VPN comparison, with the gaps in view.

Compare VPN providers across privacy, security, speed, device support, and plan terms. See provider specifications alongside VPN Podium ratings informed by testing with everyday users and VPN developers.

Provider specifications are separated from VPN Podium user and developer test findings.

VPN comparison context across major world cities An illustrative world map showing connections between major cities in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. NEW YORK SÃO PAULO LONDON CASABLANCA DUBAI SINGAPORE TOKYO SYDNEY
Where you connect changes what you experience. Major cities shown for context, not as VPN Podium test locations.
VPN PROVIDER COMPARISON · 6 SERVICES

Compare VPN providers

Provider specifications come from provider pages. VPN Podium ratings reflect testing with everyday users and VPN developers.

How to read these ratings

ExpressVPN

A wide server network, fast Lightway connections and device limits that vary by plan.

  • Server networkServers in 113 countries and 214 locations
  • Devices at onceConnect 10–14 devices, depending on plan
  • Money-back period30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users
  • VPN protocolsLightway, WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2
9.4
Visit official site at expressvpn.com

NordVPN

A large server network, up to 10 connections and NordLynx for fast everyday use.

  • Server network7,130 servers across 150 countries
  • Devices at onceConnect up to 10 devices
  • Money-back period30-day money-back guarantee on new subscriptions
  • VPN protocolsNordLynx, OpenVPN and NordWhisper
9.2

Proton VPN

Privacy-focused service with open-source apps and a substantial paid server network.

  • Paid server network20,000+ servers in 149 countries on paid plans
  • Devices at onceConnect up to 10 devices on paid plans
  • Money-back period30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans
  • Open-source appsApps are open source across multiple platforms
9.1
Visit official site at protonvpn.com

Surfshark

Easy to use across your devices, with unlimited connections and extra privacy tools.

  • Server network4,500+ servers across 100 countries
  • Devices at onceConnect an unlimited number of devices
  • Money-back period30-day money-back guarantee
  • Privacy featuresRAM-only servers and MultiHop connections
9.0
Visit official site at surfshark.com

Private Internet Access

Strong value for multi-device households, with unlimited connections and open-source apps.

  • Server network170+ locations across 112 countries
  • Devices at onceConnect an unlimited number of devices
  • Money-back period30-day money-back guarantee on eligible purchases
  • VPN protocolsWireGuard and OpenVPN
8.7
Visit official site at privateinternetaccess.com

CyberGhost

A broad global network, flexible apps and an extended refund window on eligible plans.

  • Server networkServers in 100 countries
  • Devices at onceConnect up to 7 devices
  • Money-back period45-day money-back guarantee on eligible plans
  • VPN protocolsWireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2
8.3
Visit official site at cyberghostvpn.com

Providers are ordered by the VPN Podium rating shown. Features and plan terms can change; confirm current details with each provider before subscribing.

How ratings are evaluated
CHOOSE WHAT MATTERS

Compare VPNs by what matters to you.

Use these six criteria to make sense of provider policies, features, access, plan terms, and device support. Each points to the evidence a careful comparison should consider.

01PRIVACY

Privacy & security

Look beyond “no logs” marketing. Check what the policy says, what an audit actually covered, and which protections are present in the app.

  • Logging policy and audit scope
  • Leak protection and kill switch
  • Protocol and encryption options
Compare providers on privacy and security ↗
02PERFORMANCE

Speed & reliability

A speed result only means something beside its baseline, network, device, server distance, and repeat runs.

  • Speed loss against an unprotected baseline
  • Latency and connection stability
  • Repeated runs and test conditions
Compare speed and reliability ↗
03ACCESS

Streaming & access

Availability can change. A useful finding names the service, region, device, app, and date instead of promising universal access.

  • Named service and country
  • Device, app, and VPN endpoint
  • Test date and known limits
Check location-specific access ↗
04TOTAL COST

Price & payment

Compare the full commitment, not just a promotional monthly equivalent. Terms and renewal prices can change by plan and region.

  • Upfront price and billing term
  • Renewal terms and refund window
  • Payment methods and currency
Compare price and plan terms ↗
05EVERYDAY USE

Devices & connections

Support varies across operating systems and subscription tiers. Check the exact app and simultaneous connection limit you need.

  • Apps for your operating systems and devices
  • Connections allowed per plan
  • App setup on each supported device
Compare device support ↗
06LOCAL CONTEXT

Country & network fit

Local speed, access, and setup findings need tests on the named network. One ISP or city cannot stand in for a whole country.

  • Country, city, and ISP
  • Connection type and test device
  • Repeatable, dated local results
Review the source notes ↗

The categories organize provider information and VPN Podium test findings, which are clearly distinguished.

SOURCES & RATINGS

Compare the evidence behind each claim.

Provider pages describe product features and terms. VPN Podium ratings reflect testing with everyday VPN users and developers. We keep provider claims separate from our test findings.

