessing the server where you want to connect.

Once connected, the VPN protects your browsing history and data from anyone situated outside of the "tunnel." It assures you that your data won't go beyond the VPN server.

In short, VPN gives you access to an encrypted channel while securing your data from going to and back from the server. It also ensures you that no one is able to trace what you are doing while connected to this encrypted server.

Do VPNs Really Work?

With technology going forward each day, it is understandable for people to doubt everything they see online. When it comes to VPNs, the level of effectiveness will depend on the service you are using.

This is why you have to go through the best VPN reviews to gauge which one can get you the most for the price within your means.

The hesitation of some people about VPNs is understandable. Most VPN providers introduce their services for free, but you need to be wary of these offers.

There have been incidents of free version services being led to a level of security risks. The VPN connection fails most of the time, and the user tends to face security issues more.

For example, Hola is considered the best free VPN these days, which is connected to the network called Luminati.

Its subscribers used to pay every month to connect their devices using the bandwidth of this free VPN service. As a result, the user's hardware created a botnet without their knowledge.

However, the issues have been resolved, and Luminati has since then gotten past their issues related to botnets.

Another issue that painted a bad image on VPNs was the reported case of Facebook offering mobile users $20 every month as payment for connecting to a so-called Project Atlas VPN. An investigation led by TechCrunch said that the VPN was a disguise to give Facebook illegal access to mobile devices.

Despite the issues, VPNs have proven their benefits to the security of people accessing the web for various reasons. You must choose a reliable provider with good background and rave reviews from those who have tried the service.

It is also possible now to check if your VPN is working. You can use free tools to check WebRTC information and DNS requests and verify your IP address.

After connecting to your VPN, you can run the tests on ipleak.net or ipleak.org. The results will show if you are connected to the service and if the VPN is working as it should.

Most VPN services are directly connected to these sites to assure users of their authenticity.

Why Do You Need A VPN?

These days, it's becoming more common to hear about people's privacy getting exploited, identities stolen, or emails getting hacked. It's frightening, but it's already a part of many people's new reality.

Securing your dedicated IP addresses is as crucial or, in some cases, may even be more important than locking your doors.

The problems arising from unsecured computers are not that simple to deal with. Identity theft cannot be resolved through a basic wipe and replace.

It's more complicated than that. It may even take years to recover your identity.

So, how would you protect yourself from these unseen intruders? Simply look for the best VPN services!

Aside from using secure and long passwords or updating the settings of your social media accounts, one of the easiest steps to get this done is by using a VPN.

However, no VPN service is perfect. They are not foolproof and won't totally make you anonymous when using the internet. But it is the best step you can follow to secure yourself online.

Aside from changing your IP address, a VPN service allows you to do many things. Here are the top reasons why you need a VPN:

Privacy

VPN uses encryption to protect your privacy. It's like putting a hard-to-open lock on your data door.

The technique works by scrambling your data. You hold the key to unlock or decrypt the data stored in specific VPN servers.

What happens is that VPN sends your data in an encrypted tunnel so it will not be visible to anyone before it goes to the internet. Typically, your internet browser sends metadata when you visit a website. The best VPN hides this metadata.

What data does the VPN hide from the rest of the virtual world? They include your screen resolution, operating system, content-language, time zone, and location.

Torrenting

While this is still considered a benefit of VPNs, you have to use this at your own risk. A premium VPN server removes a lot of restrictions, but somehow, it also removes some people's accountability.

They explore what VPNs can do by utilizing peer-to-peer file sharing, also known as torrenting. They engage in various illegal activities online, including sharing of copyrighted materials.

It may sound dubious, but it isn't necessarily illegal. You can use it to send personal content and public domain. For example, instead of paying for streaming services, most people download movies through torrenting.

However, beware that some countries penalize the use of torrents in downloading copyrighted content, making the use of VPNs illegal in torrenting such content. Despite this, many still explore this feature since VPNs allow them to hide their identities, making it difficult to track them down.

Streaming

Most streaming services, such as Netflix, provide different content depending on your location. Since a different IP address allows you to change your virtual location, you can access the content from these sites that are not available where you really are.

Hacking Prevention

This also falls under the encryption method deployed by your VPN company. They protect your metadata from the rest of internet users around the world.

Why is it important to protect the data? With the rapid advancement of technology today, hackers, advertisers, and government agencies can use the details against you.

The most secure VPN will hide all your metadata, including your browsing history. This way, no one can trace what you're doing online, including your internet service provider.

Bypass Government Restrictions

VPN enables bypassing of censorship. Geo-blocking or region locking is something that many government agencies from different countries employ. They block services and websites depending on your IP address.

You will get through this feature with a different IP address from your VPN service. It will bypass the restrictions that would not have been possible to access using your original IP address.

Access Work Networks

You can use the service to access a private network or work networks remotely. The VPN serves as the barrier between the open web and your personal or private network.

For entrepreneurs or those who work remotely, you can access the home base of your office through a VPN, no matter where you are. Work or business continues even as you travel or visit a relative from afar.

What VPNs Protect Against

Here are the top three online threats that VPNs protect you against:

While a VPN can't stop all forms of cyberattacks, it effectively deals with the most common, including the following:

Remote Hacking

This is an old technique used by hackers but is still effective up to this day. They track your IP address to gain access to your system.

