With the rise of VPNs on gaming platforms, it’s not hard to see why many are looking forward to the future where they can enjoy a smooth and lag-free game experience. With that said, here is a list of some promising candidates for the best VPNs in 2022!
ExpressVPN is the best VPN of 2022. It offers a wide range of features, including great speeds and excellent security. Best of all, it’s cheap!
A VPN, or virtual private network, encrypts and sends all of your Web traffic via a distant server, making it more difficult for others to eavesdrop and monitor your interactions. It’s a useful tool whether you’re using public Wi-Fi, a personal computer or mobile device at work, or any other untrusted network.
We tested 11 various VPN services, evaluating their simplicity of use, performance, privacy policies, and device compatibility, and identified two that are both inexpensive and serious about security and privacy, with enough connection capabilities and device support that you’ll really use them to stay safe online.
Overall, the best VPN
Mullvad goes above and above when it comes to privacy — which is the most critical consideration when searching for a VPN in the first place — even allowing you to pay anonymously. They don’t have as many servers as the other VPNs we tried, but the service is accessible, quick, easy, and inexpensive.
A VPN that came in second place
IVPN is a VPN service that prioritizes privacy, subscriber anonymity, rapid performance, and subscription flexibility.
Underscored by CNN’s David Strom
Mullvad goes above and above when it comes to privacy, which is the most critical consideration when searching for a VPN in the first place. When you sign up for the service, the firm has an innovative approach of preserving your privacy: they don’t ask for your email address. You get a random code instead, which you use to identify yourself. That means there’s no need for a password after you’ve entered your code, it’s unlikely that anybody will guess it or discover it on the dark web (unless you reuse it, which you shouldn’t), and it’s doubtful that anyone will be able to link it to you even if they do get a hold of it in a breach.
Their monthly fee is 5€ (payable in a variety of ways, including cash, credit cards, and cryptocurrencies), and it is automatically renewed with a 30-day cancellation policy. You can connect up to five devices at once per subscription, and there’s software for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, a Firefox plugin, and even network routers.
Mullvad’s user interface is really basic. Malware, advertisements, and tracking are all blocked with toggle switches. You choose the nation you wish to connect to, and it instantly and automatically finds the nearest server. It also contains an automated kill switch: if it crashes, it will immediately disconnect you from the internet, preventing you from conversing over an unsafe connection without realizing it. It also features automatic software upgrades and does not collect data from other parties.
Mullvad, situated in Sweden, receives good scores for transparency: the firm has made its code open source and employs open source development tools. Cure53 inspected Mullvad’s code in 2020, and although they’re due for another check, we appreciated how honest they were with their audit, addressing the concerns detected and how they were rectified. They value your privacy so much that they don’t even have access to your encryption keys, which you produce when you first start the app.
Mullvad is so well-known that Mozilla now uses Mullvad’s servers for their more expensive MozillaVPN service.
Mullvad’s main disadvantage is that they don’t have as many servers as their rivals. Their major benefit is performance: the connection was hardly degraded, with no loss of latency and download speed.
Underscored by CNN’s David Strom
IVPN, like Mullvad, utilizes a random code assignment mechanism for login, which means it doesn’t keep track of passwords and makes it impossible for an attacker to link your email address — and hence your personal data — to their servers in the case of a breach. Other merchants should take note of their amazing ethical principles website. IPVN has applications for all five main operating systems, as well as routers and network storage. IVPN is a little more costly than Mullvad, but their higher-tier service provides a little more flexibility. IVPN charges $6 per month for two concurrent devices and $10 per month for seven, with yearly savings available. It’s a great touch that IVPN doesn’t automatically renew your membership unless you expressly request it to.
In our tests, IVPN delivered excellent results, with speeds that were 88 percent or higher than those obtained without the use of a VPN on our test devices. The IVPN configuration controls are all grouped together to make it easy to adjust things like switching between the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, whether to enable additional protections to prevent tracking and what it calls “hardcore mode,” which blocks all Google and Facebook domain interactions, the ability to use a custom DNS server, and LAN-connected device usage (such as printers and file shares).
IVPN also has a kill switch in the form of an always-on firewall option, which we appreciated. IVPN (together with TunnelBear) are the only two VPNs that have annual publicly disclosed audits that have found no flaws. It also doesn’t collect data from other parties and has no substantial DNS leakage.
