It is an equality between privacy and life in the digital space. While living more and more online, personal information should become vital. VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, are like shields that block third-party access to data. They encrypt your connection, allowing you to surf in private.
Now, in this guide, we will talk about some of the best VPNs for 2024, since there are quite a few important things to consider: from features related to privacy to ease of use and value for money.
Table of Contents
1. ExpressVPN: Fast, Private, and Secure
Express is great for finding the perfect balance between speed and high-class privacy. Because of its integration with TrustedServer Technology, data is presumed never to be written to a hard disk. Similarly, its location in the British Virgin Islands means protection against any agreements regarding data sharing.
Key Features:
- RAM-only servers: Nothing survives each time it gets restarted.
- No-logs policy: Zero tracking implies not even Express has access to it.
- Lightway Protocol: Promises more speed with security intact.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast Speeds: Suitable for streaming and gaming. User-Friendly: Easy to set up on all devices. Big Server Network: Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries. User-friendly and secure apps. Split tunneling feature (for macOS, Windows, and routers). Works with Netflix and most streaming services 24/7 live chat support. Passed independent third-party audits for security and no-logs. | High Cost: Rather on the expensive side compared to the rest. No Multi-hop Support: Routing your traffic via multiple servers is impossible. Fewer features than other leading VPNs. |
Best For:
ExpressVPN’s best fit is for those who require the best of both worlds: speed and privacy. It is an excellent option for streaming, gaming, and bypassing geo-blocks safely without revealing your identity.
2. NordVPN: Advanced Security for Complete Privacy
Nord offers the most recent tools in privacy. The Double VPN will send your traffic via two servers to grant maximum encryption. Its CyberSec feature blocks ads and malware for further protection.
Key Features:
- Double VPN: Extra privacy with dual-layer encryption.
- CyberSec: Blocks access to malicious websites or phishing attempts.
- Panama-Based: Not obliged by data-sharing laws like the Five Eyes alliance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Strong Encryption: Industry-leading security utilities. Large Server Network: Over 5,000 servers in 59 countries. High-Speed Streaming: Seamlessly gets around geo-blocks. Excellent privacy and security will switch against privacy compromise. Connect 6 devices on many platform types. Nord has some great price offers! Cryptocurrencies and CASH are accepted as payment. | Pricey: Higher than average pricing for short-term plans. Overwhelming for Beginners: Advanced features may be hard for new users. Torrenting is supported only on some servers. Abysmal speeds in Malaysia. Slow app and server connections. OpenVPN configuration isn’t user-friendly. |
Best For:
Nord strikes a good balance between privacy and performance. You will find Nord to be a serious competitor if you plan to use it for complex security matters like bypassing censorship or sensitive information.
3. ProtonVPN: For the Privacy-Conscious
Proton is all about privacy. It boasts Secure Core, a feature that means your traffic goes through servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions such as Switzerland. Secondly, it is one of the few open-source VPNs around; this means its code is publicly accessible for review.
Key Features:
- Secure Core Servers: Multi-hop servers in secure countries.
- Open-Source: Transparent software, publicly verified.
- Tor Over VPN: Integrates with the Tor network for added privacy.
| Pros | Cons |
| It is ideal for people who need the utmost anonymity due to its privacy-first approach. No-logs policy: User activities are not tracked or stored. The free version is available: Robust free option without any ads. Based in Switzerland. Strong encryption & Protocols. Secure Core serversAvailability in 63 countries. Unblocks Netflix & BBC iPlayerSupports Tor Browser & P2P | Smaller server network: Free users fall into a smaller pool of available servers. Slower speeds: Not the fastest VPN out there, with the free plan slowing things down. VPN blocking can be an issue.P2P is only available on a limited selection of servers. Somewhat tricky to configure. Only email support. |
Best For:
Proton is ideal for such users for whom privacy is paramount. Those who live in extremely restricted areas or who are worried about intrusive surveillance should utilize this.
4. Mullvad VPN: Maximum Privacy with Minimal Fuss
Mullvad is unique in its commitment to anonymity. One doesn’t need an email or any sort of personal information to create an account, and they even allow people to pay cash. Mullvad is very transparent and maintains a strict no-logs policy.
Key Features:
- Anonymous Sign-up: No personal information or email is required.
- No Logs: Mullvad doesn’t track any activities of the user.
- Sweden-based: Strong protection for privacy.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable: Flat monthly rate without hidden fees. Privacy-focused: Great for those who don’t want to give any kind of personal information. Open source: super transparent about the inner workings of the service. Very strict no-logs policy. Super transparent. Simple, straightforward pricing. No personal info is required to create an accountMultihop connections. | Limited Streaming Support: Not good for geo-restriction bypass. Small Server Network: Limited servers compared to competitors. No Dedicated IPNo split tunneling on Mac or iOS appsLow Count of Servers. Low number of simultaneous connections. First-time users may find the account system a bit confusing. |
Best for:
Mullvad represents an excellent way for the privacy-conscious user to get simple, uncomplicated protection without sacrificing a bit of anonymity. Reasonably priced and feature-rich, if one values transparency over cost, Mullvad is a good choice.
5. Surfshark: Economically Friendly Privacy for Multiple Devices
Surfshark features among the best VPNs in value for money, connecting unlimited devices under one subscription. In addition, it is secure and reliable because of two robust privacy tools: MultiHop and CleanWeb.
Key Features:
- CleanWeb: Ads, malware, and phishing will be blocked.
- MultiHop: Traffic goes through several servers for extra privacy.
- Unlimited Devices: All your devices can be under one account.
| Pros | Cons |
| Economical Pricing: Excellent value considering the functionalities it offers. Unlimited Connections: No limit on the number of devices. Fast and Secure: WireGuard protocol makes sure that your speeds are top-notch. Safe & private connection: Heavy encryption and No logs kept. Available on many platformsStrong global server presence. Nifty extra features. | Monthly Plan Expensive: Very expensive if subscribing on a month-to-month basis. Privacy Policy Needs Clarification: Some sections are ambiguous in their wording. Dodgy customer service week social media presence. Erratic P2P behavior. |
Best For:
It would be ideal for Surfshark to be used by families or users with several devices. Overall, it’s a more affordable pricing strategy with a full functionality option for privacy-conscious users on a budget.
Conclusion
Which VPN you choose will largely depend on your needs for privacy and your budget. Express provides the fastest speeds with an extremely user-friendly experience, while Nord adds several advanced security features for added protection.
Proton is a strong choice for those who want top-notch privacy above all else, Mullvad is solid when it comes to anonymity, and Surfshark has become one of the more affordable options available, offering unlimited device connections.
While no VPN is “perfect,” the following list of pros and cons applies to a few of the available alternatives.
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