home Banks

Which VPN to Choose. The best VPN services according to user reviews Which vpn server to choose

Updated 01.20.

Free VPNs are easy to find, but reliable VPNs without hidden fees and charges are more difficult. We have taken on this job and are pleased to present you with a cool list of 10 best free VPNs.

Most free VPNs are classic cheese in a mousetrap. Limited traffic volume, cut speed and no choice of server locations.

Sometimes even more serious and free VPN directly threatens your online privacy... Therefore, we always recommend working with full-fledged versions of services.

VPNs from the selected free list won't give you premium service, but guarantee privacy, security and anonymity on the Internet without hidden fees.

Best Free VPNs: Fast Picks

Online privacy is your birthright and you shouldn't pay for it. Our top seven free VPN services guarantee protection and anonymous web surfing, completely free for you... There are no gimmicks here: just download your chosen free VPN app and get online.

At first glance, the choice between a free and a paid app is obvious. Why pay for what you can get for free? But it's not that simple with VPN apps. After all, there is no free cheese: you pay in one way or another. When it comes to about free VPN services, such a fee can be low speed connections, the need to watch annoying ads, dangerous viruses or even leak of your confidential data!

The obvious trick of free VPNs

VPN providers use a very simple trick: they limit the free version your application so much that you will not be able to normally use the necessary services until you switch to a paid... In the end, when you get tired of constant buffering, inability to select a server in the desired country, and unavailability of services like Netflix, you will most likely prefer to pay.

The very best free VPNs offer services that are almost as good as paid ones. With such a VPN, you don't have to upgrade to the paid version. We recommend that you choose a free VPN service with which you can:

Get access to geo-blocked content (that is, content that is not available in your region);
enjoy the lightning-fast connection speed;
be sure that your data is not stored in the service logs.

Best Free VPNs

What's the catch with free VPNs?

Most free VPN services have limitations: limited server selection, slow connection speeds, or limited traffic. More than 65% of the free VPN services we tested prevent users from watching TV shows, movies or torrenting, and some also deliberately slow down their connections. Yes, you do not pay anything, but you are unlikely to be satisfied with such services.

VPN providers make it appear that you get their services for free... At this time, you yourself risk becoming a commodity. Many users have informed us that free VPN providers stole their confidential data and then sold to third parties.

This raises another thorny question. Even a free VPN service should primarily help users maintain anonymity on the network, but not all services will actually be able to do this. Unfortunately, many free VPNs are themselves a serious threat to your security.

Your data can be sold only if you save it somewhere before. Many free VPNs do not have a no-log security policy that is, they can track your data, store it and put you at risk. Free services are also notorious as sources spam, advertisements and viruses.

What We Learned About Free VPN Services

We've tested hundreds of free VPN apps and some of them were too good to be real. This aroused certain suspicions in us, so we examined in more detail the most tempting offers of providers.

The revealed facts shocked us: it turns out that many free VPN services are registered in China, in a country whose government has passed the strictest internet censorship laws! The privacy policies of some of these providers explicitly state that user data will be stored and transmitted third parties. It's just unthinkable! If you want to protect your privacy rights, stay away from any VPNs registered in China.

There is another important reason to stay away from free VPN services. Businessmen and marketers know that users want to make their life as simple as possible... They assume that since you like the free version, you will sooner or later switch to a paid plan.

What is the problem? The best free VPN isn't always the same as the best paid VPN. And this is definitely not the best value for money. Many free services offer expensive paid tariffs where you can access average in quality and functionality... While other services, without a free version, offer much better services at a more attractive price. If you stay with your "familiar" provider to the end, it may so happen that you overpay for the worst services and get second-rate VPN connections instead of enjoying one of the best services on the market.

1. NordVPN: One of the Best Premium VPNs for Free

Try our # 1 VPN for free for 30 days: unlimited server selection, streaming and torrenting access

NordVPN apps are available for the following devices, OS and web browsers:

Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android TV, Linux, Chrome and Firefox

Benefits of NordVPN:

Stable Netflix access so you never miss an important episode
More than 5,100 servers in 60 countries
Lightning-fast connection speeds guaranteed
Advanced security protocols, military grade data encryption, and kill switch
Full confidentiality guarantee, since the service is registered in a country not included in the intelligence alliance "5/9/14 Eyes"

2. Hotspot shield

You don't need a bank card to pay, fast connection speeds, traffic limitation of 500 MB per day

3. Windscribe

Generous 10 GB data limit, supports torrent networks, always free

Windscribe made our list of the best free VPNs thanks to generous 10 GB traffic limit... Every month free subscribers get 10 GB of traffic and can get an extra 5GB by tweeting about the company. You can also get an additional 1 GB of free traffic every month by referring friends.

Most Windscribe servers support torrent networks.

Both paid and free subscribers have access to all Windscribe features and functionality, including R.O.B.E.R.T mode (ad and malware blocker)... The company has detailed privacy policy, which clearly describes what data they save, as well as a no-log policy. Windscribe also boasts masterful data protection and encryption.

Windscribe offers users desktop application and web browser extension... The interface of the program is friendly and straightforward, there are several ways of technical support to choose from, including online chat and setup guides.

Windscribe is available on the following platforms:

macOS, iPhone, Windows, Linux, Chrome and Firefox

Pros of the free version

Supports torrent networks for unlimited access to your favorite entertainment

Cons of the free version

Traffic is capped at 10 GB per month (but a more generous offer than most other free services)
Limited access to the server network compared to the paid version
While the VPN app is connected, some data is collected

4. ProtonVPN

Limited number of servers, unlimited traffic

Although ProtonVPN offers quality premium services, the free VPN version seems pretty ... run-down. Yes you will have unlimited traffic for one device, but at the same time you will have problems with intentionally slower connection speed.

