The best VPN service 2022

Getting a VPN (Virtual Private Network) has quickly become the go-to internet tool for being safe and anonymous. VPNs are a simple method to ensure that everything you do in your digital life is encrypted and concealed, especially at a time when it feels like you're being tracked and monitored more than ever.

The finest VPNs, on the other hand, are more than simply a security tool. They've become game-changing software for streamers and anybody trying to get past internet restrictions and prohibited applications since they can essentially mislead your laptop or mobile device into believing it's in another location completely.

In this essay, we'll go over everything you need to know about VPNs. What they do, how they operate, which devices they work with, and when you'd be better off without one

And, because our very own experienced cybersecurity specialists have recently done our regular retesting of all the top providers out there, you can also find 2022's best VPN services with simplified evaluations of our preferred 5 providers in only a few clicks.

Our top three VPN services for 2022

1. ExpressVPN - best VPN service in 2022

In our most recent VPN testing, ExpressVPN came out on top once again. Fast speeds, security smarts, ultimate ease-of-use, 24/7 customer support, and even free cloud backup are all included in this all-in-one bundle. It's the greatest VPN on the market, and you can try it risk-free for 30 days.

2. NordVPN - the most well-known VPN provider.

NordVPN is a close second, with fast server speeds, added privacy features like 'Double VPN' encryption, and an independently certified no-log policy. It's jam-packed with features, and when you sign up for a multi-year plan, the cost becomes really inexpensive, considering the high quality on offer.

3. Surfshark Is a low-cost, easy-to-use VPN.

Surfshark may not have as many servers as the two best VPN services mentioned above, but it is still packed with features and excels in unblocking prohibited applications and services. It's a reasonable cost alternative that's very simple to use, at less than $2.50 USD/£2/$AU3.50 each month - and right now, it's giving you an extra two months free.

What is a virtual private network (VPN)?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a program or app that allows you to connect to the internet over safe, encrypted tunnels. For many people, using a VPN service is all about privacy; you may want to use it to keep your online life fully secret from prying eyes such as your ISP (which is useful for torrenting) or even your government.

However, because the best VPNs also allow you to change your IP address to one in a different location or country, they've become far more popular for bypassing internet restrictions, viewing foreign TV shows, and even streaming live sports from other countries. Do you want to learn more? To see a more detailed explanation, go here.

The best VPN services for 2022:

1. ExpressVPN

The outright best VPN service in 2022

Top marks across the board
Easy to run on almost any platform
Speedy VPN servers in 90+ countries
Strong on encryption and unblocking
Superb 24/7 live customer support

Fewer simultaneous connections than some
Above average prices

Get TechRadar's top-rated VPN risk-free for three months

For a long time, ExpressVPN has been at the top of the VPN rankings, and it's clear to understand why. It brilliantly combines the essentials - fast connections, a plethora of server options, impenetrable security, and effective unblocking - with a desire to constantly innovate with its features and additional extras.

ExpressVPN offers over 3,000 servers in 160 locations across 94 countries, as well as connections and applications. Its five simultaneous connections will be more than enough for most subscribers (although most other VPN services on this list allow more), and it's also very easy to use on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, smart TVs, PlayStation, and Xbox. It has fantastic apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux (plus dedicated extensions for Chrome and Firefox), and it's also very easy to use on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, smart TVs, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Security and privacy: In addition to industry-standard encryption and 256-bit encrypted DNS, Express's proprietary open-source Lightway protocol is now completely available across all apps, resulting in even greater speed and dependability. You may also use the old OpenVPN configuration, albeit support for IKEv2 and L2TP/IPsec has been removed.

Usability: Aside from the stats and specifications, ExpressVPN actually shines in our real-world tests. We appreciate how simple it is to utilize this service. That may sound self-evident, but not every VPN company has figured out how to make their products user-friendly, regardless of the device you're using. ExpressVPN is incredibly simple to set up and use for both expert and beginner users, with everything from desktop and mobile to TV streamers and browser addons.

ExpressVPN is a fast VPN service. Really quick, with excellent connection speeds across several countries' servers. That's true even when we're using the default OpenVPN protocol in our testing; with the aforementioned Lightway option enabled, they're even faster. True, some services, like as TorGuard and Hide. me, outperform it, but the peaks of 630Mbps we witnessed in our speed tests will be more than enough for 99 percent of customers.

