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NordVPN tops our list for its independently audited no-logs policy and reliable kill switch, followed by Surfshark for households with multiple devices and Private Internet Access for its coverage in all 50 US states.
Updated September 25, 2026
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Best for Verified No-Logs Privacy
Best for Multiple Devices
Best for Coverage in All 50 US States
Best for Verified No-Logs Privacy
Best for Multiple Devices
Best for Coverage in All 50 US States
Nearly every part of daily life now runs through a network you don't fully control. That includes the coffee shop Wi-Fi you check email on, the hotel router at the end of a long travel day, and even your own home connection, which your internet provider can see straight through. A VPN is the tool built specifically to address that: it encrypts your traffic so what you do online stays between you and the sites you visit, not your ISP, not a stranger on the same network, and not whoever happens to be watching.
Not every VPN actually delivers on that promise, though. Plenty advertise a no-logs policy without ever proving it, and a kill switch that only works some of the time isn't much of a safety net. We narrowed a pool of more than 50 VPNs down to the seven that held up to real testing, weighing privacy verification, server performance, and price against what each provider actually claims to offer.
The picks below range from household-friendly options with unlimited device connections to a free tier that doesn't quietly log your activity to make up the difference. Here's how they stack up.
Editor's Note: It's no surprise that NordVPN tops this list. Its combination of an independently audited no-logs policy and a kill switch that works at both the app and system level is hard to match. Surveys have revealed that 73 percent of US adults are concerned about how companies use their personal data, and a verified no-logs policy is a direct answer to that concern.1
Using NordVPN’s Chrome browser extension
NordVPN pairs an independently audited no-logs policy with a kill switch that operates at both the app and system level, giving it one of the more complete privacy setups we tested. Its server network spans 137 countries, and its Prime tier bundles in extras like next-generation antivirus and identity theft protection for anyone who wants more than just a VPN.
We’re always drawn to providers with global reach, and NordVPN doesn’t disappoint. A 137 country network puts it near the top of the pack, so you’re rarely stuck picking a far flung server just to get online. It runs on NordLynx, Nord’s own take on WireGuard. We like it because it’s built for lower overhead than older protocols like OpenVPN. During our testing, we noticed that NordLynx used less CPU processing power and didn’t drain our laptop or phone battery as fast as other protocols.
NordVPN’s scam and phishing protection.
One thing we always look for above almost everything else is a no-logs policy that’s actually been checked by someone other than the company itself. NordVPN clears that bar with independent third-party audits. We’re also fans of how the kill switch is built. Most providers stop at an app-level switch, but NordVPN backs it up with a system-level option that locks down all internet traffic the moment the VPN drops. We saw it in action when one of our files stopped downloading because our Wi-Fi dropped out. NordVPN’s kill switch stopped the connection instantly, so nothing was shared with our ISP.
Complete and Prime tack on next-generation antivirus, and Prime goes a step further with identity theft protection via a bundled version of Coveron. Like most of the field, NordVPN rewards commitment. The best per-month rates are locked into the two year plan, and you’ll want to budget for a step up at renewal. All three tiers carry a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s a low-risk way to try before you commit.
| Plan | Monthly | 1-Year | 2-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $14.99 | $5.49 | $3.49 |
| Complete | $19.99 | $6.49 | $4.49 |
| Prime | $29.99 | $9.49 | $7.49 |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 |
|---|---|
| Server Countries | 137 |
| Kill Switch | App-level and system-level |
| No-Logs Audit | Independently audited |
| Protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard-based) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Surfshark's biggest advantage is unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single subscription, which makes it an easy pick for anyone covering a full household rather than a single device. Its 100-country network is backed by a CleanWeb ad and tracker blocker plus a Rotating IP feature that automatically changes your address every five to ten minutes, and long-term pricing starts as low as $2.49 a month for anyone ready to commit.
We’re big fans of anything that solves the “whose device gets the VPN” argument in a household, and Surfshark does it about as well as anyone by putting no cap at all on simultaneous connections. Its network covers 100 countries, which is a smaller footprint than the biggest names in the category, but we had no trouble connecting to a nearby server. The Rotating IP feature is the extra we keep coming back to: it swaps your VPN IP address every five to ten minutes automatically, no input needed, which is a nice bit of privacy that runs quietly in the background.
