A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an encrypted connection from a device to the internet. It’s a tool that hides your IP address by encrypting your internet traffic making it difficult for hackers, governments, and other third parties to track your online activities.
This added layer of security is essential for protecting your personal information, such as your passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. But the benefits of using a VPN go beyond just security.
With a VPN, you can also bypass any geo-blocking and access content that’s available in your country, without worrying about location based restrictions. In addition, using a VPN can help you avoid internet censorship and protect your freedom of speech.
There are many VPN providers to choose from, so here’s our top VPNs of 2023:
NordVPN
Private Internet Access
Surfshark
CyberGhost
IPVanish
Hotspot Shield
VyprVPN
Windscribe
AtlasVpn
These VPNs were chosen based on their technical security, privacy policies, features, unblocking capabilities, server locations, and value for money.
 NordVPN.com |  Surfshark.com |  PrivateInternetAccess.com |  CyberGhost.com |  IPVanish.com |  HotspotShield.com |  VyprVPN.com |  Windscribe.com |  AtlasVPN.com |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Servers | 5,800+ | 3,200+ | 2,200 | 7,000+ | 2,200+ | 1,800+ | 700+ | 500+ | 1,000+ |
| US Streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Server Locations | 60 countries | 100 countries | 84 countries | 91 countries | 75+ locations worldwide | 80+ locations worldwide | 70+ locations worldwide | 10+ countries | 31 countries |
| Torrenting | Allowed on most servers | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Simultaneous connections | 6 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 | Unlimited | 5 | 5 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Supported Devices | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, routers | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Linux, Smart TV | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, Amazon Firestick, Apple TV | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon FireTV | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. |
NordVPN
NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) service provider that offers applications for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. NordVPN is our choice for the best VPN of 2023, it has the largest server network, outstanding security and speed. It can be used to access
streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and others.
NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature combines VPN and smart DNS technologies to provide fast and dependable access to streaming content. One of the largest VPN server networks With has over 5800 servers in 60 countries, NordVPN gives you many choices worldwide. It has multiple, ultra fast servers per country and speciality servers optimized for specific tasks, for instance if you want to share files NordVPN offers specific servers optimized for peer to peer (P2P) traffic. You can always find a server that matches your particular needs.
Great security features
NordVPN’s threat protection feature blocks malware, trackers, and ads when browsing the internet, providing an extra layer of protection when torrenting. NordVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy and a 4,096-bit key for OpenVPN and IKEv2 connections. This provides strong security for users’ data.
At NordVPN they maintain a strict no-logs policy, it doesn’t keep activity logs or connection logs from its users. They also offer additional features such as a kill switch feature that blocks internet access if the VPN connection is lost. This helps prevent accidental exposure of sensitive data.
It also has two versions of the kill switch feature: One that blocks internet access system-wide, and one that blocks specific applications you choose.
Furthermore, NordVPN allows up to 6 simultaneous connections on a single account. This means that users can protect multiple devices at the same time with a single NordVPN subscription.
NordVPN can be used in countries with internet restrictions, such as China and the UAE. However, users may need to use specific setups or protocols to connect successfully. NordVPN provides detailed instructions on how to connect from these countries on their website. It operates under the jurisdiction of Panama, where there are no mandatory data retention laws and the country does not participate in the Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes intelligence sharing alliances. They offer 24/7 customer support through various channels, including live chat, email, and a help center on their website.
Pros of NordVPN
NordVPN offers a double VPN feature routing your traffic through 2 VPN servers instead of the standard one server for additional protection Can connect up to 6 devices with a single account. They have more than 5,000 servers in 60 countries NordVPN has good price offers and accepts cryptocurrencies for extra anonymity.
Cons of NordVPN
Does not offer port forwarding Works in China, but not all of the time.
Surfshark
Surfshark is also known for its user-friendly design, making it easy to use and master in no time. It doesn’t have any speed, bandwidth, or data limitations.
Surfshark is also able to bypass region-locked content. This means that you can use it to access content that is not available in your country. You can use Surfshark to access US Netflix libraries and libraries from all countries or to watch BBC iPlayer from outside the UK.
They has over 3200 servers in 100 countries and the number is continuously growing, so you can connect to a server in almost any country in the world.
