Best VPN service of 2021

Whether you're working remotely or you simply want to keep your online life safe from prying eyes, a VPN is key for maximizing your privacy. But demand for VPN services has been booming as of late, and new VPN providers keep jumping into the marketplace. That can make it tricky to sort through the many options to find the best VPN service to meet your specific needs.

That's where this VPN guide comes in. After researching and testing a number of services, we've rounded up the best VPN provider that will keep your online information totally secure. In our current testing and ranking system, we evaluated more than 20 factors, including price, security, number of server locations, bandwidth caps, ease of remote access, logging, dedicated and dynamic IP, client VPN software, and customer support. Below, we've listed your best VPN options, including such popular names as ExpressVPN, Surfshark, IPVanish, NordVPN, and more.

We're keeping a close eye on how each VPN provider stands compared with its competitors, as well as any new VPN services that may hit the market. We've cataloged our most recommended VPN services to date -- and listed some less viable VPN selections, too, based on our testing. We'll be updating this directory periodically as new VPNs enter the marketplace.