Proton VPN
Permanent free plan with unlimited data; Plus is $9.99/month or $53.88 for the first year.
- Free plan
- Unlimited data
- Swiss company
Security & privacy
The best VPN
Best VPN: Proton VPN. Why it wins: Permanent free plan with unlimited data; Plus is $9.99/month or $53.88 for the first year. Also see best simple pricing: Mullvad VPN; lowest intro price: NordVPN.
For most people Proton VPN is the best VPN: a permanent free plan with unlimited data, and a paid Plus plan for more devices and countries. Mullvad is the privacy-first pick with one flat price of €5 a month and no account email. NordVPN has the lowest intro price, but check the renewal rate before you commit.
Based on FTC · Proton VPN pricing · Mullvad pricing +1 more
Which one should you buy?
Mullvad VPN
One flat €5/month price, up to 5 devices, and no email needed to sign up.
- €5/month flat
- 5 devices
- No email
NordVPN
Basic from $3.49/month for the first 27 months ($94.23), then $139.08/year.
- $3.49/mo intro
- Big network
- Renews higher
Prices are official list prices as of October 2026 and can change. We don’t use affiliate links on this site. How we choose.
The short answer: Proton VPN for most (start free); Mullvad for simple, privacy-first flat pricing; NordVPN if you want a big multi-year intro deal and accept higher renewal.
How do the top vpns compare?
Swipe the table sideways to see all three →
| Spec | Best overallProton VPN | Best simple pricingMullvad VPN | Lowest intro priceNordVPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free; Plus $9.99/mo or $53.88 first year | €5/month flat | From $3.49/mo (27-mo intro, $94.23) |
| Renewal | $83.88/yr after first year | Same (no promos) | $139.08/yr after intro |
| Free plan | Yes (1 device, unlimited data) | No | No |
| Devices | Up to 10 on Plus | Up to 5 | Up to 10 |
| Logging | No-logs, independently audited | No-logs, independently audited | No-logs, independently audited |
| Best for | Most people | Privacy-first users | Long-term deal seekers |
| Plans | See plans | See plans | See plans |
Why pick Proton VPN?
Proton VPN is the rare VPN with a free plan worth using: unlimited data, no ads, on one device. That lets you try it before paying.
Plus adds more devices and countries. It lists at $9.99 monthly, or $53.88 for the first year on annual billing, renewing at $83.88 a year (October 2026).
Great if you
- Want to start free
- Care about privacy
- Want a reputable company
Skip it if you
- Want the lowest multi-year price
Key specs
- Free plan
- 1 device, unlimited data, limited countries
- Plus
- $9.99/month; $53.88 first year annual; renews $83.88/yr
- Company
- Proton AG, Switzerland
- Audits
- Independent no-logs audits published
Proton VPNPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Why pick Mullvad VPN?
Mullvad keeps things simple: €5 a month, no long-term contracts, no renewal jump, and accounts are a random number rather than an email address.
It isn’t built for streaming-service unblocking, and there’s no free plan.
Great if you
- Want maximum privacy
- Hate promo pricing games
- Pay monthly
Skip it if you
- Want streaming features
- Want a free plan
Key specs
- Price
- €5/month, flat
- Devices
- Up to 5
- Account
- Account number, no email
- Company
- Mullvad VPN AB, Sweden
Mullvad VPNPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Why pick NordVPN?
NordVPN’s long intro plan has the lowest effective monthly price here, and it has a large server network and polished apps.
The renewal rate is much higher: $139.08 a year after the 27-month intro on the Basic plan, and month-to-month is $14.99 (October 2026). Set a reminder before renewal.
Great if you
- Commit for two-plus years
- Want a large server network
Skip it if you
- Dislike renewal increases
- Want to pay monthly
Key specs
- Intro
- Basic $3.49/month for 27 months ($94.23)
- Renewal
- $139.08/year
- Monthly
- $14.99
- Company
- Nord Security
NordVPNPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site What should you look for in vpns?
Do you need one?
A VPN hides your browsing from your network operator and ISP, useful on public Wi‑Fi. It doesn’t make you anonymous or stop malware.
Renewal price
Compare the price after the promo period ends, not just the headline monthly rate.
Trust
Choose providers with published independent audits and a clear jurisdiction.
Device count
Count phones, laptops and tablets in your household.
Proton VPNPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Frequently asked questions about vpns
Do I need a VPN at home?
Not usually for security; HTTPS already encrypts most traffic. People use VPNs for privacy from ISPs, public Wi‑Fi and travel.
Are free VPNs safe?
Many aren’t. Proton VPN’s free plan is a reputable exception. Avoid free VPNs that show ads or sell data.
Why does the price jump at renewal?
Intro deals are discounted; renewals are charged at the standard rate.
Can a VPN be traced?
A VPN shifts trust from your ISP to the VPN provider; it doesn’t make you anonymous.
Will a VPN slow my internet?
Some slowdown is normal; nearby servers and modern protocols like WireGuard reduce it.
How did we pick these vpns?
We compared pricing, renewal costs, free plans, device limits and published audits from each provider’s official pages, and FTC guidance on VPN apps.
We have not hands-on tested these products; we compare published specifications, independent measurements and manufacturer documentation, and we update this page when models change. Read the full methodology.
What sources did we use?
- FTC: In the market for a VPN app? (2018) (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Proton VPN pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Mullvad pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)
- NordVPN pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)