Finding the best VPN solution requires careful analysis of its privacy and security features, performance, compatibility, and affordability. As we become more and more dependent on online services, one cannot deny the presence of malicious actors, trackers, and other parties in the digital landscape. While a VPN cannot fully secure personal data, it can secure network connections to prevent unauthorized access and encrypt confidential activity.

What can a VPN do?

Staying ahead of threats and protecting our data privacy is important. Using the Internet without VPN software allows ISPs, trackers, and hackers to steal confidential or personal information, which can lead to scams, price discrimination, and even identity theft. VPN can help create a secure, encrypted connection between a device and the Internet through a private tunnel where all data transmissions and other user operations can safely pass through without leakage.

Depending on the number of VPN servers, a VPN can also ensure high speed and consistent performance for users in need of fast connection. It also offers a safe means to bypass restrictions, meaning, anyone can access all websites, even streaming services which are exclusive to specific regions. Users can leverage these benefits of VPN for their overall safety and security.

Below are the top 5 best VPN software in 2023:

1 ExpressVPN

Overview

Founded in 2009, ExpressVPN offers a secure network of VPN servers in 94 countries. The VPN software is available on all major platforms in over 17 languages. It has been used by over 4 million active subscribers in 180 countries.  It also offers best-in-class encryption with AES-256.

As a VPN provider, ExpressVPN is committed to protecting the privacy and security of its customers together with its partners, Acer, Dynabook, Philips, and HMD. It is easy to set up and powered by TrustedServer technology, an advanced VPN server technology, which implements essential privacy protections.

Features

ExpressVPN is made compatible with any device and operating system. Its application extends to smart TVs, game consoles, and routers. With a strong emphasis on people's right to privacy, the VPN assures it keeps no activity or connection log from its users, ensuring everything connection made stays private and secure.

It also features a network lock kill switch to keep data safe if a VPN connection drops, blocking all online traffic until protection is restored. ExpressVPN also possesses its private, encrypted DNS, leaving no identifiable information to be leaked.

With its lightway protocol, ExpressVPN ensures faster, more secure connections, even during signal dropouts. It keeps the VPN connection idle, not terminated. This feature ensures always-on protection for its users, even when applications are in sleep mode or airplane mode.

ExpressVPN also features a threat manager which blocks apps and sites from communicating with trackers that share user activity with third-party services, enabling more control over online privacy and data security. ExpressVPN offers a free trial of its software with all its features. With its easy setup and round-the-clock chat support, users have one of the best VPNs to protect their privacy.

2 NordVPN

Overview

Trusted by tech experts and millions of users, NordVPN offers online protection and keeps devices malware-free. It boasts over 5000 servers worldwide and modern VPN protocols to deliver seamless internet connection. It supports multiple devices and operating systems. Users can connect up to six devices and experience secure and private access anywhere.

Features

Much like other VPNs, NordVPN provides secure encryption. It prevents ISPs, hackers, and governments from tracking one's internet traffic. It can also grant twice the protection with a double VPN, routing traffic through two VPN servers, making it twice as hard for threat actors to enact data breaches.

NordVPN also features a kill switch, which blocks internet access whenever a VPN connection drops, guaranteeing protection from accidental exposure. It also offers a private DNS, granting full-control over IP addresses and network access. Moreover, with SmartPlay, the VPN secures access to all kinds of content, allowing anyone to bypass geo-blocks while still being protected with net-gen encryption.

NordVPN also functions as a dark web monitor. It sends out alerts whenever it discovers a user's account has been compromised. It also enables the creation of a mesh net, allowing any devices to connect and communicate with one another regardless of location. This feature gives users the ability to share files between different devices or route their online activity through another to hide their IP address.

With its ease of use and multiple device compatibility, users can also leverage NordVPN for its 24/7 support. It is a simplified online security solution and remote access solution.

