Our ranking
NordVPN 🏆 #1 pick
✅ Fastest VPN thanks to the NordLynx protocol · No-log policy audited three times
Surfshark 💰 Best value
✅ Unlimited simultaneous connections · Best value for money on the market
CyberGhost 🎬 Streaming king
✅ Largest server network (11,500+) · Servers optimised for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video
Proton VPN 🔐 Most secure
✅ Fully open-source, audited apps · Swiss jurisdiction (outside 14 Eyes)
ExpressVPN ⚡ Premium
✅ In-house Lightway protocol, very fast · TrustedServer: RAM-only servers
| VPN | Rating | Price/mo | Servers | Devices | Refund | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 9.6/10 | 3,09 €/mo | 9 200+ | 10 devices | 30 d. | See |
| Surfshark | 9.2/10 | 2,19 €/mo | 3 200+ | Unlimited | 30 d. | See |
| CyberGhost | 9.1/10 | 2,03 €/mo | 11 500+ | 7 devices | 45 d. | See |
| Proton VPN | 9.0/10 | 4,49 €/mo | 4 500+ | 10 devices | 30 d. | See |
| ExpressVPN | 8.9/10 | 6,12 €/mo | 3 000+ | 8 devices | 30 d. | See |
Our methodology
Over several weeks we tested the 8 leading VPNs on the market across five weighted criteria:
- Speed (25%) — throughput measurements with and without VPN on a 1 Gb/s fibre line, from Europe, across 6 destinations.
- Security (25%) — available protocols, independent audits, jurisdiction, DNS/IPv6 leaks.
- Streaming (20%) — real-world tests on Netflix (9 catalogues), Disney+, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Max.
- Price (15%) — real cost over the commitment period, monthly and long-term comparison.
- Ease of use (15%) — app quality, installation, customer support.
We only score VPNs we’ve used daily for at least 10 days. The links in this article are affiliate but they never influence our ranking: Mullvad (no commission) and Proton VPN (small commissions) appear in our recommendations when they deserve to.
The detailed ranking
1. NordVPN — The best overall VPN
Score: 9.6/10
NordVPN holds onto first place in 2026 thanks to a combination that’s hard to beat:
- Outstanding speed thanks to NordLynx (derived from WireGuard)
- Triple no-logs audit by PwC and Deloitte
- Panama jurisdiction, outside any surveillance alliance
- 100% RAM infrastructure since 2023
- Unblocks every streaming platform without any special server
- 10 simultaneous connections, superb apps
The only real drawback: the monthly price without commitment remains high (€12.99). On 2 years, you drop back to €3.09/month, perfectly in line with the service level.
→ Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark — Best value for money
Score: 9.2/10
Surfshark ticks nearly all of NordVPN’s boxes, for less money, and adds unlimited connections. For a family or a budget-conscious user, it’s often the best choice.
- Unlimited connections (unique on the market at this quality level)
- CleanWeb: built-in ad and tracker blocker
- Cure53 + Deloitte audits
- €2.19/month on the 2-year plan
Slight speed drop compared with NordVPN on distant servers, but imperceptible in day-to-day use.
→ Read our full Surfshark review.
3. CyberGhost — The streaming king
Score: 9.1/10
CyberGhost bets everything on simplicity and streaming. Its per-platform dedicated servers (Netflix US, Disney+, BBC iPlayer) make unblocking instant — no server hunting, no configuration.
- 11,500+ servers, the largest network on the market
- Dedicated streaming, torrent and gaming servers
- 45-day money-back guarantee (the longest)
- Romanian jurisdiction, privacy-friendly
- €2.03/month over 28 months
The only negative: no recent third-party no-logs audit. For the majority of users, that’s not a problem.
→ Read our full CyberGhost review.
