The best VPN service for a free, open internet

The best VPN is the one that doesn’t slow you down, helps you be safer online, and doesn’t compromise your privacy. So to choose the best VPN, you must consider several factors:

1. 1.

   Server network. A VPN that offers many server locations is your best bet if you want a fast and stable connection. Distance is internet speed’s worst enemy — so always pick a server nearby!

2. 2.

   Speed and performance. A good VPN should offer a fast, reliable connection with minimal speed loss. Look for VPN services with optimized software designed to maintain high speeds while encrypting your traffic.

3. 3.

   Privacy policy. Privacy is a major concern for most VPN users. Make sure the VPN provider has a strict no-logs policy and doesn’t track what you do online.

4. 4.

   Security features. Look for a VPN that offers strong encryption and additional security features to protect your traffic, data, and devices from hackers, malware, and other online threats.

5. 5.

   Compatibility and ease of use. Choose a VPN that is compatible with all your devices and is easy to use. What good is a digital service if you need a manual to set it up? Look for a VPN app you can simply install and use.

6. 6.

   Customer support. Quality customer support is crucial — you never know when you might need it. Look for a VPN provider that offers 24/7 support and has live chat, email, or phone assistance to help you resolve any issues quickly.

NordVPN is the most advanced VPN service currently on the market. It has all the basic VPN features you’ve come to expect while also creating and adding new functionalities that no other company offers.

While some users only want to connect to a VPN server and get a new IP address, others enjoy the comprehensive online security NordVPN offers. Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor, and Threat Protection Pro™ — these features make us stand out from the rest. When you combine that with thousands of servers covering 181+ locations worldwide, you can easily understand why anyone who wants to improve their online security would choose NordVPN.

The most secure encryption algorithms are AES-256 (Advanced Encryption Standard with a 256-bit key) and ChaCha20. AES-256 is considered the gold standard in encryption and is widely used. This algorithm is widely recognized and used by governments, military institutions, and cybersecurity professionals around the world.

Unless you control the servers your traffic is routed to, no VPN is absolutely free. While a premium VPN requires a paid subscription, free VPNs are likely to use your data for advertising or find other ways to profit off it. VPN services cannot be absolutely free because, at the end of the day, an organization has to hire staff and maintain expensive servers.

Every free VPN decides how it balances its free services compared to the expenses such as server maintenance. Some choose to have fewer servers, leading to slower speeds, while others limit bandwidth, forcing users to choose when to browse unprotected. Also, free VPNs often lack security features, such as a kill switch, adequate privacy protections, or a responsive customer support team.

Using free VPNs is considerably less safe than using premium VPNs. When comparing free and paid VPNs, free services can't offer the security or privacy required to defend against various online threats because they must stay focused on saving costs.

NordVPN does offer some features for free. For example, you can use Meshnet to build your own VPN at no cost — connect devices into a private network and route traffic through one of them. You can also try NordVPN for free for the first time only on your Android device. Simply download the NordVPN app on Google Play, sign up, and activate your 7-day free trial in the app.

However, it’s worth noting that NordVPN is regarded as the best VPN service by companies and cybersecurity researchers worldwide because of its advanced features. Our growing user base allows us to keep expanding our server network, offer 24/7 customer support, and introduce new, groundbreaking features.

Several factors influence a VPN’s pricing:

• Subscription length. Longer plans often offer lower monthly costs.

• Features. Premium features (dedicated IP, obfuscation, threat protection) may increase prices.

• Simultaneous connections. More connections allowed at once typically cost more.

• Server network size. A larger network with more server locations is more expensive to maintain.

• Bandwidth/data limits. Unlimited VPN data will be more expensive.

• Customer support. 24/7 support and dedicated teams can add to the cost.

• Brand reputation. Trusted brands with strong reputations can have higher prices.

• Bundled services. VPNs with additional services (like an antivirus) may charge a premium.

• Promotions/discounts. Discounts and promotions can allow you to save money.

• Independent audits. Regular third-party audits for transparency may raise the cost.

You should pay to get a better service. It’s difficult for free VPN providers to match the service quality and internet safety a paid provider offers, so you’re more likely to experience slow connections, weak security, and having your device used as a proxy for other customers. If you use a free VPN, its creators have to make money somehow, so they may shower you with ads, track and sell your data, or even use your device to route other people’s traffic through — a reliable paid VPN provider won’t.

With NordVPN, you can rest assured that your private data is protected by cutting-edge encryption so you can experience enhanced online privacy while browsing without VPN restrictions on data and bandwidth. Still not sure? You can try our services and get a full refund within a month of purchase if you’re not satisfied.

Yes! NordVPN has seasonal deals, offering different discounts and special extra benefits for both new and existing users. There are also many special coupons you can use (most likely offered by your favorite YouTuber), and Android users can even test drive NordVPN for free — the first seven days are on us!

All plans come with our 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not sure whether NordVPN is worth your money, you can try it without any risk!

The best VPN server location for you depends on proximity and server load. Wherever you are, always choose a server close to you to minimize latency and maximize speed. But while doing so, keep in mind that the server has to have low traffic to ensure better performance and a stable connection. Not sure how to find one? That’s why it’s great to use a service like NordVPN — its apps have a “Secure my connection” button that automatically connects you to a fast server that’s closest to you.

Yes! Open the NordVPN app and select any country you want from the list. It only takes seconds for you to travel to a new virtual location.

NordVPN has physical and virtual servers worldwide — you can choose from 130 countries, 5 continents, and 9,000+ servers among them. Whether it's servers in the USA, UK, Canada, or Australia you’re looking for — we have them (and many more) for you to explore.

NordVPN offers 32 server locations in the USA in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. From New York to Miami to Seattle — we’ve got you covered!

NordVPN offers four server locations in the UK: Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester. Pick your favorite in the app and connect in seconds.

NordVPN offers five server locations in Australia: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. Select your preferred location from the list for instant access.