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PrivadoVPN Free serves as an example of what free VPNs can, and arguably, should be more widely capable of. Unlike many of the best free VPNs, PrivadoVPN free offers not only a strong mix of locations, 13 to be exact, including 4 in the US, but also impressive speeds and even some capacity to unblock streaming content across streaming services such as Netflix.

While the 10GB data cap is a limitation, and it does lack any sort of feature offering, the performance you can expect from PrivadoVPN Free matches even some paid VPNs, making it a great entry point to VPNs should you be wary of paying. Plus, if you want to upgrade, PrivadoVPN is among the best cheap VPNs available.

The current Black Friday VPN deal means you can pick up the PrivadoVPN paid plan for a total of $30 for two years of service.

Features

PrivadoVPN Free doesn't excel at its feature offering as, frankly, it doesn't have one. That said, you do get a solid array of traditional VPN capabilities included in the free plan.

You can access OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols, you get access to a kill switch and split-tunneling capabilities, and you can use GeoJump to spoof your GPS location to the location of the VPN server you connect to.

The biggest omission from PrivadoVPN Free is Control Tower. Control Tower is PrivadoVPN's ad, malware, ransomware, and crypto blocker. It also serves as a parental controls hub, giving options to block adult content, substance-related sites, and social media sites, including Facebook, TikTok, X, and YouTube. Plus, it works to block any phishing attempts.

While full protective software is often omitted from free VPNs, PrivadoVPN's omission of Control Tower is made all the more noticeable by its lack of other features. There's no access to multihop or Onion over VPN connections, no password management capabilities, no encrypted storage, no data breach identifiers, nothing. But, this does make PrivadoVPN Free a strong option for value should you not need any of these extras.

Features score: 5/10

Server network

PrivadoVPN Free offers 13 server locations, dropping from the 67 listed as available on its paid service. Despite this, 13 locations is impressive for a free VPN service. Plus, when you consider those locations include the UK, India, Germany, Argentina, the Netherlands, Brazil, France, Canada, Mexico, and four locations in the US, you get a good spread of locations to choose from.

If you're looking for servers in the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, PrivadoVPN Free won't be a stellar choice, no, but for most unblocking needs, be that for streaming or general browsing, 13 locations more than have you covered. Especially when you consider many free VPNs won't offer more than five.

Server network score: 9/10

Apps

PrivadoVPN Free supports a good range of operating systems. It's available on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Android and Amazon Fire TVs, and Chrome. PrivadoVPN's most glaring limitation is Linux, where, instead of simply offering a Linux client, PrivadoVPN expects you to install your own OpenVPN configuration from PrivadoVPN onto a third-party client. If you're on Linux, then it's probably worthwhile looking at other free VPN alternatives.

Apps score: 7/10

PrivadoVPN Free is available on a whole host of platforms, and is consistently designed across most platforms. (Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)Ease of use

PrivadoVPN Free is impressively simple to set up. Going through the steps to set up an account leads you to receiving an email to verify your email address and confirm your account – you're also provided with an extremely complex username which is completely unnecessary unless you were to completely lose access to the email account you use.

Once loaded into the app, PrivadoVPN Free offers little to be confused by. A large icon to connect dominates the view on mobile devices, and the desktop experience is almost exactly the same. While this does make the app impressively simple to navigate and understand, no matter what device you're on, it would be nice for the desktop experience to feel less as though the mobile app had been simply migrated over.

Finding the few customisations you can make is simple enough, icons direct you towards the necessary settings and options, and anything you need can be changed via toggles or selection boxes, making for quick and easy optimisation depending on how you intend on using the service.

Ease of use score: 9/10

PrivadoVPN's Windows app bears many resemblances to its mobile apps, notably lacking any kind of full screen mode. (Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)Speed and performance

PrivadoVPN Free's performance is one of the biggest factors in its rise to the top of our best free VPN rankings. In our latest round of testing, PrivadoVPN Free was easily the fastest of all the free VPNs. We recorded an average local download speed of 564 Mbps.

That's down a little on last time's speed snapshot of 671 Mbps but still considerable faster than Windscribe Free (430 Mbps) and Hotspot Shield Basic (385 Mbps)

While it's likely these speeds won't consistently remain at these heights forever, achieving this puts PrivadoVPN Free among the fastest VPNs we've tested, including across paid providers.

So, if you're looking for the fastest free VPN available right now, PrivadoVPN Free is the clear winner.

