Best VPN for Travel

ExpressVPN is currently CNET’s pick for the best VPN overall, scoring an 8.8/10 on our VPN rating scale. It’s a veteran VPN provider that consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to privacy and transparency. It’s also excellent for streaming and the easiest VPN app to use on any platform. But for the best, you’ll need to pay a premium -- ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPN providers currently on the market. The service costs $13 a month, $60 every six months or $100 a year, which is considerably more expensive than the $11 a month or $60 a year that Surfshark charges. NordVPN is more in line with ExpressVPN on price at $13 a month or $100 annually (after a promotional $60 price for the first year).

ExpressVPN delivers the most consistent and streamlined VPN app experiences across platforms. Its minimalist interface is simple to use for advanced VPN users and beginners alike. The app settings are easy to navigate and finding a server location is straightforward. We like how the app always connects in a snap, which isn’t always the case with other VPNs -- like Surfshark -- which often struggle to connect immediately on the first attempt. If you want the best for streaming, ExpressVPN is a good bet because it effortlessly unblocks all sorts of streaming content, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. The provider also recently bumped its simultaneous connection allowance up to eight, which is slightly more generous than NordVPN’s six simultaneous connections, but considerably less than the unlimited simultaneous connections allowed by others like Surfshark, PIA and IPVanish.

Though fast enough for most any online activity, ExpressVPN’s speeds are not quite as fast as some of its competitors, based on our latest speed tests. In 2024, we measured a 24.8% average speed loss with ExpressVPN. This is still fast, considering that many VPNs can slash your internet speeds by 50% or more. However, we saw substantially better speeds from NordVPN (11% speed loss) and Surfshark (17% speed loss). Still, ExpressVPN’s speeds were largely consistent and aligned with our expectations across protocols and server locations. Overall, we registered the fastest speeds through ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol on MacOS (7% speed loss). On the other end of the spectrum, the slowest speeds we measured were through OpenVPN on Windows, at a 48% speed loss. Overall, speeds were generally faster to relatively closer server locations like New York City and the UK, and slower to distant locations like Australia and Singapore. Either way, ExpressVPN’s speeds were still plenty fast enough for general browsing as well as for more data-intensive activities like streaming, gaming and videoconferencing -- especially if you use Lightway.     

Surfshark is a wallet-friendly VPN that doesn’t skimp on features, speed or servers. At $14 per month, $48 annually (then $60 yearly after your initial 12 months) or $60 total for two years (before spiking to $60 every 12 months), Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs available. Despite its modest price, you’ll enjoy a generous network with over 3,200 servers in 100 countries for finding a reliable connection across the globe. Moreover, Surfshark provides unlimited simultaneous connections (ExpressVPN only gives you eight while NordVPN offers just six) making it a great multidevice VPN.

Our lab tests found an impressive 17% average speed loss, which matches some of the fastest VPNs on the market, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Thanks to its blisteringly fast connectivity, you can easily perform internet-demanding tasks like 4K streaming and competitive gaming. I could stream geo-protected content from Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video. Watching Star Trek: The Next Generation on Netflix -- usually a Paramount Plus exclusive -- was a real treat (although I’ve got a Paramount Plus subscription and the complete series on DVD). Aside from its Windows, MacOS, Android and iPhone apps, Surfshark has a GUI Linux app, which means you can pack your Steam Deck or Linux laptop.

Surfshark’s robust privacy features make it a solid choice for working with sensitive data -- like circumventing geo-specific censorship while traveling. You’ll find a stringent no-logging policy, AES-56-bit encryption and a kill switch. Aside from these basics, Surfshark features amenities including Dynamic Multihop and IP Rotator, making it even harder to uncover your IP address and further strengthening privacy. Its RAM-only servers and obfuscation further bolster Surfshark’s already strong data protection. Unfortunately, Surfshark’s jurisdiction falls under the 14 Eyes, so folks with tight security needs -- like journalists working with sensitive data -- might be disappointed. I’d also like to see more regular and comprehensive audits to match the transparency of competitors like Nord and Express. Nevertheless, Surfshark punches well above its weight class, delivering outstanding bang for your buck without sacrificing privacy and performance. 

Private Internet Access brings a lot to the table, particularly for regular travelers. Its large server network blankets the globe with 35,000 servers in 91 countries. While ExpressVPN and Surfshark deliver more individual country choices, PIA’s sheer number of servers lets you easily find an optimal connection. It’s an especially great VPN for folks traveling domestically or to one of the worldwide locales where Private Internet Access maintains a decent presence. In our experience, we found PIA unblocked Disney Plus, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video on both US and UK servers, making it a good VPN for streaming. 

Its wallet-friendly pricing sets you back just $12 monthly, $40 annually or $79 for three years. By comparison, most VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN typically charge $100 a year. While the value-packed Surfshark charges $48 for your first year, its price jumps to $60 after its initial sweet introductory pricing, whereas PIA foregoes price hikes for attractively transparent pricing. 

