There are hundreds of Virtual Private Network providers out on the market, each of them promising to bring their A-game. Logically, this begs the question – which VPN should I choose? This is an excellent question and the answer really depends on how you plan to use the VPN primarily.
Advantages of a VPN
A Virtual Private Network can be used for many different circumstances.
You might have discovered that you can gain access to geo-restricted content by using a VPN simply by changing your IP address and connecting to a server from anywhere in the world.
In this case, speed, unlimited bandwidth, and a reliable connection would be essential.
On the other hand, security may be your primary concern when wondering which VPN to choose. Maybe you want to make sure that your private details remain just that.
In this case, you need to select a provider that offers the best security and encryption.
Alternatively, you might like to use it for Torrenting. If so, a provider that does not keep logs of your browsing/download history and offers great speeds should be considered.
No provider is best for everything, although, ExpressVPN does come very close and will be our best pick for many categories. With this in mind, we have divided the article into sections, revealing the best VPNs for different circumstances.
According to what you want, you’ll find the provider that best suits your needs.
Which VPN Should I Choose for High Speeds?
Many people who look for a Virtual Network Provider put an emphasis on speed, wanting to choose the fastest servers possible. This makes sense, as low-quality providers will often considerably affect your speed – negatively, of course.
Speed may be essential if you plan to use the VPN to stream content in HD or download torrents in P2P. While all providers may claim to offer fast speed, some are faster than others.
When considering choosing a speedy provider, look for one that offers a huge number of servers worldwide, along with servers in your region. Generally, the closer the server is to your location the faster your internet experience will be. Also, look for one that offers unlimited bandwidth and speed.
Some providers have much faster servers than others. With this in mind, when considering which VPN to choose for speed, you might consider one of the following three.
1. ExpressVPN
The best all-around provider for speed is ExpressVPN. It offers 3,000+ servers located in 94 countries worldwide so there is sure to be one close to your region. In addition, all servers are great for streaming and torrenting, or better said, for all intended purposes.
Discover all ExpressVPN's server locations >
If you want to stream restricted content, you will be able to search for servers in all of the most popular countries, including the USA and the UK. Even if you live halfway around the world, the servers of ExpressVPN are blazing-fast so you do not have to worry about slowdowns.
ExpressVPN also offers superb reliability and consistency throughout its entire network. As if it was not enough, you’ll have the option of running a speed test in the app to find out which server will be the best to connect to.
2. CyberGhost
When asking the question of which VPN should I choose, you might want to consider CyberGhost. With CyberGhost, you have access to over 7,400 servers in more than 90 countries worldwide at the time of writing. Not only this, but the servers are fast and reliable.
Get fast servers from CyberGhost >
What is helpful is the fact that the servers are shown with the distance they are away from the user. It also shows you the current load on the server.
This makes choosing a server for the fastest speed easier. Choosing CyberGhost will, therefore, be a good decision if you want a fast provider.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN boasts more than 5,200 servers located in numerous countries around the world. With this provider, you do not have to comprise security for speed as you get both.
The advantage of having access to thousands of servers is wider coverage, less overcrowding, and faster speeds. With servers around the world, it is not hard to find one close to you. This reduces the distance, often resulting in a faster speed.
NordVPN also offers a “Quick connect” button to automatically connect you to the best server possible for your location to help maximize speeds and level of performance.
Which VPN Should I Choose for Security?
Go online today and you simply have no idea who is looking over your shoulder – and we do not mean standing right behind you. Hackers are prevalent and even your ISP likes to keep a close watch on what you are doing.
So, how do you remain safe when browsing or streaming on the internet? With a VPN, of course. Not all providers offer the same quality of security and we have chosen three that stand out. So, if you are asking which VPN should I choose for security, check out the choices below.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN stands out thanks to having the best-in-class encryption. The provider not only masks your IP address along with mixing traffic from your computer with other users, but it also encrypts it using 256-bit AES encryption which is considered the best.
This means that, even if someone were to come across your information, they would be unable to read it. The provider makes use of its proprietary Lightway VPN protocol, which further increases the level of security and privacy you get.
On top of that, they have what they call “TrustedServer” that we presented in our ExpressVPN review that ensures even more security by not using any hard drives for storing minimal information, but just the RAM, which wipes all information upon shutting down/restarting.
If we present it as the best VPN for people looking for perfect security, it is also simply because of its past. It has NEVER had any problem with information leaks, which does prove how reliable it is. We can’t say the same for all providers.
