The best VPN programs for your computer. Free and paid VPN services. What to choose

In light of events related to Internet access restrictions, censorship and site blocking, I consider it necessary to present you with a translation of a comparative article about VPN services from the LifeHacker resource.

Private Internet Access

This is our favorite service, and judging by the number of awards they have collected, yours too. PIA provides not only traffic encryption, but also anonymization coupled with decoupling from regional location. You can choose an output server from a list of almost 1000 pieces (in 10 different countries). PIA does not store logs, does not prohibit any protocols or IP addresses, and does not store information about user actions. They also support several authorization methods, almost all operating systems (mobile and desktop), and the cost of services starts from $7 per month. You can connect up to five different devices.

TorGuard

The service offers a choice of different types of servers for different types actions. Servers that support the torrent protocol - for downloading data, servers with encryption and anonymity - to ensure a safe and private visit to the network, etc. Particular attention is paid to the issue of DNS leaks - they even offer their own test for verification. Cost of full VPN service starts from $10/month, and if you need specialized ones, they will be a little cheaper. The service has over 200 outlets in 18 countries, no logs, and what's more, they claim that their network is configured in such a way that they themselves have no idea what their users are doing on the Internet. at the moment. They also support almost all operating systems (mobile and desktop), and they also offer an encrypted email service.

IPVanish VPN

An interesting feature of the service is the use of shared IP addresses. This makes it really difficult to identify which users are doing what. In addition, the service has more than a hundred output servers in 47 different countries and the user can choose an output server if, for example, he needs a specific country. The software supports OS X, Windows, Ubuntu, iOS and Android. In addition, the service provides configuration utilities with which you can configure your home router to work with it. The cost of the service is $10/month, and it is possible to connect two different devices if they use different protocols.

CyberGhost VPN

The service has existed for a long time, and, like other participants in the rating, it claims to have no logs and no restrictions on protocol types and traffic. The service offers a choice of output servers in 23 different countries. Interestingly, the service also provides free services, And free users not only can they use it without traffic restrictions, but they can even choose the country of the output server ( free choice consists of 14 countries instead of 23, which is also not bad). The service supports almost all operating systems.
The only difference free accounts is that they turn off after 3 hours of operation and can only work with the official client. The cost of the service starts at $7/month; if you need to connect more than one device, you will need to pay extra.

Do-It-Yourself

Some people believe that if something needs to be done correctly, it is better to do it yourself; and those of them who are sufficiently savvy in IT issues can easily make their own own VPN server. If you do not need output servers in different countries, you can organize your service with using OpenVPN or other options with open source. Many routers support the OpenVPN protocol, and others can be installed custom firmware DD-WRT or Tomato. This option gives you complete control over encryption, access, and other connection issues.

Other services

Other services include the following:

Hideman VPN – cross-platform, no logging

Tunnelbear – among other things, offers a browser addon

AirVPN is perhaps the most feature-rich service

VyprVPN is a good service, but they keep logs of user activity

Mullvad is a Swedish provider that accepts payments in Bitcoin for greater anonymity. The cost of services is 5 euros/month, a choice of four countries is provided for output servers.

25% Private Internet Access
24% TorGuard
23% IPVanish
19% CyberGhost
09% DIY

If you want to receive complete safety, anonymity on the Internet, open access to blocked resources, we recommend purchasing immediately ZenMate. Analogues, especially non-commercial ones, cannot stand comparison with this program, since they cannot boast of the stability and high data transfer speeds of ZenMate.

hide.me VPN It will appeal to both specialists. as well as for amateurs. The client is easy to use, but very finely customized to suit any requirements and tasks. Costs from $5 per month (available free mode with a limited number of countries and traffic), supports all current protocols, allows port forwarding and protects against DNS leaks. It is curious that with such an extensive list of features, its interface is user-friendly. Beginners will only use the “connect” button and be bored with viewing blocked sites, while pros will find any options of interest in the settings, including Kill Switch technology.

CyberGhost– the choice of those who cannot live without torrents. Connecting to the server specific country, you can immediately see whether it supports p2p (most of these servers can be found in the United States of America). Also, the utility is not “heavy” for the system - it cannot slow down, which is good news. It's only lighter and more stable NordVPN And PureVPN- large and well-known Western providers. They are focused not only on banal bypass of blocking, but also on high-quality protection of personal data. The NordVPN client does not write logs, and the company itself is registered in Panama, which allows it to ignore any requests from the authorities to release users’ personal data.