Speed and performance score: 10/10

Unblocking

PrivadoVPN Free has a greater unblocking capacity than most free VPNs, mainly because it can manage it at all. On the free plan, we were able to access Netflix in the US and the UK. We had mixed results accessing Disney+, with some occasions of access and others without.

We were more successful accessing BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and ITV, but had no success whatsoever with the likes of Amazon Prime Video, 9Now, or 10Play. Given that free VPNs often outright fail to unblock any streaming services, this result is seriously impressive.

It also proved to be pretty effective for torrenting. However, the combination of high-speed servers and a 10GB data cap means it’s pretty easy to churn through your allotted bandwidth for the month, so be careful how much you download.

Unblocking score: 8/10

Privacy and security

PrivadoVPN Free's biggest letdown is its lack of a third-party audit. Yes, it has a strong no-logs policy, and yes, it's in a privacy-focused jurisdiction, but the lack of a third-party audit means none of this can be wholly trusted quite yet.

Something that does come to its aid is that its no-logs policy is the same across both its paid and free options. This means PrivadoVPN isn't doing what many free VPNs do and uses its free status to find ways to monetize your data to cover the costs of running the service.

If you want to learn more about PrivadoVPN’s overall stance on security, you can check out our PrivadoVPN review here.

Privacy and security score: 8/10

Track record

Given that PrivadoVPN only entered the VPN space in 2019, there isn't a huge deal to talk about in terms of negatives, which is a good thing. So far, the service hasn't experienced any security breaches, nor has it had any concerning interactions with law enforcement, or had any serious flaws found.

The next step to solidifying this for PrivadoVPN will be the completion of a third-party audit and the publication of any kind of transparency report that can shed light on user data requests they may be receiving.

Track record score: 9/10

Customer Support

Customer support options for PrivadoVPN Free aren't extensive. While there is a live chat system, it's not staffed all day, meaning you can be left using its, admittedly extensive, knowledge base to try and find answers you might need.

Should this not give you the answers you seek, there's also the option for email contact with a support agent, which proved to be equally effective during testing.

Customer support score: 6/10

Pricing and plans

PrivadoVPN Free offers an impressive amount of value compared to its free plan. While you are limited to a single connection and you only get 10GB data per month, you can still use the service past this limit, just at 1 Mbps speeds rather than over 950 Mbps.

The biggest feature PrivadoVPN Free misses out on compared to its paid plan is Control Tower, which, as mentioned previously, serves as a protective measure and parental control hub for devices connected to PrivadoVPN. Alongside that, you also gain access to unlimited simultaneous connections, all 67 server locations, and the full suite of connection customisation options.

In reality, getting those added features from only $1.11 per month is a very good deal, but given how much you get with the free plan anyway, PrivadoVPN Free proves itself to be an impressive value for no money.

Pricing and plans score: 8/10

Should you use Privado VPN Free?

It's difficult to flaw the performance of PrivadoVPN Free as a free VPN service. Were it not for its 10GB data limit, PrivadoVPN Free would sit a a clear margin above other free VPNs, especially given its proven capacity to unblock some streaming services, which is a rarity among free VPNs.

If you're likely to go through 10GB quickly, the 1 Mbps throttled speeds thereafter should be something of a concern, even if it's welcome to know that you won't be cut off completely, but this does leave PrivadoVPN Free short of the likes of Proton VPN Free which offers a truly unlimited connection.

That said, PrivadoVPN Free stands above free VPN competition despite these flaws. Plus, the few features you miss out on mean realistically there's an audience of VPN users who could genuinely use PrivadoVPN Free day-to-day, without noticing its limitations, and without feeling insecure in a way often felt when using other free VPNs.

Total score: 79/100

PrivadoVPN Free alternatives

NordVPN – from $2.99 per month
The best VPN overall
NordVPN is one of the most well-rounded VPN services on the market, offering a combination of top-tier security, blazing-fast speeds, and advanced features. It's been fully audited multiple times to confirm both their no-logs policy and the safety of their apps, and alongside a suite of extra security features, it makes NordVPN one of the best choices for keeping your data safe. You can give it a shot yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee. View Deal

Surfshark – from $1.99 per month
The best cheap VPN (and also the fastest)
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN that doesn’t skimp on quality, offering unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription. It also comes with advanced privacy tools like Alternative ID, which allows you to generate new identities on the fly. While it doesn’t have a free VPN tier, it’s priced on par with PrivadoVPN at $2.49 a month when you buy in for two years. You can try it out now with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

ExpressVPN - from $3.49 per month
A beginner-friendly VPN package
ExpressVPN has built a reputation as one of the most reliable and secure VPN providers which is well deserved. It’s a slightly more expensive VPN than most of the other top-tier providers, but in return, you’re getting access to a high-speed server network that spans 148 locations in 106 countries. It’s particularly effective at unblocking streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max, and works in countries with restrictive internet policies.View Deal

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

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NordVPN is currently the best VPN we’ve tested. It has long been known for its features, high speeds, and extensive server network, and our tests not only proved that this is true, but arguably truer than ever.

