Picking a VPN in 2026 feels harder than it should. Every provider claims to be the fastest, the safest, and the best value, and most “top 10” lists are stuffed with affiliate links.
So here’s a straight NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs Proton VPN comparison, covering the things that actually affect your decision: price, speed, privacy, streaming, devices, and who each one is really for.
Quick answer: NordVPN is the best pick for most people, Surfshark is the best budget option, Proton VPN is the best for privacy, and ExpressVPN is the easiest to use but hard to justify at its price.
The rest of this NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs Proton VPN breakdown explains why, and who should ignore that advice.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs Proton VPN at a Glance
| NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
| Best for | Most people | Ease of use, routers | Budget, many devices | Privacy |
| Headquarters | Panama | British Virgin Islands | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Main protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard-based) | Lightway | WireGuard | WireGuard |
| Device limit | 10 | Plan-dependent | Unlimited | 10 |
| Free plan | No | No | No | Yes (limited) |
| Price tier | Mid | Highest | Lowest | Low to mid |
Prices change constantly and vary by plan length, so treat this as a relative ranking and check each provider’s current offer before buying. Recent reviews put Surfshark’s long-term plans around $2 to $2.50 per month, Proton VPN near 3, NordVPNaroundthemid-3s, and ExpressVPN noticeably higher on most plans.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs Proton VPN: Which Is Fastest?
Speed matters most if you stream in 4K, game, or download large files. In TechRadar’s recent lab tests, ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol averaged around 489 Mbps, well behind NordVPN’s NordLynx at roughly 1,256 Mbps and Surfshark’s WireGuard at about 1,615 Mbps. Proton VPN also uses WireGuard and performs well.
The takeaway: ExpressVPN used to hold a clear speed advantage, but that gap has closed. For everyday streaming, all four are fast enough. If raw speed is your priority, NordVPN and Surfshark lead this NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs Proton VPN category.
Best VPN for Streaming: How the Four Compare
If you use a VPN to watch shows and sports while traveling, this is the section that matters. All four are commonly recommended for unblocking Netflix, Disney+, Max, Apple TV+, and BBC iPlayer, and testers generally rate NordVPN and ExpressVPN as the most consistent for content unblocking.
A few practical points:
- Streaming services block VPN servers constantly. A server that works today may fail next month, so the provider’s ability to swap in fresh servers matters more than any single test result.
- Server coverage matters. NordVPN currently leads on country count, with recent testing putting it at roughly 167 countries versus around 113 for ExpressVPN and 100 for Surfshark, and Proton VPN somewhere near 148.
- Use the refund window. Test the exact service you care about, whether that’s Apple TV+ or BBC iPlayer, before the guarantee runs out.
For streaming, NordVPN takes the top spot, with ExpressVPN close behind and Surfshark a strong value alternative.
Cheapest VPN: Price and Value Compared
Surfshark is the cheapest of the four, especially on two-year plans, and it lets you connect unlimited devices, which is unusual. Proton VPN is inexpensive too and is the only one of the four with a genuinely usable free tier, though free users get fewer locations and one device.
NordVPN sits in the middle but is widely rated the best overall value because of its speed, features, and flexible add-ons. ExpressVPN is the most expensive, and several 2026 reviews conclude it is overpriced relative to what it now delivers.
Two things to watch with any VPN: introductory prices usually jump at renewal, and the cheapest advertised rate almost always requires a long commitment. All four typically offer a money-back guarantee, so buy on a longer plan only after you’ve confirmed it works for you.
Best VPN for Privacy: Jurisdiction, Logs, and Trust
Privacy is where the NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs Proton VPN decision gets nuanced.
- Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, built by the team behind Proton Mail, and uses open-source apps that anyone can inspect. For pure privacy, it’s the strongest of the four.
- NordVPN is based in Panama, has an independently audited no-logs policy, and offers extras like a next-gen antivirus add-on.
- Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which sits inside the Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing arrangement. That doesn’t make it unsafe, but privacy purists may prefer a different jurisdiction.
- ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and is considered highly secure, though reviewers say its documentation is less transparent than Proton’s.
Is Surfshark owned by NordVPN? Not exactly, but they’re closely linked. Surfshark merged with Nord Security in February 2022, so the two share a parent company while still operating as separate products. Keep that in mind if you want to avoid putting all your trust in one corporate group.
Ease of Use, Apps, and Device Support
- ExpressVPN is often called the easiest VPN to use, with a clean interface and a router app that reviewers still rate among the best. It’s a good fit if you want to protect every device in your home at once.
- NordVPN is nearly as simple, with apps for every major platform and solid smart TV and Apple TV support.
- Surfshark wins on flexibility, with unlimited simultaneous connections, ideal for large households.
- Proton VPN has improved its apps significantly and now includes helpful explainers for beginners, though it has a slightly steeper learning curve.
If you plan to use a VPN on an Apple TV, Roku, or smart TV, check that the provider has a native app for your specific device before you buy.
Which VPN Should You Actually Buy?
Here’s the short version of this NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs Proton VPN verdict:
- Choose NordVPN if you want the best all-around VPN: fast, reliable for streaming, strong security, and fair pricing.
- Choose Surfshark if price is your top priority or you need to cover lots of devices.
- Choose Proton VPN if privacy comes first, or if you want to try a free plan before paying.
- Choose ExpressVPN if you value simplicity and router support above cost.
If you’re still undecided, go with NordVPN, or start with Proton VPN’s free plan to get a feel for how a VPN works.
FAQ
Which is better: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or Proton VPN?
For most people, NordVPN. Surfshark is the best budget choice, Proton VPN is best for privacy, and ExpressVPN is best if you want the simplest setup and don’t mind paying more.
Is Proton VPN really free?
Proton VPN has a free plan with limited server locations and a single device, and it doesn’t cap your data. Paid plans unlock more locations, streaming support, and additional devices.
Is Surfshark owned by NordVPN?
Surfshark merged with Nord Security in 2022, so they share a parent company but remain separate products.
Which VPN is best for streaming Netflix and BBC iPlayer?
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are usually rated the most consistent for unblocking, but results change as services block servers, so test during the refund window.
Which VPN is cheapest?
Surfshark is generally the cheapest on long-term plans, followed by Proton VPN. ExpressVPN is typically the most expensive.
Do these VPNs have money-back guarantees?
Most major providers offer a refund window, commonly around 30 days, but check the current terms on each provider’s site.
Is a free VPN good enough?
Most free VPNs come with speed, data, or privacy trade-offs. Proton VPN’s free plan is the notable exception, though it’s more limited than a paid plan.