VPN
Cybersecurity

Comparing popular VPNs? Folks on Reddit have some thoughts.

The good and the bad about the biggest VPNs, from people with no filter.
By Leah Stodart  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Our Top 7 Picks

Surfshark (opens in a new tab)

Your overall best bet

Feature-rich Surfshark makes countless appearances in subreddits due to high speeds and no device limits.

The Good

  • Unlimited devices per account
  • Multihop and split-tunneling tools
  • Great for Netflix and unblocking other streaming sites
  • Doesn't log, plus no real history of issues with user privacy
  • Good for Fire Stick

The Bad

  • No one year plan
  • Kill switch has to be manually triggered
  • Reports of toxic online community
  • No public audits to confirm no logs policy

The Bottom Line

There's little that Surfshark doesn't cover, and its lack of history with privacy issues is comforting.
Pros & Cons

Mullvad (opens in a new tab)

Best for port forwarding

Picky users are loving Mullvad's speed, port forwarding, and dedication to transparency.

The Good

  • Allows way more forwarded ports than competitors
  • Supports Wireguard
  • Owns its servers, leading to high speeds
  • Superior for P2P
  • Least complicated pricing plan ever
  • No logs and can pay via cash in the mail

The Bad

  • Proxy only accessible when connected to the VPN
  • Interface is awkward
  • In the 14 Eyes

The Bottom Line

It's hard to find a negative comment about Mullvad's balance of in-house server speed and no-logs protection.
Pros & Cons

NordVPN (opens in a new tab)

Best for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming

Security slip-ups and annoying ads haven't knocked this powerhouse from its ranking, aided by solid geo-unblocking.

The Good

  • Impeccable at unblocking streaming sites
  • Available in China
  • Obfuscated servers can bypass NTU blocks
  • Customizable kill switch
  • Feature to access the Tor network
  • Supports Wireguard and new, super fast NordLynx
  • Good for Fire Stick

The Bad

  • Reputation for paying for positive reviews
  • Security breach in Oct. 2019 (but has since subsided)
  • Speed drops out of nowhere

The Bottom Line

Nord is roast-able at times, but its beefy list of streaming and torrenting features keep it a main player.
Pros & Cons

Windscribe (opens in a new tab)

Most customizable

Redditors appreciate the option to build your own plan on top of the godsent free 10 GB per month.

The Good

  • 10 GB/month for free is WILD
  • Build A Plan lets you choose which locations to pay for
  • DNS ad blocking
  • Happily unblocks big streaming sties
  • Fierewall blocks all network access if connection dips

The Bad

  • Unsubscribing from emails drops allowance to 2 GB
  • Hard to reach customer service
  • Hit-or-miss speeds

The Bottom Line

One of the most flexible VPNs plays nicely with big streaming sites and has a trusty firewall.
Pros & Cons

PIA (Private Internet Access) (opens in a new tab)

Best for groups

The 10-device allowance and hefty server coverage keep PIA a classic, but it still struggles with geo-blocking and streaming.

The Good

  • More servers than many competitors
  • 10 simultaneous connections
  • App has finally been overhauled — and looks great
  • Split tunneling
  • Supports Wireguard

The Bad

  • Uses shared IP address system
  • Inconsistent success with geo-unblocking
  • Tor network and multihop not available
  • Erratic customer service
  • Based in the US
  • No obfuscated servers

The Bottom Line

Though it doesn't exactly lead in any categories, PIA's myriad of servers and device allowances provide stability.
Pros & Cons

ProtonVPN (opens in a new tab)

Best free VPN

Baselines like a respected privacy policy and unlimited bandwidth are alive and well in Proton's free version.

