Independent VPN rankings
NordVPN is our #1 pick for most people, based on published network size, audited no-logs claims, platform coverage and transparent from-pricing. Compare all 7 providers before you buy.
30-day money-back guarantee on NordVPNWe may earn a commission
Same criteria for every provider. Each name opens its full review.
The 2026 ranking
Editorial order for 2026. Scores rate published features, not invented lab tests.
No. 1
Strong all-rounder with a large global network
From$3.18/mo
2-year plan (+3 months) · 30-day money-back
Get NordVPN – $3.18/mo (opens NordVPN in a new tab)Read the full review150 countries10 devicesPanama
No. 2
Unlimited devices at a budget-friendly from-price
From$2.49/mo
2-year plan (+3 months) · 30-day money-back
Get Surfshark – $2.49/mo (opens Surfshark in a new tab)Read the full review100 countriesUnlimited devicesNetherlands
No. 3
Polished apps and TrustedServer RAM-only design
From$2.99/mo
2-year plan (+4 months) · 30-day money-back
Get ExpressVPN – $2.99/mo (opens ExpressVPN in a new tab)Read the full review113 countries10 devicesBritish Virgin Islands
Swiss privacy focus with a genuine free tier
$2.99/mo
149 countries
Beginner-friendly apps and a long money-back window
$2.19/mo
100+ countries
Veteran no-logs brand with open-source apps
$2.03/mo
113 countries
Low long-term prices with flexible add-on extras
$1.49/mo
65+ countries
Every figure on this site comes from what providers publish. Prices checked Nov 12, 2026.
Side by side
Sort by price, countries, devices or score. Filter by what you need, or pick two or three providers to go head to head. Every name opens its full review.
ComparePick 2–3 VPNs
Showing 7 of 7 VPNs, sorted by our ranking
From / month
$3.18
2-year plan (+3 months)
30-day money-back guarantee
From / month
$2.49
2-year plan (+3 months)
30-day money-back guarantee
From / month
$2.99
2-year plan (+4 months)
30-day money-back guarantee
From / month
$2.99
1-year plan
30-day money-back guarantee
From / month
$2.19
2-year plan (+4 months)
45-day money-back guarantee
From / month
$2.03
3-year plan (+4 months)
30-day money-back guarantee
From / month
$1.49
5-year plan (+3 months)
31-day money-back guarantee
| Ranked7 VPNs | Editor’s choiceNordVPN#1 overall | Surfshark#2 overall | ExpressVPN#3 overall | Proton VPN#4 overall | CyberGhost#5 overall | PIA (Private Internet Access)#6 overall | PureVPN#7 overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score & value | |||||||
Editorial score 9.4 out of 10Top score | Editorial score 9.1 out of 10 | Editorial score 9.0 out of 10 | Editorial score 8.9 out of 10 | Editorial score 8.6 out of 10 | Editorial score 8.4 out of 10 | Editorial score 8.0 out of 10 | |
$3.182-year plan (+3 months) | $2.492-year plan (+3 months) | $2.992-year plan (+4 months) | $2.991-year plan | $2.192-year plan (+4 months)* | $2.033-year plan (+4 months) | $1.495-year plan (+3 months)Lowest | |
30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 45 daysLongest | 30 days | 31 days | |
| Network | |||||||
150Most | 100 | 113 | 149 | 100+ | 113 | 65+ | |
10 | UnlimitedMost | 10 | 10 | 7 | UnlimitedMost | 10 | |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Netherlands | British Virgin Islands | Switzerland | Romania | United States | British Virgin Islands |
| Privacy & use | |||||||
| No-logs audit | |||||||
| Streaming | |||||||
| Torrenting (P2P) | |||||||
| Free plan | |||||||
| Apps | |||||||
| Linux app | |||||||
| Fire TV app | |||||||
| Router support | |||||||
| Verdict | |||||||
| Best for | Most peopleStreaming | FamiliesBudget | TravelBeginners | PrivacyFree VPN trials | BeginnersStreaming profiles | Power usersTorrenting | Budget shoppersDedicated IP needs |
| Ready to choose?Every plan has a money-back window. |
Prices are the lowest USD per-month figure on each provider’s own pricing or checkout page, before VAT or sales tax, checked Nov 12, 2026. They include promotions running at the time and change often. * CyberGhost only showed us euro pricing (2.19 €/mo), so the USD figure may differ slightly.
