Top VPN applications of 2024: from Surfshark to NordVPN

Which VPN applications are the greatest to utilize in 2024? Excellent query.Enormous businesses swarm the internet, just waiting to snatch up an old spoon, dip it into your online data, and then slurp, slurp, slurp - sell it all to the highest bidder. Given how much of our surfing is done on our phones, it makes sense to use a VPN with a good software to protect oneself from this.

With the top VPN applications, you can access the features of top VPN services right from your phone. It also suggests that a VPN provider may be forward-thinking enough to guarantee your privacy even as the internet environment changes and grows over time if they make sure all of their services are mobile-friendly.

Naturally, there are a ton of VPN services available these days. To make things simpler for you, we've selected six of the best VPN companies, all of which have apps. ExpressVPN is our top choice (for reasons we'll discuss below), but they're all excellent services with somewhat different features, such as the fastest VPN and the best free VPN, among others.

Why you can trust our advice ✔ At SmartRead, our experts spend days testing games, phones, tech, and services. We always share honest opinions to help you buy the best. Find out how we test.

Too busy to finish reading the article? Do not fret. Here is a quick summary of our top three suppliers.

The following are a few of the top VPN applications for

Best VPN apps: ExpressVPN. Image shows the company logo on a red background.

1. OpenVPN at

Our selection for the top VPN app is Best VPN apps: ExpressVPN. Image shows the company logo on a red background..

Overview of ExpressVPN:
Server totals 3,000+ servers in 94 countries
Compatible apps/games TikTok, Facebook, Tinder, Netflix, Roblox, Minecraft, Pokémon GO, Marvel Future Revolution, and more
Free trial No free trial
Money-back guarantee 30 days
Simultaneous connections 5
Router support Yes
Advantages<
  • Uses the speedy Lightway protocol
  • TrustedServer system gives you extra privacy
Drawbacks
  • An expensive service
  • No free trial
As we already noted, ExpressVPN is our pick for the greatest VPN app since it's an excellent service overall and has a superb app. Few of its rivals can match the variety it provides, with servers spread over 94 countries worldwide.Its TrustedServer technology prevents its servers from writing any information about your online activity, and its Lightway protocol allows it to encrypt your private data considerably faster than many of its rivals. The one thing missing from it is a free trial, which would be very helpful for a service this pricey.More often than many of its rivals, Best VPN apps: ExpressVPN. Image shows the company logo on a red background. also updates the IP addresses of its servers, and those servers have some pretty amazing average download speeds (55.76 Mbit/s). Thus, even if the price may be slightly more than that of other VPN services, you definitely get what you pay for.To learn more about ExpressVPN, check out the review on PCGamesN, our sister website.

2. NordVPN

Among VPN apps, NordVPN is the quickest.Overview of NordVPN:
Server totals 5,300+ servers in 60+ countries
Compatible apps/games Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, TikTok, Roblox, Call of Duty: Mobile, Minecraft, Street Fighter: Duel and more
Free trial No free trial
Money-back guarantee 30 days
Simultaneous connections 6
Router support Yes
Advantages<
  • Fastest VPN app
  • WireGuard protocol ensures speedy encryption
Drawbacks
  • Slightly more expensive
  • Smaller range of servers
Since its founding a decade ago, NordVPN has managed to establish itself as one of the most recognisable VPN businesses. With an average server speed of 65.79 Mbit/s, it's little wonder it's become so popular—it truly provides a very good service and is among the fastest VPN services available. It is far quicker than ExpressVPN, but its lack of server locations—only 60 vs ExpressVPN's 90+—makes up for its speed advantage.Because NordVPN employs the WireGuard protocol, it encrypts your data much faster than a lot of other services. In the meantime, it has a kill switch that cuts off your connection if the VPN disconnects for even a brief period of time, ensuring that there is no chance of those greedy algorithm monsters snooping in at a vulnerable moment. This is particularly advantageous for people who frequently travel and connect to free wi-fi locations along the way.While NordVPN is less expensive than ExpressVPN, its cost is perhaps its greatest disadvantage. If speed is your thing and you're a mouse, then go for this VPN; however, if you're looking for a more affordable choice, there will be other more enticing ones.To learn more, see our sister site PCGamesN's review of NordVPN.Best VPN apps - Cyberghost. Its logo is yellow and features a picture of a ghost.

