Not only are our picks for the best VPN services fantrastic for your security and watching content without global restrictions, they are regularly discounted too with these amazing deals!

Black Friday is approaching, and the deals are really heating up, including savings on our favorites like 59% off NordVPN, up to 86% off ExpressVPN and nearly $200 off SurfShark.

If you’re willing to shop for two-year plans, the deals are incredible and give you unfettered access to Netflix libraries across the globe, add an additional layer of online privacy (especially on public Wi-Fi networks), and access to a truckload of region-restricted sites.

Whatever your use case, VPNs are priced so low that the opportunities granted by them give you a return on investment quickly! Here are the best VPN deals right now to make the most of your money.

The best VPN deals at a glance

• ExpressVPN: 35% off 1-year plan + 3 months free + free cloud backup — just $8.32 or £8.12 per month
• NordVPN: Up to 68% off 2-year plan — just $3.09 or £2.49 per month
• Surfshark: Up to 81% off a 2-year plan + 2 months free — just $2.49 or £2.19 per month
• CyberGhost: 83% off 2-year plan + 2 months free — just $2.19 or £1.92 per month
• ProtonVPN: 50% off 2-year plan — just $4.99 or €4.99 per month

The best VPN deals in more detail

ExpressVPN deals

NordVPN deals

SurfShark deals

CyberGhost deals

ProtonVPN deals

VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, may sound very 'techy' and unapproachable to some. However, the best VPNs aren't solely reserved for IT technicians and power users.

In fact, VPNs have a great many uses that benefit anyone that's online when it comes to security, privacy, and even scoring a free pass to some epic overseas entertainment. Better still, VPNs are impressively affordable services.

Whether you're a seasoned vet of the IT world or just going about your normal day-to-day business online, a VPN can serve you well across a number of key areas. They're incredibly easy to use, and most providers offer apps and browser extensions to make safeguarding your online experience even easier.

In an age when everything we do online is tracked, traced, recorded, and sold off to marketers, a VPN is also a fantastic tool to ensure your anonymity, even in stricter regions of the world like China or the UAE.

That's just a few examples of what you could (and should) use a VPN for, and no matter what you spend your hours doing as you browse the World Wide Web, there's no harm in taking your online safety seriously. If you want to know which tools and services ensure just that, you're in the right place! Read on for our guide to the best VPNs in 2025.

The quick list

The best VPN services in 2025

Let's take a closer look at our top VPN picks, where we discuss what we liked and disliked about each VPN provider, reasons you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Best overall VPN

If you haven’t heard this anywhere else by now, let it be known by us: ExpressVPN is the best VPN service around. From its large number of servers that connect wicked fast despite its global reach, to its incredible accessibility for users, it’s the VPN service that will never disappoint.

ExpressVPN offers multiple security protocols including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2, and its very own Lightway protocol. Even better, it uses 256-bit AES encryption which is nearly impossible to break. That, along with its no-log policy and Perfect Forward Secrecy so your encrypted data won’t be captured and deciphered later put any security fears at ease.

All that with lightning-fast speeds? Indeed, made even faster with its new Lightway security protocol. Even playing online multiplayer games isn’t a bother, and it’s all done with a one-click connection that links to the fastest server.

Speaking of, user accessibility is the real star of the show, offering easy connections for those who simply want to be anonymous, along with DNS leak prevention, split tunneling, a kill switch, and then some. It also works on pretty much every device including laptops, web browsers, smart hubs, gaming consoles – you name it.

While ExpressVPN isn’t the cheapest for the five devices it supports, it can also be used on a router thanks to the router app, meaning you can link all those devices and still be secure with one connection. Continue to shine, ExpressVPN.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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Best VPN for gaming

The fastest VPN in the West (and the world over). It would be strange not to put NordVPN on this list, as it best its competition in terms of server numbers and speed. NordVPN offers multiple servers in nearly every country, each one, whether it’s in the U.S. or Hong Kong, delivers amazing connection speeds.

From watching Netflix, Amazon Prime or Hulu, to playing online multiplayer games, it didn’t seem to matter what server we used – our speeds barely dipped. In fact, in some cases, increased our speeds.

NordVPN also combines the very best speeds with brilliant security. It has AES 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and two security protocols including OpenVPN UDP/TCP and IKEv2/IPsec. It also has CyberSec to avoid ads and protect you from malware, an app-specific kill switch, and split tunneling.

Nord's gaming prowess is among the finest that you'll find in the VPN world, with ultra-fast servers spread across 111 countries worldwide. Better still, you can access NordVPN on just about every device you own, including desktop and mobile apps and a handy browser extension.

That said, this is a minor thing to an otherwise incredible VPN with an even more incredible quick connect feature, which means lightning-fast VPN speeds at a click of a button. In need of speed? NordVPN is a no-brainer.

See our full NordVPN review.

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Best budget VPN service

King of the internet ocean, some might say, and it's quite simply because of the maximum number of devices it supports: Unlimited. Whether you’re a family of five with three devices — each streaming Netflix or Hulu — or a company with rows of PCs, Surfshark supports simultaneous connections at one of the cheapest prices on this list. And it does it all with the high-security protocols and speed a VPN user could ask for.

Surfshark uses unbreakable 256-bit encryption, along with DNS and IPv6 protection, to prevent anyone from trying to get your real IP address. If that wasn’t enough, it also has an automatic kill switch when your VPN drops, a MultiHop mode that routes your data through two different VPN servers, its CleanWeb, which is a built-in ad and malware blocker, and a multitude of other nifty security features.

For those overwhelmed, not to worry, as it also handily comes with a one-click fast connection found on an easy-to-navigate interface. Better still, Surfshark is consistently offering some pretty incredible deals for its subscribers, offering one of the best VPN services at a price that can't be argued against.

The only downside of Surfshark is its speeds. While still top-tier on this list, they don’t quite match the speeds of other VPN services, especially when some servers suddenly dip out of nowhere. That’s okay, the unlimited devices more than make up for it.