Despite this, NordVPN isn't perfect. It’s not the best cheap VPN we test, its apps could use some TLC on platforms like Fire Stick, and, although it's not NordVPN's main purpose, its antivirus and antimalware tools could be improved significantly. So, let’s dive into why all that still doesn’t stop NordVPN from ranking as the top VPN provider currently available.

Features

While NordVPN’s vast feature array isn’t instantly apparent when loading it up on any device, it doesn't mean the tools aren't there. Clicking through the left-hand panel on computers, both MacOS and Windows, or tapping along the bottom of your Android or iOS phone reveals the breadth of offerings NordVPN provides.

For a start, if you want to add an extra layer of protection to your standard VPN connection, NordVPN offers both Double VPN, which acts as NordVPN’s multihop solution, and Onion over VPN, which combines your NordVPN connection with the Tor network for improved online anonymity.

Onion over VPN proved to be the more temperamental of the two in testing. Still, given its immense security, this is understandable. We found the Netherlands-based entry point was a more effective way to access the network without massively impacting speeds than the alternative in Switzerland. In fact, the route was only slightly slower than a standard NordVPN connection.

Double VPN was more reliable with only minimal load time delays, regardless of which server we connected to.

One of NordVPN’s biggest selling points outside the core VPN product is Threat Protection Pro, an additional security suite available on Plus plans and above. Included in this is malicious and phishing domain blocking, ad and tracker blocking, malware and vulnerability scanning, scam and fraud alerts, and URL cleaning – and there are even more tools listed in the fine print.

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NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro is one of the VPN's key features, adding to its value. With a wide array of tools to keep you secure while searching, downloading, and streaming online. (Image credit: Future)

In daily use, we found it to be reasonably effective, though it did, somewhat humorously, try and block certain assets and links from loading on competitor VPN sites.

Outside of this, while it thankfully didn’t find any risks on our test machines, it did a good job of tracking any files we downloaded and scanning links to ensure safety, though the tool as a whole did seem to use a tad more processing capacity on our Windows 11 desktop machine than we’d have liked.

Meshnet is the final unique tool in NordVPN’s arsenal. By creating a secure local area network (LAN), Meshnet enables easy, secure access to other devices added to the network from wherever you are. This means you can retrieve and share files or images, and even play games with friends, with up to 60 devices able to connect at a time.

In testing, Meshnet proved simple to set up, especially since it can be downloaded for free on any compatible device, and we were able to use it quickly to transfer images and files between our Windows testing desktop, an iPad, and an Android phone.

Features score: 10/10

Server network

NordVPN’s server network is broad, but not massively superior to its closest competition. It currently boasts over 8,000 servers across 127 countries, which puts it comfortably among the best VPNs in terms of country coverage.

Despite this, it falls short in certain regions like the Middle East and Africa. Here, Proton VPN's coverage is more extensive despite spanning fewer countries overall – even if only by one at the time of writing.

As with most VPNs, NordVPN doesn’t have servers in high-censorship regions such as Russia and China, so we can’t dock points for that.

Server network score: 9/10

Apps

NordVPN’s apps are among the best available, though that doesn’t mean they’re flawless. In terms of coverage, NordVPN is available across everything from major platforms such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android to smaller platforms such as Fire TV Stick and Apple TV.

You can also access NordVPN directly in your browser with extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

Across the majority of platforms, NordVPN's apps are well-designed and intuitive. We found that layout to be simple enough for any beginner to understand without feeling overwhelmed, although they're not as straightforward as ExpressVPN's apps.

Plus, as we will detail later, many apps share similar user experiences, allowing for easy transitions between devices.

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The NordVPN home screen on Windows presents everything you need in a layout simple enough for most people to use without issue. Image 2 of 3

Threat Protection Pro can be accessed via the main menu or the side panel, and gives you instant access to the various tools at your disposal. Image 3 of 3

NordVPN's settings menu is both clear and informative, giving you the information you need to quickly find the setting you want to adjust.