This makes it a great choice for seamless browsing, streaming high-definition video, and torrenting large files.
Additionally, Surfshark offers a powerful Antivirus that works behind the scenes to protect your device from malware and viruses, as well as real-time defense and webcam protection.
Surfshark VPN offers a feature called Camouflage Mode, which makes your connection look like regular browsing traffic, ensuring that even your internet provider can’t tell that you’re using a VPN.
At Surfshark VPN they use industry leading AES-256-GCM encryption to secure all the data that goes through the VPN tunnel. WireGuard is open-source software that implements encrypted virtual private networks, is the default protocol on all Surfshark apps.
Surfshark offers Two-factor authentication (2FA) for its users, which can be set up using an authentication application such as Google Authenticator, Authy or using your email address.
They has been independently audited by Deloitte, one of the Big Four auditing firms, which performed independent assurance procedures on Surfshark’s compliance with the no-logs policy.
Surfshark also offers features such as Alert and Incogni, Incogni is a new service developed by Surfshark that automates the process of reclaiming your privacy.
It contacts data brokers on your behalf with requests to delete the data they have on you, helping you escape the clutches of online marketing. Incogni removes data from 60+ people search sites and 120 other data brokers, making it one of the market’s most comprehensive personal information removal services.
You can use the Surfshark app on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Surfshark VPN has a feature called MultiHop, this routes your traffic via two different VPN servers at once, minimizing the chances that anyone can track you.
They have a feature called CleanWeb. This blocks ads, trackers and cookie pop-ups. CleanWeb monitors websites’ data breach history and turns on malware security.
Their IP Randomizer feature hides your browsing patterns by giving you a new IP address every time you connect to a different website without disconnecting you from their VPN.
Surfshark does not collect any information about what you do online, including your browsing history, used bandwidth, and network traffic, your online activities are kept private and secure.
Surfshark supports a wide range of devices, including with apps on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV Stick or Fire TV and Linux devices. This means that you can use Surfshark on just about any device that you own.
Additionally, Surfshark has a customer support team that is available 24/7 via live chat, email or on social media to help you with any issues you may encounter.
Pros of Surfshark
– Smooth streaming of geo-blocked content
– Multi-hop connection available
– Rarely disconnects, stable connection.
– Strong global server presence
– Good value for money
Cons of Surfshark
– Surfshark does not support IPv6 addresses yet
– Kill switch fails sometimes
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) has servers in 147 cities in 84 countries, including all 50 states in the United States. All of their servers have unlimited bandwidth so you can download, stream and upload without having to worry about any limits from PIA.
Bypass region locked content
PIA servers give you the ability to bypass region locked content on the BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Disney+1. You simply get a dedicated IP address that only you have access by connecting to one of PIA’s servers in the US to use most American streaming services.
Strong security settings
PIA blocks ads, trackers and malware, as well as having a kill switch that disconnects you from the internet if their VPN unexpectedly goes down, preventing your data from leaking.
PIA is one of a few VPN companies that have fully open-source VPN applications. They allow anyone who wants to scrutinize their publicly available client source code.
Advanced split tunneling is available on PIA, this feature allows you to use their VPN for some applications or software and use your regular standard network connection for any other apps you choose.
All PIA OpenVPN connections use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption variants, including AES-128-GCM and AES-256-GCM1.
PIA uses TLS v1.3 to establish this connection, and all its certificates use SHA512 for signing. PIA offers RSA-4096 as its handshake encryption algorithm1.
PIA has a no logs policy, they never monitor, record, track or store any information about their users’ VPN activity or data. PIA also has an advanced kill switch that prevents data leaks and prevents data transmission when the VPN is switched off.
You can pay your PIA subscription with cryptocurrencies and third party gift cards to protect your identity.
Good customer service
PIA’s customer support includes 24/7 live chat, a support portal, frequently asked questions(FAQs), to assist you with any issues they may encounter while using their service.
PIA can be installed on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices, they also have extensions on Chrome, Firefox, Opera allowing you to block advertisers who track you by your IP address. You can also configure PIA on your router and secure every devices connected to your network.
Pros of PIA
– Strong security settings
– Fully open-source VPN applications
– Connect up to 10 devices with PIA
Cons of PIA
– Netflix works overall, but buffers sometimes.