What VPN providers are people currently using

[johnhoe]

I would add also to the voices that emphasise that VPN protocols can have a profound effect on download speed. Using a protocol such as PPTP or L2PT (with or without Ipsec2) may have a minimal effect on download speed but can only provide minimal security. Openvpn protocol on the other hand, has military strength encryption (256bit) but, as a side effect, can slow down download speeds much more than the other protocols. Interestingly enough Openvpn seems to work better on Express VPN or Nord VPN for me, so it is definitely worth using the trial period (both these providers and others give this) to get a refund if Openvpn slows your system too much.
Also let me say again: Using a fast router to do the VPN client processing (with minimum spec dual processors and plenty of memory) can minimise the VPN downgrade effect on download speed and protect all the devices on your network at once.