The best VPNs according to Reddit (2024)

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Would you be chill if someone leaked your entire search history to the government? How about if your internet provider made it so that one episode of The Office took an hour to load? If you've had a crisis about anything like this, you've probably considered investing in a VPN.

We know you've probably seen absolutely loads of VPN reviews from experts across the board, but if you wanted a raw opinion — or thousands of them — from people with absolutely no filter, there's only one place to go: Reddit.

You know it makes sense.

What is a VPN?

The bottom line is simple: People don't want other people watching what they're doing online, even if they're not doing anything wrong.

A VPN (virtual private network) is an internet security subscription that basically allows you to make up your own internet rules. It acts as a bodyguard between you and your internet service provider (and hackers, and other third-party weirdos) by hollowing out a personal security tunnel through which you perform all of your internet activities. A VPN's job is to plug the holes that could be making your data vulnerable to nefarious eyeballs, like creeps scouring public WiFi networks for personal information that could be used to steal your identity. VPNs are as wise of a precaution as antivirus software or a password manager (yes, this applies to Macs too).

Hackers love free WiFi for the same reason you do: Connecting to the internet requires no authentication. That network is littered with unsecured devices, many times belonging to working professionals with bank accounts and business credentials that have phishers frothing at the mouth. Often, the easiest thing for hackers to do is slide in between your device and the connection point. This Man-in-the-Middle situation is like eavesdropping, but on emails, credit card info, and work logins. Other hackers users public WiFi to unleash malware to all of the suckers using the network without protection.

Many people avoid the public WiFi risk by recruiting their phone's hotspot. But on the flip side, data limits might be an issue —setting up a situation where both a laptop and phone need VPN protection. Many Reddit users suggest using something like EasyTether to share the VPN connection. Just download and enable a proxy app on your phone, configure it on your laptop, and you can enjoy a sort of reverse hotspot VPN-style.

Can you access streaming content with a VPN?

The convenience factor also plays a big role. VPNs also provide a way for people to get around internet roadblocks and censors. These can be location-based or around blocks to certain websites set by, say, your workplace.

All decent VPNs offer a wide selection of servers based in multiple geographic locations. Picking one of those essentially tricks your ISP into thinking your device is based there, maneuvering around geoblocks and opening the door to international content, like another country's Netflix or Prime Video library.

What do Redditors think you should look for in a VPN?

The specs that Reddit users care about in a VPN are easy to tally when the same ones pop up in countless subreddits throughout the year. These are the ones that were mentioned the most:

Streaming dependability — Lots of people want a VPN solely to watch content from other countries, so a VPN's ability to bypass geoblocks and get around a streaming site's VPN blocks is crucial. The speed at which that content streams matters, too (a fast VPN should be able to upscale to HD without lag). Connection speed and location spoofing are dependent on the number of servers and where they're located — more servers means less people hogging a single server's capacity, and various locations means more streaming libraries from around the world. Free VPNs typically don't have the funds to support a robust menu of servers.

For obvious reasons, most big streaming services aren't happy about the idea of VPN usage and will probably mention it in their terms and conditions. If they happen to sniff out your VPN-ridden IP address, you're not necessarily in trouble. The most likely repercussions would be the inability to access the streaming platform (even if it just worked the day before), but there have been instances of steaming services terminating subscriptions associated with spoofing.

Split tunnelling — VPNs that support split tunnelling let you route some of your traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel while bouncing other traffic over the internet directly. One might choose to separate less demanding but high-security activities like web browsing from high-bandwidth but low-security activities like streaming or playing video games. Advantages include reduced traffic on corporate networks, better speeds and reduced latency for the chosen tasks, and more customised privacy. If you're looking to tunnel to specific apps, look for an SSL VPN.

No DNS leaking — This is a good test of a VPN's trustworthiness. Think of a DNS (Domain Name Service) as the internet's phonebook: It's the service that transfers host names for humans to understand (like Mashable.com) to IP addresses for computers to understand. A leaked DNS essentially blabs your browsing history to whoever's watching on the other end — thus totally defeating the purpose of a VPN.