Despite its relatively low cost, PIA doesn’t cut corners. Although it’s not the most feature-rich VPN, you’ll get a solid privacy suite, including a kill switch that stops your internet if your VPN gets disconnected, split tunneling for using a VPN for some apps but not others and 256-bit encryption. There’s multihop, which routes your connection through another server for additional privacy, and obfuscated servers, making it tougher for apps or ISPs to identify when you’re using a VPN. PIA also boasts unlimited simultaneous connections -- the pricier NordVPN and ExpressVPN limit you to six and eight, respectively. 

NordVPN is one of the most well-known VPNs on the market, partly thanks to its widespread marketing campaigns. However, Nord remains a popular virtual private network option because of its exceptionally fast connections, privacy-focused features and excellent geo-unblocking for streaming services. Its combination of user-friendly design that doesn't compromise on settings makes it an outstanding choice for casual VPN newcomers and seasoned power users alike. NordVPN’s global server network comprises more than 6,000 servers spanning over 60 countries, making it a good option for a VPN when traveling. With that many servers, you’re likely to find something nearby, even while abroad. Granted, the country count is a little short of the international reach of competitors like Surfshark and ExpressVPN, but a planned expansion in Q1 of 2024 should increase Nord's server count to 100 countries.

In our 2024 speed tests, NordVPN solidified itself as hands-down the fastest VPN. Using its NordLynx VPN protocol, we measured an average internet speed loss of just 3.2% with Windows and 12.6% on MacOS. On OpenVPN, we recorded an average internet download speed loss of 10.1% on MacOS and 18.8% with Windows. Whether you choose an OpenVPN connection or the NordLynx protocol, you’ll enjoy the smallest possible internet speed degradation. With apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android/Android TV, iOS/iPadOS, browsers and even Apple TV, Nord runs on almost any platform you can think of.

We appreciate NordVPN's commitment to privacy and security. In addition to features like Onion over VPN (Tor) and a Double VPN, which deliver additional encryption, a 2023 audit by Deloitte backed up its no-log claims for improved transparency. Folks with serious privacy needs can even buy a Nord subscription with cryptocurrencies for pseudo-anonymity. While zero-logging policies are challenging to verify with absolute certainty, third-party audits provide peace of mind. On the entertainment side, we had no issues streaming US and UK Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus libraries on most devices -- another perk when traveling abroad. 

IPVanish offers 2,200 servers in over 52 countries, a smaller international selection than many competitors; ExpressVPN and Surfshark tout 100 or more country locations with NordVPN, ProtonVPN or PIA delivering 60-plus. In our experience, its internet download speeds were somewhat uneven, with fast speeds marred by occasionally noticeable dips, which could impact gaming or 4K streaming. Despite its intuitive apps, IPVanish’s Quick Connect feature sometimes failed syncing with an optimal server, so we often just resorted to selecting one manually.  

Still, IPVanish provides plenty of perks, including unlimited simultaneous connections, reasonably fast internet download speeds and user-friendly apps. It streams and unblocks region-restricted content from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus with aplomb. At $13 monthly, $42 annually or $72 total for two years (both the 12- and 24-month plans jump to $90 per year after the sweet introductory pricing), IPVanish saves you money upfront compared to companies like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. While IPVanish works fine for casual use, you can get a VPN with a much larger server network and more robust privacy features, both of which benefit travel. Nevertheless, IPVanish’s user-friendly apps make it a great choice for beginners seeking a VPN to add peace of mind and allow for streaming abroad.

Proton VPN is an outstanding option for privacy-minded folks with its open-source apps, Secure Core servers, Tor over VPN and full-disk encryption, which enhance security. The Swiss-based VPN company is therefore an excellent option for use while traveling since its VPN adds best-in-class privacy, a benefit for situations like preventing your internet service provider from tracking your browsing history. Pricing is simply average at $10 monthly, $72 annually or $120 for two years -- but Proton’s unmatched privacy and transparency justify the cost. Note that we don’t recommend a two-year subscription despite attractively low prices because of the way VPNs change so quickly: Your initially fast, secure VPN provider might suffer slow servers or a data breach over a year.

You’ll enjoy a modest 3,000-plus servers in more than 65 countries with paid plans, and Proton includes the only free tier we recommend -- letting you connect to servers in three countries (the US, Japan and Netherlands). But its average 36% internet download speed loss is pretty high. Despite its top-notch privacy, Proton’s middling server roster of 65 countries is considerably less than Express (105), Surfshark (100) and PIA (91), though it’s more than Nord (60). Proton VPN is a solid pick for privacy-conscious travelers, and -- assuming you’re visiting one of the three countries its no-cost tier supports -- is a terrific free VPN.