Best VPN Services In 2024
Zephin Livingston,Dipen Pradhan
Editor,Forbes Staff
Updated: Sep 11, 2024
A VPN provides its users with an extra layer of privacy, enables access to foreign websites, and can even provide secure connections for transferring sensitive business information.
To help you find the right solution for your needs, we’ve analyzed the best VPN services on the market, compared their features and performance, and tested each product thoroughly. These are our top picks.
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- Featured Partners
- Best VPNs Of 2024
- Best VPN Services In 2024
- NordVPN
- TorGuard VPN
- Private Internet Access
- ProtonVPN
- hide.me
- Surfshark
- VPN Unlimited (aka KeepSolid)
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost
- PureVPN
- Compare Best VPN Specifications
- Methodology: How Our Experts Evaluate Best VPN
- Our VPN Test Results
- VPN Streaming Service Performance
- DNS Leak Testing
- What Is A VPN?
- VPN Alternatives
- How To Choose the Best VPN
- How Much Does a VPN Cost?
- Popular VPN Uses
- How To Use a VPN
- 9 Reasons Why You Need a VPN
- Common VPN Protocol
- Are VPNs safe?
- Are VPNs legal In 2024
- Are VPNs legal In India?
- Can I unlock sites and services using a VPN service?
- More VPN Resources
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 329.07 ($3.99) + 3 months free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
5,000+
On NordVPN’s Website
2
Surfshark
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 197.29 + one month free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
3,200+
At upto 82% off on Surfshark’s secure website
3
Private Internet Access
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 158.89
No. of Devices
Unlimited
No. of Servers
30,000+
On Private Internet Access’ Website
Best VPNs Of 2024
- NordVPN: Best VPN Overall
- TorGuard VPN: Best Customizable VPN
- Private Internet Access: Best VPN for Customizable Security
- ProtonVPN: Best VPN for Tor Integrations
- hide.me: Best VPN for Wi-Fi Security
- Surfshark: Best VPN for Unlimited Connections
- VPN Unlimited (aka KeepSolid): Best Multi-Device VPN
- ExpressVPN: Best VPN For Smoothest App Interface
- CyberGhost: Best VPN for International Server Locations
- PureVPN: Best VPN with Reasonable Pricing
Best VPN Services In 2024
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
BEST VPN OVERALL
NordVPN
On NordVPN's website
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu and Disney+
Number of Devices
10
Starting Monthly Price
INR 419.06 ($4.99) p/m (billed annually)
Why We Picked It
NordVPN is a fast and secure VPN service with a range of unique features. It’s one of the most secure VPNs out there, combining AES-256 encryption with an ad and malware blocker, as well as double VPN services, aka multi-hop connections.
NordVPN’s VPN plan for a one-year subscription starts from INR 419.06 ($4.99). It allows 10 simultaneously connected devices and access to more than 6,360 servers located in 111 countries.
NordVPN has a robust set of add-ons to your VPN plan, including NordLocker, a file encryption service; and NordPass, a password manager, and most importantly, a dedicated IP address.
Should you need it, NordVPN also offers a team subscription for small businesses, though its pricing is opaque.
During our test of the software, we found the initial setup and configuration more finicky than we’d have liked, but once we fully set it up, we didn’t have any other operational issues like slow connection speeds or dropped servers.
Who Should Use It: Those who have a flexible VPN budget but do want value in return.
Read more: NordVPN Review
Type of VPN: Personal, Remote, Mobile, Split Tunneling
Server number and locations: NordVPN has over6,360 servers located in 111 countries.
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Browser Extensions | Yes, for Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
Free Trial | 30-day money-back guarantee |
24/7 Customer Support | Yes |
Anonymous Browsing | Yes |
Kill Switch | Yes |
No-Logs Policy | Yes |
Split-Tunneling | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- Built-in malware and ad blocker
- Dedicated IP address add-on
- Can install VPN to router
- Lacks pricing transparency for business tiers
Quick Specs
Free Trial | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Supported Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch |
Browser Extensions | Chrome, Firefox and Edge |
Number of Servers | 6,360 |
Number of Countries With Servers | 111 |
Company Location | Panama |
Protocols Supported | NordLynx, OpenVPN (UDP) and OpenVPN (TCP) |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Dedicated IP | Yes, costs INR 494.64 ($5.89) p/m |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | Has every feature you’d want out of a quality VPN, several that you don’t want, and a few that you didn’t even know you wanted. | |||
Ease of Use | Clean, simple user interface with understandable configuration options. It does force your browser to open a tab when signing in, which loses it a star here. | |||
Value for Money | It’s got great features and speeds, but it’s just so expensive, and there are so many cheaper alternatives that are just as effective for most users. Double VPN is cool, but is it or any of the other unique features really worth the extra cost? I don’t think so. | |||
Trustworthiness | The 2018 data breach still looms large for me. The breach by itself is a bad look but keeping it quiet for 6 months is just untenable. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Best Customizable VPN
TorGuard VPN
4.3
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix
Number of Devices
8 to 30 devices
Starting Monthly Price
Around INR 209.69 ($2.50) p/m (billed annually)
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix
Number of Devices
8 to 30 devices
Starting Monthly Price
Around INR 209.69 ($2.50) p/m (billed annually)
Why We Picked It
TorGuard is a highly customizable VPN provider with a chorus of positive users singing its praises. While its name may evoke a sense of familiarity, TorGuard has nothing to do with Tor, the free open-source privacy software.
TorGuard provides several different privacy features and services, which are packaged into separate subscription tiers based on how you intend to use them:
- An anonymous VPN plan
- A business VPN plan
- A streaming VPN plan
- A host of encrypted email services with their own varying subscription tiers
We paid the most attention to the anonymous VPN plan, which offers more than enough features to keep you protected for everyday use. It costs INR 2,515.39 ($29.99) for the first year, which is 50% discount on its original price. You can also nab a direct IP address add-on for INR 670.16 ($7.99) a month.
The basic tier grants unlimited bandwidth to eight simultaneously connected devices. TorGuard is compatible with MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android devices. Platforms such as Kindle, Playstation, Xbox and Chromebook are also compatible but must be set up manually.
For budding enterprises that need more than eight simultaneous connections, business plans are available between approximately INR 4,990.52 ($59.50) and INR 5,450.99 ($64.99) per month and come with at least one direct IP address, numerous email accounts and more.
During our test, Torguard VPN took several setup attempts before it started working, at one point forcing us to contact customer support and change our login credentials. While customer support was responsive and helpful, we don’t recommend TorGuard VPN for anyone looking for an easy-to-use VPN option.
Learn more: TorGuard VPN Review
Who Should Use It: Anyone who’s comfortable with advanced, customizable VPN features.
Type of VPN: Personal
Server number and locations: TorGuard VPN has 3,000 servers, located in over 50 countries
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes, seven days |
24/7 Customer Support | Yes |
Anonymous Browsing | Yes |
Browser Extensions | Yes for Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
Kill Switch | Yes |
No-Logs Policy | Yes |
Split-Tunneling | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- Dedicated IP add-on at INR 670.16 ($7.99) per month
- Several plans for various uses, including a separate business tier
- Very positive user reviews
- Loads of features and customization
- Seven-day money-back guarantee is less generous than some competitors
- Limited server locations
Quick Specs
Quick Specs | |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes, for seven days |
Supported Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux and iOS |
Browser Extensions | Chrome, Firefox and Edge |
Number of Servers | Over 3,000 |
Number of Countries With Servers | Over 50 |
Company Location | USA |
Protocols Supported | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec and L2TP |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Dedicated IP | Yes, costs around INR 670.16 ($7.99) per month |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | TorGuard has everything you could ever ask for from a VPN and even more that you’d never think to ask for, including an Anonymous Email plan. Across all its plans, it might be the most feature-rich VPN I’ve covered. | |||
Ease of Use | When even just signing up for a VPN feels like navigating a tax form, it’s hard to not give that VPN bottom marks in the ease-of-use category. | |||
Value for Money | TorGuard is far from the most affordable VPN out there, especially with its short seven-day free trial, but its treasure trove of features does provide more bang for your buck than some equivalently priced competitors. | |||
Trustworthiness | It has the same trust issues for me as NordVPN, thanks to being part of the same data breach. It’s lower-rated in this category due to how vague the company’s privacy policy is. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Best VPN for Customizable Security
Private Internet Access
On Private Internet Access' Website
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix and Max
Number of Devices
Unlimited
Starting Monthly Price
INR 250.83 p/m (billed annually)
Why We Picked It
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the biggest names in the VPN space, and for good reason. It provides access to servers located in more than 91 countries. Even better, it’s one of the cheapest VPNs on the market at INR 150 per month for the 1-year plan, which is 72% discount on its original price. While other providers may offer more advanced features, we find that PIA is the best choice for most small business users because it strikes a perfect balance of pricing and features.
