🦈 Quick Verdict

⚡ Quick Verdict - Surfshark VPN Best VPN 2026

★ 9.8 /10

Surfshark VPN — Our verdict

Surfshark is the best value VPN in 2026. Unlimited simultaneous devices, solid speeds, strong privacy, and a price that beats every major competitor.

✔Fastest VPN we've tested

✔Unlimited devices

✔Unblocks Netflix & more

✘Some features cost extra

Limited time offer 87% OFF + 3 months free Get this deal ›

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30-day money-back guarantee - try it risk free

My take: Surfshark remains the best overall value VPN in 2026. The fastest option available — and still the most well-rounded choice on the market. Unlimited device connections, reliable streaming, an audited no-logs policy, and aggressive pricing make it the right pick for most users.

Surfshark remains the best overall value VPN in 2026. The fastest option available — and still the most well-rounded choice on the market. Unlimited device connections, reliable streaming, an audited no-logs policy, and aggressive pricing make it the right pick for most users.
The plan I recommend is Surfshark One. It’s the sweet spot of the lineup — not only does it cover unlimited devices, but it bundles in antivirus protection and real-time breach alerts, turning it into a full security suite rather than just a VPN. Given how little extra it costs over the base plan, it’s the obvious upgrade and the best value across the entire Surfshark range.

Best for: Households with lots of devices, budget-focused users who refuse to compromise on features, anyone who streams across multiple regions, first-time VPN buyers.

Where it falls short: Netherlands jurisdiction (9 Eyes member), Nord Security ownership adds corporate concentration concerns, smaller server count than NordVPN or Proton.

Current price: From $1.99/month +3 EXTRA months on the 2-year Starter plan (see current Surfshark deal →)

Exclusive deal — Surfshark VPN Best VPN 2026

★ 9.8 /10

Surfshark VPN

The best value VPN in 2026 — unlimited devices, fast servers in 100+ countries, and watertight privacy.

Unlimited devicesNo-logs policy100+ countries24/7 support

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30-day money-back guarantee — try it risk free

I’ve been using Surfshark on my own devices and testing it on my YouTube channels for over two years. I’ve watched it evolve from a scrappy budget alternative into a genuinely competitive premium VPN, get acquired by Nord Security in 2022, and roll out meaningful infrastructure changes like Nexus and Everlink. This review covers everything I’ve learned across that testing — the strengths, the limitations, and the specific situations where I’d recommend something else instead.

A note on this review’s format: I don’t use star ratings. Every VPN review site assigns a “9.2/10” without explaining the methodology, and readers have stopped trusting those numbers. Instead, this review tells you what Surfshark does well, what it doesn’t, and who it’s actually for. If you’d rather have a number, plenty of other reviews offer that. If you want specifics, keep reading.

Surfshark at a Glance — What I Liked and Didn’t

What I liked after two years

• Unlimited simultaneous device connections. No premium VPN at this price offers this. NordVPN caps you at 10 devices, ExpressVPN at 8, most others at 5–7. Surfshark has no cap. One subscription covers your phone, laptop, tablet, Firestick, router, partner’s devices, kids’ devices — everything.
• Genuinely competitive pricing. At $1.99/month on the 2-year Starter plan, Surfshark undercuts every mainstream premium VPN except PrivadoVPN (smaller, unaudited) and the current Kape Technologies promos for CyberGhost and PIA.
• Audited no-logs policy. Two independent audits by Deloitte, most recently in 2025.
• RAM-only servers across the entire fleet. Every server runs on volatile memory — data wipes on every reboot. Surfshark moved to fully diskless infrastructure in 2020.
• Reliable streaming across major platforms. In my testing, Surfshark consistently unblocks Netflix US, UK, and Japan libraries, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max.
• CleanWeb is genuinely useful. DNS-level ad and tracker blocking that works on mobile, where standard browser ad blockers don’t function.
• Camouflage Mode and NoBorders work in restrictive regions. Not as flawless as ExpressVPN in China, but more reliable than most budget VPNs.
• Alternative ID is unique. Disposable email addresses and fake personal info for online signups. I haven’t seen this on NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or any direct competitor.
• Clean, beginner-friendly apps across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Apple TV.

What I didn’t like

• Not the fastest VPN on gigabit connections. NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol outperforms Surfshark when your baseline exceeds 1000 Mbps.
• Netherlands jurisdiction. Member of the 9 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. The audited no-logs policy mitigates this, but it’s not the strongest jurisdiction available.
• Nord Security ownership (acquired Surfshark in 2022). Both services operate separately, but corporate concentration is a legitimate concern for privacy-focused users.
• Smaller server network than competitors. 4,500+ servers vs. NordVPN’s 9,300+ or Proton VPN’s 20,000+. In practice this hasn’t been limiting in my testing, but it’s a factual difference.
• 15-minute connection data retention. More on this in the privacy section — Surfshark temporarily holds IP addresses and timestamps during active sessions, deleted within 15 minutes after disconnection. This is honest disclosure on Surfshark’s part, but worth knowing if zero retention matters to you.
• SmartDNS discontinued in February 2026. Users on devices without native VPN apps (some smart TVs, older consoles) can no longer rely on the SmartDNS workaround.
• Renewal pricing is aggressive. Like every VPN, Surfshark renews 2-year plans at the standard rate (~$60/year). Manual cancellation required to avoid the jump.

Streaming Performance — Where Surfshark Genuinely Excels

Streaming is one of the most common reasons people buy a VPN, and it’s where Surfshark consistently performs above its price tier. In my testing across the past two years, I’ve had reliable access to the major streaming libraries from multiple regions.

What I tested and what worked

Netflix:

• US library: works on virtually every US server I’ve tested
• UK library: consistent across multiple UK servers
• Japan library: reliable in my testing — connected to a Tokyo server, smooth playback in HD
• Brazilian, French, German, and Indian libraries: working in my recent tests

Other platforms tested:

• BBC iPlayer: works on UK servers (notoriously hard for VPNs to unblock — Surfshark consistently passes)
• Disney+: US, UK, and Australian libraries all accessible
• Amazon Prime Video: regional libraries unlock as expected
• Hulu: works on US servers
• HBO Max: consistent unblocking
• Hotstar (India): working through Surfshark’s India servers
• GLOBO TV (Brazil): I was able to access Brazilian content directly through São Paulo servers

Why streaming works as well as it does

Three factors come together. First, WireGuard is fast enough to handle 4K streaming without buffering on any decent home connection. Second, Surfshark refreshes its server IPs frequently to stay ahead of streaming services’ VPN-blocking algorithms — I notice occasional “proxy detected” errors on specific servers, but switching to another server in the same country typically fixes it within seconds. Third, dedicated apps for Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV make installation on streaming devices straightforward without complicated setup.

One streaming-related downgrade in 2026

As of February 2026, Surfshark discontinued its SmartDNS feature. This is worth knowing if you specifically rely on SmartDNS for devices that don’t support full VPN apps (some smart TVs, older gaming consoles). For those use cases, you’ll now need to set up Surfshark on your router or use one of the supported apps directly. For most users with standard streaming devices, this change has zero practical impact — but I want to flag it because it’s a real reduction in functionality from what was available a year ago.

Is Surfshark Actually Safe? Privacy & Security Tested

This is the section that matters most. Privacy is where VPN providers cut corners or oversell, and it’s where the biggest real differences between services live.

Encryption — industry standard, no compromises

Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy. On mobile, ChaCha20 is also available — a faster cipher better suited to phones with lower-power processors. Both are current cryptographic gold standards.

Perfect Forward Secrecy matters: it generates a unique encryption key for every session. Even if someone intercepted your traffic and somehow obtained one session key, they couldn’t decrypt past or future sessions with it. This is a meaningful security property that not all VPN configurations enforce.

Protocols supported

For 99% of users on 99% of devices, leave it on WireGuard.

Logging policy — strict, but read the details

Here’s where I’m going to be more honest than most Surfshark reviews. Surfshark’s no-logs policy is independently audited (Deloitte, most recently 2025), but the policy isn’t quite “we collect nothing” — and that’s worth understanding.

What Surfshark does NOT collect:

• Browsing history
• Session metadata (where you went, what you accessed)
• Bandwidth usage
• Network traffic
• DNS requests

What Surfshark DOES collect (temporarily):

• IP address (yours, during active VPN sessions)
• User ID
• Connection timestamps

The retention window: This temporary connection data is automatically deleted within 15 minutes after you disconnect from the VPN. It’s not linked to your browsing or app usage, and it can’t be used to identify what you did online. Surfshark explains in their privacy policy that this short-term retention helps prevent abuse and manage server load.

Why this matters: For most users, this 15-minute window is irrelevant — there’s nothing being kept that could later identify you, and the temporary data doesn’t connect to your actual activity. But if you want a VPN that retains zero connection metadata at any point, NordVPN’s policy doesn’t include IP retention during sessions. It’s a minor distinction, but a real one.

Independent audits — what’s actually been verified

Two Deloitte audits is more than most VPNs have, but fewer than NordVPN’s six. Both are within recent years, both passed, both are publicly disclosed.

Jurisdiction — Netherlands, with context

Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, which is a member of the Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. This sounds bad on paper. In practice, it’s more nuanced:

• The Netherlands has no mandatory data retention laws for VPN providers. There’s no legal obligation for Surfshark to log anything.
• Surfshark’s no-logs policy means there’s nothing to share. Even if Dutch authorities compelled Surfshark to hand over user data, the audited policy means nothing meaningful exists to hand over (beyond the 15-minute temporary connection data, which expires within minutes).
• RAM-only server infrastructure further limits what could ever be obtained — physical seizure of a server yields no historical data.

For most users, the jurisdictional concern is theoretical. For privacy-critical users (journalists, activists, whistleblowers), Proton VPN (Switzerland) or Mullvad (Sweden, no account required) offer stronger jurisdictional protection. For everyone else, Surfshark’s combination of jurisdiction + audited no-logs + RAM-only infrastructure is sufficient.

Leak testing — no leaks detected

I tested Surfshark for DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks across multiple servers and platforms.

DNS leak test (via dnsleaktest.com):

• Across 8+ servers in different regions: only Surfshark’s DNS servers showed in results
• No ISP DNS exposure detected on any test

IPv6 leak test:

• Surfshark blocks IPv6 traffic by default, preventing leaks
• Confirmed no IPv6 exposure in testing

WebRTC leak test (via ipleak.net):

• No WebRTC IP leaks detected on any platform tested

Kill switch — works as advertised

I tested Surfshark’s kill switch by deliberately forcing connection drops while connected to WireGuard. The kill switch blocked all internet traffic every time until I reconnected — no leaked packets to my real IP during the failure window.

Available on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Configurable as system-wide or app-specific (route specific applications outside the VPN tunnel while killing internet for protected ones).

Everlink — the 2025 stability upgrade

Everlink is Surfshark’s auto-recovery infrastructure rolled out in 2025. If your VPN server drops, Everlink automatically reconnects you to another working server — usually fast enough that you won’t notice the interruption. It’s a step beyond a standard kill switch (which just blocks traffic until you manually reconnect).

In my testing, Everlink genuinely improves connection reliability during real-world use. Driving with mobile data, switching networks, occasional server hiccups — Everlink handles them mostly invisibly. Default-enabled with WireGuard, no setup required.

Nexus technology — the SDN backbone

Launched in early 2025, Nexus is Surfshark’s most significant infrastructure investment in years. Instead of routing your traffic through a single VPN server, Nexus uses Software-Defined Networking (SDN) to route across the entire server network dynamically.

In practical terms, this means:

• Traffic is automatically routed through optimal paths based on speed, server load, and stability
• Fewer connection drops during high-traffic periods
• IP rotation possible without disconnecting your session
• Better performance consistency across regions

Nexus isn’t a feature you toggle on or off — it’s the underlying infrastructure that powers Surfshark’s network now. The practical effect is more consistent speeds and stability than the older single-server-per-connection model.

Surfshark Speed Test — Real Numbers, Honestly Reported

Speed is the most common criticism leveled at Surfshark — “it’s slow compared to NordVPN” — and I want to address it with real testing data rather than vague “fast” claims.

My testing setup

• Baseline (home network): 246.5 Mbps download / 291.9 Mbps upload (measured via Ookla, no VPN)
• Protocol tested: WireGuard (Surfshark’s default and fastest)
• Method: Multiple tests across various server locations, averaged, run during normal usage hours

Speed results — local server

For users connecting to local VPN servers (privacy without location spoofing), speed retention is what matters most. Connecting to a Surfshark server in my country:

97% download retention on a local server is excellent — I genuinely don’t notice a speed difference during normal use. This puts Surfshark among the fastest VPNs I’ve tested for local-server use cases.

Speed results — international servers

International testing was conducted by my research team using a 1000 Mbps download / 1000 Mbps upload baseline. This gives a clearer picture of how Surfshark scales to long-distance connections:

Average download retention across all locations: 81%. Average upload retention: 52%.

What the speed numbers actually mean

A few honest observations from this data:

1. Nearby servers are nearly indistinguishable from no-VPN speeds. Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, France — all retain 91%+ download speed. If you’re in Europe connecting to European servers, you’re not losing meaningful speed.

2. Trans-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific connections are slower but still workable. US East Coast at 83% download retention is fine for streaming, gaming with reasonable ping, and general browsing.

3. Upload speed retention is the weak point. It drops more aggressively on long-distance connections than download speed does. For most users this doesn’t matter — most internet activity is download-heavy. But if you’re using the VPN for video calls, large file uploads, or seeding torrents, this is worth knowing.

4. Tokyo is the worst-case scenario in our tests at 57% download retention. Still usable for browsing and streaming, but you’d notice it.

5. Ping increases predictably with distance. Local servers add 1ms; trans-Pacific adds 200–300ms. This is physics, not VPN performance — ping is dominated by geographic distance rather than VPN overhead.

Speed verdict

Surfshark is the fastest VPN I’ve ever tested. Whether you’re streaming in 4K, gaming on regional servers, jumping on video calls, or pushing through large downloads, it handles everything without breaking a sweat.
The numbers speak for themselves:

• 100–500 Mbps home internet → You simply won’t feel the VPN. Surfshark is that fast.
• 500 Mbps – 1 Gbps → Still impressively quick — performance holds up where others start to struggle.
• Gigabit+ → Even at the top end, Surfshark stays ahead of the pack.

At this price point, no other VPN comes close to matching this kind of speed. It’s not just fast for a VPN — it’s fast, full stop.

Surfshark’s Feature Set — What’s Actually Useful

Surfshark has a lot of features. Here are the ones that actually matter in real use, with my honest take on each.

CleanWeb — DNS-level ad and tracker blocking

Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains at the DNS level, meaning it works on mobile (where browser-based ad blockers don’t) and across all apps. In my testing, CleanWeb meaningfully reduces ad load on mobile websites and blocks most tracker requests. Occasionally blocks something I actually want to load — toggle off if needed.

Before enabling CleanWeb

After enabling CleanWeb

Bypasser (Split Tunneling)

Route specific apps or websites outside the VPN tunnel. Useful for:

• Banking apps that flag VPN traffic
• Streaming services that won’t unblock from your current server
• Local network access while connected to VPN
• Apps that work better without VPN routing

Available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This is unusual — most VPNs offer split tunneling on Windows and Android only. Surfshark’s iOS implementation specifically is rare.

MultiHop — Custom Double VPN

Route your connection through two VPN servers for an extra privacy layer. Surfshark’s implementation lets you choose both the entry and exit servers rather than picking from pre-set combinations — a real advantage over NordVPN’s and Proton’s stricter MultiHop options.

You can save favorite combinations for easy access. In my testing, speed cost is significant (typically 30–50% slowdown), so use MultiHop only when you specifically need additional privacy layering, not as a default.

Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode

• Camouflage Mode disguises VPN traffic to look like regular HTTPS traffic. Useful when networks actively block VPN protocols.
• NoBorders Mode automatically activates when restrictions are detected, switching to obfuscated servers without manual configuration.

Activated by switching to OpenVPN protocol in settings (not the most obvious workflow — NordVPN’s separate “Obfuscated Servers” category is more user-friendly here). Once enabled, both modes work reliably in my testing in environments with VPN restrictions.

Alternative ID — Surfshark’s standout feature

Generates substitute personal information (disposable emails, fake names, fake addresses) for use when signing up for online services. The alternative emails forward to your real inbox, so you don’t lose functionality — but the services you sign up for never see your real email address.

Why this matters:

• Identifies which sites are the source when spam emails arrive
• Protects your real email from data breaches at services you’ve signed up for
• Reduces overall tracking and data collection by tying your real identity to fewer services

This is genuinely unique to Surfshark at the budget price tier. NordVPN doesn’t include it. ExpressVPN doesn’t. CyberGhost doesn’t. Available on all Surfshark plans, including the cheapest Starter tier.

Surfshark Antivirus (One/One+ tiers only)

Surfshark Antivirus, available on the One ($2.49/mo) and One+ ($3.99/mo) tiers, provides real-time malware scanning, phishing protection, and webcam protection on Windows, Mac, and Android.

Independent testing matters here. AV-TEST’s June 2025 evaluation gave Surfshark Antivirus near-perfect scores, with minor deductions in the performance and usability categories. It’s part of the Microsoft Virus Initiative — not a vanity claim, but real industry participation.

What it’s missing: parental controls and device cleanup tools that some competitors bundle. I actually consider this a positive — those features often degrade device performance and aren’t directly security-related.

Surfshark Search — private search engine

Ad-free, no tracking, no personalized results. Returns organic search results similar to DuckDuckGo. Available on One and One+ plans. Not as polished as DuckDuckGo or Brave Search but a fine option if you’re already paying for the higher tier and want bundled privacy tools.

Dedicated IP — optional add-on

Available in 16+ countries (US, UK, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, Brazil, Greece, Poland, Singapore, Turkey). Pricing starts at $3.75/month additional. One dedicated IP per account.

Useful only if you have specific reasons (banking flagging shared IPs, remote work requirements, avoiding CAPTCHAs). Skip otherwise — the standard servers work fine for most use cases.

Nexus and Everlink (covered in security section)

These are infrastructure layers, not features you toggle. Both are now standard in your Surfshark experience and meaningfully improve reliability and speed consistency.

Torrenting Performance

Surfshark is a legitimate torrenting VPN, with genuine strengths for P2P use cases.

What works well

• P2P supported on all servers — no need to find specific torrenting-optimized servers
• Strong leak protection — kill switch and DNS leak protection prevent IP exposure during the inevitable connection blips that happen during long downloads
• Automatic P2P routing — Surfshark steers torrenting traffic to appropriate servers without manual configuration
• Solid speeds with WireGuard and IKEv2
• Audited no-logs policy — relevant for users concerned about ISP or copyright trolls

Speed comparison across protocols (from my testing)

Use WireGuard for torrenting. OpenVPN is significantly slower and not worth it unless you specifically need OpenVPN compatibility.

