Best VPN Services of 2026

Using a virtual private network (VPN) will hide your IP address and route your web traffic through a more secure path. This allows you to protect your privacy, avoid being the victim of cybercrime, and access content that may be restricted in your local area.

But there are so many VPN providers available these days that it can be hard to know where to even start. In this guide, I’ll take you through the absolute best options available and help you decide which one is the best fit for your particular needs — whether you want the best VPN for streaming, the best VPN for gaming, or the best VPN for privacy.

ExpressVPN truly lives up to its name. I found this service’s connection speed to be rather quick. One feature that sets ExpressVPN apart from other providers is that its app includes a built-in speed test tool, so you can immediately gauge the performance of any server you want to try.

Also, ExpressVPN makes it easy to determine which of their servers would be best for your specific situation. The app has a recommended section that highlights the fastest servers available and the most popular servers in your country.

I also liked that ExpressVPN gives you several different color schemes to choose from for their app, and there are a few options for the app icon as well. While this may not be as important as the service’s security features (which include their Advanced Protection web filter and proprietary TrustedServer technology), it’s a nice touch.  Power users often call it the best VPN for a polished experience.

Who is ExpressVPN best for? 

If you’re not too concerned about cost and want a secure, highly customizable VPN app, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice.

Recent upgrades to ExpressVPN:

The aforementioned speed test feature was just rolled out earlier this year. And as of July 2025, ExpressVPN now offers at least one proxy server location in each of the 50 U.S. states.

ExpressVPN’s pricing: 

There are three monthly plans available: Basic ($12.99 for month-to-month pricing or $3.49 per month with a 28-month contract), Advanced ($13.99 for month-to-month pricing or $3.14 per month with a 28-month contract), and Pro ($14.99 for month-to-month pricing or $5.24 per month with a 28-month contract). The Basic plan includes this provider’s VPN service and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. The Advanced plan adds the Advanced Protection filter and allows up to 12 connections. The Pro plan also includes a password manager and allows up to 14 connections. The Advanced and Pro plans also offer ExpressKeys, which includes unlimited secure storage for passwords, payment details, and more, and they offer all-in-one identity protection with Identity Defender, which includes up to $3M in theft insurance, automated data removal, credit alerts, and monitoring services, covering the dark web, address change and SSN.

Product details: ExpressVPN is a premium VPN known for fast, reliable speeds and strong streaming performance. It uses RAM-only TrustedServer technology, offers polished, customizable apps, and includes advanced privacy protections across a wide global server network.

Pros and cons of ExpressVPN:

The NordVPN app offers an interactive map, which is a particularly intuitive feature for choosing which server you want to use (a simple list of all the server options is also available).

NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature filters your traffic to block ads and malicious domains, and I was impressed to see that you can leave it running even when you have the VPN turned off — most providers that offer a feature like this will only allow you to use it when you’re connected to their VPN.

NordVPN has also gamified the process of protecting your privacy with its security score feature. This feature gives you a grade based on how many steps you’ve completed toward securing your connection. I thought it was a fun way to ensure you get the most out of this service.

In your profile settings, you’ll find options for NordVPN’s more advanced security features, which include post-quantum encryption (protects you from attackers who have access to quantum computers) and unsafe Wi-Fi detection (when your VPN is off, you’ll get an alert whenever you connect to a potentially unsafe wireless network). Advanced users can also tweak tunneling choices if they’re comparing the best VPN protocol for their setup.

Who is NordVPN best for?

NordVPN is an excellent choice for users who want a fast, reliable, and highly secure VPN with consistently strong performance across streaming, gaming, and everyday browsing. Its large global server network, advanced privacy features like Threat Protection, double VPN, and SmartPlay, and polished apps make it a great fit for both beginners and power users.

Recent upgrades to NordVPN:

NordVPN’s recent updates emphasize improved usability, stronger security, and greater transparency. Highlights include passing its sixth independent no-logs audit by Deloitte in early 2026, redesigned dashboards for easier management, improved connection stability with auto-restore features, expanded server coverage, and tighter integration with Threat Protection Pro.

