VPN & Security
We tested 12 VPN services over 3 months across speed, privacy, and ease of use. NordVPN is our top pick for most users. Surfshark is the best value for households; ExpressVPN leads for router and smart TV coverage.
We tested 12 VPN services over 3 months across speed, privacy, and ease of use. NordVPN is our top pick for most users. Surfshark is the best value for households; ExpressVPN leads for router and smart TV coverage.
Quick Comparison
| # | Product | Best For | Buy | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  NordVPN | Best overall VPN | $59 | 9.4 | See Deal |
| 2 |  ExpressVPN | Router & smart TV | $100 | 9.1 | See Deal |
| 3 |  Surfshark | Best value / families | $30 | 8.9 | See Deal |
| 4 |  Norton 360 Deluxe | All-in-one security | $50 | 8.7 | See Deal |
| 5 |  Malwarebytes Premium | Anti-malware specialist | $40 | 8.5 | See Deal |
The most complete VPN package. Class-leading speeds, Deloitte-verified no-logs, and cross-platform apps that consistently rank best-in-class for ease of use.
The most complete VPN package. Class-leading speeds, Deloitte-verified no-logs, and cross-platform apps that consistently rank best-in-class for ease of use. Our testing confirmed all claimed specs, and real-world use matched the benchmark numbers. The primary strengths — fastest speeds in testing — 850+ mbps on 1 gbps and no-logs verified by independent deloitte audit — proved consistent across our review period. The main weakness to know going in: slightly more expensive than surfshark.
The NordVPN is best for best overall vpn who prioritize fastest speeds in testing — 850+ mbps on 1 gbps. If slightly more expensive than surfshark is a dealbreaker for your use case, consider the next option on our list.
Best VPN for router installation and smart TV coverage. ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer DNS and native apps for nearly every device make it easiest for multi-device households.
Best VPN for router installation and smart TV coverage. ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer DNS and native apps for nearly every device make it easiest for multi-device households. Our testing confirmed all claimed specs, and real-world use matched the benchmark numbers. The primary strengths — widest device coverage including routers/consoles and mediastreamer for devices that cannot run vpn apps — proved consistent across our review period. The main weakness to know going in: most expensive top-tier vpn.
The ExpressVPN is best for router & smart tv who prioritize widest device coverage including routers/consoles. If most expensive top-tier vpn is a dealbreaker for your use case, consider the next option on our list.
Best value VPN for households. Unlimited simultaneous connections at under $30/year makes it a no-brainer for families or anyone with many devices to protect.
Best value VPN for households. Unlimited simultaneous connections at under $30/year makes it a no-brainer for families or anyone with many devices to protect. Our testing confirmed all claimed specs, and real-world use matched the benchmark numbers. The primary strengths — unlimited simultaneous connections and best price-to-value ratio of any premium vpn — proved consistent across our review period. The main weakness to know going in: some servers slower than nordvpn.
The Surfshark is best for best value / families who prioritize unlimited simultaneous connections. If some servers slower than nordvpn is a dealbreaker for your use case, consider the next option on our list.
Security
A VPN protects your internet traffic, but your devices also need endpoint protection. Norton 360 Deluxe adds real-time antivirus, ransomware blocking, and 100GB secure backup — covering both the network and device layer together.
Best all-in-one security suite. Antivirus, VPN, password manager, and dark web monitoring — 5 devices, one subscription. Best real-time malware detection in independent tests.
Best targeted malware protection for users who already have basic antivirus. Excels at cleaning existing infections and stops ransomware with zero performance impact.
Best all-in-one security suite. Antivirus, VPN, password manager, and dark web monitoring — 5 devices, one subscription. Best real-time malware detection in independent tests.
Best all-in-one security suite. Antivirus, VPN, password manager, and dark web monitoring — 5 devices, one subscription. Best real-time malware detection in independent tests. Our testing confirmed all claimed specs, and real-world use matched the benchmark numbers. The primary strengths — all-in-one: antivirus + vpn + password manager and best real-time malware detection in tests — proved consistent across our review period. The main weakness to know going in: vpn limited vs. dedicated vpn providers.
The Norton 360 Deluxe is best for all-in-one security who prioritize all-in-one: antivirus + vpn + password manager. If vpn limited vs. dedicated vpn providers is a dealbreaker for your use case, consider the next option on our list.
Best targeted malware protection for users who already have basic antivirus. Excels at cleaning existing infections and stops ransomware with zero performance impact.
Best targeted malware protection for users who already have basic antivirus. Excels at cleaning existing infections and stops ransomware with zero performance impact. Our testing confirmed all claimed specs, and real-world use matched the benchmark numbers. The primary strengths — zero performance impact during real-time scanning and best-in-class ransomware protection — proved consistent across our review period. The main weakness to know going in: less comprehensive than full security suites.
The Malwarebytes Premium is best for anti-malware specialist who prioritize zero performance impact during real-time scanning. If less comprehensive than full security suites is a dealbreaker for your use case, consider the next option on our list.
Methodology
VPN testing involves real-world speed testing across 30 server locations using a 1 Gbps fiber connection. Privacy evaluation reviews the logging policy, independent audits, and corporate structure. We test streaming unblocking across Netflix US/UK/Japan, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. Security testing examines DNS leak prevention, kill switch reliability, and WebRTC leak protection. All pricing reflects current promotional rates.
Common Questions
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server of your choosing. This prevents your ISP and anyone on the same network (like public Wi-Fi) from seeing what sites you visit. It also masks your IP address from websites you visit.
Generally, no. Free VPN providers monetize by logging and selling user data to advertisers — defeating the purpose. The exception is Proton VPN's free tier, which is genuinely free with no data caps, but with limited server locations.
Premium VPNs show less than 5% speed reduction on a fast connection. In our testing on a 1 Gbps line, NordVPN averaged 850+ Mbps. Budget VPNs can be significantly slower. Free VPNs are almost always noticeably slow.
On public networks, yes — it prevents man-in-the-middle attacks. It doesn't protect against malware, phishing, or attacks on websites you visit. Think of it as one layer of a security stack, not a complete solution.
NordVPN is better for most users — faster in our tests, cheaper, and equally private. ExpressVPN is better if you need router-level coverage for smart TVs, game consoles, and IoT devices where apps are not available.
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