However, we did find the user interface (UI) a little unintuitive at times due to the sheer number of features, and its connection speeds were pretty average compared to other VPNs on this list.
For an extra INR 340 each month, you can add a dedicated IP address—a useful feature if you plan on using a VPN for business-related matters.
Who should use it: Anyone looking for an affordable, multi-purpose VPN that gets the essentials right.
Learn more: Read our Private Internet Access Review
Editor’s Note: It is worth mentioning that, despite their competitive prices and robust features, some in the cybersecurity community have reservations about CyberGhost, ExpressVPN and PIA, which are all owned by Kape Technologies. Formerly known as “Crossrider,” the company gained infamy for creating and operating a platform that was used for injecting adware. Kape Technologies has repeatedly stood by the integrity of its VPNs, but consumers should keep this information in mind if they are especially wary of privacy.
* Pricing Note: When rating products or services, we consider the publicly available price. However, you may receive a discounted offer through our website.
Type of VPN: Personal and small businesses.
Server number and locations: Private Internet Access has servers in 91 countries.
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes, 30 days |
24/7 Customer Support | Yes |
Anonymous Browsing | Yes |
Browser Extensions | Yes, for Chrome, Firefox and Opera |
Kill Switch | Yes |
No-Logs Policy | Yes |
Split-Tunneling | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- Affordable
- Offers dedicated IP add-on
- Unlimited connections
- Some reported issues with customer service
- No longer discloses the total number of servers
Quick Specs
Quick Specs | |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes, 30 days |
Supported Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux, and iOS |
Browser Extensions | Firefox, Chrome, and Opera |
Number of Servers | C |
Number of Countries With Servers | 91 |
Company Location | USA |
Protocols Supported | WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Dedicated IP | Yes, cost INR 340 p/m |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | It’s got everything you might want from a VPN, and the features work across all the apps I tested. | |||
Ease of Use | The app itself is perfectly fine as a user interface, though it loses points for being such a small window by default on PC. If the Windows app’s interface was actually made for Windows, instead of being a copy of the mobile app’s interface, it’d rate higher. | |||
Value for Money | While the longer-term plans are cheap, the monthly pricing is incredibly high for a VPN that doesn’t really do anything too spectacular. | |||
Trustworthiness | It’s unfortunately guilt by association, but I can’t bring myself to fully trust any Kape-owned product. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Best VPN for Tor Integrations
ProtonVPN
4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Max
Number of Devices
10
Starting Monthly Price
Free, around INR 418.53 ($4.99) p/m (billed annually)
On ProtonVPN's secure website
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Max
Number of Devices
10
Starting Monthly Price
Free, around INR 418.53 ($4.99) p/m (billed annually)
Why We Picked It
ProtonVPN is a reliable VPN service based in Switzerland, known for its strict no-logs policy and open-source, audited apps. With free and paid options and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it provides users with a range of options for protecting their online privacy and security. The global server network offers fast connections and supports up to 10 devices. During our test, ProtonVPN was incredibly easy to set up and use, with consistent speeds and little lag when connecting to different servers.
ProtonVPN is available on all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux, and also features integration with the Tor network. Because it’s Switzerland-based, it’s not part of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes or Fourteen Eyes.
The company also offers a free basic VPN plan, which is great for occasional use. The free plan has some limitations, though; for more serious users, the paid plans provide better value for money. Paid plans start at approximately INR 418.53 ($4.99) for 1-year plan.
Learn more: ProtonVPN Review
Who Should Use It:
The free plan is great for casual users, while the paid plans are best for those who need more reliable connections and want to take advantage of all the features ProtonVPN offers.
Type of VPN: Personal
Server number and locations: ProtonVPN has 6,693 servers located in 112 countries. The free plan uses 100-plus servers across three countries (United States, Netherlands and Japan).
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Free Trial | N/A, free plan available |
24/7 Customer Support | No |
Anonymous Browsing | Yes |
Browser Extensions | Yes, for Firefox and Chrome |
Kill Switch | Yes |
No-Logs Policy | Yes |
Split-Tunneling | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- One of the easiest VPNs to use
- Single-click Tor over VPN
- Prevents DNS leaks
- Open source
- Free option doesn’t include Tor over VPN
- Pricing can be confusing
Quick Specs
Quick Specs | |
---|---|
Free Trial | No, but a free plan is available |
Supported Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux and iOS |
Browser Extensions | Firefox and Chrome |
Number of Servers | 6.693 |
Number of Countries With Servers | 112 |
Company Location | Switzerland |
Protocols Supported | WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Dedicated IP | Yes (Price not disclosed) |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | Proton has pretty much every feature I’d want from a VPN, including the one-click access to the Tor network. | |||
Ease of Use | A very clean interface with easy-to-understand configuration settings. | |||
Value for Money | Too pricey for me to feel comfortable rating it any higher, free version notwithstanding. I think it’s worth the money, but it’s still a lot of money. | |||
Trustworthiness | Proton VPN is open-source, and has a largely-clean track record for privacy protection. Unfortunately, the company sharing ProtonMail data with Swiss authorities in 2021 keeps me from giving it full marks. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Best VPN for Wi-Fi Security
hide.me
4.1
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu and Max
Number of Devices
10
Starting Monthly Price
Free, or aroundINR 383.79 ($4.57) p/m (billed annually)
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu and Max
Number of Devices
10
Starting Monthly Price
Free, or aroundINR 383.79 ($4.57) p/m (billed annually)
Why We Picked It
There are a lot of reasons to like hide.me. It offers a high level of online security and privacy, thanks to AES-256 encryption and features like a kill switch to keep you from transmitting data to potential bad actors. Thanks to this, hide.me can bury your online activity below several layers of security, making your personal information nearly invisible on Wi-Fi hotspots. This is especially important for those who use public Wi-Fi or businesses that give visitors access to their network.
Additionally, hide.me offers the latest protocols for secure Wi-Fi connections. Protocols like IKEv2 IPsec, WireGuard, OpenVPN, SSTP and SoftEther can protect your data on any Wi-Fi network. It also supports mobile devices as well as home routers, making it easy to provide full coverage to your network of devices.
When we tested hide.me, we appreciated its simple, easy-to-understand layout and consistent connection speeds across several different servers and countries. There was a little lag when switching between servers but not enough that it was an issue. We also had trouble with its kill switch feature, with it simply not working sometimes when changing servers.
In addition to the free version, hide.me is available for around INR 383.79 ($4.57) per month for 1-year plan, INR 834.55 ($9.95) for a month-to-month subscription, and INR 225.91 ($2.69) per month for a 2-year subscription.
Who Should Use It:
hide.me is ideal for anyone who values their privacy and security when using the internet. Because it uses the latest encryption protocols, you can trust your data is secure from government surveillance or hackers.
Type of VPN: Personal, Remote and Zero-Trust
Server Number and Locations: hide.me has more than 2,600 servers located in 91 locations worldwide.