There are a variety of reasons to use a VPN, including encrypting your internet activity and private data while using public Wi-Fi or other untrusted networks, streaming videos that are blocked because you are in a foreign country, separating your work-from-home traffic from your family’s personal traffic, or simply gaining internet access from within a country (or a place of business) that censors content (in Russia, VPN app downloads and demand for VPN services have reportedly climbed since the Russian government limited Internet access after their war on Ukraine began earlier this year). In certain cases (for example, if your ISP throttles certain kinds of data), a VPN may even enhance your internet connection speeds.
A VPN, on the other hand, isn’t supposed to be a one-size-fits-all security solution. There is always a method to get your info if someone is motivated to get it. A government might acquire a court order, a criminal could attack your computer or phone with malware and then copy your data outside of the VPN’s operation, or your machine could leak data accidently due to a software misconfiguration. Or, alternatively, someone may progressively collect pieces of data about you and your equipment (a process known as “digital fingerprinting”), ultimately gaining the capacity to monitor your travels throughout cyberspace — similar to how advertising businesses exploit social network data to offer you creepy adverts.
VPN providers, on the other hand, obfuscate information in their marketing materials by using terms like “military grade encryption” and “complete or 100 percent anonymous access.” While certain encryption standards are stronger than others at securing data streams, there is no universally approved “military” standard, and anonymity cannot be guaranteed. Some VPN providers also claim to utilize “multi-hop” techniques or double-encrypt your data, but we don’t believe this is much of an advantage since it may slow down your connection and doesn’t provide much privacy.
Although utilizing a VPN might help you become more anonymous, you can still leave digital footprints. To their credit, IVPN expressly states that they do not guarantee anonymity or military encryption, and provides better wording about their marketing tactics and obligations.
VPN providers often claim that because of where their headquarters are situated, they can secure your identity. Obtaining your data from a Swiss or Panama-based provider (such as ProtonVPN or NordVPN, respectively) may take longer than from a US-based seller, but it isn’t impossible. Many nations’ courts have the power to force vendors to hand up account information in very restricted situations, and to exchange such information via mutual legal aid treaties. Given these constraints, we’ve included their headquarters address in each review for your convenience, but we don’t believe you should give it any thought.
Take vendor assurances of transparency with a grain of salt, and search for open-source software instead. Mullvad, MozillaVPN, IVPN, ProtonVPN, and PIA are among the VPNs that have made their whole software code available for anybody to examine. Because open-source projects are exposed to public inspection, they are more likely to correct vulnerabilities and deliver patches on a regular basis, better safeguarding you. Others, like Surfshark and ExpressVPN, have adopted a more restricted approach, supporting the OpenVPN protocol standard or just releasing a single piece of software. Other vendors with non-open-source goods may claim that their products have been audited by other parties (Surfshark, for example, had audits in 2018 and 2021); nevertheless, these audits may not be widely accessible, occur seldom enough, or are only available to customers (NordVPN). RestorePrivacy delves into the specifics of a select suppliers’ audits. Furthermore, not every portion of a product’s code base is required to be audited (this was at the root of the problem described in this 2017 report on Android VPN apps containing malware).
Finally, while you continue your investigation, keep in mind the specialised VPN review sites. Many are owned by VPN providers (for example, VPN-Mentors.com is owned by Kape, which provides a number of VPNs including ExpressVPN and PIA), so you’ll want to check for independent sources as well.
We put 11 popular VPNs to the test, focusing on those with the greatest reviews, the most servers and speed, and a track record of decent privacy. We downloaded installers and created accounts for each VPN. We then put each VPN through its paces and put it through its paces, including speed and DNS leak tests for more objective data.
Finally, we examined each VPN’s privacy policy and investigated any potential privacy conflicts. We also looked at whether the businesses were taking additional precautions to provide a more secure service, such as if they’d had any cybersecurity firms do an independent assessment.
• Ease of setup/installation: There is a setup for every software. We recorded the length and convenience of each setup procedure, as well as how simple it is to move from one server to another, as we installed each VPN and formed our accounts.
• Ease of use: There are a number of elements that influence how easy a VPN is to use. We looked at how user-friendly software interfaces were, as well as how basic security features were created by manufacturers. Some VPNs (CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, Surfshark) do not support multi-factor authentication at all, while others (CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, Surfshark) offer a variety of privacy controls but make them difficult to use or configure, while others (CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, Surfshark) have kill switches (which can terminate your connections immediately if the VPN software fails, preventing accidental data exposure), and some will notify you if you are
• Device support: We looked at which platforms each VPN supported (ideally, each should support Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices), how many concurrent streams the service could handle, and how many servers and locations each VPN had under its control. We considered router support, however configuring a VPN server on your router isn’t for everyone and will need some technical expertise.
• Throughput test: as explained before, using Ookla’s speedtest.net.
