The Best VPN Services 2022

Today, there are thousands of unique VPN options available on the market.

What used to be a niche product for big businesses and tech-savvy individuals is now a must-have tool for anyone who wants to stay safe online.

But how can you tell if a VPN is great? Moreover, how can you find the best VPN service in 2022 for your needs?

Our team has spent the last year thoroughly testing, reviewing, and compiling data on more than 1000 VPNs. We’ve looked at everything from download speed, to price, to features, to how well they work with Netflix!

Over the next few minutes, we’ll guide you through our findings and help you choose the best VPN service for your needs in 2022.

What are the Top VPN Services of 2022?

During our review, we paid special attention to the following VPN factors:

• Ease of use
• Price
• Torrenting
• Download speed
• Support
• Netflix availability
• Privacy & security, and
• Logging policies

Each of the above factors can make or break your VPN experience, and we used them to sort the VPNs on our list.

In reality, some VPNs are better at specific things – one might have fast download speed but compromise on logging, while another might cost more but be great at torrenting.

We’ve made it easy to see the relative pros & cons of each, and have endeavoured to build the most comprehensive list of high-quality 2022 VPNs so you can find the one that’s best for your needs.

Top VPN Providers

The following is a list of the top VPN services that we’ve reviewed.

What makes a VPN great? For one, they don’t keep records of your sessions. That includes the websites that you visit and the files that you download.

They have to mask your connection without costing an arm and a leg.

They also must offer a wealth of restriction-free servers in countries all over the planet. This opens the door for you to stream Netflix content or torrent with ease.

By the end of this resource, you’re going to be able to answer the following questions:

• What is the most secure VPN?
• What is the fastest VPN?
• What is the cheapest VPN?
• What is the most expensive VPN?
• What is the best VPN?

Each section links to a full and detailed VPN review.

Now, let’s get down to business, highlighting the best VPN services in the world.

1. NordVPN – Best Overall VPN ($3.29/mo)

Ranks 1 out of 78 VPNs

After months of testing, NordVPN is hands-down the best VPN overall. Along with giving you access to restricted information, it also provides you with the highest level of security and privacy. You’ll know you’re getting excellent value for your money because NordVPN is also among the most reasonably priced VPNs available. It is ideal for viewing blocked information or preserving your online privacy since it provides excellent speeds, security, and privacy.

Why NordVPN is #1

The unmatched mix of impenetrable security, lightning-fast connections, and limitless capacity that NordVPN offers sets it apart from other VPNs. The fastest VPN experience in the world is available when using one of the approximately 5500 NordVPN servers available in 59 different countries, from the UK to Australia or Canada. Your internet connection won’t degrade thanks to thousands of VPN servers. In order to browse websites, download files, stream films, and enjoy a quick connection, switch on the VPN.

NordVPN works on devices for both Windows and MacOS, including mobile phones. You’re able to have six simultaneous devices connected for one account. You can also use NordVPN to connect to a router. That means you’ll be able to secure every device that is linked to your WiFi signal all at once, and it only counts as one of your six connections.

NordVPN Torrenting and Netflix

Torrenting and P2P connections are supported on certain servers. You can easily find a P2P server using the server recommendation feature. It will instantly provide you with a suggestion based on your needs.

We named NordVPN our top VPN for torrenting because of some stellar security features. Among them, a rerouting feature that automatically sends you to servers in either Canada or the Netherlands if you connect to a non-torrenting server with a P2P connection.

NordVPN Privacy

Aside from authorized users, no one else can view the information about our online actions thanks to encryption. We use VPNs because of this crucial aspect, and NordVPN has high standards.

NordVPN uses the IPSec and IKEv2 internet protocols to create secure connections to its servers. IKEv2 assisted in re-establishing our VPN connection in the event that we lost Wi-Fi, but IPSec created secure connections across our numerous devices. When we shifted from Wi-Fi networks to mobile hotspots or utilized our own data, these internet protocols were useful.

Additionally, NordVPN used a double VPN, which meant that your data passed through two or more servers in order to receive several levels of protection. Our security was increased thanks to this innovation, also known as VPN server chaining or multi-hop, so that nobody knew what we were up to.

NordVPN Features

One of Nord’s best features is the Automatic Kill Switch. If your VPN connection drops at any time, the Kill Switch will automatically block all internet traffic to ensure that your privacy and anonymity are never at risk. NordVPN also has a strict no logs policy, meaning that your activities are never stored or monitored.

