Tested & True: The Fastest VPNs of 2024 Ranked (2024)

The internet can feel like the Wild West these days, with hackers, pushy advertisers, and even our own ISPs constantly trying to get to our personal data, it’s no wonder that more and more people are turning to VPNs for some much-needed online privacy and security.

So what can a VPN do for you?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address, making it much harder for anyone to view your online activities or track your location.

But VPNs aren’t just about keeping your data safe from unwanted eyes. They’re also a great tool for accessing geo-restricted content, like streaming services or websites that might be blocked in your country or region. By connecting to a server in a different location, you can bypass these restrictions and enjoy the internet on your own terms.

Of course, with so many VPNs out there, it can be tough to know which one to choose, especially if you’re looking for the best possible speeds. In this article, we’ll take a look at some factors that can impact VPN speed, compare some of the top contenders, and help you pick the right one for your needs (as well as make sure it’s a safe choice).

What Makes a VPN Fast?

Speed is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN (second to safety). No one wants a frustratingly slow connection – it can make it difficult to stream, browse, or download files. So what exactly makes a VPN fast? There are a few key things to keep in mind.

The Role of Server Locations

Server location plays a big role in determining VPN speed. That’s why if you visit any VPN provider’s webpage, you’ll often see how many servers they offer and in how many countries. It makes a difference.

In general, the closer you are to the VPN server, the faster your connection will be. You’ll notice that most VPNs have an option to connect to the fastest server, which will usually be a location close to you. That’s because your data has less distance to travel, which means less latency and faster speeds.

If you want the best possible speeds, look for a VPN with a large global network of servers. The more server locations a provider offers, the better your chances of finding a fast connection no matter where you are in the world.

Some top VPNs with excellent global coverage include NordVPN and ExpressVPN. NordVPN has over 6,100 servers in 67 countries, while ExpressVPN boasts over 3,000 servers in 105 countries. With top-tier providers like these, you can easily find a nearby server for optimal speed and performance.

Encryption and Speed

Another important factor in VPN speed is encryption. Encryption is what keeps your data secure and private, just know that it can also slow down your connection. That’s because encrypting and decrypting data takes time and processing power.

With that said, some of the best VPNs use efficient encryption protocols that help minimize the impact on speed. For example, many providers now offer the WireGuard protocol, which is meant to be fast and lightweight without sacrificing security.

CyberGhost is one VPN that does a great job balancing speed and security. They offer several encryption options, like WireGuard and OpenVPN, so you can choose the best protocol for your needs. They also use efficient AES-256 encryption to keep your data safe without slowing you down.

Ultimately, the fastest VPNs are those that offer a good balance of server locations and encryption protocols. By giving users a large global network and a range of secure, efficient encryption options, these VPNs ensure that you can enjoy fast, reliable connections no matter where you are or what you’re doing online.

Top Contenders for the Fastest VPN

Now that we’ve covered what makes a VPN fast, let’s jump right in and take a closer look at some of the VPNs on the market today.

I’ll be comparing different providers to see how they stack up in terms of speed, security, and overall performance. I’ll also be looking at their unique features, pricing, and my own user experience to help you make an informed decision.

Note: Setting a Baseline for speed

I’ll be testing each providers’ speeds using speedtest.net, and I’ll also include my own Download/Upload speed results to use as a baseline.

Note: Pricing

I also want to mention that I’ll be covering pricing for 12-month plans, but keep in mind that most VPN providers offer significant discounts when you sign up for 24 months or more. Of course, 2 years is more of a commitment, especially for those newer to VPNs, which is why this article is sticking with 12-month plan prices.

1. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a solid choice if you’re looking for a secure and privacy-focused VPN provider, in addition to having high speeds. They’re based in Switzerland which has some of the strictest privacy laws in the world, so you can trust that your data is safe. While they do have an excellent free plan which I review here, you’ll find that paying for their VPN will get you the fastest speeds, with access to all 1,900+ servers on their 10 Gbsp server network.

I was able to install and start using Proton VPN without a hitch. There’s an option to create multiple profiles, which can be useful for different tasks. For example in my screenshot below, I created a profile for fast online use. The VPN uses IKEv2 as the default protocol, so for this profile, I selected Wireguard (which is faster and still safe), and for server selection, I selected “Fastest” in the United States, since that’s where I’m located.

