Tech Desk 
Aug 17, 2025
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) remain one of the most trusted tools for online privacy and freedom in 2025. With hundreds of services available, choosing the right VPN can be tricky.
To make things easier, here’s a breakdown of the best VPNs this year, focusing on speed, pricing, server strength, and overall performance.
Best VPNs in 2025
Gadinsider has listed the top five VPNs that one should consider using in 2025:
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN remains among the most popular options. It is $13 per month, $100 for the first year (with renewal at the same rate), and the two-year plans are $140 ($117 renewal).
With over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN provides good all-around global coverage. On average, it has about an 18% speed loss and allows up to 8 devices to connect simultaneously.
It is known for its easy-to-use app interface and providing reliable streaming, so it is a safe all-rounder for most users.
Surfshark
Surfshark follows ExpressVPN as the next most popular and is now the go-to value for the budget-conscious consumer. Surfshark costs $15 per month, but you will want to steer clear of that option due to the affordable yearly and two-year options at $48 ($79 renewal) and $60, respectively.
Surfshark operates over 3,200 servers in over 100 countries and has an average speed loss of 21 percent. Although Surfshark does very well in most areas, its major feature is unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a terrific choice for a family or someone using a lot of devices.
NordVPN
NordVPN is well known for its speed and security. It is $13 per month, $60 for a year, or $82 for two years (renewing at $140/year), but NordVPN is perfectly suited to power users, making it a great deal.
It has an outstanding 8,000+ servers around the globe in 126 countries and does so while losing only 3% of internet speed. Up to 10 device support makes NordVPN a great choice for game and stream lovers looking to maximise speed while keeping their security intact.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is unique because it provides both a free plan and premium plans. Their paid plans, which renew after your first term, are $10 a month, $60 for the first year, and $108 for 2 years, which goes to $80 per year afterward.
Proton VPN also has a very respectable 14,400 servers in 122 countries and manages good performance and privacy. The average speed loss is 16% and also supports 10 concurrent connections. Privacy-focused users in search of a low-cost or free VPN option will also find Proton VPN to be one of the best options.
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers the most servers, with over 35,000 in 91 countries. It is $12 per month, $40 for the first year, and $79 for 3 years and is one of the more cost-effective services with a flexible option for the long term.
While PIA loses an average of 48% of speed, it has unlimited concurrent connections, which will appeal to larger households or those who value getting coverage on a lot of devices instead of absolute speed.