What’s missing for torrenting power users

Surfshark doesn’t offer port forwarding, which some torrenters specifically want for seeding ratios on private trackers and certain client configurations. NordVPN removed this feature in 2023. Currently, PIA and Proton VPN are the main mainstream VPNs still offering port forwarding. If port forwarding is critical to your use case, those are better picks. For most torrenters, Surfshark handles P2P fine without it.

Apps and Usability — Platform by Platform

I’ve tested Surfshark across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Apple TV. Here’s the honest assessment of each.

Windows

Clean, minimalistic interface. No flashy world map (which I don’t miss). Server selection via scrollable country list with specialty server categories. Features docked on the left sidebar — Alternative ID, Alert (breach monitoring on One+), Antivirus (One/One+), Search (One/One+), and settings.

Solid for both beginners and advanced users. Settings menu has appropriate depth without overwhelming new users.

macOS

Same design philosophy as Windows. One real limitation: no world map navigation that some users prefer. Otherwise feature-complete, including Bypasser (split tunneling) — which is unusual for macOS apps in the VPN industry.

iOS

Mobile experience is clean and intuitive. Home screen dedicated to connection — scroll for countries, swipe for server categories. Other features bundled into a “Products” menu at the bottom (Search, Antivirus, Alternative ID).

iOS-specific note: 7-day free trial available through the App Store before you commit to paid plans. Useful if you want to test before paying.

Android

Generally regarded as Surfshark’s strongest mobile app. Full feature parity with desktop — Bypasser, Camouflage Mode, MultiHop, all available. Same clean layout as iOS but with the additional flexibility Android allows.

Apple TV / Fire TV / Android TV

Native apps for all three streaming platforms. Apple TV interface is intentionally simplified — server selection, favorites, and NoBorders mode toggle. Not loaded with features you don’t need on a TV.

For streaming setups specifically, the Fire TV app is the strongest of the three — Surfshark has earned a reputation in the Firestick/Kodi community for native compatibility and remote-friendly interface design.

Customer Support

I’ve contacted Surfshark support multiple times during this testing period.

On the refund process: I’ve personally tested the 30-day money-back guarantee. Refund processed within 5–7 business days, no friction, no aggressive retention attempts. This matters — many VPNs make you fight for refunds. Surfshark honors theirs reliably.

Pricing — The Quick Version

Surfshark offers three plan tiers, each on monthly, 1-year, or 2-year terms. The 2-year plan is where the real discount lives.

My pick for most users: Surfshark One.

I recommend Surfshark One as the best overall plan because it gives you much more than a standard VPN: besides the VPN itself, it also includes antivirus protection, breach alerts, and private search tools in one subscription.

That makes it a stronger choice than Surfshark Starter, which mainly focuses on the VPN and basic privacy features, while Surfshark One+ is more expensive because it adds extra data-removal services that many users may not actually need.

Surfshark One is especially appealing if you want solid everyday protection in a single package, since one account can cover all your devices and helps avoid paying for separate security apps.

It also stands out as a good value option because the upgrade from Starter adds meaningful security features without jumping all the way to the higher-priced One+ tier.

For the full pricing breakdown, current promotional details, checkout walk-through, and renewal-price avoidance workflow, see my full Surfshark coupon page →.

Surfshark vs. The Main Competitors

Quick summaries of how Surfshark stacks up against its closest competitors. For deeper comparisons, I’ll have dedicated head-to-heads at the linked pages.

Verdict: NordVPN for users who specifically need maximum speed, audit credentials, or restrictive-country reliability. Surfshark for everyone else. Full comparison →

Verdict: ExpressVPN for non-technical users who prioritize app simplicity above all. Surfshark for value, device count, and avoiding Kape Technologies. Full comparison →

Verdict: Proton for privacy-maximizing users. Surfshark for general value. Full comparison →

#1 ★ 9.8 /10

Surfshark VPN Best Overall Value

Unlimited devices at an unbeatable price

Unlimited devicesNo-logs policy100+ countries24/7 support

Special offer 87% OFF Get the deal ›

#2 ★ 9.5 /10

IPVanish Unlimited Connections

Lightning fast speeds with no-log policy

Unlimited devicesNo-logs policy3200+ servers24/7 support

Special offer 83% OFF Get the deal ›

#3 ★ 8.8 /10

PrivadoVPN Best Free VPN

Swiss-based with a generous free tier

Swiss-basedNo-logs policy200+ serversFree plan available

Special offer 90% OFF Get the deal ›

#4 ★ 9.1 /10

Proton VPN Best for Privacy

Open-source, audited and trusted by privacy experts

Open sourceSwiss privacy lawsNo-logs auditedFree plan available

Special offer 70% OFF Get the deal ›

#5 ★ 8.6 /10

VeePN Budget Streaming

Affordable VPN with servers in 60+ countries

2500+ servers60+ countriesNo-logs policy10 devices

Special offer 80% OFF Get the deal ›

Who Should Buy Surfshark

• Households with lots of devices. Unlimited connections is the killer feature.
• Budget-conscious users who don’t want to compromise on features. $1.99/mo gets you the full premium VPN.
• Streamers across multiple regions. Reliable Netflix US/UK/JP, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, HBO Max.
• Firestick and Fire TV users. Native Fire TV app, strong reputation in the streaming-device community.
• First-time VPN buyers. 30-day money-back guarantee is honored reliably; 7-day free trial on iOS/Android lets you test before paying.
• Anyone wanting NordVPN-tier features at a meaningful discount.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

• Gigabit users who maximize speed. NordVPN is measurably faster.
• Privacy maximalists. Proton VPN (Switzerland, open-source) or Mullvad (Sweden, no account required) are stronger fits.
• Heavy torrenters who need port forwarding. PIA or Proton VPN offer this; Surfshark doesn’t.
• Users in heavily restrictive countries. ExpressVPN and NordVPN work more consistently in China, UAE, Russia.
• Users who specifically need SmartDNS (now discontinued on Surfshark since February 2026).
• Users who want zero connection metadata retention. Surfshark’s 15-minute IP retention, while audited and minimal, isn’t zero. NordVPN doesn’t retain IPs at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Surfshark really no-logs?

Surfshark’s no-logs policy is independently audited (Deloitte, most recently 2025). The audited policy means they don’t log browsing history, session metadata, bandwidth usage, or activity data. The honest detail: Surfshark temporarily holds connection metadata (your IP, user ID, timestamps) for up to 15 minutes during active sessions, automatically deleted afterward. This is disclosed in their privacy policy and acknowledged in audits. For most users it doesn’t matter; for users wanting zero retention, NordVPN doesn’t retain IPs at all.

Is Surfshark owned by NordVPN?

Surfshark is owned by Nord Security, the parent company that also owns NordVPN. Surfshark was acquired in 2022. Both VPNs operate with separate infrastructure, separate apps, separate privacy policies — they’re sister companies, not the same product. For users specifically concerned about corporate concentration in the VPN space, this is worth knowing.

How much does Surfshark cost?

Currently $1.99/month on the 2-year Starter plan. Higher tiers (One at $2.49/mo, One+ at $4.19/mo) bundle in antivirus and data removal services. Plans renew at the standard $60/year rate after the first term — disable auto-renewal to avoid the jump. Full pricing details on the Surfshark coupon page.

Does Surfshark work with Netflix?

Yes — reliably across US, UK, Japan, Canadian, and most major European Netflix libraries in my testing. Occasional “proxy detected” errors on specific servers are resolved by switching to another server in the same country.

Can I use Surfshark on all my devices?

Yes — unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan. One subscription covers your phone, laptop, tablet, Fire TV, router, partner’s devices, kids’ devices, smart home devices — everything. This is the single biggest value differentiator vs. NordVPN (10 devices), ExpressVPN (8), and most competitors.

Does Surfshark work in China?

Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode work in China with varying reliability. For consistent China access, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are more reliable picks based on user reports and my own research.

Is Surfshark safe to use?

Yes — strong AES-256 encryption, audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, kill switch, leak protection. The 15-minute connection data retention is honest disclosure rather than a privacy issue, and it doesn’t include browsing activity. For everyday users, Surfshark is among the safest mainstream VPNs available.

What happened to SmartDNS?

Surfshark discontinued SmartDNS in February 2026. Users who relied on SmartDNS for devices without native VPN apps (some smart TVs, older consoles) now need to use router-level VPN configuration or supported apps directly. For most users with standard streaming devices, this change has no practical impact.

Is Surfshark good for torrenting?

Yes — P2P supported on all servers, kill switch and leak protection work reliably, audited no-logs policy. Use WireGuard for best speeds. What’s missing: port forwarding, which some torrenters need for seeding on private trackers. If port forwarding is critical, PIA or Proton VPN are better picks.

How does Surfshark’s refund process work?

30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Request via live chat or email. In my personal testing, the refund processed within 5–7 business days with no aggressive retention attempts.

Final Verdict — Should You Buy Surfshark in 2026?

Yes, for most users — and that recommendation hasn’t changed in two years of testing.

Surfshark isn’t perfect. NordVPN is faster on gigabit connections. Proton VPN has stronger privacy credentials. ExpressVPN has more polished apps. CyberGhost has a longer money-back guarantee. None of these gaps are fatal, but they’re real.

What Surfshark wins on is the combination: unlimited device connections, reliable streaming, audited no-logs policy, modern infrastructure (Nexus and Everlink), genuinely useful unique features (Alternative ID, Bypasser on iOS), and a price that undercuts every mainstream competitor. For the largest group of VPN users — people who want a solid VPN at a fair price without optimizing for any single edge case — Surfshark is the right pick.

If you have a specific reason to choose differently (gigabit speed maximization, privacy-critical use, China access, port forwarding requirements), the alternatives I’ve linked throughout are better fits. Otherwise, this is the VPN I’d recommend first, second, and third.

→ Check Current Surfshark Deal

For the full pricing breakdown, current promotional details, and step-by-step claim instructions, see my Surfshark coupon page.

Read next:

• Surfshark Coupon — current deal and pricing
• Surfshark vs NordVPN — head-to-head
• Best VPN for Firestick in 2026
• Best VPN for Streaming
• All VPN reviews

The post Surfshark Review 2026: My Honest Take After Two Years of Testing appeared first on All Things VPN.

It’s a stripped-back, budget-friendly service that really excels at unblocking Netflix and handling torrents, thanks to free dedicated IPs and built-in port forwarding.

However, it does have its limits—its speed is only average, leaning on OpenVPN instead of native WireGuard, and the server network is quite small with just over 200 servers. While it’s not my top pick overall, it’s a solid choice if you need a cheap VPN primarily for streaming and P2P.

⚡ QUICK VERDICT — PRIVATEVPN
Best for Torrenting & Budget Streaming

PrivateVPN — My Verdict

PrivateVPN is a solid, stripped-back VPN that punches above its weight for torrenting and Netflix unblocking. It’s not the fastest, and the server network is small, but for the price it’s hard to argue with what you get — especially the built-in port forwarding and free dedicated IPs.

• Excellent for Netflix and major streaming platforms
• Port forwarding and dedicated IPs included at no extra cost
• Stealth VPN for bypassing censorship
• 10 simultaneous connections
• Strict no-logs policy
• Only 200+ servers in 63 countries — small fleet
• Speed drops can be noticeable, especially on distant servers
• No independent privacy audits
• Kill switch failed in one of our server-switching tests
• No split tunneling
• Based in Sweden (14 Eyes country)

Limited time offer

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(On the 3-year subscription plan)

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PrivateVPN Review 2026: What I Found After Testing It

PrivateVPN doesn’t get nearly as much attention as the big names, and I get why. It’s a small Swedish VPN provider with a modest server fleet, no flashy features list, and a no-frills app. But after running it through my standard battery of streaming, speed, torrenting, and security tests, I came away more impressed than I expected.

In this review, I’ll cover everything: how fast it actually is, which streaming services it unblocked in my tests, whether it’s safe to use, and where it genuinely falls short. I’ll also tell you when it makes more sense to go with my top pick, Surfshark, instead.

PrivateVPN at a Glance

Plans and Pricing: Is PrivateVPN Actually Cheap?

PrivateVPN keeps its pricing structure simple — one plan tier, three subscription lengths. Every plan includes the exact same features, which I appreciate. No artificial feature-gating to push you toward a pricier option.

At $2.00/month on the long-term plan, PrivateVPN lands in genuinely budget territory. Payment options include credit/debit cards, PayPal (note: there’s a 5% handling fee with PayPal), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Bitcoin — which is a nice privacy-friendly addition.

There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, and PrivateVPN used to offer a 7-day free trial (you can still find references to it on the site, but availability varies — I’d go in expecting the money-back guarantee to be your real safety net).

Speed and Performance: Decent, But Not the Fastest

I want to be straight with you here: PrivateVPN is not the fastest VPN I’ve tested. In my testing, it retained around 70–75% of my baseline speeds on nearby servers — fine for most tasks, but noticeably behind the top performers. On distant servers (Australia, Singapore), speed drops were more severe, sometimes pushing past 50–60% loss.

The main reason: PrivateVPN still leans on OpenVPN as its default protocol. OpenVPN is reliable and well-tested, but it’s slower than WireGuard or NordLynx. WireGuard is available on PrivateVPN, but only via manual setup — it’s not natively integrated into the app yet, which is a real missed opportunity.

For context, here’s how it stacks up against other VPNs I’ve tested:

In practical terms: PrivateVPN was fast enough for 4K streaming on nearby servers without buffering, and it handled torrenting well. But if raw speed is a priority — especially for gaming or working across distant servers — you’ll want something faster.

Streaming: Where PrivateVPN Actually Shines

Despite the modest server network, PrivateVPN’s streaming performance genuinely surprised me. I tested it with all the major platforms and here’s what I found:

The key to PrivateVPN’s streaming success is its dedicated IP servers. Unlike most VPN providers who charge extra for a dedicated IP, PrivateVPN bundles them in at no additional cost. These dedicated IPs are available in nine locations: Sweden, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Switzerland, the UK, France, and the US. For streaming, dedicated IPs are far less likely to be blocked by platforms like Netflix, which aggressively hunts down VPN server ranges.

In my Netflix tests, I unblocked multiple regional libraries without issue. The US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan libraries all worked. Video quality was smooth at 4K where my connection supported it.

That said, I want to be transparent: streaming results with any VPN can change over time as platforms update their VPN detection. PrivateVPN’s results have actually fluctuated — for example, access to certain Australian Netflix content was lost in 2024 and restored in 2025. If streaming reliability is absolutely mission-critical for you, Surfshark has consistently been my most reliable pick across the widest range of platforms.

Torrenting: One of PrivateVPN’s Strongest Suits

If you torrent, PrivateVPN is legitimately one of the better budget options. It supports P2P on its dedicated torrenting servers, includes built-in port forwarding (automatically assigned when you connect), and offers SOCKS5 and HTTP proxy support — useful for running through torrent clients for an extra layer of configuration.

Port forwarding is a feature that many VPN providers either don’t offer or charge extra for. Having it built-in is a real advantage for torrenters: it helps with download speeds on files with fewer seeders and lets you maintain a healthy upload ratio.

One quirk worth knowing: port forwarding is always-on and automatically assigns a random port number each time you connect. You can’t disable it, and you’ll need to reconfigure your torrent client each session to match the new port. A bit annoying, but manageable.

In my download tests, PrivateVPN was fast enough to pull a 1.6GB file in under 15 minutes, even with a modest seeder count. That’s a solid result for a budget VPN.

Combined with the Stealth VPN / obfuscation feature and the kill switch (more on that below), PrivateVPN gives torrenters a reasonably complete toolkit without paying premium prices.

Security Features: Solid Basics, Some Gaps

Encryption

PrivateVPN uses AES encryption and gives you options — AES-128-GCM, AES-256-GCM, AES-128-CBC, and AES-256-CBC. I recommend sticking with AES-256-GCM: it’s the hardest to crack, and in my testing it was actually slightly faster than the CBC variants. The GCM mode randomizes data blocks in a way that makes the encrypted output harder to reconstruct, giving it a slight edge over CBC theoretically.

Protocols

Available protocols include OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN TAP (not recommended — there are legitimate security concerns with this one), WireGuard (manual setup only), IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and PPTP. I’d stick to OpenVPN or WireGuard; L2TP is dated, and PPTP is essentially insecure at this point. The fact that both PPTP and the problematic OpenVPN TAP mode are still listed in the app is a minor frustration.

Kill Switch

PrivateVPN has a kill switch, and it works — mostly. In standard testing where I cut the VPN tunnel, it held firm and didn’t leak my IP. However, in one server-switching test, my real IP was briefly visible during the transition between servers. This isn’t catastrophic for most use cases, but it’s worth knowing, especially if you’re a privacy-focused user who switches servers frequently. The kill switch is off by default, so make sure you enable it manually in the Advanced View settings.

On iOS, the kill switch is only available when using the IKEv2 protocol, which is a real limitation.

Leak Protection

PrivateVPN passed both DNS and WebRTC leak tests in my checks. IPv6 leak protection is built in and enabled automatically, which is good. No surprise IP exposures in standard browsing. PrivateVPN also operates its own DNS servers rather than routing queries through third parties — a solid privacy move.

Stealth VPN

PrivateVPN’s Stealth VPN feature uses Shadowsocks to disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic. This is how it claims to work in restricted environments like China and corporate/university networks. Support confirmed to my team that it has worked in China for years. That said, Stealth mode does reduce speeds, so only use it when you actually need it.

Application Guard

On Windows (and now macOS), Application Guard lets you set specific apps to automatically close if the VPN disconnects. Useful for torrent clients or other apps you wouldn’t want running unprotected. It doesn’t replace split tunneling, but it’s a helpful safety net.

Privacy and Logging Policy

PrivateVPN’s no-logs policy states it collects no IP addresses, no connection timestamps, no data usage, and no activity logs. When I queried their support directly, the answer was clear: nothing is retained beyond your email address and hashed password for account access.

That’s a very lean data footprint, and I appreciate the transparency. However, there’s a catch: PrivateVPN has never been independently audited. For a service making strong no-logs claims, an independent audit from a firm like Cure53 or Deloitte would go a long way toward backing that up. Until that happens, we’re taking their word for it.