NordVPN’s pricing: 

NordVPN offers several plans: Basic, Plus, Complete, and Prime. Basic is $3.39 monthly, with no contract, and includes only the VPN service. The other plans are slightly more expensive, ranging from $4.39 to $7.39 per month, but include additional perks, such as a password manager, cloud storage, and cyber insurance. These low prices are for two-year plans, and may increase after your contract expires.

Product Details: NordVPN is a premium VPN known for strong security, fast speeds, and broad server coverage. It includes Threat Protection, multi-hop connections, and optional bundles with a password manager, encrypted cloud storage, and cyber insurance.

Pros and cons of NordVPN:

Surfshark’s app has a perfectly streamlined design — even though there were plenty of options available, I found that it was quite easy to browse through everything and configure the settings for my VPN connection.

One unique feature offered by Surfshark is the Alternative ID tool, which you can use to sign up for sites that you don’t fully trust. These fake personal details (name, email, phone number, etc.) are generated randomly and can be edited manually.

Also, Surfshark’s CleanWeb filter blocks ads, trackers, and malware while you’re connected to their VPN. Heavy downloaders on forums often shortlist it as the best VPN for torrenting.

Who is Surfshark best for?

This highly secure and easy-to-use VPN service offers ultra-low rates for those willing to commit to a long-term plan. But if you want to pay month-to-month, you can save money by going with a different provider.

Recent upgrades to Surfshark:

In April 2025, Surfshark added the Bypasser feature to the macOS version of its app, which means it’s now available on all major platforms. Bypasser is Surfshark’s version of split tunnelling, allowing you to use your VPN connection only for certain apps or websites.

Surfshark’s pricing:

On a month-to-month basis, the most affordable price for Surfshark is $15.45 per month, but the long-term plans allow you to get this figure down to as low as $1.99 per month. All plans come with the VPN and Alternative ID services, while the most premium plans offer additional tools such as antivirus protection and data leak alerts.

Product details: Surfshark is a feature-rich VPN offering strong security, excellent privacy tools, and unlimited device connections. It stands out for its overall value, bundling a fast VPN with ad blocking, Alternative ID, and optional antivirus protection at competitive long-term pricing.

Pros and cons of Surfshark:

Proton VPN offers a free plan, and you don’t even need to create an account to start using this service. However, the free plan is restricted to medium speed (you’re also limited to one device and fewer proxy server options on this plan), but I didn’t find it to be all that slow. Rather than the old days of dial-up, where a single page might take minutes to load, it’s more like a slight delay. Additionally, you are limited to only a few select VPN server locations, of which you cannot choose. Proton VPN connects you to the one that is supposed to be closest or fastest.

Another noteworthy aspect of Proton VPN is its Profiles feature, which allows you to save all the options you’ve set up for a particular connection for whenever you may want to use the same configuration later (this includes settings such as the server you’re connecting to, which VPN protocol you’re using, whether double VPN/multi-hop is enabled, etc.).

It’s a matter of personal taste, but I must say that I like the look of Proton VPN more than any of the other providers featured in this guide. It has a high-end feel, without being so flashy that it gets in the way of navigability.

The app’s appearance can be customized in several ways. There’s a light and a dark version, and several different icon options are available. Mobile users can even add Proton VPN as a widget to their home screen.

Who is Proton VPN best for? 

With a usable free version and premium plans packed with extra features, Proton VPN is a great fit for just about anyone.

Recent upgrades to Proton VPN:

Proton VPN has been rapidly expanding its server coverage over the past year or so. In January 2024, this provider had around 5,000 servers, which is already a strong figure. They now have more than triple that number — you won’t find better coverage than this.

Proton VPN’s pricing: 

In addition to the free plan, there’s a VPN Plus option that allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously and access higher speeds, plus more features (this will cost you $9.99 per month on a month-to-month basis, though you can get the rate down to $4.49 per month if you commit to two years upfront). The Proton Unlimited plan, about twice the price of VPN Plus, also includes a password manager, encrypted email, and secure cloud storage.

