A VPN, which stands for virtual private network, establishes a digital connection between your computer and a remote server owned by a VPN provider, creating a point-to-point tunnel that encrypts your personal data, masks your IP address, and lets you sidestep website blocks and firewalls on the internet. This ensures that your online experiences are private, protected, and more secure.

Why should I use a VPN service?

For anyone seeking a safer, freer, and more secure online experience, the benefits of using a VPN are myriad. A VPN protects its users by encrypting their data and masking their IP address, leaving their browsing history and location untraceable. This greater anonymity allows for greater privacy, as well as greater freedom for those who wish to access blocked or region-bound content.

Here are some common reasons as to why you might use a VPN:

Secure your data

Sensitive data like work emails, payment information, and location tagging is constantly being transmitted online. This information is trackable and easy to exploit, especially on a public network, where anyone who has access to the network has potential access your personal data. A VPN connection scrambles your data into code and renders it unreadable to anyone without an encryption key. It hides your browsing activity so that no one else can see it.

Bypass censorship and surveillance

Some regions may not have access to certain sites or services due to government restrictions, censorship, or surveillance. Location spoofing gives these users the ability to circumvent firewalls, view blocked websites, and move freely online.

Access or stream regional content from anywhere

Some sites and services restrict their media content based on geographic location, which means you may not have access to certain kinds of content. A VPN disguises, or spoofs, the location of your local server so that it appears as if it's based elsewhere, such as in another country.

Prevent ISP and third-party tracking

Through your device's unique IP address, internet service providers (ISPs) keep track of your browsing history, potentially selling this data to third-party advertisers, providing it to the government, or exposing it to security breaches. Utilizing a remote VPN server rather than your ISP's servers, a VPN conceals your IP address, thereby thwarting ISP tracking and safeguarding the privacy of your personal data.

Mobile VPN

While conventional VPN services have historically targeted desktop users, the proliferation of smartphones has fueled a significant surge in the popularity of mobile VPNs—and understandably so. For individuals seeking enhanced security and privacy while on the move, a mobile VPN is indispensable.

Mobile VPNs not only offer the same advantages as traditional VPNs but also ensure data protection even in situations of erratic or unstable internet connectivity, or when transitioning between mobile data and Wi-Fi networks. As long as the application remains active, the VPN connection remains secure, ensuring continuous protection for your device. Due to its versatility, a mobile VPN is particularly advantageous for travelers or individuals lacking access to reliable internet connections.

The Best VPNs of 2024

With a plethora of options available on the market, VPNs serve various personal and business purposes. To assist in selecting the most suitable solution, we've meticulously evaluated 23 leading VPN services, comparing their features and performance, conducting rigorous testing for each product. As a result of our comprehensive analysis, we present this curated list of the top VPNs for 2024.