Best VPN Services & Providers (2022) - TheQuick10

Top 10 Best VPN Services & Providers (2023) – Software Reviews

VPNs (virtual private networks) have many different functions and benefits, including keeping your browsing behaviour private, disguising your geo location, bypassing blocked websites and accessing online streaming services. 

Make sure you have the most up-to-date VPN for your needs so you can be ready for whatever 2023 has in store. 

But when comparing VPN services, what are the most important factors one should look into? 

We’ve researched and compared a number of VPN providers according to the most essential factors, such as: privacy & security, speed, number of servers and locations, streaming and torrenting, supported software, and pricing plans. 

Best VPN Services
ExpressVPN

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Surfshark

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Private Internet Access

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Norton Secure VPN

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Quick10.com selects
#1

Express VPN-Super fast, secure & 100%
anonymous. Multi device. 24/7 customer
support 
Read Review

#4
Private Internet Access – A safe and secure internet
connection with a trusted VPN
Read Review
#5
Norton Secure VPN- Mask online activity and location with a no-log VPN Read Review
#7

Cyber Ghost Surf – the internet at blazing speeds with complete security
Read Review

#8

Zen Mate Easy – access to georestricted content and secure browsing
Read Review

#9
ProtonVPN – Swiss based VPN to safeguard your privacy
Read Review
High-security standards
Read ExpressVPN Review

ExpressVPN is a frequently-heard name around VPN circles. With the built-in speed test, you can choose the fastest servers around, and since ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 spread over 94 countries, there’s plenty to choose from. ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support, a huge benefit when your VPN goes down, or you need help fast. Plus, you can select to run only partial device traffic through the VPN with the split tunneling feature.

Prons
Cons
ExpressVPN

4

Private Internet Access
Transparent security measures for safe browsing
Read Private Internet Access Review

Private Internet Access is a VPN service known to be the most anonymous VPN around. They have an extensive network of servers (20K in 70+ countries!), a zero-logging policy, and software that’s available on almost all operating systems with browser extensions to boot. 

With PIA, you’ll be able to not only view and download content at fast speeds, but also browse safely. Private Internet Access provides alerts when a site may be dangerous for your data, integrate firewalls, IP leak protection, and more for complete security.  

Prons
Cons
Private Internet Access

5

Norton Secure VPN
VPN from an industry heavyweight
Read Norton Secure VPN Review

Norton Secure VPN comes attached to the Norton name, which means that you get the infrastructure and customer service associated with an experienced industry heavyweight like Norton. Norton Secure VPN is seamless on desktop and mobile devices. The server count is lower than the competition, but features such as unlimited bandwidth, OpenVPN protocols, a no-logging policy, and a 60-day money-back guarantee show that Norton Secure VPN has more to it than just a recognizable name.

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Cons
Norton Secure VPN
IPVanish

7

CyberGhost
Serious about security
Read CyberGhost Review

CyberGhost is a fast, secure VPN service owned by a privacy-focused company based in Bucharest, Romania. This VPN service has been around since 2011, and it has a comprehensive grasp of what the digital world needs—internet freedom and privacy.  CyberGhost VPN is more of a privacy solution, and it follows a strict no-logs policy. It packs many features to showcase its capabilities.

Prons
Cons
CyberGhost
8
ZenMate
Cheap, easy-to-use, file sharing
Read ZenMate Review

This is one of the best VPN services for non-technical users—it’s straightforward, simple, fast, secure, and easy to use. Based in Germany, ZenMate is subject to mass surveillance as Germany is one of the countries that make up the 14 eyes. Despite having an unclear privacy policy, ZenMate guarantees its users that it has a strict no-logs policy.

ZenMate has over 74 server locations with unlimited bandwidth and fair speeds that can be used for streaming. The servers also support P2P traffic. ZenMate uses industry-grade TLS encryption standards to ensure the VPN connection is safe. This isn’t stellar compared to other VPN services, and it may not bypass some restrictions. It offers 24/7 live chat customer support.

ZenMate VPN clients are easy to use and are very straightforward from installation, to connecting, to servers

Prons
Cons
ZenMate
9
ProtonVPN
Secure and anonymous sessions, all the time
Read ProtonVPN Review

ProtonVPN is a solid VPN that is really big on security and privacy. It comes with all of the right features to keep you protected, regardless of what you’re doing online. Customers who are concerned for their privacy will appreciate features like a kill switch which will sever your connection if the VPN server ever goes down even temporarily, DNS leak protection which prevents your DNA queries from being leaked, and strong encryption, including OpenVPN protocols and AES-256 encryption.

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Cons
ProtonVPN

Frequently Asked Questions

ExpressVPN is currently the best VPN service on the market. It offers a huge network of servers, excellent speeds, and admirable privacy policies that ensure security and anonymity.

It depends on your VPN provider. If your VPN plan includes unlimited bandwidth, you can leave it on without fear of being charged more. If your plan doesn’t include unlimited bandwidth then it’s a good idea to turn your VPN off when you’re not using it.

Traditionally, no. Legitimate VPN providers do not steal data. That being said, there are many free and lesser-known providers out there with unclear privacy policies, so it’s always a good idea to research a companies policies and repuation before making your decision.

Reviewing the Top VPN Services: Our Methodology

TheQuick10.com VPN reviews are based on objective facts. Our reviews are based on research via the VPN provider’s site, trusted 3rd party sites, customer reviews, and use of the product through free trials, or through paid use in some cases.

