VPN Comparison 2026
NordVPN vs Surfshark vs Proton VPN – which VPN is best for you? We tested speed, security, streaming, and value.
Select VPNs to compare
What matters most?
NordVPN
★★★★½4.8Surfshark
★★★★½4.6Speed comparison
Sources: CyberInsider (Feb 2026), VPN Overview (2026), CyberNews (Feb 2026), VPNPro (2025)
Tested on 1 Gbps connection with WireGuard protocol.
Price comparison
NordVPN
Surfshark
Proton VPN
Full comparison
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed comparison | |||
| Local (nearby) | 868 Mbps | 653 Mbps | 468 Mbps |
| Peak speed | 903 Mbps | 752 Mbps | 614 Mbps |
| Long distance | 825 Mbps | 556 Mbps | 296 Mbps |
| Price comparison | |||
| Monthly | $12.99 | $15.45 | $9.99 |
| 2 years | $3.39/mo | $1.99/mo | $4.49/mo |
| Free version | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Security & privacy | |||
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM | AES-256-GCM | AES-256-GCM |
| Kill switch | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No-logs (audited) | ✓ Deloitte 2023, 2024 | ✓ Deloitte 2023, 2025 | ✓ Securitum 2024 |
| Double VPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Onion over VPN | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| RAM-only servers | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Split tunneling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-quantum encryption | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Open source | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Streaming | |||
| Netflix | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Disney+ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HBO Max | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Amazon Prime | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC iPlayer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Yle Areena | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SVT Play | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Features | |||
| Servers | 7,400+ | 3,200+ | 4,600+ |
| Countries | 118 | 100 | 100 |
| Devices | 10 | Unlimited | 10 |
| Ad blocker | Threat Protection | CleanWeb | NetShield |
| Malware protection | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated IP | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Meshnet | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| P2P optimized | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smart DNS | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Obfuscation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alternative ID | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| VPN Accelerator | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Which VPN is right for you?
NordVPN
Best overall – speed, security and streaming
Choose NordVPN if you want the fastest speeds, the largest server network, and reliable streaming worldwide.
✓ Fastest VPN tested (903 Mbps peak)
✓ Largest server network (7,400+ in 118 countries)
✓ Post-quantum encryption in use
✓ Threat Protection blocks malware and ads
✓ Meshnet for remote access
✗ No free version
✗ Most expensive monthly ($12.99)
✗ 10-device limit (Surfshark unlimited)
Surfshark
Best value – unlimited devices at low price
Choose Surfshark if you need to protect many devices on a tight budget without compromising security.
✓ Cheapest long-term ($1.99/mo for 2 years)
✓ Unlimited simultaneous devices
✓ RAM-only servers
✓ Alternative ID privacy feature
✓ CleanWeb blocks ads and tracking
✗ Slower on long distances (556 Mbps)
✗ Weak OpenVPN speeds (~80 Mbps)
✗ Netherlands HQ (9 Eyes alliance)
Proton VPN
Best privacy – open source and Swiss law
Choose Proton VPN if privacy is your top priority – Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and a free tier.
✓ Only free version without data limit
✓ Swiss privacy (no 5/9/14 Eyes)
✓ All apps open source
✓ Secure Core multi-hop servers
✓ Stealth protocol bypasses VPN blocks
✗ Slowest of three (468 Mbps local)
✗ No RAM-only servers
✗ No dedicated IP or Smart DNS
✗ More expensive than Surfshark long-term
Last updated: 2026-02-10
This article contains affiliate links. We earn a commission on purchases.