Streaming: For many individuals searching for a VPN, it all boils down to how well a service unblocks blocked websites/services and gets over TV streaming barriers. So we check to see whether they can unblock geo-restrictions that prevent you from accessing Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ from outside the United States. ExpressVPN excels in unblocking them all and has responded to the challenge posed by Netflix in its ongoing effort to eliminate VPN use entirely.

ExpressVPN goes above and above in terms of features. Bitcoin payments, peer-to-peer (P2P) support, a kill switch, DNS leak prevention, robust and dependable performance, and an explicit no-logging policy that has been independently validated. It's all there, and the company is always innovating, giving its users more general online security features like the cookie-blocking Threat Manager and a Parallel Connections feature that reduces your connection time - there always seems to be something new and shiny added to the service every time we test it.

Customer service: It's important to know about this VPN provider's good customer service. Its help page is jam-packed with step-by-step instructions and tutorials to get you up and running quickly. If you have any problems, live chat support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you. It also works - we always get useful replies from a qualified support representative within a few minutes of submitting our inquiries.

Price: We feel that the phrase'reassuringly costly' is most appropriate here. ExpressVPN is more costly than many of its primary competitors, especially if you only need it for a month, which costs $12.95. When you consider that the yearly plan ($6.67 per month) includes an extra three months free and a free subscription to cloud backup provider Backblaze, the annual plan ($6.67 per month) becomes much more appealing.

Is there anything else? : We'd be remiss if we didn't mention ExpressVPN's 'exciting' week in August 2021. First, it declared that it had been purchased by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and PIA below and has a tumultuous past. Then it was discovered a few days later that the company's CIO had been penalized for earlier hacking claims. In TechRadar's opinion, neither event appears to be especially serious - though we understand why they ruffled a few feathers in the VPN market - and we see no reason to discontinue recommending this company based on this.

Should you purchase it: We make no apologies for how highly we regard ExpressVPN. It's easy... it's the greatest VPN you can get in almost any situation. If you're still not convinced, ExpressVPN has a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can use like a free trial – though we doubt you'll need it.

2. NordVPN

A close second for the biggest name in the VPN world

Unparalleled security smarts
Great at most unblocking
Improved further with NordLynx protocol
Great value subscription options

User experience could still be improved
Some features need a bit of work

NordVPN, arguably the most well-known name in the VPN industry and a 10-year veteran, more than lives up to its lofty reputation. It excels in almost every area you'd want to consider when selecting a new VPN service, and it's only a hair behind ExpressVPN in our overall VPN review rating.

Servers, connections, and apps: Nord actually outnumbers ExpressVPN in terms of server count, with 5,000+ (in 60 countries) and six simultaneous connections.

Security and privacy: We've been impressed with NordVPN's degree of security for quite some time now. With AES-256 encryption as standard, you may additionally activate its Double VPN technology, which encrypts all of your internet traffic twice. It's useful to know where your online anonymity is most important, such as while using public Wi-Fi or torrenting.

Nord's commitment to putting the damaging news of prior data breaches behind him is also admirable. Every year, it hires PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct a thorough audit of its no-logging policy.

Performance: In the last year or two, the provider's unique NordLynx protocol has gotten a lot of attention. It has contributed to Nord's connection speeds being among the quickest and most dependable we've seen, even from servers located furthest away.

Usability: NordVPN is a pain to set up and use for the most part. However, we do have a few minor gripes, such as the destination cities not being shown in alphabetical order or having to navigate through menus for specific task features. This is especially true when it comes to its generally successful mobile apps. But, like with every VPN review you'll see on the internet, they are minor flaws, and we recognize that it ultimately comes down to personal opinion.

Streaming: NordVPN has a long history of successfully unblocking a broad range of apps and streaming services, including WhatsApp, YouTube, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and many others. And, after a few shaky months, we're starting to see it get back on track when it comes to giving you access to foreign Netflix collections.

Other features include powerful DNS leak protection, kill switches (both application-specific and system-wide), proxy extensions for Chrome and Firefox browsers, and payment alternatives such as Bitcoin, PayPal, and credit cards, just like its major rival. With bundled capabilities like Threat Protection, it's also helping to lead the charge as VPNs become more like traditional virus protection - though we think this much-promoted feature is still badly designed in its present incarnation, with hard-to-find settings and inconsistencies between platforms.

