10 Best VPN Services of 2026

1. 1

   Proton VPN

   Swiss VPN with open-source, independently audited apps, a free plan and more than 20,000 servers in 140+ countries.

   9.0overall

   Swiss VPN with open-source, independently audited apps, a free plan and more than 20,000 servers in 140+ countries.

   Best forPrivacy-minded buyers who want a free tier to start and the largest published server count when they upgrade

   Adoption data

   100 millionProton says more than 100 million users and organizations use its services, a figure that includes Proton Mail and its other apps.

   Proton, Proton VPN: Secure, fast VPN service (2026): “Trusted by over 100 million users and organizations”

   Proton VPN takes first place because it combines the biggest documented network on this list with a free plan that has no data cap. Its pricing page lists 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries on VPN Plus, 10 devices at a time, streaming and P2P support, and a blocker for malware, ads and trackers. The free tier protects 1 device and connects to servers in 10 randomly selected countries, which is enough to test the apps before paying. Proton says its apps are open source and independently audited, and the company is based in Switzerland. VPN Plus costs $3.49 a month on the 24-month plan, billed $83.76 up front, then renews at $83.88 a year, so the second term is close to the first. Proton says more than 100 million users and organizations use its products, though that figure covers Mail, Drive and Pass as well as the VPN. The main limit is that the cheapest rate requires a two-year commitment. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

   Strengths

   • +Only free plan on this list with no data cap
   • +Largest published server network here at 20,000+ servers
   • +Proton reports more than 100 million users across its products

   Limitations

   • −Free plan is limited to 1 device and does not let you pick the country
   • −The $3.49 rate needs a 24-month commitment; the monthly plan is $9.99
   • −Renewal is billed at $83.88 every 12 months after the first term

   SummaryProton VPN is the safest default: start free, then move to VPN Plus for 10 devices and the largest published server count. Pick NordVPN instead if you want its wider set of bundled security extras.

2. 2

   NordVPN

   Large commercial VPN from Nord Security with 7,000+ servers in 225+ locations and third-party no-log audits.

   8.7overall

   Large commercial VPN from Nord Security with 7,000+ servers in 225+ locations and third-party no-log audits.

   Best forBuyers who want a widely used VPN for up to 10 devices with optional antivirus and scam protection tiers

   Adoption data

   14 millionNordVPN says its service is used by over 14 million internet users worldwide.

   NordVPN, Meet NordVPN (2026): “NordVPN is a trusted online security solution, used by over 14 million internet users worldwide.”

   NordVPN ranks second on features and reach. Its homepage lists 7,000+ servers covering 225+ locations, and its pricing page states that one account protects up to 10 devices at once. Plans come in Basic, Complete and Ultra tiers; Complete and Ultra add next-generation antivirus, scam and spam protection, ad and tracker blocking and phishing detection, while Basic is the VPN alone. NordVPN says it pioneered independent no-log audits in the VPN industry and regularly submits its apps to third-party testing. On adoption, its brand page says the service is used by over 14 million internet users worldwide, the largest figure for a VPN-only brand on this list. Each tier carries a 30-day money-back guarantee. The weak spot for this list is price transparency: from our location the pricing page showed only local currency, so we could not verify a US price, and the page notes that introductory rates renew higher. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

   Strengths

   • +NordVPN reports over 14 million users, the largest standalone VPN figure here
   • +Wide location coverage at 225+ locations
   • +30-day money-back guarantee on every tier

   Limitations

   • −No USD price shown from our location, so we could not verify it
   • −Basic does not include the ad and malware blocker
   • −Introductory prices renew higher, according to the pricing page

   SummaryNordVPN is the strongest all-round commercial VPN here for people who want a large network and optional security extras. Check the renewal price on the US page before you buy.

3. 3

   Surfshark

   VPN with unlimited devices per account, 4,500+ servers in 100 countries and a no-logs policy verified by Deloitte.

   8.5overall

   VPN with unlimited devices per account, 4,500+ servers in 100 countries and a no-logs policy verified by Deloitte.

