Best VPN Providers With Premium Features

ProtonMail and ProtonVPN are the brainchildren of scientists at CERN, where the original World Wide Web was developed. Proton is based in Switzerland, where personal privacy and online-data privacy are constitutionally protected rights. According to the Proton website, their vision was, "to build an internet that puts people before profits, create a world where everyone is in control of their digital lives, and make digital freedom a reality." Both ProtonMail and ProtonVPN offer free versions, as well as several paid packages.

Optimized Servers

If you're into downloading files via torrent, you'll be happy to know that ProtonVPN offers dedicated servers that facilitate smooth peer-to-peer file transfers without exposing you to government surveillance, hackers, or malicious materials. These optimized P2P servers offer impressive speeds due to a proprietary speed accelerator. Using a 100-Mbps connection, you should get download speeds of 65-to-85 Mbps. Even more impressive, those who enjoy live-streaming via their webcam should find the upload speeds extremely impressive. The ping-rate can be a touch high, though, making it less than ideal for high-end gaming.

Proton also manages Secure Core Servers at "high-security data centers" located in "countries selected specifically for their strong privacy laws (Iceland, Switzerland, and Sweden)." The servers in Switzerland and Sweden are housed in underground facilities, while those in Iceland are on a retired military base. The servers are owned, shipped, installed, operated, and maintained exclusively by Proton, in stark contrast to the many VPNs that outsource their servers and their maintenance. These Secure Core Servers use IPs from Proton's dedicated network and registry, ensuring the highest level of security.

In addition, Proton's 2000 servers all have full-disk encryption, meaning all the of the configurations and keys used by the software are unique. Were someone to breach all the aforementioned security measures and gain access to a physical server, they would still have no access to the encryption keys. Proton also offers VPN over Tor, for those who enjoy using the Onion.

Speed Accelerator

Another impressive feature is the ProtonVPN Speed Accelerator, which can increase speeds on throttled networks by as much as 400%. ISPs throttle internet speeds for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they just need to limit bandwidth so that everyone in that area can enjoy relatively comparable internet speeds. Sometimes they do it to dis-incentivize downloads and data-heavy uploads. On the other hand, sometimes they do it because they've been paid by some other entity that wants their data to enjoy priority treatment. If you suspect your ISP is knowingly decreasing your speeds, the Proton Accelerator could be the ticket to faster internet speeds.

Extra Security Features

In addition to it's Core Servers, ProtonVPN has several security features designed to protect your system from hackers. NetSheild is a defensive system that blocks all invasive materials, including ads, malware, and trackers. If you're tired of getting bombarded by ads just because you searched for something one time, this is a great way to avoid them. The default setting is "Block Malware Only," and you can adjust it to "Block malware, ads, & trackers," or "Don't Block." The latter is extremely ill-advised, as your system will face an onslaught of attacks. 9Ranks advises you block everything, even if it costs you a bit of speed. Be advised, however, that even this system can't block YouTube's ads.

Security Bundle

ProtonVPN is available as part of large bundle of services called Proton Unlimited. The plan includes 500 GB of secured storage, 15 email addresses (ProtonMail), unlimited messaging, 10 high-speed VPN connections, a secure calendar that can be shared with others, DDoS protection, and email aliases.

With approximately 10 millions users accessing 5400 servers in 60 countries, NordVPN is a world-class VPN service provider for business or personal use. The platform offers all the features one can possibly need, including dedicated servers for various activities, static-IP addresses (with the Business Account), split-tunneling, and a host of security features. Businesses seeking specialized support can contact NordVPN and construct a VPN account custom tailored to their company's needs.

Optimized Servers

Not only does NordVPN have one of the largest server fleets on the market, the company has divided the fleet into categories, with servers devoted to various purposes. For example, when you're on a regular server, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can identify the fact that you're using a VPN, even if it can't see what exactly you're doing on it. Some ISPs will penalize you for this, by throttling or even blocking your activity. It's quite common for them to do so when they suspect you're downloading material via a file-sharing mechanism (torrenting).

Enter NordVPN's "obfuscation" servers. These servers are designed to hide the fact that you're on a VPN. Not only can't the ISP or government determine what you're doing, they won't even notice any difference if your activity. This allows you to get around many types of restrictions, including the highly-restrictive efforts of countries like Turkey, China, and the UAE. If you need extra protection, but not quite on the level of an obfuscation server, there's always NordVPN's Double-VPN servers, which run your actual IP through a VPN IP, and then that IP through yet another VPN.

