We have some new recommendations for VPNs in our article: “An Introduction To Online Privacy Tools“.
In A Nutshell
Using a VPN or “virtual private network” is the best way to make your internet activities private. If you want to browse the web privately or share files privately, a VPN will encrypt and redirect your connections anonymously. Also, if you make use of public WiFi connections, and want to ensure that hackers or others don’t monitor your online activities, a VPN can make your connections secure.
UPDATE November 2012: If you are interested in private VPNs that do not track any of your activities, I suggest using Private Internet Access or Tor Guard. See my article VPN That Do No Track You. These are the best VPNs to use if you will be using BitTorrent.
Here’s my list of the best VPNs for online privacy:
- HMA VPN ($11.52 per month)
- Astrill ($9.98 per month)
- StrongVPN ($160 per year)
- VyprVPN ($14.99 per month)
- WiTopia ($6.95 per month)
Full Details
A VPN or “virtual private network” is a service that encrypts and redirects all your internet connections. This means the data leaving your computer is encrypted. As a result, it is very difficult for eavesdroppers to capture or spy on you. Likewise, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) cannot block you, or monitor you. A VPN also allows you to redirect your internet traffic to servers to other countries across the world. This means you can appear to be Europe, the U.S., or other countries at will.
VPNs are different to web proxies, which only redirect some of your web browser connections, whereas VPNs encrypt and redirect all of your network connections. This is why large corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies use VPNs to enable remote users to securely connect to their private networks.
This is particularly important if you use WiFi hotspots (in the local coffee shop or at a university for example). When you use a public WiFi you are broadcasting all of your data “in the clear” with typically no security whatsoever. This can include your emails, IM messages, web searches, and any other data sent or received over the wireless network.
HMA VPN
Pros:
- Large number of servers: 130 VPN servers in 29 countries
- Good connection speeds (the fastest VPN according to VPNSP)
- Easy-to-use software for Windows, Mac and Linux
- Unlimited bandwidth
Cons:
- No dedicated IP support
- English is the only language supported
Top Review Sources:
- 2011 Editors’ Choice Winner from VPNSP (currently their top rated VPN)
- Rated #3 by Best VPN Service
- #3 Pick from My VPN Reviews
Founded in 2005, HMA VPN gets good ratings from all the reviews sites I surveyed. Reviewers like the large selections of servers worldwide (130 servers in 29 countries).
A VPN review site called Best VPN Service, rates HMA as “one of the biggest and best VPN providers in the industry”. Another review site, VPNSP, gave HMA their 2011 Editors’ Choice Award.
HMA provides VPN connection software for Windows, Mac and Linux. This software makes connecting the VPN easy for novice users. While testing, I discovered the setup process involves installing two pieces of software, however this two-step process was quite straightforward.
VPNSP does speed testing on VPNs. They say HMA’s connection speeds are among fastest they’ve tested. Connecting to a U.S. VPN, their resulting internet connection speeds were: 27.87 Mbps download and 1.39 Mbps upstream. Connected to a German VPN, the connection speeds were 19.42 Mbps download and 1.13 Mbps upstream.
A couple of minor negatives that reviewers mentioned: HMA does not provide dedicated IPs and doesn’t provide support in any language beside English.
Their service costs $11.52 per month or $78.66 per year.
Link: HMA VPN
Astrill
Pros:
- Many worldwide locations: 80 VPN servers in 44 countries
- Easy-to-use connection software for Windows, Mac and Linux
- Fast connection speeds
- Many protocols supported
- Good support and comprehensive documentation
Cons:
- No dedicated IPs
- No monthly service plans
Top Review Sources:
- Rated #1 by Best VPN Service
- Highly recommended by VPNSP
- #4 Pick from My VPN Reviews
Based in Australia, Astrill is another VPN that gets consistently high ratings from reviews sites and customers. Like HMA, Astrill has many worldwide server locations — 80 VPN servers in 44 countries. Their connection speeds are also among the fastest according to VPNSP.
Astrill also get high marks for their easy-to-use connection software, excellent support and comprehensive documentation. Because of this, Astrill is particularly suitable for novice VPN users.
