Which VPN Do Tech Experts Actually Use? We Asked 4 Pros

VPNs are essential tools for online privacy and security. They encrypt your internet connection, keeping your data safe from prying eyes and allowing you to access content securely from anywhere. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one? We asked our team of VPN experts at Tom’s Guide which VPNs they personally use every day and why. Their answers offer unique insights beyond just specs and features, revealing what matters most to people who live and breathe VPNs.

Here’s a quick look at their top picks and reasons:

• Mo Harber-Lamond: NordVPN (for overall reliability and features)
• Olivia Powell: Proton VPN (for privacy features and streaming)
• Anthony Spadafora: Surfshark (for value and ease of use)
• George Phillips: Proton VPN (for its privacy mission and anti-censorship tools)

Why Trust These Experts’ Choices?

Our VPN team spends countless hours testing dozens of VPN services. They dig into speed, security features, ease of use, streaming performance, and customer support. Their work directly informs our comprehensive reviews and rankings, like the best VPNs guide. So, when they pick a VPN for their own personal use, it’s based on deep, hands-on experience.

Mo Harber-Lamond: The Daily Driver – NordVPN

As our VPN Editor, Mo oversees all the in-house testing that determines our official recommendations. While he has many VPNs installed for testing, NordVPN is his go-to for everyday use.

“If you go by our numbers, it’s the best VPN going,” Mo says. “NordVPN is the one I reach for without thinking.” He highlights its ease of use combined with powerful features, noting that it doesn’t feel “like a toy” compared to simpler options. Speed is another key factor, and NordVPN delivers. He also appreciates the extra protection offered by features like Threat Protection Pro.

Mo admits that choosing NordVPN might seem like the obvious, popular answer, “a bit like choosing The Beatles as your favorite musician.” But, he adds, “there’s a reason that answer is easy.” For an all-purpose VPN that reliably performs daily tasks, NordVPN is his top pick, even while acknowledging that other VPNs might be better suited for specific needs.

Looking for an all-around solid performer? Check out the latest NordVPN deals.

Olivia Powell: A Balance of Privacy and Streaming – Proton VPN

Olivia, our Commissioning Editor for Tech Software, uses multiple VPNs for testing but chooses Proton VPN for her personal needs. She started using it for a review and stuck with it, finding it a great boost for online protection and accessing content not available in her region (the UK).

A standout feature for Olivia is Proton VPN’s NetShield, which blocks malware, ads, and trackers effectively without being detected by most platforms. While it doesn’t block YouTube ads, this is a common limitation for most VPN ad blockers. She also praises its speed, finding it comparable to major players like Surfshark and NordVPN, which is a “real bonus when it comes to streaming.” She confirms she’s had “never run into any issues when using it to stream content” across various platforms.

What really impressed Olivia is Proton VPN’s willingness to improve. She noted initial clunkiness in their apps, particularly on iPhone, but highlights that Proton VPN has since undergone a major redesign for their iOS, Android, and Windows apps, addressing her previous concerns. She even likes the black and purple app aesthetic, calling it “really cool.”

While she loves Proton VPN, Olivia points out the price can be higher than some competitors. However, she feels the robust features, including advanced blocking tools often not standard elsewhere, justify the cost for many.

Screenshot showing the redesigned Proton VPN app interface on an iOS device.

Anthony Spadafora: Value and Simplicity with Surfshark

Having tested a vast number of VPNs, cybersecurity expert Anthony Spadafora has settled on Surfshark after trying others like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. His journey highlights that finding the right VPN can take time and exploration.

Anthony points out that events like Black Friday offer great opportunities to subscribe at a significant discount. He secured a two-year Surfshark subscription for under $60 during a past sale and was so satisfied he renewed.

He particularly likes Surfshark’s Windows app for its “very clean user interface” and dark mode option. The app is frequently updated, and Anthony finds the update process quick and non-intrusive, unlike some other services. He uses his VPN for accessing region-specific information for work but also views it as a crucial “first aid kit” – something important to have ready for unexpected situations online.

