Bottom line: NordVPN is the best overall VPN for most people — fast, reliable and trustworthy. Surfshark is the best value if you need unlimited devices. ExpressVPN is best for streaming. All three offer 30-day money-back guarantees.
At a glance — Best VPNs 2026
| NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Overall | Value / devices | Streaming |
| Servers | 6,400+ | 3,200+ | 3,000+ |
| Devices | 10 | Unlimited | 8 |
| Pricing | See current plans | See current plans | See current plans |
| Money-back | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| No-logs audit | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Why use a VPN in 2026?
VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address. The most common use cases:
- Privacy — prevents ISPs, advertisers and hackers from tracking your activity
- Public Wi-Fi security — protects you on hotel, airport and café networks
- Streaming — access Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other services from other countries
- Work remotely — securely connect to company networks
- Avoid geo-restrictions — access content not available in your region
NordVPN — Best overall
NordVPN is consistently ranked as the best all-around VPN. It has the largest server network, strong privacy credentials, and a feature set that covers everything from basic privacy to advanced threat protection.
Key features
- 6,400+ servers across 111 countries
- Threat Protection Pro — blocks ads, trackers and malware without connecting to VPN
- Double VPN — routes traffic through two servers for extra privacy
- Meshnet — create private encrypted networks between your devices
- NordLynx protocol — WireGuard-based, among the fastest available
- Audited no-logs policy — independently verified by PwC
NordVPN pricing
NordVPN offers Basic, Plus and Ultimate plans on monthly, 1-year and 2-year billing cycles. The 2-year plan offers the best per-month rate. For current pricing and promotions, visit the NordVPN pricing page.
NordVPN pros & cons
Pros: Fastest speeds tested, huge server network, strong privacy track record, excellent apps on all platforms, 10 simultaneous connections.
Cons: Slightly more expensive than Surfshark, no unlimited devices on base plan.
Surfshark — Best value
Surfshark offers the best value in the VPN market — unlimited simultaneous connections at a price well below competitors. For families or anyone with many devices, it’s the obvious choice.
Key features
- Unlimited devices — connect every device you own simultaneously
- CleanWeb — built-in ad and malware blocker
- Alternative ID — generates fake identity details to protect real info when signing up for services
- Nexus — routes traffic through a network of servers simultaneously (unique feature)
- Audited no-logs policy
Surfshark pricing
Surfshark offers Starter, One and One+ plans. The 2-year plan includes several bonus months free. For current promotions and rates, visit the Surfshark pricing page.
Surfshark pros & cons
Pros: Unlimited devices, cheapest reputable VPN, good speeds, strong privacy policy, excellent interface.
Cons: Smaller server network than NordVPN, speeds slightly inconsistent on some servers.
ExpressVPN — Best for streaming
ExpressVPN consistently unblocks the most streaming services and has the most reliable performance for international content access. It’s the most expensive on this list but justifies the price if streaming is your primary use case.
Key features
- Lightway protocol — proprietary protocol, extremely fast and reliable
- MediaStreamer — DNS service that unblocks streaming on devices that don’t support VPN apps (smart TVs, consoles)
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
- Split tunneling — route only specific apps through the VPN
- Audited no-logs policy
ExpressVPN pricing
ExpressVPN is available on monthly, 6-month and annual billing. The annual plan offers the lowest per-month cost and includes several bonus months. For current rates, visit the ExpressVPN order page.
ExpressVPN pros & cons
Pros: Best streaming performance, reliable in restrictive countries (China, UAE), excellent router app, consistent speeds.
Cons: Most expensive option, only 8 simultaneous connections, no ad blocker on base plan.
How we tested
We tested each VPN across: connection speed (download/upload/latency), streaming unblocking (Netflix US/UK, BBC iPlayer, Disney+), privacy policy and audit verification, app experience across Windows/Mac/iOS/Android, and customer support response time.
VPN comparison — full breakdown
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Servers | 6,400+ | 3,200+ | 3,000+ |
| Countries | 111 | 100 | 105 |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | Unlimited | 8 |
| Speed (avg download) | 780 Mbps | 690 Mbps | 720 Mbps |
| Netflix unblock | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ad blocker | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Kill switch | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Split tunneling | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Router support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| No-logs audit | ✅ PwC | ✅ Deloitte | ✅ KPMG |
Which VPN should you choose?
- Best overall: NordVPN — fastest, most reliable, best feature set
- Best value: Surfshark — unlimited devices, lowest price among trusted VPNs
- Best for streaming: ExpressVPN — most consistent at unblocking content globally
- Best for privacy: NordVPN or Mullvad — strongest privacy credentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Is using a VPN legal?
In most countries, yes. VPN use is legal in the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia. Some countries restrict or ban VPNs — check local laws before use.
Does a VPN slow down internet speed?
A small speed reduction is normal (5-15%). Premium VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN have minimal impact on speeds over 100 Mbps connections.
Can a VPN be hacked?
Reputable VPNs use AES-256 encryption which is effectively unbreakable. The bigger risk is choosing a VPN with a weak privacy policy — always pick providers with independently audited no-logs policies.
Do free VPNs work?
Free VPNs are generally not recommended — they often log and sell your data, have slow speeds and limited servers. The VPNs on this list all offer 30-day money-back guarantees, making them risk-free to try.
Which VPN is best for Netflix?
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the most reliable for Netflix. Both consistently unblock Netflix US, UK, Japan and other regional libraries.
Last updated: March 2026. Pricing varies by plan and promotion — always check provider websites for current rates.
