A Truthful Report on the Best VPNs

You would never find these prices on official VPN Websites. Because less people know more profit they take.

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Don’t pay all the price VPN company offer.

The internet is a battlefield, and you’re unarmed without a VPN. Every click without a VPN exposes you to hackers and spies. Don’t let them win. Your online privacy is at risk every second you’re unprotected. Hackers, trackers, and surveillance are waiting. Don’t gamble with your safety! Get the most secure VPN at a price so low, you won’t find it anywhere else. Act now and reclaim your online freedom before it’s too late!

There are over 100 VPNs out there, but only a few VPNs are real. I’m here to help you cut through the noise of fake reviews and deceptive marketing, so you can make the right choice.

Why do all the recommended VPNs differ?

First and foremost, the primary purpose of VPN recommendations is “Commissions“ Most well-known VPN review and comparison websites recommend the VPNs that benefit them the most financially. In particular, the top-ranking review sites in Google search results are often run by companies themselves. A prime example is Kape Technologies, which owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PIA. They also operate multiple review sites, where they consistently rank their own services as the top 1-3 choices.

If you search for VPN reviews on Google, you’ll often come across vague reviews that seem like they were written by company representatives or AI. This is because VPN companies and review sites have a symbiotic relationship, and they need to maintain a close connection to protect their business partnerships.

Are you different?

I’m… well… a bit different. I’ve always disliked being part of any group or organization. This is simply a space where I share the insights from my long-standing experience. Since I don’t have a company or employees to take care of, I feel no pressure to make money here. I run it alone as a hobby, free from anyone’s interference.

This VPN report is the result of my experience using nearly every VPN available worldwide for over a decade. And it’s also a place to express anger toward organizations that spread false marketing fueled by money.

I don’t lie to earn more commission. As equals, I’ll share with you the knowledge and insights I’ve gained through my time and experience. In return, you’ll save money and time, making the smartest choices. If you appreciate my work, you can show your support and gratitude by signing up through my links.

The downside of this space: I have a my job that I love, so I can’t frequently update non-essential news.

Are there special VPN coupons available?

As you’ve probably experienced with coupon sites, most of them are deceptive and end up being different from what we initially expected.

If you search on Google, you’ll find various review and coupon sites enticing you with sweet promises of the “best discount coupons” on their sites. However, 99% of these are simply clickbait. Most VPN coupons have a fixed discount rate, but in rare cases, applying the coupon in a specific way can get you a slightly better discount. Such cases, however, are extremely limited.

Many of you reading this have likely been disappointed by clickbait sites and wasted your valuable time. However, such unreliable practices do not exist here. The truth is always simple. I’ll help you subscribe at the lowest possible price.

Summary of the Best VPNs and Why?

The following is the result of over 10 years of meticulous testing and evaluation of nearly every major VPN. I’ve spent a lot of time and money to provide a clear and concise summary you can trust.

VPN	Anonymity	Performance	Value for Money	Summary	Lowest Price
★ NordVPN	★★★★★	★★★★★	9.8/10	Safe – NordVPN is located in Panama, a country that cannot ask for information that can identify you. It hasn’t handed over any customer information to law enforcement since it was founded. Best servers – 6800+ premium servers in 111 countries give you tons of options and the best download speeds. Pricing – Top-rated in every category, yet available at a price that can’t be matched by competitors. (2-year plan using the method below) When you’ve clicked on multiple discount links, cookie issues can sometimes prevent the maximum discount from applying.* To ensure you receive the best deal, open an incognito window by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N (or ⌘ + Shift + N on Mac) and enter https://nordvpn.deal This method helps avoid potential cookie-related problems and ensures the highest discount is applied. Is it really the best VPN? – Simply put, I use it. After over 10 years of trying dozens of paid VPNs, I’m spending my own money on this one.(*I was a longtime user of ExpressVPN until 2022.) One of its greatest strengths is being located in a privacy-friendly country where logging user data isn’t legally required, just like ExpressVPN. It also offers advanced security features like MultiHop, Onion Over VPN, and Antivirus. On top of that, its affordability makes it an easy choice. There’s no reason to consider any other VPN when choosing the best VPN for the foreseeable future.
Surfshark	★★★★	★★★★★	8.7/10	Surfshark offers exceptional value at an impressively low price point, delivering top-tier speed and robust security that competitors struggle to match. Notably, its Dynamic MultiHop feature allows users to select and combine two countries of their choice, enhancing privacy and security. Additionally, Surfshark permits unlimited simultaneous device connections, a feature that stands out in the VPN market. Over time, Surfshark has proven its reliability. While its Netherlands-based headquarters mean it must comply with EU regulations—a slight drawback compared to providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN—Surfshark excels in nearly every other aspect.
–	–	–	–	In 2025, choosing between NordVPN and Surfshark depends on your priorities. If you value a top-tier no-log VPN, NordVPN is the way to go. However, if you plan to share your account with friends and prioritize affordability, Surfshark is a better fit.	–
ExpressVPN	★★★★★	★★★★★	7.5/10	The same best VPN as NordVPN in terms of anonymity, jurisdiction(BVI), performance, security, etc. but more than twice as expensive. Despite being the most expensive, it doesn’t have the extra security features like Multihop and Antivirus that competitors offer. It’s the VPN I’ve been using the longest, dude I love you but you need to drop the price more. Servers are located in 105 countries, and you can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously. They have a 2-year plan, but it’s currently only available in the US. If you live outside the US, you can try another VPN and select the US region to sign up. ExpressVPN’s discount rates have remained constant over the years, with a 49% discount on the 1-year plan and a 61% discount on the 2-year plan. These rates have not changed in over a decade.
–	–	–	–	Many decisions are made among the three companies mentioned above. This is because economies of scale also apply to VPN services, having a large user base and healthy cash flow allows for smoother investments and server maintenance. Ultimately, no other company offers high-quality services at such low prices as NordVPN and Surfshark. and ExpressVPN has maintained its competitiveness through its long-standing brand image as the fastest and best premium VPN, but it is now in a position where rapid innovation is necessary.	–
ProtonVPN			7/10	ProtonVPN is a good company. Through its open-source apps and ProtonMail, it has built a strong image over time as a company that values privacy. It offers one of the most usable free VPN services and can generally be rated positively. However, the top competitors are so strong that ProtonVPN has a relatively small position on the stage. Its high pricing also causes hesitation among buyers. With the ProtonVPN Plus 2-year plan priced at $4.99 per month, many find it hard to choose ProtonVPN over more affordable top-tier options like Surfshark and NordVPN, putting the company in a significant dilemma.	Visit
Mullvad			6.8/10	On Reddit, Mullvad is praised as a moral company because they don’t do commission marketing, but I think it’s marketing. founded in 2009, but I wonder why it’s still only loved by some users. Mullvad located in Sweden, so it doesn’t have the advantage of jurisdiction, no different than competitor Surfshark in this regard, but it’s much more expensive and slower. Mullvad has one thing going for it: if you’re only going to use a VPN for one month out of the year, it’s the best choice for you.	Visit

