A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is suitable for secure encryption, anonymous surfing, and also for bypassing various country blocks. But for...
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is suitable for secure encryption, anonymous surfing, and also for bypassing various country blocks. But for the best of them, you pay up to 100 euros a year. Many providers promise a lot but do not keep everything. But which is the best service? How Much Money Is It Worth Investing? In our big VPN comparison, you will find answers to all important questions about the 10 best providers.
10th place: ZenMate – VPN service from Germany
Compatible Systems: Windows, Mac, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Smart TVs
Number of Devices: Unlimited
Countries: 78
Servers: 2,800
Streaming Performance: US Netflix only, BBC iPlayer, Live TV/Libraries
P2P/torrenting: yes
Collection of data: some statistical data
Free version available: yes, but only as a browser extension, 4 countries + 7-day trial
ZenMate, the VPN provider from Germany, also made it into the top ten in the VPN test. Security is provided with AES-256 encryption and OpenVPN and IKEv2 support it. Unfortunately, there is no WireGuard. The positive thing is the unlimited number of devices you can use ZenMate on. The choice of location and the number of servers have also improved. When streaming, unblocking US Netflix and German Netflix from abroad works without any problems. Unfortunately, other regions are currently not possible. As far as additional functions are concerned, the service cannot convince.
9th place: Mullvad VPN – the Swedish mole
Compatible Systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Number of Devices: 5
Countries: 36
Servers: 764
Streaming Performance: US Netflix only, US Amazon, BBC iPlayer, Live TV/Libraries
P2P/Torrenting: yes
The capture of data: none (no-log policy)
Free version available: no, but a 30-day money-back guarantee
In terms of registration and payment, the Swedish VPN provider Mullvad clearly stands out from the rest. Here you can register without an email address and pay with cryptocurrency or cash. Security is very good thanks to WireGuard and premium encryption. Even Mozilla is impressed and has adopted the technology from Sweden. Unfortunately, the design and user-friendliness are not that good, and the provider cannot keep up with the competition in terms of streaming performance.
8th place: Windscribe – VPN from Canada
Compatible systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, etc.
Number of devices: Unlimited
Countries: 63
Servers: 110
Streaming performance: Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, live TV/media
libraries P2P/torrenting: yes
Data collection: some statistical data
Free version available: yes, 10 GB, 10 countries
This provider from Canada has excellent encryption and optimal compatibility. In addition, it can still come up with numerous additional functions and concentrated performance in the streaming area. Users also benefit from the low price, and with a few restrictions, Windscribe can also be used for free. The VPN does not fare so well in terms of speed, and there are also a few unanswered questions when it comes to privacy.
7th place: VyprVPN – invisible like a chameleon
Compatible systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, smart TVs
Number of devices: 5
Countries: 70
Servers: 700
Streaming performance: Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, live TV/libraries
P2P/torrenting: yes
Collection of data: some statistical data
Free version available: no, but a 30-day money-back guarantee
With VyprVPN, another Swiss provider is entering the race. Security and transparency are convincing in a VPN comparison and, in contrast to ProtonVPN, VyprVPN also includes the WireGuard function. Special features are the great Chameleon encryption, which is based on OpenVPN, and the in-house VyprDNS. The provider is particularly convincing in countries with a poor Internet connection. Unblocking Netflix regions is not a problem, so the provider is a good choice for streaming fans. The few additional functions and the low infrastructure are not so good.
6th place: ProtonVPN – security from Switzerland
Compatible systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Number of devices: 5 (Plus plan)
Countries: 55
Servers: 1,232
Streaming performance: Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, live TV/libraries
P2P/torrenting: yes
Acquisition of data: some statistical data
Free version available: yes, servers in 3 countries
ProtonVPN is a provider from Switzerland and has developed very well since last year. Unblocking foreign catalogs from streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime now works without any problems and videos are also played back quickly and without stuttering. The service also offers special servers for multi-hop (Secure Core) or Tor and the speed is also impressive. The interface looks really chic and security is guaranteed by regular audits. Unfortunately, due to the few additional functions and the non-existent WireGuard support, the provider cannot secure a place among the top 5.
5th place: CyberGhost VPN: with special servers for streaming, gaming, and co.
