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A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that encrypts your activity on the internet and keeps your identity hidden while browsing. VPNs provide an extra layer of privacy, enable you to access foreign websites and can provide secure connections for transferring sensitive information.
There are a number of personal and business uses for VPNs, with a wide range of options available on the market. We’ve analyzed the key features you should consider to choose the best VPN service for your needs. Here are our top picks in 2023.
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Dedicated IP Address | Number of Devices | Multi-Factor Authentication | LEARN MORE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN |  |
4.5 |  |
Yes | 6 | Yes | Learn More | On NordVPN's Website | |
| TorGuard VPN |  |
4.3 |  |
Yes | 8 | Yes | Learn More | On TorGuard's Website | |
| TunnelBear |  |
4.3 | |
No | Unlimited | Yes | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| Private Internet Access |  |
4.2 |  |
Yes | 10 | Yes | Learn More | On Privateinternetaccess.com's Website | |
| ProtonVPN |  |
4.2 | |
No | 10 | Yes | Learn More | On ProtonVPN's Website | |
| hide.me |  |
4.1 | |
Yes | 10 | Yes | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| Surfshark |  |
4.0 | |
Only for Android | Unlimited | Yes | Learn More | On Surfshark's Website | |
| VPN Unlimited |  |
3.8 | |
Yes | 5 | Yes | Learn More | On VPN Unlimited's Website | |
| ExpressVPN |  |
3.7 |  |
No | 5 | Yes | Learn More | On ExpressVPN's Website | |
| CyberGhost |  |
3.7 | |
Yes | 7 | No | Learn More | On CyberGhost's Website |
VPNs are virtual private networks that encrypt your data and mask your online activity from snooping third parties. When you do things, such as check your email, chat with colleagues and browse websites, a VPN can help keep you anonymous.
When you do just about anything online, your computer connects to the server that hosts whatever website or service you’re using. The website can typically see certain data about you and your device, which isn’t ideal if you don’t like your activity being monitored. A VPN service connects you to a remote server before connecting you to your favorite sites, so that when a website checks for your user information, it only “sees” the VPN and does not trace it back to you.
You can safely use a VPN on your personal and business devices, and it’s a great way to keep your personal data and browsing habits private. The scrambled data is nearly impossible to decipher, so it’s useless to hackers and sites that want to track that data.
However, VPNs can’t protect against everything you do on your computer, laptop or mobile phone.
A VPN can protect:
What a VPN doesn’t protect you from:
A VPN protects active transmissions of data online, so it cannot do much for the data that lives on your phone or computer. For physical data protection, you would need antivirus and anti-malware software. It’s also important to be careful which links you click in email and online. Phishing attacks can be cleverly disguised as emails from someone you know.
When it comes to choosing the best VPN, there are a few key factors to consider. Customers should look for an ideal balance of affordability, helpful privacy features, server locations and an intuitive user experience. Taking these features into account can help you find a VPN that offers the protection and privacy you need.
Here are some details to watch out for:
There are different types of VPN software that you may use in different situations. The most common of all are personal VPNs, but you may find that you’ll need a remote access VPN, site-to-site VPN or mobile VPN.
Server numbers and locations are important factors to consider when choosing a VPN because they can affect the VPN’s overall performance and the level of privacy and security it can provide.
A VPN service with few servers and few locations is considered bad because it could lead to over-congestion, low speed and difficulty in finding a server near your location.
It is also important that the VPN provider has servers in countries which are privacy-friendly and not part of any surveillance alliance, such as the 5-eyes, 9-eyes or 14-eyes.
Speed is an important decision factor when choosing a VPN because it affects the overall performance of the VPN and your ability to use the internet effectively. A VPN that’s slow can cause delays in loading web pages, buffering when streaming video and difficulty using real-time applications, such as online gaming or video conferencing.
Other performance factors include:
There may be some differences in speed across devices, as some devices may have faster processors or better network connectivity than others. However, a good VPN provider should be able to provide fast and reliable connections regardless of the device.
To evaluate a VPN’s performance, you can use online speed test tools to measure the VPN’s download and upload speeds, as well as its latency and jitter. They can also look at the VPN’s uptime records and read reviews from other users to get a general sense of the VPN’s performance.
Before subscribing to a VPN service, it’s important to have a free trial or money-back guarantee period. This way you can test the performance and see if it meets your needs prior to committing to a plan.
VPN pricing ranges from free to about $13 per month. Free VPNs usually limit you in the number of devices you can connect and locations. The cheapest VPNs generally give you deep discounts for agreeing to pay for a VPN for multiple years in advance. The higher prices are typically reserved for business VPNs, which usually have several devices connected simultaneously (justifying the premium cost).
Factors that impact the cost of a VPN include the number of devices that can be connected simultaneously, the number of server locations available, the level of security and encryption provided and the quality of customer support.
