Top 5 VPN for 2025

Privacy
NordVPN boasts impressive privacy credentials. Based in Panama, a country with robust data protection laws, it operates outside the reach of major surveillance alliances. Its no-logs policy has undergone four independent audits, including recent reviews by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Deloitte, with the latest completed in late 2023. Further demonstrating its commitment to security, NordVPN also underwent penetration testing and app reviews by Cure53 in 2023, showcasing its proactive approach to addressing vulnerabilities.

The kill switch feature performed flawlessly during testing, instantly disconnecting internet access when the VPN connection was interrupted. This robust safety measure ensures no accidental exposure of sensitive data. For those looking for even greater protection, NordVPN offers Double VPN, which encrypts traffic twice for enhanced privacy.

Speed
NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol delivers impressive speeds, making it ideal for data-intensive activities like streaming and video conferencing. In a 2024 CNET speed test, NordVPN averaged just an 11% speed loss, and a PCMag test even recorded a surprising 3.8% increase in download speeds, highlighting the VPN’s capabilities. While you shouldn’t expect it to consistently boost your internet speeds, NordVPN’s performance ranks among the fastest, ensuring a smooth online experience without compromising security.

Price
NordVPN’s Basic plan, priced at $3.39 per month for a two-year term, offers excellent core VPN features. Additional plans bundle extras like an ad blocker, password manager, and cloud storage, with prices starting at $4.39 per month for the Plus plan and $8.39 per month for the Prime plan, which includes identity theft protection. All plans are billed upfront for the full term, with the Basic plan costing $81.36 for two years. Monthly and annual plans are available but come at higher per-month rates. A 30-day money-back guarantee ensures flexibility for new users. Although it lacks a free version, the company’s generous money-back guarantee ensures users can try it risk-free.

Value for Money
NordVPN may not be the cheapest option, but it—depending on subscription plan—offers excellent value with its comprehensive suite of features, combining the functions of a VPN, ad-blocker, and antivirus. With access to over 7,000 servers in 118 countries, including 16 in the U.S., it ensures robust security and flexibility. Advanced features like double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Meshnet, and split tunneling provide enhanced encryption and customization, making it suitable for both casual users and power users seeking more control.

Customer Support
NordVPN provides reliable customer support, including 24/7 live chat, email assistance, and an extensive library of guides and FAQs.

NordVPN’s focus on privacy, speed, and robust security features make it a top-tier VPN for users looking for comprehensive online protection. Its continuous investment in third-party audits and cutting-edge technology solidifies its position as a trusted and reliable VPN provider.

Privacy
Surfshark excels in keeping your online activity private, bolstered by its first quarterly transparency report released in August 2024. The report detailed that Surfshark disclosed no user-related data in response to over 350,000 DMCA requests and 45 government inquiries between April and June 2024. However, its jurisdiction in the Netherlands, part of the 14 Eyes data-sharing alliance, may raise concerns for users with heightened privacy needs. Despite this, Surfshark’s RAM-only servers ensure no data is stored permanently, and a strict no-logs policy guarantees your browsing habits remain confidential. Additional features like MultiHop, which routes your traffic through multiple servers, and CleanWeb, which blocks trackers and malicious ads, provide extra layers of protection.

Speed
Utilizing the efficient WireGuard protocol, Surfshark delivers some of the fastest speeds in the VPN market, comparable to NordVPN, enabling seamless streaming and browsing in HD or 4K without buffering. A 2024 CNET test showed an average speed loss of just 17%, further highlighting its strong performance. While its server network of 3,200+ servers across 100 countries is smaller than some competitors, Surfshark’s performance remains consistently reliable, with specialty servers like obfuscated options available for added functionality.

Price
Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPNs, with long-term plans starting at just $2.19 per month for a two-year subscription. While the monthly plan is pricier at $15.45, the two-year plan costs $59.13 upfront and renews annually at $59.76. Annual plans are $47.85 for the first term, renewing at $59.76 thereafter. Both long-term plans include three free months and a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free.

