5 Best VPNs in 2022: Fast, Secure VPN Apps for PC, Mac, & Phone

There are a great many VPN providers around the world, which means there are probably a lot of people out there with this same issue, too.

 

In actuality, it’s easy to find the perfect VPN for you if you are able to grasp the main points beforehand.

I have flown all over the world and have used different VPNs from over 20 different companies.

I have tested different VPNs for ease of use and checked whether or not you can actually watch Netflix videos, etc. when using them.

 

This article is a guide to the most highly recommended VPNs from among that group which we tested and carefully selected.

We hope that after reading this article and finding the best VPN for your intended purpose, you are able to enjoy a safe and comfortable internet experience.

How to Choose a VPN

When it comes to choosing a good VPN, you are unlikely to go wrong if you are able to pin down the following points beforehand.

 

Purpose

When choosing a VPN, it’s important to be clear about your intended purpose.

There are many different kinds of VPN services; however, they are all good for different things. Therefore, it’s necessary to choose your VPN based on the intended purpose.

Towards the end of this article, we will advise you on the recommended VPN for each purpose, so please be sure to reference this.

 

Network speed/stability

When using a VPN, your network speed will decrease compared to when you are not using one.

This is due to the mechanism of VPNs, which involves going through the VPN server. There is nothing that can be done about this.

However, if the network speed becomes too low, you may not be able to watch videos properly or your work may be disrupted.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to use a paid VPN with fast speeds and a stable connection.

Free VPNs are not recommended due to their unfavorable network speeds and instability, as well as the threat they pose to security.

 

Contract period, price, free trial period/money-back guarantee (or lack thereof)

All VPN providers have different plans for each contract period, i.e., 1 month, 1 year, 2 years, etc., and offer a bigger discount the longer the contract period.

For those living abroad for long periods of time on student exchange, for work, or for those who have migrated to another country, VPN costs can be cut by choosing a long-term plan.

Additionally, many paid VPNs offer free trial periods and money-back guarantees.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to trial them and get a refund if the product is not very good.

If you contact customer support during the money-back guarantee period, then you can have them refund you immediately.

 

 

The Best VPNs

1: ExpressVPN - Best VPN for streaming

Price	12 Months: $6.67/month +3 Months FREE 6 Months: $9.99/month 1 Month: $12.95/month
Free trial	30-day money-back guarantee
Compatible devices	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Router, Chrome, Firefox, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, etc.
Device per license	5
App
No logs
Number of servers	3000+ servers in 94 countries
Method of payment	VISA, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Discover, PayPal, Bitcoin, Alipay, UnionPay, etc.

After trying VPNs from around the world, the one I recommend the most is ExpressVPN .

As you would expect from a VPN which is known as the fastest in the world, ExpressVPN boasts fast and reliable speeds and is the most highly-rated VPN in the industry.

The app is also very easy to use, even for beginners. (Our team has also been using it for over 3 years).

Operations are based in the British Virgin Islands. Logs (users’ personal info such as IP addresses) are not stored, and user privacy is protected by military-level encryption security.

Fast network speeds are possible even from within regions with severe internet restrictions such as China, Russia, and Arab states. Additionally, comfortably watch video streaming services such as Netflix with high-speed streaming.

ExpressVPN has prepared a special discounted 1 year plan with 3 months free use exclusively for users of this site. Please feel free to try it! (30-day money-back guarantee)

 

 

 

2: NordVPN - Robust security features

 

Price	2 Years: $3.71/month 1 Year: $4.92/month 1 Month: $11.95/month
Free trial	30-day money-back guarantee
Compatible devices	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Router, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV
Device per license	6
App
No logs
Number of servers	5000+ servers in 59 countries
Method of payment	VISA, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, PayPal, Cryptocurrency, Alipay, UnionPay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, etc.

For those who prioritize security features, we recommend NordVPN

NordVPN is a VPN provider whose operations are based in Panama. It uses an extremely strong encryption method known as ‘AES-256bit’ and is known for focusing on protection of privacy.

Naturally, they promise not to store ‘logs’ (personal information such as which sites users have viewed, IP addresses, etc.). (This is known as a ‘no-long policy’.)

The app is also easy to use (I personally find the ExpressVPN app easier to use), and one of the great things about this VPN is the cost performance. If you sign on for a long-term contract, you can use it for under $4 per month. 

The network speeds are fast and, as there are a lot of servers, it’s well-suited for streaming.

It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, and refunds are very smooth.

 

The NordVPN Registration/Application/Set-Up Process

続きを見る

 

 

3: CyberGhost - Best value VPN

Price	2 Years: $2.25/month +2 Months Free 6 Months: $6.39/month 1 Month: $12.99/month
Free trial	45-day money-back guarantee (1 month plan only offers a 14 day money-back guarantee)
Compatible devices	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Router, Chrome, Firefox, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV, PlayStation, Xbox, etc.
Device per license	7
App
No logs
Number of servers	6500+ servers in 89 countries
Method of payment	VISA, Mastercard, Amex, PayPal, bitcoin

For those who prioritize cost performance, we recommend CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a VPN provider with headquarters in Bucharest, Romania, and is the most popular VPN service in Europe.