The Good

  • No bandwidth limits
  • Mobile and desktop apps run immaculately
  • Respected transparency policy
  • Anyone can check backend for security vulnerabilities
  • Reliable kill switch

The Bad

  • Only allows one device at a time
  • Only three locations
  • No torrenting or unblocking streaming
  • No Wireguard support

The Bottom Line

Casual users who aren't trying to stream should be able to get the job done with unlimited data and good privacy protection.
Pros & Cons

IVPN (opens in a new tab)

Most likely to rectify customer complaints

Frequent platform updates and upholding of privacy promises make Redditors feel like they're being listened to.

The Good

  • Huge on privacy and transparency
  • Great for multi-hopping
  • Port forwarding
  • Custom DNS on iOS
  • Desktop app forces all traffic through VPN
  • Supports OpenVPN and WireGuard
  • Flexible pricing options

The Bad

  • Not the best speeds
  • Can't unblock most streaming services
  • Fewer servers, more CAPTCHAS

The Bottom Line

Redditors appreciate this regular-audited VPN's firm stance on privacy and attention to iOS functionality.
Pros & Cons

Best deals on VPNs this week


Slow WiFi and an exposed Google history are an avid internet user's worst nightmares, and the Obama-era rules that protect from these have been under attack since 2017. New FCC leaders could offer hope for a fairer internet(opens in a new tab), though undoing years of net neutrality bashing is an uphill battle.

Squashing these protections essentially gives internet service providers the green light to dish unfair treatment to certain web traffic — like throttling a Netflix connection or charging extra to use a certain social media platform. And don't get us started on how it could affect smaller sites with smaller budgets.

Discussions about the government's right to spy on your digital habits(opens in a new tab) without a warrant don't exactly make anyone feel confident, either.

Whatever the reason, people are becoming more and more paranoid about the vulnerability of their internet usage (that, or they're just really tired of American Netflix). In turn, Google has become littered with VPN reviews and lists of the best VPNs according to experts, tech publishers, and regular consumers alike. But if you wanted a more raw take on the day-to-day VPN experience from normal people (with no filter), there's only one place to go: Reddit(opens in a new tab).

What is a VPN used for?

The bottom line is simple: People don't want other people watching what they're doing online, even if they're not doing anything wrong.

A VPN (virtual private network) is an internet security subscription that basically allows you to make up your own internet rules. It acts as a bodyguard between you and your internet service provider (and hackers, and other third-party weirdos) by hollowing out a personal anonymity tunnel through which you perform all of your internet activities. A VPN's job is to plug the holes that could be making your data vulnerable to nefarious eyeballs, like creeps scouring public WiFi networks for personal information that could be used to steal your identity. VPNs are as wise of a precaution as antivirus software or a password manager (yes, this applies to Macs too).

Hackers love free WiFi for the same reason you do: Connecting to the internet requires no authentication. That network is littered with unsecured devices, many times belonging to working professionals with bank accounts and business credentials that have phishers frothing at the mouth. Often, the easiest thing for hackers to do is slide in between your device and the connection point. This Man-in-the-Middle situation is like eavesdropping, but on emails, credit card info, and work logins. Other hackers use public WiFi to unleash malware to all of the suckers using the network without protection.

Many folks avoid the public WiFi risk by recruiting their phone's hotspot. But on the flip side, cellular data limits might be an issue — setting up a situation where both a laptop and phone need VPN protection. Many Reddit users suggest using something like EasyTether to share the VPN connection in a reverse hotspot of sorts.

Are free VPNs the move?

Reddit has strong feelings about this. It's bluntly summed up here in response to an inquiry about the "best free VPN":

Screenshot from Reddit
Credit: reddit/screenshot

Reddit users will let you know that comparing free VPNs to paid VPNs just doesn't make sense. It's like comparing apples to oranges, and you'll almost definitely be skimping on some crucial features by taking the cheapest-possible route. The proof isn't always provided, but many Redditors are convinced that free VPNs don't follow a true no-log policy, or that they sell your data to third parties. "Free" is sometimes synonymous with "slow" due to fewer servers in fewer locations.

