VPN Comparison 2026
This side-by-side comparison covers the most popular commercial VPN services across privacy credentials, technical features, pricing, and platform support. Updated for 2026.
Privacy & Jurisdiction Comparison
| Provider | Headquarters | 14 Eyes? | No-logs audit | Anonymous payment | Open-source client |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Panama | No | ✓ Yes | Crypto | Partial |
| ExpressVPN | British Virgin Islands | No | ✓ Yes | Crypto, gift cards | Partial |
| Mullvad | Sweden | 14 Eyes | ✓ Yes | Cash, crypto | Full |
| ProtonVPN | Switzerland | No | ✓ Yes | Crypto | Full |
| Surfshark | Netherlands | 14 Eyes | ✓ Yes | Crypto | No |
| PIA | United States | 5 Eyes | ✓ Yes | Crypto, gift cards | Full |
| CyberGhost | Romania | No | ✓ Yes | No | No |
| IPVanish | United States | 5 Eyes | Self-attested | No | No |
Features & Platform Support
| Provider | WireGuard | Kill switch | Split tunnel | Router support | Linux CLI | Simultaneous devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10 |
| ExpressVPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 8 |
| Mullvad | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5 |
| ProtonVPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10 |
| Surfshark | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Unlimited |
| PIA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Unlimited |
| CyberGhost | ✓ | ✓ | Windows/Android | ✓ | ✓ | 7 |
| IPVanish | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Unlimited |
How to Test Your Chosen VPN
After selecting and connecting a VPN, always validate it before using it for sensitive tasks. Use our VPN Leak Test to check for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, and our Proxy Check to confirm the VPN flag appears on your connection.
For a detailed breakdown of protocols, see VPN Protocols Explained. For logging policy details, see VPN Logging Policies Explained.
How We Evaluate VPNs
Every recommendation in our VPN guides is weighed against the same five criteria:
- No-logs policy and audits - We prioritise providers whose no-logs claims have been verified by independent auditing firms, and we note real-world events (subpoenas, server seizures) that tested those claims.
- Leak-test results - A VPN must not expose your real IP, DNS servers, or WebRTC addresses. You can run the same checks we use with our free VPN Leak Test.
- Speed impact - We favour providers supporting modern protocols (WireGuard, or equivalents like NordLynx and Lightway) that keep overhead low.
- Jurisdiction - Where a provider is incorporated determines which governments can compel it to hand over data.
- Price transparency - Clear renewal pricing and honest refund terms. We avoid quoting specific prices in guides because promotions change frequently - Always check current pricing on the provider's site.
Our assessments are based on published third-party audits, vendor documentation, and our own leak-testing tooling - We do not have insider access to any provider's infrastructure. These pages are reviewed periodically and updated when audits, ownership, or features change.
Once you have picked a provider, two practical checks matter more than any review: if your connection fails, see how to fix a VPN that won't connect; and to confirm you are actually protected, learn how to test if your VPN is working.
ⓘ Affiliate disclosure: Some links to VPN providers in these guides are affiliate links - We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects rankings or evaluations.
Last updated: June 2026