Finally, the ExpressVPN app can automatically choose the best protocol for your network to ensure there is no compromise between security and speed.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is a good choice for which VPN to choose for security, as it offers innovative technology, allowing you to easily hide your internet activity.
With military-grade encryption, you will no longer have to worry about hackers gaining access to your personal data. Your data is sent through an encrypted tunnel before going onto the internet, which makes it look like gibberish to anyone who manages to come across it.
NordVPN also provides a “Cybersec” feature. This automatically blocks any websites that are suspicious so no malware or other threats can get into your device.
Finally, the provider offers a Double VPN feature, allowing you to shield your device with double-layer encryption by hiding behind two servers. This is something you should use ONLY for real anonymity needs. Indeed, if you use double encryption, you’ll significantly lose speed.
3. Surfshark
Surfshark provides AES-256 bit encryption to safeguard your personal data along with a choice of secure protocols. This includes IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard, and OpenVPN.
The provider also offers “Multi-hop” allowing you to route your traffic through a few different servers. This boosts the complexity of encryption along with improving online privacy and security. Again, this will affect your speed, so use it ONLY if you really need to.
Surfshark also offers private DNS and leak protection along with a Kill switch in case the VPN connection is lost. This ensures your data is never exposed.
Which VPN to Choose for Low Prices?
If you are on a tight budget, you will be pleased to hear that there are affordable VPN plans out there. We have chosen three excellent Virtual Private Network providers that offer good affordable plans, so there should be one to suit all budgets.
Bear in mind – the longer you commit to a plan the cheaper you get it. With this in mind, if you are wondering which VPN to choose, check out the lowest-priced providers below.
Here, you won’t have the best solutions, but you’ll get the best quality/price ratio.
1. Surfshark
When considering the best VPN for pricing, Surfshark comes out top. Their pricing structure is as follows (*at the time of writing the article*):
- 1 month -$9.99
- 6 months – $38.94 (paid every six months) which works out at $6.49 per month
- 2 years – $59.76 (paid every two years) which works out at just $2.21 per month
However, bear in mind that prices can fluctuate over time so just go and check it with the button below.
Surf for the best price with Surfshark >
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost offers affordable monthly and yearly plans and each of the plans is packed with features.
The pricing structure for CyberGhost is as follows:
- 1 month – $12.99
- 1 year – $47.4 (billed every year) which works out at $3.95 per month
- 2 years – $75.6 (billed every 2 years) which is $3.15 per month
- 3 years – 83.85 (billed every 3 years) which is $2.15 per month
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is another great choice for anyone on a tight budget looking for a plan that does not compromise on features. Their pricing structure is as follows:
- 1 month – $11.95 per month
- 1 year – $59.00 (billed every year) which works out at $4.92 per month
- 2 years – $89.00 (billed every two years) which is $3.71 per month
Which VPN to Choose for Big Country Coverage?
When talking about big country coverage, we think about the provider that offers the most servers in most countries. Having access to a large number of servers is essential for speed and it is important when looking to overcome geo-restrictions.
To answer the question of which VPN should I choose, we have chosen the following providers as they have the biggest country coverage.
1. HideMyAss
At the top of the list for big country coverage is HideMyAss as they claim to have the biggest VPN network.
At the time of writing, HMA offer more than 1,080 servers based at over 290 locations around the world in more than 190 countries.
Use HideMyAss for big country coverage >
The list is huge and growing, so there is sure to be a server in the country you want to be able to connect to.
2. PureVPN
PureVPN is also worth considering as it offers access to servers in over 78+ countries in 96+ different locations at the time of writing, with a choice of 6,500 plus servers.
Countries include the US, Canada, UK, Hong Kong, Italy, and many more.
While many VPNs fall under different categories this is the only category we would recommend you use the provider.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has a huge global network of blazing-fast servers. It gives you access to 3,000+ servers in more than 94 countries, in over 160 locations worldwide.
Servers are located in countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.
It is also one of the best VPN providers when it comes to country coverage. Even though they don’t have so many countries covered in Africa, they have many in the rest of the world.
Which VPN Should I Choose for Streaming?
Some providers are best for when you want to use the service primarily for streaming. There is a huge range of streaming platforms and portals online including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, HBO, and more.
The problem with many streaming platforms is they are geo-restricted. For instance, you cannot access BBC iPlayer or ITV Hub outside of the UK. To get access to the full catalog of content on Netflix, you need to be located in the United States.
