VPN comparison often is the last step in choosing the right VPN service. Shortlisting any two providers to compare their features head-to-head is a good way to pick the best one for your personal needs.

The early days of VPNs met its first use by big corporations to help in protecting sensitive data when establishing a public connection. By using a network like this, a corporation could allow remote workers access and work from any location without the risk of disclosing private data.

However, the ever-growing digital world has stimulated an increasing need for privacy, even for personal use. You can use any of the best VPNs to change your IP address, access geo-blocked websites, hide data logs from ISP and encrypt data transfers.

In this article I compare 5 best VPNs so you can opt for in establishing a secure connection.

VPN speed comparison

VPN Speed Compared VPN Provider Average Speed Loss ExpressVPN 9.2% IPVanish 12.1% Surfshark 10.9% NordVPN 7.7% Cyberghost 13.1%

Most of the VPN speeds you see are usually centered on an average rate. This is one measure most VPN users use to make a distinction between which is the best of all VPN services. However, there is no sure way to measure VPN speed rates accurately except by the VPN provider. Taking a VPN speed test may involve trying out the VPN in different country locations around the world. Therefore this VPN speed comparison was held from VPNuni office in Oslo, Norway. I connected every service to the same three countries: USA, UK and Japan and measured the average loss of speed.

VPN Price Comparison

VPN Price Comparison VPN Provider Starting Price ExpressVPN $6.67 per month (15-month plan) IPVanish $5.28 per month (1-year plan) Surfshark $1.99 per month (2-year plan) NordVPN $3.49 per month (3-year plan) Cyberghost $3.50 per month (18-month plan)

All the best VPNs come with at a price-worthy feature. They include several compatibility features such as security, number of connections, speeds, and server coverage. Of all the VPNs reviewed on the list, the ExpressVPN appears to be the most expensive while the Surfshark comes at the lowest budget-friendly price. ExpressVPN comes with a starting plan of $6.67 per month (15-month plan), IPVanish at $5.28 per month (1-year plan), Surfshark at $1.99 per month (2-year plan), NordVPN at $3.49 per month (3-year plan), and CyberGhost at $3.50 per month (18-month plan). It is quite common to see some of their lesser plans come at the same price range. The best way to measure a good price for a VPN is to check the price equivalent to their features.

5 Best VPN Services Reviewed

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a VPN service with its headquarters located in British Virginia Islands, and it’s a well-secured VPN that permits fast connection speeds over its network. It is quite reliable and also claims to be the fastest VPN on the market, and it holds to this promise. ExpressVPN provides unrestricted access to Netflix. As an incredible to use VPN service, ExpressVPN comes with an easy sign-up process. This VPN can be used anywhere from your computer, Android phone, and tablet, making it an intuitive VPN with excellent multi-platform support. The VPN service also issues unlimited bandwidth and serves its best purpose for online gamers, file sharing experts, and movie streamers.

Speed and Load time

This VPN was stated to be incredibly fast against competitions like CyberGhost, NordVPN, and Surfshark. Now, several tests were taken for the ExpressVPN across various countries, which shows an average connection speed of 157Mbps.

Server Coverage

ExpressVPN is stated to have over 3,000 server counts across 160 cities in 90 countries in the world. It has its best coverage in Europe and the United States. It also presents in locations across Asia and several other countries.

Security and Privacy

A unique feature with the ExpressVPN is that it does not keep any activity logs of users over its network, ensuring user’s privacy over its network. As a more protective feature, the ExpressVPN comes with military-grade AES-256 encryption. It features OpenVPN with TCP/UDP, PPTP, and L2TP/IPsec protocol for adequate protection against security breaches. Besides, the security ExpressVPN comes with a Kill-switch and DNS leak protection.

No. of connections

Another impressive feature with ExpressVPN is the fact that it supports concurrent connections on a single log-in credential. The ExpressVPN allows connection up to five gadgets making suitable for use for small businesses and families.

Customer Service

One of the best standout features of ExpressVPN is its top-notch customer service. Their customer service includes agents who are available for a 24/7 live chat in a case where you encounter any issues with the VPN service. The customer service also comes with a searchable knowledge-based library that allows you to access similar problems that have been resolved in the past.

Price: ExpressVPN comes with a subscription tariff, which is cheaper when you sign up for a more extended plan. It costs $12.95 to run a monthly subscription plan, which might not really seem pleasant. However, if you wish to save yourself some bucks, your best resort is to opt for its longer tariff plans. A six-month subscription plan on ExpressVPN costs no more than $9.99 per month. Also, a 15-month plan on ExpressVPN costs no more than $6.67 per month. The payment can be made through cards, PayPal, bitcoin, and a host of others. To keep payment information anonymous, you can always go for the Bitcoin payment option.

