Best VPNs for Privacy in 2025: Expert-Tested Rankings

How We Tested: Our Methodology

Our VPN testing methodology covers five critical areas:

**1. Privacy & Security (40% of score)** • Verified no-logs policy (independent audits preferred) • Jurisdiction (privacy-friendly countries) • Encryption standards (AES-256, WireGuard, OpenVPN) • Kill switch effectiveness • DNS/WebRTC leak protection

**2. Speed Performance (25% of score)** • Download/upload speeds on multiple servers • Latency impact • Consistency across time of day • Streaming and torrenting performance

**3. Features (15% of score)** • Server count and locations • Simultaneous connections • Split tunneling • Specialty servers (P2P, streaming, double VPN)

**4. Usability (10% of score)** • App quality across platforms • Connection reliability • Customer support quality • Setup difficulty

**5. Value (10% of score)** • Pricing tiers • Money-back guarantee • Free trial availability • Features per dollar

1. NordVPN - Best Overall for Privacy

**Overall Score: 9.6/10**

NordVPN consistently tops our rankings for its combination of ironclad security, blazing speeds, and privacy-first approach.

**Privacy Credentials:** • Headquarters: Panama (no data retention laws) • Four independent security audits (PwC, Deloitte, VerSprite, Cure53) • Verified no-logs policy • RAM-only servers (no data persists) • Proprietary NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based)

**Performance:** • 6,000+ servers in 111 countries • Average speed loss: only 11% • Excellent for streaming (unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer) • P2P-optimized servers

**Key Features:** • Threat Protection (blocks ads, malware, trackers) • Double VPN for extra encryption • Onion over VPN (Tor integration) • 10 simultaneous connections • Meshnet for secure file sharing

**Pricing:** • Monthly: $12.99 • 1-Year: $4.49/month • 2-Year: $3.29/month • 30-day money-back guarantee

**Pros:** ✓ Best-in-class security audits ✓ Fastest VPN we tested ✓ Excellent streaming support ✓ Advanced features included

**Cons:** ✗ Premium pricing ✗ Occasional server congestion

**Best For:** Users who want the most secure, fastest VPN without compromises.

2. ExpressVPN - Best for Speed & Reliability

**Overall Score: 9.4/10**

ExpressVPN is the gold standard for reliability and speed, backed by one of the strongest privacy reputations in the industry.

**Privacy Credentials:** • Headquarters: British Virgin Islands (no data retention) • TrustedServer technology (RAM-only) • Multiple independent audits (KPMG, Cure53, PwC) • Proven no-logs in real-world legal cases

**Performance:** • 3,000+ servers in 105 countries • Proprietary Lightway protocol (extremely fast) • Average speed loss: 15% • Best-in-class connection reliability

**Key Features:** • Split tunneling on all platforms • Network Lock kill switch • Private DNS on every server • 8 simultaneous connections • Router app available

**Pricing:** • Monthly: $12.95 • 6-Month: $9.99/month • 1-Year: $6.67/month • 30-day money-back guarantee

**Pros:** ✓ Unmatched reliability ✓ Excellent customer support ✓ Works in restrictive countries (China, UAE) ✓ Intuitive apps

**Cons:** ✗ Higher price point ✗ Fewer simultaneous connections

**Best For:** Users prioritizing reliability and speed, especially in restrictive regions.

3. Surfshark - Best Value VPN

**Overall Score: 9.2/10**

Surfshark proves you don't need to spend a fortune for premium privacy. It offers unlimited connections and top-tier security at budget prices.

**Privacy Credentials:** • Headquarters: Netherlands (EU, but strong privacy laws) • Independent audit by Cure53 • RAM-only servers • No-logs policy verified

**Performance:** • 3,200+ servers in 100 countries • WireGuard support • Average speed loss: 17% • Good streaming performance

**Key Features:** • Unlimited simultaneous connections • CleanWeb (ad/malware blocker) • MultiHop (double VPN) • Camouflage Mode (obfuscation) • NoBorders mode for restricted regions

**Pricing:** • Monthly: $12.95 • 1-Year: $3.99/month • 2-Year: $2.29/month • 30-day money-back guarantee

**Pros:** ✓ Unlimited devices ✓ Excellent value ✓ Strong feature set ✓ Good speeds

**Cons:** ✗ Netherlands jurisdiction ✗ Smaller server network

**Best For:** Families and budget-conscious users who need to protect multiple devices.

4. ProtonVPN - Best for Privacy Purists

**Overall Score: 9.1/10**

From the makers of ProtonMail, ProtonVPN is built by privacy advocates for privacy advocates. It's the most transparent VPN we've tested.

