VPN & Security

Protect Every Device You Own

Independent VPN, antivirus, and security reviews from the electronics experts you trust. We've tested every major VPN — here's what actually works.

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The Short Answer

NordVPN is the best VPN for most people — fastest speeds, audited no-logs policy, and the best balance of features and price at $3.99/mo. For families wanting unlimited device connections, Surfshark at $2.49/mo is the better deal. If streaming is your priority, ExpressVPN unblocks more services more reliably than any competitor.

VPN Comparison

Monthly prices based on 2-year plans. Sortable by price or score.

#ProductScorePriceBest For
1
Editor's Pick
NordVPN
Nord Security
9.3$3.99/moBest overallSee Deal
2
Surfshark
Surfshark
8.9$2.49/moBest valueSee Deal
3
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
8.7$6.67/moStreamingSee Deal
4
CyberGhost
CyberGhost
8.2$2.03/moBudgetSee Deal
5
ProtonVPN
Proton AG
8.5$4.99/moPrivacy-firstSee Deal
#1 — Editor's Pick
Editor's Pick
Nord Security

NordVPN

9.3

The fastest, most reliable VPN with audited no-logs policy and excellent app UX.

  • Fastest average speeds in our tests
  • Audited by PwC and Deloitte
  • Threat Protection blocks malware
  • Best price requires 2-year commitment
  • Owned by Tesonet (EU company)
#2 — Best for Streaming
Best for Streaming
ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

8.7

Most consistent for streaming — reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer from anywhere.

  • Best streaming unblocking
  • Proprietary Lightway protocol
  • Router app available
  • Most expensive option
  • Owned by Kape Technologies
#3 — Best Value
Best Value
Surfshark

Surfshark

8.9

Best value VPN — unlimited simultaneous connections, good speeds, and honest pricing.

  • Unlimited device connections
  • CleanWeb ad blocker included
  • Competitive pricing
  • Slightly slower than NordVPN
  • Merged with Nord Security in 2022

Best Antivirus Software

While a VPN protects your network traffic, antivirus software protects you from malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks on your device itself. Both are worth having.

Best Antivirus

Norton 360

9.1

Best overall protection — top malware detection rates and excellent extras like dark web monitoring and 50GB cloud backup.

Lightest Impact

Bitdefender Total Security

9.0

Lowest performance impact while maintaining excellent detection rates. Ideal for older machines.

Pro Choice

ESET NOD32

8.4

Longtime favorite among IT professionals — extremely low false positive rate and detailed control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which VPN is the best in 2026?

NordVPN is the best VPN in 2026 based on our testing. It consistently delivers the fastest speeds, has passed three independent audits of its no-logs policy, and offers Threat Protection to block malware and trackers.

Is a VPN worth it in 2026?

Yes, especially if you use public Wi-Fi at coffee shops, airports, or hotels. A VPN encrypts your traffic so others on the same network cannot intercept your data. At $3–7/month, the cost is minimal compared to the protection it provides.

What is the best free VPN?

ProtonVPN has the best free tier — unlimited data, no ads, and a genuine no-logs policy. Avoid free VPNs from unknown companies, as many monetize your browsing data, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN.

Can a VPN unblock Netflix?

Yes — ExpressVPN is the most reliable for unblocking Netflix catalogs from other countries. NordVPN and Surfshark also work consistently. Free VPNs rarely unblock streaming services.

Does a VPN slow down internet speed?

Modern VPNs like NordVPN (NordLynx/WireGuard protocol) reduce speeds by only 5–15% on fast connections. In our tests, NordVPN averaged 950 Mbps on a 1 Gbps line — fast enough for 4K streaming on multiple devices.