Best Vpn

Welcome to TechRadar’s guide to the best VPN. Our aim is to give you the information you need to choose the right VPN as quickly as possible.

NordVPN is the best VPN for most people. It offers a great combination of security, speed and usability. Surfshark and Proton VPN are also excellent, offering better value and privacy respectively. We know all this because we regularly conduct in-depth, rigorous VPN testing .

We've been reviewing VPNs for more than a decade and, in that time, helped millions of people find the right VPN. When it comes to helping you, we think that’s worth something.

5 best VPNs: a quick overview

Latest VPN news & industry updates

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more how we test.

Although it's still a while away, Black Friday VPN deals are already starting to appear.

Proton is offering the standout deal of the bunch: 50% off its full Proton Unlimited privacy suite . That brings the annual price down to $77.88 ($6.49/month), a hefty discount from the standard $12.99/month.

Meanwhile, NordVPN's promo cuts its Complete plan from $4.49/month to $3.99/month. Alongside the core VPN, the Complete tier includes access to the company's antivirus, password manager, secure cloud storage, and dark web monitoring.

Elsewhere, Surfshark — our #1 budget pick — is currently offering its mid-tier One package for the price of its entry-level Starter plan.

That unlocks features like Alternative ID, scam protection, antivirus, and dark web alerts at no extra charge. With three bonus months included, the 27-month subscription totals $67.23, working out to just $2.49/month.

VPN product developments

On October 22, 2026, NordVPN released version 6.0.0 of its Linux app . The update includes a refresh of its obfuscation techniques, improved OpenVPN speeds on newer kernels, and the retirement of several legacy commands.

Meanwhile, Hide.me VPN has redesigned its dashboard on Android mobile and TV . The update means Android TV users can now access the SmartGuard tool, which blocks intrusive ads, trackers, and malicious websites. The release also brings stability improvements to the WireGuard and SSTP protocols, alongside new speed indicators to help pick the fastest servers.

Finally, Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 11 'Always On VPN' connection issues are still not fixed , despite first appearing back in September. The tech company said the bug was mistakenly flagged as resolved in the October 13 patch. The bug leaves enterprise VPN connections hanging indefinitely or entirely unable to connect.

Last week, we published an exclusive investigation that uncovered more than 350 untrustworthy Chrome VPN extensions targeting users in Russia. They have over 200,000 downloads combined.

These shady tools fail basic transparency tests and use throwaway Gmail addresses and anonymous privacy policies to obscure their developers’ identities. Alarmingly, more than 120 impersonate legitimate brands, including Windscribe and ExpressVPN , and nearly 100 may be intercepting user traffic and monitoring every .

The report is an important reminder to always check the basics when choosing a browser extension and to opt for a full-fledged VPN service where possible.

VPN laws & regulations

Greece has joined an ever-growing list of countries to ban social media for children , with the Greek parliament passing legislation barring anyone under 15 from opening an account. The new rules take effect year, with platforms expected to verify each user's age individually.

Elsewhere, Proton CEO Andy Yen has won the 2026 Liberal Award . Handed out by the Young Liberals of the Canton of Zurich, the prize honors someone judged to have made a significant contribution to liberal society in Switzerland.

👇 Keep scrolling for our in-depth reviews of this month's top VPNs 👇

The best VPN services 2026

For streaming, security and everyday use, this is the best VPN you can buy.

NordVPN is more than enough for most people: it's fast, reasonably priced, and relatively easy to use – but with plenty of tools for even the biggest technophiles. Having conducted a full review again in early April, we can confirm its still be best VPN for most people.

There are some niche cases where you may be better off with another service ( ProtonVPN is a better choice for countries with high levels of censorship, for example) but, if you just want a VPN for streaming your favorite shows, gaming, and keeping safe on public Wi-Fi , NordVPN is the best VPN for the job.

At $3.09 per month it's more expensive than the likes of Surfshark, but it's worth it. Take a look below for more information NordVPN.

Getting started with NordVPN is easy thanks to the onboarding wizard that springs to life when you fire up the Mac or Windows version for the very first time. It'll walk you through Nord's features and make sure you understand what's going on.

NordVPN has users well covered for apps, and we love the browser extension too which still includes features like split-tunnelling and the kill switch . It also has location spoofing which means you can access international versions of any website you come across – handy for checking for the cheapest prices.

We were delighted to see the May 2025 addition of a NordVPN Linux app complete with a GUI and even more pleased to see the company make the interface app open source in October 2025 too. The December 2025 launch of support for OpenWrt routers extended that commitment to the open-source community.

Any Fire Stick VPN users should also take note that NordVPN has been the first VPN provider to ready an app for the September 2025 launched Fire Stick Select and its new Vega OS.

Apple TV users are also well-catered for; NordVPN currently holds the top spot in our best Apple TV VPN rankings thanks to its dedicated tvOS app and high-speed NordLynx performance.

We rate NordVPN as the best streaming VPN that money can buy. It boasts over 8,900 ultra-fast servers covering over 127 countries, all of which are optimized for streaming.