A kill switch — This cuts your connection to the internet if a secure connection to your VPN drops without notice. This is less likely on a high-quality VPN with a hefty roster of servers that can balance the traffic of millions of users, but far from impossible. By default, your device will switch back to your personal IP address or, worse, a public one. The speedy end-all action performed by a kill switch essentially ensures that you aren't unknowingly operating on a weak IP address. Some kill switches operate in the form of a firewall.

Jurisdiction — The country in which a VPN is originally based will dictate the privacy laws that a VPN has to follow. Some places are nosier than others, mostly depending on their membership in an intelligence-sharing alliance (or not): The Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes are all but guaranteed to come up in any subreddit about a certain VPN's privacy policy. Countries in these groups have agreements related to third-party sharing and may be following strict data retention laws, depending on their legal jurisdiction. For instance, a VPN can be based in the U.S. but have an office in Switzerland and follow Swiss legal obligations in order to avoid loopholes that make user data vulnerable.

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App compatibility — Not all VPNs run equally smoothly on every device. Before you sign up, make sure that the VPN app doesn't have major bugs on your operating system. For instance, some mobile VPN apps don't play as well on iPhone as Android, or an app might keep getting killed depending on other apps sucking your phone's battery.

Keep these points in mind when shopping around for a VPN.

Should you use free VPNs?

Reddit users will let you know that comparing free VPNs to paid VPNs just doesn't make sense. It's like comparing apples to oranges, and you'll almost definitely be skimping on some crucial features by opting out of paying. Proof isn't always provided, but many Redditors are convinced that free VPNs don't follow a true no-log policy or sell your data to third parties. "Free" is sometimes synonymous with "slow" due to fewer servers in fewer locations.

The general consensus seems to be to only use a free VPN to test the waters, then cough up the credit card info. Most times, this can be done through a trusted paid VPN that has a free tier to experiment with, or via a free trial, which many services offer. However, free VPNs can step up to the job for more temporary endeavors — like having access to your home country's streaming services while going abroad for a semester or keeping up with a certain sport for a season. Because paid VPNs only really get affordable when a one or two-year subscription is met, it may not make sense to pay £10 per month for the few months that you need a VPN.

What is the best VPN according to Reddit?

There are a lot of VPN providers out there offering similar packages and sets of features, so it's difficult to pick a favourite. We've tried to help you make an informed decision by picking the brains of well-informed Redditors.

We actually dug through Reddit threads of users discussing their experiences with VPNs, and lined up a selection of the best services based on those conversations. This list includes popular services like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN.

These are the best VPNs according to Reddit in 2024.

The best VPNs according to Reddit (2024)

FAQs

The best VPNs according to Reddit? ›

Based on extensive real-world feedback from VPN enthusiasts on Reddit, ExpressVPN, PureVPN , Surfshark, ProtonVPN and CyberGhost stand out as the leading providers in 2024 thanks to their speed, reliability, value and dedication to protecting user privacy.

What is really the best VPN Reddit? ›

Surfshark and Mullvad would be the best VPNs according to Reddit users. If you want to know other VPN services then, I will prefer you must check the list and compare the best VPN services along with their features. I would definitely recommend Proton as well.

Which VPN is most anonymous reddit? ›

Best VPN for privacy recommended by Reddit
  1. ExpressVPN: • Pros: Impressive devotion to privacy. ...
  2. NordVPN: • Pros: A reliable privacy option. ...
  3. ProtonVPN: • Pros: Swiss-based, privacy-focused VPN from the developers of ProtonMail. ...
  4. Mullvad: • ...
  5. CyberGhost: • ...
  6. Surfshark: • ...
  7. AirVPN: • ...
  8. IVPN: •
Feb 2, 2024

What VPN do hackers use? ›

Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in outdated VPN protocols such as PPTP and L2TP/IPSec, which are known for weak encryption standards and can be easier to compromise than more secure, updated protocols.

