The 6 best VPN services in 2026, ranked
By Jean Luc Poitier, SEO and growth marketing strategist · NordVPN Reviews · Updated October 1, 2026 · Prices, audits, and ratings checked on each company's own pages
Disclosure: this site reviews NordVPN and earns a commission if you sign up for it through our links. We earn nothing from the other VPNs here. Every figure below comes from the company's own pages or the platform named, and each entry links to a full comparison.
The best VPN services compared
| VPN | Entry plan, 2 years | Renews at | Devices | Servers | No-logs checks | App Store (US) | PCMag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. NordVPN | $3.49/mo ($94.23 for 27 months) | $139.08/yr | 10 | 7,300+ in 150 countries | Six no-logs reviews (PwC, Deloitte) | 4.7 (705,387) | Editors' Choice, 4.5 |
| 2. Proton VPN | $3.49/mo ($83.76 for 24 months) | $83.88/yr | 10 | 20,000+ in 140+ countries | Five no-logs audits (Securitum) | 4.6 (113,481) | Editors' Choice, 5.0 |
| 3. Surfshark | $2.49/mo ($67.23 for 27 months) | $79/yr | Unlimited | 4,500+ in 100 countries | Two no-logs reviews (Deloitte) | 4.7 (130,568) | Editors' Choice, 4.5 |
| 4. ExpressVPN | $2.99/mo ($83.72 for 28 months; some visits showed $3.49/mo) | $99.95/yr | 10 / 12 / 14 by tier | Count not published; 113 countries | Four no-logs reviews (PwC, KPMG) | 4.7 (419,133) | Editors' Choice, 4.0 |
| 5. Mullvad | €5/mo flat (about $5.66), any term | €5/mo; no subscription | 5 | 566 in 50 countries | Security and infrastructure audits | 4.1 (1,462) | Editors' Choice, 4.5 |
| 6. Norton VPN | Annual only: Standard $39.99 first year (5 devices) | $79.99/yr | 5 or 10 by tier | About 140 locations, 100+ countries | Three VerSprite assessments | 4.4 (120,812) | 3.5, no Editors' Choice |
Checked against each company's published pages, PCMag's reviews, and the US App Store as of 2026-10-01. Server counts are each company's own claims.
The best VPN services, one by one
1. NordVPN
Best overallServers in 150 countries (7,300+ in all), six independent no-logs reviews, malware and phishing blocking in the same app, free Meshnet, and 10 devices on every plan. PCMag Editors' Choice, Forbes Advisor's pick for most individuals and small businesses, and CNET's fastest VPN. The catch is the renewal price: Basic renews at $139.08 a year.
2. Proton VPN
Best free plan and for privacyThe only big VPN with a free plan worth using (no data cap, 1 device), open-source apps, annual Securitum audits, and PCMag's only 5.0 score. VPN Plus renews at $83.88 a year. Recent unprompted Trustpilot reviews are low (2.0 from 99), mostly about speed and blocked sites.
3. Surfshark
Best value and for big householdsThe lowest prices of the major names ($67.23 for 27 months, renewing at $79 a year), unlimited devices, and ad blocking on every plan. Smaller network than NordVPN and two no-logs reviews. Surfshark and NordVPN share a parent company.
4. ExpressVPN
Best for polished appsCNET's best VPN overall in September 2026, with Basic renewing at $99.95 a year and up to 14 devices on its top tier. It doesn't publish a server count, and some of its 113 countries are virtual locations.
5. Mullvad
Best for anonymityNo email, cash payments, and one flat price (€5 a month) that never rises. Only 5 devices and 566 servers, with email-only support and no streaming claims.
6. Norton VPN
Best for Norton customersA cheap first year ($39.99 for Standard) and a 60-day refund that covers renewals, from the company behind Norton antivirus. A smaller network (about 140 locations), 5 devices on Standard, and PCMag rates it 3.5.
How we ranked the best VPN services
We weighed the intro price and what you pay after the first term; the size of each network; how many times an outside firm has checked the no-logs claim; device limits; expert awards confirmed on the awarding outlet's own page; and user ratings compared like for like. App store ratings are directly comparable. On Trustpilot we compare invited reviews with invited and unprompted with unprompted, because a company that invites reviews scores far higher overall. Prices are US prices checked on October 1, 2026.
Best VPN services FAQ
What is the best VPN service in 2026?+
For most people, NordVPN: the widest country coverage here, six no-logs reviews, malware blocking in the app, and top marks from PCMag, Forbes Advisor, and CNET. Proton VPN is the best free option and Surfshark the best value.
What is the cheapest good VPN?+
Surfshark: $67.23 for 27 months, renewing at $79 a year, with unlimited devices. Proton VPN Plus ($83.76 for 24 months, renewing at $83.88) is close and adds a free plan.
How did you rank these VPNs?+
On price including renewal, network size, independent no-logs audits, device limits, expert awards checked on the awarding sites, and user ratings compared like for like (app stores, and Trustpilot invited vs unprompted).
Do you earn money from these rankings?+
We earn a commission if you sign up for NordVPN through our links, and nothing from the other VPNs. The rankings use the published figures in the table, and each entry links to a full comparison.