WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER GETTING A VPN

Online privacy and security have become increasingly important in today's digital age. With data breaches and cyber attacks happening daily, protecting your online activities is crucial. This is where Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) come in. By encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address, VPNs help to keep your online activities private and secure. But with so many VPN services available, it can be tough to choose the right one. In this article, we'll compare the top VPNs of 2023 - NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and ProtonVPN - and evaluate their key features, including speed, cost, streaming capabilities, and privacy features, to help you choose the best VPN for your needs. All the VPNs reviewed here offer a no-log policy.

Whether this is your first time considering a VPN or your subscription is about to expire, and you're looking to find alternatives and the best VPNs in 2023, we've got you covered. 

AT A GLANCE 

ProtonVPN is a game-changer in the world of VPNs. It stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique combination of privacy and security features. 

With its headquarters located in Switzerland, it operates under some of the strictest privacy laws in the world. This, along with its open-source code available on GitHub and its transparent company structure, inspires great trust in users who value their online privacy. 

ProtonVPN offers a Tor over VPN functionality, which encrypts all your online data, and also supports split tunnelling and a kill switch, ensuring your private data stays protected at all times. 

If you're looking to unblock geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix, ProtonVPN has got you covered. Its sleek and cool interface, with a wide range of options, makes using the VPN a breeze.

ProtonVPN even offers a free VPN service, although this doesn't unblock streaming services. But with its paid plans, you can enjoy all the privacy and security benefits that ProtonVPN has to offer. And if you're still unsure, remember that ProtonVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free. Don't wait any longer, sign up for ProtonVPN today and take control of your online privacy and security!

The Exodus Privacy Report shows no trackers for the Android app, which is also available on the F-Droid app store (a great privacy-focused app store with strict rules on which apps are admitted).

And while you're at it, don't forget to get your free and encrypted Proton email address :)

NordVPN is a top-notch VPN service for everyday use. Its user-friendly interface is sleek and includes a cool map feature that makes it easy to navigate. 

NordVPN is a great choice if you're looking to unblock geo-restricted streaming services, as it's fast and reliable, giving you access to all your favourite content without any buffering or lag. 

NordVPN also supports split tunnelling and has a kill switch, ensuring your private data stays protected at all times. With its no-log policy, NordVPN guarantees that your online activities will remain private and secure.

Its Panama jurisdiction means that it is not subject to any foreign government or law-enforcement agencies. With a very affordable and compelling 2-year subscription and a 30-day money-back guarantee, NordVPN is a great overall package. And for added privacy, you can even pay with Bitcoin. 

Try NordVPN today and take the first step towards a safer and more secure online experience. I've been using it for the past two years (mainly for streaming geo-restricted content on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime) and haven't had any trouble with it. (I did get a 'Proxy Detected' error on occasions, but a NordVPN update always solved those issues for me.) 

Overall, NordVPN easily makes the list of best VPN services to use in 2023 and beyond. 

Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN service that is becoming increasingly popular. It is considered one of the cheapest good VPNs on the market, making it an attractive option for those who are looking to save money. 

Surfshark is a sister company to NordVPN, as they have merged, so they offer many similar features. However, NordVPN has more servers and protocol options available, so it may be a better choice if you need more options. 

Surfshark is still a great choice for streaming, and it can be a good alternative if you want to exceed NordVPN's limit of 6 connected devices. 

Like NordVPN, Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out and see if it works for you. 

With its budget-friendly prices and its growing popularity, Surfshark is worth considering if you're looking for a VPN service that offers great value for money. 

ExpressVPN is a solid choice for those seeking fast and reliable VPN services to unblock geo-restricted streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer. However, it comes at a more premium price compared to other options in the market.

On the privacy front, ExpressVPN is owned by Kape, formerly known as Crossrider, a company with a controversial history of involvement in the distribution of malware and adtech. Some of its investors and leadership have also been linked to state surveillance activities. This history may raise privacy concerns, especially for journalists and activists whose work is privacy-critical. In such cases, ProtonVPN is a more trustworthy option.

ExpressVPN offers a user-friendly interface, considered the simplest among all VPNs, and its overall performance is pretty fast and reliable. Kape has become a major player in the VPN market, owning CyberGhost, Zenmate VPN, and Private Internet Access (PIA), as well as VPN review sites with a monthly search traffic of over 6 million visitors. If you are interested in learning more about the history and background, check out this article.

For those who still want to give ExpressVPN a try, there is a 30-days money-back guarantee available. However, you should consider your privacy needs and weigh the potential risks before making a decision.