PureVPN implements double tunneling technology, eliminating the possibility of interception of information and provides users with 700,000 IP addresses with the ability to configure different IPs for different programs and services. For example, a separate address for the browser, a separate one for the torrent, etc. You get a reliable connection firewall, and the web service provides access to any site.

Surfshark VPN boasts MultiHop technology, which allows you to connect to 2 VPN servers simultaneously to ensure the highest connection stability. Powerful computer network allows developers to guarantee a good connection, and together with a VPN you get a firewall that is much more reliable than the standard one Microsoft Windows.

VPN Unlimited- on the contrary, it does not impose any special requirements on hardware, costs less and offers a choice of several servers with torrents. This means that you get consistently high speed, and if you notice a slowdown, you simply switch to a free server (there are more than 50 of them in 35 countries around the world). VPN Unlimited also allows you to remove from your computer Internet Security and ad blockers. The program contains Anti-Malware and Adblock. You just need to activate them in the settings. For $39 a year, it's hard to imagine anything better!

Hideman VPN And OpenVPN- products for professionals. They don't need advertising and detailed description. Let us only note that Hideman has a port forwarding function, which is not available in similar utilities.

Completely free projects Betternet And Psiphon Suitable for inexperienced users, especially for bypassing blocking. The developers do not guarantee the security of your data and do not position the programs as secure surfing tools.

Hotspot Shield, on the contrary, is designed to protect the connection in free networks, but also helps to bypass restrictions on visiting certain resources. Available both by subscription and in a free edition with limited speed. Is optimal choice for those who always forget to pay for their subscription in advance. Firstly, it provides a significant discount on a six-month or annual license. Secondly, it does not stop working, but simply limits speeds after the subscription expires.

TunnelBear for Microsoft Windows – a completely new look at the VPN interface. The utility is unusual, made with humor and style. We recommend downloading it trial version just for fun, if you have a free minute.

Russian HideGuard VPN It attracts with its lack of a paid subscription and good characteristics, but it raises questions regarding security, to which the developers do not provide answers. The same can be said about Hola VPN – free software is not recommended by security experts, although it is popular among users.

A huge number of VPN services do the search perfect solution for permanent encryption is difficult. It takes users years to find the best VPN that meets all the basic needs. And as the years go by, so do the funds that could have been spent on better connection protection.

Our VPN review includes a variety of services that differ in cost, reputation and specialization. Comparative analysis more than 150 companies allowed us to highlight the leaders in each popular category.

When you go online, companies and governments spy on you, tracking your activity and collecting data. A VPN is a tunnel between you and the Internet, hiding you from prying eyes. A good VPN company will keep spies away from you, just like a bodyguard or a bouncer at a bar. A bad VPN company, on the other hand, will help spies continue their surveillance.

So, what criteria should a good VPN service meet? According to Internet users, first of all, he must flawlessly cope with his main tasks:

Quick change of IP, allowing you to bypass any government blocking. It is important that the received IP does not have a “bad reputation”, as often happens when using low-quality VPNs.
Ensuring anonymity on the Internet. This is especially true for Russia, since by law providers will be required to preserve all user activity. VPN is the easiest way to avoid ISP recording. But be careful: many companies providing such a service independently collect user data and can release it at the request of government services.
Ensuring the protection of personal data. A good VPN makes every internet connection more secure – even if you're using public network Wi-Fi.

If you plan to use a VPN rarely, then you can stop there. But for the regulars vpn users services, other parameters are also important:

I would like to set general criteria for paid and free services, but for technical reasons this is not possible. If you decide not to pay for a VPN, you will be forced to face all the disadvantages " free cheese", be it advertising, a ridiculous amount of monthly traffic or slow speed loading. Another piece of evidence was the Hola scandal in 2015: then it turned out that the largest free peer-to-peer network was using users’ Internet connections for commercial purposes, about which the Kaspersky Lab team promptly warned Russian-speaking users. As a result, many clients refused the services of an unscrupulous company, and those who hoped for the best were forced to participate in another DDOS attack, which Hola has become notorious for in the last couple of years.

Finding the Best VPN

To find the best VPN, we had to test over 150 services and check user reviews for them. Already at this stage, many participants were disqualified for the following reasons:

When we sifted out all the “unsuitable” representatives, it turned out that there were significantly fewer applicants for the first places than it seemed at the beginning. Without further delay, we present the rankings of the best VPNs in their respective areas.