in short : If you’re someone who needs to worry about law enforcement or government agencies, go with NordVPN. If not, choose Surfshark.

A list of famous VPNs with detailed descriptions.

Do you need to know technical terms?

When looking at VPN reviews, they often include complex terms that can be confusing for someone without technical knowledge.

We don’t need to fully understand all the technical details, just like when we buy a refrigerator, car, or smartphone. Let’s not waste time and energy. We only need to know a few key points that others have already verified.

However, most of these are things we don’t really need to know. The main reason is that modern VPN features are almost standardized. It means they’re almost the same. Most reputable companies use AES-256 encryption, and if they support the WireGuard protocol, which has established itself as the current standard protocol, they also support ChaCha20.. Yeah, none of this really matters either.

We only need to check a few key things. I’ll explain them briefly below.

No Log (Most important) : Is it a verified No-Log system? – Every VPN company claims they don’t log user data. To determine whether this is true, check if the company has undergone rigorous audits by credible external firms.
Protocol : A VPN protocol is the method a VPN uses to encrypt and transmit data. Just remember WireGuard! It’s currently the fastest and safest protocol. If WireGuard doesn’t work somewhere, you can switch to OpenVPN. You don’t need to worry about protocols like L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2/IPsec, SSTP, or PPTP they’re rarely used.
Split Tunneling : This is a feature that allows you to connect specific apps to the VPN while excluding others. For example, when the VPN is on, you can route Netflix and your web browser through the VPN tunnel while excluding games or messaging apps so they remain unaffected by the VPN.
Multi-Hop : MultiHop routes your connection through two or more VPN servers, making it nearly impossible to trace back to you. Even if an investigation, government, or hacker targets one server, there’s another server behind it, making reverse tracking theoretically almost impossible. Personally, I prefer MultiHop over the Tor Onion Network.
Kill Switch : a feature that temporarily disables all connections to protect your IP address in case of a sudden disconnection.

Other features like DNS, Onion Over VPN, Obfuscated VPN, Static IP, Dedicated IP, Dark Web Monitoring, and Meshnet can be explored and understood gradually as you use them.

NordVPN

NordVPN can be considered the best VPN service of 2025 in terms of speed, security, features, and its No-Log policy. The reason is that the competition for the top VPN spot has long been a rivalry between NordVPN and ExpressVPN. However, NordVPN has achieved a significant victory by offering more security and stability at a much lower price, and it continues to maintain overwhelming competitiveness overall.

The 10Gbps server upgrade has been successful, and the fast and secure connection through NordLynx (a protocol that enhances WireGuard for added safety) and the Double VPN (Multihop) feature is so fast that it feels like using a single server.

NordVPN is the only VPN that offers advanced features like Meshnet. With built-in antivirus, ad-blocking features, and more, NordVPN resolves many concerns with just one service.

