The Best VPN Services of 2023

Our expert team has tested dozens of VPNs, looking at everything from streaming capabilities and speed to security and privacy. Here are BleepingComputer’s top picks for the Best VPNs of 2023.

Consumer VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, have become an essential tool when it comes to protecting online privacy and accessing restricted services. However, there are literally hundreds of VPNs out there and many of them are mediocre at best. Others don’t work at all, and there are even those that actually compromise your security and privacy by selling your data to third parties.

Even if you find a reputable VPN, it might not meet your requirements. Some providers might offer first-class security or speeds, while others pride themselves on their ability to access region-locked streaming services. In other words, the best VPN for somebody else might not be the best VPN for you.

That’s why we’ve carefully examined dozens of leading VPN providers and whittled our list down to seven that really stand out. No matter your requirements, you will find a VPN below that’s up to the task.

Best VPN services of 2023: Our top picks

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense summary of the best VPNs, we’ve listed them below:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN service in 2023. A well-known provider that continues to raise the bar in the VPN industry. With unique features like Tor over VPN servers, its recently open-sourced MeshNet technology, and its ability to unblock virtually every streaming service, NordVPN is a clear winner. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best budget option. Impressive speed and security, with the option to connect to an unlimited number of devices. Works with popular streaming services and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Includes ad blocking and malware filtering.
3. ExpressVPN: Quick, versatile, and easy to use, with a network spanning 94+ countries. Includes a custom app for routers, parallel connection technology for faster speeds, and reliable access in China. Unique features include a GUI app for Linux and rotating IP addresses.
4. CyberGhost: A fast and secure VPN that is easy to use, ideal for streaming, and provides a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee. Superb value for money.
5. Mullvad: Fast, privacy-first VPN with one low price, no matter how long you subscribe for.
6. ProtonVPN: Great for secure streaming. Offers a free plan with no bandwidth limits.
7. IPVanish: Has lots of security tools, a verified no-logs policy, and industry-leading speeds.
8. Atlas VPN: Newer VPN already offering competitive performance and innovative privacy tools.

The Best VPN: Summary table

	NordVPN nordvpn.com	Surfshark surfshark.com	ExpressVPN expressvpn.com	CyberGhost cyberghost.com	Mullvad mullvad.net	Proton VPN protonvpn.com	IPVanish ipvanish.com	Atlas VPN atlasvpn.com
Ranking	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Number of Servers	5,400	3,200	3,000	9,308+	800+	1,925	2,000+	750
Number of Countries	60	100	94	88	41	67	75	38
Devices Supported	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers	Windows, MacOS, Linux (command line), iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Routers	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux Android TV	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android Amazon Fire TV	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux Android TV, Amazon Fire TV
Streaming Services	Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, ITV Hub	Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, ITV Hub	Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, ITV Hub	Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, ITV Hub	Netflix, Amazon Prime	Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub	Netflix, HBO Max	Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer
Avg Speed (Mbps)	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	463 Mbps	100+ Mbps
Popular sites Unblocked	95%	88%	86%	85%	50%	87%	70%	93%
Money Back	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best deal (per month)	$3.29 SAVE 63% + FREE months	$2.30 84% off 2yr plan	$6.67 Save 49%	$2.11 SAVE 83%	$5.50 $5.50/mo	$4.99 SAVE 50%	$2.50 SAVE 77%	$1.83 SAVE 83%

Selecting just eight VPNs is no small feat, especially when there are literally thousands of providers out there. However, we were able to significantly narrow the field by being ruthless with our inclusion criteria. Here are some of the non-negotiable characteristics we looked for:

• Has minimal impact on connection speed
• Offers (at minimum) 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection
• Refuses to log any personally identifiable information and preferably keeps no logs at all
• Gives users a good choice of locations to choose from
• Can securely access popular streaming services
• Provides a high standard of customer support at no additional cost
• Works with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN provider must operate a 100% diskless server network
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN provider must have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party

Best VPN in 2023: Detailed Reviews

A brief overview is great, but to really understand what a VPN service has to offer, we have to take a closer look. Here’s a more detailed examination of the best VPNs of the year:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is our first choice, and for good reason: we’ve seen it deliver speeds of over 300 Mbps, which is faster than most people will ever need. Not only that, but it goes undetected by the vast majority of streaming services we’ve tested, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. All of this provider’s 5,000 RAM-based servers are owned outright, and some are even specially optimized for specific tasks. This takes the guesswork out of finding a server that’s suitable for file-sharing, beating digital censorship, or accessing Onion sites.

This VPN uses AES-256 encryption, which would take all of the computers on earth several trillion years to brute-force. That’s a great start and far from the only security feature on offer. There’s also a kill switch capable of disabling specific apps when your connection drops, protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks, and a Threat Protection tool that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites automatically. New versions of the app also include a monitoring tool that’ll alert you if your email address is ever exposed on the dark web. Most importantly, NordVPN has an independently-audited no-logging policy.

Unlike many other providers, NordVPN has had both its infrastructure and software audited. This shows it’s telling the truth about its logging policies and takes its commitment to transparency seriously. Other VPNs on this list, like Mullvad and IPVanish, have only undergone infrastructure audits.