See our full Surfshark VPN review.

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Best VPN for privacy

Aside from having the slickest name on the list, CyberGhost is perfect for streaming and torrenting – among the most popular uses for a VPN.

Its security features are at the top of the VPN game – offering AES 256-bit encryption, OpenVPN TCP/UDP, IKEv2, and WireGuard security protocol options (although not for all devices), a kill switch, DNS and IP leak protection, no logs and split tunneling (only on PCs).

All that with fantastic server speeds and seven supported devices? Not bad seeing as you can get a three-year subscription for a fairly desirable price with three months included completely for free.

CyberGhost VPN is a fast and reliable VPN service, making is a very decent option for browsing, streaming, and even gaming. However, CyberGhost's strength lie in its privacy-first mindset. Offering an automatic kill switch to prevent the leaking of your IP address amid downtimes, a strict no-logs policy, and DNS/IP leak protection.

While internet speeds in many countries were just as fast as my normal internet speeds, certain regions were severely lacking. This could be an issue for those who are all about server speeds, especially if you’re opting for its very pricey individual monthly subscription plan.

But the pros far outweigh the cons. Overall, CyberGhost VPN offers a premium service for streaming with tons of locations and fast P2P for torrenting. Try it today with a 45-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself.

Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.

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Best free VPN

For those leaning more toward security, ProtonVPN is your top choice. It’s the only VPN available that uses its own ‘Secure Core’ network, meaning your traffic first goes through privacy-friendly countries such as Switzerland and Iceland to prevent compromised VPN servers (unfortunately, that happens) so your IP address is never revealed.

Even better, it uses Perfect Forward Secrecy so your encrypted data won’t be captured and deciphered later. Along with its no-log policy, Tor connections, and being based in Switzerland (a country known for its privacy laws), rest assured your data is safe with ProtonVPN.

Oh, and it can be completely free to use. While that alone is a major plus on this list, this does only give you access to three countries on one device, with limited speeds. For simple browsing, this works fine (especially seeing how not a dollar is being spent). However, the service does offer neatly priced paid plans, and it even comes with a range of Proton branded services including Mail, Calendar, Drive, Pass, and Wallet, many available at no extra cost.

Typically, we wouldn't recommend using free VPN services, as there's almost always a catch. When it comes to VPNs there's always a price to pay, even if it's not by way of a monthly subscription.

That being said, ProtonVPN's open source model and no-catch free VPN is the exception to the rule, offering a completely catch-free service to users that doesn't log, inject ads, or limit bandwidth.

See our full ProtonVPN review.

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FAQs

What is a VPN, and what does it do?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a security and privacy tool that encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a remote server. This method of connecting to the internet hides your actual IP address and gives you a protective layer when visiting sites or using services.

Remote servers you connect to can be anywhere around the world, and, for all intents and purposes, the sites you visit won't be able to tell that this isn't where's you're browsing from.

Meaning you could (for example) set your virtual location to London and enjoy the British Netflix library or BBC iPlayer in just a few clicks. No passport required, and all the Peaky Blinders your stomach can handle.

Do I need a VPN?

With the internet playing a key role in banking, purchases, gaming, and more throughout our daily lives, it never hurts to add a layer of protection between yourself and any potential threat you might face.

While it's possible to never need a VPN, there will be circumstances where being without one can place you and your data in a precarious position.

For example, if you routinely use public Wi-Fi (even from a trusted source such as an airport or franchise store location), a VPN can provide an essential layer of security between your device and unwanted intrusions or interceptions of your data.

Are paid VPNs better than free VPNs?

Yes. There's no real question about it. Paid VPNs have access faster, more reliable, and more plentiful servers. This means more locations to route your traffic through, faster data rates, and fewer (if any) data limits to contend with.

Aside from this, many "free" VPNs often cost you in other ways. Some providers will sell your usage data, inject ads into your browsing experience, or even harvest private information to be packages and sold to third-party threat actors. Always remain both skeptical and vigilant when i comes to using free VPNs online.

What can I do with a VPN?

VPNs allow you to virtually "spoof" your current location, which can unlock new content libraries on popular streaming services, make overseas discounts available to you on online stores, and bypass certain content blocks or censorship efforts enabled by your Internet Service Provider or government.

More importantly, VPNs will cloak your identity online, making you harder to track or hack. If security and privacy are paramount, a VPN is the most important tool your have to protect yourself online.

Will a VPN improve my internet speed?

Typically, a VPN will slightly reduce the speed of your internet connection as the encryption and routing of your data will have a knock on impact of your top speeds.

However, VPNs can also bypass efforts from your ISP to throttle bandwidth if you pass a certain data limit. While it won't make your connection any faster, it can ensure your connection isn't impeded by external efforts.

Do VPNs protect my computer?

While a VPN can encrypt your internet connection and block the tracking of your online activities (even from your Internet Service Provider), they typically won't offer any direct protection against encountering harmful files or programs while online.

In fact, while using a VPN you'll be able to access any website you choose, even those blocked or restricted by your employer, ISP, or even certain parental controls.

While this is great in terms of browsing freedom, you will need to remain vigilant about anything you download or attempt to access. There's a high chance that many sites now available to you were blocked for a reason.

Do I need a VPN for mobile?

Not always! However, it never hurts to be safe and use a VPN for any connection you might make use of outside of your home network. When it comes to using your cell phone, if you frequently connect to public Wi-Fi, we highly recommend using a VPN at all times.

Public Wi-Fi might be convenient, but you never know how secure an open network is, or if anyone else using it is up to no good. A VPN goes a long way to keeping your device safe while out in public, and it's great for keeping nosey tracking ads or network providers at bay.

Why trust Laptop Mag?

Laptop Mag reviews over one hundred different laptops every year, from paperweight ultralights to everyday workhorses to lumbering gaming notebooks that scorch the frame rates of even the hottest AAA games.