The other option is to run your VPN over The Onion Router (Tor), which is a software system that allows you to use the internet anonymously. It's called an "onion" because it's a multi-overlay network with thousands of relays. Each of these options improves security, with the obfuscation servers offering the most. In exchange for the added security of an obfuscated server, however, you sacrifice a lot of speed, because these servers have to perform many more "actions" to protect you.

Extra Security Features

NordVPN offers two important security features: Nord Threat Protection, and Dark-Web Crawler. Threat Protection is a comprehensive ad-and-malware blocker designed to block all the annoying pop-up ads you encounter on the internet, as well as any malicious features a website or download might have hidden away. For example, whenever you download a file via p2p, you risk exposure to malicious software hidden within the file. You get the movie you wanted, but you also get a virus or a worm. Threat Protection recognizes malicious materials and blocks them before they infest your computer.

The other feature is the Dark-Web Monitor, which crawls the seediest alleyways of the internet, looking for signs of a data breach. If you're email or other data has been leaked, the crawler will notify your immediately, so you can take action before you're hacked. Very few VPN service providers offer such a sophisticated feature.

Dedicated-IP

A dedicated/fixed/static IP is an important option for any business that processes payments online, as the payment processing system can't hunt for new IPs all the time. It requires a fixed point through which it can route all data. NordVPN offers fixed-IP addresses as a monthly add-on, but the service isn't cheap. Make sure you actually need this before tripling your monthly VPN bill.

ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN service providers in the world, with over 3 million active subscribers. ExpressVPN has over 3000 servers spread out across 90 countries, in addition to its virtual servers. There are versions of the VPN available for all major platforms, including Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. A subscription is limited to 5 devices, but you can circumvent that by running ExpressVPN directly through your router. You can also purchase their proprietary router, Aircove.

Optimized Servers

ExpressVPN's large fleet of servers includes obfuscated servers and obfuscation technology that mask your VPN. Whenever the system detects an attempt to identify you (via a deep-packet inspection), the obfuscation mechanism kicks in. This prevents even the most sophisticated attempts to pinpoint your IP, making it an excellent option for breaching the Chinese Golden Shield. Unlike other top-tier VPNs, however, it's not clear how to link up with an obfuscation server. The servers list doesn't indicate which servers provide obfuscation. There's no doubt it works—in fact, it works extremely well—but the process is automated and out of the user's control, which will likely annoy tech-savvy users.

Proprietary "Lightway" Protocol

While most VPNs run on standard protocols, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard and such, ExpressVPN has its own protocol: Lightway. The protocol is open-sourced, and there's a link to the GitHub code page on the ExpressVPN webpage. The cybersecurity firm Cure53 conducted a complete assessment of Lightway, and a link to that report is also found on the ExpressVPN page.

The Lightway protocol is streamlined, and facilitates blazing speeds. Where many VPNs suffer speed losses of 15% to 20%, ExpressVPN's are often below 5%. This means you can stream and game in 4K with little change, while enjoying the safety and security of a VPN connection. You shouldn't have any trouble getting past Netflix's restrictions (because of the obfuscation tech mentioned above), and Lightway will ensure the streaming quality is top drawer.

Extra Security Features

One of the added features you'll find on ExpressVPN is Threat Manager, a blacklist of sites known to engage in tracking, phishing, and other malicious forms of hacking. One example of how this works is the conspicuous flood of ads you often get, right after searching for a product. Google allows certain third-party advertisers access to your search data, and Threat Manager blocks the activity from those servers. They constantly update the list, so you don't have to worry about pop-ups anymore.

Password Manager

If you've ever struggled to keep track of your passwords, ExpressVPN has a helpful password-management tool: ExpressVPN Keys. This tool allows you to generate strong, alphanumeric passwords for all of your accounts (Gmail, Facebook, Instagram), and to store them all under a master password. The mobile app even allows you to use fingerprint technology as the master password, which obviously increases security. The desktop and mobile apps update and sync automatically.

CyberGhost is a high-end VPN service provider with a huge fleet of servers, the longest money-back guarantee in the business, and an easy-to-use interface. CyberGhost's servers are optimized for various activities, such as streaming, torrenting, and gaming, and CyberGhost is one of only a few VPNs with static-IP options. The service does suffer from serious speed losses, however, which can frustrate gamers and users seeking to download large files. On the other hand, CyberGhost is relatively inexpensive, which is likely attract users looking for affordable VPN options.

