Best VPN clients in 2022. This list will give you the best VPN providers in the industry.
Did you know your ISP and the govt. know exactly what you do on the web? Which websites you visit, how much time you spend there and a lot more.
Using a VPN will make you invisible. You can do anything you like on the web, without any of that being linked to “you”.
I’ve been using VPNs for over half a decade now. Hence, I’ve got a concrete idea when it comes to the do’s and don’ts of a VPN. Each VPN on this list has been hand-picked and has a specific reason why it’s listed here.
Let’s start with the basics then?
How To Choose The Best VPN Clients?
If you’ve never used a VPN before, this checklist will help you choose better:
- “Verified” no log policy: Every VPN “claims” to not store logs. It’s best to go with those which have an independently verified and audited “no log” policies.
- Jurisdiction: A VPN’s home-country matters a lot. Go with VPNs that aren’t a part of the Five-Eye
- Anonymous payments: VPNs accepting Cryptocurrencies/gift cards for payments are the better choices.
- Refund policy: VPNs which allow at least 7 days for testing the software should be your priority. This will let you verify the speed and other features.
- Other advanced features: While it’s optional, VPNs with Split Tunneling, Double VPN, Obfuscated servers, Dedicated IPs, dark-web optimization etc. are obviously better, aren’t they?
- Simultaneous connections: Any VPN which offers at least 5 devices on a single account is a good choice. (All the VPNs on this list do).
- Support: Prioritize VPNs which have a 24X7 live-chat.
- Pricing (not what you think): Going with the “cheaper” option isn’t generally the better choice when it comes to a VPN. It’s better to pay a few extra cents making sure the VPN company doesn’t have to sell your data to survive.
NordVPN
Website: https://nordvpn.com/
- Independently proven and verified “no log” policy.
- Panama-based
- Crypto payment accepted
- 6 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks Netflix*
- 5500+ servers
- 59 countries
- Obfuscated servers
- Double VPN*
- Dedicated IP*
- Onion over VPN*
- No noticeable speed loss*
- 24X7 live-chat
- Supports nearly all devices/OS and browsers
- 30-day refund policy
- Entry price: $3.99/month
*Very rare features
Get 66% off NordVPN’s 2-year Plan
This is “the best” VPN out there in my personal experience. I’ve probably used over 30 VPNs in the past decade, however, Nord clearly wins on multiple fronts. Let me walk the talk?
The most important point being its publicly and independently audited “no log” policy, multiple times!
Did you know that most VPNs claiming to not store logs are lying? Fast VPN, UFO VPN, Super VPN and even HideMyAss are just some of those culprits. Nord truly doesn’t store logs. Here’s proof.
NordVPN operates out of Panama. This means, it’s not a part of the Five-Eye group and the U.S/U.K and other powerful countries can’t force it to log/share user data.
Then, it can unblock most Netflix libraries without being detected. Most VPNs can’t.
It also offers Split Tunnelling. This lets you choose which apps/websites you wish to access using/excluding the VPN. Extremely helpful when accessing sites that require IP-validation from your location (e.g. banks).
The company has over 5500+ servers and lets you choose from 59 countries. It also has WireGuard®, one of the fastest VPN protocols in existence. This is why, the speed-drop with NordVPN is the least, and virtually undetectable to the naked eye.
Its “Obfuscated” servers make your traffic look normal/non-VPN. This way, even the most restrictive govts. and agencies can’t stop you.
Two extremely rare features, the “Double VPN” and “Dedicated IP” are available. Double VPN changes your IP twice for your connection offering double layer of anonymity. Dedicated IP offers an IP address exclusively to you, no other users gets it.
“Onion over VPN” is another feature most other VPNs lack. It offers Tor (deep web) optimized servers for faster and secure browsing. As for multiple users, 6 devices can be connected to a single Nord account.
Finally, there’s even a dark web monitor. It notifies users if and when their credentials are uploaded for sale on the dark web. A malware/virus and spam site detection feature is in-built as well.
There’s a 24X7 live-chat if you need support.
The VPN can be used on Android, iOS, Windows, Linux and many other devices. In fact, it has native browser extensions for most browsers, doesn’t even require downloads.
The plans start at $3.99/month and there’s a 30-day refund policy in case you don’t like what you get. You can obviously pay using Cryptocurrencies for even more anonymity.
Get 66% off NordVPN’s 2-year Plan
SurfShark VPN
Website: https://surfshark.com/
- Netherland-based
- Verified “no log” policy
- “Bypasser”
- Crypto payments
- “Camouflaged” mode
- “NoBorders” mode
- In-built ad & malware blocker
- 95+ country options
- 3200+ servers
- RAM servers
- Unlimited devices
- Compatible with most devices & OS
- Prices start at $2.49/month
- 30-day refund policy
Grab SurfShark today and Get 83% off + 3 Month Subscription Free
SurfShark is based out of Netherlands. It’s just as good as Panama when it comes to privacy and anonymity. Its “no log” policy too has been verified and proven by independent auditors.
Its most exclusive feature? Unlimited devices. A single VPN account can be used on any number of devices without limits.
Three of its prime attractions are:
- “Bypasser” : lets you use choose which apps/browsers will use, or be excluded from using the VPN.
- “Camouflaged mode”: makes sure your use of a VPN can’t be detected by ISPs and govts.
- NoBorders Mode: allows you to use the VPN even in the most restrictive regions.
SurfShark also offers in-built protection from ads, Malware, viruses, phishing sites and other such elements.
