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The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
Best for Ultimate Privacy
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More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Best for Affordable Security
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Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra
Based in the U.S., which is part of the Five Eyes alliance
Choosing a secure virtual private network (VPN) is critical for protecting your online privacy. NordVPN is the top leader due to its exceptional encryption protocols, overall reliability, and premium security features.
NordVPN is closely followed by Private Internet Access (PIA), which may be a suitable option if you're on a budget. Meanwhile, Proton VPN provides a path to privacy by not connecting your identity to your account at all.
Read on to learn more about the best VPN services available.
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| Starting price | $2.99/mo (billed every two years) | $2.99/mo (billed every two years) | $2.03/mo (billed every two years) |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Streaming support | Yes — Netflix (unofficially), Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, DAZN | Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, DAZN and more | Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Proton VPN | Get PIA |
Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
NordVPN is best for people looking for an ultra-secure VPN that’s equipped with numerous security features designed to protect your data and devices. It offers high speeds without compromising your encrypted internet connection.
NordVPN has everything you need in a secure VPN — including strong protocols, an independently verified no-logs policy, and a stellar reputation. NordVPN offers several other tools to protect your digital life. Some of these tools include:
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Additionally, NordVPN passed all of our tests for speed, security, and unblocking Netflix, making NordVPN a rock-solid choice for anyone looking for a secure VPN.
With NordVPN, there are many plans available, each offering different security features. We love variety, but it can get a little overwhelming to find the right one for you.
And although Nord unblocked Netflix, they silently removed Netflix support from their website. That means that if it doesn't unblock Netflix in the future, Nord won't be able to help much.
| Price range | $2.99–$15.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Number of servers | 6,600+ servers in 111 countries |
| Number of connected devices | 10 |
| VPN protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard), IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN |
Easy to use
A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
Proton VPN is best for people who prioritize their privacy. This VPN provider is Swiss-based and has strict data privacy laws. It's also easy to use and offers a free version (with limited server access).
You can purchase and use ProtonVPN while never providing your email address or payment information, which can be linked back to you. This is ideal for people looking to avoid putting their identity on the internet.
To sign up anonymously, you'll need to create a Proton Mail account or a Proton Pass email alias. Then you can use bitcoin (which can't be traced back to you) to get Proton credits to buy the Proton VPN service.
In addition to its privacy-focused user experience, Proton VPN offers several secure features, such as strong protocols, an audited no-logs policy, and support for both torrenting and port forwarding.
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We can also recommend the free Proton VPN. Oftentimes, free VPNs are actually collecting and selling your data to make money. However, Proton VPN uses its sales to support the free version, and there are no ads while using it. The free version offers only a limited number of servers, so you may want to upgrade to get the full experience.
Surprisingly, Proton VPN is the most expensive VPN on this list. Even still, the privacy-focused VPN may be worth its value to you.
| Price range | Free–$9.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Number of servers | 8,500+ servers in 112 countries |
| Number of connected devices | 10 |
| VPN protocol | IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get Proton VPN |
More affordable than most other VPNs, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN
Fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
PIA is best for security-minded individuals looking to save money on a VPN. PIA has all the security features you need in a secure VPN, including a kill switch, split tunneling, and torrenting support. Did we mention that you can connect an unlimited number of devices with no bandwidth restrictions?
PIA checks our list of important security tools that protect your data. It has a kill switch, multi-hop, and split tunneling features to customize the encrypted protection of your online browsing. PIA also uses strong protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN for strong encryption and can successfully hide your IP address.
Beyond its strong security features, PIA is also a good option for torrenting. Every server can handle P2P file sharing, and you can also enable port forwarding. For the technically inclined, PIA is a good option for privacy and security.
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PIA provides all of these features at an affordable price. If you’re budget-conscious, PIA may be a good choice to protect your internet connection.
PIA is headquartered in the United States, a partner of the Five Eyes Alliance, a group involved in mass surveillance. But VPNs are legal, and PIA has a clear privacy policy that outlines how it handles your data and an independently verified no-logs policy.
| Price range | $2.03–$11.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Number of servers | Unlisted in 91 countries |
| Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPsec |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get PIA |
It was a tight race to determine the top three secure VPNs, but there are others that may be a better fit considering your budget, number of household devices, and security needs. Based on our research and testing, we’d also recommend any of the following secure VPNs:
There were a number of factors we considered when choosing the VPNs that were the most secure. Beyond our essential speed and security testing, we also evaluated each VPN for the following:
The safest VPN should have excellent security measures, strong encryption, and a commitment to user privacy. NordVPN, Proton VPN, and PIA were our top choices for the most safe VPN, but you may also want to consider Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.
The most secure VPN protocols are OpenVPN and WireGuard. OpenVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, while WireGuard uses ChaCha20 encryption. Both of these protocols can keep your internet connection secure.
The most trustworthy VPN provider should be committed to user privacy, have a strict no-logs policy, and be transparent about its operations and privacy policy. NordVPN, Proton VPN, and PIA seem to pass these standards, but you should also consider Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.
Out of our top three choices for the most secure VPN, only Proton VPN offers a free VPN. It's fully supported by paid users, and there are no ads, no logs, and no bandwidth restrictions. However, it works only for one device and has servers in only seven countries.
Proton VPN offers a safe free VPN. It's financially supported by paid users, which means you don't experience ads or risk having your data collected and sold.
NordVPN is one of the best VPN services on the market. It provides premium security features and safely encrypts your internet connection with its advanced specialty servers. Beyond VPN protection, Nord is a trusted name in cybersecurity, offering several other security products to protect your digital life.
For the ultimate privacy, consider Proton VPN. You don't even need to share your email address to create an account. You can also use Bitcoin to anonymously purchase Proton VPN. Meanwhile, PIA is a budget-friendly VPN without compromising on high-quality encryption standards.
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
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$2.99/mo (billed every two years) | Best for premium security | Get NordVPN |
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$2.99/mo (billed every two years) | Best for ultimate privacy | Get Proton VPN |
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$2.03/mo (billed every two years) | Best for affordable security | Get PIA |
All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
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