5. hide.me

Traffic limitation 2 GB, support for torrent networks

hide.me offers a simplified yet reliable free app... You'll get 2 GB of free traffic every month, all the benefits of hide.me's security protocols, plus a choice of five countries to connect to. Only one of them is located in Europe.

Unfortunately you have there will be no access to Netflix with hide.me. At the same time, the service,.

The hide.me service team truly believes in free services so they don't limit free subscribers. You will have 24/7 access to technical support and the ability to browse sites without ads. Hide.me adheres to no-log policy, securely encrypts data, supports various security protocols protecting you and your privacy.

Hide.me apps are available for the following platforms:

Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Windows Phone, Amazon Fire OS, and it can also be installed on a router

Pros of the free version

Good connection speeds for fast downloads of files and sites
A no-log policy ensures your privacy is protected
Unlimited free services, that is, you do not have to upgrade to the paid version over time

Cons of the free version

Limiting traffic to a modest 2 GB per month
Access only to a limited number of servers
Limited traffic = limited number of sites and videos viewed

6. TunnelBear

Reliable protection, free forever, limited traffic - only 500 MB per month

If you've recently learned about VPNs, TunnelBear's free version is a great place to start. friendly interface this application which has animated bears. You will be able to connect to servers in 22+ countries and enjoy excellent connection speeds.

TunnelBear takes the anonymity and security of its users very seriously. This VPN service verified by independent companies, uses 256-bit AES encryption and ensures that none of your data does not go to logs... It means that your identity will be safe hidden.

Free TunnelBear account calculated just 500 MB traffic every month (but you can earn an extra 1GB by tweeting about the service). This VPN service does not have access to Netflix and other streaming sites so you won't be able to view geo-blocked content with it.

TunnelBear Apps are available for:

Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, Chrome, Firefox and Opera

Cons of the free version

Lack of access to streaming services, so no TV shows or music
Traffic is limited to only 500 MB per month
Small server network compared to other VPN providers

7. Opera

Unlimited Website Browsing, Free Forever

8. Speedify

2GB of free traffic per month
200+ servers in more than 50 countries around the world
Fast and reliable connection with Channel Bonding technology
ChaCha encryption provides a combination of speed and strength
The service is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux

Speedify uses VPN protocols with maximum speed. Channel Bonding technology distributes traffic across two virtual connections at once. This increases the speed of work, but doubles Wi-fi load or mobile traffic consumption.

Speedify has passed all DNS leak tests. This means that your real IP is securely hidden, and blocked or geographically restricted resources are available for visiting. Strict no-log policy protects your activity history.

Speedify servers in Amsterdam are optimized for torrenting.

2GB of free traffic per month quite enough to check mail or go to social networks. If you are forced to use unsafe public networks, the service will be your salvation.

Like many free VPNs, Speedify pushes you to buy the premium version. However, the owners did not include ads in the free version. This is good because it prevents your data from being passed on to advertising networks like Google.

Conclusion:

As a result, we can say that you can find some good free VPNs... At the same time, to be sure, even the safest free services cannot be called absolutely reliable... The best free services just can't match the best paid ones.

A premium VPN will give you access to more reliable protection, as well as streaming sites and torrent trackers... Plus, unlike most free VPNs, premium services offer unlimited bandwidth. You will be able to access servers in more countries and enjoy faster connections.

The best thing with premium services is that you can always try them for free... Most of them have a free trial period as well money back guarantee if you don't like something. You can make sure that the service suits you 100%.

The sheer number of VPN services makes finding the perfect permanent encryption solution difficult. It takes years for users to find the best VPN for all basic needs. And along with the years, funds go away that could have been spent on better protection of the connection.

Our VPN review includes a wide variety of services that differ in cost, reputation, and specialization. Comparative analysis of more than 150 companies allowed us to identify the leaders in each popular category.

When you connect to the Web, companies and governments spy on you, tracking your activity and collecting data. A VPN is a tunnel between you and the Internet, hiding you from prying eyes. A good VPN company will keep spies away from you, much like a bodyguard or a bouncer at a bar. A bad VPN company, on the other hand, will help spies continue to track.

So what are the criteria for a good VPN service? According to Internet users, first of all, he must flawlessly cope with his main tasks:

Fast IP change to bypass any government blocking... It is important that the resulting IP does not have a "bad reputation", as is often the case when using low-quality VPNs.
Ensuring anonymity on the web... This is especially important for Russia, since, by law, providers will have to keep all user activity. VPN is the easiest way to avoid the provider's record. But be careful: many companies that provide such a service collect user data on their own and can issue it at the request of government services.
Ensuring the protection of personal data... A good VPN makes every internet connection more secure - even if you're on a public Wi-Fi network.

