The Best VPNs We've Tested (March 2026) - PCMag

Table of Contents A virtual private network (VPN) is a critical component of a well-rounded privacy toolkit, but it can be challenging to cut through the marketing noise and determine which service is best for your needs. That's where we come in. We've been reviewing VPNs for more than 10 years and writing about them for more than 25. So when our overall favorite, Proton VPN, receives an Editors' Choice award and a perfect five-star rating, you can trust that it's one of the absolute best. That said, this story also features nine other highly rated VPNs—we tested them all and found each to be excellent in its own way. Our top picks are below, with links to full reviews of each service. Our Top Tested Picks Best Overall Proton VPN Available at Proton VPN Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best Premium Features NordVPN Available at NordVPN Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Location Spoofers ExpressVPN Available at ExpressVPN Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for First-Time VPN Users TunnelBear VPN Available at TunnelBear Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Multi-Device Protection Surfshark VPN Available at Surfshark Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Smart TV Users CyberGhost VPN Available at CyberGhost VPN Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Multi-Device Households IPVanish VPN Available at IPVanish Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Public Wi-Fi Use Mullvad VPN EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best Browser Extensions Windscribe EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Frequent Travelers Hide.me VPN EXPAND  PROS & CONS See (5) More Featured Deal What is this? Best Overall ProtonVPN PCMag Exclusive: Get 75% Off Proton VPN ($2.49 Per Month) See It The Best VPN Deals This Week* Surfshark VPN — $1.99 Per Month + 3 Months Free (87% Off 2 Years Starter Plan) NordVPN — $3.89 Per Month + $20 Amazon Gift Card (74% Off 2 Years Plus Plan) McAfee — Total Protection Essential for $3.33 Per Month, Includes Anti-Virus and VPN ExpressVPN — $2.44 Per Month + 4 Months Free (81% Off 2 Years Basic Plan) *Deals are selected by our commerce team The Best VPN Services for 2026 Compare Specs Select Up To 3 066pfhdQmzHcmyEMaZtToWq Proton VPN NordVPN ExpressVPN TunnelBear VPN Surfshark VPN CyberGhost VPN IPVanish VPN Mullvad VPN Windscribe Hide.me VPN 04yO1RQQQj7e5kEow66iE52 Proton VPN NordVPN ExpressVPN TunnelBear VPN Surfshark VPN CyberGhost VPN IPVanish VPN Mullvad VPN Windscribe Hide.me VPN 017J2F0SqocSaCiuU25mVZe Proton VPN NordVPN ExpressVPN TunnelBear VPN Surfshark VPN CyberGhost VPN IPVanish VPN Mullvad VPN Windscribe Hide.me VPN Your Selections Proton VPN Available at Proton VPN Check Price NordVPN Available at NordVPN Check Price ExpressVPN Available at ExpressVPN Check Price Rating 5.0 4.5 4.0 Best For Best Overall Best Premium Features Best for Location Spoofers Blocks Ads Simultaneous VPN Connections 10 6 8 500+ Servers Server Locations 117 countries 118 countries 105 Countries Geographically Diverse Servers Free Version Free Version Data Limit Unlimited No Free Version No Free Version Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks RELATED: Fastest VPNs Best Free VPNs Best iPhone VPNs Best Mac VPNs Best Android VPNs Best VPNs for Pornhub Best Proxies Best VPNs for Streaming Services Best Gaming VPNs Best Chromebook VPNs EDITORS' NOTE March 10, 2026: With this update, our lineup of recommended VPNs remains unchanged. Our existing picks have been vetted for currency and availability. (Credit: Proton) Best Overall Proton VPN 5.0 Exemplary Pros & Cons Best free plan we've seen Industry-leading privacy standards Global server network Slick, accessible client Numerous additional privacy tools Ample customer support options High latency scores in testing Proton VPN does it all, and that's why it earns a rare five-star rating. While the core paid VPN service price is average, Proton VPN has the best free VPN subscription we've seen. An account with Proton VPN will also grant you access to other products in the Proton family, including Proton Mail and Proton Drive. This includes free accounts, making the app an excellent value-add. Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More Proton VPN Review (Credit: NordVPN) Best Premium Features NordVPN 4.5 Outstanding Pros & Cons Support for multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections Excellent speed results Global server coverage Wealth of available features and add-ons Built-in antivirus tools Expensive, and annual pricing could be clearer Antivirus component could be better NordVPN, a pioneer in the VPN industry, was one of the first companies to fully adopt the WireGuard VPN protocol and RAM-only servers. Years later, the service remains a solid product, maintaining a consistent and modern design across all its platforms. That said, be prepared to pay a substantial fee for the premium service. NordVPN's subscription costs more than the average monthly price we've seen across the industry. Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More NordVPN Review (Credit: ExpressVPN) Best for Location Spoofers ExpressVPN 4.0 Excellent Pros & Cons Large, diverse, widely distributed fleet of servers Fast speed test results Strong privacy and security practices Support for post-quantum encryption protocols Expensive monthly and annual plans No multi-hop connections Ad blocking is spotty Ownership with a sketchy past ExpressVPN boasts an attractive interface, servers in 105 countries, strong speed test results, and its own proprietary Lightway VPN protocol. This protocol uses the open-source WolfSSL cryptography library and has passed three third-party audits by KPMG. It is leading the pack with its future-forward approach by incorporating post-quantum encryption, which aims to prevent advanced hacking methods before they become viable. The downsides? You can't use the VPN for free, and a subscription costs a bit more than average. Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More ExpressVPN Review (Credit: TunnelBear VPN) Best for First-Time VPN Users TunnelBear VPN 4.0 Excellent Pros & Cons Unlimited simultaneous connections Excellent privacy policy Annual independent audits Friendly, approachable design No multi-hop connections Unimpressive customer support TunnelBear VPN’s fun, bear-themed interface makes it seem less serious than it is. In truth, the service takes a serious approach to privacy. It has one of the easiest-to-use interfaces while providing an excellent service with powerful features. You can try it out for free with a data-limited option, making it an easy choice for anyone who wants to try a VPN for the first time. Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More TunnelBear VPN Review (Credit: Surfshark) Best for Multi-Device Protection Surfshark VPN 4.0 Excellent Pros & Cons Excellent server coverage and performance Impressive suite of security features Well-defined privacy policy Quarterly transparency reports Affordable long-term plans High monthly cost Average server network size Surfshark delivers a consistent experience across all major operating systems, and it supports unlimited simultaneous device connections. While it has a high up-front monthly cost, you gain access to a wealth of handy security tools and features that help justify the lofty price point. Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More Surfshark VPN Review (Credit: CyberGhost) Best for Smart TV Users CyberGhost VPN 4.0 Excellent Pros & Cons Extensive server network Task-specific servers Quarterly transparency reports Impressive in-app privacy tools Affordable long-term subscriptions No multi-hop connections Limited add-ons High monthly price CyberGhost VPN is a pricey but extremely capable service with an enormous collection of servers. In addition to VPN connections, the service includes antivirus protection for Windows and an ad blocker. We also like that CyberGhost has completed a third-party audit. Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More CyberGhost VPN Review (Credit: IPVanish) Best for Multi-Device Households IPVanish VPN 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Unlimited simultaneous connections Good speed results in testing Customizable multi-hop servers Transparent privacy policy Knowledgeable support team Expensive Confusing annual renewal rates Mixed results unblocking Netflix Worried about a VPN app not working on all of your devices? IPVanish doesn't have any device limits, which is particularly helpful for those of us with multiple devices. If that's not enough, the app also offers expansive global server coverage, high-quality features, and broad platform support. It's a little expensive, though, as monthly plans start at $12.99. (Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.) Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More IPVanish VPN Review (Credit: Mullvad VPN) Best for Public Wi-Fi Use Mullvad VPN 4.5 Outstanding Pros & Cons Affordable Requires no email or account information Radically transparency Open Netflix access in all regions tested Awkward desktop interface No transparency report or warrant canary Servers in a small range of countries Mullvad VPN's service is all about knowing as little about its customers as possible, making it the premier option for those who are first and foremost concerned about their privacy on the web. Best of all, Mullvad VPN's service is available at an affordable flat rate, and you can even pay your bill anonymously with cash. Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations Learn More Mullvad VPN Review (Credit: Windscribe) Best Browser Extensions Windscribe 4.5 Outstanding Pros & Cons Industry-leading company transparency and communication Large number of payment options Best free plan of any VPN we've tested Anonymous signup allowed Unlimited number of simultaneous connections and devices Helpful AI support bot Short refund window Windscribe has plenty going for it: A free version, an unrivaled support database, and company transparency about customer data collection and use. The only big downsides are the ho-hum speed test results, but unless you're planning to stream a lot of games or videos all at once, the slower speeds shouldn't hamper your online browsing. Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations Learn More Windscribe Review (Credit: Hide.me) Best for Frequent Travelers Hide.me VPN 4.0 Excellent Pros & Cons Ten simultaneous connections Reliable Netflix access Privacy-first policies Affordable Full-featured free plan Average server numbers Hide.me is both affordable and feature-packed. The free version starts off with a five-day premium trial and then becomes limited. The limited free plan includes unlimited data across seven server locations. You'll encounter slower connection speeds with the free plan, but it's a great way to try out the service before investing in the premium plan, which costs $9.95 per month and is less than the industry average. Why We Picked It Who It's For Specs & Configurations Learn More Hide.me VPN Review Get Our Best Stories! All the Latest Tech, Tested by Our Experts Sign up for the Lab Report to receive PCMag's latest product reviews, buying advice, and insights. Sign up for the Lab Report to receive PCMag's latest product reviews, buying advice, and insights. Email Sign Me Up By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Buying Guide: The Best VPN Services for 2026 Is a VPN Worth Getting? Yes, you should get a VPN if you value online privacy. Without a VPN, entities such as your internet service provider (ISP) can track your online activities and sell that data to advertisers. A VPN won’t anonymize you completely against every threat, but it is a simple way to limit your digital footprint. It can also help circumvent unwanted internet restrictions (such as age verification measures in the United States). None of the services here is perfect, and there will surely be times when a VPN won't be the best option.  Take the marketing language VPN providers use when sponsoring your favorite YouTube video or podcast with a healthy grain of salt—they don't make you untraceable, and they aren't a privacy panacea. That said, a VPN is a valuable tool that's becoming increasingly necessary with tightening internet restrictions worldwide. Plus, as more and more security suites add VPN services to their offerings, you may have access to a good one if you already pay for a security suite to keep your devices free of malware and spyware. Why Do I Need a VPN? A VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted connection to a server controlled by the VPN provider. From there, your traffic exits onto the web as usual. If you only connect to HTTPS-secured websites, your data remains encrypted even after you leave the VPN. It may sound simple, but using a VPN can significantly improve your online privacy. Think of this analogy: When your car pulls out of your driveway, someone can follow you and see where you're going, how long you spend there, and when you return. They might even peek into your car to learn more about you. With a VPN app, it's like driving from your house into a private tunnel, exiting into a closed parking garage, switching to a different car, and driving out. No one who is trying to follow you can know where you went. Likewise, no one snooping on your network can see what you're doing when you're using a VPN. Public Wi-Fi networks may not be as dangerous as they once were due to the widespread adoption of HTTPS, but there is still a small risk if you connect to an insecure site while on a compromised network. How do you know, for example, "starbucks_wifi-real" is the coffee shop's actual Wi-Fi network? Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks aren't likely, but a potential attacker could use an altered Wi-Fi connection to route your traffic to an insecure site and steal your credentials. A VPN can help by encrypting your traffic, making it unreadable to any snoopers. Even if you're trusting, you might not want to fully trust your ISP. In the US, your ISP has enormous insight into your online activities. To make matters worse, Congress has decided that your ISP can sell your anonymized browsing history. Selling your data seems egregious since you are already paying for the service. A VPN prevents even your ISP from keeping tabs on you. Another benefit of using a VPN is that your true IP address is hidden behind the VPN server's IP address. This makes it harder for you to be tracked. Even dedicated observers have trouble telling which internet traffic is yours because your data is mixed in with everyone else's using the server.  