As the Internet becomes more efficient, many people rely on it for their personal and business use. However, most don’t suspect that unscrupulous individuals might steal their private information to facilitate illegal transactions. For this reason, it is recommended to safeguard your online activities through a VPN (virtual private network). That's why we've created a detailed list of best 11 VPN services to use in 2022.
A VPN encrypts all the data that you place online. When the data becomes encrypted, it becomes harder for anyone to retrieve it in a readable format. This way, it preserves your privacy and prevents anyone from stealing valuable information such as bank accounts and passwords. With more and more services becoming available online, it’s very important to make sure that your details are safe.
However, choosing from a comprehensive list of VPN providers is not easy. VPN technology is a competitive market, and each brand tries to outmatch its rivals which is why we created this article.
To come up with the best choices, we created the following criteria: security, number of servers, number of server locations, number of IP addresses, speed, devices allowed, accessibility to geo-blocked content, money-back policy, and the subscription cost. To narrow down our selection, we focused on paid services only. To save you having to do your own research, here are the best 11 VPN services for 2022.
NordVPN
Since its inception in 2012 by four childhood friends, NordVPN has come a long way. At present, it’s one of the most sought-after VPN service providers with over 12 million subscribers worldwide. Some of NordVPNs features include:
- Kill Switch: The software automatically shuts down when it detects a breach in the connection.
- DNS Leak Protection: When you make changes to the VPN set-up or after OS update, you’re prone to DNS leaks. This is not possible with NordVPN.
- Onion Over VPN: NordVPN provides double security if you want to access the Tor network and get inside the dark web.
- SmartPlay: With this feature, you can access more than 400 geo-blocked streaming websites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Pandora, and others anywhere, anytime.
NordVPN has 5339 servers in 60 countries. The connection runs on variable speed, depending on your location and the site being accessed. It can support up to six devices working simultaneously.
Their plan starts at $11.95/month and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Because of its decent speed and accessibility to geo-blocked sites in many countries, this is the best choice for people who are always on-the-go.
TunnelBear
Ryan Dochuk (Corporate Bear) and Daniel Kaldor (Quantum Bear) founded TunnelBear in 2011. These two have worked for giant companies like Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and RIM before establishing their own company. TunnelBear offers the following features:
- No Logging Policy: It does not collect or store IP addresses and DNS information.
- Strong AES-256 Encryption: It makes the data untraceable even by sophisticated hacking technologies.
- Independent security audits for apps on a regular schedule: This feature enables the app to stay secured and functional anywhere in the world.
Tunnelbear has 1,800 servers spread in 22 countries. The speed is better than its competitors in terms of upload and download, but not in latency. It can access geo-blocked sites but not Netflix. It supports five devices running at the same time.
Their plan starts at $9.99/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee. TunnelBear is a good pick for home use but not for frequent travelers. Its limited coverage can be a hassle for people who move a lot.
Surfshark
Despite being a new VPN player, Surfshark is already making a good impression. It hit the market last year, and its subscribers have grown exponentially. Some say it can rival even the most established companies because of the security features like:
- Unlimited data that supports P2P connection
- Military-grade encryption
- Kill Switch
- DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection
Its CleanWeb browser automatically blocks pop-up messages, advertisements, trackers, and phishing attempts. From 100 servers last year, they now have 500 servers spread in 50 countries, including China. Since they have fewer customers, their connection speed is faster than others. The download speed can be anywhere between 40-80Mbps in the US and Europe. Surfshark has the geo-block capability and can support unlimited devices connected to its server at the same time.
Monthly subscription starts at $11.95/month and it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are more concerned about internet speed than extensive coverage, Surfshark is for you. A family with many users can benefit from its unlimited device connection feature.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is owned and managed by London Trust Media, a private equity firm whose mission is to make the internet safer for everyone. It offers the following features:
- No Logging Policy
- No DNS Leak
- Solid Encryption and other anti-hacking features.
Since 2010, PIA is known for its fast and reliable internet speed. Its download speed averages 81 Mbps, which is faster than most of its competitors. It has more than 3300 servers in 32 countries. It can access geo-blocked contents, including Netflix and torrent sites. Up to 10 devices can simultaneously access the VPN. Ten devices can run simultaneously on a PIA network.
Their plan starts at $9.95/month with a 7-day money-back guarantee. PIA is highly recommended for a family living in North America, where the connection is fast. If you love downloading large files on torrents, this VPN can also come in handy.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands. It offers basic features like anonymous browsing, IP address masking, and unblocking geo-restricted sites in 94 countries. Its advanced features include:
- AES-25 encryption
- TrustedServer technology
- No Logging Policy
- Kill Switch and Zero DNS Leaks.
- Also, their website offers educational apps and blogs on how to use the VPN’s maximum potential.
Express VPN has 160 server locations and can supply download speeds of up to 85 Mbps. It supports five devices at the same time.
The monthly plan starts at $12.95/month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN’s security feature compensates for its high price. If you live alone and want a reliable VPN service, this is a good catch. Because of its simplicity and excellent customer service, even non-techie subscribers can quickly learn its features.