Head-to-Head Comparisons

2. IPVanish

IPVanish is a US-based VPN service that boasts of a host of privacy features and a broad server coverage and provides one of the best customer service satisfaction. However, their claims on the no-log policy may not be valid based on the fact they under the US jurisdiction, which is a member of the 5-eye alliance, putting a dent on their trustworthiness. Other future category includes:

Speed

IPVanish claims to offer the best VPN speeds with most of their top-tier servers in the world. On further testing in different parts of the country, it was found out to have an average download speed of 70Mbps.

Server Coverage

IPVanish has a global server count of over 1,300 servers in 50 countries worldwide. As a top-tier VPN service, the IPVanish does not own any virtual server location. These servers have a wide bandwidth and give an option for geo-spoofing your location, which may appear useful when purchasing plan tickets.

Security

IPVanish boasts of a top-end security protocol that can help protect you against IP address and DNS leaks. With IPVanish, your data traffic information stays private even when a network connection drops. IPVanish uses an OpenVPN protocol with AES-256-bit encryption making it unbreakable by hackers. The VPN service provides you with an IPV4 address while blocking IPV6 and ensuring it doesn’t leak.

No of connections

IPVanish allows up to 10 simultaneous connections to its servers with a single log-in credential. This allows the VPN service to be suitable for small businesses and use by a large family.

Customer Service

Just like most VPNs on this list, the IPVanish also boasts of top-notch, reliable customer service. Their customer service includes agents who are available for a 24/7 live chat in a case where you encounter any issues with the VPN service. Customer service also comes with a searchable knowledge-based library that allows you to access the similar problems that have been resolved in the past.

Price

The IPVanish comes with a price-worthy value, which is cheaper than ExpressVPN but more expensive than NordVPN. Their subscription includes a one month, 3-month, and 1-year plan. IPVanish currently offers its service at discounted prices. A single one month plan comes at $8.00 per month. The 3-month plan comes at a tariff of $7.20 per month, and $5.20 per month for a one year plan. IPVanish offers a 7-days return policy to showcase the quality of their service.

Head-to-Head Comparisons

3. Surfshark

Just like ExpressVPN, Surfshark is headquartered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands. This location is outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Alliance, which assures the fact that Surfshark does not collect any activity logs and information from its users. This VPN is a budget-friendly VPN with loads of attractive features. It is speedy, can be used to access blocked content on Netflix, and more importantly, can ensure a secure connection over any internet network.

Speed

The speed of the VPN usually varies from different server locations in countries worldwide. In New York, a benchmark speed test shows a download and upload speed of 161.18 and 9.07 Mbps respectively, Australia has 150.01, and 5.44 Mbps (download and upload speed) and Paris has a download and upload speed of 170.77 and 8.56 Mbps respectively.

Server Coverage

In terms of global server coverage, Surfshark comes with a low server count up to 140 servers across 160 locations in 64 countries of the world

Security

This VPN service comes with technically essential security features. In terms of its encryption service, Surfshark comes with a strong encrypted AES-256-GCM along with OpenVPN/IKEv2 security protocols. It comes with a DNS leak protection and Kill-switch to help protect your data from the risk of exposure anytime internet Network connection drops.

No. connections

This VPN service has no limit to the number of connected devices it can allow with a single Log-in credential. With Surfshark, you can connect a wide range of devices (from laptops, iPhone, Smart TV, and many others) over the service with just a log-in detail.

Customer Service

The Customer service of Surfshark VPN comes with a 24/7 support via email and live chat for making inquiries in case one encounter any issues.

Price

Surfshark is a VPN with a broad range of features that come with a cheaper budget subscription plan. Although the monthly and low subscription plan may seem no different from other VPNs. Surfshark comes with a single month subscription plan around $11.99 per month, a yearly plan at $5.99 per month. However, it comes with a too good to resist subscription deal at $1.99 per month for a 3-year validity period. This inclusion of the 3-year plan for this VPN makes a fully-featured yet budget-like VPN.

Head-to-Head Comparison

4. NordVPN

If you are on the quest to get a powerful and easy-to-use VPN service at a cheaper price rate, then NordVPN will be an excellent choice. With NordVPN, you can always safeguard personal information such as credit cards, account information. You can even shop online without any worries, also when you use a public Wi-Fi network. Apart from premium security, NordVPN can be accessed anywhere in the world. The NordVPN usually comes in browser extensions and apps, making it compatible across a different range of devices, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. They come with other exclusive features in the following categories:

Speed

The connection speeds of NordVPN varies from country to country. The NordVPN comes with a hassle-free speed around 90Mbps, which is capable of effective streaming and video-torrent activity. Besides, NordVPN comes with a quick connect feature that allows you to establish an effective connection with a single click of a blue button.

