Keeping your data safe is crucial nowadays. One of the best ways to do that is by using a VPN service.
VPNs (also known as Virtual Private Networks) protect your identity and information online. They blanket your IP address, allowing you to re-locate yourself cybernetically. Also, using a VPN can help you access websites that are restricted in your region.
In the United States, VPN usage rose exponentially since the beginning of the pandemic. In March, the national use of VPNs rose by 124%.
No matter if you use a VPN to access work servers anonymously or you want to skip censorship, one detail is significant – the VPN provider you pick.
We put together a shortlist of VPN services you can access to help you make up your mind easier.
Namecheap VPN
Namecheap VPN has more than a thousand servers in 53 countries. The US-based company is a DNS provider and domain registrar at its base, which means that they have an excellent infrastructure already.
It has very convenient pricing – only $1.53 per month for the 3-year plan.
IPVanish
IPVanish has over a thousand servers in 55 countries for convenient speeds. The company is also based in the United States.
IPVanish works on most operating systems for smartphones and computers alike. It also features a broad set of characteristics, from DNS leak protection to an advanced kill switch.
The base price is $4.99 per month.
Surfshark
Surfshark is one of the most popular VPN services. You may have seen it on various ads, particularly on YouTube.
The service numbers 3,200 servers in more than a hundred locations. The provider is located in the British Virgin Islands, and it lets people access IP addresses in more than 60 countries.
Through its network is smaller than what some of its competitors offer, the service makes up for advanced features and high speeds.
Plus, Surfshark works on most operating systems and some smart TVs. There are dedicated browser extensions and more.
Pricing starts at $2.49 monthly for a 2-year plan.
NordVPN
NordVPN is another excellent service you should consider. The company is based in Panama, and it numbers more than five thousand servers in over 62 countries. Its main advantages consist of fast connections and very intense security protocols.
With NordVPN, you can pick a custom VPN and run up to six connections simultaneously.
NordVPN has a zero-log policy. It offers extra security. The company has yearly security and policy audits that make it better over time.
On top of a kill switch, the service also has DNS leak protection and other extra gizmos.
You can get NordVPN starting from $3.71 per month if you get the 2-year plan.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the most reputable services of its branch. It features more than three thousand servers in 94 countries, and it got a reputation for its rapid speeds and high levels of security. The company is hosted in the British Virgin Islands.
The main advantage of ExpressVPN is flexibility – It runs on most major operating systems, including Linux and a dedicated browser extension and router support.
It can run up to five simultaneous connections at the same time.
Also, the service works on a zero-log policy. The “Trusted Server” technology they are so proud of runs solely in RAM, which means that none of your data gets stored on an SSD or hard drive, not even for a second.