It also has DNS leak protection, so you can make sure that your true location is never revealed. DNS leak protection also ensures that your connection is never hijacked. NordVPN also has Onion Over VPN features which encrypts your traffic and sends it through the Tor network, providing an extra layer of security and privacy.

NordVPN is an excellent choice for those who want a fast, reliable, and secure VPN service. It’s one of the most affordable VPNs on the market, and it provides a host of features.

NordVPN Pricing

We discovered NordVPN’s price structure to be rather simple; we received the same benefits with each choice, but the costs varied according to the durations of the contracts.

Pricing for NordVPN starts at $3.99 per month, but only if you sign a two-year contract. The initial cost of the two-year subscription, which comes to $95.76, is also your responsibility. This choice offers the most long-term savings if you believe NordVPN is a suitable match.

A one-year membership is also surprisingly painless. In general, it costs $4.99 each month, or $59.88 overall. Because of the shorter commitment period, you can review your options after a year in the event that a better VPN is introduced.

Visit NordVPN.com

2. SurfsharkVPN – Best For Affordability ($2.49)

Ranks #2 out of 78 VPNs

One of the most well-liked VPN services in 2022 is Surfshark VPN. It is a highly appealing VPN choice for all types of consumers due to its affordable pricing and unlimited simultaneous connections. Additionally, Surfshark provides outstanding connection speeds, tens of thousands of servers globally, and military-grade AES encryption.

Why SurfsharkVPN is #2

Surshark has long been a top VPN provider. It has uncommon split tunneling and multi-hop features, and places no restrictions on the number of devices you can connect. The business should also be commended for its open privacy policy and tamper-proof RAM-only servers.

You’re able to connect an unlimited number of devices to Surfshark, which is rare in a VPN provider. That means one account can protect every device in your home without ever having to spend more. And Surfshark is available on just about every device you can think of, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android capable hardware.

The only negative we encountered when testing Surfshark was inconsistent speeds.

Surfshark Torrenting and Netflix

Torrenting and P2P are allowed on Surfshark, so you’ll have no issues there when connecting to other people from all over the world.

Then there’s Netflix, which was another area where this service truly shined. Netflix can be the bane of a VPN’s existence, with advanced detection programs blocking access to the streaming library.

We tested six different Surfshark servers and every one of them fired up the streaming service with no issues. That makes Surfshark one of the best VPNs for streaming Netflix.

SurfsharkVPN Privacy

When it comes to Surfshark’s privacy, we’re happy to say that the company does very well. They keep no logs and only require an email address to sign up. Payment information is also handled by the third-party payment processor, which means Surfshark never sees your financial data.

Encryption-wise, Surfshark uses the latest and greatest AES-256-GCM with perfect forward secrecy. This is Military Grade encryption, meaning that it would take a very powerful adversary to crack your data.

Additionally, there is a unique “Camouflage Mode” that not many other VPN companies give. Your usage of a VPN will be concealed while this is active. Even your ISP won’t know that you’re using one. As a result, it ranks as one of the most private and secure services available.

SurfsharkVPN Features

There are many reasons to consider Surfshark, but some of the most compelling reasons are its features.

First and foremost, Surfshark has an impressive server network. With over 1,000 servers across 61 countries, you’re sure to find a connection that works for you. Additionally, Surfshark has some unique features that you won’t find with other VPN providers.

These include split tunneling and multi-hop, which allows you to route certain traffic through different servers. This can be incredibly useful for bypassing censorship or avoiding location restrictions.

Another great feature of Surfshark is its whitelisting option. This allows you to specifically whitelist certain websites and services so that they always use your VPN connection. This is perfect for ensuring that your banking information remains confidential or that you can watch region-locked content.

SurfsharkVPN Pricing

Like the majority of VPN service providers, Surfshark doesn’t make its features dependent on your subscription level. The duration is the sole determining element. The discounts you receive increase with the length of your membership.

The shortest membership lasts for one month and costs $12.95, which is the typical start-up cost for VPNs. The cost is almost constant in this pricing class.

The 1-year option, which costs $47.88 or $3.99/month, offers far higher discounts. Your subscription costs are reduced by more than half. The two-year option, which costs $59.76 in total or $2.49 per month, is the biggest money saver. It’s a great value given that the offer is for two years and costs only $12 more than their one-year alternative.

Visit Surfshark.com

3. Atlas VPN – Best VPN For Data Breach Protection ($2.05)

Ranks #10 out of 78 VPNs

Atlas VPN provides users with online security and privacy. Using Atlas VPN, you can connect to servers in over 30 countries and enjoy unrestricted access to the internet. It comes with a built-in ad blocker, malware blocker, and anti-phishing feature to keep you safe online. Let’s take a closer look at Atlas VPN.

