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NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN are three of the most recommended VPNs, and all three are solid. The right one depends on how many devices you have, how much you care about privacy details, and whether you want to start free.
How we compared: this comparison is based on each company’s official product information and published independent audits. I haven’t used all three myself yet, so this is a specs and audit comparison for now. I plan to test them hands on and update this post with real-world notes once I have.
Quick comparison
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Speed and extra features | Big households, many devices | Privacy purists; trying free first |
| Simultaneous devices | Up to 10 | Unlimited | Up to 10 on paid plans |
| Free plan | No | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Panama | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Independent no-logs audits | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extra protection | Threat Protection (blocks ads, trackers, malicious sites) | CleanWeb (ad and malware blocking) | NetShield (ad and malware blocking) |
| Standout feature | Fast NordLynx protocol | Unlimited devices | Secure Core routes through privacy-friendly countries; open-source apps |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
NordVPN: best for speed and features
NordVPN is one of the biggest names in VPNs and regularly performs well in speed tests. Its NordLynx protocol is built on WireGuard, a fast modern standard. Higher plans bundle extras like a password manager (NordPass) and threat protection.
Choose it if: you want a fast, polished app with lots of features and don’t mind paying for them.
Surfshark: best for big households
Surfshark‘s biggest selling point is simple: one subscription covers unlimited devices. For a family with phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs, that’s hard to beat. It’s typically one of the more affordable premium VPNs.
Choose it if: you need to cover lots of devices or share with family on a budget.
Proton VPN: best for privacy and trying free
Proton VPN comes from the team behind Proton Mail and is based in Switzerland, which has strong privacy laws. Its apps are open source, meaning anyone can inspect the code. It’s also one of the few trustworthy free VPNs, so you can test it before paying.
Choose it if: privacy is your top priority, or you want to start free and upgrade later.
Things all three do well
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and more
- Kill switch to prevent leaks if the connection drops
- Independent audits of their no-logs claims
- 30-day money-back guarantees on paid plans
How to decide
- Lots of devices or a big family? Surfshark
- Want the fastest, most feature-packed app? NordVPN
- Privacy first, or want to try free? Proton VPN
Tip: use the money-back guarantee. Install it, test speed on your own internet for a week, and cancel if you’re not happy.
Still deciding whether you need a VPN at all? Start with What Is a VPN, and When Do You Actually Need One?
Sources: NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN official product and audit pages.