No Log : Best
- Audit : ★★★★★ It has undergone the most audits of its No-Log policy, apps, and overall system by PwC, VerSprite, Deloitte
- Jurisdiction : Panama (No data retention laws)
- Transparency Report
Servers : 6900+ premium-grade servers in 111 countries
- Speed : ★★★★★
- Onion Over VPN
- Multi-Hop (*Double VPN)
- Obfuscated
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, tvOS, Router, Web browser extensions and others
Additional features
- AntiVirus
- Meshnet – You can make your own VPN network
- Malware protection – Included in Plus plan
- Block ads and web trackers – Included in Plus plan
- Password manager (NordPass) – Included in Plus plan
- Data breach Alert – Included in Plus plan
- Encrypted cloud storage 1TB (NordLocker) – Included in Complete plan
Support : 24/7 by email or live chat
Price – Most people choose the 2-year plan because it has the lowest monthly cost and the highest discount rate. This is also due to the small price difference compared to the 1-year plan. The total price difference between the basic 1-year plan and the 2-year plan is around $12. (*There is a slight price variation depending on the duration.) The same goes for almost all the VPNs introduced below.
- Depending on the promotion each month, there are slight variations as shown below.
- Basic(VPN Only) : $2.88/month or $2.99/month
- Plus : $3.75/month or $3.89/month
- Complete : $4.72/month or $4.89/month
- Prime : $7.61/month or $7.89/month
- Refund : 30 days
Website : NordVPN

Surfshark

Surfshark has grown into a predator that has turned the VPN industry upside down. When Surfshark first entered the market, many believed it wouldn’t survive long. Few expected a new company to sustain its unlimited simultaneous device connections policy at such an affordable price. However, it has achieved explosive growth every year, driving significant change in an industry that had long been stagnant. As a result, many companies that remained complacent without effort naturally faded away.

Looking at Surfshark’s features, it offers unparalleled value at $1.99 per month, including top-tier servers, flexible MultiHop, additional security, and convenience features that no competitor can match.

No Log : Good
- Audit : ★★★☆
- Jurisdiction : Netherlands
- Transparency Report
Servers : 100+ countries
- Speed : ★★★★★
- Multi-Hop : You can combine and use the countries of your choice!
Device
- Simultaneous connections : Unlimited!
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Router, Web browser extensions
Additional features
- Alternative ID: protect your identity
- Alt Number: avoid spam calls
- CleanWeb – blocks ads, banners, pop-ups, trackers
- Rotating IP – changes your IP address every few minutes without disconnection
- Antivirus – Included in One plan
- Alert: monitor data leaks – Included in One plan
- Search: browse privately – Included in One plan
- Incogni: reclaim your data – Included in One+ plan
Support : 24/7 by email or live chat
Price
- Starer(VPN Only) : $1.99/month
- One : $2.49/month
- One+ : $3.99/month
- Refund : 30 days
Website : Surfshark

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has held the top VPN spot for nearly a decade. However, it has recently been overtaken by NordVPN. Moreover, except for its jurisdictional advantage, ExpressVPN now lags behind Surfshark in the competitive landscape. Notably, ExpressVPN still doesn’t offer MultiHop servers. If someone were to ask why they should choose ExpressVPN over NordVPN, I would find it challenging to provide a compelling reason.

ExpressVPN is still considered a top-tier VPN; that’s certain. However, it’s more than twice as expensive as comparable competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark, which likely poses a significant challenge for its marketing team.

ExpressVPN doesn’t have WireGuard, but it offers its proprietary Lightway protocol, which is just as fast. It delivers excellent performance and security, with some core components made available as open source.

No Log : Best. No Logs and extensively audited. Always secure.
- Audit : ★★★★★
- Jurisdiction : BVI (No data retention laws)
- Transparency Report
Servers : 105 countries
- Speed : ★★★★★
- No Multihop
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 8 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, tvOS, Router, Web browser extensions
Additional features
- Keys – Password Manager
- Ads, Tracker Blocker
- Aircove Routers – It’s a basic entry-level OEM router with nothing special.
Surpport : 24/7 Email and live chat
Price
- 1 Month : $12.95
- 12 Months : $6.25/month
- 24 Months : $4.99/month
- Refund : 30 days
Website : ExpressVPN

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN’s relatively high price often leads potential customers to choose other options. When compared to a better alternative like NordVPN’s 2-year plan, NordVPN costs $2.88/mo, while ProtonVPN is priced at $4.99/mo – a significant difference.

Additionally, a comparable competitor like Surfshark is priced at just $1.99/mo, resulting in a 2.5x price gap. If paying more provided clear benefits, it might be worth considering, but the more affordable top-tier options offer superior competitiveness, making it a difficult choice.

Proton AG, the developer, is based in Switzerland, which is introduced as being highly specialized in privacy protection. However, after learning about cases where ProtonMail users’ personal information was provided to foreign investigative agencies, it’s hard to feel reassured.

No Log : Not bad
- Audit : ★★ – No-Log Audit in 2022, Security report in 2023.
- Jurisdiction : Switzerland
- Transparency Report (*But no detailed information, just brief annual summaries are published.)
Servers : 110+ countries
- Speed : ★★★☆
- Tor Over VPN
- Secure Core Servers (Multi-hop)
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chromebook, Android TV, Apple TV, Extensions
Additional features
- NetShield Ad-blocker
- Open source
- Port Forwarding
- VPN Accelerator (Used it for a month, but found it to be a meaningless feature)
Support : Priority support and live chat
Price
- Proton VPN Plus (VPN Only)
  - 1-month – $9.99
  - 12/24-months – $4.99
- Proton Unlimited (VPN, Mail, Calendar, Drive, Pass, Wallet)
  - 1-month – $12.99
  - 12-months – $9.99
  - 24-months – $7.99
- Refund : 30 days
Website : ProtonVPN

Mullvad

Mullvad started its VPN

service in 2009, but it has only gained some recognition in the past few years. Through communities like Reddit, it ran viral marketing campaigns with a vibe like “We don’t do affiliate marketing! We’re a cool company that doesn’t pay for reviews!” and it turned out to be quite successful.