3. The greatest VPN for streaming is CyberGhost

.Overview of CyberGhost:
Server totals 7,400+ in 94+ countries
Compatible apps/games FIFA Mobile, Minecraft, Roblox, Genshin Impact, Twitter, Facebook, Netflix, Disney Plus, and more
Free trial 24 hours
Money-back guarantee 45 days
Simultaneous connections 7
Router support Yes
Advantages
  • Broad streaming compatibility
  • 45-day money-back guarantee
Drawbacks
  • Slightly slower than others
  • Free trial could be longer
Next on the list is CyberGhost. Because it works with so many popular platforms, we think it's the finest VPN for streaming. You may also configure certain applications to connect locally while others connect over the VPN by using split-tunnelling. Nobody wants to use a server located halfway across the globe to access their banking software, after all.Even while Private Internet Access surpasses it in terms of the sheer quantity of servers, it still outperforms several rivals in terms of the variety of places that are accessible via the service, with servers spread throughout more than 90 nations. It even boasts a 45-day money-back promise, as opposed to the typical 30-day money-back guarantee, as if to outdo many other VPN companies.Another uncommon VPN that provides a free trial is CyberGhost, which allows you to use it with your favorite streaming services before making a payment. The trial is really short—just 24 hours—but it's still better than nothing at all.For further information on CyberGhost, check out the review on PCGamesN, our sister site.Best VPN apps - Private Internet Access. Its logo has a smiling padlock.

4. The greatest inexpensive VP software is Private Internet Access

(PIA).Overview of private internet access:
Server totals 35,000+ servers in 78+ countries
Compatible apps/games TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Netflix, Roblox, Genshin Impact, Minecraft, Marvel Future Revolution, and more
Free trial None
Money-back guarantee 30 days
Simultaneous connections 10
Router support Yes
Advantages
  • Enormous server selection
  • Fantastic pricing
Drawbacks
  • No free trial
  • Slightly slower
Anybody searching for a low-cost VPN should choose Private Internet Access since, in addition to having somewhat lower prices than some other providers (mostly due of the special offer we have for our readers), it also offers excellent support. Because it's less expensive, don't let that deceive you into believing this VPN isn't among the finest; in fact, it's easily among the best.It has more than 35,000 servers spread over 78 different countries, and it supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, which should be plenty for most active families. You know you have something fairly snazzy when you include inbuilt ad-blocking capabilities.The main disadvantage of Best VPN apps - Private Internet Access. Its logo has a smiling padlock. is that it is somewhat slower than some of the other leading providers. Something like NordVPN would be a better fit for you if speed is your top goal, but if you're looking for something affordable and dependable, this might be your best option.Best VPN apps - Surfshark.

5. For an infinite number of devices, the best VPN app is Surfshark

.Overview of Surfshark:
Server totals 3,200+ servers in 65+ countries
Compatible apps/games TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Pokémon GO, FIFA Mobile, Roblox, Minecraft, and more
Free trial One week
Money-back guarantee 30 days
Simultaneous connections Unlimited
Router support Yes
Advantages
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Free trial available
Drawbacks
  • Lower serve count
  • Fewer server locations
Is Surfshark named after the surfer man who makes up the VPN community? Though it's unlikely that was their intention, they are providing something really unique, as seen by the fact that you can connect to an infinite number of devices at once. That will accommodate even the biggest homes, and users will have plenty of time to familiarize themselves with the service before providing their payment information thanks to a seven-day VPN free trial.This might be a great solution to prevent artificial slowness from your internet service provider when you use a lot of bandwidth, with connection rates of 2x10Gbps per server. If you often find yourself dealing with very low-quality video while streaming on your phone, you may discover that using a VPN like Surfshark makes a big difference.As amazing as Best VPN apps - Surfshark. is, it must be acknowledged that compared to many other top providers, it offers less servers and operates in fewer regions. Even yet, it's vital to remember that if finding more is a priority for you, you may get it elsewhere.You should also read the excellent Surfshark review that PCGamesN has posted.Best VPN apps: TunnelBear. Image shows a bear emerging from what looks like a pipe under the TunnelBear logo.