Of course, there are plenty of other helpful features, like auto-connect, quick connect (for the fastest server connection), kill switch, and NetShield for ad and malware blocking.

Speed Test Results

When using Quick Connect for the fastest speeds, my speed test reached 308.18 Download Mbps and 21.95 Upload. After multiple tests throughout my session, Download was always in the 300s, which is very fast. After connecting to a Japan server to check out what anime is available on Netflix, speeds were a bit slower, at around 190 Download, but still fast enough to stream, if that’s what you’re after.

My current internet speed when disconnected from the VPN is 416.45 Download and 22.87 Upload.

One thing that sets ProtonVPN apart in the speed department is their unique VPN Accelerator feature. This can boost your VPN speeds by up to 400%, especially if you’re on a less reliable network. It works by splitting the path between the VPN server and your destination into shorter paths, reducing latency and bypassing congestion. So even if you’re connecting to a server on the other side of the world, you can still expect fast speeds for browsing, streaming, and downloading.

Security Features

While fast speeds may be important, safety and privacy are the most integral parts of a VPN. Proton VPN is not only fast, but safe. While they don’t use RAM servers like other VPNs on this list, they do have impressive security features like NetShield for ad and malware blocking and Secure Core option, which sends your data through the safest servers (but this can bog down your speeds a bit). They encrypt all of their traffic using AES-256 or ChaCha20, both of which are extremely secure. For connections, they use secure protocols like IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.

Another great feature they offer that many VPNs don’t is their Tor over VPN which lets users connect to the Tor network and access .onion sites directly through the VPN app, giving you more anonymity without having to download anything extra.

IP Geolocation Capabilities

With their large network of 1,900+ servers in 70+ countries, users can easily access geo-restricted content from around the world. With customizable connection profiles and a transparent server overview, it’s simple to find the best server for your needs and bypass geoblocks.

Proton VPN Pros

• 1,900+ servers in 70+ countries
• Up to 10 devices simultaneously
• Tor Over VPN
• VPN Accelerator
• P2P support on specific servers (torrenting)
• Great free plan
• Open source

Proton VPN Cons

• Smaller server network than some competitors
• A bit pricier than competitors
• No RAM servers

Pricing

*Pricing based on a 1-year plan. Discounts are available on longer-term plans.

Free Plan: Comes with 1 device, no ads or logs, unlimited data, and 150 servers in 5 countries.

VPN Plus: At $5.99 a month, this paid plan includes access to all 1,900+ servers in 70+ countries, 10 devices simultaneously, ad-blocker and malware protection, and other advanced VPN features. This plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and offers extra savings when compared to the monthly pricing.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark has only been around since 2018 but has quickly become one of the most popular VPNs on the market today, winning numerous awards over the years. They’re fast, affordable, and safe — pretty much everything you would want from a VPN.

Downloading the app is quick and easy, but they also have handy setup guides on their website that can guide you through installing and setting up the app on desktop, mobile, or their browser extension.

From my screenshots below, you can see they have a nice, modern user interface that’s easy to navigate. Their Quick-connect feature lets you quickly connect their fastest server. Some other features include auto-connect, CleanWeb, which blocks ads and trackers, Kill Switch, and of course, you can select your preferred protocol.

Speed Test Results

With over 3200 servers in 100+ countries, it’s no surprise that Surfshark is fast. When connected to their fastest and closest server, I clocked 185.90 Download Mbps and 21.21 Upload. After checking my internet speed while disconnected from the VPN, I came in at 396.27 Download and 23.03 Upload. Not quite as fast as other VPNs on this list, but still impressive. During my session, I didn’t have any hiccups in speed, even while streaming and even while connecting to distant servers around the world.

I also want to mention ​​Surfshark’s proprietary Nexus technology which plays a big role in their fast speeds. This makes the connection faster and more reliable but also allows for stronger encryption and more precise location selection. With Nexus, you can easily unblock content from specific countries without sacrificing speed or security.

Security Features

In addition to being fast, Surfshark takes online safety and privacy seriously using top-notch security measures to protect your data. They use RAM-only servers, which means that your information is never stored on a hard drive and is wiped clean with every reboot, and they also offer several advanced encryption protocols, like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard (a more modern protocol you can thank for faster speeds), all of which use the virtually uncrackable AES-256 encryption algorithm. Some security features they offer include leak protection, kill switch, dynamic multihop, and a no logs or tracking policy.

