The best VPN services

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What is a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) is an intermediary between a user and the website they visit. A VPN creates an encrypted communication channel through which it sends requests and receives responses. In this way, a VPN preserves the client's anonymity. Neither the Internet Service Provider nor hackers can track what information a person sends to or receives from a website. And even if attackers intercept the data, they will not have the key needed to decrypt it.

In addition to improving user privacy, a VPN can be used to bypass government censorship, price discrimination by services such as Netflix, or IP-based blocking. A VPN routes traffic through a remote server, so websites see a different IP address and do not block the visitor.

Surfshark

Surfshark is a VPN service with a network of 4,500+ servers in 100 countries. The provider has no traffic limits or restrictions on the number of simultaneous connections, so one subscription can be used on multiple devices. Surfshark supports IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard protocols.

If you purchase a two-year subscription, the VPN service costs €2.4 per month. The provider also gives you 3 months of subscription for free. One subscription can be used on an unlimited number of devices. The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

User experience

Surfshark can be installed as a Chrome extension or as an app for all major operating systems: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. In the mobile versions, you can control the connection through a widget without opening the app itself.

To get started, download and install the app and log in. After that, you can log into your account on another device using a QR code. You can connect to the VPN service using the corresponding button in the corner of the screen. All detailed settings are located at the bottom.

You can download a Surfshark configuration from VPN > Manual setup. To do this, enter a private key or generate a new one, select the desired country and city, and download the generated .conf file.

Privacy

Surfshark last confirmed its reliability in 2025 by passing a cybersecurity audit. The provider uses:

• AES-256 encryption, one of the best international standards;

• the OpenVPN protocol;

• the WireGuard protocol.

The company follows a no-logs policy—it does not track what users do online or record this data.

Additional features

In addition to standard features, the service offers functions designed to strengthen cybersecurity:

• Kill switch. Cuts off the Internet connection when the client cannot connect to the VPN.

• DNS leak protection. Protects against tracking by the ISP.

• CleanWeb. Blocks ads at the DNS level.

• CleanWeb 2.0. Blocks pop-ups asking users to accept cookies.

• Alternative ID. Creates a new online identity with a disposable email address for registering on untrusted websites.

• Alternative Number. Generates a new phone number that can be used instead of your real one on suspicious online resources.

• Private search engine. Blocks ads in search results and does not store search history.

• MultiHop. Routes your traffic through multiple VPN servers for greater privacy.

• Malicious website and phishing link blocking. Protects against accidentally visiting a resource that could steal your credentials.

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is suitable for maintaining anonymity, streaming, and torrenting. It offers 20,000 servers in 140 countries. You can switch between OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, and the proprietary Stealth protocol.

The VPN costs €2 per month if you purchase a two-year subscription upfront. One account can be connected to up to 10 devices. The provider also offers a free plan with access to servers in the US, the Netherlands, and Japan. However, the free version does not include advanced features and can only be installed on one device.

User experience

ProtonVPN has a Chrome extension and apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. You can connect to the nearest server with one click. If you need a specific city, you can open the map from the main menu. There, you can choose the route your device will use to connect to the desired VPN server.

You can download configurations for connecting to an Octo Browser profile under Proton VPN—WireGuard. Simply select a server in the desired location and click Create. More detailed instructions are available here.

Privacy

ProtonVPN undergoes security audits every year. The latest one was conducted by Securitum in May 2026. You can view the audit results on the website without even creating an account. In addition to confirming a high level of data protection overall, the audits confirm that the company does not record users' activity history.

For additional protection, the company uses:

• data encryption;

• Forward Secrecy that creates a unique key for each session.

This means that even if a hacker obtains the key for one session, other VPN sessions will not be affected.

Additional features

Proton VPN specializes in anonymity, so it offers many useful features for strengthening cybersecurity, such as:

• Secure Core. Routes requests and responses through a secure VPN server to provide additional protection for people living in countries with strict censorship.

• Alternative routing. Helps bypass restrictions on VPN usage by routing your traffic through third-party servers, such as AWS.

• VPN over Tor. Connects the client to Tor for greater anonymity.

• VPN Accelerator. Reduces latency when connecting to geographically distant servers.

• NetShield. Blocks ads, trackers, and malware.

• Kill switch. Cuts off the Internet connection if the user is not connected to the VPN.

• Split tunneling. Lets you choose which applications' requests and responses should go through the VPN.

• DNS leak protection. Helps prevent tracking by the ISP by routing traffic through encrypted DNS.

Hide.me

Hide.me is suitable for streaming video, gaming, and file sharing via torrents. It has 2,600 servers in 92 countries, mainly in Europe and North America. The VPN offers a wide selection of protocols, from the familiar WireGuard and OpenVPN to IKEv2, SoftEther, and SSTP.

The free plan provides access to the VPN in eight regions. However, it does not include features such as streaming, port forwarding, or MultiHop VPN. The full version starts at $2.69 per month when purchased as a two-year subscription. Paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

User experience

The VPN is available as an app for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. One paid account can connect up to 10 devices.

In terms of ease of getting started, Hide.me is the best VPN on our list. The free mobile app does not even require registration. To connect to the nearest server, click the “Enable” button. To select a location, go to the dedicated tab. Locations are displayed as a list, and you can sort them by country name, city, or ping speed. Servers you use frequently can be added to favorites so you do not have to spend time finding them again.

There is a separate tab for streaming video. In this section, you can connect to servers with more capacity designed for high-quality streaming. Detailed settings are located in a separate menu, and there is a search function to make it easier to find the feature you need.

