If you've been on the internet for any length of time, you're bound to have encountered an advert or a sponsored segment in a YouTube video talking about something called a VPN – but what are VPNs and why do you need one?
A virtual private network (VPN) is an online privacy tool with two main uses – to bolster your online security and to help you access content that isn't available in your country. If this sounds complicated, don't worry - you don't need to be a tech expert to get started.
The TechRadar team has put the best VPNs to the test to figure out which providers offer the most user-friendly experience. Keep scrolling, and you'll find my analysis of each service and a rundown of their features, unblocking power, and overall value for money.
The three best beginner VPNs in 2024
The best VPN for beginners in 2024:
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Best beginner VPN overall
✔️You need a user-friendly experience: ExpressVPN offers easy-to-use apps that any beginner can quickly understand and use.
✔️ You want to access content in other countries: ExpressVPN's reliable unblocking capabilities (and servers around the world) make it an ideal choice for avid streamers.
✔️ If you use split tunneling: ExpressVPN routes necessary VPN traffic while sending other traffic directly to the internet, improving speed for streaming and gaming.
❌ You're a bargain hunter: if your budget is tight, NordVPN is the cheaper option.
❌ You need tons of connections: while ExpressVPN's simultaneous connection limit of 8 devices is pretty generous, busier households may need unlimited connections (offered by Surfshark).
🔒 ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for anyone unfamiliar with VPNs, offering beginner-friendly apps, a huge choice of server locations, and super-fast connections. See why it's my #1 pick with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Have a look at our in-depth ExpressVPN review for a closer look and see why it's the top beginner VPN pick for 2024.
ExpressVPN claims the top spot in my rankings thanks to its clean interface across all of its apps (available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS). Some VPNs are incredibly difficult to navigate, even if you're a tech veteran, and stuffed with clutter and features you'll rarely use. ExpressVPN keeps things simple – advanced tools are there if you need them (like split tunneling), but the basics are outstanding, and automations handle a lot of complicated configurations that other services would expect you to do yourself.
I particularly like the big, friendly power-switch button that'll turn ExpressVPN on and off. All you need to do is download the app, log in, and you're done. You also have the option to scroll through the server list to pick out a specific location in the country of your choice.
► Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is an outstanding streaming VPN, too. This is thanks, in part, to its massive network of servers in 94 countries – which give you access to shows, movies, and more from around the world. That's ideal for folks who want to make the most of their Netflix subscriptions by checking out international libraries, or frequent fliers who need to up with their favorite sports team while they're overseas.
In terms of speed, NordVPN and Surfshark are quicker than ExpressVPN. However, this doesn't mean that the service is a slouch. ExpressVPN's speeds are more than you need for day-to-day browsing, gaming, and 4K/HD streaming. On my 1.3Gb home connection, I averaged over 800 Mbs download speed. There’s always going to be a slight loss in speed when you use a VPN, but this is still easily 30 times faster than your connection needs to be for 4K streaming and guarantees low ping for online gaming, too.
If you do run into any issues, or want to figure out which server to join for a specific activity, the ExpressVPN customer service team is fantastic. I've always received speedy solutions to even the most techy questions – but the agents are more than happy to help beginners, too. You can reach out via live chat 24/7, which is handy, and means you won't have to wait around for answers.
ExpressVPN is my all-around top pick for beginners due to its combination of user-friendly apps, solid connection speeds, military-grade encryption, and a wide choice of server locations that you can access with a click of a button.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A clean and simple design that's easy for beginners to get to grips with | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Easy-to-use apps with auto-connect functionality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fast enough for any streaming and gaming you could want, but not the fastest in our testing. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Gives you access to content around the world | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | ExpressVPN offers military-grade protection for total peace of mind | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Always available through live chat or email | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | More expensive than some other offerings | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best budget VPN for beginners
✔️You need an inexpensive pick: Surfshark may be cheaper than other providers, but it doesn't pull punches when it comes to features.
✔️ If you have lots of devices: Surfshark is a great choice for busy households with lots of phones, PCs, and consoles as it offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
✔️ You need all-in-one security: the Surfshark One offering includes both antivirus and data breach protection that'll keep your identity secure.
❌ You do a lot of torrenting: Surfshark is great at lots of things, including torrenting, but PIA is more reliable when it comes to P2P.
