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CNET is all about consumer technology that helps you grow with the tech world that certainly enriches your life, helps in making a better purchase decision, and to get most out of technology.

You will always find CNET in front of everyone’s computer and everywhere you go you’ll find CNET talking about technology and continue to educate online users about privacy and security.

Recently, CNET provided a list of its best CNET VPN after reviewing VPN providers on 20 different factors.

CNET reviewed ExpressVPN as the best CNET VPN. ExpressVPN offers the best privacy and security services in the world with some outstanding speeds. It offers 3000+ servers, the ultimate unblocking technology for geo-restricted services, and a super user-friendly app for all users out there. 

Here in this guide, we discuss these factors marked by CNET and offered them the ratings they deserve.

Also, check out the best VPN services rated by VPNRanks and compare the ratings with that of CNET to make a better purchase decision.

How CNET VPN Ratings Work

CNET uses more than 20 factors to rate a VPN provider. Most important factors include security encryption, number of servers, client software, server locations, customer support, price, logging policy, and others.

CNET undergoes various testing phases for each VPN and then finally comes up with a rating worthy of its position. VPN speed testing is considered mandatory alongside DNS leak testing. Any VPN provider failing to prevent DNS leaks are excluded from the list because it apparently puts online privacy and security at risk.

Best Paid CNET VPN

If we turn back events 5 years from now, barely anyone knew about VPNs and what security it provides to online users. However, the VPN industry has multiplied since then and has resulted in a drastic increase of VPN providers.

With so many VPNs on the table, it is hard to choose which one’s preferably suited to your browsing needs, and which VPNs would be your downfall in revealing your identity online. CNET identifies the best paid CNET VPN that helps you making a purchase decision.

1. ExpressVPN CNET Review

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN gets a 5 rating out of 5 and is also one of the best CNET VPN. No doubt, ExpressVPN has an impressive internet protocol which is easy to setup. It never fails you in terms of quality of your VPN connection and manages to offer you complete anonymity.

ExpressVPN is top on security features being the best VPN with Kill Switch that manages to cut your internet connection if in case your VPN connection drops. It has a total of 2,000 global VPN servers, a presence in 148 locations, and is based in the British Virgin Islands. ExpressVPN also collects payment from BitCoin. Check out the ExpressVPN review tested by VPNRanks.

Features

  • Blazing Fast VPN speed
  • 3,000+ global VPN servers
  • Off-shore privacy protection
  • 256-bit encryption
  • 30-days money-back guarantee

See Also: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison guide.

2. CNET Review Nordvpn

NordVPN

CNET has rated NordVPN 5/5 just like ExpressVPN, and announces as a preferred VPN on the basis of CNET VPN criteria. Based on its 5 counts, NordVPN has the highest number of servers i.e. 4,211+ while offering its services in 62 countries. More importantly, this VPN is based in Panama, a country that supports censorship. You can also check our Nord vs ExpressVPN comparison to see which one stands out.

Also NordVPN offers a connection to 6 simultaneous devices connected at the same time. NordVPN might only face a slight disadvantage that it is only available in 61 countries, where some of its competitors are going above a 100 mark. Check out what VPNRanks thinks about this product in NordVPN review.

Features

  • Double VPN encryption
  • Shields from advertisements
  • Strict no log policy
  • DNS leak protection
  • 5500 servers in 62 countries

3. CNET PureVPN Review

PureVPN

CNET mentions that the only reason why PureVPN received a 4.5 ratings instead of 5 is because of a misconception that they store log information. They clarified the misconception soon enough and the matter rested forever. PureVPN supports BitCoin payments which is an additional benefit VPN users.

CNET mentions that PureVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and has over 740+ servers located in 140+ countries. This is the best CNET VPN provider at a n affordable price, but with the most competitive features in the VPN industry. Check out our PureVPN review tested by VPNRanks.