Editorial scores reflect published features, not lab speed tests. Streaming/torrenting rows reflect provider policy statements, not guaranteed catalog access.
Our #1 pick for 2026
NordVPN is our top editorial pick for most readers in 2026 because it combines a broad country network, audited no-logs claims, and mature apps across the platforms people actually use.
30-day money-back guarantee · From $3.18/mo (2-year plan (+3 months))
By need
Focused guides for streaming, devices, budgets and travel. Each has its own ranked picks and comparison table.
Living-room apps, specialty servers and refund windows to test your own catalog.
Our pickNordVPN$3.18/moAlso ranked: Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost
See all 4 picksEncrypt hotel and airport Wi‑Fi and keep access to home services abroad.
Our pickExpressVPN$2.99/moAlso ranked: NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN
See all 4 picksLow long-term from-prices from known brands, with the term spelled out.
Our pickSurfshark$2.49/moAlso ranked: CyberGhost, PureVPN, Private Internet Access
See all 4 picksCountry guidesLocal laws, picks and tips
Head to head
NordVPN vs SurfsharkPick NordVPN for the best overall mix of network size and features. Pick Surfshark if every phone and TV in the house needs to connect under one plan.NordVPN vs ExpressVPNChoose NordVPN for the bigger network and the broader feature set. Choose ExpressVPN if you want its polished travel and router apps and the documented TrustedServer design.ExpressVPN vs SurfsharkSurfshark wins for families and budgets. ExpressVPN wins for app polish and its documented TrustedServer design.Proton VPN vs NordVPNChoose Proton VPN for privacy branding, open source, and free-tier access. Choose NordVPN for the best overall paid experience for most readers.NordVPN vs CyberGhostNordVPN remains the stronger all-round pick. CyberGhost is compelling if you want more time to test a refund and prefer guided server profiles.Surfshark vs PIAPick Surfshark for a modern household VPN. Pick PIA if open-source clients and advanced toggles matter more than US jurisdiction concerns.ExpressVPN vs Proton VPNExpressVPN for premium travel apps; Proton VPN for Swiss privacy positioning and free-tier access.How we work
Best VPN Online is an independent editorial brand. We rank on publicly verifiable facts (server-country footprint, device limits, audits, refunds, platforms and policy statements) and we refuse to invent speed tests or user statistics.
Affiliate commissions may apply when you buy through our /go links. That revenue funds research; it does not buy a #1 ranking.
Surfshark & Private Internet Access advertise unlimited simultaneous connections.
Straight answers based on what providers publish. No hype, no invented test results.
NordVPN is our top editorial pick for most people in 2026 based on its published network size, audited no-logs claims, platform coverage, and balanced pricing on long-term plans. Surfshark is the best unlimited-device alternative.
We score providers using publicly verifiable features: jurisdiction, audits, device limits, server-country footprint, platform coverage, streaming/P2P policy statements, refund terms, and published from-pricing. We do not invent lab speed results. Details live on our methodology page.
Prices are “from” figures for commonly advertised long-term plans and may change with promotions. We note when prices were checked and always recommend confirming at checkout.
Personal VPN use is legal in most countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany. Some countries restrict VPNs. A VPN does not make illegal activity legal.
Yes — we may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Rankings follow our methodology; commercial relationships do not guarantee a #1 slot. See our affiliate disclosure.
NordVPN is our primary streaming-oriented pick, with ExpressVPN and Surfshark close behind. Catalog access changes over time — use money-back guarantees to verify the services you watch.
Proton VPN offers the best-known reputable free tier without ads. Be cautious with unknown free VPN apps that may monetize via data practices.
We refresh rankings and pricing notes when providers change publicly stated specs or promotions. Each page shows a last-updated date.