Is NordVPN standard enough Reddit? ›

Despite the minor cons, NordVPN is still a top-tier choice for those seeking reliable, fast, and secure VPN services. The quality and range of features justify the pricing it offers.

What is the most legit VPN? ›

NordVPN is undoubtedly the biggest name in the VPN industry, and in my full NordVPN review I found that it has absolutely earned that reputation – it's quite simply the very best VPN you can buy. With over 6,000 servers in over 110 countries, NordVPN practically guarantees a speedy server wherever you are.

Which VPN is most trusted? ›

Best VPN for Speed

With excellent mobile apps for both Android and iOS/iPadOS, Nord is a solid mobile VPN. At $13 per month, $60 per year or $96 total for two years, NordVPN sets you back less initially than premium VPN rivals like ExpressVPN, but more than budget-oriented companies like Surfshark and PIA.

What VPN does not hide? ›

While a VPN masks your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, it does not hide the type of device you are using. Websites can still gather device-specific information (including operating system, screen resolution and browser type) through methods like browser fingerprinting.

Is there anything better than a VPN? ›

One of the best alternatives to a VPN is a proxy server. A proxy server acts as a gateway that sits between a user's device and the internet. The user can activate the server in their web browser and proceed to reroute their traffic through it. This helps to hide their IP address from any web servers that they visit.

Are you really hidden with VPN? ›

No, a VPN does not make you anonymous. In fact, no internet privacy tool can completely hide your online presence.

Did NordVPN get hacked? ›

Introduction: The NordVPN Data Breach

In October 2019, it came to light that one of NordVPN's Finland servers was hacked in March 2018. This breach raised significant concerns as NordVPN is a prominent provider of VPN services, boasting millions of users worldwide.

Do VPNs actually stop hackers? ›

VPNs are extremely useful, but it's important to understand their limitations. They can protect your data while it's traveling from your device to the VPN server and back. They cannot combat hackers if they have directly accessed your phone or are waiting on the destination side when your data arrives.

Can hackers get past a VPN? ›

Technically – no. Hackers can't get through standard VPN encryption. This cipher is known for being essentially impenetrable and is a good choice to keep your online activity safe.

Can NordVPN be trusted on Reddit? ›

Nord's got AES encryption with a 256-bit key, which is like putting your data in a super-secure vault. It's especially handy if you're someone who's always on public Wi-Fi or if you're working on something sensitive. If you're all about that extra layer of security, NordVPN's Double VPN feature is pretty cool.

Why is NordVPN so popular? ›

Performance levels are excellent. NordVPN is one of the fastest services we've reviewed and currently tops our list for the fastest VPN. As for Netflix and other streaming services, Nord unblocked every service in every region we tested, making it great for streaming.

Is NordVPN actually the best? ›

Currently, NordVPN is our #1 pick for the best VPN service in 2024, outranking other great services, such as ExpressVPN or Surfshark. In this review of NordVPN, I've conducted hands-on testing to determine whether this VPN is suitable for beginners and power users. Is NordVPN safe?

Is NordVPN better than Surfshark? ›

NordVPN offers more than 6300 ultra-fast VPN servers covering 111 countries, while Surfshark has over 3,200 servers covering 100 countries. Overall, NordVPN has more servers in Europe and North America, while Surfshark offers more choices in Asia, Africa, and South America.

Which is better NordVPN or ExpressVPN? ›

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are great options for streaming VPNs. They have powerful unblocking and streaming capabilities on various devices – starting from your mobile to smart TV. However, NordVPN is our #1 pick overall because of better speeds and top-notch features.

Is Proton VPN legit? ›

We built Proton VPN for people whose lives depend on the security of our encryption tools, which is why journalists, activists, and millions of people around the world use it to secure their access to the internet. Proton is supported by the European Commission and recommended by the United Nations.

Are VPNs legal? ›

In most jurisdictions, the use of VPNs is legal. Some countries such as the U.S. and the U.K. allow citizens to use these tools to protect their online privacy and access geo-restricted content. In contrast, many countries ban VPNs as part of broader efforts to control internet access and suppress dissenting voices.

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