Best VPNs for 2025 — summary & buying guide

Summary of a recent Engadget roundup (overhauled Sep 2025): after extensive testing the author recommends seven top VPNs that balance speed, privacy, features, platform support and price. The market is strong — many solid choices — but also crowded with low-quality apps that prioritize ads over infrastructure. This guide highlights the winners, honorable mentions, and how to pick the right VPN for your needs.

Quick highlights

• Top picks: 7 recommended providers (chosen for real-world speed, security, and value).
• Honorable/dishonorable mentions include Windscribe, CyberGhost, TunnelBear, VyprVPN and Norton VPN — each with clear pros and cons.
• Testing notes: platforms supported, measured speed impact, server locations, extra features, and best available price were assessed.
• List updated Sep 2025 and reviewed quarterly.

Honorable / notable mentions (brief)

• Windscribe — solid free tier on 10 locations and unlimited devices, but free plan caps data at 10GB/month and the UI can be clunky.
• CyberGhost — great streaming servers, Smart Rules and NoSpy servers; app reliability and privacy-policy concerns hold it back.
• TunnelBear — beginner-friendly interface and good transparency, but very limited features, under 50 locations and 2GB free cap.
• VyprVPN — strong apps and in-house DNS, verified privacy policy; speeds observed below the top tier and pricing / limits have fluctuated.
• Norton VPN — useful if bundled with Norton 360, but tests found connection drops and some IP leaks on server switches; Mac/iOS apps are limited.

What to look for in a VPN

• Compatibility: Make sure apps exist for every OS you use and that the mobile/desktop apps are equally capable.
• Speed & protocols: Test speed before/after (eg. Ookla). Prefer WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2.
• Background: Check headquarters, parent company, privacy policy and third-party audits.
• Server network: Ensure servers near you and in countries you need for streaming/unblocking.
• Customer support: Test it before buying — availability and quality matter.
• Pricing & renewals: Watch introductory vs renewal pricing and refund/trial terms.

VPN FAQs — short

VPNs encrypt your traffic and hide your IP by routing through provider servers. Main uses: security, privacy, and entertainment (geoblocking bypass). They can’t stop you from voluntarily revealing info, and you must trust the provider’s privacy practices. Free VPNs may carry risks; paid reputable services are generally safe.

Sources & further reading

• Original review (Engadget, updated Sep 2025): engadget.com — Best VPNs (2025) (link cleaned to remove RSS parameter).
• Complementary roundup: Tom’s Guide — The best VPN in 2025: our top picks

If you want, I can expand this into a full, original roundup comparing the 7 top picks (speeds, prices, platforms, and pros/cons) or add affiliate Amazon search links for specific products/tools. Tell me which direction you prefer.