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Free Trial | N/A; free plan available |
24/7 Customer Support | Yes |
Anonymous Browsing | Yes |
Browser Extensions | Yes for Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
Kill Switch | Yes |
No-Logs Policy | Yes |
Split-Tunneling | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- Strong encryption and privacy features
- Offers a free plan
- Consistent connection speeds and performance
- Not all servers support file sharing
- Some lag when switching between different servers
- Dedicated IP not available
Quick Specs
Quick Specs | |
---|---|
Free Trial | No, but a free plan is available |
Supported Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux and iOS |
Browser Extensions | Firefox, Edge and Chrome |
Number of Servers | 2,600 |
Number of Countries With Servers | 90 locations |
Company Location | Malaysia |
Protocols Supported | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP and SoftEther |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Dedicated IP | No |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | Has everything you could want from a VPN, alongside multi-hop and torrenting support. | |||
Ease of Use | Has a small learning curve, but once you get past it, it’s incredibly intuitive. | |||
Value for Money | Too expensive for how it performs to really justify any higher. | |||
Trustworthiness | Good company location, solid privacy track record, good transparency. It’s not quite the gold standard of VPN privacy, but it’s up there. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Best VPN for Unlimited Connections
Surfshark
On Surfshark's Website
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix and Max
Number of Devices
Unlimited
Starting Monthly Price
INR 250.78 ($2.99) p/m (billed annually)
Why We Picked It
In a market of copycat VPNs, Surfshark manages to stand out with a list of unique features. That includes split tunneling, allowing you to send only selected apps through the VPN tunnel and multihop connections, which bounce your tunnel across multiple servers for extra security.
Surfshark has a fairly large network with over 3,200 servers and is reasonably priced starting at INR 3,761.76 ($44.85) for a year. Additional features include CleanWeb for ad-free browsing, Camouflage Mode to limit ISP snooping, NoBorders mode to access the VPN in restricted areas and more. The standard plan also allows an unlimited number of simultaneously connected devices to boot. All told, it’s great for personal use.
Surfshark also offer dedicated IP addresses, along with letting you manually connect to a limited number of shared static IP addresses for free, which may help with accessing work documents remotely. This feature alone could make it the perfect fit for users with niche workflows.
Read more: Surfshark Review
Who should use it: Those looking for a solid, feature-rich VPN primarily for personal use and secondarily for working from home.
Type of VPN: Personal
Server number and locations: Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers located in over 100 countries.
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes, seven days |
24/7 Customer Support | Yes |
Anonymous Browsing | Yes |
Browser Extensions | Yes for Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera |
Kill Switch | Yes |
No-Logs Policy | Yes |
Split-Tunneling | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- Multiple unique features, such as GPS-spoof and the ability to unblock most streaming networks
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Easy to use
- Split-tunneling is only available on Android and Windows
Quick Specs
Quick Specs | |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes, 30 days |
Supported Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux and iOS |
Browser Extensions | Edge and Chrome |
Number of Servers | Over 3,200 |
Number of Countries With Servers | 100 |
Company Location | The Netherlands |
Protocols Supported | WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Only on Android and Windows |
Dedicated IP | Yes, cost around INR 314.93 ($3.75) p/m |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | Has pretty much everything you could want feature-wise, but split tunneling only being available on Android and Windows is a pain. | |||
Ease of Use | Interface is clean and pretty intuitive to navigate. The oppressively long connection time on Windows and annoying ads for Surfshark One make it hard to score it higher, however. | |||
Value for Money | It’s relatively affordable, with the unlimited simultaneous connections in mind. Unfortunately, the performance issues and high month-to-month price compared with VPNs such as Mullvad or IVPN are a tough sell. It’s also frequently on-sale, as its deluge of ads on Youtube makes clear. I am, however, disappointed that more of these ads didn’t feature a shark carving up a bomb wave. | |||
Trustworthiness | Connection drops and being owned by Nord Security isn’t great for trusting a VPN to handle user data safely. That said, the company itself hasn’t done anything to make me rate it any lower. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Best Multi-Device VPN
VPN Unlimited (aka KeepSolid)
3.8
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu and Max
Number of Devices
Four during the free trial, then extend to unlimited
Starting Monthly Price
Around 419.90 ($5) p/m (billed annually)
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu and Max
Number of Devices
Four during the free trial, then extend to unlimited
Starting Monthly Price
Around 419.90 ($5) p/m (billed annually)
Why We Picked It
VPN Unlimited, aka KeepSolid, is a New York-based VPN provider that made the cut due to its compatibility with several platforms—offering discrete apps for various devices—its positive user experience as well as a subscription plan tailored for businesses.
While it ticks all those boxes, a closer look shows what’s separating it from greatness. You can purchase its Lifetime plan at a one-time payment at around INR 16,774.03 ($199.99). There’s also a standard plan which costs about INR ($59.99) for a year, leaning on the pricier side when compared with its competitors, and it comes with 10 device “slots.” This system is more rigid than its competitors and requires you to assign each device to a specific slot. That device will occupy a slot regardless of being actively connected to the VPN.
For businesses, you can pay for devices in increments of five, 10 and 20 users, and you can pay monthly, annually or a one-time lifetime fee. Dedicated IP addresses are also offered—but at one of the highest price points we’ve seen. A dedicated IP will set you back at around INR 1048.43 ($12.50) per month for a year.
VPN Unlimited offers a seven day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it’s worth giving it a shot even if some of the fine print gives you pause.
Who Should Use It: If you are looking for a robust VPN that’s compatible with all of your favorite devices, then you can do a lot worse than VPN Unlimited.
Type of VPN: Personal
Server number and locations: VPN Unlimited has 3,000 servers in more than 80 locations.
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Security and encryption | Yes |
Privacy policy | Yes |
Network of server locations | Yes |
Compatibility | Yes |
Performance and reliability | Yes |
Kill switch | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- Dedicated IP address available
- Tailored business tier
- Strong privacy features
- Wonky device configuration
- Expensive device upgrades and add-ons
- Site layout makes it extraordinarily difficult to find the info you need in a single location
Quick Specs
Quick Specs | |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes, seven days |
Supported Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux and iOS |
Browser Extensions | Firefox, Opera, Edge and Chrome |
Number of Servers | 3,000 |
Number of Countries With Servers | 80 |
Company Location | USA |
Protocols Supported | WireGuard, OpenVPN, KeepSolid Wise and IKEv2 |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Dedicated IP | Yes, costs INR 1,048.43 ($12.50) p/m |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | It’s got a decent collection of expected features, with Dedicated IP being an add-on. | |||
Ease of Use | The app itself is fine, but the setup and uninstall processes can be a bit of a pain, and the website’s layout is more difficult to navigate than it has any right being. | |||
Value for Money | Any VPN that offers a lifetime subscription is immediately not trustworthy as far as value for your money goes in my book, and that seven-day free trial is way too short, compared to other VPNs. | |||
Trustworthiness | Any service that offers a lifetime subscription already makes me raise an eyebrow, but the fact that the company does keep logs in some situations despite claiming a no-logs policy is an easy way to be rated near the bottom. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Best VPN For Smoothest App Interface
ExpressVPN
At 35% off on ExpressVPN's secure website
Streaming Services Unblocked
Hulu, Disney+ and Max
Number of Devices
8
Starting Monthly Price
INR 559.44 (6.67) p/m (billed annually)
Why We Picked It
ExpressVPN is a bit of a poster child for the personal VPN market. It’s unmatched in security and ease of use, providing an intuitive VPN application that has a lot of advanced technology going on behind the scenes. In addition to AES-256 encryption through standard VPN protocols, ExpressVPN offers its proprietary Lightway protocol that boosts speeds without compromising security.
For personal use, ExpressVPN meets an array of needs and boasts access to servers in 105 countries. However, it has limited functionality for businesses. There’s no specific business tier and it lacks features like a dedicated IP address. While it’s a solid choice for anyone in the market for a new VPN, this might turn off some potential buyers who want something designed for businesses.
ExpressVPN intentionally aims to protect individual VPN users and not companies, which can ostensibly track the behavior of their employees through a business VPN. It does not offer any such services.
Through a personal-use lens, its fatal flaw is its pricing. ExpressVPN charges INR 559.44 ($6.67) per month for a yearly plan. However upon renewal, the VPN provider charges INR 1,086.17 ($12.95) per month for 1-year plan, or INR about 13,034.07 ($155.40) per year, placing it firmly in the “expensive” category after increase their price upon annual renewal. Viewed in the long-term, its price may be more palatable.
During our test, ExpressVPN had some of the best connection speeds of any VPN on this list. It was also very easy to set up and use, though we found its customization options lacking.
