Top 7 VPN Services for Online Security

Posted on | by admin

A virtual private network (VPN) can help you browse the web without exposing your geo-location or revealing your browsing history. In fact, you can also use VPNs to access blocked websites and online streaming services.

However, with the numerous VPN service providers available nowadays, it can be tough to find the right VPN for you. With that said, here are the top 7 VPN services available today.

 


#1. Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the most recommended VPN for many reasons. However, one of the most significant reasons is that it offers secure surfing with solid encryption and incredible speeds with a great UI and fantastic prices.

As a result, these have made it one of the most well-known and reliable VPN services available.

Many users love it because:

  • It comes at a great price.
  • It has built-in ad-blocking features to stop pop-up ads.
  • It offers secure surfing: stops phishing attempts and malware from attacking your computer
  • Gives you access to over 30 Netflix libraries in over 15 countries, plus other streaming services
  • The Whitelister feature helps certain apps and websites to bypass the VPN
  • It does not log or monitor your surfing history. You can surf easily in privacy.
  • Has ongoing promos to give you reasonable subscriptions rates

Moreover, the reviews for this VPN service are generally good, with the average rating being 9 out of 10 for security/safety, speed, number of servers, and a user-friendly interface.

 Pros

  • Great pricing
  • Secure browsing
  • 24×7 support
  • Many servers
  • Unlimited connections
  • Support for many platforms

 Cons

  • The Linux version can be improved
  • Does not offer a free trial
  • Does not let you select a server of your choice 

#2. CyberGhost

This is another well-known VPN service that’s popular with many web users. In this case, its USP is its ease of use as well as the competitive pricing. Moreover, it helps that CyberGhost supports many platforms and has excellent built-in encryption.

Here are some of the reasons CyberGhost is the second top choice on this list:

  • Intuitive interface that is easy to use
  • Easy to install
  • Supports a wide range of operating systems and environments
  • Great encryption
  • 24×7 support
  • No tracking logs, so you get secure surfing. However, because a maximum of 7 devices can use it, it tracks the devices in use
  • Great pricing with great offers. Great pricing for more extended subscription periods
  • Good VPN speeds with unlimited bandwidth

Of course, these are just some of the many reasons CyberGhost is so popular as a VPN service. In fact, most reviewers give CyberGhost an average of 8.8 out of 10.

Pros

  • 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Great for Netflix and other streaming services. Dedicated streaming servers
  • Great for torrent downloads
  • Good encryption and safety
  • Provides WiFi protection
  • Hides your IP for anonymous surfing

Cons

  • Limited payment options (PayPal, BitPay, and credit cards)
  • Encryption could be better
  • Tracks the seven devices that can connect. Other than that, your browsing is private.

#3. Atlas VPN

My top recommendation for a free VPN would definitely be Atlas VPN. One of its most appealing features is its simplicity. It is among the most affordable VPN services in 2021.

You don’t even have to open an account to use the service. All you have to do is download the appropriate app and connect to the server.

Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS are all supported. There is also a Chrome extension in development.

Among the few free VPNs that unblock Netflix’s geo-restricted content, Atlas VPN is one of the best. Travelers looking to unblock Netflix abroad will especially appreciate this service.

Because it does not limit your monthly data usage, you can browse and stream unlimited amounts of content.

In case you are disconnected unexpectedly, Atlas VPN offers a VPN kill switch that prevents any unencrypted data from leaking. You will have to manually enable the feature as it is not enabled by default.

Premium features include:

  • Advanced Leak Protection (IPv6)
  • Network kill switch
  • Tracker blocker
  • Data breach monitor
  • Safe P2P

 

#4. ZenMate

ZenMate is a German VPN service that started as a free VPN. Among all the VPN services on this list, this one is the least costly and most budget-friendly. In fact, that’s one of the reasons it’s the third top choice here. However, there is one big problem with this VPN service – the security. 

This is the only one on the list that has AES-128 encryption. In contrast, all the others have AES-256 encryption. In addition, another problem users encounter with this VPN is that American Netflix does not work sometimes. However, its pricing model makes it a viable VPN in the market.

With that said, here are some of the features of this VPN that users liked:

  • The low price
  • This VPN hides your IP address, so you are secure online
  • Protect an unlimited number of devices with one account
  • No logs, so you surf securely
  • An extended 3-year subscription gives you a fantastic discount
  • Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Unblocks many online streaming services
  • Stream online live sports
  • Overcome geo-restrictions

Overall, the reviews for this VPN service are 8.1 out of 10 on average, so you can still expect a solid performance from this VPN.

