VPN comparison: Find the best VPN service for you in 2026

Data in this table was collected from providers’ official websites between February 10 and 15, 2026 with the user location set to Lithuania. This information may vary by source or location and is subject to change over time.

OpenVPN® is a registered trademark of OpenVPN Inc. "WireGuard" and the "WireGuard" logo are registered trademarks of Jason A. Donenfeld. See https://www.wireguard.com/ opens in a new tab.

Only IPVanish and NordVPN deliver a thorough VPN security package on this list. Beyond standard protocols like OpenVPN® and IKEv2/IPsec, both offer a WireGuard-based protocol. Both offer comprehensive leak protection that covers DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks.

However, IPVanish doesn’t have a protocol to match NordVPN’s NordWhisper, designed for use in restrictive network environments. Only VyprVPN, Norton, and ProtonVPN offer similar stealth protocols.

While competitors like ExpressVPN have their own high-speed protocols like Lightway, they often lack the same breadth of integrated leak protection settings across all platforms. Some providers choose to focus on a lean, WireGuard-only approach. But the lack of OpenVPN® support can be a significant limitation for users who prioritize compatibility with older devices or require advanced configuration options.

Data in this table was collected from providers’ official websites between February 10 and 15, 2026 with the user location set to Lithuania. This information may vary by source or location and is subject to change over time.

Most VPN providers on the list, including NordVPN, check every box: a freshly completed 2025 no-logs audit, clear corporate ownership, and an active public bug bounty program that invites independent researchers to test its infrastructure.

On the other end of the spectrum TorGuard and TunnelBear have never published an independent no-logs audit — meaning their privacy claims remain unverified. VyprVPN and IVPN had independent audits done, but their latest ones were held in 2018 and 2019 respectively, raising questions about whether they are still trustworthy when it comes to keeping user logs. In the VPN market, trust is the top priority, so recent and continuous verification matters.

Mullvad, IPVanish, IVPN, VyprVPN, and TunnelBear don’t have an active bug bounty program which might make them less credible in some users’ eyes.

Pricing information in this table was collected from providers’ official websites between February 10 and 15, 2026 with the user location set to the US. This information may vary by source or location and is subject to change over time.

Compared to the competition, NordVPN sits at a premium price point, which reflects a service that integrates advanced security tools directly into the subscription rather than offering a bare-bones connection.

ProtonVPN and TunnelBear stand out for offering free tiers, which can be a practical starting point for some users, though free plans typically come with a limited server choice and speed caps. On the other end, Mullvad’s flat $5.96/month with no long-term discounts and TunnelBear’s credit-card-only payment policy highlight how pricing structures and flexibility vary significantly across the market.

Users on a budget are likely to set their eyes on Surfshark and Private Internet Access. Both VPN providers are budget-friendly and offer long-term plans that come out for less than US$2 per month.

The best value is found by matching the price to the actual use you get from the software. Many top-tier providers allow you to try their VPN risk-free by offering a money-back guarantee. This ensures that even if you choose a more feature-rich (and more expensive) plan, you can verify that the performance and additional security layers justify the cost.

Data in this table was collected from providers’ official websites between February 10 and 15, 2026 with the user location set to Lithuania. This information may vary by source or location and is subject to change over time.

It's encouraging to see that VPN providers across the board are expanding beyond basic encryption to address real-world threats like phishing, malware, and data breaches. Many services now include ad blocking, tracker protection, and some form of threat detection — a sign that the industry is shifting towards comprehensive digital security.

The depth and integration of these features varies considerably. NordVPN bundles one of the widest toolkits into a single app, including next-generation antivirus, Dark Web Monitor, Call Protection, and Meshnet.

Norton also brings a robust security suite to the table, drawing on its long-standing antivirus expertise with scam protection, dark web monitoring, and post-quantum encryption. ExpressVPN contributes parental controls alongside its Threat Manager and post-quantum protection, while Surfshark stands out as the only VPN provider to offer full antivirus functionality in a single app.

Mullvad takes a different but equally valid approach — focusing on specialized privacy tools like defense against AI-guided traffic analysis rather than broad feature volume. PureVPN also offers a well-rounded package, including a password manager and data removal tool that most competitors lack.

The “best” feature set depends on your personal priorities. Users who want an all-in-one security hub will lean toward providers like NordVPN or Norton, while those who prefer a lean, privacy-focused tool may find Mullvad or IVPN more aligned with their needs.

When choosing a provider, make sure to evaluate which extras you’ll actually use — and whether they're included in your plan or sold separately.

Data in this table was collected from providers’ official websites between February 10 and 15, 2026 with the user location set to Lithuania. Pricing information was collected with the user location set to the US. This information may vary by source or location and is subject to change over time.

OpenVPN® is a registered trademark of OpenVPN Inc. "WireGuard" and the "WireGuard" logo are registered trademarks of Jason A. Donenfeld. See https://www.wireguard.com/ opens in a new tab.

When every category is laid out side by side, NordVPN leads or matches the top performer in almost every column. It delivered the fastest connection speeds (verified by third-party testing) at 817 Mbps, offers the widest leak protection across DNS, IPv6, WebRTC, and router levels, maintains both colocated and RAM-only servers across the largest network (180+ locations), holds a fresh 2025 no-logs audit with an active bug bounty, and bundles the most extensive set of additional security features into a single app and plan. No other provider on this list covers all of these bases simultaneously.

ExpressVPN comes closest as a well-rounded alternative — with strong independently tested speeds (788 Mbps), a 2025 audit, RAM-only servers, and useful extras like parental controls — though it lacks colocated infrastructure and the depth of integrated protection tools that NordVPN provides.

ProtonVPN performs well on trust and offers a free tier, but the absence of RAM-only servers, colocated infrastructure, and advanced features brings down its overall score.

At the budget end, providers like Private Internet Access and CyberGhost offer competitive pricing and recent audits. However, gaps in leak protection and reliance on separate apps for security features mean users would need to make trade-offs that higher-tier services have already resolved.