Introduction
Welcome to our definitive guide on the best home VPNs in 2021! In today’s era of technology, the internet has become an integral part of our lives. From personal to professional use, we rely heavily on the internet for many of our daily tasks. However, with the increased use of the internet, we also face the risk of cyber threats, online surveillance, and data breaches.
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, helps protect your internet traffic from prying eyes and offers a secure and private browsing experience by encrypting your traffic and routing it through a secure server. Whether you’re working from home, streaming movies or TV shows, or just browsing the web, a VPN is essential to ensure your privacy and security.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best home VPN services on the market, their features, advantages, and disadvantages, and provide you with expert recommendations to choose the right VPN for your needs.
What is a Home VPN?
A home VPN is a service that enables you to connect to the internet securely, anonymously, and privately from your home network. When you connect to a VPN server, it creates a secure encrypted tunnel between your device and the server, ensuring that your internet activity is protected from prying eyes.
A home VPN provides you with numerous benefits, including:
Data Encryption
VPNs utilize state-of-the-art encryption protocols to protect your internet traffic, making it impossible for anyone to intercept or read your data, even if it’s intercepted during transmission.
Online Anonymity
A VPN masks your IP address and replaces it with the IP address of the server you’re connected to, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity, including your internet service provider (ISP), government agencies, and cybercriminals.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions
A VPN allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that may be banned or unavailable in your geographical region. For example, you can access US Netflix from outside the US or access websites that may be restricted in your country.
Secure Remote Access
A home VPN also enables you to securely access your home network remotely, allowing you to access files or services from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection.
Protection on Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are notorious for their lack of security, and it’s easy for hackers to intercept your data when using public Wi-Fi. With a VPN, you can protect your data and ensure secure browsing when using public Wi-Fi networks.
Protection from Cyber Threats
A VPN also provides protection against malware, phishing attacks, and other cyber threats by blocking malicious websites and preventing them from accessing your device.
The Best Home VPNs of 2021
Choosing the right VPN can be overwhelming, especially with the numerous options available on the market. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best home VPNs of 2021 based on our expert reviews, features, speed, and overall performance.
VPN Provider |
Pros |
Cons |
Price |
ExpressVPN |
High-speed servers, excellent security, no logs policy, 24/7 customer support |
Expensive, limited simultaneous connections |
$6.67/month |
NordVPN |
Huge server network, excellent privacy, advanced security features, affordable pricing |
Inconsistent speed on some servers |
$3.71/month |
Surfshark |
Unlimited simultaneous connections, fast speeds, excellent value for money |
Limited server network, some issues with customer support |
$2.49/month |
CyberGhost |
Easy to use, affordable, high-speed servers, excellent privacy |
Inconsistent speeds on some servers, limited device support |
$2.25/month |
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPNs on the market, known for its high-speed servers, excellent security, and no logs policy. With more than 3000 servers in over 90 countries, ExpressVPN offers fast and reliable connections, making it an ideal choice for streaming, gaming, or browsing.
ExpressVPN also offers advanced security features, including AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection, ensuring that your data stays secure at all times. The only downside to ExpressVPN is its pricing, which is on the higher side compared to other VPNs.
NordVPN
NordVPN is another popular choice for home VPNs, offering a massive server network of over 5500 servers in 59 countries. NordVPN offers advanced privacy features, including double VPN, Tor over VPN, and CyberSec, which blocks ads and malware.
NordVPN offers affordable pricing, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious users. However, some users have reported inconsistent speeds on some of NordVPN’s servers.
Surfshark
Surfshark is a relatively new VPN service but has quickly gained popularity due to its unlimited simultaneous connections, fast speeds, and excellent value for money. Surfshark offers a limited server network compared to other VPNs but provides excellent security features, including AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
Surfshark’s customer support has received some criticism for being slow and unresponsive, but the VPN’s overall performance and affordable pricing make it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN service with a focus on privacy and security. CyberGhost offers more than 7000 servers in over 90 countries and provides high-speed connections suitable for streaming, gaming, or browsing.
CyberGhost’s advanced privacy features include AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a no logs policy, ensuring that your data stays safe and secure. CyberGhost’s pricing is affordable, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users. However, some users have reported inconsistent speeds on some of CyberGhost’s servers.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Home VPNs
Home VPNs offer numerous advantages, including privacy, security, anonymity, and access to restricted content. However, like any technology, home VPNs also have their disadvantages. Below, we’ve listed the pros and cons of using a home VPN.
Advantages
Privacy and Security
Home VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it impossible for anyone to access your data or online activity. This ensures that your personal information, including passwords, credit card information, and online activity, remains secure and private.
Unrestricted Internet Access
Home VPNs allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that may be restricted or banned in your country. This includes streaming services, websites, or apps that may be unavailable in your region.
Protection on Public Wi-Fi
Home VPNs provide protection against cyber threats, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks, which are notorious for their lack of security. With a home VPN, you can securely browse the internet and protect your data from hackers and cybercriminals.
Disadvantages
Slower Internet Connection
Home VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, which may cause a slight slowdown in your internet connection. However, this depends on the quality of the VPN service you’re using, and some VPNs may offer faster speeds than others.
Cost
Home VPNs may require a monthly or yearly subscription fee, which may be more expensive than other internet services. However, the cost of a VPN is generally affordable for most users and provides excellent value for money.
Limited Device Support
Some home VPNs may have limited device support, which may be a disadvantage if you’re using multiple devices or operating systems. However, most VPNs offer support for multiple devices and operating systems, making it easy to connect to your VPN from any device.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is a VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a service that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure server, protecting your data from cyber threats and ensuring your online privacy.
Q2. Why should I use a home VPN?
A home VPN provides numerous benefits, including privacy, security, anonymity, and unrestricted access to the internet. This includes protection against cyber threats, access to restricted content, and secure remote access to your home network.
Q3. How does a home VPN work?
A home VPN creates a secure encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server. When you connect to a VPN server, your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through the server, ensuring that your data remains secure and private.
Q4. Are home VPNs legal?
Yes, home VPNs are legal in most countries, and there are no laws prohibiting the use of VPNs for personal use. However, some countries may have restrictions on VPN usage for political or legal reasons.
Q5. Can I use a free VPN instead of a paid one?
While free VPNs may seem like an attractive option, they often have limited features and may expose your data to security risks. Paid VPNs offer better security, privacy, and performance and are generally a better choice for home users.
Q6. Can I use a home VPN on multiple devices?
Most home VPNs offer multiple device support, allowing you to connect to the VPN from multiple devices simultaneously. However, the number of simultaneous connections may vary depending on the VPN service you’re using.
Q7. How can I test my VPN speed?
You can test your VPN speed by using online speed testing tools or by downloading and installing a VPN speed test app.
Conclusion
A home VPN is an essential tool for anyone looking to ensure their online privacy, security, and unrestricted internet access. In this article, we’ve provided you with a comprehensive guide on the best home VPNs of 2021, their features, advantages, and disadvantages, and expert recommendations on how to choose the right VPN for your needs.
We recommend that you consider the features, pricing, and performance of each VPN provider before making your choice. Remember to always use a reputable VPN provider that prioritizes your privacy and security.
Take Action Today
Protect your online privacy and security today by signing up for one of our recommended home VPNs. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Stay safe and secure online with a home VPN today.
Closing/Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or financial advice. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up-to-date, we make no warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this article for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
We do not endorse or promote any particular product or service mentioned in this article. You should always do your own research and due diligence before making a decision to purchase any product or service.