With online privacy always under attack these days, Virtual Private Network (VPN) services have officially become necessary for anyone who wants to keep their internet activity safe, anonymous, or unrestricted. Whether you want to watch your favorite programs, secure public Wi-Fi, or just simply hide your tracks, a VPN will keep your connection private and safe.
Though, surrounded by hundreds of services showing themselves as the best, finding a trusted VPN can be intimidating. To make your decision-making process easier, we’ve taken the time to test and compare the Best VPN Services of 2025 based on speed, reliability, policy on privacy, streaming, and usability.
Let’s review the Best VPN Services you can trust this year.
1. ExpressVPN
Why Choose ExpressVPN?
- Lightning-fast servers across 105 countries.
- Industry-leading encryption (AES-256-bit).
- Works flawlessly with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
Overview:
ExpressVPN continues to be the go-to choice for users seeking a balance of speed, security, and simplicity. With its Lightway protocol, it delivers exceptional speeds while maintaining military-grade encryption. The app design is clean and available across every major platform — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and even routers.
Its no-logs policy has been independently audited multiple times, and the company’s TrustedServer technology ensures data never touches a hard drive. If you value privacy and performance equally, ExpressVPN is hard to beat.
Average Speed: 920 Mbps
Monthly Price: $6.67 (with annual plan)
2. NordVPN
Why NordVPN?
- Double VPN and Onion-over-VPN for ultimate protection.
- NordLynx, our next-gen protocol for speedy, stable connections.
- Torrent and HD streaming support.
Overview
NordVPN is perhaps the most reputable name in cyber security, combining solid privacy and a massive network of over 6,400 servers in 110 nations. It’s best known for its double layers of encryption, and for its Dark Web Monitor, which alerts users if their credentials were found on the dark web.
Threat Protection blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites; and the easy to use app is simple to set up. If you want complete security, along with performance consistency, NordVPN is worth consideration.
Average Speed: 910 Mbps
Monthly Price: $4.49 (with 2-year plan)
3. Surfshark
Why Pick Surfshark?
- Unlimited device connections with one subscription.
- The CleanWeb feature blocks ads and malware.
- Great speeds for the price.
Overview:
Surfshark delivers great protection for a fair price. Even being economical, it performs just as good as other offers. It provides unlimited connections of devices you want which is great for large families or just a lot of devices. It has a Camouflage Mode to hide your usage and MultiHop servers to provide more privacy touch up. They have also introduced performance improvements with their Nexus network technology to increase speed and provide IP rotation of better use. For the price, you simply cannot beat Surfshark.
Average Speed : 870mbps
Monthly price: $2.49 (with 2-year plan)
4. CyberGhost
Why pick CyberGhost?
- It has specialized servers for Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
- 45-day money back guarantee — longest in the market.
- Transparent company with log reporting audit reports.
Overview:
CyberGhost has over 11,000 servers in over 100 countries making it the largest network of any other VPN provider. Their optimized streaming server makes streaming smooth and with no buffering for all pertinent platforms. The user interface is beginner friendly and color coordinated for easy choice when new customers are choosing a server for specific functions of streaming, gaming or torrenting. Their open methods show their commitment for privacy, including posting transparency reports online on a regular basis.
Average Speed: 850 mbps
Monthly price: $2.19 (with 2-year plan)
5. ProtonVPN
Why Use ProtonVPN?
- Created by the guys behind ProtonMail.
- Open-source and independently audited.
- Free version available (with no data limits!).
Overview:
Based in Switzerland, a country usually associated with strong privacy laws, ProtonVPN offers a solid array of features for those looking for true anonymity. It even offers Secure Core servers that route traffic through multiple privacy-friendly countries.
The free tier is a nice touch (unlimited data, but speeds are limited), whereas the premium tier unlocks high-speed Plus servers and the ability to use Tor. Its open-source nature and transparency also make ProtonVPN one of the most dependable VPNs around.
Average Speed: 810 Mbps
Monthly Price: Free / $4.99 (with annual plan)
6. Private Internet Access (PIA)
Why to Consider PIA?
- More than 35,000 servers around the world.
- Proxy settings for advanced use.
- An open-source provider with an established no logs policy.
Summary:
PIA is loved by tech-savvy users looking to take control of encryption strength, protocols, and network options. The platform also has great performances while enabling you to specify security preferences.
Besides, PIA features split tunneling, port forwarding, and multi-hop connections offering users more flexibility than even the highest-end competitors. It works with all major operating systems and even includes a built-in ad & tracker block!
