10 fastest VPNs in 2024 (2024)

NordVPN’s fast speeds and security tools make it the best solution for private networking. With the Meshnet feature, users can connect 60 devices through encrypted tunnels and share files securely. All subscriptions have malware protection, an ad blocker and tracker prevention, which some lower-priced solutions don’t offer. Additionally, we clocked an average download speed of 356 Mbps during testing — the second-fastest recorded rate.

NordVPN offers a double VPN and Onion Over VPN. While these options can reduce overall speeds, they provide extra protection when sending confidential files. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, NordVPN offers several advanced tools, including a data breach scanner, next-gen file encryption and cyber protection insurance.

Upload rates varied more than those of competitors, which is a drawback considering NordVPN’s monthly and renewal rates are higher. It’s also not ideal for people needing unlimited simultaneous VPN connections. NordVPN allows six connected devices, whereas IPVanish and Surfshark support unlimited gadgets.

Learn More: Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark is an excellent option for traveling families or businesses wanting a fast VPN with global coverage and unlimited connections. The large, RAM-only server network (3,200+) has locations in over 100 countries. Surfshark doesn’t meter connections, so you can download the VPN app on many devices and share the service with family or co-workers.

Surfshark’s average download and upload speeds fall in the middle of the pack. But its low ping rate (33 ms) makes Surfshark comparable to Proton VPN, our top pick for gamers. The ad-blocking and identity protection tools offer peace of mind when using public Wi-Fi on personal or professional trips. Higher-tier subscriptions provide advanced features like antivirus protection, real-time identity alerts and a private search engine. However, Surfshark’s split tunneling tool (Bypasser) only works on Windows and Android devices.

Surfshark merged with Nord Security (NordVPN) in 2022. It costs $2 less monthly than NordVPN. Yet, its monthly rates cost more than several fast VPN providers, and you’ll pay more than double when renewing an annual plan. This is a downside, considering Surfshark repeatedly tries to upsell additional security products and higher-priced subscriptions.

Learn More: Read our full Surfshark review.

PureVPN’s ultra-low one and two-year rates make it the most affordable VPN for fast speed. Our testing revealed that PureVPN’s average download speed was 354 Mbps, only 26 Mbps less than IVPN, our top performer. It costs $3.74 monthly for one year or $1.89 monthly for 28 months. Best of all, you’ll pay $4.57 monthly per year upon renewal.

Only hide.me offers lower biennial renewal rates ($2.69 monthly for 26 months). However, the cheaper hide.me VPN app had much slower download speeds. PureVPN’s affordability doesn’t mean fewer features or availability. It maintains over 6,500 servers in 71 countries. The Plus package adds end-to-end file encryption and a secure password manager for $5.85 monthly with annual billing, which is still cheaper than renewing base packages from IVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark.

Like competitors, PureVPN has a no-logs policy. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, which doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws. Yet, PureVPN lacks the total anonymity IVPN provides, as it doesn’t allow cryptocurrency or cash payment. Also, Mac and iOS users wanting the split tunneling feature should look elsewhere.

CyberGhost’s consistent download speeds and low ping make it a versatile solution for torrenting, streaming and gaming. User-friendly VPN apps automatically select the best VPN protocol, and you can pick from standard and specialty servers across over 115 locations worldwide. We loved having servers optimized for different tasks, which is why we chose CyberGhost as the fastest VPN with specialty servers.

In our testing, CyberGhost performed above average for uploading and had respectable download rates. Although we didn’t test the more expensive no-spy servers, CyberGhost claims they offer better speeds and more bandwidth. We appreciate the in-depth transparency reports, especially since Kape Technologies (which formerly sold adware) owns CyberGhost and Express VPN.

However, you may prefer another fast VPN if you have many devices, as CyberGhost limits VPN app installations to seven. You must uninstall the CyberGhost VPN app to add new gadgets. Unlike NordVPN, CyberGhost doesn’t offer a double VPN and supports fewer protocols than hide.me.

Learn More: Read our full CyberGhost review.

IPVanish is a rarity among VPN providers because it offers customer support by telephone, live chat and email. While competitors have live chat, none supply a phone number. In our testing, IPVanish download speeds hovered between 326 and 357 Mbps, with an average rate of 339 Mbps. Notably, it had the second-fastest upload rates, which is helpful for uploading media-heavy files.

We also found IPVanish reliable for gaming, as our ping tests clocked in at 31 ms. The monthly price is at the higher end of our rated companies, but one or two-year subscriptions offer substantial discounts for the first term. Still, you can connect unlimited devices, whereas more affordable competitors restrict usage.

