Ever wondered which VPN people actually use? Our survey says…

1. Dwelling house
2. Features
3. Security

E'er wondered which VPN people actually use? Our survey says…

(Prototype credit: Ksenia Zvezdina/Getty Images)

Choosing the best VPN provider can be a tricky task, and the fact of the matter is that everyone has dissimilar needs, wants and preferences. Some users will prefer a simple, Spartan interface with few options that makes it easy to get going, while others will relish the chance to configure the software down the tiniest item. Many people might be looking for a streaming VPN, while others might not be interested in accessing geo-blocked content and only want the well-nigh secure VPN.

So, it'south only fair to say that at that place's no ane-size-fits-all provider that will deliver the 'perfect' product for every person. That being said, though, some providers like the highly rated ExpressVPN perform admirably on all fronts, and there are some providers out there – free VPN services especially – nosotros'd advise anyone to steer clear of, no affair what they're looking for.

Merely what do real people actually use day to twenty-four hours? We've certainly got our own preferences, but exercise they match up with truthful user experience? We surveyed over 1,000 VPN users on a number of factors, and when nosotros saw which VPNs they used, in that location were a few surprises in store…

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1. ExpressVPN – thirteen.39%

Unsurprisingly – for us, at to the lowest degree – the majority of users we surveyed used our current #ane-ranked service ExpressVPN. That's probable down to the fact it covers all the bases: information technology'due south zero-logging, information technology's a fast VPN, it'south great for streaming, and it's simple to utilise. There's a reason why it scored v stars out of five in our ExpressVPN review, after all.

2. ProtonVPN – 12.58%

As the best free service on the market, ProtonVPN takes the second spot. Once more, we're not surprised. Seeing as paying and non-paying users were divide almost exactly 50/50 in our survey, it'due south axiomatic that the combination of more than ane location, unlimited data and neat security for free take fatigued in enough of users.

While for more serious users nosotros'd all the same recommend a paid VPN, ProtonVPN is as good every bit you lot'll get if you don't desire to part with your money in substitution for staying secure online.

iii. NordVPN – 11.56%

A giant in the industry, NordVPN was ever a shoo-in for this list. We're well-nigh surprised it didn't take the top spot cheers to its aggressive marketing and impressive operation, just almost 12% is all the same an enviable marketplace share.

4. Private Cyberspace Access – vii%

Widely regarded as a safe option, Private Internet Access doesn't rank quite as highly equally information technology one time did in our testing – only it's even so evidently very popular in the real world. This is probably thank you to its dandy functioning as a torrenting VPN and features such every bit port forwarding, which many of the bigger names have forgone in the name of simplicity.

5. Surfshark - iv.67%

Still something of a newbie in the industry, the inexpensive VPN Surfshark has fabricated great waves since its launch. It's popular with users looking to pocketbook a super reliable Netflix VPN on a budget, and while it doesn't have the legacy users or reputation of stalwarts like PIA or Nord, information technology's definitely made its mark in the VPN globe.

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The balance – and those we didn't expect

The fantabulous Windscribe notched upwardly iv.67% of the vote, super speedy Hotspot Shield an impressive 3.25%, simplistic TunnelBear ii.74%, US-based IPVanish 2.23% and streaming-centric CyberGhost one.52%. Notwithstanding, in our survey we couldn't name every VPN, so we immune users to input their ain provider if we'd missed them in the line-up.

With 1.21% of the vote, the understated and secure provider Mullvad is still going stiff, despite being somewhat crowded out of the market by noisier opposition.

Less promising, though, is the fact one.xi% of our surveyed users subscribe to TurboVPN. Somehow it's been a big name in the business organisation for a good while, and despite poor performance and an to a higher place-average cost point, it continues to retain users. If that's y'all, we recommend testing out some other providers – but if it works for you, it works for you.

Just over ane% of users also reported that they use a self-configured VPN. 15 or more years ago this was the simply realistic mode of using a VPN on your own device, but as the software has become more mainstream, providers similar those mentioned here accept cropped upwardly to take out the legwork. If you're still committed to maintaining your own server, though, we salute you.

It's well worth noting that overall, over 23% of surveyed users subscribe to services other than the 'big' providers' that we gave specific options to select. Users submitted a huge range of unlike providers from AirVPN to Witopia, simply many of these had two or three instances at best.

While nosotros're all for encouraging start-ups and pocket-sized businesses, nosotros believe online privacy is an area where no sacrifices should be made – and nosotros're glad to see the majority of users going for established names that are proven to be safe, rather than taking a chance with a smaller, cheaper service that might not do what it says on the tin.

In a nutshell – which VPNs do people employ?

We're happy to see all of the acme entries are reputable providers that are secure, effective, and accept first-class customer support – that's evidently the reason they're ruling the roost at the moment.

However, with a number of users opting for some less-than useful providers (and even one poor soul using the virus-laden Betternet), we'd strongly advise any current VPN users to consider the options available, and when your contract runs out, don't be agape of changing. There are even some excellent VPN deals on offer that could keep both you and your wallet safer.

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Which VPN do we recommend?

Mo is VPN Editor at Tom'southward Guide. Mean solar day-to-day he oversees VPN, privacy, and cybersecurity content, and also undertakes independent testing of VPN services to ensure his recommendations are accurate and up to date. When he's not getting stuck into the nitty-gritty settings of a VPN you've never heard of, you'll observe him working on his Peugeot 205 GTi or watching Peep Testify instead of finally putting upwardly those shelves.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/features/which-vpn-do-people-actually-use

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