Average Speed: 800 Mbps
Monthly Price: $2.03 (locked in with a 3-year plan)
7. AtlasVPN
Why to Consider AtlasVPN?
- An easy to understand interface making it perfect for beginners.
- Trade superior level of privacy and ongoing safe speeds.
- Great pricing along with awesome support for streaming.
Summary:
AtlasVPN is a newer VPN player on the scene but has made quite the splash with their attempt to provide turbo speed with an easy to navigate User Interface. They are owned by Nord Security (developed and owned by the developer behind NordVPN) which provides an extra layer of credibility.
The app even supports SafeSwap servers that allows your IP address to be rotated (while maintaining your connection) regularly and automatically – this is rare at this price point! They are a great option for beginners looking to understand how VPNs work while providing security.
Average Speed: 790 Mbps
Monthly Price: $1.82 (with 2-year plan)
8. Mullvad VPN
Why Use Mullvad?
- No email or personal info needed for a username.
- Transparent ownership and open-source software.
- Flat-rate pricing – one price plan for everyone.
Synopsis of Mullvad VPN:
Mullvad VPN elevates privacy to a new level. Instead of an email address to connect your identity to Mullvad, you are issued a random account number, so there is no identifiable data. Rather than marketing extravagant features, Mullvad simply sells trust and straight-forward services. Mullvad uses the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, allowing strong and consistent speeds. Mullvad’s flat-rate pricing and rigorous no-log policy will fit the needs of anyone who will trade some bells and whistles for complete anonymity.
Average Speed: 760 Mbps
Price Monthly: $5.00 flat rate
9. Hide.me
Why Use Hide.me?
- Independently audited no logs policy.
- Advanced tunneling protocols (IKEv2, WireGuard, and OpenVPN).
- Free plan available and has limited usage.
Synopsis of Hide.me:
Hide.me offers the right balance of security and usability. Its advanced encryption used with Hide.me will ensure that no data leaks, while allowing the user to swap between protocols to determine optimum satisfaction to consumers. And if you want to try using Hide.me, the free version will provide an off-ramp for an occasional user, while the premium version has streaming optimized servers, a multi-hop route option, and split tunneling.
Average Speed: 740 Mbps
Price Monthly: Free / $3.84 (when bundled into annual plan)
10. TunnelBear
Why Choose TunnelBear?
- Friendly design and easy to use.
- Strong AES-256 encryption.
- Great for beginners.
Overview:
TunnelBear combines solid security presented in a fun application which makes it easy for new users to engage. It is great for incidental browsing, possibly unlocking some censorship, and casual streaming.
TunnelBear may not be as sophisticated as ExpressVPN or NordVPN – but it has a simple and engaging user experience, adds a level of humor to the application, and is a privacy-focused organization that has independent audits each year of their business practices.
Average Speed: 710 Mbps
Price Per Month: Free / $3.33 (Annually)
Quick Comparison Table
| VPN Service | Speed | Streaming Access | Devices | Starting Price (Per Month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 920 Mbps | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer | 8 | $6.67 |
| NordVPN | 910 Mbps | All Major Platforms | 6 | $4.49 |
| Surfshark | 870 Mbps | Netflix, Disney+ | Unlimited | $2.49 |
| CyberGhost | 850 Mbps | Netflix, BBC iPlayer | 7 | $2.19 |
| ProtonVPN | 810 Mbps | Netflix, Hulu | 10 | Free / $4.99 |
| PIA | 800 Mbps | Most Platforms | Unlimited | $2.03 |
| AtlasVPN | 790 Mbps | Netflix, HBO Max | Unlimited | $1.82 |
| Mullvad | 760 Mbps | Netflix (Limited) | 5 | $5.00 |
| Hide.me | 740 Mbps | Netflix, Disney+ | 10 | Free / $3.84 |
| TunnelBear | 710 Mbps | Basic Streaming | 5 | Free / $3.33 |
Conclusion
Every VPN in this roundup has its own advantages:
- ExpressVPN and NordVPN continue to be number one on our list for the best experience and privacy.
- Surfshark is forsure unbeatable in terms of value and unlimited connections.
- ProtonVPN and Mullvad are both excellent options for anyone who uses an open-source model and wishes to have the open-source transparency.
The best VPN for you will always depend on the attributes that are most important to you — speed, price, or privacy. No matter the specific service you choose, you are guaranteed a faster, safer, and more private online experience in 2025.
Which VPN do you trust the most? Please, leave a comment below, and tell us about your experience regarding the vpn service you have used!
For more reviews and comparisons on technology, visit our most recent blogs on InsiderXP.
