2025's Best VPN Services Revealed - Top Free & Paid Picks, Expert Insights & the Future of Online Privacy

Key Facts

• NordVPN Leads the Pack: NordVPN is widely rated the best overall VPN in 2025, delivering near-zero speed loss and flawless unblocking of streaming sites cloudwards.net. Experts praise its balance of privacy, usability, and value, calling it their everyday “sceptre” for secure browsing tomsguide.com. It now allows up to 10 simultaneous devices, reflecting an industry shift to more multi-device support tomsguide.com.
• Surfshark & ExpressVPN Close Behind: Surfshark offers unlimited devices and top-tier speeds at a budget price (around $2/month on 2-year plans) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. It’s a shade faster in some tests and just as adept at streaming and privacy tomsguide.com. ExpressVPN remains the premium choice with the most user-friendly apps and robust security extras (like password manager and breach alerts), though it’s pricier at about $4.99/month (2-year plan) tomsguide.com. Reviewers note ExpressVPN’s network now spans 105 countries and its proprietary Lightway protocol delivers excellent speeds security.org.
• Proton VPN Shines for Privacy (Free and Paid): Proton VPN, based in Switzerland, is lauded for its strict no-logs policy, open-source transparency, and advanced privacy features like Secure Core multi-hop routing. It boasts over 13,000 servers in 120+ countries, one of the broadest networks worldwide tomsguide.com. Proton’s paid plans protect up to 10 devices and include anti-malware NetShield filtering tomsguide.com. Notably, Proton VPN also offers one of the best free plans – with unlimited data on a few servers – making it a top recommendation for users who need basic protection without a subscription tomsguide.com.
• Free VPNs Used by 1 in 4 Users – But Beware Risks: Nearly 25% of VPN users opt for free services despite limitations techradar.com. Reputable free options exist (e.g. PrivadoVPN Free with 10GB/month and servers on every continent cloudwards.net, Windscribe Free with generous features, and Proton’s free tier tomsguide.com). However, security researchers uncovered that many popular free VPN apps had hidden ties to China or Russia, potentially jeopardizing user data vice.com. Experts warn that some “free” VPNs log or sell data and lack strong encryption, advising users to “not trust a VPN’s claims…without verifying them” cloudwards.net. In short, stick to highly trusted free VPNs and understand their limits.
• Streaming, Torrenting & Gaming Friendly: The top VPNs of 2025 cater to all use-cases. NordVPN and Surfshark excel at streaming – reliably unblocking Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and more – with NordVPN often named the #1 streaming VPN techradar.com techradar.com. For torrenting, providers like Private Internet Access (PIA) and IPVanish stand out, thanks to P2P-friendly policies, port-forwarding support, and no-logging track records security.org. ExpressVPN even offers a dedicated router (Aircove) for console gaming, ensuring devices that don’t support VPN apps can still be protected security.org. Fast speeds are the norm among top services – many have implemented the lightweight WireGuard protocol – so activities like 4K streaming or low-latency gaming are smooth.
• Global Use Cases – Censorship Bypass & Privacy Compliance: VPN usage is surging worldwide for varied reasons. In Asia and the Middle East, millions rely on VPNs to bypass censorship – usage tops 30–40% of internet users in countries like the UAE, Indonesia, and Turkey demandsage.com. In 2024, ProtonVPN saw sign-up spikes in 15 countries amid social media shutdowns and political unrest (e.g. Pakistan) techradar.com techradar.com. Experts say VPN companies must “adapt to rapidly evolving censorship” to keep people connected to the open internet techradar.com. In Europe, strong privacy laws (GDPR) drive both consumers and businesses to VPNs as a compliance and data protection tool. For example, U.K. VPN usage spiked after an online safety law began requiring age verification on sites – citizens turned to VPNs to restore anonymity tomsguide.com. North America sees heavy VPN use for streaming (accessing geo-blocked content like international Netflix libraries) and general privacy from ISPs and advertisers. Notably, 43% of Americans have used a VPN – a figure that keeps climbing tomsguide.com – and globally, security/privacy are the #1 reasons people use VPNs (around 80% cite encrypting their connection as the main motive) demandsage.com.
• 2025 Industry Trends – VPNs Evolve into Security Suites: VPN providers in 2025 are no longer just offering basic encryption. Many have expanded into all-in-one security suites with features like antivirus, password managers, data breach monitors, and more techradar.com techradar.com. NordVPN’s bundle includes Threat Protection against malware and trackers, encrypted cloud storage, and even credit monitoring on higher tiers tomsguide.com. Surfshark similarly offers an Alert system (for leaked credentials), an antivirus, and an identity theft tool alongside its VPN techradar.com. Experts predict this trend will continue, as users seek one-stop solutions for privacy and security: “A VPN is no longer just a VPN; it has transformed…into a more sophisticated cybersecurity suite,” notes NordVPN’s CTO techradar.com.
• Cutting-Edge Tech: Post-Quantum Encryption & AI: To future-proof privacy, leading VPNs began deploying post-quantum encryption (PQE) algorithms in 2024, anticipating the day quantum computers could break current encryption. Executives at VPN companies agree early adoption of PQE offers both security and a competitive edge techradar.com techradar.com. Already, providers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN and Mullvad have implemented quantum-resistant protocols alongside standard AES encryption techradar.com. Artificial intelligence is another emerging tool – for example, NordVPN’s new Threat Protection Pro uses AI to detect malicious sites and phishing techradar.com. Mullvad launched an AI-based traffic obfuscation feature (DAITA) to defeat advanced censorship and surveillance systems techradar.com. VPN product managers see AI as “a powerful tool for enhancing our products” in everything from network diagnostics to smarter threat blocking techradar.com.
• Trust & Transparency Become Make-or-Break: With VPNs now handling critical user data, trust is paramount in 2025. Industry experts stress independent audits, open-source code, and proven no-log policies as essential. In fact, new entrants are pushing transparency further – for example, VP.NET, a startup co-founded by the creator of PIA, built a system where it “physically cannot monitor or log” user activity and open-sourced its code to let anyone verify that claim tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Established players are not standing still: virtually all top VPNs undergo annual third-party audits of their no-logs promises (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, ProtonVPN, and others publish audit reports), and some are moving to memory-safe programming (Rust) for their apps to eliminate entire classes of security bugs techradar.com. Mullvad’s CEO notes that “trust remains a cornerstone” and it must be earned through transparency and ethical behavior, not just marketing techradar.com. Users are heeding this – savvy customers increasingly research VPN jurisdiction, ownership (some companies like Kape own multiple VPN brands), and past privacy incidents before subscribing cloudwards.net.
• Rising Legal Pressures: Governments have taken notice of widespread VPN use, leading to more regulatory challenges. Russia made headlines in 2024 by banning online “advice” on how to use VPNs to bypass censorship and forcing Apple/Google to remove dozens of VPN apps from their stores techradar.com. Pakistan flirted with requiring VPN registration and briefly announced a ban on unregistered VPN usage (though it backtracked amid legal uncertainty) techradar.com. Observers expect more such crackdowns in 2025, which could fragment the internet and make access uneven. Industry voices, like ExpressVPN’s VP Harold Li, argue that VPN providers, tech companies, and civil society must “advocate for people’s right to privacy…making the industry’s future a mix of advanced security and navigating regulatory challenges” techradar.com. On a hopeful note, public pushback has stalled or softened some intrusive policies (e.g. Switzerland is re-evaluating a proposed law that critics said would wage “a war against online anonymity”). Still, VPN services find themselves caught between rising demand from users and rising scrutiny from authorities, a tension that will shape the next few years.