VPN configurations for use with Octo Browser can be found in the Member’s area. To do this, create a private key, choose a location, and download the .conf file for WireGuard.

Privacy

The VPN says it does not store activity history. The latest independent audit in 2024 confirmed that the company keeps its promises.

To protect data, Hide.Me uses:

• the OpenVPN protocol;

• the IKEv2 protocol;

• AES-256 encryption, one of the best international standards;

• SHA256 authentication.

Additional features

Advanced VPN features are designed for technically proficient users and include:

• MultiHop VPN. Makes tracking more difficult by routing traffic through separate entry and exit nodes.

• IPv4 or IPv6 tunneling. Lets you choose the protocol to speed up the VPN connection and minimize the risk of data leaks.

• Split tunneling. Lets you choose which applications' traffic goes through the VPN.

• Kill switch settings. Enable or disable automatic disconnection from the Internet when the VPN is unstable.

• Script execution. Automates routine tasks by integrating code into the VPN.

• Bolt. Increases connection speed over OpenVPN.

• SmartGuard. Blocks ads and phishing threats to protect against tracking and leaks.

• Port forwarding. Automatically opens the VPN ports needed for uninterrupted connections in games and when downloading large files.

Mullvad

Mullvad VPN is suitable for maintaining online anonymity and bypassing censorship. Its network includes more than 563 servers in 50 countries. The servers are located in the US, Europe, and South America. The provider uses only the modern WireGuard protocol.

The VPN costs €5 per month. The price does not depend on the subscription period. One account can use up to 5 devices simultaneously. The provider does not offer a free plan but provides a 14-day money-back guarantee.

User experience

Mullvad can be installed as an app on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Its onboarding process is the most anonymous on the market: the service does not ask for your name, phone number, or email. To register, the system generates a random 16-digit account number, which is used to log into Mullvad.

VPN configurations for use with Octo Browser can be created in the personal account on the website under Downloads—WireGuard configuration. Generate a private key, select the desired country and city, and download the resulting .conf file. Read our article for more information on how to do this.

Privacy

Mullvad regularly undergoes independent security audits. Cure53, X41 D-Sec, Assured Security, and Leviathan Security Group have audited the app code, server infrastructure, and API. The VPN provider also follows a no-logs policy:

• It does not record users' activity history, IP addresses, or personal data.

• Its servers run entirely in the RAM-only mode without writing data to hard drives.

• The provider supports post-quantum encryption.

Additional features

Mullvad focuses on privacy protection and offers the following features:

• DAITA (Defense Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis). Protects against AI-based network traffic analysis.

• Lockdown mode. Blocks all Internet connections when the VPN is turned off.

• MultiHop. Routes traffic through multiple servers in different countries to add another layer of protection.

• Shadowsocks. Helps bypass strict firewalls.

• Advanced Kill Switch. Protects against data leaks if the connection is interrupted.

• Split tunneling. Lets you specify which applications' traffic bypasses the VPN.

• Ad and tracker blocking. Lets you block ads and trackers at the DNS level.

Comparison

We’ve collected the main VPN features in one place to make it easier for you to choose the best one.

How to choose the best VPN

Base your choice on what you actually need: this determines which parameters you should pay attention to. If you plan to use your VPN with Octo profiles, check whether you can download VPN configurations for the WireGuard protocol.

Here are the main factors that can influence your choice:

• Price. Check the subscription terms before purchasing a VPN and pay attention to the details. Almost all providers offer discounts when you buy a subscription for two years, but the price may increase when you renew it.

• Compatibility and number of devices. The devices you want to install the VPN on will determine your choice of provider. Some services may not have an alpha version for Linux or iOS. You should also check whether there is a limit on the number of devices you can install the VPN on under one subscription.

• Server network. Check whether the provider has physical servers in the region you need. Also consider how far they are from your location: the farther away the server is, the higher the latency.

• Speed. Any VPN slows down the connection. But one service may reduce performance by 20%, while another may reduce it by 50%. Such latency can interfere with video streaming, online gaming, and downloading large files.

• Reliability. The security of your personal data depends on what information the VPN stores, whether it encrypts it using the best global standards, and whether the provider is required to respond to law-enforcement requests. Also check whether it undergoes no-logs and general cybersecurity audits.

• Additional features. In addition to IP address spoofing, some VPNs offer ad and tracker blockers, password managers, and antivirus software.

• Customer Service. Response times, availability, and contact methods can influence your choice of VPN.

FAQ

Are VPN services legal?

In most countries, using a VPN is legal. But if you live in a country with strict censorship, it is better to check in advance whether VPNs are prohibited. In addition, any illegal activities you carry out through a VPN are subject to legal consequences. For example, in some countries, you may be fined for copyright infringement if you download movies via torrents. Services such as Netflix may also cancel your subscription if they suspect that you are connecting through a virtual private network to pay less.

What is the best free VPN?

Free VPNs often make money by selling personal data or spreading malware. Therefore, we recommend using them with caution, checking reviews, and researching the provider's track record. We can recommend two of the best VPNs with free plans and a strong reputation: ProtonVPN and Hide.me. These are fast and reliable services that can help you stay anonymous, bypass online blocks, stream videos, or download files via torrents.

How do I choose the best VPN service?

When choosing a VPN, consider how you plan to use it. If you want to stay anonymous, pay attention to the provider's reputation, its policies on storing sensitive information and activity history, and additional features such as ad and tracker blockers, password managers, and antivirus software.

If you plan to stream video or play games through a VPN, choose a service with higher speed. Any VPN slows down the connection, but the amount of latency depends on how far away the physical server is and which protocol the VPN uses.