Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Proton VPN
Best for PrivacyPrice
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Summary
Built by the team behind ProtonMail, this Swiss-based VPN is the gold standard for privacy-first users. It's the only major VPN with a genuinely usable free tier that doesn't cap your data.
Unlimited simultaneous device connections at a budget-friendly price makes Surfshark the obvious pick for households or anyone with too many devices. PCMag found it had the best upload and download speeds of any VPN tested.
Pros
- Free tier with no data limits — rare and legitimate among free VPNs
- Swiss-based with strong legal privacy protections
- Open-source apps independently audited for security
- Covers 117 countries with up to 10 simultaneous connections
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections — no per-device limits
- Best upload and download speeds in PCMag's testing
- Strong no-logs policy with solid encryption
- Competitive pricing, especially on multi-year plans
Cons
- Speeds slightly slower than NordVPN in head-to-head tests
- Free tier limits server selection significantly
- Premium plans can be pricier than competitors without a sale
- Owned by Nord Security (same parent as NordVPN) — raises independence questions
- Smaller privacy pedigree compared to Proton or Mullvad
- Some advanced privacy features require higher-tier plans
Our take
Proton VPN is what I'd recommend to anyone who actually cares about who's behind their VPN. Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and a free plan with no data limits — it's the rare VPN you can trust without just taking their word for it.
Surfshark is the move if you're covering a whole family or just refuse to pay for multiple VPN seats. Unlimited devices, top-tier speeds, and a no-logs policy — it punches well above its price point.
Buy