Cost performance for this VPN is exceptionally good (a 3-year plan costs less than $3 per month), and it can be used on many devices (up to 7 connections simultaneously).

Network speeds are moderate; however, there are many servers, meaning that server congestion can be avoided.

It uses military-level encryption known as ‘AES-256bit’, and the app is relatively easy to use.

CyberGhost also features a 45 day money-back guarantee (slightly longer than other companies). (The 1-month plan only offers a 14 day money-back guarantee)

 

 

 

VyprVPN - Reliable

Price	2 Years: $2.50/month 1 Year: $3.75/month 1 Month: $12.95/month
Free trial	30-day money-back guarantee
Compatible devices	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Router, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, QNAP, Blackphone, Anonabox
Device per license	5
App
No logs
Number of servers	700+ servers in 64 countries
Method of payment	VISA, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, PayPal, UnionPay

VyprVPN is a VPN provider with operations in the neutral country of Switzerland.

This company touts ‘internet freedom’ as its corporate philosophy and strives to keep its operations highly transparent. Company information such as staff profiles is also open to the public.

There is a limited number of servers and the network speeds are average; however, the price and transparency of this company are both very attractive aspects.

The 18-month and 3-year plans are both very cheap, with the 3-year plan being among the cheapest in the industry at $1.67 per month.

Naturally, they have a no-log policy, and privacy can be increased with a unique technology known as ‘Chameleon’.

It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, and refunds are very smooth.

 

 

 

UCSS - Enjoy the internet from China

Price	1 Year: $108~ 3 Months: $36~ Other Plans: $13~
Free trial
Compatible devices	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, OpenWrt, Merlin
Device per license	3
App
No logs
Number of servers	6～9 countries
Method of payment	Credit card, PayPal, Alipay, WeChatPay

UCSS is not a VPN; however, it specializes in Shadowsocks and is recommended for those who want to enjoy the internet (such as games or videos) from within China.

Shadowsocks is “a proxy (server) which was developed to avoid the internet censorship system known as ‘China’s Great FireWall (GFW)’”.

Shadowsocks was developed to break through China’s internet censorship, meaning that it offers excellent speed and stability.

Logs are not stored, and network safety and privacy protection are also thorough. (Only the Korean servers store access logs)

UCSS headquarters are in Korea; however, the official site/app/support are all in English.

 

 

 

Comparison of the Best VPNs

We compared the specs of each VPN provider.

Please feel free to check whether your device or payment method are compatible.

 

 

Choosing the Best VPN Based on its Intended Purpose

We will introduce the recommended VPN services for each different purpose below.

Please use this as a reference when choosing a VPN.

 

I.e., I want to use a VPN in countries with internet restrictions, like China

ExpressVPN and UCSS are recommended for using the internet comfortably in countries with severe net restrictions, including China.

Even if other VPNs are able to be used temporarily, the connection may be unstable and sometimes you may not be able to connect due to the restrictions.

For a stable connection in China, ExpressVPN or UCSS (which specializes in Chinese communications) are the most suitable.

 

I.e., I want to watch video streaming services (VOD) from abroad

We summarized the video streaming services that can be viewed from abroad for each VPN.

Which VPN will allow you to be able to watch the video streaming services that you want to watch? Feel free to check. (*Please note that there are times when you may not be able to view the desired video even if you use a VPN, due to sudden VPN restrictions).

Network speed and stability are important when using a VPN to watch videos.

If you are unsure, we recommend ExpressVPN , which is the fastest and is highly stable, or , from which you can view various different services.

 

I.e., I want to play online games

When playing online games, the most important points are network speed/stability/Ping.

We recommend ExpressVPN, which is globally renowned for its communication performance, and UCSS, which has plans specifically for gamers.

 

I.e., I want to use a VPN with Torrents, P2P

Torrents and P2P themselves are not illegal; however, as illegal files which ignore copyright may be mixed up in there, it is risky to use Torrents.

Therefore, it is a necessary condition that they have a no-log policy and are operated in locations which are not affected by laws against spying, etc.

ExpressVPN is operated in the British Virgin Isles, and NordVPN in Panama. Each has a no-log policy and Torrents can be used.

 

I.e., I want to safely use free wifi and save costs

For those wanting to cut costs as much as possible, we recommend NordVPN, CyberGhost, and VyprVPN, whose long term plans come with significant discounts.

If deciding based on the overall total of price, number of servers, and number of simultaneous connections which are possible, CyberGhost is the clear winner in cost performance.

 

 

Conclusion｜Make Use of the Free Trial Period with Paid VPNs!

Most VPN services come with a money-back guarantee.

Use the money-back guarantee to find the VPN which is most suited to your environment.

This website explains the specific refund process for each company, so please use this as a reference when cancelling your contract.