   Best forHouseholds with many devices that want one account to cover all of them

   Adoption data

   40 millionSurfshark says its apps have been downloaded more than 40 million times worldwide.

   Surfshark, Surfshark VPN (2026): “Widely trusted with 40M+ global app downloads”

   Surfshark is third because it removes the device cap that most rivals impose. Its homepage states one account covers unlimited devices, and it lists 4,500+ servers across 100 countries, with all servers reaching 10 Gbps and running RAM-only under a strict no-logs policy. The company timeline on its About page records a first independent audit by Cure53 in 2018 and no-logs verification by Deloitte in 2023 and again afterward. Plans run from Starter to One and One+, and the pricing page lists Alternative ID, scam protection, antivirus alerts and identity tools among plan features. Surfshark reports 40 million+ app downloads, which signals wide reach but counts installs rather than paying customers. Every plan carries a 30-day money-back guarantee. As with NordVPN, the pricing page showed only local currency from our location, so the US price is not verified here. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

   Strengths

   • +No device limit on any plan
   • +Surfshark reports 40 million+ app downloads
   • +Repeated third-party verification of its no-logs policy

   Limitations

   • −No USD price shown from our location, so we could not verify it
   • −Smaller server network than Proton VPN or NordVPN
   • −Download counts are not the same as active subscribers

   SummarySurfshark is the pick for homes with more devices than a 10-device cap allows. Confirm the US price on the vendor page, since we could not verify it.

4. 4

   Private Internet Access

   Open-source VPN with servers in 113 countries, including all 50 US states, and unlimited devices per subscription.

   8.0overall

   Open-source VPN with servers in 113 countries, including all 50 US states, and unlimited devices per subscription.

   Best forUS buyers who want servers in every state, unlimited devices and a low price on a 3-year plan

   Private Internet Access, or PIA, earns fourth place on value. Its order page lists the 3-year plan with 4 extra months at $2.03 a month, renewing at $81.20 every 3 years, which keeps the renewal close to the promotional rate. The 1-year plan is $3.99 a month and the monthly plan $11.95. PIA says its NextGen network covers 113 countries, including all 50 US states, which is useful for people who want a server near home anywhere in the country. One subscription covers unlimited devices at once. PIA's apps are 100% open source, and the company says its no-logs policy has been reviewed in multiple independent audits by Deloitte and has been proven in court. Antivirus and dedicated IP are paid add-ons. PIA does not publish a current user count, so we score adoption conservatively. There is no free plan; new subscribers get a 30-day money-back guarantee. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

   Strengths

   • +Second cheapest verified long-term price at $2.03 a month
   • +Renewal at $81.20 every 3 years stays low
   • +Server in every US state

   Limitations

   • −No current user count published, so adoption is scored conservatively
   • −Monthly plan costs $11.95
   • −No free plan, only a 30-day money-back guarantee

   SummaryPIA is the best low-cost pick for US users who want servers in every state and no device cap. The 3-year plan offers the best value.

5. 5

   ExpressVPN

   Premium VPN with servers in 113 countries, TrustedServer technology and plans from 10 to 14 devices.

   7.9overall

   Premium VPN with servers in 113 countries, TrustedServer technology and plans from 10 to 14 devices.

   Best forBuyers who want a long-established premium VPN and are willing to pay more per month

   Adoption data

   4 millionExpressVPN said in January 2023 that it had passed 4 million active subscribers.

   ExpressVPN, We Now Have 4 Million Active Subscribers (2023): “Recently we hit a new milestone, surpassing 4 million active subscribers.”