Introduction

Virtual Private Networks – better known as VPNs – have become essential online tools by 2025. With internet censorship rising, data privacy under threat, and streaming services fragmenting content by region, VPN usage has reached record highs worldwide. Roughly 4 in 10 internet users in tech-savvy countries now report using a VPN in some capacity demandsage.com, and a recent survey found 43% of Americans have tried a VPN for personal or work use tomsguide.com. Simply put, VPNs have gone mainstream.

What does a VPN do? In short, it encrypts all your internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server, masking your IP address and location techradar.com. This one-two punch of encryption and IP spoofing grants several benefits: it prevents hackers, ISPs, or governments from snooping on your online activities, and it lets you appear as if you’re browsing from another country – useful for accessing geo-blocked streaming libraries or websites. In an era of aggressive data collection and regional content locks, a VPN is a versatile shield and key.

However, not all VPNs are equal. The marketplace in 2025 is flooded with hundreds of services – some excellent, many mediocre, and some outright dangerous. This report cuts through the noise with expert-driven analysis of the very best VPN services in 2025. We compare leading paid VPNs (like NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, and PIA) as well as reputable free VPNs, highlighting how they stack up on features, speed, privacy and more. You’ll also find the latest industry developments, from new security technologies (think post-quantum encryption and AI-powered protection) to the evolving global regulatory climate around VPN usage.

Whether you’re seeking a VPN for streaming your favorite shows abroad, staying secure on public Wi-Fi, torrenting safely, or bypassing censorship in a restrictive country – read on. We’ve gathered insights from veteran reviewers and VPN industry experts to help you choose the right service confidently. Let’s start with an overview of free vs paid VPN options and why “free” might come with hidden costs.

Free vs Paid VPNs in 2025: Getting What You Pay For

VPN users love a good deal – and nothing beats free. In fact, nearly 1 in 4 VPN users primarily rely on free apps despite repeated warnings from security experts techradar.com. It’s easy to understand the appeal: the top free VPNs cost nothing up front and can provide basic privacy for casual needs. Proton VPN’s free plan, for example, offers unlimited browsing data (a rarity) on servers in three countries, with decent speeds and the same strong encryption as its paid tiers. Likewise, PrivadoVPN’s free version gives a generous 10 GB per month with access to servers across North America, Europe, and even Asia – enough to cover occasional travel or quick streaming cloudwards.net. Longtime tech reviewers often recommend these as the “least bad” free choices; one VPN editor noted, “For simplicity, PrivadoVPN Free is great… If you want unlimited data, Proton VPN Free is a great option too.” tomsguide.com Windscribe’s free tier also gets kudos for 10+ GB monthly and advanced features, and TunnelBear (owned by McAfee) offers a polished free app (though capped at 2 GB) with servers in 40+ countries security.org security.org.

The Catch: Free VPNs inevitably come with trade-offs. First is the limited server selection and speed throttling. Free users often must use crowded servers (Proton’s free servers are only in U.S., Netherlands, Japan, etc.), leading to slower speeds. Data caps are common – e.g. 10 GB/month on Privado, 2 GB on TunnelBear security.org – which are quickly exhausted by video streaming or large downloads. Free services also typically lack premium features like streaming-optimized servers, malware blocking, multi-hop routing, or 24/7 support. As TechRadar observes bluntly: “They’re not great for streaming, torrenting or gaming.” techradar.com If your goal is to unblock Netflix or securely download files, a free VPN will likely disappoint or cut you off after a few gigabytes.

More worrisome are the privacy risks. Operating a VPN network costs money; if you’re not paying, you (and your data) may be the product. Numerous studies in recent years have exposed that many free VPN apps on Google Play and Apple’s App Store were funneling user data to sketchy parent companies in China or Russia vice.com hackread.com. In 2025, a security audit by two industry research groups found at least 20 of the top 100 free VPN mobile apps had undisclosed links to Chinese organizations, and others were found to be riddled with trackers hackread.com. Some free VPNs have been caught outright logging users’ web activity and selling it to data brokers – completely defeating the privacy purpose of a VPN. Malware is another concern: free VPN apps have appeared that secretly inject adware or worse. The team at NordVPN (a paid provider, but one with a vested interest in this topic) warns that many free VPNs “offer weak (or no) encryption, and come with limited servers, slower speeds, and intrusive ads” – overall, “we (and most cybersecurity experts) don’t recommend” free VPNs for anything beyond light use nordvpn.com.

Expert Tip: Verify No-Logs Claims. A key marketing point for VPNs is a “strict no-logs policy,” meaning the provider supposedly keeps zero records of what you do online. Free VPNs often make this claim too – but one should be very skeptical. As independent analysts advise, “Be skeptical of VPN marketing… don’t trust a VPN’s claims of ‘strict no-logs’ without verifying them for yourself.” cloudwards.net Look for providers that have undergone third-party audits of their no-logs policies or court cases that demonstrated their no-logging in action. Paid leaders like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN have all had their systems audited by reputable firms (sometimes multiple times) to confirm user data isn’t stored techradar.com. Most free VPNs lack this validation – an obvious red flag.