Best VPN service

Having compared more than 150 services providing VPN services, we have identified the undisputed leader that most fully meets all quality criteria: Private Internet Access. In January 2019, PIA received another award for excellent service: Best Value according to the VPN Service Providers blog, which reviews and reviews all major VPNs. This service operates in the USA, making it not subject to mandatory data retention laws. The speed of VPN gateways reaches several gigabits, so the user does not even notice the difference when switching to a dedicated IP. A simple connection takes no more than a couple of seconds, and flexible settings allow you to set up the VPN of your dreams. Or entrust everything to automation - whichever is more convenient for you.

In the light recent actions on the part of Roskomnadzor, the Obzorio team carried out a repeated check of the specified in this rating VPN services to identify the “Best VPN for Telegram”. And we are forced to admit that the VPN “Private Internet Access”, previously chosen as the Best, has only strengthened its position. We declare with full responsibility that the Best VPN for Telegram is Private Internet Access.

Among the undeniable advantages of the server:

Complete anonymity. The difference between Private Internet Access is that after using it, no data remains at all. This advantage is provided by complex, branched functionality, which competitors have yet to develop. Unlike other services, Private Internet Access does not even leave so-called “circles on the water”, through which professionals collect data on the activity and identities of anonymous users.
No subscriber tracking. The service does not save any data, prompting the user to do the same. Even payment can be made anonymously. When Private Internet Access says that it does not store data about its clients, it means even basic information that any other service would keep on its servers without any treacherous intentions.
Maximum number of encryption methods. The more methods and protocols are available, the lower the likelihood of a hacker attack. The server itself recommends using AES 128, SHA1 and RSA2048.
Huge list of available output servers (more than 1000, in 10 countries). Server selection can be done either manually or automatically.
Supports most existing gadgets and operating systems . You can use Private Internet Access on each of your devices: a paid subscription allows you to connect five computers (tablets, smartphones), regardless of their technical features and geographical location.
Very nice price . You can get complete anonymity, highest speed data transfers in your segment and maximum protection from hacker attacks for five devices for only $6.95 per month. When purchasing access for a year, the monthly price becomes completely “ridiculous”: $3.33 per month, less than in the “economy” segment.

Private Internet Access offers a premium quality of protection, while adhering to all the obligations stated in the advertisement and is always ready for dialogue with the user. His impeccable reputation made him the undisputed leader of today's rating.

Place of Honor

Statistically, users are much more likely to use a VPN for Windows than to secure their connection on other operating systems. This is due to the fact that the majority prefer to use exclusively the “home” Internet, leaving smartphones only for instant messengers and official applications social networks.

The top VPN for the Windows OS family is deservedly headed by Nordvpn. This service has the following advantages:

Low subscription cost. Tariff plans start from $2.75 in 1 month. This best offer on VPN market.
High number of servers (3500 in 60 countries). Each server provides excellent connection speed.
Wide range of encryption protocols. The service will automatically select the optimal settings for Windows, but also allows you to select the protocol manually.
Complete absence of logs. Nordvpn does not record any user data and does not provide it when requested by authorities since it is under the jurisdiction of Panama.

One of the main competitive advantages of NordVPN is the low cost of subscription with a wide range of available services. By paying for your connection, you can connect up to 6 devices (for example, the whole family). If you are only going to use Windows, then NordVPN is best choice both in price and quality.

They provide IKEv2 connectivity for OS X and iOS. IKEv2 is the next generation of encryption. This feature alone definitely justifies the cost of working with this service. ( Vladimir)

Great VPN service and looks great. Strong encryption, tons of features and still works with BBC and Netflix. Top class. (Igor)

Alternative

If it’s not money that’s important to you, but the omnivorous nature of the service, then pay attention to Purevpn. This “pioneer” is one of the oldest VPNs and works better than many “newbies”. Its main advantages:

Huge list of supported devices. If you are a connoisseur of “exotic” things (for example, you prefer Blackberry smartphones or use a router based on DD-WRT), then you have probably already noticed that the search suitable programs can become real torture. Purevpn can handle everything: the service annually expands its capabilities, adding more and more new titles to the collection.
Support for obsolete hardware and old operating systems. If you prefer early versions Windows, then this option is for you.
Excellent technical performance. Purevpn does not limit speed or traffic, protects ID when reconnecting, and provides 24/7 technical support.

