Best VPNs (2022)

A VPN or "Virtual Private Network" is a system for sending or receiving data through a private connection, while using an Internet network. 

Since VPNs can hide a computer's location, many individuals use them to view sites that would otherwise not be accessible in their country.

If you live abroad and want to watch videos from the Pluzz, Arte or Netflix Spain platform, for example, you can install a VPN on your computer/TV/or an Amazon Fire Stick and pretend that it is there. Paris, in order to enjoy all the Spanish television programming.

Also, VPN services can be used simultaneously by several people under a single account. is that a single account can be used on multiple devices at the same time. This also saves money.

Also, be aware that in a professional setting, VPNs are often used for security reasons (to avoid being spied on) or to allow employees to access their computers remotely.

In order to find the perfect VPN for you and your household, you need to consider many things such as its monthly cost, connection speed, number and location of servers, apps offered, quality of support technical and other important factors like zero-log policies.

We can't know your exact needs, but the pros and cons listed for each should help you quickly identify the best one for you.

What is the best VPN?

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1

NordVPN

• Most
  • Excellent speeds
  • Unblocks many video services
  • Independent audit
• The lessers
  • Not the cheapest
  • No unlimited simultaneous connections

• Indicated price:

Based in Panama, NordVPN provides a very secure connection, encrypts all its data, supports the WireGuard protocol and has a kill switch that allows you to cut the internet connection if for some reason there is an interruption.

Compatible with Mac and PC, NordVPN can also be used on iOS or Android and allows 6 devices to connect at the same time. If you encounter technical problems, customer service is available 24 hours a day, 24 days a week.

2

Surfshark

• Most
  • Unlimited connections
  • GPS Position Replacement
  • Multi Hop List
• The lessers
  • No split tunneling for Mac

• Indicated price:

Surfshark has an easy to use interface and a nice range of features. It has apps for all devices (and add-ons for web browsers). However, one of its main advantages is its low price, even though it allows an unlimited number of connections.

With support for WireGuard (meaning excellent speeds) and MultiHop servers for added security and privacy, the only problem is Surfshark's recent location change from the British Virgin Islands, one of the "9 eyes" countries that share intelligence with others.

Surfshark operates a no-logs policy, so no usage or user data should be available if Dutch authorities demand the handover of logs or seize any of Surfshark's servers.

However, as this policy has never been audited, you should take Surfshark at its word that it does not log this data.

If you just want a VPN to unblock streaming services, none of that matters, it's only a problem if you're looking for a VPN for more privacy.

Surfshark is good for unblocking Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other such services.

3

VyprVPN

• Most
  • Relies on own equipment
  • Subject to independent audit
• The lessers
  • Limited to 5 connections
  • No anonymous payment

• Indicated price:

VyprVPN owns and operates its entire network of over 700 servers in 70 countries around the world, and has even been audited to prove that it adheres to its no-logs practice.

We also appreciate that it has a kill switch (be careful, you have to go to the settings to activate it) and that its mobile application is within everyone's reach.

Know that for even more security, VyprVPN integrates a NAT firewall, which is perfect for your router and protects your cloud data thanks to its VyprVPN Cloud function.

Finally, it is compatible with WireGuard.

4

PureVPN

• Most
  • Controlled no-log policy
  • Satisfying Unlock
  • Servers in 140 countries
• The lessers
  • WireGuard protocol only on Windows

• Indicated price:

A decent choice for streaming, thanks to a great choice of countries and its ability to unblock Netflix, iPlayer and other services.

PureVPN moved from the jurisdiction of Hong Kong to the British Virgin Islands, which is much more privacy-friendly. It can also be commended for allowing its no-logs policy to be "audited by surprise" (an unscheduled audit the company could not prepare for) and when this happened recently, KPMG was able to re-certify as a true no-logs VPN.

Also, the service recently removed nearly all virtual servers and now claims 98,7% physical servers (67 servers in total that remain virtual), and upgrading UK and US servers to connection speeds of 20 Gbits.

Our main complaint is the continued absence of WireGuard...

Live chat is available 24/7 to help resolve issues, and the service is offered at a competitive price.

5

Hidden24

• Most
  • own equipment
  • Unblocks Netflix and iPlayer
  • The best in privacy
• The lessers
  • No apps
  • Unfriendly interface
  • Only 1 connection at a time

• Indicated price:

Hidden24 is different from the other services featured in this review because it's built for privacy first and foremost.