Server Coverage

Global Sever coverage determines the extent to which any VPN service can be accessed anywhere in the world. And in the case of NordVPN, it has well over 4,600 server counts in 46 countries worldwide, which is well suited for video-torrenting. This also allows for effective streaming of online services, even in Asian countries like China.

Security

NordVPN comes with a standard reputation for being a solid choice for secure surfing of the internet, even when connected to a public Wi-Fi network. It features effective AES-256-CBC encryption with OpenVPN protocol, which provides exceptional security. For additional security, NordVPN comes with a Perfect Forward Secrecy. There is also DNS leak protection with custom DNS settings for advanced users and a LAN invisibility setting for privacy. It comes with an Onion-over VPN server, which allows users to make use of the Tor browser to access onion websites securely.

No. of connections

NordVPN allows up to 6 simultaneous connections on different mobile devices (likes of tablets, android devices, laptops, and smart TV) with just a single log-in credential. This number of concurrent connections is well suited for use in small businesses and use by a large family in ensuring privacy and security. NordVPN also comes with a multi-platform feature that makes it available as an app or browser extensions on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Apple Smart TV.

Customer Service

A quality high-end customer service for a VPN shows how much a VPN service provider values you as a user. In the case of NordVPN, it comes with the best customer service features like 24/7 live chat, a ticket system, and a searchable Knowledgebase. NordVPN 24/7 live chat service is quite responsive and connects easily to a customer support representative who serves to support with as much information as possible with any questions or issues. The Searchable Knowledgebase includes FAQs providing information on billing, connectivity, and other general pointers.

Price

NordVPN comes with price-worthy features. It comes with moderate subscription plans. It features a subscription tariff plan at $11.95 per month (for a single month plan). The extended subscription plans like the 3-year and one year are quite cheaper as it allows you to save additional bucks. The 3-year plan comes at a price tag of $3.49 per month and $6.99 per month for a 1-year plan. To prove their reliability, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guaranty making it quite reassuring to use. The NordVPN does not come out of the box with any free trial version.

Head-to-Head Comparison

5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a prominent VPN service that is easy to use. It comes as a portable and affordable option that is suitable for use by beginners. It is a well-encrypted VPN that supports most major security protocols. As an intuitive VPN service, the use of CyberGhost allows you access to geo-blocked websites. Also, it enables effective streaming services from applications like Netflix, Hulu, amazon prime, and the likes. The features of CyberGhost comes in the following categories:

Speed and Load time

The CyberGhost is a fast VPN that tends to boost average internet speeds. However, the speed rates differ from different countries with the VPN service available. However, CyberGhost comes with an average download speed of 58.22 Mbps, which can carry out many online activities, including video streaming services.

Server Coverage

The CyberGhost has a sizeable Global world coverage with numerous servers up to over 5,900 sever counts in 90 countries, making it available in major countries worldwide. Invariably, it means better streaming and gaming support in many countries.

Security

As a valuable-priced VPN, CyberGhost provides comprehensive protection for its users. Any CyberGhost user can rest assured that their private and personal information won’t get leaked. The VPN offers a robust military-grade encryption system and keeps no user-logs over its network. CyberGhost uses AES-256 encryption, using Open VPN with TCP/UDP, IPsec, PPTP, and L2TP/IPsec protocol for communication over its server networks.

No. of connections

The CyberGhost subscription plan allows up to 7 concurrent connections on different mobile devices (likes of tablets, android devices, laptops, and smart TV). These simultaneous connections are made possible with just a single log-in credential.

Customer Service

The customer support of any VPN service is often determined by how reliable such a VPN is. And the CyberGhost does well in this regard as it provides excellent customer satisfaction. CyberGhost comes with customer services such as a 24/7 live chat, email, and a searchable knowledge base.

Price

CyberGhost comes in a free-trial and paid VPN service. The paid service of the CyberGhost VPN comes at affordable subscription prices. One unique fact with the VPN is that it comes at reduced prices for a longer period of subscription. Some of its exclusive subscription packages include an annual subscription (12 months) at $5.25 per month. $3.50/ month for an 18-month plan. The VPN comes at a price tag of $12.99/month for a single month plan.

Head-to-Head Comparisons

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Conclusion

The best way to keep your private information safe, such as credit card details when connected to a public network, is to make use of a right VPN provider.

This article compared a list of the best VPN services you should use in keeping you safe online. All VPNs reviewed come with price-worthy features, and they are quite reassuring to use.