The best VPN services: Our 10 favorite vendors for protecting your privacy

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Ten key VPN players

We take a look at ten of the best VPN providers. If you use a computer or mobile device away from home or office, you need to use one of these services.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: Stock Unlimited

Caption by: David Gewirtz
NordVPN (5 out of 5)

In terms of absolute points, NordVPN beat our other 5-out-of-5 vendors by a few points. They have all the features you want, a good price, no logging, more than a thousand servers, and a good refund policy
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

See also

CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

A virtual private network (VPN) enables users to send and receive data while remaining anonymous and secure online.

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Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: NordVPN

Caption by: David Gewirtz
Private Internet Access (5 out of 5)

With the lowest price we've seen for a VPN service and absolutely no logs, Private Internet Access lives up to its name. It's private.
With a 5-out-of-5 rating, the only ding was that their money-back policy is 7 days, instead of the 30 we prefer.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: Private Internet Access

Caption by: David Gewirtz
TorGuard (5 out of 5)

TorGuard is doing it right. They keep no connection or log data whatsoever, so your privacy is fully respected.
They support a wide-range of protocols and have an excellent blog. TorGuard is based in the United States.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: TorGuard

Caption by: David Gewirtz
CyberGhost (4.5 out of 5)

CyberGhost is firing on all cylinders. They don't log connection data, supports lots of protocols, routers, streaming consoles, and more. Our only ding? They're at the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Caption by: David Gewirtz
IPVanish VPN (4.5 out of 5)

IPVanish keeps no log files and has support for the Kodi media center.
You can connect up to five devices at a time. Bitcoin support is a plus.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: IPVanish

Caption by: David Gewirtz
PureVPN VPN (4.5 out of 5)

PureVPN has a very large network and is technically very strong.
The company does log some connection information to help maintain their network, and they're very clear about what they do and don't log.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

See also

CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

A virtual private network (VPN) enables users to send and receive data while remaining anonymous and secure online.

Read More

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: PureVPN

Caption by: David Gewirtz
Buffered VPN (4 out of 5)

Buffered VPN is EU-based and allows unlimited bandwidth, along with a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Some connection information is logged, but they have good support and a generous number of devices allowed at once.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: Buffered VPN

Caption by: David Gewirtz
ExpressVPN (4 out of 5)

Express VPN has a generous refund policy, a great FAQ, and supports bitcoin. They have an easy to setup connection kill switch feature and a strongly stated commitment to privacy.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: ExpressVPN

Caption by: David Gewirtz
VyprVPN (4 out of 5)

By far, VyprVPN has more IP addresses than any other service we've looked at. This means there's a much better chance you'll never recycle an IP address.
Unfortunately, they do log some connection data, but otherwise, we're quite impressed.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: http://dw.cbsi.com/redir?ttag=vpn&topicbrcrm=virtual-private-network-services&ltype=is&merid=50000882&mfgId=50000882&oid=2703-9234_1-0&ontid=9234&edId=3&siteid=1&channelid=6028&rsid=cbsicnetglobalsite&sc=US&sl=en&destUrl=https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/buy-vpn/cnet

Caption by: David Gewirtz
Hide My Ass (4 out of 5)

In addition to the best name ever, Hide My Ass has excellent support for gaming consoles.
Based in the United Kingdom, they also go out of their way to support P2P and torrents.
Also: CNET Directory: VPN providers ranked and rated

Published: January 22, 2019 -- 18:01 GMT (10:01 PST)
Photo by: Hide My Ass

Caption by: David Gewirtz

Whether you're in the office or on the road, a VPN is still one of the best ways to protect yourself on the big, bad internet. One of these could be your best bet.