❌ You want more server locations: 143 locations is probably plenty, but ExpressVPN offers even more (if you need them).
🔒 Surfshark is a great choice for beginners looking for a budget-conscious, user-friendly VPN that allows you to connect as many devices as you need, whenever you need. Try before you buy with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our Surfshark VPN report for an in-depth look at one of the most popular VPNs around.
Our second choice of beginner VPN is another well known provider. Surfshark has been around since 2018 and has made a name for itself as a reliable, low-cost VPN provider that we think is a great choice, especially for those households with a large number of devices that might need to connect all at once, as it is one of the few VPN providers to offer unlimited simultaneous connections.
Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark’s app is easy for beginners to use and getting started is as simple as downloading the app to your device of choice, logging in, and hitting the Quick-connect button. Surfshark also provides a list of alternate locations right next to the connect button. One nifty feature in the app is that you can even test the current connection speeds for every location at the click of a button, ensuring you always know which server is the fastest.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Speaking of fast servers, Surfshark is no slouch when it comes to connection speeds. In my testing I found that it offered speeds that were around the 960Mbs mark, which shows it barely slows down my 1.3Gb home connection. This means it’s more than fast enough for any sort of streaming, gaming, or downloading your household might need to do.
As with all the VPNs we recommend, Surfshark is a great choice for anyone looking to access streaming services in other countries. By connecting to a server in a foreign location, you’ll be able to open access to the libraries of Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and more. They even offer slightly more server locations than some other providers, with over 100 countries to choose from.
Surfshark is another strong pick for beginners, with user-friendly apps, competitive pricing, unlimited connections for all your devices and 24x7 live chat support should you encounter any issues.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Easy to use and elegant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Connecting only takes a few clicks—ideal for newbies | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest providers we tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks virtually everything you'll need | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Not a comprehensive antivirus or ad-blocking solution, and some kill switch issues | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Browsing support articles isn't as intuitive as I'd like | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Real value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN on the market
✔️ You're an avid gamer: NordVPN's Meshnet feature is available to all users, allowing up to 60 devices acess to your network, allowing you to host that Minecraft server for your friends that you've always wanted.
✔️ Security is a priority: while all the VPN providers we recommend take security seriously, NordVPN goes the extra mile with built-in ad-blocking, anti-virus and dark web monitoring to protect you online.
❌ You want a clean interface: NordVPN's apps aren't as clean and slick as some, with other options on this list being more beginner-friendly.
❌ You need a lot of connections: NordVPN's 6 device is limit is better than some, and way better than a free VPN, but others offer more, and some even offer unlimited connections for all your devices.
🔒NordVPN makes unblocking content and has always been a great choice for beginners and professionals alike. Try out NordVPN for yourself and check out its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our comrephensive NordVPN review to see why we think it's one of the best choices for anyone who needs a VPN.
One of the most recognisable names around, NordVPN has been in business for just over 12 years, and it ticks all the boxes you could want in a VPN provider, offering rock solid security, access to streaming services all around the world and support for all the major operating systems and devices. NordVPN even offers a Linux client for the more technically minded of you out there.
In terms of usability, NordVPN’s interface isn’t as clean or as immediately user-friendly as some of the other choices on this list. After you log in, you’re presented with Nord’s dashboard, and this can feel rather cluttered to begin with, but it’s less intimidating than it looks! The only thing you need when you’re getting started is the “Quick Connect” button. Clicking into the “VPN” option in the sidebar brings up a far more user-friendly map showing all the various locations you can connect to along with a list of specialised servers that you can investigate once you’re comfortable with using the app.
▶Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
There are no speed concerns while using NordVPN either. Testing on my home connection showed an average of about a 10% loss in speed, depending on where in the world I connected to. One thing that’s the same from one VPN to another is that the further away the server is, the greater the impact on your connection, so unless you’re trying to access content in another country, it’s always best to pick a server close to you.
NordVPN is another great choice when it comes to both streaming and online privacy. It works with all the major streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Max and Disney+ and for those of you with Apple TV devices, NordVPN are one of the only providers to offer a dedicated tvOS app.
