Topic

Consumer tech

Phones, security, privacy and apps.

Verdicts

Best Password Managers
1Password is our top pick: the Individual plan costs $2.99 per month billed yearly during its current first-year promotion ($3.99 regular). Bitwarden is the best value at $1.65 per month for Premium, with a free plan that already syncs unlimited passwords across unlimited devices. KeePassXC costs nothing at all if you can live without cloud sync.
1. 1. 1Password9.0
2. 2. Bitwarden8.9
3. 3. Proton Pass8.8
Best VPN Services
Proton VPN is our top pick: it has the best free VPN plan, and VPN Plus costs $3.49 per month on a 2-year plan. NordVPN is the strongest paid alternative for speed and extras, and Private Internet Access is the cheapest at $2.03 per month on its 3-year plus 4-month plan, with CyberGhost close behind at $2.19. Mullvad charges one flat €5 a month (shown as about $5.63) with no contracts.
1. 1. Proton VPN9.0
2. 2. NordVPN8.8
3. 3. ExpressVPN8.6

VPN Usage Statistics
42% of US adults used a VPN in 2026, up from 32% a year earlier, according to Security.org's survey of 1,008 adults. Demand spikes when governments add age checks or block platforms: Top10VPN measured UK VPN demand up 1,987% after Online Safety Act checks began in July 2025, and Access Now counted a record 313 internet shutdowns in 2025. For businesses, VPNs are also a target: Verizon found VPN was the connection type in 44% of access offers sold by initial access brokers.