Product details: Proton VPN is a privacy-focused VPN with a verified no-logs policy, open-source audited apps, and one of the best free plans available. Its premium tiers add ultra-fast servers, Secure Core routing, and advanced customization features.

Pros and cons of Proton VPN:

The Private Internet Access (PIA) app has a modern, intuitive interface. I like the Quick Connection feature on the main dashboard, which allows you to switch to any of the servers you’ve used most recently with just one click. For households, it can serve as the best VPN router option, thanks to its broad firmware support.

The main dashboard is fully customizable. You can rearrange how the information is displayed, and you can also hide and unhide specific sections.

Through the system settings, you can set it up so that PIA automatically launches and connects to its VPN upon system startup. Combined with PIA’s kill switch feature, this ensures that your privacy or security is never at risk.

Another feature worth noting is PIA MACE. When this setting is enabled, ads, trackers, and malware will be blocked if you are connected to one of PIA’s VPN servers.

Who is PIA best for? 

If your priority is security, then you should be able to find everything you’re looking for with PIA. Also, if you’re planning to make a multi-year commitment anyway, PIA’s rates for long-term plans are some of the best VPN deals.

Recent upgrades to PIA:

PIA used to allow only 10 simultaneous connections on each account, but starting last year, they now allow unlimited connections. This really sets them apart from many of your other options.

PIA’s pricing: 

PIA is $11.95 monthly on a month-to-month basis, around the industry average. However, their long-term rates are significantly lower than many comparable plans offered by competitors (for example, the cost of PIA’s 3 Years + 3 Months plan works out to $2.03 per month).

Product details: Private Internet Access is a highly customizable VPN with a proven no-logs policy, strong encryption, and unlimited device connections. It offers solid global coverage, built-in ad and tracker blocking, and excellent value on long-term plans.

Pros and cons of PIA:

Hide.me’s interface could use some more polish. It was difficult for me to read the text in a few areas (the text color was too light against the app’s white background), and the alignment of several design elements is just a little off. But, to be fair, I could still configure and establish my connection to one of their servers without too much trouble.

You can access eight of Hide.me’s servers for free (though it should be noted that free users are limited to slower speeds). Premium users can access all of Hide.me’s servers include 20 servers optimized for streaming and a pair of multi-hop options.

In the app settings, you can enable features such as split tunneling, network protection (which includes a kill switch), and SmartGuard (a traffic filter available only to premium users, which allows you to block ads and malware as well as set up parental controls).

Who is Hide.me best for? 

With its streaming-optimized servers, Hide.me stands out as a top option for those who plan to use their VPN primarily to watch movies or TV.

Recent upgrades to Hide.me:

Earlier this year, Hide.me announced a partnership with KuCoin Pay, giving customers over 800 cryptocurrency options for their subscription payments.

Hide.me’s pricing: 

As mentioned above, Hide.me offers a free version, though it comes with significant limitations. The premium version is $9.95 per month on a month-to-month basis, with steep discounts available for those who sign up for a longer term. Also, once you sign up for a subscription, Hide.me guarantees that your plan will always be renewed at the same price.

Product details: Hide.me is a security-focused VPN offering a free plan with no ads or logging. It includes strong privacy features like multi-hop connections, streaming-optimized servers, and flexible payment options, including cryptocurrency with a lifetime price guarantee.

Pros and cons of Hide.me:

I found that even the free version of Windscribe offers fast connection speeds. With their Best Location feature, you can immediately connect to the exact server that should provide optimal performance.

I also like that Windscribe lets you connect to a VPN whenever your device powers on automatically. Remember that there’s no built-in kill switch feature, so you may want to double-check that your connection is still established whenever having your VPN connection on is most important to you.

Another nice feature is their R.O.B.E.R.T. blocking tool, which you can use to create a custom blacklist of all the potential threats and types of content that you would like to be filtered out of your web traffic.