It unblocks all major streaming services – including international Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus – as well as a host of other regional streamers such as BBC iPlayer , 9Now, SBS On Demand, ITVX, Sling , FuboTV, Max, and many, many more. In fact, it's not often we find a streaming service that NordVPN can't get around the back of.

Speeds are easily enough to handle 4K HDR video. The only streaming-related caveat is that NordVPN isn't the best torrenting VPN . That A goes to ExpressVPN. That's because there are only a handful of NordVPN servers optimised for P2P use.

NordVPN also has a special, if slightly niche, treat on the streaming front with its Meshnet private network feature.

Meshnet had been scheduled for shutdown in August 2025, until user uproar saw it saved on just one month later . We asked NordVPN what happened here along with everything you've always wanted to know NordVPN.

Meshnet can be used for remote desktop access and file sharing and that includes using it to turn your computer into a media server. So, you could use Plex to set up your media server and then access it remotely on all kinds of devices over Meshnet. That's not something you get with other VPNs.

In January 2026, the company extended the number of virtual server locations to 79, adding almost 30 new locations that allow people to bypass censorship and access otherwise blocked content in restrictive territories. What's more, it's transparent which locations are virtual, so you know exactly where your data is going.

Privacy & Security ★★★★★

NordVPN comes with cutting-edge security and privacy features, including its recently launched NordWhisper protocol for VPN obfuscation and censorship avoidance. It also runs both OpenVPN and its own proprietary WireGuard-based Nordlynx protocol with super-secure, recently audited , zero-trust AES-256 encryption , meaning you can be confident that nobody has access to your data but you.

If someone ever did manage to pilfer it, it would take them millions of years to crack the encryption, particularly as NordVPN's quantum-safe encryption is theoretically future-proofed.

In fact, NordVPN extended its post-quantum encryption (PQE) in May 2025 across all of its apps, making the service theoretically invulnerable to so-called " store now, decrypt later (SNDL) " attacks, which await the availability of quantum computers and their increased code-cracking powers.

All of NordVPN's security mettle was put to the test in a large-scale security audit in December 2025 , which the company passed with flying colors.

The company has a strict no-logs policy – which was successfully audited for the sixth time in February 2026 – meaning that not even NordVPN itself has a record of your browsing data.

It's also legally headquartered in Panama – a country with strong data protection laws – meaning that it would be very difficult for any third parties to have any successful claims to NordVPN's customer base, even if it did log anything significant.

Finally, there's also a kill switch for further assurances and DNS leak protection to prevent your ISP from getting even a whiff of what you're up to.

NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro feature set (available on the NordVPN Plus plan and above) includes anti-malware and anti-phishing security for file downloads as well as while browsing. It extended its protection to customer email inboxes too , in December 2025, for those using the Windows or Mac apps.

In a study published at the end of 2025, its cybersecurity tool was found to successfully block 92% of phishing websites . Plus in February 2026, NordVPN integrated CrowdStrike’s Threat Intelligence into its Threat Protection Pro feature.

And if you think that the security provided by your antivirus is enough, then you might want to take a look at NordVPN's October 2025 Times Square demonstration of just how exposed we are online without a VPN.

Speed & Performance ★★★★½

The NordLynx proprietary protocol performed brilliantly in our speed tests . It clocked consistent speeds upwards of 1200 Mbps to nearby servers, dropping to more like 700 Mbps when heading across the Atlantic to the UK.

Longer distance connection performance is where many other VPNs struggle. That's worth considering given that you may be be looking to access streaming services and other content from across the world.

OpenVPN speeds are a little slower, at more like 700 Mbps both locally and long distance, but we'd rate NordVPN as one of the very fastest out there on this protocol, with only ExpressVPN and Surfshark doing better.

NordVPN has a great deal of pride in its server network and has recently looked to change the conversation from server count to server quality . However it wishes to speak it, our lab and user testing certainly points towards a system that's rarely overloaded and that works incredibly well.

In fact, NordVPN underwent a third-party audit, in June 2025, for performance speed and connection time, as well as its functionality and security. West Coast Labs determined that everything was more than satisfactory.

NordVPN price plan comparison

There are three NordVPN price plans to choose from, although the specifics depend on your location.

NordVPN Basic is just the VPN software. It's available everywhere. If you want to add anti-virus functionality ( Nord Threat Protection Pro ), then go for NordVPN Complete.

For a password manager ( NordPass ), cloud storage ( NordLocker ), and up to $5000 of cyber insurance on top, go for NordVPN Prime.

NordVPN Prime also recently extended its ID theft recovery insurance to UK Ultimate users up to a value of £5000 – useful in light of the 2025 UK big retail cyber attacks.

For our money, the Basic plan is the best value, but if you really need the extras on offer in Complete or Prime, then go for it. Each plan type comes with a different possible contract length: 1-month, 1-year, or 2-year.

Do remember that you need to pay the full amount upfront, though, and that, along with Surfshark, NordVPN adds local tax at checkout. That means that its quoted monthly prices might well be a little higher depending on where you live. In some parts of the United States, that could mean another 8% or so added on. For those in the UK, it's a full 20% extra.

