We tested six VPNs while traveling. Here's what actually works, what doesn't, and where you're overpaying.
We looked at six VPNs that keep coming up in travel forums, Reddit threads, and long-term user reports. Then we stripped away the marketing and focused on what actually holds up when you're on the road.
One option is clearly the most reliable. A couple are solid if you want to spend less. One is mainly for privacy-focused users. And the free options come with real limitations.
If you don't want to think about it, go with ExpressVPN. If you want something cheaper that still works most of the time, pick NordVPN. The rest depends on what you care about.
If you don't want to deal with trial and error, this is the one. It works more consistently than the others. Streaming usually works without tweaking, and in restrictive countries it holds up better than most.
You're paying more for that reliability. That's the tradeoff.
This is where most people land. It's cheaper and does most of what ExpressVPN does.
Streaming sometimes needs server switching. China is inconsistent. For normal travel use, it's solid.
Cheap and good enough. Unlimited devices is actually useful.
Speeds are less consistent and it struggles more in restrictive regions.
One of the only free VPNs that doesn't feel shady.
Free version is slow and limited. Good for light use, not streaming.
Mullvad doesn't even need your email. You get a random account number, can pay by cash, and they keep no logs. For privacy-focused travellers or journalists this is the pick.
Not built for streaming or convenience. Great if privacy is the only goal.
Best free option with the least compromises.
10GB goes fast. Fine for occasional use, not daily.
ExpressVPN has the strongest reputation among travellers in China for consistent connection. NordVPN and Proton VPN are reported to work most of the time. Budget options typically struggle. Install before you fly: VPN download sites are blocked inside China.
Reviews consistently place ExpressVPN at the top for unblocking Netflix US/UK, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, DAZN and ESPN+. NordVPN comes close but users report occasional server-switching. Budget options have higher miss rates on BBC iPlayer specifically.
Under $3/month, Surfshark is the only option that doesn't feel like a compromise for general travel. NordVPN is $1.80 more and meaningfully better at streaming and China, but if budget is the priority, Surfshark wins. Avoid the free options unless you only need occasional use.
Most people don't need a VPN for "security" as much as they think. HTTPS already protects the important stuff.
Where a VPN matters: streaming from home, bypassing restrictions, and using sketchy WiFi.
Where it doesn't: normal browsing and banking on modern apps.
Less than the marketing suggests. The whole "hacker in a coffee shop stealing your banking details" angle is how VPNs get sold. In reality, HTTPS (the padlock in your browser) already encrypts traffic to banks, email, and most serious sites. Someone on the same network can see which sites you visit, not what you're doing on them.
Where a VPN actually helps: sketchy networks. Think fake login portals, DNS hijacking, or hotel and airport WiFi tracking your browsing. That stuff still happens, just not in the dramatic way ads make it sound.
In most countries, no. Using a VPN isn't a crime by itself. Using it to do something illegal still is.
There are exceptions. China, Russia, Iran, Belarus, North Korea, and Turkmenistan all restrict or control VPN use to varying degrees. In places like the UAE or Oman, it's more of a grey area with inconsistent enforcement.
If you're heading somewhere on that list, install and test your VPN before you arrive. Download sites are often blocked, and you don't want to figure it out on the ground.
Private Relay is Apple's built-in privacy feature with iCloud+. It's not a full VPN.
It mainly protects Safari traffic and some system-level connections. It doesn't cover all apps, and you can't choose a specific country, only a general region. That means it won't reliably change your Netflix library or get around geo-blocks.
It's also unavailable in several countries, including China and others with stricter internet controls.
A static (or dedicated) IP is an add-on most VPNs sell for a few dollars a month. Instead of sharing an IP with other users, you get one that's only yours.
It's useful if you keep getting flagged by banks or payment sites, need a fixed IP for remote work access, or run services where your IP needs to stay consistent.
If a VPN is completely free and not backed by a paid product, it usually makes money somewhere else. Often that means ads, tracking, or selling usage data. The track record here isn't great.
If you're heading to countries with tighter internet controls like China, Iran, or parts of the Middle East, install and test your VPN before you arrive. VPN websites and app stores are often blocked once you're inside, which makes setting it up later a pain or outright impossible.
At home, download the app, log in, and test a few servers. Make sure it connects reliably and turn on the kill switch in settings. Takes 10 minutes and avoids a lot of frustration once you're there.
Be aware that VPN use in these countries sits in a legal grey area or is restricted. In practice, many travellers use them without issues, but enforcement exists and rules can change. Avoid drawing attention to it and don't rely on it for anything sensitive.