If you are going to rarely use VPN, then you can stop there. But for regular users of vpn services, other parameters are also important:

Speed... When you get an IP from a provider, your connection speed is limited only by the technical capabilities of the connection. In the case of a VPN, the quality of the third-party equipment is of great importance, as well as the congestion of the network. If you pay monthly for your IP, you probably don't want your internet connection to be artificially slowed down.
Traffic volumes... Despite the fact that it is already 2017, not all VPN services offer unlimited traffic, which cannot but disappoint. Plus, low monthly traffic is the scourge of free VPNs. Insufficient volumes force users to change 8-10 services in 30 calendar days.
Additional features... Many VPN users appreciate the ability to customize the service to their liking. Inconvenient and meager "symbolic" settings become a big drawback, especially if the service cannot offer much in terms of basic parameters.
Simplicity and conciseness of the interface... It seems that this point is obliged to contradict the previous one - but this is fundamentally wrong. Putting together a convenient, functional and not overloaded interface is not an easy task. Perhaps this is why many VPN owners have given up on it. But as a result, users are forced to study the instructions for half an hour in order to change a couple of basic parameters.
Compatibility... Not all of us change our operating system every time another Windows comes out. There are predictably many connoisseurs of non-standard hardware and UNIX-like operating systems among VPN users. Surprisingly, not all servers noticed this trend and adjusted to it. The same applies to the available Internet protocols: it is good if the service does not consider itself smarter than the user and does not try to limit you in the choice of one or two options.
Flexible pricing policy... It's great when the service provides all the theoretically possible benefits at all. But it’s not good if it forces users to pay for features they’ll never need. Each of us has our own "ceiling": some do not need more than 500 GB per month, but they need strong encryption. Someone would like support for all their gadgets, but at the same time are sincerely indifferent to the additional protections of the activity recording. If the user can choose his "package", then the monthly price is reduced, while the consumer gets exactly what he wanted. Otherwise, a VPN can become too expensive.

I would like to set general criteria for paid and free services, but for technical reasons this is impossible. If you decide not to pay for a VPN, then you will have to face all the disadvantages of "free cheese", whether it is advertising, a ridiculous volume of monthly traffic or slow download speed. Another proof was the Hola scandal in 2015: then it turned out that the largest free peer-to-peer network was using the Internet connection of users for commercial purposes, about which the Kaspersky Lab team promptly warned Russian-speaking users. As a result, many clients turned down the services of an unscrupulous company, and those who hoped for the best were forced to participate in another DDOS attack, which Hola has become infamous for in the last couple of years.

Finding the Best VPN

To find the best VPN, we had to test over 150 services and check user reviews for them. Already at this stage, many participants were disqualified for the following reasons:

Insufficient security of the connection... As it turned out, not all VPNs are ready to really provide users with the declared anonymity. The ceiling of many popular services is access to blocked sites and minimal data encryption. All this can be obtained for free, while leaving no unnecessary traces on the Internet.
Lack of versatility... Let's say you have the perfect VPN extension for Chrome: free, fast, and seemingly secure. It has only two drawbacks: firstly, it is only suitable for Chrome, and if you need a VPN for Firefox, you will have to look for alternatives. Secondly, it is technically unable to close all the security holes in the aforementioned Chrome, simply because of its design. If the service does not provide the user with a choice, it does not suit us.
Inconsistency of the services provided with advertising promises... Yes, we understand that all means are good in advertising. But it would be better for the owners of the service to honestly describe the available opportunities than to ascribe to themselves advantages that they do not possess in reality.
Unfair behavior of companies in difficult situations and conflicts... We are supposed to be looking for the best vpn to protect our data, not to put it on a silver platter to the government. Unfortunately, many services willingly spread information about users to the state upon first request, referring to the current legislation. Then they try to silence the incident, while the companies continue to provide services to "protect" the data. Of course, such services will always find new customers, because not everyone has the time and energy to look for all the scandals associated with the service provider. But such violators do not get into our vpn review.

When sifting out all the "unsuitable" representatives, it turned out that there are significantly fewer applicants for the first places than it seemed at the beginning. Without further delay, here's a ranking of the best VPNs in their respective fields.

Best VPN Service

Comparing more than 150 VPN services, we have identified the undisputed leader who fully meets all the quality criteria:. In January 2019, PIA received another Excellent Service Award: Best Value from VPN Service Providers blog, which reviews and reviews all major VPNs. This service operates in the United States and is therefore exempt from mandatory data retention laws. The speed of VPN gateways reaches several gigabits, so the user does not even notice the difference when switching to a dedicated IP. A simple connection takes no more than a couple of seconds, and flexible settings allow you to set up the VPN of your dreams. Or entrust everything to the automation - here it is more convenient for someone.

In light of the latest actions by Roskomnadzor, the Obzorio team re-checked the VPN services listed in this rating to identify the “Best VPN for Telegram”. And we have to admit that the VPN “Private Internet Access” chosen earlier as the Best, only strengthened its position. We declare with full responsibility that the Best VPN for Telegram is Private Internet Access.

Among the undeniable advantages of the server:

Complete anonymity... The difference between Private Internet Access is that after using it, no data remains at all. This advantage is provided by complex branched functionality, to which competitors have yet to grow. Unlike other services, Private Internet Access does not even leave the so-called "circles on the water", through which professionals collect data about the activity and personalities of anonymous users.
No tracking of subscribers... The service does not store any data, prompting the user to do the same. Even payments can be made anonymously. When Private Internet Access notifies that it does not store data about its clients, it even means basic information that any other service will keep on its servers without any treacherous intentions.
Maximum number of encryption methods... The more methods and protocols are available, the less the likelihood of a hacker attack. The server itself recommends using AES 128, SHA1 and RSA2048.
Huge list of available output servers (over 1000, in 10 countries)... Server selection can be done both manually and automatically.
Support for most existing gadgets and operating systems... You can use Private Internet Access on each of your devices: a paid subscription allows you to connect five computers (tablets, smartphones), regardless of their technical features and territorial location.
Very nice price... You can get complete anonymity, the highest data transfer rate in your segment and the maximum protection against hacker attacks for five devices for only $ 6.95 per month. When buying access for a year, the monthly price becomes quite "ridiculous": $ 3.33 per month, less than in the "economy" segment.

