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FIVE PICKED

The 5 best

VPN & Security

Tools that help protect your privacy and accounts online, including VPNs, password managers and security suites. We compared the options and narrowed them down to five. Each one is ranked, with a clear note on who it suits best.

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The 5 at a glance

Comparison of the 5 picks for VPN & Security
ToolBest forStarting price
Rank 1NordVPNEveryday privacy, streaming and public Wi-Fi protectionFrom about $3.50/month (2-year plan)
Rank 2SurfsharkFamilies and anyone with many devices on a budgetFrom about $2.50/month (2-year plan)
Rank 3ExpressVPNPeople who want an easy, polished app and don’t mind paying a bit moreFrom about $2.50/month (2-year plan)
Rank 4Proton VPNPrivacy-minded users and anyone who wants to try a VPN for free firstFree plan available; paid from about $3/month (2-year plan)
Rank 5Private Internet AccessBudget buyers and users who like to customize their VPNFrom about $2/month (3-year plan)

Our 5 picks, ranked

  1. Rank 1

    NordVPN

    A fast, well-rounded VPN with extra security tools built in.

    Best forEveryday privacy, streaming and public Wi-Fi protection

    What it does

    NordVPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your real location. It runs on phones, computers and many other devices, and has a large network of servers worldwide.

    Strengths

    • Fast connections thanks to its own NordLynx protocol
    • Threat Protection to help block malicious sites and trackers
    • Its no-logs policy has been checked by independent audits
    • 30-day money-back guarantee

    Good to know: Long plans are much cheaper than monthly billing, and renewal prices are higher than the first-term price.

  2. Rank 2

    Surfshark

    Low-cost VPN with unlimited devices on one account.

    Best forFamilies and anyone with many devices on a budget

    What it does

    Surfshark protects your connection and hides your location, and you can use it on as many devices as you like with a single subscription.

    Strengths

    • Unlimited simultaneous devices
    • One of the lowest long-term prices among major VPNs
    • Built-in ad and malware blocking
    • 30-day money-back guarantee

    Good to know: The low price is for long plans paid upfront, and renewals cost more than the first term.

  3. Rank 3

    ExpressVPN

    Premium VPN known for simplicity and reliability.

    Best forPeople who want an easy, polished app and don’t mind paying a bit more

    What it does

    ExpressVPN encrypts your traffic and lets you connect to servers in many countries with very little setup. Its apps are designed to be simple to use.

    Strengths

    • Very easy to use on all major devices
    • Servers run on RAM only, so data is wiped on every restart
    • Security setup has been reviewed by independent auditors
    • 30-day money-back guarantee

    Good to know: Plans and prices have changed often this year, so check the current price before you buy.

  4. Rank 4

    Proton VPN

    Privacy-first VPN from the team behind Proton Mail, with a free plan.

    Best forPrivacy-minded users and anyone who wants to try a VPN for free first

    What it does

    Proton VPN hides your location and encrypts your connection. It has a free plan with no data limit, and paid plans that unlock more servers and features.

    Strengths

    • A free plan with no data cap
    • Open-source apps that independent experts can inspect
    • Secure Core option routes traffic through extra servers for more privacy
    • Based in Switzerland, known for strong privacy laws

    Good to know: The free plan has fewer servers and lower speeds than paid plans, and long-term pricing is slightly higher than the cheapest rivals.

  5. Rank 5

    Private Internet Access

    Budget VPN with lots of settings for people who like control.

    Best forBudget buyers and users who like to customize their VPN

    What it does

    Private Internet Access (PIA) encrypts your connection and lets you connect on unlimited devices. It offers more settings than most VPNs, so you can tune it to your needs.

    Strengths

    • Unlimited devices on one subscription
    • Very low price on the longest plan
    • Many customization options
    • Open-source apps and a 30-day money-back guarantee

    Good to know: It is a US-based company and has no free plan; the lowest price needs a 3-year commitment paid upfront.