Why Atlas VPN is #10

Atlas VPN is a great freemium VPN with plenty of features and is simple to use. One of the top free VPNs we’ve tested, it functions with torrenting clients and is secure and safe. The quicker, premium version is compatible with Netflix. In general, newcomers who wish to get around internet geo-blocks should use Atlas VPN.

Atlas VPN Privacy

Atlas VPN is positioned in the center in terms of security. It provides the fundamental features you need in a VPN service, such an operational kill switch and AES encryption. The range of tunneling protocols, however, would benefit from an improvement.

Your connection is encrypted once you connect to one of Atlas VPN’s servers, so no one can see what you are doing online. It uses the most advanced security protocols and encrypts your traffic with AES-256 encryption.

Atlas VPN Features

Even if Atlas VPN doesn’t have a ton of functionality, it still has a few things to be proud of. For instance, by blocking websites on blacklists, its dangerous site blocker prevents malware infection on your device. Another interesting aspect of the VPN is IP address rotation. Last but not least, you will likely appreciate  its data breach checker, which will tell you if your information is still secure.

SafeBrowse limitlessly unblocks all geo-restricted websites and services. This VPN is one of the most reliable ones in the market with a strict no logs policy and top grade military grade encryption. SafeSwap on the other hand, is a unique feature that lets you keep your identity completely confidential by swapping your public IP address with one from the SafeBrowse VPN server network.

Atlas VPN Pricing

If you enjoyed what you read in our Atlas VPN review, you’ll also be happy to learn that this VPN is among the most affordable options available. especially when you consider that the service allows for an infinite number of concurrent connections.Your money will go a long way because the 2-year plan only costs $2.05 a month, or $49.19 for the whole membership time.

However, you may test out the yearly plan, which will cost you $3.29 per month, if you don’t want to make such a large commitment.

If you only want to try out Atlas VPN for a single month, doing so will cost you $10.99.

Visit AtlasVPN.com

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VPN Frequently Asked Questions

What is a VPN?

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that creates a secure connection over a public network such as the internet. Businesses often rely on VPNs to securely link remote offices and employees, but they can also be used by individuals to protect their privacy online.

How do VPNs Work?

VPNs work by creating a secure connection between your computer and a VPN server. This connection is then used to encrypt all the data that is exchanged, preventing anyone from being able to see your data or track your activities.

Why Use a VPN?

You might choose to use a VPN for any number of reasons. Perhaps you want to access content that is blocked in your country, or you need to keep your data safe and private when using public Wi-Fi. Maybe you just want to be able to browse the internet anonymously.

What are the benefits of using a VPN?

A VPN will hide your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic so that your session remains completely anonymous.

But how does it make that happen?

First, the VPN masks your IP address, which is why it’s important to make sure that the service you’re using doesn’t leak your DNS or IP address.

Appearing like you’re somewhere else allows you to bypass geo-blocked content or uncensor websites. It also helps journalists and privacy activists under authoritarian regimes escape backlash, jail time, or worse.

VPN’s create a secure tunnel around your entire internet connection (mostly using OpenVPN tunneling protocol), protecting not just your browser, but also your app activity, too. Most VPNs use 256-bit AES encryption that makes it virtually impossible for your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to track which websites you’re visiting.

But it also means your personal data stays protected.

Are VPNs Legal?

Yes, VPN use is perfectly legal in 97% of countries worldwide.

However, we fact-checked 196 VPN country laws to confirm that some countries control VPN use, while others ban them outright.

Only “Government Approved” VPNs are supposed to be used in:

• China
• Iran
• Oman
• Russia
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates

Getting caught using one that’s not sponsored could mean fines, jail time, or both.

Beware when in these countries, though. Because you can pretty much assume that “government approved” means they share some (if not all) data with each government when called upon.

Can you use a VPN to stream or watch Netflix?

You can use VPNs to stream content and watch Netflix, but not all of them work with certain streaming services.

We found that roughly 70% of the VPNs we tested can fly under Netflix’s geo-blocking radar.

Those numbers are pretty good, considering Netflix has aggressively gone after VPN connections and proxy servers in the last few years.

Their licensing restrictions are under extreme pressure, so they’re doing anything and everything necessary to prevent people in the U.K. from streaming U.S. content (and vice versa).

Our tests revealed both Surfshark and NordVPN work flawlessly on multiple servers.

That means they’re proactively avoiding detection from Netflix. And it means you can count on them working successfully in the future, too.

