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/month | Servers | Devices | Refund | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 9.6/10 | 3,09 €/mo | 9 200+ | 10 devices | 30 d. | See |
| Surfshark | 9.0/10 | 2,19 €/mo | 3 200+ | Unlimited | 30 d. | See |
| CyberGhost | 8.8/10 | 2,03 €/mo | 11 500+ | 7 devices | 45 d. | See |
| Proton VPN | 9.2/10 | 4,49 €/mo | 4 500+ | 10 devices | 30 d. | See |
| ExpressVPN | 9.1/10 | 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.
Why these VPNs top the best list
The ranking and scores above are generated automatically from our test database (see the cards and comparison table at the top of this page). Below, we explain why each provider earns its place — the reasoning specific to “best overall”, not just a list of numbers.
NordVPN — the best overall VPN. NordVPN keeps its lead because it has no genuine weak spot. NordLynx (its WireGuard-based protocol) delivers the kind of throughput that survives long-distance connections, its no-logs policy has been independently audited several times, and its 100% RAM infrastructure means servers hold nothing persistent. Add Panama jurisdiction outside any surveillance alliance, flawless streaming unblocking without dedicated servers, and polished apps on every platform — it’s the safest “I just want the best” pick for the vast majority of users.
Read our full NordVPN review.
Surfshark — best value for money. Surfshark matches almost everything NordVPN does while adding the market’s standout feature: unlimited simultaneous connections. That makes it the natural choice for a family or anyone wanting to protect a long list of devices on one subscription. CleanWeb blocks ads and trackers at the network level, and its audits (Cure53, Deloitte) back up the no-logs claim. The only trade-off is a slight speed dip on very distant servers — imperceptible in everyday browsing and streaming.
Read our full Surfshark review.
CyberGhost — the streaming king. Where rivals make you hunt for a working server, CyberGhost labels servers by platform (Netflix US, Disney+, BBC iPlayer) so unblocking is instant and configuration-free. With the largest server network on the market, dedicated streaming/torrent/gaming nodes, the longest money-back guarantee in the industry and a privacy-friendly Romanian jurisdiction, it’s the most beginner-proof way to watch geo-blocked catalogues. Its one gap — no recent third-party no-logs audit — won’t matter to most streaming-focused users.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
Proton VPN — the most secure. If absolute privacy comes first, Proton VPN is unmatched. Built by the Swiss team behind Proton Mail (and rooted in CERN), it ships fully open-source, audited apps and operates from Swiss jurisdiction, outside the 14 Eyes. Secure Core routes your traffic through reinforced double-hop servers, and its free plan is the only genuinely recommendable one on the market. It’s the choice for activism, journalism or simply uncompromising peace of mind, even if its streaming-optimised servers sit behind the Plus tier.
ExpressVPN — the most premium. ExpressVPN remains a reference for polish and reach: the very fast Lightway protocol, TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure, the widest country footprint of any provider, and the most intuitive apps around, all under British Virgin Islands jurisdiction. It earns its spot for users who prioritise interface quality and server breadth — though, as the comparison table shows, you pay a clear premium over NordVPN for a broadly similar level of service.
Summary comparison: what sets them apart
Numerical scores and pricing are shown in the comparison table at the top of this page. The qualitative table below is the part worth keeping in mind when choosing — the structural differences no single score captures.
| VPN | Best for | Connections | Jurisdiction | Standout strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Best overall | 10 | Panama | Speed (NordLynx) + audited no-logs |
| Surfshark | Families / value | Unlimited | Netherlands | Unlimited devices + CleanWeb |
| CyberGhost | Streaming beginners | 7 | Romania | Per-platform streaming servers |
| Proton VPN | Maximum privacy | 10 | Switzerland | Open-source + Secure Core |
| ExpressVPN | Premium experience | 8 | BVI | Widest country coverage + apps |
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?
- Tightest budget Surfshark or CyberGhost on a 2-year plan (the cheapest serious options)
- Mid-range NordVPN Standard or Proton VPN Plus
- Premium tier 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, with unlimited connections at one of the lowest prices among serious VPNs.
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.