Five best VPN services. The best free VPN programs

A little about VPN . To increase the degree of online security and confidentiality, it is more advisable to use VPN service (virtual private network) . VPN is a networking technology that uses encryption methods to communicate with a private network over the Internet. This kind of service is used primarily by government agencies, educational institutions and individuals who want to simplify access for remote users to secure private networks.

VPN provides its users with the ability to remain incognito and prevent any espionage attempts. Networks VPN can be used to access regionally restricted web-sites, as well as in order to protect Internet activity in public WiFi zones

Basically, the VPN service works on 4 protocols:

1. IPSec, operating in transport and tunnel modes. Encrypting the messages in a data packet using transport mode is called payload, and encrypting the entire data packet is called tunneling.

2. Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)– tunnel protocol "point-to-point", which uses a tunnel method in which data is stored in the form of fragments - PPP-packages. They, in turn, are placed in IP-packets and are transmitted to their destination.

3. L2TP (layer 2 tunneling protocol), running on two main nodes: an access concentrator L2TP (LAC) and network server L2TP (LNS) . L.A.C. is a device that ends a call while LNS authenticates PPP-packages.

4. TLS (transport layer security) And SSL (protected sockets level)– cryptographic protocols that use a combination of authentication and encryption to exchange data between servers and the client.

Top best

During the comparative analysis, the top ten providers were identified VPN services that provide not only confidentiality, but also data security.

Based in Hong Kong, which gives the advantage of being out of sight of prying eyes. The service has gained a reputation as a reputable provider, providing high levels of encryption, global server space and the latest software. He uses 256 -bit AES-encryption and boasts more than 500 servers in 141 country. does not monitor or record any activity passing through its servers. However, it keeps track of connections and bandwidth for optimal control over them. The service also offers a more secure protocol OpenVPN and owns his own DNS-servers.

Contains the Kill Switch function, which creates conditions for protection IP user when there is no VPN connection. Split tunneling simultaneously routes some applications through a local Internet connection and others through a VPN connection.

2.Ivacy is one of the most secure VPN services with a split tunneling feature. As a completely new global privacy provider, it offers encrypted tunneling with an uncompromising no-logging policy. Ivacy VPN provides protection for subscriber activities and data using advanced tunneling protocols (PPTP, OpenVPN, SSTP and L2TP) And 256 -bit AES-encryption.

Ivacy VPN The apps make it possible for there to be no extraneous code or malware causing advertisements and pop-ups. Apps are quality tested to ensure optimal performance on all compatible operating systems.

Ivacy VPN does not store any data, maintaining privacy regarding user accounts. Servers automatically delete connection timestamps and data connections every 48 hours, guaranteeing 100% anonymity and absolute security.

Operates on a non-logging principle and provides an additional layer of security for configuration data IP. TorGuard VPN has many Socks proxy servers and virtual private networks around the world. All data is placed in a single package using tunnel encryption through secure servers and connected to the cloud service BitTorrent, which in turn provides a second level of protection against hacker attacks.

TorGuard currently has 1600 servers in more than 50 countries and is not going to stop there. The service monitors the functionality of its equipment and also seeks to partner with data centers that can meet strict security criteria. The work of all servers is organized and controlled exclusively by the network team using a security key. TorGuard recommends that its clients use OpenVPN connections and 256 -bit AES-encryption, and to ensure a higher level of security – RSA-2048. The service is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android And iOS.

Creates a safe environment for everyday Internet use. Before the user can log on to the network, it is necessary to install a connection that converts all online data into an encrypted tunnel, including email, data transfers, online banking, instant messaging and online browsing.

Encrypted data cannot be intercepted by third parties, including ISP (Internet provider) . IPVanish supports unlimited P2P traffic and uses protocols OpenVPN , L2TP And PPTP .

– a proxy service in which the user can hide his true IP from the rest of the world. It is designed for users BitTorrent seeking to protect their anonymity.

