As quite a few new people have joined our community, I decided to do a small comparison of the biggest VPN providers and quickly explain why a VPN might be useful in the first place.
So won’t blabber on:
Why Even Consider a VPN?
- Privacy & Security: VPNs help mask your IP address, encrypt your data.
- Unblock Content: Many streaming services and websites block content based on your location.
- Extra Features: Some VPNs include ad blockers, malware protection, antivirus combos, or even special servers for P2P, Tor, etc.
Key Things to Look For
- Free Trial or Money: Back Guarantee.
- Speed & Reliability: Ideally, use a VPN with optimized protocols (e.g., WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway).
- No-Logs Policy: Check if it’s been audited by a reputable firm.
- Jurisdiction: Some people prefer providers outside the “14-Eyes” intelligence-sharing group for added privacy.
- Simultaneous Connections: More connections mean you can use more devices with the same subscription.
Comparison Table
| Provider | Starting Price | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | From $3.39/month | Fastest speeds (NordLynx), specialty servers, great privacy |
| Surfshark | From $2.19/month | Unlimited devices, good speeds (WireGuard), budget-friendly |
| Proton VPN | From $3.59/month | Strong privacy, Stealth protocol, open-source apps |
| ExpressVPN | From $4.99/month | Lightway protocol, excellent streaming unblocking |
| CyberGhost | From $2.03/month | Specialty servers for streaming & gaming, user-friendly |
| IPVanish | From $2.19/month | Unlimited connections, audited no-logs policy |
| Norton VPN | From $3.33/month | Bundled with Norton antivirus, 60-day money-back guarantee |
| PureVPN | From $2.14/month | Numerous add-ons (password manager, dark web monitor) |
| TotalVPN | From $1.59/month | Simple antivirus+VPN combo, very affordable |
I know this might be ugly to look at on a phone, so I would consider reading the guide on a desktop or bigger screen. Also I made a bigger spreadsheet of all the free trials these VPNs offer, their features list and other information.
Maybe someone will find it useful, here it is: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1j5loKcIoixHxtfT8pBywPslvQF5SOOmOfPClhu79c2c/edit?gid=1007600439#gid=1007600439