In most countries, yes. VPNs are legal tools used by millions of people for legitimate privacy and security purposes. However, some countries including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea restrict or ban VPN usage. Even in countries where VPNs are legal, using one to engage in illegal activity does not make that activity legal. Always check the laws in your jurisdiction.

Can a VPN make me completely anonymous?

No. A VPN encrypts your traffic and masks your IP address, but it is only one layer of privacy. Websites can still track you through cookies, browser fingerprinting, and account logins. For stronger anonymity, you would need to combine a VPN with the Tor browser, avoid logging into personal accounts, and practice careful operational security. A VPN is a significant privacy improvement for most people, but it is not a silver bullet.

Do VPNs slow down your internet?

All VPNs add some overhead due to encryption and routing, but with modern protocols like WireGuard, the speed loss is typically under 10-15 percent on nearby servers. On a fast broadband connection, you are unlikely to notice the difference during normal browsing, streaming, or video calls. Long-distance connections and older protocols like OpenVPN will show more noticeable speed reductions.

Should I use a free VPN?

Most free VPNs should be avoided. Many monetize through advertising, data collection, or worse. The only free VPN we can confidently recommend is ProtonVPN's free tier, which has no ads, no data caps, and no logging. If you cannot afford a paid VPN, ProtonVPN Free is the only option we consider trustworthy. As the saying goes, if you are not paying for the product, you are the product -- and ProtonVPN is one of the very few exceptions.

Can I use a VPN for streaming?

Yes, though not all VPNs are equally effective at bypassing geographic restrictions. Streaming services actively work to block VPN connections, so you need a provider that invests in maintaining access. Based on our testing, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost are the most reliable options for streaming. Keep in mind that using a VPN to access content outside your licensed region may violate the streaming service's terms of use.

How many devices can I protect?

This varies by provider. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. NordVPN and PIA allow 10 devices. ExpressVPN supports 8. ProtonVPN allows 10 on its Plus plan. Mullvad permits 5. CyberGhost allows 7. If you have a large household, Surfshark's unlimited policy or installing a VPN directly on your router (supported by most providers) are the most practical solutions.

Best VPN Services in 2026: Complete Comparison Guide

An in-depth, independent comparison of the best VPN services available in 2026. We tested speed, security, streaming support, privacy policies, and pricing across NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, ProtonVPN, Mullvad, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access to help you choose the right provider.

Introduction: Why You Still Need a VPN in 2026

The internet privacy landscape has shifted considerably over the past few years. Governments around the world have expanded surveillance programs, data brokers operate at an unprecedented scale, and ISPs in many countries are still legally permitted to collect and sell browsing data. Whether you are working remotely from a coffee shop, traveling abroad and trying to access content from home, or simply want to keep your browsing habits away from prying eyes, a Virtual Private Network remains one of the most practical tools available.

But not all VPNs are created equal. The market is flooded with providers making bold claims about speed, security, and privacy. For this guide, we spent over three months testing seven of the most popular VPN services across dozens of criteria -- measuring real-world speeds from multiple locations, verifying encryption implementations, evaluating logging policies against independent audits, testing streaming compatibility, and comparing pricing. None of the providers featured here paid for inclusion or influenced our rankings; we purchased every subscription with our own funds.

How We Tested

Every VPN was evaluated over at least two weeks from baseline connections in New York, London, and Singapore. Our criteria included:

Speed: Download, upload, and latency measured via Ookla Speedtest and iPerf3 against servers in 10 countries
Security: Encryption protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2), DNS and WebRTC leak tests, kill switch reliability
Privacy: Independent audit history, jurisdiction, data retention practices
Streaming: Ability to access Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu
Usability: App quality across platforms, ease of setup, customer support
Price: Monthly, annual, and multi-year plan costs; money-back guarantee terms; simultaneous connection limits

Person using a laptop with a VPN connection shield icon on screen

Our Top Picks at a Glance

Here is a summary of our recommended VPNs for 2026:

Best overall: NordVPN -- Excellent speed, strong security, and a polished user experience across all platforms
Best for speed: ExpressVPN -- Consistently the fastest in our tests with its Lightway protocol
Best value: Surfshark -- Unlimited simultaneous connections at a competitive price point
Best for privacy purists: ProtonVPN -- Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and a credible free tier
Best for anonymity: Mullvad -- No email required, accepts cash payments, radical transparency

1. NordVPN -- Best Overall

NordVPN operates over 6,400 servers in 111 countries, offering one of the broadest networks available. Its proprietary NordLynx protocol, built around WireGuard, delivered download speeds averaging 890 Mbps on a gigabit connection in our tests. On the security front, NordVPN includes AES-256 encryption, a robust kill switch, Double VPN multi-hop routing, Onion Over VPN, and Threat Protection that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites at the DNS level. The company is headquartered in Panama and has completed four independent security audits, the most recent by Deloitte in late 2025, confirming its no-logs policy.

Streaming performance is a particular strength -- NordVPN reliably unblocked Netflix in the US, UK, and Japan, along with BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. The apps are well-designed across all platforms. Pricing starts at $3.59 per month on the two-year plan ($12.99 monthly), with a 30-day money-back guarantee and up to 10 simultaneous connections.

NordVPN Pros:

Excellent speeds via NordLynx protocol
Massive server network spanning 111 countries
Verified no-logs policy through independent audits
Reliable streaming platform access
Threat Protection blocks ads and malware

NordVPN Cons:

Premium pricing compared to budget competitors
Limited to 10 simultaneous connections
Occasional slower connections to distant Asian servers

2. ExpressVPN -- Best for Speed

ExpressVPN averaged 920 Mbps download speeds in our US-based tests using its proprietary Lightway protocol -- the fastest of any service we evaluated. Performance remained consistent across Europe, Asia, and South America. The service runs on RAM-only infrastructure across 105 countries, meaning server data is wiped on every reboot. ExpressVPN is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and has undergone multiple audits by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Cure53, with its Lightway protocol fully open-source.

