9 best VPN services

VPN - Virtual Private Network, translated into Russian - virtual personal network. The technology allows you to replace the IP address of the device. Simply put, the best VPN service makes it possible to replace information about a computer or smartphone.

Recently, situations have become more frequent in which blocking of various resources on the network occurs. For example, the recent situation with the ban of Telegram on the territory of the Russian Federation has led to the fact that many needed services in order to freely use their usual messenger.

VPN work scheme

Best VPN services gives you the opportunity to further protect yourself if you use an insecure Internet connection. This is due to the establishment of an encrypted connection with the server that provides the VPN. The server becomes a node server for the user and already through it there is a connection with the final one. This ensures anonymity when using unverified Internet services, and also allows you to hide the contents of the traffic that the user exchanges with the server.

Which devices are compatible with the application?

The principle of operation of various programs and tasks of the operating system when using a VPN installed in the system and a VPN installed as an extension for the browser

You can activate a VPN connection on any device. By default, in the settings of a network of personal computers running Windows, MacOS or Linux, it is possible to enter the necessary data of an MPN server without installing third-party applications or extensions. The same applies to mobile devices based on iOS and Android operating systems.

Now there are dozens of options for various applications and add-ons for browsers that make it possible to activate a VPN connection.

Characteristics of Popular VPN Services

At the moment, a variety of services are presented on the market that offer users opportunities for safe and anonymous use of the Internet. Consider the most popular of them.

NordVPN - one of the best VPN services on the market

NordVPN

NordVPN has 5200 servers in 60 countries.This provides stable access to the Internet, even in China, in which the global Firewall is installed. NordVPN is one of the few VPN hosts that can unlock Netflix in countries where the streaming service does not officially work.

NordVPN is a paid program, costs $ 5 per month, but at the same time provides a 7-day trial version without any restrictions so that users can appreciate the functionality. There is also a 30-day money back guarantee if the VPN is not arranged.

NordVPN is featured on all popular mobile and desktop operating systems.

Hotspot Shield - a convenient way to bypass locks

Hotspot shield

Hotspot Shield is a service that allows you to use the best VPN service for free with a limit of 500 megabytes of traffic per day. A free rate allows you to connect to only one server in the United States of America. Unfortunately, streaming services like Netflix and HBO block access from Hotspot. However, this VPN is available to users, including as an add-on for browsers Google Chrome, Opera, Firefox and all modifications made on the Chromium engine. This allows you to conveniently activate it with one click directly from the Internet browser at a time when you need to visit a site prohibited in the country.

The application has the function of adding sites to the white list. This option automatically enables VPN, at the moment when the user logs on to a blocked resource. The encrypted connection will only be on those tabs on which it is necessary.

The paid version, priced at $ 6, will enable you to connect up to 5 verified user devices, including mobile, based on Android and iOS to your account. The limit of available daily traffic will be lost, and advertising messages will not be displayed.

TunnelBear - a worthy alternative to Hotspot Shield

Tunnelbear

TunnelBear is a VPN service that is also available on all popular platforms. The program provides much less traffic than Hotspot Shield - only 500 megabytes per month. Additional gigabytes can be obtained by writing about the company on the social network Twitter.

In 2018, the service was purchased by McAfee. McAfee is an information security company. The company has its own antivirus, as well as programs to monitor Internet traffic on home computers. McAfee is registered in the United States, which forces it to comply with local laws, including the agreement on surveillance and espionage, adopted during the Cold War.

At the same time, despite the minuses, the free version will not show annoying ads to the user. Buying a full one for $ 5 will remove all restrictions and make it possible to use servers in 20 countries.

Best VPNs for everyday use

Although many services make it possible to use them regularly, it is better to choose specialized software that will fit the requirements of the task presented to it.

Best VPN for Windows

According to the results of numerous checks of rating agencies, ZenMate is the best VPN program for daily use on a computer running Windows.

Zenmate

ZenMate is a VPN hosting service that has its own Windows app. It is enough to activate it once after the computer boots. There is also an option that includes a VPN in the startup list. This service is paid, it costs $ 10, however it provides a seven-day trial access period, as well as a 30-day money back guarantee after making the payment.

ZenMate has 2226 servers in 35 countries, which gives a wide scope for choice, in accordance with the required tasks. The program provides full protection against hacker attacks, through deep encryption of transmitted Internet traffic.

