My Top 5 VPNs After Years of Real-World Testing (and Why They’re Essential for Travelers)
- Editorial Review Team
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
For the past four years, virtual private networks (VPNs) have been more than a software tool—they’ve been essential travel companions in my digital life. Unlike the majority of online reviews based on brief testing or secondhand opinions, every VPN on this list has been personally used and evaluated by me over extended periods and in diverse conditions across the globe.
"I’ve tested these services rigorously: measuring speeds across continents, evaluating stability on hotel Wi-Fi, dodging censorship walls, and streaming content from blocked services. After countless hours, here are my top 5 VPNs—chosen based on speed, security, usability, and real-world performance for international travelers".
Table of Contents
Why VPNs Matter for Travelers
If you’ve ever landed in a new country only to find Netflix blocked or your banking app flagged your login attempt—you already know the importance of a VPN. But here’s the thing:
Most VPN reviews are fluff.
I’ve spent the past 4+ years traveling with a backpack and a laptop—across Europe, Asia, South America—and using VPNs every single day. From slow hotel Wi-Fi in Cambodia to strict firewalls in Turkey, I’ve tested these tools where it matters most: in the real world.
Here are my five most reliable VPNs of 2025, all tested across continents, devices, and conditions. They’re the best tools I’ve found to secure your connection, access global content, and keep your data safe on the road.
1. Surfshark – Best for Unlimited Devices
💻 What Makes It Great: Surfshark is the only VPN on this list that allows unlimited simultaneous connections. If you're like me—juggling a phone, laptop, tablet, and maybe even a travel buddy’s device—this is a game changer.
🏃 Speed:
Download: 190 Mbps
Upload: 83 Mbps
🌍 Coverage: 3200+ servers in 100 countries🔐 Features:
Camouflage Mode (hides VPN usage)
NoBorders Mode (bypasses censorship)
Multi-hop (routes through multiple servers)
🧳 Why Travelers Love It: Works in countries like China, UAE, and Egypt. No slowdowns even when hopping between hotel networks.
Read more: How to Stay Secure Online While Traveling
2. NordVPN – Best for Privacy and Speed
🔐 What Makes It Great: NordVPN has never let me down in a high-risk zone. Whether on public Wi-Fi in airports or accessing blocked apps, it’s my go-to for security-first travel.
🏃 Speed:
Download: 189 Mbps
Upload: 69 Mbps
🌍 Coverage: 7169+ servers in 111 countries🔒 Features:
Double VPN
Onion over VPN
NordLynx protocol
Audited no-logs policy
🧳 Why Travelers Love It: The combination of military-grade encryption and global reach makes it ideal for digital nomads who deal with sensitive work on the go.
3. ExpressVPN – Best for Seamless Streaming
🎥 What Makes It Great: From Netflix US in Bali to BBC iPlayer in Berlin, ExpressVPN just works. It’s the smoothest experience I’ve had across platforms.
🏃 Speed:
Download: 189 Mbps
Upload: 111 Mbps
🌍 Coverage: 3000+ servers in 105 countries📱 Features:
User-friendly apps
24/7 support
Kill switch + split tunneling
🧳 Why Travelers Love It: If you stream, upload, or Zoom often, you’ll love how fast and reliable this VPN feels.
4. Proton VPN – Best for Upload Speeds and Security
🔐 What Makes It Great: Developed by the creators of ProtonMail, Proton VPN is the choice for journalists, creators, and anyone who values privacy over everything.
🏃 Speed:
Download: 182 Mbps
Upload: 122 Mbps
🌍 Coverage: 11,488+ servers in 117 countries🔐 Features:
Secure Core (multi-layered routing)
Based in Switzerland (strict privacy laws)
Open-source + audited
🧳 Why Travelers Love It: Proton VPN helps upload content fast even from data-throttled networks. It’s ideal for creators and privacy advocates alike.
5. Private Internet Access – Best for Customization
🛠️ What Makes It Great: PIA is highly configurable. If you like options (SOCKS5 proxy, port forwarding, encryption tweaks), this VPN gives you control.
🏃 Speed:
Download: 174 Mbps
Upload: 84 Mbps
🌍 Coverage: 3288+ servers in 91 countries⚙️ Features:
Open-source
Split tunneling
10-device support
🧳 Why Travelers Love It: Great value and custom settings for advanced users make this a flexible, budget-friendly option.
Read More:
VPN Services:
FAQ
Q1: Can I use free VPNs while traveling?Free VPNs are risky. They often lack speed, have data caps, and might log your activity. Paid services are more secure and reliable.
Q2: Which VPN is best for China or UAE?Surfshark and ExpressVPN are the most reliable in restrictive countries due to their obfuscation and stealth modes.
Q3: How many devices can I use with one VPN account?Surfshark allows unlimited. NordVPN, Proton VPN, and PIA support up to 6–10 devices depending on the plan.
Q4: Does VPN slow down internet speed?Yes, slightly. But top-tier services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN minimize this impact significantly.
Q5: What’s the safest VPN for public Wi-Fi?NordVPN and Proton VPN are top-tier for encrypted, anonymous browsing on public hotspots.
Final Take: Which VPN Will You Pack?
Whether you’re streaming, working, or just trying to check your bank account in a new country—a reliable VPN is your best travel buddy.
So… which one fits your style?Is speed your thing? Or do you value privacy more?Do you trust free tools, or would you rather invest in peace of mind?
Drop a comment. Let’s compare notes.
👉 Safe travels—and even safer browsing. Don’t forget to subscribe for more tech-savvy travel tips.
VPN is the kinggggg