VPN Overview

Choosing the right VPN in 2025 can be overwhelming , with so many options promising speed, privacy, and security, it’s hard to know which ones truly deliver. That’s why we’ve personally tested and evaluated the top services to bring you this ranked list of the Top 5 VPNs of 2025. So if you’re looking for a VPN to boost your privacy, security, or streaming experience, you’re in the right place — at VPNsNOW, we tell it like it is.

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ExpressVPN Pros & Cons

After thoroughly testing ExpressVPN across different devices, networks, and use cases, we’ve gathered a clear picture of its strengths and weaknesses. Our evaluation covered streaming performance, speed, security, ease of use, and extra features. Below, we break down what stood out in a positive way, and where ExpressVPN still has room for improvement.

Speed & Performance

It’s normal for VPNs to slow down internet connections a little, since traffic has to travel through an encrypted tunnel. Factors like your location, ISP, device, and the VPN server itself also play a role. Even though there may be a slight drop in speed, a good VPN can still maintain fast and stable performance for streaming, browsing, and downloads.

To see how ExpressVPN performs, we tested it on both a MacBook Air and a Windows VivoBook, comparing speeds with and without the VPN. The results are shown in the table below.

Upload Speed Tests

MacBook Air
Without ExpressVPN	38.02 mbps
With ExpressVPN	23.1 mbps

Windows VivoBook
Without ExpressVPN	64.20 mbps
With ExpressVPN	41.16 mbps

Download Speed Tests

MacBook Air
Without VPN	14 mbps
With VPN	20 mbps

Windows VivoBook
Without VPN	14 mbps
With VPN	19 mbps

ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol makes a real difference here. It connects almost instantly, keeps latency low, and maintains fast speeds, even on distant servers where many VPNs struggle. Lightway is also very stable, quickly re-establishing the connection if your network drops or switches between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

Overall, ExpressVPN delivers consistently fast and reliable performance, making it well-suited for streaming, gaming, and everyday browsing without noticeable slowdowns.

Streaming & Torrenting:

ExpressVPN performs exceptionally well in both streaming and torrenting. When it comes to entertainment, it has no trouble unblocking nearly all major streaming platforms with ease, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more. This makes it a top choice for users who want to access region-locked content without buffering or interruptions.

For torrenting, ExpressVPN is equally reliable. It permits P2P traffic on all of its servers, which span 106 countries, ensuring you always have a fast and stable option for file sharing. In our testing, it achieved an average download speed of 9.4MiB/s, reflecting only about a 6% performance loss compared to a direct connection—excellent for large downloads.

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While port forwarding isn’t supported, ExpressVPN compensates with strong security features. Its kill switch protects your data if the VPN connection drops, and its strict no-logs policy guarantees that no identifiable information is ever stored.

With its blend of streaming accessibility, torrenting support, high speeds, and robust privacy protections, ExpressVPN stands out as one of the most versatile VPNs available.

ExpressVPN Subscription Pricing

ExpressVPN is often considered one of the more premium VPNs on the market, and its pricing reflects that. The service offers three main subscription options: monthly, yearly, and a special biennial plan. While all subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, the cost savings vary significantly depending on the plan you choose.

• Monthly Plan – Priced at $12.95 per month, this is the most expensive option. It’s suitable if you only need short-term coverage but not ideal for long-term use.
• 12-Month Plan – Costs $6.67 per month, billed annually, and comes with 3 extra months free. Although cheaper than paying monthly, it’s still higher than many competitors’ yearly options.
• 24-Month Plan (Best Deal) – With an exclusive 61% discount, this plan brings the cost down to just $4.99 per month. Even better, ExpressVPN includes 4 additional months free, giving you 28 months of service at a very competitive price.

In our ExpressVPN review, we pointed out that the monthly and yearly subscriptions are relatively expensive compared to other VPN providers. For this reason, we usually don’t recommend them. However, the biennial plan is an excellent value, offering substantial savings while maintaining all of ExpressVPN’s premium features.

💡By subscribing through our site, you can unlock this exclusive discount and secure ExpressVPN’s best pricing.

Full ExpressVPN Review

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NordVPN – Among Top 5 VPNs of 2025

NordVPN Pros & Cons

After thoroughly testing NordVPN, we’ve identified its main strengths and a few areas where it could improve. Below is a clear breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right VPN for you.

Exceptional NordVPN Features

Speed & Performance

For all speed tests, we let NordVPN automatically choose the best protocol by setting the desktop apps (Windows, macOS, and Linux) to Automatic mode rather than selecting a protocol manually. This ensured the results reflected the VPN’s default performance.

The table below shows a summary of NordVPN’s speed test results:

Test Type	Performance	Comparison
Same-Country Connection	4% speed drop	Almost as good as ExpressVPN (2%)
International Connection	86 Mbps average download speed (on 100 Mbps base connection)	Roughly matched ExpressVPN
UK Server Performance	Very fast, unblocked local TV easily	Faster than ExpressVPN
Canada Server Performance	Very fast, unblocked local TV easily	Faster than ExpressVPN
Server Coverage	127 countries	More than any other VPN
Connection Stability	Stable and interruption-free across all locations	Not compromised despite wide reach

Streaming & Torrenting:

NordVPN excels at bypassing geo-restrictions on major streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime , and more. Offering a smooth and reliable viewing experience. In our tests, its US servers accessed American Netflix without any issues. It also unlocks Netflix libraries in the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, Australia, India, and Italy, plus many other regions that are likely to work just as well.