It is not always possible to use the product through its entire lifecycle. However, reviewers will try the signup process, make customer service queries to check response times and perform any other possible function within the review period. 

For the rest of the information, we rely on what the brand says about its own product offering, customer reviews, and complaints, ratings from independent agencies like the BBB, and trusted journalistic publications.

Some of the key features we compared when looking at the VPN services on our list were:

  • Price
  • Number of servers
  • Supported software
  • Netflix access
  • Logging policy

What You Need to Know Before Choosing a VPN

The best VPN is the one you notice the least. So choosing a VPN is a bit different than, say, buying a car. The factors that matter most–security, anonymity, reliability–are things you will only notice when they aren’t up to par. 

Here are some key questions to ask yourself:

What will you use a VPN for? Are you planning on streaming Netflix? Downloading torrents? Avoiding intrusive government censors? Make sure the VPN you choose is able to accommodate your intended uses. 

What level of privacy do you require? Different providers have different data encryption types and privacy standards. Some guarantee a no-logging policy, while others may share some of your data with third parties. Determine how important this is to you and find the service that best aligns with your needs. 

How many people will be using it? VPN services can often be used by multiple people, though the number differs from one provider to the next. Whether you have a family, roommates, or will be the sole user, this can help you whittle down your options. 

What Types of VPNs Are There?

Not all VPNs excel at the same things. The best VPN for Netflix, for example, may not necessarily be the best VPN for downloading bittorrents. Some VPNs specialize in streaming, while others may be better for overall anonymity, geo-spoofing, or Android users. 

VPNs and COVID 

COVID-19 has forced us to complete tasks online that we once did in person. These range from online banking and shopping to work, school, and even medical appointments. Though online services are nothing new, they’ve become more ubiquitous in the wake of the pandemic and will likely continue to rise in popularity. 

The convenience of online services is offset by the danger of exposing our sensitive personal and financial information. With more of our information online, we become vulnerable to hackers and other bad actors that can use it for nefarious purposes. 

VPNs help us mask our identities and protect our internet activity and the information we share online. As more of our lives are conducted online, VPNs and other similar tools will become critical in engaging with the internet while keeping our information and privacy intact.    

Are VPNs Safe and Secure?

Yes, though your security is only as strong as the VPN provider you choose. A reliable, well-reviewed VPN is trustworthy and more than capable of protecting you and keeping your internet activity private. There are questionable VPN providers out there, though, and they’re best avoided.

How can you know? Look for privacy and encryption standards. A good VPN service will have strong encryption protocols, clearly stated privacy policies (like no logging), and strong security features like DNS leak protection.

Tips on VPN Providers

There are numerous choices when it comes to VPN services. Narrow down those choices by focusing on the most important features.

Look for a service with fast speeds so your connection is smooth, strong security features so your connection is private, and easy functionality so that you can access and use your VPN without any hassles. Also, look for one that offers P2P file sharing, and make sure the price is right. 

Here are a few more things to keep in mind:

Don’t settle for cheap. Listen, we all want to save money. Price is a reasonable measuring stick when shopping for any product or service. But you get what you pay for, and with VPNs in particular, a cheap service might cause you more harm than good. A poor VPN can give you an illusion of safety, causing you to be looser with your internet activity while actually leaving you vulnerable. We’re not saying you need to opt for the most expensive option. But don’t let price alone sway you. Privacy does have a cost, if it’s the difference between an unknown and a well-respected provider, it’s worth the few extra bucks to make sure you’re actually protected. 

Customer service matters. Internet security is an important concern these days, and it’s up to each of us to be proactive in making sure our information is safe. A reliable and responsive customer support team is crucial for when you have concerns about your privacy or need to troubleshoot an issue. And besides, solid customer support is usually indicative of a trustworthy company. Live chat support, 24/7 availability, and stocked FAQs are all positive signs that the provider has your back. 

How Much Does A VPN Cost?

The average price for a legitimate VPN falls around $4 per month. Some start as low as $2.50 and others may go as high as $9.99 per month or higher.

One thing to keep in mind is that the price fluctuates with the length of your subscription. The same company may charge $3 per month if you purchase a long-term subscription and $12 per month if you opt for a single month. Purchasing a VPN for 2 years, for example, can drastically reduce the price, while paying month to month can cause your monthly cost to skyrocket.

There are free VPNs available, though it’s advisable to avoid them or approach them with caution. While a free VPN may be sufficient for extremely rudimentary web tasks, it’s unlikely to have the tech and security measures necessary to protect activities like online banking, downloading, and streaming. 

Other Brands We Reviewed

This list of 10 VPNs is composed of companies that chose to partner with Top10.com. In total, we reviewed over 50 brands when doing our research into VPN providers, with new brands being reviewed on a regular basis. Interested in learning about the prices and features of some big VPNs that don’t appear on this list? Check out our in-depth reviews of some of these big names in VPN:

  • Private Internet Access
  • Hotspot Shield
  • ProtonVPN
  • StrongVPN
  • Torguard

A VPN for Any Occasion

VPN services provide an invaluable service for anyone using the internet. While people will opt to use a VPN for different reasons, it will benefit the whole range of internet users, from casual users to Netflix fans, hard-core gamers, and of course those who do online banking and shopping. Whether you’re looking for more privacy or security or you want to access geo-blocked content or download and share files, a VPN provides you with the advantages you are looking for.