The other major warning – and this is true for most VPNs – is do not let your subscription auto-renew, or you'll end up with a pretty sharp price hike. Currently, NordVPN auto-renews for $139 , for just one year, for those on the Basic plan.

Whichever subscription you choose, though, you get 30 days to change your mind and ask for a full refund.

Below is a comparison table of the NordVPN plans and what each one offers.

Threat protection Pro

Surfshark – the best low cost VPN

The cheapest and fastest VPN – an excellent choice on a budget.

For a straight-up VPN with all the basics of privacy, security, and streaming included, Surfshark really is excellent value. It costs less than NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN and there are no limits to the number of devices you can install it on with just a single, simple account.

Surfshark has some brilliant web browsing anonymity features that every casual user will love. You should be rightly tempted to choose it over NordVPN, even though it loses out to the top dog on streaming, server spread, and security, but only by a shade.

Surfshark has an app for pretty much every platform and is one of the few to have a proper GUI for Linux . It's got you covered for routers, browsers, Fire Stick, and Apple TV , as well as all the regulars.

It's also recently added macOS to the list of platforms which support its Surfshark Bypasser feature. That means that you can now choose to route some traffic through your normal connection, while still using the VPN for other functions, on a Mac computer.

Apple TV owners can download a dedicated Surfshark app directly from the tvOS App Store, making it significantly easier to unblock streaming content on the big screen without fiddling with Smart DNS settings.

Apple users should beware, though, that Surfshark announced that it will only support the four most recent versions of iOS and macOS . So, you will need your device to be able to keep up with Apple firmware updates if you're planning on choosing Surfshark in the medium-to-long term.

Should you wish to purchase a dedicated IP address , for easier access to sensitive online services with fewer annoying CAPTCHAs, then that's now available as a feature across all apps with browser extensions included since October 2025 , and Linux since December 2025 .

Surfshark is very straightforward to use – we love the QR code log-in for your secondary devices – but, with the location guide and quick access feature buttons all competing for screen real estate, there's a fair bit going on at a glance. That makes the interface a little tougher on the eye than NordVPN or ExpressVPN but not so much that it should put off any beginners.

If you do need help, the built-in AI chatbot will spit out some solid how-to type articles and there aren't many layers between you and a real, live customer support operative if that doesn't do the trick.

Streaming is probably Surfshark's weakest area at the moment, but it's important to remember how well a VPN can unblock streaming services is something of a moveable feast. What's true today is not necessarily the case tomorrow. It's just that, right now in the arms race, the streaming services are slightly better at spotting and blocking Surfshark IP addresses than we would like them to be.

Surfshark generally did an excellent job of unblocking free local streaming services from all round the world in our most recent lab tests. It's also excellent for unlocking regional Netflix libraries. It only really came a cropper with Amazon Prime Video and US YouTube. NordVPN is the best streaming VPN if those are the services you need.

Surfshark's extensive and well designed server network certainly helps for streaming. With 141 server locations across 99 countries, you're not going to be short of options of places to pretend to be.

The server network has seen a massive upgrade recently, expanding to over 4,500 servers globally . More importantly, Surfshark has begun upgrading its infrastructure to 100Gbps ports, starting with locations in Amsterdam, to future-proof its speeds against growing data demands.

All of Surfshark's servers are optimized for streaming and torrenting but we did have a couple of issues of jitter which meant that video streams dropped out once or twice in our tests. Obviously, just reconnect the VPN and press play again, should that occur.

You might also want to turn off both the CleanWeb ad blocker and the IP rotation feature for better results.

A problem, you say? Well, maybe, but balance that against Surfshark's unlimited connections policy. That's right, you can use Surfshark on as many devices as you like simultaneously, all from just one account!

Privacy & Security ★★★★½

Surfshark's AES-256 encryption tech puts it at the top table for security. Its CleanWeb browser add-on blocks ads from appearing on websites and denies cookie requests without you having to bother – which we really, really like.

It also has a rather wonderful Alternative ID tool that effectively creates a fake persona – complete with name, email address, and phone number – to autofill into online forms when you'd rather not give your real details. Emails, calls, and messages get forwarded to your real versions until you pull the plug.

Surfshark's Camouflage Mode obfuscation technology helps you bypass VPN blocks by hiding the fact you're using a VPN. Its 'No Borders' feature, meanwhile, detects if your current network is facing any restrictions and automatically recommends servers that perform best under those restrictions.

Surfshark has now also entered the future-proofing race by i ntroducing Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) for its WireGuard protocol . This feature — currently available on Android, macOS, and Linux — protects your data against future decryption attacks by quantum computers.

The company's most recent security addition is the October 2025 arrival of Web Content Blocking which allows parents using One or One+ to deny access to adult websites, gambling sites or content with profanity, phishing, and malware to others on their network. This is something that Windscribe already offers and is a handy borrowed idea from parental control services .

In the same month, Surfshark also launched its email scam checker tool for the Chrome browser extension. It uses AI to scan for any suspicious looking messages in your Gmail inbox and sends you a warning if it finds one, and all without recording any user email data.

Trust in Surfshark's infrastructure was further bolstered in January 2026 when it passed an independent security audit conducted by SecuRing, which found no critical vulnerabilities in its server network

Take a look at Surfshark's 2026 roadmap for an idea of the other privacy and security upgrades expected this year.

