A VPN encrypts your connection and routes it through the provider's servers. That hides your traffic from your internet provider and from snoops on public Wi-Fi, and makes websites see the VPN's location instead of yours. What a VPN does not do: make you anonymous, block trackers everywhere, or protect you from malware and your own passwords. Buy one for the right reasons.
The criteria that matter
Privacy practices — an audited no-logs policy and a privacy-respecting home country beat marketing claims. Speed — modern protocols (WireGuard and equivalents) should cost you under ~10–15% on a fast connection. Apps and limits — how many devices, and does it cover your phone, laptop and TV? Price honesty — the “per month” headline is almost always a 1–3 year prepaid deal; check the renewal price before you commit.
The contenders
Proton VPN — best free VPN, and a strong paid one. The free tier is genuinely usable: no data cap, no logs, from the Swiss team behind Proton Mail. Paid tiers add speed, every country, and streaming support. Choose it if you want a free VPN that is not selling your data — most free VPNs are.
Mullvad — best for pure privacy. A flat €5/month (about $5.40), no email required to sign up, anonymous account numbers, cash accepted by mail, and a long public record of refusing to log. No affiliate circus, no fake discounts — and no built-in streaming promises. Choose it if privacy is the whole point; skip it if you mainly want Netflix libraries.
NordVPN — best all-rounder for most people. Very fast, polished apps on everything, servers in 100+ countries, reliable streaming, and frequent deep discounts on long plans. The trade-offs: pricing gets confusing, renewal rates jump, and the app tries to upsell extras. Choose it if you want one VPN that is good at everything.
Surfshark — best value for households. One subscription covers unlimited devices, speeds are close to Nord's (same parent company), and long-plan prices are among the lowest of the quality tier. Choose it if three people and nine devices need covering on a budget.
ExpressVPN — best for simplicity. The most “it just works” experience, its own Lightway protocol, and historically reliable streaming — at a premium price, roughly double Surfshark's long-plan cost. Choose it if you will pay extra to never think about settings.
The verdict
| Need | Pick |
|---|---|
| Free, trustworthy | Proton VPN (free tier) |
| Maximum privacy | Mullvad |
| Best all-round | NordVPN |
| Whole family, lowest cost | Surfshark |
| Zero-fuss premium | ExpressVPN |
Whichever you pick, buy from the official site, start with the shortest plan you can accept the price of, and re-shop at renewal — loyalty is rarely rewarded in this industry.