4. Proton VPN — The most secure
Score: 9.0/10
If absolute security is your priority, Proton VPN is our recommendation. Published by the Swiss company behind Proton Mail, it’s the most transparent VPN on the market:
- 100% open-source apps, audited
- Swiss jurisdiction (outside 14 Eyes)
- Secure Core: double VPN via its own reinforced servers
- Free plan with no data cap — the only genuinely recommendable free VPN
- Team spun out of CERN
The paid price (€4.49/month) is higher than the three above, and streaming-specialised servers are reserved for the Plus plan. But for activism, journalism or just legitimate paranoia, it’s the best choice.
5. ExpressVPN — The most premium
Score: 8.9/10
ExpressVPN remains a reference point, but at a notably higher price (€6.12/month on 2 years). What you pay extra for:
- Very fast Lightway protocol
- TrustedServer: 100% RAM servers ahead of the whole competition
- 105 countries covered — the widest footprint
- Most intuitive apps on the market
- British Virgin Islands jurisdiction
ExpressVPN’s main weakness remains its price. You’ll never pay less than €6/month, while NordVPN offers an equivalent level for €3. Only justifiable if you value interface quality or the very wide server network.
Summary comparison: the 5 criteria
| VPN | Speed | Security | Streaming | Price | Ease of use | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 9.8 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.6 | 9.6 |
| Surfshark | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.4 | 9.8 | 9.3 | 9.2 |
| CyberGhost | 9.0 | 9.2 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.5 | 9.1 |
| Proton VPN | 9.2 | 9.9 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| ExpressVPN | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 8.9 |
How to choose your VPN in 5 questions
Ask yourself these questions — the right answer almost always emerges.
1. Why do you want a VPN?
- Unblock Netflix or Disney+ from abroad → NordVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark
- Stay anonymous online / enhanced privacy → Proton VPN, NordVPN, Mullvad
- Protect your connections on public Wi-Fi → any of the top 5
- Download via P2P → CyberGhost (dedicated servers), Proton VPN, Mullvad
- Bypass censorship while travelling → NordVPN, Surfshark (NoBorders mode), Proton VPN
2. How many devices to protect?
- 1 to 3 devices → any of them
- 4 to 8 devices → NordVPN (10), CyberGhost (7), ExpressVPN (8)
- A whole family (unlimited) → Surfshark (the only major VPN offering unlimited connections) or Private Internet Access
3. What’s your real budget?
- Less than €2.50/month → Surfshark or CyberGhost on a 2-year plan
- Between €2.50 and €5/month → NordVPN Standard or Proton VPN Plus
- More than €5/month → NordVPN Plus/Complete or ExpressVPN
4. How comfortable are you with tech?
- Complete beginner → CyberGhost (use-case interface) or ExpressVPN (crystal-clear apps)
- Intermediate user → NordVPN or Surfshark
- Advanced user / privacy-paranoid → Mullvad or Proton VPN
5. Which commitment length?
Almost invariably, a 2-year plan is 4-6 times cheaper than the monthly plan. If you plan to use a VPN for more than 3 months, go straight for the long plan. Every serious VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee (CyberGhost even offers 45 days) — zero risk.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Never go with an unknown free VPN. If it’s free, your data is the product. Only Proton VPN Free is trustworthy.
- Avoid “lifetime” deals at €59. These offers often disappear within months, and less serious providers go bankrupt or change their policies.
- Don’t trust Google Play / App Store ratings. They’re heavily manipulated. Rely on real tests.
- Don’t pay for the monthly plan. Unless it’s for a one-off need, the price gap with long-term plans is huge and unjustified.
Our final recommendation
For 95% of users, go with NordVPN. It’s the most complete, secure and fastest VPN, and its 2-year price remains competitive. You won’t be disappointed.
If your budget is tight or you’re equipping a family, Surfshark is the obvious alternative at €2.19/month.
If you’re a beginner and streaming is your main use, CyberGhost is the easiest to use and offers the longest guarantee (45 days).
If absolute privacy is your priority, Proton VPN is unmatched in transparency and seriousness.
In every case, take advantage of the money-back guarantee: you can test the VPN for 30-45 days with no risk and claim a full refund if you change your mind.