THE CLUB SHORTLIST 10 picks
10 VPNs to compare before you subscribe
Start with NordVPN for an everyday mix of devices, Surfshark for a busy household or Proton VPN if you want to begin with a free plan. These ten options cover different needs, with the buying checks beside each pick.
We may earn a commission when you buy through a link marked “Affiliate link”. How we’re funded. Our comparisons use provider documentation; we have not run hands-on speed or streaming tests for this list.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
The shortlist, with the trade-offs
NordVPN is our starting point for a mix of laptops and phones. The ten-device allowance gives you room to connect several at once; check the app-specific features before paying for a larger bundle.
- 10 connections on one account
- Router setup uses one device slot
- Extra security features depend on your plan and app.
- Devices at once
- 10
- Free option
- No ongoing free plan
Compare the renewal charge with the first-term offer.
Choose Surfshark when counting device slots would be a chore. Its unlimited connection allowance suits a household with several phones and computers, provided you check the sharing rules and the apps you need.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Apps for the main desktop and mobile systems
- Check the plan: antivirus and other extras may cost more.
- Devices at once
- Unlimited
- Free option
- No ongoing free plan
Check the total prepaid term and the renewal price.
Try Proton Free if you want to see how a VPN fits your routine without buying a subscription. Move to VPN Plus when you need more device connections or a wider choice of servers.
- Free tier without a monthly data cap
- Paid VPN Plus covers 10 devices
- Free and paid plans differ in server choice and features.
- Devices at once
- 1 free / 10 paid
- Free option
- Free tier with unlimited data
Compare VPN Plus with the wider Proton bundles.
ExpressVPN deserves a look when your shortlist includes a TV as well as a laptop. Its setup documentation covers many platforms, but you still need to match your subscription tier to your connection count.
- 10 Basic, 12 Advanced or 14 Pro connections
- TV apps and compatible router options
- Your connection limit depends on the subscription tier.
- Devices at once
- 10 / 12 / 14
- Free option
- Trial terms vary by platform
Choose the tier before comparing the subscription total.
Mullvad is a clear option for a short trip or a month-long project. The published €5 monthly price avoids a long prepaid commitment, and you create an account number instead of an email-based login.
- Published price of €5 per month
- Account-number signup
- Five-device cap; no port forwarding.
- Devices at once
- 5
- Free option
- No free plan
€5 per month including VAT; payment-method terms apply.
PIA suits you if you want to decide which apps use the VPN. Its split-tunneling controls and unlimited device allowance are useful reasons to compare it with the simpler connection setups here.
- Unlimited personal-device connections
- Split tunneling on supported apps
- Features differ between operating systems.
- Devices at once
- Unlimited
- Free option
- No ongoing free plan
Check the full term and any optional add-ons.
IPVanish brings phones and TV devices into the same app family. Its developer lists support for Fire TV and Apple TV, so it belongs on the shortlist if those are the screens you use.
- Fire TV and Apple TV support
- WireGuard and other protocol options
- Confirm trial renewal terms in the store you buy through.
- Devices at once
- Your own devices
- Free option
- App trial terms apply
Compare the website plan with app-store billing.
CyberGhost gives longer-plan buyers time to try the service within a 45-day refund window. Use that time to check your devices and nearby servers; the monthly plan has a shorter window.
- Up to 7 simultaneous connections
- 45-day refund window on long plans
- Monthly plans have a shorter 14-day refund window.
- Devices at once
- 7
- Free option
- Device-specific trials
Refund eligibility depends on term and purchase channel.
Windscribe is useful for occasional browsing when a monthly data allowance is enough. Confirming your email raises the free allowance to 10 GB; streaming video can use that allowance quickly.
- Free tier on multiple personal devices
- Paid options for more data and locations
- Without a confirmed email, the free allowance is 2 GB.
- Devices at once
- Unlimited
- Free option
- 10 GB/month with confirmed email
Check Pro against Build-A-Plan for your locations.
Unlocator is relevant if you are comparing VPN apps with Smart DNS for a TV. Choose the connection that fits the device, and make sure your subscription includes VPN when you want encrypted traffic.
- VPN apps for phones and computers
- Smart DNS is a separate connection option
- Smart DNS alone does not encrypt your connection.
- Devices at once
- Check selected plan
- Free option
- Trial offered; check terms
Choose a plan that includes VPN if you need encryption.
No VPNs in this shortlist match that filter.
SIDE BY SIDE
A closer look at the first three
Use these facts to narrow the choice, then check the plan and app you intend to use.
| Your buying check | NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | An everyday mix of devices | A busy household | Starting free, then upgrading |
| Devices at once | 10 | Unlimited | 1 free / 10 paid |
| Free option | No ongoing free plan | No ongoing free plan | Free tier with unlimited data |
| Billing note | Compare the renewal charge with the first-term offer. | Check the total prepaid term and the renewal price. | Compare VPN Plus with the wider Proton bundles. |
OUR APPROACH
How we chose this list
We put everyday device use first, then included alternatives for free access, monthly billing and TV setups. A specialist choice can suit you better than the first entry. The numbers show our reading order, not measured speed or security scores.
We checked the linked provider documentation on 6 November 2026. The current team assessment uses AI-assisted research. Each card names its source and a reason to pause before buying. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; providers without an affiliate agreement also appear.
A FEW PRACTICAL ANSWERS
Questions before you subscribe
Which VPN should I start with?
NordVPN is our first comparison for an everyday device mix. Compare Surfshark for more devices or Proton VPN if a free plan is the priority.
Are these rankings based on speed tests?
No. This list uses published provider documentation and editorial judgement about fit. We have not run comparative speed, streaming or leak tests for this page.
Is a free VPN enough?
It can be enough for occasional use. Check the device allowance, data cap and server-selection rules. A free plan and a time-limited paid-service trial are different offers.
Does a VPN make me anonymous?
A VPN changes the IP address websites see and encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server. Accounts, cookies and the VPN provider still affect your privacy.
Read the source material 16
- support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19476515228305-How-many-devices-can-I-use-with-NordVPN for NordVPN plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- surfshark.com/features/multiple-devices for Surfshark plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- protonvpn.com/pricing for Proton VPN plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- expressvpn.com/support/knowledge-hub/simultaneous-connections for ExpressVPN plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- mullvad.net/en/pricing for Mullvad plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- privateinternetaccess.com/vpn-features for Private Internet Access plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- play.google.com/store/apps/details for IPVanish plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- cyberghostvpn.com/features/money-back-guarantee for CyberGhost plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- windscribe.com/features/windows for Windscribe plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- support.unlocator.com/article/142-difference-between-unlocator-smart-dns-and-vpn for Unlocator plan or app details checked November 6, 2026
- privateinternetaccess.com/download for Platform support and feature distinctions checked November 6, 2026
- privateinternetaccess.com/vpn-features/split-tunneling for Platform support and feature distinctions checked November 6, 2026
- protonvpn.com/free-vpn for Platform support and feature distinctions checked November 6, 2026
- expressvpn.com/support/knowledge-hub/supported-devices for Platform support and feature distinctions checked November 6, 2026
- nordvpn.com/features for Platform support and feature distinctions checked November 6, 2026
- surfshark.com/features for Platform support and feature distinctions checked November 6, 2026