Note: It is worth mentioning that, despite their competitive prices and robust features, some in the cybersecurity community have reservations about CyberGhost, ExpressVPN and PIA, which are all owned by Kape Technologies. Formerly known as “Crossrider,” the company gained infamy for creating and operating a platform that was used for injecting adware. Kape Technologies has repeatedly stood by the integrity of its VPNs, but consumers should keep this information in mind if they are especially wary of privacy.
Who should use it: Those who are looking for a best-in-class personal VPN—and are willing to pay for it.
Read more: ExpressVPN review
Type of VPN: Personal
Server Number and Locations: ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries.It doesn’t specify how many servers it has, only that there is often more than one server per location.
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Free Trial | 30-day money-back guarantee |
24/7 Customer Support | Yes |
Anonymous Browsing | Yes |
Browser Extensions | Yes for Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
Kill Switch | Yes |
No-Logs Policy | Yes |
Split-Tunneling | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- Proprietary Lightway VPN protocol
- Easy to use
- Router app to protect more devices
- Broad network of servers
- Low-cost dedicated IP
- More expensive than alternatives
- Limited business/work functionality
Quick Specs
Quick Specs | |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes, 30 days |
Supported Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS |
Browser Extensions | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave and Vivald |
Number of Servers | Unknown |
Number of Countries With Servers | 105 |
Company Location | British Virgin Islands |
Protocols Supported | Lightway and OpenVPN |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Dedicated IP | Yes, costs around INR 267.90 ($3.19) p/m |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | No Dedicated IP for business and no WireGuard support is a bad look. | |||
Ease of Use | Extremely easy to use for both beginners and experts alike. | |||
Value for Money | It’s too expensive, and its performance is too mid for me to give it anything but bottom marks. If you’re looking to get more value out of your purchase, your money is better spent on a VPN that can do the same things for cheaper. | |||
Trustworthiness | It’s unfortunately guilt by association, but I can’t bring myself to fully trust any Kape-owned product. The recent layoffs only make it harder to trust the service. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Best VPN for International Server Locations
CyberGhost
Via CyberGhost's Website
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu and Max
Number of Devices
Seven
Starting Monthly Price
INR 165 per month (+ 2 months) for 2 years
Why We Picked It
CyberGhost is one of the best, most intuitive VPNs on the market. CyberGhost strikes an ideal balance of a powerful feature set and an intuitive interface for users of all skill levels. Features include dedicated server locations for streaming and torrenting, as well as privacy-focused NoSpy servers.
Like other leading VPNs, CyberGhost uses AES-256 encryption to protect your data and it’s compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and more. A dedicated IP will cost an additional. CyberGhost offers a generous 45-day refund period when paying for terms longer than six months, and 14 days for monthly terms so you can try out the system for yourself without having to commit.
During our test, connection speeds stayed consistent, even when testing multiple servers across different continents. Its user-friendly interface also made setting up quick and painless.
Note: It is worth mentioning that, despite their competitive prices and robust features, some in the cybersecurity community have reservations about CyberGhost, ExpressVPN and PIA, which are all owned by Kape Technologies. Formerly known as “Crossrider,” the company gained infamy for creating and operating a platform that was used for injecting adware. Kape Technologies has repeatedly stood by the integrity of its VPNs, but consumers should keep this information in mind if they are especially wary of privacy.
Read more: CyberGhost VPN review
Who Should Use It: Those who want a VPN that allows them to work hard and play hard; and those who want ample time to get a refund if their VPN isn’t meeting their needs.
Type of VPN: Personal
Server Number and Locations: CyberGhost has servers in 126 locations in 100 countries, with dedicated IP servers located in 21 locations.
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes, 24 hours (or seven days on mobile devices) |
24/7 Customer Support | Yes |
Anonymous Browsing | Yes |
Browser Extensions | Yes, for Chrome and Firefox |
Kill Switch | Yes |
No-Logs Policy | Yes |
Split-Tunneling | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- Dedicated IP add-on
- Affordable, especially with a multi-year plan
- Easy to use
- NoSpy servers cost extra
- 45-day refund period only available on terms longer than six months
- Free trial on Windows and macOS lasts a minuscule 24 hours
Quick Specs
Quick Specs | |
---|---|
Free Trial | Yes—24 hours on Mac and PC, three days on Android and seven days on iOS |
Supported Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux and iOS |
Browser Extensions | Chrome and Firefox |
Number of Servers | 10,582 |
Number of Countries With Servers | 100 |
Company Location | Romania |
Protocols Supported | WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Dedicated IP | Yes, costs INR 200 p/m |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | Has most of what you’d expect from a good VPN, but I knocked off a point for the loss of multi-factor authentication. | |||
Ease of Use | Incredibly easy to use with great customization options. Good stuff. | |||
Value for Money | It’s not insanely more expensive than its competitors, but those free trial periods are really bad. I wouldn’t give them a shot as an individual consumer. | |||
Trustworthiness | It’s unfortunately guilt by association, but I can’t bring myself to fully trust any Kape-owned product. Add the company’s 2023 issues with a nasty Windows bug, coupled with the way the researcher who found the bug, and you’ve got a pretty hard-to-trust VPN provider on your hands. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Best VPN with Reasonable Pricing
PureVPN
3.7
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu and Max
Number of Devices
Unlimited
Starting Monthly Price
Around INR 334.66 ($3.99) pm (billed annually)
On PureVPN's secure website
Streaming Services Unblocked
Netflix, Hulu and Max
Number of Devices
Unlimited
Starting Monthly Price
Around INR 334.66 ($3.99) pm (billed annually)
Why We Picked It
PureVPN offers affordable plans that makes it an ideal choice for individuals and small businesses. The company allows Indian users to connect with its 6,000 virtual servers located in 80 locations across 65 countries.
PureVPN is compatible with almost all devices including Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. In addition, it offers VPN extension to Google Chrome and Firefox browsers that keeps the user’s location private and safe.
The cybersecurity company has three pricing options. The monthly plan starts from INR 1086.17 ($12.95) for a monthly plan, INR 334.66 ($3.99) per month for a one-year plan (billed annually), INR 179.49 ($2.14) per month for 2-year and 5-year plans.
Who Should Use It: Those who are looking for VPN security on a reasonable budget.
Learn more: PureVPN Review
Type of VPN: Personal and business.
Server number and locations: PureVPN has 6,500 servers located in more than 65 countries.
Features
Features | Yes/No |
---|---|
Security and encryption | Yes |
Privacy policy | Yes |
Network of server locations | Yes |
Compatibility | Yes |
Performance and reliability | Yes |
Kill switch | Yes |
Pros & Cons
- Reasonable pricing
- No free plan
Quick Specs
Quick Specs | |
---|---|
Free Trial | No—But it offers 31 days money-back guarantee |
Supported Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux |
Browser Extensions | Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and Brave. |
Number of Servers | 6,000 |
Number of Countries With Servers | 65 |
Company Location | Hong Kong —moving to British Virgin Islands |
Protocols Supported | WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Dedicated IP | Yes |
Expert Scores
Criteria | Expert’s Take | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Standout Features | Offer all major features of a VPN, but doesn’t offer a free trial. | |||
Ease of Use | PureVPN is easy to use, and offers interactive dashboard to control VPN features. | |||
Value for Money | It’s affordable than most of its competitors, but it could have been better if also offered a free trial option along with money-back guarante. | |||
Trustworthiness | PureVPNc omes with no-logs policy which guarantees that user logs arent’ collected. | |||
Note: Our expert scores are just one part of our overall Best VPN scoring rubric and might not be reflective of our final star rating for a VPN. Other criteria graded include customer service options, server counts, and overall device performance. |
Compare Best VPN Specifications
COMPANY | Company – Logo | FORBES ADVISOR INDIA RATING | FORBES ADVISOR RATING | SUPERLATIVE | NUMBER OF DEVICES | STARTING MONTHLY PRICE | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | VIEW MORE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN | 4.5 | Best VPN Overall | 10 | Around INR 418.53 ($4.99) p/m (billed annually) | Learn More | ||||
TorGuard VPN | 4.3 | Best Customizable VPN | 8 to 30 devices | Around INR 209.69 ($2.50) p/m (billed annually) | Learn More | ||||
Private Internet Access | 4.2 | Best VPN for Customizable Security | Unlimited | Around INR 250.83 p/m (billed annually) | Learn More | ||||
Proton VPN | 4.2 | Best VPN for Tor Integrations | 10 | Free, or around INR 418.53 ($4.99) p/m (billed annually) | Learn More | ||||
hide.me | 4.1 | Best VPN for Wi-Fi Security | 10 | Free, or around INR 314.53 ($3.75) p/m (billed annually) | Learn More | ||||
Surfshark | 4.0 | Best VPN for Unlimited Connections | Unlimited | Around INR 250.78 ($2.99) p/m (billed annually) | Learn More | ||||
VPN Unlimited | 3.8 | Best Multi-Device VPN | 4 during the free trial, then extend to unlimited | Around INR 502.41 ($5.99) p/m (billed annually) | Learn More | ||||
ExpressVPN | 3.7 | Best VPN For Smoothest App Interface | 8 | Around INR 559.44 (6.67) p/m (billed annually) | Learn More | ||||
CyberGhost | 3.7 | Best VPN for International Server Locations | 7 | Around INR 175 per month (+ 2 months) for 2 years | Learn More | ||||
PureVPN | 3.7 | Best VPN with Reasonable Pricing | Unlimited | Around INR 334.66 ($3.99) pm (billed annually) | Learn More |
Our comparison of top VPN specifications is accurate as on Sept. 4, 2024.
