A VPN, or virtual private network, is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your online privacy and security. Whether you need to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi, hide your IP address from trackers, or access region-locked content while traveling, a VPN adds an important layer of protection by encrypting your internet traffic. The challenge is that hundreds of VPNs compete for your attention, and separating genuinely excellent services from mediocre ones can be overwhelming.

We have tested and reviewed a wide range of VPNs to narrow down the market to the best options available today. The picks below are based on real-world speed tests, privacy policy analysis, streaming performance, server network coverage, and value for money. This guide was last updated on July 9, 2026, and it will be refreshed as new services and pricing emerge.

Key facts at a glance

• Best VPN overall: NordVPN
• Best VPN runner-up: ExpressVPN
• Best cheap VPN: Surfshark
• Best cheap VPN runner-up: Private Internet Access
• Best free VPN: Proton VPN
• Best VPN for privacy: Mullvad
• Best VPN for travelers: CyberGhost

How we picked the best VPNs

When looking for the best VPN, you should focus on a few core things: trustworthy privacy practices, strong connection speeds, reliable streaming access, and a large, well-distributed server network. Every VPN featured below delivers on those essentials and adds something extra to help it stand out. We judge VPNs using a variety of criteria, including server network size, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease of use, extra features, and cost. Speed results are averaged between different global locations for each service and compared against a baseline internet speed. We also research privacy policies and audit history, and we evaluate how intuitive each app is to use.

NordVPN: Best VPN overall

Pros: Tons of configuration options, outstanding speeds, included antivirus and password manager.
Cons: Expensive.

NordVPN has evolved far beyond a simple anonymous browsing tool. It now offers the best combination of privacy, speed, features, and usability for most people. It is the most full-featured service on the market, with tools that appeal to power users and an app that remains intuitive for beginners. The service undergoes regular independent audits and uses RAM-only diskless servers, which helps protect user data. For speed enthusiasts, NordVPN impresses as well. In testing, its speeds averaged 72 percent of the base internet speed across all servers, making it the fastest VPN we have tested.

The desktop app is easy to use and includes features like Tor-over-VPN, multi-hop connections, the Meshnet file-sharing network, ad and malware blocking, plus Nord's password manager and link checker. It also works well with streaming services and has a broad server network. The main downside is price. Even with long-term plan discounts, NordVPN can seem costly, but the full package is worth it for users who want everything in one subscription.

ExpressVPN: Best VPN runner-up

Pros: Excellent speeds, unblocks all streaming services, great security and privacy practices.
Cons: More expensive than other VPNs, light on extra security features.

ExpressVPN is a great option for everyone. Beginners can download the software, choose a server location, and connect in seconds. Advanced users can dig into split tunneling, protocol optimization, kill switch, and other settings. ExpressVPN also has excellent device support across practically every platform, and depending on the subscription tier, it can cover up to 14 simultaneous connections.

The service earns a slight edge in device compatibility and stability, but NordVPN offers more features and slightly faster average speeds. Still, ExpressVPN unblocks all major streaming services, has a strong no-logs policy, and regularly brings in third-party auditors to validate its privacy credentials. Its smart DNS feature works well with set-top boxes and consoles, and the newer Lightway Turbo protocol improves speeds on many connections. ExpressVPN has also added ad and tracker blocking and a password manager. Pricing remains higher than many rivals, but you get excellent value and a proven privacy record.

Surfshark: Best cheap VPN

Pros: Unlimited simultaneous device connections, tons of extra features, low price on long-term plans.
Cons: Expensive month-to-month plans, many virtual servers.

Surfshark does almost everything well. It has fast speeds, a robust feature set second only to NordVPN, and strong privacy credentials backed by a no-logs policy and independent audits. The service includes standard VPN features along with customizable dynamic multi-hop connections, identity protection alerts, and antivirus and malware protection.

The best part is price. On a two-year plan, Surfshark costs just over two dollars per month, which is remarkable for a premium VPN with this many features. The monthly subscription is much more expensive, so long-term plans are clearly the better value. Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which has strong privacy laws, but the country is part of the 14 Eyes Data Sharing Alliance. The no-logs policy has been independently verified, so this is unlikely to affect users, but privacy-conscious buyers should know the company's jurisdiction.

Private Internet Access: Best cheap VPN runner-up

Pros: Multiple independently verified no-log audits, unlimited simultaneous device connections, vast server network.
Cons: App is a little clunky, speeds are fairly pedestrian.

Private Internet Access, or PIA, has been around for a long time and continues to improve. It has undergone another independent audit of its no-logs policy, demonstrating that user privacy remains a top priority. PIA is a great VPN for all users, but it shines most on price and customization. It offers one of the least expensive subscription plans among top VPNs, and its app is highly configurable for power users.

PIA also provides unlimited device connections and a massive server network with more than 35,000 servers, although it covers fewer country locations than some competitors. The interface feels outdated and can be clunky, and speeds are not among the fastest we have tested. These issues do not ruin the value, especially for budget-conscious users who want strong privacy and an unlimited device allowance.

Proton VPN: Best free VPN

Pros: Unrivaled free plan, great privacy tools, reliable and transparent no-logs policy.
Cons: Premium plan is expensive, some minor unblocking issues.

