VPNs, reviewed and explained

VPN reviews

We haven't tested these VPNs ourselves: each review sets out what the vendor's own pages, terms, privacy policy and audit reports say, checked claim by claim.

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  NordVPN review

  Audited VPN with desktop download scanning

  Pick NordVPN if you want a VPN with a repeatedly audited no-logs policy and apps for nearly every device, plus download scanning on Windows and Mac in its Complete and higher plans — not if you need a full antivirus for files already on your computer, or an app on Roku or a game console.

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  Surfshark review

  One VPN account for every device in the house

  Pick Surfshark if you want one VPN account for an unlimited number of devices, with apps for Linux and three TV platforms and a no-logs policy Deloitte has checked twice — not if you want to read that audit before you sign up, or need a VPN app on a Roku, a console or a smart TV without Android TV or tvOS.

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  Proton VPN review

  An audited no-logs VPN with a no-data-cap free plan

  Pick Proton VPN if you want a free VPN for one device with no data cap, or a paid no-logs VPN with yearly published audits for up to 10 devices — not if you need to choose a country for free, or split tunneling on an iPhone.

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  PureVPN review

  VPN with port forwarding and dedicated IP add-ons

  Pick PureVPN if you want one VPN account for computers, phones and TV devices, with port forwarding or a dedicated IP as add-ons — not if you want a published audit report or P2P on US, UK, Canadian or Australian servers.

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  VeePN review

  One VPN account for computers, phones, TVs and browsers

  Pick VeePN if you want one VPN account across Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Android TV, Fire TV and browser extensions, with an ad blocker and Alternative ID in every plan — not if you need a no-logs policy backed by an independent audit, or one clear device limit.

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  VirtualShield VPN review

  One VPN account for computers and phones

  Pick VirtualShield VPN if you want one VPN account for Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android, especially next to VirtualShield's antivirus — not if you need a no-logs policy backed by a cited audit, or a VPN on a router, TV or in a browser.

Head-to-head

• NordVPN vs Surfshark
• NordVPN vs Proton VPN
• Surfshark vs Proton VPN
• PureVPN vs NordVPN

VPN guides

• What a VPN protects — and the things people wrongly expect it to — A VPN is a useful privacy tool with a specific, narrow job. The marketing has stretched it into a security cure-all. Here is where the line really sits.
• VPN vs antivirus: what each one protects, and do you need both? — Antivirus deals with harmful software on your device. A VPN deals with who can see your traffic on its way out. Here's what each one covers, what neither stops, and when you need one, the other or both.
• Antivirus with a VPN: when the bundle is worth it — and when it isn't — Most big security suites now include a VPN in at least some plans. Whether that's a bargain depends on what you'd actually use a VPN for.
• Norton VPN (formerly Norton Secure VPN): what it includes, which plans have it, and its limits — Norton's VPN comes with every Norton 360 plan and is also sold on its own. Here's what Norton says it includes, how many devices each plan covers, what it logs, where it falls short on some devices, and what Norton tells you to try when it won't connect.
• Avira Phantom VPN: is the free VPN enough, and what does Pro add? — Avira's free suite comes with a VPN — which sounds like a reason to skip paying for one. Here's what the free Phantom VPN actually covers, where its limits bite, and when VPN Pro or Avira Prime is worth it.