Hiding your IP address has another benefit: It makes it harder for snoops to figure out your location. You can use this to your advantage and connect to distant VPN servers to spoof your location. It's essential to recognize that if your VPN connection is disrupted, the privacy protection you rely on is compromised as well. For this reason, most VPNs offer a kill switch that shuts down your network traffic when your VPN connection drops. The only catch? A kill switch is generally turned off by default, so you might want to toggle yours on in your VPN app when you set it up—or at least familiarize yourself with how it works and turn it on when your privacy is critically important. Note: VPNs are sometimes confused with proxies, but they serve different purposes. To learn more, see our explainer on VPNs versus proxies. What Can't VPNs Do? VPN services, while helpful, don't provide comprehensive threat protection. A VPN can't help you if you download ransomware, find yourself part of a data breach, or give up your information in a phishing attack. We strongly recommend using local antivirus software, enabling multi-factor authentication wherever available, and using a password manager to create and store unique, complex passwords for each site and service you use. Those are all good security measures you should take in addition to using a VPN. Do You Need a VPN? There are also limitations to the level of anonymity a VPN can provide. Advertisers employ tactics such as online trackers and browser fingerprinting to gather data on you and track your online activity. We recommend using your browser's anti-tracking features and installing dedicated ad or tracker blockers. Think of a VPN as a bulletproof vest. It doesn’t defend against every attack vector, but it does block some of the most critical threats to your privacy. Many VPN services also provide their own DNS resolution system as a security feature. Think of DNS as a phone book that turns a text-based URL like PCMag.com into an IP address computers can understand. Savvy snoops can monitor DNS requests and track your movements online. Greedy attackers can also use DNS poisoning to direct you to bogus phishing pages designed to steal your data. When you use a VPN's DNS system, it provides an additional layer of protection. Read how (and why) to change your DNS server for more. There's debate among security experts about the efficacy of VPNs. Since most sites now support HTTPS, much of your online experience is already encrypted. Secure DNS products like Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 exist precisely because some feel VPNs are overkill. Additionally, this assumes that your VPN provider is above board and not spying on you. Still, a VPN protects information not already protected by HTTPS, creates a buffer between you and the people controlling internet infrastructure, and makes it harder for potential prying eyes to track your online activity.  Some security-conscious industries, such as banking, are confused about or suspicious of VPNs. If your bank detects that you are logging in from what appears to be another US state or even another country—or if it simply suspects that a VPN is in use—it can raise red flags. That's because if a hacker were trying to get into your bank account from another country, they'd use a VPN, too. Expect to see captchas and more frequent multi-factor authentication requests when your VPN is on, or be prepared for your bank to block you from logging in at all. VPNs vs. Security Suites Just as antivirus utilities evolved into multifunction security suites, over the past year, we’ve seen VPN services add additional security features, from password managers to built-in antivirus protection. Norton Ultimate, for example, contains most of the same features as the Norton 360 Deluxe suite. The Threat Protection module in NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro is like an antivirus, but it lacks the expected ability to scan local files for malware. Surfshark One’s antivirus component earned good scores against malware and a perfect score against phishing fraud. It incorporates a handful of other security features, but not enough to rival top security suites. Coming from the other direction, many traditional security suites have included a VPN component for years. Some are in-house productions, like Norton’s. Other companies, such as Bitdefender, license VPN technology from third-party providers. Mergers and acquisitions further complicate these issues, making it difficult to determine who owns what, who's licensing which technologies, and which tools were developed from scratch versus acquired from someone else. Thankfully, we keep track, and you can find that information in greater detail in our individual reviews. It’s unclear how this collision of security-plus-VPN with VPN-plus-security will ultimately play out in the coming years, but you can be sure we’ll keep a close eye on the matter going forward. What Is the Best Free VPN? Not all VPN services require payment. In fact, there are many free VPN services available. But every free VPN we've tested has limitations. Some limit you to a few simultaneous connections or devices. Others restrict your data or limit you to a handful of servers. Still others do all of the above. Finding the best free VPN involves balancing those restrictions. Windscribe, for example, lets you use any server on its network but limits you to 2GB per month (10GB if you sign up with your email address). Proton has the unique distinction of placing no data restrictions on its free users; however, it does limit the number of servers that can be accessed. Choosing a free VPN does come with its fair share of risk. There are many unscrupulous apps and services out there that may do more harm than good. Avoid VPNs that are ad-supported or ask for invasive permissions when