VSP Team

Today everyday citizens are at odds with their own governments about how the internet should be run and the effect that changes to the status quo have on our freedoms. Privacy is not a privilege, it’s a right, and yet internet users are forced to give up that right each time they log on. Thankfully millions of internet users around the world have discovered the power of virtual private networks (VPNs) over the past decade.

With a whole host of unique features and functions that make browsing much more secure, VPNs offer a level of privacy that a “bare” connection just cannot. With constant leaks and scandals revealing how governments keep tabs on their citizens, it’s no wonder why VPNs continue to grow in popularity.

In the battle to be crowned the best VPN service, providers are striving to enhance their services, improve usability, and lower prices. As of 2017, the premium grade services boast some of the most advanced features imaginable – many of which currently include discounts and promotions.

Here are our choices for the best Virtual Private Networks of 2017 (updated April 24th):

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ExpressVPN

Considered the most reliable market leader, ExpressVPN offers a user-friendly interface with a very helpful customer service team and an impressive network, boasting high speeds with a variety of server locations.

ExpressVPN’s enhanced encryption enables users worldwide enjoy content and privacy with record breaking speeds and location options.

[button  link=”/visit/expressvpn” rel=”nofollow” bg_color=”#d4513f” window=”yes” onclick=”clicky.goal( ‘1807’, null, 1 ); clicky.pause( 150 );”]Visit Express[/button] 

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NordVPN

With an easy setup and a wide variety of servers, Nord offers users the ability to have six simultaneous connections on a trusted and reliable service with excellent customer support.

The software is compatible with most operating systems and mobile devices, which offers flexibility and security for all of your day-to-day needs. Overall this is a great choice for casual web-browsing and surfing.

[button  link=”/visit/nord” rel=”nofollow” bg_color=”#d4513f” window=”yes” onclick=”clicky.goal( ‘2196’, null, 1 ); clicky.pause( 150 );”]Visit Nord[/button]

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IPVanish

IPVanish’s virtual private network is one of the best available. The service offers users one of the most streamlined and efficient experiences around, no matter what their location. Users can log in from anywhere around the world and experience the same fast speeds and quality servers. IPVanish offers subscriptions at a very low price, with options to personalize IP locations and secure your Wi-Fi connection from hackers.

[button  link=”/visit/ipvanish” bg_color=”#d4513f” window=”yes”]Visit IPVanish[/button]

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PureVPN

Offering users a choice of over 500 servers around the world, PureVPN provides leading security features and a platform that is extremely versatile to cater to new and inexperienced users. Plans and prices vary but are competitive with similar options.

[button  link=”/visit/purevpn” bg_color=”#d4513f” window=”yes”]Visit PureVPN[/button]

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Hide My Ass

While the name may sound unprofessional, Hide My Ass takes its job very seriously with its astounding 100,000 IP addresses spread across 900 servers in 300 locations. It also offers great compatibility for both Mac and PC users, as well as an advanced network setup that makes browsing quick, easy, and affordable.  

[button  link=”/visit/hidemyass” bg_color=”#d4513f” window=”yes” onclick=”clicky.goal( ‘1808’, null, 1 ); clicky.pause( 150 );”]Visit HMA[/button]

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VyprVPN

Wrongly considered an entry-level provider, VyprVPN is a leading client that suits even advanced user needs. Although there have been issues with slow loading times and limited connectivity in certain parts of the world, Vypr is constantly upgrading and improving. The client is very affordable but can be a frustrating, especially during peak hours.

[button  link=”/visit/vyprvpn” bg_color=”#d4513f” window=”yes”]Visit Vypr[/button]

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What is a VPN and Why Should You Care?

vpn-cableIf you are new to the concept of digital networks, then you will probably want to get to know what they are, how they work and what they can offer. In this day and age, internet browsing has become a staple activity within most households. With just over three billion people now using the internet, it has never been more important to keep your browsing habits confidential, protect the privacy of your home network, and gain access to content and programs that may be limited in your country of residence.