We're not just experts in the laptop field, as we go one step further by meticulously testing smartphones, tablets, headphones, PC accessories, software, and even the latest tech in gaming. (Which includes the best VPN services.)

We are 100% independent and have decades of experience to help you buy with confidence. In fact, Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing products for three decades, and we continue to deliver trustworthy reviews you can rely on.

Our experienced team of writers and editors scour the available information about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which is best for you. But before they start, the testing team subjects each system to a rigorous regimen of synthetic and real-world tests to see how a system handles the type of work and games you’re most likely to throw at it.

Our editorial trustworthiness is enforced by one of the world's largest technology publishers, Future Publishing. As a company, we have unrivaled experience across every tech sector — and we're the group's specialist for all things mobile tech.

Better Call Saul has given us five-and-a-half seasons of TV gold so far, but even the best shows come to an end eventually. We’re down to the last six episodes of the show’s final season, and preparing to close the book on the Breaking Bad universe — at least for now. Jimmy McGill’s transition from small fish con artist to the gaudy, profiteering and outright criminal shark known as Saul Goodman has kept audiences hooked since its premiere in 2015. If you’re a part of that loyal fanbase and itching to see how the last few pages of Jimmy’s story play out, then read on for our guide on how to watch Better Call Saul season 6 online.

Bob Odenkirk’s Saul Goodman made his first appearance in episode eight of Breaking Bad’s sophomore season, quickly becoming a fan favorite and sticking with the show right to the bitter end. While originally Saul was poised to meet his maker in the Breaking Bad finale,  series creator Vince Gilligan would eventually decide against it. Instead, by the end of Walt and Jesse’s story, Saul makes his getaway — shedding the Goodman persona as he did with Jimmy McGill, to become Gene Takavic.

What comes next for Gene? What happened to his wife and confidant Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn)? We can only tune in to find out. However, as Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) proclaims at the end of the season six trailer: “Whatever happens next, it’s not gonna go down the way you think it is.”

Better Call Saul season 6 official trailer

How to watch Better Call Saul season 6 part 2 online in the U.S. and Canada

The final episodes of Better Call Saul season 6 bring a close to the Breaking Bad saga and are set to arrive in the U.S. and Canada from Monday, July 11, 2022. Episodes will premiere every Monday at 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT on the AMC Network and be available on demand via AMC+ at the same time each week until the show’s final episode on August 15.

If you aren’t yet subscribed to AMC+, then sign up now through the AMC+ website and receive a 7-day trial to experience some of the platform's best offerings at zero cost. Are you an active Amazon Prime subscriber? Then you can redeem a free one-week trial of AMC+ through Prime Video.

How to watch Better Call Saul season 6 part 2 online in the U.K.

Those in the U.K. will be able to catch the latest episodes of Better Call Saul season 6 a day after their North American broadcast date. Episodes will be released to Netflix every Tuesday from July 12, 2022. The first episode to release, "Point and Shoot", will be available on the platform from 9 a.m. BST.

If you’re struggling with the weekly wait between episodes then Netflix has you covered. All 62 episodes of parent show Breaking Bad and its movie spin-off El Camino are available to stream on the platform — and are a great way to prepare for the show’s promised return of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.

How to watch Better Call Saul season 6 part 2 online in Australia

Even though AMC+ has made its way to Australia, those down under will find the latest episodes of Better Call Saul on streaming platform, Stan. The unassumingly named service will play host to the show’s closing season with new episodes released every Tuesday at 6 p.m. AET starting July 12, 2022.

How to watch Better Call Saul season 6 part 2 while abroad

It’s unlikely for you to find yourself without a way to watch your favorite Netflix shows and movies while abroad, especially with the streaming platform’s availability in over 190 countries worldwide. That being said, Netflix libraries are not created equal and may vary from region to region. Flagship shows and Netflix Originals are usually safe from this type of pruning, though copyright issues, censorship and a general lack of interest from within a region could leave you without some of your favorite gotos while you travel.

Investing in a Virtual Private Network (or VPN) is a great way to bypass geo-restrictions like those mentioned. VPNs allow you to change your virtual location to that of your regular watch region, ensuring you have access to a familiarly plump library of on demand content no matter where you are in the world.

The best VPNs can also make getting online while abroad (or at home) a safer experience, especially if you have to rely on notoriously unsecure public WiFi. While you’re online the safety of your information is paramount, which is why VPNs use secure and encrypted connections that scramble your data and keep is safe from prying eyes. Download a VPN today and enjoy secure and unrestricted access to the internet at home and abroad.

Better Call Saul season 5 recap

The road to Better Call Saul’s curtain call has been long and winding. There have been many twists and turns along the way for Jimmy McGill on his journey to becoming the criminal lawyer that is Saul Goodman. Whether you’re returning to the show after dropping off during an earlier season or seeking a recap of events that have led up to this point, it’s never too late to catch up.

For the best and truest way to experience the show, nothing beats a last-minute binge through previous seasons. However, if you’re looking for a speedy way to get up to speed on the events of last season, check out the official season 5 recap of Better Call Saul below.

Looking for a refresh on events right from the show’s beginnings? Then check out the impressively concise Better Call Saul season 1-4 recap from the official Better Call Saul & Breaking Bad YouTube channel.

Better Call Saul season 6 synopsis

Better Call Saul’s final season concludes the complicated journey and transformation of its compromised hero, Jimmy McGill, into criminal lawyer Saul Goodman. From the cartel to the courthouse and from Albuquerque to Omaha, season six tracks Jimmy, Saul and Gene as well as Jimmy’s complex relationship with Kim, who is in the midst of her own existential crisis. Meanwhile, Mike, Gus (Giancarlo Esposito), Nacho (Michael Mando) and Lalo (Tony Dalton) are locked into a game of cat and mouse with mortal stakes.