Purevpn may not be available to a certain segment of users due to its slightly inflated price ($143.40 for a year), while free version absent. If you are still interested in this service, we advise you not to take an annual subscription right away and wait for seasonal discounts - then the price may drop to a more “increasing” $50.

Best VPN for Windows

Hidemy came very close to the winner in its category: the most accessible service for Windows. With an annual subscription, a month will cost a Russian user only 126 rubles, while all the popular functions are present in full:

Availability software for beginner Windows users and flexible settings for advanced users. The service interface is as friendly as possible for beginners. There's none of the congestion that plagues even the best VPNs, but you can still customize everything to your liking.
No user database. To gain access to all the features of the service, just use the code sent by email.
Free testing day. HideMy offers you to try everything available options and form your impression of the service - and only after that make a decision to subscribe.

In terms of the number of servers, the company is slightly inferior to its competitors: there are only 74 of them. But they are located in 35 countries around the world, so absolute anonymity and maximum accessibility of blocked sites are guaranteed.

One of best programs online for the anonymity of the computer owner. Nowadays, it is especially important to remain anonymous online, since there are a lot of scammers operating on the Internet. Having mastered the important and confidential information about another person's IP, they can make a lot of trouble. In the very best case scenario they will simply throw some kind of virus that will delete files, and in the worst case they will gain access to bank cards and start withdrawing money. This program gives complete anonymity by changing the computer's IP. Any attack directed at this IP will not cause any harm to our computer and all files will remain intact! ( bugagaz, on Otzovik.ru)

Pros: Good speed European servers, free configuration of ports via the web panel, convenient application for PC. Disadvantages: Haven't found any yet. ( Anonymous, For Vpnlist.ru)

Alternative

If you prefer free encryption, then the best choice for you will be the popular Cyber Ghost. This free VPN service operates under Romanian laws, so Russian authorities They will not be able to obtain your data even upon an official request. The following features distinguish the service from its competitors:

The most functional free version. A network with more than 500 proxies, a flexible masking system, no restrictions on traffic and speed - we are used to getting all this only by subscription. Of course, you won’t be given unlimited access to the secure Internet, but the system guarantees three hours of uninterrupted connection. After this period has expired, you will be prompted to connect again.
Convenient online proxy browser. The three-server limit may be a nuisance, but you still get the same high level of protection—with simple management.
High level of data protection. Cyber Ghost not only deletes your data, but also hides you from possible observers.

This is also best service VPN according to Freedomhacker.net: Internet security pioneers note that Cyber Ghost has managed to maintain the approach of a small team of individuals helping to protect the Internet, despite the fact that the company has long grown to the size of a corporation. Experts positively noted the possibility of deep customization of the service, but only experienced users will be able to use it.

Among the disadvantages of the system is the somewhat inflated annual price for paid subscription. For $70, the user will get rid of advertising and will be able to use applications for mobile phones. To “distribute” a VPN to several devices (up to 5), you will have to pay an additional $40 per year. Is it worth it? Everyone decides for themselves. But as a free VPN, this service currently has no competitors.

Best VPN for Android Devices

When choosing the leading VPN for Android, we completely distanced ourselves from the results of the “general” analysis. Encryption applications for phones work differently, and therefore all the technical features of VPN services that are relevant for PCs cease to matter. The undisputed leader in our rating is ExpressVPN, which provides absolute anonymity when surfing from a smartphone or tablet. Among the advantages of the VPN version for Android:

Dedicated apps for each device type. Unlike its competitors, ExpressVPN puts secure mobile surfing at its core, not additional service. This is noticeable in the most serious implementation. Instead of offering a single solution hastily optimized for different versions popular gadgets, the service provides original applications that provide better protection exactly for your device type.
Absolute confidentiality. Security problems on Android are a headache for owners. But ExpressVPN has managed to cover all known vulnerabilities, so your internet connection is truly secure. The service also does not store user data, which means it will not be able to transfer it to the authorities even upon legal request.
Attentive technical support. In the case of a smartphone, problems arise much more often than when using a PC - this applies to any “general” services. ExpressVPN makes up for this hassle the highest level technical support. At any time of the day or night, a specialist in a chat, on a website or forum will answer your question. They will also help you set up the most convenient connection.

If you don't know which VPN is better choose for your phone, feel free to choose ExpressVPN. You will get maximum quality for affordable money. A basic subscription allows you to “share” the service on any three devices.