Offers premium quality of protection, while adhering to all the obligations stated in the advertisement and is always ready to dialogue with the user. His impeccable reputation has made him the undisputed leader in today's rankings.

Place of Honor

According to statistics, users are much more likely to use VPN for Windows than for securing connections on other operating systems. This is due to the fact that the majority prefer to use exclusively the "home" Internet, leaving smartphones only for instant messengers and official social media applications.

Top VPN for Windows OS family deservedly tops. This service has the following advantages:

Low subscription cost. Tariff plans start from $ 2.75 in 1 month. This is the best VPN on the market.
High number of servers (3500 in 60 countries of the world)... Each server provides excellent connection speeds.
Wide variety of encryption protocols... The service will automatically select the optimal settings for Windows, but it also allows you to manually select the protocol.
Complete absence of logs... Nordvpn does not record any user data or submit it at the request of the authorities as it is under the jurisdiction of Panama.

One of the main competitive advantages of NordVPN is the low cost of a subscription with a wide range of services available. By paying for your connection, you can connect up to 6 devices (for example, the whole family). If you're only going to use Windows, then NordVPN is the best choice for both price and quality.

Alternative

If it is not money that is important to you, but the "omnivorous" service, then pay attention to. This "pioneer" is one of the oldest VPNs and performs better than many "newbies". Its main advantages:

Huge list of supported devices... If you are a connoisseur of "exoticism" (for example, you prefer Blackberry smartphones or use a DD-WRT-based router), you have probably already noticed that searching for suitable programs can become a real torture. Purevpn will cope with everything: the service annually expands its capabilities, replenishing the collection with more and more new items.
Support for obsolete hardware and old operating systems... If you prefer earlier versions of Windows, then this option is for you.
Excellent technical performance... Purevpn does not limit speed or traffic, protects ID when reconnecting, and provides 24/7 tech support.

Purevpn may not be available to a certain segment of users due to its somewhat overpriced price ($ 143.40 per year), and there is no free version. If you are nevertheless interested in this service, we advise you not to take an annual subscription right away and wait for seasonal discounts - then the price may drop to more "lifting" $ 50.

Best VPN for Windows

Came very close to the winner in his nomination Hidemy: the most affordable service for Windows. With an annual subscription, a month will cost a Russian user only 126 rubles, while all the demanded functions are present in full:

Availability of software for novice Windows users and flexible settings for advanced users. The service interface is as friendly to beginners as possible. There is no congestion that even the best VPNs have, but you can still customize everything to your liking.
Lack of user database... To get access to all the features of the service, you just need to use the code sent by mail.
Free Testing Day. Hidemy invites you to try all the available options and make your own impression of the service - and only then decide on a subscription.

In terms of the number of servers, the company is slightly inferior to its competitors: there are only 74 of them. But they are located in 35 countries of the world, so absolute anonymity and maximum availability of blocked sites are guaranteed.

Alternative

If you prefer free encryption, then the popular Cyber Ghost is the best choice for you. This free VPN service operates under Romanian law, so the Russian authorities will not be able to obtain your data even upon an official request. The following features distinguish the service from its competitors:

The most functional free version... A network with more than 500 proxies, a flexible masking system, no traffic and speed restrictions - we are used to receiving all this only by subscription. Of course, you will not be provided with unlimited access to the protected Internet, but the system guarantees three hours of uninterrupted connection. After this period, you will be prompted to reconnect.
Convenient online proxy browser... The three server limitation can be frustrating, but you still get the same high level of protection - with the simplest management.
High level of data protection... Cyber Ghost not only deletes your data, but also hides you from potential observers.

It's also Freedomhacker's # 1 VPN, with internet security pioneers noting that Cyber Ghost has managed to maintain the approach of a small team of individuals helping to secure the internet, even as the company has long grown into a corporation. Experts positively noted the possibility of deep customization of the service, but only experienced users will be able to use it.

Among the shortcomings of the system is a somewhat overpriced annual price for a paid subscription. For $ 70, the user will get rid of ads and will be able to use applications for mobile phones. To "distribute" VPN to several devices (up to 5), you will have to pay an additional $ 40 per year. Is it worth it - everyone decides for himself. But as a free VPN, this service has no competitors at the moment.

Best VPN For Android Devices

When choosing the leading VPN for Android, we completely distanced ourselves from the results of the "general" analysis. Phone encryption apps work differently, so everyone technical features VPN services that are relevant to the PC are no longer important. The undisputed leader of our rating is ExpressVPN, which provides absolute anonymity when surfing from a smartphone or tablet. Among the advantages of the VPN version for android:

Dedicated apps for each type of device... Unlike its competitors, ExpressVPN views secure mobile surfing as a core service, not an add-on. This is noticeable in the most serious implementation. Instead of offering a single solution, hastily optimized for different versions of popular gadgets, the service provides original applications that provide the best protection for your type of device.
Absolute confidentiality... Security issues on Android are a headache for owners. But ExpressVPN has managed to cover all known vulnerabilities, so your Internet connection is truly secure. The service also does not store user data, which means that it will not be able to transfer it to the authorities even upon legal request.
Attentive technical support... In the case of a smartphone, problems occur much more often than with a PC - this applies to any "general" services. ExpressVPN makes up for this with the highest level of technical support. At any time of the day or night, a specialist in the chat, on the website or forum will give an answer to your question. They will also help you set up the most convenient connection.

If you're unsure of the best VPN for your phone, go with ExpressVPN. You will get the highest quality for the available money. Basic subscription allows you to "share" the service on any three devices.

