A VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and the internet and hides your IP address from the sites you visit. That is useful on public Wi-Fi, for keeping your internet provider from logging your browsing, and for reaching your usual streaming libraries while traveling. It is not a cure-all, but a trustworthy VPN is a real privacy upgrade.
Trust is the whole product. A VPN company can see a lot about you, so we weighted independent no-logs audits and real-world tests of those claims, such as court cases and police raids, as heavily as speed and price. Here are the ten services that stand out in 2026.
How we chose: we compared published features, pricing, independent no-logs audits, legal track records, and expert and owner reviews. Read more about how we evaluate products.
Our top picks at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Key spec | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NordVPN | Best overall | Six Deloitte no-logs assessments | From around $3.09/mo (2-year) |
| 2 | Proton VPN | Best free plan | Free tier with no data cap | Free; Plus around $2.99/mo (2-year) |
| 3 | Surfshark | Best for big households | Unlimited simultaneous devices | Around $2–$3/mo (2-year) |
| 4 | ExpressVPN | Best for ease of use | KPMG-audited TrustedServer setup | From around $2.99/mo (2-year) |
| 5 | Mullvad | Best for anonymity | No email needed to sign up | About 5 euros/mo flat |
| 6 | Private Internet Access | Best budget pick | Unlimited devices, port forwarding | Around $1.79/mo (2-year) |
| 7 | CyberGhost | Best money-back window | 45-day guarantee | Around $2.03/mo (2 years + 4 months) |
| 8 | Windscribe | Best flexible plans | 10 GB/month free, build-a-plan | Free; Pro $69/yr |
| 9 | IPVanish | Best for US support | Unlimited connections, 24/7 phone support | Around $2.19/mo (2-year) |
| 10 | Malwarebytes Privacy VPN | Best simple add-on | WireGuard-based, pairs with Malwarebytes | Around $39.99/yr |
1. NordVPN — Best overall
NordVPN combines fast apps, a big server network, and one of the most thoroughly checked privacy records in the industry. Deloitte completed its sixth no-logs assurance assessment of the service between November and December 2025, covering standard servers plus Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and obfuscated servers. Higher tiers bundle a password manager, encrypted cloud storage, and identity protection.
- Plans: Basic, Plus, Complete, Prime
- Price: Basic around $3.09/mo on a 2-year plan, $12.99 month to month
- Audit: Sixth Deloitte no-logs assessment (ISAE 3000), late 2025
- Guarantee: 30-day money-back
Pros
- Repeated independent no-logs verification
- Specialty servers for extra privacy
- Useful bundles with threat protection and a password manager
Cons
- Monthly and renewal prices are much higher than the promo rate
2. Proton VPN — Best free plan
Proton VPN, from Switzerland’s Proton, offers the best free VPN we know of: no data cap, no ads, and a strict no-logs policy, limited to one device and a rotating set of countries. VPN Plus unlocks streaming, P2P, an ad and malware blocker, and 10 simultaneous devices. Its apps are open source and its no-logs policy has been independently audited.
- Free plan: Unlimited data, 1 device
- Price: VPN Plus around $2.99/mo (2-year), $3.99/mo (1-year), $9.99 monthly
- Devices: 10 on VPN Plus
- Apps: Open source
Pros
- Genuinely usable free tier
- Swiss jurisdiction and open-source apps
Cons
- Refunds within 30 days are prorated
3. Surfshark — Best for big households
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on every plan, so one subscription can cover a whole family’s phones, laptops, and TVs. Its no-logs policy has been verified by Deloitte, and the Surfshark One bundles add antivirus and breach alerts. Two-year pricing is among the lowest from a major provider.
- Plans: Starter, One, One+
- Price: Around $2–$3/mo on 2-year plans; about $16–$18 month to month
- Devices: Unlimited
- Audit: Deloitte-verified no-logs policy
Pros
- No device limit
- Low long-term pricing
Cons
- Renewals jump to roughly $79–$119 a year depending on plan
4. ExpressVPN — Best for ease of use
ExpressVPN has simple, reliable apps and its own Lightway protocol. Its TrustedServer setup runs servers from RAM, and KPMG found the systems worked as designed with no identified logging issues in an assessment as of February 28, 2025. It now sells Basic, Advanced, and Pro tiers, with the higher tiers adding a password manager and identity tools.
- Price: Basic around $2.99/mo (2-year) to $14.99 monthly; Pro up to $22.99 monthly
- Devices: 10 on Basic, 12 on Advanced
- Audit: KPMG privacy assessment (2025)
- Guarantee: 30-day money-back
Pros
- Very easy apps for beginners
- RAM-only servers and Big Four audits
Cons
- Expensive month to month
- No longer accepts cryptocurrency
5. Mullvad — Best for anonymity
Mullvad asks for no email or name: you get a random account number and can even pay in cash. It charges one flat price with no long-term deals or renewal hikes. When Swedish police searched its offices in 2023, they found no customer data to take. Mullvad has published more than ten independent security audits.