6. The greatest free VPN program is TunnelBear

Best VPN apps: TunnelBear. Image shows a bear emerging from what looks like a pipe under the TunnelBear logo..Overview of TunnelBear:
Feature Details
Server totals 2,600+ servers in 49+ countries (paid)
16 servers in 2 countries (free)
Compatible services/games None
Free trial Has a free plan which can be used indefinitely, but with a limit of 500MB per month
Money-back guarantee None – refunds assessed case by case
Simultaneous connections 5
Router support No
Advantages
  • Free plan available
  • No-logs policy in place on free plan
Drawbacks
  • No money-back guarantee
  • Doesn’t work well for streaming
If you're searching for a free VPN, TunnelBear is a terrific option, but be aware that you can only use 500MB of data each month. Although some may find this to be insufficient, if you plan to use it only for public Wi-Fi while out and about, this could be more than sufficient.If privacy is your top concern, TunnelBear stands out from many other VPN companies since it conducts a yearly security assessment, the findings of which are made available to the public online. It is also one of the more reasonably priced choices, and it has a good 2,600+ servers spread over 49 nations.However, Best VPN apps: TunnelBear. Image shows a bear emerging from what looks like a pipe under the TunnelBear logo. does not provide a money-back guarantee, in contrast to the majority of well-known VPN companies. We advise at least using the free plan for a while to get a sense of what it can achieve, since this will be quite off-putting for anybody who is still sort of on the fence about using a VPN.

How the top VPN applications were selected

We carefully considered the requirements of various mobile users before weighing them against the distinctive advantages that these VPN companies have to offer in order to compile this list. Here are some crucial points to think about:
  • Pricing: The price of VPNs varies significantly, with some literally not costing anything, and others carrying a sizeable price tag. We wanted to include options that could appeal to all readers, regardless of their budget, so we’ve got a variety of options here. Worth keeping in mind is the fact that the pricier the service, the more you’ll get in terms of privacy features, server range, and more.
  • Privacy features: We tried to focus predominantly on the VPN providers that have all the standard privacy features. For example, spilt-tunnelling, which allows you to have the VPN applies to one app, but not another, or a kill switch, which severs your connection if the VPN goes down, even for a second.
  • Server selection: Having lots of servers can help to ensure that a VPN runs smoothly. Not only does this increase the chances of you being able to connect via any given country, it also reduces the risk of server congestion, which is caused by too many users on the same server and makes things go more slowly.
  • Simultaneous connections: Naturally, if you’re reading this article, you want something to use on your phone or tablet. However, if you want something that you can also install on your PC, or any other device, or that you want your family to be able to use, then go for one without a cap on simultaneous connections.
See our how we test website for further details on the methodology used to create these guidelines. Although we honestly believe that Best VPN apps: ExpressVPN. Image shows the company logo on a red background. is the greatest, we also provided these other possibilities since we understand that it may not be the best for everyone. With any luck, this will help you focus your search.

Which free VPN program is the best?

As we've already covered in our strengths and weaknesses section, we think TunnelBear is the greatest VPN software available. This is only one option, however; PrivadoVPN and AtlasVPN are two others that are also worth investigating.If you choose a free VPN that we do not suggest, be advised that you will often have to make many payments. Rather than undercutting the purpose of utilizing a VPN altogether, it's possible, for instance, that they are recording everything you do while it's turned on and then selling that data for a fee.

Is using a free VPN program safe?

Depending on the one you use, it may be. Although we only suggest reputable and genuine businesses, there are other dubious possibilities that might, in the worst situation, infect you with a virus or, in the best case scenario, be selling your data.

Is it wise to always have your VPN enabled?

Most likely not. Though there are advantages to having it on, such less ISP slowing and access to foreign material, you run the risk of inadvertently triggering security alarms when using online banking or discovering that you are unable to access content that is restricted to your area. It is advisable to turn it on and off according to the situation.

Does the iPhone have a VPN built in?

No, it doesn't. You must get a VPN if you want to safeguard the privacy of any online activity you do using your iPhone.Do you need further advice selecting the best VPN for your phone? For further information, see our guides to the best mobile VPNs, best iPhone VPN, and best VPN for Android.

TRENDING