The biggest letdown for NordVPN is its Linux client. NordVPN for Linux still lacks a GUI, meaning you’re left using command lines to use the VPN rather than experiencing the much simpler systems accessible elsewhere.

Alongside this, depending on your generation of Fire Stick, you may encounter a more rudimentary version of NordVPN, which, while entirely functional and effective, looks nowhere near as clean.

NordVPN’s latest improvement to its apps came to its Firefox extension. We were pleased to see the update give the extension a complete overhaul, adding extra features, such as location spoofing, to its functionality, as well as improving overall security.

Despite this, you’ll likely find, as we did, that the experience is still a tad slower than you’d get across mobile or desktop devices.

Apps score: 8/10

Ease of use

As mentioned, NordVPN’s apps are simple enough, though they're not our top choice for VPN newbies.

On our Windows 11 test desktop, we found the setup process impressively simple, thanks to NordVPN’s setup wizard. This was, usefully, replicated on macOS.

Once loaded, NordVPN greets you with several key features: the VPN, Threat Protection, and Meshnet. Navigating to other features is done via the icons on the left-hand side of the app, and we had no difficulty checking out the kill switch, split tunneling, and VPN protocols.

Mobile presents a similarly balanced experience; setup is as simple as downloading NordVPN from the respective app store and either signing in or signing up. The majority of what you see will directly correlate with the experience on a computer, be that Windows or Mac, with a quick connect option and the option to scroll through specific servers.

However, Meshnet is presented in a much smaller fashion among the server list, and Threat Protection doesn’t appear at all on your initial menu.

Accessing NordVPN features on mobile is as simple as clicking through the buttons at the bottom of the screen. (Image credit: NordVPN)

NordVPN's browser extension experience mirrored the experience we had when testing its mobile apps: quick to connect, reactive, and clutter-free.

Plus, despite missing out on some features, as we’ve already mentioned, it works similarly enough to mobile that we had no issues switching between platforms without feeling confused.

Using NordVPN on your TV, be that via the TV app store or a Fire Stick, Apple TV, or similar device, presents a slightly different layout. Opting for something simpler and closer to that of ExpressVPN, which is a definite win, and we found it to be impressively effective and easy to navigate, even when finding features outside the basic VPN.

We encountered some stumbling blocks when using the older Fire Stick interface, which, perhaps understandably, presents a more convoluted interface than its more modern counterparts.

Ease of use score: 8/10

Speed and performance

NordVPN has long been among the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, and our latest round proved no different.

Using NordLynx, NordVPN’s WireGuard-based VPN protocol, we recorded average download speeds of 1256 Mbps to our nearest VPN server and 626 Mbps to a server on the other side of the Atlantic.

That's not bad at all but it's still pretty comfortably bettered by Proton VPN (1521 Mbps / 1242 Mbps) and ExpressVPN (1479 Mbps / 1374 Mbps), although it's important to note that ExpressVPN's quoted speeds are through using the Lightway Turbo protocol which is only available using the ExpressVPN app for Windows.

How we perform speed tests

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Our testing setup uses a cloud PC with a 10 Gbps connection. We use this to record VPN speeds between its Dublin location and a given VPN server. Then, to calculate the averages, we use multiple speed testing sites at different times of the day while connected to the various protocols of each VPN. You can find out more in our VPN testing methodology.

NordVPN's OpenVPN speeds are arguably the best of all, though. They're certainly the most consistent, with the local download average recorded at 974 Mbps and long distance at 857 Mbps. Only ExpressVPN (1038 Mbps / 808 Mbps) managed better but only by a fraction.

Compare that to Surfshark (978 Mbps / 430 Mbps), which dropped by half over long distance, and Proton VPN (240 Mbps / 173 Mbps) which did not fare well with OpenVPN speeds at all.

Speed and performance score: 9/10

Unblocking

Putting NordVPN to the test in unblocking scenarios was, as ever, successful. We used NordVPN with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, 10Play, 9Now, iPlayer, and Channel 4. We even stretched our testing across Netflix libraries in the US, Japan, Canada, the UK, and Australia.

NordVPN performed flawlessly across all our tests. Regardless of the device we used, including our Windows 11 test desktop, Fire Stick, iOS, and Android, we had no issues accessing any streaming services, nor did we encounter any sudden VPN detection warnings. Full marks there, then.

Plus, as we’ve already mentioned, NordVPN’s speeds were superb. This meant we never encountered slow loading times or buffering, even when connecting across different countries.