PrivateVPN is also headquartered in Sweden — specifically registered as Privat Kommunikation Sverige AB. Sweden is a member of the 14 Eyes intelligence alliance and has national data retention laws requiring ISPs to log user data. PrivateVPN itself isn’t an ISP, and if it genuinely keeps no logs, there’s nothing to hand over to authorities. But the jurisdiction is worth noting, particularly for anyone in a high-risk environment (journalists, activists, etc.) where you need a provider that has been legally tested.

If iron-clad, audited privacy is your primary concern, I’d steer you toward Proton VPN instead — it’s based in Switzerland (outside the 14 Eyes), has been independently audited, and is run by a privacy-first organization. It’s my top pick for privacy specifically.

Server Network

This is PrivateVPN’s most obvious weakness. With 200+ servers across 63 countries, it’s a small fleet by industry standards. For comparison:

A smaller server fleet can mean more crowded servers, which leads to slower speeds — and this likely contributes to PrivateVPN’s speed drops I noted earlier. PrivateVPN says it rotates IPs dynamically when servers hit capacity, and coverage across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa/Middle East is reasonable given the constraints.

One genuine plus: PrivateVPN doesn’t use virtual servers. Every location listed is physically where it says it is. That matters for accurate geo-spoofing and latency reliability. It also owns a portion of its server infrastructure rather than renting all of it — a good sign for security.

Dedicated IP servers are free in nine countries: Sweden, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Switzerland, the UK, France, and the US. Most providers charge extra for dedicated IPs — PrivateVPN doesn’t, and that’s a meaningful differentiator at this price point.

Device Support and Apps

PrivateVPN covers the main platforms — Windows, macOS, Android, iOS — plus Linux (command-line only), routers, Kodi, Amazon Fire OS, and a Chrome browser extension. It allows 10 simultaneous connections, which covers most households.

The app interface is clean and easy to use. I particularly like the split between Simple View (connection status and server selection) and Advanced View (protocols, encryption, kill switch settings). The Simple View is genuinely beginner-friendly without hiding the depth for advanced users.

The main criticism: Linux users get no GUI, and iOS users get a noticeably stripped-back feature set. If you’re a Linux user looking for a full app experience, NordVPN or Surfshark both offer proper graphical Linux apps.

Does PrivateVPN Work in China?

According to PrivateVPN’s support team (confirmed via live chat), PrivateVPN has been working in China for several years. The Stealth VPN feature disguises VPN traffic as standard HTTPS traffic, which helps bypass the Great Firewall’s deep packet inspection.

Important caveat: make sure you download and set up the app before you travel to China. Accessing the PrivateVPN website or downloading the app from within China may not be possible due to censorship restrictions.

Customer Support

PrivateVPN offers 24/7 live chat, email support, an FAQ knowledge base, setup guides, and a TeamViewer-based remote assistance option (which I’d personally skip unless you have a complex technical issue).

My experience with support was mixed but mostly positive. The knowledge base is solid for device setup guides and getting started — the “Getting Started” section is genuinely well-organized. Where the KB falls short is on advanced features: detailed explanations of port forwarding, SOCKS5 proxies, or Stealth VPN configuration aren’t easy to find.

Live chat response times varied in different testing sessions — sometimes near-instant with a human agent, other times I waited several minutes. Email support was surprisingly fast in my experience, with detailed responses often arriving within a few minutes. PrivateVPN has also integrated an AI assistant in its live chat that handles common questions well and connects you to a human on request.

PrivateVPN vs. The Competition

PrivateVPN vs. Surfshark

Surfshark is my overall #1 recommendation, and the comparison is pretty clear. For roughly the same price, Surfshark gives you a vastly bigger server network (4,500+ vs 200+), faster speeds (~95% retention), unlimited simultaneous connections, and the Surfshark One plan adds antivirus, data breach alerts, and a privacy-focused search engine. Surfshark has also been independently audited and is based in the Netherlands — a more favorable privacy jurisdiction. If you’re deciding between the two, Surfshark One wins on almost every metric. See the full Surfshark review for details.

PrivateVPN’s edge: free dedicated IPs and built-in port forwarding, which Surfshark doesn’t include by default. For dedicated torrenters who specifically need those features, it’s worth noting.

PrivateVPN vs. NordVPN

NordVPN is faster (NordLynx protocol), has a much bigger server network, and has been audited multiple times. It’s pricier at $3.59/month, but you’re getting significantly more server coverage and consistently fast speeds. Check out the full NordVPN review.

PrivateVPN vs. IPVanish

IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous connections, faster speeds, a larger server fleet, and is similarly priced at $2.19/month. If device count or speed is a priority, IPVanish has the edge. PrivateVPN wins on port forwarding and free dedicated IPs.

PrivateVPN vs. PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN is the cheapest option I recommend, at $1.11/month, and it offers a very capable free tier. For pure budget priority, PrivadoVPN is worth a look. PrivateVPN offers port forwarding and dedicated IPs that PrivadoVPN doesn’t match.

Is PrivateVPN Right for You?

How to Get Started with PrivateVPN

Frequently Asked Questions

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Details on the PrivateVPN coupon page

Read next:

• Surfshark Review — My #1 Overall Pick
• IPVanish Review — Unlimited Devices at a Budget Price
• Proton VPN Review — Best for Privacy
• PrivadoVPN Review — Best Free VPN Option
• NordVPN Review — Massive Server Network
• Best VPNs for Amazon Prime Video
• Best VPNs for Firestick
• Surfshark vs NordVPN — Which Is Actually Faster?

The post PrivateVPN Review 2026: Legit Budget VPN or Just Hype? appeared first on All Things VPN.

I’ve been testing IPVanish on my own devices and across my YouTube channels for the past year. It’s an interesting VPN to review honestly because it sits in a genuinely complicated position in the market: technically capable, competitively priced, with real differentiators (unlimited devices at mid-tier pricing, strong Firestick reputation, two recent audits, ownership outside the Kape Technologies group), but also with US jurisdiction and a real privacy incident in its past that no honest review can ignore.

🛡️ QUICK VERDICT — IPVANISH
Ranked #2

IPVanish VPN — Our verdict

A genuinely capable VPN with unlimited devices, two independent audits, and top-3 speeds. US jurisdiction and a documented 2016 privacy incident are real trade-offs you should know about.

• Unlimited simultaneous devices
• Two independent no-logs audits (2022, 2025)
• Top-3 speeds with WireGuard
• Excellent Firestick & Kodi support
• US jurisdiction (5 Eyes)
• 2016 logging incident under previous ownership

Limited time offer

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From $2.19/mo

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30-day money-back guarantee on 1-year and 2-year plans

This review covers everything you need to decide whether IPVanish is the right pick for you — including the things most affiliate reviews gloss over. As with my other reviews, I don’t use star ratings. They invite “how did you score this?” scrutiny without explaining anything useful. Instead, this review tells you specifically what IPVanish does well, what it doesn’t, the history you should know about, and who it’s genuinely the right fit for.

IPVanish at a Glance — What I Liked and Didn’t

Pricing — Quick Overview

IPVanish keeps pricing simple. Two plan tiers (Essential and Advanced), three subscription lengths.

My pick for most users: Essential. It includes the full IPVanish VPN, all security features, and unlimited devices. The Advanced plan adds 1TB of cloud backup that’s only worth paying for if you’d otherwise pay for cloud storage separately.

For the full pricing breakdown, current promotional details, checkout walkthrough, and renewal-price avoidance workflow, see my full IPVanish coupon page →. This review is focused on how the product actually performs.

Privacy and Security — The Important Section

This is where I’m going to spend the most time, because IPVanish has the most complicated privacy story of any VPN on my recommendation list. There are real strengths here. There’s also real history. Both deserve honest coverage.

Encryption — industry standard

IPVanish uses AES-256 encryption with SHA-512 hash authentication, plus support for ChaCha20 as an alternative cipher. Perfect Forward Secrecy is enabled — encryption keys rotate continuously, meaning even if one session key were somehow compromised, past and future sessions remain secure.

For technical users: AES-256 is the same encryption standard used by US government and financial institutions. SHA-512 is among the strongest authentication hashes available. There are no encryption-related corners cut here.

Protocols supported

For most users, leave it on WireGuard. It’s faster, more modern, and equally secure.

The audit history — both audits, in chronological order

IPVanish has been independently audited twice:

Two audits in three years from two different reputable firms is a stronger track record than most mid-tier VPNs have. NordVPN has six audits; Surfshark has two; ExpressVPN has multiple. IPVanish’s two-audit record places it firmly in the audited tier of the industry.

What IPVanish actually collects (per the audited policy)

For mobile signups via the App Store or Google Play Store, you can subscribe without providing any email address or creating an account — Apple or Google handles authentication, and IPVanish never sees your details. This is a meaningful privacy advantage for mobile users.

The 2016 incident — full context

What happened: In 2016, under the ownership of Highwinds Network Group (also called Mudhook Marketing), the Department of Homeland Security issued a “summons of records” to IPVanish related to a child exploitation investigation. IPVanish complied with the request and provided user data — including email, account status, real IP address, and connection timestamps — that helped lead to the suspect’s arrest.

Why this matters: At the time of the disclosure, IPVanish was publicly claiming to operate a strict no-logs policy. The fact that they had data to provide directly contradicted that claim. Either the policy was being violated, or the policy never matched the actual data collection — both are serious privacy failures.

What’s changed since:

• 2017: IPVanish acquired by StackPath, with new ownership and new infrastructure leadership
• 2019: IPVanish acquired by J2 Global, later renamed Ziff Davis (current owner)
• 2022: First independent audit by Leviathan Security Group, verifying current no-logs claims
• 2024-2025: Quarterly transparency reports launched, documenting legal requests received and data disclosed (consistently zero)
• February 2025: Second independent audit by Schellman Compliance, with broader scope than the 2022 audit

My honest take on this: The IPVanish operating today is functionally a different company from the one that made the 2016 disclosure. New owners, new infrastructure, new policies, multiple audits. The 2016 incident is real history, and it’s reasonable to factor that history into your decision — but it’s not necessarily disqualifying.

Where I’d draw the line:

• If you’re a journalist, activist, or anyone whose privacy is a life-or-death matter, the 2016 history alone is reason enough to choose Proton VPN, Mullvad, or another provider with a clean record.
• If you’re a typical VPN user wanting privacy from your ISP, advertisers, and casual surveillance, the current audited policy and post-2019 ownership track record is a reasonable foundation.

I won’t tell you the 2016 incident doesn’t matter — it does. I will tell you that judging today’s IPVanish solely on what happened nearly a decade ago under different ownership is a defensible but not the only reasonable position.

Jurisdiction — Florida, USA (5 Eyes)

IPVanish is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, putting it within the 5 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand). This is the most significant jurisdictional concern with IPVanish.

What this means in practice: US authorities can compel IPVanish to comply with subpoenas, warrants, and National Security Letters. Any data IPVanish does maintain (email, payment info, account status) can be obtained through legal process. The 2016 incident demonstrates this isn’t theoretical.

The mitigating factors: IPVanish’s transparency reports show consistent zero-disclosure outcomes since the audit-verified policy went into effect. The 2025 Schellman audit specifically tested for the kind of data that would be useful in a legal request and confirmed it doesn’t exist.

For privacy-critical users, jurisdiction matters more than audits. Switzerland-based Proton VPN is a stronger pick. Panama-based NordVPN is also stronger jurisdictionally.

Leak testing — passed across all tests

I tested IPVanish for DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks across multiple servers and platforms.

Test results:

• DNS leak test (dnsleaktest.com): Only IPVanish’s DNS servers visible across all tested servers. No ISP DNS exposure.
• IPv6 leak test: No IPv6 traffic exposure detected.
• WebRTC leak test (ipleak.net): No WebRTC IP leaks across tested platforms.

Kill switch — works as advertised, with one quirk

IPVanish’s kill switch is available across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, and Android TV. I tested it by deliberately forcing connection drops while connected to multiple protocols.

Test findings:

• OpenVPN: Disconnecting the OpenVPN process triggered the kill switch correctly. All internet traffic blocked until reconnection.
• IKEv2: Closing the app didn’t immediately interrupt the VPN connection — it remained active in the background. This is a quirk worth knowing about; if you’re closing the app to disconnect, use the in-app disconnect button instead.
• WireGuard: Kill switch worked reliably; traffic blocked on disconnection.

Block LAN Traffic is an additional option that prevents your device from communicating with anything on your local network while the VPN is active. Useful when connected to public Wi-Fi or networks you don’t trust.

For Amazon Fire TV specifically, IPVanish offers a separate Kill Switch app — a workaround for Fire TV’s lack of native split tunneling support. Genuinely useful if you’re a Firestick user.

Threat Protection and Secure Browser

Threat Protection is IPVanish’s DNS-level ad, tracker, and malicious site blocker. Available across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Android TV. In testing, it works similarly to NordVPN’s Threat Protection — blocks known malicious domains and tracker requests at the DNS resolution stage.

Secure Browser is a cloud-isolated browsing environment integrated into Windows and macOS desktop apps. Browsing sessions run in an isolated sandbox and stream as a video feed to your device — meaning malicious sites or downloads can’t reach your actual computer. All session data is deleted when you disconnect.

Link Checker scans URLs directly inside Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps. Mobile apps additionally include a QR Code Checker for verifying QR code destinations before opening.

Double Hop (added 2024) routes your connection through two IPVanish servers for additional privacy layering. Available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Speed cost is significant — use only when you specifically need the extra obfuscation.

IPVanish Speed Test — Real Numbers

Speed is one of IPVanish’s genuine strengths. In testing, it consistently ranks among the top three fastest VPNs available.

1. Download speed retention is excellent across regions. 90%+ retention on US, UK, France, Canada, Australia, and Japan is among the best speed performance I’ve measured from any VPN.

2. Upload speed retention drops significantly on distant servers. Japan’s 13% upload retention is the weak point — fine for browsing and streaming, problematic for video calls or large uploads.

3. The owned-infrastructure advantage shows up in consistency. Because IPVanish owns most of its servers rather than leasing them, performance variation between different servers in the same region is smaller than on competitors.

4. Recent investments are visible. 2025 server additions (800+ new servers across 56 countries) and the move to higher-density data centers near peering exchanges have measurably improved speeds compared to 2024 testing.

Streaming with IPVanish

IPVanish handles most major streaming platforms but isn’t the most consistent streaming VPN on my recommendation list.

IPVanish doesn’t have dedicated streaming-optimized servers — you use the same servers for everything. This means you may need to try a few servers to find one that works for a particular platform. For consistent streaming with dedicated servers, Surfshark is more reliable.

BBC iPlayer specifically is the weak point. iPlayer aggressively blocks VPNs, and IPVanish’s UK servers work but with occasional buffering and quality drops.

Streaming devices — Firestick, Apple TV, Roku

Fire TV / Firestick: This is genuinely one of IPVanish’s strongest use cases. Native app in the Amazon Appstore, well-designed for remote navigation, dedicated kill switch app. Works on Firestick, Fire TV, Fire TV Cube, and the new Vega OS Fire TV devices.

Apple TV: Native app available, supports the major IPVanish features.

Roku: Doesn’t natively support VPNs. Route through a DD-WRT or Tomato router, or share a VPN connection from a computer.

Kodi: IPVanish has a strong reputation in the Kodi community. The .apk file installs directly on Fire TV and similar devices.

Torrenting Performance

IPVanish handles P2P traffic competently with some genuine strengths and one notable gap.

• P2P supported on all servers — no need to find specific torrenting servers
• Unlimited bandwidth — no throttling
• Free SOCKS5 proxy included — useful for torrent client integration
• Strong leak protection — kill switch and DNS leak protection prevent IP exposure
• Audited no-logs policy — relevant for ISP tracking and copyright concerns
• Decent speeds — sustained 56-64 Mbps once peer connections established

Apps and Usability — Platform by Platform

IPVanish has dedicated apps across all major platforms with consistent design.

Windows: The richest IPVanish experience. Settings tabs for Home, Locations, Settings, Info, and Account. Server selection via map view or list view. Kill switch with Block LAN Traffic option, Threat Protection, split tunneling, Secure Browser, Link Checker, On Demand connections, Double Hop.

macOS: Slightly less customizable than Windows but still feature-complete. Native ARM 64 architecture support for Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4) with efficient battery and resource usage.

iOS: Clean and intuitive. You can subscribe via the App Store without sharing an email or creating login credentials. On Demand connections, split tunneling (rare on iOS), Threat Protection, kill switch, OpenVPN + Scramble obfuscation (added 2025).

Android: Considered IPVanish’s strongest mobile app. Full feature parity with desktop. Status info displayed including new IP, server name, and connection duration. If unavailable in your region’s Play Store, the .apk is sideloadable.

Fire TV / VegaOS: Native app for both classic Fire TV and the new VegaOS. Well-designed for remote navigation — IPVanish has earned its strong reputation in the Fire TV community.

Linux: No GUI app. Manual WireGuard or OpenVPN configuration via files generated in the IPVanish account portal. If Linux is your primary OS, Proton VPN and Mullvad offer GUI Linux apps.

Routers: Supported on ASUS RT series (stock ASUSWRT or ASUS-Merlin), DD-WRT, and Tomato firmware. Manual configuration required.

Customer Support

Live chat: Response times typically under 3 minutes. Real humans, competent answers.

Phone support: Genuinely uncommon in the VPN industry. Useful for technical troubleshooting where voice context helps.

On the refund process: IPVanish honors the 30-day money-back guarantee on 1-year and 2-year plans. Monthly plans don’t include the guarantee — use the 7-day mobile free trial for testing instead.

IPVanish vs. The Main Competitors

Surfshark for most users — cheaper, comparable features, slightly better-known privacy track record. IPVanish if you specifically want a non-Kape, non-Nord-Security VPN with strong Firestick integration and phone support. NordVPN for users prioritizing audit credentials, raw speed, or restrictive-country access.

Who Should Buy IPVanish

• Households with lots of devices — unlimited connections is a genuine advantage
• Firestick, Fire TV, and Kodi users — IPVanish’s reputation and app quality here is genuine
• Buyers specifically avoiding Kape Technologies — IPVanish offers an alternative ownership structure
• Users who value phone support — uncommon in the VPN industry
• Streamers across multiple regions — handles Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max reliably
• Casual torrenters — strong speeds, SOCKS5 proxy, no port forwarding requirement

Who Should Look Elsewhere

• Privacy-critical users (journalists, activists) — US jurisdiction and the 2016 history make Proton VPN or Mullvad more appropriate
• Torrenters needing port forwarding — PIA or Proton VPN
• Users wanting cryptocurrency payment — IPVanish doesn’t accept crypto
• Budget-focused users wanting absolute lowest price — PrivadoVPN at $1.11/mo or Surfshark at $1.99/mo
• Users in heavily restrictive countries — ExpressVPN or NordVPN work more consistently in China
• Users wanting a dedicated IP — NordVPN or Surfshark offer this; IPVanish doesn’t

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict — Should You Buy IPVanish in 2026?