Methodology: How Our Experts Evaluate Best VPN
We did hands-on testing for 23 of the top VPNs on the market on 37 decision factors to come up with this list, but that doesn’t explain what factors we graded a provider on. Below we’ll list the broad categories we use when scoring VPN providers and talk about some of the factors considered in each category.
Category | Factors Considered | Scoring Weight |
---|---|---|
General Features | These are the basic features any top VPN should have. This includes split tunneling, an internet kill switch and account protection via multifactor authentication or alternative methods like Mullvad VPN’s anonymized account system. | 20% |
Additional Features | These are extra features that are great to have but aren’t strictly necessary for a top-flight VPN. Factors found here include high server count, high number of simultaneous connections and browser extensions. | 10% |
Pricing | For pricing, we look at each provider’s lowest and highest prices for monthly and annual plans to figure out which ones will be cheapest for most users. As usual, we still recommend you start with the monthly plan, no matter how many discount signs they put on the longer-term deals. | 15% |
Speeds | A VPN’s effect on device performance is extremely important to measure. For this, we use our regular speed testing (see table below) to see how each provider stacks up. | 10% |
Customer Service and Support | You need to have customer support, and in this category, we review how each provider handles their customer support. Live chat with a human, access to phone support and 24/7 support are all factors we considered for this category. | 7% |
Mobile Apps | For this, we check if a provider has a mobile app for Android and iOS, as well as the customer reviews on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store for said apps. | 3% |
Customer Reviews | Our hands-on experience isn’t indicative of the full breadth of experience users can have with a product. To make up for that, we comb through review aggregate sites to see how these providers stack up in the eyes of their customers. | 10% |
Expert Scores | Our expert’s opinion also plays a part in our overall scoring process. As outlined in the provider cards above, our expert grades companies on their standout features, value for money, ease of use and trustworthiness. | 10% |
Our VPN Test Results
Below, we provided some tables showcasing our first-person VPN test results. This isn’t a comprehensive list of all the factors we considered, but it should provide some useful data for your own decision making. We tested each VPN’s speeds, how well it handled unblocking streaming services and how it handled DNS leak testing through websites such as dnsleaktest.com. These tables are updated monthly to ensure that all services on this list are still providing the best performance possible for their users.
VPN Speed Testing
VPN Provider | Average Upload Speed | Average Download Speed | Average Upload Ping | Average Download Ping |
---|---|---|---|---|
No VPN | 388.2 Mbps | 331.6 Mbps | 8.4 ms | 10.5 ms |
NordVPN | 332.6 Mbps | 356 Mbps | 11.8 ms | 12 ms |
TunnelBear | 53.32 Mbps | 290 Mbps | 31.3 ms | 67.55 ms |
TorGuardVPN | 36.05 Mbps | 258.5 Mbps | 112.4 ms | 13.8 ms |
Proton VPN | 353.4 Mbps | 316.5 Mbps | 11.45 ms | 11.95 ms |
Private Internet Access | 204 Mbps | 243.6 Mbps | 18.85 ms | 19.45 ms |
hide.me | 365.5 Mbps | 142 Mbps | 10.35 ms | 5.4 ms |
Surfshark | 311.9 Mbps | 330.4 Mbps | 11.3 ms | 16.25 ms |
VPN Unlimited | 74.88 Mbps | 292.7 Mbps | 5.95 ms | 19.6 ms |
CyberGhost | 330.1 Mbps | 312.8 Mbps | 11.3 ms | 14.95 ms |
ExpressVPN | 330.6 Mbps | 285.3 Mbps | 13 ms | 17.4 ms |
Methodology: Our VPN speed comparison tested on a Windows 11 machine using Cloudflare’s publicly available speed test. VPN services were connected to the nearest possible server on Apr. 29, 2024.
VPN Streaming Service Performance
VPN Provider | Unblocks Netflix? | Unblocks Hulu? | Unblocks Disney+? | Unblocks Max? |
---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
TunnelBear | No | No | No | Yes |
TorGuard VPN | Yes | No | No | No |
Proton VPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Private Internet Access | Yes | No | No | Yes |
hide.me | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Surfshark | Yes | No | No | Yes |
VPN Unlimited | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
CyberGhost | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
ExpressVPN | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DNS Leak Testing
VPN Provider | Dnsleaktest.Com | IPLeak.Com |
---|---|---|
NordVPN | No leak detected | No leak detected |
TunnelBear | No leak detected | Leak detected |
TorGuard VPN | No leak detected | No leak detected |
Proton VPN | No leak detected | No leak detected |
Private Internet Access | No leak detected | No leak detected |
hide.me | No leak detected | No leak detected |
Surfshark | No leak detected | No leak detected |
VPN Unlimited | No leak detected | No leak detected |
CyberGhost | No leak detected | No leak detected |
ExpressVPN | Leak detected | No leak detected |
What Is A VPN?
VPNs are virtual private networks that encrypt your data and mask your online activity from snooping third parties. When you do things, such as check your email, chat with colleagues and browse websites, a VPN can help keep you anonymous.
What Does a VPN Do?
When you do just about anything online, your computer connects to the server that hosts whatever website or service you’re using. The website can typically see certain data about you and your device, which isn’t ideal if you don’t like your activity being monitored. A VPN service connects you to a remote server before connecting you to your favorite sites, so that when a website checks for your user information, it only “sees” the VPN and does not trace it back to you.
How VPNs Protect Your Privacy & How They Don’t
You can safely use a VPN on your personal and business devices, and it’s a great way to keep your personal data and browsing habits private. The scrambled data is nearly impossible to decipher, so it’s useless to hackers and sites that want to track that data.
However, VPNs can’t protect against everything you do on your computer, laptop or mobile phone.
A VPN can protect:
- Your identity online
- Data you send and receive online
What a VPN doesn’t protect you from:
- Malware
- Phishing scams
- Data on your devices
A VPN protects active transmissions of data online, so it cannot do much for the data that lives on your phone or computer. For physical data protection, you would need antivirus and anti-malware software. It’s also important to be careful which links you click in email and online. Phishing attacks can be cleverly disguised as emails from someone you know.
VPN Alternatives
While one of the most popular methods, VPNs aren’t the only way to encrypt your online traffic. Below we’ve listed a few VPN alternatives. The list isn’t comprehensive, and some of the options are more business-focused than consumer-focused. Keep that in mind if you decide to give one of these a try yourself.
- Proxy Servers: Proxy servers function similarly to VPNs, providing users with a sort of middleman or gateway between their computer and the Internet. This can help anonymize users’ traffic, though unlike a VPN, proxies don’t encrypt traffic.
- SSH Tunnels: Short for “Secure Shell,” SSH Tunnels route traffic from a user’s computer to a remote device. This is also known as SSH port forwarding and is a common way to encrypt data being transmitted to hide it from third-party observation.