They are located in the Netherlands, which is part of the 9 Eyes Alliance, potentially subjecting them to higher surveillance and data-sharing agreements with other member countries. This could be a point to consider for users who are really focused on keeping their online activities locked tight.

IP Geolocation Capabilities

Surfshark’s Nexus technology is good for speed and reliability, as mentioned above, but it also helps with IP geolocation. With Nexus, users can select specific server locations with greater precision, making it easier to access content that may be restricted in certain regions.

I also want to mention that with servers in over 100 countries, this gives users a ton of options when it comes to choosing a location, allowing access to even the most obscure content from many regions. (Indian Disney+ Hotstar, anyone?)

Surfshark Pros

• 3200+ servers in 100+ countries
• Great pricing discounts
• Unlimited devices and simultaneous connections
• Easy to use (most features include a short description of what it does)
• RAM-only servers
• Antivirus features available

Surfshark Cons

• Some features missing on iOS, like the Bypasser feature
• Known torrenting performance issues

Pricing

*Pricing based on a 1-year plan. Discounts are available on longer-term plans.

Surfshark Starter: At $2.99 a month, this VPN plan includes ad and cookie pop-up blockers plus some additional identity protection features like personal detail generator and masked email generator.

Surfshark One: At $3.49 a month, this plan includes all Surfshark Starter features, with the addition of extra identity protection features including real-time email credit card and breach alerts, security reports, private search engine, 24/7 antivirus protection and more.

Surfshark One+: Priced at $5.49 a month, this plan comes with all Surfshark One features along with data removal from company databases and people search sites.

All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and offer extra savings when compared to the monthly pricing.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN was started back in 2009 and is currently used by over 4 million users all over the world. As you can guess by their name, they’re known for their ultra-fast servers in 105 countries. They have great online reviews and some nice features you can expect from a reputable VPN, like best-in-class encryption, innovative TrustedServer technology (RAM servers), and all popular VPN protocols.

After downloading the app to my desktop computer, I was able to get started right away with one click, which connected me to their Smart Location. This feature automatically connects you to the fastest server, but of course, you can also opt to choose from any of their servers. I noticed their website doesn’t say how many servers they have, not sure why that is, but based on other reviewers, the number seems to be around 3,000.

You can see from my screenshot below that ExpressVPN has a very minimalistic design, giving quick access to VPN locations and shortcuts to your favorite websites. If you open up the preferences, you’ll find more options, like Network Lock, protocol selection, the ability to block ads, and trackers, and set some parental controls.

Speed Test Results

While it sometimes took me a little bit longer to connect (up to a minute) compared to competitors, I found the speeds to be fast and reliable. I didn’t have any issues with performance during my session. After running a speed test while connected to their Smart Location, the results were 325.64 Download Mbps and 21.65 Upload Mbps. Even when checking the farthest location from me (Australia), Download speeds were almost as good.

Streaming services like Netflix were fast, and I only experienced some performance issues and lower-quality resolution when connected to the very farthest server locations. My current internet speed while disconnected from the VPN was 398.38 Download and 22.64 Upload.

I also want to mention that ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol likely plays a role in these impressive speeds. It’s designed to be faster, more secure, and more reliable than traditional VPN protocols, so it’s no surprise that ExpressVPN delivers such strong performance.

Security Features

ExpressVPN offers standard safety and privacy features you would expect, like Network Lock (kill switch), leak protection, and AES-256 encryption. For protocols, it offers OpenVPN, IKEv2, and their proprietary Lightway (no WireGuard).

While ExpressVPN seems to take privacy seriously with their no logs policy and RAM-only servers (which makes it impossible to retain user data), I do have some hesitation about them due to the fact that they were sold to Kape Technologies in 2021, a company that has been involved in malware production. This has certainly harmed the VPN’s reputation, but they do conduct third-party audits to ensure they’re compliant with their privacy policy.

IP Geolocation Capabilities

While they don’t reveal the exact number of servers they offer, what we do know is that their servers are in 105 countries around the globe, which is impressive coverage that can come in handy when it comes to accessing region-specific content.

Additionally, ExpressVPN offers a browser extension for HTML5 geolocation spoofing, which lets you selectively spoof your location on specific sites, making it easier to access geo-restricted content.

