The 7 Best VPNs in 2026: Our Tested & Reviewed Top Picks

TL;DR: These Are the Best VPN Services:

1. Proton VPN

Proton VPN

33

See it at Proton VPN

Proton VPN simply does it all. It’s fasthas a huge server networkis a reliable unblockerand does all this without compromising in terms of security or privacy. At the time of writingProton VPN offers more than 12,000 servers in 117 countries. This makes it very easy to not just find a fast server close to your location (and Proton VPN is very fast indeed)but to bypass geo-blocking of websites and services. I found it worked very well with Netflix in testing.

Although Proton VPN’s MacOS app is not quite as easy on the eye assaythat of ExpressVPNit’s nonetheless easy to use. What’s moreProton VPN’s WindowsAndroidand iOS apps have recently had a welcome facelift and they’re more intuitive to navigate as a result. Proton VPN has a strong set of security features and sets itself apart from rivals with what is a true no-logs policy. It’s also one of very few VPNs to let you pay anonymously in cash should you like.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

36

See it at ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a worthy runner-up and is also our best VPN for streaming. In my reviewI found that this is just a great all-rounder that’s beginner-friendly while still packing fast speeds and powerful unblocking. Its 3,000 servers is fewer than Proton VPN and NordVPN but they cover 105 countries. Moreoverconnections are high-speed without interruptionsproving there’s no server load issues. I’ve found ExpressVPN to be one of the most consistent unblockers of popular streaming services.

During testingI connected to various ExpressVPN servers and observed no DNS or IP leaks. 256-bit AES encryption secures your connection and the kill switch works exactly as it should. Although ExpressVPN doesn’t have as many extras as Surfsharkone of the most feature-rich VPN servicesit does still have some intriguing features including a password manager. There’s a 10-device connection limit but you can bypass this by setting ExpressVPN with your routerwhich is easy thanks to the availability of custom firmware.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN

44

See it at NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the biggest names in the VPN space and its reputation is well deserved as I found in my review. Its network of over 7,000 servers in 118 countries is among the largest. If you’re in the U.S.know that some 2,000 of these servers cover 16 U.S. cities. It’s little wonder then that NordVPN worked so well with U.S. Netflix and Peacock in my unblocking tests. NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol allows for almost unrivaled speedswhich is a reason why it’s the best VPN for gaming.

Unlike some VPNsNordVPN doesn’t stand still. It receives regular updates and new features. An entry-level NordVPN subscription includes all of the security essentials you’d expect. Tier up from this however and you’ll gain access to Threat Protection Prowhich serves to block adstrackersand malicious websites. You’ll also find a password manager and data breach scanner. The server map view of the apps won’t be for everyonebut the apps are still very accessible.

4. Surfshark

Surfshark

15

See it at Surfshark

Surfshark doesn’t impose a limit on the number of devices you can connect simultaneously. This makes it ideal if you’ve got a lot of internet-connected devices at home to secure. Over 3,000 servers are offered in 100 countries. NotablySurfshark has servers in almost two dozen U.S. cities. Having connected to these servers and streamed HBO Max and Prime Video and played games like Fortnite and Helldivers 2 from my review testing, I can confirm that they’re more than fast enough.

Aside from impressive performanceSurfshark ticks every security box. There’s 256-bit AES encryption (OpenVPN) and ChaCha20 encryption (WireGuard)DNS and IPv6 leak protectionand a kill switch. If that’s not enoughSurfshark’s MultiHop servers can provide an extra layer of encryption. Then there’s the many extrasbe it the new Alternative ID (email masking) or a highly impressive antivirus. Plans start from $1.99but the one-month plans are very expensive.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish

7

See it at IPVanish

IPVanish continues to add to its server networkwhich now stands at 2,400 serversover 1,400 of which are in North America. As suchthis is a highly reliable choice for streaming services like U.S. Netflix and Hulu. Having run speed tests on IPVanish servers in the U.S.UKand Japan in my review testingI was impressed by the speeds on offer. IPVanish has made great progress in this respect and it means that streaming is lag-free while online gaming sessions don’t suffer from high ping.

Planning on sharing your VPN with family or friends at home? IPVanish is one of just two VPNs covered here that allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Two different subscription tiers are offeredand both include Threat Protection which blocks adstrackers and malicious websites. Only the Advanced tier includes new IPVanish features like a secure browser and cloud storage. IPVanish does lack a Smart DNS feature howeverand there’s no browser extensions either.

Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by Ziff DavisIGN's parent company.

6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost

3

See it at CyberGhost

CyberGhost is not only one of the best VPNs availableit’s also one of the most accessible. Apps are available for desktopmobileand Amazon Fire TVas are browser extensions for Chrome. Better stillI found them to be very easy to use in my review and particularly appreciated seeing each server’s load in the desktop apps. CyberGhost no longer publishes its server countbut with servers in 100 countriesit’s like it still has one of the largest networks of any VPN.

Another area in which CyberGhost stands out from the competition is its 45-day money-back guarantee (most VPNs offer 30 days). There’s even a 24-hour free trial available for both Windows and MacOS. Better stillyou don’t need to provide a credit card to take advantage. Where CyberGhost is lagging is in terms of advanced features with no Double VPN servers or port forwarding. It’s one of the few top VPNs that still hasn’t introduced an Apple TV app either.

7. Mullvad

Mullvad

10

See it at Mullvad

Mullvad is the VPN for you if you’re concerned about privacy above all else. Although it uses the WireGuard protocol and is one of the fastest VPNsI don’t recommend it for streaming due to its lack of unblocking ability. It also offers far fewer servers and server locations than most major providers. Yet none of that is Mullvad’s primary focus. Insteadit puts security and privacy firstas evidenced by its comprehensive set of security features and strict no-logs policy.

Where Mullvad really stands out though is that it’s possible to sign up for the service entirely anonymously. It doesn’t ask for an email address during signupinstead generating a random account number for you. Available for a flat monthly rate of just €5 (about $5.65 as of writing)it accepts not only cash but Monerowhich is one of the most privacy-friendly cryptocurrencies in existence. There’s not a wealth of features howeverand live chat support is also absent.

How We Picked the Best VPN Services

You’d think that with so many VPN services availablewhittling them down to just seven would be no easy task. Yet it’s not as challenging as you might think when you know what to look for:

• Fastconsistent connections: A VPN shouldn’t slow your connection significantly. For each VPNI connected to three server locations and measured speeds at different times of day over several days. This helped create a more reliable average. I also streamed content and played games (yesit still counts as work!) to make sure there were no performance issues during more bandwidth-heavy tasks.
• Strong unblocking ability: Most quality VPNs have servers in dozens of countries around the world. Not only does this make it easier to find a server close to your location for a faster connectionit provides more flexibility when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted online content. Streaming platforms are commonly region-lockedso I test each VPN’s servers against them to see how they fare.
• Keeps data secure: For any VPN service to be taken seriouslyit must use strong encryption to safeguard your internet traffic. This should be 256-bit AES if using the OpenVPN protocol or ChaCha20 if on WireGuard. Not content to simply assume protection is set up correctlyI run DNS and IP leak tests to make sure absolutely no data is escaping the VPN tunnel.
• Respects your privacy: The fact is that many VPN providers don’t respect your privacy. This is most evident with VPNs that keep extensive logs of users. These logs can contain valuable data which is then sold to third parties. I read each VPN’s privacy policy to make sure there’s no identifying logs. I also prioritize VPNs that have had their no-logs policies independently audited.

VPN FAQs

Are VPNs legal to use?

YesVPNs are legal to use in almost every country worldwide. There are a small number of exceptions such as China and Russia. Even thenVPNs aren’t outright illegal but their use is restricted or otherwise regulated. To stay safebe sure to check local laws before using one.

Will a VPN slow my internet speed?

A VPN encrypts and redirects your traffic to one of its servers in another location. This in itself can slow your internet speed slightly. Yet the best VPNs use fast protocols and don’t throttle your bandwidth. This means that you shouldn’t notice a difference even when streaming.

Can I use a VPN to access Netflix?

Netflix actively blocks VPNs in an effort to protect copyright and licensing agreements by preventing users from accessing content outside their region. Yet some VPNs are capable of bypassing Netflix’s VPN blockingseveral of which are included among our best VPN list.

Why not just use a free VPN instead?

The majority of free VPNs offer very few servers and locations. They also tend to cap the data and speed of users. This makes free VPNs unsuitable for anything other than very basic browsing. There’s also the risk that they’ll look to profit by logging and selling your data.

Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGNbringing years of dedicated experience from Comparitechwhere he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs. When he’s not testing VPNsMark is an avid gamer with a soft spot for the Sega Mega Drivereliving the classics for a dose of nostalgia.