Surfshark VPN app running on Windows 11
CleanWeb is the standout here for us, since it blocks ads and trackers at the network level rather than leaving that job to a browser extension. That said, Surfshark’s kill switch tops out at the app level, so it won’t cover you the way a system-level switch would if the app itself isn’t running. It’s also worth knowing up front that there’s no port forwarding or SOCKS5 support, which will matter if you need a VPN for torrenting. We didn’t notice any issues when downloading torrents ourselves, but some people might miss these features.
Surfshark starts at $2.49 per month on its longest-term plan, and that’s one of the more affordable rates we’ve seen for a provider with unlimited connections. Where it gets less friendly is the standalone monthly plan, which costs noticeably more than the long-term rate. We think Surfshark is best suited to people ready to commit rather than test the waters month to month.
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Server Countries | 100 |
| Kill Switch | App-level |
| No-Logs Audit | Independently audited |
| Protocol | WireGuard |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Private Internet Access offers server locations in all 50 US states, a feature we haven't seen matched elsewhere. That makes it a strong pick for anyone who wants a nearby, low-latency connection no matter where they are in the country. Its no-logs policy has also held up in court, and unlimited simultaneous connections combined with rates starting at $1.79 a month make it one of the best value options.
A dedicated server in nearly every US state is the kind of detail we don’t see many providers bother with. It’s useful if you want a nearby, low-latency connection wherever you happen to be in the country rather than routing through one or two national hubs. In our testing, we noticed the speed difference between a server located in our location versus one on the other side of the country. Beyond the US, the network spans 91 countries, a respectable spread even if it’s not the largest we cover in this roundup.
PIA macOS app
We tend to trust a no-logs claim more once it’s actually been tested, and Private Internet Access has been through exactly that: its no-logs policy has held up in real court proceedings where authorities sought user data and the company had none to hand over. That’s a stronger form of proof than a written policy or even most audits. The kill switch settings are also some of the most customizable we’ve come across, including the option to block all traffic the moment the app launches, not just after a dropped connection.
Private Internet Access starts at $1.79 per month on its longest-term plan, which puts it among the cheaper options here, especially given that connections are unlimited. There’s no student or family discount, so pricing is straightforward rather than tiered by who’s using it. Like most providers, a 30-day money-back guarantee applies across the board.
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Server Countries | 91 |
| Kill Switch | Customizable, app-level |
| No-Logs Audit | Verified in court proceedings |
| Protocol | WireGuard |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
ExpressVPN keeps its app simple enough that new users can connect with a single tap, without sacrificing the security features more advanced users care about. RAM-only servers across a 105-country network and an independently audited privacy policy give it real security depth, while its Aircove Go portable router extends that same protection to smart TVs, consoles, and other devices that can't run VPN software on their own.
If you’re new to VPNs, ExpressVPN is the one we’d point you toward first. The app is built around a single connect button, and with a 105 country network behind it, you’re rarely more than a tap away from a fast, nearby server. We also like that ExpressVPN sells its own portable router, Aircove Go, which is a clever way to extend protection to smart TVs, consoles, and other devices that can’t run VPN software themselves.
ExpressVPN Apple TV app
RAM-only servers are one of our favorite security details across this category, since it means nothing is ever written to a hard drive, so every reboot wipes the slate clean. Network Lock, ExpressVPN’s kill switch, is built to block all traffic the instant a connection drops. Every time our Wi-Fi dropped out, ExpressVPN stopped all internet traffic on our devices. The privacy policy has also been through independent audits rather than resting on ExpressVPN’s word alone.
ExpressVPN starts at $2.99 per month on its longest-term plan, but it’s worth knowing this is one of the pricier options in the category, particularly if you’re only committing month to month. There’s also no traditional free trial, so the 30-day money-back guarantee is really your main way to try it risk-free.
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 |
|---|---|
| Server Countries | 105 |
| Kill Switch | Network Lock (app-level) |
| No-Logs Audit | Independently audited |
| Protocol | Lightway |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Proton VPN's free tier includes unlimited bandwidth and a real no-logs policy with no forced upgrade, which is rare among free VPN options and makes it a legitimate pick for anyone who wants privacy without a subscription. The paid tier expands that same audited no-logs protection to a 117-country network and adds Secure Core routing through privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland and Iceland, all from a provider based outside most major international data-sharing agreements.