3 X-VPN

Overview

With a user base exceeding one hundred million, X-VPN aids enterprises in upholding their online confidentiality and internet accessibility, functioning as a prominent global VPN provider. Their corporate VPN service has achieved the top position in the VPN download rankings across 42 nations and has secured the leading spot in the VPN revenue rankings within 95 countries. The VPN has also crossed the milestone of 100 million downloads through major app stores and has amassed over 900 thousand reviews, all receiving five-star ratings.

X-VPN is celebrated for its user-friendly nature, exceptional performance, and effectiveness in bypassing geographic limitations. It presents a dependable and safeguarded connection that can be harnessed for remote work, browsing, or streaming, regardless of location. This VPN ensures the security of all online connections via encrypted tunnels.

Digital privacy remains intact during data transfers and interactions with servers. External entities are unable to access or acquire any information related to the user. Consequently, this serves as a secure remote access solution a remote worker can take advantage of when accessing their company's resources.

Furthermore, X-VPN offers unparalleled capabilities in unblocking global streaming platforms. It facilitates unrestricted access to streaming services from anywhere and at any time. The VPN efficiently addresses latency concerns to ensure optimal gameplay, especially in first-person shooter (FPS) games.

Its compatibility extends to various gaming platforms, including mobile devices, PCs, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. On a broader spectrum, it delivers internet freedom by surmounting geo-restrictions and other impediments imposed by applications or websites. This empowers users to access services like TikTok in India and Discord in Egypt, among others.

Notably, X-VPN stands out as the sole VPN provider that supports six types of obfuscated protocols, encompassing TCP, UDP, TLS, HTTP, FTP, and SMTP. This diverse range ensures robust unblocking capabilities for diverse types of restricted networks. Beyond expanding access to Netflix libraries, the VPN effectively unlocks prominent streaming platforms like Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer.

Features

8000+ Servers Worldwide

X-VPN boasts an expansive server network, exceeding 8000 servers worldwide, in collaboration with renowned vendors such as Amazon Web Services, Oracle Cloud, and Google Cloud Platform. This network spans 374 locations across 64 countries, enabling swift and secure global connections. Noteworthy are the specialized servers strategically placed in the Middle East, South America, Oceania, and Africa.

X-VPN features exclusive servers optimized for various functions, including network unblocking, global streaming, low-latency gaming, and rapid torrenting. The provider employs RAM-Only servers to ensure user privacy remains paramount.

Automatic Server Management System THA

X-VPN's software, including its Automatic Server Management System THA, addresses scalability seamlessly. With over ten thousand servers under its management, the THA system facilitates expansion to accommodate growing traffic demands. This system optimizes server performance to ensure optimal network connection efficiency.

Private Protocol - Everest

For robust encryption, X-VPN introduces Everest, a proprietary protocol. Everest employs AES-256 encryption and obfuscation techniques to bolster security. X-VPN is notable for being the sole provider to incorporate a self-developed obfuscated protocol into a VPN product. The protocol also supports standard public protocols like OpenVPN, L2TP, and WireGuard.

Kill Switch

Enhancing security further, X-VPN integrates a Kill Switch into its framework. This built-in feature halts internet connectivity immediately upon VPN connection compromise or disconnection. The Kill Switch acts as an emergency defense mechanism, ensuring a user's data stays private and protected from exposure.

Basic Private Browser

Within its application, X-VPN offers a basic private browser equipped with VPN and tracking protection. This ensures that no logs are retained, and the system reinforces privacy upon exiting the browser.

Automatic Multi-Hop VPN

X-VPN's arsenal includes an Automatic Multi-Hop VPN feature, designed to establish the most secure, reliable, and expedient connection path. This feature directs traffic through multiple VPN servers situated in different locations before connecting users to their final destination.

Leak Protection

To counter potential leaks, X-VPN's VPN solution includes safeguards against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks. These measures ensure that real IP addresses and confidential information remain undisclosed during the connection.