Value for Money
Surfshark offers excellent value with unlimited device connections and advanced features like MultiHop (double VPN) and CleanWeb (ad-blocking and malware protection), which are typically reserved for higher-tier plans in other VPNs. Despite its smaller server network, the ability to connect multiple devices on a single account without extra fees makes it stand out. While its monthly subscription cost is on the high side, long-term plans provide significant savings for users looking for advanced functionality at a reasonable price.

Customer Support
Surfshark’s customer support is robust, featuring a dedicated support site with FAQs, guides, and tutorials for common setup and usage issues. While the knowledge base primarily caters to beginners, more advanced users can rely on the 24/7 live chat to resolve specific concerns. The support team is responsive and well-informed, ensuring a smooth troubleshooting experience for users of all technical skill levels.

Surfshark’s combination of privacy, speed, and affordability makes it a strong contender in the VPN market, especially for users who need reliable protection across multiple devices without breaking the bank.

Privacy
Proton VPN prioritizes privacy with strong encryption, a no-logs policy, and open-source apps for full transparency. Based in Switzerland, it operates outside surveillance alliances like the 14 Eyes. Its kill switch performs reliably, preventing data leaks. Proton VPN recently passed its third consecutive third-party audit by Securitum in July 2024, further validating its strict no-logs policy. With additional features like an ad blocker and Tor over VPN, it remains an excellent choice for users who require heightened privacy.

Speed
Proton VPN delivers respectable speeds in tests, with a speed loss of 21% in a 2024 test by CNET. Although slightly slower than some competitors, it leverages OpenVPN to provide secure and stable connections. Automatic server selection further optimizes performance, ensuring smooth HD and 4K streaming with minimal lag. This consistency makes it a reliable choice for various online activities, including streaming and browsing.

Price
Proton VPN’s pricing starts at $4.49 per month for the Plus plan with a 2-year subscription. This plan provides access to over 9,900 servers in 117 countries and supports up to 10 devices. The Unlimited plan, priced at $7.99 per month, includes additional privacy tools such as encrypted email, secure cloud storage, and a password manager, offering a complete security package. For those opting for monthly subscriptions, the Plus plan costs $9.99 per month, while the Unlimited plan is priced at $12.99 per month.

A 30-day money-back guarantee allows users to explore the service risk-free. Proton’s free version, though limited to servers in five countries, offers decent speeds and privacy features, standing out as one of the best free options available.

Value for Money
Proton VPN provides a balance of premium features and affordability. Its free plan is among the best in the market, while paid options deliver advanced tools and reliable performance. Although Surfshark offers comparable features for a lower cost, Proton’s Swiss jurisdiction and open-source transparency may justify its slightly higher price for users prioritizing privacy and trustworthiness.

Customer Support
Proton VPN offers robust support resources, including comprehensive guides, FAQs, and an informative knowledge base that caters to both new and experienced users. While live chat support is not available, the email support team is responsive and helpful, though response times may vary depending on the complexity of the query. Overall, the support system ensures users can resolve most issues efficiently.

Proton VPN’s dedication to privacy, transparency, and reliable performance makes it a strong option for individuals seeking a trustworthy and feature-rich VPN service tailored to their security needs.

Privacy
When it comes to privacy, ExpressVPN sets the bar high. Based in the British Virgin Islands, the provider benefits from strong data privacy regulations. It adheres to a no-logs policy that’s been independently verified by KPMG, and its 2024 transparency report confirmed it has no user data to share.

The Lightway protocol—recently upgraded with “Post-Quantum Protection”—prepares for future security threats, while its “TrustedServer” wipes everything clean with each reboot, thanks to RAM-only servers. These measures, paired with strong encryption, ensure your online identity stays intact.

Speed
ExpressVPN delivers solid performance, securing a second-place finish in PCMag’s speed test for download speeds, just behind NordVPN, though its upload speeds were slightly slower. A 2024 CNET speed test reported a 25% speed loss. While it doesn’t quite match the speeds of NordVPN or Surfshark, ExpressVPN remains a dependable choice for streaming, gaming, and video calls, offering smooth performance without noticeable interruptions.

