Best overall
NordVPN
Fast, secure and easy to use: the most balanced option.
- from US$3.09/mo (2-year plan, Basic) — then US$11.59/mo
- 9,400+ / 118 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 10
The Best VPNs of 2026
Quick verdict
Best for streaming
ExpressVPN
- from US$2.49/mo (2-year plan (+4 free months), Basic) — then US$8.33/mo
- 105 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 10–14
Best value
Surfshark
Unlimited devices at a very competitive price.
- from US$1.99/mo (2-year plan (24+3 free), Starter) — then US$6.58/mo
- 3,200+ / 100 countries
Best for privacy
Proton VPN
Based in Switzerland, open-source and audited no-logs.
- Free or from US$2.99/mo (2-year plan, VPN Plus) — then US$6.99/mo
- 17,000+ / 110+ countries
- Simultaneous devices: 10
Best for beginners
CyberGhost
- from US$1.59/mo (2-year plan (26 months, +4 free), current promo) — then US$4.74/mo
- 9,300+ / 100 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 7
TABLE
Full comparison
| Product | Price | Servers | Devices | Logs | Jurisdiction | Guarantee | Free | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 RecommendedNordVPN | fromUS$3.09/mo2-year plan, Basicthen US$11.59/mo | 9,400+/ 118 countries | 10 | Audited (6×) | Panama | 30 days | No | Visit site |
| fromUS$2.49/mo2-year plan (+4 free months), Basicthen US$8.33/mo | 105 countries | 10–14 | Audited ✓ | British Virgin Islands | 30 days | 7-day trial | Visit ↗ | |
| fromUS$1.99/mo2-year plan (24+3 free), Starterthen US$6.58/mo | 3,200+/ 100 countries | Unlimited | Audited ✓ | Netherlands | 30 days | 7-day trial | Visit ↗ | |
| Free or fromUS$2.99/mo2-year plan, VPN Plusthen US$6.99/mo | 17,000+/ 110+ countries | 10 | Audited ✓ | Switzerland | 30 days | Yes · unlimited | Visit ↗ | |
| fromUS$1.59/mo2-year plan (26 months, +4 free), current promothen US$4.74/mo | 9,300+/ 100 countries | 7 | Audited ✓ | Romania | 45 days | No | Visit ↗ | |
| fromUS$2.03/mo3-year plan (+3 free months)then US$4.70/mo | 91 countries | Unlimited | Audited ✓ | USA | 30 days | No | Visit ↗ |
fromUS$3.09/mo2-year plan, Basicthen US$11.59/mo
- Servers
- 9,400+/ 118 countries
- Devices
- 10
- Logs
- Audited (6×)
- Jurisdiction
- Panama
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- No
fromUS$2.49/mo2-year plan (+4 free months), Basicthen US$8.33/mo
- Servers
- 105 countries
- Devices
- 10–14
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- British Virgin Islands
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- 7-day trial
fromUS$1.99/mo2-year plan (24+3 free), Starterthen US$6.58/mo
- Servers
- 3,200+/ 100 countries
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- Netherlands
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- 7-day trial
Free or fromUS$2.99/mo2-year plan, VPN Plusthen US$6.99/mo
- Servers
- 17,000+/ 110+ countries
- Devices
- 10
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- Switzerland
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- Yes · unlimited
fromUS$1.59/mo2-year plan (26 months, +4 free), current promothen US$4.74/mo
- Servers
- 9,300+/ 100 countries
- Devices
- 7
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- Romania
- Guarantee
- 45 days
- Free
- No
fromUS$2.03/mo3-year plan (+3 free months)then US$4.70/mo
- Servers
- 91 countries
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- USA
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- No
Last verified: July 2026. Prices can change — always check them on the provider’s official website before you buy.
QUIZ
Find your ideal VPN
Answer 4 questions and we'll tell you which one suits you.
Question 1 of 4
What matters most to you?
What will you mainly use it for?
How much do you want to spend?
How tech-savvy are you?
Your ideal pick is:
ANALYSIS
An honest breakdown of all 6: the good, the bad, and who each one is for.