A VPN offers a way to overcome the restrictions and watch content from any country regardless of your actual location. Yet, not all of them will work to unblock Netflix, Hulu, DAZN, or some other streaming platforms. Only the best can.
You no longer have to wonder which VPN to choose for streaming as you can find our top four picks below.
1. ExpressVPN
There are numerous reasons why we have chosen ExpressVPN as the number one provider for streaming. If you want to be able to enjoy content from anywhere in the world, including restricted and blocked content, this provider offers what it takes.
ExpressVPN offers thousands of reliable servers worldwide, with many in the United States and the UK. They offer unlimited bandwidth and blazing-fast speed thanks to servers being optimized for great performance and of course, the proprietary Lightway protocol.
Finally, the provider offers apps for a huge range of devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and smart TVs, so you can stream HD content at home or away.
The above are all excellent reasons to choose ExpressVPN when deciding which VPN to choose for streaming in HD. It is no surprise if it’s the one we recommend for Amazon Prime Video.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN makes it onto our list of the best Virtual Private Network for streaming as again, it offers a huge number of servers in many different countries and all servers are reliable.
With fast servers in the United States, you can connect to US Netflix and enjoy the extensive catalog of content or connect to the UK server and stream BBC iPlayer. The provider also offers unlimited bandwidth, so there is no throttling to ruin your streaming. Of course, there are no slowdowns thanks to blazing-fast speeds produced by NordLynx, which is NordVPN’s own VPN protocol.
3. CyberGhost
Still asking which “VPN should I choose for streaming?” What about CyberGhost? The provider is continually expanding its list of servers in countries around the world and it’s among the providers that can unblock Netflix to allow you access to almost all the shows and movies you want.
The provider offers unlimited bandwidth and high-speed servers, along with dedicated servers, aimed at unblocking many of the most popular streaming services, including ESPN and Eurosport.
4. Surfshark
Last, but by no means the least, we have Surfshark. The provider offers what it calls a “NoBorders” mode. This means that you can access the whole internet and websites from any country, regardless of your location – even in China.
With the “NoBorders” mode, there are no restrictions and blocks, so streaming abroad becomes extremely easy. With this mode, there are literally no borders to the world, you can choose what to stream, where to stream it, and stream on a multitude of devices thanks to a wide range of apps.
Which VPN to Choose for Torrenting?
Torrenting requires the use of a Torrent client. Using the client, people from around the world can share any files. People generally use it for downloading the latest movies, software, music, and more.
However, most of the content shared is copyrighted and this means torrenting is illegal. If you use a torrent client and download illegally, you will find your ISP gets in touch with you, warning you against doing so.
Continue downloading this way and you might end up with no internet access and worse still, a day in court.
This is where a Virtual Private Network can come in as you can mask your IP address and take on one from anywhere in the world. If asking which VPN should I choose for Torrenting check out our top three choices below.
1. ExpressVPN
If you want to use a Torrent client, you have to protect your identity with a Virtual Private Network. Of course, you don’t want the connection to slow your downloads down, so you need blazing-fast servers that are not restricted by speed or bandwidth and ExpressVPN provides exactly that.
Another priority when torrenting is remaining anonymous. You do not want your ISP to find out you are using a client and with ExpressVPN, you can hide your IP and take on one from halfway around the world from a choice of thousands of servers.
Download safely with ExpressVPN >
ExpressVPN is also among the providers that permit P2P with no limitations and it has a strict no-logging policy. So, when considering which VPN to choose for torrenting, this provider might meet your needs.
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is also a good choice for Torrenting and it made it very easy to do so within its interface. Simply click on dedicated torrenting servers, choose the server you want, and enjoy downloading torrents anonymously.
The app will connect to a P2P-compatible server offering the fastest speed while also providing the user with the best security protection.
Torrent in safety with CyberGhost >
Additional settings in the profile include extra speed, blocking online tracking, and malicious websites.
If you are a beginner to Virtual Private Networks and wondering which VPN to choose for torrenting, CyberGhost offers an easy solution.
3. Surfshark
Surfshark offers servers specifically optimized for P2P sharing, which makes it a serious contender when asking the question “which VPN should I choose for torrenting?”
Enjoy safe P2P sharing with Surfshark >
The provider has a strict no-logging policy, so there is no way anyone can find out what you are doing online. They also offer private DNS on servers along with DNS leak protection if you use the IPv4 stack. All of this ensures that you remain safe and sound.
