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The Best VPN Deals This Week*
ProtonVPN
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Surfshark VPN
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ExpressVPN
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NordVPN
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IPVanish VPN
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(List Price $89.99)
Note:
— IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com’s parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Security tools can sometimes force users to make trade-offs between convenience and security. This is especially true for VPNs, which almost invariably slow your uploads and downloads and increase the latency of your internet connection due to the physical requirement of hopping between servers to obfuscate traffic. Rest assured, some VPNs affect performance less than others. Here are the services that perform best in our speed testing, followed by details of our test procedures (see how we test VPNs for even more) and the actual performance we observed with each service. We’ve arranged our list of VPNs by their download speeds, from fastest to slowest.(Editors’ Note: IPVanish and StrongVPN are owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag’s parent company.)
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
NordVPN
Best for Speedy Downloads
Why We Picked It NordVPN currently occupies our number one slot in results this year, reducing our overall download speed by an average of just 0.7% across the ten tests we ran. NordVPN also racked up a decent upload score, reducing upload results by 15.6%. Finally, our testing showed it actually reduced latency slightly by 5.6%. We don’t think you should expect NordVPN to always reduce latency. We do, however, think it’s fair to say that NordVPN isn’t likely to dramatically increase your latency either.Who It’s ForNordVPN has nearly all the features both novices and VPN experts would ever want from a top-tier VPN, along with excellent Speedtest scores. It’s a long-time favorite of ours here at PCMag, with a deft mix of powerful tools and simple design across all platforms. The company has also expanded to include several other privacy and security products. If you’re on the hunt for a budget VPN, we suggest other options on this list, but if you don’t mind paying the premium, NordVPN is one of a few that matches its value proposition handily.
PROS
Multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
Excellent design
Traffic routing and file-sharing with Meshnet
Built-in antivirus tools
CONS
Expensive
Lackluster malware-blocking results
Limited utility of free Meshnet traffic routing
SPECS
Name
Value
Blocks Ads
Simultaneous VPN Connections
6
500+ Servers
Server Locations
111 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Learn More
NordVPN Review
Surfshark VPN
Best VPN Innovation
Why We Picked ItSurfshark is a relative newcomer, but it hit the ground running with a slick product that has iterated quickly. Perhaps most interestingly, though, are the innovative things Surfshark is doing behind the scenes, such as transforming its server fleet into a single network called Surfshark Nexus. It’s clear these improvements make for serious speed, with a second place finish in our results.Who It’s ForSurfshark is a good all-around VPN and appeals to people who want any or all of the following: unlimited device protection, an appealing app, and speeds that put even stalwart industry contenders to shame. Having these kinds of speeds this early in the game bodes well for what we might see from Surfshark going forward.
PROS
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Large global server presence
Multi-hop and split tunneling tools
Intriguing potential in Surfshark Nexus
CONS
High monthly price
Some issues with IP rotator feature in testing
Privacy policy needs clarification
SPECS
Name
Value
Blocks Ads
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
500+ Servers
Server Locations
100 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Learn More
Surfshark VPN Review
IVPN
Best for Privacy Enthusiasts
Why We Picked ItIVPN has a few important privacy-related features including accepting untraceable cash payments sent directly to its HQ, and a privacy-protecting account number system that requires very little personal information. Add that to some seriously speedy test results, and there’s a lot to love in one package.Who It’s ForIVPN is most appealing to those who take their privacy serious first and foremost, and are looking for some strong speed results as a bonus on the back end. Not too many VPNs can claim this level of customer privacy while still offering download results that are competitive with other companies many times its size.
PROS
Flexible, affordable pricing
Powerful multi-hop system
Privacy is baked into its account system
Strong stance on transparency
CONS
Offers few server locations
Multi-hop and account ID features might confuse some
SPECS
Name
Value
Blocks Ads
Simultaneous VPN Connections
7
500+ Servers
Server Locations
32 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Proton VPN
Best Free Protection
Why We Picked ItReducing download results by just 7.2%, Proton VPN has the fourth-best download scores among all the VPNs we tested. It beats the median in the other two categories as well, reducing download results by a mere 6.6% and increasing latency by 30.3%.Who It’s ForProton VPN is the best free VPN we’ve seen, making it a great choice for anyone on a tight budget. Best of all, the free version performed well in our speed tests, too. Proton VPN has built its reputation on strong privacy protections, and that’s as true for its VPN as it is for its email service. Proton VPN, part of a larger suite of products including encrypted email and cloud storage, boasts all the features of a high-cost VPN app but at a lower price.