#1 · Best overall
NordVPN
from
US$3.09/mo (2-year plan, Basic) — then US$11.59/mo
NordVPN is the best-known VPN and one of the fastest thanks to its NordLynx protocol. It combines solid security, a repeatedly audited no-logs policy, and one of the largest server networks on the market.
- Among the fastest VPNs (NordLynx protocol)
- No-logs policy independently audited 6 times
- Panama jurisdiction, outside surveillance alliances
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
- The price rises on renewal after the first term
- The standalone monthly plan is expensive
- No free plan
#2 · Best for streaming
ExpressVPN
from
US$2.49/mo (2-year plan (+4 free months), Basic) — then US$8.33/mo
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN known for being among the fastest (Lightway protocol) and for its strong security track record. It's based in the British Virgin Islands, uses RAM-only servers (TrustedServer), and is owned by Kape Technologies. Its main drawback is the price: it's one of the most expensive on the market.
- Among the fastest VPNs (Lightway protocol)
- No-logs audited and proven in real life (2017)
- RAM-only servers (TrustedServer) in 105 countries
- Excellent for streaming and very easy to use
- One of the most expensive VPNs on the market
- No free plan
- Owned by Kape (formerly Crossrider, with an adware past)
#3 · Best value
Surfshark
from
US$1.99/mo (2-year plan (24+3 free), Starter) — then US$6.58/mo
Surfshark is one of the cheapest and fastest premium VPNs, known for allowing unlimited devices with a single account. Since 2022 it belongs to the Nord Security group, though it operates independently, and it has an audited no-logs policy.
- Unlimited devices with a single subscription
- Among the fastest VPNs in independent tests
- Very competitive long-term pricing
- No-logs policy audited (Deloitte)
- The standalone monthly plan is expensive
- The price rises considerably on renewal
- Based in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes alliance)
#4 · Best for privacy
Proton VPN
Free or from
US$2.99/mo (2-year plan, VPN Plus) — then US$6.99/mo
Proton VPN is the privacy-focused VPN created in Switzerland by the Proton Mail team. It stands out for its Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, an audited no-logs policy, and for offering the only genuine free plan with unlimited data.
- The only free plan with unlimited data, no ads, and no logs
- Swiss jurisdiction, one of the most privacy-friendly
- Open-source apps and an independently audited no-logs policy
- Renewal price stays the same (no hike like others)
- Speed slightly below the leaders in some tests
- The free plan has few servers and a single device
- No servers optimized for gaming
#5 · Best for beginners
CyberGhost
from
US$1.59/mo (2-year plan (26 months, +4 free), current promo) — then US$4.74/mo
CyberGhost is an affordable, easy-to-use VPN heavily geared toward streaming thanks to its optimized servers. It's based in Romania, uses RAM-only servers, and is owned by Kape Technologies. It stands out for offering the longest money-back guarantee in the industry: 45 days.
- The longest money-back guarantee in the industry (45 days)
- Servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P
- Very easy to use and affordable
- Romania jurisdiction with RAM-only servers
- Only 7 simultaneous devices (fewer than most)
- Speed can be inconsistent on far-away servers
- Owned by Kape (formerly Crossrider, with an adware past)
#6 · Best for torrents
PIA
from
US$2.03/mo (3-year plan (+3 free months)) — then US$4.70/mo
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a very affordable and customizable VPN, ideal for torrenting and technically minded users. Its apps are open-source and its no-logs policy has even been proven in court. It's based in the US and owned by Kape Technologies.
- Unlimited devices with a single subscription
- No-logs audited and proven in court
- Open-source and highly customizable apps
- Excellent for torrenting (P2P on all servers)
- Based in the US (Five Eyes alliance)
- The app can be complex for beginners
- Inconsistent speed on very distant servers
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is using a VPN illegal in the US?
No. Using a VPN is completely legal in the United States — millions of people and businesses use one every day for privacy and security. What stays illegal is the activity itself: a VPN doesn't make illegal actions (like piracy or fraud) legal. A few countries restrict or ban VPNs, but the US is not one of them.