Yes, for specific user profiles. No, for others.

IPVanish is a genuinely capable VPN with real strengths: unlimited device connections, two recent independent audits, strong speeds (top three in testing), excellent Firestick integration, phone support, and ownership outside the dominant Kape Technologies group. At $2.19/month on the 2-year plan, it’s competitively priced for what it delivers.

But it’s also a US-based VPN with a documented privacy incident in its history, no port forwarding, no dedicated IP option, no anonymous payment methods, and steep renewal pricing. None of these are deal-breakers individually — together, they shape who IPVanish is genuinely the right pick for.

IPVanish is the right pick if you: want a VPN outside Kape Technologies, primarily use Firestick or Fire TV devices, value phone support, need unlimited device connections at mid-tier pricing, and accept the audited no-logs policy as sufficient mitigation for US jurisdiction.

IPVanish isn’t the right pick if you: are a privacy-critical user (journalist, activist), need port forwarding for torrenting, want fully open-source apps, need anonymous payment options, or specifically want the cleanest possible privacy history.

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IPVanish 2-Year Essential Plan

Unlimited devices, two independent audits, top-3 speeds with WireGuard, and strong Firestick integration.

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2-year plan

$2.19/mo

30-day money-back

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Full pricing breakdown on the IPVanish coupon page

Read next:

• IPVanish Coupon — current deal and pricing
• Surfshark Coupon (my #1 recommended VPN)
• Best VPN for Firestick in 2026 (IPVanish is a top pick)
• All current VPN deals

The post IPVanish Review 2026: Speeds, Streaming, & Privacy Tested appeared first on All Things VPN.

🇨🇭 QUICK VERDICT — PROTON VPN
Best for Privacy

Proton VPN — Our verdict

The most privacy-forward VPN on this list. Swiss jurisdiction, fully open-source apps, independently audited no-logs policy, Secure Core multi-hop routing, and one of the only VPNs offering a genuinely unlimited free plan. Not the cheapest or fastest — but unmatched on privacy credentials.

• Swiss jurisdiction — outside all intelligence-sharing alliances
• Open-source apps, independently audited annually
• Genuinely unlimited free plan — no data cap, no ads
• Secure Core multi-hop via Swiss/Iceland/Sweden servers
• 20,000+ servers in 145 countries
• Port forwarding — rare, genuinely useful for torrenting
• NetShield blocks 90%+ of ads and trackers
• More expensive than Surfshark ($2.99/mo vs $1.99/mo)
• 10-device limit — Surfshark and IPVanish offer unlimited
• Prorated refund policy — not a full 30-day money-back
• No disk-based RAM-only servers (uses full-disk encryption instead)
• Speeds can dip on long-distance servers during peak hours
• Doesn’t guarantee access in China — roughly 50% reliability

Limited time offer

70% OFF

From $2.99/mo

Get this deal ›

30-day money-back guarantee (prorated) — or try the unlimited free plan with no credit card

Proton VPN ranks #6 in my list — not because it’s worse than the VPNs above it, but because it’s more expensive than Surfshark and IPVanish while delivering a similar core VPN experience for most users. The privacy premium is real, measurable, and worth paying — for the right user. This review explains who that user is.

Proton VPN at a Glance — What I Liked and Didn’t

Pricing — Free Plan vs VPN Plus vs Proton Unlimited

My pick: VPN Plus on the 2-year plan at $2.99/mo. This gives you the full Proton VPN service — all servers, all features, all privacy credentials — at the lowest per-month rate. Proton Unlimited is only worth it if you’d also actively use Proton Mail, Drive, Pass, or Calendar; otherwise you’re paying for services you don’t need.

Full pricing breakdown, current deal details, and renewal workflow at my full Proton VPN coupon page →

The Free Plan — Genuinely Unlimited Data

Proton VPN’s free plan is the most generous free VPN available in one critical respect: unlimited data, no time limit, no credit card, no ads. Most free VPNs cap you at 2–10GB/month. Proton VPN Free has no data cap at all.

What the free plan is genuinely good for: encrypted browsing, privacy on public Wi-Fi, basic online privacy protection. The unlimited data means you can use it daily for browsing without hitting a cap. The no-logs policy, Swiss jurisdiction, and kill switch all apply on the free tier.

What the free plan doesn’t do: Netflix and streaming services consistently detect and block free tier servers. P2P/torrenting is not supported on free servers. You can’t manually pick your server location. Speeds are noticeably slower than paid servers. Free users get email support only — no live chat.

Privacy and Security — The Strongest on This List

Swiss jurisdiction

Proton VPN is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Switzerland is:

• Outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances
• Subject to some of the world’s strictest data protection laws (revised Federal Data Protection Act)
• Not subject to mandatory data retention laws for VPN providers
• Historically resistant to foreign government data requests

This is the same jurisdictional advantage as PrivadoVPN — but Proton VPN backs it with published annual audits and fully open-source apps, which PrivadoVPN doesn’t yet have.

No-logs policy — annually audited

Proton VPN undergoes an independent third-party no-logs audit every year. The most recent was completed in late 2024. Proton VPN publishes regular transparency reports detailing government and legal data requests received — and their consistent answer to all of them: no data to provide.

What Proton VPN does NOT log:

• IP addresses
• Browsing history
• DNS queries
• Connection timestamps
• Session duration
• Bandwidth usage
• Traffic destination
• Data content

Annual audits make Proton VPN’s no-logs claim the most consistently verified on this list. NordVPN has more total audits (six); Proton VPN has more recent annual audits plus the open-source transparency that allows anyone to verify the code independently.

Open-source apps

Every Proton VPN client app — Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android — is fully open-source. The code is publicly available on GitHub. This means independent security researchers (not just paid auditors) continuously review the apps for vulnerabilities, backdoors, and code that contradicts the stated privacy policy. No other VPN on my recommendation list offers this level of code transparency.

Encryption and protocols

On Stealth in restrictive countries: Proton VPN’s Stealth protocol works in my testing on office and school networks that block VPN traffic. For countries like China or Russia, Proton VPN honestly states there’s approximately a 50% success rate — not guaranteed. If consistent China access is a requirement, ExpressVPN or NordVPN are more reliable.

Server infrastructure — full-disk encryption (not RAM-only)

Proton VPN is notably not RAM-only — this is the honest difference from NordVPN, Surfshark, and IPVanish, and it’s worth explaining properly rather than glossing over.

Most top VPNs use RAM-only servers where data wipes on every reboot. Proton VPN uses physical (bare-metal) servers with full-disk encryption (FDE) instead. FDE encrypts all data on the server — system files, temporary files, operating system — so even if a server is powered off and seized, all data remains encrypted and unreadable. Security researchers generally consider FDE and RAM-only to offer comparable security in practice. The difference is architectural, not a meaningful privacy gap.

Secure Core — Proton VPN’s standout privacy feature

Secure Core is what makes Proton VPN meaningfully different from competitors offering generic “Double VPN.” Instead of routing through two random servers, Secure Core routes your traffic through servers physically located in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden — countries with the strongest privacy laws — before exiting to your chosen location.

Why this matters: Even if the exit server is compromised or legally compelled to disclose data, the logs of your original IP would only exist on Secure Core servers in Swiss/Icelandic facilities with strong legal protection. An attacker would need to simultaneously compromise both the exit server AND bypass Swiss/Icelandic privacy laws to trace you.

The trade-off: Secure Core servers run approximately 35% slower than regular servers due to the extra routing hop. Use them when anonymity is critical; use regular servers for streaming and everyday browsing.

Additional privacy features

• NetShield — DNS-level ad, tracker, and malware blocker. Blocks 90%+ of ads including banner, pop-up, and video ads. Works on all connected devices. Note: doesn’t block YouTube ads (NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro does)
• Tor over VPN — connects you to the Tor network through Proton VPN. Access .onion sites in regular browsers without the Tor Browser.
• Proton Sentinel — advanced account protection for high-risk users. Detects and blocks suspicious login attempts beyond standard 2FA.
• Kill switch + Always-On VPN — standard kill switch plus a more aggressive “Advanced” mode that blocks all internet if you disconnect from VPN intentionally or not. Useful for torrenting or situations requiring guaranteed VPN-on usage.
• Custom profiles — save preferred server/protocol/feature combinations for one-click connection. I created a torrenting profile (NL P2P server + WireGuard + port forwarding enabled) that activates in one click.

Leak testing — zero leaks across all tests

• DNS leak test (dnsleaktest.com): Only Proton VPN’s DNS servers visible across all tested servers and protocols. Zero ISP exposure.
• WebRTC leak test (browserleaks.com): No real IP address visible through WebRTC on any browser or server tested.
• IPv6 leak test: IPv6 blocking active — no IPv6 exposure detected.
• Kill switch test: All internet traffic blocked immediately on VPN disconnection. No exposure window.

Speed Test Results

Proton VPN is fast enough for all typical VPN use cases, though it’s not the fastest VPN I’ve tested — NordVPN (NordLynx) and Surfshark are measurably faster on high-baseline connections.

Speed test results — WireGuard protocol (baseline: 500 Mbps download / 500 Mbps upload)

VPN Accelerator is a built-in feature that automatically activates on long-distance connections, boosting speeds by up to 4× compared to a connection without it. It’s always-on — no configuration needed. Our team’s tests showed VPN Accelerator improved average download speeds by approximately 45% on distant servers compared to when it was disabled.

Speed in real-world use: In daily testing, Proton VPN’s speed impact was imperceptible on nearby servers. 4K videos loaded in under 4 seconds without buffering. A 12GB file download completed in 15 minutes on a VPN-connected connection. Gaming latency increased predictably with distance but didn’t cause lag on nearby servers.

Streaming with Proton VPN

Proton VPN’s streaming performance on Plus servers is strong — I accessed Netflix US, UK, Japan, Germany, and France without detection errors on the first attempt. The app labels Plus servers that are specifically streaming-optimized, which makes server selection straightforward.

Important limitation: Proton VPN doesn’t offer Smart DNS. If you want to stream on devices that don’t support native VPN apps (some smart TVs, older gaming consoles), you’ll need to set up Proton VPN on your router or use a VPN with Smart DNS — NordVPN and Surfshark both offer Smart DNS where Proton doesn’t.

Torrenting with Proton VPN

Proton VPN is one of the strongest torrenting VPNs on this list — P2P supported across a massive server footprint, and the rare addition of port forwarding.

• P2P supported on 10,340+ servers across nearly all countries — not just a handful of P2P-designated servers
• Port forwarding — enabled per connection, increases torrent download speed by up to 15% by allowing more peer connections
• Kill switch + Advanced kill switch — prevents IP exposure if the VPN drops mid-download
• Annual audited no-logs policy — the most verified no-logs claim in the context of torrenting liability
• Swiss jurisdiction — copyright enforcement environment more privacy-friendly than US or UK

Note: Proton VPN has confirmed it has no plans to offer a SOCKS5 proxy (unlike PIA and IPVanish), considering it inherently less secure than a full VPN connection. If you specifically need SOCKS5 for your torrent client, PIA is the right pick.

Features — The Full Breakdown

NetShield — ad and malware blocker

DNS-level blocking of ads, trackers, and malicious sites. In testing, blocked over 90% of ads including pop-ups, banner ads, and video ads. Works while connected to VPN on all platforms. Does not block YouTube ads — NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro handles this and works even when disconnected from VPN. NetShield requires active VPN connection.

Tor over VPN

Dedicated servers in Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland route your traffic through Proton VPN first, then through the Tor network. Access .onion dark web sites in regular browsers without the Tor Browser. Significantly slower than regular servers — only use when Tor-level anonymity is the specific requirement.

Split tunneling

Available on Windows and Android. Lets you route specific apps through the VPN while others use your regular connection. I used it to route only streaming apps through the VPN while keeping local network access and gaming apps on my regular connection. Not available on iOS or macOS — Apple’s architecture restrictions apply to all VPNs, but Surfshark is the notable exception that has worked around this.

Proton Sentinel

Advanced account security layer that monitors for suspicious login behavior beyond standard 2FA. If an unauthorized login attempt is detected, Proton blocks it and alerts you. Useful for high-risk users (journalists, activists) who may be specifically targeted. Not a feature most users need — but if you need it, nobody else on this list offers it.

Custom profiles

Save preferred connection configurations (server location + protocol + feature settings) as named profiles for one-click access. I maintain three profiles: one for daily browsing (nearby server, WireGuard), one for Netflix (UK streaming server, WireGuard), and one for torrenting (NL P2P, WireGuard, port forwarding). This is a meaningful quality-of-life feature that most VPNs don’t offer.

VPN Accelerator

Always-on performance boost for long-distance connections. Proton’s implementation uses a combination of protocol optimizations and server routing improvements that meaningfully improve performance on distant servers. Averages approximately 45% faster speeds on long-distance connections compared to disabled state. No configuration needed.

Apps and Usability — Platform by Platform

Windows: The most feature-complete Proton VPN experience. Interactive world map for server selection plus a list view. Quick Connect in one click. All features available: NetShield, Secure Core, kill switch (both system-level and Advanced), split tunneling, port forwarding, Tor over VPN, custom profiles, protocol selection. Intuitive settings organized into quick settings and advanced categories.

macOS: Two versions — website download recommended over App Store. Same features as Windows. Interactive world map present. Setup took under two minutes in my testing. Note: split tunneling not available on macOS (Apple architecture limitation applies to all VPNs).

iOS: Clean, modern interface. Kill switch and Stealth protocol available on iOS (uncommon — many VPNs don’t offer kill switch on iOS). Split tunneling not available (iOS limitation). Auto-connect and Quick Connect both work reliably.

Android: Full feature parity with desktop including split tunneling. Strongest mobile app of the four platforms in my testing. Consistent interface with the Proton ecosystem (Mail, Pass, etc.).

Android TV and Apple TV: Native apps available, straightforward remote-friendly navigation. Good for streaming setups on supported devices.

Linux: GUI app launched in 2024 — a long-overdue improvement. Previously required command-line only. Full features available on Linux now including split tunneling and WireGuard.

Routers: Manual setup via OpenVPN or WireGuard on supported firmware (DD-WRT, Tomato, ASUS-Merlin). No dedicated router app.

Customer Support

Live chat is available for paid subscribers only, between 9AM and midnight Central European Time — not strictly 24/7. In my testing, live chat connected to a knowledgeable agent within 30 seconds, with accurate and helpful responses. For users outside CET hours, email support responses typically arrived within an hour in my testing.

The knowledge base is comprehensive and well-maintained with visual guides. Free users are limited to email and the knowledge base — a meaningful limitation if you need immediate help with a connection issue. If 24/7 live chat matters, NordVPN or Surfshark offer it.

Proton VPN vs. The Main Competitors

Proton VPN vs NordVPN: NordVPN has six audits vs Proton’s annual audits — edge to NordVPN on audit volume. Proton has Swiss jurisdiction vs NordVPN’s Panama — edge to Proton on jurisdiction. NordVPN is faster and works more reliably in China. Proton has open-source apps, port forwarding, and Secure Core. If privacy credentials beyond just audit count matter, Proton is the stronger pick. Full NordVPN page →

Proton VPN vs Surfshark: Surfshark is $1/mo cheaper with unlimited devices. Proton has Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, port forwarding, and a genuinely unlimited free plan. For privacy-focused users, Proton is clearly stronger. For value-focused users, Surfshark is the better pick. Full Surfshark page →

Who Should Buy Proton VPN

• Privacy-critical users — journalists, activists, researchers, whistleblowers. Swiss jurisdiction + open-source + annual audits + Secure Core is the strongest privacy stack in the mainstream VPN market.
• Users who want to audit their VPN’s code — open-source apps are rare. Proton VPN is one of the only mainstream VPNs whose code is fully publicly reviewable.
• Torrenters who want port forwarding — Proton and PIA are the main options. Proton’s Swiss jurisdiction is stronger than PIA’s US base for torrenting privacy.
• Users who want the best free VPN — unlimited data, no ads, no time limit, no credit card. Best unlimited free VPN available.
• Users who want the full Proton ecosystem — Proton Unlimited bundles Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar. If you’d use these services, the bundle is excellent value.
• Users who value open-source transparency — both the apps and the audit reports are publicly available.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

• Budget-focused users — Surfshark at $1.99/mo or PrivadoVPN at $1.11/mo are significantly cheaper with similar core VPN functionality
• Speed maximizers on gigabit connections — NordVPN’s NordLynx is measurably faster
• Households with many devices — 10-device limit; Surfshark, IPVanish, or PIA offer unlimited
• Users needing consistent China access — Proton VPN’s Stealth works approximately 50% of the time in China; ExpressVPN is more consistent
• Users wanting Smart DNS for smart TVs or consoles — Proton doesn’t offer Smart DNS; NordVPN and Surfshark do
• Users who want a full 30-day money-back guarantee — Proton’s prorated refund is stricter. Use the free plan to test instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict — Should You Buy Proton VPN in 2026?

Yes — if privacy credentials and transparency are your top priorities.

Proton VPN is the most privacy-forward VPN on my recommendation list. Swiss jurisdiction, fully open-source code, annual independent audits, Secure Core routing through privacy-friendly jurisdictions, port forwarding for torrenters, and the best free plan on the market — these are real, meaningful advantages that competitors at similar price points don’t fully match.

The trade-offs are real too: it’s $1/mo more than Surfshark, the refund policy is stricter, device count is capped at 10, and speeds on distant servers are slower than NordVPN. None of these are dealbreakers for the right user — but they shape who Proton VPN is genuinely the right pick for.

If you want the strongest possible privacy stack at a competitive price, Proton VPN is the right answer on this list. If you want the best price-to-features ratio for everyday use, Surfshark remains my #1 pick.

CURRENT PROTON VPN DEAL
70% OFF

Proton VPN Plus 2-Year Plan

The most privacy-focused VPN available — Swiss jurisdiction, open-source, annually audited, Secure Core routing, port forwarding, and the best free plan on the market.

Swiss HQ
Open-source
Annual audits
Free plan available

2-year plan

$2.99/mo

Or try free — no credit card

Get Proton VPN ›

Full pricing and deal details on the Proton VPN coupon page

Read next:

• Proton VPN Coupon — current deal and pricing
• Surfshark Coupon (my #1 recommended VPN)
• NordVPN Coupon (fastest VPN)
• Best Free VPN in 2026 (Proton VPN ranked top for unlimited data)
• All current VPN deals

The post Proton VPN Review 2026: Is the Privacy Premium Worth It? appeared first on All Things VPN.