PROS
The best free VPN subscription
Numerous advanced privacy tools
Strong customer privacy stance
Slick, accessible client
Excellent speed test scores
CONS
Awkward ChromeOS implementation
SPECS
Name
Value
Blocks Ads
Simultaneous VPN Connections
10
500+ Servers
Server Locations
67 countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version
Free Version Data Limit
Unlimited
Learn More
Proton VPN Review
PureVPN
Best Global Server Distribution
Why We Picked ItHaving access to a wide number of servers can make the difference between “fast” and “unusable” for some VPNs. PureVPN has a massive list of more than 6,000 servers across the globe. Its distribution is critical, because while many VPNs can boast good overall download speeds, the more servers available in more locations, the lower your latency is likely to be.Who It’s ForIf your main use case for a VPN is keeping a consistent connection while traveling, the server army enlisted by PureVPN can easily and speedily protect your privacy around the world. Server distribution is a significant contributor to not just strong download speeds, but also low latency, which can affect everything from how fast your texts go through to how quickly a web page loads.
PROS
Geographically diverse servers
Quick upload and download speeds in our testing
Smart, snazzy client design
Globally unblocked Netflix
Numerous, affordable add-ons
Transparent privacy policy
CONS
Confusing pricing
Unclear where virtual servers are located
Few additional privacy features
SPECS
Name
Value
Blocks Ads
Simultaneous VPN Connections
10
500+ Servers
Server Locations
139 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Learn More
PureVPN Review
Hide.me VPN
Best for Robust Protection at a Reasonable Price
Why We Picked ItHide.me VPN is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades in VPNs. The service keeps its price competitive with a user-friendly client and enough server distribution to keep your speeds reliable, and your latency low from nearly all corners of the globe.Who It’s ForAs we’ve mentioned for other picks already, there are two components to the sensation of “speediness” when it comes to using a VPN; latency and download speed. Hide.me’s download speeds are some of the best we’ve tested, and while its latency results could be higher up the list, it’s still comfortably in the top ten for both metrics. Add on some serious server distribution metrics, and it’s enough to keep heavy travelers (or the most remote of remote workers) sated.
PROS
Ten simultaneous connections
Good server distribution
Strong speed test scores
Supports anonymous payments
Affordable
CONS
Speed limitations on free tier
SPECS
Name
Value
Blocks Ads
Simultaneous VPN Connections
10
500+ Servers
Server Locations
89
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version
Free Version Data Limit
10GB Per Month
Learn More
Hide.me VPN Review
HMA VPN
Best for Location Spoofing
Why We Picked ItIn our testing, HMA VPN reduced download speeds by 8.8% and upload speeds by 5.2%. Latency increased by 20%. Among the products we tested, it had the second best upload score.Who It’s ForHMA VPN is most notable for its enormous collection of server locations, covering more than 200 countries and territories. That makes it a good choice for anyone who needs to spoof their location and needs lots of choices. It does come with some caveats, however. The vast majority of its servers are virtual locations, meaning that they are located somewhere other than where they appear. That’s fine for location spoofing, but not if you want precise control over where your traffic flows.
PROS
Friendly, simple interface
The greatest number of server locations
Handy IP shuffler
Surprising speed test scores
CONS
Monthly subscription not available in certain regions
Unclear where VPN servers are located
Lacks multi-hop connections and split tunneling
SPECS
Name
Value
Blocks Ads
Simultaneous VPN Connections
5
500+ Servers
Server Locations
190 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Learn More
HMA VPN Review
IPVanish VPN
Best for Connecting Many Devices
Why We Picked ItIPVanish VPN reduced download results by 11.5% in our testing, and uploads by just 13.55%. Where it really shines, however, was its minimal impact on our upload speeds at just 3.3%, making it the fastest ever recorded. Who It’s ForIn the past, it was unusual to find a VPN that let you use more than five devices simultaneously. That’s changing in part because of products like IPVanish VPN that place no restrictions on the number of simultaneous connections. This makes it a good choice for large families or anyone with numerous devices.(Editors’ Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag’s parent company.)
PROS
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Good geographic diversity of servers
Transparent privacy policy
Small impact on throughput speeds in our testing
CONS
Expensive
Free trial only offered on annual plans via mobile app stores
SPECS
Name
Value
Blocks Ads
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
500+ Servers
Server Locations
52 Countries
Geographically Diverse Servers
Free Version
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Learn More
IPVanish VPN Review
Buying Guide: The Fastest VPNs for 2024
What’s the Fastest VPN?Although everyone wants a fast VPN, value and privacy protections are far more critical considerations when you choose a service to use. We tend to de-emphasize speed in our reviews unless it is impressively good or abysmally bad. Still, readers are understandably concerned about the impact a VPN has on their online experience. That’s why we test.