- Price: 5 euros per month (roughly $5.50), any term
- Devices: 5
- Protocol: WireGuard, with multihop and DAITA traffic-analysis defense
Pros
- Anonymous signup and payment
- Honest flat pricing
Cons
- Not optimized for streaming
6. Private Internet Access — Best budget pick
Private Internet Access (PIA) is cheap on long plans, allows unlimited devices, and supports port forwarding, which torrent users value. Its no-logs claim has been tested in court: in FBI cases in 2016 and 2018, PIA had no connection logs to hand over. It has also completed a Deloitte audit. The desktop app looks dated, and some streaming services block it.
- Price: Around $1.79/mo on a 2-year plan; $11.95 month to month
- Devices: Unlimited
- Coverage: 91 countries
Pros
- Court-tested no-logs record
- Port forwarding and deep settings
Cons
- Inconsistent with streaming services
7. CyberGhost — Best money-back window
CyberGhost runs a very large network of around 11,000 servers in 100 countries and offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on longer plans, the most generous window on this list. Its no-logs policy has been audited by Deloitte. It is simple and affordable, though it lacks extras like multihop.
- Price: Around $2.03/mo for 2 years plus 4 months; $12.99 monthly
- Devices: 7
- Guarantee: 45 days on long plans, 14 days on monthly
Pros
- Long refund window
- Huge server network
Cons
- Seven-device limit
- No multihop
8. Windscribe — Best flexible plans
Windscribe gives confirmed-email users 10 GB of free data a month and lets you build a custom plan from $3 a month, paying $1 per location. Its no-logs policy had a real test: a Greek criminal case against its CEO, tied to a Windscribe server, was dismissed in April 2025 because the company had no user data to identify anyone.
- Free plan: 10 GB/month, 10 countries
- Price: Pro $9/mo or $69/yr; Build-A-Plan from $3/mo
- Coverage: 69+ countries on Pro
Pros
- Generous free tier
- No-logs claim held up in court
Cons
- Apps can feel busy for beginners
9. IPVanish — Best for US support
IPVanish offers unlimited connections, torrenting on all servers, and 24/7 support by chat, email, and phone, which is rare in this category. Its history needs a mention: in 2016, under previous owners, it shared data with the FBI despite a no-logs claim. Management changed in 2017, and its current no-logs policy has since been independently audited.
- Price: Around $2.19–$3.29/mo on 2-year plans; $12.99 monthly
- Devices: Unlimited
- Servers: 3,400+ in 150+ locations
Pros
- Phone support around the clock
- No device cap
Cons
- 2016 logging incident under prior owners
- Steep renewal prices
10. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN — Best simple add-on
If you already use Malwarebytes for malware protection, its Privacy VPN is a no-fuss addition built on the WireGuard protocol. It is sold on its own or bundled into the Malwarebytes Plus plan with device security. It is light on advanced features, but it is easy to set up and manage from one account.
- Price: Around $39.99/yr standalone
- Protocol: WireGuard
- Bundle: Included in Malwarebytes Plus
Pros
- Simple setup, one account for security and VPN
Cons
- Fewer privacy features and audits than dedicated VPN brands
How to choose the right VPN service
Prioritize proof of no logging
Anyone can write “no logs” on a website. Look for repeated audits by firms such as Deloitte or KPMG, published security audits, and real-world tests like PIA’s court cases, Mullvad’s 2023 police search, and Windscribe’s dismissed Greek case.
Count your devices
Limits range from 5 devices (Mullvad) to unlimited (Surfshark, PIA, IPVanish). Families with many phones, tablets, and streaming sticks should favor unlimited plans.
Read the renewal price
The headline price usually assumes a two-year prepayment and applies only to the first term. Renewals can cost two to three times as much. Mullvad and Windscribe are the exceptions with straightforward pricing.
Match features to your use
Streamers should look for services that reviewers report working with major platforms. Torrent users want port forwarding and P2P servers. Privacy-first users should value anonymous signup, multihop, and open-source apps.
Frequently asked questions
Are free VPNs safe?
Free tiers from reputable paid providers, like Proton VPN and Windscribe, are reasonable choices. Be wary of unknown free VPN apps, since running servers costs money and some make it back by collecting or selling data.
Does a VPN make me anonymous?
No. It hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic from local networks and your internet provider, but sites can still identify you through logins, cookies, and browser fingerprinting.
Will a VPN slow down my internet?
Some slowdown is normal because traffic takes a longer, encrypted route. Modern protocols such as WireGuard, NordLynx, and Lightway keep the drop small on nearby servers.
Is it legal to use a VPN in the US?
Yes. Using a VPN is legal in the United States, though anything illegal without a VPN stays illegal with one, and some streaming services restrict VPN use in their terms.
The verdict
NordVPN is the best VPN for most people in 2026, with six independent no-logs assessments, strong apps, and fair two-year pricing. Proton VPN is the pick if you want a trustworthy free plan, Surfshark suits households with many devices, and Mullvad is the choice for anyone who wants to sign up without giving any personal details.
Prices and availability change often; check the retailer or provider for current details.