Best VPN for Mac

The undisputed leader in this nomination is Vyprvpn. It is optimized for Mac and iOs devices, although it does great on other devices as well. The following indicators allowed the service to leave the competition far behind:

Better Mac integration... Most of the popular servers are built for Windows, despite the fact that they support macOS, or require too many additional movements in order to optimize the VPN for your device. But users choose Mac for its simplicity and laconic interface, and only Vyprvpn managed to inherit these "family" features.
Best internet connection in the world... Vyprvpn is ahead of the competition in both speed and reliability.
User-friendly design and functionality... If you are new to anonymous connection, then the client will choose the optimal parameters for you. If you know exactly what you want from your VPN, then at your service - flexible, most conveniently located settings.

At the moment, Vyprvpn is the best vpn for Mac, and no progress is expected in this area in the coming years. Much to the delight of users, the service does not exploit its position and does not inflate prices: a basic subscription will cost $ 5 per month (unlimited traffic on one connection and one firewall), and the most "advanced" - Premier - $ 10, while everyone will protect you up-to-date firewalls, and unlimited traffic will be available for three devices of any type.

Final Thoughts

When choosing a VPN, it is better to focus not on loud advertising calls, but on real tasks for the solution of which this service is purchased. There are no perfect services, but there are companies that have come pretty close to the threshold of excellence - each in its own niche.

If you are going to use VPN from only one device, then you can find a company that specializes in protecting Windows, MacOS or Android. By choosing the best VPN in your industry, you'll get the most value for less money. But if you are the happy owner of a wide variety of gadgets (and you want to protect each of them), then it is better to give preference to a more universal service and close your eyes to minor imperfections.

VPN - Virtual Private Network, a virtual "tunnel" inside the channel of your Internet provider. Without it, all requests from your computer go directly to the provider's server, which sees all your connections and can restrict access to data (for example, many have seen a notification that a specific video is not available for viewing in your country).

When you connect via VPN, your request goes to a dedicated VPN server, and all information is encrypted. The provider can only see what you connected to the VPN server, but cannot find out what you were doing on the network. The best VPN services use military grade encryption, which is used by banks and government alike, so even if the data is intercepted, it will be impossible to decrypt it.

VPN access removes all geo-restrictions of content. Now absolutely the entire Internet is available to you.

VPN service features and services

Developers offer a wide range of functionality for their applications, and you can learn more about each brand in separate reviews. But everyone has basic capabilities:

Removing access restrictions

Changing the IP address with one button allows you to connect through another server and bypass local blocking of sites, ban on the forum, get access to any video, music and games that are available to residents of other countries.

Using Wi-Fi safely

Every time you connect to a public network, scammers can intercept information about your bank cards, passwords, and any other data. How many times have you bought tickets while traveling by connecting to open Wi-Fi at an airport or cafe? Cybercrime is actively developing, and the problem is getting worse every year.

Brand name	Safety assessment
NordVPN	10
8
ExpressVPN	9
Ivacy	9

Anonymity and confidentiality

In the rating of VPN services for anonymity, the first places are occupied by providers who do not record logs and sessions at all, that is, even the service representatives themselves cannot associate any actions with a specific user. You can choose a server somewhere in Oceania and pay for using VPN with bitcoins - 100% anonymity is guaranteed.

Brand name	The country	Storing logs	Privacy rating
NordVPN	Virgin Islands	Not	10
Hong Kong	Partially	6
ExpressVPN	Panama	Partially	9,6
Ivacy	Singapore	Not	8

Your antivirus does not protect your data when you connect to public networks. These are different things, and one does not replace, but complements the other.

VPN for music

By choosing any of the top VPN services, you are guaranteed to get access to sites such as Pandora, Spotify, Last.fm, Slacker, Rdio, Deezer, TuneIn Radio, as well as the usual Yandex.Music if you are outside the country, but choose a VPN services of Russia. In addition, it will be possible to download files, but make sure that the VPN provider itself has this opportunity.

VPN for video

All world shows, series, programs and streams are open to you, wherever you are. Get unhindered access to such resources as Netflix, Hulu, Sky Sports, Channel 4, Five, BBC TV and Amazon Prime, as well as to Russian - Amediateka, ivi.ru, Megogo. But in China, for example, Youtube and Google.Play are closed, so you will also need a VPN provider to use these resources.

VPN for games

Gamers all over the world use VPN services to gain access if the game is blocked in the country. It also makes it possible to save on purchases on Steam (for different regions, their prices), increase the ping speed (by choosing a close server), get into closed beta tests, and avoid DDOS attacks. And also - buy collector's editions at a bargain price, use torrents, etc.

How to choose and install a VPN service

ExpressVPN ranks first in the ranking of VPN services as the fastest in the world. But you can choose others that will be more convenient or better suited for solving specific problems. Typically, all top brands offer a wide variety of apps and work on any platform.

Brand name	Speed rating	Ease of Use Assessment	Support assessment
NordVPN	9	9	8,4
7,1	8,3	6
ExpressVPN	10	10	10
Ivacy	6,8	6,9	9,5

The VPN application can be installed on a computer and laptop, tablet, mobile phone for Android and iOS, embedded as an extension into the browser, and even configured on a router so that all Wi-Fi is via VPN.

Installation is usually simple, literally with one button, applications are intuitive and simple, so even not the most confident Internet users can figure it out.