The latter benefit is one of the main reasons that initially leads people to invest in virtual networks. Whenever you log on to the internet, your computer or mobile devices display their own unique IP address. If this address attempts to view content or multimedia that is restricted to particular regions (such as on Hulu, for example), then it will not be allowed access.

A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a service that reroutes your internet connection and everything you access to another computer through a secure connection. This prevents other people, including your internet service provider, from seeing your internet browsing habits and potentially using them against you, or selling the information to a third party.

The concept of tunneling a connection through a remote server originated as a way for workers to access their office computers from home. The same technology, it was discovered, could allow users to tunnel their connection through a secure encrypted server, thereby hiding their online activity. While both uses are very popular, VPNs have become best known as a way for private users to surf the internet safely.

This is all great, you may be thinking, but a VPN seems like a bit much. As long as you don’t do anything illegal online you having nothing to worry about, right? Unfortunately, it is that kind of thinking that enables legislators to continue to create laws that violate your online rights. As long as there is valuable data to harvest from online activity, someone is willing to put your information at risk.

Online security should be something that everyone cares about. Only a secure VPN can create a truly safe connection that guarantees your privacy.

How Does a VPN Keep You Safe Online?

VPNs cover several different security needs. They offer protection from mass government surveillance, in addition to protection from hackers on public networks. This means that you cannot be targeted by major governmental organizations like the NSA or even small-time cyber criminals just looking to steal your banking information. This is accomplished by routing all of the information you send and receive through a third-party server that encrypts it and keeps it safe.

Virtual Private Networks can also enable you to get around internet restrictions imposed by fascistic governments. A VPN can spoof your geographic location and make websites think you are visiting from somewhere else. Through this, you can bypass government or ISP imposed censorship, download torrents, or even used country-limited services (like Spotify).

There is no better or safer way to browse online than through a VPN.

The Legality and Safety of a VPN

VPNs are legal throughout most of the world. Some countries forbid them, but they are generally allowed as they are routinely used in business settings and a complete ban could be economically harmful.

Using a VPN to download torrents is a moral gray area, but because your identity is hidden, there is no way to trace peer-to-peer connections back to you. If you plan on using your VPN for this purpose, make sure that the service allows it. Many VPNs do not cover torrenting.

When it comes to your online safety, there are three general categories of entities that may try to observe your actions online that you should be aware of: ISP Spying, Untargeted Government Surveillance, and Targeted Government Surveillance.

are-vpns-legalMost ISPs collect bits of information about your browsing activity known as metadata. This information does not specify a user’s personal information, but it can be sold to advertisers, essentially serving as a guide to how to advertise to you. Additionally, your browsing can be tracked and sent to government authorities upon request. This method of data collection can be prevented by using a VPN.

Untargeted government surveillance refers to the wholesale collecting of citizen internet browsing data. Usually done in the name of counterterrorism, this method of surveillance is constantly abused and has been demonstrated to violate First Amendment rights time and again. This kind of targeting can be stopped with a VPN.

Targeted government surveillance, where an official body specifically wants information about you, is generally inescapable and unavoidable. Most users who employ a VPN are not those who worry about such things, but it is generally preferable that law enforcement can target such individuals.

VPN and Content Restriction

When you spend a lot of time online, you are likely to run across the occasional error message relating to geofencing and content restrictions. Typically, these involve sites that are only accessible when you are seen as being located in specific areas in the world. These geolocation-oriented restrictions can be frustrating to encounter, but that aren’t unbeatable. In fact, VPN services are an ideal way for accessing content that is normally unavailable in your country. Here’s how it works.

[box type=”tick”]VPN services allow users to select specific servers for their connection. Often, VPN service providers offer multiple server options, including some located in countries other than where you reside. When you select a foreign-based server for your connection, it makes it appear as though you are actually located in that particular country.[/box]

Since you are using a connection through another country, you can access sites that are reachable based on that country regardless of where you are physically located. This means you can bypass geo-fencing restrictions and enjoy the content instead!