According to VPNSP, when connected to an Astrill VPN in the U.S., the resulting internet connection speeds were: 40.27 Mbps download and 1.51 Mbps upstream. Connected to Astrill’s German VPN, the connection speeds were 24.60 Mbps download and 1.25 Mbps upstream.
Astrill also supports a wide range of VPN protocols, namely: Astrill OpenWeb, OpenVPN (SSL VPN), PPTP, L2TP/IPSec and Cisco IPSec.
Astrill does not provide dedicated IPs, and they do not offer monthly service plans (the 3 months plan is the shortest they offer). Their service costs $9.98 per month or $69.95 per year.
Link: Astrill
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StrongVPN
Pros:
- Over 7,300 IP’s, 222 servers
- Unlimited VPN Access
- Allows Netflix downloads and DD-WRT routers
- Very reliable service
Cons:
- Pricey compared to competition
- Must be manually set-up — no set-up software
- No monthly service option
- Confusing number of service plans
Top Review Sources:
- #1 Pick from My VPN Reviews
- Rated #4 by Best VPN Service
- Rated as #5 by VPNSP
- 3rd most popular in Life Hacker survey
Launched in 2006, StrongVPN has built a good reputation over the years, becoming known for the quality and reliability of their service. This service comes with a cost — $160 per year, which is about twice the cost of the other providers here. With no set-up software included, StrongVPN is geared towards advanced users who like to set up things manually on their computer.
According to VPNSP, when connecting to a StrongVPN server in the U.S., the resulting internet connection speeds were: 22.91 Mbps download and 1.36 Mbps upstream. VPNSP says “We’ve seen faster but the speed was consistent and service reliable.”
StrongVPN provides support in English, Russian and French.
Link: StrongVPN
VyprVPN
Pros:
- Good reviews from existing customers
- Excellent support
- Fast connection speeds
Cons:
- Connections slower than comparable services
- Fewer worldwide locations than competition
- You must manually configure VPN access
- Limited support options
- Credit card is the only method of payment
- No dedicated IPs
Top Review Sources:
- Highly recommended by VPNSP
- Start VPN gives it their highest rating
- Rated #9 by Best VPN Service
- Most popular VPN in Life Hacker survey
- #6 Pick from My VPN Reviews users
Launched in 2009, VyprVPN by Goldenfrog is relative newcomer to the VPN scene. Much of VyprVPN’s popularity is due to its parent group’s standing in the market. Goldenfrog partners with Giganews, a well-known Usenet provider which has been around since 1994, and you get the VyperVPN service free if you subscribe to a Giganews platinum account.
VyprVPN gets praise for its excellent support, documentation and fast connection speeds. According to VPNSP, when connecting to a Vypr VPN server in U.S., the resulting internet connection speeds were: 22.24 Mbps download and 1.45 Mbps upstream. Connected to a VPN in Amsterdam, the connection speeds were 17.92 Mbps download and 1.27 Mbps upstream.
On the negative side, reviewers say competitors, like HMA or Astrill, provide faster connection speeds and more VPN servers worldwide. Also, VyprVPN doesn’t provide connection software, so the VPN must be configured manually. Privacy enthusiasts may also be disappointed that credits cards are the only method of payments they accept.
VyprVPN’s service costs $14.99 per month, or $78 per year.
Link: VyprVPN
WiTopia
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Pros:
- Entry-level service offering is very affordable ($40 per year)
- Servers in 31 countries
- VPN can be set-up online (no software required)
- Offers a private DNS server and SMTP relay for email
- Unlimited bandwidth
Cons:
- Connection speeds are not the fastest
- No monthly service plans
- Only English is supported
Top Review Sources:
- Recommended by MacWorld Security Superguide
- 2nd most popular in Life Hacker survey
- Rated #8 by Best VPN Service
Founded in 2003, WiTopia is a VPN provider that gets great reviews from their existing customers. MacWorld magazine recommends this service, saying that Mac users are well supported. If you don’t like installing additional software on your computer, WiTopia might be a good choice. VPNs can be set up online.
WiTopia service includes a private DNS server and a private SMTP relay for email.
WiTopia does not provide monthly service plans (only yearly), and they only support the English language.
WiTopia’s entry-level service costs $6.95 per month or $49.95 per year.
Link: WiTopia