Pricing plans for VPNs are typically structured as monthly, annual or multiyear subscriptions. Longer commitments tend to offer the best prices. Some VPNs offer a free version with limited features, while others offer a free trial period for users to test the service before committing to a paid subscription.
Promotional plans and discounts are often available, especially for new users or during special events, such as holiday sales. Check the provider’s website or subscribe to their newsletter to be informed of any promotions.
A good price for a VPN can vary, but generally, a monthly subscription of $8 to $10 is considered reasonable for a premium VPN service. Some VPNs can cost less or more than this range, but it depends on the features and level of service they provide.
Keep in mind that no VPN is truly free. Those that advertise as such are likely not offering the strongest privacy settings and putting your data at risk. It is always preferable to test out a safe, paid service with a money-back guarantee, rather than choosing a free option.
Here is a list of popular VPN uses and key features to look for:
Every use case may require different features. For more information on specific use cases, learn more about the reasons to use a VPN.
Using a VPN at home can keep your data safe from those who want to use your data for targeted advertising. On your mobile device, a VPN can protect your login details and other data you send when you connect to public Wi-Fi. It can be especially useful for businesses that have proprietary information to protect.
Here are five of the most common VPN uses:
Because of the relationship between you and your internet service provider (ISP), it can track what you do online, such as what sites you visit, the time you spend browsing, and more. Depending on the terms of service and what you’ve agreed to, your ISP may even sell your personal data to advertisers. Your stored data is kept confidential otherwise, according to most internet providers.
In the U.S., ISPs are required to keep browsing history logs for 90 days. If the government requests your internet history, an ISP must comply. In fact, in cases of national security, the government doesn’t even need a warrant to access your internet data. Theoretically, with a warrant, local law enforcement can use your data to help convict you of a crime.
Even if you’re a law-abiding citizen, you might not want your ISP documenting every URL you visit. If you use a VPN, you can cover your tracks. At the very least, it can give you peace of mind.
Whether you’re at an airport waiting for a flight and checking your email or at a local restaurant reading news on your phone, you may be tempted to use public Wi-Fi. It seems safe enough, right? The free internet connection is offered by the airport or business and they mean well.
The good news is that browsing online has become safer in recent years, thanks to most people adopting HTTPS over HTTP. That “S” is a security protocol that comes from a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate and helps protect internet data that’s shared to and from a site. That’s what makes it safer for you to pay for products and services online, for example.
However, most public Wi-Fi connections are open and not password protected, so you might put yourself at risk of your connection being intercepted by a hacker who is trolling the Wi-Fi network.
If you have a VPN service to log into first, you can anonymously connect to public Wi-Fi and essentially remain hidden on the network. A VPN will hide your identity on an open internet connection and encrypt active data, so even if a cybercriminal is on the same network, you’ll be safe.
Lots of retailers offer apps and free Wi-Fi to shoppers and they make it hard to not use them. For one, if you download a retailer’s app, you may get access to exclusive coupons and deals, so that’s tempting. Also, a lot of physical locations block cell phone service simply because of the metal in structures.
Businesses that offer these perks for free or incentives to use their apps and Wi-Fi are doing so to collect your data, which is extremely valuable to them. This is another good reason to use a VPN if you want to protect your personal data. Plus, you’ll still be able to safely access your apps and use free Wi-Fi while you’re shopping at malls or stores.
Many companies adopted a remote or hybrid work policy recently, which is convenient for a lot of employees. However, there is a security concern about having remote workers log into company servers from home because you don’t know how secure an employee’s connection is. They could be working from home or in a coffee shop. If a connection is intercepted, there’s a concern that active data could go from an employee to a hacker, rather than the Wi-Fi the employee is trying to use.
Providing all employees with remote access and a VPN will help keep your company’s files and projects safe.
A VPN does more than protect your data—it can unlock your access to media you can’t get to now. There are benefits here for a few different reasons.
Some citizens in countries with strict governments may not be able to visit websites with opposing views to their politicians. A VPN can make it appear as though you’re located in a different location, so you can access otherwise blocked websites or media. Your connection to the VPN can keep your actual location and IP cloaked, so you can’t be pinpointed.
Another benefit to using a VPN is that you can use it to find media you can’t get otherwise. For example, Netflix and Hulu offer different types of programming per location. If you’re in the U.S., you might not be able to watch what’s available on Netflix in the United Kingdom. A VPN can make it appear as though you’re in another country, thereby unlocking that exclusive content.
These are just a few examples of how a VPN can help protect you or help you access blocked information. There are plenty of other reasons why everyone should use a VPN.
To start, a VPN service hosts servers on which the VPNs reside. When you sign up for a service, you’ll get software to log into before you connect to the internet. What the VPN does when you log into your account is encrypt your data before you go online and continue to encrypt and decipher that data until you log off. VPNs do this by following a script or a series of protocols.