ExpressVPN Pros

• Up to 8 devices simultaneously
• Password manager included
• Servers in 105 countries
• Fast Lightway protocol
• RAM servers

ExpressVPN Cons

• Fewer advanced features
• Higher price point

Pricing

ExpressVPN doesn’t offer different plans with varying features. Instead, all subscribers get the same features, and the pricing is based on the subscription term.

You get the best deal when signing up for 12 months, which is currently discounted to $6.67 a month. A six-month subscription is $9.99 a month and a one-month-only subscription is $12.95.

All subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the top VPN providers in the world. They’ve been around for over a decade, earning the trust of millions of users worldwide. While they are primarily known for their advanced security features like RAM-only servers and malware protection, they’re worth mentioning in this list because their servers are without a doubt fast, with coverage extending to over 104 countries across their 6,000+ servers.

As you can see from my screenshots below, NordVPN has a nice and clean user interface, which can be tough to accomplish, given how feature-rich it is. You easily connect to their fastest server, connect to your preferred protocol, and add shortcuts, or presets, to your menu. These presets are similar to profiles – it streamlines VPN-protected access to favorite websites and apps on macOS by combining customized connection settings with convenient shortcuts.

Speed Test Results

NordVPN is a popular VPN choice not just because it’s extremely safe and secure, but just as importantly (almost), it’s fast. And that doesn’t come as much of a surprise given their vast network of servers around the world coupled with their proprietary and next-gen NordLynx protocol, which plays a big part in delivering faster speeds, better connection, and overall improved security than other popular protocols used by many VPN providers, like WireGuard. This makes it an especially good option if you’re trying to steam or torrent.

So let’s talk speed, how fast is NordVPN? The results of my speed test as seen in the screenshot below were 337.17 Download Mbps and 21.93 Upload. My current speeds without a VPN connection were 532.12 Download Mbps and 23.81 Upload. So it’s already faster than the VPNs we’ve mentioned so far, including ExpressVPN, a provider known for speed. During my session, I didn’t have any issues streaming.

Security Features

NordVPN takes a lot of pride in their dedication to safety and security. They have all your standard safety features like a no logs policy, kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and DNS leak protection, to name a few, but they also offer some great features that make them stand out from the competition, like double VPN (encrypts traffic twice), Onion Over VPN (routes traffic through the Tor network), Meshnet (a safe way to access other devices), and RAM-only servers.

IP Geolocation Capabilities

NordVPN’s got a massive network of over 6,000 servers in 104 countries, so you can easily access content from pretty much anywhere. They also have a dedicated IP option that lets you get your own personal static IP address, which you can buy as an add-on feature. This is perfect for things like online banking or remote work access. And if you’re in a country with strict internet censorship, their specialized obfuscated servers hide your VPN traffic to look like regular internet traffic, making it easier to bypass internet restrictions and avoid VPN-blocking firewalls.

NordVPN Pros

• Huge network of servers
• Double VPN
• RAM servers
• P2P optimized servers
• Dedicated IP add-on option
• Malware protection
• NordLynx protocol

NordVPN Cons

• Only 6 simultaneous connections
• No longer have servers in India

Price

*Pricing based on a 1-year plan. Discounts are available on longer-term plans.

Standard Plan: $4.99 a month, offering a high-speed VPN and basic VPN features like malware protection, tracker and ad blocker.

Plus Plan: $5.99 a month, this includes all Standard features, with the addition of a Cross-platform Password Manager and Data Breach Scanner.

Ultimate Plan: At $7.99 per month, this plan comes with all Plus Plan features along with 1 TB Encrypted Cloud Storage and Cyber Protection Benefits like Identity Theft Recovery ($1M coverage) and Cyber Extortion Protection ($100K coverage).

All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. Windscribe

Windscribe is another top choice in the world of VPNs. This Canada-based provider is self-funded and self-hosted, and prides itself on its total transparency and focus on privacy, which is evident in their stellar reviews. But they’re also known for their fast speeds, with servers in 69+ countries (134 cities). While their server count isn’t available on their website, it’s purported to be around 400.

After downloading the app, I was able to connect to their Best Location. From my screenshot below, you can see some of their features like ad and tracker-blocking, port forwarding, and split tunneling. It’s not quite as feature-rich as other VPNs on this list like Proton VPN or NordVPN, but we’re here for speed, right?

Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T. is a customizable DNS-level ad and malware-blocking tool that protects users from various online threats, like ads, trackers, malware, phishing attempts, and fake news.

Speed Test Results

I was pleasantly surprised with how fast and reliable Windscribe servers were. After running multiple speed tests, the results were always fairly consistent. I didn’t experience any lags whatsoever, even when streaming on Netflix. Adding WireGuard a couple of years ago to their list of protocols certainly contributes to these fast speeds.

Below you can see the results of the speed test, which were 368.43 Download Mbps and 20.83 Upload. My current internet speeds were 432.15 Download Mbps and 23.08 Upload. Even when connected to more distant servers, speeds were still pretty fast.

Security Features

Like most VPNs on this list, Windscribe offers high-level encryption and some nice security features like split tunneling, kill switch, a no-logs policy, and a built-in firewall to prevent leaks and protect user data from unauthorized access.

When it comes to privacy, it’s worth noting that Windscribe is based in Canada, which falls under the Five Eyes jurisdiction. This means that they may need to comply with data requests from intelligence agencies, but it shouldn’t be a concern for most users.

IP Geolocation Capabilities

Windscribe has some nice geolocation features like Location Warp, which prevents the browser location API from knowing your actual physical location. This is especially useful for bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing content from around the world. They also have GPS Spoofing on Android devices which lets users fake their GPS coordinates to match the location of the connected server for better privacy.

Windscribe Pros

• Free plan
• RAM-only servers
• Unlimited simultaneous devices
• Customizable plan
• Good R.O.B.E.R.T features

Windscribe Cons

• Only a 3-day money-back guarantee and must have used less than 10GB
• Not as many servers as competitors

Price

Windscribe VPN is $5.75 a month when you sign up for a year, or you can sign up for their monthly plan, which is $9 a month. They also have a Build A Plan which lets you customize your VPN subscription by picking specific server locations and features for a base price of $1 per month, plus an additional $1 per month for each extra location or feature you add.

6. Mullvad

What I like about Mullvad is their genuine commitment to privacy and online security. You don’t need to input any personal information whatsoever to get started. All you have to do is download the app and generate an account number to begin connecting to their servers. It’s that easy and that anonymous. You can even pay for your account with cryptocurrency.

Privacy aside, I also like Mullvad because it offers very decent speeds, despite having a limited number of servers (600+ in 41 countries). The VPN’s UI is straightforward and easy to use, with handy information bubbles for most of their features (some of which include split tunneling, multihop, custom DNS server, and DNS content blockers).

Speed Test Results

Despite their limited coverage, Mullvad does very well when it comes to speed and performance. After testing it out on multiple servers around the world, I really didn’t experience any major slowdowns or interruptions. When connected to their fastest server, the speed test results were, 304.25 Download Mbps and 17.80 Mbps. My internet speed while testing Mullvad was 332.83 Download and 22.34 Upload.

While I didn’t have any issues streaming using Mullvad VPN, it’s worth noting that if you’re trying to stream and access content in other countries, you’re going to get the most potential content from Mullvad’s bigger competitors like NordVPN or Surfshark, who have thousands of servers in over 100 countries. For example, if you’re a Bollywood fan, Surfshark has servers in India but Mullvad does not.

Security Features

When it comes to security, Mullvad comes in strong with some great features like split tunneling, a custom DNS server, multihop, and automatic WireGuard key rotation. They also have Quantum-resistant tunnels, a feature not all VPNs offer. This enhances security, making sure data stays safe even against potential future quantum computer decryption attempts.

One downside is that they are based in Sweden, which is part of the 14-Eyes Jurisdiction, but considering their strict no-logs policy and regular third-party audits, this doesn’t seem like a make-or-break for regular VPN users.

IP Geolocation Capabilities

Mullvad VPN offers some nice features that enhance its IP geolocation capabilities, like split tunneling which lets users choose which apps or websites use the VPN connection, bypassing geolocation restrictions and accessing region-specific content discreetly. On top of that, Mullvad’s Shadowsocks proxy feature offers a secure way to overcome internet censorship and access location-restricted content.