Of course, Surfshark gives you the usual features such as a Kill switch if you lose your VPN connection and AES-256 encryption that reinforces the big, concrete wall of security you get with Surfsahrk.
Which VPN Should I Choose for Anonymous Browsing?
The internet is a great place to spend time, whether browsing, streaming, or keeping up with loved ones.
However, at the same time, it can also be a scary place, with hackers and even your ISP watching over your shoulder.
With this in mind, you have to take steps to browse anonymously and a VPN gives you the tools to remain hidden from view and keep your details private.
We have picked out three of the best providers, so check them out below.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN comes at the top of the list to answer your question of which VPN should I choose.
We chose the provider for many reasons but more so because it offers a Double VPN feature. This means that instead of connecting to just one server to hide your IP to remain anonymous, you have twice the encryption and anonymity.
Double VPN is an advanced security feature aimed at hiding activity behind two servers to provide users with complete privacy. This feature is used by journalists along with political activists who need to remain completely anonymous online.
2. Surfshark
We have chosen Surfshark for remaining anonymous thanks to the Multi-hop feature.
Multi-hop provides an added layer of security by connecting you to a couple of separate servers. This, in turn, boosts the complexity of the encryption, allowing you to remain completely anonymous online. Not only is your IP address masked, but any data is encrypted not just once, but a few times.
Along with this, Surfshark also offers plenty of features for security. This includes a Kill switch, no-logging policy, Camouflage mode, and private DNS and leak protection.
Therefore, if you are still wondering which VPN to choose for remaining anonymous, this provider is worth considering.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another effective option for browsing the internet anonymously and protecting your privacy. The provider has been an advocate for internet privacy since 2009 and supports many non-profit organizations all of whom fight for the right to anonymity and free speech.
The provider does not keep logs of your browsing activity, which means even they have no idea what you are doing online. They have thousands of servers, and shared IP addresses that cannot be traced to you.
You can even remain anonymous when purchasing a plan with ExpressVPN by paying with Bitcoin or PayPal.
Which VPN Should I Choose for Bypassing Censorship?
While the internet offers a valuable source of information, not everyone in the world can enjoy the entire internet. Censorship is rife in many countries, with China being the most prominent.
Some countries block access to numerous websites, severely limiting what residents can see and do online. Sites such as Facebook, Google, YouTube, Twitter, and more are censored in some countries. However, you can bypass the censorship with a Virtual Private Network and we have chosen three of the best.
1. ExpressVPN
We have put ExpressVPN in first place for overcoming censorship as the provider is one of few that still works in many countries to beat firewalls, including the Great Firewall of China.
ExpressVPN offers thousands of servers in 94 countries worldwide so there is sure to be one suitable to beat censorship in the country you are visiting.
Whether you want to access Twitter while in China to speak with loved ones, stream from US Netflix, or catch up on the latest news, ExpressVPN has the tools needed.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is another top provider to consider when looking for the answer to the question of which VPN should I choose.
The provider offers helpful tools and technology to overcome internet censorship. NordVPN makes use of “SmartPlay” technology to allow users to gain access to content that is restricted.
The “SmartPlay” feature allows users to access censored and restricted content and it is implemented into apps so there is nothing to configure or activate. Moreover, the feature combines Smart DNS technology and VPN technology, simply by connecting to the server.
This feature alone makes NordVPN a fantastic choice when considering which VPN to choose for accessing censored content.
3. Surfshark
You might want to consider Surfshark for avoiding government censorship. The provider’s “No Borders” technology allows you to gain access to all content on the internet, even in countries where censorship is high.
With Surfshark, you can travel to countries with high censorship and still gain access to apps and websites that are blocked. This includes sites and apps such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter, along with using VoIP apps such as Telegram and WhatsApp.
Which Free VPN Should I Choose?
We don’t usually advocate the use of free VPNs as many of the free ones track your online activities. Some even collect your data and selling it to third parties.
There are many paid VPN providers out there offering affordable packages. However, if you want an answer to the question of which VPN should I choose out of the free ones, we do have some suggestions.
1. Windscribe
Windscribe offers a free plan and paid ones. Of course, free plans come with limits, as you might expect. For instance, you are asked to sign up and confirm your email address to download.
