The Ultimate VPN Guide for 2025 As frustrating as it is that governments and businesses are running roughshod over our online freedoms, at least we have plenty of good VPNs to choose from for protection. The market is flooded with fast, intelligently designed, and affordable services. The biggest problem is picking one. For any use case, you can bet at least two providers will be neck-and-neck for first place. On the other hand, the VPN world is still the Wild West in some ways. It is easy to slap a cheap VPN together, and many low-quality apps put more money into advertising than infrastructure. They may look good, but it is all styrofoam under the hood. This list of the best VPNs was built after intensive testing to help you focus on the providers that actually deserve your time and money. Which one fits your needs depends on who you are and what you do online, but if you pick any of the seven recommendations, you cannot go too far wrong. What is a VPN and Why Use One? VPN stands for virtual private network. A commercial VPN lets you access the internet with an assumed identity. When you get online, you are assigned a unique IP address, a digital nametag that can be used to create a record of your activity. When you use a VPN, all your data goes through one of the VPNs servers first. The connection between your device and the server is encrypted, so any website or ISP only sees the VPNs IP address, not yours. The three main uses for a VPN are security, privacy, and entertainment. It conceals your real IP from potential threats and prevents your ISP from profiling you for ads. A side effect is that you can appear to be in another country, which is useful for accessing region-locked streaming content or getting around censorship in certain countries. It can even help you find better prices when shopping online. What to Look For in a VPN Choosing a VPN can be overwhelming. Here are the key things to check during a free trial or refund period. Compatibility: Ensure the VPN has user-friendly apps for all your devices, like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Speed and Security: Test your internet speed before and after connecting. Verify your IP address has changed and that the VPN uses expert-vetted protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard. Check if it can unblock streaming services. Background: Research the VPNs parent company, privacy policy, and any past security incidents. Avoid services that are not transparent about their headquarters or have never passed a real third-party audit. Server Network: Make sure the VPN has servers near you and in any countries where you need an IP address. Customer Service: Test the support options by asking a straightforward question. See if they offer phone support if that is important to you. Pricing: Check if the subscription is affordable. Be wary of long-term plans that may renew at a much higher price. Are VPNs Safe and Worth It? As far as we can determine, all the VPNs recommended here are safe to use. Generally, the worst a bad VPN will do is fail to work. Be cautious of free VPNs, as some have been known to transmit malware. Always research a service before downloading. Whether a VPN is worth it depends on how much you value online privacy and access to global content. A VPN gives you more control over your digital footprint. For entertainment, it is a powerful tool to access more shows and movies from streaming platforms. Remember, a VPN does not make you completely anonymous. If you share personal information voluntarily, like posting a password or clicking a phishing link, the VPN cannot protect you. It is a critical part of your security, but it must be paired with strong passwords, malware scanners, and common sense. You can absolutely get a VPN on your phone. Both iOS and Android support them, and almost every provider offers mobile-friendly apps. While Google once offered a VPN through its Google One subscription, it was discontinued in 2024 due to lack of use. Even if you have access through a Pixel phone or Google Fi, it is not recommended. Given Google’s track record with user privacy, it is better to trust your sensitive information to a dedicated privacy-focused provider.
