Top 5 Best VPNs 2023
Find the best VPN for you. We’ve tested them all so you don’t have to.
We’ve tested them all and found the best VPNs out there!
Choosing the right VPN can be overwhelming. So many options, which is best?
To help you make the right choice, we have put all the top VPN platforms through their paces and recorded the results.
Each VPN has been tested for privacy and security features, speed, streaming content unblocking, usability and value for money.
And the winner is…
1. Nord VPN
The best all round VPN platform.
One of the most trusted solutions with millions of users around the world.
Worldwide server coverage and excellent at unblocking Netflix and other streaming content.
Market leading encryption and security features.
One of the fastest VPNs enabling fast download and upload speeds.
Dedicated servers for P2P sharing and torrenting.
Block malicious websites and pop up advertising.
Excellent value for money.
Full review
Best of the rest…
2. Express VPN
The fastest VPN platform that we have tested.
Unblocks streaming service content including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer..
Protect all your devices including laptops, mobiles, games consoles and smart TVs.
Supports torrenting and P2P sharing.
Privacy and security features are amongst the best available.
Global server coverage and server technology maximises privacy and security.
Top class functionality, so not the cheapest, but do offer a 30 day money back guarantee.
Full review
3. Surfshark
Best value for money VPN.
Protect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with just one subscription.
All the privacy and security features you would expect from a top VPN.
Performs well in unblocking streaming content including Netflix.
Impressive performance in our speed testing.
No restrictions for torrenting or P2P sharing.
Protection against phishing emails and malicious websites.
Top quality protection at one of the cheapest available prices.
Full review
4. Cyber Ghost
Easy to use and intuitive user interface.
Privacy and security features required to keep you safe online.
Dedicated servers for torrenting and P2P sharing.
Committed to unblocking location restricted streaming content.
Impressive 45 day money back guarantee.
Full review
5. Private Internet Access
One of the oldest VPN providers with an excellent reputation.
Industry leading privacy and security protection.
Ad blocking and malware protection.
10 simultaneous device connections allowed, more than most other top VPNs.
Does not perform well in unblocking streaming content such as Netflix.
What about free VPN services?
All of our top 5 VPN recommendations are paid services.
There are free VPNs out there, but given the relatively low cost of a top VPN it doesn’t make sense to go with a free version that has a lot of down sides.
Here’s a summary of the reasons we don’t recommend free VPN services:
Why you shouldn’t use a free VPN
Malware and security risks
Free VPNs are a lot more likely to contain malware and malicious software.
Usually this malware is designed to increase their advertising revenue, but in the process compromises your computer’s security and your safety.
The premium VPNs that we recommend are all from trustworthy companies with no risk of malicious software being contained.
Logging customer data
Free VPNs often deliberately gather information about customers’ online activity including websites visited and browsing habits.
They log this information as it helps them bombard you with targeted advertising.
This is a big compromise of your privacy and given a VPN is intended to protect privacy it is not something we are big fans of.
The premium VPNs that we recommend are all committed to customer privacy and strict no data logging policies meaning that they do not record any information about the websites you visit or your online activity.
Data restrictions
The business model of many free VPNs is to limit the amount of data users can use to unrealistically low levels in order to promote their premium services which are often overpriced and not secure.
Customers get lured in with the promise of a free service but can end up paying over the odds for a sub-standard product.
The premium VPNs that we recommend have no data restrictions meaning you can surf, download, and stream to your heart’s content.
Aggressive advertising
Free VPNs are not a charity.
They have to earn money from their customers somehow, and advertising is usually their weapon of choice.
Pop up ads are annoying and free VPNs often swamp users with them. As well as being frustrating these ads can significantly slow down your internet speed and are at risk of containing viruses and malicious software.
The premium VPNs that we recommend do not contain any advertising making for a safer and more enjoyable user experience.
Slow speeds
Free VPNs often deliberately slow down internet connections in order to up-sell exasperated customers one of their paid packages.
This is a deceptive business practice that we do not like to see.
Free VPNs also tend to provide slower internet connections as a result of just not having enough volume and quality of servers and also through the bandwidth that they use up in advertising.
We test the connection speeds of all the VPNs we review and all of our recommendations perform at the very highest level.
Poor at unblocking Netflix and other streaming content
Sucessfully unblocking websites and streaming content is a difficult business, even for the best VPNs.
Free VPNs don’t tend to have the same level of resources or dedication to be effective at unblocking content and as a result perform poorly at unblocking content.
The Premium VPNs that we recommend have been tested for their streaming unblocking success rates and are operated by companies committed to remaining ahead of streaming service restrictions.
Deliberate poor service to promote paid services
Free VPNs often have a business model that offers a sub-standard service in order to frustrate customers to the point that they end up paying just to get to a decent internet connection.
We don’t like this way of doing business as it feels like tricking customers into buying a product.
The premium VPNs we recommend have no hidden costs and are completely honest about the service and protection that you will get.
If you are looking at using a free VPN we would recommend that you first consider taking advantage of the money back guarantees that all the top premium VPNs offer.
This way you can experience the higher level of protection and performance of a top VPN service safe in the knowledge that you can get all of your money back should you wish to.
Truly a win-win situation.
VPN reviews and guides. Helping internet users stay safe and protected online.