- SD-WAN: A more business-focused option, a software-defined wide area network or SD-WAN leverages the cloud to deliver encrypted traffic across the aforementioned wide area network. This is good for businesses looking for a more centralized version of the sort of privacy VPNs can offer but is more or less useless for most individual users.
- Tor Browser: The Tor Browser hides user activity through the use of onion routing, a multi-layered encryption technique which bounces traffic through a series of relays before hitting its final destination. Each bounce is encrypted until the traffic reaches its final destination, making it look to the recipient like the data is coming from the last relay node used instead of from the sender’s computer.
How To Choose the Best VPN
How to choose the VPN that’s right for you and your needs is something only you can really decide on, but there are a few key factors worth considering.
To help you figure out if a VPN is offering what you need, we’ve listed some of the deciding factors below and the effect they can have on your user experience.
Essential VPN Features
- Trust: The number one deciding factor for a VPN is how much you trust the provider. You are essentially trusting them with your data in lieu of your regular ISP, and that comes with a lot of responsibility. This is obviously a very subjective factor, but part of your research should involve checking the company’s privacy policy, to make sure it doesn’t log user data. On top of that, research the company’s history and make sure it has not been caught logging user data in the past or had a severe data breach. Your data and safety online are more important than a company’s bottom line, and if a provider has a history with either of these or other shady activity, that should be an immediate concern.
- Network of server locations: A good VPN will have a large network of servers and server locations, preferably with variety in the type of servers it offers. This can help keep periods of high user traffic from bottlenecking your internet speeds, as well as let you pick the server best-suited for what you need.
- Compatibility: Your VPN should be compatible with every device you plan to use it with, whether that’s your home or work PC, your mobile device or your router.
- Performance and reliability: While internet speed slowdowns are in some cases inevitable when using a VPN, you want to find a provider with consistent speeds, as well as minimal lag and downtime. Otherwise, you’re just paying someone to slow your internet down for you. For the fastest speeds possible, we recommend using a VPN that supports the open-source WireGuard protocol.
Server Number and Locations
Server numbers and locations are important factors to consider when choosing a VPN because they can affect the VPN’s overall performance and the level of privacy and security it can provide.
- Server numbers: A large number of servers generally means more options for connecting to the VPN. This can help ensure you can find a fast and reliable server near your physical location. A VPN with many servers also allows for more flexibility in terms of server switching and load balancing, which can help improve overall performance.
- Server locations: A VPN with a wide range of server locations is also considered to be a good thing because it allows you to choose a server that is located in a specific country or region. This can be useful if you want to access geo-restricted content or if you want to ensure that your data is transmitted through a specific country’s jurisdiction. The more server locations a VPN has, the more options you have to choose from and the more flexibility you have to ensure that your connection is fast and reliable.
A VPN service with few servers and few locations is considered bad because it could lead to over-congestion, low speed and difficulty in finding a server near your location.
It is also important that the VPN provider has servers in countries which are privacy-friendly and not part of any surveillance alliance, such as the 5-eyes, 9-eyes or 14-eyes.
Speed and Performance
Speed is an important decision factor when choosing a VPN because it affects the overall performance of the VPN and your ability to use the internet effectively. A VPN that’s slow can cause delays in loading web pages, buffering when streaming video and difficulty using real-time applications, such as online gaming or video conferencing.
Other performance factors include:
- Latency: Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the VPN server and back. A low latency is important for real-time applications such as online gaming or video conferencing.
- Bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a connection. A VPN with high bandwidth can support more data-intensive activities such as streaming high-definition (HD) video.
- Uptime: Uptime refers to the amount of time a VPN server is available and online. A VPN with high uptime will be more reliable and less likely to experience disruptions or downtime.
There may be some differences in speed across devices, as some devices may have faster processors or better network connectivity than others. However, a good VPN provider should be able to provide fast and reliable connections regardless of the device.
To evaluate a VPN’s performance, you can use online speed test tools to measure the VPN’s download and upload speeds, as well as its latency and jitter. They can also look at the VPN’s uptime records and read reviews from other users to get a general sense of the VPN’s performance.
Before subscribing to a VPN service, it’s important to have a free trial or money-back guarantee period. This way you can test the performance and see if it meets your needs prior to committing to a plan.
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 329.07 ($3.99) + 3 months free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
5,000+
On NordVPN’s Website
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Surfshark
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 197.29 + one month free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
3,200+
At upto 82% off on Surfshark’s secure website
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Private Internet Access
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 158.89
No. of Devices
Unlimited
No. of Servers
30,000+
On Private Internet Access’ Website
How Much Does a VPN Cost?
What is a reasonable price for a VPN will vary from person to person. However, we find that, in general, most VPNs will have a monthly subscription around the INR 209.69 ($2.50) to INR 559.44 ($6.67) per month range, with some reaching the $12 per month range. Most providers will provide discounts if you opt into a longer plan, but we recommend starting with a monthly subscription first, preferably one with a 30-day money-back guarantee. That way, you can give the service a proper test-drive without breaking the bank.
For business use, the number of simultaneous connections allowed can be a more important purchasing factor than base price. The more connections a service allows on one subscription, the more cost-effective it becomes. Add-on fees for features such as Dedicated IP can also put a bigger dent in your budget but might be necessary if the VPN doesn’t come with those features as part of the base package.
Popular VPN Uses
Here is a list of popular VPN uses and key features to look for:
General Internet Browsing
Your internet service provider (ISP) can track what you do online, such as what sites you visit, the time you spend browsing and more. Depending on the terms of service and what you’ve agreed to, your ISP may even sell your data to advertisers. Your stored data is kept confidential otherwise, according to most internet providers.
In India, ISPs are required to keep browsing history logs for 90 days. If the government requests your internet history, an ISP must comply. In fact, in cases of national security, the government doesn’t even need a warrant to access your internet data. Theoretically, with a warrant, local law enforcement can use your data to help convict you of a crime. Using a VPN can cover your tracks or, at the very least, give you peace of mind.
Key Features To Look For:
- Strong encryption
- No-logs policy with at least one independent audit of said policy
- Access to a wide range of server locations
- No prior history of logging or sharing user data
Streaming and Accessing Blocked Content
A VPN does more than protect your data—it can unlock your access to region-locked media. The most obvious benefit to using a VPN for this purpose is that you can use it to find shows and movies you can’t see otherwise. For example, Netflix and Hulu offer different types of programming per location.
A country might also restrict access to certain websites or content for political reasons, such as YouTube being blocked in China or recent legislation that has led to certain adult websites blocking access for users in seven different U.S. states. A VPN can make it appear as though you’re accessing the internet from a different location so that you can access websites or media that might otherwise be blocked in your country. Your connection to the VPN can keep your actual location and IP cloaked, so you can’t be pinpointed.
Key Features To Look For:
- Access to a wide range of server locations
- No-logs policy
- Dedicated streaming servers
- Fast download and upload speeds
Read More: Best VPN for Streaming
Gaming
While VPNs can cause performance issues while gaming, the right VPN can minimize those slowdowns while still keeping your network activity from being compromised or harvested. It can also be useful for getting around geo-locked content such as region-specific events in gacha games such as Genshin Impact.
Key Features To Look For:
- Low latency
- Fast download and upload speeds
- No-logs policy
- Access to a wide range of server locations
Read More: Best VPN for Gaming
Torrenting
Torrenting is a controversial practice since it’s a popular method for users to illegally download copyrighted materials. Countries including the U.S., Russia, Australia and Italy have banned or taken down torrenting platforms in the past, and if not properly vetted, downloading the wrong torrent can infect your computer with a debilitating virus. These peer-to-peer platforms are also well-suited to tracking and harvesting user data.
While we here at Forbes Advisor do not condone or support any illegal acts performed on torrenting websites, there are legitimate reasons to legally torrent content, and it’s important to be protected when doing so. A VPN can be a great way to keep you and your data safe from any malicious actors you might find while using torrenting services. It’s important to check and make sure your VPN supports P2P file sharing, however, as not all VPNs do so.
