Due to widespread hacking, censorship and surveillance, it’s best to seek protection online. Fortunately, virtual private networks (VPNs) use encryption and other security features to protect your privacy online. But you must use only the most secure VPNs to stay safe.
That said, a VPN can help in other ways besides keeping you safe online. For example, it can help you bypass the geo-restrictions of popular streaming sites and enjoy your favorite content. Plus, if it supports P2P sharing, you can download anonymously. But of course, your privacy and security are of the utmost importance. Therefore, you need to be specific in your choice of VPN service.
This article has compiled the most secure VPNs after thorough research and testing. So rest assured that the following providers prioritize user privacy and security.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a well-known and respected VPN provider that offers a wide range of features, including strong encryption and a strict no-logging policy. They are also one of the most affordable providers on the market, making them a popular choice for many users. NordVPN is one of the most popular and secure VPNs.
NordVPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address, so your online activity cannot be traced back to you. In addition, NordVPN has a strict no-logging policy, which means that your data is never stored or monitored. This makes it one of the most secure VPNs available. If you’re looking for the most secure and reliable VPN to use in 2022, NordVPN is a great choice. With its strong security features and strict no-logging policy, you can rest assured that your data is safe and anonymous.
Surfshark
Surfshark is a great quality VPN that you can have at a very affordable price. You can even try it risk-free for 30 days and see for yourself.
Its many international servers (over 3,200 in more than 100 locations worldwide) allow you to securely browse anywhere with a fast and reliable connection. During our last test, it even went from 790 to an impressive 950 Mbps using the WireGuard protocol. However, when you connect via OpenVPN, the speeds are below average.
Surfshark comes with a number of powerful security features. These include obfuscation technology to bypass VPN blocks, its borderless feature that automatically connects you to servers that perform best under strict network constraints, as well as DNS protection, split tunnels, and even an additional layer of protection with dual VPN leap points. And when it comes to encryption, providers use AES-256 across multiple protocols.
Surfshark is a great Netflix VPN, but at our last check, it also did a great job of unlocking nearly every streaming platform. More importantly, we noticed a real commitment to improving its product. Its Surfshark One security suite is a great example of how providers can address current online threats.
ExpressVPN
If you’re looking for the most secure VPN to protect your data and browsing habits, ExpressVPN should be your first choice.
For starters, ExpressVPN has been independently audited for security, proving its no-logging statement. And, perhaps even more impressively, this has been proven in practice – in 2017, authorities confiscated the Turkish ExpressVPN server, but no data was stored on the server or handed over by ExpressVPN itself. That’s what we call a good track record.
TrustedServer is another excellent addition to Express’ arsenal of security features. Essentially, this means that all of ExpressVPN’s servers are running on RAM, not a traditional hard drive. Each reboot erases all data and is unable to store information as designed. Servers running on hard drives can be difficult to fully erase and pose a security threat.
However, perhaps the best thing about ExpressVPN is that while it incorporates the most advanced security features, it is as simple as selecting a server and clicking “Connect” for the user. While you can change a number of options in the background, you can also just use the recommended settings and feel secure.
It’s worth noting that the last time we checked it had a moderate top speed of around 560Mbps. However, this is more than enough for most users and on a domestic line of around 100Mbps it’s impossible to tell the difference between the two.
As a whole package, ExpressVPN is the easiest and most efficient way to ensure your online security.
IPVanish
If you need to connect multiple devices to a VPN at the same time, IPVanish (starting at $3.75/month) is your best choice. With it, you can connect up to 10 devices at a time without any problems. IPVanish has excellent statistics, giving you more than 1,300 anonymous servers in over 75 global locations, and 40,000 shared IP addresses. It also has a clear zero-log privacy policy and ensures your data is secure with 256-bit AES encryption.
The VPN service has user-friendly apps for all devices: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome OS, Fire TV and routers. These apps are reliable and feature-rich, with options such as automatic IP address cycling. one of the main drawbacks of IPVanish is that its interface is not as approachable and intuitive as others, so it may not be the best choice for novice users. However, with its 24/7 customer support, users can quickly get answers to their questions when they need them most.
Proton VPN
No list of secure VPNs would be complete without Proton VPN. The provider is from Switzerland and has a very reliable free plan and a premium version with lots of best-in-class features.
Proton VPN runs more than 1700 servers in more than 66 countries worldwide. Customers can route their connections through multiple Secure Core servers located in enhanced data centers in Iceland, Sweden and Switzerland.
In addition, NetShield offers DNS filtering to defend against malware, ads and trackers. Meanwhile, the unique VPN Accelerator feature increases connection speeds by up to 400% by eliminating various inefficiencies.
Unlike most commercial VPNs, the Proton VPN application is open source and fully subject to public scrutiny. Fortunately, because SEC Consult independently audits the service’s no-logging policy, there’s no need to manually sift through code and the results are available to everyone. Use a premium account to protect up to 10 different devices at the same time.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the most secure VPNs clearly have many features dedicated to security and privacy. They include, first and foremost, top-level encryption, termination switches, precautions against DNS, IPv6 leaks, and secure browsing features.
Other requirements for a truly secure VPN are an independently audited no-logging policy and anonymous payment and registration options. Provider-owned and/or managed DNS servers are also good, and RAM-only servers further ensure that the VPN does not retain any information about its users.
Based on our extensive research, the most secure VPN is NordVPN, followed by Surfshark. Both of these VPNs have numerous features around maximum data security and user privacy, have affordable pricing plans, and are generally considered to be among the best.
