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All Things VPN / VPN reviews & cybersecurity
Find the best VPN
for the way you use it.
Compare my VPN recommendations for value, streaming, speed and privacy. See what each one does well, what to watch for, and which plan fits your needs.
#1 / My pick for most people
Surfshark
Review score: 9.9 / 10
A strong starting point for everyday use, with unlimited device connections and a broad feature set.
Starter · 2-year plan + 3 extra months.
*Reference offer dated 20 August 2026; paid upfront. Current checkout terms apply.
A clear starting point
The best VPNs at a glance
Start with the use case that sounds like you. The order reflects my recommendations; price and suitability matter alongside the individual review score.
Price reference: 20 August 2026. USD promotional monthly equivalents on long-term plans, usually paid upfront. Offers may have changed. Taxes, renewal prices and refund eligibility depend on your location and plan. Check the linked plan details before subscribing.
What matters most to you?
Take a shortcut to the recommendation that fits your priority.
The reasons behind the ranking
My VPN recommendations, explained
Here is where each provider fits. Read the full review or plan details if you want a closer look before visiting the provider.
The offer percentages below are from the same 20 August 2026 pricing reference. Use the provider link to check today’s offer.
Surfshark
My first recommendation for most people: a practical balance of price, everyday features and unlimited device connections.
- Unlimited devices
- Streaming
- Everyday privacy
Before you choose: The reference price is for Starter. Antivirus and other bundle extras require a different plan.
Reference plan: Starter: 2-year plan plus 3 extra months. Offer terms and renewal pricing can change.
IPVanish
A close alternative for households that want one subscription for lots of devices, with straightforward apps and a strong everyday feature set.
- Unlimited devices
- WireGuard
- Everyday use
Before you choose: The Essential plan is the reference offer. Its 30-day refund window applies to eligible annual and two-year subscriptions.
Reference plan: Essential: 24-month plan. Offer terms and renewal pricing can change.
PrivadoVPN
A useful starting point if you want to try a free VPN first, with a low-cost premium option if your needs grow.
- Free plan available
- Kill switch
- Premium option
Before you choose: The free and premium plans have different limits. The comparison price is for premium, not the free plan.
Reference plan: Premium: 2-year plan plus 3 extra months. Offer terms and renewal pricing can change.
NordVPN
My speed-focused pick for people who want to make the most of a fast connection and are comfortable paying more than the budget options.
- NordLynx
- Streaming
- Advanced options
Before you choose: The reference offer is Basic. Check which security extras are included before choosing a higher-priced bundle.
Reference plan: Basic: 2-year plan plus 3 extra months. Offer terms and renewal pricing can change.
VeePN
An option to consider when keeping streaming costs down matters more to you than having a large set of advanced features.
- Streaming
- Low-cost long-term plan
- Apps for major platforms
Before you choose: Try the apps and the streaming services you use during the applicable refund period; results can vary by service and location.
Reference plan: Basic: 2-year plan plus 4 extra months. Offer terms and renewal pricing can change.
Proton VPN
My privacy-focused recommendation for readers who value transparency and want to look closely at the tools behind the product.
- Open-source apps
- Free plan available
- Privacy tools
Before you choose: The comparison price is for VPN Plus. Check the current refund policy and the differences between Plus and the free plan.
Reference plan: VPN Plus: 24-month plan. Offer terms and renewal pricing can change.
ExpressVPN
A good fit if easy setup and a polished app experience matter more to you than getting the lowest possible headline price.
- Simple apps
- Lightway
- Everyday use
Before you choose: The reference offer is Basic. Compare the total payment and included features before adding a higher tier.
Reference plan: Basic: 2-year plan plus 4 extra months. Offer terms and renewal pricing can change.
CyberGhost
Worth comparing if you like choosing servers by streaming use case and want a longer eligible-plan refund window to evaluate the service.
- Streaming servers
- P2P options
- 45-day eligible-plan refund
Before you choose: The 45-day guarantee in the source applies to plans of six months or longer, not every subscription.
Reference plan: 2-year plan plus 2 extra months. Offer terms and renewal pricing can change.
Private Internet Access
A fit for readers who enjoy tuning connection settings and want flexibility across a household full of devices.
- Unlimited devices
- Open-source apps
- Advanced settings
Before you choose: The reference price uses a 39-month term. Consider how long you want to commit and check your streaming needs before buying.
Reference plan: 3-year plan plus 3 extra months. Offer terms and renewal pricing can change.
The person behind the recommendations
Clear advice starts
with hands-on testing.
I’m Alfredo Vilar. I review VPNs on All Things VPN and share the testing on YouTube, so you can look beyond a provider’s headline claims.
A useful recommendation should explain both the strengths and the tradeoffs. My methodology sets out the areas I test and how the review scores are put together.
Connection performance, server choice and streaming checks across real use cases.
Logging policies, audit evidence, leak protection and security features.
Setup, device support and the practical differences you notice after subscribing.
The introductory term, upfront cost, renewal and the features included in your chosen tier.
VPNs are part of the picture
Build your privacy know-how.
Privacy & cybersecurity
Practical explanations to help you make more informed choices about your online security.
Side-by-side comparisons
Already narrowed it down to two providers? Look at their differences in more detail.
Get your VPN working
Help with connection problems and the everyday issues that can get in the way.
Before you choose a VPN
Which VPN should I start with?
Surfshark is my first recommendation for most people in this ranking. If your priority is different, compare NordVPN for speed, Proton VPN for privacy-focused tools, or PrivadoVPN if you want to explore a free plan first. The best fit depends on your devices, budget and intended use.
Why isn’t the ranking sorted only by score?
A review score is one part of the decision. This list also considers value and who each provider suits. A higher-scoring product may cost more or be less suitable for what you need. The individual review explains the reasoning in more detail.
Are those prices charged every month?
The comparison shows the monthly equivalent of a longer subscription. You usually pay the full introductory term upfront. Check the total payment, included months, taxes and renewal price on the provider’s checkout page. The pricing reference on this homepage is dated 20 August 2026.
Can I start with a free plan?
PrivadoVPN and Proton VPN have free options in the linked guides. Check their current limits, available locations and supported features before deciding whether a free plan meets your needs. A paid plan with a money-back guarantee still requires payment upfront and is subject to its refund conditions.
How does All Things VPN make money?
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, All Things VPN may earn a commission. Read the disclosure above and the editorial policy for details about how commercial relationships are handled.
Surfshark
Start with the VPN I recommend for most people, then choose the plan that fits your devices and budget.
- Unlimited devices
- Streaming
- Everyday privacy
Offer shown from the 20 August 2026 reference. The provider’s checkout sets the current price, included months, renewal and refund terms.
Still comparing? Return to the comparison or browse all VPN reviews.