Where ExpressVPN loses points is on price -- it is consistently one of the most expensive options, starting at $6.67 per month on the annual plan ($12.95 monthly) with no multi-year discounts. The connection limit has been increased to eight devices. The apps are clean and intuitive but lack some advanced configuration options found in PIA or Mullvad. Streaming unblocking is excellent across all major platforms.

3. Surfshark -- Best Value

Surfshark's standout offering is unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning a single subscription can cover every device in your household. In our speed tests it averaged 840 Mbps, and the service includes WireGuard support, CleanWeb ad blocking, MultiHop double VPN, and a camouflage mode for bypassing deep packet inspection in restrictive countries. The company operates over 3,200 servers in 100 countries and has passed independent audits by Deloitte confirming its no-logs infrastructure.

Network server room with blinking lights representing VPN infrastructure

Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is within the Nine Eyes jurisdiction -- a point privacy hardliners may note. The two-year plan comes in at $2.19 per month, making it the most affordable option on this list, though the monthly plan is a steep $15.45. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included on all plans.

4. ProtonVPN -- Best for Privacy Purists

ProtonVPN comes from the team behind ProtonMail and has a long track record of fighting for user privacy, including successfully resisting data requests in court thanks to Switzerland's favorable privacy laws. All apps are open-source and independently audited by SEC Consult. The service includes Secure Core architecture, which routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries (Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden) before exiting to the broader internet. ProtonVPN also offers a genuinely usable free tier with servers in five countries, no data caps, no ads, and no logs.

In our speed tests, ProtonVPN on WireGuard averaged 810 Mbps -- solid but behind NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Streaming support has improved markedly, now reliably unblocking Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video on its Plus plan. The server network spans over 4,600 servers in 91 countries. ProtonVPN Plus costs $4.99 per month on the two-year plan ($9.99 monthly), and a bundled Proton Unlimited plan includes Mail, Drive, and Calendar.

5. Mullvad -- Best for Anonymity

Mullvad takes a radically different approach: no accounts, no emails, no passwords. You receive a randomly generated account number and can pay with cryptocurrency or even mail cash to their office in Sweden. Pricing is a flat 5 euros per month with no discounts, no upsells, and no lock-in. Mullvad averaged 860 Mbps on WireGuard in our tests and operates around 700 servers in 46 countries, many of which are owned rather than rented. In 2023, Swedish police executed a search warrant at Mullvad's office and left empty-handed because there was genuinely no user data to seize.

The trade-off is clear: Mullvad is not designed for streaming, it lacks the server diversity for users who need IPs in obscure locations, the apps are functional rather than flashy, and connections are limited to five devices. But if your primary concern is privacy in its most fundamental sense, Mullvad is difficult to beat.

Speed and Streaming Comparison

On a 1 Gbps fiber connection, ExpressVPN was the fastest at 920 Mbps average download speed, followed by NordVPN at 890 Mbps, Mullvad at 860 Mbps, Surfshark at 840 Mbps, PIA at 830 Mbps, ProtonVPN at 810 Mbps, and CyberGhost at 800 Mbps. All seven are fast enough for 4K streaming and everyday use. For streaming, NordVPN and ExpressVPN were the most reliable unblocking Netflix in six regions plus BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and HBO Max. CyberGhost's dedicated streaming servers performed well for Netflix and Disney+. Surfshark and ProtonVPN were reliable for most platforms. PIA produced inconsistent results and Mullvad makes no effort to support streaming.

Privacy and Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction determines which laws govern how a VPN provider handles government requests for data. Mullvad (Sweden), ProtonVPN (Switzerland), and NordVPN (Panama) are generally considered the strongest jurisdictions for privacy. PIA's US jurisdiction is the most contentious, though its no-logs policy has been proven in court twice. Surfshark's Netherlands base and CyberGhost's Romanian base both fall within the EU, providing GDPR protections. Ultimately, a verified no-logs policy matters more than jurisdiction alone, and all seven providers have undergone independent audits confirming their claims.

Which VPN Should You Choose?

The right VPN depends on what you value most. For the most well-rounded service with strong speeds, security, and streaming support, NordVPN is the clear recommendation. If raw speed is paramount, ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol delivers the fastest connections we have tested. For households with many devices, Surfshark's unlimited connections and low price make it the most economical choice.

Privacy-conscious users should look closely at ProtonVPN for its open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and Proton ecosystem integration, or Mullvad for absolute anonymity with minimal features. CyberGhost (not reviewed individually above but included in our testing) is excellent for beginners with its task-based interface, and PIA offers the deepest configuration options for power users -- both available at $2.19 per month on two-year plans.

Final Verdict

The VPN market in 2026 is mature, competitive, and -- thanks to WireGuard's widespread adoption -- faster than ever. All seven services reviewed here are credible options backed by independent audits and proven track records. The differences come down to priorities: speed, price, privacy philosophy, ease of use, or configurability.

Our top recommendation for most users is NordVPN, which offers the best balance of performance, security, features, and value. ExpressVPN earns the speed crown, Surfshark wins on price and device flexibility, ProtonVPN and Mullvad lead on privacy credibility, CyberGhost is the friendliest for newcomers, and PIA gives power users the most control. Whichever you choose, the most important step is simply using one -- because in an era of pervasive tracking and data collection, a VPN is no longer a luxury. It is a baseline privacy tool.