Additional Information

Prices

The price of paid VPN services strongly depends on how long you buy the license for. On average, one month from market leaders costs about 10-12 dollars, but if you take a package for six months or a year, the monthly fee will be about 6-8 dollars. For the promotion, you can find annual packages for up to $ 3 per month. Less well-known brands are even cheaper.

All of the top 10 VPN services offer either free testing - usually 3-7 days, or the opportunity to get your money back within 30 days if the service doesn't suit you. Therefore, it is worth taking first for a month or testing for free, and then paying for annual packages. Always carefully read the terms of the refund, it is usually suggested to use no more than 500-700 MB of traffic, or connect no more than 10 times. However, this is usually enough for a test.

Brand name	Payment by credit card	Payment by electronic money	Payment by bitcoins	Test access	Refund
ExpressVPN	+	+	+	-	30 days
+	+	+	-	7 days
NordVPN	+	+	+	-	30 days
Ivacy	+	+	+	-	7 days

One paid license, as a rule, can be divided into 3-6 devices by installing an application on each device. Convenient and very economical.

VPN service review summary

A VPN is essential to protect your information and ensure your online anonymity. It provides access to locked resources. To choose a desktop or mobile application, be guided by detailed reviews VPN providers and read VPN service reviews.

Try a free VPN or test the offers of market leaders to personally evaluate the convenience and functionality!

Questions and answers

How to choose the best VPN?

Determine which parameters are important to you - speed, anonymity, separate servers for games and movies, price or something else, and compare offers based on these characteristics. There is no one best VPN for everyone, and there cannot be.

Which VPN is the best according to user reviews?

All brands have their fans. But if you consider which is the most famous and popular in the world - it will be ExpressVPN, because it provides the fastest speed.

What's the best free VPN?

Be very careful with free VPNs as they often make money in dishonest ways. But there are also good ones - in our review you can find out more about proven and reliable services.

Sometimes it seems like it’s impossible to find a VPN that gives you the feeling of complete security online. There are hundreds of different VPNs available now, and each provider considers themselves to be the best.

To help you find the best protection, we've tested over 300 different VPNs in terms of speed, user data security, and the variety of features available. We ran deep tests and analyzed a large amount of data to select the top 10 VPNs on the market.

We even got in touch with Google and PayPal representatives to check the rumors that are circulating around some VPN providers. We've also removed several suspicious VPNs from our list.: They have not yet been caught transferring user data to third-party companies, but we fear that this will happen soon.

Our honest and detailed reviews will help you find the right VPN for you for whatever purpose: watch Netflix online, bypass government censorship, or ensure complete anonymity online.

And it's not about the size of the company at all: some small VPNs perform much better than the largest providers even if they don't have enough money for large-scale advertising. In addition, when we tested our candidates, we found that some popular VPN services turned out to be almost useless, and some of them are even dangerous!

With all of these checks, we can honestly bring you a top 10 VPNs to keep you and your data safe and lightning fast connections.

Want to know exactly how we tested and ranked these VPNs? ...

Not enough time? Here's an overview of the best VPNs:

Here are the best VPNs of 2020

1. NordVPN

2. ExpressVPN

VPN service # 2 overall and the undisputed leader in terms of speed

no (all servers support P2P traffic)
Provides access to: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, HBO GO, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, Sling TV
There are applications for: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, BlackBerry, routers, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, PlayStation, Xbox, Apple TV, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, Chromecast, Nvidia Shield
Attitude to logs: strict no-log policy
We tested dozens of VPNs from different locations for connection speeds, and ExpressVPN was the undisputed leader.

ExpressVPN has 3,000+ high-speed servers in 160 countries... This is the fastest VPN on our list and is perfect for torrenting and streaming.

Split tunneling function allows you to customize ExpressVPN for yourself and choose which applications and services traffic you want to encrypt. This very useful if you want to have access to local and foreign content on the same device.

What's more: ExpressVPN helps you access your favorite content even on platforms that don't support VPN connections. Function MediaStreamer lets you forget about restrictions on access to content on Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TVs, Apple TVs and even game consoles.

ExpressVPN supports P2P traffic on all of its servers so you don't have to configure anything to use torrents. The Smart Location feature available in the apps will automatically select the most suitable server for you.

ExpressVPN offers 256-bit encryption and OpenVPN support on all platforms, which provides impeccable protection. Also you will protected from DNS leaks using the function Network lock- emergency disconnection of the connection.

TrustedServer is an innovative ExpressVPN technology that provides every server on the service network with the same level of protection and timely software updates. This new product significantly reduces the likelihood of encountering various cyber threats. TrustedServer technology also allows ExpressVPN servers to run using only RAM... Since the servers don't have to write anything to their hard drives, then after a reboot, there will be no data at all on the devices - in principle... This allows for unprecedented levels of privacy and security.

ExpressVPN consistently bypasses blockages of the Great Firewall of China, so this is the best option for dealing with the Chinese segment of the Web.

With an online chat ready to help 24/7 and detailed instructions on setups for a variety of supported platforms, ExpressVPN's customer support is also showing decent levels.

ExpressVPN is great combination of speed impeccable reliability in work and privacy which is definitely worth the money. You can check out ExpressVPN in fact, without any risk, using 30-day money-back guarantee... But you probably won't want to get your money back: this VPN can easily satisfy the needs of even the most demanding users.

Don't miss out on the best ExpressVPN deals. .

6. IPVanish

Great apps and stable speeds

Dedicated servers for downloading torrents: No
Provides access to: Netflix, BBC iPlayer
There are applications for: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, routers, Chromebook, Amazon Fire TV
Attitude to logs: strict no-log policy

The balance between security and speed makes IPVanish a VPN worthy of your attention. Over 1,200 servers, excellent blocking bypass potential and reliable traffic protection - this service has a lot to offer you.

