The Best 5 VPNs To Use

With all the options for VPNs it can be tough to pick just one, so we’ve narrowed it down to the top five.

In the current climate of ever-present hacking threats, record-setting numbers of data breaches, and outright privacy blunders by some of our most trusted platforms (looking at you, Facebook), using a virtual private network, or VPN, just makes sense. Combined with the fact that many platforms offer freemium models, there’s no reason not to deploy a VPN, even if you only use it for your most sensitive activity like online banking or sharing work files with a colleague.

Why do I need a VPN?

Of course, VPNs aren’t just about security, although that’s one of the most enticing features. They also allow you to choose where your connection begins, which is a huge plus for accessing content that is perfectly legal back home but blocked while you’re abroad.

In light of the attacks on net neutrality in the US, we can expect to see a logical increase in VPN use as consumers try to access sites that are off-limits for one reason or another. In theory, convincing your connection that you’re in Canada right now may ward off some of the “pay-to-play” ideas that have been floated concerning ISPs.

VPNs are also really handy in overcoming a common workplace hurdle: social media sites are blocked in order to “increase productivity,” but many schools, day care centers, and children’s rec organizations rely on things like Facebook groups to communicate with parents because it’s free. How are you supposed to find out if school is being dismissed early or dance practice is cancelled? A VPN can help a responsible employee stay connected to vital family information.

Compare the best VPNs of 2018

Here’s our selection of the top 5 VPNs, and a breakdown of the features and pricing structures they offer, to help you choose the right VPN for you.

Product	HMA! Pro VPN	AVG Secure VPN	CyberGhost VPN	Panda VPN	Avast SecureLine VPN
Rating	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Price	From £3.99 per month	From £3.33 per month	From £2.42 per month*	From £5.44 per month	From £4.03 per month*
Free Trial	30 days	30 days	🗙	Limited free version	7 days
Best Feature	Stand-out security and a global network	Military grade encryption and security	Widespread & router protection	Ultra-secure with built in antivirus	Block activity tracking and targeted ads
Supported OS	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux,	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers	Windows, Android	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Simultaneous Connections	Up to 5	Up to 5	Up to 7	Up to 5	Up to 5
Servers	900+	29	2,200+	Unknown	55
Countries	190+	21	60	18	33
Money Back Guarantee	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
24/7 Tech Support	✔	🗙	✔	✔	🗙
	Read more	Read more	Read more	Read more	Read more

*Prices converted to GBP and correct at time of review on 25th June 2018.

HMA! Pro VPN

HMA! Pro VPN – Stand-out security with a global network that gives you more for your money.

Yes, you read that right… HMA, as in, “hide my a$$.” And that’s exactly what this powerful VPN can do.

With most VPNs, not even your ISP can see what you’re doing online, but unlike some others on the market, HMA can’t see it either. They neither monitor nor log activity, and all they can see is the IP address they assign you; even that can only be visible for three months.

One of HMA! Pro VPN’s stronger selling points is its global network. With almost 900 servers in nearly 200 countries, there’s very little chance that you won’t be covered. Of course, HMA! also tacks on support for Linux, so if you’re not in the Windows-Mac Fan Club, you can still take advantage of a widely known VPN.

Download HMA! Pro VPN for Windows   |   Download HMA! Pro VPN for Mac

AVG Secure VPN

AVG Secure VPN – “military grade” security for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.

The same developer who launched top notch, globally recognized antivirus protection brought that same attention to security and privacy to its VPN product, available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. AVG Secure VPN‘s “military grade” security and encryption mean that no matter what kind of connection you’re using—even public WiFi—no one can see what you’re doing.

Download AVG Secure VPN for Windows | Download AVG Secure VPN for Mac

CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN – Widespread protection for up to 7 devices, even your router.

CyberGhost varies by offering simultaneous connection to up to seven devices at a time as opposed to only one or five. That small distinction means not having to choose where your protection ends up, as you can tunnel your way onto the internet on your phone, your spouse’s phone, your home computer, your work laptop, and your kids’ tablets, all at the same time.

While other VPNs protect Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, a few add Linux coverage as well. But CyberGhost also covers routers, meaning your smart TV and IoT-connected devices are also not fair game for spying. (Just ask a Ring doorbell owner if they want the government downloaded the video from their front doors, checking up on who’s been coming and going…)

Download CyberGhost VPN for Windows   |   Download CyberGhost VPN for Mac

Panda VPN

Panda VPN – Ultra-secure VPN with built-in antivirus from a leading security software company.

Panda Security is another company that has made a name for itself in offering top-notch antivirus and anti-malware software that offers something for the full spectrum of price points. Panda VPN offers all the great features that tech users need from a VPN while also bundling it with antivirus protection.

Thirty million users have installed Panda security products for Windows, Mac, and Android to date. All Panda products are now distributed under the Panda Dome protection software, which still gives users options for running scans of their computers, protecting their networks from harmful downloads, and of course, protecting their privacy on the internet. Unfortunately, Panda’s premium VPN is not yet made available for Mac, though this is something they’re working on.

Download Panda VPN for Windows

Avast SecureLine VPN

Avast SecureLine VPN – Expertly prevent activity tracking and targeted ads with an innovative shared IP address.

This VPN is another one whose developers have a long-standing history in the antivirus and anti-malware space. One of Avast’s innovative features is the concept of a shared IP address, meaning that every user who logs on within the VPN shares the same one—good luck to anyone trying to track what you’re doing online.

Speaking of tracking, Avast’s big claim to VPN fame is in preventing advertisers from tracking your activity and targeting you with content. That might not seem like a big deal on the surface—after all, if you look up information on pregnancy, you might be interested in a deal on a car seat—but more and more users are growing leery of how their information and histories are sold to third-parties. Moreover, Avast SecureLine VPN focuses on DNS leak protection, meaning it will ensure that IPv4 traffic coming from your connected machines is firewalled while disabling IPv6 requests.

Download Avast SecureLine VPN for Windows   |   Download Avast SecureLine VPN for Mac

Conclusion

No matter what you’re looking for in a VPN, there’s one for you. With so many to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to our top 5 VPNs of 2018. If none of these take your fancy, see the full range of VPNs of FileHippo today, and find the perfect one for you.
 
To learn more about VPNs and all the benefits they provide, check out our article on why you should be using a VPN.