Best VPN For Mac

The undisputed leader in this category is Vyprvpn. It's optimized for Mac and iOS devices, although it delivers excellent performance on other devices as well. The following indicators allowed the service to leave its competitors far behind:

Better Mac integration. Most popular servers are designed for Windows, despite the fact that they support MacOS, or require too much large quantities additional steps to optimize the VPN for your device. But users choose Mac for its simplicity and concise interface, and only Vyprvpn managed to inherit these “family” features.
The best internet connection in the world. Vyprvpn is ahead of its competitors both in terms of speed and connection reliability.
User-friendly design and functionality. If you are new to anonymous connection issues, then the client will choose for you optimal parameters. If you know exactly what you want from your VPN, then flexible, most conveniently located settings are at your service.

At the moment, Vyprvpn is the best VPN for Mac, and no progress in this area is expected in the coming years. To the great satisfaction of users, the service does not exploit its position and does not inflate prices: a basic subscription will cost $5 per month (unlimited traffic on one connection and one firewall), and the most “advanced” – Premier – will cost $10, while you will be protected by everything up-to-date firewalls, and unlimited traffic will be available for three devices of any type.

Final Thoughts

At choosing a VPN It’s better to focus not on loud ones advertising appeals, but for real problems for which this service is purchased. Ideal services does not exist, but there are companies that come pretty close to the threshold of flawlessness - each in its own niche.

If you are going to use VPN from only one device, then you can choose a company that specializes in Windows protection, MacOS or Android. By choosing the best VPN in your area, you'll get the best results for less money. But if you are the happy owner of a wide variety of gadgets (and you want to protect each of them), then it is better to give preference to more universal service and close your eyes to minor imperfections.

Private Internet Access

This is our favorite service, and judging by the number of awards they have collected, yours too. PIA provides not only traffic encryption, but also anonymization coupled with decoupling from regional location. You can choose an output server from a list of almost 1000 servers (in 10 different countries). PIA does not store logs, does not prohibit any protocols or IP addresses, and does not store information about user actions. They also support several authorization methods, almost all operating systems (mobile and desktop), and the cost of services starts from $7 per month. You can connect up to five different devices.

TorGuard

The service offers a choice of different types of servers for different types of actions. Servers that support the torrent protocol - for downloading data, servers with encryption and anonymity - to ensure a safe and private visit to the network, etc. Particular attention is paid to the issue of DNS leaks - they even offer their own test for verification. The cost of a full VPN service starts at $10/month, and if you need specialized ones, they will be a little cheaper. The service has over 200 outlets in 18 countries, no logs, and what's more, they claim that their network is configured in such a way that they themselves have no idea what their users are doing at the moment. They also support almost all operating systems (mobile and desktop), and they also offer an encrypted email service.

IPVanish VPN

CyberGhost VPN

The service has existed for a long time, and, like other participants in the rating, it claims to have no logs and no restrictions on protocol types and traffic. The service offers a choice of output servers in 23 different countries. Interestingly, the service also provides free services, and free users can not only use it without traffic restrictions, but even choose the country of the output server (the free choice consists of 14 countries instead of 23, which is also good). The service supports almost all operating systems.
The only difference between free accounts is that they are disabled after 3 hours of operation and can only work with the official client. The cost of the service starts at $7/month; if you need to connect more than one device, you will need to pay extra.

Do-It-Yourself

Some people believe that if something needs to be done correctly, it is better to do it yourself; and those of them who are sufficiently IT savvy can easily make their own VPN server. If you don't need destination servers in different countries, you can organize your service using OpenVPN or other open source options. Many routers support the OpenVPN protocol, while others can be installed with custom DD-WRT or Tomato firmware. This option gives you complete control over encryption, access, and other connection issues.

Other services

Other services include the following:

Hideman VPN – cross-platform, no logging

Tunnelbear – among other things, offers a browser addon

AirVPN is perhaps the most feature-rich service

VyprVPN is a good service, but they keep logs of user activity

Mullvad is a Swedish provider that accepts payments in Bitcoin for greater anonymity. The cost of services is 5 euros/month, a choice of four countries is provided for output servers.

25% Private Internet Access
24% TorGuard
23% IPVanish
19% CyberGhost
09% DIY

We tested the most popular VPN services to find out which one is the fastest. The fastest VPN service so far is ExpressVPN, and in this case, the reality lives up to their slogan. By the speed of content loading, which is in most cases key characteristic, PureVPN is in second place.