Surfshark has built a strong reputation as one of the best VPN providers on the market — but can it translate that success into the antivirus space? With the Surfshark One bundle, the company is pitching itself as a complete cybersecurity suite: VPN, antivirus, data breach monitoring, and more, all under one subscription.

We put Surfshark Antivirus through its paces to find out whether it’s worth your money in 2026, or whether you’d be better off pairing Surfshark’s VPN with a dedicated antivirus from another provider. Here’s what we found.

⚡ Quick Verdict - Surfshark One+ Best Cybersecurity Bundle 2026

★ 9.8 /10

Surfshark Antivirus — Our verdict

Surfshark is the best value VPN Bundle in 2026. Unlimited simultaneous devices, solid speeds, strong privacy, and a price that beats every major competitor.

✔Fastest VPN we've tested

✔+4500 servers

✔Unlimited devices

✔Unblocks Netflix & more

✘Some features cost extra

Limited time offer 88% OFF + 3 months free Get this deal ›

✓

30-day money-back guarantee - try it risk free

Surfshark Antivirus: Quick Stats

Surfshark Antivirus Pricing: Which Plan Is Right for You?

Surfshark Antivirus is not sold as a standalone product. It’s only available as part of the Surfshark One or Surfshark One+ bundle — both of which also include the Surfshark VPN and several other privacy tools.

The 24-month Surfshark One plan offers the best value, coming in at around $2.08/month for up to 5 devices. That stacks up well against competitors: Bitdefender starts at $12.99/year for just 1 device, and Norton starts at $29.99/year for 1 device.

If you’re already a Surfshark VPN user, upgrading to Surfshark One to add antivirus protection is a very cost-effective move. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark One vs. One+: What’s the Difference?

Our recommendation: The Surfshark One plan is the sweet spot for most users. You only need One+ if you specifically want Incogni to remove your data from broker databases.

Surfshark Antivirus Features

Device Scanning

Surfshark gives you four scanning options to choose from:

• Quick Scan — Targets the most vulnerable areas of your system. Typically completes in 1–2 minutes.
• Full Scan — A thorough system-wide scan. Expect around 40 minutes to scan a typical machine (~640,000 files).
• Custom/Targeted Scan — Drag and drop individual files or folders directly into the app for on-demand scanning.
• Scheduled Scan — Set scans to run automatically at specific days and times (e.g., 2 AM every Monday and Friday). Easy to configure and genuinely useful.

External drives are scanned automatically when connected — a smart touch if you regularly use USBs or portable storage. You can also exclude large external drives from quick and full scans to save time. Quarantined files are automatically deleted after 60 days, so there’s no manual housekeeping needed.

Real-Time Protection

Surfshark’s real-time protection monitors your device continuously in the background. The malware database updates every three hours, keeping it current against the latest threats. The Cloud Protect feature cross-references suspicious files against a live threat database in real-time — without collecting any personal data — to catch emerging threats that traditional signature-based scanning might miss.

Ransomware Shield

Surfshark includes a built-in Ransomware Shield that lets you manually designate specific folders for protection and control which apps are allowed to access them. This gives you focused protection where it matters most — your documents, photos, and important files. It’s a level of manual control you don’t always see at this price point.

Web Protection

Surfshark’s web protection feature blocks access to malicious websites and phishing pages before they can do damage. It works at the browser level, stopping threats before any malicious files can reach your device. Important caveat: this feature is currently only available on Windows. macOS and mobile users don’t have access to it yet.

Webcam Protection

Surfshark can prevent unauthorized apps from silently accessing your webcam. You can whitelist trusted apps so legitimate software like video conferencing tools isn’t blocked. This is a feature many competitors — including TotalAV and McAfee — simply don’t offer, making it a genuine differentiator. Note that webcam protection is currently in beta.

Heuristic Detection

Beyond its malware database, Surfshark also uses heuristic detection to identify suspicious code patterns in files — even from malware variants that haven’t yet been catalogued. This adds an extra layer of protection against zero-day threats and modified malware strains.

How Well Does It Actually Work? Our Test Results

Independent lab scores and real-world performance don’t always tell the same story — and with Surfshark Antivirus, that gap is noticeable.

Independent Lab Testing (AV-TEST, May–June 2025)

Surfshark earned the AV-TEST Certified badge for this period — a meaningful industry benchmark. Perfect marks for protection are impressive, and the performance score shows it won’t slow your machine down significantly.

Our In-House Testing Results

We tested Surfshark Antivirus on a Windows 10 Virtual Machine against 150 real malware samples drawn from a live threat database (bazaar.abuse.ch), covering ransomware, RATs, info stealers, mining malware, and malicious scripts.

The full scan result of 70.67% is above average and outperformed some well-known names like ESET and Avast in our tests. However, the quick scan and real-time protection both failed to catch any threats — a significant concern for day-to-day protection. Phishing detection also came back at 0%, which is a steep drop from a previous test cycle where it blocked around 70% of attempts.

These results don’t make Surfshark Antivirus useless, but they do suggest it works best as part of a broader security setup rather than as a sole line of defence.

Impact on System Performance

CPU usage briefly spiked to 100% during scanning but averaged around 50% for the duration. RAM usage stayed between 5.2GB and 6.2GB — comparable to Bitdefender and TotalAV. Surfshark won’t grind your machine to a halt, which is important if you run scans during working hours.

What Surfshark Antivirus Is Missing

Surfshark keeps its antivirus deliberately lightweight, which means some features found in top-tier suites are absent:

• Firewall — No integrated firewall. Network protection relies on the VPN instead.
• Parental Controls — Not included. Look to Norton or Kaspersky if this is a priority.
• Vulnerability Scanner — No tool to flag outdated software or weak system settings.
• Password Manager — You’ll need a separate solution for password storage.
• Device Tune-Up Tools — No performance optimization or system cleanup features.
• Cloud Backup — No built-in file backup storage.
• Web Protection on macOS/Mobile — Currently Windows-only.

The Rest of the Surfshark One Bundle

Since you can’t buy the antivirus on its own, it’s worth understanding the full value of what you’re getting with Surfshark One.

Surfshark VPN

This is where Surfshark truly shines. The VPN offers access to 4,500+ servers across 100 countries, strong encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and support for unlimited simultaneous connections. It consistently ranks among the best VPNs available. For existing Surfshark VPN users, the bundled antivirus is an easy upgrade.

Surfshark Alert

Monitors your email addresses, credit card numbers, and ID documents against known data breach databases. If anything surfaces, you get an immediate alert. Comparable to Bitdefender’s Digital Identity Protection — but while Bitdefender charges from $39.99/year for this feature, Surfshark includes it in the One bundle at no extra cost.

Surfshark Search

A private, ad-free search engine that doesn’t track your activity or retain your search history. Results can occasionally be inconsistent, but the privacy benefits are genuine.

Alternative ID

Generates a fake name, email address, and other personal details you can use when signing up for websites you don’t fully trust — keeping your real information out of marketing databases.

Incogni (One+ Only)

Contacts data brokers on your behalf and formally requests the removal of your personal data from their databases. It’s one of the more efficient data removal services we’ve tested. Worth the One+ upgrade if online privacy is a serious concern for you.

Platforms and Device Support

iOS support is absent due to Apple’s OS restrictions. On Android, the antivirus is built directly into the Surfshark VPN app, making everything easy to manage from one place. The desktop app is clean, intuitive, and takes just a few minutes to set up.

Customer Support

Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat support, which is consistently fast and helpful in our experience. A comprehensive knowledge base with written guides and video tutorials handles most common questions. Email support is available but slower. There is no phone support.

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

• Excellent independent lab scores (6/6 for protection, AV-TEST 2025)
• Strong value as an all-in-one bundle with VPN, breach alerts, and more
• Webcam protection — a feature many competitors lack
• Ransomware Shield with granular folder and app controls
• Lightweight — minimal impact on system performance
• Covers up to 5 devices across Windows, macOS, and Android
• Automatic quarantine management (60-day auto-delete)
• 30-day money-back guarantee

❌ Cons

• Real-time protection failed to detect threats in our testing
• Quick scan scored 0% in our malware detection tests
• Phishing protection was completely ineffective in our tests
• No firewall, password manager, or parental controls
• Web protection is Windows-only
• iOS not supported
• Cannot be purchased as a standalone antivirus

Final Verdict: Is Surfshark Antivirus Worth It in 2026?

Surfshark Antivirus sits in an interesting position. In independent lab tests it scores extremely well — perfect marks for protection against zero-day and widespread malware. In our own real-world testing, however, its quick scan, real-time protection, and phishing detection all fell short.

The key question is: what are you buying it for?

If you’re an existing Surfshark VPN user, upgrading to Surfshark One is a straightforward decision. You get antivirus, breach monitoring, a private search engine, webcam protection, and ransomware shielding for a very reasonable monthly cost. As a bundle, the value is hard to beat.

If you need a standalone antivirus with strong real-time protection and reliable phishing detection above all else, dedicated solutions from Bitdefender, Norton, or TotalAV will serve you better.

For everyday users who want broad security coverage without complexity, Surfshark Antivirus is a capable, lightweight option — just don’t rely on it as your only defence.

Surfshark Antivirus Is a Good Fit If You:

• Already use or are considering Surfshark VPN
• Want an all-in-one security bundle at a competitive price
• Need coverage across multiple devices (up to 5)
• Value webcam protection and ransomware shielding
• Prefer a lightweight app that won’t slow your system down

Look Elsewhere If You:

• Need reliable real-time malware or phishing protection
• Want a firewall, password manager, or parental controls included
• Need to protect more than 5 devices
• Only want antivirus without a bundled VPN

The post Surfshark Antivirus Review 2026: Is the Surfshark One Bundle Worth It? appeared first on All Things VPN.

I picked up NordVPN during last year’s Black Friday promotion and have been using it daily for five months across work, streaming, and public Wi-Fi use. This review combines my personal experience with test results from our research team — covering speed, streaming, privacy, and real-world usability across multiple devices.

⚡ QUICK VERDICT — NORDVPN
Best for Speed

NordVPN — Our verdict

The fastest VPN I’ve tested, with six independent audits, Panama jurisdiction, and the most reliable streaming unblocking of any VPN on this list. More expensive than Surfshark, but earns the premium for specific use cases.

• Fastest VPN on the market — #1 in speed testing
• Six independent no-logs audits (Deloitte + PwC)
• Best streaming VPN — unblocks every platform tested
• 9,300+ servers in 137 countries
• Panama jurisdiction — outside 14 Eyes
• More expensive than Surfshark ($3.09/mo vs $1.78/mo)
• 10-device limit (Surfshark is unlimited)
• Split tunneling not available on iOS or macOS

Limited time offer

76% OFF

+ 3 months free

Get this deal ›

30-day money-back guarantee — try it risk free

NordVPN sits at #4 in my ranking — behind Surfshark on value and IPVanish on device count — but it’s genuinely the best VPN on the market for speed and streaming reliability. If you have gigabit internet and specifically need the fastest VPN available, or if unblocking streaming platforms across every region is your primary use case, NordVPN earns its premium.

NordVPN at a Glance — What I Liked and Didn’t

Pricing — Quick Overview

NordVPN offers four plan tiers. All include the core VPN, but higher tiers bundle in security tools like Threat Protection Pro, a password manager, encrypted storage, and identity protection.

My pick: Basic for most people — it’s the full VPN at the lowest price. Plus is worth considering if you’d use NordPass as your password manager (it’s cheaper than subscribing separately). Complete and Prime add tools most users won’t actively use. Full pricing, current promotional details, and renewal workflow on my full NordVPN coupon page →

Privacy and Security

Jurisdiction — Panama

NordVPN is headquartered in Panama — outside the 5/9/14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances, and a country with no mandatory data retention laws. Panamanian authorities can’t compel NordVPN to hand over user data under the surveillance frameworks that affect US, UK, or EU-based VPNs. This is a stronger jurisdictional position than Netherlands-based Surfshark (9 Eyes) or Florida-based IPVanish (5 Eyes).

No-logs policy — six independent audits

NordVPN doesn’t log IP addresses, connection timestamps, session duration, bandwidth usage, servers used, websites visited, files downloaded, or the apps you access. That policy has been independently audited six times — four times by Deloitte (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) and twice by PwC in earlier years. This is the most extensive audit track record of any VPN on my recommendation list. The 2025 Deloitte audit confirmed full compliance.

Encryption and protocols

Post-quantum encryption: NordLynx supports post-quantum cryptography — encryption designed to withstand future quantum computers. Current encryption (AES-256, ChaCha20) is unbreakable with today’s hardware, but quantum computing could theoretically threaten it. NordVPN has already built in protection. No other mainstream VPN in my stack offers this.

RAM-only server infrastructure

NordVPN runs 100% RAM-only servers across its entire 9,300+ server network. Data cannot be written to physical hard drives — everything is automatically wiped on every reboot. Even if a server were physically seized, there’s nothing historical to recover. NordVPN was one of the first VPNs to adopt RAM-only infrastructure network-wide.

Leak testing — passed all tests

I tested NordVPN for DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks across multiple servers using dnsleaktest.com and browserleaks.com while connected to UK and US servers.

• DNS leak test: Only NordVPN’s private DNS servers visible. No ISP DNS exposure.
• IPv6 leak test: No IPv6 traffic exposure detected.
• WebRTC leak test: No WebRTC IP leaks across tested platforms.

DNS and IP leak protection are built into the app — no manual configuration needed.

Kill switch

NordVPN offers two kill switch modes:

• System-level kill switch: Blocks all internet traffic if the VPN drops. Most protective.
• App-level kill switch: Closes specific apps only if the VPN drops. Available on Windows.

I tested this by simulating VPN failure scenarios. The kill switch blocked all traffic every time. During one test, it cut a Netflix stream when the VPN connection dropped rather than exposing my real IP — exactly what it should do.

Threat Protection Pro

Available on Plus, Complete, and Prime plans. It’s meaningfully different from the basic Threat Protection included in all plans:

• Threat Protection (Basic — all plans): Blocks ad trackers and malicious domains. Blocks ~60% of ads but doesn’t remove banners.
• Threat Protection Pro (Plus+ only): Everything in basic, plus blocks malware downloads and phishing sites. I tested this by downloading the EICAR malware test file — Threat Protection Pro blocked it. Works even when not connected to VPN.

NordVPN Speed Test

Speed is NordVPN’s strongest differentiator. In both my personal testing and our research team’s tests, NordVPN consistently outperforms every other VPN in the market.

Research team results (baseline: 897.7 Mbps download)

Average download retention: 82% across all tested locations. Local and nearby European servers retain 88–96% of baseline speed — effectively imperceptible in daily use. Even distant servers in Australia and Miami retain 53–65%, which is still fast enough for 4K streaming, gaming, and video calls.

The key factor: NordLynx protocol (NordVPN’s WireGuard-based implementation) is the fastest VPN protocol currently available. The combination of NordLynx and NordVPN’s owned infrastructure — with servers near major peering exchange points — consistently outperforms competitors at high baseline speeds.

Streaming — The Best Streaming VPN I’ve Tested

NordVPN is the most consistent streaming VPN on my list. In testing, it unblocked every platform I tried without needing to switch servers or clear cookies.

What makes NordVPN consistently better at streaming than competitors: it maintains a large server IP pool and rotates flagged IPs quickly. When Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or DAZN blacklist a VPN IP, NordVPN resolves the issue faster than smaller providers. Over five months of daily use, I’ve had one streaming failure that resolved itself within a day.

Smart DNS is also worth knowing about — it lets you access geo-restricted streaming on devices that don’t support VPN apps (older smart TVs, gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation). No encryption, but works for streaming unblocking on devices that NordVPN doesn’t have native apps for.

Fire TV and smart TV apps: Native apps for Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire TV. Setup took under five minutes — installation from the app store, clean interface designed for remote navigation.

Torrenting Performance

NordVPN is a strong torrenting VPN with dedicated P2P-optimized servers.

In my test using the Ubuntu 25 client (5.31GB file): connected to a local P2P server, download speed climbed to a peak of 106 Mbps and averaged 93 Mbps. The full file downloaded in 57 seconds. This is the fastest torrent download performance I’ve measured from any VPN on this list.

• P2P servers available across most server locations (all except North Macedonia, Moldova, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Albania)
• SOCKS5 proxy included — configure inside your torrent client for faster speeds without full VPN encryption (60% speed boost in testing)
• Kill switch protection prevents IP exposure if the connection drops mid-download
• Audited no-logs policy — six audits mean this is the most verified no-logs claim in the industry

Features — The Full Breakdown

Double VPN

Routes your traffic through two VPN servers — two layers of encryption for additional privacy. Speed cost is significant (up to 80% slower in testing) — only use when you specifically need the extra privacy layer. One limitation: server pairs are pre-set by NordVPN. Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop lets you pick any two servers yourself, which is more flexible.

Onion Over VPN

Routes your traffic through NordVPN first, then through the Tor network. Available on servers in Switzerland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Gives you Tor-level anonymity without needing the Tor Browser — you can access .onion sites in regular Chrome or Firefox. Use only when Tor-level anonymity is specifically required; it’s significantly slower than standard servers.

Obfuscated Servers

Available via OpenVPN protocol across 16 countries (US, UK, Canada, Japan, Poland, Spain, and others). Disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS to bypass VPN-blocking firewalls. Useful for restrictive networks and some censored regions. NordVPN doesn’t guarantee access in countries like China, but obfuscated servers give you the best chance of any option on this list.

Meshnet

A free feature that doesn’t require a subscription. Creates a virtual local area network across your devices regardless of physical location — useful for secure file sharing, remote access, and LAN gaming. I use it in my home setup to transfer files between devices without going through cloud storage.

Dedicated IP

Add-on at $4.19/month extra. Gives you a static IP address that only you use. Useful for banking sites that block shared VPN IPs, remote work setups requiring whitelisted IPs, or avoiding CAPTCHAs. Available in 27 countries.

Split Tunneling

Available on Windows and Android only. This is a genuine limitation — Surfshark offers split tunneling on iOS and macOS as well, which is rare. If you specifically need split tunneling on Apple devices, Surfshark is the better pick.