Unfortunately, NordVPN only offers a handful of server locations that are P2P-friendly. Plus, while speeds are impressive, the lack of port forwarding capability means you can't make the most of any torrents you're seeding. If that's a problem, it's worth checking out Proton VPN.

Unblocking score: 10/10

Privacy and Security

NordVPN’s security capabilities are built from the ground up. It supports two protocols, OpenVPN and NordLynx, NordVPN’s proprietary protocol built on WireGuard.

OpenVPN is the industry standard for a high-security connection, while WireGuard, and specifically NordLynx, is built for speed and usability with mobile devices, but is also impressively secure.

The encryption methods partnered with these protocols are AES-256 on OpenVPN and ChaCha20 on NordLynx. Against current technologies, these methods are some of the most trustworthy and secure available.

If you're worried about quantum computing, NordVPN is already on the case. Post-quantum encryption was introduced to the NordLynx protocol in September 2024, and NordVPN continues to secure itself further in preparation.

Alongside its secure protocols and encryption methods, NordVPN employs a strict no-logs policy, meaning no browsing data is logged by its servers.

This policy was most recently audited by Deloitte at the end of 2024, and the results, as always, were positive. Deloitte did not find any issues or concerns. As NordVPN's fifth overall no-logs audit, the provider is clearly committed to transparency, proving that you can trust it not to keep logs.

What’s more, being headquartered in Panama means NordVPN isn't subject to data retention laws, meaning it wouldn’t have any data to hand over should it face an unavoidable warrant.

Threat Protection Pro offers one of the best VPN antivirus soltutions currently, despite some issues. (Image credit: Future)

Within NordVPN itself are several additional security features. Firstly, the provider offers a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Thankfully, finding the killswitch takes a matter of seconds within the apps, and should you have any concerns surrounding DNS leaks, you can use NordVPN’s free DNS Leak Checker to settle doubts.

We’ve mentioned NordVPN’s Onion Over and Double VPN capabilities already, and, while our testing environment isn’t exactly the environment they’re intended for, we were successful in using both connections to access data in a timely manner.

Threat Protection and Threat Protection Pro are the final security functions NordVPN has up its sleeve. Both aim to provide the same added layer of protection; however, standard Threat Protection works via DNS blocking and requires a VPN connection, while Threat Protection Pro is a standalone system with more advanced capabilities.

This differentiation manifested in testing, as Threat Protection only managed to block 24% of malware links and 34% of phishing links, whereas Pro blocked 79% of malware links and 87% of phishing links.

In practice, we’d always recommend you use a dedicated antivirus software alongside anything a VPN provides, but either way, Threat Protection Pro’s results are a solid foundation to build upon.

As mentioned already, when we put it to the test, we were pleasantly surprised with how it performed, despite a couple of interesting site block attempts and an unusually high demand on our processing power. It was simple to set up and forget about.

Privacy and security score: 10/10

Track record

NordVPN’s track record is nearly flawless. Its most recent misstep came in 2018 when it was discovered that one of its Finnish servers was compromised through an undisclosed remote access management system.

Despite being left by the data centre providers rather than NordVPN, it prompted a complete overhaul of how NordVPN approached security.

Since this overhaul, no further issues have occurred, with NordVPN continuing to invest in improving the core service, server network, and security. As already mentioned, NordVPN has undergone numerous security and no-logs audits, both before and since the incident.

This, therefore, serves as strong evidence of the work NordVPN has put in and provides reassurance that no such issue might recur.

Track record score: 8/10

Customer support

NordVPN offers a whole host of ways to get in touch if you run into roadblocks. The first port of call is typically the 24/7 live chat manned by an AI chatbot.

This live chat was useful to a degree, but is only really capable of directing you to relevant support articles or escalating your case to a human support agent.

The limitations of the chatbot were apparent during testing while trying to troubleshoot issues we encountered with our connection, but thankfully, human support agents were quick to identify and resolve the problem.

Should you require a different avenue of support, NordVPN also offers an email ticketing system, though, as you’d expect, replies tend to be slower.

If you'd rather do your own problem-solving, you can sprawl through a wide array of support articles, video guides, and FAQs, all of which we found pretty helpful throughout testing, to find the answers you need.

Customer support score: 9/10

Pricing and plansNordVPN pricing

- 1-month plans: $12.99/month (Basic) $13.99/month (Plus) $14.99/month (Complete – US-only) £12.09/month (Ultimate – non-US) $17.99/Prime (US-only)

- 12-month plans: $4.59/month (Basic) $5.49/month (Plus) $6.49/month (Complete – US-only) £5.99/month (Ultimate – non-US) $8.49/Prime (US-only)

- 24-month plans: $2.99/month (Basic) $3.89/month (Plus) $4.89/month (Complete – US-only) £4.79/month (Ultimate – non-US) $6.89/Prime (US-only)

NordVPN is one of the best cheap VPNs available, though it doesn’t quite beat Surfshark when it comes to value for money.