   ExpressVPN is fifth: it scores well on features and reach but loses ground on value. Its site lists servers in 113 countries, TrustedServer technology, 24-hour live chat and a no-logs policy that it says has been audited by independent firms. The order page sets out three tiers: Basic for 10 simultaneous devices with speeds up to 40 Gbps, which also blocks ads, trackers, malicious sites and adult sites, Advanced for 12 devices and Express Pro for 14 devices. A dedicated IP is available as an add-on. In January 2023 ExpressVPN said it had passed 4 million active subscribers, the most recent count it has published. The order page shows that introductory multi-year prices autorenew at a much higher annual rate, which is why value is its lowest score. From our location the page showed euro prices only, so the US price is pending. New users get a 30-day money-back guarantee. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

   Strengths

   • +4 million active subscribers reported in 2023
   • +Clear device allowances by tier
   • +24-hour live chat support

   Limitations

   • −No USD price shown from our location, so we could not verify it
   • −Renewal rates on the order page are well above the first term
   • −Subscriber count is from 2023, the latest the company has published

   SummaryExpressVPN suits buyers who value a long-running premium brand and clear device tiers. Budget for the higher renewal price after the first term.

6. 6

   CyberGhost

   VPN with 9,600+ servers in 100 countries, 7 devices per plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee on longer plans.

   7.7overall

   VPN with 9,600+ servers in 100 countries, 7 devices per plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee on longer plans.

   Best forBuyers who want a low 2-year price and a longer refund window

   CyberGhost places sixth with a strong mix of price and network size. Its order page shows the 2-year plan at $2.19 a month, billed $61.32 for the first 2 years, and states that all billing plans include 9,600+ VPN servers, 7 protected devices and 24/7 live support. The site lists servers in 100 countries, an automatic kill switch, DNS and IP leak protection, split tunneling and the OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols. CyberGhost says Deloitte inspected its VPN servers and management systems in an independent audit. Its refund window is the longest here at 45 days on 6-month and longer plans, though the monthly plan at $12.99 gets 14 days. The 7-device cap is tighter than the 10 or more offered by most rivals, and the company does not publish a current user count, so adoption is scored conservatively. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

   Strengths

   • +45-day money-back guarantee on 6-month and longer plans
   • +Low verified 2-year price at $2.19 a month
   • +Large published server count

   Limitations

   • −7-device limit is lower than most rivals here
   • −Monthly plan has only a 14-day refund window
   • −No current user count published, so adoption is scored conservatively

   SummaryCyberGhost is a good value pick for people with 7 or fewer devices who want time to test before committing. The 45-day refund window is the longest on this list.

7. 7

   PureVPN

   VPN with 6,000+ servers in 65+ countries, an audited no-log policy and the lowest verified long-term price here.

   7.7overall

   VPN with 6,000+ servers in 65+ countries, an audited no-log policy and the lowest verified long-term price here.

   Best forBuyers who want the lowest monthly cost and can commit to a 5-year plan

   Adoption data

   5 millionPureVPN says it has more than 5 million satisfied users.

   PureVPN, PureVPN (2026): “5 million+ satisfied users”

   PureVPN is seventh. Its order page prices the Standard plan at $1.69 a month on a 5-year term, billed $101.55 for 60 months and then $47.95 a year, the lowest verified starting price on this list. Plus and Max plans add more of the bundled extras the page lists, such as a password manager, data removal and dark web monitoring. The site says PureVPN runs 6,000+ servers across 65+ countries and keeps an independently audited no-log policy, and it reports 5 million+ satisfied users. Payment by credit card, PayPal or Bitcoin is accepted, and every plan has a 31-day money-back guarantee. The country count is the lowest among the large networks here, which matters if you need exits in less common locations, and the headline price depends on paying for five years up front. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

   Strengths

   • +Lowest verified starting price on this list at $1.69 a month
   • +PureVPN reports 5 million+ users
   • +31-day refund window

   Limitations

   • −Cheapest price requires a 5-year prepayment
   • −Fewest server countries among the large networks here at 65+
   • −Renewal at $47.95 a year is higher than the first term

   SummaryPureVPN is the cheapest verified option for people willing to prepay five years. Check that its 65+ countries include the ones you need.

8. 8

   IPVanish

   VPN with 3,650 servers in 150 locations, unlimited devices and a no-logs policy backed by third-party audits.

   7.5overall

   VPN with 3,650 servers in 150 locations, unlimited devices and a no-logs policy backed by third-party audits.