Better Call Saul season 6 part 2 release schedule: When will new episodes be released?

Better Call Saul returns to North American screens for its final run of episodes every Monday from July 11, 2022. Episode eight of season six, “Point and Shoot”, will debut to AMC and AMC+ at 9 p.m. ET or 6 p.m. PT. Those in the UK and Australia will be able to stream the remainder of season 6 on Netflix and Stan respectively, with episodes released to each platform every Tuesday from July 12, 2022.

The following is the confirmed list of episodes and release dates for Better Call Saul season 6 part 2:

• Better Call Saul S06E08: "Point and Shoot", July 11 (US/CA), July 12 (UK/AUS)
• Better Call Saul S06E09: "Fun and Games", July 18 (US/CA), July 19 (UK/AUS)
• Better Call Saul S06E10: "TBC", July 25 (US/CA), July 26 (UK/AUS)
• Better Call Saul S06E11: "TBC", August 1 (US/CA), August 2 (UK/AUS)
• Better Call Saul S06E12: "TBC", August 8 (US/CA), August 9 (UK/AUS)
• Better Call Saul S06E13: "TBC", August 15 (US/CA), August 16 (UK/AUS)

Resident Evil makes its way to Netflix this month as the streaming giant premieres an original eight-episode series that takes place after the ongoing events of the games. The show centers on Jade Wesker (Tamara Smart, Ella Balinska), daughter of Albert Wesker (Lance Reddick), as she encounters an apocalyptic outbreak event in her teens. Years later, she’s fighting daily for survival and answers. If the recent release of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City has left you longing for more zombie horror, and a fresh angle on the series’ lore, then read on for our guide on how to watch Resident Evil online.

Resident Evil is one of the most popular gaming franchises with over 25 games released since 1996. Surprisingly, in spite of a fast and loose approach to the source material, the franchise is also one of the most successful video game adaptations for film and TV. With seven live-action theatrical releases, four animated features and 2021’s animated miniseries Infinite Darkness under its belt, the series has grossed over a billion dollars in box office and home video sales alone.

While the critical response to a number of these adaptations hasn’t always been kind, there’s clearly an audience that’s eager to sink its teeth into more. Fans of the games should give this one a shot as the showrunner has expressly stated it will treat the games as canon, something previous adaptations have mostly avoided. If that best describes you, then here is our guide on how to watch Resident Evil online in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia.

Resident Evil official trailer

How to watch Resident Evil online in the US, UK, Canada and Australia

Resident Evil is the latest game adaptation effort from Netflix (having previously released The Cuphead Show! and the League of Legends animated series Arcane) as part of its ongoing push to bring more popular video game franchises into live-action and animated spaces. It will also pave the way for future video game adaptations, including Splinter Cell, Bioshock and Cyberpunk 2077.

Audiences around the world will be able to watch Resident Evil exclusively on Netflix when it launches worldwide on Thursday, July 14, 2022. Those in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia can stream all eight episodes of the show’s premiere season from midnight PT (3 a.m. ET, 9 a.m. BST and 7 p.m. AET).

How to watch Resident Evil while abroad

Place your finger on an atlas at random and you’re likely to land on a country with Netflix coverage. As such, you won’t have too much to worry about when it comes to watching your favorite shows and movies while abroad. That being said, there are still Netflix no-go-zones in countries such as China, Syria, and due to the conflict in Ukraine, Russia.

Even if you’re not traveling to these regions, Netflix libraries are curated and differ from region to region. Some changes may be subtle, involving minor censorship or edits. Other changes can be more drastic, with entire shows missing from the streaming giant’s sizable library.

Download a VPN (or Virtual Private Network) and you’ll be able to bypass these kinds of geo-blocks by setting your virtual location to a more familiar watch region. Doing so will grant you unrestricted access to all of your usual content from anywhere in the world.

The best VPNs will also increase the security of your connection through encryption, ensuring that your data is kept safe and private while making use of public Wi-Fi in places like airports and hotels. Invest in a VPN to make sure that the next time you leave the country, your library of entertainment comes with you.

Resident Evil official teaser

Resident Evil plot

The plot of Netflix’s Resident Evil follows two timelines that are separated by a span of fourteen years. The first timeline in 2022 centers on 14-year-old siblings Jade (Tamara Smart) and Billie (Siena Agudong), the daughters of Dr. Albert Wesker (yes, that Wesker) as they move to New Raccoon City — a seemingly idyllic location designed and built by the mega-corporation Umbrella. Jade and her sister grow suspicious of their new surroundings, and over the course of time begin to realize that the city, and their own father, may be hiding something sinister. And deadly.

The Umbrella Corporation is, as usual, up to no good. Their latest product is a miracle drug called Joy, an antidepressant that can cure OCD, lower anxiety and increase focus. It’s even set to be marketed by a cute teddy bear mascot. The catch? Joy also contains the T-Virus. A pathogen that can also create bloodthirsty mutants and monsters.

Cut forward to the year 2036, and we enter the second timeline. Jade, now in her late 20s (and portrayed by Ella Balinska), fights for her survival in a future, rather predictably, devastated by Umbrella’s T-Virus. The outbreak has spread to much of the world, resulting in a plague of infected humans and animals over six billion strong. 

Stalked, hunted and under constant threat, Jade does all she can to stay one step ahead of the horde while haunted by the secrets of her past and the fate of her sister.

Resident Evil release schedule: When will new episodes be released?

In keeping with Netflix’s usual binge-friendly approach, Resident Evil will be made available to stream in its entirety on July 14, 2022. The opening season will consist of eight episodes that average 60 minutes each and will debut simultaneously across all Netflix regions from midnight PT (3 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. BST and 7 p.m. AET).