As well as the core VPN service, NordVPN offers a number of other useful services such as cloud storage, a password manager, and they’re one of the only providers to offer online scam and fraud insurance to help make sure you’re not left out of pocket should the worst happen.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A feature-packed user interface that can get cluttered | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Easy to start, but more advanced options are harder to spot | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Super-fast speeds make streaming a breeze | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks Netflix, Disney+, and many others | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Tough encryption and security tools keep your data out of danger | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Expert advice is available 24/7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Great deal when you count in everything that it features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Our top beginners pick for gamers
✔️You need plenty of time to test a VPN: with an unmatched 45-day money-back-guarantee, you've got plenty of time to make sure CyberGhost is right for you
✔️ You're looking for a reliable gaming VPN: with lots of server locations around the world, fast connections and low ping, CyberGhost VPN ensures you won't ever lost a match due to lag.
✔️ You want a beginner-friendly VPN: CyberGhost's clean and straight-forward apps make this a great choice for those who want a simple, easy-to-use VPN.
❌ You mainly stream Disney+: while CyberGhost works with most streaming services, it struggles to reliably unblock Disney+ at the moment.
❌ You own lots of devices: While CyberGhost's simultaneous connection limit of 7 devices is generous, busier households might need more than this.
🔒 CyberGhost VPN is an excellent choice for anyone just getting started with VPNs. It offers an easy-to-use app, a wide choice of server locations and fast connections that allow you to browse and game quickly and easily.
You can find out everything you need to know about this popular provider in our CyberGhost VPN review.
Our third pick is CyberGhost, a VPN provider that’s been around for nearly 20 years at this point, so they certainly know what they’re doing when it comes to VPNs. As with our other choices, they offer apps for all the major platforms such as Windows, iOS, Mac, and Android. You can also install it directly on your router to protect your entire home network.
The CyberGhost app goes the minimalist route, with there being almost nothing in the way of text to distract from the big "start a connection" power button. The closest server will automatically be picked, though you can easily switch to a different country if you need to access content abroad and CyberGhost offers a generous 7 simultaneous connections limit for those with plenty of devices that need the protection of a VPN.
▶ Try CyberGhost with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
As with our other choices, CyberGhost is no slouch if you need a fast VPN for streaming, torrenting, or online gaming. On my 1.3Gb home connection I saw download speeds over 900Mb during testing, easily comparable to ExpressVPN and Surfshark, so even though a VPN will always slow your connection a little, you don’t need to worry that your connection will become laggy or unusable.
For those of you looking to access streaming services in other parts of the world, CyberGhost is a great option, able to easily unblock overseas libraries for Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Max, BBC iPlayer, and more.
CyberGhost is one of the most affordable VPN providers around. It offers a confirmed no-logs policy, military grade-encryption, and the option of NoSpy servers for additional security, all backed by a 45-day money-back-guarantee. For advanced users, there's even offer the ability to pay for your subscription with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Simple and intuitive for beginners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Perfect for beginners and anyone wanting a simple experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Decent speeds that are great for torrenting, streaming and gaming online | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Dedicated streaming servers, works with most major streaming services | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Good security, plus a third-party audit from Deloitte | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Agents are helpful, but support site content could be improved | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Excellent value and competitive feature | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best customizable VPN
✔️ You're looking to torrent: PIA has dedicated P2P servers, and the speeds you'll need for quick downloads.
✔️ You want to connect more than 10 devices: with PIA, you get unlimited simultaneous connections for less then the cost of NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
❌ You're a Disney+ subscriber: unfortunately PIA can't reliably access Disney+. If this is something you really need then ExpressVPN is a better choice.
❌ You're an avid online gamer: performance spikes can cause issues when gaming, and noody wants to lose an online match thanks to lag or an unstable connection.
🔒Private Internet Access is a great provider with bargain prices. Take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee to try it out for yourself.
Learn everything you need to know about this provider and why we think it's a great beginner's option by checking out our Private Internet Access review.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the only other providers to offer unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you never need to worry about how many devices you install your VPN app on. They have apps available for all the most popular operating systems and browsers, and they’re one of the few to offer an extension specifically for the Opera web browser.
PIA’s app follows a similar design to CyberGhost, with there being almost nothing beyond a big, friendly power-button-styled connect button. Beneath that you have the server you’ve currently selected and under that, it shows you your real-world IP address, and what IP address you will have when you connect to the VPN. It’s a sleek, simple, user-friendly interface, perfect for beginners.