ZenMate is one of the few VPNs that provides access to the Netflix and BBC Player services, enabling users of the countries where they are blocked to enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows.

ZenMate also monitors the Internet channel by creating a NAT Firewall and notifies the user of the presence of spyware and malware that are trying to collect personal information.

Best VPN for Mac

Compared to Windows, MacOS has specific Apple software policies. All software that appears in the official app store must be personally verified by the apple company before release. For this reason, any program that made it to the Apple Store went through a rigorous selection process.

CyberGhost vpn is the best provider that provides MacOS users with high speed Internet access using an encrypted connection.

CyberGhost - one of the best VPN solutions for MacOS

This application has a simple and intuitive interface. Activation after loading the computer can be either automatic or manual. But at the same time, the use is quite simple.

Best VPN for Telegram

In the first half of 2018, by a court decision, the Telegram messenger, popular in Russia, was blocked. For this, the government agency Roskomnadzor, through Internet providers, blocked the servers with which the resource works.

The mobile version of the application, although with problems, continues to work through the use of technologies that Google and Apple have implemented in their operating systems. However, access to the browser version and program for computers based on Windows and MacOS has become limited. To continue using the usual messenger, users have to use various VPNs that they install on both PC and mobile phones.

One of the most convenient VPN providers for this is ExpressVPN. The service provides users with unlimited traffic and unlimited speed. ExpressVPN has 2,000 servers in 94 countries. To access the Windows version of Telegram, users only need to activate the VPN once and enable the startup option in the OS.

ExpressVPN

To access the browser version of the messenger, ExpressVPN clients have the option to install a browser extension. You can add the Telegram domain name there, and there will be no more problems with accessing the site.

The most convenient service

When using the VPN daily, the user does not want to configure the program for a long time. For this reason, the simplicity of the interface, installation and further use is very important.

Strongly wins on these indicators Hotspot Shield. It has applications for all relevant platforms, as well as add-ons for all popular browsers.

In it you can write a list of the necessary sites and resources that will be used through the VPN. In this case, the use of the remaining deposits will not be affected. Also, 500 megabytes of traffic in the free version is quite a lot, compared to what other providers provide.

The most universal service

According to thousands of users, NordVPN can be considered the most universal option. This is a service that has hundreds of servers. There are no restrictions when using the paid version of NordVPN. It gives you the opportunity to both watch movies on Netflix, and to protect your connection when using unknown sites.

Best Free VPN

According to the many opinions of users who leave their reviews, the best free VPN service can be considered the ProtonVPN service. This VPN provider has opened recently, but it is worthy of its popularity due to unlimited traffic in the free version.

Usually, no VPN provider will give you the opportunity to use the services for free without restrictions and will in every way push the user to purchase an extended version.

Unfortunately, ProtonVPN also has disadvantages. The service opened recently, due to which it does not have a sufficient supply of countries and servers from which it can work. Currently available: Netherlands, Japan, United States of America and Switzerland.

Protonvpn

Also, ProtonVPN does not have its own versions for the iOS and Mac operating systems.Therefore, if a client needs a VPN for their iPhone or iMac, then it is worth looking in the direction of other providers.

How to choose the best VPN service

Recent trends in government regulation of the Internet lead to the emergence of dozens of VPN services. Moreover, all of them have different working conditions. In order to find the right VPN provider, it’s worth:

Choosing the best VPN service is no easy task

1. Outline your tasks. For example, some providers are suitable for downloading materials via torrent trackers, while others can completely block a p2p connection. You should carefully read the description of the service, and only then purchase a subscription.
2. Define a budget. Services are clearly divided into free, budget and premium. The choice of provider depends on the capabilities of the client. In the case of using free versions, you will have to constantly sacrifice either speed, or the amount of traffic, or endure the periodic appearance of advertisements. Budget services will not show advertisements or limit traffic to their customers, however, access speed will drop significantly compared to premium resources and connections without additional encryption. The highest segment of VPN providers rarely limits their users in any way. For this, you must pay the high price for the service.
3. View reviews. There are a huge number of third-party sites where people leave comments about the top vpn services and their work. A careful study of other people's ratings will give an understanding of the integrity of the VPN provider.