Bottom Line: If you truly cannot afford a subscription, stick to well-known freemium VPNs from reputable companies (Proton, Privado, Windscribe, etc.) and use them sparingly for low-stakes tasks. Enjoy the cost savings, but avoid doing anything sensitive (online banking, for example) over a free VPN, and don’t expect high performance or full streaming access. Understand the limitations – data caps, few servers, slower support – and strongly consider upgrading to a paid plan if you find yourself relying on a VPN regularly. As we’ll see next, even the best free VPN can’t match the capabilities of a good paid service in 2025’s landscape.

Comparing the Top VPN Services of 2025

What makes a VPN “the best” in 2025? The field has gotten extremely competitive, but there are a few standout services that consistently rise to the top in independent testing. Here we compare key features of the top-rated VPN providers (paid services, with notes on free options where applicable):

Summary Comparison Table: Best VPNs in 2025

Table Notes: Prices above reflect typical discounts on long-term plans (actual offers may vary). “Simultaneous devices” refers to how many devices can be connected at once under one account. All listed providers offer AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection as baseline; differences lie in extra features and implementation.

As shown, each top VPN has its own flavor. NordVPN remains the all-rounder choice – it scored #1 in most professional tests thanks to its combination of speed, security features, and reliable content unblocking cloudwards.net. A Cloudwards research team that lab-tested 25+ VPNs noted NordVPN “outperforming in a variety of test areas,” with competitors Surfshark, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN not far behind in quality cloudwards.net.

Meanwhile, Surfshark has emerged as the value champion, undercutting rivals on price while matching many on performance. Its policy of unlimited simultaneous connections is a big draw in the era of connected homes – one subscription can cover your phones, laptops, smart TV, tablet, and more. If you have a large family or many devices, Surfshark essentially lets you share your VPN freely, whereas others impose limits (5 or 6 devices). Despite being cheaper, Surfshark impressed reviewers by actually beating NordVPN in some speed tests and equaling its streaming abilities tomsguide.com. The trade-off? It’s based in the Netherlands (though with a strict no-logs pledge) and its interface can feel slightly less polished. Still, for budget-conscious users, Surfshark “ticks all the boxes and keeps the cost down” tomsguide.com – a very compelling option in 2025.

For those prioritizing ease-of-use and trust, ExpressVPN continues to hold its ground as a premium service. It consistently ranks high for user satisfaction due to its simple one-click apps and strong track record on privacy. Notably, in late 2024 ExpressVPN expanded its server footprint from 94 to 105 countries cloudwards.net, closing the gap with country-rich rivals. It also joined the “next-gen” protocol trend by rolling out Lightway (and a new Lightway Turbo in 2025), which improves performance. ExpressVPN’s slight speed deficit from a couple years ago has all but vanished – and it was never slow to begin with. The downside is cost: you pay a premium, and without long-term commitment the monthly rate is steep (~$12.95 for one month). Many users find it worth it, especially given extras like 24/7 live chat support (still one of the best support teams in the VPN space) and new add-ons like the ExpressVPN Keys password manager and data breach alert system included for subscribers. If budget isn’t a big issue, ExpressVPN remains a top-tier choice.

When it comes to privacy-hardliner features, Proton VPN and Mullvad stand out. Proton, built by the CERN scientists behind ProtonMail, has privacy in its DNA – strict Swiss privacy laws, no logging, and even ownership of much of its server infrastructure (they’ve invested in colocating servers so that they’re not renting from third parties) tomsguide.com. Proton is also completely open source, and its apps have undergone independent audits. This transparency gives it an “unblemished privacy credential” reputation cloudwards.net. On the usability front, Proton made big strides this year by overhauling its apps’ interface after user feedback that the old design was clunky tomsguide.com. Now, Proton’s apps are cleaner and more newbie-friendly, with clear explanations for settings. One of ProtonVPN’s unique draws is its suite of related services – if you subscribe to higher tiers, you also get ProtonMail (secure email), Proton Drive (encrypted cloud storage), etc., making it a one-stop privacy bundle. Mullvad, on the other hand, takes a minimalist but radical approach to anonymity: you don’t even provide an email to get an account. This has made Mullvad a favorite of whistleblowers and journalists. Its commitment to not collecting user data is so strong that when police in Sweden (where Mullvad is based) raided its offices in 2023 with a warrant, they left empty-handed; there were no customer logs to seize techradar.com. Mullvad isn’t for everyone – casual users might find its barebones approach too limiting – but it’s arguably the gold standard for anonymity.

Finally, special mention to a few others: PrivadoVPN is a relatively new service that earned attention by offering one of the best free plans (as noted earlier) and very competitive paid plans that undercut bigger names. It’s based in Switzerland like Proton. While not yet as proven, it’s one to watch. CyberGhost, as noted, is great for beginners and frequent streamers – it actually offers specific servers labeled for different streaming services (e.g. “Netflix UK” or “Hulu US”), which can take the trial-and-error out of streaming via VPN. And Hide.me and VyprVPN (which just sneaked into some top 10 lists cloudwards.net) are solid secondary options: hide.me offers a decent free tier and a focus on security, while VyprVPN (owned by Golden Frog, a Swiss company) has its own “Chameleon” protocol aimed at beating VPN blocks (popular with users in China). These might not beat the top five on overall performance, but they cater to specific niches effectively.

In summary, users in 2025 are spoiled for choice with VPN services. The top providers have stepped up their game in speed (many adopting WireGuard or similar next-gen protocols), in privacy (routinely undergoing audits and building trust), and in features (going beyond VPN into broader security). The next sections will dive deeper into specific aspects – streaming, torrenting, regional considerations – and highlight which VPNs are particularly well-suited for each scenario.

Streaming and Content Unblocking: Which VPNs Still Work?