Lastly, it's worth noting that Surfshark's headquarters, for legal purposes, is the Netherlands which is a member of the 14 eyes intelligence sharing community along with the United States, UK, Canada and Australia among others. If privacy is your top reason for using a VPN, for this reason alone, Surfshark is probably not the best choice.

Speed & Performance ★★★★

You want speed? You got speed. Surfshark is the No.1 fastest VPN under ideal conditions. We clocked it in with average download speeds of 1615 Mbps over a local VPN connection.

Do bear in mind, though, that it can drop considerably when connecting to a distant VPN server . We averaged just 355 Mbps with a hop over the Atlantic, while the likes of Proton VPN (1242 Mbps) and NordVPN (626 Mbps) fared much better.

Surfshark can also be prone to more jitter than others, which might make you suffer during gaming and streaming. If you're looking at pure up/download speeds, though, then Surfshark is hard to beat.

We can expect Surfshark to get even faster in 2026, however, with 2025's launch of its FastTrack route optimization technology which is designed to improve long distance connection speeds. More significant perhaps, though, is Surfshark's October 2025 launch of the world's first 100 Gbps VPN server which we hope is more of a promise than a just a good headline.

Right now, FastTrack is only available for Mac users accessing the Sydney, Seattle, or Vancouver servers, and the only 100 Gbps server is in the Netherlands but expect these technologies to roll out across the global network over the coming year.

Better still, Surfshark announced a 40% expansion of its network to include 4200 servers as of October 2025. Always a good sign to see reinvestment.

Surfshark price plan comparison

The Surfshark Starter plan used to be where to go to keep costs at rock bottom. The price has crept up a little over 2026 but there's been a lot more value added to the package at the same time.

Surfshark Starter brings your VPN use, including ad and cookie pop-up blockers, plus the Alternative ID personal detail mask and masked email generator. The price for that is currently $2.49 per month on the two-year plan.

However, it's very hard to turn down the upgrade to the Surfshark One plan , given that it's only $8 more over 2 years and only a $4 difference on the 12-month plan. That adds a built-in antivirus, webcam protection, and real-time credit card, ID, and email breach alerts.

Surfshark's premium plan, One+ , is a tougher sell. It's around double the price of Starter at $4.49 per month. The most noticeable benefit of One+ is that you get the Incogni data removal tool into the mix. It's a decent service, but it's probably only worth opting for Surfshark One+ if you were considering Icogni anyway.

As with NordVPN, do beware that Surfshark's prices may not be quite as good as they look, depending on where you're based. The company adds local tax at checkout, unlike the other VPN providers below, whose prices already include tax.

Also, like most VPNs, auto-renewal prices are steep. There's a handy article here on how to make sure your Surfshark subscription doesn't auto-renew without having to set yourself a calendar reminder.

If you'd like to get a taste of one of Surfshark's features for nothing, then you can try out its recently announced free private DNS service . It's a way of routing your internet traffic without allowing your ISP to block certain domains, log traffic or create targeted adverts based on your browsing.

Better still, Surfshark has introduced a 7-day free trial for the first time. It's the only one of the best VPNs to offer that which makes taking it for a spin something of a no-brainer. Our bet: you'll probably stick with it.

Be careful, when you click through to buy, that you select the 'Start a free trial' button and not the 'Get Surfshark' one, or you won't get the best prices on the Surfshark One+ plans.

All Surfshark plans come with a 30-day money back guarantee. Just in case you need to, here's how to cancel Surfshark and get a refund .

Here's a comparison table of the Surfshark plans and what each one offers and a direct comparison of NordVPN vs Surfshark :

Cookie pop-up blocker

Proton VPN – the best VPN for privacy

Proton VPN is the best choice if privacy features and widespread server access are top of your wishlist.

Proton VPN is one of many privacy-centric products built by Proton. It's a CERN-scientist-founded, Swiss company committed to the "societal problem of surveillance capitalism" rather than a Silicon Valley venture capitalism get-rich-quick machine.

So long as Proton sticks to that mission, that makes it quite an ethical VPN choice and one that works as well as the others on this best VPN list.

It was certainly reassuring to see a strong reaction from Proton's CEO on the possible change in Swiss data protection laws – and Proton's willingness to relocate should the country's surveillance bill force Proton to collect user data – and finally that the Swiss authorities are reconsidering those changes as of December 2025.

Launching free privacy tools, such as the Data Breach Observatory, in October 2025 , is yet another good indication that Proton's mission is here to stay.

The big reason to choose Proton VPN is if privacy is of paramount importance to you – or if you need a good range of server locations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia – but don't let that fool you.

With over 15,000 servers across 145 countries, Proton VPN is every bit the right tool for those looking for some serious streaming and torrenting fun too.

Proton VPN is easy to use, thanks to a recent UI refresh of its Windows, iOS and Android apps . It may not have a Chrome browser extension that's as reliable as others but it does boast a Linux application with a decent graphic interface and those new-look mobile and desktop apps.