Most sites you click online can track IP addresses, so you better use a VPN before it's too late.

While you may think it's okay since you frequent reliable websites, you never know when any of these websites will be compromised by an attacker. When this happens, the hacker will also gain access to your IP address.

MITM Attack

MITM stands for man-in-the-middle. It's like a hacker is eavesdropping as you try to communicate with a web server or another person online.

They steal data from an ongoing data transfer or conversation without you knowing.

Hackers can easily intercept data transfers, especially when they find out that you have weak encryption standards. They use this to steal login credentials or credit card details.

DDoS/DoS Attacks

Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attacks happen when hackers send unwanted traffic and requests to your network.

They do this to crash the service or website you want to access that will force you to go offline. You let them win when you stop with what you're doing since they can do whatever they want using your data.

Identity Theft

You never know when someone crooked is tracking what you're doing online. They can get all data, including your banking details and personal information, which they can use for their own gains. They can use the data, such as your passwords, credit card information, and other details about you, to make online transactions on your behalf.

They can wipe out your savings and credit card limit and make expensive purchases without you knowing. And worse, they can use your personal information to create an online profile that will transact dubious transactions under your name.

Tracking and Targeted Ads

VPN will stop hackers and ad companies from tracking your online activities by encrypting your online details and changing your IP address. This way, they won't be able to send you spam ads related to the content you have visited or websites that you have clicked.

VPN Pros and Cons

VPNs add a layer of protection to your online privacy and security. If VPNs are so important, then why isn't everyone using them? First of all, many internet users still don't realize that something as simple as connecting to a public Wi-Fi can put their security at high risk.

Other people don't like using VPNs because the service slows down their internet speed. The loss of speed is expected since the connection will go through encrypting and rerouting.

Another common reason many people do not want to use VPNs is that you need to pay to get a personal VPN service. You may have seen offers of free VPNs, but always put in mind the cliche that nothing in the world is free.

The so-called free VPNs may display too many ads or, worse, may sell your information. Why use a VPN even though it is free if your data will be put at risk? VPNs are supposed to protect your data and not sell them for profit.

The Pros of Using VPNs

Privacy

Many organizations are willing to pay to access people's personal data. And in the US, it is not illegal for ISPs to sell such data. Some businesses even devote their time to data mining, so you never know when your details are getting compromised just by going online.

A VPN works like an invisibility cloak that hides your activity and data from prying eyes. You will become anonymous with a different IP address, so cybercriminals and your ISP won't track what you're doing.

Security

Doing your simple tasks online, such as online shopping or checking your email, can put your details at risk of getting into the wrong hands. These lurkers are after your bank statements, messages, passwords, and other personal information.

They can do so many things with the data once they obtain them, and more often than not, you will only become aware of what happened after the dubious act has been done. VPN gives you an encrypted connection to block these peeping Toms from gaining access to your information.

You no longer have to deal with ISP bandwidth throttling

There are times when your ISP limits your internet speed all of a sudden. This is what you call bandwidth throttling.

They can do it for reasons such as accessing a high-bandwidth application, reaching your data cap, or using the internet during peak hours. With a VPN service, your ISP cannot throttle your data no matter what you do online

The Cons of Using VPNs

Slower connection

This is inevitable since your connection will go through an encrypted tunnel first and not directly to the public network. There are also cases when you can experience delays when logging into a different server from your location.

This is tolerable for personal use. It only becomes a hassle if you run a business that relies on multi-stream or heavy-bandwidth workflows.

The existence of low-quality VPNs

If you are using a free VPN, then do not expect the same level of security that a paid VPN can offer. Some low-quality VPNs do not include encryption, and there are free VPNs that sell your activity or information to third-party advertisers.

Activity logs

Many VPN services keep records of your online activity logs. They can sell them to third parties without your consent. There are also countries where VPN providers are legally required to keep a detailed history of their users' activity logs.

This is why many VPN services transfer to countries that do not impose strict regulations about keeping these logs. Some of the countries that require VPN services to keep a comprehensive record of their users' logs include France, Australia, and the US.

Types of VPNs

VPNs come in many types, but the services typically fall under four main categories - site-to-site, mobile, remote access, and personal. You will need the kind of VPN that matches how you often use the internet.

Here are the top three kinds of internet users and what types of VPNs suit them:

Home

For home use, you will get enough protection from using personal VPNs. They can bypass geographic restrictions and firewalls, and make private and secure connections to the public internet.

Business

Many businesses use remote-access VPNs. They will allow your employees who are working remotely or traveling to access your company's private network.

For businesses wherein multiple companies or multiple sites try to connect to one private network, the best type of VPN service that can handle such functions is site-to-site

Travel

If you often find yourself with a weak internet connection, especially when you frequently travel, a mobile VPN can help you connect to access your company's private network. This is also applicable to companies whose remote employees do not have a consistent internet connection.

Final Thoughts – Best VPN

A VPN is not an internet connection but only a secure measure to make private internet access possible. You don't have to understand all connection protocols. Most of the services are easy to use, even for those not savvy with technology.

You have to seriously consider getting the best VPN service if you often use public Wi-Fi at places like the airport, local grocery store, coffee shop, church, or anywhere else outside of your home. They keep you protected and safe from online lurkers, making it more enjoyable to surf the web anywhere you are.