Can you still Netflix and Chill on a VPN?
Can you still Netflix and Chill on a VPN?

The Limits of Getting Around Content Restrictions

VPNs are great tools for getting around content restrictions. They achieve this by telling a website that you are based in a different location from the one you are in. This allows users to watch videos that are location specific and even sign up for services they would normally be unable to use in their home countries.

While most services know that this is being done and are okay with it, there are some who have, unfortunately, prevented people from using the services with a VPN. Most notably is Netflix, a company which banned VPNs after the service became available in most countries in the world. Hulu is another service that forces users to be in areas of coverage.

Thankfully, these limits are not employed by most services and the number of content restricted items that are available far exceeds those which are not.

Why is this a Political Issue?

Most people don’t realize that the internet is ruled by various different bodies. Without governance, it could not function the way we have come to expect and enjoy. The problem, however, is that with the continued growth of the internet and the potential it represents, governments see it as a way to further control what the masses see and think, and many have attempted to implement laws, both nationally and internationally, to exploit this.

You may have heard about net neutrality. It is one of the hottest issues regarding internet regulation to come up in recent years. Net neutrality refers to the concept that every page on the internet should be treated the same. This means that internet service providers (ISPs) cannot charge users differently based on what content they view or what websites they use. It is often debated whether this is a fair practice (mostly by ISPs), but still remains standard policy for the internet in the United States.

In a world where globalization is making its way into all facets of modern life, it does not make sense that one entity should have the power to dominate a borderless and community-driven institution.

best vpns contracts That’s where virtual private networks come in. As their name might suggest, they work by creating a virtual digital network that users can log into. Once accessed, these networks will typically possess their own national IP address. Any interactions that then take place once connected, will operate via this single IP address.

In the case of international browsers, a virtual network can help by masking the real IP address and then providing a new one, thus lifting any restrictions that may be in place as far as location is concerned. Whenever a user logs in to a digital network, they will be able to define a digital location for their browsing.

Setting Up a VPN

Setting up a VPN can be as simple and straightforward as installing any other piece of software. Most VPN providers offer a software suite that provides users with everything they need to begin safe browsing right away. All that the user needs to do is activate the VPN and make sure that it is connected to the desired server.

Not all VPNs offer software for every platform — or at all. When this is the case, they generally provide setup guides to explain how you can manually input the VPN protocol necessary for you to use the service. While these are not always the easiest to use, most VPNs make sure that users have no trouble accessing their resources.

Torrenting With Virtual Private Networks

Torrents are one of the most popular methods for peer-to-peer content sharing available on the internet today. They can make the downloading of large files quicker, providing an efficient method for sharing content, like clips and videos. The technology in itself is completely legal, but the nature of the content being shared can infringe on copyrights. When that is the case, the users involved can be at risk for legal action. Additionally, peer-to-peer sites can present security issues, putting users at risk of downloading malicious files.

Virtual Private Networks allow you to access torrent content anonymously, lowering the risk associated with accessing content that may be under certain legal protections. The connections are generally well encrypted, making it more difficult for others to gain access to your system based on your connection to the torrent system.

VPNs and Your Privacy

Often, the most coveted benefit of using these services is increased privacy while using the internet. The VPN service hides your actual IP address while substituting the IP from your selected provider in its place. This means that tracking your actual location is significantly more complex, and may even be impossible depending on the variable involved. In fact, since you can select the location of the VPN server your traffic routes through, your connection can even appear to be coming from an entirely different country than its true.

Other services are unable to see the origin of your traffic while you are accessing various sites or services online. This includes your ISP as well as various government agencies. Instead, they see the information associated with the server which provides no direct connection to you.

Depending on the service you select, even the VPN provider may have limited, if any, information on you. For example, some services don’t require an email address, a bank-associated method of payment, or even your name. You may have the option of only using a login ID and chosen password, and the chance to use fairly anonymous payment methods like BitCoin. Additionally, most of the best VPN services don’t store any information about your activities while your connection is live, ensuring that no one is keeping a record of the sites you visit or the activities in which you participate.