That's why it takes a completely different approach, using the VPN capability of a device instead of an app. That means it works on Android, Mac, iPhone or Linux as well as Windows. However, you cannot switch servers as easily as in a VPN app and there is no stop button.

You currently have seven locations to choose from, but even if it's a small number, Hidden24 owns and operates all of these servers and they are designed to be as secure as possible.

Even Hidden24 staff don't have access to these servers, which run on custom code, not open source software on top of Linux like most rented cloud VPN servers. .

That's why it's a solid choice if security and privacy are your top priorities.

It also reliably unblocks Netflix and other streaming services, which is a bonus, but only in the seven available countries: UK, US, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.

As Hidden24 literally doesn't log anything, not even user sessions, it's only possible to log in to one device at a time and logging in on a second device breaks the connection on the first.

For unlimited connections, configure a compatible router.

6

Ivacy

• Most
  • Very good value for money
  • Unblocks Netflix, etc.
  • 24 hour technical assistance
• The lessers
  • few servers
  • Unverified Privacy Policy

• Indicated price:

Ivacy may not have as many servers as some competitors, but it ticks a lot of boxes. These servers unblock a large number of streaming services (except Amazon Prime).

The apps are available for a wide selection of devices, they are not the most successful. We're told WireGuard support is coming, but for now the best speeds are through OpenVPN.

There are a few quirks, like no auto-connect when your phone or laptop connects to an untrusted Wi-Fi network, and no way to see if a particular server is busy.

Ivacy's privacy policy has not been independently audited, so you should just take it at its word and know that it doesn't log information it claims it doesn't.

7

Hide.me

• Most
  • Free version
  • Support IPV6
  • Double VPN Multihop
• The lessers
  • Expensive, no independent audit since 2015

• Indicated price:

Hide.me is a good VPN service overall. It has made a few changes that address our previous reviews, mainly the fact that it now unblocks Netflix and other streaming services.

You can try Hide.me before you buy with a completely free version (which is, of course, limited in features), but if you want to unlock the full range of servers and get unlimited bandwidth, you'll find it's more expensive than some rivals, even with its cheapest multi-year subscription plans.

It is one of the few VPN services that supports IPv6 and WireGuard protocol. It now allows you to use 10 devices simultaneously, which is double what it did before.

Hide.me is based in Malaysia, which is outside the "14 Eyes", and has a no-logs policy. They say they were one of the first companies to get an independent audit, but you can't read that and that was in 2015. We'd like them to post an up-to-date audit of at least their privacy policy. She is, however, one of the members of the VPN Trust initiative.

allows you to try its service before subscribing to it and also offers a totally free version. However, although it unblocks Netflix and other streaming services, it is still more expensive than some of its rivals.

This service recently supports the WireGuard protocol and has doubled the number of simultaneous connections to 10.

8

ExpressVPN

• Most
  • Unblocks over 200 streaming services
  • Fast Lightway Protocol
• The lessers
  • Expensive
  • Only 5 connections

• Indicated price:

ExpressVPN is easy to use and comes with plenty of features (browser extensions, a router app), it's the one to choose if you're looking for a premium VPN service that will reliably unblock streaming content.

Technical support is also excellent if you need help.

Thanks to the proprietary Lightway protocol, connection times are fast, as are connection speeds.

But ExpresVPN costs a lot more than its rivals on a monthly basis.

9

CyberGhost

• Most
  • Well-established service
  • Great connection speeds
• The lessers
  • No independent audit
  • No split tunnel on Mac

• Indicated price:

CyberGhost is a popular VPN based in Romania. We've found in our testing that unlocking can be a bit hit and miss, with some issues with BBC iPlayer in the past.

However, in general, it's a good choice for unblocking streaming services and it has an absolutely huge selection of servers, so if one doesn't work, you can try others.

There is also a selection of "NoSpy Servers" which are owned and operated by the company at its Romanian headquarters and offer a more secure option than any other rented servers, which can be an advantage when you are not just watching videos. from other regions. As long as you do not subscribe to the one-month subscription, access to these servers is included in your subscription.

With its longer plans and regular offers, CyberGhost can be one of the best value options, and has handy apps for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Moreover, you can connect seven devices at the same time.

What to Look for in a VPN Service

With prices for VPN services varying widely, it can be tempting to go for the cheapest. It's not necessarily a bad idea, but it's still important to choose one that you trust and that offers the features you need.