A smartphone from a small company that spends almost nothing on marketing or an iPhone that spends astronomical amounts? Which one would you buy? It’s hard to persuade customers with just a catchy phrase like this. In the end, companies that provide better services at lower prices are the ones that get chosen.

But it’s undoubtedly a competitive company. They’ve developed open-source apps, collaborated with the Tor Project to launch the Mullvad Browser, and lease their VPN network to Malwarebytes and Mozilla VPN.

The biggest advantage of Mullvad is its monthly plan price. It’s a VPN company that can be generally well-rated and has a good community reputation. Whether you subscribe for 1month, 1year, or 2years, it’s always $5.25 per month. So if you need a trustworthy VPN for just one month, I’d recommend Mullvad.

No Log :
- Audit : ★★ – I think the No-Log policy is at a trustworthy level. In 2022, Assured AB tested their VPN and DNS servers and conducted an app security audit. Other than that, they underwent RoS and protocol testing in 2023 and 2024. However, there hasn’t been a dedicated No-Log audit yet.
- Jurisdiction : Sweden
Servers : 48 countries
- Speed : ★★★☆
- Multi-Hop
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Extensions
Additional features
- Search (leta.mullvad.net)
Support : It doesn’t offer live chat support at this price. Email and FAQ Support
Price
- only €5/month ($5.24)
- Refund : 30 days
Website : Mullvad

CyberGhost

CyberGhost, PIA (Private Internet Access), and ExpressVPN are all VPN companies owned by Kape Technologies. If you occasionally search for “Best VPN” on Google and find comparison sites ranking CyberGhost as 2nd or 3rd, it’s highly likely that these sites are owned or affiliated with Kape Technologies.

While CyberGhost advertises itself as a Romanian company not subject to the 14 Eyes, reading their Terms page reveals that contracts are concluded with CyberGhost’s U.S. Colorado entity, and sections on Applicable Law and Revocation indicate connections to a U.K. entity, stating that English law applies.

Even setting aside the ambiguous contracts, it’s uncertain whether the parent company, Kape, reduced investments in CyberGhost after investing heavily in acquiring ExpressVPN. Nonetheless, occasional server instability is still observed, and overall download speeds are not particularly fast compared to competitors.

No Log :
- Audit : ★★
- Jurisdiction : Romania
Servers : 100 countries
- Speed : ★★★
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 7 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV, Extensions
Additional features
- Email leak monitoring
Support : 24/7 by live chat or email
Price
- 1-month – $12.99
- 6-months – $6.99
- 24-months – $2.03
- Refund : 45 days
Website : Cyberghost

PIA

It has existed for a long time, always in a similar form, like a small town. Functionally, there’s no issue, but the interface, which feels like it hasn’t been updated in the last decade, can appear outdated compared to the polished designs of other competitors.

For users who don’t require high-level encryption, they can downgrade to AES-128 (GCM) to gain a bit more speed. While this feature isn’t really necessary nowadays, it seems like something that was useful for users with extremely slow internet in the past.

Being a U.S. company is the biggest downside for potential VPN customers, as it is at the core of the 5 Eyes. Other than that, it’s just an ordinary VPN company with no particular strengths or weaknesses. If you’re an American with strong patriotism and a unique preference for choosing U.S. companies, it’s not a bad choice.

No Log : In 2024, they stated that they researched ways to maintain a no-log VPN service, but there was no audit report. If it were news they wanted to share with everyone, they would have publicly released the report, just like other companies.
- Audit : ★★
- Jurisdiction : US
- Transparency Report
Servers : 91 countries
- Speed : ★★★
- Multi-Hop
Device
- Simultaneous connections : Unlimited
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV, Extensions
Additional features
- PIA MACE – Ads, Malware blocker
- Port Forwarding
- AntiVirus
Support : Chat and Email
Price
- 1-month – $11.95
- 12-months – $3.33
- 36-months – $1.98
- Refund : 30 days
Website : PIA

PureVPN

In 2017, PureVPN faced significant trouble when it became entangled with the FBI’s investigation of cybercriminal Ryan Lin. The criminal had been meticulously operating using ProtonMail, Tor, and a VPN, but the trail began when his actual computer was seized. It was discovered that the VPN he used was PureVPN, and news broke out that PureVPN had cooperated with the investigation. This dealt a significant blow to the company’s reputation.

Since then, they’ve made efforts to regain trust as a No-Log VPN. The most notable change was relocating their headquarters to the British Virgin Islands (BVI). They also introduced several add-on options, allowing customers to tailor their subscriptions. Additionally, they launched a product called PureVPN MAX, which, like NordVPN Complete and ProtonVPN Unlimited, offers various security solutions such as a password manager, file encryption tools, dark web monitoring, and personal data removal services.