you download them. If a deal sounds too good to be true, then it likely is. A safer option is to choose one of our recommended budget-friendly VPNs. What Is the Best VPN for Mac? While this list includes the best VPNs we've tested, you may be looking for one specifically for Mac. The majority of top options have comparable apps for macOS, though macOS presents some unique challenges for developers. Certain features, such as split tunneling, are often more challenging to deploy successfully across both macOS and iOS. For complete details, read our roundup of the best VPNs for Macs. Based on our testing, the best options for Apple devices are Proton and Nord. We have a full comparison between Proton and Nord here. What Is the Best VPN for Torrenting? When using BitTorrent, consider using a VPN for added security and privacy. Many ISPs and network managers block torrenting altogether, and a VPN can prevent them from seeing that you're connecting to a peer-to-peer sharing service. Of course, torrenting certain files may get you in trouble, especially if the practice is banned in your area, and a VPN can protect you in such cases as well. To find the right service for staying safe while torrenting, head over to our roundup of the best VPNs for torrenting. What Is the Best VPN for Gaming? Gamers need privacy protection, too. While using a service that can increase your latency and generally interfere with your connectivity may not appeal to you, you might want to play a game that isn't available in your area, or you might not want to expose your real IP address to other gamers. VPNs might even make it more difficult for rivals to use distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to disrupt gameplay. Read our story on the best VPNs for gaming for help picking the VPN that strikes the right balance between productivity and privacy. What Is the Best VPN for China, Russia, or Ukraine? VPNs are useful for enhancing individual privacy, but they are also essential for the safety of some individuals. Journalists and activists often rely on VPN services to circumvent local government censorship and communicate safely with the outside world. Check the local laws before using a VPN in China, Russia, or any country with repressive internet policies. Another place people might want to use a VPN is in a war zone such as Ukraine, where hiding locations might well be a matter of life and death. To add another layer of anonymity to your traffic, you can layer certain VPN connections with the Tor network. While a VPN tunnels your web traffic to a VPN server, Tor bounces your traffic through several volunteer nodes, making it much harder to track. VPNs have a similar feature called multi-hop, which achieves the same goal by using additional VPN servers rather than volunteer nodes. Using Tor also grants access to hidden dark websites that a VPN cannot. Some services, such as Nord and Proton, offer Tor access on select servers. However, it's important to note that Tor isn't perfect, either. Read our explainer on the dark web and how to access it for more. A VPN protects you against mass data collection and casual criminals who vacuum up user data for later use. Still, a determined adversary will almost always find a way to breach your defenses. If this happens to you, read our story on what to do when you've been hacked. How to Get a VPN The VPN market has experienced significant growth over the past decade, expanding from a niche industry to a highly competitive and crowded one. Many VPN service providers are capitalizing on the general public's growing concerns about surveillance and cybercrime, making it difficult to distinguish between companies that offer a useful service and those that make misleading claims. Fake VPNs have even emerged, so be cautious. As more VPNs enter the market, hacks and breaches are likely to become increasingly common. When reading reviews to find a good service, don't just focus on connection speed, as that's the factor you (and the VPN) have the least control over. Since nearly all VPN companies offer a combination of the same technologies, consider value when selecting your best VPN service. How can you get the most for the least? Look for additional VPN features, such as split tunneling, multi-hop connections, and more. You may not always need them, but they're helpful when you do. Nearly every VPN service provider has its own app with an interface for managing connections and settings, and we recommend using it. You might dismiss such things as window dressing and prefer manually managing your VPN connections. However, this can be tedious and often doesn't provide access to the additional privacy tools many VPNs offer. The best way to determine whether a VPN works is to try it in all the environments you plan to use it in, such as home, work, and school. Some VPNs offer free trials or completely free subscription tiers, so take advantage of them. Free VPN access lets you check whether you can access all the sites and services you need and test the speeds in your area to see if they're acceptable. We recommend starting with a short-term subscription to ensure you're satisfied with