Question 1

What does a VPN actually do?

Accepted Answer

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a location you choose. This hides your IP address and activity from your ISP and networks, and lets you appear to browse from another region.

Question 2

Are VPNs legal?

Accepted Answer

In most countries, yes — using a VPN is perfectly legal. A handful of countries restrict or ban them. Using a VPN doesn't make otherwise-illegal activity legal, though.

Question 3

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

Accepted Answer

A little, always — encryption and routing add overhead. But with a fast modern protocol like WireGuard and a nearby server, the drop is usually small enough that you won't notice it for browsing or streaming.

Question 4

Which VPN is best for streaming?

Accepted Answer

NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the most reliable all-rounders for unblocking streaming services in our testing, with Surfshark a great value option for households. See our Streaming category for the full ranking.

Question 5

What does 'no-logs' mean, and can I trust it?

Accepted Answer

A no-logs policy means the provider doesn't record what you do online. Trust it most when it's been verified by an independent third-party audit — which the top providers on our list have completed.

Question 6

How did you rank these VPNs?

Accepted Answer

We score every VPN against the same five criteria — speed, privacy & no-logs, streaming, servers & apps, and price — and no provider can pay for a higher ranking. See "How We Rank" above.

Use Cases

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Best VPNs for Torrenting

Best VPNs for Fire TV / Firestick

Best VPNs for Travel

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Best VPNs for Android

Best VPNs for Streaming

Best VPNs for Gaming

Best VPNs for Privacy & No-Logs

Best VPNs for Budget

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