Welcome to the Best VPN Guide
The best VPN for online privacy and security — tested and reviewed by our experts
What is VPN and how does it works?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the easiest and most effective way for people to protect their internet traffic and keep their identities private online. As you connect to a secure VPN server, your internet traffic goes through an encrypted tunnel that nobody can see into, including hackers, governments, and your internet service provider.
A VPN hides your IP address by letting the network redirect it through a specially configured remote server run by a VPN host. This means that if you surf online with a VPN, the VPN server becomes the source of your data. This means your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and other third parties cannot see which websites you visit or what data you send and receive online. A VPN works like a filter that turns all your data into «gibberish». Even if someone were to get their hands on your data, it would be useless.
Why should you use a VPN connection?
A virtual private network (VPN) can allow you to improve your privacy online. It hides your identity so that you can browse the internet safely and anonymously. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a tech expert to set one up. The process is fairly easy. Here’s a closer look at how to set up a VPN on various devices.
A VPN hides your IP address by letting the network redirect it through a specially configured remote server run by a VPN host. This means that if you surf online with a VPN, the VPN server becomes the source of your data. This means your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and other third parties cannot see which websites you visit or what data you send and receive online. A VPN works like a filter that turns all your data into «gibberish». Even if someone were to get their hands on your data, it would be useless.
Download and setup a VPN on your devices!
Set up SurfShark VPN on your device
Download SurfShark VPN for desktops and laptops and go online with one of the best VPNs for Windows 11 and Windows 10. Setup is hassle-free
Set up Pure VPN on your device
Setting up PureVPN for Mac is hassle-free. Simply install the PureVPN app on your macOS desktop or laptop and get connected in under five minutes.
Set up Nord VPN on your device
Download NordVPN for Android and go online. Simply install the NordVPN app on your Android device and get connected in under five minutes
How to set up a SurfShark VPN on your device?
Follow these instructional videos to set up SurfShark on any device that you need.
If you need help, the SurfShark VPN Support Team is available via live chat and email.
How to set up a NordVPN on your device?
Follow the links to the instructions below for a detailed instructions.
If you need help, the NordVPN Support Team is available via live chat and email.
How to set up a PureVPN on your device?
Follow the links to the instructions below for a detailed instructions.
If you need help, the PureVPN Support Team is available via live chat and email.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important quality to consider when choosing a VPN service is trust. A trustworthy VPN provider:
is transparent in its privacy policy
has been independently audited
designs its systems to avoid storing personal data
shows a consistent commitment to internet privacy and digital freedom
Thereafter, choose your VPN based on the features you need, such as VPN server locations, compatibility with all the devices you own, and unlimited bandwidth.
It’s hard for a free VPN to match the features and service of a quality paid provider. With free VPNs, you are more likely to experience slow connections bogged down by a flood of users on suboptimal networks, no customer support, weak security, and a small number of VPN server locations to choose from.
As a premium paid provider, ExpressVPN can offer connections optimized for speed, security, and stability, as well as a wide selection of server locations in 94 countries around the world. Plus, our dedicated Support Team is available 24/7 to help.
VPNs are legal, and they are consistently used by individuals and companies around the world to protect their private information and online activity, including in countries with highly restrictive governments. Even where VPNs are seen as discouraged, many governments tacitly endorse their use by officials, academics, or business leaders as a necessary measure to stay competitive in an interconnected world. It is not practical for any country to ban all VPNs.
Having said that, illegal online activity remains illegal, whether you are using a VPN or not.
With apps for iOS and Android, ExpressVPN is easy to use on mobile devices. As more of our digital activity—including banking, streaming, and messaging—happens on our phones and tablets, it is becoming more important to safeguard our data with a VPN on these devices, especially when using public Wi-Fi.
Using a VPN is not only safe, it can add a valuable layer of security to your online banking, especially on public Wi-Fi networks. And because some financial institutions will suspend access to users who appear to be visiting from somewhere unexpected, connecting to a server location in your home country before you log in to your bank or PayPal account can save you from getting locked out.
We recommend that you keep ExpressVPN on anytime your device is connected to the internet, even if you’re not actively using it. By leaving the app running in the background, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your privacy is always protected.