Proton VPN is the best free option on the market. The free version has no ads and surprisingly light restrictions. It includes one-device connection access to five servers in Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the United States. There are no monthly data limits, which makes it excellent for streaming or regular browsing. In testing, speeds were very good even on the free tier, ranking inside the top 10 of all VPNs, paid or free.

Proton VPN comes from the same company behind Proton Mail, so it integrates easily into a larger privacy-focused ecosystem. The no-logs policy has been confirmed by multiple independent audits, including for the free tier. The premium version is more expensive than many rivals, so it is wise to try the free service first. The main limitation is that some free servers will not work with Netflix, and there are occasional unblocking issues with certain streaming platforms.

Mullvad: Best VPN for privacy

Pros: Exceptional privacy protections, strong security features, fast connection speeds, transparent company practices.
Cons: Weak streaming support, relatively small server network, lacks extra features.

Mullvad is the undisputed leader for privacy and anonymity. It does not ask for your email address, name, or other identifying information. Instead, Mullvad assigns a random account number that acts as your login. You can pay by credit card or PayPal, and you can also mail cash to remain completely anonymous. The service has a strict no-logs policy and does not collect identifying metadata, all backed by multiple independent security audits.

Mullvad is built with one goal in mind: protecting your privacy, even if that means leaving out extra features. It is fast, ranking among the top five services for speed in our tests. It also charges a flat monthly fee regardless of commitment length, which makes it very affordable month to month but less valuable on long-term plans. Streaming support is weak, and the server network is smaller than many competitors, so users who mainly want to bypass location-restricted content should consider another service.

CyberGhost: Best VPN for travelers

Pros: Enormous global server network, independently verified no-log policy, generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Cons: Server speeds can be hit-or-miss, lacks extra security features offered by competitors.

Frequent travelers need a VPN with variety and wide coverage. CyberGhost delivers both with more than 11,500 servers across over 100 countries. Unlike many rivals, its servers are not concentrated only in the United States and Europe. The service also offers optimized servers for gaming, streaming, and torrenting, plus secure physical NoSpy servers located in the company's home offices in Romania.

CyberGhost has a well-designed Windows app that is intuitive and easy to use. It lacks some power-user features such as multi-hop and IP rotation, but that is not a deal breaker for the average user. In testing, European servers were quite fast while Asian servers were slower. Overall speeds are sufficient for web browsing and streaming. The service is upgrading its network to 10Gbps, so performance should improve in the future.

Other VPNs we liked

There are more strong VPNs beyond the main seven picks. PrivadoVPN offers a strong overall service, and its free tier is second only to Proton VPN, though the server network is smaller. Windscribe Pro combines a Windows client and browser extension for strong ad blocking, but its interface and server network need work. Hide.me is well rounded and extremely configurable, making it a power-user favorite, though speed results vary. IPVanish nails the basics with decent speeds, a large global server network, and audited privacy promises, but it struggles with streaming and has a steep monthly price. Norton VPN is simple, effective, and backed by a trusted security company, but it offers only yearly plans and has a smaller server network.

How to choose the best VPN

Start by checking the server network. A good VPN should have at least 1,000 servers and 30 or more country locations. Next, consider speed. Look for reviews that provide a relative average of connection speeds rather than raw Mbps results. Then read about privacy protections. Check whether the provider has a no-logs policy, whether it has undergone independent audits, and where the company is based. Finally, compare pricing. Some VPNs seem expensive month to month but become very affordable on long-term plans.

VPN features you should care about

Kill switch

If your VPN disconnects unexpectedly, a kill switch blocks internet access so your activity is not exposed even for a moment.

Split tunneling

This lets you route only certain traffic through the VPN while other traffic, like games, connects directly to the internet for better performance.

Multi-hop

Multi-hop sends your traffic through two or more VPN servers, re-encrypting the connection at each pass for extra privacy on sensitive networks.

Protocols

The protocol controls how traffic moves between your device, the VPN server, and the web. OpenVPN and WireGuard are both strong choices, but WireGuard is our preference because it is open source and generally faster.

Best VPN FAQ

What is the best VPN?

NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN due to its combination of speed, features, privacy protections, and server coverage. No other service currently provides as much value or as extensive a feature set.

What is the best cheap VPN?

Surfshark is the best cheap VPN. It offers strong speeds, a robust feature set, and excellent privacy credentials. On a long-term plan, Surfshark costs only a few dollars per month.

Can I be tracked with a VPN?

A VPN reduces exposure and prevents your ISP from seeing your traffic, but it does not stop site-level tracking or logged-in identity. If you sign into a website, that website can still identify you. A VPN is an important privacy tool, but it does not make you completely anonymous.

Will a VPN protect me on public Wi-Fi?

Yes. A VPN encrypts your data and masks your IP address, making it much harder for hackers to intercept your traffic. Public Wi-Fi is often vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, and a VPN can protect against those by keeping your connection encrypted.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

Most users will see a moderate speed decrease because traffic is rerouted and encrypted. The impact depends on the server location. Choosing a server farther away usually results in slower speeds. Modern VPNs should still provide secure, high-speed connections suitable for browsing and streaming.

Source: PCWorld News