Best VPNs in 2025

NordVPN keeps evening speeds high even on distant routes. Streams open reliably and stay open; downloads don’t stall when the whole house is online. If you binge shows or game after work, it’s the kind of VPN you forget is on, which is exactly the point.

Apps are polished without nagging pop-ups. The kill switch is mature, the audits are frequent, and features like Meshnet and Threat Protection feel practical rather than gimmicky. Long-term plans aren’t the absolute cheapest, but the blend of stability and verifiable privacy earns its top spot for everyday users.

Surfshark is the easy way to cover a whole household: unlimited devices, a clean interface, and a price that stays friendly over time. Setup is painless across phones, laptops, and smart TVs, so you aren’t playing tech support every weekend.

Performance sits close to the leaders and streaming unlocks are consistent across major platforms. Toss in useful extras like CleanWeb and rotating IPs, and the value story gets stronger. If you want the best ratio of cost to hassle, start here.

CyberGhost is welcoming for beginners. Purpose-built presets help you jump into streaming or torrenting without digging through settings. The desktop app looks busy at first glance, but core actions are straightforward.

Speeds hold up for everyday tasks, and the network covers a wide spread of locations. If you want an approachable start without losing flexibility later, it’s a safe pick that won’t overwhelm you on day one.

PIA is the tinkerer’s choice: granular knobs, proven port forwarding, and a long history with power users. If you like setting your own defaults and squeezing every drop of throughput, the toolkit is here.

The interface can feel dense, yet once it’s dialed in, performance and control are excellent—especially for P2P and self-hosted services. It’s less ‘set and forget’ and more ‘set it your way’.

Proton VPN leads on privacy: open-source apps, regular audits, and Secure Core routing for an extra buffer on sensitive connections. The company’s broader ecosystem (Mail, Drive, Calendar) is a plus if you want your tools aligned on privacy.

Top speeds vary by region, but for people who value verifiable policies and Swiss jurisdiction over raw headline numbers, Proton VPN is an easy recommendation.

IPVanish keeps setup simple and gets you protected fast. The apps are straightforward and steady for casual streaming, web use, and travel. If you’ve been burned by clunky VPNs in the past, this one is a calmer experience.

It’s not the first pick for unlocking every last streaming library, but as a daily driver it’s perfectly pleasant—with enough power features to grow into if you want them.