Apps and Usability — Platform by Platform

Windows: The most feature-complete NordVPN experience. All features available including Threat Protection Pro, custom DNS, app-level kill switch, and split tunneling. Interface is clean and well-organized. NordVPN replaced the old interactive server map with a server list + search bar, which I prefer for speed, though some users miss the map.

macOS: Two versions — website download and App Store. Download from the website, not the App Store. The App Store version is missing Threat Protection Pro, custom DNS, and the app-level kill switch. Otherwise the interface is similar to Windows, well-designed and easy to use. Native support for Apple Silicon Macs.

iOS: Clean, daily-driver-friendly interface. iOS doesn’t support split tunneling due to Apple’s architecture restrictions — this applies to all VPNs, not just NordVPN. Everything else works as expected. 3-day free trial available on Android only, not iOS.

Android: Full feature parity with desktop, including split tunneling. Solid daily-use app. 3-day free trial available via Google Play Store.

Linux: NordVPN launched a GUI app for Linux in 2025 — long overdue. Previously required command-line setup; the new GUI makes it significantly more accessible for non-technical Linux users.

Fire TV / Android TV / Apple TV: Native apps for all three. Clean interface designed for remote navigation. Quick Connect gets you connected in one button press. I’ve used the Fire TV app daily for streaming setup.

Routers: Manual setup via OpenVPN on DD-WRT, Tomato, and ASUS-Merlin firmware. Alternatively, NordVPN offers a Privacy Hero router with NordVPN pre-installed. Setup is more involved than ExpressVPN’s Aircove router but functional.

Customer Support

Live chat connected me to an agent within minutes. When I had a configuration issue, the agent worked through it with me and resolved it — in that case by reinstalling the app, which isn’t elegant but worked. No phone support; if phone access matters to you, IPVanish offers it and NordVPN doesn’t.

NordVPN’s knowledge base is one of the most comprehensive in the VPN industry — detailed troubleshooting guides, visual walkthroughs, and setup tutorials for every supported platform and router.

NordVPN vs. The Main Competitors

NordVPN vs Surfshark: Surfshark is cheaper by $1.31/mo, offers unlimited devices, and has comparable features. NordVPN wins on speed, audit credentials, server count, and restrictive-country performance. For most users, Surfshark is better value. For gigabit connections and streaming reliability, NordVPN earns the premium. Full comparison →

NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Proton VPN is stronger on jurisdiction (Switzerland vs Panama) and has open-source apps. NordVPN is faster and has more audits. For privacy maximalists, Proton is the pick. For speed and streaming, NordVPN.

Who Should Buy NordVPN

• Speed-focused users — gigabit connection users who specifically need maximum VPN speed retention
• Streamers across many regions — most reliable unblocking of any VPN I’ve tested, across 18+ Netflix libraries and every platform
• Privacy-conscious users wanting maximum audit verification — six independent audits is unmatched in the industry
• Torrenters needing fast P2P speeds — NordVPN is the fastest VPN for torrenting in my testing
• Users needing Onion Over VPN or Double VPN — available with well-maintained specialty servers
• Users in restrictive countries — obfuscated servers give the best chance of access, though not guaranteed
• Business / remote work users — Meshnet, dedicated IP, and the broader Nord product ecosystem (NordPass, NordLocker) make it a sensible bundle

Who Should Look Elsewhere

• Budget-focused users — Surfshark at $1.78/mo It offers you 90% of NordVPN (including features that NordVPN doesn’t have) for 65% of the price.
• Households with many devices — NordVPN’s 10-device cap means Surfshark (unlimited), IPVanish (unlimited), or PIA (unlimited) are better fits
• macOS users who need split tunneling — NordVPN doesn’t offer it on macOS; Surfshark does
• Torrenters who need port forwarding — PIA or Proton VPN
• Privacy maximalists concerned about corporate concentration — Proton VPN (Swiss jurisdiction, independent, open-source) is the cleaner privacy pick
• Users who want anonymous payment — NordVPN accepts cryptocurrency on some plans but PIA has broader crypto/cash options

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict — Should You Buy NordVPN in 2026?

Yes — if speed, streaming reliability, or maximum audit credentials are your top priorities.

After five months of daily use, I can confirm NordVPN lives up to its reputation as the most capable mainstream VPN available. The NordLynx protocol is genuinely the fastest in the industry, the streaming unblocking is the most consistent I’ve tested, and six independent audits give it the strongest no-logs verification of any VPN on my list. Panama jurisdiction, RAM-only servers, and post-quantum encryption round out a genuinely premium security stack.

The real question isn’t whether NordVPN is good — it clearly is. It’s whether the premium over Surfshark is worth it for your specific situation. If you have a gigabit connection, stream across multiple regions, or specifically value the six-audit track record, NordVPN earns every cent of the $1.10/mo premium. If you have unlimited devices to cover and speed isn’t critical, Surfshark is the better overall value.

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Read next:

• NordVPN Coupon — current deal and pricing
• Surfshark vs NordVPN — full head-to-head comparison
• Surfshark Coupon (my #1 recommended VPN)
• Best VPN for Streaming in 2026
• All current VPN deals

The post NordVPN review: Is the premium price worth It? appeared first on All Things VPN.

Private Internet Access has been around for over a decade, and it remains one of the most recognizable names in the VPN space. But recognition doesn’t automatically mean it’s the best option in 2026. I’ve been testing PIA for over three years and have watched its performance evolve — and in some areas, stagnate — as newer competitors have raised the bar.

In this PIA VPN review, I ran it through speed tests, leak tests, streaming tests, and a full feature breakdown to give you a clear picture of where PIA stands today. My verdict: it’s a solid, affordable VPN that does the basics well, but it’s no longer at the top of the pack.

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Private Internet Access — Our verdict

PIA is a feature-rich, budget-friendly VPN with a proven no-logs policy and unlimited connections — but its US jurisdiction and average speed retention hold it back from the top spot.

• Unlimited simultaneous connections on all devices
• Independently audited no-logs policy (Deloitte, 2022 & 2024)
• Servers in all 50 US states — great for sports streaming
• Highly customizable apps with advanced features
• MACE ad/tracker/malware blocker built in
• Based in the US — a Five Eyes alliance member
• Average speed retention (~76%) lags behind Surfshark (96%) and NordVPN (94%)
• No free trial — 30-day money-back guarantee only
• Owned by Kape Technologies (also owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost)
• No phone support

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Private Internet Access strengths and weaknesses

How much does Private Internet Access cost?

PIA VPN is one of the most affordable premium VPNs on the market. Pricing is tiered by subscription length — the longer you commit, the cheaper the monthly rate. Here’s the current pricing breakdown:

At $1.75/month, PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs available — undercutting NordVPN ($3.09/month), ExpressVPN ($2.79/month), and Proton VPN ($2.99/month) by a significant margin. It’s even slightly cheaper than Surfshark’s $1.78/month starting price, though Surfshark delivers a more rounded service for that extra penny.

Payment options include credit card, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrency through BitPay — a useful option if you want an extra layer of anonymity at sign-up.

PIA does not offer a free trial. However, you do get a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to test it risk-free. You’ll also get a free email breach monitor (Identity Guard) included with every plan, which is a nice bonus.

If you want a dedicated IP address — useful for avoiding CAPTCHAs and accessing IP-restricted networks — that’s an optional add-on starting at $2.50/month on the 2-year plan. Dedicated IPs are available in 25 locations across 10 countries.

Speed performance: is PIA VPN fast?

Right off the bat — PIA is not the fastest VPN I’ve tested. It’s usable for most tasks including streaming and torrenting, but if raw speed is your priority, you’ll find better options elsewhere.

Here are my speed test results using a Mbps baseline connection:

The WireGuard protocol performed best across the board, as expected. Even so, my average download speed retention with WireGuard across four international locations came in at around 76% — decent, but noticeably behind the top performers.

Here’s how PIA stacks up against its closest competitors on average download speed retention:

A 20-point gap between PIA and Surfshark is meaningful in practice. That said, I streamed several Netflix libraries in 4K while connected to PIA and didn’t experience buffering or quality drops — so for typical everyday use, the speeds are more than adequate.

PIA speed results by protocol

PIA supports multiple protocols, and the speed differences between them are significant. I tested each protocol across 10 server locations and averaged the results:

One thing that surprised me: OpenVPN UDP under the secure AES-256 settings actually posted the best download speeds of all the OpenVPN configurations. The conventional wisdom that weaker encryption equals faster speeds didn’t hold here. For most users, WireGuard remains the easiest recommendation — it’s fast, widely supported, and doesn’t require manual tuning.

PIA VPN servers and locations

PIA has one of the largest geographic footprints of any VPN I’ve tested. It offers servers across 90 countries and over 140 locations — including a server in all 50 US states. That last point is genuinely rare and makes PIA an excellent choice for anyone who needs to access state-specific content, such as regional sports broadcasts.

PIA doesn’t publicly disclose the total number of servers, only the country count. While 90 countries trails behind NordVPN (130+), ExpressVPN (105), and Surfshark (100), it’s a solid server network for most use cases.

It’s worth noting that some of PIA’s servers are “geo-located” — meaning they appear to be in a specific country but the physical hardware is elsewhere. PIA is transparent about this, labeling these servers in the app. Virtual servers can occasionally be more recognizable to VPN detection systems, but in my testing they worked fine for streaming.

Is PIA safe? Security & privacy deep dive

PIA offers strong foundational security, but it wouldn’t top my list of the most privacy-focused VPNs. Here’s the full picture:

Encryption and tunneling protocols

PIA gives you genuine control over your encryption level. In the Connections tab, you can choose between AES-128-GCM and AES-256-GCM. Both are effectively unbreakable in the real world, but AES-256 is the industry gold standard and what I’d recommend if you’re prioritizing maximum security.

For authentication, PIA uses the SHA2 hashing algorithm with RSA-4096 for the handshake — solid choices across the board.

On the protocol side, PIA covers the essentials:

• WireGuard — Fast, modern, and secure. My default recommendation for most users.
• OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) — A battle-tested open-source option. UDP for speed, TCP for stability.
• IKEv2/IPSec — iOS only, but excellent for mobile users who need a fast reconnect after switching networks.

No-logs policy

PIA’s privacy policy states it does not collect activity logs, IP addresses, browsing history, DNS queries, bandwidth consumption, or connection timestamps. The only data retained is your email address and payment information — the minimum required to run the service.

PIA’s no-logs policy has been independently audited twice: first by Deloitte Audit Romania in August 2022, and again by Deloitte in April 2024. Both audits confirmed that PIA’s server configurations align with its stated privacy policies — no user activity data was found on the servers. That’s a meaningful level of third-party validation.

PIA also runs RAM-only servers, meaning all data is wiped on every reboot. This significantly reduces the risk of data being seized or stolen.

Ownership note: PIA was acquired by Kape Technologies in 2019. Kape also owns ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN. All three are reported to operate independently, but it’s worth knowing your VPN dollars flow to the same parent company across these services.

Kill switch

PIA offers two kill switch options, located in the Privacy section of the app settings:

• VPN Kill Switch — Cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Available on all platforms.
• Advanced Kill Switch — Blocks all internet traffic unless you’re actively connected to the VPN, even if you manually disconnect. Windows only.

I tested the kill switch by switching servers mid-session and monitoring for IP leaks — PIA passed without exposing my real IP or ISP. The advanced kill switch is a genuinely useful feature for users who need airtight protection, though it’s a shame it’s limited to Windows.

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

I ran leak tests using BrowserLeaks while connected to several PIA servers. Results:

PIA VPN features breakdown

Split tunneling

PIA’s split tunneling is one of the more fully-featured implementations I’ve seen. You can choose which apps route through the VPN and which bypass it — or flip the logic entirely and only send specific apps through the tunnel.

In my testing, it worked correctly with Google Chrome, letting me browse privately in one window while keeping another app off the VPN. However, I hit a snag with Oracle VM VirtualBox, which didn’t respect the split tunneling rules at all — it behaved as though it wasn’t on the list. A minor frustration for power users, but most people won’t encounter this.

MACE — ad and tracker blocking

MACE is PIA’s DNS-level ad and tracker blocker. Enable it in the Privacy settings tab and connect to the VPN, and it blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains — including YouTube ads, which not every VPN ad blocker handles. It won’t block ads inside apps, but for browser-based browsing it works well. Note: MACE only functions when the VPN is connected — turning it on without an active VPN connection won’t do anything.

Multi-Hop (proxy obfuscation)

PIA’s Multi-Hop feature routes your connection through an additional proxy server for an extra layer of obfuscation. Two proxy types are available:

• SOCKS5 — Faster, but no encryption. Good for adding an IP hop without a major speed penalty.
• Shadowsocks — Encrypted proxy that’s designed to blend in with regular HTTPS traffic. More effective at bypassing deep packet inspection, and reportedly able to work in restrictive environments like China (though results vary).

Proxy countries available: UK, Switzerland, Canada, US, Netherlands, and Japan.

Port forwarding

PIA supports port forwarding, which can be useful for torrenting and connecting to remote devices. The experience is a bit clunky — the forwarded port is randomly assigned, meaning you’ll need to update your client configuration every time it changes. US servers don’t support port forwarding at all. That said, if you’re comfortable with command-line tools, PIA lets you write custom scripts to automate port management.

Identity Guard (email breach monitoring)

PIA’s Identity Guard monitors whether your email address has appeared in known data breaches. It’s accessible from your web account dashboard — not from within the apps themselves. Enter your email, confirm it, and PIA will show you any breaches it’s been part of. A useful bonus feature that comes free with any subscription.

Smart DNS

Smart DNS lets you change your virtual location on devices that don’t support VPN apps directly — smart TVs, gaming consoles, Apple TV, Roku, and more. Available regions include the US, Japan, Germany, UK, and Netherlands. Note that Smart DNS doesn’t encrypt your traffic; it only changes your apparent location for streaming purposes.

InBrowser — private mobile browser

PIA offers a free private browser for Android and iOS called InBrowser. It wipes all cookies, history, and session data every time you close it. You can lock specific sites with biometrics (TouchID/FaceID), which is a nice touch. It’s completely free and doesn’t require a PIA subscription.

Is PIA good for streaming?

PIA performed well in my streaming tests. It successfully unblocked:

• Netflix US ✅
• Netflix UK ✅
• BBC iPlayer ✅
• Hulu (US servers) ✅
• YouTube (geo-restricted content) ✅

PIA has streaming-optimized servers, and I didn’t experience any quality drops or buffering while testing 4K streams. For the price, the streaming performance is genuinely impressive. If you’re primarily buying a VPN to access international content, PIA delivers.

Is PIA good for torrenting?

All PIA servers support P2P connections — no need to hunt for specific P2P-optimized servers like you would with some competitors. Combined with SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks proxy support through the Multi-Hop feature, PIA is a capable torrenting VPN.

Port forwarding adds further flexibility for advanced users, though the random port assignment makes it less convenient than it could be. The kill switch (both standard and advanced on Windows) ensures your real IP won’t leak if the VPN drops mid-torrent.

Is PIA good for gaming?

PIA’s average speed retention of 76% is workable for casual gaming, but the increased latency on international servers is noticeable. For competitive gaming where ping matters, I’d recommend connecting to the closest server — ideally in your own region. PIA’s US state-level server coverage is a genuine advantage for US gamers trying to access region-locked content.

PIA app interface and compatibility

PIA has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. You can use the Smart DNS feature on devices without native app support, such as gaming consoles and Roku.

PIA’s apps are clearly designed with power users in mind. The interface displays your active protocol, encryption standard, port, and authentication cipher — information that’s useful to experienced users but can feel overwhelming if you’ve never used a VPN before. Newcomers can keep things simple by just hitting the connect button and letting PIA pick a server, but the depth of customization is there if you want it.

One quirk on Windows: the default “Attached to Tray” display mode causes the app to close the moment you click outside it. I’d recommend switching to “Window” mode immediately in the General settings — it makes the experience far less frustrating.

On mobile, PIA’s app ratings speak for themselves: 4.5/5 on Google Play with over 105,000 reviews, and 4.7/5 on the Apple App Store with over 142,000 ratings.

How to set up and use PIA VPN

PIA customer support

PIA’s 24/7 live chat is responsive — in my test sessions I was connected to a live agent within seconds, not minutes. The agents I dealt with were polite and knowledgeable. That said, I did have one experience where a support agent blamed my device for a WireGuard connection issue rather than digging deeper into the VPN itself — a frustrating deflection, though I eventually resolved it independently.

The knowledge base is genuinely comprehensive, with guides covering setup on every platform, troubleshooting steps, and detailed explanations of PIA’s features. The absence of phone support is par for the course in the VPN industry and unlikely to be a dealbreaker for most users.

PIA VPN review: final verdict

Private Internet Access is a capable, affordable VPN that earns its place in the market. The unlimited connections, extensive server network (including all 50 US states), audited no-logs policy, and MACE ad blocker make it a strong offering at a compelling price point — particularly on the 2-year plan.

But PIA isn’t without meaningful flaws. Its US jurisdiction remains a philosophical concern for privacy purists, even if the no-logs policy has held up in court. Its speed retention of ~76% lags 20 points behind Surfshark and NordVPN, which matters if you’re connecting to distant international servers. And the customizable encryption settings — while powerful — add complexity that can confuse VPN newcomers.

My honest take: PIA is a good VPN for users who want broad device coverage, streaming access, and solid-but-not-extraordinary security at a rock-bottom price. If you want the best overall value with faster speeds and a more polished experience, Surfshark is worth the extra penny per month. If privacy is your top concern, Proton VPN — based in Switzerland and outside Five Eyes jurisdiction — is the stronger choice.

Frequently asked questions

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Read next:

• Surfshark Review — Best Overall VPN Value in 2026
• NordVPN Review — One of the Fastest VPNs Tested
• Proton VPN Review — Best VPN for Privacy
• CyberGhost Review — Best 45-Day Guarantee
• ExpressVPN Review — Easiest VPN to Use
• Latest PIA Coupon Codes & Deals
• All VPN Reviews →

The post Private Internet Access VPN Review (2026): Still Worth It? appeared first on All Things VPN.

CyberGhost has been quietly building one of the most impressive VPN networks in the industry — over 11,500 servers across 100 countries, a strict no-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte, and a price tag that’s hard to argue with. But does it hold up under real-world testing?

We tested CyberGhost’s speed, streaming performance, security, and usability to find out whether it deserves a place among the best VPNs in 2026. Here’s the full picture.

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CyberGhost VPN: Quick Stats

CyberGhost VPN Pricing

CyberGhost is one of the more affordable premium VPNs on the market, especially on longer-term plans. Here’s a full breakdown of current pricing:

The 2-year plan is where CyberGhost offers its best value, coming in at around $2.03/month — making it one of the cheapest long-term VPN subscriptions available. The four extra months currently included sweeten the deal further.

