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5 Best VPNs Worldwide: Tested & Ranked by Experts

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Looking for the best VPN in the world? After diligent testing, I recommend ExpressVPN.

Combining security with reliable unblocking, this VPN earns a comfy spot at the head of the table. Plus, it offers fast speeds and works seamlessly in 94 countries – it’s even a popular VPN for China, thanks to automatic obfuscation!

But other quality VPNs like NordVPN and CyberGhost can’t be ignored.

In fact, I have a list of five VPNs that have worked for me in many countries. I’ll review them for you below!

Top 3 VPNs Worldwide

TOP SECURITY FEATURES
NordVPN
NordVPN devices

NordVPN categorizes servers according to your needs. Choose between DoubleVPN and Onion Over VPN servers for security or obfuscated and P2P servers to customize your VPN experience.

4.6/5
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BEST OVERALL
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN different devices

ExpressVPN provides servers in 94 countries, offering all the best features of a quality VPN. It also includes Lightway for speed, TrustedServer technology for security, and MediaStreamer to access geo-restricted content.

4.8/5
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MASSIVE SERVER FLEET
CyberGhost
cyberghost supported devices

CyberGhost boasts a massive server fleet with 9800+ servers globally. A brazen 45-day money-back forms the backbone of the company’s promise to deliver a secure VPN for anonymity, no matter where you are.

4.6/5
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These VPNs offer military-grade encryption, unlimited bandwidth, and strict no-logs policies for privacy. Plus, I ran DNS leak and kill switch tests on each VPN – they all passed with flying colors!

But the tailored VPN software solutions make each option worthy of a second glance – which is why a comparison guide like the one below is so essential!

Use These VPNs Anywhere in the World!

Are you ready to explore the best VPNs for globetrotters and housebound/workbound users?

Here’s my list of the solid VPNs to use anywhere:

  • ExpressVPN – Lightway for Fast Speeds + Automatic Obfuscation
  • NordVPN – Fort Knox Security + Several Specialty Servers for Global Privacy
  • CyberGhost – Massive Server Fleet Across 117 Locations
  • Surfshark – Unlimited Simultaneous VPN Connections in 100 Countries
  • PrivateVPN – Easy-to-Use Port Forwarding for Remote Device Access Worldwide

The above are the gist of it. Get the full VPN usage scoop below!

Best VPNs for Worldwide Use: Comparisons & In-Depth Tests

Here, I’ve taken VPN claims and put them to the test, sifting the wheat from the chaff to showcase a handful of VPN services that not only uphold VPN industry standards but surpass them.

Read on to discover why the VPN companies I mention are worth their weight in gold.

BEST OVERALL

ExpressVPN - Lightway for Fast Speeds + Automatic Obfuscation

expressvpn all locations

TrustedServer technology and ThreatManager scoot ExpressVPN to the top of my list.

TrustedServer technology uses RAM-only servers (like Surfshark) to prevent data storage on hard drives. Thus, enforcing its audited no-logs policy. 

On the other hand, ThreatManager combats trackers and cyber threats.

On top of that, consider the VPN’s privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands jurisdiction to appreciate its regard for data privacy and anonymity!

Likewise, ExpressVPN’s one of the most reliable VPNs for unblocking, thanks to automatically obfuscated servers and 3000+ servers in 94 countries

While Surfshark caters to more countries, ExpressVPN swiftly replaces IPs as they’re blocked, narrowing the chances of being hit with firewalls.

I ran tests and used ExpressVPN to unblock Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and multiple Netflix libraries from South Africa. 

ExpressVPN’s also my all-time favorite VPN for speed.

Thanks to Lightway, the provider’s proprietary protocol, it’s faster than all the VPNs I investigated.