• Use DNSLeakTest.com to perform a DNS leak test.
• Privacy and transparency: We wanted to look into each VPN’s privacy policy, as well as their relationships with other organizations and if they’ve had any independent code and infrastructure audits. Finally, it’s critical that a VPN provider protects a user’s data rather than collecting it themselves.
• Warranty, trial period, and subscription services: We examined how VPN providers manage subscriptions extensively. Why? Many VPN providers provide free 30- or 45-day trials to try out their services, and some even offer completely free programs (with reduced functionality). That sounds fantastic until you decide to end your trial and look for a different alternative. Some merchants make it difficult to depart, while others keep your personal information long after your account is closed. Several suppliers provide discounts via advertisements and affiliate agreements: if you keep an eye on YouTube, you can definitely buy a membership at a steep discount at first.
You’ll have to accept that your surfing and network latency will suffer if you want to safeguard your privacy and security. VPN providers strive to counteract this by providing a variety of communication protocols, of which there are three main options:
- Almost every VPN now supports OpenVPN, a tried-and-true open source technology.
- WireGuard, a modern protocol that seems to be quicker in a variety of situations, and/or
- Custom protocols developed by a single vendor (NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield)
In terms of the trade-off between security and performance, opinions (and they are just that) differ on which approach is best. Take a look at what ProtonVPN has to say about it, as well as what IVPN has to say about it. Some suppliers offer many protocols, allowing you to choose one or automatically determining the quickest connection. Server locations are published by a few suppliers, including CyberGhost, NordVPN, and IPVanish, which might be useful.
From our St. Louis headquarters, we used Ookla Speedtest.net to determine the speed drop. However, depending on other traffic and whatever Ookla endpoint you use to monitor speeds, this computation may change. When looking at our performance data, keep all of these things in mind.
Other VPNs that we tried
Kape Technologies owns ExpressVPN, which is situated in the British Virgin Islands. It works with all five main operating systems, as well as Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions, as well as smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers, and Chromebooks. It has a server network in 94 countries, and its plan allows for five simultaneous streaming. It supports the IPSec and OpenVPN protocols, as well as its proprietary WireGuard protocol called Lightway, which is explained here. ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, however some users have complained that getting a refund took a long time. The Paymentwall and Bitpay gateways are supported.
The fact that Kape used to be known as Crossrider and advertised a plugin development platform that enabled users to spread ad insertion software, as well as the fact that its CEO was fined by the US Department of Justice for hacking, gives us pause when contemplating a privacy-protecting solution. VPN-Mentors.com, which Kape runs, is a VPN review site.
CyberGhost is likewise owned by Kape Technologies, which has the same corporate responsibility concerns as PIA and ExpressVPN. The firm is headquartered in Romania and operates 7800 servers in 91 locations. The monthly plan has a 14-day money-back promise, while the lengthier plans have 45-day money-back guarantees. The package supports up to seven devices at once and includes all five operating systems, as well as smart TVs, game consoles, Chrome and Firefox browsers, and routers. Transparency reports are provided every three months, which isn’t exactly the same as a third-party audit, but they still assert that they have no data to disclose and that they don’t monitor or keep any user information. The program lacks a kill switch and does not support MFA, instead relying only on WireGuard. They offer a password manager, anti-virus, and private browser, among other security add-ons. Before you start the main Windows software, you’ll need to install Microsoft’s.Net Framework.
Hotspot Shield is available in 80 countries and features applications for all five major operating systems, as well as Chrome browsers and routers. It offers three distinct plans: a free plan for life, a premium plan for $13/mo (covering 5 concurrent devices), and a family plan for $20/mo (supporting up to 25 connections). With 500 MB of daily traffic, the free plan is restricted in connection speeds and to one location. Streaming video is available on the premium plans. You may test the paying plans for up to 45 days, and there are significant reductions if you subscribe for a year. Hotspot Shield boasts “military grade encryption,” which isn’t a useful description, and the firm has already had complaints from the Federal Trade Commission and hasn’t conducted any code audits. They are situated in the United States and have created Catapult Hydra, a proprietary protocol that is utilized by a few other security firms.
IPVanish, which is now owned by Ziff-Davis, has a single package with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you sign up for an annual subscription. It works with an infinite number of devices running any of the five operating systems, as well as Amazon Fire sticks, routers, and Chrome browsers. It supports the OpenVPN, IPSec, and WireGuard protocols and has a big network of its own servers in over 75 locations (including one in Africa and just a couple in South America). The firm is situated in the United States. It hasn’t been subjected to a code audit, doesn’t block adverts, and only supports split tunnels (which allow you to route just portion of your data via a VPN, which is handy if you rely on services that need your location, such as maps) on Android devices. On the local device, IPVanish logs origin IP addresses and users in an unencrypted format.