The downside is that to get the best value from PureVPN, you need to commit to a 5-year plan. From a customer’s perspective, it’s hard not to question whether a 60-month commitment is trustworthy. Meanwhile, Surfshark offers a similar price with just a 2-year contract, making it a tough competition for PureVPN.

Connection with IvacyVPN

At first, they operated as if they were a separate company without publicly disclosing the connection, but there were claims that they shared the same owner as IvacyVPN, which is headquartered in Singapore. Eventually, on October 2, 2024, they announced the merger and supported account transfers.

No Log : According to the 2023 announcement, they proudly claim to have undergone multiple No-Log audits, but they do not disclose which company conducted the audits, nor are the detailed reports available.
- Audit : ★★★
- Jurisdiction : BVI
Servers : 71 countries
- Speed : ★★★
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Extensions
Additional features
- in Max Plan – PureKeep, PureCrypt, PurePrivacy
Add-ons
- Dedicated IP – $3.99/mo
- Dedicated Server – $14.99/mo
- Port Forwarding – $1.99/mo
- US-based residential IPs – $12.49/mo
- Multi Login – $1.49/mo
Support :
Price
- Standard(VPN Only)
  - 1year – $3.99/mo
  - 2year – $2.15/mo
  - 5year – $1.69/mo
- Plus : Standard + Password Manager, File encryption tool
  - 1year – $5.99/mo
  - 2year – $3.15/mo
  - 5year – $2.99/mo
- MAX : Plus + Remove My data, Dark Web Monitoring
  - 1year – $6.99/mo
  - 2year – $4.15/mo
  - 5year – $3.29/mo
- Refund : 31 days
Website : PureVPN

Adguard VPN

It was created by AdGuard, a name you might be familiar with. The ad blocker market is nearly saturated, and on web browsers, there’s the excellent open-source, free extension uBlock Origin. As a result, AdGuard needed a new source of revenue.

However, it doesn’t seem to be performing that well since its launch. I’ve been using it for about six months, and the speed hasn’t been very stable.. it’s generally slower than competitors on average. The only advantage is that if you’re using the AdGuard Ad Blocker on your smartphone, you can use it alongside the VPN. *Integrated mode (If you already have AdGuard Ad Blocker installed when setting up AdGuard VPN, this mode will automatically activate, allowing you to use both apps simultaneously).

It still offers limited features and performance compared to competitors. The speed is on the slower side, and customer support is only available via email.

No Log :
- Audit : No
- Jurisdiction : Cyprus
Servers : 53 countries
- Speed : ★★★
Additional features : No
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Extensions
Support : Email
Price
- 1 month – $11.99
- 1 year – $3.99/mo
- 2 year – $1.8/mo
- Refund : 30 days
Website : Adguard VPN

TunnelBear (McAfee Safe Connect VPN)

TunnelBear may not offer much beyond its cute bear, but one lesser-known advantage is that it regularly publishes audit reports. These reports detail how many low, medium, and high-risk vulnerabilities were discovered and fixed, and they include technical reviews of the application, VPN infrastructure, and backend systems.

TunnelBear is headquartered in Canada, but it is now an American company. It remained unchanged and stagnant for a long time until it was acquired by the American company McAfee in 2018.

It still has a very small network and offers no notable advantages in areas like the application, customer support, or pricing. McAfee Safe Connect VPN uses TunnelBear’s technology and infrastructure, and they can essentially be considered the same service. Both are quite underwhelming.

No Log : They continuously release security audit reports from external firms.
- Audit : ★★
- Jurisdiction : US
Servers : 47 countries
- Speed : ★★★
Device
- Simultaneous connections : Unlimeted
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Extensions
Additional features : No
Support : Email
Price
- 1 month – $9.99
- 1 year – $3.33/mo
- 3 year – $3.33/mo
- Refund : No – Tunnelbear pricing/subscription page lacks any mention of refunds. After searching on Google, I found that ‘refund requests are possible but must undergo review.’ However, there’s no clear refund policy stated upfront. Many reviews express dissatisfaction about this. Be sure to check before purchasing.
Website : Tunnelbear

TorGuard

Torguard has nothing to do with the Tor Project. I used it out of curiosity a long time ago but stopped after a dissatisfying experience. A few months ago, I tried it again for testing purposes and was disappointed with the server and customer service quality. In particular, I didn’t receive an email reply even after more than a month, which is something a paid VPN service should never do.

Moreover, the price is still high, and one of the most significant drawbacks recently pointed out is that all torrent traffic is blocked. This reflects the limitations of U.S.-based VPN companies, as copyright holders like movie studios in the U.S. filed lawsuits against Torguard, leading them to block P2P traffic in compliance.

There are various options such as Socks5 network, premium network, and three types of dedicated IPs, but the additional costs are so high that it makes you wonder if they actually sell them.

