Best VPN Providers of 2026
No fluff — just clear comparisons to help you pick the right VPN for your needs and budget.
Providers reviewed in this guide
Top Picks
Our top VPN recommendations for 2026
Chosen based on independent audits, real-world court-tested no-logs policies, speed benchmarks, and value for everyday users.
The fastest, most feature-rich VPN available. Only 3–5% speed loss on local servers, 6 independent audits passed, and advanced tools like AI-powered Threat Protection malware blocking and Meshnet private networking.
Unlimited simultaneous connections on one account — protect every phone, tablet, and laptop at home. Includes a built-in data broker removal service and a 7-day free mobile trial.
The simplest VPN to use — one button, instant connection. The gold standard for accessing streaming content worldwide. Its Lightway protocol is extremely stable on spotty hotel Wi-Fi.
| Provider | Best For | Speed | Best Price/mo* | Devices | Jurisdiction | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Best Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $3.39 | 10 | Panama | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Surfshark | Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $1.99 | Unlimited | Netherlands | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ExpressVPN | Beginners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $2.44 | 10–14 | BVI | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
 Proton VPN | Privacy-First | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $2.99 | 10 | Switzerland | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
 Mullvad | Anonymity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €5.00 | 5 | Sweden | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 👻CyberGhost | Streaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $2.03 | 7 | Romania | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
 PIA | Power Users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ~$2.03 | Unlimited | USA | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
*Best promotional price on long-term plan. Prices increase significantly at renewal — see Pricing section.
The Basics
Why does anyone need a VPN?
A VPN creates an encrypted private tunnel for your internet traffic — hiding what you do online from your ISP, hackers on public Wi-Fi, advertisers, and government surveillance. Think of it as a private lane on the internet highway that only you can use.
Feature Deep Dive
What does each VPN include?
Key safety, privacy, and usability features compared across all providers.
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | Mullvad | PIA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kill Switch Cuts internet if VPN drops | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split Tunneling Choose which apps use VPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Double VPN Routes through 2 VPN servers | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated IP Your own fixed IP address | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| RAM-Only Servers Data wiped on every reboot | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Open Source Code Publicly verifiable apps | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Obfuscation / Stealth Works in restricted countries | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Built-in Ad Blocker Blocks ads & malware | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Tier Available No credit card required | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Anonymous Sign-Up No email required | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Speed Benchmarks
How much will a VPN slow you down?
In 2026, the speed difference between top providers is noticeable but rarely a dealbreaker. These figures show how much of your original internet speed remains when the VPN is active.
NordVPNPIASurfsharkExpressVPNProton VPNMullvadPricing
How much does a VPN cost?
Most VPNs offer huge discounts on long-term plans but raise prices sharply at renewal. Set a calendar reminder before your plan expires.
Privacy & Trust
Can you actually trust a VPN?
The best VPNs have proven their no-logs claims in real-world situations — not just marketing copy. Here's the evidence.
NordVPNExpressVPNProton VPNMullvadUse Cases
Which VPN is right for your situation?
The "best" VPN depends entirely on what you need it for. Here's our pick for each common scenario.
You're in a hotel in Dubai or China and your usual apps are blocked. You need a VPN with strong obfuscation that disguises traffic as normal HTTPS.
You want one subscription to cover every device in the house — phones, laptops, smart TVs, and tablets — without paying per device.
You want to access Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other geo-locked content from anywhere in the world without buffering.
You're a journalist, activist, or researcher who needs the strongest possible privacy with no digital trail — not even an email address.
You want to reduce ping, protect against DDoS attacks, and access game servers in other regions without noticeable speed loss.
You want solid VPN protection at the lowest possible price — even if it means a longer commitment or slightly fewer premium features.
Final Verdicts
The bottom line on each VPN
After testing all seven providers, here's our honest one-paragraph verdict on each.
The complete package — fastest speeds, most features, proven privacy, and a fair price. If you only want to pick one VPN without overthinking it, this is it.
Unlimited devices at the lowest intro price makes this the obvious choice for households. The data broker removal tool is a genuine bonus.
The most polished, easiest-to-use VPN. Worth the slightly higher price if you hate tech and just want it to work — especially for streaming.
Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and a genuinely free tier with no data limits. The only VPN built by a privacy-first company (the makers of ProtonMail).
No email, no account name — just a random number. Pay with cash or crypto. Survived a real police raid with zero data handed over. For serious privacy needs.
Highly configurable with open-source apps and a proven no-logs policy upheld in multiple US court cases. Unlimited devices and the largest server network.
Get Protected Today
Stop browsing unprotected
Every major VPN on this list offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try one risk-free — you can always get a full refund if it's not right for you.