Price
ExpressVPN offers three pricing plans (as of January, 2025.) The monthly plan costs $12.95 per month, providing flexibility but at the highest per-month rate. For long-term savings, the annual plan costs $6.67 per month, billed as $99.95 for 15 months (including 3 free months). The best value comes with the two-year plan, priced at $4.99 per month and billed as $139.72 for 28 months (including 4 free months). ExpressVPN offers no trials, but all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Value for Money
ExpressVPN’s pricing is among the highest in the market, which can feel steep compared to competitors like Surfshark and NordVPN that offer similar benefits at lower costs. There’s only one subscription tier, meaning all customers unlock the same features. These include an ad blocker, password manager, identity alerts, identity theft insurance, and support for a wide range of devices such as desktops, mobile phones, Smart TVs, and gaming consoles. However, the limit of 8 simultaneous connections might feel restrictive compared to competitors offering unlimited device connections.

ExpressVPN also has an extensive server network across 105 countries, though the exact number of servers remains undisclosed. While the variety of locations is excellent, the lack of transparency about the server count makes it harder to gauge overall IP address availability. Despite the robust features, some users might find the cost hard to justify given the alternatives.

Customer Support
ExpressVPN’s customer support is well-rounded, with 24/7 live chat, email communication, and detailed guides. While it lacks phone support, the available resources make it easy to troubleshoot issues and get help quickly.

With its privacy focus, steady performance, and added features, ExpressVPN is a reliable choice for users who want a secure VPN experience, though its premium price may not suit everyone.

Privacy
IPVanish’s privacy features include AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a reliable kill switch that prevents IP leaks during disconnections. Although based in the US, a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, IPVanish mitigates concerns with its no-logs claims, recently verified through a third-party audit. The provider has improved its privacy policy, making it easier to understand and navigate, and it transparently explains the use of cookies and third-party analytics tools.

While IPVanish performs well in maintaining anonymity during online sessions, its transparency efforts could benefit from additional independent audits. Its no-logs policy was certified in April 2022 through an audit by Leviathan Security Group, but this remains its only audit to date. Conducting more frequent reviews or implementing measures like warrant canaries could further bolster user confidence. For those seeking top-tier privacy, alternative VPNs based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions might be worth exploring.

Speed
IPVanish provides reliable performance, but its speeds fall behind industry leaders like NordVPN and Surfshark. In a 2024 CNET speed test, it recorded an average 44% download speed loss, making it one of the slower VPNs tested. However, speeds improved significantly on macOS when using the WireGuard protocol, with an average speed loss of just 17%, offering decent performance.

Price
IPVanish delivers excellent value with its unlimited device connections, ok speed, and extensive server network. Pricing starts at $3.33/month for annual plans, with the first year discounted to $39.99 but renewing at $89.99. A two-year plan costs $52.56, offering better long-term value. The $12.99 monthly plan is above the industry average but is offset by the no-limit device connections.

Value for Money
Notable features include a fleet of 2,400+ servers in over 100 countries, split tunneling, and an On Demand function that automatically connects the VPN for specified activities. While it lacks an integrated ad blocker and advanced features like browser extensions or meshnet, its interface provides fine-grained control for advanced users. Add-ons included in the ‘Advanced’ package, such as backup, file syncing, and a cloud-based browser, enhance its utility. For users prioritizing additional privacy tools or enhanced functionality, alternatives like NordVPN or Proton VPN might be preferable.

Customer Support
IPVanish offers a range of support options, including a detailed knowledge base, FAQs, and email assistance. While live chat support is available, response times may vary depending on query complexity. The platform’s resources cater to both novice and experienced users, ensuring most issues can be resolved efficiently.

IPVanish’s solid performance, affordability, and unlimited device connections make it an excellent VPN for general use. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of competitors, its dependable service and straightforward approach are easy to recommend for users seeking a no-nonsense VPN solution.