The best VPNs can significantly improve your online security by adding an extra layer of protection and making it easier to use streaming services in other countries. They're very useful these days, and a good VPN on your PC or phone is a must.
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates an encrypted connection between your device and the internet, protecting your data from prying eyes while you surf the web. We've thoroughly tested some of the most reliable VPN services of 2024 and compiled a list of the best ways to sign up for a discount. There are many different reasons to use a
VPN. Did you know that your Internet Service Provider collects as much data as possible about your digital activities? According to a 2021 Federal Trade Commission report, top ISPs collected user data on personal topics such as race, sexual orientation, and real-time location. ISPs typically combine and compare this data and share it with third parties.
A VPN can protect you from such widespread data collection practices. Not only does a VPN hide your Internet activity by providing a secure, private "tunnel" to your online destination, it can also virtually change your location to another city or country. This is a great bonus if you want to avoid local access, comply with censorship laws, or try streaming media offers in different locations.
An important thing to keep in mind is that free VPN services aren't worth the risk. For the most part, they're playing that same game of scooping up and selling your data. The good news is there are some great VPN deals available right now, with prices starting at what amounts to less than $2 a month if you prepay for a year or two of service. We've tested a bunch of the market leaders and pulled together our recommendations for the best VPN deals. Just keep a few things in mind:
Some of these offers have countdown clocks claiming the VPN deals are ending today. These are usually marketing gimmicks that have no relationship to the deal's actual end date.
We'll update sale prices when we notice a change, so check back often.
The VPN industry has undergone significant change in the past few years, with all three of our top VPN choices announcing major shifts in corporate ownership. In 2021, ExpressVPN announced that it had joined Kape Technologies, a company that already owns several other VPNs and has raised privacy concerns in the past. In February 2022, NordVPN and Surfshark announced they were merging, although they continue to operate autonomously. We've given ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark fresh reviews in light of these changes, and we continue to evaluate other VPN services as well. Our rankings are subject to change as they reflect our latest findings.