The VPN market has never been more crowded — or more important. With an estimated 1.6 billion people now using a VPN regularly, it is clear that privacy-conscious internet users have made VPNs mainstream. But with hundreds of providers making near-identical promises, separating the genuinely good from the mediocre requires real testing.
We tested seven leading VPNs over three months across multiple device types and use cases — streaming, torrenting, gaming, remote work, and general privacy browsing. Here are our findings.
Why You Need a VPN in 2025
- Your ISP can legally log and sell your browsing activity in many countries.
- Public Wi-Fi (airports, cafes, hotels) remains a significant security risk.
- Geo-restricted content limits what you can watch and access based on your location.
- Growing digital surveillance means your online activity is more monitored than ever.
- Many websites and apps apply regional pricing — a VPN can access better deals.
1. Surfshark — Best Overall Value
Surfshark's biggest selling point is unlimited simultaneous connections — meaning one subscription covers your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, router, and any other device without any limit. For families or multi-device households, this alone makes it exceptional value.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries
- Consistently fast speeds (tested avg. 380 Mbps on a 500 Mbps connection)
- Excellent streaming support — works with Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+
- CleanWeb feature blocks ads and malware at the VPN level
- No-logs policy audited by Deloitte
- Cheap long-term plans (under £2/month on 2-year plan)
Cons
- Monthly plan is expensive compared to the annual price
- Speeds vary on some server locations (especially far-east Asia)
- Customer support chat can be slow at peak hours
2. FastestVPN — Best for Budget Users
FastestVPN punches well above its price point. Lifetime deal plans make it one of the cheapest VPN options on the market, and while it does not compete head-to-head with Surfshark or NordVPN on features, it covers the essentials reliably.
Pros
- Lifetime plans available for a one-time payment
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Supports streaming on major platforms
- WireGuard protocol for faster speeds
- No-logs policy
- Includes malware and ad blocker
Cons
- Smaller server network (900+ servers, 50+ countries)
- Speeds noticeably slower than premium providers
- Support less responsive than top-tier providers
- Fewer advanced privacy features
3. NordVPN — Best for Power Users
NordVPN is the closest thing to an industry gold standard. Its Threat Protection feature combines VPN, malware blocking, and ad filtering in a single product. Double VPN routing through two servers provides an extra layer of obfuscation for high-risk environments. It is pricier than Surfshark but justified for users with serious privacy requirements.
4. ExpressVPN — Best for Speed
ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol delivers consistently the fastest speeds we tested — often achieving 90%+ of baseline connection speed with the VPN active. The trade-off is price: it is the most expensive mainstream VPN and costs nearly double Surfshark's long-term plan.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| VPN | Servers | Max Devices | Avg Speed | Cheapest Plan/mo | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | 3,200+ | Unlimited | 380 Mbps | ~£1.79 | Overall value |
| FastestVPN | 900+ | 10 | 180 Mbps | ~£0.83 (lifetime) | Budget |
| NordVPN | 6,400+ | 10 | 360 Mbps | ~£2.49 | Privacy features |
| ExpressVPN | 3,000+ | 8 | 450 Mbps | ~£5.32 | Raw speed |
Surfshark and FastestVPN both regularly run 80–85% off promotions. Check our VPN Deals page for active discount codes — these limited-time offers can dramatically reduce the cost of a 2-year plan.
How to Choose the Right VPN for You
- Streaming-first? → Surfshark or ExpressVPN have the most reliable unblocking.
- Tight budget? → FastestVPN lifetime deal is unbeatable on pure cost.
- Maximum privacy? → NordVPN with Double VPN + Threat Protection.
- Multiple devices in one household? → Surfshark (unlimited connections wins every time).
- Just want something reliable and fast? → Surfshark hits the sweet spot of price and performance.
Final Thoughts
There is no bad choice among our top picks — any of them will provide meaningful privacy protection and access to geo-restricted content. That said, Surfshark's combination of unlimited devices, strong speeds, and aggressive pricing makes it our recommendation for most users in 2025. If price is your primary concern, FastestVPN's lifetime deals offer excellent long-term value.