Besides Netflix, people also use VPNs to bypass geo-restrictions, watch sports channels, or even other streaming services like HULU.

Are VPNs safe for torrenting?

Yes, VPNs can keep your connection safe and anonymous when you’re torrenting or using P2P connections.

We’ve compiled the best VPNs for torrenting and found that most fall in one of four categories:

1. Allow unlimited, unrestricted torrenting
2. Allow limited torrenting only on specific servers
3. Allow but don’t encourage and don’t
4. Don’t allow

Torrenting connects you to peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing to download massive files at lightning speeds. Without a VPN, you leave yourself exposed from the other people on that same connection.

The problem is that torrenting is most well known for bypassing copyright laws to illegally download content.

And many VPN companies shy away from the potential blowback from authorities.

Do VPN providers keep log files?

VPN companies should not be keeping log files, and all of them claim that they don’t. However, many still do, which is why it’s important to do your research.

After going through 118 different VPNs, we found that 26 of them will collect three or more important log files that would easily reveal your personal actions.

They all say they “don’t log.” But many of them do. The trick is to dig into their privacy policies and terms of service to see what, exactly, they’re logging.

For example, pretty much all of them will track aggregate bandwidth usage so they can monitor their own server performance.

That stuff is no problem.

It starts to get a little tricky when they track when you log in or out of their service. And you’ll want to run for the hills when they track the individual websites you visit.

To make matters worse, a lot of them use overly-complicated legal mumbo-jumbo to confuse the issues.

They’ll word it in such a way that makes it sound innocent. Where it doesn’t seem like they’ll track the files you download.

Can you protect a router, Smart TV, or game console with a VPN?

You can absolutely use a VPN with your router, Smart TV, and gaming console, as long as the VPN you’re using has support for those devices.

Thankfully, most of them do. If they don’t, they often have a workaround like a manual OpenVPN setup.

Ideally, go with a VPN that natively supports the platform you have in mind.

Let’s say that’s a router. Setting up a VPN connection at your Internet source means you can lock-down your entire connection. But it also means you can effectively add as many devices to a secure network as you’d like, too.

If you do need to do a little more manual labor, click here to read our full guide on setting up a router VPN.

Win-win.

Additionally, setting it up on your Smart TV will help you more easily stream geo-blocked content on Netflix, Hulu, and others.

You can change server locations right from the device itself and simply cycle through the best options to finally access whatever content you desire.

Will a VPN slow down internet speed?

All VPNs will impact speed in some way. You can expect a 30% drop from even the best VPN systems in the world.

Really, it all boils down to what VPN you’re using. Some of them only slow you down a little, while some absolutely gut your speeds.

Why is this?

Think about it this way:

Sure, they’re adding another layer of security. However, that also means they’re adding more hoops for your traffic to jump through.

Those additional speed bumps mean you can always expect a slowdown of some sort.

The key is to find a VPN that doesn’t completely derail your traffic, either.

We repeat the same speed test for each VPN we review.

First, we get the benchmark reading without a VPN so we can compare.

Then, we connect to a few different servers to try and compile an unbiased, combined rating.

Throughout this process, we’ve seen some that might only dock your connection a few percentage points. Chances are, you wouldn’t even notice it.

But we’ve also seen some awful ones, too.

Some of the providers we’ve reviewed have slowed our connection down by over 100%!

That would make streaming content virtually impossible. Even answering emails would be a struggle.

We’ve ranked each VPN from first to the last place. So reference the ranking on each if you’re concerned.

Can a VPN help with ISP throttling?

Typically, a VPN is capable of helping you with ISP throttling.

This occurs when your Internet Service Provider throttles your connection in an attempt to intentionally slow your connection speed.

While this shouldn’t be legal, it absolutely is.

If you’re using a ton of bandwidth, streaming HBO or Netflix, they might purposefully slow down your connection to indirectly force you to stop.

Using these services mean two things:

1. Fewer resources are available for their other customers, and
2. You’re not watching their own services or shows

Many times, they’ll use sophisticated methods like ‘peering’ to basically spy on your traffic data.

The problem is that it’s not always possible to escape throttling.

A VPN can help, though. It will encrypt your device, and help hide it from these peering-type activities.

It’s not foolproof. But it can help hide data packets buried below the surface that would identify you.

What are the risks of using a VPN?

VPNs are mostly safe. If you’re doing something very illegal, however, there is a risk involved.

There are certain actions that you can take which can cause some legal issues.

Make sure you’re not doing one of these things:

• Using a non-government sponsored VPN in a country that requires one
• Downloading copyrighted information through a VPN and torrenting
• Performing other illegal activities while under a VPN connection.