We really like the added screen widgets for mobile and the upgrades to the Profile feature which allowed us to switch protocol and server by use cases like streaming, anti-censorship and gaming, really quickly.

Proton has also partnered with privacy-focused browser Vivaldi . So, if you really do want a VPN browser extension for Proton, you might consider Vivaldi instead of Chrome. Best of all, though, is that Proton finally brought the split tunneling feature to macOS and Linux users, in 2025, along with a host of other upgrades that we saw when the other major platform apps were upgraded. That's a terrific result.

If you want a VPN app for Android TV, Proton's definitely one to consider. There's plenty of focus from the company on Google's TV interface which might be of note to anyone following Amazon's Fire Stick crackdown . Proton updated its Android TV app in November, 2025 , to include support from the NetShield advert and tracker-blocking tool.

Proton VPN's missing star for the Ease of Use category is mostly down to customer service. Like the others in this list, the live chat isn't 24/7. It's only available during Swiss work hours – not great if you're based on Pacific Time in the States or live in Australia or New Zealand. That said, we're assured that this is an area where Proton VPN is looking to improve.

Proton VPN is a good choice for both streaming and torrenting. It's one of the few VPNs where port forwarding is still available and there are dedicated, P2P-optimized servers, which, again, is great for torrenting.

Proton VPN also has more country locations than almost any other VPN. If you're looking to connect to a regional service in Africa (22 countries) or the Middle East (14 countries) then it should be high on your list. It also has more Asia locations covered than any other provider on this page.

The trade-off is that there aren't so many server locations in the US or across Europe, but most countries are covered in those places, even if there's not much at the city/region level.

Proton VPN largely does an excellent job of unblocking streaming services all over the world. We managed to access the desired Netflix libraries every time we tried. Getting global access to Prime Video and Disney Plus sometimes meant trying a different server in the same country, though. But we were pleased to see some success for Proton VPN with unblocking US YouTube from abroad which, at the moment is notoriously difficult for most VPNs.

The one place that Proton VPN did come more unstuck then others, though, is with unblocking access to regional free streaming services, particularly those that are ad-funded.

BBC iPlayer and Australia's 7Plus, 9Now and 10Play worked fine but the UK's Channel 4 and ITV required switching off NetShield to get them going. And Proton VPN wasn't able to unblock New Zealand's TVNZ Plus service at all, which is a shame given the great content available there.

Privacy & Security ★★★★½

Proton VPN has been built from the ground up as a privacy-first product and plenty of features show that off. But expect its privacy credentials to get an even bigger boost in 2026 with company CEO Andy Yen announcing that an all-new, in-house VPN architecture is on the way as part of Proton's 2025 autumn/winter roadmap .

In the meantime, there are still plenty of excellent features already available.

Proton's Secure Core sends your VPN traffic through an extra secure server in a privacy-friendly location (Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden) and then onto the endpoint VPN server. Similar to NordVPN's Double VPN system, that means your traffic is secured twice, reducing the risk of your IP getting exposed if the endpoint server is hacked.

As well as OpenVPN and WireGuard, Proton uses its own Stealth protocol which hides the fact you're even using a VPN which could be very important if you're in a region where VPN use is banned.

Equally, you can opt to use the Alternate Routing feature instead which sends your IP-relocated internet traffic through a third-party server, like Amazon's, for example. That helps to get around sites that don't play nice with VPNs.

You can also connect directly to the Tor network through some Proton VPN servers which might be handy if you're in a line of work that requires extra anonymity.

Proton VPN Plus also brings the use of the NetShield Ad-blocker feature. It did a decent job with ads and trackers, although the malware-blocking end wasn't particularly comprehensive. Get a good AV for that instead.

Lastly, and by no means least, Proton has a tight no-logging policy – successfully audited for the fourth time in September, 2025 – and an excellent system of handling customer data, which received a 'SOC2 Type II" audit to prove its worth in July of the same year.

Speed & Performance ★★★★

In rounds of testing, Proton VPN has always played second fiddle when compared to the speeds on offer with other VPNs on this list, but not any more. Proton VPN was arguably the fastest VPN we tested in October 2025, using the WireGuard protocol .

The VPN Accelerator feature does a good job of automatically finding the routes with better speeds when connecting to long-distance servers, meaning that both short and far-flung server download speeds were consistent at 1521 Mbps and 1242 Mbps, respectively.

Sadly, Proton VPN is behind the game for those looking to use OpenVPN , though. Its 449 Mbps local connection performance was a long way back from ExpressVPN (1038 Mbps) and NordVPN (688 Mbps).

Do bear in mind, though, that for streaming purposes, Proton VPN still has plenty under the hood. Indeed, its latency and jitter scores were nice and low, which arguably, is more important for some use cases, such as gaming.

Proton VPN price plan comparison

The free version of Proton VPN is one of the best free VPNs available, and worth your consideration, depending on your needs.

The paid version of Proton VPN (Proton VPN Plus) is the one to go for if you want to use the streaming functionality, though. Upgrade to Proton Unlimited if you want all of that plus access to the full suite of Proton web products including Proton Mail , Proton Drive, Proton Pass and more. (You can compare two top-end VPN bundles here with NordVPN Prime vs Proton Unlimited .)