the service before committing to an annual, two-year, or lifetime paid plan. Yes, you may get a discount by signing up for a year, but that means more money is at stake should you decide the service doesn't meet your needs after the fact. How Do I Set Up My VPN? Getting a VPN is easy; setting one up on your machine can be a bear, however, if you don't know what you're doing. What server should you connect to? Should you let the software choose for you? What security features should you enable? We answer these questions in our story on choosing and setting up a VPN. If you don't like the idea of downloading yet another app, you can also configure Windows 11 to connect directly to the service you choose. You can read about it in our story on setting up a VPN in Windows 11—be warned, however, that this is not the easiest way to do it. Likewise, you can set up a VPN on your router, but we recommend doing so only if you're technically inclined. VPNs protect your data using a variety of publicly available open-source encryption protocols, as well as proprietary ones. The most common open-source options include OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP, IKEv2, and others. Meanwhile, some VPNs like Express are looking toward the future with the company's "post-quantum encryption" protocol, Lightway. Can I Trust My VPN to Protect My Privacy? If you're using a service to route all your internet traffic through its servers, you have to be able to trust that service. It's easier to trust companies that have been around longer because their reputation is likely well-established, and it's what's at stake should the company do you wrong. The trouble is that the VPN industry is relatively young compared with antivirus software, for example, and some VPN companies play dirty. Determining whom to trust can be challenging. At PCMag, we pay special attention to the privacy practices of VPN companies, not just the technology they provide. We read their privacy policies as part of our testing procedure and discuss company practices with representatives. We look for a commitment to protecting user information and practices that gather and retain as little user information as possible. As part of our research, we also determine the company's location and the legal framework under which it operates. Some countries don't have data-retention laws, making it easier to keep the promise of "we don't keep any logs." It's also helpful to know under what circumstances a VPN provider would hand over information to law enforcement and what information it would have to provide (and what it could provide) if that were to happen. For more, see our story on VPN logging. Recommended by Our Editors I've Reviewed Dozens of VPNs. These Are My Top Tips for Setting Yours Up the Right Way Your Online Privacy Is Disappearing Fast. Here's Why You Need a VPN in 2026 The #1 Mistake People Make Choosing a VPN—and How to Avoid It The best VPN services have a privacy policy that clearly outlines what the service does, what information it collects, and how the company protects that information—ideally in plain English. Some companies explain that they collect certain information, but fail to inform you how they intend to use it. Others are more transparent. We discuss these details in every VPN service review we write. What Are the Best VPNs for Streaming? Netflix and other streaming services often block VPNs because they can access region-locked content. A service that works today may be blocked tomorrow. That could be an issue for some readers, as while many users rely on VPNs solely for online privacy purposes, others use them to unblock streaming services from different regions around the globe. For example, if you're watching Brooklyn 99 on Netflix from a US-based IP address while waiting for your flight to the UK, you may find that the show isn't available on the service when you land at Heathrow. This is due to how major studios distribute local content licenses: some shows are globally distributed, while others are licensed for viewing only in specific countries. We test five countries here at PCMag each time we review a VPN: Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US. The results of those tests are presented in the chart below, along with descriptions of how we categorize the types of Netflix libraries that may be encountered during testing. Over the past few years, we've found that VPNs have improved their ability to access streaming content. Previously, it was unusual to find a VPN that could stream Netflix content from outside the US. Lately, however, either Netflix has softened its efforts to ban VPNs, VPNs have become better at circumventing those bans, or both have occurred. This means more VPNs can access more streaming content than ever before. However, accessing region-locked streaming content can breach your preferred streaming service's terms of service, so be aware that doing so may result in your account being terminated. What Is the Best VPN for Pornhub? As more states pass age-restriction legislation, another kind of region-locked content that may increasingly require a VPN to watch is porn. In response, Pornhub