To demonstrate, I tested my base download speed, which was 45.36 Mbps. Then I tried the following ExpressVPN servers and received the adjoining outputs:

  • South Africa – 42.89 Mbps
  • USA New York – 36.70 Mbps
  • UK London – 37.23 Mbps

An ExpressVPN downfall is that one account can only be used for five simultaneous connections across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Smart TVs, and routers. To be fair, other VPNs mentioned are also stingy to an extent, barring Surfshark!

ExpressVPN is also the most expensive VPN on the list.

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Pros

Cons

TOP SECURITY FEATURES

NordVPN - Fort Knox Security + Several Specialty Servers for Global Privacy

nordvpn server locations

NordVPN is the most security-conscious VPN I’ve listed.

I’ve used its Double VPN servers to encrypt my internet data twice, Onion Over VPN servers to direct traffic through Tor nodes while avoiding Tor Browsers, and Dark Web Monitor to get notified of credential leaks.

Then there’s Threat Protection, similar to ExpressVPN’s ThreatManager but more robust and blocks a broader range of threats.

NordVPN’s Panama jurisdiction and audited no-logs policy enforce privacy, extending it to 5400+ servers (several are P2P-friendly) spanning 60 countries (the lowest country count on my list).

I quickly unblocked Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix libraries over these servers. I didn’t even have to connect to optional Obfuscated Servers to bypass the geo-restrictions.

Thanks to NordLynx, the VPN’s WireGuard-based proprietary protocol, I could enjoy HD streaming.  NordLynx competes with Lightway to induce faster speeds, but my speed results indicate that Lightway is faster:

  • South Africa – 40.05 Mbps
  • USA New York – 34.02 Mbps
  • UK Docklands – 35.65 Mbps

Fortunately, NordVPN offers one more simultaneous connection than ExpressVPN, bringing its multi-connections to six.

Finally, all typical operating systems are covered, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromebook. However, there’s no dedicated app for routers!

The saving grace is that NordVPN’s slightly cheaper than ExpressVPN.

Click here to save more on this solid VPN!

Pros

Cons

MASSIVE SERVER FLEET

CyberGhost - Massive Server Fleet Across 117 Locations

cyberghost for streaming servers

CyberGhost’s feat is its massive 9000+ server network reaching 90+ countries and 117 locations. Finding a server nearby is easy!

But the VPN’s attention to detail makes it worthy of third placement.

For starters, security’s packaged in the form of independently-owned NoSpy Servers. These servers enhance anonymity by keeping third parties at arm’s length.

NoSpy servers are based in Romania, placing them outside five, nine, and fourteen-eyes surveillance like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Like ExpressVPN (and Surfshark), it also uses RAM-only servers for added anonymity.

However, not all its servers are P2P-friendly, but you’ll find a decent selection of them under the VPN’s “For Torrenting” suggestions.

There are also servers “For Streaming.” These helped me unblock Netflix, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer. I could also unblock Hulu, although I had to switch servers and refresh apps and browsers before bypassing the block.

But there’s a downside: CyberGhost is a no-go in China.

This is probably because the VPN offers no obfuscation. There’s also no means to access devices remotely (like port forwarding or NordVPN’s Meshnet).

Ending on a good note, though, CyberGhost’s WireGuard helped almost match NordVPN in performance:

  • South Africa – 40.01 Mbps
  • US New York – 34.70 Mbps
  • UK London – 34.88 Mbps

Plus, CyberGhost offers seven simultaneous connections for Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire Stick, and select Smart TVs.

It’s affordable, too!

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Pros

Cons

Surfshark - Unlimited Simultaneous VPN Connections in 100 Countries

surfshark connected us server location

Considering country reach alone, Surfshark should be first on my list, extending its 3200+ servers to 100 countries.

Its security is mostly on par with ExpressVPN and NordVPN, together with the WireGuard VPN protocol for faster speeds. You can also benefit from MultiHop – a feature similar to NordVPN’s Double VPN – and Camouflage Mode to mask your VPN traffic.

Then, CleanWeb combats ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts. 

I tested it on YouTube, and it kept all the pesky ads at bay!