No Log : Hmm…
- Audit : No
- Jurisdiction : US
Servers : 50 countries
- Speed : ★★★
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices / 12 (Pro) / 30 (Premium)
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
Additional features
- 10Gbit Premium Socks5 Network – $7.99/mo
- 10Gbit Premium VPN Network – $7.99/mo
- Dedicated Regular IP – $7.99/mo
- Dedicated Streaming IP – $7.99/mo
- Dedicated Residential IP – $13.99/mo
- Dedicated VPN Instance – $14.99/mo
- Rpi4 4GB OpenWRT + Docker Router – $149.00/one time
Support :
Price (Based on Basic plan)
- Monthly $10.99
- Quarterly $21.99
- Semi-Annually $32.99
- Annually $65.99
- Biennially $109.99
- Triennially $153.99
- Refund : 7 days
Website : Torguard

Mozilla VPN

Mozilla VPN uses the Mullvad network, so they’re almost the same service. The standout feature is the integration between Mozilla VPN and Firefox, allowing you to use different IP addresses for each tab by utilizing Firefox containers.

Website : Mozilla VPN

IVPN

IVPN is a Gibraltar-based VPN company that, like Mullvad, pursued “ethical company marketing” with open source and no fake reviews. However, it seems to have fallen behind in the competition and is now being forgotten. Recently, looking at the iOS app history, it hardly gets updates anymore, giving the impression that its growth momentum has stalled.

If you’re curious, you can purchase a one-week plan to try it out. However, based on my experience from August 2024, the server instability issues remained unresolved, and the download speeds were unsatisfactory. Considering the high price, it’s unlikely that many would choose to use IVPN.

No Log : After the no-logging audit in 2019, they had their apps and infrastructure reviewed.
- Audit : ★★
- Jurisdiction : Gibraltar
Servers : 41 countries
- Speed : ★★★
- Multi-Hop (Pro plan)
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 2/7
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Additional features
- AntiTracker
Support : Email
Price
- Standard (only 2 devices)
  - 1 Week – $2
  - 1 month – $6
  - 1 year – $60
  - 2 year – $100
  - 3 year – $140
- Pro (7 devices + multihop)
  - 1 Week – $4
  - 1 month – $10
  - 1 year – $100
  - 2 year – $160
  - 3 year – $220
- Refund : 30 days
Website : IVPN

IPVanish

IPVanish, StrongVPN, and Encrypt.me are all owned by Ziff Davis (formerly J2 Global). The commonality among the three is that they hardly attract users’ choice. Over a long period without improvement, their VPN services have lost momentum and are now merely being maintained.

Among these, I’ll only write about IPVanish, which can be considered the representative brand. Unless you have an unusual personality that fixates on brands others avoid, there’s no reason you’d use this service, so I’ll skip any further details.

No Log : No Log audit from Leviathan Security Group in 2022
- Audit : ★★
- Jurisdiction : US
Servers : 58 countries
- Speed : ★★★
- Multi-Hop (Double-Hop)
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : If you want to use Wireguard – MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Fire TV
Additional features
- malware & tracker blocker
- Cloud-based, threat-proof browsing (Advanced plan)
- 1 TB of encrypted storage (Advanced plan)
Support : Live chat and email
Price
- Essential
  - 1 month – $12.99
  - 1 year – $3.33
  - 2 year – $2.19
- Advanced (+ Secure Browser, Cloud Backup, File Sync & Share, Phone Support)
  - 1 month – $14.99
  - 1 year – $4.49
  - 2 year – $3.29
- Refund : 30 days
Website : IPvanish

VPN.AC

VPN.AC is a subsidiary of Netsec Interactive Solutions, founded in Romania in 2012. Like many other outdated companies, VPN.AC is merely aging without much innovation or improvement.

Audit reports are hard to find, but encryption and data security comply with FIPS 140-2 Level 3. The service is certified for ISO/IEC 27001:2005 and ISO 9001:2008 standards by URS (United Registrar of Systems) and has received UKAS accreditation in the UK.

Surprisingly, the default protocol is still OpenVPN ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography). WireGuard is not built-in and requires separate configuration to use. Considering the current trend where even free VPN services include WireGuard by default, VPN.AC can be seen as a company that is not making an effort.

No Log :
- Audit : ★★
- Jurisdiction : Romania
Servers : 21 countries(VPN) and 32 SecureProxy
- Speed : ★★☆
- Multi-Hop
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 12 Devices (but 6 using WIreguard)
- Apps : Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Extensions
Additional features
- SecureProxy for browsers (Proxy is less secure than VPN)
Support : Email
Price
- 1 month – $9
- 3 months – $8
- 1 year – $4.8
- 2 year – $3.75
- Refund : 7 days
Website : VPN.AC

Windscribe

Windscribe is a Canada-based VPN provider. It initially gained popularity as a free VPN, but after implementing a 10GB monthly traffic limit, the free plan fell out of favor. that’s fairly common among VPN providers. While the strategy of offering a free tier helped raise brand awareness, the company struggled to build a solid foundation, leading to some notable issues. One of the most significant was the discovery of a WebRTC IP address leak vulnerability, which also affected other well-known services like Hola VPN and Hide.me.

And.. in 2021, Ukrainian authorities seized Windscribe servers that were not securely encrypted, resulting in the theft of a private key capable of decrypting user traffic.