Regarding the app’s appearance, Windscribe is the most customizable option featured in this guide. You can choose a light or dark theme, add your own custom background image, and even rename the server locations.

Who is Windscribe best for? 

Windscribe is a good option for business users, as its ScribeForce plan offers team management tools and centralized billing. If you plan to use a VPN on your TV, you should find Windscribe’s lazy login feature quite convenient.

Recent upgrades to Windscribe:

Many of the customization features mentioned above, such as the ability to rename servers, were just rolled out in August 2025. This update also included the ability to enable sound effects (you can add your own or choose from several pre-set options).

Windscribe’s pricing: 

Windscribe has a free version that gives you an initial bandwidth allowance of 10 GB and then 2 GB monthly. The premium version of this service, Windscribe Pro, offers a Build Your Plan option that costs just $1 per month per proxy server location (minimum three locations/$3 per month). For access to all their servers and features, you can pay either $9 per month or $69 per year (which works out to $5.75 per month). ScribeForce is $3 per seat per month.

Product details: Windscribe is a flexible VPN with a generous free plan, unlimited device connections, and highly customizable apps. Its R.O.B.E.R.T. tool blocks ads, trackers, and malware, making it a strong choice for privacy-conscious and business users.

Pros and cons of Windscribe:

The PrivateVPN app has a somewhat barebones interface, but that won’t matter much if you’re not impressed by a flashy design or interested in a bunch of extra features anyway.

There are several useful security features that can be enabled in the app settings, including the ability to auto-connect on startup and a stealth mode for circumventing VPN blocks in regions like China and the Middle East. I was disappointed, though, to see that they don’t offer any double VPN/multi-hop options.

PrivateVPN offers native support for 14 different languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, German, Italian, and Swedish.

Who is PrivateVPN best for? 

For those who cost is a primary concern will find that outside of a free VPN (which are typically limited in terms of performance and features), you’re not going to find a much better deal than PrivateVPN’s three-year plan.

Recent upgrades to PrivateVPN:

PrivateVPN overhauled its iOS app last year, fixing layout issues for iPad users and making several backend improvements to enhance performance and reliability.

PrivateVPN’s pricing: 

PrivateVPN is $9.90 per month on a month-to-month basis. A three-month plan costs $6 per month, and a three-year plan reduces this rate to $2 per month.

Pros and cons of PrivateVPN:

TunnelBear has a fun design — there’s a cartoon map on the app, and whenever you establish a connection, a bear is shown burrowing into the ground at your physical location and then popping up at the location of your proxy server.

However, it should be noted that, at least on the Android version of TunnelBear that I tried out on a Chromebook, the window for this app was awkwardly sized, and there were no alternative display options. The map part of the interface was also somewhat blurry.

In the app settings, you’ll find options such as VigilantBear (the app’s kill switch) and SplitBear (the app’s split tunneling feature). There’s even an option for turning on bear sounds — if enabled, you’ll hear a roar each time you connect to and disconnect from a server. Teams that require a simple solution for multiple users may find it a suitable starter option as a best VPN for remote employees.

Who is TunnelBear best for? 

With their Teams plan, which includes several convenient features for managing multiple users, TunnelBear is especially well-suited for businesses that want to start using a VPN.

Recent upgrades to TunnelBear:

TunnelBear has recently upgraded the amount of data allowed to free users from 500 MB to 2 GB per month.

TunnelBear’s pricing: 

In addition to the free plan, TunnelBear offers an affordable Unlimited plan ($9.99 per month on a month-to-month basis, with a discount available for longer terms) that comes with no data cap, expanded server coverage, and other extras. The Teams plan includes features like user-level permissions and the ability to automatically claim TunnelBear accounts that sign up with your company email domain (the Teams plan is $69 per user per year).

Product details: TunnelBear is a beginner-friendly VPN with a fun, approachable interface and simple privacy controls. It offers a limited free plan, unlimited devices on paid tiers, and team features designed for small businesses and remote teams.

