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It is that time again! We spent hours testing security, monitoring speeds, reviewing privacy policies, streaming movies and TV, installing apps…it’s exhausting! But the time has come and we can finally announce our list of the best VPN of 2022.
We were once again in a “no news is good news” situation as ExpressVPN is still going strong as our number one choice overall. Not too far behind — and even catching up a bit — are fan favorites NordVPN and Surfshark. Rounding out the top five, as you might expect, are Private Internet Access and ProtonVPN.
Just because there isn’t much new in the overall rankings doesn’t mean there isn’t anything new buried in it. We’ve gathered a lot of insight into all the top providers and can now confidently show off the best VPN services of 2022.
The Top 5 Best VPNs in 2022
ExpressVPN continues to impress!
It’s really no surprise that ExpressVPN is once again at the top of our list of the best VPNs. It continues to impress thanks to attention to detail, comprehensive unblocking and the latest network upgrades.
TechRadar’s Chief Security Expert and Chief VPN Tester, Mike Williams, told us: “A great VPN isn’t necessarily about having the longest feature list or the fastest possible speeds. What really matters is quality; attention to detail; and the kind of consistency that not only says you can trust this provider with your privacy now, but rest assured that it will remain so for the foreseeable future.”
While speed isn’t its main selling point, ExpressVPN still has extreme value for anyone looking for a well-rounded, secure provider with excellent support. The current 560 Mbps outperforms providers like PIA (510 Mbps) and Proton VPN (510 Mbps), but still falls far short of some others. That said, the pros of what ExpressVPN has to offer definitely outweigh the cons.
ExpressVPN’s smart security and privacy policies are top notch. The apps keep getting better. It even has a hardware offering in the form of the Aircove router. There’s a lot to like about our top picks.
ExpressVPN has plenty of highly visible features to brag about, but what gives it the advantage is more in the background
Mike Williams, cybersecurity expert
ExpressVPN remains a bit more expensive than some of the competition (there’s no danger of it surpassing our cheap VPN card, though). But the value lies deep in what ExpressVPN has to offer. Sure, you can look elsewhere for a faster provider — or a cheaper one — but if you want the absolute top pick, you’ve got it here. And you can of course try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days (opens in new tab)thanks to the hassle-free money-back guarantee.
Best VPNs for 2022: More of the Same
As for the rest of the pack? We saw a bit of movement around the top players, but much of our best VPN list remains unchanged. NordVPN and Surfshark are still strong to round out our top three, while PIA and ProtonVPN are nicely in the top five. The biggest mover, IPVanish, has some major app updates and new features to thank for the jump.
VPN needs vary greatly from user to user. Some may want speed for gaming, others the most capable plunger, others just to stay safe online. That’s why we try to break down all the bits and pieces of each major VPN so you know exactly what they have to offer.
Mike Williams, our Chief VPN tester, puts it best: “A great VPN isn’t necessarily about having the longest feature list or the fastest possible speeds. What really matters is quality, attention to detail, and the kind of consistency that says not only can you trust this provider with your privacy now, but you’re confident it will stay that way for the foreseeable future.”
Looking for a great VPN? View our full list of the best VPNs of our tests in October 2022 to see which are the best of the bunch.