Key Features To Look For:
- No-logs policy
- Strong encryption
- Support for P2P file sharing
Read More: Best VPN for Torrenting
Business Use
As more employees have begun working hybrid or fully remote schedules, companies have been hit with major security concerns regarding remote workers logging in to company servers from home. Unless you provide the internet yourself, you can’t know how secure an employee’s connection is. They could even be working from home or in a coffee shop. If a connection is intercepted, there’s a possibility that active data could go from an employee to a hacker, rather than the Wi-Fi the employee is trying to use.
As such, companies have turned to VPNs as a way to keep their company data safe, no matter where an employee logs in from. This is also useful for employees who travel a lot due to business, as they can still access company resources even in countries that might otherwise restrict internet access.
Key Features To Look For:
- Strong encryption
- Support for simultaneous connections
- No-logs policy
- Ability to establish a site-to-site VPN
- Dedicated IP add-on
Read More: Best Business VPN
How To Use a VPN
The majority of today’s VPNs are exceptionally easy to use. Once you’ve created an account with the provider, all you need to do is download the VPN app on your computer or smartphone. Once you’ve signed in with your account, you typically choose from a list of remote servers located around the world. Click on the one you’d like and the system should connect you automatically. Once you get confirmation that you’re connected, you can use your device as you normally would without your VPN. You can disconnect or change your server from your app’s home screen.
To set up your VPN manually, you can follow specific steps for your operating system. Many of the apps follow a similar process, as outlined below.
- 1. Download and install the app or software.
- 2. Click on “Settings” or “System Preferences.”
- 3. Choose “Network” or “VPN.”
- 4 .Fill out fields for “Server Name,” “VPN Type,” “Remote ID,” “Local ID” and your account info (some of the fields may vary depending on the OS).
- 5. Connect to your VPN.
For more detailed information, check out our step-by-step guide on how to set up a VPN.
How To Check if Your VPN Is Working
There are a number of ways to check if your VPN is working, from checking your location or IP address to looking for domain name system (DNS) leaks or WebRTC leaks.
Here are the most common ways to quickly check if your VPN is working:
- Check your VPN’s connection status: Most VPN software has a connection status indicator that tells you if the VPN is connected or disconnected. This is a reliable way to check if your VPN is working.
- Check your IP address: One of the most basic ways to check if your VPN is working is to check your IP address. If you’re connected to a VPN, your IP address should be different from the one that you see when you’re not connected to the VPN. You can check your IP address by googling “what is my IP address.”
- Check your location: You can also check your location to see if your VPN is working by visiting a website, such as mylocation.org. If your VPN is working, your location should be different from the one that you see when you’re not connected to the VPN.
- Check for domain name system (DNS) leaks: DNS leaks can occur when your device is using a different DNS server than the one provided by the VPN. You can check for DNS leaks by checking a website such as dnsleaktest.com.
- Check for WebRTC leaks: WebRTC leaks can occur when your browser is leaking your real IP address. You can check for WebRTC leaks by using a website such as browserleaks.com.
- Try accessing blocked content: If you are trying to access content that is blocked in your region, you can try accessing it to check if your VPN is working properly. If your VPN is working, you should be able to access the content.
It’s important to note that even if your VPN appears to be working, it does not guarantee that your internet connection is secure. It’s always a good idea to test your VPN regularly to ensure that it’s working properly and to check for any potential leaks or vulnerabilities.
9 Reasons Why You Need a VPN
Using a VPN at home can keep your data safe from those who want to use your data for targeted advertising. On your mobile device, a VPN can protect your login details and other data you send when you connect to public Wi-Fi. It can be especially useful for businesses that have proprietary information to protect.
Here are nine of the most common VPN uses:
1. Keep Your Data Private From Your ISP
Because of the relationship between you and your internet service provider (ISP), it can track what you do online, such as what sites you visit, the time you spend browsing, and more. Depending on the terms of service and what you’ve agreed to, your ISP may even sell your personal data to advertisers. Your stored data is kept confidential otherwise, according to most internet providers.
In India, if the government requests your internet history, an ISP must comply. In fact, in cases of national security, the government doesn’t even need a warrant to access your internet data. Theoretically, with a warrant, local law enforcement can use your data to help convict you of a crime.
Even if you’re a law-abiding citizen, you might not want your ISP documenting every URL you visit. If you use a VPN, you can cover your tracks. At the very least, it can give you peace of mind.
2. Use Public Wi-Fi Safely With a VPN
Whether you’re at an airport waiting for a flight and checking your email or at a local restaurant reading news on your phone, you may be tempted to use public Wi-Fi. It seems safe enough, right? The free internet connection is offered by the airport or business and they mean well.
The good news is that browsing online has become safer in recent years, thanks to most people adopting HTTPS over HTTP. That “S” is a security protocol that comes from a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate and helps protect internet data that’s shared to and from a site. That’s what makes it safer for you to pay for products and services online, for example.
However, most public Wi-Fi connections are open and not password protected, so you might put yourself at risk of your connection being intercepted by a hacker who is trolling the Wi-Fi network..
If you have a VPN service to log into first, you can anonymously connect to public Wi-Fi and essentially remain hidden on the network. A VPN will hide your identity on an open internet connection and encrypt active data, so even if a cybercriminal is on the same network, you’ll be safe.
3. Protect Your Personal Data From Businesses
Lots of retailers offer apps and free Wi-Fi to shoppers and they make it hard to not use them. For one, if you download a retailer’s app, you may get access to exclusive coupons and deals, so that’s tempting. Also, a lot of physical locations block cell phone service simply because of the metal in structures.
Businesses that offer these perks for free or incentives to use their apps and Wi-Fi are doing so to collect your data, which is extremely valuable to them. This is another good reason to use a VPN if you want to protect your personal data. Plus, you’ll still be able to safely access your apps and use free Wi-Fi while you’re shopping at malls or stores.
4. Protect Proprietary Information
Many companies adopted a remote or hybrid work policy recently, which is convenient for a lot of employees. However, there is a security concern about having remote workers log into company servers from home because you don’t know how secure an employee’s connection is. They could be working from home or in a coffee shop. If a connection is intercepted, there’s a concern that active data could go from an employee to a hacker, rather than the Wi-Fi the employee is trying to use.
Providing all employees with remote access and a VPN will help keep your company’s files and projects safe.
5. Access Blocked Content
A VPN does more than protect your data—it can unlock your access to media you can’t get to now. There are benefits here for a few different reasons.
Some citizens in countries with strict governments may not be able to visit websites with opposing views to their politicians. A VPN can make it appear as though you’re located in a different location, so you can access otherwise blocked websites or media. Your connection to the VPN can keep your actual location and IP cloaked, so you can’t be pinpointed.
Another benefit to using a VPN is that you can use it to find media you can’t get otherwise. For example, Netflix and Hulu offer different types of programming per location. If you’re in the U.S., you might not be able to watch what’s available on Netflix in the United Kingdom. A VPN can make it appear as though you’re in another country, thereby unlocking that exclusive content.
6. Data Privacy From Your Government
While many ISPs, apps and internet data hubs suggest they don’t sell your browsing data to governments, the information nonetheless finds its way into their hands. If you have qualms about governmental overreach, a VPN is a good investment in protecting your data.
7. Security When Working Remotely
One benefit of a VPN is its data encryption features. Encryption, or putting data into a coded format so its meaning is obscured, allows you to keep confidential information safe.
If you are an individual thinking about investing in a VPN for your company, one benefit is that workers can connect to your office network and look at sensitive materials on their own devices while away from the office. As remote work seems a possibility even after the pandemic ends, a VPN is a helpful investment to keep confidential material safe off-site.
8. Smart Savings
If you are willing to put in a little research, a VPN can help you save money via its location spoofing capabilities. Many types of businesses, such as subscription services and airlines, offer the same amenities or products for different prices. If you change the appearance of your location to a place where services are offered cheaper, you can end up with big savings.
These are just a few examples of how a VPN can help protect you or help you access blocked information. There are plenty of other reasons why everyone should use a VPN.
9. Adaptable to Numerous Smart Devices
While many of us may first try a VPN on a company-loaned laptop, many VPN services also protect other smart devices such as your phones, tablets and desktop computers. Each VPN company may offer slightly different protection plans and have different capacities to protect different devices, but many providers offer plans that help keep you safe on multiple devices.