Initially acted as a liaison with the service BitTorrent. Now it is a convenient tool that has tunnel encryption software that guarantees special protection for confidential information. BTGuard does not store IP-addresses, but the username, password and email address are saved.

Hides the client's true location by encrypting and encapsulating data passing through VPN , thereby complicating attempts to intercept or decrypt Internet traffic.

The advantages of the service include complete camouflage IP user support P2P (peer-to-peer network) and the ability to bypass certain corporate firewalls. BolehVPN operates on the basis Open VPN And SSL VPN .

Works on a combination of protocols PPTP , SSTP , L2TP , IPSec , OpenVPN And SmartDNS . It is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Routers etc. HideIPVPN offers a very high quality of anonymity on the Internet, where the client can access even blocked websites.

Service hides IP-address and encrypts user data. It does not restrict access to any Internet resources. All data passing through VPN, are encrypted and protected, which allows HideIPVPN clients to safely open protected sites without the threat of connection interception. Encrypted data is hidden from the Internet provider and network administrator, so the information becomes available only to the user and his recipient. Service Smart DNS provides access to more 35 media resources around the world. It is ideal for those who have limited access to cable TV channels. With the help of HideIPVPN, the user can change his DNS-name and access blocked media servers.

Hides the real ones IP their clients by assigning them anonymous addresses. When connecting to SlickVPN, a connection is created between the user's computer and the company's servers.

The service encrypts any online activity or data transfer, allowing the client to remain anonymous. guarantees a secure connection, so Internet activity, logins, passwords, emails, instant messages and downloads are protected from third parties.

Uses offshore VPN service in which VPN encrypts Internet connections and creates an encrypted tunnel between the client’s PC and the server of his choice. Whenever a user goes online, the sites he visits only see the address of the remote server, and not the real one. IP .

The encrypted tunnel hides IP-user address, making information inaccessible to both the local Internet provider and government censors and monitoring. For customers wishing to have a higher level of security, Unspyable offers Multiple Hop VPN (multi-step VPN service) , in which Internet traffic passes through multiple servers. The service also guarantees the security and confidentiality of email services. Correspondence is protected through the use of hotspots and anonymity IP-addresses.

10. NordVPN provides 256 -bit AES-encryption and supports protocols

We tested the most popular VPN services to find out which one is the fastest. The fastest VPN service so far is ExpressVPN, and in this case, the reality lives up to their slogan. In terms of content loading speed, which is a key characteristic in most cases, PureVPN is in second place.

Finding a VPN service that will make your Internet connection secure can be a tedious task. There are so many services that claim that they are the fastest and most reliable! In this situation, how can you be sure that you have made the right choice that suits your needs?

Many users who have already looked at offers on the VPN market know that in order to get reliable protection, sometimes you need to lower your demands regarding the speed and performance of the service; but how much? In this article, we tried to answer this question by testing the speed of the most famous VPN services so that you can make a wise choice, backed by facts.

Why is connection speed so important for a VPN service to work?

Using a VPN greatly increases your online security, but using encryption usually slows down your connection speed. You may not notice much of a difference while you're just browsing the web, but if you plan to frequently download torrent files or watch streams and videos online, such as on Netflix or Hulu, then download speed is definitely the spec you're looking for pay attention.

How is the connection speed to a VPN service measured?

• Download speed shows how quickly data can be transferred from the server to your device. Since most online activity (such as loading web pages and streaming videos) consists of downloading, most connections are designed to download files much faster than to upload them. Download speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), so roughly speaking, the higher the number, the faster the connection speed.
• File sending speed shows how quickly data from your device is transferred to other users. We need to upload our files when, for example, we send large files by email or when we use video chat like skype (because you transmit a video signal to the other person). File sending speed is also measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
• Ping is the response time of your connection, which shows how quickly you receive a response to your request. Fast ping means that your connection responds quickly, which is especially true in applications where response time is a key characteristic (for example, computer games). Ping is measured in milliseconds (ms).