But Surfshark is based in the Netherlands and falls under nine-eyes surveillance. However, the provider boasts an audited no-logs policy and RAM-only servers to ensure no data-sharing.

That said, I experienced a proxy error while trying to unblock Hulu

Luckily, I bypassed the restriction after clearing the cache and cookies and switching to the USA Los Angeles server suggested by a live chat agent.

On the other hand, Netflix, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer were easy to access.

Moving to speed.

Surfshark’s VPN connection speeds are sufficient for smooth streaming in HD, torrenting, and gaming:

  • South Africa – 38.09 Mbps
  • USA New York – 32.82 Mbps
  • US London – 32.10 Mbps

Ending on a positive note, Surfshark’s the only listed VPN to offer unlimited simultaneous connections.

You can enjoy these connections over Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire Stick, and select Smart TV devices.

More good news, Surfshark’s one of the cheapest Virtual Private Networks.

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Pros

Cons

PrivateVPN - Easy-To-Use Port Forwarding for Remote Device Access Worldwide

privatevpn dedicated ip servers

PrivateVPN only has 200+ P2P-friendly servers in 63 countries, less than the others, and its security options aren’t on par with my other best VPN service recommendations.

For starters, it lacks WireGuard (or proprietary VPN protocols like ExpressVPN and NordVPN). Its no-logs policy is unaudited, and the Swedish 14 Eyes jurisdiction, like Surfshark’s Netherlands jurisdiction, is questionable.

But!

This VPN company offers free dedicated IP addresses and port forwarding, making it a viable option for global use. However, PrivateVPN uses dynamic dedicated IPs, which change on every connection.

You can use a dedicated IP address to access your work network safely from home or while traveling.

PivateVPN also gets my thumbs up for speed and unblocking using StealthVPN. That allows you to enjoy the VPN’s services in areas with high-level restrictions, like China.

The PrivateVPN live chat agent I spoke with recommended the following servers to unblock Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer:

  • USA – New York
  • USA – Chicago
  • USA – Los Angeles
  • UK – London

They worked!

And as for speed, I have no qualms. The test results I got were sufficient for HD streaming, playing Fortnite without lag, etc.:

  • South Africa – 39.07 Mbps
  • USA New York – 29.01 Mbps
  • UK London – 32.15 Mbps

PrivateVPN isn’t as stingy as ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and NordVPN, allowing ten VPN connections simultaneously across your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

It’s also the cheapest VPN I listed.

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Pros

Cons

How to Get a Foreign IP Address?

You can use a VPN to obtain a foreign IP address by connecting to a server they wish to mimic.

I’ll demonstrate this:

  1. Purchase a subscription from your VPN provider. I chose my top option, ExpressVPN.
expressvpn check out
  1. Create an account by supplying the requested credentials.
  2. Download and install the correct app on your device. ExpressVPN has apps for mobile (iOS & Android) and PC (Windows, Linux, Chromebook, and macOS) devices.
  3. Launch the app and log in with your credentials (some apps request an authentication code).
  1. Browse the VPN servers to find the foreign IP address you want to obtain. I chose Netherlands – Amsterdam.
  1. Click to connect to the server.
  1. Use dnsleaktest.com to ensure your location’s not visible and that your IP/DNS details aren’t leaking.
expressvpn dns leak test

Now you have a foreign IP address!

Interesting Reads:

FAQs

The best free VPN to use anywhere is AtlasVPN. However, several drawbacks include server restrictions and capped browsing bandwidth.

To benefit from a full VPN service, I suggest taking advantage of the money-back guarantee periods offered by premium VPNs like ExpressVPN.

Rounding Off

All the VPN providers I shared are worldwide VPN leaders, and I’m confident they’ll meet your expectations in several areas. That includes masking internet traffic, bypassing firewalls, and providing secure access to several (or all) of your devices.

ExpressVPN remains my go-to VPN, and you can grab it at an irresistible deal to test it risk-free today!

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ExpressVPN different devices
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