has blocked access for any users connecting from more than 25 different states in the US. For a guide to watching adult content despite such blocking, check out our guide on how to watch porn safely, as well as our picks for the best VPNs for viewing Pornhub. What Is the Best VPN for TikTok? The bipartisan TikTok ban was scheduled to take effect on January 19, 2025, but the situation was eventually resolved when a group of UAE and US-based investment firms purchased TikTok's US operations on January 22, 2026. While there is no scheduled ban on the horizon, it's not out of the question with growing concerns over age verification laws and censorship legislation around the world. Check out our piece on the best VPNs for TikTok to ensure you have access to your favorite creators no matter what happens. How Many Devices Can My VPN Protect at Once? When shopping for a VPN, consider the following key factors: the maximum number of simultaneous connections, the number of servers, and the number of server locations. Most VPN services let you connect up to five devices with a single account. Any service offering fewer connections is outside the mainstream. You need to connect every device you wish to protect to the VPN service, so a mere two or three licenses often are barely enough for one person, let alone a connected couple or family. This paradigm may be changing, however. Many services offer far more than five simultaneous connections, while others have eliminated the restriction entirely, providing protection for an unlimited number of devices. Avira Phantom, IPVanish, and Windscribe all place no limit on the number of simultaneous connections. (Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.) Of course, there are more than just phones and computers in a home. Game consoles, smart TVs, and smart home devices such as light bulbs and fridges all need to connect to the internet. Many of these things can't run VPN software on their own. To solve the issue, some VPN companies provide instructions on configuring your router to use a VPN, which protects any devices connected to your home network. Where Are My VPN's Servers? One key consideration when selecting the right VPN is the company's global server distribution. Having numerous servers in diverse locations means that, regardless of where you travel, you should be able to find an available server nearby. The closer the server, the better the speed and reliability of the connection it offers. Remember, you don't need to connect to a far-flung VPN server to gain security benefits. Depending on where you live, a server down the street is as safe as one across the globe. We also examine the number of virtual servers and virtual locations that VPN companies use. A virtual server is just what it sounds like—a software-defined server running on server hardware that might have several virtual servers onboard. A virtual location is a server configured to appear to be located elsewhere than its physical location. While neither approach is inherently problematic, choosing one location and discovering your server is somewhere else entirely is worrisome. Some VPN companies take a smart approach to virtual servers, using them to provide VPN services in regions where it might be too risky to physically host a server. When VPNs use these technologies, we prefer that they be transparent about it. What's the Fastest VPN? When a VPN is active, your web traffic takes a more circuitous route than usual. In most cases, this added hop can result in slower download and upload speeds and increased latency compared with a connection that isn't routing through a VPN. The good news is that using a VPN probably won't make you feel like you're back in the dial-up days of yore.  When we test VPNs, we use the Ookla speed test tool. This test provides metrics for latency, download speeds, and upload speeds. Depending on your needs, any of these can be an important measurement; however, we tend to view download speed as the most crucial. We test each VPN ten times and record the median score for each performance category. For more information, see our story on how we test VPNs for the full details. (Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.) In our most recent batch of speed tests, Surfshark emerged as the top performer. You can read more about that result in our full breakdown of the fastest VPNs we've tested. What Is the #1 Best VPN? There are many choices when picking a VPN—so many that we have Editors' Choice-winning VPNs for several use cases. Our current favorite is Proton, which gets a rare 5-star rating and an Editors' Choice award. It takes a strong privacy stance, is fast in our testing, and boasts an impressive collection of advanced tools, along with an excellent free tier. Nord may cost a bit more, but it offers numerous security tools and extras, earning it a 4.5-star rating and our Editors' Choice for premium VPNs. Windscribe, another Editors' Choice, ties Nord's score thanks to its radical privacy and transparency policies—getting started doesn't even require an email address—along with its feature-packed apps across all the platforms we tested.