Mullvad Pros

• Anonymous payments
• Uses both RAM and disk servers
• No personal information required to sign up
• Quantum-resistant VPN tunnels
• In-house customer support
• Automatic WireGuard key rotation
• Open-source code
• Simple Pricing

Mullvad Cons

• Limited servers compared to competitors
• No dedicated IP

Price

Mullvad charges a flat rate of €5 per month, which is about $5.50. There are no long-term commitments and you can cancel your subscription at any time, plus they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee (but not for cash or crypto payments).

7. TorGuard

TorGuard is a US-based VPN that’s been in service for over 12 years. They’re known for their security and privacy features, like built-in shadowsocks, internal encrypted DNS, double protection, and more, but they’re also known to have fast speeds, with 3000+ servers in over 50 countries.

Once you create your login, you’re good to go to start using TorGuard and connect to any of their servers. As you can see from my screenshot below, you can easily access the settings panel to make any necessary configurations, like auto login, protocol selection, local DNS cache refresh, kill switch, and IPv6 leak. You can also list specific apps or processes to terminate when the VPN disconnects, which is convenient, or even execute certain scripts before or after connecting. As you can tell, it allows much more configuration than other, simpler VPNs like Mullvad or Windscribe.

What I did not like is that once you’re connected, you can’t view or access any settings or even server locations. You would have to disconnect, which can be annoying. All you can see when connected to the VPN are connection details like tunnel type, protocol, local IP and so on. I also wish they had a quick connect or fast connect feature. With that said, you can set favorites.

Speed Test Results

Speeds were looking good, especially when I was connected to the closest server and using WireGuard. My speed test showed 356.05 Download Mbps and 22.49 Upload. It was a bit slower on more distant servers in other countries, but speeds were overall still decent with no significant lagging while streaming. My speeds while disconnected were 489.09 Download Mbps and 23.36.

Security Features

As mentioned, TorGuard is a feature-rich VPN, especially when it comes to overall safety and security. Besides standard features like kill switch, modern protocols, and ad/tracker blocking, a few other less common features they offer include built-in shadowsocks, internal encrypted DNS, double VPN protection, and OpenVPN Obfuscation, which can disguise VPN traffic as HTTPs traffic. Kind of like a stealth mode.

Similar to some other VPNs on this list, there are some privacy risks due to their US jurisdiction, but what’s more concerning is that they haven’t conducted any recent independent audits like many VPN providers (which is typically made public on their website).

IP Geolocation Capabilities

TorGuard offers a range of features that are particularly useful for geolocation purposes. Their Stealth VPN is designed to bypass Deep Packet Inspection and VPN blocking, making it even harder for websites to detect your VPN usage and identify your real location. On top of that, they offer dedicated IP addresses which can help when you need a consistent IP address for a specific location or to access content that requires an IP from a particular country.

I also want to mention their browser extension (separate from the VPN) which allows you to route your web browser traffic through their high-speed proxy network with just a few clicks, allowing you to bypass geolocation restrictions and access your desired content from anywhere in the world.

TorGuard Pros

• 8-30 devices (depending on plan)
• Dedicated IP
• Fast 24/7 customer support
• Proxy browser extension
• OpenVPN Obfuscation
• Built-in shadowsocks
• Double VPN

TorGuard Cons

• Higher prices
• No independent audits

Price

*TorGuard’s annual billing prices on their website reflect the price per year, not per month, like some other providers on this list. Prices below include their current 50% discount.

Standard Plan: $29.99 a year, comes with 8 devices, static IP pool, 3K+ servers in 50+ countries, ad blocking, port forwarding, and NAT firewall.

Pro Plan: $59.50 a year, this includes all Standard plan features, with the addition of 12 devices, and 1 dedicated IP.

Premium Plan: At $64.99 a year, this plan comes with all Pro Plan features along with 30 devices, and a free router.

All plans come with a 7-day money-back guarantee.

8. Hide.me

Hide.me has been a long-time favorite among VPN users in large part because of their completely free VPN, which I review here. It offers decent speeds, unlimited data, and no trackers or ads. But if you’re willing to shell out a few bucks, you get access to even more, like 10 simultaneous connections, a fixed IP address, streaming support, dynamic port forwarding, and access to 2400 servers in 89 locations.

The app has a nice and simple interface. Right away, you can connect to their Best Location, Their features and settings are organized nicely, and you can quickly access their list of servers or their list of streaming servers if streaming content is what you’re after. The settings tab in the menu has some additional features like split tunnel, StealthGuard, auto-connect, and more options as you’re setting up.