IPVanish is headquartered in the United States, which is a five-eye country. Although we could look past this aspect for some online activities, we wish IPVanish offered more transparency about independent audits. These details aren’t available online. It doesn’t allow cash or crypto payments and has fewer servers than CyberGhost.

Learn More: Read our full IPVanish review.

Proton VPN is a Swiss-based provider offering 100% open-source apps. Although Proton VPN didn’t have the highest recorded speeds in our testing, rates were consistent. The built-in VPN Accelerator works especially well for gamers with a less reliable internet connection because it reduces lag. Indeed, the low ping rate and above-average connection speeds make Proton VPN the best VPN for gamers.

Proton VPN doesn’t have the best discounts for annual billing, but it offers occasional promotions and coupons. Although Proton VPN isn’t the cheapest service, subscriptions include many features, like an ad blocker, malware protection, split tunneling and double hop.

Also, Proton VPN is one of our top picks for a fast, free VPN. The free version provides access to 249 servers in five countries, whereas paid plans offer over 70 locations and 3,000 servers. While we appreciate Proton VPN’s 24/7 global support options, it doesn’t provide a phone number like IPVanish.

Learn More: Read our full ProtonVPN review.

IVPN is the best low-cost, high-speed VPN for anonymous use. It had lightning-fast download speeds during our testing, clocking in at 381 Mbps on average. The upload rate maxed out at 352 Mbps. Aside from being the fastest VPN provider we tested, IVPN offers more anonymity than competitors.

To protect your identity, you can pay by Bitcoin, Monero or cash. Moreover, IVPN doesn’t require an email address during registration. Like Proton VPN, IVPN offers open-source applications for iOS, Windows, macOS, Android and Linux. It has low monthly rates for the base plan with two VPN connections, and you can also pay weekly — an option no other rivals offer.

Still, IVPN lacks smart TV apps and browser extensions. The IVPN Pro package increases the number of simultaneous connections but doesn’t have advanced security tools like NordVPN and Proton Unlimited included on more expensive plans.

Learn More: Read our full IVPN review.

ExpressVPN is beginner-friendly, with a straightforward user interface, fast speeds and multi-device functionality. We recorded 274 Mbps to 289 Mbps download rates during testing, which easily supports video and audio streaming. ExpressVPN has Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux and Chromebook apps. Alternatively, you can establish VPNs for routers, smart TVs and media streaming consoles.

Although ExpressVPN isn’t as easy on the budget as IVPN or hide.me, we appreciate the advanced protection features. Subscriptions include an ad blocker to hide display ads and a Threat Manager to block malicious sites and trackers. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, which have favorable privacy laws. But Kape Technologies owns ExpressVPN and previously produced unsavory adware.

Unlike rivals, ExpressVPN doesn’t disclose how many servers it has. Nor does it offer dedicated IPs or support the fast Wireguard protocol. However, you can pay by Bitcoin and rely on ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer system, which doesn’t log user data and wipes all information whenever they reboot servers.

Learn More: Read our full ExpressVPN review.

VPN Unlimited is the only provider on this list offering a lifetime VPN for a one-time fee. Long-term VPN users save more money the longer they use VPN Unlimited. By the fourth year, you’re essentially paying less monthly than if you renew a subscription with Surfshark, NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Although VPN Unlimited isn’t the fastest VPN we tested, the average download speed of 285 Mbps supports standard activities, like streaming or downloading files. However, it performed poorly for uploading large media files, with an average upload speed of 75 Mbps – the lowest rate we recorded among VPNs.

We were impressed with VPN Unlimited’s DNS firewall and Trusted Networks features. The KeepSolid DNS Firewall protects devices from malware attacks, phishing schemes and malicious ads. With Trusted Networks, you can create allow and block lists for specific sites. Still, there are better options for users wanting unlimited simultaneous connections or customer service phone support.

Learn More: Read our full VPN Unlimited review.

hide.me’s Malaysia headquarters (outside of the five, nine and 14 eyes jurisdictions) and security features make it a good solution for torrenting. It offers five encryption protocols, IP leak protection, split tunneling and dynamic port forwarding. In addition, hide.me recommends that users take extra steps when torrenting, including using Stealth Guard and the kill switch, establishing a SOCKS proxy and activating UPnP (dynamic port forwarding).

hide.me had the fastest upload speeds during testing but fell below average download rates. The ping test returned a result of 76 ms, which isn’t ideal for gaming. It also has a smaller server network — both in overall server numbers and locations — than its rivals.

Still, we liked the option of paying by crypto or testing the free plan without signing up. Although hide.me doesn’t allow unlimited connections, paid subscriptions cover 10 devices –more than NordVPN or IVPN permits.

Learn More: Read our full hide.me review.