As far as countries go, it lets you choose from 95 countries and has over 3200 servers.
All of its data is stored on RAM servers and wiped after every reboot. The VPN is compatible with Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Edge, Firefox, macOS and most other everyday OS/device out there.
Plans start as low as $2.49/month. And again, there’s a 30-day refund policy if the VPN doesn’t make you happy.
Grab SurfShark today and Get 83% off + 3 Month Subscription Free
TorGuard VPN
Website: https://torguard.net/
- S-based
- Ad/tracker blocking
- Dedicated IP
- Crypto payments
- Stealth feature
- WireGuard available
- Up to 12 devices
- Compatible with most devices & OS
- Entry price: $9.99/month
- Refund policy: 7days
Get Your Anonymous VPN with Torguard
I personally consider TorGuard to be an underdog. For some reason, this massively impressive VPN doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.
Even its cheapest plan allows you to use a single account on 8 devices. More devices can be unblocked on more expensive plans. It doesn’t store logs either and is a completely “no log” VPN.
As for devices, can be used on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS as well as Android. It lets you virtually switch your location to over 50 countries.
With its 3000+ servers, speed isn’t an issue either. Additionally, there’s the WireGuard protocol further boosting the speed.
It’s does offer paid Dedicated IPs on the cheaper plans, and for free on the more expensive packages.
It also has a “Stealth” VPN feature that lets you bypass heavier restrictions. Obviously, there’s no restriction on speed or bandwidth.
The plans start at $9.99/month. If you don’t like the service, you can always get a refund with its 7-day refund policy. Crypto payments accepted.
The one downer is that it’s a U.S-based company. This is why it’s the third option on this list of best VPN clients and not higher up.
Get Your Anonymous VPN with Torguard
ExpressVPN
Website: https://www.expressvpn.com/
- Headquartered in British Virgin Islands
- Audited “no log” policy
- 94 country options
- Crypto payments
- 24X7 live-chat
- Obfuscated servers
- 5 simultaneous connections
- Lightway protocol
- Compatibility with most OS/devices.
- Entry price: $6.67/month
- 30-day refund
ExpressVPN is without doubt one of the most popular and feature-rich VPNs in existence today.
It too got its “no log” policy independently audited. Then, the company operates out of the British Virgin Islands, a nation well-known for its privacy laws.
It lets you choose from over 94 countries. This is the maximum number of option as far as this list of best VPN clients goes.
Split Tunnelling too is available, letting you choose which devices/apps will use or not use the VPN. Obfuscated servers are available and used to mask your use of a VPN.
Unfortunately, dedicated IPs aren’t available. This is one of the reasons why I didn’t list it higher up on this list.
The support sure is impressive. There’s a 24X7 live-chat with an impressive response-time.
The VPN is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS and also offers browser-extensions.
ExpressVPN developed an unique and new protocol, the “Lightway” protocol. It basically offers a faster but more importantly “uninterrupted” connection. When you switch between mobile data/WiFi, or the signal drops for a few seconds your VPN connection remains stable and isn’t terminated.
The protocol also uses less battery than most other protocols out there.
ExpressVPN plans start at $6.67/month. All plans are backed by a 30-day moneyback guarantee. Payments can be made using Cryptocurrencies.
Private Internet Access
Website: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/
- Open-source
- 10 simultaneous devices
- Gift cards & crypto payments
- 84 countries
- Data breach monitor
- WireGuard
- Dedicated IPs
- S- based
- 24X7 live –chat
So PIA is somewhat of a bitter-sweet app. The “sweet” moment being it’s the only “open-source” VPN app on this list. The entire code can be verified independently.
Now for the “bitter” part? It’s based out of U.S.
It’s one of the only VPNs that allows payments via “gift cards”. You can use StarBucks, BestBuy, Walmart and many other gift cards to pay for your subscription. Obviously, fiat payments as well as Cryptocurrencies too can be used.
It allows as many as 10 simultaneous connections at the same time. The VPN also includes a free e-mail breach monitor. If your info is put up for sell, you’re notified.
Split Tunnelling is available letting you choose apps/websites for the VPN. WireGuard takes care of security as well speed.
The VPN does offer dedicated IPs at an additional price. A long list of over 84 countries can be chosen from.
In-built ad and malware blockers too are available. Plans start from about $2.06/month. The 30-day refund policy covers all plans.
In case you’re confused, they’ve got a 24X7 live-chat to help you out.
Bonus: SmartProxy
Website: https://smartproxy.com/
Proxies differ from a VPN in many ways. However, the one similarity they have is “they both let you change your IP address”.
So, if you just wish to access blocked content, SmartProxy is arguably the best proxy provider you can play with.
You can choose from residential/datacenter IPs. 195 locations and 40million+ IP addresses are available.
Final Words:
Go with NordVPN is you need the maximum guarantee for your anonymity and the most features. Surprisingly, it’s also one of the cheaper options on this list.
NordVPN | Surfshark VPN | AtlasVPN | ExpressVPN | TorGuard VPN |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. NordVPN | 2. SurfShark VPN | 3. AtlasVPN | 4. ExpressVPN | 5. TorGuard |
All the other options on this list are more or less in the same league. However, depending on your exact budget and needs, your choices will naturally vary.
Do remember to use an anonymous e-mail ID and payment method (if possible) when signing up for your VPN. This offers even more protection.
With almost all these VPN clients, you’re getting a 7-30 day refund policy. Hence, I’d suggest go try these out and if you don’t like what you get, you claim a refund!