Online privacy is more critical than ever that’s why a most secure VPN acts like a secure tunnel. It allows you to safely navigate the web, whether you’re on your home network or a public Wi-Fi hotspot. A VPN shields your data from prying eyes, be it your internet service provider or hackers lurking in your local coffee shop. It offers peace of mind by masking your online activities, making it an essential tool for anyone concerned about their privacy.

However, using a VPN doesn’t have its drawbacks. While it protects you from external threats, your VPN provider gains insight into your browsing habits, which could make them a target for cybercriminals. This raises an important question: do you really need a VPN?

Selecting the right VPN service requires careful consideration. Many providers claim they don’t log user activity, but these claims are often unverified. To help you make an informed choice, we’ve rigorously tested several VPNs that have undergone independent security audits. Here are the top five VPNs that passed our scrutiny.

 

Best for Most People

1. Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN stands out as a beacon of trust in a landscape where many VPN service providers fall short. It’s still the only VPN I trust after years of testing it thoroughly for WIRED. The thing that makes Mullvad appealing is that it doesn’t use flashy marketing and instead focuses on real privacy solutions. For example, it tells you in great detail how to turn off WebRTC in your browser, which is an important step for keeping your real IP address safe while using a VPN.

What sets Mullvad apart as one of the most secure VPNs is its support for anonymous cash payments. In theory, users can stay totally private if they make up an odd account number and send cash to Sweden with it. I have yet to try this method, but I was able to continue my contract using Bitcoin while still maintaining my privacy.

Mullvad is one of the best VPNs because it has open-source apps for all the major devices, even the iPhone. A third party has checked its service and regularly provides fast speeds, making it one of the best VPN providers. Mullvad might be the best VPN for protecting your internet actions if you care about privacy.

 

2. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is one of the best VPN services because it cares a lot about privacy. This VPN is part of the Proton suite, which also has the well-known private email service ProtonMail. It stands out for having strong security features. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, which doesn’t have any rules that require companies to keep data. This lets the company enforce a strict “no logs” policy. Outside experts have checked it, and it has a warrant canary page, which makes it one of the best VPNs out there.

Proton VPN is the best VPN for privacy because it has all the important features of a good VPN, like split tunneling, a kill switch, and multiple hop connections. Proton has what you need, whether it’s a VPN for your iPhone or a private VPN for your computer. The service’s free plan is one of a kind; it gives you full access to all of its features, but only on one device and three computer sites.

For people who want a safe VPN with a flexible price, Proton VPN has a Plus plan that costs $6 a month and lets up to 10 devices join at the same time. For an extra $10 a month, the Proton Unlimited plan gives you even more value because it includes all five Proton services. One of the best VPN services is Proton VPN, whose open-source app works on macOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS.

Recent VPN reviews regularly rank Proton VPN as one of the safest and best VPN services. Proton VPN is a great choice if you want a phone VPN or a service that can do a lot of different things, is reliable, and cares about your privacy.

 

3. Surfshark VPN

Surfshark VPN is a good option for people who want a stable VPN that won’t break the bank. Although Surfshark might not be the safest VPN if your life depended on it, it is a great deal, especially if you pay for two years at once. This well-known VPN is great for getting around location limits. It’s one of the top VPNs for streaming Netflix and keeping your data safe on public Wi-Fi networks.

Surfshark always ranks among the top 5 VPNs for speed in the many tests I’ve done. Even though there is no VPN that is as fast as a straight link, Surfshark lets you watch HD video without slowing down. It also has important features like a kill switch and multi-hop links to make your connection safer, though the latter may slow it down.

Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a safe place with no rules about keeping data. Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for privacy because it doesn’t keep any logs and has recently passed independent security tests. However, its legal status has yet to be tried. Surfshark’s recent merger with NordVPN has yet to cause any big changes, but we’re keeping a close eye on this reputable VPN service.

 

4. TunnelBear VPN

Picking a VPN service can be hard, but TunnelBear VPN makes it simple with its bear-themed design and graphics. TunnelBear could be the best VPN for you if you prefer to avoid technical terms and settings that are hard to understand. Its easy-to-use interface takes the mystery out of VPNs and shows you how this dependable VPN service keeps your data safe without sacrificing security. TunnelBear has a fun look on the outside, but it has strong features like a no-logging policy and a clear privacy policy that make it one of the best VPN options out there.

TunnelBear isn’t just nice to look at; it’s also one of the best VPN services when it comes to speed. Its speeds are about the same as those of the top 5 VPN services that I tested, which makes it a popular choice for people who want to be sure of their connection. You can use the free VPN trial on your iPhone or other devices to see how well it works before you decide to pay for it. Even though TunnelBear doesn’t have as many server sites as some of the safest VPNs, it’s still one of the best for privacy and everyday use, especially if you don’t travel much.

 

5. Tor

If protecting your privacy is very important to you, a VPN might not be enough. Tor is your best bet in this case, especially when used through Tails. VPNs protect your privacy by hiding what you do online, but they don’t completely hide your identity. Tor, on the other hand, makes sure that no one can find out who you are, but it doesn’t completely hide what you do online.

Tor is easy to set up. You can use the Tor network to connect to the web after downloading the Tor software. This network gives you a lot of privacy, but it slows you down. Your online requests go through several sites before they get to where they need to go, which slows down the process. However, this is necessary to protect your privacy.

It might be possible to get the safest VPN by using both a private VPN and Tor together, though it is more difficult to do. Top VPN providers offer strong privacy, but if you want the utmost safety, you should use Tor along with a safe VPN.

 

Other VPNs We’ve Tried

Here’s a quick overview of other VPNs we’ve tested:

• NordVPN:Known for its robust security features and large server network, NordVPN is a reliable vpn choice for privacy and performance.
• ExpressVPN:Offers fast speeds and strong encryption, making it a top pick for most secure vpn and seamless browsing.
• Google One VPN: Provides integrated VPN services with Google’s cloud storage plans, offering basic privacy protection but with limited server options.

 

There are so many VPNs out there that it can take time to pick the right one. They are all good in various manners and meet different needs. Consider your needs carefully to choose the ideal VPN, whether speed, security, or user-friendliness are more important to you. Keep an eye on our changes and details for more in-depth reviews and comparisons.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:Â

1. What is the most secure VPN for 2024?

In 2024, the safest VPNs will likely have strong encryption, a policy of not keeping logs, and improved security procedures. Mullvad VPN, Surfshark VPN, and ProtonVPN are some of the best options. People know that these services protect your privacy and security very well.

 

2. How does a VPN ensure my online security?

A VPN keeps you safe online by securing your link. This keeps hackers and snoops from seeing your data. It also hides your IP address, which makes it hard for websites and other people to keep track of what you do online.

 

3. Are free VPNs secure?

A free VPN might not be safe. They might not secure your data well, keep a record of it, or even sell it to other people. Using a reliable paid VPN service is the best way to protect your privacy and safety.

 

4. Can I use a VPN on my iPhone?

Yes, many VPN services offer dedicated apps for iOS devices. When it comes to protection and privacy, these apps are made to work just as well on iPhones as they do on other devices. Make sure that the VPN you pick works with iOS and has good reviews.