However, it is important to review all of the information listed in a VPN service provider’s privacy policies and other use oriented policies. Each company will have different operating standards, making it critical to review them in detail before signing up.

The above software represents our top picks for the year. Be sure to check out the free VPN service each one has to offer before purchasing a full license, as trials are a good way to ensure you are satisfied with your provider.

[box type=”info” size=”large”][highlight]Ian Gilbride[/highlight] “I completely agree with the ranking on this site. ExpressVPN is by far the best service I’ve ever come across. I’m in Texas and I’ve visited the majority of their servers. Zero issues, nice payment plans and the customer support team are more than happy to help give advice on how to beat tracking tools!”[/box]

Other Advantages of Private Networks

Another great bonus when using a private network is that your browsing habits will remain confidential. In simple terms, this means that if you want to visit websites without having your IP address logged, or if you want to avoid your details being harvested by pesky spam bots, advertisers, and other irritating databases, a private network will keep all of these things at bay.

What sort of things should you look for when trying to find the top VPN software online? Well, in this day and age there is really no reason why internet users should settle with having all of their data tracked. Analytics tools are one of the biggest offenders, and they will harvest information relating to your gender, age, and location. Take a look at this FTC warning and recommendation on using a virtual private network while traveling. 

Companies invest thousands of dollars in advanced tracking software that monitors your behavior, collates information, and then provides them with data for market research and more. This is how spam emails are able to make their way into our inboxes, and how we end up finding our email addresses signed up to online mailing lists that we’ve never even heard of.

top VPN'sUnique Features of The Best VPN Services

With so many activities to take part in online – from visiting your favorite websites, sharing your opinions in comment sections and forums, keeping in touch with your family, watching movies and streaming videos – the last thing on your mind may be your privacy. As mentioned above, companies, organizations, and data harvesting tools will be desperate to obtain your information.

They use this information to sell products, promote services, and target ads. Virtual clients will eliminate this by tricking these establishments into thinking that you are someone else entirely. Most modern providers offer unique packages that can be customized to suit your needs. This is a great way to minimize your cost while still receiving the benefits of a VPN. 

This is a great way to minimize your cost while still receiving the benefits of a VPN. That’s not to say that you can’t flick between different clients, especially as prices drop and discounts are offered. The most beneficial feature of using online virtual platforms is that there are so many to choose from. 

VPN Era

Before deciding on a service, pay careful attention to the following features:

  1. Ease of use, including a user-friendly interface and device compatibility.
  2. An affordable rate that doesn’t introduce any hidden fees.
  3. An extensive amount of servers to rely on, to guarantee uninterrupted browsing.
  4. A friendly customer support team to assist you, should you ever have difficulties with the software.
  5. A beneficial privacy policy as standard, with the understanding that your information will never be shared with third parties.

To learn more about VPNs, or if you are still looking for the best VPN service to suit your needs, take a look through our comprehensive site.

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28 comments

  1. Really? I prefer PureVPN myself and I used to use Express years ago. They were a little sluggish for me, even when I logged into local servers! Cheap and friendly though, so I’ll admit that.

    • Why do you guys thing Express are advertising so heavily lately?
      I see them EVERYWHERE! Is it that the vpn business is booming or just them?

    • Things change, companies changes and provider of internet services change!

      For example, when all the video streaming companies came out, suddenly providers of proxies etc became dominant in the marketplace. I think PUREvpn are a great provider and perhaps you just had a tiny bad experience with them.

      • We have updated our list to meet the new year (2017) latest updates and recommendations.
        The list is dynamic and should change more often according to market shifts and new services coming out each time..

  2. Thanks for the comparison. Dont you think that these privacy features are a bit ‘novice’?
    Serious protection experts boast about service like the Tor onion and Hula which are also free.
    The above providers are nice and all, but mostly for content locking and not anonymous browsing…

    • I agree, and would like to mention that log-less services are the way to go if you are serious about privacy. If you just want to see Netflix, use private proxies!