One of NordVPN’s most intriguing features is called Meshnet – this allows users to create a private point-to-point connection for secure remote file access or long-distance LAN parties. It’s a niche use case, but this flexibility helps put NordVPN head and shoulders above its competitors. This provider also offers its own protocol, NordLynx, which boasts the speed improvements of WireGuard while using a double NAT system to ensure your source IP address is never stored on the server.

NordVPN has an app for just about every device imaginable, as well as plugins for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Its customer support team is on-hand around the clock, too, meaning you’re never more than a few minutes away from assistance. All things considered, it’s hard to put this provider anywhere but first place.

BEST OVERALL VPN: NordVPN takes the top spot thanks to its versatility, ease of use, and consistent performance.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark comes in a close second place and is a great low-cost alternative. It isn’t the cheapest if you opt to pay monthly, but its price falls dramatically on the longer subscriptions. Now, plenty of cheap products promise the world, but here’s the surprising part: Surfshark actually manages to outshine many of its pricier rivals on network scale, performance, and streaming ability. There are more than 3,200 servers spread across 100 countries, some of which provide static IP addresses or two layers of encryption. Surfshark is fast enough for any task you can think of, and unlike most other VPNs, it’s happy for you to connect every device you own at the same time.

The base Surfshark app contains a plethora of interesting security tools in addition to its leak protection, kill switch and AES-256 encryption. For instance, it can rotate your IP address at fixed intervals, making you harder to track. There’s also a CleanWeb feature that automatically blocks malware, trackers, and ads. Surfshark even has a NoBorders mode designed for use in countries with repressive online censorship, plus an easy-to-read privacy policy that breaks down what data it collects (diagnostic info only) and how long it’s kept (less than 15 minutes).

Now, Surfshark has apps for all of the main operating systems, and while these are beginner-friendly, they all devote quite a lot of space to features that are only available with Surfshark One, which is an extra $1.49 per month. One of these features is a tool that’ll notify you if your details are leaked on the dark web, something NordVPN does for free. Another is a privacy-focused search engine that seems a little unnecessary in a world where DuckDuckGo exists. Surfshark One does come with its own antivirus program, though, which might be helpful.

There’s an extensive catalog of support material on Surfshark’s website, covering everything from router installation to SmartDNS configuration. If you can’t find answers here, your best bet is to submit a ticket, send an email, or simply get in touch using the 24/7 live chat service. We’ve used this many times and almost always receive an answer in under a minute.

A final bonus is that Surfshark is often accessible in China. While they will openly admit that Chinese internet restrictions can be a problem, it’s still a lot more reliable than most VPN providers. When services are interrupted, they will let users know and often get them back online (at least in some capacity) in a matter of days. More importantly, in most cases, no manual configuration is required to connect in China.

BEST VALUE VPN: Surfshark boasts an affordable price point and functionality that rivals its more expensive competitors. Additionally, this VPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the better-known providers on the market thanks to it sponsoring just about every YouTuber you can imagine. Believe it or not, though, this is one case where the reality does match the rhetoric. In our tests, ExpressVPN averaged more than 400 Mbps, making it one of the fastest services we’ve tested. What’s more, this VPN operates RAM-only servers in 94+ countries, which are fully wiped every time they reboot for greater protection. Additionally, once connected, you can torrent freely and access a huge range of streaming services, from Amazon to Zattoo and everything in between.

When it comes to security, this service has all the bases covered. It has DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, AES-256 encryption, and a kill switch to keep your data hidden at all times. Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN has started to use its own protocol, Lightway. This is open-source and extremely lightweight, at just 2,000 lines of code (for context, even the svelte WireGuard has about 4,000). Moreover, Lightway is able to keep your connection secure in the split-second between changing networks or swapping from WiFi to mobile data.

ExpressVPN also boasts an automatic connection feature and the ability to allow certain apps through the VPN. The stripped-back settings menu makes it significantly more welcoming to new users but might not be suitable for veterans hoping for a bit more control. ExpressVPN does log some diagnostic data, such as which server you chose, daily bandwidth consumption, and which dates you used the VPN, but none of this can identify you personally.

This provider has apps for all major platforms and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox that let you connect at the touch of a button. Staff are happy to answer any questions you might have over the 24/7 live chat service, but you can also submit a ticket, search for help in the website’s support library, or check out ExpressVPN’s YouTube channel for short video guides.

One story worth noting is that its former CIO, Daniel Gericke, recently resigned after it came out that he helped the UAE on ‘Project Raven’, which was designed to help the UAE spy on its enemies. ExpressVPN’s parent company, Kape Technologies, also has a bit of a colorful past in AdTech, which some would argue is contradictory to the core uses cases for VPN technology. That said, Kape has evolved and is now a publicly traded company and is therefore open to a lot more scrutiny than it was in the early days. All things considered, ExpressVPN remains one of the stand-out VPN picks and is incredibly hard to beat in terms of features and performance.

BEST VPN FOR BEGINNERS: ExpressVPN is a solid choice for anyone new to VPNs because it just works. Simply connect to a server and start browsing, torrenting, or streaming securely. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re still a little uncertain.