In a tightly contested three-way race for CNET’s Editors’ Choice Award for the best overall VPN, Express VPN emerged victorious, securing the top spot. It surpassed strong competitors like SurfShark and Nord VPN with its exceptional privacy measures and ease of use, earning a solid 8.8/10 rating. Privacy is a key reason users turn to VPN services, and ExpressVPN delivers on this front with impressive transparency, backed by its detailed privacy policy and Trusted Server technology. This innovative technology goes beyond the typical RAM-only server model, ensuring maximum security for your browsing data.
ExpressVPN also excels in performance, offering consistently fast speeds thanks to its Light way protocol. This protocol not only enhances speed but also provides post-quantum protection, seamlessly balancing security with performance. The service is incredibly user-friendly, making it simple to unblock streaming content while benefiting from advanced security features in its Advanced Protection suite. ExpressVPN supports nearly every platform, including Microsoft Copilot Plus PCs, ensuring it’s accessible to all users. Whether you’re a VPN pro or a first-time user, ExpressVPN is intuitive and easy to navigate. It’s even our top recommendation for streaming out-of-market NFL games, making it a versatile choice for a variety of needs.
Surfshark is an excellent option for those looking for robust privacy features without breaking the bank. Offering speeds and features comparable to top competitors like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, Surfshark stands out with its affordability. At just $48 for the first year or $60 for the first two years, it provides great value, and even after the promotional period, its regular price of $60 per year is still more affordable than many other VPNs, including ExpressVPN.
One of Surfshark’s standout features is its support for unlimited simultaneous device connections, making it a perfect choice for large families or households with many connected devices. It also offers an Apple TV app, allowing for seamless streaming in the living room, as well as a Linux GUI app, simplifying the experience for Linux users. While Surfshark provides solid privacy features, it doesn’t quite match the transparency and commitment to privacy that ExpressVPN offers, making it less ideal for those with critical privacy needs. However, for those seeking an affordable, versatile, and user-friendly VPN, Surfshark is a highly appealing option.
NordVPN stands out as an excellent, feature-packed VPN that delivers top-tier performance. In fact, NordVPN’s connection speeds were the fastest in our tests, with CNET Labs recording an impressive 11.1% average download speed loss, making it a leader in speed. On top of that, it offers a wide range of advanced privacy features, including Double VPN for extra encryption, Onion Over VPN for enhanced privacy, and Meshnet for secure file sharing. It also provides more traditional features like split tunneling, which allows you to choose which activities require VPN protection, giving users more control over their online security.
For power users, these advanced options are particularly valuable, though most people might not need to use them all. NordVPN is also ahead of the curve with post-quantum protection, beginning with its Linux app, to guard against emerging threats from quantum computing that could potentially compromise encryption.
NordVPN supports a wide array of platforms, including specialized devices like Apple TV and ARM-based Windows PCs, ensuring versatility and compatibility. Overall, NordVPN is a high-performing, feature-rich service that excels in privacy protection and streaming capabilities, making it an ideal choice for those seeking both advanced security and smooth online experiences.
When selecting the best VPN for your needs and budget, there are several factors to consider to ensure you make the right choice. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements to look for when shopping for a VPN:
1. Internet Speed Loss
VPNs can slow down your internet speed since your traffic is routed through an encrypted server, but the best VPNs keep speed loss to a minimum. Ideally, a good VPN should maintain an average download speed loss of 25% or less. VPNs that offer minimal speed loss are crucial for activities like gaming, 4K streaming, and large file uploads. For everyday use, a slight dip in speed (under 25%) shouldn’t be noticeable, but for power users, look for a VPN that performs well with minimal speed loss. NordVPN stood out with a low 11% average internet speed loss in testing, followed by Surfshark, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN at 25% or less.
2. Privacy
One of the primary reasons people use VPNs is for privacy. Look for a VPN that offers strong encryption (256-bit encryption with OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols or ChaCha20 with WireGuard), a strict no-logging policy, and DNS leak protection. It’s also essential to ensure regular third-party audits and transparency reports, as these offer additional security and trust. More privacy-focused users might prefer advanced features like Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and Tor over VPN, which provide additional layers of security. For users concerned with the jurisdiction of their VPN, consider providers outside of the Five, Nine, or Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing agreements for better privacy assurance.
3. Server Network
The size and diversity of a VPN’s server network can make a significant difference in performance and access to geo-restricted content. Look for a VPN with a large number of servers and various country locations, ideally over 60 countries for global coverage. Additionally, some VPNs offer specialized servers like Double VPN, Obfuscated Servers, and Tor over VPN, which add extra layers of privacy and help you bypass restrictions or hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. If you’re into torrenting or file-sharing, check if your VPN allows P2P connections and offers dedicated servers for that.
4. Device Support
Compatibility with your devices is another key consideration. Most major VPN providers offer apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, but it’s worth checking if they support other platforms like Apple TV, Android TV, or routers. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark offer apps for most major platforms, including specialty devices like Apple TV and ARM-based Windows PCs. Additionally, check if the VPN offers support for unlimited simultaneous device connections or a reasonable number (e.g., NordVPN and Proton VPN support up to 10 devices).
5. Streaming Capabilities
If streaming is a priority for you, a VPN can help you unblock content on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video from different regions. VPNs can also help bypass restrictions for watching sports events (e.g., NFL games on Peacock). Make sure your VPN works well with popular streaming services and has a good track record of unblocking content from abroad. Many VPNs, like ExpressVPN and Surfshark, excel in this area.
6. Cost
VPN pricing varies widely, with most services offering monthly, bi-annual, or annual subscription options. While multi-year deals offer the best savings, opting for an annual plan minimizes your risk. Some providers may have price hikes after the first year (e.g., NordVPN and Surfshark), so it’s important to consider renewal prices. Budget-conscious users may want to consider affordable options like Surfshark, PIA, and Mullvad, all of which offer reasonable pricing with solid features. Be on the lookout for seasonal discounts (e.g., Black Friday deals) to save money.
7. VPN Transparency
Transparency is a crucial factor in choosing a reliable VPN. Look for providers that are open about their policies, audit reports, and any cooperation with authorities. Many services use warrant canaries to inform users if they’ve been subpoenaed by authorities, though they aren’t always straightforward. It’s worth investigating how a VPN handles such requests and ensuring their commitment to protecting user privacy.
8. Free VPNs and Risks
While some free VPNs exist, they often come with limitations such as slower speeds, weaker security, or questionable logging practices. For the best security, privacy, and reliability, avoid free VPNs except for ProtonVPN, which is known for its free plan. Paid services offer far more value and are generally the better option when considering long-term protection.
9. U.S.-Based VPNs
Many privacy-conscious users avoid U.S.-based VPNs due to concerns about the Patriot Act and potential surveillance from government agencies. If you are worried about your data being accessed by authorities, consider choosing a VPN service that operates outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. and countries involved in intelligence-sharing agreements.
Conclusion
When shopping for a VPN, consider your priorities—whether it’s speed, privacy, server options, or cost. Always choose a VPN that aligns with your specific needs, whether you’re focused on streaming, protecting your data, or bypassing geographic restrictions. Keep an eye on long-term costs, avoid free VPNs, and prioritize those that provide transparency, strong encryption, and a solid commitment to privacy.