Soon you'll be able to do that direct from Apple's App Store and still get the best online price after a US ruling found against "the Apple Tax" .

Proton VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. We have a guide on how to cancel your Proton VPN subscription and get your money back .

Here's a comparison table of the Proton VPN plans so you can see for yourself:

Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, and Pass

ExpressVPN – the best VPN for Windows users

Choose your location and switch it on; it's pricey but fast, particular for PCs.

Price used to be the main reason ExpressVPN sat behind NordVPN and Surfshark in our best VPN. On September 2, 2025, ExpressVPN introduced a three-tier structure to offer customers a cheaper entry point. At the moment, you can get ExpressVPN for as little as $2.49, though this is a limited-time deal.

ExpressVPN did have a few gaps in streaming during our most recent testing, compared to NordVPN, and, while it's the best VPN for beginners , none of the other three VPNs above are so complicated that they should put you off.

It's also worth noting that ExpressVPN reduced its workforce back in March, 2025, in big enough numbers that it felt it needed to release a statement. So far, it doesn't seem to have affected the product, although getting dragged into a class action over auto-renew fees will not be helping the situation back at HQ.

Most interestingly of all, ExpressVPN launched a free, ad-supported VPN into the market in September 2025, called EventVPN . We look forward to taking it for a spin and seeing how this affects both the paid and free VPN markets.

The ExpressVPN user interface is just great. There's nothing glitzy the look of its apps but there's a simplicity that belies a lot of very clever design. It's red when it's off, it's green when it's on and the first two sections that draw your eyes are the massive Connect button and the server location option which opens up a list of countries either recommended or by continent. The casual user needs to go no further and get everything they need right there.

There are apps for every platform. ExpressVPN even has its own Aircove router if you want the VPN working at the heart of your network, and, in fact, a recent software update for Aircove and Aircove Go has improved their core infrastructure to make the user experience more stable and easier.

Likewise, ExpressVPN updated its iOS and Android apps in May 2025. They now include built-in speed testing tools, access to more VPN protocols and a Smart Location connection for an automated link to the best server at any given moment. There are also new ExpressVPN widgets and Siri shortcuts on the iOS app to enjoy.

ExpressVPN continued its charm offensive on Apple users in September, 2025 , with updates for its iPad and macOS apps too. Tablet users will now get a screen-filling app UI that's more responsive and easier to use. Mac owners get a streamlined install process.

And the company went one step further for Mac users, in December 2025, with a ground-up reconstruction of its Mac VPN app , with its first native version of the software. It's set to offer a more authentic Apple look and feel, and better performance too.

As of March 2025, Linux users got to join the party too with a GUI finally added to the ExpressVPN Linux app . More recently, in December 2025, the Linux app was the first to receive the new Qt (pronounced 'cute') app framework revamp which should help features roll out across all platforms more quickly. (The Qt Mac and Windows versions are currently in beta.)

Whichever apps you use, do take note that you'll need to update them ahead of January, 2026. ExpressVPN has announced that apps using older certificates will expire and need replacing for you to stay connected.

The other place your money goes is the 24/7 live chat in the help section of the app. Waiting times to get connected to human support can be as little as 30 seconds. We were never left hanging for more than 5 minutes in our tests. There is just no better VPN for usability.

With over 187 locations in 108 countries, ExpressVPN will have you covered for most of your streaming needs – certainly when accessing streaming services across the States, UK, and Europe. It has the most Oceania server locations of our top five and it did a great job of unblocking Netflix, 10Play and 9Now in Australia. Use the 24/7 live chat for advice on the best server choice if you do find any issues and that should sort it.

In fact, ExpressVPN has just expanded its server network so that it now has a server location in every single one of the 50 US states . That's great news in terms of both speed for folks in the US and for ensuring you get the correct online state laws when you connect to your nearest server.

ExpressVPN is a bit short across the Middle East with just two countries to choose from. Not great for BeIn sports content in that part of the world, or watching Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League or any other local content from Saudi, UAE, and the like.

In terms of stream stability, ExpressVPN does pretty well, although it does feel like NordVPN has the edge here with fewer instances of dropping out when viewing trans-Atlantic content – another reason why you might want to make a different choice if streaming is your no.1 VPN use case.

Privacy & Security ★★★★½

As with Surfshark and NordVPN, you do get a lot of security features with ExpressVPN. In a major update in February 2026, the company added a new, standalone password manager , email protection tool , AI platform and real-time personal data security checker.

We think the tools — ExpressAI, ExpressMailGuard, Identity Defender, and ExpressKeys — are " the biggest expansion to ExpressVPN's portfolio " for years. However, access is determined by your chosen plan, and some features—specifically the Identity Defender suite—are currently limited to US users.

Nevertheless, ExpressVPN always gets the basics of security bang on. It uses top-end, rotating key, AES-256 encryption. Meanwhile, in January 2026, the company advanced its PQE (Post-Quantum Encryption) capabilities by introducing ML-KEM to its Lightway protocol — one of the three quantum-resistant standards released by NIST

Pete Membrey, Chief Research Officer at ExpressVPN, told TechRadar : "Encryption is always evolving, and so are we [...] with ML-KEM – the newly minted NIST standard – we’re taking that protection even further."