   Best forStreamers and Kodi users who want unlimited devices at a low 2-year price

   IPVanish ranks eighth. Its pricing page lists the Essential plan at $2.19 a month on a 2-year term, billed $52.56 for the first 2 years, with unlimited devices, threat protection, live 24/7 chat and a no-logs policy. Complete adds next-generation antivirus and phone support, and Advanced sits above that. The homepage lists 150 VPN locations, 3,650 servers, 56,000 IP addresses and unlimited bandwidth. IPVanish says its no-logs policy is backed by independent third-party audits and regular transparency reports. All plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. Its network is the smallest by server count among the paid services here, and the company does not publish a current user count, so adoption is scored conservatively. For a household that wants every device covered at a low price, though, the Essential plan matches PIA and Surfshark on device allowance. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

   Strengths

   • +Unlimited devices from the cheapest plan
   • +Low verified price at $2.19 a month
   • +Publishes regular transparency reports

   Limitations

   • −Smaller server count than most rivals here
   • −No current user count published, so adoption is scored conservatively
   • −No free plan

   SummaryIPVanish is a sound budget choice when you need unlimited devices. Pick PIA instead if you want a wider country list for a similar price.

9. 9

   Windscribe

   Open-source VPN with a 10GB-a-month free plan, a pay-per-location option and servers in 69+ countries.

   7.5overall

   Open-source VPN with a 10GB-a-month free plan, a pay-per-location option and servers in 69+ countries.

   Best forLight users who want a usable free plan or to pay only for the locations they need

   Windscribe is ninth, with the most flexible pricing on this list. Its homepage offers a free plan with 10GB of data every month once you confirm an email address. The upgrade page lists Pro at $9 a month or $69 a year, about $5.75 a month, and a Build A Plan option that charges $1 per location per month, each adding 10GB of data, with a $3 minimum. Windscribe says its network covers 69+ countries and 135+ cities with no virtual server locations, runs on RAM disk infrastructure and has open-source apps backed by published transparency reports and audits. The R.O.B.E.R.T. tool blocks ads, trackers and malware. The company does not publish a user count, so adoption is scored conservatively, and its country list is shorter than the largest networks here. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

   Strengths

   • +Free tier is enough for light weekly use
   • +Yearly Pro works out to $5.75 a month
   • +Pay-per-location option for users who need only a few countries

   Limitations

   • −No user count published, so adoption is scored conservatively
   • −Free data cap is 10GB a month
   • −Fewer countries than the large commercial networks

   SummaryWindscribe is the best fit for light users who want to stay free or pay only for a few locations. Heavier users should compare its $69 yearly Pro plan with PIA and IPVanish.

10. 10

    Mullvad

    Swedish privacy VPN with anonymous numbered accounts and one flat price of 5 euros a month.

    7.2overall

    Swedish privacy VPN with anonymous numbered accounts and one flat price of 5 euros a month.

    Best forPrivacy-first users who want anonymous accounts and a flat price without promotions

    Mullvad closes the list. It is the most privacy-focused service here but scores lower on adoption and value. Its pricing page shows one flat rate of €5 a month whether you pay for 1 month, 1 year or a decade, which it says is equivalent to $5.63, and accounts work on up to 5 devices. There is no free plan; Mullvad explains that free services nearly always come at some cost. Accounts are anonymous and need no email address. Mullvad's About page records the service launch in March 2009, a post-quantum secure tunnel in 2017, an independent audit of its VPN app in 2018 and an external security audit of all five platform versions in 2020. The company is based in Gothenburg, Sweden. It does not publish a user count, so adoption is scored conservatively, and the monthly price is the highest verified here, though it never jumps at renewal. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run our own tests.

    Strengths

    • +Same price every month with no renewal increase
    • +Accounts can be created without personal details
    • +Long track record since its 2009 launch

    Limitations

    • −Highest verified starting price on this list at about $5.63 a month
    • −5-device limit
    • −No free plan and no user count published

    SummaryMullvad suits people who put anonymity first and dislike promotional pricing. Others will get more servers and devices for less from Proton VPN or PIA.

Questions or corrections: editorial@statlyst.com · Disclosure