1️⃣ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN tops our tests with blazing speeds, airtight privacy, and instant unblocking of major streaming sites. It is simple enough for anyone yet powerful under the hood to bypass censorship and throttling worldwide. The 30 day money back guarantee makes it a zero risk upgrade.
Address: Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
- fastest speeds in our tests
- works reliably with Netflix Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer
- independent no logs audits
- RAM only servers
- easy to use apps on all devices
- 24/7 live chat
- split tunneling and kill switch
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Pricier than most monthly plans
- Only 5 simultaneous connections
2️⃣NordVPN
NordVPN pairs elite security with excellent speeds thanks to NordLynx. It adds threat blocking, specialty servers, and smooth streaming that rivals the leader. Strong discounts on longer plans make it a smart buy.
Address: Panama City, Panama
- excellent speeds with NordLynx
- audited no logs policy
- Double VPN and Onion over VPN
- works with most streaming platforms
- Threat Protection blocks ads and malware
- huge server fleet
- Meshnet for secure device to device
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Feature rich apps can feel busy at first
- Some specialty servers are not available in every country
3️⃣Surfshark
Surfshark is the best value pick with unlimited devices on one account. It streams well and performs solidly for daily privacy at a bargain price. Frequent promos keep the cost ultra low.
Address: The Hague, Netherlands
- unlimited simultaneous connections
- low introductory pricing on long plans
- good speeds
- Smart DNS and wide app support
- solid streaming performance
- Renewal prices jump after the first term
- Occasional app glitches on Windows
- smaller network than ExpressVPN and NordVPN
4️⃣CyberGhost
CyberGhost is beginner friendly with dedicated streaming and torrenting profiles. It is easy to set up and has a generous refund period on longer plans. Great for casual use and first time buyers.
Address: Bucharest, Romania
- simple interface
- streaming optimized servers
- 45 day money back guarantee on long plans
- large server count
- Performance can vary across locations
- Apps can feel slow to launch
- Struggles in highly censored regions
5️⃣Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access offers deep customization and open source apps ideal for power users. It is affordable, but streaming reliability is not as consistent. Good for tinkerers who want granular control.
Address: Denver, Colorado, USA
- advanced settings and automation
- open source apps
- very low pricing on multi year plans
- supports 10 devices
- great for Linux and routers
- Mixed streaming results on some platforms
- US jurisdiction may concern privacy purists
- Speeds drop more on distant servers
- Interface can overwhelm newcomers