VPNs for beginners: Do I need a VPN? (updated 2024)

As VPNs become increasingly popular, you might be wondering if you should try one for yourself. If you have a basic understanding of VPNs and want to learn more about how they can help you out, our guide can help.

On this page, we explain the key reasons for downloading a VPN and how it could help you. Did you know, for example, that the right VPN can keep you secure on public wi-fi and improve performance when gaming online? Find out more below.

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

Do I need a VPN?

At a glance: You’ll benefit from a VPN if you want to access region-locked content or stay anonymous while browsing the web.

If you like the idea of accessing websites that are usually restricted in your country, the answer is yes. The right VPN can unlock region-restricted social media sites, video streaming sites or even game servers. And the best of the bunch do it without slowing down your internet connection.

In the example above, we’ve used ExpressVPN to connect to a US-based VPN server. Even though we’re in the UK, we can use the VPN to trick the Hulu website into thinking we’re sat in America. This opens up a whole library of content that we wouldn’t have access to without a VPN.

We can all benefit from the security and privacy a VPN provides. The technology encrypts your data and shields your online activities from prying eyes, including data-grabbing hackers and your internet service provider (ISP).

Thankfully, a significant number of VPN providers offer a money-back guarantee. In other words, you can try the service and get your money back if you’re not sure it’s right for you.

For more details on how the software works, see our guide: What is a VPN?

Popular reasons for using a VPN

1. To protect yourself on public wi-fi

Grabbing a coffee while you’re in town? Be careful, because public wi-fi networks are often less secure and open to hacking attempts. Having a VPN at your side makes it much harder for third parties to access your data.

When you connect to a public network, your activities can potentially be tracked by the network provider or other folk on the same network. A VPN masks your IP address and encrypts your data, keeping you anonymous.

As you can see from the screenshot we’ve taken above, ExpressVPN has a couple of handy extras that you can enable. There are options to block trackers, malicious sites, ads and adult sites. In other words, the software has more to offer than a temporary IP address for streaming content.

2. To stream TV shows from other countries

Using a VPN to stream TV shows from other countries is one of the best reasons for grabbing one.

Many streaming platforms (BBC iPlayer, for example) restrict content based on your location because of licensing agreements. With A VPN, you can bypass those limits and watch content from anywhere in the world.

ISPs will sometimes throttle your connection speed while you stream video. A VPN can help you avoid this.

However you decide to use your VPN, make sure you’re on the right side of the law. Always respect the terms of service of the streaming platforms you use.

3. To improve multiplayer gaming

In some cases, we’ve seen that using a VPN can improve your latency and ping times while gaming. This is because a trusted, secure VPN will provide a more direct and optimized route to the game server.

You can find out more on VPN best practice with our guide: Are VPNs safe?

Best VPN for beginners

Rubbish VPNs don’t maintain a strong, secure connection. Trust us, we’ve tried loads of them and some are completely useless and not worth the price tag.

Having a trusted VPN installed on your computer, smartphone or tablet means you can unlock the internet without experiencing a super slow connection. We’ve rounded up our recommended VPNs below.

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