NordVPN offers specialized servers designed specifically for torrenting , making it an excellent choice for secure and high-speed P2P downloads. Its dedicated P2P servers provide optimized connections, while the SOCKS5 proxy adds extra speed and privacy. Users can enjoy fast download speeds without compromising security, as NordVPN employs strong encryption to keep your identity safe from prying eyes. For the best experience, select a P2P server from NordVPN’s Specialty servers list, which ensures reliable connections and optimal performance. Recent testing confirms that NordVPN is one of the top 5 VPNs for torrenting, offering a combination of speed, safety, and anonymity for a seamless torrenting experience.

Pricing Plans :

• $11.99/mo
• $7.50/mo over 6 months
• $2.03/mo over 39 months

Guarantee and customer support: All NordVPN subscriptions come with a 30-day refund policy, letting you try the service safely. Users also get access to round-the-clock live chat and plenty of setup guides and tutorials

💡30-day money-back guarantee, coupon applied automatically

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Surfshark – Budget Pick in Top 5 VPNs of 2025

Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN—just $1.99/month for 28 months—that pairs affordability with robust privacy protections. Based in the Netherlands, it follows an audited no-logs policy.

Its apps include advanced features like GPS spoofing, multi-hop servers, and rotating IP addresses, all within a user-friendly interface that makes server selection and protocol changes easy.

However, it has some downsides: slower long-distance speeds, occasional IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch that isn’t enabled by default.

Surfshark Pros & Cons

If you’re looking for a powerful yet affordable VPN, Surfshark offers unbeatable value with unlimited device connections. It delivers strong privacy and security features, a wide server network, and plenty of extras for a low cost. However, to get the best protection and performance, you should enable the kill switch, be mindful of potential IPv6 leaks, and expect some speed drops on long-distance connections.

Speed & Performance

After testing Surfshark across multiple servers and platforms, we found that it suffers from slower connection times and speeds compared to top competitors like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. However, its network of 3,200+ servers across 100 countries helps minimize congestion and maintain stable connections. The new FastTrack feature—currently limited to macOS and select locations, can also boost speeds by optimizing connection paths and improving performance.

Streaming & Torrenting

Surfshark is an excellent choice for streaming and accessing restricted content. With servers in over 100 countries worldwide, it provides reliable access to 16+ global Netflix libraries and most major streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+. It also offers user-friendly, dedicated mobile applications for both Android and iOS, making it a versatile VPN solution for on-the-go streaming.

Surfshark performs well for torrenting, providing stable downloads and uploads. However, due to the absence of port forwarding, upload speeds can be limited, even on dedicated servers. In our tests, upload performance was capped at around 100 Mbps, while download speeds remained strong. By comparison, ProtonVPN, with its port forwarding feature, was able to fully utilize available bandwidth for both uploads and downloads. Therefore, while Surfshark is a solid and reliable VPN, we recommend ProtonVPN as the superior choice for torrenting.

How Much Does a Surfshark Cost?

Surfshark provides three subscription options: Starter, One, and One+.

The Starter plan includes core VPN features like multi-hop, rotating IP, and split tunneling, as well as extras such as an ad blocker, cookie pop-up blocker, and email/identity alias generators.

The One plan adds antivirus protection, while the One+ plan further enhances security with identity theft protection.

Each plan is available on monthly, annual, or two-year terms, with longer commitments offering greater savings.

💡30-day money-back guarantee, coupon applied automatically

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CyberGhost – Easy-to-Use VPN in Top 5 for 2025

CyberGhost, headquartered in Romania, is a user-friendly VPN ideal for beginners. With more than 9,800 servers across 100 countries, it ensures wide coverage and dependable connections. The VPN features specialized servers for streaming, making it simple to access content from around the world, and includes a Smart DNS tool that can unblock apps in locations like the Netherlands and Japan. Additionally, CyberGhost offers a free trial, letting users experience its subscription service without providing payment information.

Overall, CyberGhost is a reliable all-around VPN that excels at the essentials and focuses on a smooth user experience. However, its speeds can be inconsistent and may lag behind other leading VPNs, particularly for international connections.

Full CyberGhost Review

Cyberghost Pros & Cons

CyberGhost Features

CyberGhost VPN delivers a versatile set of features to enhance both security and performance. It supports modern VPN protocols like WireGuard for faster and more reliable connections. Users also benefit from key tools such as a dedicated IP, kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection, ensuring privacy, stability, and a smooth browsing experience.

View details

Speed & Performance

Our testing showed that CyberGhost struggles with speed consistency, particularly on long-distance connections. International downloads averaged 79Mbps, falling behind competitors like ExpressVPN (83Mbps). However, this isn’t the case for all servers, CyberGhost VPN’s speeds vary significantly by server location and are generally lower on more distant servers.