As someone covering cybersecurity, Anthony avoids free VPN apps due to concerns about fake or unreliable services, opting instead for paid services when good deals are available.

If budget is a key factor, Surfshark offers competitive pricing without sacrificing performance. See the latest Surfshark deals here.

Surfshark VPN running on both a Mac laptop and an iPhone.

George Phillips: Mission-Driven Privacy with Proton VPN

George, a news writer focusing on VPN developments, also chooses Proton VPN as his personal preference, even though he uses all major providers for work. For him, it goes beyond features and performance.

“Protecting my privacy is what’s important to me, and that’s why I choose Proton VPN,” George states. He highlights Proton VPN’s strong mission to campaign for a free and open internet, backed by dedicated anti-censorship features. Features like Secure Core servers (routing traffic through multiple locations), Guest Mode for account-free access, app icon hiding, and the Stealth protocol designed to bypass blocking are key for him.

He points to Proton’s non-profit foundation structure and recent statements from the CEO prioritizing user safety over potential government pressure as further reasons for his trust. For George, who doesn’t primarily use a VPN for streaming or gaming outside of work, Proton VPN’s unwavering focus on privacy and fighting censorship makes it the clear choice.

Discover more about Proton VPN’s privacy-focused approach and compare plans.

The Proton logo, representing their suite of privacy tools like VPN and Mail.

Expert Opinions on Free VPNs

The experts also weighed in on free VPN services:

• Mo Harber-Lamond suggests PrivadoVPN Free for simplicity, Windscribe Free for advanced users due to its features, and Proton VPN Free for unlimited data (though notes it doesn’t support streaming).
• Olivia Powell calls Windscribe Free her favorite, noting it’s nearly as powerful as the paid version and uniquely supports streaming for a free service.
• Anthony Spadafora strongly advises caution with free VPNs, having covered many stories about fake or malicious apps. He believes the low cost of a paid VPN found on sale is worth the investment for peace of mind.
• George Phillips would choose Proton VPN Free if he needed one, praising its adherence to Proton’s high privacy standards and unlimited data, despite its lack of streaming support.

Overall, the consensus is that while some reputable free options exist, especially for basic privacy protection, paid VPNs generally offer better performance, features, and security, particularly if you can find a good deal.

The Windscribe VPN app logo displayed on a screen.

Looking Ahead: The Future of VPNs

What’s next for the VPN world? Our experts offered some predictions:

• Mo Harber-Lamond sees AI playing a role, not necessarily in the core encryption itself, but in enhanced threat protection features bundled with VPN services. He points to the success of enterprise AI security tools as a sign this tech will trickle down to consumers.
• Olivia Powell is excited about the development of quantum-resistant algorithms. While quantum computers cracking current encryption might be far off (what is Q-Day?), she’s encouraged that VPNs are already preparing to protect user data against this future threat, particularly important for users bypassing government censorship.
• George Phillips highlights recent initiatives like the partnership between Obscura VPN and Mullvad VPN, offering a double-hop service where neither provider sees your full connection path. He hopes to see more privacy-focused collaborations like this evolve.

These insights show the industry isn’t standing still, constantly working to improve protection against evolving digital threats and censorship.

Finding Your Perfect VPN

As our experts’ diverse picks show, the “best” VPN really depends on you and your specific needs. NordVPN is a fantastic all-rounder, Surfshark offers amazing value and ease of use, and Proton VPN excels in privacy and anti-censorship efforts. All these providers, and more, are featured in our detailed best VPN guide.

Whether your priority is speed for streaming, ironclad privacy against surveillance, bypassing restrictions, or simply getting the most bang for your buck, there’s a reputable VPN out there for you. The most important step is choosing a trustworthy provider that fits your usage habits and privacy goals.