Secure VPN providers 2024: safe options for the best security and encryption (2024)

Whether it’s data leaks, hackers, or third-party snoopers, the internet is stuffed full of threats to your digital privacy. VPNs (or Virtual Private Networks) offer a solution to not only reclaim, but also take control of some of that privacy. Given it’s power to both spoof your location and encrypt your data, VPNs provide an extra layer of protection to your browsing that you’ll sorely miss should you be subject to an attack.

Some of the best VPNs can keep your data hidden from the likes of your ISP (Internet Service Provider), malicious hackers, and even governments, while also being a helpful tool to bypass online restrictions. These tools can lead to more enjoyable experiences doing anything from banking and shopping, through to more intense tasks such as torrenting or unlocking foreign streaming catalogs while abroad.

Despite appearances, VPNs are slowly becoming less solely focused on security. The search for faster speeds and more streamlined experiences has even, in some cases, led to reductions in the safety of certain providers. This is why the TechRadar VPN team spends hundreds of hours testing VPN services to weed out those that shouldn’t make the cut, and find flaws in even the most popular services. We’ve collected this expertise to round up and rank the five most secure VPNs in 2024 to help you choose.

The three most secure VPNs at a glance

In a hurry? No problem. Check out the three secure VPNs that lead the pack:

Written by

Written by

River Hart

River helps take care of cybersecurity content on TechRadar—ranging from breaking news pieces, reviews, and buying guides.

The best secure VPN services in 2024

Check out my analysis of the industry's most privacy-focused VPNs, how they compare with one another, and everything I liked (and didn't like) about each service. I'll also take a closer look at their roster of security features, performance, ease of use, and value for money.

The best VPN overall

NordVPN has continued to earn its place at the top of my secure VPN rankings. A key reason for this is its Double VPN technology which routes your connection through two separate VPN servers (instead of just one) for an additional layer of security. In terms of privacy, NordVPN has backed up its claims with independent audits four times now, auditing all its apps, no logging claims, and IOxT certification of its Android apps to ensure a constant sense of privacy.

With NordVPN, you'll also be able to use the Onion network over VPN, and the combination of two kill switches, leak protection, and the automatic blocking of suspicious websites and ads means that your browsing sessions will be well and truly airtight. 256-bit AES encryption is on hand, too, while the IKEv2/IPsec security protocol has been adopted as the default in NordVPN’s apps for iOS and macOS, with OpenVPN being the choice for Windows and Android.

▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN recently made its Meshnet feature free to use for all users—which is seriously awesome value for money. Meshnet lets you connect your device to others via encrypted NordVPN connections, to create your own secure network. This makes online activities, like sharing files or checking on your desktop while you’re on the move, even more secure, and goes some way to making up for the rather stingy limit of 6 simultaneous connections.

It's hard to overstate just how quick NordVPN is. It continues to sit among the best VPNs in my fastest VPN rankings, having maxed out my connection with peak WireGuard-based NordLynx speeds of 950 Mbps. So, if you're looking for a service that won't slow you down when you're torrenting, gaming, or hopping into video calls, NordVPN is an outstanding choice.

NordVPN also successfully unblocked every streaming service I threw at it—from Netflix and BBC iPlayer to smaller regional services like 9Now and ITVX. That's great news for anyone who wants the best streaming VPN to help make the most of their streaming subscriptions and watch previously geo-restricted content.

It is worth noting that the NordVPN apps could use a little TLC. They have a unique and fresh design, but some of the popups and reminders can get annoying, and the map-based interface (while entertaining) loses its charm on devices with smaller screens. These are relatively small complaints in the grand scheme of things, however, and most users won't have an issue navigating through NordVPN's vast array of servers and features.

The best VPN for beginners

ExpressVPN includes every ounce of security you'd expect from an industry leader. The provider uses robust AES 256-bit encryption, almost exclusively, together with the OpenVPN protocol. If you're looking for something a little speedier, but don't want to compromise on security, the WireGuard-inspired, proprietary Lightway protocol is a fantastic alternative.

Put ExpressVPN under the microscope, and you'll see that it also uses an RSA-4096 handshake (a form of connection negotiation between your device and a VPN server) and SHA-512 hash message authentication code (HMAC), along with PFS (Perfect Forward Secrecy). That's a solid setup that'll keep you, and your devices, secure whether you're at home or on the go.

► Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The provider rounds off its offering with a reliable kill switch that'll cut your internet connection if the VPN happens to drop. The kill switch (and ExpressVPN's WebRTC and DNS leak prevention) ensures that none of your sensitive information ends up in the clutches of snoopers and cybercriminals. I'm also impressed by the fact that the VPN uses its own private, zero-knowledge 256-bit encrypted DNS on each server.

