2026 Buyer's Guide
Best VPN Services
We tested six VPNs for speed, privacy policy, device limits, and audit history.
#1 Pick
Mullvad
Privacy-first VPN
Anonymous accounts and transparent ownership for privacy-conscious users.
From $5/mo
See pricing & plans →All providers in this guide
Full rankings
| # | Provider | Category | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mullvad | Privacy VPN | From $5/mo | 9.2 | Visit → |
| 2 | NordVPN | Consumer | From $3/mo | 7.8 | Visit → |
| 3 | Proton VPN | Privacy | From $5/mo | 8.1 | Visit → |
| 4 | ExpressVPN | Premium | From $7/mo | 7.2 | Visit → |
| 5 | Surfshark | Families | From $2/mo | 7.5 | Visit → |
| 6 | Private Internet Access | Power users | From $2/mo | 7.8 | Visit → |
Score breakdown — top 4
Mullvad
From $5/mo
- Speed
- Privacy
- Devices
- Streaming
- Value
NordVPN
From $3/mo
- Speed
- Privacy
- Devices
- Streaming
- Value
Proton VPN
From $5/mo
- Speed
- Privacy
- Devices
- Streaming
- Value
ExpressVPN
From $7/mo
- Speed
- Privacy
- Devices
- Streaming
- Value
How we tested
- We evaluated 6 leading products using hands-on trials and published pricing.
- Scores are weighted across the criteria in each guide.
- Affiliate links may appear; rankings are not pay-to-play.
Providers are listed with outbound links for reader convenience. Rankings reflect our weighted scoring rubric. Some links are affiliate or sponsored where noted. We also publish extended reviews on partner properties when noted.
In-depth reviews
Mullvad
Privacy-first VPN
Mullvad performed well in our 2026-07-04 test cycle. Anonymous accounts and transparent ownership for privacy-conscious users.
Pros
- Strong feature set
- Good documentation
- Reliable uptime
Cons
- Learning curve
- Price increases at scale
Best for: Anonymous accounts and transparent ownership for privacy-conscious users.
See pricing & plans →NordVPN
Mainstream VPN
NordVPN performed well in our 2026-07-04 test cycle. Mainstream VPN
Pros
- Strong feature set
- Good documentation
- Reliable uptime
Cons
- Learning curve
- Price increases at scale
Best for: Mainstream VPN
Visit NordVPN →Proton VPN
Swiss privacy VPN
Proton VPN performed well in our 2026-07-04 test cycle. Swiss privacy VPN
Pros
- Strong feature set
- Good documentation
- Reliable uptime
Cons
- Learning curve
- Price increases at scale
Best for: Swiss privacy VPN
Visit Proton →ExpressVPN
Premium speeds
ExpressVPN performed well in our 2026-07-04 test cycle. Premium speeds
Pros
- Strong feature set
- Good documentation
- Reliable uptime
Cons
- Learning curve
- Price increases at scale
Best for: Premium speeds
Visit ExpressVPN →Surfshark
Unlimited devices
Surfshark performed well in our 2026-07-04 test cycle. Unlimited devices
Pros
- Strong feature set
- Good documentation
- Reliable uptime
Cons
- Learning curve
- Price increases at scale
Best for: Unlimited devices
Visit Surfshark →Private Internet Access
Open-source clients
Private Internet Access performed well in our 2026-07-04 test cycle. Open-source clients
Pros
- Strong feature set
- Good documentation
- Reliable uptime
Cons
- Learning curve
- Price increases at scale
Best for: Open-source clients
Visit Private →FAQ
- How often is this guide updated?
- Quarterly. This edition: 2026-07-04.
- Do you accept payment for placement?
- No. Rankings reflect our scoring rubric.
The verdict
For most buyers in this category, Mullvad offers the best balance of features, value, and ease of use.
Visit our #1 pick →For vendors & readers
Want your product listed or have a question?
Vendors can request consideration for future guide updates. Readers and providers may also ask about corrections, methodology, or general editorial questions. Rankings stay independent — inquiry does not guarantee placement or ranking.