The general consensus seems to be to only use a free VPN to test the waters, then cough up the credit card info (or Paypal, or Bitcoin, or Visa gift cards from your grandma). Most times, this can be done through a trusted paid VPN that has a free tier to experiment with, or via a free trial, which many services offer. In a rare turn of events, Reddit backs Windscribe's free service hard. However, free VPNs can step up to the job for more temporary endeavors — like having access to your home country's streaming services while going abroad for a semester or keeping up with a certain sport for a season. Because paid VPNs only really get affordable when a one or two-year subscription is met, it may not make sense to pay $10 or $12 per month for the few months that you need a VPN.

Here are the VPNs that Reddit users recommend the most in 2023:

Your overall best bet
Credit: Surfshark / Mashable photo composite
Specs
  • One month: $12.95
  • One year: $3.99/month
  • Two years: $2.39/month

The sheer absence of bandwidth and device limitations should clue you in: Surfshark is way more generous than its prices suggest. The clean, ultra-straightforward app helps to keep things organized, even with such a jumble of devices and simultaneous connections.

On top of unlimited device log-ins, this feature-rich VPN offers rarely-seen additions like Whitelister split tunneling, which lets you choose which sites should be routed outside the VPN tunnel, and Multihop, which bumps both security and speed by ricocheting traffic to a second VPN server. People seem to dig the CleanWeb ad-blocking tool as well.

Best for port forwarding
Credit: Mullvad / Mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Monthly: $5.50

Mullvad corrects complaints that more expensive big-name companies still struggle with: Ownership of its servers contributes greatly to consistently boosted speeds. It's transparent as hell and offers its users the closest thing true anonymity by allowing sign-ups without asking for a name or email. In the midst of clickbait and vague logging policies, Mullvad makes it clear that your personal data is a top priority.

Port forwarding is one of Mullvad's strong suits. This allows remote computers to access a specific device with a private LAN, which can aid with lobby wait times, mixing and matching of consoles owned by different friends, and improve gameplay overall. (Port forwarding also opens the door to control of your computer when you're not home.)

Best for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming
Credit: NordVPN / Mashable photo composite
Specs
  • NordVPN Standard (monthly): $12.99/month
  • NordVPN Plus (monthly): $14.19/month
  • NordVPN Complete (monthly): $15.69/month
  • NordVPN Standard (one year): $4.59/month
  • NordVPN Plus (one year): $5.79/month
  • NordVPN Complete (one year): $7.29/month
  • NordVPN Standard (two years): $3.29/month
  • NordVPN Plus (two years): $4.49/month
  • NordVPN Complete (two years): $5.99/month

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Meet the Casper mattress of VPNs. NordVPN, a name any avid podcast listener has heard way too many times, has grown to be the VPN that people love to hate(opens in a new tab), but for better or for worse, it's still one of the most-talked about VPNs on Reddit. The app itself takes a minimalist approach that's easy on the eyes. However, its menu of high-level features gets heavy quickly, with extras like a cross-platform password manager, data breach scanner, and 1TB of encrypted cloud storage added as you scale up your monthly plan.

Seasoned VPN users will appreciate the quick hop to obfuscated servers while the lack of guidance may send beginners packing. Many seem to be able to look past Nord's erratic speeds due to its mastery of the art of unblocking streaming sites — and blocking ads. An issue that's less forgivable is that of security breaches(opens in a new tab). There's still trust to earn, but the no logs policy, a slew of privacy toggles, and double independent audits are a start.

Most customizable
Credit: Windscribe / Mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Monthly: $9/month
  • Yearly: $5.75/month
  • Build a Plan: $1 per location/month

Few VPNs are more friendly to newbies than Windscribe. It remedies question marks that make most beginners ask Reddit in the first place: reliability to unblock streaming sites, security of your tunnel traffic, and whether it's worth the price. Windscribe lets you test it all out with a more-than-ample 10 GB per month for free, has been known to play nicely with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and keeps endeavors under wraps with IKEv2 and OpenVPN support with strong AES-256 encryption (even in countries that typically snoop VPNs out quickly).