Customer support: NordVPN's troubleshooting articles are not only extensive, but they are also really valuable. If you're still having trouble, there's a chatbot and outstanding live customer care available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Price: NordVPN offers a few membership choices, including monthly subscriptions and a great two-year special deal (see below). NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you wish to test the service before committing.

Should you purchase it: As we previously stated, there isn't much to choose between Nord and its biggest competitor ExpressVPN. While the few niggles we've mentioned may irritate some, they're minor, and Nord's more affordable pricing (along with very prominent advertising promotions) may just entice you to switch.

3. Surfshark

Don't be fooled by the cheap pricing - an excellent VPN service

Eye-catching prices
Unlimited devices covered
A dream to use
Excellent unblocking

Kill switch issues
Slower OpenVPN speeds

Surfshark has continued to amaze critics like us with a strong drive to enhance its service, performance, and feature set, even if its market-breaking cost attracts a lot of attention. While value is the attribute that will make Surfshark stand out the most when looking for a new VPN, there's a lot more to enjoy about Surfshark than just dollars and pence.

Apps, servers, and connections: Aside from the low prices, one of the most appealing aspects of Surfshark is that you receive limitless connections with a single subscription. So, whether you want to watch international TV on your laptop, desktop (compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux), tablet, a handful of mobile phones (both iOS and Android are supported), and Amazon Fire TV Stick, you only need one account. Furthermore, you could possibly let friends and family members to utilize your sub.

Surfshark is all business when it comes to keeping your online identity and personal information safe. It now includes the new WireGuard protocol in its OpenVPN UDP, TCP, and IKEv2 options. Surfshark also includes a private DNS server and a double VPN hop for further protection. However, as meticulous as our testers are, we have discovered a strange problem with Surfshark's kill switch. The end product isn't fatal, but it doesn't quite reach the same degree of perfection as Express.

Performance: In the past, we've beaten Surfshark by using speeds as a weapon. However, the supplier appears to have made some progress, as our most recent speed testing revealed WireGuard rates of up to 790Mbps. However, while that protocol outperforms ExpressVPN and NordVPN, Surfshark's OpenVPN pace remains poor – the maximum 150Mbps is among the lowest we've seen in our recent tests.

Usability: When you first visit Surfshark's website, you'll notice that the company's laid-back and fun branding makes software that would be scary to newbies quite approachable and user-friendly.

So, if you're easily confused and turned off by sophisticated menus and a plethora of settings, Surfshark - like ExpressVPN above - might be the VPN for you. It maintains its user interface simple and uncomplicated. All you'll see are the options for 'Quick connect' and 'All locations,' along with a Settings icon, and that's about it. Whether that amount of detail (or lack thereof) is a benefit or a disadvantage is purely subjective.

Streaming: We discovered that it successfully unblocks geo-restricted access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other services. In fact, in recent weeks, Surfshark has been right on par with Nord when it comes to unblocking a variety of international Netflix libraries (including the US).

Surfshark, like the other two providers mentioned above, provides quick and friendly live chat assistance if you run into any problems.

Price: If you sign up for Surfshark's two-year plan, you'll pay less than $2.50 USD / £2 GBP / $3.50 AUD every month. This is in stark contrast to the VPN services discussed before in this article (although PIA below is now giving it a run for its money). It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can give it a try before committing to a longer-term.

Anything else? : It always feels like this company is trying to up its game, and in May 2021 it hired independent security consultants Cure53 to conduct a security audit to "thoroughly examine and evaluate the security posture exposed by the Surfshark server" - the report concluded that "Surfshark has a very solid security premise." Surfshark One, a full-featured internet security package based on the Avira antivirus engine, is the most recent innovation.

Should you purchase it: A spot in the top three of the 200+ VPNs we've tested is a strong recommendation, and the preceding 'negatives' are unlikely to deter bargain shoppers. It's a pretty powerful VPN at a very reasonable price.

4. Private Internet Access

A strong all-round VPN that keeps on improving and for a great price

So many servers
Excellent apps
Loads of genuinely useful features
Superb value

No security audit (yet)
Below average WireGuard speeds

Private Internet Access (sometimes styled as just PIA) is a very capable VPN service with more than enough features - and some amazing price - to merit a spot on your shortlist.