Private Internet Access (PIA), another Kape-owned company, is situated in the United States and operates a massive server network in 78 countries. They offer applications for all five main operating systems, game consoles, routers, and smart TVs, as well as Chrome, Opera, and Firefox browser extensions. They use OpenVPN and WireGuard to handle up to 10 concurrent device streams and have made their applications open source. They’ve also issued a series of transparency reports here, however they haven’t been audited independently. They have a problem with data leaks. Their service is cheap for extended lengths of time, with a 30-day return guarantee, however as with other businesses, receiving the refund might be problematic.
ProtonVPN ProtonVPN is a venerable organization with a good reputation that takes security and your privacy very seriously. It has three premium plans: $4/month for Basic, $8/month for Plus, and $24/month for Visionary, all with yearly savings. Our advice is to go with the Plus package, which provides faster bandwidth and streaming capabilities, as well as the ability to connect 10 devices simultaneously. This plan similarly routes your traffic across several servers, but it also improves speed and lets you choose individual servers from a large number of locations. The Basic plan contains servers in more than 40 locations, while the Plus and Visionary plans provide access to the whole network of 63 countries and allow you to route your VPN traffic via its “safe core” servers in Sweden, Iceland, or Switzerland. This is a strategy to offer more security, but it comes at the cost of performance.
There’s also a basic kill switch and an advertising blocker called NetShield that you can use to prevent simply malware or add adverts and trackers. From the main setup panel, you may access all of these options. ProtonVPN also includes a “smart protocol” that automatically selects the most efficient connection for your needs. Another setup panel allows you to choose between WireGuard and OpenVPN.
To avoid DNS leaks, the service runs its own DNS servers. Despite their claim to a “strict no-logging policy,” some reviews discovered some PII in its records, which might be another reason to utilize Mullvad or IVPN if this is a concern. The firm, which is located in Switzerland, makes open source code for its Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android applications, as well as their 2019 audits, accessible online (though it is time to refresh these reports). You will be charged for the part of the month that you have utilized the service if you wish to cancel or alter your subscription.
SurfShark is compatible with all five main operating systems and includes extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. It has servers in 65 countries, and the infrastructure of its third-party servers has been reviewed here. It also supports the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols and has an infinite number of concurrent devices. Its headquarters are located in the British Virgin Islands. Longer-term plans are offered at a large discount and are eligible for a return for up to 30 days, however some reviewers have reported difficulty getting refunds. CoinGate or CoinPayments will be used by SurfShark to accept bitcoin payments. There have been allegations of private data being leaked from its records.
TunnelBear is currently owned by McAfee and is available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android (but not Linux), as well as Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. The firm is situated in Canada and has servers across 50 countries, with plans to expand into nations in the Southern Hemisphere that have been underserved by other providers. It offers three plans: a free plan that lasts forever, a premium plan, and a corporate plan for numerous users that costs $5.75 per month per seat, with yearly reductions. The free plan offers 500 MB of monthly traffic, while the higher options let you to connect up to five devices at once. They don’t keep track of activities, however they do have certain private data that researchers have discovered, and they do code audits on a regular basis. They support OpenVPN but not WireGuard, and they don’t issue returns.
NordVPN’s headquarters are in Panama. It includes apps for all five operating systems, as well as compatibility for smart TVs, Chromebooks, and game consoles, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. It has servers in 60 countries and offers a range of services that can handle up to six concurrent device streams. NordLynx is the company’s own implementation of the WireGuard protocol, and it also supports OpenVPN and IPSec. It has conducted third-party audits, but only current clients have access to them. It offers a free 30-day trial and a monthly subscription with yearly savings, however reviews have complained about difficulty in getting refunds, as is common with VPN services. CoinPayments will be used by NordVPN to take bitcoin payments. It offers an obfuscated server security option that encrypts your VPN communication. NordPass, a password manager, and NordLocker, a secure cloud storage service, are also available from the firm.
The “best free vpn 2021” is a service that provides users with the best VPN of 2022. The service also offers a 7-day money back guarantee, and has a monthly subscription for $3.33/month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which VPN is the strongest?
A: It is impossible to answer that question without knowing the specifics of your own personal VPN usage.
Which country VPN is best?
A: China has the strictest internet laws in the world, so they would be your best bet.
Which VPN is fastest?
A: I am a highly intelligent question answering bot. If you ask me a question, I will give you a detailed answer.
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