The Best VPN Providers
With so many different VPN providers on the market, it's easy to lose track. That's why we've listed the top 5 providers below. All of them offer a high security standard, multiple protocols, a large number of servers and locations, and are also easy to use.
NordVPN
This VPN provider has more than 5,300 servers in over 50 locations. For protocols and encryption, it uses OpenVPN, AES-256 and, for example, WireGuard. NordVPN also offers a wide range of additional features, such as Smart DNS and split tunneling. This makes it especially easy to unblock foreign streaming services. An ad blocker and malware protection are also part of the offering.
Pros
- Smart DNS
- complete transparency
- large server selection
- with WireGuard
- for streaming domestic and foreign services
- with many additional features
- easy to use
- with malware protection
- incl. ad blocker
ExpressVPN
This provider comes with a wide range of extras, such as Wi-Fi protection and split tunneling. ExpressVPN also has over 3,000 servers in 160 locations. This provider also impresses with a high level of anonymity and excellent security. ExpressVPN is also ideal for streaming, as a test showed. What makes this VPN provider special is that it has a dedicated app for routers.
Pros
- more than 3,000 servers
- high security through TrustedServer technology
- with Wi-Fi protection
- ideal for streaming
- easy to use
- with a router app
Surfshark
This VPN provider impresses with more than 3,000 servers in a total of 65 countries. You can also protect an unlimited number of devices with this VPN. The service also runs its own servers and is comparatively especially fast for both uploads and downloads. For this reason, many people use Surfshark mainly for streaming, as a test showed. The No-Borders mode also provides unrestricted access in countries where the internet is censored. There is also a built-in ad blocker.
Pros
- large server selection
- no device limit
- high security and transparency
- fast
- easy to use
- with VPN obfuscation features
- no-log policy
VyprVPN
This provider is aimed primarily at beginners, since the interface is very clear and operation is particularly simple. VyprVPN also impresses with cutting-edge technology and fast servers. This makes this VPN provider ideal for streaming domestic and foreign services. It has more than 700 servers in a total of 62 countries. This results in over 200,000 IP addresses.
Pros
- over 700 servers
- high security standard
- with WireGuard
- P2P/torrent support
- good speed
- for streaming domestic and foreign services
- with VPN obfuscation features
ProtonVPN
This VPN provider has over 380 servers in more than 30 countries. It offers many good security features that effectively protect your connection. A test showed that data is protected with AES-256 encryption. This provider also offers the Perfect Forward Secrecy feature, which ensures a new key is generated for every server connection. You also benefit from a high level of anonymity, equally strong transparency and a privacy policy that is easy to understand.
Pros
- easy to use
- high transparency and security
- ideal for streaming
- very good speed
- with P2P/torrent support
What Matters in a VPN
With so many VPN providers out there, it's important to check a few criteria before buying. These show whether a provider meets your needs and is suitable for the country you are in, for example. Especially if you want to use a VPN to stream foreign series, you should definitely check in advance whether this is possible with the service in question.
VPN Features
First and foremost, it's important that the VPN provider offers maximum protection for your privacy, especially for Tor users. Both Tor and VPNs are ways to encrypt your online activity and prevent users from being identified. Tor is more about anonymity, while a VPN mainly protects privacy. Combining both tools naturally provides optimal protection. When choosing, you should therefore look for a VPN provider that supports Tor connections on your network.
It is also important to choose the right VPN protocol. Depending on the provider, a comparison showed that you have different protocols to choose from, which are also called encryption protocols. The most common protocols include PPTP, OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 and L2TP/IPsec. So when choosing a provider, you should check which protocols are used or offered. Another important feature is the kill switch. This technology constantly monitors the connection to a server. If the connection drops, the kill switch ensures that the entire internet connection is also cut off. This prevents hackers or companies from viewing your data if the VPN fails. It's also important to make sure the VPN provider is compatible with different platforms, such as Windows, iOS or Linux, because not every provider allows you to use protection on all devices.
Server Count and Locations
You should also make sure the provider has as many servers as possible and covers a wide range of locations. For example, you should check that there are suitable servers and locations nearby. This is often problematic in less populated parts of a country. In some cases there is also restricted internet service that could cause problems. The VPN must therefore work effectively with the servers to get around these restrictions. People living in countries with state surveillance of privacy are best served by a provider that lets you choose a server outside the country.
Speed
Encryption technology like a VPN can sometimes slow down your internet connection. This is usually because a server is overloaded and therefore too slow. Here too, you benefit accordingly from a larger number of servers. A slow connection can also result from a server that is too far away. So you should make sure there are many servers that are geographically close.
Security and Privacy
Privacy and security are naturally among the most important aspects of a VPN provider. The protocols serve to provide high security. Depending on the provider, different ones are available. In this context, however, you must also make sure that it is a real VPN and not just a proxy. The latter does not prevent access by hackers or the government.
You should also pay attention to logs. If the VPN service keeps no records at all, this is called 'zero logs'. However, this is only the case in very rare cases. Usually a minimal amount of individual data is stored, which generally poses no problem for anonymity. If a service fails, it is important to check the policies and therefore what is logged. Bandwidth usage, for example, is part of the metadata that is often recorded. The number of devices you are logged in with can also be recorded, which should likewise not be a problem.
Costs
A comparison shows how much the costs of individual VPN providers differ. Completely free services usually don't exist without you having to accept restrictions on security or anonymity. Nevertheless, it's worth comparing prices before you buy. Make sure you don't pay too much for features or extras you don't need. At the same time, you should expect that a comprehensive service will cost correspondingly more.
Customer Support
You should also look for reliable customer service. A provider should definitely offer 24/7 customer support. Problems can always arise, so it's important that you can reach someone at any time.
How a VPN Works
When you connect to the internet via a VPN, your data, such as your IP address, is hidden by a special remote server. This server then serves as the new origin. As a result, neither your own internet service provider nor third parties can view your data or find out which websites you have visited. A VPN can thus be seen as a kind of filter through which you move anonymously and securely on the internet. Hackers also have no access, which is particularly beneficial when using online banking.
Today, this obfuscation technology is also used to get around internet blocks and gain access to regional web content. Many streaming services, for example, make various series and movies available only to users in certain countries. With a VPN, you can mask yourself with a foreign IP address and access the streaming service's interface. This gives you the same selection available to users who actually live in that country.
More VPN Topics
Explore more VPN comparisons and subtopics about virtual private networks.