PIA's most remarkable claim in recent VPN evaluations is a massive rise in the company's server count - the last we heard was about 10,000, putting it considerably ahead of the competition in terms of sheer server counts. That seems impressive, but it wouldn't be worth a thing if you didn't have good VPN clients and a lot of security knowledge. Thankfully, PIA provides a balanced combination of privacy features and security methods (including WireGuard) - this includes their excellent Chrome extension, which has the ability to prevent location access, third-party cookies, website referrers, and more.

Whether you plan to use your VPN primarily on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, or a combination (up to 10 simultaneous connections are supported), they're all dependable, easy to use, and have more capabilities than others. That isn't just our opinion; customer reviews on the App Store and Google Play Store are overwhelmingly positive.

And PIA is just getting better. A recently added SmartDNS - another string to its bow in terms of helping you watch region-restricted content - excellent kill switch, browser extensions with added privacy benefits, open-source apps, and a live chat support service that we found genuinely helpful when we used it - are among the impressive features list.

PIA greatly impresses interested streamers. We discovered that it successfully unblocks US Netflix from overseas (but not other international libraries) as well as Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus in our tests. However, we were unable to access BBC iPlayer from outside the United Kingdom.

To be honest, PIA isn't even close to making it onto our list of the fastest VPNs. It isn't the slowest, but it won't prevent you from doing most 'regular' online browsing. However, if you're a gamer searching for an edge, a streamer who can't stand the slightest hint of buffering, or a torrenter who doesn't want to wait, you might want to choose one of the better/faster solutions on our list.

Should you purchase it: Private Internet Access tries a lot to set itself apart from the competition and has a large number of happy clients. We can't understand what things you'd feel like you're missing out on because the cost surpasses a lot of the competition, which sometimes throws in free extra months or additional security licenses when you sign up for more than a year. If speed is crucial to you, make a note of it, but otherwise, you're set to go.

5. ProtonVPN

The biggest climber in our VPN review charts of recent times

Loads of features
Free plan with unlimited bandwidth
Top quality apps
Improving speeds and coverage

Customer support needs improvement
Some features are limited to the Plus plan

In recent testing, ProtonVPN has been one of the fastest-improving providers, and it is certainly deserving of its spot among our top five VPN services. Proton seems to have been on a mission in the last couple of years, growing its server network from a few hundred to over 2,000 (still a small number, but progress) and making significant upgrades to its clients and applications, introducing new features and support.

The most recent and major of these was WireGuard, which has now been completely implemented. That's good news for Proton's long-term viability, and our speed tests revealed some of the fastest OpenVPN speeds we've seen. In summary, if you're in a rush to switch on ProtonVPN, you don't have to worry about being connected right away, and you can keep it running in the background knowing that it won't slow down your internet connection.

Proton has also upgraded its streaming capabilities, making it a trusted service for circumventing geo-restrictions when traveling. It sailed through BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video, and gave us unrestricted access to global Netflix libraries despite the fact that other Netflix VPNs have had issues this year. Although it should be emphasized that this is only true if you have a Plus membership; the free and Basic levels do not offer this functionality.

The fact that Proton is situated in Switzerland gives you an immediate sense of security. And that's only made better by excellent kill switches, the ability to pay in Bitcoin, and a rising number of P2P torrenting servers.

Of course, there's still an opportunity for improvement. We'd like to see Proton take a page from Surfshark's book and make the applications and clients a little more friendly and less technical. Its help articles are a little too complicated for us, and while we like its new live chat assistance, there were moments during the day when no one was accessible.

We're particularly irritated by the fact that the 30-day money-back promise is pro-rata - if you use it for 15 days, for example, you'll only get a 50% refund. It appears to be terrible form, albeit Proton does provide a very helpful free VPN if you wish to give it a try for no money.

Should you purchase it: So, while ProtonVPN isn't flawless, it's on the rise and vying for the top spot on our VPN rankings. It still doesn't have a lot of servers or locations, and if you require all of the capabilities we've listed, it's pretty pricey (albeit a basic subscription is less than $5 per month). However, this is a strong and reliable service, and if that's your primary priority, we urge you to check it out.

The best VPN service 2022

Our top three VPN services for 2022

What is a virtual private network (VPN)?

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