VPN services 2026: the ultimate comparison
A virtual private network (VPN) is now essential for anyone who wants to protect their digital privacy. Whether for safe browsing on public Wi-Fi, getting around geo-blocking on streaming services or protection against tracking – a VPN encrypts your internet connection and masks your IP address.
The market for VPN services is more competitive than ever in 2026. Alongside NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark, Swiss provider Proton VPN offers a permanently free version, and Mullvad relies on a fixed monthly price with no teaser deals. In this comparison we set 11 VPN providers side by side based on the information on their official websites – including the prices that become due after the first term.
The key points
The advertised monthly prices of €2 to €4 almost always apply only to the first term of a 2-year subscription and are paid in full up front. After that, subscriptions renew automatically at much higher prices – for NordVPN Basic, for example, at €139.08 per year. If you want to stay flexible, you pay €10 to €19 on a monthly plan. The only exception in the comparison: Mullvad with a fixed €5 per month.
Why do I need a VPN?
There are many reasons to use a VPN:
- Privacy: Your internet provider can no longer track your browsing behaviour
- Public Wi-Fi: Encrypted protection against hackers in cafés, hotels and airports
- Streaming: Access to Netflix US, BBC iPlayer and other geo-blocked content
- Getting around censorship: Free internet access even in countries such as China or Iran
- Price comparison: Cheaper flights and hotels by changing your IP location
Choosing the right VPN
When choosing a VPN provider, look at the following criteria:
| Criterion | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | For HD streaming and downloads | Prefer the WireGuard protocol |
| Server locations | More options for getting around geo-blocking | At least 50+ countries |
| No-logs policy | Genuine anonymity | Independently audited |
| Number of devices | Protect all your devices | At least 5+, ideally unlimited |
| Streaming support | Netflix, Disney+, etc. | Dedicated streaming servers |
VPNs for streaming: Netflix, Disney+ & co.
Not every VPN works with all streaming services. Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video actively block VPN connections. NordVPN, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost explicitly advertise streaming support; CyberGhost also offers servers optimised for streaming, gaming and P2P. Whether a particular catalogue (e.g. Netflix US) is reachable at any given moment can change at any time – streaming services constantly block VPN IP addresses they detect. So use the money-back guarantee to try out your preferred service yourself.
Proton VPN (paid plans only) and Surfshark also state that they support streaming. Only Mullvad, with its focus on maximum anonymity, is not suitable for streaming – it takes no measures to get around geo-blocks.
How much does a VPN cost?
VPN prices vary widely – from free to almost €19 per month on a monthly plan. The key to saving is long-term subscriptions. The table shows each provider’s cheapest VPN plan (NordVPN Basic, ExpressVPN Basic, Surfshark Starter, Proton VPN Plus):
| Provider | Monthly | 1 year | 2 years | Saving | Renewal afterwards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | €14.99 | €4.99/mo | €3.49/mo | -77% | €139.08/year |
| ExpressVPN | €12.99 | €4.49/mo | €2.49/mo | -81% | €79.95/year |
| Surfshark | €18.95 | €2.99/mo | €2.49/mo | -87% | not stated |
| CyberGhost | €11.99 | – (6 months: €6.99/mo) | €2.19/mo | -82% | €56.94/year |
| Proton VPN | €9.99 | €4.49/mo | €3.49/mo | -65% | €83.88/year |
| Mullvad | €5.00 | €5.00/mo | €5.00/mo | – | €5.00/month |
*As of 30 October 2026, prices according to the providers’ official pricing pages. Promotional prices include bonus months (NordVPN and Surfshark +3 months, ExpressVPN +3 or +4 months, CyberGhost +2 months) – the full amount is due up front. “Saving” = 2-year price compared with the monthly plan. NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost point out that, depending on your country, VAT may be added at checkout. Surfshark does not state its renewal price on its pricing page.
Money-saving tip
Black Friday & Cyber Monday: The first promotions are already running at the end of October 2026 – NordVPN and Surfshark add 3 free months to 1-year and 2-year subscriptions, and CyberGhost is advertising a Halloween offer. Promotions like these also come up regularly at other times. The more important tip: factor in the renewal price and cancel in good time before the end of the promotional term if you plan to switch afterwards.
Worked example: what the VPN costs after the promotional term
The low monthly prices apply only to the first term. The overview below shows what you actually pay up front for the first term and what falls due once the subscription renews automatically (cheapest VPN plan in each case, as of 30 October 2026):
| Provider / plan | First term | Paid up front | Per year afterwards | Per month afterwards (converted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN Basic | 27 months | €94.23 | €139.08 | €11.59 |
| ExpressVPN Basic | 28 months | €69.72 | €79.95 | €6.66 |
| Surfshark Starter | 27 months | €67.23 | not stated | – |
| CyberGhost | 26 months | €56.94 | €56.94 | €4.75 |
| Proton VPN Plus | 24 months | €83.76 | €83.88 | €6.99 |
| Mullvad | monthly | €5.00 | €60.00 | €5.00 |
Source: pricing pages of NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, Proton VPN and Mullvad, retrieved on 30 October 2026. Plus VAT where applicable, according to the provider’s note (see above).