▶Try PIA with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
In terms of speeds, PIA is not the fastest VPN in this list, but it’s still more than quick enough for all your streaming, gaming, or torrenting needs. During home testing on my 1.3Gb connection, I saw speeds of about 800Mb when connected to my nearest server location. That makes PIA slower than some of the other choices in this list, but still more than fast enough for all your online activities. It was also the fastest to connect out of any of the VPNS on this list, connecting to the chosen server almost instantly.
For those looking to access streaming services in other countries, PIA is another excellent choice. With specific servers optimized for streaming to give you the best performance available, PIA can unblock all the big players including Hulu, Netflix and BBC iPlayer though some of the other providers on this list do work with a wider range of streaming services.
As with the other providers on this list, PIA offers a variety of additional services and features, including dedicated IP addresses, an adblocker, and an antivirus solution among other features pitched for more advanced users. We think PIA is an all-around great choice as a beginner VPN, especially for those households with a lot of devices.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Smooth and clean, with intuitive navigation | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Beginners might be put off by the level of customization on offer | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | A strong contender, although other market leaders are quicker | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks most major streaming platforms though struggles with Disney+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | An audited no-logs service with tough encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Expert advice available to support new users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Good prices for lots of functionality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to pick a VPN for beginners
With so many VPNs to choose from, and so many different reasons to use one, there is no one one-size-fits-all answer for which is the "best" VPN. The choice you make will depend on your specific circumstances. However, there are a few key things to keep in mind before you choose a role in picking the best beginner VPN provider.
- Ease of use: all of my recommendations offer easy-to-use apps that do not require in-depth technical knowledge to get up and running as well as support for all major platforms and devices.
- Apps and simultaneous connections: an important factor when picking a VPN provider is how many simultaneous connections they allow. Some offer unlimited connections, while others impose limits.
- Security: a VPN that doesn’t protect you online is no help to anyone. The most reliable picks offer the highest AES-256 encryption to protect your devices as well as other useful tools such as adblockers and antivirus.
- Speed: there’s nothing worse than a slow internet connection. All the VPNs I recommend have servers located all over the globe, guaranteeing that you'll have a fast connection no matter where you are.
- Price: the cost of a VPN will vary hugely depending on the provider, and on whether you’re looking to pay monthly, yearly, or even multi-yearly.
The best beginner VPN FAQs
What is the best beginner VPN?
The answer ultimately depends on where in the world you are, what devices you want to protect, and what content you are looking to access, but I think ExpressVPN is the best all-around choice for beginners. It uses strong encryption, has easy-to-use apps for all major platforms, and has servers all over the world to guarantee a fast connection wherever you are.
Should I use a free VPN?
Free VPNs certainly have their uses, and can offer an additional layer of security in a pinch, but they cannot match the functionality of a paid VPN. Many free apps will heavily limit the number of devices you can connect with, as well as limit the amount of data you can use each day or month, making them almost useless for any data-heavy activity like streaming or torrenting. Free VPNs must also make their money some other way, so you will either find yourself bombarded by adverts or, potentially, end up having your data sold on to a third party.
How do I set up a VPN?
Once you’ve picked a provider, you’ll need to download the app. On Windows and Mac, this will most likely be from the VPN company’s website. If you’re on a mobile device then it'll be from your app store of choice. Once you have it installed, it’ll ask you for your login information. This is usually the same information you provided when you first signed up, but not always!
After that, all you need to do is connect to a server manually or let your provider do it for you, by selecting the quick connect option.
Are VPNs hard to use?
The simple answer here is – It depends. Once upon a time, VPNs were only for the technical-minded, and there are still some VPN companies out there that require you to do a lot of manual setup and configuration which makes them a poor choice for a beginner. However, all the VPNs I recommend come with easy-to-use apps that do all the work for you.
Once you’ve got them installed, all you need to do is choose a country, click the connect button and you’re online. Once you’re comfortable with the basic functionality, then you can start to look at the other functions your VPN client might offer such as ad-blocking.
Which VPN is the safest?
My recommendations each use the strongest AES-256 encryption, guaranteeing that nobody will be able to access your online activities while you are connected to the VPN server. On top of this, all the VPNs in this list have an audited no-logs policy, meaning they do not keep any record of your online activities or even your connection to their servers.
These providers also all use RAM-only servers, which means the moment the server is powered down, all data on it is wiped, ensuring that any attempt to access user data can be stopped just by turning the machine off. If online safety is your primary concern, any of our suggestions will be the right choice.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
