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By testing across multiple devices and platforms, we're able to assess which VPNs are best for gaming versus those best for streaming, torrenting or sharing sensitive information.
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We test VPNs for browsing and streaming speed in multiple countries as well as their connection stability and even the smallest potential privacy leaks. We test each VPN across over 20 factors, and we're continually improving our methodology as we learn more. We want to know what each service does best. When we look at each VPN service, we're not just examining them for their technical weaknesses, but we're also scrutinizing their individual performance strengths. Our hands-on testing and review process is designed to cut through that hype. But it also means consumers have to wade through even more VPN advertising hype. On one hand, the array of affordable VPN options now available means that - no matter how critical or casual your privacy needs - there's a VPN service suited to your purpose. Over the past several years, a flood of VPN providers has entered the marketplace, and that comes with both benefits and drawbacks. It costs more than Surfshark but less than Express, has an enormous network that's constantly getting faster and more secure and is easily the most reliable service we've tested. NordVPN, our third choice, is a die-hard heavy hitter.Surfshark, with its lower price, is a close second among our picks, thanks to its impressive performance and unlimited devices.Express isn't the cheapest, but it's among the fastest and, so far, is the most secure. We evaluate VPNs based on their overall performance in three main categories: speed, security and price. ExpressVPN received a CNET Editors' Choice Award for best overall VPN.VPNs allow you to bypass content blocks, thereby opening up your streaming options.
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And with football season starting, it's a good time to note that VPNs can also be used to circumvent league blackouts and geographic restrictions. The best VPN helps you evade ISP throttling and boosts your personal safety by making it harder for public and private entities to view your browsing and search history. VPNs give you an added layer of security on public Wi-Fi networks as well, which is especially important if you ever send or receive sensitive information over the internet. This encrypted connection will prevent your internet service provider from knowing which sites you're browsing, and prevent the sites you're visiting - unless you are logged into them - from seeing where you're located. Here's how it works: A VPN, short for " virtual private network," encrypts the connection between your device and the internet, safeguarding not just your browsing traffic but all the data that comes from your device and goes to the internet. If you want to maintain your privacy online and keep your browsing habits under wraps, a VPN is key. In light of those changes, we've recently updated our ExpressVPN and NordVPN reviews, and we're working on a fully updated Surfshark review that's coming soon. ExpressVPN is currently our Editors' Choice for best VPN, but the industry has been rapidly consolidating and evolving. And to retain that crown, it needs to maintain those high standards. To earn that particular accolade, a VPN service must meet extremely high standards of speed, privacy and utility, while being totally transparent about its operations. The title of "best VPN" is something we here at CNET take most seriously.
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