Best modern VPN services

We are all living in a connected and interrelated world of cyberspace, where the network is the prime medium and tool for connection. Naturally, security and privacy are crucial for personal safety of users in their striving against vile hacks. Nowadays, it's totally necessary to find ways of protecting digital life and for this reason, VPNs have become increasingly popular.

The VPN landscape can be confusing and complicating thing. There are some basic points that should be considered.
- It is not advisable to use free VPN services.
- Good VPN keeps as few logs as it is possible and makes them as anonymous as possible, but even "no-logs" VPNs aren't 100% anonymous.
- Think twice before using a US-based VPNs as they have little recourse if authorities show up demanding access to servers, user accounts or any other data.

Taking into account everything mentioned above, here are rounded up the best VPN options that are considered to be reliable, fast and protective. The quality of VPN is determined with the regard to numerous factors such as number of server locations, security, ease of remote access, bandwidth caps, etc. But one should remember that these services are constantly changing (upgrading or retrograding), thus the list is also evolving.

ExpressVPN

• Number of servers: 3,000-plus in 160 locations

• Number of server locations: 94-plus countries

• Country/jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

• 3 months free with 1-year plan priced at less than $7 a month

There are no any logs of users' online activities, because this VPN is powered by TrustedServer technology. Moreover, ExpressVPN has a strong track record, having experienced a server seizure by authorities which proved their zero-log policy true at the time.

One of the great advantages, which ExpressVPN provides is a kill switch feature. It blocks network data from leaking outside when the VPN connection fails. Another advantage is that ExpressVPN supports bitcoin as a payment method, which can add one more level of privacy during checkout.

Surfshark

• Number of servers: 3,200-plus

• Number of server locations: 65

• Country/jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

• $2.49 a month (81% discount) for a two-year plan

The best feature that offers this service is unlimited device support, so the user can practically run the entire home or office on Surfshark's VPN. Additionally, it provides users with antimalware, ad-blocking and tracker-blocking as part of its software. But, probably, one of the strongest arguments for Surfshark is its speed: the VPN lost less than 17% of average internet speeds during our most recent speed tests.

The company can pride itself with a solid range of app support, running on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Fire TV and routers. Even such devices as game consoles can be configured for Surfshark via DNS settings. Plus, this VPN allows users to whitelist certain apps and websites to automatically bypass the VPN.

NordVPN

• Number of servers: 5,200-plus servers

• Number of server locations: 62

• Country/jurisdiction: Panama

• $3.71 a month (68% discount) for a 2-year plan

NordVPN is considered to be one of the most well-known brands in the VPN field. It offers a generous simultaneous connection count, with six simultaneous connections through its network. Also, NordVPN has a dedicated IP option and kill switch feature as well as the ability to VPN into Tor.

As to the speed performance, NordVPN shows competitive results. This VPN proved itself to be a good one as there were never any sudden dips or service interruptions.

ProtonVPN

• Number of servers: 1,259

• Number of server locations: 55

• Country/jurisdiction: Switzerland

• Plus Package: $8 per month ($96 charged yearly)

ProtonVPN showed an impressively small 9.6% speed loss, which made him one of the fastest VPNs. Proton's ability to reach those speeds despite a relatively small fleet of 1,259 servers in 55 countries makes it even more impressive. Though, it is rather a pricey option, ProtonVPN's high security standards and legacy of transparency make it worth the price.