Things to remember when testing the speed of a VPN service

Server location

The location of the server will mainly affect the speed of your connection. Most VPN providers give recommendations on which servers are best to connect to, and this mainly depends on where you are actually located, statistics of successful connections, purposes for using the service and speed.

This can be annoying, but to use the service for various purposes, you may need to connect to servers in certain regions - for example, if you want to watch a specific television channel that is only available for viewing in the United States, or in order to bypass censorship.

Internet provider speed

The connection speed provided by your Internet provider also affects the speed of your connection to the VPN service. Most high-speed connections range from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps. In the case of just such a connection, the connection speed to the VPN service does not depend too much on the speed of the Internet provider. But if your speed is less than this (usually the case when connecting via a modem or using 3G), then this may cause problems with connecting to the VPN.

Communication between your ISP and VPN provider

It's funny, but the higher the speed of your regular Internet connection, the more speed you lose as a percentage. This happens quite often, unfortunately. Even if your connection speed is 50Mbps, which is considered low speed, you probably won't get the best experience from your VPN service. For example, with a connection speed of 5 Mbps, you will lose only 10-20% of the channel bandwidth, but if your speed is 100 Mbps, then when connecting to a VPN service you can lose more than half of this speed!

To ensure testing was representative, we ran all tests on the same computer, using the same ISP, and set to the same location using a VPN (UK). We used three different services to test connection speed for all VPNs: speedtest.net, fast.com and broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk. As you scroll through the results, you'll see significant differences in results across different testing tools. To determine the fastest VPN service, we compiled the average results into a separate chart for each VPN service.

Before we start our testing, let's see what our typical ISP speed is without connecting to a VPN service. To our surprise, it is much lower than expected.

Average connection speed without VPN connection:

Connection speed when connected to VPN:

As you can see, ExpressVPN is the fastest service in every way. PureVPN comes in second place, beating out Nord (and last time we ran tests like this it was the other way around - well done PureVPN!) Cyberghost seems to have the lowest scores when it comes to file transfer and download speeds. However, it beats Pure and Nord in terms of server response time.

Let's take a closer look:

So, which VPN service is the fastest?

When it comes to speed, ExpressVPN is the undisputed leader, but your speed can always be further impacted by the speed of your ISP, your location, and server response time.

There's also a big difference between download and file transfer speeds, and you'll want to consider these specifications in relation to what you typically use the internet for. Before you buy a subscription to a particular VPN service, you should see from our readers.

Technology protection of personal data on the Internet have become widespread in the 21st century. This is due to the extensive development of the Internet around the world. Users began to think how to protect their personal information.

VPN hides your IP address and encrypt all traffic. Connecting to a VPN helps unlock content that is not available in your country. At present buy VPN easily as well as a host of services that provide similar services.

Many users are wondering how to choose the best VPN service.

To make the comparison and choose the best service, it is necessary to talk about the selection criteria.

Criterias for selection of the best VPN service

In this article we will list all of the selection criterias but some of them may seem unimportant. It depends on the purpose for which you want to use VPN.

Purposes to choose the best VPN service:

VPN provides complete security and anonymity on the Internet.

It is only necessary to choose the best VPN service.
Let's take a closer look at the selection criteria.

Types of VPN connections

There are several types of connections:

• PPTP VPN - implemented in most operating systems but it is considered an insecure protocol
• SSTP VPN - protocol was developed by Microsoft. This protocol is implemented only in Windows 7 and later versions and mobile platform Windows Phone
• OpenVPN is a popular open source protocol. Is widely used and is distinguished by its reliability. Only one minus of the protocol that connection must install additional software
• L2TP VPN via IPSec - is built into most operating systems. Reliable and fast protocol.

Best VPN service should be able to connect via L2TP VPN via IPSec and additionally may have OpenVPN connection.

The lack of server logs

Most servers worldwide running on operating systems Linux. Unlike Windows in the operating system may completely turn off logging system (logs connections).

Anonymity disappears when the VPN server keeps logs.