Split Tunneling

For versatile usage, X-VPN incorporates Split Tunneling. This capability empowers users to exclude specific applications or sites from the VPN tunnel, effectively excluding them from the protective scope of the VPN. Such applications or sites operate under the original internet connection.

X-VPN offers an array of benefits, including access to a vast global server network exceeding 8000 units. Its availability spans across various operating systems and it extends 24/7 live customer support. The commitment to data privacy is evident through its RAM-Only servers, solidifying digital confidentiality for all users.

4 Proton VPN

Overview

Proton VPN has nearly three thousand servers located in 68 countries. It is a high-speed, secure VPN that promises to safeguard a user's privacy. This provider is completely transparent in its apps and procedures, enabling anyone to examine the code of its application and review its security audits openly.

Operating under Swiss law, Proton VPN ensures no information gets collected or turned over to third-party providers, ensuring every private information remains confidential. By legal obligation, it cannot retain data from its users nor require them to log their online activity. Over 100 million people have trusted Proton VPN to keep their data safe.

Features

Like other VPNs, Proton VPN hides the real IP address to protect users' privacy, given it's the easiest and most accurate way for websites to track people online. Equipped with a NetShield Ad-blocker, it can block ads, trackers, and malicious scripts that aim to collect or compromise personal information.

Proton VPN also features DNS leak protection, ensuring a browser history never gets leaked to the ISP. It utilizes robust VPN protocols such as WireGuard and OpenVPN for additional security measures. It also features two-factor authentication and forward secrecy to combat threat actors from attacking. A kill switch and always-on VPN ensure an IP address never gets exposed, even if the connection gets interrupted.

To improve VPN performance, the Proton VPN features an accelerator that boosts the speed up to 400% over a long distance. Its network of high-speed servers can offer connections up to 10 Gbs. It also features port forwarding, which improves peer-to-peer performance due to less network traffic between two parties. With the ease of use and full disclosure of operations, users can leverage Proton VPN as the best free VPN for PC.

5 IPVanish

Overview

Equipped with 2,200 VPN servers in over 75 locations, IPVanish has been providing VPN service for over a decade. Committed to giving its customers quality care, it offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, or live chat. It also offers advanced encryption and promises a verified no-traffic logs policy.

IPVanish supports multiple operating systems, including Chrome OS and mobile compatibility, extending its availability to Amazon Appstore for smart TVs. Media platforms like Forbes, IGN, Tom's Guide, TechRadar, and PCMag have praised the VPN for its features and affordability.

Features

IPVanish spans over 40,000 IP addresses to enable privacy among its users, preventing third parties from tracking people's identity or location. It also offers encrypted web browsing, which stops snoopers or advertisers from collecting personal information online for marketing purposes.

Equipped with WireGuard VPN protocol, the VPN service of IPVanish guarantees high-speed surfing for its users. This feature is complemented by its 2200 servers, speeding up the data transmission to enable fast loading times. Customers can also choose other VPN protocols to match their speed and security needs: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPSec.

IPVanish also features DNS leak protection and a VPN kill switch, ensuring users are protected even when VPN connections are interrupted. If users want better speed, they can opt for the SOCKS5 proxy, a flexible alternative to have faster connections without encryption yet still have privacy protection. IPVanish offers a free trial of its VPN software and a 30-day money-back guarantee for less-than-satisfied customers.

Conclusion

Users have the option to place their trust in the finest five VPN software offerings to elevate and safeguard their connections through the utilization of numerous VPN servers. While certain providers may flaunt superior server counts, others differentiate themselves by their inherent security attributes.

The utility of a VPN extends to serving as a remedy for remote access needs, particularly beneficial for users who have embraced remote work setups. The investment in the security it delivers holds significant value, acting as a safeguard for the integrity of data. Within this context, selecting from the roster of these preeminent five VPN providers equates to securing an optimal VPN solution that promises rapid and protected connections.