We're also big fans of the randomly allocating Shuffle IP system which ensures there's no correlation between your identity and your online activity. Combine that with the provider's TrustedServer technology , its commitment to post-quantum encryption , and the fact that data requests are made very difficult thanks to its British Virgin Islands choice of jurisdiction, and it's high marks here.

While ExpressVPN passed its 23rd successful security audit in July 2025, it bolstered its transparency further in February 2026. The company announced it had earned four ISO certifications (including ISO 27001) and published a transparency report confirming that despite receiving over 1.38 million data requests in the second half of 2025, it disclosed zero user data.

The company is so confident in its security that it offers a $100,000 bug bounty should you ever get inside an ExpressVPN server. No one has ever claimed it.

Speed & Performance ★★★★

Lightway is the name of ExpressVPN's bespoke VPN protocol. It's optimized for mobile use – certainly no bad thing in the modern age – but it was long way short of NordLynx or WireGuard, as used by Surfshark and Proton VPN, in our latest lab speed tests.

We clocked Lightway in with average download speeds of 489 Mbps, even over a local connection. Compare that to NordVPN (1256 Mbps), Surfshark (1615 Mbps) and Proton VPN (1521 Mbps) and it doesn't look good.

Fortunately, Lightway's performance gets a serious boost through the ExpressVPN Windows apps, however, thanks to the roll out of Lightway Turbo and DCO and with the recently launched Lightway 2.0. and its more streamlined coding in Rust. Lightway in Rust is already on Aircove devices and is expected to land elsewhere in 2025.

We clocked Lightway Turbo in at an average local download speed of 1479 Mbps, second only to Surfshark (1615 Mbps), and it also performed well when we connected to long distance VPN servers . Its 1374 Mbps transatlantic speed was the best of any VPN.

What's more ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs overall when using OpenVPN, matched only by NordVPN's OpenVPN performance, and that's available across all platforms – not just Windows.

ExpressVPN's speeds are looking to extend into the post-quantum era, too. The provider adopted WireGuard , on August 13, 2025, in addition to its proprietary Lightway protocol; the move gives users a quantum-secure, high-speed protocol, thanks to adopting ML-KEM encryption. Plus, it's already available across Windows, iOS, and Android.

As it turns out, Opera VPN has been so impressed by ExpressVPN's protocol technology that it's decided to switch to Lightway itself – quite the vote of confidence when it comes from a third party, and a bit of a slight to NordVPN and NordLynx too.

If all of ExpressVPN's protocol choices seem overwhelming, then fear not. The company updated its apps, in December 2025, to include a Fastest Location option. That way, you can just hit the button and be assured that you're getting the best performance possible for your circumstances.

ExpressVPN price plan

A subscription to ExpressVPN Basic brings access to the VPN product and Lite Protection (a DNS-level ad-blocker and malicious website blocker) on up to 10 devices simultaneously. ExpressVPN Basic has been cheaper (as low as $2.49) but it currently sits $2.99 per month which puts it closer to Proton and NordVPN.

It's quite the jump up to the $4.49 per month for the Advanced plan, over two years. Nonetheless, Advanced is a pretty compelling package with better browsing protection, the password manager, and three days per month of free eSIM use. If you're in the US, you get ID monitoring with fraud alerts, and identity restoration too.

If you really want the dedicated IP service, then Pro is worth it but it's a big step up. If that's not something you need, you're best off with Advanced.

ExpressVPN's auto-renewal prices (subject to change) are a lot better than Surfshark and NordVPN. All the same, here's an article on how to cancel your ExpressVPN subscription before your subscription ends , which we recommend doing. That will stop the auto-renewal and still allow you to use ExpressVPN right up until the last day of your agreement.

Here's a table showing ExpressVPN's main features and a direct comparison of ExpressVPN vs NordVPN :

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PrivadoVPN Free – Best Free VPN

For occasional use, including some worldwide TV show streaming, it's hard to beat the best free VPN.

It's not all money. The best things in life are free. Well, the fifth-best thing, at least. A paid VPN is a better choice for anyone serious using a VPN regularly but, if you’re looking to dip your toes in the VPN waters and see whether you like the feel, PrivadoVPN Free is a good choice.

Why? Because you get to play with most of the important features that a paid VPN offers and that’s not the case for many of the other best free VPN services. You can do things like unblocking access to trans-Atlantic Netflix libraries (in a limited way) and you also get the peace of mind that PrivadoVPN won’t sell your data to make up for the fact you’re using its service for free.

PrivadoVPN Free doesn't come with as much customization and functionality as a paid VPN, the upside of which is that it’s certainly easy to use. There are apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, Android TV, iOS, Apple TV, and FireTV. Annoyingly, the Chrome extension has slipped behind the paywall in 2025. If you're struggling to install these apps, then the online knowledge base is good but live chat access is limited.

Streaming is where PrivadoVPN Free stands head and shoulders above other free VPNs. There’s not really much streaming on offer elsewhere, without paying, because of very low data allowances and limited, or often no, server choice.