You need to carefully examine the company"s Web site offering VPN services. It may be that the company claims that the logs are not kept. And in the "Agreement on the use of services" which is taken at registration or purchase VPN will indicate that the logs are stored.

Some VPN services keep logs within 2-4 weeks. If this is written on the site, talk about the anonymity of the service is impossible.

Best VPN service is never logs.

Does VPN service show that you use VPN?

For simplicity, configure the VPN services have resorted to redirect the connection from a domain to an IP address. In this case, the address server looks like domain, for example: usvpn.vpnservice-website.com

This is useful for system administrators of the company because when it is need to change the IP address of the VPN server. The connection will still work for all users.

All ISPs record user activities on the Internet. They will know that you are connecting to a domain usvpn.vpnservice-website.com and the connection is directly says that you are using a VPN.

Address to connect to the VPN server should look like the IP address 77.120.108.165

If you are using OpenVPN connection you need to check the certificates for specifying the domain of service in it.

In which country registered VPN service

This point is perhaps the most important when choosing the best VPN service.

Often there are disputes in which country must be registered VPN service to provide anonymity to their customers.

If the office is located in the US or Europe, it is considered that it is dangerous, as the international police is active in these countries.

Some believe that good when VPN service registered in third world countries such as Belize or Brazil.

We believe that the best VPN service must not have an office.

No matter what country is the office. If company has an office it means there is a place where police can come or send a formal request.

Every company is obliged to obey the laws of the country in which it is located.
VPN service is obliged to take a formal request from the police in this country and issue the information referred to it.

Thus, if there is a register or a company office, the VPN service can not ensure the anonymity of its users.

Support for all operating systems

Modern technology provides access to all operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows Phone.

But before buying should make sure that the company supports your platform.

Types of IP addresses issued

There are 2 types of IP addresses issued by the VPN server:

• Shared IP - provided a single public IP address on all clients. As a rule, the IP address is constant and does not change when reconnecting to the VPN server
• Dedicated IP - each client is given a unique IP address which can change when reconnecting

Is there a free trial access?

Must be free to test the service before purchase.
Such access will allow to configure a VPN connection and understand how it works.

Best VPN service must have a free trial access.

If service provide free VPN access and unlimited by time - this is an additional plus.

Own program for VPN connections

Own program for VPN connections will quickly set up a connection. Typically, such programs are needed when using OpenVPN connection, as the setting of the compound for a beginner can seem daunting.

L2TP VPN over IPSec is configured for 1 minute. In this case, the program is not required.

Payment methods and reasonable price

Examine the company's Web site. Check: there is a convenient way to pay. Currently, there are many payment systems, such as payment by debit and credit cards, electronic money, PayPal and others.

If you find the best VPN service for yourself then the cost of services will not play a significant role. Still, the price should be affordable for you. Reliable companies offer a discount if you pay for a subscription for a whole year. You can save on this.

Availability of technical support

VPN technology works reliably at all times. But there are times when there is a connection errors. In this case, come to the aid technical support service. Check it before you buy.

Conveniently, the website has a Live Chat or ticketing system.

If support is provided via ICQ, Jabber or Skype, it creates some difficulties, since not all clients use these programs constantly.

Rate VPN service Chameleon. Will it be the best for you?

We provide VPN services by connecting L2TP over IPSec.

Our servers are no logs, the connection is made to the IP addresses.

Supports all popular operating systems.

Support for all customers

We are happy to answer questions about setting up the connection, to advise on the safety and anonymity of the Internet and help you choose the best solution.

If you want complete security, anonymity on the Internet, and open access to blocked resources, we recommend purchasing it immediately ZenMate. Analogues, especially non-commercial ones, cannot be compared with this program, since they cannot boast of the stability and high data transfer speeds of ZenMate.

hide.me VPN It will appeal to both specialists. as well as for amateurs. The client is easy to use, but very finely customized to suit any requirements and tasks. Costs from $5 per month (there is a free mode with a limited number of countries and traffic), supports all current protocols, allows port forwarding and protects against DNS leaks. It is curious that with such an extensive list of features, its interface is user-friendly. Beginners will only use the “connect” button and be bored with viewing blocked sites, while pros will find any options of interest in the settings, including Kill Switch technology.