256-bit encryption and many VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, make IPVanish safe and emergency shutdown function and DNS / IPv6 leak protection guarantees you and your traffic constant protection.

The connection speed here is not only high, but also stable. so you don't have to worry about annoying disconnects or floating speeds. As a nice bonus, Ipvanish not so long ago improved its servers to access Netflix by optimizing and improving them.

IPVanish supports P2P traffic and SOCKS5 proxies for fast torrent downloads. Yes, the service is registered in the USA (and, accordingly, must comply with the DMCA requirements), but this does not prevent him from adhering to a strict no-log policy, so even the American "registration" should not scare away torrent lovers.

IPVanish also provides access to additional settings for obfuscation and IP addresses(for example, you can get a new IP address at regular intervals). All this and also 24/7 support service available and 10 simultaneous connections within the framework of one subscription allow the service to stand out from the crowd of other VPNs. I would like, of course, that the duration of the money-back guarantee was longer, but even 7 days is much better than nothing.

IPVanish isn't the cheapest service, but its the price is fully justified excellent functionality.

Find out what real users write about this service by reading.

7. Hotspot Shield

Reliable protection and free access to streaming

Dedicated servers for downloading torrents: No
Provides access to: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video
There are applications for: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome
Logging: yes (connection logs are kept during VPN sessions, certain data is also collected for marketing purposes)

A paid VPN service from Hotspot Shield, aka Hotspot Shield Premium, will give you access to more than 2,500 servers around the world, and also to stylish applications and fast connections. But is it worth it?

Perhaps yes! This VPN will be a worthy choice for ordinary users, because it uses excellent encryption(128/256-bit) and proprietary - Catapult Hydra protocol(based on OpenSSL).

Hotspot Shield compresses streaming traffic that improves access to Netflix and lets you forget about buffering.

As for the functions, here is emergency disconnection from the network and nothing more. There is no way to use custom DNS, nor additional settings for torrents. Even though P2P traffic is supported here, you'd better choose another VPN from this list if torrenting is your top priority.

Despite the excellent quality of work in general, Hotspot Shield cannot be included as a no-log VPN service. Throw in the US registration here to make the unambiguous conclusion that you will be an easy target for copyright trolls and DMCA requests. For US residents, this is doubly relevant.

Even though Hotspot Shield has its drawbacks, it was, is and remains a popular, reliable and affordable VPN service... We advise you to test it in practice using 45-day money-back guarantee.

You can find out what users of this service have to say about UltraVPN.

9. VyprVPN

An impressive and expensive VPN for desktop devices

Dedicated servers for downloading torrents: No
Provides access to: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer
There are applications for: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, routers, Android TV, QNAP, Blackphone, Anonabox
Attitude to logs: strict no-log policy

VyprVPN offers its users two different plans, but if you have a Windows or Mac device, then you need a Premium plan.

Besides access to 700+ servers and strict no-log policy VyprVPN Premium will let you take advantage of its well known feature - proprietary Chameleon protocol.

An improved version of OpenVPN, Chameleon provides additional protection and helps you more effectively bypass geo-blocked access. Consequently, VyprVPN is a great option for those looking to bypass Netflix's geo-restrictions and other popular streaming services.

Unfortunately, the Chameleon protocol is only available in desktop applications. However, the basic VyprVPN app also provides sufficient privacy and quality for mobile devices. Applications protected from data leaks, have a stylish interface and, most importantly, convenient and simple.

VyprVPN can hardly be called a budget service, but great discounts are available when subscribing to a long-term plan. VyprVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can put it to the test without risking anything.

VyprVPN has proven to be a reliable service that values user privacy.

Find out what users and experts think about.

Best VPN for Russia: How We Selected & Compared These VPNs

Lots of VPNs are now marketing themselves as the best of the best, so how do you pick a really good one? Well, we've done the most boring part of the job for you. We've tested 300 different services and compiled a list of the best VPNs on the market. Our in-depth reviews will provide you with all the information you need to know about the most important VPN features to make an informed choice.

Safety

Two of the most important aspects of any good VPN service are confidentiality and security... You need to find a service that offers all this not only on paper, but also in the reality.

There are other factors that determine the place in our ranking: server network size, encryption, security features, ease of operation and of course price. We took our time to carefully study and test all aspects of VPN services to compile our reviews.

Best VPNs: Frequently Asked Questions

Free vs Paid VPN: Are Free VPN Services Safe?

It is believed that online privacy is a basic human right and you cannot pay for it. In theory, we hold the same views however, we must not forget about how things are in practice.

VPNs offer their services in exchange for something. And if it's not about money, you should be on your guard! Even cheese in a mousetrap is never free: if you do not pay for the product, then you yourself become a commodity.

Alas, most free VPN services provide their services with huge restrictions, and sometimes even directly threaten the security and privacy of user data. Slow speeds, limited bandwidth, annoying ads, and even the sale of user data are just some of the things you might encounter when choosing a free VPN.

How much does a VPN cost? Can you find a good and cheap VPN?

Luckily, premium VPNs don't cost space money. If you buy a monthly subscription, the prices look impressive. But if you pay at once for a year or two, then in terms of it you get about $ 3-7 per month.

In fact, you can get it for less than $ 3 a month!

It is also worth noting that many have, which will help you test them in practice and understand whether their services meet your requirements in terms of speed, security, and so on.

Many services also offer a money-back guarantee: you will have from 7 to 45 days (depending on the service itself) to have time to cancel your subscription and get your money back if you don't like something.

