Virtual private networks (VPNs) are experiencing a boom thanks to huge marketing budgets and influencer partnerships. However, navigating the growing market can be a challenge and the claims of features and benefits aren’t always accurate. Consumer Reports’ online security expert Yael Grauer recommends looking for open-source software, reproducible builds, and current support for protocols that are industry-standard.

CyberGhost’s zero-logs policy is an excellent selling point. It guarantees not to keep track of your online activities or IP address. The apps are compatible with the majority of major operating systems and include 256-bit encryption with a kill button, leak protection, and the option to connect using an unrelated port. It also scored better than most VPNs in our speed test, although this could be due to traffic shaping by your ISP. It also has a number of additional tools such as Threat Protection, Onion over VPN and Double VPN.

Nord is another option which has scored well in our tests. This includes a good showing in our geoblocking testing and streaming tests. Its apps are very powerful and easy to use. However, a user interface that is based on maps can be a bit difficult to navigate when utilized on discover here smaller screens. It’s compatible with a variety of routers, Kodi TV set top boxes and has the most geographic reach of our picks. It’s a great choice for watching Netflix internationally and has dedicated Windflix servers for this reason. Recently, it introduced a new feature known as Perfect Forward Secrecy. It protects data by using a different key each session. This makes it more difficult for hackers decrypt past activity.