A VPN protocol is similar to a set of instructions not unlike “if this, then that” scripts. The protocols tell the VPN to encrypt data if and when a user logs in and to encrypt data that’s sent or received through that connection. These protocols also determine the type of encryption and security to use.
Most VPN services offer a variety of servers and locations for you to use. So, does it matter where a VPN server is located? There are a few different answers to this question and it comes down to why you’re using a VPN. Here’s what you should consider:
The majority of VPNs today are exceptionally easy to use. Once you’ve created an account with the provider, all you need to do is download the VPN app on your computer or smartphone. Once you’ve signed in with your account, you typically choose from a list of remote servers located around the world. Click on the one you’d like and the system should connect you automatically. Once you get confirmation that you’re connected, you can use your device as you normally would without your VPN. You can disconnect or change your server from your app’s home screen.
To set up your VPN manually, you can follow specific steps for your operating system. Many of the apps follow a similar process, as outlined below:
For more detailed information, check out our step-by-step guide on how to set up a VPN.
There are a number of ways to check if your VPN is working, from checking your location or IP address to looking for domain name system (DNS) leaks or WebRTC leaks.
Here are the most common ways to quickly check if your VPN is working:
It’s important to note that even if your VPN appears to be working, it does not guarantee that your internet connection is secure. It’s always a good idea to test your VPN regularly to ensure that it’s working properly and to check for any potential leaks or vulnerabilities.
Forbes Advisor reviewed 16 of the best VPNs on the market and scored them on eight primary factors and 33 subfactors. We used those scores to rate the VPNs on a scale of one to five. Primary factors we tested included download and upload speeds, pricing and general features. Our Forbes Advisor experts’ hands-on experience with these VPNs were also factored into the final scores.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is Forbes Advisor’s selection for the best VPN of 2023. With affordable pricing as low as $28.47 per year with a two-year subscription (one month and six month subscriptions are also offered), the PIA VPN provides access to 30,000+ servers across 78 countries and supports simultaneous connectivity for up to 10 devices.
CyberGhost does not support as many devices as PIA and is slightly more expensive at $47.88 per year. Still, it offers an intuitive UX, powerful AES-256 encryption and a 45-day refund period.
TorGuard VPN is a great pick for more advanced users, offering connectivity for up to eight devices at once. Pricing ranges from $32.99 to $169.99 per month, with multiple subscription tiers available, so you can get exactly what you need for your budget.
Yes, there are a few good free VPN services available, such as the free plan from Hotspot Shield. There are limitations that may not be worth it though, including data limits, fewer devices allowed and fewer location options.
In short, personal VPNs protect individuals who are typically consumers. They’re cheaper and sometimes free. People usually use them to browse the internet safely and access websites or streaming content only available in certain countries.
Business VPNs protect the interests of the companies, not the employees. For instance, if you’re using a business VPN, your online behavior is protected from external threats, but the administrator of the business VPN may track how you are using it. Business VPNs typically have some sort of user management dashboard and are also more expensive.
For smaller teams, solopreneurs and freelancers, a business-tier VPN may not be necessary. Our list above looks at personal VPNs that have multiple uses.
The process for connecting to a VPN varies, depending on your device and operating system. Generally, you need to download the VPN’s app or software, enter your username and password and select a server. For more detailed instructions, check out the VPN’s website or contact customer service.
A proxy and a VPN are similar in that a proxy server and a VPN can mask your IP, but the difference is that a proxy won’t encrypt your internet data—a VPN does.
A VPN can potentially slow down your internet connection, depending on a variety of factors such as the location of the VPN server, the number of users connected to the server, the strength of your device’s processor and internet connection and the VPN’s encryption protocols. The distance between you and the server can also affect the speed because the further away the server is, the more time it takes for data to travel back and forth. It’s also important to note that using a VPN can improve your internet speed in certain cases, for example, if you’re using a VPN to access geo-restricted content or to bypass ISP throttling.
In general, yes, VPNs are safely used by millions of people all over the world. The vast majority of users are able to browse the web anonymously and without issue. However, there have been times in which VPN providers have been compromised and had their customers’ information stolen. It is also worth noting that, depending on the provider’s country of origin, the VPN might be beholden to government surveillance programs.
VPNs are legal in most countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. Certain countries, such as China and Russia, have laws against using a VPN to bypass banned websites.
Regardless of the country you’re in, doing anything illegal while you’re connected to a VPN is still illegal.
Yes, you can change your IP address without using a VPN. Ways to do so include restarting your router, using a proxy server, connecting to a mobile network or using the Tor network. However, these methods may not provide the same level of privacy and security as a VPN and may cause your internet connection to be slower and less reliable.