Free VPNs are usually a compromise dressed up as a deal, so it says something that Proton VPN’s free tier comes with unlimited bandwidth and no forced upgrade. The catch is a smaller selection of server locations, but we found it useful for simple, everyday browsing. We couldn’t use it for streaming or torrenting, though. Stepping up to the paid tier opens the network to 117 countries, which is a solid range once you’re ready to pay for it.
Proton VPN Windows app
Proton VPN’s Secure Core feature is the one we’d highlight above the rest: it routes your traffic through privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland, Sweden, or Iceland before it ever reaches the open internet, adding a layer most single-hop VPNs skip entirely. Proton itself is based in Switzerland, which sits outside most of the major international data-sharing agreements, and its no-logs policy is independently audited on both the free and paid tiers, not just the one they’re trying to sell you.
The free tier costs nothing and doesn’t hide major features behind a paywall the way a lot of “free” VPNs do, though it skips streaming and torrenting support. We mostly used it to check emails, browse websites, and do some shopping. The paid tier starts at $3.49 per month on the longest-term plan, which is a bit steeper than some direct competitors, and it comes with a 30-day prorated money-back guarantee rather than a flat 30 days.
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 (paid) |
|---|---|
| Server Countries | 117 (paid) |
| Kill Switch | App-level |
| No-Logs Audit | Independently audited |
| Protocol | WireGuard |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days (prorated) |
CyberGhost delivers solid core protections at one of the lowest long-term prices we tested, without cutting corners on the fundamentals like encryption and no-logs privacy. RAM-only servers spread across more than 100 countries are backed by independent third-party audits, and dedicated streaming servers make it a strong value pick starting at $1.99 a month.
CyberGhost’s budget reputation doesn’t come at the cost of the basics, which is the thing we appreciate most about it. The servers are RAM-only across a network of more than 100 countries, and we like that there are dedicated servers built for specific streaming platforms. We tested them across Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. They all worked well, even when we streamed in 4K.
CyberGhost running on macOS
CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, which keeps it outside the major international intelligence-sharing alliances, and its no-logs claims have been through independent audits rather than resting on a company statement alone. The one feature we’d flag as missing is multihopping, which routes traffic through two VPN servers instead of one. Privacy-focused users who want that extra hop will need to look elsewhere.
CyberGhost starts at $1.99 per month on its longest-term plan, among the cheapest rates in this roundup, and it backs that up with a 45-day money-back guarantee, longer than most competitors offer. The monthly plan is a much bigger jump by comparison, so this is another provider built for people planning to commit rather than dabble.
| Simultaneous Connections | 7 |
|---|---|
| Server Countries | 100+ |
| Kill Switch | App-level |
| No-Logs Audit | Independently audited |
| Protocol | WireGuard |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 45 days |
Mullvad doesn't ask for an email address, a name, or any personal information to sign up. You get a randomly generated account number instead, and you can pay with cash or cryptocurrency for close to total anonymity. Backed by RAM-only servers and more than ten independent audits since 2018, it's built for privacy purists, though its flat pricing means there's no discount for committing to a longer term.
Mullvad’s network is on the smaller side compared to the bigger names in this list, and its exact country count isn’t published the way most competitors advertise theirs. What it lacks in scale it makes up for in transparency about how it’s tested: Mullvad has been independently audited more than ten times since 2018, with results published in full each time, which is a track record few providers can match.
Mullvad Android app
The anonymous sign-up is Mullvad’s whole identity, and it’s hard to overstate how different it is from the rest of the category. There’s no email, no name, nothing tying the account to you beyond a randomly generated number, and you can pay with cash or cryptocurrency to keep it that way end to end. Combined with RAM-only servers, it’s a setup built for people who want privacy as a default, not an add-on. We did some of the features like streaming unblocking and choosing specific city servers. Mullvad only uses the WireGuard protocol, in case you’re a OpenVPN fan.