Speed Test Results

Now let’s talk speed. While I didn’t experience any major lags with the free version, it was significantly slower than VPNs I’ve paid for and came in at around 49.40 Download Mbps and 4.71 Upload. But that was their free plan, which came with restricted speeds.

After running multiple speed tests while connected to their Best Location, I hit speeds coming in at 287.55 Download Mbps and 110.81 Upload Mbps. My internet speed while disconnected was 531.15 Download Mbps and 118.75 Upload. So not quite as fast as other VPNs on this list, but still pretty fast, even when connected to distant servers.

And for Windows users, Hide.me’s Bolt technology is designed to improve VPN connection speeds by routing traffic through TCP instead of UDP, which addresses performance issues caused by Windows’ not-so-great UDP protocol support.

Security Features

Hide.me is excellent in terms of user privacy. Based in Malaysia, they’re outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, so you don’t have to worry about data retention laws. They have transparency reports every year as well as No Logs audits.

Hide.me offers several features focused on user safety and security. These include IP Leak Protection to prevent your real IP address from being exposed, StealthGuard, which makes your VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic, and they support advanced security protocols you would expect from a reputable provider, like WireGuard for fast and secure connections, and Multihop, which routes your traffic through multiple VPN servers for added privacy.

IP Geolocation Capabilities

In addition to the security features, Hide.me also offers capabilities that enhance IP geolocation. By leveraging their global network of VPN servers, users can easily switch their virtual location to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that may be blocked in their current region. The Multihop feature we mentioned earlier also adds an extra layer of obfuscation and makes it even more difficult to determine your true location.

Hide.me Pros

• Free plan
• 10 simultaneous connections
• SOCKS5 proxy
• IPv6 support
• Independent provider
• Optimized streaming servers

Hide Cons

• No RAM servers

Price

*Pricing based on a 1-year plan. Discounts are available on longer-term plans.

Free Plan: Comes with 1 connection, 8 locations, no logs, unlimited data, and restricted speeds.

Premium Plan: At $3.75 a month, get access to 2400 servers in 89 locations, streaming support, dynamic port forwarding, fixed IP address, and 10 connections.

9. VPNArea

While it’s not in the same class as top VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, I wanted to include VPNArea on this list since they’re known for their speed, especially when it comes to streaming and torrenting. They have servers in over 100 locations in 55 countries, with optimized streaming servers, and some features include ad-block and malware protection, Kill Switch, Anti DNS Leak, IPv6 Anti Leak protection, custom DNS servers, and Auto IP changer.

After downloading the app and looking around for a bit, I have to say I don’t love the interface. It feels a bit cluttered and just doesn’t have that overall clean, appealing look as other providers do. And I’m not a fan of the glass-shattering sound when you disconnect from the VPN.

There’s also no Quick Connect or Best Location Connect option, you just have to choose a server from their list. They do have a “Recommended” tab which shows server, load, distance, and current speed, but again, I’d prefer a Quick Connect or Fast Connect button that removes this step.

I was also getting an authentication error when trying to connect to some of their faster servers, which seems to be a known issue since they have a help page dedicated to it.

Speed Test Results

When testing out their speeds, the results were 324.39 Download Mbps and 112.48 Upload, which are pretty fast, especially considering I wasn’t able to connect to their fastest streaming servers due to an authentication error. While the speed test download speeds fluctuated a bit, I didn’t experience any lags or slowness during my session. My current internet speed while disconnected from VPNArea was 549.68 Download and 115.36 Upload.

It’s worth mentioning that when downloading this app, the default protocol (on my macOS) was OpenVPN. IKEv2 is known to be generally faster, but unfortunately, it’s a manual process to make that switch, unlike other VPNs that make it much easier to toggle protocols. WireGuard is generally believed to be the fastest protocol, but VPNArea does not support it as of writing this article.

Security Features

Like most VPNs we’ve looked into, VPNArea brings most security essentials to the table. While they do not currently offer RAM servers, they do have robust AES-256-bit encryption, OpenVPN and IKEv2, Kill Switch that blocks traffic when experiencing connectivity issues, Anti DNS Leak, and Auto IP changer (desktop only) which lets you control how often your IP address changes. While they’re missing the popular WireGuard protocol, OpenVPN and IKEv2 are still highly secure.

