Best VPN tools

VPN services encrypt your internet traffic and route it through servers in other locations, providing privacy from your ISP, security on public WiFi, and access to geo-restricted content. The market is crowded with dozens of providers, making it hard to separate genuine privacy tools from marketing-heavy services.

The most trusted VPNs have clear no-log policies, independent audits, and transparent ownership. ProtonVPN and Mullvad are the gold standard for privacy. NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer the best balance of speed, features, and server coverage. WireGuard (the protocol) has become the standard for its simplicity and performance.

When choosing a VPN, prioritize privacy policy and ownership transparency over server count marketing. Consider what you'll use it for — streaming, privacy, remote work — as different services excel at different use cases.

P Private Internet Access Long-established VPN provider with open-source apps and a proven no-logs policy. $2.03/mo Surfshark Affordable VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and CleanWeb ad blocker. $2.49/mo NordVPN VPN service with 5,000+ servers, double VPN, and threat protection. $3.99/mo Mullvad Privacy-focused VPN with anonymous accounts — no email, no personal data. €5/mo W Windscribe VPN with a generous free tier and build-your-own-plan pricing. Free ExpressVPN Premium VPN known for speed, reliability, and wide device support. $6.67/mo ProtonVPN Free VPN from the makers of ProtonMail with no data limits and no ads. Free WireGuard Modern VPN protocol that aims to be simpler and faster than IPSec and OpenVPN. Free