How a VPN Works
The results of all our testing to date are presented in the chart below. We’ll continue to update the chart, adding new results for products as we test them. VPN services are regularly updating their networks with newer, more capable servers, and there’s not a publication operating today capable of keeping up with them all with 100% recency.Note that the table below shows the services sorted by their effect on download speeds, as does the list at the top of the story. You can click on the top headers to sort by a particular column.
How We Test VPNs for SpeedWhen we test to find the fastest VPN, we use a custom tool provided by Ookla that uses the same technology as Speedtest.net. The only difference between our tool and the one online is that ours automates the test. There are some rare situations in which we use the online test as well.(Editors’ Note: Speedtest by Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag’s parent company.)Ookla’s test measures three metrics: latency, download speed, and upload speed. Latency is a measurement of the time between when your computer sends a request and when it receives a response. It’s also called ping time. Many things can affect latency, such as the distance your data physically travels. Latency is measured in milliseconds, however, so even a seemingly large number for the increase may not be noticeable to the average user. Latency is important when playing video games over a VPN, as lower latency means a more responsive experience with less lag.Download and upload speeds measure how much data is moved over your internet connection in a certain amount of time. Both are measured in megabits per second (Mbps). These are the metrics ISPs and wireless companies tout when they claim their connection speed is “fastest.”When we test VPNs, we get a sense of the impact a service has on internet performance by finding the percentage change between using the VPN and not using the VPN for several speed measurements. We run 10 Ookla tests without a given VPN active and find the median of the results. We then do the same thing but with the VPN active. By comparing the median results with and without the VPN, we find a percent change between the two. The bigger the change from the baseline performance, the more impact the VPN has on your internet speeds. We repeat this process for every VPN we test.We have tested each of these services in as repeatable a manner as possible, but there are limitations inherent in our testing. The biggest issue is that our testing is conducted in New York City. If we performed the same tests on a similar network in a different part of the country, we’d almost certainly get different results. Networks are fickle and even small changes can greatly affect the results of a test, so while we have controlled for as many variables as we can, it’s hardly a sterile network environment. This is partly intentional; our tests need to be both controlled and representative of readers’ home environments.We think of these tests as snapshots of performance that establish a replicable metric for measuring each service. The goal is to compare the services rather than to evaluate individual speeds. Your experience with these services will almost certainly vary from ours.You can read a lot more about how we test VPNs and, importantly, how our testing has changed over the years in How We Test VPNs. How to Speed Up Your VPN ExperienceThere are a few ways you can offset the speed-reducing effects of using a VPN. First, choosing a service with many servers may (emphasis on may) make it more likely you find one that isn’t crowded with other people all trying to use the same bandwidth. Some VPN services let you select specific servers and show you the current load on those servers.Having many servers to choose from in different locations means you’re more likely to find one that’s physically close to you, shortening the distance your data must travel. This usually translates to lower latency and perhaps better overall performance. A few VPN clients include a ping test to help you zero in on the closest option, but it’s unusual for a VPN client to do anything other than automatically select the closest server.
Recommended by Our Editors
A word of caution: A VPN with more servers is not necessarily better. Consider that a VPN service likely needs more servers to support more subscribers, and we don’t know how those servers are allocated among those subscribers. The size of a VPN server fleet may simply reflect a company’s popularity and not the quality of its service.Split-tunneling is the generic term for when a VPN lets you define which apps send data through the VPN tunnel and which send data outside the tunnel. It lets you separate more sensitive activities, like web browsing or online banking, from more mundane but higher-bandwidth activities, like streaming music or playing video games. Note that some VPN companies offer free versions that limit the number of servers available. We’d expect those servers available to free users to be crowded and therefore offer slower speeds. Proton VPN, for example, limits the number of servers available to free users but notably does not limit the amount of data a free subscriber can use.Also important is the protocol the VPN service uses. OpenVPN and WireGuard have become the standard for the latest and greatest in VPN technology, and each offer much leaner and faster experiences than their predecessors.The Fastest VPN Service Isn’t Always the Best VPN ServiceSimply put, speed shouldn’t be your only consideration when shopping for a VPN. For one thing, your internet experience will almost certainly be faster without a VPN (our unusual outliers notwithstanding). For another, speeds depend so much on which server you use, where you are, what your network environment is like when you’re using the VPN, and so on. You might find that the service that’s as fast as lightning today is barely chugging along tomorrow.Instead of speed, our VPN reviews stress value and trust. We prefer VPN services with a good geographic distribution of servers. VPNs that are easy to set up and use for first-timers and include a well-made local client go a long way toward getting PCMag’s endorsement.It’s important to remember that while VPNs are an easy way to improve your privacy, they do not protect against every ill. We highly recommend that readers install a standalone tracker blocker and that readers make use of the advanced privacy tools available in most browsers. We encourage you to use a password manager to create unique and complex passwords for every login, install antivirus software, and enable multi-factor authentication wherever it is available.
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