The following is the confirmed list of episodes for Resident Evil releasing July 14, 2022:

• Resident Evil S01E01: "Welcome to New Raccoon City"
• Resident Evil S01E02: "TBC"
• Resident Evil S01E03: "TBC"
• Resident Evil S01E04: "TBC"
• Resident Evil S01E05: "Home Movies"
• Resident Evil S01E06: "TBC"
• Resident Evil S01E07: "TBC"
• Resident Evil S01E08: "Revelations"

The internet is a hostile place. Given the rise in annoying spam emails hiding malicious malware and hackers exploiting unsuspecting user’s private information, it makes sense that 74% of Americans are more alarmed than ever about their privacy while navigating the web, according to a global survey.

A surefire way of combating this risk is with a virtual private network (VPN). By keeping your online activity encrypted and your identity anonymous, VPN services provide the best protection for the common user and cybersecurity analysts alike.

• Best VPN services in 2022
• Best laptop deals in 2022

This protection has seen VPN numbers rise exponentially. In 2016, the VPN market was valued at around $15 billion, which quickly rose to a $30 billion dollar industry in 2020, as stated by Exidio CEO Dan Edlebeck. Clearly, VPNs are becoming essential. What isn’t so clear are the many ways we’re using it wrong.

According to statistics from The Best VPN in 2020, 50% of VPN users only use a private network to get access to more entertainment content (from streaming to more, erm, x-rated stuff), while 31% say it’s to keep anonymity while browsing. But what about the ways it can help you cut costs and save hard-earned cash?

For those who have opted to start using a VPN service (if you haven't, here's why you should), you can do a lot more than endlessly browse through region-specific shows on Netflix or throw on the internet’s equivalent of the cloak of invisibility to hide from prying eyes. Whether you’re shopping, gaming, or booking a trip abroad, here’s how a VPN can help you out. 

1) Shop ’til your connection drops

Prices for a variety of goods aren’t set at a unified price. For instance, buying a leather jacket from fashion retailer Zara in the U.S. or South Korea would be almost double the selling price than those in Spain. This comes down to taxes and import costs, and the same goes for electronic consumer products.

As spotted by Surfshark VPN, Pricerunner.com compared the prices of a MacBook Air, an iPad, and an iPhone in 28 different cities. At the time, buying these three items in Tokyo would cost shoppers $2,225, $2,745 in New York, and $4,160 in São Paulo. Apple enthusiasts in Brazil won’t be too enthusiastic to hear they could pay nearly half the asking price compared to iPhone fans in Japan.

That’s when a VPN comes in. By searching through the same retailer websites via different server locations, bargain hunters could find a whole new array of prices on the same products in their location.

Shoppers don’t have to change their virtual location to another country, either. Some online stores can change their prices depending on how you shop and where you’re based. Those in major cities are more likely to see higher prices of consumer goods, and may even be offered different deals. By connecting to a different server close to your location, prices could go from double digits to a single number in a jiffy (depending on what you’re buying, of course).

If you’re a bargain hunter at heart, A VPN can be a valuable tool to chop down prices. What’s more, it can simply be used to compare prices in other regions before jetting off abroad. Speaking of... 

2) Fight for flights

Nearly a decade ago, travel fare aggregator website Orbitz (via The Wall Street Journal) found MacBook users were spending 30% more on hotel booking when traveling compared to Windows laptop users. This seems ludicrous, but thanks to cookies in browsers tracking your location and past activities, airline and travel websites still fluctuate prices on tickets. Unfortunately, not for the better. 

Turning on a VPN can immediately adjust your golden vacation ticket to a much more affordable price. You’ll even find this works on travel agency websites with metasearch engines such as Skyscanner or Trivago because a VPN transforms you into an anonymous user with no past record of cookies.

Many VPN services, including ExpressVPN, suggest better ways to search for cheaper flights and better hotel deals. One way includes searching for different flights when connected to server locations in small-market countries, as prices tend to skyrocket for buyers in big cities with major airports close by.

Flight prices always fluctuate, and the more you search for a specific destination when planning your next vacation, the more likely flight prices will jump. Connecting to a VPN gives you a much-needed advantage to evade the gradual price hike. There may not be one true recipe to find a cheap trip abroad, but a VPN is certainly a secret ingredient. 

3) Gaming without borders

Gaming in various regions around the globe can be an entirely different beast depending on where you live. If Sony announced the next ground-breaking IP for PS5 or Microsoft released a bundle of games on Xbox Game Pass, some gamers may not be able to access these new multiplayer or single-player titles. What’s more, they could be priced differently — something a VPN user can take advantage of.

It comes down to a country’s rules and regulations on censorship, licensing or age ratings. Without a VPN, many gamers can’t access trending AAA titles, as they may never be released in a country. Take PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, which has been banned in China, Afghanistan, and India, or the many games initially banned in Australia, including The Medium and Hotline Miami.

Connecting to a VPN outside of these countries fixes any roadblocks, meaning gamers can get full access to any game available. As a perk, if certain regions offer early access to an upcoming game or if a game is released in another country first, then guess what? Gamers can connect to the appropriate VPN server and start playing before launch. Even better, prices for top games and gaming deals vary per location, so a VPN offers gamers complete access to them all.

For example, PS5-exclusive Returnal costs £70 in the U.K., but $70 in the U.S. With the exchange rate, U.S. gamers are getting a £20 discount compared to U.K. buyers. In a way, using a VPN could even the playing field. 

Along with giving gamers access to other regions to test their multiplayer prowess abroad, a VPN for gaming can offer essential protection. For the streamers, it can hide their IP address and private information from prying eyes. In those heated (and salty) multiplayer games, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks run rampant, and a VPN can help prevent gamers, pro or amateur, from being vulnerable to these attacks.

For the competitive players, you’ll be happy to know that many of the best VPN services today can increase internet speeds when connecting to a nearby server. Low ping rates with no lag is the dream, and if a VPN can encrypt data traffic while delivering seamless online gameplay, it’s a perk worth investing in. 