    • Hi there,

      Some services cater towards high security and privacy for individuals and enterprises, while the trend in recent years shifted to private users streaming videos, trying to download movies, watch netflix, etc..

      If I had to guess, I’d say most internet users are looking for privacy and vpn to browse the pirate bays or other websites like Kickass or even NetFlix.

    • Gil, don’t you think vpn providers are bound to the law?
      I mean, didnt you see Citizen Four or other documentaries? Try to imagine how these specific security companies are treated by governments, the must keep logs and track everything for the big man above.

      I’ve warned you guys

  3. Has anyone tried HideMyAss? A friend at college did, but they haven’t got back to me with their experience. Any info would be appreciated. V.

  4. What if my family still is using a mac OSx 9.2.8?
    Would the above providers still be relevant – the best for my type of use?

    The main thing for us is watching videos from europe etc.. Thanks!

    • Im pretty sure most vpn providers do not support this type of operating system, but the main ones do – hidemyass / expressvpn etc.. If you are just using such software to browse videos online, why not use popular chrome extensions such as Hola?

      Regards,

  5. Hey all!

    Ive just tried to signup with TotalVPN, which seems like a legitimate provider, but it seems that the free option does not include basic service – like using a united states server.

    Just so you’d know and could update your articles.

    • Thanks for pointing this out.
      To be fair, each service or product has it’s own way of providing freemium type of registration modules.
      I understand this might not be the best solution for you, but know it could be great for someone else’s solution.

      You could always upgrade or use a different, free or paid solution.

  6. It’s kind of frustrating to see the industry go this path.
    In the past it was more about using VPN for anonymity, now it’s strictly to download torrent / browse blocked websites lol.

    Why use paid solutions at all if you can install free chrome extensions or even browsers?

    • Free doesn’t always mean better. You can ask the same about any area in life. Why do people buy mac products? pay for expensive clothing or vehicles?

      As we are living in free society and therefore market, I would actually believe the best vpns would be the paid ones.

  7. Why isn’t Nord available on your top vpn list?
    Isn’t this updated for 2016/2017?

    From what I’m seeing on organic search results and practically everywhere – the company is reliable and offers a great service. Actually, you already reviewed them!

  8. Another one of the top vpn services I would suggest to include will be Mullvad. Yeah, it’s not a mainstream, corporate vpn everybody uses, but that’s the point – they do not log and are under Swedish law, which brings flexibility.

    Also, it’s considerably cheap – so check them out.

  9. Thanks for your article, it was explained very clearly. I wasn’t familiar with VPN services before I read this. How am I supposed to know which VPN is the best one on the list?
    Answer: That totally depends on what you want to use it for. You said that you weren’t familiar with VPNs, so I guess you can start by using a rather cheap and basic VPN. I think you should go for NordVPN or OverPlay at first, and switch to a better one when you get accustomed to it.

    • No, unfortunately not. You’ll have to figure out before purchasing a subscription if the VPN you prefer gives you that option.

  10. I’m going to stay at a hotel next week for business purposes. Do I simply use their wifi or should I use a VPN to make sure my information stays secured? Can anyone help?

    • If you want to be sure that your information is safe, use a VPN. Whenever you travel and end up using a wifi hotspot, others are using the same wifi as you. This is super dangerous because literally, anyone could intercept your web traffic. So, whether you go to any cafe, the hotel or at the airport, use a VPN just to make sure.

  11. Well encryption is really getting important specially in 2017 and coming years ahead. When you see whatsapp and facebook selling them on basis of encryption it becomes really annoying..
    I just read an article on this site called usavpn… they were talking about UK surveillance… and how we are not safe.
    Anyways great write up! i like the point when u said, ease of use and prices should be negotiable for vpn providers.

  12. So, you’re basically saying that I can use servers that are located anywhere in the world? Plus, watch content from any websites anywhere in the world too?

    • Hi Dave, that totally depends. You have to go to the individual websites of each VPN to see where their servers are located exactly. Based on that, you can make a better choice. This will also have an influence on the content you are allowed to watch.

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