PROS
- Large, diversely distributed fleet of servers
- Strong privacy and information security practices
- Split tunneling
- Supports OpenVPN protocol across all platforms
- Simple interface
CONS
- Expensive
- May be challenging to inexperienced users
- Would benefit from widely distributed audits
If you're ever concerned about who might be peeping over your virtual shoulder, then consider a virtual private network, or VPN. An excellent entrant in the field of consumer VPNs, ExpressVPN has a wide distribution of servers across the globe, ensuring one will likely be close at hand. It has also invested heavily in creating and explaining how it operates a safe and secure company. While it has improved the value of its offering, it's still on the expensive side for what it offers the average consumer.
2: Hotspot Shield VPN
what is vpn-
PROS
- Hefty services bundle
- Transparent, helpful privacy policies
- Excellent speed test scores
- Slick, smart desktop app
CONS
- Expensive
- Free version supported by targeted ads
- No transparency report or audit
- Limited OpenVPN support
A virtual private network, or VPN, like Hotspot Shield, is an important tool for protecting your privacy. They protect our online activity from the prying eyes of attackers on insecure networks, and from ISPs that sell our data. Hotspot Shield is easy to use, comes with an impressive collection of other tools, and blows away the competition in our speed tests. The core VPN product is expensive, however, and its privacy policies are complicated by the decision to monetize its free VPN with ads.
Windows / Android
3: Kaspersky Secure Connection freeVPN
PROS
- The most affordable for-pay VPN we've reviewed
- Free version
- Simple, pleasant interface
CONS
- Few server locations
- No additional privacy features
- Disappointing speed test results
- No discount for purchasing with other Kaspersky products
A virtual private network (or VPN) is an easy way to improve your privacy online. Kaspersky Secure Connection carries one of the most recognizable names in the industry and offers customers a simple, affordable VPN. It is a bare-bones offering with few server locations, but Kaspersky users and anyone looking for a cheap VPN will likely be pleased.