The "Build a Plan" option is an interesting alternative to a traditional subscription. Need a VPN just to watch TV in *one* other country? Just $1 per month gets you unlimited data in that location.

Best for groups
Credit: Private Internet Access / Mashable photo composite
Specs
  • One month: $11.99
  • Six months: $7.50/month
  • Two years: $2.11/month

Read our full review of PIA (Private Internet Access) VPN.

PIA's allowance for 10 simultaneous connections makes it easy to split the cost between a couple, roommates, or even a whole family. Its above-average server count leads to less resource hogging and less complaints about dropped connections. PIA doesn't limit torrenting to specific servers, nor does it limit premium features based on subscription tiers.

But PIA has lost some of its star power since ruling the market in 2017 and 2018. For some on Reddit, it's too shifty in two categories that are pillars of VPNs: user privacy and streaming. A murky privacy policy, a holdup on third-party audits, and iffy geo-unblocking on streaming platforms make for a somewhat volatile experience.

Best free VPN
Credit: ProtonVPN / Mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Proton VPN Free: One device, unlimited data
  • Proton VPN Plus (monthly): $4.99/month
  • Proton VPN Unlimited (monthly): $7.99/month

Read our full review of ProtonVPN.

"Best" and "free" together need to be taken with a grain of salt. We accept that. But if you're firm on not coughing up a monthly fee, Reddit acknowledges ProtonVPN is a viable free path.

Speeds are hit or miss with Proton's free version. It simply has fewer servers in fewer locations (only US, Netherlands, and Japan on the free tier) with a slot for one device at a time. That device does get unlimited leeway in the data department, though P2P, streaming unblocking, and torrenting are understandably MIA. Proton makes up for its leisurely load times it with an emphasis on privacy: Its strict no-log policy pairs nicely with Switzerland's(opens in a new tab) security laws, which are far less nosey than those of the US.

Most likely to rectify customer complaints
Credit: IVPN / Mashable photo composite
Specs
  • IVPN Standard (one week): $2
  • IVPN Pro (one week): $4
  • IVPN Standard (one month): $6
  • IVPN Pro (one month): $10
  • IVPN Standard (one year): $60
  • IVPN Pro (one year): $100
  • IVPN Standard (two years): $100
  • IVPN Pro (two years): $160
  • IVPN Standard (three years): $140
  • IVPN Pro (three years): $220

It's annoyingly common for a VPN company to make claims without following through. Redditors won't hesitate to call them out. Despite its sparse server count, Reddit seems to appreciate the attention IVPN pays to its biggest concerns. Some recent updates include new iOS functionality (like a kill switch, custom DNS, and solid WireGuard multihop) and its anti-tracker now pulling from the full OISD blocklist.

IVPN has made it a thing to release third-party security audits on a yearly basis, putting it on par with Mullvad transparency-wise. Users don't even need a password to register and can choose the two servers they want to use to multihop — two extra, unique layers of protection. Port forwarding and an anti-tracker are unlocked with the Pro tier.

More in Cybersecurity

Frequently Asked Questions


The specs that Reddit users care about in a VPN are easy to tally when the same ones (or multiple people bitching about the lack of the same feature) pop up in countless subreddits throughout the year. If you're not feeling hardcore enough to build your own VPN, like some users suggest, here are the frequently-mentioned points that Reddit suggests to look for:

Streaming dependability is a given. Tons of people want a VPN solely to watch content from other countries, so a VPN's ability to fake out geoblocks and get around a streaming site's VPN blocks is crucial. (If you, in the U.S. want to watch a Netflix show that's only available in France, you'd want to pick a VPN with a plethora of servers in France.) The speed at which that content streams matters, too (a fast VPN should be able to upscale to HD without lag). Connection speed and location spoofing are dependent on the number of servers and where they're located — more servers mean fewer people hogging a single server's capacity, and various locations mean more streaming libraries from around the world. (Free VPNs typically don't have the funds to support as robust of a menu of servers.)