IP Geolocation Capabilities

VPNArea offers servers in 55 countries, which is OK but not the widest network compared to some leading VPNs. Another feature worth mentioning is their dedicated IP address option (an add-on). This gives you a personal IP that can improve access reliability to specific services that might flag shared IP addresses used by multiple VPN users.

VPNArea Pros

• 8 simultaneous devices
• Anti DNS Leak
• Auto IP changer
• Account sharing is allowed
• Dedicated IP add-on available

VPNArea Cons

• Limited network
• No RAM servers
• No WireGuard support

Price

VPNArea has just one paid plan with access to their full VPN service, which is $4.13 a month when you sign up for a year, $3.21 a month for 24 months, or $9.90 a month for just a one-month subscription. Just keep in mind that these prices may fluctuate depending on their current discount.

Each of these subscription options comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

10. CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost has been in the VPN business since 2011 and has quickly become one of the most popular and widely used VPNs, amassing over 38 million customers around the world. They have a strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, solid features, and wide coverage, with 11,000+ servers in 100 countries. While their free trial is short, it gives full access to their VPN and is a great way to try out the service.

After downloading the app and taking a look around, I really like the user interface. It’s clean and easy to find what I need. Overall, very nice, minimalist layout and look. The app allows you to connect to their best location, with IKEv2 as the default protocol, but it’s easy to switch to WireGuard, which is my preference, especially when considering speeds.

The servers are broken down and separated into categories for downloading and for streaming, or you can add your favorite servers. There is an option to add a dedicated IP if you’re also concerned about privacy, and you can make other adjustments in the Privacy settings, or even add Smart rules (wifi and VPN startup). If you click on the little cog wheel icon in the upper right corner, you can add more preferences, like protocol selection, leak protection, and connection tests.

Speed Test Results

Speeds were fast with CyberGhost VPN, coming in at 376.01 Download Mbps and 109.95 Upload. My own internet speed while disconnected from the VPN was 589.54 Download and 116.28 Upload. Their 10-Gbps servers significantly reduce throttling and delays, giving a consistently fast and reliable connection, even when streaming. And if you’re trying to torrent, stream, or game, they have optimized servers for each category.

Security Features

CyberGhost offers all the basic safety functions you’d expect from a VPN, like strong AES-256 encryption, a kill switch to ensure you always have a protected connection, popular tunneling protocols, split tunneling, ad and tracker blocking, and DNS leak protection. Plus, they own their own servers and use RAM-only servers, which means all user data gets wiped with every reboot.

CyberGhost is based in Romania where you don’t have to worry about any data-retention laws, however, it’s worth mentioning that they (along with ExpressVPN), are owned by Kape Technologies, a company with a history of some concerning business practices. With that said, there isn’t currently any evidence of a threat to users of their VPNs.

IP Geolocation Capabilities

CyberGhost’s vast network spans 100 countries, making it a great option for bypassing geo-blocks and accessing content globally. Plus, with specialized servers dedicated to streaming, torrenting, and gaming, you’re set for an optimized experience.

Adding to this, their dedicated IP feature offers a unique advantage when i comes to geolocation, providing a stable and personal IP address that simplifies accessing IP-specific networks while maintaining your privacy.

CyberGhost Pros

• Free trial (no credit card required)
• 7 devices simultaneously
• 45-day money-back guarantee (for 6-month and 2-year signup)
• Dedicated IP add-on
• Huge network of servers
• RAM servers
• Streaming, gaming, torrenting support

CyberGhost Cons

• Fewer features on Mac and iOS
• Expensive 1-month subscription

Price

CyberGhost VPN is priced at $12.99 a month, $6.99 a month for a 6-month subscription, or $2.03 a month for a 16-month subscription. Both subscription plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee, and the 1-month subscription comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

All subscriptions come with full access to the VPN and all features.

Fastest VPNs Side-By-Side Comparison

Conclusion

Choosing the right VPN comes down to striking a balance. You want something that’s not just fast but also keeps you safe without making you jump through hoops. It’s about finding a VPN that matches your needs, whether that’s binge-watching, secure browsing, or avoiding geo-blocks. With options like CyberGhost, NordVPN, and ProtonVPN on the table, there’s definitely a fit for everyone. Remember, it’s all about what works for you, so consider your priorities and you’ll land on the perfect VPN.

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