Worked example, NordVPN Basic over 51 months: €94.23 for the first 27 months, then €139.08 per year. If you do not cancel, you pay €278.16 for the two following renewal years – almost three times the promotional term, €372.39 in total. With CyberGhost (€56.94 per year after the promotional term) and Mullvad (€5 per month), by contrast, the price jump is small or non-existent.
What to watch for with a VPN subscription
- Automatic renewal: All the subscriptions in the comparison renew automatically. Make a note of when the first term ends and check in good time whether switching or a new-customer offer would be worthwhile.
- Using the money-back guarantee properly: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN give you 30 days, CyberGhost 45 days – but only 14 days on the CyberGhost monthly plan. Use that period to check that the services and devices you need the VPN for actually work.
- Compare plan tiers: Many extras (antivirus, password manager, cloud storage) are only included in the more expensive tiers. With NordVPN, for example, the ad and malware blocker only comes with “Complete”. If all you need is a VPN, the basic plan is the cheapest option.
- Number of devices: Surfshark allows unlimited devices, NordVPN, ExpressVPN Basic and Proton VPN Plus 10, CyberGhost 7 and Mullvad 5. For families this can be the deciding factor.
- VAT: Some providers show prices with the note “VAT may be added”. What counts is the final amount at checkout.
- Cancellation: In Germany, fixed-term contracts concluded online must also be cancellable online via a cancellation button (Section 312k of the German Civil Code, BGB). Surfshark, for example, links to it directly in the footer of its website.
The best VPN providers in detail
NordVPN – the all-rounder
NordVPN is an all-rounder for most users. According to NordVPN’s server directory, the provider operates over 7,000 servers in around 150 countries, plus specialty servers for P2P, Double VPN and Onion over VPN. Its own NordLynx protocol is based on WireGuard. By its own account, NordVPN has had its no-logs policy audited by Deloitte several times. The Basic plan costs €3.49 per month in the 2-year promotion; but watch out for the renewal price of €139.08 per year.
Surfshark – unlimited devices
Surfshark offers very good value for money. From €2.49/month (2 years + 3 months, €67.23 up front) you get unlimited simultaneous connections – ideal for families or shared flats. The CleanWeb feature blocks ads and cookie pop-ups, and Dynamic MultiHop routes your traffic through two servers. According to the provider, the network comprises over 4,500 servers in 100 countries. The monthly plan, on the other hand, is expensive at €18.95.
Proton VPN – the free option
Proton VPN offers a permanently free version with no data or time limit and no ads. The free version is limited to one device and servers in 10 countries, which are assigned at random; streaming and P2P only come with VPN Plus (from €3.49/month on the 2-year plan). The company is based in Switzerland, the apps are open source, and according to Proton its no-logs policy was audited by Securitum for the fifth year in a row in 2026.
CyberGhost – cheapest way in
CyberGhost has the lowest entry price in the comparison at €2.19/month (2 years + 2 months, €56.94 up front), and the renewal also stays moderate at €56.94 per year. In return, only 7 simultaneous devices are allowed, and there is no 1-year plan. A 45-day money-back guarantee applies to the multi-month plans.
Mullvad – no teaser deals
Mullvad always costs €5 per month – whether you pay for one month, a year or longer. An account consists of nothing more than an account number, and you can even pay with cash sent by post. Since January 2026 Mullvad has supported WireGuard only; OpenVPN has been switched off. The service is not designed for streaming.
Security & protocols
The security of a VPN depends largely on the protocol it uses:
- WireGuard: A modern, lean protocol with high speed. Available with Surfshark, CyberGhost and Proton VPN; with Mullvad it has been the only protocol since 2026.
- OpenVPN: The proven open-source standard, somewhat slower but available everywhere.
- NordLynx/Lightway: Proprietary WireGuard variants from NordVPN and ExpressVPN respectively.
- IKEv2: Stable on mobile devices, but less flexible.
For OpenVPN and IKEv2, providers rely on AES-256 encryption; WireGuard and the NordLynx protocol based on it use ChaCha20-Poly1305. Both methods are considered secure. A no-logs policy that has been checked by external auditors is also important. According to the providers themselves: NordVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost were audited by Deloitte, ExpressVPN by KPMG (as of 28 February 2025), Proton VPN annually by Securitum. The providers publish the reports or summaries on their websites or in the customer account.
Last updated: October 2026 | Sources: the providers’ official pricing, server and audit pages (retrieved on 30 October 2026)
Transparency note: This comparison gives an overview of the VPN market. Links marked with an asterisk are affiliate/advertising links: if you sign up via one, we may receive a commission. This costs you nothing extra.