4) Boost your internet speeds 

Internet throttling — the scourge brought to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Whether it’s too many users in a single location streaming the latest flavor of the month (also known as network congestion), hitting sneaky data caps, or other higher paying customers getting priority, your ISP can throttle your bandwidth. Limited bandwidth means slow internet speeds, even if you’re paying for higher rates. 

Internet providers may frequently promote their most expensive plans to those experiencing sluggish upload or download speeds, giving them a chance to swerve into the fast lane if they just pay a few dollars more every month. As researchers at highspeedinternet.com suggest, sometimes you just need to switch on a VPN.

Not only can a VPN service let you know if your ISP is throttling your internet speeds, but it can also effectively boost them during peak hours of congested traffic. Because a VPN encrypts your data while surfing the web, your ISP doesn’t recognize you and can’t see what you’re doing. If your provider doesn’t know what you’re doing, it has no reason to limit your bandwidth.

Of course, choosing a VPN service is an investment itself. However, if you are planning to upgrade your internet plan, you may want to flick on a VPN first, seeing as it can cost you as little as $4 per month for services such as ProtonVPN. Although, if throttling issues persist, network congestion is the usual suspect, so you may want to give your neighbor a (friendly) holler to quit streaming for a little while.

5) Make long-distance calls easier on the wallet  

For relatives and loved ones living abroad, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, such as WhatsApp or Viber, are the best means to get in contact with them. Video conferencing apps like Zoom or Teams are a great option, but connections can often be a rollercoaster of frustrating dips. 

Wherever there is an internet connection, the VoIP service will work. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case in many countries, including the United Arab Emirates, China, and many more. More often than not, reliable video chat app Skype isn’t even an option. The good news is a VPN can slip by these restrictions, meaning you don’t have to opt for a long-distance phone call that steals all your built-up credit in minutes.

While many countries block VoIP, others don’t. All a VPN user has to do is choose a good server located in a region or country that doesn’t restrict VoIP services, and you can start talking the ear off your family without spending an extra dime. At a time when COVID-19 has disconnected us in more ways than one, a VPN will make it easier to reach out to those dear to us in otherwise impossible-to-contact regions. 

Outlook 

A VPN service can protect you against a hostile internet, but it can also offer a lot more bang for your buck when shopping online or looking for your next holiday destination. It can even trick your ISP into believing you’re not streaming or legally torrenting too much.

If you fancy giving one a shot, check out which of the best VPN services today are right for you. As an added bonus, you’ll find they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you decide to opt out. 

A virtual private network’s (VPN) main priority is to keep your data hidden. Giving you access to content around the globe is a fantastic perk, and if it can boost your internet speeds, all the better. Regardless, the best VPN services today do everything they can to make sure you stay anonymous online.  

One way these services reassure customers their data is safe is by emphasizing their no-logs policy. This means your VPN provider’s centralized servers don’t collect or keep a digit of data. Or, so these services claim. 

More often than not, general VPN users trust their chosen provider because they simply state they have “no logs.” Unless you go out of your way to see these servers yourself, let alone understand what in the world to search for, it’s hard to prove that claim. It all whittles down to this: How do you trust a VPN service? 

To get a better idea of how this all works, I spoke to co-founder and CEO of Exidio — the development arm of VPN service Sentinel — Dan Edlebeck. As it turns out, a decentralized VPN (dVPN) is exactly what privacy-conscious VPN users need to prove their data isn’t being logged. In fact, it can even offer cryptocurrency in exchange.

What is a dVPN? 

When I asked Edlebeck this question, I must have looked like I did after watching Christopher Nolan’s Tenet for the first (and second) time; dazed and confused. In truth, it isn’t hard to wrap your head around, but I’m still happy he put it in layman’s terms. 

“A decentralized VPN (dVPN) is a peer-to-peer network for people to offer and connect to a bandwidth network,” Edlbeck said. “Anyone can offer their excess bandwidth from their home or from a data center, and people can also route their traffic through that excess bandwidth.”

As he puts it, a dVPN is a marketplace where people can offer a decentralized bandwidth via a peer-to-peer network. It’s all managed by whoever wants to opt-in. 

“The benefit of using a VPN is really the same as using a centralized VPN or a decentralized VPN. You're using both for the same use cases, but in a decentralized architecture, it's individuals that are offering the nodes on the network.” Exidio, or any other company for that matter, has no way of accessing the traffic. Those who host the node can’t view a user's private information or metadata, either.

One of the best reasons to use a dVPN is the number of IP addresses from all over the world from different people routing them through their own home internet service provider. Edlebeck offers an example of this: “Even when people use a VPN, they're trying to get access to content and they can't because the IP address that they're using on their VPN has been blacklisted from some site as identified as VPN. With a dVPN, you have a global network of IP addresses and they're not all coming from certain data centres that have been identified as a VPN.”

More importantly, a dVPN is open source. This means users are able to prove web traffic and metadata are end-to-end encrypted. However, you’ll find that the best VPN services only use centralized systems. Naturally, this begs the question...

Can we trust VPN services? 

When it comes down to it, no. However, that answer comes with a huge asterix, which Edlebeck breaks down. 

When using a VPN, especially at a high level, one of its main use cases is protecting your traffic, information and personal data. Another is accessing internet content you wouldn't otherwise see due to geo-restrictions (a.k.a geo-blocks). This is important. As Edlebeck points out, certain internet service providers can log your metadata and resell it to other parties for their own benefit. It’s nasty business, but business all the same. 

That’s when a VPN comes in handy...right? While many VPN companies claim they're not logging user data, these companies aren’t open-source. This means they can’t prove the “no-logging” guarantee — which you’ll often find on VPN service websites  — is taking place. Users are taking the company’s word for it.

To help with these claims, companies will have third-party audits so they can validate and assure users there is no logging taking place. ExpressVPN recently used auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to confirm the VPN service’s privacy protection, while NordVPN also used PwC to evaluate its no-logs claims. These are two of the biggest VPN providers, so it would be bizarre if they didn’t both ace their evaluations. 