Compatible systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, routers, smart TVs and game consoles, etc.
Number of devices: 7
Countries: 90
Servers: 6,800
Streaming performance: Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, live TV/media libraries
P2P/torrenting: yes
Data collection: none (no-log policy)
Free version available: 1-day trial, 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost is one of the first VPN providers to hit the market. The service is always evolving and getting better at its anonymization service as well. A special feature is on the one hand the clear and simple operation and on the other hand the great selection of special servers for gamers and streamers. The location selection is really impressive with 6,800 servers in 90 countries. However, the test revealed small weaknesses in terms of speed. In addition, some extras such as multi-hop are not available. Location selection, company policy, and good streaming performance ensure that CyberGhost VPN is one of the best services.
4th place: Hide – with expert function
Compatible systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, and many more
Number of devices: 10
Countries: 75
Servers: 1,900
Streaming performance: Netflix (partly), only US Amazon, BBC iPlayer, live TV/media
libraries P2P/ Torrenting: yes
Data collection: none (no-log policy)
Free version available: yes, 10 GB per month, 5 locations
Here, the name speaks for itself. The provider ensures optimal security and encryption while surfing. A transparent appearance and a strict no-log policy are well received by users. Both beginners and advanced users appreciate the VPN service. Special professional functions such as "Stealth Guard" are particularly suitable for advanced users. In terms of speed, Hide does not lag behind the other services. There are slight weaknesses in streaming, and in the VPN comparison, significantly cheaper competitors with comparable functions come to the fore. There is a free version here, which you can even use without registering. A link will also take you to a discounted offer.
3rd place: ExpressVPN: Very extensive services
Compatible systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, also smart TVs and game consoles, and much more
Number of devices: unlimited (5 simultaneously)
Countries: 94
Servers: 3,000
Streaming performance: Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, live TV/media
libraries P2P/torrenting: yes
Collection of data: some data for statistics
Free version available: no, but a 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN shines with the best quality. Although the service costs a bit more than the others, it is worth the investment. The encryption is technically flawless and the proprietary "TrustedServer" technology lets users trust that no data will be saved. A special feature is the large selection of compatible end devices. There is even a dedicated app for routers. There are no deductions for streaming either because the service unlocks the foreign catalogs for Netflix, Amazon, and Co. without any problems. The only deduction is that the additional functions are not that numerous.
2nd place: Surfshark: price-performance winner
Compatible systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, and many more
Number of devices: Unlimited
Countries: 65
Servers: 3,200
Streaming performance: Netflix (partly), Amazon, BBC iPlayer, live TV/media
libraries P2P/torrenting: yes
Collection of data: none (no-log policy)
Free version available: no, but a 30-day money-back guarantee
Surfshark is characterized by its fast speed. Users also appreciate the ease of use, which is not a matter of course with every VPN provider. Due to the no-log policy, no data is stored and the additional function "No-Borders" mode is also not found with every VPN. Surfshark recently started offering the particularly secure VPN protocol WireGuard, which its competitor NordVPN also offers. Unfortunately, not everything always works perfectly when streaming Netflix. On the other hand, the low subscription price for a 2-year subscription is really impressive and the license for an unlimited number of devices is also very practical.
1st place: The test winner NordVPN
Compatible systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and many more
Number of devices: 6
Countries: 59
Servers: 5,509
Streaming performance: Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, live TV/media
libraries P2P/torrenting: yes
Data collection: none (No-Log-Policy)
Free version available: no, but a 30-day money-back guarantee
NordVPN is a real all-rounder. In the VPN comparison, the service is characterized by optimal means of concealment and protection. The encryption is great, the no-log policy and selectable privacy features turn the provider into a safe bank. With over 5,500 servers in almost 60 countries, the infrastructure is well developed, which offers the user many options for streaming, setup, and operation. There is also nothing wrong with the speed because both uploads and downloads are fast.
Conclusion on the big VPN comparison
The VPN comparison shows that most of the good providers offer great services in terms of security. Many even have some special features and high-quality encryption. The main differences are the streaming performance, the speed, and the additional functions. NordVPN emerges as the winner because the provider combines great features with high-security standards and convincing performance.
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