Pros and cons of TunnelBear:

I have to say, this VPN service was a bit sluggish for me. There was a noticeable drop in speed as soon as I flipped my connection on.

On a more positive note, Mullvad offers a unique tool called DAITA (Defense against AI-guided Traffic Analysis) that hides patterns in your traffic, such as the size and frequency of the packets sent between you and the websites you visit. This will help protect you from the latest advances in traffic analysis, which sometimes make it possible to glean insights from a connection even when it is encrypted.

Mullvad also offers an option for a quantum-resistant tunnel. Overall, this provider’s security features are top-notch, and many travelers consider it when researching the best VPN to use in China if stealth and privacy are essential.

Who is Mullvad best for? 

If security is your biggest priority, this is a viable option. But you should go with something faster if you have more demanding needs, such as gaming or video streaming.

Recent upgrades to Mullvad:

In August 2025, Mullvad started accepting payments through the Bitcoin Lightning Network, offering a faster, more private, and less expensive (lower fees) alternative to on-chain Bitcoin payments.

Mullvad’s pricing: 

Since the company was founded in 2009, its rate has been exactly the same — €5 per month, without any extra add-ons or discounts. That’s a great month-to-month rate, though other providers offer better deals in exchange for a long-term commitment.

Pros and cons of Mullvad:

How Our Best VPN Services Compare

There’s only so much you can learn about the best VPN providers VPN providers through the information that they have on their websites. In addition to thoroughly reviewing the pricing and features, I also signed up for and personally tested each of the best VPN services featured in this guide to get some hands-on experience with their user interfaces. Then, I was able to rate each provider based on the six factors that are most important for a VPN:

Security

I only considered VPN services that offer AES-256 encryption, as this is the gold standard for ensuring secure communications.

Beyond that, I looked for the following three security features:

• No-logs policy: This commitment to not storing details about your browsing history means that even if some other party gets access to your VPN provider’s data, they won’t be able to learn anything about your online activity.
• Kill switch: This feature prevents accidental data leaks by halting all traffic if your VPN connection is disrupted.
• Double VPN/multi-hop: Routing your traffic through two VPN servers makes it even harder to track.

Many providers also offer additional security features, such as malware filters and the ability to automatically connect to your VPN as soon as your device starts up.

Server coverage

I looked for providers that offer a large number of proxy servers covering a wide geographical area. This ensures that most people will benefit from good performance — the closer a server is to you, the faster the connection speed will be. That’s another reason why I wanted to test out all of these services myself, as this allowed me to confirm that the performance was at least adequate for general web browsing.

Also, having access to servers in more countries will open up more opportunities for geo-restricted deals and content.

UX

Yet another reason why I wanted to test out these providers myself is that this allowed me to get a feel for their app interfaces firsthand and truly evaluate the user experience (UX). Many VPN apps are sleek and user-friendly, while others are clunky and outdated.

Plans and pricing

All of the providers featured in this guide offer either a free version of their service or a money-back guarantee. That way, you can try the app out yourself and fully confirm that it works before you make any financial commitment. If you’re planning ahead, bookmark this list of the best VPN services 2026 to compare prices against next year’s best VPN 2027 landscape.

I prioritized providers offering a low month-to-month rate or a steep discount on long-term plans (and some offer both of these advantages). The pricier options in the list below have enough additional features or enhanced performance to be worth the extra cost.

Compatibility

I looked for VPNs that support a broad range of devices and operating systems. At a minimum, a VPN should offer desktop apps for Windows and macOS and mobile apps for Android and iOS. Many providers also offer support for more niche platforms.

Connectivity

Even if you only need a VPN for yourself, you may want to use it on several devices — your computer, phone, TV, etc. And if you want to share your VPN account with a family or small team, then you’ll certainly need your plan to cover multiple devices. I made sure to select providers that allow you to connect up to five devices at the very least, and many of these options will allow you to connect an unlimited number of devices.