However, as Edlebeck points out, “NordVPN, one of the biggest VPN companies in the world, had a data breach in 2019 proving [it was] logging user data.” NordVPN addressed the breach to let users and potential customers alike know its network is still safe to use — emphasizing “the affected server did not contain any user activity logs.” 

PwC is one of the biggest auditing firms in the world, and is well regarded as a trustworthy company — its slogan is “to build trust in society and solve important problems.” Gaining assurance from PwC is a good sign for NordVPN, but it takes more than just a guarantee to gain trust. The WhatsApp privacy changes earlier in 2021 are a testament to that. 

This is how dVPN services such as Sentinel differ. “There is no one company that can actually track and log your data,” Edlebeck explains. “The front-facing applications (i.e. browser extensions, Android apps) that you're using to connect to the Sentinel network are open source, so you can review the code base and prove that they are end-to-end encrypted.”

What is Sentinel? 

As Edlebeck states, Sentinel is a dVPN peer-to-peer network where anyone can offer and host their bandwidth. Exidio is one of the software development companies building on the Sentinel network, which also works on the application and its user interface.

So, while the Sentinel decentralized VPN app is now available on Android via the Google Play Store, this is only the start of something much bigger. “Sentinel isn't one front-facing application. Sentinel is a framework for any company or individual that either already exists as a VPN company or an entrepreneur that wants to start their own application to connect to.” 

Exidio is looking to build on its framework to reach the global VPN market. If VPN services really want to prove they are end-to-end encrypted, and not have to rely on their own infrastructure and architecture to start their own company, they could build it on top of the Sentinel network. The more people that join the decentralized network, the more bandwidth available. With bandwidth comes faster internet speed, which is always a plus with any VPN service. 

However, how do you make sure users will offer their bandwidth? Well, cryptocurrency is a nice incentive. Edlebeck explains the biggest opportunity to scale the number of people that are offering bandwidth to the network is through monetization. “So, there's kind of two sets of nodes. There are the validator nodes validating the blockchain, and this is pretty common within the crypto industry to secure a blockchain especially within Cosmos. But then, you know, there's the people offering their bandwidth, the decentralized VPN nodes.”

Getting paid to offer bandwidth is a fantastic monetization plan, especially for those familiar with peer-to-peer networks. However, Sentinel currently isn’t monetized yet. Edlebeck explains there is still some work to be done, although there have been “test nets” with “incentivized periods of time” to build the network. 

Even better, he continued to say the network will be monetized over the next couple of months. This could bring about a whole new way of using VPN services, especially knowing you can check to see if your data while surfing the web is encrypted.

Is the global VPN market big enough to sustain such a monetized network?  

According to Edlebeck, the VPN industry is bigger than ever before. Instead of it originally being an esoteric idea — something only a few people interested in networking would use — VPN services have turned into a “mass consumer adopted product.” He’s right. 

In 2016, the VPN market was valued at around $15 billion, which quickly rose to a $30 billion dollar industry in 2020, according to the Exidio CEO. By 2027, it’s expected to be a $107 billion industry, which is a lot more than reported estimates in 2020. “it's growing at a rapid rate, and COVID has only been an extreme accelerant that, as people move online and are used to more remote work, they're looking for secure connections.”

There are many places in the world that now use VPNs out of necessity so they can simply get access to content. For example, trending audio-only app Clubhouse has recently been banned in Oman (via Aljazeera), but a VPN can bypass those restrictions.

While accessing different shows on streaming services like Netflix plays a major part in VPN services becoming a consumer product, Edlebeck mentions there’s another side to it all. “There's more extreme and interesting uses like activists looking to be able to share information in real-time, maybe in a conflict zone. With their internet restricted or content restricted they'll use VPN to be able to share information.” 

Outlook 

Decentralized VPNs offer a whole new way for VPNs to be used. Eventually, those who adopt it and host nodes can get paid through cryptocurrency for offering their excess bandwidth to others. What’s more, thanks to Exidio, there’s even a way to natively integrate the dVPN framework into existing applications — if these other services are looking for a way to truly claim they have a no-logs policy. 

Despite this, will a more consumer-focused VPN market bother to look up “no-logs” themselves? For those who simply want to watch all the anime they can handle on Netflix in Japan, probably not. However, for the high-level VPN users, along with those who might be stuck in heavily censored countries, a dVPN could one day be your best option.

If you haven’t heard by now, let it be known by us: ExpressVPN is the best VPN service around. From its large number of servers that connect wickedly fast despite its global reach, to its incredible accessibility for users, it’s the VPN service that doesn’t disappoint.

All that with lightning-fast speeds? Indeed, but now made even faster with the homegrown Lightway protocol. While ExpressVPN isn’t the cheapest for the five devices it supports, costing $12.95 per month without a subscription plan, it can be used on a router thanks to the app.

There are very good reasons why ExpressVPN has topped our list of best VPN services, although others beat it in terms of device support and price. But those looking for a premium, easy-to-use service should stick with this.  

 ExpressVPN price and availability 

ExpressVPN has three subscription plans with longer commitments to the service being cheaper per month. Subscriptions cost $12.95 per month for a one-month plan, $9.99 per month for a six-month plan, and $8.32 per month for a 12-month plan. 

This may be pricey, especially for casual VPN users, but it does come with a great list of perks and all subscriptions handily come with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not too keen. 

For platforms, ExpressVPN works on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, gaming consoles and routers, with dedicated apps for smartphones and tablets, too. While each subscription only lets users connect up to five devices (which isn’t the worst), you may notice that routers are in that list of platforms, which can be an incredibly handy semi-loophole.

Using the ExpressVPN app on your router means you can connect as many devices as you want. This process is outlined by ExpressVPN as a genuine loophole for connecting to more than five devices.

