Best VPN in 2026
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I tested the four biggest names: Surfshark, NordVPN, ProtonVPN, and ExpressVPN. My top pick overall is Surfshark. Below is exactly why and who each of these is really for.
What Matters in a VPN
Most comparisons drown you in numbers that do not mean much. What you really care about is privacy. Whether the company keeps no logs and sits in a friendly location, real-world speed, whether it unblocks streaming and handles torrenting, how many devices you can protect, and of course, the price. Everything else is noise. So that is exactly how these four are broken down. The real cons are covered on every one, not just the good bits.
Surfshark
Surfshark is currently advertised at up to 86% off plus four extra months free. The reason Surfshark wins for most people is simple. In my view it is the best value by a mile. One subscription covers unlimited devices. So your whole household, every phone, laptop, tablet, and TV is protected on a single plan. That alone is rare.
Surfshark Features
On top of the core VPN, you get CleanWeb to block ads and trackers, multihop to route through two countries at once, a kill switch, and a clever tool called Alternative ID that generates a fake email and persona so you can stop handing your real details to every website. Step up to the Surfshark One plan and you also get a built-in antivirus, data breach alerts, and a private search engine, which is basically a full security suite in one app. It runs on WireGuard for fast speeds and RAM-only servers that store nothing, and its no-logs policy has been independently audited more than once.
Surfshark Cons
Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is part of the Nine Eyes group. So it is not the most private jurisdiction on paper. In practice, with an audited no-logs policy and RAM-only servers, there is nothing stored to hand over, but it is good to know. It is also a touch slower than NordVPN on very long distance servers. For the plan, Surfshark One on the 2-year term gives the lowest monthly price, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it with very little risk.
NordVPN
NordVPN is the number two pick. And if raw speed is your priority, this is the one. It is advertised at up to 76% off plus four extra months free. NordVPN is often rated the fastest VPN in independent testing thanks to its NordLynx protocol. So it is fantastic for streaming in Ultra HD, gaming, and quickly downloading large files. It is based in Panama, which is privacy-friendly and outside the main surveillance alliances. It uses RAM-only servers and its no-logs policy has been audited several times over.
NordVPN Features
You also get a newer protocol called NordWhisper that hides the fact you are using a VPN on strict networks, post-quantum encryption for future-proof security, Threat Protection to block malware and phishing, and Meshnet for linking your own devices together securely. It also unblocks pretty much every streaming service you throw at it.
NordVPN Cons
NordVPN is a bit pricier than Surfshark, especially when it renews, and it caps you at 10 simultaneous devices rather than unlimited. For most people, the 2-year plus plan is the sweet spot. And like the others, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If speed and premium security matter most to you, Nord is the pick.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is the one to grab if you want a usable free option or you are a privacy purist. It is advertised at up to 70% off the paid plans, but Proton is also the rare VPN with a free tier that does not cap your data, which almost no one else offers. It is based in Switzerland, one of the strongest privacy jurisdictions in the world. Its apps are fully open-source, so anyone can inspect the code, and it has years of independent no-logs audits behind it.
ProtonVPN Features
On the paid plans, you get a massive server network, Secure Core routing that sends your traffic through hardened servers, the NetShield ad and malware blocker, and secure port forwarding that makes it excellent for torrenting.
ProtonVPN Free Version
The free version needs some honesty because a lot of channels are not honest about it. The free tier only gives you a handful of countries. It connects one device at a time and it picks the server for you, so you cannot choose your location. It also does not support streaming, so do not expect it to unblock Netflix, and it does not allow torrenting at all. So, Proton Free is brilliant for basic privacy and hiding your IP on public Wi-Fi. But if you want streaming, peer-to-peer, or the ability to choose your country, you will need the paid plan or one of the two picks above. For privacy-first users though, Proton is superb.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is an excellent, polished VPN. It is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a strong privacy location. Or it uses its own fast, lightweight protocol with WireGuard now available as well, and RAM-only servers, and it has one of the longest audit track records in the business. It is reliable and beginner-friendly, and it unblocks streaming very consistently.
ExpressVPN Cons
The catch, and it is a big one, is the price. ExpressVPN is typically the most expensive of these four by a clear margin and it connects fewer devices than Surfshark or NordVPN. It is a great service, but for most people, you are simply paying more for protection you can get from Surfshark or NordVPN for a lot less. The ExpressVPN deal is there if you specifically want it, but it is not where most people should go.
How They Stack Up
For privacy, all four keep no logs and have been audited, but Panama and Switzerland are the friendliest homes, so NordVPN and Proton edge it there. And for speed, NordVPN takes it with Surfshark right behind. For streaming, Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all unblock Netflix and the big platforms reliably, while Proton only manages it on the paid plan. For torrenting, all the paid options are great, and Proton Paid is a standout, but Proton Free will not do it. And for value, it is not even close. Surfshark gives you the most protection and unlimited devices for the least money.
The Verdict
The best VPN really does depend on you. If you want the best all-round value and the most devices covered, get Surfshark, the number one pick. Or if you want the fastest speeds and the deepest premium feature set, get NordVPN. If you want the best free option or you care most about open-source privacy, get ProtonVPN. And if money is no object and you want the most polished experience, ExpressVPN is there, but you will pay for it. For most people, Surfshark on the 2-year plan is the smart buy.
Setting Up a VPN
Setting any of them up takes about a minute. Pick the 2-year plan for the lowest price. Create your account, download the app, hit quick connect, and you are protected.
Final Recommendation
Surfshark for value, NordVPN for speed, Proton for free and privacy, and ExpressVPN if you want the premium option.