Optimized Servers

CyberGhost boasts a 10,000-server fleet—one of the largest of any VPN. The servers are spread out over 90 countries, and the website lists the servers by location and by service. If you're still unhappy with the list, you can "Request a Server" via the CyberGhost homepage. To make things even better, many of the servers are optimized for your specific needs. Along the side of the user-interface you'll find buttons for NoSpy servers, gaming servers, torrenting servers, and streaming servers. In each case, you can select from hundreds of locations.

The NoSpy servers are the most secure, as these servers sit at the CyberGhost headquarters in Bucharest, and are accessible only to CyberGhost employees. The servers are RAM-only, meaning there's nothing to extract from them, even if you manage to steal the physical server. The gaming servers are designed to produce minimal ping, so you don't have to suffer lags during play. By selecting the Ping arrow on the user interface, you can sort the servers by ping, making the selection process that much easier. You can also change the "Maximum Transmission Unit" (MTU) setting to "Gaming," for better speeds.

The torrenting servers are listed by distance, which makes sense, since distance is the main determinate for download speed. Similarly, the streaming servers are listed by country, with an "optimized for" note indicating which streaming service works best. For example, there's an American server optimized for Disney+, another for Netflix, and yet another for Hulu.

If you're happy with a particular server, select the star to save it to your "Favorites" list, where it will show up by relevant category.

Extra Security Features

CyberGhost has a list of security features you can add to your basic plan. The "Security Suite for Windows" includes CyberGhost Antivirus, and CyberGhost Security Updater that searches your system for outdated apps. The "Private Browser" allows you to surf anonymously, while the "Cookie Cleaner" erases all of your activity on demand.

The CyberGhost "Content Blocker" is an excellent feature that successfully blocks attempts at tracking your data, sending unsolicited ads (pop-ups and banners), and infecting your computer with viruses. Users can enable this feature by going to the "Privacy Settings" and turning on the "Block Content" feature. In that settings page, you'll also find the button for "Prevent DNS Leaks," and the "Automatic Kill-Switch." There's also the "Identity Guard," which searches for data breaches involving your email accounts.

Dedicated-IP

There actually aren't that many VPNs offering dedicated/static-IPs, but CyberGhost is one of them. For added security, CyberGhost doesn't save the IP, and your access token is the only way for anyone to use that static-IP. The option is available as an add-on when you purchase your membership, but be prepared to pay quite a bit for it.

Surfshark offers several premium features, in addition to its large server count (over 3200), intuitive user interface, and unlimited-device policy. The company is housed in the Netherlands, which is a member of the Nine-Eyes, but their no-logs policy helps protect you against government intrusions. Sufshark offers excellent versions for all devices, and can be installed directly to a router.

Optimized Servers

Sufshark has over 3200 servers spread out over 60 countries. These RAM-Only servers, along with the company's no-log policy, ensure little cyber footprint. To increase security, Surfshark offers a double-VPN system titled "Multi=Hop." This system work much like other double-VPN technologies: It masks your true IP using a VPN, and then it masks the masked IP using yet another VPN. This means even the second VPN server doesn't have direct access to your original (i.e. true) IP address. The downside of using Multi-Hop is that you'll endure crushing speed-losses, making it far from ideal for day=to-day activity. Think of it as a huge machine you only need for extreme building.

Another service Surshark provides is access to The Onion Router (Tor). This layered router (hence the term "onion") uses a cascade of relays to obfuscate internet traffic. Using VPN over Tor is like wearing an invisibility cloak over a disguise. To be sure, this will also slow down your internet, so use it judiciously.

Extra Security Features

One of the most powerful security features offered by Surfshark is their Geo-Spoofing technology, which allows you to replace your actual location with a fake location. This is particularly useful when visiting countries with restrictive internet policies, such as Iran, China, the UAE, and Turkey.

Another excellent security feature is Surfshark's "CleanWeb," which works as an ad-blocker, data-breach alert, and malware alert. The ad-blocker prevents sites from using cookies and search data to track you and send you annoying pop-ups. The data-breach alert warns you in cases of a data leak, such as the improper use of your email. The malware alert warns you that the page you're about to enter, or the file you're about to download, contain viruses and other malicious materials.

Surfshark also has a proprietary protocol, called Chameleon, which allows you to enter "Camouflage Mode." This mode hides the fact that you're on a VPN,  (Chameleon) hides the fact that you're on a VPN. This helps you bypass sites, streaming services, and other mechanisms that block VPN traffic.

Dedicated-IPs

You can sign up for a dedicated-IP on Surkshark, for an additional cost. This is an important feature for anyone processing payments, as well as companies with remote employees. In both cases, there has to be a consistent address to which outside systems can connect, and obviously you'll want that address protected by a powerful VPN.