Mullvad charges a flat rate of about $5.74 per month whether you sign up for one month or renew for years. Unlike most competitors, there’s no discount for committing long-term, but there’s also no unpleasant price jump waiting for you at renewal. Mullvad doesn’t offer a free trial or money-back guarantee, which is worth knowing before signing up.
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
|---|---|
| Server Countries | Smaller network, exact count not published |
| Kill Switch | App-level |
| No-Logs Audit | Independently audited, 10+ times since 2018 |
| Protocol | WireGuard only |
| Money-Back Guarantee | None |
Our VPN recommendations come from hours of research and hands-on testing. These are services we've used ourselves, following our editorial guidelines to maintain objectivity, integrity, and accuracy.
For this guide, here's what our testing looked like:
Surfshark settings in the Windows app
We didn't just compare VPNs on price. We weighed a handful of factors we believe matter most to VPN shoppers.
A VPN's no-logs claim is only as good as the evidence behind it. We prioritized providers with independently audited policies, or in rarer cases, policies tested in actual legal proceedings, over those relying on a written policy alone.
We manually dropped our connection during testing and checked whether each VPN blocked all traffic immediately or let anything slip through unprotected during the gap.
We factored in both the size of each provider's server network and how well speeds held up during actual use.
We made sure our recommendations included options across different price points, including at least one legitimate free tier and one budget-friendly paid option.
Stay Protected by Default
Beyond our core ranking factors, we also considered the following when comparing VPNs.
FYI: We also looked into other privacy features each VPN offered. For example, NordVPN and Surfshark include tools that can protect your personal information, block ad trackers, and remove your details from data broker sites. This is vital considering is currently legal for ISPs to sell your browsing data to advertisers.2
| System |
Best for Verified No-Logs Privacy
|
Best for Multiple Devices
|
Best for Coverage in All 50 US States
|
Best for Beginners
|
Best Free VPN
|
Best Budget VPN
|
Best for Anonymous Sign-Up
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking |
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
5th
|
6th
|
7th
|
| SecureScore™ | 9.4 | 9.7 | 9.6 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Starting Price | $3.49/mo | $2.49/mo | $1.79/mo | $2.99/mo | Free, or $3.49/mo | $1.99/mo | $5.79/mo flat |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 | 10 (paid) | 7 | 5 |
| Server Countries | 137 | 100 | 91 | 105 | 117 (paid) | 100+ | Not published |
| Kill Switch | App and system-level | App-level | Customizable, app-level | App-level | App-level | App-level | App-level |
| No-Logs Audit | Independently audited | Independently audited | Verified in court | Independently audited | Independently audited | Independently audited | Independently audited |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days (prorated) | 45 days | None |
The seven VPNs on this list all cleared a bar most providers on the market don't. Each one's no-logs policy has actually been verified rather than simply written into a privacy page. That's the throughline connecting NordVPN's audited claims, Private Internet Access's court-tested record, and Proton VPN's willingness to extend the same audited policy to its free tier.
Beyond that shared foundation, the differences come down to what you actually need day to day. A household running five devices at once has different priorities than someone who just wants to sign in from a hotel Wi-Fi without thinking twice, and this list was built to cover both. Whichever pick fits your situation, the underlying privacy protection isn't something you're taking on faith.
Most VPNs offer a higher month-to-month rate and a lower rate for one- or two-year commitments paid upfront. Long-term plans are usually the better deal if you know you'll stick with the service.
It depends on your needs. Proton VPN's free tier includes a real no-logs policy and unlimited bandwidth, but most free VPNs cap your data or log your activity to make money elsewhere.
This varies by provider. Some cap you at 5 or 10 devices, while others, like Surfshark and Private Internet Access, allow unlimited simultaneous connections on one subscription.
You'll typically see some speed reduction with any VPN, since encryption adds overhead. In our testing, the VPNs on this list kept that slowdown minor for everyday browsing and streaming.
Not publishing an exact server count isn't automatically a red flag, but we recommend prioritizing independently audited no-logs claims over any specific server number when evaluating a VPN's trustworthiness.
Pew Research Center. (2023). How Americans View Data Privacy.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/10/PI_2023.10.18_Data-Privacy_FINAL.pdf
CNBC. (2017). Congress just cleared the way for internet providers to sell your web browsing history.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/28/congress-clears-way-for-isps-to-sell-browsing-history.html