Provider specificationsVPN Podium user and developer test ratingsOfficial provider links

How to read this comparison

  • Check who published it. Provider specifications and VPN Podium test findings are different types of evidence.

  • Check what was assessed. A test or audit only covers its stated product, feature, and scope.

  • Check where it applies. Plan availability, pricing, features, and access may vary by country, tier, device, or network.

  • Check the current source. Provider terms and service details can change; confirm them before subscribing.

  • Read results in context. A single score or test cannot predict every user experience.

Review source notes
WHAT EACH EVIDENCE SOURCE TELLS YOUProvider specs and VPN Podium evaluation
SOURCES
01
Provider specificationsFeatures, network, apps, and subscription terms
Provider site
02
User and developer test ratingsVPN Podium evaluation results
VPN Podium
03
Current plans and offersRegion, term, renewal, and refund conditions
Provider site

Test context stays visible. Scores reflect VPN Podium evaluations with everyday users and developers.

VPN COMPARISONS BY LOCATION

VPN coverage and prices can vary by country.

When comparing VPNs by country, check nearby server options, service access, local prices, plan terms, and device support. Confirm details for your location on the provider’s current pages.

How to assess location-specific access →
CHECK FOR YOUR COUNTRYREGIONAL DETAILS

Four details to verify before subscribing

Global provider claims do not guarantee the same options in every location.

  1. 01
    VPN server locationsCheck for nearby server choices in your region
    Coverage
  2. 02
    Streaming and service accessAvailability can change by country and service
    Access
  3. 03
    Local prices and plan termsReview currency, billing period, and renewal
    Pricing
  4. 04
    Apps and device supportConfirm the app supports your device and plan
    Devices
A country-specific recommendation should be based on evidence from that location.
BEFORE YOU SUBSCRIBE

10 questions to ask before buying a VPN.

Compare privacy, streaming, devices, renewal prices, and refund terms before choosing a VPN subscription.

1. Which VPN should I buy for my needs?

Start with what you need it for: everyday privacy on public Wi-Fi, travel, streaming, or multiple devices. Compare the provider’s privacy evidence, supported apps, nearby server locations, plan limits, and full renewal cost. A high review score does not guarantee the best fit for every person.

2. What will I pay after the introductory VPN price?

Check the total charged today, subscription length, renewal amount, and renewal period. A low monthly equivalent may require paying for a longer term upfront, and the renewal price can differ from the first term.

3. Should I choose a free VPN or a paid plan?

A free plan can suit occasional use if its data, speed, server, and device limits meet your needs. Before signing up, review how the provider funds the service, what information it collects, and which features require payment.

4. Can a VPN access Netflix or other streaming services abroad?

Access varies by streaming service, country, server, and date. Providers can change servers and services can block VPN traffic, so no VPN can guarantee access to a particular catalog. Check current review evidence and the service’s terms.

5. Will the VPN work in the country I live in or visit?

Check that the provider offers server locations useful for your trip or home region, supports your devices, and provides clear setup guidance. Network conditions and service availability differ by country, so general global coverage claims do not promise the same experience everywhere.

6. Does a VPN hide my activity from everyone?

No. A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server and replaces the IP address websites see with the server’s address. Websites may still identify you when you sign in, and the VPN provider becomes the service that handles your connection.

7. How can I check whether a VPN’s no-logs claim is credible?

Read the privacy policy and look for an independent audit that names what was examined, who performed it, and when. An audit covers a defined scope and period; it is not a guarantee that every future practice or product version is unchanged.

8. How many devices can I use on one VPN subscription?

Check the simultaneous connection limit for the exact plan. The number of devices where you can install an app may differ from the number that can connect at the same time. A router can cover devices too, but setup and supported features vary.

9. Will using a VPN slow down my internet?

It can. Encryption, server distance, network congestion, and the provider’s infrastructure all affect speed. Look for test results that explain the device, location, connection, and method, and use the provider’s refund terms to understand your options before committing.

10. Can I cancel a VPN subscription and get a refund?

Check the refund window, exclusions, renewal rules, and how to cancel before you pay. Guarantees often apply only to an initial purchase and may differ when you subscribe through an app store or reseller. Confirm the current terms with the provider.

ABOUT ROUTEFIELD

Clear sources. Honest comparisons.

VPN Podium helps readers compare provider-published product information with ratings from our testing involving everyday VPN users and developers.

The scores shown are VPN Podium ratings informed by our testing with everyday VPN users and developers. Provider claims remain distinct from our test findings.

Features, coverage, and prices can vary by country and plan. Check the provider’s official terms before subscribing. Any affiliate relationship should be disclosed beside the relevant link. Commercial relationships do not determine VPN Podium test results or prove service quality.

  • 01
    Traceable sourcesSee whether information comes from a provider or VPN Podium testing.
  • 02
    Regional contextCompare coverage, device support, and plan terms for your location.
  • 03
    Clear commercial linksAffiliate relationships are identified where they apply.
Read how we compare VPNs →