Common VPN Protocol
A VPN protocol is similar to a set of instructions not unlike “if this, then that” scripts. The protocols tell the VPN to encrypt data if and when a user logs in and to encrypt data that’s sent or received through that connection. These protocols also determine the type of encryption and security to use. Below is a list of protocols most often supported by providers. For more information, check out our article on Common VPN Protocols.
- OpenVPN: OpenVPN is a free and open-source security protocol commonly used by most VPN providers. It is one of the oldest security protocols in the VPN space, being initially released in 2001. It is a solid, if unremarkable, protocol by today’s standards.
- IKEv2: IKEv2 is a protocol that encrypts communication between a VPN client and a VPN server and securely exchanges keys over the internet. It was the standard protocol used for years, but multiple vulnerabilities in its architecture have been found and exploited in the past, particularly when poorly or improperly implemented.
- WireGuard: The current standard-bearer of VPN protocols, WireGuard is a free and open-source security protocol known for its speeds and consistency. Many VPNs use WireGuard as their default protocol, even in cases where a proprietary protocol exists.
Are VPNs safe?
That depends on your personal definition of “safe” and on which provider you use. Most VPNs won’t infect your computer with malware if downloaded, but that doesn’t mean they’re 100% safe.
A provider could be harvesting the internet traffic you route through its VPN to sell or to hand off to government entities, for example. The VPN could also not work as well as intended, such as if it accidentally drops without cutting your internet connection or leaks your IP address, leaving your activity exposed.
In general, we recommend picking a provider with a clear, independently audited no-logs policy.
Are VPNs legal In 2024
VPNs are legal in most countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. Certain countries, such as China and Russia, have laws against using a VPN to bypass banned websites.
Regardless of the country you’re in, doing anything illegal while you’re connected to a VPN is still illegal.
Are VPNs legal In India?
The Government of India issued a notification in April 2022 requiring VPNs and cybersecurity companies to collect and store user data for a minimum of five years. Such a directive has raised eyebrows, leading to many unanswered questions: Is VPN legal in India? Is it safe to use VPNs in India?
The government’s directive hasn’t gone well with VPN companies, as the new law stands in contrast to what VPNs do to protect users’ privacy. So, most VPN companies (like the ones mentioned above) have removed their physical servers located in India and continue to provide security services via virtual servers located outside the country. Hence, Indian consumers of VPNs continue to use the provider’s service.
However, cybercriminals can utilize the same quality of service to hide their online illegal activities, such as remaining anonymous to access the dark web, including drugs, hacking, to cite an example. On the contrary, countries like China, which has heightened surveillance, have not banned VPNs. Even the U.S. federal agencies tackle cyber threats with technology instead of banning VPNs.
The Government of India hasn’t imposed a blanket ban on VPNs, though an Indian Parliamentary standing committee on home affairs has called to ban VPNs in the country. Instead, the Indian Government has strengthened the surveillance to track VPN use in the country.
VPNs are legal in India for now. Regardless of the country you’re in, doing anything illegal while you’re connected to a VPN is still illegal.
Can I unlock sites and services using a VPN service?
VPN allows users to stream and download their favorite content, from TV shows, live sports, trading cryptocurrencies, to international channels.
More VPN Resources
We hope that the following resources will help you to select the right VPN for you and learn how to get started with your new VPN.
Explore Our Best VPN Guides
- Best Mobile VPN
- Best VPN for Windows
- Best VPN for iPhone
- Best VPN Chrome Extensions
- Best VPN for Mac
- Best Android VPNs
- Best Free VPN
VPN Setup Guides
- How to Set Up a VPN
- Playstation VPN Setup Guide
- Xbox VPN Setup Guide
- How to Turn Off a VPN
- VPN Not Connecting: Troubleshooting
Learn More About VPNs
- What Does a VPN Hide?
- VPN Statistics
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- Are VPNs Safe?
- Do VPNs Slow Down Your Internet?
- Is a VPN Worth It?
- Proxy vs VPN
Anonymous Browsing and Content Access
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- How to Unblock Websites
- How to Unblock YouTube
- How to Change Your IP Address
- How to Hide Your IP Address
Compare VPNs
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Our VPN Reviews
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What is the best VPN in 2024?
Private Internet Access (PIA) is Forbes Advisor’s selection for the best VPN of 2024. With affordable pricing as low as INR 3,010 per year, the PIA VPN provides access to 30,000+ servers across 78 countries and supports simultaneous connectivity for up to 10 devices.
CyberGhost does not support as many devices as PIA and is slightly more expensive at INR 4,590 per year. Still, it offers an intuitive UX, powerful AES-256 encryption and a 45-day refund period.
TorGuard VPN is a great pick for more advanced users, offering connectivity for up to eight devices at once. Pricing ranges from INR 4,942 to 10,627 per year, with multiple subscription tiers available, so you can get exactly what you need for your budget.
Are there any good free VPNs?
While some providers (including those on this list) have perfectly fine free versions, we do not recommend most free VPNs. In most cases, the limitation on data usage and server locations leads to a poor experience. We would recommend using a VPN with a generous free trial so you can get a taste of a more complete VPN experience.
How do I connect to a VPN?
Connecting to a VPN is often as simple as creating an account with a specific VPN, downloading the app, logging in and selecting which server you want to connect to. While there are customization options to consider, including split tunneling or which protocol to use, connecting to a VPN is often, by design, an incredibly simple process.
If you’re having trouble, however, we recommend checking the VPN’s website or contacting customer support who might be able to help figure out your unique situation.
What's the difference between a proxy and a VPN?
A proxy and a VPN are similar in that a proxy server and a VPN can mask your IP, but the difference is that a proxy won’t encrypt your internet data—a VPN does.
Does a VPN slow down your internet?
A VPN can potentially slow down your internet connection, depending on a variety of factors such as the location of the VPN server, the number of users connected to the server, the strength of your device’s processor and internet connection and the VPN’s encryption protocols.
The distance between you and the server can also affect the speed because the further away the server is, the more time it takes for data to travel back and forth.
It’s also important to note that using a VPN can improve your internet speed in certain cases, for example, if you’re using a VPN to access geo-restricted content or to bypass ISP throttling.
What's the difference between a business VPN and a personal VPN?
On a purely technical level, there is no difference at all. A VPN for business use and a VPN for personal use will use the same protocols and perform many of the same functions. The key difference lies in why a business, freelancer or self-employed professional would use a VPN versus why a private individual would use a VPN for personal use.
Private individuals are often using VPNs for one of three reasons: torrenting, accessing content blocked in their region and hiding their activity from their ISP. This means they’ll place greater importance on VPNs that have good support for torrenting, such as port forwarding, and a strong commitment to privacy.
Meanwhile, business users might be looking for VPNs that have a higher number of simultaneous connections (to secure more employees for cheaper) and a Dedicated IP add-on. Dedicated IP can, as an example, help businesses better secure databases for remote workers by keying access to that worker’s static IP, instead of using easier-to-crack methods such as usernames and passwords.
Can VPNs be hacked?
Yes. VPNs are not foolproof and, like any software, can be susceptible to hacks and malware.
Several Android VPNs were hacked in February 2021, leaking data on millions of users. That’s because those VPN services tracked their users’ data in the first place.
To limit susceptibility to hacks and data leaks, ensure your VPN does not collect your data and that it provides adequate encryption. Free VPNs may not offer the best protection.
Do VPN providers offer dedicated IP addresses to Indian users?
There are only a few like Private Internet Access that provide a dedicated Indian IP, while others restrict Indian users from accessing it.
How many devices can connect to one VPN?
It’s typical to see five devices connect to a single VPN account, though this number fluctuates depending on the provider. Some providers may offer 10 connections—and a few offer an unlimited amount.
To get more out of your alottable devices, you connect some VPNs with your router, which then protects all devices connected to it while only taking up one device slot.
Do VPN providers offer obfuscated servers?
Most VPN service providers, like mentioned above, offer obfuscated servers, which are designed to hide users’ IP addresses and reroute internet traffic. This feature doesn’t let internet service providers (ISPs) from knowing if users are using the VPN.
This is a paid feature that allows users to use an obfuscated server via a server connected via automatic protocol.
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