PrivadoVPN Free allows you to access its 13 servers across 10 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands, UK, and the USA. You also get 10 GB of data to use each month. That’s 10, hour-long, TV shows at standard definition. If you need more than that, then maybe it’s time to pay for your VPN.

The split tunneling feature is handy for minimizing your data use but, if you do bust the limit of your allowance, then PrivadoVPN Free will let you connect still but only on the 1 Mbps server. With no servers in Australia, New Zealand or Italy, there are a lot of great free streaming services that you miss out on here but it did still manage to unblock Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and ITV in our recent tests.

Privacy & Security ★★★½

PrivadoVPN Free brings access to its VPN but not much else in the way of privacy and security features, aside from the kill switch . It uses AES-256 encryption and offers OpenVPN, WireGuard protocols as well as the usually slower IKEv2 , if you need.

We love that PrivadoVPN doesn’t sell its free users’ data to fund the gratis access. We love its strict no-logs policy. We love that it’s based in Switzerland too, where data protection laws are super tight. But the fact that PrivadoVPN has never had a third-party audit to check all this? Not so much. But then audits cost money and the users aren’t paying, so, you know.

Speed & Performance ★★★½

You might expect a free VPN to be significantly slower than the paid options on this page but that’s not the case with PrivadoVPN Free. It recorded a frighteningly fast 1045 Mbps average download speed on our VPN speed testing rig using WireGuard.

That's faster than ExpressVPN over WireGuard (694 Mbps) and not a long way short of NordVPN (1256 Mbps). PrivadoVPN Free even recorded a peak speed of 900 Mbps over a long distance before we ran out of our 10 GB of free monthly data.

So, as we say, you get a lot more than the other best free VPNs with PrivadoVPN Free. What you don’t get is the unlimited ability to use it.

As we say, you get a lot more than the other best free VPNs with PrivadoVPN Free. What you don’t get is the unlimited ability to use it.

PrivadoVPN price plan comparison

In many ways, it has a point, though. PrivadoVPN Free is a good service but if you need a VPN on the regular, you're better off reaching into your pocket.

Here's a feature comparison table of the PrivadoVPN Free and paid plans and you can see if you agree:

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Other VPNs we've tested

We rate the five VPNs above as the best available right now but there are plenty of other VPNs that we've reviewed. If you see a killer VPN deal out there for one of them, it might be worth your consideration, certainly if it's high up this list. We've put the highest-scoring VPNs at the top. The ones near the bottom are VPNs you should avoid .

CLICK TO SEE MORE VPNS WE'VE REVIEWED ▼

A virtual private network (VPN) is a tool that creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and another location on the internet. VPNs ensure privacy and security online by masking your IP address – and therefore your location – and encrypting data that's transmitted to and from your device, making it impossible for third parties to intercept or track your activities.

Without a VPN, your ISP can monitor and track which websites you access and the data you're transferring. Governments and legal bodies can then request to access that information or hackers may expose it. Install a VPN and no one can see your data or what you're doing online.

A VPN provides security, privacy ( the most popular reason for using a VPN, in fact ), and a degree of anonymity ( not total anonymity, despite what many people think ) to you and your devices when using the internet. VPNs can also unblock your favorite streaming services from abroad, help you get cheaper prices when shopping online, assist with torrenting and online gaming connections, and they're a terrific tool for protecting yourself on public Wi-Fi .

There are two important things to note when buying a VPN: you have to pay the full amount up-front BUT most come with 30-day money-back guarantees , so you can change your mind for a full refund.

As for the money-back guarantee, we've tried it, and it works. Most of our top picks also have 24-hour live customer support which makes it all the easier.

Finally, once you've bought and installed your chosen VPN, we'd advise deactivating any auto-renew settings. Some auto-renew prices can be eye-watering compared to the initial fee. Take a look at more things to consider when buying a VPN .

What to look for in a VPN

Anything under $2.50/£2.50 per month is a cheap VPN ; up to $4.50/£4.50 per month is average; and anything over $5/£5 per month is on the expensive side. There are also free VPNs but they usually come with limited usage and features. They're not great for streaming, torrenting or gaming. The longer the term of your agreement, the cheaper the price. Anything less than a year tends not to be great value.

Most VPNs have apps for Windows , Mac , iOS, and Android but do check. Linux users and anyone looking to install a VPN on an Amazon Fire Stick , a router, or a smart TV should definitely read the small print on this one.

Is it meeting industry standards for encryption ? Is there a kill switch? Does it have a no-logs policy , and has it been audited ? Look out for nifty security features that ensure no patterns to link you and your given IPs, and for anything that will help prevent encrypted data from getting cracked either now or in the future. And check the company's track record to make sure they have kept customers safe in the past.

Does the VPN you're interested in have physical servers in the countries you need or just virtual VPN servers ? That might be one where you live or one in a country with a geo-blocked streaming service that you're trying to access.

Can you trust VPN speed tests? Well, you can certainly trust performance. Consistency and quality are critical. You'll suffer poor performance if the VPN you've chosen has issues with latency or jitter. The end result will ...