Top 10 VPN Services Compared (2026)
A side-by-side look at 10 well-known VPN services: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, Mullvad, Astrill, Windscribe and IVPN. We compare price, servers, devices, features and publicly reported ratings.
New to VPNs? Read Why You Need a VPN for use cases and scenario-based recommendations.
Data note: Prices, server counts and device limits change. Figures below are drawn from company pages and independent roundups checked in October 2026 (including PCMag, Gizmodo and provider pricing pages). Always confirm the latest numbers on the official site. This page links to official homepages and pricing pages only.
Quick comparison table
| Logo | VPN | Entry price (approx.) | Devices | Servers / countries | No-logs audit | Free plan | Money-back | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
NordVPN | ~$3.49/mo (27-mo) | 10 | 7,000+ / ~150 | ✓ (multiple) | ❌ | 30 days | Official site |
 |
ExpressVPN | ~$2.99/mo (28-mo) | 10–14 | Not published / 113 | ✓ | ❌ | 30 days | Official site |
 |
Surfshark | ~$2.49/mo (27-mo) | Unlimited | 4,500+ / 100 | ✓ | ❌ | 30 days | Official site |
 |
Proton VPN | ~$2.99–3.49/mo | 10 | 20,000+ / 140+ | ✓ (yearly) | ✓ | 30 days | Official site |
 |
CyberGhost | ~$2.19/mo | 7 | Large / ~100 | ✓ | ❌ | 45 days | Official site |
 |
Private Internet Access | ~$2.19/mo | Unlimited | Large / ~91 | ✓ | ❌ | 30 days | Official site |
 |
Mullvad | €5/mo flat | 5 | ~500–700 / ~50 | ✓ | ❌ | 14 days | Official site |
 |
Astrill | Higher (premium) | 5–10 | Focused / many | Limited public | ❌ | Varies | Official site |
 |
Windscribe | From ~$1–3/mo | Unlimited (paid) | Moderate / ~69 | ✓ | ✓ (limited) | Varies | Official site |
 |
IVPN | ~$5–8/mo | 5 | Smaller / ~40 | ✓ | ❌ | 30 days | Official site |
Sources: Provider pricing and feature pages, PCMag VPN roundup (Oct 2026), Gizmodo VPN testing (Oct 2026), and public audit statements. Server counts are company claims unless noted.
Logos are trademarks of their respective owners, used for identification only.
Feature checklist
| Logo | VPN | Kill switch | WireGuard / modern protocol | Streaming unblocking | P2P allowed | Multi-hop / Double VPN | Ad / malware blocking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NordVPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
ExpressVPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ❌ | ❌ |
|
Surfshark | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Proton VPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
CyberGhost | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ❌ | ✓ |
|
PIA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Mullvad | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Astrill | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ❌ |
|
Windscribe | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ❌ | ✓ |
|
IVPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Individual notes
NordVPN Often ranked top overall
Large network, strong independent no-logs audit history (including Deloitte), Threat Protection extras, and consistent speed results in 2026 tests. PCMag Editors’ Choice (4.5). Renewal price is higher than the intro rate.
ExpressVPN Ease of use
Polished apps and strong real-world speeds. Frequently recommended for travel and streaming. PCMag Editors’ Choice (4.0). Server count not always published; covers 100+ countries.
Surfshark Best value / unlimited devices
Unlimited simultaneous connections on one plan and competitive long-term pricing. Deloitte no-logs reviews. Good fit for households.
Proton VPN Privacy + free tier
Swiss-based, open-source apps, regular audits, and a usable free plan with unlimited data. PCMag’s top overall pick in late 2026 roundups. Strong for privacy-focused users.
CyberGhost Streaming servers
User-friendly interface, dedicated streaming servers, and a longer 45-day money-back window. Device limit is tighter (around 7).
Private Internet Access (PIA) Unlimited devices
Open-source apps, proven no-logs stance in court cases, large server count, and unlimited devices. Often one of the lower-priced options.
Mullvad Anonymous signup
Flat €5/month pricing, anonymous account (number only, no email required), and a strong privacy reputation. Smaller network and device limit (5).
Astrill Hard-to-reach regions
Long-standing option with a focus on harder-to-reach regions. Higher price point; less frequently covered in mainstream 2026 roundups than the names above.
Windscribe Free tier available
Generous free tier (data-capped) and affordable paid plans. Useful if you want to test before paying. Smaller country coverage than the largest networks.
IVPN Privacy-focused
Privacy-focused, no-email signup option, multi-hop support, and transparent pricing. Smaller server footprint; aimed at users who prioritize minimal data collection.
How to choose
- Most people / all-rounder: NordVPN or Proton VPN frequently top independent 2026 lists.
- Household with many devices: Surfshark (unlimited) or PIA.
- Strong free option: Proton VPN free tier.
- Maximum anonymity / flat pricing: Mullvad or IVPN.
- Easiest apps: ExpressVPN is often praised for simplicity.
Prices and features change. Check the official pricing page before buying, and note that intro rates usually rise at renewal.
Disclaimer
This comparison is for general information. We do not currently use affiliate links on this page. Ratings and test results come from third-party publications and provider statements as of October 2026. VPN laws and performance vary by country. Use official sources for the latest details.