For obvious reasons, most big streaming services aren't psyched about the idea of VPN usage and will probably mention it in their terms and conditions. If they happen to sniff out your VPN-ridden IP address, you're not necessarily screwed. The most likely repercussions would be the inability to access the streaming platform (even if it just worked the day before), but there have been instances of steaming services terminating subscriptions associated with spoofing.

Split tunneling can aid with traffic jams as well. VPNs that support split tunneling let you route some of your traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel while bouncing other traffic over the internet directly. One might choose to separate less demanding but high-security activities like web browsing from high-bandwidth but low-security activities like streaming or playing video games. Advantages include reduced traffic on corporate networks, better speeds and reduced latency for the chosen tasks, and more customized privacy. If you're looking to tunnel to specific apps, look for an SSL VPN.

No DNS leaking is a good test of a VPN's trustworthiness. Think of a DNS (Domain Name Service) as the internet's phonebook: It's the service that transfers host names for humans to understand (like Mashable.com) to IP addresses for computers to understand. A leaked DNS essentially blabs your browsing history to whoever's watching on the other end — thus totally defeating the purpose of a VPN.

A kill switch cuts your connection to the internet if a secure connection to your VPN drops without notice. This is less likely on a high-quality VPN with a hefty roster of servers that can balance the traffic of millions of users, but far from impossible. By default, your device will switch back to your personal IP address or, worse, a public one. The speedy end-all action performed by a kill switch essentially ensures that you aren't unknowingly operating on a weak IP address. Some kill switches operate in the form of a firewall.

Jurisdiction — or the country in which a VPN is originally based — will dictate the privacy laws that VPN has to follow. Some places are nosier than others, mostly depending on their membership in an intelligence-sharing alliance (or not): The Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes are all but guaranteed to come up in any subreddit about a certain VPN's privacy policy. Countries in these groups have agreements related to third-party sharing and may be following strict data retention laws, depending on their legal jurisdiction. (Let's say a VPN is officially based in the US but has an office in Switzerland. The company can decide to follow Swiss legal obligations in order to avoid loopholes that make user data vulnerable.)

App compatibility can make or break your VPN experience.Before signing up, make sure that your chosen VPN's app doesn't have major bugs on your operating system. For instance, some mobile VPN apps don't play as well on iPhone as Android, or an app might keep getting killed depending on other apps sucking your phone's battery. Alternatively, if you're using a VPN to stream on your TV, ensure that the service has a dedicated Fire TV app.


Unblocking streaming services is probably the most universally useful feature of VPNs, even for casual internet users who don't think twice about eyes on their browsing habits. All decent VPNs offer a wide selection of servers based in multiple geographic locations. Picking one of those essentially tricks your ISP into thinking your device is based there, maneuvering around geoblocks and opening the door to international content, like another country's Netflix library or BBC iPlayer. American fans of the UEFA Champions League or Love Island UK could also use location spoofing to watch a live game or episode as they air in another country.


If you know to check Reddit for VPN advice, you likely already have some general knowledge about VPN protocols. But here's a breakdown if you need a refresher: A protocol is the rulebook that dictates how the VPN client talks to the VPN server and creates a tunnel, ultimately playing a role in security and vulnerabilities. Two modern protocols often come up in conversation on Reddit among users who don't want to use their VPN's native client: Wireguard and OpenVPN.

Both are open source, giving anyone in the community access to the source code to conduct their own investigation on potential security flaws — and Reddit users appreciate the ability to take things into their own hands. Wireguard's simpler code base is a little easier to crack and offers technical perks like better encryption and connection times, but it's not as polished as OpenVPN. OpenVPN, on the other hand, is the go-to for streams and gamers.

Leah is a shopping reporter at Mashable, where she covers shopping trends, gift ideas, and products that make life easier. She graduated from Penn State University in 2012 and is watching horror movies or "The Office" when she’s not shopping online herself. You can follow her on Twitter at @notleah(opens in a new tab).


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