Plans start from $2.99/month, but as with most VPNs, the cheapest plans are billed upfront, so you'll pay $71.76 immediately. This does include three months free as a bonus right now, however. If you’re in the UK, this deal is £2.29/month, or £61.83 (plus VAT) upfront.

The issue NordVPN's plan have is that they vary by country – an issue shared by ExpressVPN. If you're in the US (or elsewhere in the world), your plan options differ from those available in the UK.

So, in the US, the best subscription you can buy is the NordVPN Prime plan, costing $6.99/month ($165.36 upfront). Whereas in the UK, your best choice is the Ultimate plan, costing £4.79/month (£129.33 upfront, plus VAT).

The difference between these plans is that while the Prime plan in the US gives you everything NordVPN offers, plus the full NordProtect suite, the Ultimate plan gives you Cyber insurance covering scam loss and ID theft.

Luckily, its best-value plan, the Plus plan, is available on any side of the pond. Costing $3.89/month ($93.96 upfront) in the US and £2.89/month (£78.03 plus VAT upfront) in the UK, which includes all of NordVPN’s VPN features, Threat Protection Pro, and NordPass with data breach scanning.

So if you’re looking for the best subscription to start your NordVPN journey with, this is the one we’d recommend.

Pricing and plans score: 8/10

Should you use NordVPN?

Yes, you should use NordVPN. It ranks as our best VPN for a reason - it doesn’t have any major weak points that dent its armour or give us reason to be concerned about its security or capabilities. Its speeds are superb, its unblocking capabilities are flawless, and it’s got a full suite of airtight security measures.

That said, in some specific circumstances, you might look elsewhere. Want the absolute best speeds out there? Check out Surfshark. Want security that no one comes close to matching? Look for ExpressVPN. Want server coverage in underserved locations? Proton VPN is your bet.

What makes NordVPN special, however, is that if we couldn’t recommend these providers, for whatever reason, NordVPN would provide a near-identical experience that, to most, would leave you wondering what the difference truly is.

Overall score 89/100

1. NordVPN – from $2.99 per month
The best VPN overall
Our latest testing proves that NordVPN continues to lead the pack in terms of providing the best VPN experience possible. Offering a superbly quick and secure VPN, alongside privacy tools designed to safeguard your sensitive data, NordVPN offers an impressive package for a surprisingly low cost.View Deal

NordVPN alternatives

1. Surfshark – from $1.99 per month
The best cheap VPN (and also the fastest)
Surfshark is a more budget-friendly option, offering unlimited simultaneous connections and similar speeds to NordVPN. There’s also a security suite called Surfshark One, which offers features you won’t get anywhere else, such as an identity generator and Surfshark’s private search engine. Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

2. ExpressVPN – from $3.49 per month
The best VPN for beginners and the most secure
ExpressVPN offers comparable speeds and security features to NordVPN, with a slightly higher price tag. In return, you get access to a worldwide network of VPN servers powered by an in-house VPN protocol designed to obfuscate your connection so ISPs can’t disconnect you from the internet. ExpressVPN’s unblocking capabilities are practically unparalleled, and you can trial them yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

3. Proton VPN – from $2.49 per month
A superb all-round VPN and online security alternative
Proton continues to provide one of the most widely known (and respected) security suites available. Offering features such as secure emailing, a password manager, and, of course, a VPN, Proton offers a solution for almost any online security dilemma you may have. View Deal

NordVPN FAQsIs there a NordVPN free trial?

No, currently NordVPN doesn’t offer a free trial. Instead, you can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee should you want to give NordVPN a trial before committing to it long term.

Is NordVPN good for streaming?

Yes, NordVPN is currently the best VPN for streaming. In our testing, it successfully unblocked services, including Netflix (In the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Japan), Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, 9Now, 10Play, and more.

Can I use NordVPN on multiple devices?

You can use NordVPN on up to 10 devices simultaneously. Should you need more devices than this, we’d recommend looking at Surfshark, which offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

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Antigravity has revealed a December on-sale date for its long-awaited A1 drone – but the price is still unconfirmed.

This two-piece set comes in a full set of sizes, with options for men and women, and will keep you toasty with hidden heating.