One of the biggest drivers of VPN adoption in recent years is the quest for open streaming access – that is, watching content libraries or services not available in one’s region. In 2025, streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max and others are in an ongoing tug-of-war with VPN users. These services often try to block known VPN server IPs to enforce licensing restrictions, while VPN providers constantly deploy new techniques (rotating IP addresses, smart DNS, etc.) to evade detection.

The good news: The top-tier VPNs have largely maintained their edge in this cat-and-mouse game. According to Cloudwards’ testing, NordVPN achieved a “perfect unblocking record” across all major streaming platforms cloudwards.net – meaning every service they tested (Netflix in multiple countries, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, Disney, HBO, etc.) was accessible with NordVPN. This is consistent with TechRadar’s ranking of NordVPN as the “best streaming VPN that money can buy.” It has over 7600 high-speed servers in 120+ countries specifically optimized for streaming traffic techradar.com. A key feature is NordVPN’s SmartPlay DNS, which works in the background to seamlessly redirect streaming queries through an optimal server. Users rarely have to guess which server to use – just connect to a region and Nord’s tech handles the rest.

Surfshark and ExpressVPN are right up there as well. Surfshark has the advantage of a wide country selection (100+ countries) and unlimited connections, so you can even set up multiple streaming devices simultaneously on different regions (for example, your laptop on UK iPlayer and your Fire TV on US Netflix) without issues. ExpressVPN historically was the king of reliability – it was one of the first VPNs that consistently worked with Netflix when the crackdown on VPNs began in 2016. In 2025, ExpressVPN still unblocks basically everything, and its new Parallel Connections feature speeds up the initial handshakes so you get into your show faster. One reviewer noted ExpressVPN is “the perfect choice for anyone new to cybersecurity,” in part because you don’t have to fuss with it – it just works, which is valuable when you’re settling in for movie night cloudwards.net.

What about lesser-known services? Many smaller VPNs struggle with streaming because it requires constant resource investment. If streaming is a priority, stick to providers known for it: besides the big names, CyberGhost (with its dedicated streaming servers) and Windscribe (a Canada-based VPN with a cult following, it has specialized “Windflix” servers for Netflix) are good choices. On the flip side, VPNs like Mullvad explicitly state that streaming unblocking is not a goal – they don’t optimize for it, since their focus is privacy. Similarly, purely free VPNs will almost certainly fail with sites like Netflix, which now employs aggressive VPN-blocking techniques.

A note on smart TVs and streaming devices: Not all streaming devices let you install VPN apps (e.g., Apple TV, Chromecast, many smart TVs). To use a VPN with these, you either need a VPN router or a device that does support VPNs (Amazon’s Fire TV Stick and Android TV sets do support VPN apps natively – NordVPN, Surfshark, etc. all have Fire TV apps). ExpressVPN’s aforementioned Aircove router is an interesting solution – it’s a Wi-Fi 6 router sold by ExpressVPN with their VPN automatically built-in, so every device in your home, including Roku/Apple TV/console, is covered by the VPN if you connect via that router security.org. For techies, any VPN can be configured on a standard router (many firms provide guides or even pre-configured firmware). Alternatively, some VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark support Smart DNS as part of the subscription – this can be set on consoles or TVs to unblock certain streaming sites without a full VPN. It’s less secure (DNS only), but useful for, say, getting American Netflix on a PlayStation.

Streaming Summary: If your main goal is to unlock more content, you can’t go wrong with NordVPN or Surfshark for broad success across many platforms, with ExpressVPN as a top premium pick (especially if you also value its other strengths). Proton VPN has also achieved a near-perfect streaming track record in tests, plus it’s one of the few that can get into region-locked Asian services (like Japanese Netflix or Korean TV sites) thanks to its large country range tomsguide.com. Just remember that the landscape can change – VPNs often have to deploy new IP addresses or servers if old ones get blocked. The providers we recommend have the resources and dedication to stay on top of this, whereas many lower-end VPNs give up. In any case, all reputable services come with money-back guarantees (30 days is standard, CyberGhost even offers 45 days), so you can test a VPN with your favorite streaming services and cancel if it doesn’t meet expectations.

Torrenting and P2P: Secure Downloading

Another common VPN use-case is torrenting, or peer-to-peer file sharing. Because ISPs (and some governments) often frown upon torrent traffic – either throttling it or issuing notices for copyright violations – VPNs are heavily used to keep torrent activity private. The ideal VPN for torrenting needs a few specific qualities:

• No bandwidth caps or port restrictions for P2P. Some VPNs discourage or block P2P on certain servers. All the VPNs in our top list allow torrenting, though a few (like NordVPN) ask you to use designated “P2P servers” (it will auto-connect you to one if it detects torrent traffic). Make sure the VPN you choose explicitly permits P2P traffic on at least some servers.
• Strong no-log policy. This is critical – if the VPN kept logs of your IP and connections, that defeats the purpose. You want a provider that can’t identify you in case a torrent swarm is monitored. PIA, for instance, has proven no logs in court, and ExpressVPN famously had a server seized by Turkish authorities in 2017 where nothing was recovered (the incident that prompted their move to RAM-disk servers) techradar.com.
• Fast speeds and unlimited data. Torrenting involves large files, so speed is king. As noted earlier, NordVPN, Surfshark, Express, Proton all have excellent throughput. Some speed-focused services like IVPN or FastestVPN exist, but they may compromise in other areas. The top picks we list have plenty of bandwidth for most users – for example, testers have achieved 900+ Mbps on NordVPN in ideal conditions tomsguide.com, essentially saturating a gigabit line.
• Port forwarding (optional). This is a more advanced feature: opening a specific port through the VPN to improve seeding and connectivity in P2P networks. Not all VPNs offer it, but PIA, Mullvad, Windscribe, and AirVPN are examples that do. If you are a heavy torrenter who cares about maintaining high share ratios, this feature might sway you towards those providers. Proton VPN introduced port forwarding for paid users as well. NordVPN and ExpressVPN choose not to support port forwarding (as a security decision), but it doesn’t prevent you from torrenting; you might just get “Passive” status in your torrent client, which can slightly reduce the pool of peers.

In terms of specific recommendations, PIA (Private Internet Access) has long been a favorite in the torrent community. Its combination of low cost, port forwarding, and proven no-logs is very attractive. PIA also offers SOCKS5 proxy details (through Netherlands servers) that you can input directly into many torrent clients for an extra layer or alternative setup.