On the subject of servers, ExpressVPN has a massive network spanning 105 countries—which is great news if you're looking for a reliable streaming VPN. During my most recent tests, ExpressVPN had no trouble unblocking the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime, and you'll also be able to take advantage of its wide array of servers to bypass restrictions and blocks that'd otherwise keep you away from regional news sites and social media platforms.

ExpressVPN, admittedly, isn't the quickest VPN I've put to the test. That doesn't mean it's a slouch, however, and is still more than capable of handling online games and P2P traffic. If you are on the hunt for a torrenting VPN, you'll be glad to learn that ExpressVPN is an audited no-logs provider that just isn't interested in keeping tabs on what you get up to online.

I'd also like to see ExpressVPN increase its simultaneous connections from 8 to something more generous. Other (cheaper) providers give you more, after all, and 8 may not be enough to keep all of your favorite gadgets secure. ExpressVPN is undeniably pricey, too, though you have plenty of time to see whether its security features and easy-to-use apps are worth the investment.

The best VPN for Linux

Private Internet Access (PIA) has carved out an impressive niche in the VPN market as a long-standing defender of digital privacy. You're getting a reliable service that's packed to the brim with features designed to safeguard your device (and all its data) with a clear-cut logging policy. Simply put, it's a transparent provider that isn't trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

One of the ways PIA proves this is with its open-source apps. Anyone with the inclination can check out the PIA apps and verify that there's nothing untoward happening in the code. It's also worth noting that the PIA apps themselves look better than ever. They're simple, straightforward, and signpost features pretty well—though total VPN newbies might be overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of tools.

▶ Try Private Internet Access on unlimited devices.

PIA's attitude to logging is stellar. Its no-logs policy is clear as crystal (which isn't something I can say about every provider on the market) and, more importantly, proven. The American authorities presented PIA with a warrant and the service ultimately had nothing to hand over in response. That's exactly what I like to see, and why I recommend PIA to the most privacy-conscious users.

If PIA falls short in any area, it's performance. The VPN is no slouch, certainly, but WireGuard speeds maxed out at 330 Mbps during my most recent tests. That's still more than you'll need for smooth streaming, torrenting, and online gaming, but the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark are still much quicker.

If unblocking content is your thing, you'll be glad to learn that PIA has a wealth of servers dotted across 84 countries. That's impressive, and means you should have no trouble spoofing your location to avoid blocks and bans. I'm also a big fan of PIA's dedicated streaming servers. I was able to unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more. Basically, you won't run out of content to binge anytime soon.

PIA is a stellar pick for anyone who values their digital privacy thanks to its suite of advanced features (like DNS leak protection and a kill switch). The provider has surprisingly inexpensive plans, too, that you can take for a trial run with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Other VPNs I've tested and recommend

Same provider behind popular encrypted email service, ProtonMail, Proton VPN has tons to show off when it comes to privacy. Last year, the provider collaborated with the Tor Project to build a more secure internet and an improved user experience when connecting to its apps over Tor. It even launched its very own privacy-first and censorship-resistant CAPTCHA last September.

However, the Swiss provider prefers concrete proof over mere promises and blind truth. You can pay anonymously using Bitcoin, for example, and its strict no-logs policy guarantees your sensitive data cannot be leaked in any way. All of Proton VPN's apps are independently audited and open-source, too, meaning that anyone can check the code for bugs. I also took a look at the Proton VPN site, and its Android app, in search of trackers, but couldn't find a single one.

▶ Try Proton VPN's unlimited free plan.

Proton VPN doesn't disappoint when you dig deeper into its security offerings, either. Strong encryption across the best protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2) is integrated with a MultiHop VPN function, which adds an extra layer of protection to your browsing sessions. An effective kill switch also helps to ensure you're not compromised if the VPN drops.

The service has been through something of a transformation, recently, and has upped its network coverage. Its unlimited free VPN can now access 100 servers, rather than just 29, and folks with premium subscriptions have over 4,600 to choose from. If you really want to shore up your security, the 104 Secure Core servers route your traffic through networks across Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden—known privacy havens. A further positive of this transformation is that its WireGuard speeds have returned to among the fastest we tested—from 460 Mbps to over 950 Mbps— which is much more than you'll need for smooth 4K streaming.

I was pleasantly surprised by Proton VPN's unblocking capabilities. In our latest round of testing, I was able to access every streaming service we test, in every country we test them in. Proton VPN itself advises against using the Secure Core servers when streaming, however, claiming that the additional security measure can cause poor video quality.