CyberGhost– the choice of those who cannot live without torrents. When you connect to a server in a certain country, you immediately see whether it supports p2p (most of these servers can be found in the United States of America). Also, the utility is not “heavy” for the system - it cannot slow down, which is good news. It's only lighter and more stable NordVPN And PureVPN- large and well-known Western providers. They are focused not only on banal bypass of blocking, but also on high-quality protection of personal data. The NordVPN client does not write logs, and the company itself is registered in Panama, which allows it to ignore any requests from the authorities for the release of personal data of users.

PureVPN implements double tunneling technology, eliminating the possibility of interception of information and provides users with 700,000 IP addresses with the ability to configure different IPs for different programs and services. For example, a separate address for the browser, a separate one for the torrent, etc. You get a reliable firewall, and the web service provides access to any site.

Surfshark VPN boasts MultiHop technology, which allows you to connect to 2 VPN servers simultaneously to ensure the highest connection stability. A powerful computer network allows developers to guarantee a good connection, and together with a VPN you get a much more reliable firewall than the standard one in Microsoft Windows.

VPN Unlimited- on the contrary, it does not impose any special requirements on hardware, is cheaper and offers a choice of several servers with torrents. This means that you get consistently high speed, and if you notice a slowdown, you simply switch to a free server (there are more than 50 of them in 35 countries around the world). VPN Unlimited also allows you to remove Internet Security and ad blockers from your computer. The program contains Anti-Malware and Adblock. You just need to activate them in the settings. For $39 a year, it's hard to imagine anything better!

Hideman VPN And OpenVPN- products for professionals. They do not need advertising or detailed descriptions. Let us only note that Hideman has a port forwarding function, which is not available in similar utilities.

Completely free projects Betternet And Psiphon Suitable for inexperienced users, especially for bypassing blocking. The developers do not guarantee the security of your data and do not position the programs as secure surfing tools.

Hotspot Shield, on the contrary, was created to protect connections on free networks, but also helps to bypass restrictions on visiting certain resources. Available both by subscription and in a free edition with limited speed. It is the best choice for those who always forget to pay for their subscription in advance. Firstly, it provides a significant discount on a six-month or annual license. Secondly, it does not stop working, but simply limits speeds after the subscription expires.

TunnelBear for Microsoft Windows – a completely new look at the VPN interface. The utility is unusual, made with humor and style. We recommend downloading the trial version just for fun if you have a free minute.

Russian HideGuard VPN It attracts with its lack of a paid subscription and good characteristics, but it raises questions regarding security, to which the developers do not provide answers. The same can be said about Hola VPN– free software is not recommended by security experts, although it is popular among users.

This article is about VPN services. Both free and paid. What options does the Internet market offer us and what is better: use a free VPN or choose a paid solution for ensuring Internet security.

Free services have one significant advantage - you don’t have to pay for them. Is this always justified and what pitfalls are hidden by free services?

The review reveals the possibilities of various services for ordinary computers and smartphones to protect your data. But remember, of course, that while protecting information, VPNs have full access to it. You should be especially careful with new services, and even free ones. Renting a VPN network is not cheap. Therefore, where is the guarantee that its owner, if he does not make money from his clients, then perhaps does not sell the data of users of the free service. Of course, there are exceptions. Therefore, always check the age of the service you choose and reviews about it on the Internet.

Let's look at the popular ones firstfree VPN services :

Hotspot Shield– a service with paid and free services. There is no registration required, no advertising, and no restrictions on the amount of data that is transferred. True, the free version allows you to use servers located in the USA, Canada, France, the Netherlands and Denmark. Those users who have purchased a PRO account have a significantly larger selection and many other necessary features for working with the service.

Hola VPNis another free VPN service that has no traffic or data transfer limits. It provides a choice of virtual locations in 15 countries around the world.

