Top 10 Secure VPNs
Our Top 10 Secure VPNs
Here is our pick for the very best VPN when it comes to secure VPNs but of course that is just our opinion and there maybe a VPN that suits your needs more, see our top 10 list below for 10 great secure VPNs.
Make sure you read our in-depth reviews to make sure that the VPN is the right one for you.
ExpressVPN Editor choice
The Top Ten Best Secure VPNs
All of the great VPN services listed below are fantastic all around VPNs that are also great when it comes to secure VPNs.
Make sure you read our in-depth reviews to make sure that the VPN is the right one for you.
ExpressVPN
Surfshark
Nord VPN
Ivacy VPN
Bitdefender VPN
Secure Virtual Private Networks
What is a Secure VPN
A secure VPN is more than just a way to hide your IP address. It’s a private, encrypted tunnel that keeps your online activity away from prying eyes. But what really makes a VPN secure isn’t just the fact that it’s a VPN. It’s about how that VPN is built and how seriously it takes your privacy and data protection. Not all VPNs are created equal. A secure VPN uses strong encryption standards, doesn’t log your data, and is backed by transparent privacy policies. It’s one thing to promise anonymity; it’s another to actually deliver it.
The tech side of things matters too. A secure VPN will use top-tier protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2/IPSec—these are the ones trusted by cybersecurity experts. They’re open-source, battle-tested, and constantly updated to deal with evolving threats. If your VPN provider uses outdated or proprietary protocols without proper transparency, that’s a red flag.
Then there’s the server network. A secure VPN will have servers in multiple countries, often RAM-only, meaning data is wiped clean every time the server reboots. This reduces the risk of long-term data storage and makes it harder for anyone—governments, hackers, or even the VPN provider itself—to collect meaningful information on your usage.
And finally, secure VPNs are the ones that operate under jurisdictions that respect digital privacy. Countries without invasive surveillance laws, like Panama or the British Virgin Islands, are often the go-to for truly private VPN operations. If the company is based in a country with data-sharing agreements or mandatory logging regulations, you’re at greater risk of being tracked—even with a VPN.
So, in simple terms, a secure VPN is one that values your privacy, doesn’t store your data, and uses robust technology to make sure your information stays protected. It’s not about using a VPN; it’s about using one that actually delivers on its promises.
Why You Need a Secure VPN
The internet isn’t as private as we’d like to think. Every click, every search, every download—it’s all tracked. Internet service providers keep logs of your online activity. Governments watch what you’re doing in the name of national security. Advertisers build detailed profiles of who you are, what you like, and where you go. And if you’re on public Wi-Fi? You’re practically leaving the door wide open for anyone to snoop on you. That’s where a secure VPN becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
If you’re accessing sensitive information, whether it’s your banking details or your company’s private files, doing so without a secure VPN leaves you exposed. A secure VPN encrypts your data, which means even if someone intercepts it, they can’t actually read it. That’s especially important in a world where cyberattacks are increasingly common and more sophisticated. You don’t want to be the easy target, and without strong encryption, that’s exactly what you are.
Then there’s the issue of censorship. In some parts of the world, access to basic websites or social media platforms is restricted. Secure VPNs are often the only way around government firewalls. They allow people to bypass those restrictions and communicate freely. Even in countries where censorship isn’t a major issue, content can still be geo-blocked. Want to watch a show that’s only available in the US? Or access a research paper that’s restricted to a specific region? A secure VPN can make that happen by masking your location.
Let’s not forget business users, either. If you’re working remotely or travelling, a secure VPN helps you connect to your company’s network safely. It ensures that any information you transmit—be it emails, documents, or login credentials—doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Ultimately, a secure VPN isn’t just about privacy—it’s about control. It gives you the power to decide what you share, who you share it with, and how your data is used. In a digital world where you’re constantly watched and profiled, having that kind of control is incredibly important.
The Benefits of Secure VPNs
One of the most obvious benefits of a secure VPN is privacy. When you’re online, especially without one, your internet service provider can see everything you do. Websites track your behaviour. Your data is constantly harvested, sold, and used against you through targeted advertising. A secure VPN stops that dead in its tracks. Your IP address is hidden, your traffic is encrypted, and you’re no longer as easy to trace. It’s like slipping into a digital invisibility cloak.
Then there’s security. Public Wi-Fi networks—think coffee shops, airports, hotels—are notoriously easy to hack. It doesn’t take much for a cybercriminal to intercept your connection and gain access to your personal information. A secure VPN makes that incredibly difficult. Even if someone does manage to intercept your data, the encryption means it’ll be unreadable. This kind of protection is crucial not just for individuals, but for businesses with staff working remotely.
Another benefit is bypassing geo-restrictions. Many websites and streaming services limit their content based on your location. If you’re in the UK, for example, you might not be able to access certain US-based services or vice versa. A secure VPN lets you change your virtual location by connecting to servers in different countries. That means unrestricted access to a broader range of content, tools, and platforms.
Secure VPNs also offer peace of mind. They typically include kill switches and DNS leak protection, which means your data won’t be exposed if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. That’s something free or poorly built VPNs often lack, which makes them risky to rely on. Knowing you have proper fail-safes in place takes a lot of the stress out of staying secure online.
Speed used to be a downside of VPNs, but secure ones have largely resolved that issue. Premium services now optimise their networks to offer fast, reliable connections even while encrypting your traffic. So whether you’re streaming, gaming, or working, the performance impact is minimal—and often completely unnoticeable.
Finally, a secure VPN gives you consistency. When your VPN doesn’t log activity and operates from privacy-friendly jurisdictions, you can be confident in the long-term safety of your data. It’s not just about today’s threats—it’s about future-proofing your digital footprint against evolving surveillance and data breaches.
The Negatives of Secure VPNs
While secure VPNs offer a lot, they’re not perfect. First off, they cost money. And not just a little, if you want the best protection. Free VPNs may be tempting, but they’re rarely secure. Many of them log your data and sell it, which completely defeats the purpose. So if you want a truly secure VPN, you’ll need to invest in it—and for some, that monthly or annual subscription can feel like an unnecessary expense.
Then there’s the issue of trust. Even if a VPN claims it doesn’t log your data, you have to take their word for it unless they’ve been audited by a third party or been put to the test in court. Some providers have made promises they didn’t keep. Without transparency and independent verification, you’re essentially placing your trust in another company—not too different from trusting your internet provider in the first place.
Another downside is that some websites and services actively block VPNs. Netflix, for example, works hard to detect and stop VPN traffic. That means you might have to constantly switch servers or deal with access issues. It can be frustrating, especially if streaming was one of your main reasons for using a VPN in the first place.
There’s also the learning curve. While secure VPNs try to be user-friendly, not everyone finds them easy to set up or use. Choosing the right server, managing connection settings, enabling kill switches or split tunnelling—it can get a bit technical. And if you configure things wrong, you might actually expose yourself without realising it.
Performance, while better than it used to be, can still be a problem. Some VPN servers might be overcrowded or located far from your physical location, leading to slower speeds or higher latency. If you’re gaming, video conferencing, or working with large files, even a slight dip in performance can be noticeable.
And finally, there’s the issue of legality. In some countries, using a VPN is restricted or outright banned. Getting caught with one could lead to fines or legal trouble. Even in places where VPNs are legal, using them to access certain types of content might still violate terms of service or local regulations. So while you may be technically protected, you’re not always fully in the clear.