Features

  • Military-grade encryption
  • Complete cyber-security
  • Easy-to-use app
  • 6500 servers and 140+ locations
  • Split tunneling feature

4. StrongVPN Review CNET

StrongVPN

Despite StrongVPN is also rated 5 by CNET, it is made clear that NordVPN maintains the position as the best of them all. The reason why CNET has considered to rate a perfect 5 is because of StrongVPN’s strong no-logging policy. VPN is all about protecting your privacy, and to be fair there are only a few VPN providers having a strong No Log policy.

StrongVPN is present in 20+ locations with 650+ VPN servers and a total number of IP addresses at 59,500. It manages to crawl as the best CNET VPN due to its excellent features that are available at a decent price. A larger base of IP addresses more than IPVanish’s 40,000 makes it in the top of the list. Check out StrongVPN review tested by VPNRanks.

Features

  • Apps for all platforms
  • 650+ servers
  • Zero logging activity
  • 59,500 shared IPs
  • 5 simultaneous connections

5. CNET IPVanish Review

IpVanish

IPVanish secures a third position as the best CNET VPN with 4.5 ratings. These ratings are partly given because IPVanish never keeps any logs. Despite being the VPN provider based in the US, many would think IPVanish would hand over your data to US authorities, but in fact IPVanish never stores any of your data. So, handing over your data to US authorities could never happen.

As said earlier, IPVanish has over 40,000 shared IP addresses with a total of 1,000 VPN servers. It is located in 60 countries which can alone be seen as its disadvantage alongside providing a 7-day money-back guarantee package. Check out the IPVanish review tested by VPNRanks.

Features

  • 40,000 shared IPs
  • 1,300 VPN servers, 60+ countries
  • 256-bit encryption
  • Anonymous torrenting
  • 24/7 customer support

Best Free CNET VPN

If you’re able to seek the totally free VPN that doesn’t keep your logging history, then we would recommend you to go for it. CNET has listed 2 of the best free CNET VPNs that never keeps any log, covers several VPN locations, and also has strong VPN encryption. These VPNs are provided below:

1. TunnelBear

TunnelBear has been rated by CNET as the best free CNET VPN because its interface is the easiest of them all and allows you to browse the internet privately. The Little Bear (free package) gives you 500MB of data every month alongside premium packages. Trust and transparency are the two main pillars assumed by TunnelBear which means a lot to VPN users.

In fact, TunnelBear is the only VPN service provider in the entire industry that has submitted an independent security audit. It covers 20+ locations which is more than any VPN provider with a free service. Also, its VPN servers are fast which makes streaming videos easy to buffer. Check out the TunnelBear review tested by VPNRanks.

2. Avira Phantom VPN

Avira is a renowned name in the online privacy and security industry, and it was about time that the company launches its product in VPN industry. The brand stands out as the best free CNET VPN which anonymizes your internet activity and makes the internet accessible to everyone.

When you sign up to Avira, your system becomes unhackable. All your passwords remain protected, while whatever you do over the internet becomes untraceable. You get bypassed geo-restrictions with its free service and prevent your system from leaking your IP address. The free service gives you 500MB of data every month, similar as TunnelBear. Check out Avira Phantom VPN review tested by VPNRanks.

VPN Providers Price ($) Special Deals More Info
Overall Best VPN

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN









$12.95
$6.67
Per Month

Exclusive Offer
Save 49% today!
Fastest VPN Service

Surfshark

Surfshark









$12.95
$2.49
Per Month

82% Off
2 Year Plan
Best for Geo-Unblocking

NordVPN

NordVPN









$11.95
$3.99
Per Month

69% Off
2 Year Plan
Feature-rich VPN

PureVPN

PureVPN









$10.95
$3.29
Per Month

Best for Private Browsing

CyberGhost

CyberGhost









$12.99
$2.03
Per Month

The Wrap Up

CNET is a giant when it comes to reviewing new gadgets, educating individuals on how to enrich their lives with technology, and always on the run talking about informational tools. CNET is also concerned about the privacy and security of online users and therefore has reviewed some best CNET VPN that never compromises your online privacy.