Finding a VPN service that will make your Internet connection secure can be a tedious task. There are so many services that claim that they are the fastest and most reliable! How can you be sure in this situation that you have done right choice which suits your needs?

Many users who have already browsed the VPN market know: to get reliable protection, sometimes you need to reduce requests regarding the speed and performance of the service; but how much? In this article, we tried to answer this question by testing the speed of the most famous VPN services so that you can make a wise choice, backed by facts.

Why is connection speed so important for a VPN service to work?

Using a VPN greatly improves your online security, but using encryption usually slows down your connection speed. You may not notice much of a difference while you're just browsing the web, but if you plan to frequently download torrent files or watch streams and videos online, such as on Netflix or Hulu, then download speed is definitely the spec you're looking for pay attention.

How is the connection speed to a VPN service measured?

Download speed shows how quickly data can be transferred from the server to your device. Since most online activity (such as loading web pages and streaming videos) consists of downloading, most connections are designed to download files much faster than to upload them. Download speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), so roughly speaking, the higher the number, the faster the connection speed.
File sending speed shows how quickly data from your device is transferred to other users. We need to upload our files when we forward for example large files by email or when we use video chat like skype(because you are transmitting a video signal to your interlocutor). File sending speed is also measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
Ping is the response time of your connection, which shows how quickly you receive a response to your request. Fast ping means that your connection responds quickly, which is especially true in applications where response time is a key characteristic (e.g. computer games). Ping is measured in milliseconds (ms).

Things to remember when testing the speed of a VPN service

Server location

The location of the server will mainly affect the speed of your connection. Most VPN providers give recommendations on which servers are best to connect to, and this mainly depends on where you are actually located, statistics of successful connections, purposes for using the service and speed.

This can be annoying, but to use the service for various purposes, you may need to connect to servers in certain regions - for example, if you want to watch a specific television channel, which is only available for viewing in the United States, or to circumvent censorship.

Internet provider speed

The connection speed provided by your Internet provider also affects the speed of your connection to the VPN service. Speed of the majority high speed connections varies from 10 Mbps to 1 Gb/s. In the case of just such a connection, the connection speed to the VPN service does not depend too much on the speed of the Internet provider. But if your speed is less than this (usually the case when connecting via a modem or using 3G), then this may cause problems with connecting to the VPN.

Communication between your ISP and VPN provider

It's funny, but the higher the speed of your regular Internet connection, the more speed you lose as a percentage. This happens quite often, unfortunately. Even if your connection speed is 50Mbps, which is considered low speed, you probably won't get the best experience from your VPN service. For example, with a connection speed of 5 Mbit/s you will lose only 10-20% bandwidth channel, but if your speed is 100 Mbps, then when connecting to a VPN service you can lose more than half of this speed!

To ensure that the testing was representative, we ran all tests on the same computer, using the same Internet provider, and also set the same location to VPN help(United Kingdom). We used three different services to test connection speed for all VPNs: speedtest.net, fast.com and broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk. As you scroll through the results, you'll see significant differences in results across different testing tools. To determine the fastest VPN service, we aggregated the average results into separate diagram for each VPN service.

Before we start our testing, let's see what our typical ISP speed is without connecting to a VPN service. To our surprise, it is much lower than expected.

Average connection speed without VPN connection:

Connection speed when connecting to VPN:

	ExpressVPN	PureVPN	NordVPN	CyberGhost Pro
Average file download speed	11.88 Mbps	6.98 Mbps	3.4 Mbit/s	2.47 Mbps
Average file sending speed	9.56 Mbps	4.49 Mbps	3.42 Mbps	2.09 Mbps
Average ping	248.5 ms	320 ms	492.5 ms	290 ms

As you can see, ExpressVPN is the fastest service in every way. PureVPN comes in second place, beating out Nord (and last time we ran tests like this it was the other way around - well done PureVPN!) Cyberghost seems to have the lowest scores when it comes to file transfer and download speeds. However, it beats Pure and Nord in terms of server response time.

Let's take a closer look:

So, which VPN service is the fastest?

When it comes to speed, ExpressVPN is the undisputed leader, but your speed can always be further impacted by the speed of your ISP, your location, and server response time.

There is also big difference between download and file transfer speeds, and you should consider these characteristics in relation to what you typically use the Internet for. Before you buy a subscription to a particular VPN service, you should see from our readers.