There are also other limits, with access to servers only from certain countries, as well as a 10GB-per-month data limit with unlimited connections. However, if you are going to stream content, this is going to be spent quickly.
2. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN provides a VPN service free. But, it is a very limited plan with access to servers from only three countries and can only be used with one device.
The provider has a no-logging policy and the software can integrate with the Tor network with a single click.
3. TunnelBear
As with all of the free to use VPNs, there are strict limits on the free plan. TunnelBear offers a plan allowing you to access all the features but it is limited to just 500MB of data per month and this is not going to get you very far.
On saying this, it is a good way to test out the provider without commitment and you can upgrade easily at any time to gain full advantage of unlimited data and all the other benefits.
Free encryption with TunnelBear >
Which VPN Should I Choose for Ease of Use?
Newcomers to Virtual Private Networks have one thought in mind when considering taking out a plan and this is – which VPN to choose for being the easiest to use.
We have done the homework for you and picked out three providers who offer easy-to-use apps, along with plenty of guides and tutorials on how to get the most from the software and plan.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN comes on top of the list for ease of use. Their website is clearly laid out so you can choose a plan most suited for your needs. Downloading is easy and fast, while the apps are easy to install.
The ExpressVPN dashboard is easy to use. Simply choose a server and click on the large button to connect to that server.
ExpressVPN - the best easy-to-use VPN >
The provider offers plenty of guides for installing and using the apps on various devices. They also offer clear information about what the software does and what benefits are gained by using it.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is another excellent choice for ease of use. The main dashboard allows you to search for a server if you wish to connect to a particular one or you can choose the optimal location and the software gives you the best server.
Surfshark makes a VPN easy to use >
The dashboard also tells you which servers you used in the past for easy access and to the right of the dashboard, you know which server you are currently connected to.
They offer a learning center for newbies, providing answers to the most commonly asked questions.
3. CyberGhost
If you are still wondering “which VPN should I choose for ease of use?”, you might want to check out CyberGhost. The provider has an easy-to-use dashboard that makes it easier to find the perfect server for you, and connect.
Install CyberGhost in 1 minute >
They have a variety of dedicated servers, both for streaming and torrenting. Moreover, they tell you how far the server is from you and allow you to connect at the click of one button.
Roundup
We hope this article has given you clarification when asking which VPN to choose and you have found a provider suitable for what you want to do online.
Which VPN should I choose is one of the most frequently asked questions the first time users want the answer to and it is not simple to address. Different VPNs are better for different things, based on what you want to do online.
All you now need to do is look under the sections above and choose one of the providers we recommend for your particular need.
Here’s a recap of the top 3 VPNs for each category :
- The fastest : ExpressVPN – CyberGhost – NordVPN
- The best for security : ExpressVPN – NordVPN – Surfshark
- The best quality/price : Surfshark – CyberGhost – NordVPN
- Most countries covered : HideMyAss – PureVPN – ExpressVPN
- The best for streaming : ExpressVPN – NordVPN – CyberGhost
- The best for torrenting : ExpressVPN – CyberGhost – Surfshark
- The best for anonymous browsing : NordVPN – Surfshark – ExpressVPN
- The best for Bypassing censorship: ExpressVPN – NordVPN – Surfshark
- The best free solutions: Windscribe – ProtonVPN – TunnelBear
- The easiest to use: ExpressVPN – Surfshark – CyberGhost
A professional writer with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Since his youngest age, he loves everything related to internet, technology, fitness, games, and dogs! He joined our team in order to bring his deep knowledge in security services, among which VPN is of course a key component.
Did you make tests for every supplier before knowing whcih VPN to choose ? Because I want to benefit from the free months to make my own opinion on some of them, but I don’t know which ones. Do you have any advice ?
Yes, all the VPN reviewed are tested by our team of experts.
Regarding your choice, you should focus on knowing what you want to do with a VPN. When you’ve managed to determine your needs, just pick the best one from our lists (if you want to watch content, download, be secure…)
I didn’t know which VPN to choose so you article was perfect for me ! Thanks for all the explanations
I didn’t know which VPN to choose last month, but I followed your advice and I really like the solution of ExpressVPN. The app is really easy to use, and simple to understand, you have everything written on it, and they even give you advices about which server you should choose to have the better connexion. It’s really cool to see that some companies want to helop their customers and propose a real benefit comparing to some others that just sell their tool and then nothing if you don’t know how to use it properly.
Hello,
We are very happy to have been able to help you in your choice.
Cheers!