No Log : Windscribe was founded in 2016 but it doesn’t have an external audit yet.
- Audit : X
- Transparency Report
- Jurisdiction : Canada
Servers : 69 countries
- Speed : ★★★
- Multi-Hop
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps :
Additional features
- Port Forwarding
- R.O.B.E.R.T – Ads and Tracker blocker
- f-droid App
Support :
Price
- 1 month – $9
- 1 year – $5.75/mo
- Custom Plan :
- Refund :
Website : Windscribe

Hotspot Shield

Long ago, when VPN companies began to emerge one by one, it was the best free VPN, alongside Zenmate, and had the largest user base worldwide. However, even that glorious past is now fading into oblivion. It had the potential to become an excellent VPN company, but the management lacked vision and leadership. Now, it only retains its name and, though not widely known, survives as a B2B company renting out its VPN network to other companies.

In 2017, CDT reported to the FTC that Hotspot Shield VPN had shared sensitive user data with third-party ad networks, redirected traffic, and lacked transparency about its logging policies and data tracking. Hotspot Shield denied these claims, but app analysis revealed the insertion of ad-tracking code and bugs that could lead to data leaks. Additionally, allegations surfaced that the paid version recorded more data than the free version, causing its reputation to decline rapidly.

Even without these incidents, it’s hard to find a reason to use the current paid plans.

Jurisdiction : US
Servers : 80+ countries
- Speed : ★★★
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android, Extensions
Additional features
- I don’t think Hotspot Shield is putting much effort into its B2C business. Even on their homepage, there’s no detailed explanation of their technical advantages or the features that would attract customers to purchase.
Support :
Price
- 1 month – $9.99
- 1 year – $6.66
- Refund : 45 days
Website : Hotspot Shield

PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN was established in January 2009, but honestly, it feels like the clock stopped ticking a long time ago. There’s no sign of progress in app development, infrastructure expansion, or any meaningful technological innovation. Its brand recognition is minimal, and you’d be hard-pressed to find many active users. In 2022, it was acquired by Miss Group, a Swedish company specializing in web hosting, domain registration, and VPS services. Now, over two years later, there’s still no compelling reason to consider using PrivateVPN.

No Log : No external audits conducted.
- Jurisdiction : Sweden
Servers : 63 countries and 200+ Servers. Very small network.
- Speed : ★★
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android
Additional features
- Port Forwarding
- (!) No split tunneling
Support :
Price
- 1 month – $9.99
- 3 months – $6.00/mo
- 36 months – $2.00/mo
- Refund : 30 days
Website : PrivateVPN

VyprVPN

VyprVPN is one of those companies that seems stuck in the past. About six years ago, when I was planning a business trip to China, I included VyprVPN on my list after comparing several VPNs. I ended up purchasing three different VPNs for the trip, but I remember canceling my subscription afterward because it didn’t meet my expectations. (To be fair, most VPNs struggle in China; this wasn’t an issue exclusive to VyprVPN.)

One of the main features highlighted on VyprVPN’s website is the Chameleon™ Protocol, but it’s not particularly groundbreaking. “Chameleon™ technology uses the unmodified OpenVPN 256-bit protocol and scrambles the metadata to prevent DPI, VPN blocking, and throttling.”

It’s hard to find a reason to choose VyprVPN. Both its hardware, like server infrastructure, and software have seen little to no change or improvement over the years. The only notable difference I’ve noticed compared to when I used it a few years ago is the addition of the WireGuard protocol.

No Log :
- Audit : No audit after 2018
- Jurisdiction : US
Servers : 64 countries
- Speed : ★★
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support : Email
Price
- 1 month – $10
- 12 months – $5.00/mo
- 24 months – $3.00/mo
- Refund : 30 days
Website : VyprVPN

Hide.me

Hide.me is based in Malaysia, an uncommon location for a VPN company. Out of curiosity, I looked into it but couldn’t figure out what advantage there might be in establishing a VPN company in this country. The founder and CEO, Sebastian Schaub, isn’t even Asian, so why did he come all the way here to start the company? Since this curiosity isn’t directly related to VPN services, let’s move on to the main topic.

When I tested Hide.me, the download speeds were unbearably slow. I assumed that, being based in an Asian country, they would have invested more in servers within the region. To confirm, I asked a friend living in Japan to run a Speedtest, but the results were disappointing. far below the industry average.

The only difference is that it offers the option to use the SSTP protocol, but even that isn’t generally considered an advantage.

No Log :
- Audit : ★★
- Jurisdiction : Malaysia
- transparency report
Servers : 58 countries
- Speed : ★★
- Multi-Hop
Device
- Simultaneous connections : 10 Devices
- Apps : Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android
Additional features
- Smart Guard
Support :
Price
- 1 month – $9.95
- 12 months – $4.49/mo
- 24 months – $2.39/mo
- Refund : 30 days
Website : Hide.me

Are free VPNs dangerous?

You’re sitting in a park, and someone hands you a free drink. Would you drink it without suspicion? What if someone you’ve never met offers to lend you a free iPhone or laptop?

