There are also cases where VPNs do not work with streaming media platforms or online games, notes. 24 Channels. So, what services is better to choose in 2024 – read the material.

First of all, you should look for a VPN that is reliable, has high data transfer speeds, a large server network, a solid security system, useful additional tools and user-friendly applications for all major devices and operating systems. Below we will talk about three services worth paying attention to.

ExpressVPN is the leader among servers

ExpressVPN It is a high-speed VPN with good security, easy to use, and perfect for media streaming, torrenting, and online gaming. The company offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee; This means you can try the service without the risk of financial loss.

ExpressVPN easily earned the title of VPN favorite in 2024. It has a huge server network spread over the territory of more than 105 countries, especially Ukraine. It also offers intuitive apps for all major devices.

Plus, with its proprietary Lightway encryption protocol, ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market. So, even when connecting to servers located at great distances, you can watch streaming content from various sites in HD and 4K quality without buffering.

ExpressVPN works consistently with over 100 of the world’s most popular media streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. This virtual private network also supports torrenting on all its servers and offers support for “cloud” gaming services.

Security and privacy are the main features of this server. So customer data will be protected with a zero-logging policy, servers that use only RAM (and delete all data on every reboot), and perfect forward secrecy (which changes encryption keys every few sessions).

Users get full protection against data leaks, obfuscation technology on all servers, and additional features:

• separate data tunneling;
• blocker of ads and trackers;
• password manager.

ExpressVPN offers great value for money, with 1-month, 6-month and 12-month plan options starting at $6.67 per month. The service allows you to connect up to 8 devices simultaneously and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a versatile VPN with media streaming support

Private Internet Access (PIA) It is a fast, reliable and secure VPN with excellent support for media streaming and torrenting. It works stably with all major streaming media platforms and supports file sharing in P2P format on all its servers, including Ukraine.

This VPN offers great apps for both PC and mobile devices; Advanced users will be able to easily adjust the encryption level, proxy settings, protocols and more. It is worth noting that PIA works well even with default settings, so it will also be suitable for beginners.

PIA demonstrates high data exchange speeds during testing. For example, you can stream video in HD and 4K without buffering, download large files, and play online games without lag or slowdown.

The provider also offers strong security tools, including outright privacy, data leak protection, and RAM-only servers. The company’s separation policy has been independently audited.

The company regularly publishes transparency reports and its apps are open source for anyone to test. Additionally, PIA apps include MACE, one of the best ad, tracker, and malware blockers on the market.

PIA’s pricing plans are attractive, starting at $2.11 per month. The service supports simultaneous connection of an unlimited number of devices to a single account and backs all tariff plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost VPN is an easy-to-use and convenient VPN

CyberGhost It is the best VPN for beginners. The service’s mobile and computer applications are easy to navigate; so you can connect to a server with one tap and use Smart Rules to automate your connection preferences.

This VPN offers a huge server network (9,400+ servers in 100+ countries, including Ukraine) that helps maintain very high data transfer speeds. With such a large number of servers it is possible to always find what you need nearby to avoid crowded servers and get the best speed.

CyberGhost is great for media streaming, torrenting, and online gaming. The service has streaming media servers optimized for 50+ video streaming platforms and 70+ dedicated online gaming servers designed to provide a stable connection. Unlike ExpressVPN and PIA, CyberGhost doesn’t support torrenting on every server, but it does offer P2P servers in over 80 countries.

The protection and security tools are also pretty good. CyberGhost has high-tech tools like RAM-only servers, good forward secrecy, and protection against data leakage via DNS and IPv6. Additionally, the service’s policy of refusing to record user actions has been independently audited. The company regularly publishes reports on the transparency of its activities.

CyberGhost VPN plans are attractively priced and start at $2.03 per month. The monthly plan only has a 14-day money-back guarantee, while the annual plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a VPN?

There are many factors to consider when looking for a good VPN, but here are a few factors to consider:

• Make sure that the chosen service has a reliable protection and security system. To protect sensitive information in the event of a sudden VPN connection loss, you should only choose VPNs with 256-bit AES encryption, data leak protection, and automatic failover;
• Look for a VPN with a large server network. The best VPNs offer servers located in countries around the world, so you have a better chance of finding a server in the region you need. Also, the more servers in the service, the less the load on an individual server, which will speed up the connection;
• Choose a VPN with high data transfer speeds. A VPN needs to be fast, otherwise it’s just a waste of time and effort. Note that each service recommended above offers a fast and stable connection for streaming video, online gaming, and torrenting.
• Make sure the service is easy to use. Even beginners should have no problems with VPN. At the same time, there are enough parameter settings and additional tools that advanced users can use according to their preferences and needs;
• Don’t forget to check the value of the money. The VPNs we specifically recommend have flexible plans that support more than 7 devices (and PIA – unlimited devices) simultaneously. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service for yourself. And CyberGhost offers a pretty generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Should you use a free VPN?

It’s best not to use a free VPN if possible. After all, most of them have flaws and limitations that do not allow them to compete successfully with quality premium VPNs like ExpressVPN. Among the disadvantages it is worth noting:

• allocated data limits. Free VPNs often impose strict limits on data allocation to prevent prolonged use of the service. For example, with a set monthly data limit of 200 MB, it is unlikely that you will be able to watch at least one movie in full in streaming format;
• a small number of data centers with servers. There are usually a small number of servers that users can connect to. Some free VPNs offer a better server selection than others, but nothing can match a premium VPN;
• low speed Free VPNs often provide data speeds that are too slow to support entertainment such as streaming media, downloading torrents, or playing online games. Especially low quality ones, they won’t even allow you to easily visit the site you want;
• poor download support torrents or streaming media. Free VPNs generally do not support media streaming or torrenting because they have low data speeds and very limited packages;
• Privacy issues. Free VPNs generally do not undergo rigorous independent auditing to prove the effectiveness of their no-logging policies. Some may even sell their users’ personal data to advertising companies.

Frequently asked questions about VPNs

1. Is it legal to use a VPN?

VPN use is completely legal in most countries as long as you are not committing a crime. Legally, VPN is a great way to improve your online security and privacy. In addition to complying with the law, it is important to respect the sites’ terms and conditions of service; Some do not allow VPN use.

However, the legality of using a VPN may vary depending on your location. Some countries restrict or completely ban the use of VPNs. These are generally countries with strict censorship. They have laws that either completely ban the use of VPNs or only allow their use under certain conditions. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check your local laws and regulations before you start using a VPN.

2. Does a VPN always slow down your connection speed?

Yes, with a few exceptions. In theory, a VPN will always slow down your connection speed. This is because the data is encrypted and routed through the VPN server, which may be located far away. It is worth noting that quality VPNs minimize this effect, so in most cases the slowdown is not even noticeable.

3. Are premium VPNs worth the money?

Definitely. Yes, free VPNs can sometimes be useful, but they don’t come close to offering the security tools, connection speeds, or server network sizes that premium VPNs offer.

Investing in a better service like ExpressVPN will give you access to a massive server network, fast speeds, excellent security tools, and the best media streaming support. And since the company offers a money-back guarantee, you can try it without the risk of financial loss.