Pros

  • No logs, so your online surfing is secure
  • Unlimited devices can use one account
  • Budget-friendly pricing
  • Supported on many different platforms

 Cons

  • Only offers AES-128 encryption

 

Buying Guide

Of course, there are many free VPN offerings out there. However, free does not always equate to a good VPN. Beware of free VPN services. They may be hotbeds of malware. 

So, if you are new to the VPN market, it’s more recommended that you first try some of the lower-priced VPN services to get the hang of how VPNs work. Once you understand what VPN is suitable for a particular purpose, you can select it.

Not all VPN services are suitable for different kinds of tasks. Some VPN providers are only suitable for online streaming services. In contrast, others are better for torrent downloads, while others can be good for overcoming geo-restrictions.

So, take a look around, and try a few VPN services for a short period until you understand how to use them and which ones to use for a particular task.

Speed of VPN

If you don’t want lag and slowdowns, choose a fast VPN. A VPN affects internet speed because traffic must travel through the VPN server and be encrypted.

To ensure fast VPN speeds, look for these features:

Fast VPN Protocols. Some VPN protocols are faster than others, as shown above. For example, Lightway and WireGuard are fast and secure.

Speed Boosting Features. Some servers for specific use cases such as gaming or torrent, the ability to customize encryption, or split tunneling, where you can only send traffic from certain apps through the VPN server.

Speed-test results. Compare your ping and download speed to regular internet speed tests. Most VPNs offer a money-back guarantee so that you can test their speeds risk-free.

 

Multiple Device Connection

The capacity to have simultaneous VPN connections eliminates the need to disconnect one device to connect to another. This is particularly useful if you have a large household or multiple devices.

You can also search for a VPN that is compatible with routers. By configuring it on your router, you can ensure that all of your home’s Internet connections are protected by your VPN.

 

Reliable Server Network

It would be best to choose a VPN with an extensive server network. Reliable server networks are needed for:

Speed. If your VPN has few servers, they’ll fill up quickly. Slow speeds and instability result.

Geoblocked streaming. To access another region’s streaming library, your VPN must have a server in that country to unblock the website. Some VPNs offer streaming-optimized servers that access regional libraries.

Gaming. Secure gaming requires a VPN with nearby servers. This gives you the lowest ping and minimizes online lag. In addition, some VPNs have gaming-optimized servers, like streaming.

Well Maintained: Choose a VPN with regular server maintenance. This includes bug fixes, software, hardware, IP, and server reboots. This ensures stable performance and access to geo-restricted sites.

 

Privacy & Security

If a VPN doesn’t offer strong security or a clear privacy policy, it’s probably not doing its job. VPNs should have the following features to protect your online privacy:

Good Encryption: Military-grade AES256 encryption is the best.

Leak protection and auto-kill: These protect your IP and browsing data. Even if your VPN disconnects, the kill switch ensures this.

Good security protocols: Your VPN should support secure (and fast) protocols.

No logs Policy: A VPN should not log your data or history. A third-party audit should verify this claim to ensure its accuracy. In addition, your provider should regularly wipe its servers clean of all data.

Privacy & Security. Some governments may demand VPN customer data. VPNs based in 5/9/14-Eyes Alliances countries are at a higher risk. This isn’t a problem if the VPN has a verified no-logs policy. Some VPNs offer extra privacy. This can include server obfuscation, which hides your VPN use and bypasses government censorship. Your traffic is routed through two VPN servers and encrypted twice for multi-hop.

 

Independent Reviews

When you want to find a VPN, you probably search online to find many reviews and comparisons of VPNs. Remember that most of them get paid, and very few do it independently. It’s not always easy to tell which ones are not biased, so be careful about which ones you trust. Nowadays, even reputed new sites do a lot of paid promotion in the guise of editorial content. Always look for community sites such as Reddit or tech forums where veteran users share their experiences.

 

Good Customer Support

Choose a VPN with responsive email, contact forms, and 24/7 live chat support. Even the best VPNs can have problems, so having reliable tech support can be a big help. In addition, 24/7 live chat is the most convenient customer service because you get answers quickly.

 

 

Conclusion

Overall, there are many VPN providers in the market, and each has its benefits and issues. As a result, selecting the best can be a bit tough. Therefore, its highly suggested that you look around, read reviews, do research, and then decide what’s most suitable for you.

In this case, the VPN services listed above are just some of the most readily available options these days. They offer some of the best online security on the market and at competitive prices, too.

With that said, take your pick and enjoy online anonymity and a host of online streaming services.