One of life’s simplest truths is that nothing comes for free. Yet, we often find it hard to resist anything labeled “free.” Free VPNs are no exception and have been at the center of numerous problems over the years. The most common issues include:
Data Collection and Sale: Free VPNs often collect information about what devices (smartphones, operating systems) you use, what you search for, what videos you watch, and even the countries and cities where you’re active. This data is then sold to third parties.
Security Issues: Companies that lack the funding or responsibility to offer a secure service often focus all their efforts on luring users with bait and exaggerated claims. As a result, “safe service” is often the last thing on their priority list.
Deliberate Exploitation: Sometimes, the issue isn’t just a security vulnerability—it’s intentional. Developers may inject malware to collect data for sale or engage in unlawful practices like redirection, partnering with certain websites to make money while pretending to offer a free service.
Legal Risks: Some users believe that using a VPN means they can hide behind anonymity and do whatever they want, including illegal activities. However, free VPN providers have no incentive to spend time or money protecting their customers.

In the end, free isn’t always free—it often comes at a cost you’re not immediately aware of.

Conclusion

The article may have been long, but the conclusion is straightforward. Most players in the VPN market have stagnated, and the mid- and lower-tier competitors have long lost their relevance due to the overwhelming dominance of the top-tier providers. For the average user—not someone like me who’s obsessed with top-tier no-log policies and anonymity.. there’s no company right now that can beat Surfshark.

NordVPN, often considered the safest VPN due to its top-notch scores across all categories and the added jurisdictional advantage, has been in a long-standing rivalry with ExpressVPN for the top spot. However, with NordVPN’s unbelievably aggressive promotions and affordable pricing, it has established itself as the clear frontrunner.

ExpressVPN, which reigned as the emperor of VPNs for nearly a decade, has been trailing behind NordVPN for over two years now, having been knocked down by NordVPN’s powerful punches. I don’t see ExpressVPN reclaiming its position anytime soon.

FAQ

What is a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) was originally created for organizations that require high security, such as military and corporations. If you don’t have much knowledge about VPNs but just want to understand the basics, you’ve probably clicked this button. Let me explain it in more detail.

Remote Secure Network

Let’s go back in time. If your company’s headquarters are in California and your branch is in Texas, how would you ensure “secure communication” between the two locations? The simplest and most effective solution would be to set up a dedicated line exclusively for the two companies, but that would come with an enormous cost. If you were to use a public network, the cost would be minimal, but security issues would arise. To meet the needs of efficiency, cost, and security, the VPN was created. Simple and clear, right?

Privacy and Security

Continuing from point 1: As the internet became more widespread, privacy and security issues grew significantly. Not only companies that failed to properly prepare, but individuals also started being exposed to all kinds of risks. Over time, with the rise of the mobile era, Wi-Fi usage exploded, and hacking via Wi-Fi routers became a serious problem. In simple terms, the more people use the internet, the more the risks increase, and the most fundamental and effective solution to address this is a VPN.

Censorship

As we entered the modern era, the number of “internet censorship countries” started to increase. With the widespread adoption of the internet, information began to be freely shared, leading some countries into situations they didn’t want. Countries like China, Russia, parts of the Middle East, and some Asian nations started implementing censorship systems to protect political power or preserve traditional social values. To bypass these restrictions, VPNs began to be used as a solution.

Conclusion

VPN was created to address the security and privacy issues of the internet, and that’s its sole purpose. It’s a tool that allows people to protect their privacy with a high level of security, without needing specialized knowledge.

In which countries are VPNs illegal?

Using a VPN is legal in most countries. Even in China, where VPN censorship is most severe, individual VPN users are not punished. The ones who face penalties in China are unauthorized VPN providers. In the Middle East as well, there are no known cases of individuals being punished for VPN usage. Unless you’re committing a major crime that would warrant a significant amount of law enforcement resources to track you down, you can use a VPN with peace of mind. Since many companies also rely on VPNs, it’s difficult for governments to completely block or penalize their usage.

Why should I use a VPN?

There are several reasons, but the most significant ones are as follows:

Online Privacy Protection: When you access a site or view videos or photos, your activity goes through your ISP (Internet Service Provider), which records your browsing history. By using a VPN, your footprint is hidden, and if you use a VPN service with a strict no-logs policy, you become completely anonymous. And because communication is routed through an encrypted tunnel, a VPN can keep you safe even when you’re using an insecure public Wi-Fi network.
Avoiding Copyright Issues: Let’s be honest, many people use VPNs to download content via torrent (P2P) that could lead to copyright warnings or lawsuits. Movie studios, Netflix, Disney+, HBO, and many content creators despise torrent and want to charge downloaders, but VPNs block all of that. Some VPN companies based in the U.S. or Europe have been sued by major media companies, leading them to block P2P traffic on their own. That’s why the company’s location is crucial.
Overseas content, shopping sites, games: VPN services that provide IP addresses from multiple countries are used to access region-restricted sites or services like Netflix (which has different content depending on the country), games, and international shopping websites.
Slightly Riskier Purposes: Sometimes, VPNs are used to gather data for purely personal reasons. I’ll leave the imagination to you.

What’s the difference between free VPNs and paid VPNs?

Free VPN: Limited servers and features, slow speeds, ads, and the constant risk of data collection and selling that has been confirmed countless times.
Paid VPN: Fast and reliable connections, verified security, fast and accurate customer support, and a guaranteed no-logs policy.

To be honest, paid VPN companies make their money by covering your tracks so you don’t get caught by law enforcement.