You can also save on the cost of a subscription by using ours.

Can Tor or Proxies Replace VPNs?

Tor, proxy, and VPN are three completely different types of services. However, sometimes they are used for the same purpose. Let's take a closer look at this point.

Tor(reduction The onion router) is an anonymous network where your connection is redirected through a chain of servers maintained or provided by volunteers. Consequently, it becomes much more difficult to track you and your data... At the same time, the connection speed drops. This is a fairly complex topic, so read ours if you want to get a better understanding of it.

Technology protection of personal data on the Internet have become widespread in the 21st century. This is due to the extensive development of the Internet around the world. Users began to think how to protect their personal information.

VPN hides your IP address and encrypt all traffic. Connecting to a VPN helps unlock content that is not available in your country. At present buy VPN easily as well as a host of services that provide similar services.

Many users are wondering how to choose the best VPN service.

To make the comparison and choose the best service, it is necessary to talk about the selection criteria.

Criterias for selection of the best VPN service

In this article we will list all of the selection criterias but some of them may seem unimportant. It depends on the purpose for which you want to use VPN.

Purposes to choose the best VPN service:

VPN provides complete security and anonymity on the Internet.

It is only necessary to choose the best VPN service.
Let "s take a closer look at the selection criterias.

Types of VPN connections

There are several types of connections:

PPTP VPN - implemented in most operating systems but it is considered an insecure protocol
SSTP VPN - protocol was developed by Microsoft. This protocol is implemented only in Windows 7 and later versions and mobile platform Windows Phone
OpenVPN is a popular open source protocol. Is widely used and is distinguished by its reliability. Only one minus of the protocol that connection must install additional software
L2TP VPN via IPSec - is built into most operating systems. Reliable and fast protocol.

Best VPN service should be able to connect via L2TP VPN via IPSec and additionally may have OpenVPN connection.

The lack of server logs

Most servers worldwide running on operating systems Linux. Unlike Windows in the operating system may completely turn off logging system (logs connections).

Anonymity disappears when the VPN server keeps logs.

You need to carefully examine the company "s Web site offering VPN services. It may be that the company claims that the logs are not kept. And in the" Agreement on the use of services "which is taken at registration or purchase VPN will indicate that the logs are stored.

Some VPN services keep logs within 2-4 weeks. If this is written on the site, talk about the anonymity of the service is impossible.

Best VPN service is never logs.

Does VPN service show that you use VPN?

For simplicity, configure the VPN services have resorted to redirect the connection from a domain to an IP address. In this case, the address server looks like domain, for example: usvpn.vpnservice-website.com

This is useful for system administrators of the company because when it is need to change the IP address of the VPN server. The connection will still work for all users.

All ISPs record user activities on the Internet. They will know that you are connecting to a domain usvpn.vpnservice-website.com and the connection is directly says that you are using a VPN.

Address to connect to the VPN server should look like the IP address 77.120.108.165

If you are using OpenVPN connection you need to check the certificates for specifying the domain of service in it.

In which country registered VPN service

This point is perhaps the most important when choosing the best VPN service.

Often there are disputes in which country must be registered VPN service to provide anonymity to their customers.

If the office is located in the US or Europe, it is considered that it is dangerous, as the international police is active in these countries.

Some believe that good when VPN service registered in third world countries such as Belize or Brazil.

We believe that the best VPN service must not have an office.

No matter what country is the office. If company has an office it means there is a place where police can come or send a formal request.

Every company is obliged to obey the laws of the country in which it is located.
VPN service is obliged to take a formal request from the police in this country and issue the information referred to it.

Thus, if there is a register or a company office, the VPN service can not ensure the anonymity of its users.

Support for all operating systems

Modern technology provides access to all operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows Phone.

But before buying should make sure that company supports your platform.

Types of IP addresses issued

There are 2 types of IP issued addresses by the VPN server:

Shared IP - provided a single public IP address on all clients. As a rule, the IP address is constant and does not change when reconnecting to the VPN server
Dedicated IP - each client is given a unique IP address which can change when reconnecting

Is there a free trial access?

Must be free to test the service before purchase.
Such access will allow to configure a VPN connection and understand how it works.

Best VPN service must have a free trial access.

If service provide free VPN access and unlimited by time - this is an additional plus.

Own program for VPN connections

Own program for VPN connections will quickly set up a connection. Typically, such programs are needed when using OpenVPN connection, as the setting of the compound for a beginner can seem daunting.

L2TP VPN over IPSec is configured for 1 minute. In this case, the program is not required.

Payment methods and reasonable price

Examine the company "s Web site. Check: is there a convenient way to pay. Currently, there are many payment systems, such as payment by debit and credit cards, electronic money, PayPal and others.

If you find the best VPN service for yourself then the cost of services will not play a significant role. Still, the price should be affordable for you. Reliable companies offer a discount if you pay for a subscription for a whole year. You can save on this.

Availability of technical support

VPN technology works reliably at all times. But there are times when there is a connection errors. In this case, come to the aid technical support service. Check it before you buy.

Conveniently, the web-site has a Live Chat or ticketing system.

If support is provided via ICQ, Jabber or Skype, it creates some difficulties, since not all clients use these programs constantly.

Rate VPN service Chameleon. Will it be the best for you?

We provide VPN services by connecting L2TP over IPSec.

Our servers are no logs, the connection is made to the IP addresses.

Supports all popular operating systems.

Support for all customers

We are happy to answer questions about setting up the connection, to advise on the safety and anonymity of the Internet and help you choose the best solution.