 ExpressVPN streaming and unblocking 

We used ExpressVPN on a number of different streaming services, including the usual suspects: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and Disney+. We’re happy to say that it worked smoothly and effortlessly for all those platforms, which meant full quality video from every server location. Even better, it did so without any hiccups.

It gave access to each country-specific catalogue of series and movies in multiple locations including the U.S., the U.K., Japan and various countries in Europe, including France and the Netherlands. So, if you’re looking for a varied list of Japanese anime, Dutch crime shows or Korean dramas, with a simple location switch, ExpressVPN has you covered. 

There are still a few countries ExpressVPN can’t bypass when it comes to censored or blocked sites, including the United Arab Emirates. However, we found it can unblock sites in some heavily-censored spots, such as China. 

 ExpressVPN server locations 

ExpressVPN has among the most VPN servers available, in various locations and countries. Better yet, connection speeds to each of them are wicked fast, even if servers are farther away.

Currently, ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 160 server locations and in 94 countries. There are multiple countries in both North and South America, Europe, Asia and Middle East and Africa. And, in hotspot countries, there are multiple servers just in case one doesn’t work as well (which was handy for Hong Kong where I experienced one server not working for me, but another did). 

 ExpressVPN security 

ExpressVPN offers multiple security protocols including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2 and its recently debuted, proprietary Lightway protocol (more on that later). Even better, it uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is nearly impossible to break. That, along with its no-log policy and Perfect Forward Secrecy so your encrypted data won’t be captured and deciphered later, put any security fears at ease. 

Other security features include a kill switch, which is called ‘Network Lock’ on ExpressVPN, which is enabled by default for subscribers (note: you’ll want to keep it on). Basically, it stops all internet traffic if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects, keeping your web activities secure. However, this feature isn’t available on iOS apps yet, so iPhone users should keep this in mind. It is, however, available for Windows, Mac, Linux and routers.

ExpressVPN also supports split tunneling, which worked seamlessly in our testing. Using this feature, I chose which apps worked through theVPN  and which ones I wanted to use locally. It didn’t noticeably slow down internet speeds, even when I was browsing the internet in one location and streaming U.S. Netflix (I’m based in the U.K.).

As you’ll find with most VPN services, security audits are a thing, and ExpressVPN does independent security audits through cybersecurity firm Cure3. So far, there have been no breaches. Along with its no-log policy, Tor connections and being based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands, rest assured your data is safe. 

 ExpressVPN user accessibility and support 

ExpressVPN utilizes a one-click connection that links to the fastest server. But user accessibility is the real star of the show, offering easy connections for those who simply want to be anonymous, along with DNS leak prevention, split tunneling, a kill switch and then some.

However, more experienced VPN users will find a few security protocols only work in certain countries and on certain devices. For example, iOS devices can use OpenVPN and IPsec, whereas Android devices can only use OpenVPN. Another example is L2TP/IPsec, which won’t work in a few countries such as Brazil, but functions in Canada. That being said, this is a common thing for all VPN service providers, and the majority of users shouldn’t be hassled by it.

ExpressVPN actually recently released its very own security protocol that works in all countries. Known as Lightway, it’s an upgrade to a “next-generation VPN protocol.” We gave it a go. 

 ExpressVPN Lightway Protocol  

So, what is Lightway? It’s ExpressVPN’s homegrown security protocol built from the ground up. Instead of using various security protocols to connect to a VPN, Lightway will be the ‘one-size-fits-all’ of sorts, which makes connections simpler.

In terms of security, Lightway uses wolfSSL, whose well-established cryptography library has been extensively vetted by third parties, and against the FIPS 140-2 standard. It preserves perfect forward secrecy, with dynamic encryption keys that are regularly purged and regenerated. Soon, it will also be open-sourced for all to look at.

In terms of speed, ExpressVPN boasts a codebase that simply has 1,000 lines of code, which makes for a faster established VPN connection. It also states that the small amount of code means a lower processing load, so expect less battery consumption when using the VPN connection.

I checked it out, although currently, the security protocol is still listed as a ‘(preview)’, so it may not be the fully-fledged feature. In terms of speed, its connections to different countries blew away OpenVPN, which is known for its quick speeds. We connected and switched to the United States, Belgium, Ireland, France and India in under 10 seconds, which is ridiculous. Browsing the internet, watching Netflix and even playing a game of Call of Duty Mobile was seamless, making it seem like we weren’t really using a VPN at all. Now, ExpressVPN already had speed going for it, so general users will only notice a slight bump in speed, but power users will definitely get a kick out of its download speeds.

Using fast.com and a legacy protocol (standard security protocol) in Germany, I got speeds of 1.8Mbps. Using the Lightway protocol, I achieved 5.5 Mbps. Then I tried a connection in India using the legacy protocol, and tested 1.7Mbps, while the Lightway protocol gave us 2.5Mbps. Next, I  got a connection in South Africa with legacy protocol, and got 4.1Mbps, while the Lightway protocol achieved 6.2Mbps.

Just for good measure, we also tried U.S. servers in New York and Washington DC, but neither  worked with fast.com using any protocol.

Bottom line

So, ExpressVPN just got faster for the same price, as Lightway is now available for all VPN subscribers on the ExpressVPN apps for Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and routers. iOS will soon be on its way.

While many use VPNs for their security, which ExpressVPN has in spades thanks to a list of privacy and security features, there are many more that the service to access blocked sites or change streaming locations — another aspect ExpressVPN excels at. 

There are a few downsides to using ExpressVPN. Unlike some other options out there, ExpressVPN requires a subscription, and pricing can get expensive depending on your needs. Also, the number of devices you can connect to is limited to five, although this can be bypassed by using the router app.

Overall, ExpressVPN is a winner in all of its features, and Lightway just proved it will continue to excel. It’s worth paying for a year’s subscription if you know you’ll be an avid VPN user, especially if it’s offering a better rate at $8.32 per month. Continue to shine, ExpressVPN.