PerfectPrivacy
This Swiss VPN was founded in 2008. At present, it has servers in 26 countries. It provides VPN services fit for Windows, Mac, and Android (iOS still requires manual configuration). Among its many outstanding features, it includes:
- Four times data encryption
- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) capability
- Kill Switch,
- IPv6 support
- No Logs Policy
The server supplies up to 1000Mbps bandwidth. It has limited access to geo-blocked sites (US YouTube, BBC iPlayer, US Netflix can’t be accessed in some areas). Download speed measures 65 Mbps in the UK, 30-35 Mbps in Singapore, while 15-20 Mbps in HongKong. Five devices can connect to the server simultaneously.
PerfectPrivacy VPN’s monthly subscription starts at $12.99/month and comes with a 7-day money-back guarantee. If you are very picky about internet speed, this one’s for you. However, if you are only looking for basic security features, there are cheaper VPNs that can work just the same.
CyberGhost
Being one of the pioneers in the field, CyberGhost VPN takes pride in having 4,660 servers scattered in 61 countries. They now have approximately 10 million users around the world.
CyberGhost VPN offers the following features:
- Reliable 256-AES encryption protocol
- Kill Switch
- DNS-Leak Protection
- No logs policy as well as many standard security features
It allows seven devices to connect to the server at the same time. It can access geo-blocked sites, including YouTube, Facebook, and Netflix. It has a large bandwidth which is great for downloading movies in torrent. The speed ranges between 70-75 Mbps in the UK, 55-60Mbps across Europe, 40-60 Mbps in the US, and 10-20 Mbps in South America.
Prices start at $12.99/month and come with a 45-day money-back guarantee. If you love downloading large files from torrents or YouTube, you can never go wrong with CyberGhost VPN. Its fast speed and expandable bandwidth make NetFlix movie marathons more fun.
IPVanish
IPVanish VPN claims to be “The World’s Best VPN” according to their website. It has the standard security features including:
- Kill switch
- DNS and even IPv6 leak protection
- Secure AES-256 encryption
It has 1,300+ servers across 75 locations. It can access geo-blocked sites, including Netflix and Facebook. It provides unlimited bandwidth and can be used by ten devices simultaneously connected to the server. Download speed tests reveal variable results: European countries- 40-45Mbps, US- 45-65Mbps; Singapore-35Mbps, and Australia-30Mbps. It also supports torrenting with “100% privacy.”
Price starts at $10/month with a 7-day money-back guarantee. If you are looking for a fast and reliable connection, you might consider getting this brand. Aside from its powerful features, it is also cheaper than some of the other VPN providers.
Trust.Zone
Trust.Zone provides anonymity every time you access the web. It boasts the following industry standard features necessary to:
- Conceal your IP address
- Keep data protected from phishing
- Unblock any website
It is headquartered in Seychelles, outside the 14 Eyes Countries. The company has 164 servers in 31 countries, including China. Depending on the plan that you subscribe on, it can support up to five devices working simultaneously. Peak speed in the US can be anywhere between 20-40Mbps.
Subscription rate starts at $8.88/month and they offer a 10-day money-back guarantee. If you are the only user to the server, Trust Zone can give you decent speed and industry-standard security features. It also has one of the lowest rates in the market, so this is perfect for students who are on a budget.
ibVPN
IbVPN is a small player in the VPN arena but has been around for almost 15 years. According to its website, the company is located in Transylvania, a historical region in Romania. The VPN offers the following:
- Access to geo-restricted media content
- No Logs Policy
- OpenVPN + 256-bit Encryption
- No Leaks or Malware Issues a
- Torrenting is 100% allowed
It has 200 servers in 57 countries. ibVPN allows three devices to be working on the server simultaneously. Performance-wise, speed test in EU registers at 64.66Mbps and 15.70Mbps in the US, which is very slow compared to the 97Mbps benchmark.
Subscription rate starts at $10.95/month and comes with a 15-day money-back guarantee.
If you are looking for a VPN service just to get protected, ibVPN is as good as other providers. The major drawback though is its speed. If you are using the Internet for work or gaming, this is not your best option.
Ivacy
With over 1000 servers in 100 locations, Ivacy VPN boasts in providing “the Fastest VPN Server Today.” The company has been around since early 2007. It offers the following features:
- 256-Bit Encryption
- Public Wi-Fi Security
- No Logs Policy and
- Access to geo-blocked sites and streaming services
Ivacy VPN has better speed; with download speed peaks at 46Mbps in the US while 53Mpbs in EU. Five different devices can access the server at the same time. The package is priced at $9.95/month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are looking for an affordable option that comes with a simple interface, Ivacy VPN should be your top pick. It is easy to install and use even for non-techie subscribers.
Summary
There you have it…our choices for the Best 11 VPN Services for 2021. Based on our findings, most of these VPNs offer almost the same features. The big difference lies on the extent of the coverage and internet speed. While many guarantee top-notch protection against security threats, some lead the pack in terms of accessibility and speed. If you are looking for a VPN provider but don’t know which one to choose, let this article be your guide. As a final word, select a VPN that serves your purpose, compliments your lifestyle, and suits your budget.