It's worth noting that you'll need to sign up for a paid plan to take advantage of Proton VPN's streaming and torrenting support, which is a little disappointing. The good news is that the free plan is well and truly unlimited, with no sneaky caps, so you can get a taste of Proton VPN's apps and features without forking over any cash.

Closing out my list is Surfshark, a great quality VPN that can be yours for an absolute bargain. It continues to be the best cheap VPN available and even gives you unlimited simultaneous connections, which comes in handy if you want to keep all of your devices, and your friends and family, secure online.

You'll also get a ton of hefty security features. Surfshark's obfuscation technology can help bypass VPN blocks and free up otherwise restricted corners of the internet, and the No Borders feature automatically connects you to the servers performing the best under strict network restrictions. DNS protection, split tunneling, Double VPN hop, and more extras powered by its own Nexus technology make Surfshark an incredibly accessible privacy-focused service.

▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The most worrying downside, and the reason Surfshark isn't higher in my rankings, is its problematic Windows kill switch. Even though I only noticed these issues during my testing, when I pushed the kill switch to its limits, any possible leak is cause for concern. Fortunately, this isn't something to worry about if you're using Surfshark on mobile or as a reliable Mac VPN.

Similar to NordVPN, Surfshark is a complete security package and is able to block ads, prevent trackers from following you across the web, and can even alert you if your information is involved in a data breach. Its Incogni feature is pretty impressive, too, and will automatically request the deletion of any personal data stored by data brokers—you'll need to pay a separate subscription to enjoy this protection, though.

I'm always impressed by Surfshark's unblocking power, and I'm glad to see that users can now get their hands on a dedicated IP for an additional charge. The combination of lightning-fast speeds and continued reliable access to the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime make Surfshark a fantastic choice for streaming, and an awesome gaming VPN that won't slow you down.

Surfshark also doesn't leave its Linux users out of its impressive capabilities Surfshark is one of only a handful of providers to offer a dedicated GUI for the most common distros. This highlights Surfshark's dedication to its user base, and it's always good to see VPNs offering more than just a command-line interface.

How to pick a secure VPN

Before you consider using any security software, you should carefully read through its privacy policy to ensure that the provider employs a transparent no-logging approach. This means that, besides some necessary information, the VPN never retains any logs on its users. So, there's simply no information to hand over if a data breach or government investigation occurs.

Another important aspect to look out for is strong encryption (I suggest at least AES-256) together with reliable VPN protocols. WireGuard has become the industry standard, as it strikes a fantastic balance between speed and security, and some providers, like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, have even developed their own proprietary protocols based on it. OpenVPN is still the most tried-and-tested protocol offered by most services, however, and privacy purists might prefer to stick with it.

You'll also which additional security features are on offer. A kill switch makes sure that none of your data will leak if the VPN connection drops, perfect forward secrecy boosts the protection of each of your sessions, and double encryption adds an extra layer of security when you need it most.

How does VPN encryption work?

Encryption can only go so far. If the authorities demand logs or other details on users from a VPN firm, encryption won’t stop the provider from handing said details over—which is why you should always be on the lookout for a firm that has a super-solid ‘no logs’ policy. That’s because while encryption might keep your data private and unreadable to your ISP, it’s still visible to the VPN itself.

That’s a common misconception about VPN security and encryption in regard to online privacy. Further misunderstandings can stem from the mishmash of jargon that surrounds talk of encryption, which is all likely to be meaningless to the casual VPN user. Terms like 128-bit, 256-bit, and AES are likely to confuse, so a bit of explanation is in order.

Encryption relies on advanced mathematical formulae to work its magic. Some types of encryption are stronger than others, and that’s where the terms 128-bit and 256-bit enter the picture—the latter is stronger than the former.

AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard and is the computer cipher or the actual algorithm used to perform the encryption.

Blowfish and AES are by far the most common ciphers found in daily VPN usage, and you’ll most commonly see VPN providers offering AES 256-bit encryption. The latter is something of a worldwide standard for solid security, with 256-bit encryption producing a staggering 1.1579 x 10 to the power of 77 possible keys.

Given that, even if you were using the combined power of all the world’s most powerful supercomputers, it’s not possible to pull off a brute-force attack to crack a symmetric 256-bit key (not before the death of the universe rolled around, anyway.)

Also, worth mentioning is Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), a system of private encryption keys generated for each new session—this basically ensures that even if the current particular key in use is somehow compromised, the encryption of past sessions can’t be cracked (because they all use a different key).

The best secure VPN FAQs

Edited by

Edited by

Andreas Theodorou (MRes, BA)

Andreas is a digital privacy advocate and VPN expert. After completing a Master of Research degree, he turned his attention to cybersecurity—investigating the use of invasive tracking cookies in the charity sector, and fighting for the preservation of our online freedoms.