**Privacy Credentials:** • Headquarters: Switzerland (strongest privacy laws) • Open-source apps (fully auditable) • No-logs policy verified by Swiss courts • Secure Core (route through privacy-friendly countries)

**Performance:** • 3,000+ servers in 70+ countries • WireGuard support • Average speed loss: 20% • Free tier available (limited)

**Key Features:** • Secure Core servers • NetShield (ad/malware blocker) • Tor over VPN • 10 simultaneous connections • Full open-source transparency

**Pricing:** • Free: Limited servers, 1 device • Plus: $4.99/month (billed annually) • Unlimited: $9.99/month • 30-day money-back guarantee

**Pros:** ✓ Swiss jurisdiction ✓ Open-source and audited ✓ Functional free tier ✓ Integrates with ProtonMail

**Cons:** ✗ Slower than competitors ✗ Fewer servers

**Best For:** Privacy purists who want maximum transparency and Swiss legal protection.

5. Mullvad VPN - Best for Anonymity

**Overall Score: 9.0/10**

Mullvad takes anonymity to the extreme—you don't even need an email to sign up. Just a randomly generated account number.

**Privacy Credentials:** • Headquarters: Sweden (strong privacy traditions) • No email or personal info required • Accepts cash payments by mail • Open-source clients • Independent audits

**Performance:** • 800+ servers in 40+ countries • WireGuard native support • Average speed loss: 12% • Consistent performance

**Key Features:** • Completely anonymous signup • Accept cash, crypto, and cards • 5 simultaneous connections • Port forwarding • Custom DNS

**Pricing:** • €5/month (flat rate, no discounts) • No long-term commitment required

**Pros:** ✓ True anonymity possible ✓ Simple, flat pricing ✓ Excellent speeds ✓ No upselling

**Cons:** ✗ Smaller server network ✗ No streaming optimization ✗ Basic apps

**Best For:** Users who want maximum anonymity and appreciate straightforward pricing.

VPN Comparison Table

Here's how our top 5 VPNs compare across key metrics:

| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | ProtonVPN | Mullvad | |---------|---------|------------|-----------|-----------|---------| | **Score** | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 | | **Jurisdiction** | Panama | BVI | Netherlands | Switzerland | Sweden | | **Servers** | 6,000+ | 3,000+ | 3,200+ | 3,000+ | 800+ | | **Connections** | 10 | 8 | Unlimited | 10 | 5 | | **Speed Loss** | 11% | 15% | 17% | 20% | 12% | | **Audited** | Yes (4x) | Yes (3x) | Yes | Yes | Yes | | **Free Tier** | No | No | No | Yes | No | | **Monthly** | $12.99 | $12.95 | $12.95 | $9.99 | €5 | | **Best Price** | $3.29/mo | $6.67/mo | $2.29/mo | $4.99/mo | €5/mo | | **Streaming** | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | | **Torrenting** | Excellent | Good | Good | Good | Good |

VPNs to Avoid

Not all VPNs deserve your trust. Avoid these red flags:

**Free VPNs (Most of Them)** "If you're not paying, you're the product." Most free VPNs monetize by: • Selling your browsing data • Injecting ads into your traffic • Mining cryptocurrency on your device • Providing inadequate encryption

Exceptions: ProtonVPN's free tier is legitimate.

**VPNs with Shady Histories:** • **Hola VPN** - Turned users into a botnet • **Hotspot Shield** - Caught injecting tracking codes • **Betternet** - Found to contain malware • **SuperVPN** - Data breach exposed 360 million records

**VPNs in 14-Eyes Countries Without Audits:** VPNs based in intelligence-sharing countries (US, UK, Australia, etc.) can be compelled to log data. Without independent audits, you're trusting their word.

**Red Flags to Watch:** • No clear privacy policy • Lifetime subscriptions (unsustainable = eventual data selling) • Claims of "military-grade" encryption without specifics • No kill switch or leak protection • Logging "anonymous" data (often not anonymous)

How to Choose the Right VPN for You

Different users have different priorities:

**For Maximum Privacy:** → **ProtonVPN** or **Mullvad** Swiss/Swedish jurisdiction, open-source, no personal info required

**For Streaming:** → **NordVPN** or **ExpressVPN** Consistently unblock Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more

**For Speed:** → **NordVPN** (NordLynx) or **ExpressVPN** (Lightway) Proprietary protocols optimized for performance

**For Budget:** → **Surfshark** Best features-per-dollar, unlimited connections

**For Families:** → **Surfshark** (unlimited devices) One subscription covers everyone

**For Torrenting:** → **NordVPN** or **Surfshark** P2P-optimized servers, strong privacy

**For Restrictive Countries:** → **ExpressVPN** or **NordVPN** Best at bypassing censorship (China, UAE, Russia)

**For Anonymity:** → **Mullvad** No email signup, accepts cash