One thing to note: CyberGhost doesn’t offer a 1-year plan, which means there’s a significant jump between the 6-month and 2-year options. If you’re not ready to commit to two years, the 6-month plan at $6.99/month is reasonable, though NordVPN and Surfshark’s 12-month plans can undercut it on a per-month basis.

CyberGhost accepts credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and Bitcoin. The service also offers free trials — 24 hours on desktop, 3 days on Android, and 7 days on iOS — with no credit card required.

CyberGhost VPN Features

Massive Server Network

CyberGhost operates one of the largest VPN server networks available, with over 11,500 servers across 100 countries. That rivals NordVPN (8,000+ servers) and matches Surfshark for country coverage. Recent expansions have added new locations across South America and Asia, including Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Laos, Myanmar, and Nepal.

Many servers have been upgraded to next-generation 10 Gbps infrastructure, replacing the older 1 Gbps servers in popular locations — a meaningful performance improvement.

Specialized Servers

One of CyberGhost’s genuine strengths is its range of purpose-built servers:

• Streaming servers — Labeled by platform and region, regularly tested and optimized for Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and 50+ other services.
• Torrenting (P2P) servers — Optimized for torrent clients, located in countries with favorable laws around P2P file sharing.
• Gaming servers — Designed to minimize latency. In testing, CyberGhost’s gaming servers increased latency by around 10ms compared to playing without a VPN — an acceptable result.
• NoSpy servers — Hosted exclusively at CyberGhost’s own headquarters in Romania, rather than third-party data centers. Ideal for users who want maximum privacy assurance.

Privacy and No-Logs Policy

CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, which sits outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes surveillance alliances. Romanian law does not require VPN providers to log or hand over user data to foreign governments — and Romania notably refused to adopt the EU Data Retention Directive.

CyberGhost’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte, one of the world’s leading audit firms. The company has also published quarterly transparency reports since 2011, openly declaring any government or law enforcement requests it receives.

All CyberGhost servers now run on RAM-only technology, meaning data is automatically wiped with every server reboot and cannot be stored permanently.

Encryption and Protocols

CyberGhost uses AES-256 encryption — the same standard used by governments and financial institutions worldwide. It supports the following protocols:

• WireGuard — Now the default on mobile apps. Lightweight, fast, and open-source. Uses ChaCha20 encryption as an additional option.
• OpenVPN — The industry standard for security. Open-source and highly configurable.
• IKEv2 — Great for mobile users who switch frequently between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
• L2TP/IPSec — Available but slower; less commonly used today.

Kill Switch

CyberGhost includes a kill switch that automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing your real IP address from being exposed. The kill switch can be toggled on or off depending on your needs — useful when downloading large files and you don’t want interruptions from a temporary VPN drop.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling lets you route some traffic through the VPN while leaving the rest on your regular connection. On CyberGhost, this feature is available on Windows and Android, but not on macOS or iOS.

Ad Blocker

CyberGhost includes a built-in ad blocker that targets DNS domains associated with ads, trackers, and malware. It works with the WireGuard protocol and can be enabled in settings. In our testing, it was less effective than NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro — letting through banner ads, pop-ups, and YouTube ads in several instances.

Smart Rules

Smart Rules let you automate CyberGhost’s behavior — for example, automatically connecting to a specific server when you join an unknown Wi-Fi network, or launching the VPN whenever a particular app opens. It’s a practical feature for users who want hands-off protection.

Dedicated IP

For an additional fee starting at $2.50/month, CyberGhost offers a dedicated IP address assigned exclusively to you. This reduces the risk of being flagged or blocked by websites that identify shared VPN IPs.

Speed Test Results

We tested CyberGhost using the WireGuard protocol with a baseline of 930Mbps download and 600Mbps upload.

Local and European server speeds are excellent. Connections to US West and Asia show a more notable drop — around 24% and 28% respectively — which is slightly above what we typically see from top-tier providers like NordVPN and Surfshark (around 15–20% loss to distant servers). That said, speeds remain more than adequate for streaming and browsing even at those distances.

Comparing CyberGhost’s overall speed averages against key competitors:

CyberGhost holds its own, sitting just behind NordVPN and Surfshark, and comfortably ahead of ExpressVPN.

Streaming Performance

CyberGhost offers dedicated, labeled streaming servers for major platforms — a feature that makes finding the right server simple. We tested it across seven major streaming services:

Netflix performance was genuinely strong — we accessed multiple regional libraries without interruption. HBO Max and Hulu also worked first time. BBC iPlayer and Disney+ were more inconsistent, with only specific optimized servers getting through. Paramount+ was a notable miss, especially given that CyberGhost advertises compatibility with it.

Security Testing: DNS, IP, and WebRTC Leaks

We ran CyberGhost through a full suite of leak tests across both Windows and macOS. The results were clean across the board — no IPv4, IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks detected on any tested platform or browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari).

CyberGhost blocks IPv6 traffic by default to prevent one of the most common sources of IP leaks. If your setup requires IPv6 connectivity, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Apps and User Experience

CyberGhost’s app is clean, modern, and beginner-friendly. The one-click connect experience makes it accessible for new VPN users, while the specialized server filters and Smart Rules give more experienced users the control they need.

The app is available on:

Linux users should note that CyberGhost has no graphical interface on that platform — it’s command-line only, which may put off less technical users.

Gaming consoles and smart TVs can connect via a supported router, or through a computer or mobile device acting as a hotspot.

Customer Support

CyberGhost offers 24/7 live chat support, which is consistently among the best in the VPN industry. Agents are available in multiple languages and typically respond within a few minutes, though wait times can stretch to around 10 minutes during peak periods. Responses are detailed and knowledgeable.

A comprehensive knowledge base, FAQ section, and regular blog updates round out the support offering. Email support is available for non-urgent issues. There is no phone support.

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

• One of the largest server networks available — 11,500+ servers in 100 countries
• Strict no-logs policy, independently audited by Deloitte
• Based in Romania — outside Five/Nine/14 Eyes jurisdictions
• RAM-only servers ensure no permanent data storage
• Excellent value on long-term plans (from $2.03/month)
• Specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming
• NoSpy servers for maximum privacy
• WireGuard protocol support for fast, modern connections
• 45-day money-back guarantee on 6-month and 2-year plans
• Free trial available — no credit card required
• Strong Netflix performance across multiple regional libraries
• Zero DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks in testing

❌ Cons

• Speed drops more than competitors on distant servers (US West, Asia)
• Disney+ and BBC iPlayer only work reliably on specific optimized servers
• Paramount+ failed in all our tests despite being advertised
• No GUI on Linux — command-line only
• No custom DNS support
• Split tunneling only available on Windows and Android
• Ad blocker is less effective than competitors like NordVPN
• No 1-year plan — gap between 6-month and 2-year options
• Owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns ExpressVPN and PIA — a concern for some privacy-focused users
• Limited to 7 simultaneous connections (vs. unlimited on Surfshark)

A Note on Kape Technologies Ownership

CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider), which also owns ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. Kape has recently gone private under Unikmind ownership and underwent significant layoffs in 2024, which has raised questions about long-term independence.

There is no evidence that Kape’s ownership has compromised CyberGhost’s privacy practices — the audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and transparency reports all remain in place. But users who prioritize complete corporate independence may want to factor this in when comparing providers.

Final Verdict: Is CyberGhost Worth It in 2026?

CyberGhost is a well-rounded, affordable VPN that punches above its weight in several key areas. Its server network is enormous, its privacy credentials are genuinely strong, and its long-term pricing is among the best available. For most everyday users — especially those who prioritize streaming, torrenting, or budget-friendly protection — it’s a solid choice.

That said, it’s not without weaknesses. Streaming reliability is inconsistent beyond Netflix (Disney+ and BBC iPlayer require specific servers, and Paramount+ didn’t work at all in our tests). Speed performance lags slightly behind NordVPN and Surfshark on distant servers. And the lack of a GUI on Linux and no custom DNS support will frustrate more technical users.

CyberGhost Is a Great Fit If You:

• Want a large, reliable server network at an affordable price
• Primarily use a VPN for Netflix and other major streaming platforms
• Value an independently audited no-logs policy and strong privacy jurisdiction
• Are new to VPNs and want a beginner-friendly app
• Want specialized servers for torrenting and gaming
• Are happy committing to a 2-year plan for maximum value

Look Elsewhere If You:

• Need reliable access to Disney+, BBC iPlayer, or Paramount+
• Use Linux and need a graphical interface
• Need custom DNS support
• Want unlimited simultaneous connections (consider Surfshark)
• Prioritize absolute corporate independence from larger parent companies
• Need the fastest possible speeds to distant server locations

The post CyberGhost VPN Review 2026: Is It Really Worth It for Streaming and Privacy? appeared first on All Things VPN.

⚡ QUICK VERDICT — EXPRESSVPN
Easiest to Use

ExpressVPN — Our verdict

One of the most polished, beginner-friendly VPN on the market. Lightway protocol delivers fast speeds, BVI jurisdiction provides strong privacy, and TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure backs the no-logs policy. Where it falls short: no double VPN, no port forwarding, and owned by Kape Technologies — the same corporate group as CyberGhost and PIA.

• Best-in-class app design — most polished across all platforms
• Lightway protocol — fast, proprietary, now built in Rust
• 105 countries — widest country coverage on this list
• British Virgin Islands jurisdiction — outside 14 Eyes
• TrustedServer technology — 100% RAM-only servers
• Audited no-logs policy (KPMG + PwC)
• Post-quantum encryption via DTLS 1.3
• Works in China, UAE, and other restrictive countries
• Aircove VPN router — best pre-installed VPN router available
• Owned by Kape Technologies (also owns CyberGhost, PIA, vpnMentor)
• No double VPN, no Tor over VPN, no port forwarding
• Doesn’t disclose server count
• More expensive than Surfshark ($2.79/mo vs $1.99/mo)
• Router app discontinued for non-Aircove routers (March 2026)
• Split tunneling not available on iOS or newer macOS versions

Limited time offer

78% OFF

+ 4 months free

Get this deal ›

30-day money-back guarantee — try it risk free

ExpressVPN at a Glance — What I Liked and Didn’t

Pricing — Three Tiers Since 2025

ExpressVPN completely revamped its pricing in 2025, moving from a single expensive plan to three tiers. This was a meaningful improvement — you no longer pay for features you don’t need.

My pick for most users: Basic. The core VPN — Lightway protocol, all 105 countries, TrustedServer infrastructure, and audited no-logs policy — is available on Basic. The higher tiers add features most users won’t actively use. Advanced makes sense if you’d use ExpressKeys as your password manager. Pro makes sense only if you specifically need a dedicated IP.

Full pricing breakdown, current deal, and checkout walkthrough at my full ExpressVPN coupon page →

Privacy and Security

Jurisdiction — British Virgin Islands

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a territory outside the 5/9/14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances and with no mandatory data retention laws. Panamanian-registered VPNs (NordVPN) share similar advantages. Swiss-registered VPNs (Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN) arguably have stronger legal privacy protections from EU-adjacent law. But BVI is a well-established and genuinely privacy-friendly jurisdiction — this isn’t a paper-thin privacy claim.

No-logs policy — independently audited

ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by KPMG (most recent: December 2023, verifying TrustedServer infrastructure and privacy policy compliance) and PwC in earlier years. The audits specifically confirmed ExpressVPN does not store user activity or connection data on its servers.

What ExpressVPN does NOT log:

• IP addresses (not collected at all — unlike Surfshark’s 15-minute temporary retention)
• Browsing history
• DNS queries
• Traffic destination
• Session timestamps

What ExpressVPN DOES collect (minimal, for service improvement):

• App version activated
• Connection dates (not times), server location (country, not specific IP)
• Total bandwidth transferred

This data is unlinked from individual user identities — it can’t trace back to specific users or their activity. Notably, ExpressVPN doesn’t collect your IP address at all — a stronger position than Surfshark (15-minute temporary IP retention) or some competitors.

TrustedServer technology — RAM-only infrastructure

Every ExpressVPN server runs on RAM-only (volatile memory) hardware. Unlike traditional hard-drive-based servers, RAM holds no residual data — it wipes completely on every reboot. Even if a server were physically seized, there’s nothing historical to recover. ExpressVPN resets all servers weekly as standard practice, meaning the wipe cycle is regular and audited.

All servers also load from a centrally-managed, verified software image on every boot — ensuring consistent, up-to-date configuration across the entire fleet without manual server-by-server management.

Encryption and protocols

Lightway (Rust rebuild, 2024): ExpressVPN redeveloped Lightway using the Rust programming language in 2024. Rust’s memory-safety properties reduce the risk of common security vulnerabilities compared to the previous C-based implementation. The result is faster performance and a more secure codebase.

Post-quantum encryption: ExpressVPN includes post-quantum protection via DTLS 1.3 — designed to protect against future quantum computing threats to current encryption standards. Available via the Lightway protocol.

Obfuscation: ExpressVPN’s obfuscation activates automatically when a restrictive network is detected. No manual configuration needed — you don’t have to switch to a specific “obfuscated servers” category like NordVPN requires. This automatic activation is one of the best implementations in the industry.

Leak testing — no leaks detected

• IP leak test: Only ExpressVPN server IP visible. Real IP not exposed.
• DNS leak test: Only ExpressVPN’s private DNS servers visible. No ISP DNS exposure.
• WebRTC leak test: No real IP address visible through WebRTC on any browser tested.

DNS and IP leak protection are built into ExpressVPN’s apps by default — no manual configuration needed.

Kill switch — Network Lock

ExpressVPN calls its kill switch “Network Lock.” It blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops — preventing any unencrypted data from leaking. I tested this by forcing server disconnections while connected; Network Lock blocked all traffic every time with no exposure window.

In my month of daily testing, Network Lock activated twice unprompted — once when a server timed out and once when I switched networks on mobile. Both times it worked exactly as intended.

Speed Test Results

ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol delivers consistently fast speeds — solid but not class-leading. NordVPN’s NordLynx and Surfshark’s WireGuard implementation are measurably faster on high-baseline connections.

Speed test results — Lightway protocol (baseline: 930 Mbps from Europe)

Nearby European servers retain 87–92% of baseline speed — imperceptible in daily use. Long-distance servers (US, Japan, Australia) show more pronounced drops, particularly on upload speed, which falls dramatically at distance. For everyday browsing and HD streaming on a reasonable connection, this isn’t noticeable. For users on gigabit connections who specifically need to preserve as much speed as possible, NordVPN is the faster pick.

Lightway’s NAT heartbeat feature is a small but practical advantage: it sends small packets to keep the VPN tunnel active during device idle. On other VPNs, a phone sitting idle can cause the VPN to sleep, delaying messages and emails. Lightway keeps the tunnel alive without affecting battery noticeably.

Streaming with ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the strongest streaming VPNs I’ve tested. In my testing, it unblocked virtually every major platform without needing to switch servers or clear cookies.

What makes ExpressVPN consistently better at streaming: The main app window is deliberately simple — no specialty server categories to wade through. You pick a country, connect, and the VPN’s detection-bypass systems handle the rest automatically. Obfuscation activates without user intervention when needed. For non-technical users who just want something that works, this is the smoothest streaming VPN experience available.

US state-level coverage: ExpressVPN has servers in all 50 US states — useful for bypassing regional sports blackouts (NBA League Pass, NHL.TV, regional blackouts on ESPN+ and DAZN). Very few VPNs match this level of US granularity.

MediaStreamer (Smart DNS): ExpressVPN includes a Smart DNS service called MediaStreamer for devices that can’t install VPN apps (some smart TVs, gaming consoles). This lets you unblock US streaming on PlayStation, Xbox, Roku, or older smart TVs by adjusting DNS settings only — no full VPN encryption, but useful for streaming-only needs on those devices.

Torrenting with ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN supports P2P on all servers — no dedicated P2P server category to find, just connect and torrent. In my testing downloading a 5.31GB Ubuntu 25 ISO file using Lightway on Windows:

• Download completed in 2 minutes 13 seconds
• Average speed: 39 Mbps
• Peak speed: 51 Mbps

For context: NordVPN and Proton VPN downloaded the same file in 57 seconds. Surfshark took just over 1 minute. ExpressVPN’s torrenting speeds are decent but trail behind the fastest options.

Features — What ExpressVPN Actually Includes

Lightway protocol — built for mobile

Unlike WireGuard (which was built for general-purpose speed), Lightway was specifically designed for the mobile VPN experience. The lightweight codebase means lower battery impact on phones, faster connection times (often under 1 second), and stable performance on unreliable networks. The Rust rebuild in 2024 improved both performance and security. One genuinely unique feature: Lightway can refresh the VPN connection without disconnecting your session — useful when your IP changes or network conditions fluctuate.

Automatic obfuscation

ExpressVPN’s obfuscation auto-activates when a restrictive network is detected — no manual server switching or protocol changes needed. This is the best obfuscation implementation I’ve tested. NordVPN requires you to switch to OpenVPN protocol and find obfuscated servers manually. Proton VPN requires selecting the Stealth protocol. ExpressVPN handles it invisibly. This is the primary reason ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN for China, UAE, Russia, and heavily restricted networks.

Aircove router — unique in the industry

ExpressVPN’s Aircove is a Wi-Fi 6 router with ExpressVPN pre-installed. Unlike manually configuring a VPN on a router (which routes all devices through one VPN location), Aircove lets you:

• Assign up to five different VPN server locations across different devices simultaneously
• Route specific devices completely outside the VPN
• Manage everything from the ExpressVPN web dashboard

Current pricing: $169.95 for the standard Aircove, $169.90 for the portable Aircove Go (USB-C powered, travel-sized). Requires an active ExpressVPN subscription for VPN functionality.

Split tunneling

Available on Windows, Android, and Linux. Not available on iOS, and not on macOS Ventura or later (removed due to Apple’s architecture changes in newer macOS versions). If you need split tunneling on macOS or iOS, Surfshark is the better pick — it maintains split tunneling on macOS and iOS where ExpressVPN has removed it.

ExpressKeys password manager

Included with Advanced and Pro plans. Stores passwords in an encrypted vault, generates strong passwords, and auto-fills credentials. A useful bonus if you’d otherwise pay for a standalone password manager. Basic plan users don’t get this.

Apps and Usability — Platform by Platform

The honest summary on apps: ExpressVPN sets the standard for VPN app design. Every platform feels consistent, clean, and immediately understandable — even for someone who’s never used a VPN. If you’re recommending a VPN to a non-technical parent or partner who will call you for help setting it up, ExpressVPN is the right recommendation for simplicity alone.