Obviously, any of those questionable details can land you in hot water, no matter what type of connection you’re running.

But for everything else, you’re mostly risking time and money.

If you’re wasting money on a VPN with terrible performance, for instance, it might take forever to stream something until you eventually abandon it. Then you’ve wasted money you can’t get back.

We’ve highlighted some of the ‘spying’ and malware risks with free VPNs, too.

Fortunately, these are pretty rare. But it definitely does happen. So we’ll let you know if we found any potential red flags in each of our reviews.

Is there a totally free VPN?

There are some free VPNs but we do not recommend using them.

The old adage of something appearing “too good to be true” blazes like a warning alarm around these services.

You know what they say about “free” services…

YOU are the product.

Shady free VPNs will commonly track your data and sell it to the highest third-party bidder.

Many have even been caught doing far worse, like injecting ads or referring affiliate traffic to boost profits on your behalf.

Is a VPN safe for banking?

As long as you know what you’re doing, a VPN is perfectly safe when banking.

Typically, VPN use can only improve your online security, and who wouldn’t want an added layer of security in place when you’re dealing with your financial information?

The only issue you might encounter would be the bank’s security system, especially if you’re connected to the VPN through a server located in another country. That would show up as suspicious activity and might get flagged in the bank’s system. This could cause a temporary hold to be placed on your account.

But if you connect to a server that’s in your general area, the added encryption can be a great boost to your online security.

Can a VPN connect to another VPN?

Yes, you can use more than one VPN at the same time, but it’s a complicated process that shouldn’t be undertaken unless you’re a tech savvy individual.

Though, it should be noted that while running two VPNs together is possible, it’s really not necessary and doesn’t provide much benefit, especially when you consider the work that it takes.

When you use two VPNs, one will likely connect while the second will show a routing error. The two services will then duke it out among one another until one takes the lead. That would then be the only one running.

The best way to have two VPNs working together would be to set one up on your operating system with another running on a virtual machine. To do this, the virtual machine would have to be installed with OpenVPN added.

You’d then use the system on the virtual machine to have two tunnels connected. This routes your IP address through the first computer before being routed through the virtual machine.

It should also be noted that this will slow your speeds down by quite a lot. If you want to double up your security, we suggest using the TOR network while connected to a VPN.

How many unique IP addresses and locations can a VPN offer?

Every VPN has a different number of IP addresses and locations for you to connect with. This is one of the features that you should look at when deciding on the best VPN for your personal and business use.

Something like VyprVPN, for instance, has 300,000 IP addresses, but that’s not going to be the same with every service that you look at.

Can police track a VPN?

Police are not able to track a VPN, as long as the service is not keeping any log files.

That’s why it’s so important to check on your chosen VPN’s logging policy. Every provider is going to say that they don’t keep logs. But, that’s not always true. You need to check the service’s privacy policy to see the real story.

Logs show the IP addresses that you were connected to while using the VPN. It’s then a simple matter for police or other law enforcement agencies to connect the dots and determine who was using that IP.

What is the Fastest VPN?

NordVPN is often considered to be the fastest VPN, thanks to its combination of high-speed servers and strong encryption. It is available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, and can be used on up to six devices at once.

Conclusion: The Best VPN Service 2022

When trying to determine the best VPN for you, there are a number of key criteria you should be examining.

It just happens to be the same criteria that we look for when conducting VPN reviews.

Some notable things to watch out for include:

• Logging policy
• Are there any IP leaks?
• How fast is the VPN?
• Does it allow torrenting?
• Will it unblock Netflix?
• How many servers does it have?
• What countries are those servers in?
• How many connections can you have at one time?
• Is there a kill switch?
• Does the VPN parent company fall under the jurisdiction of a surveillance alliance?

Our choices are:

NordVPN

NordVPN is our overall top pick for the best VPN service. It offers high-speed servers, strong encryption, and a range of features that make it perfect for both businesses and individuals. It is also one of the most affordable VPNs available.

SurfsharkVPN

Surfshark is a relative newcomer to the VPN scene, but it has quickly established itself as one of the best options available. It boasts a strong encryption protocol, high-speed servers, and an easy-to-use app that makes it perfect for both beginners and experienced users.

AtlasVPN

AtlasVPN ranks among the most popular VPNs on the market, and it is easy to see why. It offers high-speed servers, strong encryption, and a wide range of features, making it perfect for both businesses and individuals. It is also one of the most expensive VPNs available, but the high quality of its service makes it well worth the price.