We tested the top VPNs on speed, privacy, streaming, and price — and ranked the five that are genuinely worth your money. No fluff, no pay-for-placement.
We tested the top VPNs on speed, privacy, streaming, and price — and ranked the five that are genuinely worth your money. No fluff, no pay-for-placement.
Reviewed by Alex Carter, Lead VPN Analyst & Editor
Reviewed by Alex Carter, Lead VPN Analyst & Editor
Reviewed by Alex Carter, Lead VPN Analyst & Editor
Reviewed by Alex Carter, Lead VPN Analyst & Editor
Reviewed by Alex Carter, Lead VPN Analyst & Editor
Independently researched and scored against the same criteria — so the ranking is consistent and fair.
Premium, reliable, effortless
14,200 reviews
The most consistent, beginner-friendly VPN — fast Lightway protocol, excellent unblocking, and a privacy-first reputation, at a premium price.
The best all-round VPN
18,400 reviews
The fastest VPN we tested thanks to its NordLynx protocol, with a huge server network, independently audited no-logs policy, and rock-solid streaming support.
Affordable, audited, easy to use
7,100 reviews
An affordable, beginner-friendly VPN with a large server network and a rare always-on independent audit of its no-logs policy.
Unlimited devices, unbeatable value
11,800 reviews
Connect unlimited devices for one low price, with fast WireGuard speeds, solid streaming, and a genuinely feature-rich app.
Privacy-first, open-source, Swiss
8,600 reviews
From the makers of Proton Mail — Swiss-based, fully open-source and audited, with the only genuinely usable free tier on our list.
The most consistent, beginner-friendly VPN — fast Lightway protocol, excellent unblocking, and a privacy-first reputation, at a premium price.
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By Top5 VPN Team
By Top5 VPN Team
By Top5 VPN Team
By Top5 VPN Team
Every VPN is scored against the same criteria, so our rankings stay consistent and fair.
We measure real-world download, upload, and latency across nearby and distant servers. A VPN you'll actually keep on has to be fast.
Jurisdiction, a strict no-logs policy, and — crucially — independent audits that verify it. Privacy claims must be proven, not promised.
How reliably each VPN unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and more, from multiple regions, without constant errors.
Server count and spread, plus the quality of the apps across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and routers.
What you pay over the full term, how many devices you can connect, and the strength of the money-back guarantee.
How the top 5 VPNs stack up on the metrics that matter.
ExpressVPN#1 | NordVPN#2 | PureVPN#3 | Surfshark#4 | Proton VPN#5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Price | From $4.99/mo | From $3.39/mo | From $2.11/mo | From $2.19/mo | From $3.59/mo |
| Servers | 3,000+ in 105 countries | 6,400+ in 110+ countries | 6,000+ in 70+ countries | 3,200+ in 100 countries | 8,800+ in 110+ countries |
| Devices | 8 simultaneous | 10 simultaneous | 10 simultaneous | Unlimited | 10 simultaneous |
| No-Logs Audit | Yes (independent) | Yes (independent) | Yes (always-on) | Yes (independent) | Yes (open-source) |
| Streaming | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Very good | Good (paid) |
| Money-Back | 30 days | 30 days | 31 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Get ExpressVPN | Get NordVPN | Get PureVPN | Get Surfshark | Get Proton VPN |
VPNs look similar on the surface but differ a lot where it counts. Here's what actually matters when you're choosing one.
A good modern VPN (using WireGuard or a similar protocol) should cost you only a small fraction of your normal speed on nearby servers. If a VPN noticeably slows everything down, you'll stop using it — so speed is non-negotiable.
Every VPN claims 'no logs.' What separates the trustworthy ones is independent audits that verify the claim, ideally repeatedly, plus a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and RAM-only servers.
If you want a VPN for Netflix or sports, check that it reliably unblocks the services and regions you care about. Support can change month to month, so reliability and a money-back guarantee matter.
Headline prices require long commitments and renewals usually cost more — compare the true multi-year cost. Also check how many devices you can connect; some providers offer unlimited, others cap it.
The most consistent, beginner-friendly VPN — fast Lightway protocol, excellent unblocking, and a privacy-first reputation, at a premium price.
Get ExpressVPN