IPVanish is another one often mentioned for torrenting. As noted in the earlier sections, IPVanish allows unlimited P2P and has very fast download speeds – rivaling NordVPN and Proton in some tests security.org. It operates a large network (110+ countries) and now markets itself as a zero-log service (though it had a logging incident under old ownership back in 2016, which it claims is firmly in the past). One highlight: IPVanish doesn’t limit simultaneous connections anymore (it’s effectively unlimited devices), similar to Surfshark.

Mullvad also deserves mention for torrents due to its anonymity. It also supports port forwarding. If you truly don’t want any link back to you, Mullvad’s approach (no account email, etc.) plus paying in cash or cryptocurrency can make your torrenting practically untraceable – at least from a network perspective.

All that said, the likes of NordVPN, Surfshark, ProtonVPN, and ExpressVPN are all perfectly capable for casual to moderate torrenting. NordVPN even offers specialty servers in countries like Switzerland or Spain that are optimized for P2P. ProtonVPN’s paid plans have no P2P restrictions (its free plan does restrict torrenting to discourage heavy abuse). ExpressVPN doesn’t have port forwarding, but it has a strong track record of protecting users’ identities and very stable connections – sometimes that reliability is worth more than a slight speed edge.

It’s also worth noting the jurisdiction and privacy law angle: Some users prefer VPNs based in torrent-friendly locales (Switzerland, Panama, British Virgin Islands, Romania, etc.) under the assumption they face less legal pressure. For example, ExpressVPN is BVI-based, outside any data-sharing alliances; NordVPN is based in Panama; Surfshark in the Netherlands (which is more neutral on data retention than say the US); Proton and PIA are US and Swiss respectively. While jurisdiction can be a factor, a verified no-logs policy means even if served a subpoena, the VPN has nothing useful to hand over.

In conclusion, for torrenting, ensure your VPN explicitly allows it, has no logs, and offers the speed you need. Many of our top picks fulfill these: if we had to pick the “best VPN for torrenting in 2025,” it might be PIA (for its torrent-specific features and low cost) or Proton VPN Plus (for its blend of speed, privacy and new port forwarding support), but Nord, Surfshark, Mullvad, IPVanish are all strong choices depending on your needs.

Regional Considerations: VPN Use Cases Around the World

Internet users turn to VPNs for somewhat different reasons depending on where they live. Let’s briefly examine how VPN usage and needs vary globally in 2025:

• Asia (and Middle East) – Censorship and Access to Global Internet: Many countries in Asia have internet restrictions, whether it’s the Great Firewall of China, strict content filtering in Iran, periodic social media bans in Pakistan, or conservative censorship in places like Saudi Arabia. VPNs are a lifeline in these regions. We saw unprecedented spikes in VPN use in 2024 whenever a country imposed new blocks – for instance, Proton VPN documented huge surges in sign-ups across at least 15 countries, including Pakistan, Kenya, and Mozambique, following government-imposed internet shutdowns or app bans techradar.com. In authoritarian regimes, activists and ordinary citizens alike use VPNs to access blocked news sites, Western social media, or communication apps. Experts expect this trend to intensify in 2025, warning that VPNs will need to continuously adapt to “rapidly evolving and expanding internet censorship methods” techradar.com. For users in heavily censored environments, the choice of VPN is critical – not all services work reliably. Historically ExpressVPN and NordVPN have been among the most consistently effective in China (thanks to obfuscated servers and stealth protocols). Newer tools like Tor-based VPN bridges and decentralized VPNs (e.g. NymVPN, Snowflake proxies) are also emerging tomsguide.com, but for now a reputable mainstream VPN with obfuscation (like Express’s Stealth, Nord’s Meshnet/Obfuscated servers, Surfshark’s NoBorders mode, etc.) is the go-to. It’s also why servers in nearby regions (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore) are often emphasized by VPNs – they serve users in China. Similarly, Middle Eastern users often connect via UAE, Israel, or European servers to get an uncensored internet. In summary, in Asia and the Middle East, censorship circumvention and privacy from government monitoring are top priorities – leading people to pay for quality VPNs. A noteworthy development: some governments are trying a carrot-and-stick approach, like the UAE which technically bans VPN use for illegal purposes but tolerates it for business, or India which tried to force VPN companies to log users (most responded by removing servers from India in 2022). By 2025, Indian users simply connect to Singapore or London servers instead to evade any local logging requirements. We anticipate more such legal battles – Russia’s new law against promoting VPNs is one example of a government doubling down techradar.com. Despite this, demand in those countries has not waned – in Russia, roughly 38% of internet users still use VPNs regularly demandsage.com, law or no law.
• Europe – Privacy, GDPR, and Content Portability: Europe enjoys relatively free internet access (with a few exceptions like temporary social media blocks in Turkey, or the UK’s distinct regulations). Thus, Europeans often use VPNs less for censorship and more for privacy and cross-border content access. The EU’s GDPR has strong protections, but it applies mostly to how companies handle data – it doesn’t prevent ISPs from seeing your traffic or governments from surveilling suspects. Europeans are quite privacy-conscious; countries like Germany and France have high VPN usage rates (nearly 1 in 4 internet users) demandsage.com. European users appreciate VPN features like tracking protection (some VPNs block ads/trackers at the DNS level) and multi-hop VPN connections that make tracing more difficult. Additionally, EU residents travel frequently between countries, and while the EU has “roam like at home” for mobile internet, streaming services are often country-specific. VPNs help a German user watch their Sky Deutschland or ZDF account while on holiday in Italy, for example. There’s also interest in routing around geo-blocks within Europe – e.g., a UK user connecting to a French server to watch French Netflix, or vice versa. BBC iPlayer is a big draw for VPN users outside the UK (and even UK citizens abroad). So the “best VPN for Europe” often means one that has plenty of European servers, excellent privacy credentials, and the ability to dodge streaming blocks. Proton VPN (based in Geneva) is very popular in Europe; it aligns with European privacy ideals and even offers a free tier which many use. Mullvad being Swedish is also a hit among Europeans who don’t trust big corporate VPNs. It’s worth mentioning that Europe’s regulatory climate has an eye on VPNs too: there have been proposals like “know your customer” rules for VPN providers or even requiring VPN companies to register with governments (a law along those lines was debated in Poland and, outside the EU, in Nigeria). So far, none of these have passed in the EU, but VPN companies are monitoring closely. One unique regional aspect is European data routing – some EU businesses use VPNs to ensure data stays within Europe for GDPR compliance. Some VPN providers offer “Europe-only” servers or let users specify VPN endpoints that avoid data transfer to, say, the US. This could become a selling point in the future (“GDPR-compliant VPN routes”).
• North America (USA & Canada) – Streaming and ISP Privacy: In the relatively uncensored internet of the U.S. and Canada, the motivations skew towards accessing entertainment content and protecting against corporate surveillance. The U.S. has a patchwork of streaming services with exclusive content (HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, etc.), and Americans traveling abroad often fire up a VPN to appear back home so they can watch their subscriptions. Conversely, international users use VPNs to connect to U.S. servers for the richest Netflix library or services only available in the States. VPNs for streaming are heavily marketed in the U.S., with many consumers using them to get around MLB or NBA blackout restrictions, for example. On the privacy front, since 2017 ISPs in the U.S. can legally sell anonymized browsing data, many Americans use VPNs to hide their traffic from Comcast, Verizon, etc. It’s a key reason cited for VPN usage in the U.S. – indeed, a recent Forbes survey found 80% of people globally use VPNs for general security and to protect personal info, above all other reasons demandsage.com. That holds true in the U.S. where there’s no nationwide data privacy law. Additionally, with work-from-home now common, Americans also use VPNs to connect to office networks (though those are typically corporate VPNs, a different segment). In Canada, apart from privacy concerns, another use is avoiding throttling – some Canadian ISP plans notoriously throttled certain high-bandwidth activities, which a VPN can mitigate by hiding the traffic type. North America also has large immigrant communities, so VPNs are popular for accessing content from one’s home country (e.g., an American of Indian origin using an Indian VPN server to watch Hotstar content). The best VPNs for U.S./Canada thus emphasize fast speeds (given generally high broadband speeds in NA), streaming support, and solid encryption. Most top VPN companies have plenty of servers in American cities and Canadian hubs. One niche scenario: GDPR and US websites – some European news sites blocked U.S. visitors after GDPR for legal simplicity; Americans have used VPNs (connecting via Europe) to read those sites. Also, a VPN can help U.S. users avoid certain surveillance – for instance, following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, some Americans turned to VPNs and other tools when searching sensitive health information online, to keep such queries private from data trackers.
• Latin America and Africa – Improving Access and Security: These regions are diverse, but broadly VPN usage is climbing as internet penetration grows. In Latin America, countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina have seen VPN adoption for accessing U.S. content (many entertainment options launch later or not at all in LatAm) and for added security amid high cybercrime rates (public Wi-Fi in cities, etc.). Political instability in some Latin American countries also drives usage spikes – for example, during Cuban protests or Venezuelan turmoil in past years, VPN usage jumped as social media was restricted. Africa has a mix of challenges: some nations like Nigeria and Uganda have attempted social media taxes or bans, and people use VPNs to connect and communicate freely. In other places, it’s about bypassing slower local servers to route through better internet hubs – for instance, gamers in South Africa might use a VPN to get a more direct route to European game servers, oddly improving latency. The availability of servers on these continents is a factor: until recently, many VPNs had poor coverage in Africa or South America. That’s changing – as noted, Proton VPN now has servers in over 120 countries including many in Africa that others lack tomsguide.com. ExpressVPN and Surfshark also expanded in South America and Africa to locations like Kenya, Nigeria, Chile, etc. For users in these regions, choosing a VPN that actually has a nearby server can significantly improve performance. Additionally, payment can be a barrier – not everyone has international credit cards. VPN companies have started accepting regional payment methods or cryptocurrency to cater to global users (Mullvad’s cash payments or gift card payments by some providers help here).

In all regions, one overarching theme is that VPNs are becoming normalized tools for personal liberty and security online. As one TechRadar analysis put it, the future likely holds an “ongoing mix of advanced security and navigating regulatory challenges” for VPN companies techradar.com – meaning they’ll continue developing cutting-edge privacy tech, while also fighting for the right of their users to employ encryption without fear. Wherever you are in the world, understanding your threat model (censorship, ISP snooping, geo-blocks, etc.) will help in picking the right VPN features for you.

Notable VPN News and Developments in 2025

The VPN industry has seen some headline-grabbing stories in 2025. Here are a few of the major developments and news events that current and prospective VPN users should know:

• Consolidation and Corporate Moves: The VPN market has been consolidating under larger companies. By 2025, Kape Technologies, once controversial for its adware past, now owns several big VPN brands (ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, PIA, ZenMate) under its umbrella. Similarly, Nord Security (parent of NordVPN) merged with Surfshark’s parent in 2022, creating another powerhouse. These mergers raised some user concerns about too many eggs in one basket, but so far each brand still operates independently in terms of technology and logging policies. Another notable move: NortonLifeLock (Gen) has been pushing its Norton Secure VPN more aggressively, bundling it with antivirus and identity theft products. In a high-profile hire, Norton acquired an ex-ExpressVPN Head of Product to improve its VPN offering tomsguide.com, signaling that even traditional antivirus companies see VPNs as core to their future.
• New Players with Innovative Tech: We touched on this earlier, but worth highlighting as news: VP.NET’s launch in mid-2025 made waves among techies. Co-founded by Andrew Lee (creator of PIA), VP.NET introduced a VPN architecture using Intel SGX secure enclaves to enforce no-logging at a hardware level tomsguide.com. It’s rare to see completely new VPN protocols or architectures, so this was significant. They adopted a “don’t trust, verify” motto, releasing source code and claiming even if compelled, they technically cannot spy on users tomsguide.com. Early reviews note that while VP.NET’s privacy approach is revolutionary, it currently has a very small server network and lacks features beyond basic privacy – it’s not yet a replacement for general-use VPNs. It’s also U.S.-based, which raised eyebrows, though the founders argue their tech “transcends jurisdictions” by making data inaccessible tomsguide.com. Alongside VP.NET, other innovative services like Obscura VPN (which partners with Mullvad for multi-hop chaining) and NymVPN (a decentralized mixnet VPN) have launched or grown in 2025 tomsguide.com. These cater to the ultra-privacy-focused segment and are important as testbeds for privacy technology that might influence mainstream VPNs down the line.
• VPNs & Post-Quantum Security: A major tech story in cybersecurity is the looming threat of quantum computers breaking current encryption in the future. VPN providers have been surprisingly proactive here. In 2025, ExpressVPN announced integration of post-quantum algorithms (like CRYSTALS-Kyber) in its VPN protocol as a hybrid, part of an industry-wide transition techradar.com techradar.com. Similarly, as noted, NordVPN, PureVPN, Mullvad and others implemented quantum-resistant encryption modes techradar.com. While “Q-Day” (the day quantum computing cracks encryption) is still likely years away tomsguide.com, the consensus is that it’s better to upgrade crypto early. VPN users likely won’t notice a difference day-to-day, but it’s a behind-the-scenes development that could make today’s VPN-encrypted traffic still safe from decryption a decade or more from now. This future-proofing is a selling point some providers now advertise.
• Legal and Political Battles: On the legal front, 2025 saw multiple governments attempt to rein in VPN usage. We discussed Russia’s law banning VPN promotion and store removals techradar.com. Additionally, Indonesia floated new regulations to require VPN services to register or face blocking (building on its 2022 law about foreign internet services). India had already driven out VPN servers with its logging directive in 2022, but in 2025 there were ongoing court cases and debates about whether that rule (MeitY directive) is enforceable – VPN companies continue to operate there by using “virtual” Indian servers hosted elsewhere. The UK’s Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, indirectly boosted VPN usage because it introduced age verification and content moderation rules that some users circumvent via VPN tomsguide.com. Interestingly, September 2025 was declared “International VPN Day” by some digital rights groups, aimed at raising awareness of internet privacy – a sign of how mainstream VPNs have become (it’s mentioned in Tom’s Guide with an explanation of its importance) tomsguide.com.
• Data Breaches and Security Incidents: The nightmare scenario for a VPN service is a data breach or proving the no-logs claim false. There have been a couple of scares: in mid-2025, a lesser-known free VPN called BeanVPN exposed millions of user records (including connection logs) in an unsecured database – reminding everyone why you must choose a trustworthy provider. No top-tier VPN has had a known data leak this year, which is good news. In fact, 2025 continued the trend of third-party audits: Surfshark underwent an infrastructure audit by Deloitte, ExpressVPN had KPMG and Cure53 audit various aspects, NordVPN received its second no-logs audit from Deloitte, etc. These reports have so far come back clean, bolstering user confidence. One incident worth noting: Mullvad reported an attempted break-in at one of its server facilities (a follow-up to the 2023 raid), but thanks to its disk encryption and no-logs design, no user data was compromised – it served as a real-world test that Mullvad’s systems passed.
• Performance Upgrades: On a lighter note, VPNs are getting faster and more accessible. 2025 saw many providers upgrading their server infrastructure: lots of 10 Gbps servers being deployed, more VPNs adopting the WireGuard or similar protocols by default (because they’re significantly faster than OpenVPN). ExpressVPN launched “Lightway Turbo,” an improved version of its protocol with better throughput cloudwards.net. Many VPNs also optimized their apps for the new Apple silicon and latest Android/iOS versions to use less battery and maintain speed. And as a sign of the times, even web browsers are integrating VPNs: in 2025, Mozilla expanded its Firefox Relay VPN service, Opera browser still offers its built-in (proxy) VPN, and Apple’s iCloud Private Relay – while not a full VPN – continued to grow. Google’s Chrome now offers its own VPN to Google One subscribers (which improved and expanded to more countries this year). All this to say, the concept of what is a “VPN service” is broadening, and competition is coming from big platform providers as well as traditional VPN companies.

Each of these news items underscores a reality: the VPN industry is dynamic and rapidly evolving. Users should stay informed about their VPN provider – a service that was excellent in 2023 could decline by 2026 if, say, ownership changes or new policies come in (conversely, new players can rise quickly by offering something unique, as we’ve seen). Thankfully, the trend on the tech side is positive – faster, more secure VPN connections – and on the awareness side as well – people increasingly see VPNs as a standard part of internet hygiene, like using antivirus or a password manager.

Expert Recommendations and Looking Ahead

With all the information covered, you might wonder: so which VPN should I actually choose? Ultimately, the “best” VPN for you depends on your specific needs and threat model, but we can distill a few expert recommendations:

• For Most Users (Best Overall): NordVPN gets the nod from the majority of reviewers in 2025 cloudwards.net. It offers top-notch security, very fast speeds, and a ton of features at a fair price. As Mo Harber-Lamond, VPN editor at Tom’s Guide, put it: “Other VPNs have certain specialties… As an all-purpose VPN to use every day, though? NordVPN gets my vote.” tomsguide.com. NordVPN strikes a great balance between user-friendliness and advanced capabilities, making it suitable for everyone from beginners to techies. It’s a safe bet and a good value if you’re willing to commit to a 2-year plan.
• If You’re on a Tight Budget or Have Many Devices: Surfshark is the standout. It’s incredibly affordable per month on multi-year deals (often 80%+ off), and it doesn’t compromise on quality – plus that unlimited devices perk is unbeatable for families. As Tom’s Guide notes, “for casual VPN users this is the one to go for: it ticks all the boxes and keeps the cost down.” tomsguide.com. Just be aware you may sacrifice a bit of polish and you might not get some niche features, but for most tasks Surfshark is virtually as capable as Nord or Express.
• If You Want the Easiest Experience and Best Support: ExpressVPN remains the premium choice. Its higher price buys you some peace of mind and convenience. Everything from the setup to the one-click interface to the 24/7 live chat support is as smooth as it gets. It’s also a top recommendation for users in restrictive countries who need a dependable connection for censorship circumvention. ExpressVPN has years of trust built up and in 2025 it’s as strong as ever, just a bit more expensive. For many, that extra couple dollars a month is worth it for a hassle-free, well-supported service.
• If Maximum Privacy is the Goal: Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN are the top candidates. Proton VPN Plus plan gives you a full toolbox for privacy (Swiss jurisdiction, Tor servers, Secure Core double-hop, etc.) along with very usable apps – it’s a great mix of theory and practice. Mullvad is for the truly paranoid or those who value anonymity above all (and don’t mind a very minimal app). Both of these have hardcore fans in the privacy community. An expert quoted by Cloudwards perhaps said it best: “There are no shortcuts – experience and transparency make a good VPN” cloudwards.net. Proton and Mullvad exemplify that ethos.
• If You Need a Free VPN: First, consider if you can manage with a limited free plan from a reputable provider – PrivadoVPN Free or ProtonVPN Free are top picks. Privado got highlighted as the “best free VPN” of 2025 by some reviewers cloudwards.net, mainly because it gives a bit of everything (global servers, reasonable 10GB cap, good speeds). Proton’s free version is wonderful for unlimited safe browsing (just not data-heavy tasks). If those don’t suffice and you’re tempted by some random “100% free unlimited” VPN, resist the urge. The risks to your data and security are real. As we discussed, many free VPNs could be wolves in sheep’s clothing. It’s often wiser to use a free trial of a paid VPN (most premium VPNs offer 7-day trials on mobile or money-back guarantees) during a short-term need rather than to stick with a sketchy free service long-term.
• Special Cases: If your focus is torrenting, you might lean toward PIA or Surfshark (for their P2P features and no caps). For travelers or digital nomads, consider ExpressVPN or NordVPN for the widest country coverage and reliability in various regions. For gaming, look at providers like ExitLag or Mudfish which specialize in latency optimization – or use mainstream VPNs that offer WireGuard and plentiful server choices to find the lowest ping (ExpressVPN’s new router could be handy for console gamers). And if you’re a business user looking to secure a whole team, solutions like Perimeter 81 (from the makers of NordVPN) or Tailscale might suit better than a consumer VPN.

Looking ahead, experts predict a few things for the VPN industry’s future:

• Continued Growth and Normalization: The global VPN market is projected to double in value in the next 5-6 years demandsage.com. As remote work persists and as people become more privacy-aware, using a VPN could become as common as using antivirus. We might see browsers or operating systems integrate VPN-like capabilities further (as Apple and Google have started). This could pressure standalone VPN providers to innovate and differentiate – likely through added services (like the security suites concept) or specialized privacy tech.
• More Transparency and Decentralization: Users are demanding more proof of security. Expect more open source VPN clients, more third-party audits, and possibly real-time transparency dashboards (e.g., some VPNs now publish warrant canaries or annual transparency reports of requests they get). There’s also a small movement toward decentralized VPN networks (like blockchain-based VPNs) that could grow if they can prove trustworthy and performant. The mainstream providers might not decentralize themselves, but they could adopt some principles (like open sourcing parts of their code – Proton and Mullvad already did, others may follow).
• Adapting to Network Changes: As the internet transitions to IPv6, VPNs will fully support and route IPv6 (some already do, others still disable IPv6 by default). And if QUIC (a new transport protocol) becomes standard, VPN protocols will adapt to that as well. We’ve seen ExpressVPN and NordVPN develop their own protocols (Lightway and NordLynx) to improve speed; other VPNs might do the same or adopt those open standards (Lightway is open-source now via the OpenVPN 3 project). In essence, VPNs will keep getting faster and more seamless – the goal is to minimize any impact on user experience.
• Growing Regulatory Challenges: On the less sunny side, the battle with governments may intensify. There’s a possibility of more countries trying to ban or control VPNs – we might see app stores geo-restricting VPN apps in some regions (already happening in Russia and China). VPN companies might respond by adding more stealth measures or by partnering with civil rights groups to fight draconian laws. One expert quoted in TechRadar emphasized the need for industry unity here: “VPN providers, industry groups, and civil society will need to work together to advocate for people’s right to privacy….” techradar.com. It’s a cat-and-mouse game likely to continue.
• VPN vs. VPN – increased competition: Finally, within the industry, competition means good news for users. Services will keep vying on price (as seen by the deep discounts and bundle deals now common) and on features (one adds WireGuard, then all do; one raises device limit, others follow – e.g., Nord moving to 10 devices pushed CyberGhost to up theirs from 7 to 7+ maybe). We might also see specialized VPN offerings: like VPNs tailored for streaming (with integrated smart DNS), or those for crypto users (routing through specific regions for finance), etc.

In closing, the VPN you choose in 2025 should align with your needs and values. Do you prioritize raw speed, rock-solid privacy, ease of use, or cost savings? This report has highlighted the top contenders in each area and the context around them. Any of the leading services named here – NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, PIA, etc. – will provide the core protection of encryption and IP masking that keeps you safer and freer online. The differences are in the details and the trust.

The internet might be evolving, with new threats and rules, but VPNs are evolving too, becoming faster, smarter, and more secure. As users, staying informed (and reading detailed reports like this!) is key. Armed with knowledge and the right VPN, you can take back a measure of privacy, access the open internet, and browse with confidence in 2025 and beyond.

Sources:

• TechRadar – “The best VPN service 2025” (Aug 29, 2025) techradar.com techradar.com
• Tom’s Guide – “The best VPN in 2025: our top 5 picks” (Aug 22, 2025) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com
• Cloudwards – “The 10 Best VPN Services in 2025: Free & Paid Providers” (Aug 3, 2025) cloudwards.net cloudwards.net
• TechRadar – “7 VPN predictions to look out for in 2025” (Dec 26, 2024) techradar.com techradar.com
• Tom’s Guide – “We asked 4 VPN experts which VPNs they use – the results surprised us” (Jul 31, 2025) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com
• Security.org – “The Best VPN Service of 2025: Top Picks Reviewed” (2025) security.org security.org
• DemandSage – “VPN Statistics 2025: Usage, Market & Trends” (Mar 2025) demandsage.com demandsage.com
• Vice – “These 13 Free VPNs Have Links to Russia and China” (May 2025) vice.com
• Tom’s Guide – “‘Don’t trust, verify’ – new VPN VP.NET wants to change the industry” (Oct 2025) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com
• TechRadar – “Secure VPN providers 2025: safe options for best security & encryption” (2025) techradar.com techradar.com