Unlike Hotspot Shield, Hola acts as a peer-to-peer service. Computers of system participants act as routers for data transmission. True, Hola VPN was accused of selling traffic and having software vulnerabilities. This scandal slightly undermined their reputation and the trust of system users.

Touch VPNis an extension that can be used for free. Offers a choice of location: USA, Canada, France or Denmark. The speed of your connection to this application directly depends on how many active users are currently connected to the selected server.

ZenMate VPN– another free VPN service, which you can use after registering on the site, does not limit traffic and speed. However, it provides users with a small selection of available countries. Although this is quite enough. The service has a convenient feature - automatic activation of a secure connection when entering certain sites. You won't have to do it manually every time, which is a significant advantage.

VPN Opera– the simplest option for users who do not want to bother setting up and purchasing VPN applications. True, the speed of operation leaves much to be desired, but for everyday tasks and listening to music it’s a pretty good and convenient option. The service is free and has no traffic restrictions. And this, of course, is a plus.

Hide Meis another free service that is available to users today. The service is located in Malaysia and provides 28 servers in 22 countries. OpenVPN encryption guarantees data security and network speed is quite high. In the free version, up to 2 gigabytes per month are available. This will be quite enough to visit several sites.

This is a VPN service for safe browsing on the Internet. We offer a personal VPN tunnel for surfing the Internet. You can order a service in just a few clicks. The blog provides additional instructions with which you can set up the service yourself.

Why should a VPN be paid?The online market provides many different free services for safe operation. But, as was already written at the beginning of the article, there are no guarantees that your data collected using this service will not be transferred to third parties. Companies that provide VPN for a fee value their customers and reputation. In addition, the speed and range of features of paid VPNs is much greater, which is a significant advantage for many users. Free VPNs have a significantly larger audience of users than paid ones, and accordingly, the connection is slower and not as stable as we would like. Free VPNs in most cases operate over the PPTP protocol, while paid ones also operate over L2TP, OpenVPN and SSH, which are more securely protected.

Paid and free VPNs are often compared based on the following principle: a VPN is a special corridor through which data flows to bypass closed doors or blocks. If you paid for passage, no one is interested in your information. If not, there is a camera in this corridor that records the actions. Think about this when choosing between a paid and free service. Myths about VPN and why this service should be used, read more.

What benefits does it offer? :

• personal dedicated IP address;
• fast work on the Internet due to the fact that the loading speed of Internet resources that you visit increases;
• ability to access all Internet sites;
• secure Wi-Fi: if you access the Internet from public Wi-Fi, no one will be able to spy on your actions;
• quick registration and instructions for installing VPN;
• Availability of 24/7 technical support that will answer all questions related to VPN operation;
• low cost and discounts for long-term payments.

And the most important advantage:security and complete anonymity of your work on the Internet.

If you need a high-quality and reliable service to work on the Internet, VPN from HyperHost will perfectly cope with the tasks and provide a high level of reliability and comfort. How to install VPN from HyperHost on Android OS? Instructions.

Today, many ordinary users purchase a VPN service to ensure anonymity and safety of personal data. The listed free services are suitable for ordinary users. Most of them are characterized by low or limited connection speeds, security problems, and logging of completed actions. In addition, scandals often arise due to the fact that many of the free VPN service providers sell their users' data.

Undoubtedly, even the best free service does not guarantee complete protection and security level of even the average paid VPN. Therefore, if you want to be sure of the safety of your data, the best way is to use a paid VPN service. Please note that most of them are not very expensive. At HyperHostcosts only $3.99 per month, and discounts of up to 12% are available when paying for longer periods. If you need help setting up the service, you can contact our free 24/7 support.

With the help of a VPN service you:

• Unblock your access to all websites.
• Get the ability to browse the web anonymously.
• Ensure your Wi-Fi connection is completely secure.
• Protect your banking information and passwords from intruders.

What VPN services do you use? Share them in the comments.

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