Digitisation has recast everyone’s life, people’s work, and lives go digital, from online education to corporate meetings and shoppings. 9.78 million workers in the U.S work remotely, and about 70 million people are logging in from cafes, public network connections, open WiFis, and other unprotected networks, which can threaten privacy. VPN is essential to stay anonymous online. It is equally imperative that governmental and third-party surveillance results are more prevented, and the desire to obtain the best VPN is a high priority.
Beyond privacy, VPN is a maneuver for dialing back home whenever you face geo-restrictions. If you hop on the right server location and get access to get your content. No matter your needs, we have got all the options for you right here. We have narrowed down the option of choosing the best VPN beyond enhancing your privacy, and camouflaging your anonymity works best for other purposes.
Why do you need a VPN?
VPN is an indispensable tool that offers solid performance and security to offer online shields to protect digital privacy without breaking the bank. With VPN, you can protect your data and activities from prying eyes and regain measures to stay online anonymously.
A VPN creates a secure tunnel that encrypts your data, hides your IP, and easily performs all your Internet activities. All your traffic is routed through this tunnel, so you set up a secure network so your data or presence is secure from prying eyes along the way. Because your server, your true identity of IP address and location is hidden while masking up with different addresses.
When you are using a public Wi-Fi network, there are chances your online interest, activities, search history is snooped or spied on by anyone who wants to steal or monetise your data. Unlike business data, your online activities like shopping and logging into your Facebook account and other data can breach your privacy at risk even while at home too.
Beyond Safety, anonymity, and freedom, we have listed some perks to using a VPN.
• Security on Public Wifi
Free things come with drawbacks too, and you don’t want it at the expense of your security. Scrolling and surfing absentmindedly on airports, cafes, private networks, somewhere might be tracking your online activity.
Your internet service provider is hooked into what you do online, and they can sell anonymised data about customers. Like Google and Facebook monetising your online behavior and market data to customers, VPN controls the gateway and interrupts to send your data and behavioral activities.
• Transferring data confidentially
Transferring data through unsecured connections could be perturbing for many companies. A VPN technology enabling subsidiaries would allow you to connect company headquarters to employees and establish a secure connection to exchange data. A software-based solution doesn’t require you to be IT savvy or have special hardware skills and ensures that you are transferring files securely and safely within the corporate structure.
• Shopping Bargains
If you are online shopping savvy, VPN is your cup of tea. You would be surprised that a VPN server is not only for streaming but also for bargain-hunting. Sometimes the prices are different online depending on which region you appear to be any different in other areas, such as flights and hotel booking. To overcome this location bias, check rates using VPN servers of different countries. Appearing from different countries and grabbing deals in specific other scenarios could be beneficial in online games.
What can a VPN not do?
Dynamic software can be useful and has its own limitations too. The primary function is to protect your internet traffic and sustain your anonymity from Spiers and snoopers. As VPN reroutes and encrypted connection, the speed would be dwindled and affect their performance. Specific activities like gaming and streaming your favorite series might require higher bandwidth; with VPN, your gaming might hinder the performance.
But even with some VPN, advertisers, trackers, and snoops may extract the data about you. It is highly recommended to use a tracker blocker that has the capability of protecting your data. Your browsing experience can reveal a lot about your activities and needs.
Along with it, we recommend you to use antivirus software on your devices that allow two-factor authentication wherever possible, along with a password manager.
Some countries heavily restrict access and have banned VPNs, while some countries have given partial sovereignty.
How to get a VPN?
Amongst the pool of providers, it could be daunting to choose one congruent to your needs. Colossal server network, great speeds, rock-solid privacy, supersonic speed, and budget-friendly are some facets you might want to look at in a VPN.
Download the software and install it just like any other program from their official websites. Most of the VPNs are available in the Mac App Store, Play Store, and Apple Store.
After extensive research, we have enlisted a few top picks that would help you narrow down your options and select one that is right for you.
1. Nord VPN
Key Features
- Excellent connection with above 6000+ servers
- Simultaneously connecting six devices
- No need for logging and hectic procedures
- Split tunneling
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Latest Wireguard technology
Costs $11.95 monthly and $119 annually. Despite being high cost, it stands out to impress and is considered as an Editors Choice.
2. Express VPN
Key Features
- Compatible with almost every device
- Strictly designed for business
- Standard encryption and security features
- Split tunneling
- Stylish interface
- Fleet of servers
Available in three subscription options – monthly $12.95, $15.95 for six months, and $99.95 annually. No free VPN subscription tier is available. If you are looking for VPN access to a specific country or are enticed by a privacy setup, Express VPN is the option.
3. SurfShark
Key Features
- Simultaneously connect to Unlimited connections
- Well designed app
- Static servers
- Ample privacy tools
- Double VPN
- 256-bit encryption
- Automatic kill switch
- No log policy
- Engaged customer support
The company is credited for its transparent privacy policies and maximizing footprint masking and ID protection. With affordable pricing, $12.95 per month with a subscription of $38.94 six months and $59.76 for a two-year plan. It is touted to be the most expensive VPNs reviewed so far.
Can I get a VPN for free?
Possibilities are endless for a free subscription tier, but they universally have some drawbacks too.
Free services come with monthly or daily data limitations, which means you have to spend wisely.
If you are not paying for the services, the company has to recoup their business and fill their pockets, which could be through cluttered ads or, worse, selling your data. Along with it, there is the likelihood of attacks and security breaches by using free VPN services.
In a nutshell,
VPNs are available options if you are concerned highly about your data privacy, security or just want fun. These reasonably priced security measures provide you a base level of internet protection. VPNs are basic security that everyone must possess, whether you are a home user or a business one.
We have rounded up some of the top three editors’ choice VPNs that are a preferable choice. The final decision would depend on your technical expertise, where and how you want to use it.