Based on expert reviews and user feedback, we compare the top VPN services to help you find the best balance of speed, security, and value.
Choosing the wrong VPN can mean slow speeds, blocked streaming, or even data leaks. After testing 12+ VPNs, we compared the top 5 services to help you make the right choice.
See Quick Comparison Which VPN is Best for Me?| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | PureVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | |||||
| Speed | (Fastest) | ||||
| Servers | 3,000+ in 94 countries | 5,500+ in 60 countries | 3,200+ in 100 countries | 35,000+ in 84 countries | 6,500+ in 78 countries |
| Logging Policy | No logs (audited) | No logs (audited) | No logs | No logs | No logs |
| Streaming | Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu | Netflix, BBC iPlayer | Netflix, Hulu | Limited streaming | Netflix, Hulu |
| Price (Monthly) | $6.67/mo (1-year plan) | $3.99/mo (2-year plan) | $2.49/mo (2-year plan) | $2.19/mo (3-year plan) | $3.24/mo (5-year plan) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 31 days |
| Best For | Privacy & Speed | Security & Value | Budget & Multi-device | Cheap VPNs | Streaming |
ExpressVPN and NordVPN lead with independent audits of their no-logs policies. All VPNs use AES-256 encryption, but ExpressVPN's TrustedServer technology (RAM-only servers) provides extra security.
Surfshark offers good privacy at a lower price, while (PIA) has proven its no-log claims in court.
Our tests showed ExpressVPN as the fastest, with only 8% speed loss on nearby servers. NordVPN was close behind, especially with its NordLynx protocol.
Surfshark performed well for its price, while (PIA) and PureVPN had more variable speeds.
ExpressVPN unblocks every streaming service we tested. NordVPN works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer consistently.
Surfshark is good for Netflix and Hulu, while (PIA) struggles with some streaming platforms but is excellent for torrenting.
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Based on your needs, we recommend:
ExpressVPN is slightly better for speed and streaming access, but NordVPN offers more security features at a lower price. If budget isn't a concern, ExpressVPN is our top pick.
ExpressVPN and NordVPN work most reliably in China as they frequently update their obfuscation techniques to bypass the Great Firewall.
We don't recommend free VPNs as they often have data limits, slow speeds, and may log your activity. Premium VPNs like Surfshark start at just $2.49/month.
We recommend reviewing your VPN choice annually as services improve and new options emerge. However, all the VPNs in our comparison receive regular updates.
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