Can I be tracked if I use a VPN?
A good VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic, so your provider and websites can't easily see what you do or where you really are. But a VPN isn't total anonymity: you can still be identified if you log into accounts, accept tracking cookies, or if the VPN keeps logs. For maximum privacy, choose an independently audited no-logs VPN and pair it with privacy-friendly browser habits.
Is there any 100% free VPN?
Yes, but choose carefully. Proton VPN offers a genuinely free, unlimited-data tier with no ads — the best free option. Most other 'free' VPNs make money by showing ads, throttling speed, capping data or even selling your data, which defeats the purpose. For regular use, a reputable paid VPN (often just a few dollars a month) is safer and faster.
What are the disadvantages of using a VPN?
The main trade-offs are a slight drop in speed (your traffic takes a detour through the VPN server), a monthly cost for good services, and the occasional site or app that blocks VPNs. You also have to trust the provider, which is why an independently audited no-logs policy matters. For most people the privacy and security benefits clearly outweigh these downsides.
Does a VPN work for Grok?
Yes. A VPN works with Grok and other AI tools just like any website or app — it routes your connection through a server in another location. That can help you reach AI services limited in your region, or simply add privacy to your sessions. Pick a server in a country where the service is available, and choose a fast VPN so responses aren't slowed down.
Will Netflix ban me if I use a VPN?
No — Netflix won't ban or close your account for using a VPN. At most it blocks streaming when it detects one, showing a proxy error or only its globally available titles. Using a VPN to change your Netflix region can breach Netflix's terms of service, but the practical consequence is just the block, not a ban. The best streaming VPNs reliably get around these blocks.
How much does a VPN cost per month?
On a monthly plan, premium VPNs run about $10–$13/month. The big savings come from longer commitments: most top VPNs drop to roughly $2–$4/month on a 1–2 year plan, and there are genuinely free options (Proton VPN). Watch the renewal price, which is usually higher than the intro rate — always confirm the current offer on the provider's site.
METHOD
How we make this comparison
-
Research-based analysis
We analyze each VPN using official information, independent audits, and tests published by specialized sources. We don't rely on the brands' marketing, but on verifiable data.
-
Honest about the downsides
We always mention each provider's weak points, not just the good. If a VPN has a serious drawback (price, jurisdiction, limits), you'll read it here.
-
Commissions don't affect the order
We may earn a commission if you subscribe through our links, but that doesn't change our ratings or the order of the comparison. We recommend what we'd recommend to a friend.
-
We update every few months
We review this comparison every few months so the prices and data stay correct. You'll see the date of the last update at the top.
— Arne, Cryvor
BUYING GUIDE
How to choose a VPN
Choosing a VPN depends above all on what you need it for. If privacy is your priority, look at the provider's jurisdiction and whether their no-logs policy has been independently audited. For streaming, optimized servers and good speed matter most. If you're looking to save money, long-term plans typically cost between $2 and $5 per month — far less than paying month to month.
It's also worth checking how many devices you can connect at once, whether there's a money-back guarantee, and which security protocols are supported. Every VPN in this comparison encrypts your connection and hides your IP; the differences lie in the balance of speed, price, privacy, and ease of use.
Our general recommendation is NordVPN NordVPN Visit website → View profile → for its all-round balance, but the best choice is always the one that fits your specific needs.
Click a logo to visit its site
MORE GUIDES
Related guides
GUIDE
Is using a VPN illegal in the US?
No, using a VPN is legal in the United States. Here is what the law actually covers, and where using one can still get you into trouble.
Arne Borchert · July 9, 2026Read guideGUIDE
Is there any 100% free VPN?
Yes, a few genuinely free VPNs exist, but most 'free' apps come with a catch. Here is how to tell a safe free VPN from one that sells your data.
Arne Borchert · July 7, 2026Read guideGUIDE
What exactly does a VPN do?
A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address. Here is what that actually protects, what it does not do, and where it genuinely helps.
Arne Borchert · July 5, 2026Read guide