Using the WireGuard protocol can improve CyberGhost’s performance, but slowdowns still happen, often resulting in blurry live streams and slower downloads. In comparison, competitors like ExpressVPN and NordVPN generally maintain faster and more stable speeds, even over long-distance connections.

Streaming & Torrenting

CyberGhost has significantly improved its streaming performance, now reliably unblocking major platforms like Netflix (10 regions), Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Paramount Plus, and Peacock. The VPN stands out with its Smart DNS service, which effectively bypasses geo-restrictions in the US, UK,Germany ,Germany, Netherlands and Japan, with tailored setups for Hulu and Netflix (US and UK).

CyberGhost also makes streaming simple with over 100 servers optimized for specific platforms worldwide, giving users access to a vast range of international libraries.

In testing, it delivered smooth playback across multiple devices, including laptops, mobiles, and Fire TV Stick. While it promotes itself as an Apple TV VPN, CyberGhost doesn’t yet have a dedicated Apple TV app, something offered by competitors like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. However, the company has confirmed that an Apple TV app is expected by the end of 2025.

Beyond streaming, CyberGhost also excels at torrenting with specialized servers across 80+ countries, offering fast, reliable P2P downloads and seamless file-sharing that puts it ahead of many competitors.

Pricing Plan

Pricing starts at $2.19 per month with a 2-year plan, plus 3 months free.

💡CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, the longest among leading VPN providers.

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Proton VPN – Privacy Leader in Top 5 VPNs of 2025

Why Proton VPN is one of Top 5 VPNs of 2025:

Developed by the team behind ProtonMail, Proton VPN stands out as the most privacy-focused VPN of 2025. It is headquartered in Switzerland, a country known for its strict data protection laws.

ProtonVPN Pros & Cons

Key Features:

Speed & Performance:

Proton VPN has dramatically improved its speed in 2025, thanks to the integration of the WireGuard protocol. With more than 14,900 servers in 122 countries, it generally delivers strong performance for travel, streaming, and everyday browsing. In testing, the VPN showed an average speed loss of only 15.4%, and in practice, it barely affected connection quality, whether on fiber or satellite internet.

However, despite these improvements, the paid version has fallen behind several top rivals in recent speed tests. Even using WireGuard, Proton’s local download speeds are consistently slower than ExpressVPN and NordVPN. We also noticed some deceleration on both nearby and distant servers. While Proton VPN is still a solid option with wide coverage, its overall value is not quite as strong as higher-ranked competitors.

Streaming & Torrenting

For both streaming and torrenting, Proton VPN stands out. It supports port forwarding and offers dedicated servers optimized for P2P use, making it especially good for torrenting. While every VPN slows your internet slightly because data passes through an extra server, Proton VPN keeps this minimal, averaging only a 15.4% speed drop. Although it’s not quite as fast as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, it still ranks among the fastest VPNs available.

To put this into perspective, streaming 4K video on Netflix requires 15 Mbps. Even if your base connection is only 25 Mbps, Proton’s impact shouldn’t cause issues. In everyday use, including demanding tasks like streaming, downloading games, or watching movies, Proton VPN ran smoothly with no noticeable buffering.

With more than 14,900 servers in 122 countries, Proton also offers one of the largest networks in the industry. This makes it a strong choice for travelers who need reliable connections worldwide. Whether you want to connect to a nearby server for privacy or one back home to bypass geo-blocks, Proton gives you plenty of options. It reliably unblocks global streaming platforms, including foreign Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, and CBC Gem.

ProtonVPN Pricing Plans

Proton VPN pricing is competitive: a free plan is available,

while paid plans cost $10 per month, $60 for the first year, or $108 for two years, renewing at $80 annually. This makes it more affordable than some major competitors like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and multiple payment options (credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin),

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What to Look for When Choosing a VPN in 2025

Security & Privacy

Look for AES-256 encryption, kill switch, no-logs policy, and extra features like Double VPN or Secure Core.

Server Network

More servers and wider geographic distribution mean better performance and more access to global content.

Streaming & Torrenting

Make sure the VPN unblocks major platforms and supports P2P traffic if you download torrents.

Speed

Choose a VPN with WireGuard, NordLynx, or Lightway for the best speed and reliability.

Device Compatibility

Ensure the VPN works across all your devices—Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Smart TVs, routers, etc.

Customer Support

Look for providers that offer 24/7 live chat, email support, and a comprehensive knowledge base.

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Final Thoughts – Which VPN Should You Choose in 2025?

When it comes to the best VPNs of 2025, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Each of the top 5 VPNs on this list excels in different areas:

• Choose NordVPN for the best all-around performance.
• Go with ExpressVPN if streaming and global access are your priority.
• Pick Surfshark for a budget-friendly option with unlimited devices.
• Try CyberGhost if you’re a beginner looking for an easy-to-use interface.
• Use Proton VPN if privacy and transparency are your top concerns.

Whatever your needs, using a VPN is a smart, necessary step toward protecting your digital life. Choose wisely—and enjoy a faster, safer, and more open internet.

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Check out our Top-rated Free VPN Trials for 2025 to explore more options.