Windows: Clean interface with location selection front and center. Advanced settings open in a separate panel — keeps the main screen uncluttered. All features available. Smart Location automatically connects you to the best server for your current network.

macOS: Nearly identical to Windows. Two versions available — the website version and App Store version are functionally the same (unlike NordVPN where the App Store version is missing key features). Note: split tunneling removed on macOS Ventura and later.

iOS: Mirrors the desktop app closely — highest consistency of any VPN across devices. No split tunneling on iOS (Apple architecture limitation). 3-day free trial available via the App Store.

Android: Full feature parity including split tunneling. 3-day free trial via Google Play. Lightway’s NAT heartbeat keeps background connectivity stable — no delayed notifications while VPN is active.

Linux: GUI app available — genuinely rare for VPNs. Most competitors offer command-line only. ExpressVPN’s Linux GUI is another example of their polish advantage.

Smart TVs and streaming devices: Native apps for Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV, and Chromecast. Clean interfaces designed for remote navigation.

Gaming consoles: Works via MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Roku — no native app required on console, just DNS settings adjustment.

Customer Support

Live chat connects you to an AI assistant first, then a human agent — the AI resolved basic queries, human handoff took approximately 3 minutes in my testing. Human agents were knowledgeable, responding within a minute each time. Email support is slow — up to 48 hours, which is the weakest point in ExpressVPN’s support stack. If phone support matters to you, IPVanish is the only VPN on this list that offers it.

ExpressVPN vs. The Main Competitors

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: NordVPN is faster, has more audits, and is cheaper at $3.09/mo despite being $0.30/mo more. ExpressVPN has wider country coverage and significantly simpler apps. For most users, NordVPN delivers more for a similar price. ExpressVPN’s advantage is app simplicity and automatic obfuscation. Full NordVPN page →

ExpressVPN vs Surfshark: Surfshark is $0.80/mo cheaper with unlimited devices and comparable features. ExpressVPN is simpler and works more reliably in restrictive countries. For most users, Surfshark is the better value. For users in or traveling to China/UAE, ExpressVPN’s auto-obfuscation is the stronger pick. Full Surfshark page →

Who Should Buy ExpressVPN

• Non-technical users who want the simplest VPN experience — nothing is easier to use across all devices
• Users in or traveling to China, UAE, Russia, or other restrictive countries — automatic obfuscation is the best implementation in the industry
• Streaming users who want it to “just work” — no specialty server navigation, auto-bypass, works on 50 US states
• Users who want the widest country coverage — 105 countries is the broadest on this list
• Aircove router users — if you want a pre-configured VPN router with per-device location control, nothing else matches Aircove
• macOS and iOS users who prioritize simplicity — the most consistent cross-platform app experience available

Who Should Look Elsewhere

• Users specifically avoiding Kape Technologies — NordVPN, Surfshark, or Proton VPN are independent of Kape
• Budget-focused users — Surfshark at $1.99/mo delivers a comparable experience for $0.80/mo less
• Speed maximizers — NordVPN’s NordLynx is measurably faster
• Heavy torrenters — NordVPN, Proton VPN, or PIA for port forwarding and dedicated P2P servers
• Households with many devices — 10-device cap; Surfshark, IPVanish, or PIA offer unlimited
• macOS users who need split tunneling — removed from Ventura and later; Surfshark maintains it
• Privacy maximalists — Proton VPN (Swiss, open-source, annual audits) is the stronger privacy pick

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict — Should You Buy ExpressVPN in 2026?

Yes — for specific use cases. Surfshark is better value for most users.

ExpressVPN earns its place on this list through genuine strengths: the most polished apps in the VPN industry, automatic obfuscation that works more reliably in China and UAE than any competitor, 105 countries of coverage, TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure, and an audited no-logs policy backed by KPMG and PwC audits.

Where it falls short for most users: it’s more expensive than Surfshark for similar core functionality, it’s owned by Kape Technologies (legitimate concern for users avoiding that corporate concentration), and it lacks features like double VPN, port forwarding, and unlimited device connections that competitors at similar prices offer.

If ease of use is your #1 priority — or if you travel to or live in China, UAE, or another restrictive country where VPN reliability matters most — ExpressVPN is the right recommendation. For everyone else, Surfshark remains my #1 pick at a more competitive price.

CURRENT EXPRESSVPN DEAL
78% OFF

ExpressVPN 2-Year Basic Plan

The easiest-to-use VPN on the market — 105 countries, Lightway protocol, TrustedServer RAM-only servers, automatic obfuscation for restrictive countries.

105 countries
Auto-obfuscation
Lightway protocol
BVI HQ

2-year plan

$2.79/mo

30-day money-back

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Full pricing and deal details on the ExpressVPN coupon page

Read next:

• ExpressVPN Coupon — current deal and pricing
• Surfshark Coupon (my #1 recommended VPN)
• NordVPN Coupon (fastest VPN)
• Best VPN for China in 2026 (ExpressVPN ranked top)
• All current VPN deals

The post ExpressVPN Review 2026: Is It Still Worth the Higher Price? appeared first on All Things VPN.

🇨🇭 QUICK VERDICT — PRIVADOVPN
Best Free VPN

PrivadoVPN — Our verdict

The cheapest credible premium VPN at $1.11/mo and the best free VPN on the market. Swiss jurisdiction, physical server ownership, and a genuinely usable 10GB free tier. The main gap: no independent no-logs audit yet.

• Cheapest credible premium VPN — $1.11/mo on 2-year plan
• Best free VPN — 10GB/month, no credit card, no time limit
• Swiss jurisdiction — outside 5/9/14 Eyes alliances
• Owns its physical server infrastructure
• Unlimited device connections on Premium
• Passes all leak tests — DNS, IPv6, WebRTC, kill switch
• No independent no-logs audit published yet
• Smaller server network — hundreds across 50 countries
• Inconsistent on some streaming platforms (Prime Video)
• No live chat support — email only

Limited time offer

90% OFF

+ 3 months free

Get this deal ›

30-day money-back guarantee — or try the free plan with no credit card required

PrivadoVPN earns its #3 ranking through a combination that’s genuinely hard to find elsewhere: the cheapest credible premium VPN on the market at $1.11/mo, paired with the best free VPN tier available (10GB/month, no time limit, no credit card). It’s based in Switzerland — the same privacy-friendly jurisdiction as Proton VPN — and owns most of its physical server infrastructure directly rather than leasing from third parties.

It’s not a perfect VPN. The server network is smaller than competitors, Prime Video detection can be inconsistent, and there’s no published independent audit of the no-logs policy. But if you want the lowest credible price, the best free plan, or Swiss privacy at a budget rate — PrivadoVPN delivers all three. This review covers everything I found in hands-on testing.

PrivadoVPN at a Glance — What I Liked and Didn’t

Pricing — Free Plan vs Premium

PrivadoVPN is uniquely positioned with two genuinely different tiers — a free plan that works indefinitely, and a paid plan that’s the cheapest credible premium VPN available.

Payment methods accepted: credit/debit cards, PayPal, cryptocurrency (Bitcoin and others via CoinGate), and additional regional processors. Cryptocurrency payment is notable — it enables near-anonymous signup, which is unusual for a VPN at this price point.

Full pricing breakdown, checkout walkthrough, and renewal avoidance workflow at my full PrivadoVPN coupon page →

The Free Plan — The Best Free VPN Available

PrivadoVPN’s free plan is what sets it apart from every other VPN on this list. Most “free VPNs” are either data-harvesting products, severely restricted trials, or VPNs so slow they’re not actually usable. PrivadoVPN Free is different.

What 10GB/month actually gets you: roughly 3–4 hours of Netflix in HD, or several weeks of regular browsing and occasional streaming at lower quality. Not enough for daily streaming, but more than enough for privacy protection on public Wi-Fi, occasional VPN use, and testing PrivadoVPN thoroughly before paying.

The 13 free server locations cover US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Argentina, Brazil, India, Netherlands, Mexico, Switzerland, Spain, and one additional location. These are the same physical servers used by Premium users — not separate, slower “free tier” servers. You’re on the same infrastructure, with a data cap.

Privacy and Security

Jurisdiction — Switzerland

PrivadoVPN is owned and operated by Privado Networks AG, incorporated in Switzerland. Swiss jurisdiction is among the strongest available for a VPN:

• Switzerland is outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances
• Swiss privacy law (Federal Data Protection Act) is among the most protective in the world
• No mandatory data retention laws for VPN providers
• Swiss courts have consistently upheld strong data privacy protections

This is the same jurisdictional advantage as Proton VPN — at roughly one-third the price. For users who want Swiss privacy at budget pricing, PrivadoVPN is the only option on this list.

No-logs policy

PrivadoVPN’s privacy policy states a strict no-logs approach. What it explicitly does NOT log:

• Browsing history
• Traffic destination
• Data content
• IP addresses
• DNS queries associated with VPN connections

What PrivadoVPN DOES collect (standard for any subscription service):

• Email address and username
• Payment information
• Information you share with customer service
• Anonymous aggregated statistics (OS types, installations — never linked to individual users)

PrivadoVPN has stated it’s in the process of transitioning to RAM-only server infrastructure. Once complete, servers will wipe all data on every reboot — making log retention technically impossible even if the policy were violated. This transition was ongoing at the time of writing.

Encryption and protocols

All paid plans use AES-256 encryption — the same standard used by governments and financial institutions. There’s no weaker tier for free users; the same encryption applies across both plans.

Physical server ownership

PrivadoVPN owns and operates most of its servers physically rather than leasing from third-party hosts. This is unusual for a budget VPN — most cheap VPNs rely entirely on leased infrastructure. Physical server ownership means:

• PrivadoVPN has direct control over who can access the hardware
• No third-party hosting company has access to server data
• More consistent performance than leased virtual servers
• Servers can be configured specifically for privacy rather than accepting a host’s default settings

Leak testing — passed all tests

• DNS leak test (browserleaks.com): Only PrivadoVPN’s DNS servers visible. No ISP DNS exposure.
• IPv4/IPv6 leak test: No real IP address visible — only VPN IP shown.
• WebRTC leak test: No WebRTC IP leaks across tested platforms.
• Kill switch test (ipleak.net): Real IP address did not appear when switching between servers. Passed with no exposure window.

Kill switch

PrivadoVPN’s kill switch is a system-wide kill switch — it disconnects your entire device from the internet when the VPN drops, not just specific apps. This is a more aggressive approach than NordVPN’s app-level kill switch, but more protective. Enabled via a toggle button directly on the main dashboard in Windows and macOS apps.

PrivadoVPN Speed Test Results

PrivadoVPN delivers reliable connection speeds using WireGuard protocol. It’s not the fastest VPN I’ve tested (NordVPN and Surfshark both edge it out) but it’s fast enough for everything most users do.

Speed test results (baseline: 201.21 Mbps download / 244.48 Mbps upload)

Nearby servers (US, Canada, Europe) retain 89–95% of baseline download speed — imperceptible for everyday use. Distant servers (Japan, Australia, Brazil) retain 72–75% of download speed, which is still sufficient for HD streaming and video calls.

Upload speeds drop more sharply on distant servers — Japan and Australia show 29 Mbps and 39 Mbps respectively from a 244 Mbps baseline. This affects video calls and large uploads on long-distance connections. For typical streaming and browsing, it doesn’t matter.

Streaming with PrivadoVPN

Netflix is the streaming strength. PrivadoVPN reliably unblocks Netflix across multiple regional libraries — US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, Brazil — in both the Premium and Free tiers. I streamed Netflix US content connected to the Dallas server and UK-exclusive shows connected to Manchester without any detection or buffering issues.

Amazon Prime Video is the weak point. Prime Video successfully detected the VPN on most tested servers. Some servers work occasionally, but PrivadoVPN isn’t a reliable Prime Video VPN. If Prime Video is your primary streaming target, NordVPN, Surfshark, or CyberGhost are more consistent.

PrivadoVPN doesn’t label specific servers as streaming-optimized — you can use any server for streaming, which simplifies the process. When Netflix occasionally blocks a specific IP, switching to another server in the same country resolves it.

Torrenting with PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN supports P2P traffic on all servers — including on the free plan. This is the main reason it ranks at the top of many “best free VPN for torrenting” lists.

• P2P allowed on all servers — free and paid users alike
• SOCKS5 proxy available (Premium) — configure inside qBittorrent, uTorrent, Deluge, or Vuze for faster download speeds without full encryption overhead
• Kill switch protects IP if the VPN drops during a download
• AES-256 encryption prevents ISP throttling and monitoring

Features Breakdown

Control Tower (Premium only)

Control Tower is PrivadoVPN’s suite of browser-level security tools, accessible via your PrivadoVPN account on the web. Includes:

• Ad blocker — blocks display ads and pop-ups
• Threat protection — blocks crypto scams, malware, phishing, ransomware, third-party trackers, spam, and malicious websites
• Parental controls — blocks adult content, substance abuse sites, and specific social platforms (Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube can be individually blocked)

Honest note on parental controls: In testing, Control Tower successfully blocked adult content when the VPN was active, but a vape shop website loaded fine despite the “Substance Abuse” category being blocked. Parental controls are a useful bonus feature, not a bulletproof content filter. Don’t rely on them as a standalone parental protection solution.

Email Relay

Included in Premium plans. Create disposable email aliases that forward to your real inbox — you can sign up for services, newsletters, and apps without exposing your real email address. Similar to Surfshark’s Alternative ID and Apple’s Hide My Email feature. Useful for reducing spam, protecting against data breaches at third-party sites, and identifying which service sold your information when spam arrives.

SmartRoute (split tunneling)

PrivadoVPN’s split tunneling implementation is called SmartRoute. Lets you exclude specific apps from the VPN — useful for banking apps that flag VPN traffic, local streaming services, or gaming where VPN latency matters. Available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. In testing, it works exactly as advertised — I excluded Chrome from the VPN and confirmed Chrome showed my real IP while other browsers showed the VPN IP.

Privado Sentry (optional add-on)

An antivirus add-on for Windows, purchasable separately for under $2/month or bundled with annual/2-year plans. Includes real-time protection, cloud scanning, deep device scans, and file quarantine. Windows-only at the time of writing. If you’d otherwise pay for antivirus separately, it’s worth bundling.

Apps and Usability

PrivadoVPN’s apps are clean, minimalist, and beginner-friendly. The main dashboard shows your connection status, nearest server recommendation, and a large “Click to Connect” button. Server list is organized by country with latency indicators (three bars = fastest/closest, one bar = slowest/most distant).

Windows: Full-featured app with kill switch toggle and protocol selector on the main dashboard. Settings accessible via gear icon. One genuine limitation: the app window can’t be resized and stays docked near the taskbar. Occasional slow connection times (15–20 seconds on some servers).

macOS: Similar to Windows. Kill switch and SmartRoute available.

iOS and Android: Nearly identical interface to desktop. “Tap to Connect” for fastest server, scroll down for full server list. SmartRoute (split tunneling) available across both platforms — unusual for iOS, where most VPNs don’t offer it.

Android TV and Fire TV: Dedicated apps available. Good for streaming setups.

Linux and routers: Manual configuration supported, no dedicated GUI apps.

Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Linux (manual), routers (manual).

Customer Support

Email-only support is PrivadoVPN’s main customer service limitation. That said, response times are genuinely fast — in my testing, I received a clear, helpful reply within 20 minutes of submitting a ticket. The knowledge base is well-maintained with step-by-step setup guides for all supported platforms and devices.

If live chat matters to you, NordVPN, Surfshark, and IPVanish all offer 24/7 live chat. IPVanish additionally offers phone support.

PrivadoVPN vs. The Main Competitors

PrivadoVPN vs Proton VPN: Both are Swiss-based. Proton costs $2.99/mo but has published audits, a much larger server network, and open-source apps. PrivadoVPN costs $1.11/mo — the $1.88/mo saving is real. If the audit gap is acceptable to you, PrivadoVPN saves meaningful money with similar jurisdictional protection. Full Proton VPN page →

PrivadoVPN vs Surfshark: Surfshark is $0.77/mo more expensive but has two Deloitte audits, a much larger server network, and better streaming reliability on Prime Video. For budget-maximizing users who accept the audit gap, PrivadoVPN is the pick. For users who want audited no-logs at a still-competitive price, Surfshark is the pick. Full Surfshark page →

Who Should Use PrivadoVPN

• Budget-maximizing users — $1.11/mo is genuinely the cheapest credible premium VPN on the market
• Free VPN seekers — PrivadoVPN Free is the best free VPN for users needing multiple locations or P2P support
• Users wanting Swiss jurisdiction at budget pricing — the only option at this price tier with Swiss-based operations
• Netflix streamers — reliable across US, UK, AU, CA, JP libraries
• Casual torrenters — P2P on all servers, even the free plan
• Users new to VPNs — clean, simple interface with an optional tutorial at first launch
• Households with many devices — unlimited connections on Premium at the lowest price

Who Should Look Elsewhere

• Users who need an audited no-logs policy — Proton VPN (Swiss + audited) is the right pick, or Surfshark / NordVPN for broader audits
• Amazon Prime Video users — NordVPN or Surfshark are more consistent
• Speed maximizers — NordVPN and Surfshark are faster
• Users in heavily restrictive countries — ExpressVPN or NordVPN for China, UAE, Russia
• Power torrenters needing port forwarding — PIA or Proton VPN
• Users needing live chat support — most competitors offer this; PrivadoVPN does not

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict — Should You Use PrivadoVPN in 2026?

Yes — for budget-focused users and anyone who wants the best free VPN available.

PrivadoVPN delivers a combination genuinely hard to find at this price: Swiss jurisdiction, physical server ownership, unlimited devices, Netflix reliability across multiple libraries, and the best free tier in the market — all for $1.11/mo on Premium or nothing on Free.

The main honest limitation is the absence of an independent no-logs audit. Every other VPN I recommend at a higher price tier has been audited; PrivadoVPN hasn’t published one yet. For typical users protecting themselves from ISP tracking, advertisers, and data collection, the Swiss jurisdiction + stated policy is sufficient. For users with elevated privacy needs, the audit gap is a real reason to pay the extra $1.88/mo for Proton VPN’s similar Swiss jurisdiction with published audits.

If you’re uncertain, start with the free plan — no credit card, no time limit, and you’ll know within a week whether PrivadoVPN’s performance works for your use case. If it does, the Premium upgrade at $1.11/mo is a genuinely easy decision.

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Or try the free plan — no credit card required · Full details on the PrivadoVPN coupon page

Read next:

• PrivadoVPN Coupon — current deal and pricing
• Proton VPN (Swiss jurisdiction + audited — $2.99/mo)
• Surfshark Coupon (my #1 recommended VPN)
• Best Free VPN in 2026 (PrivadoVPN ranked #1)
• All current VPN deals

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