The first thing to know is what you want to use a VPN for. If you just want to watch Netflix US videos, BBC iPlayer, The Criterion Channel, Disney+ or another service that is not available in your country, you don't have to worry about other details: just go for a good service. market that offers the unlocking of the services you need.

Most offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try them out.

If you're more concerned about privacy and security, you'll be more interested in a VPN that doesn't log any data and ideally owns and manages its servers, rather than renting servers in a data center. In other words, if you want to minimize the risk of your VPN service being hacked, prefer a service that uses tools exclusively under its control. And if your life depends on your VPN connection, avoid a mainstream service.

Don't be fooled by more countries to choose from as that doesn't guarantee it's better. What you should look for are servers in the countries you need to appear in or have a physical presence in, as a local VPN server will always give you the fastest speeds for a given service.

Chances are you'll only be using a handful of available servers, and you certainly don't want to connect to a server on the other side of the world if it drastically reduces your internet connection speed.

Testing the speed of a VPN service is tricky because it varies all the time.

Virtually all VPNs are compatible with Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS, but some offer apps for a wider selection of devices, including the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Linux, and web browser extensions for Google Chrome, Firefox, and others .

You don't actually need an app if your device supports a VPN connection, so you can enter your username, password, and other details into your NAS, router, or other device. However, this can become problematic when you want to change servers, because you have to configure a connection manually for each server.

What's more, it means you don't have access to advanced features only available through apps, including a kill switch if the operating system doesn't provide one.

Public / free Wi-Fi

Using a VPN whenever you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network (café, hotel, library, public transport...) is a very good idea. When a Wi-Fi network does not require a password to connect to it (except your email address or other information in a web browser), it means that your phone's connection to the network is not encrypted. .

It becomes possible for someone to spy on your activity. However, most websites and web services use encryption anyway: a VPN is more of an insurance policy in case sensitive data ends up being sent in clear text.

We also advise you to check the existence of usage restrictions.

What is the "14 Eyes" Alliance?

If you're mostly concerned with privacy, it's important to know where your VPN is based. In recent years, some countries have come together to freely exchange information, nominally with the goal of improving everyone's safety. However, many groups criticize this behavior, believing that mass surveillance encroaches on our freedoms.

The main group of countries that can freely exchange information is called the Five Eyes. They come from the UKUSA agreement which, although started in 1941, was not made public until 2005. This agreement is between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, hence the name Five Eyes. These countries have agreed to collect, analyze and share information with each other, and we believe that much of this information is related to activity on the Internet today.

The Five Eyes alliance has grown to include a total of 14 countries, which is why you will often hear about the 14 eyes alliance. Third countries have been added over time, and now include Denmark, Spain, Holland, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden and Spain.

If your VPN provider is based in a country that is part of the 14 eyes, they may be asked to share customer data and will have to legally comply. If your provider promises that they don't log any information, you're probably safe within the 14 Eyes, but that's more of a risk if privacy is your main concern and you might consider looking for a VPN provider that is based elsewhere.

What Information Does a VPN Keep?

VPN services usually claim not to log anything. These days, they rarely log connection timestamps, IP addresses, and bandwidth used: they generally only log anonymous information “necessary to maintain and improve the service”.

We carefully check, using the information we have, what each service logs, and we report it in each evaluation.

If you're looking for the most complete anonymity, lean towards a server that accepts payment in the form of gift cards or bitcoins, which makes it almost impossible to trace an individual.

Just note that a VPN does not make you anonymous online.

Ban on VPNs in China and Russia

Most VPN services claim to work in China and Russia. The truth is that this is a game of cat and mouse where governments manage to block connections if they detect you are using a VPN and they are very good at this game.

This means that you can't know for sure if a certain service will let you access Google and other sites on any given day, and that's one of the reasons why it's worth subscribing to. a service with 24/24 live chat support: they will be able to help you choose the right server and the right settings to bypass the blocks at that time.

The same goes for unblocking streaming services: they don't like VPNs and suppress them as much as they can. And, again, having live chat support is helpful when you run into any issues. For now, many VPNs are unable to unblock BBC iPlayer - even the big names like ExpressVPN. So if this is important to you, check with the company first to see what the current situation is. There is usually a solution: ExpressVPN offers a separate Media Streamer service in order to access iPlayer from abroad.

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