The Fastest VPNs for 2026

Features and capabilities: NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol is fast, open-source, and reliable. It also provides access to split tunneling and multi-hop connections. Nord’s Threat Protection Pro keeps you safe from malware on most streaming sites and blocks nasty trackers that could try to keep tabs on your browsing habits.

Privacy and security: Nord maintains transparent privacy standards with third-party audits and a frequently updated transparency report. NordLynx uses open-source technology, so you can see what makes the service tick. Nord doesn’t keep logs, and its no-logs policy has been independently verified in multiple security audits by VerSprite, Cure53, Deloitte, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC). 

Speed and performance: Nord delivered excellent performance in testing. It reduced our download speeds by 1.94% and upload speeds by 5.54%, and increased our latency by 67.04%. Those results are the best we've seen, earning Nord a Lab Award for fastest VPN.

Streaming: Streaming with Nord was streamlined. We didn’t experience any buffering or stuttering with videos. Additionally, Nord managed to unblock every regional Netflix library we tested. 

User experience and ease of use: Nord’s desktop apps can be a tad cluttered and overwhelming, especially if you’re new to VPNs. The dashboard is excellent for advanced users, offering a range of useful menus and tools.

Netflix watchers: Those looking to access streaming content will appreciate NordVPN's extensive selection of regional servers. Nord's reliable speeds make for a stable, stutter-free viewing experience.

Users who also want an antivirus: NordVPN offers nearly all the features novices and VPN experts alike want in a top-tier VPN, along with excellent speed scores. It's a longtime favorite, with a deft mix of powerful tools and simple design across all platforms. The company has also expanded to include several other privacy and security products, such as Nord Threat Protection Pro.

Features and capabilities: Surfshark's network has strong global coverage, with presence in 100 countries, making it a good pick for reliable, fast web access. Advanced connection options, such as multi-hop and post-quantum encryption, make it easy to tailor your security preferences. Surfshark aims to be a one-app security solution. You can configure an antivirus, ad blocker, and additional identity protection tools all in one place. 

Privacy and security: Privacy policies can be confusing and dense. Surfshark takes a better approach, offering an in-depth yet digestible policy that explains how the company handles data. The service has verified these claims with frequent third-party audits and quarterly transparency reports.

Speed and performance: Surfshark performed impressively in testing, though latency was high. We saw a 7.73% decrease in download speeds, a 7.12% decrease in upload speeds, and an 201.34% increase in latency.

Streaming: Netflix access was no problem for Surfshark. It accessed every regional catalog we tested without running into blocks. We did not experience stuttering or slow load times even when connected to distant locations.

User experience and ease of use: User experience is consistent between applications. Each version of Surfshark has a sleek design with clearly described features. It's easy to pick up and use as a new user, and it has enough depth for more experienced users to tinker with.

Media Streamers: Surfshark is a solid choice for those looking to watch their favorite shows from anywhere without compromising on security. The VPN was one of the fastest we have tested, and it unblocked regional Netflix catalogs with ease. 

Users who want a one-app solution: Alongside excellent speed scores, Surfshark has terrific global server coverage and a staunch stance on privacy. It's expensive, but it justifies the price with an array of bundled security tools beyond what most competitors offer.

Features and capabilities: TunnelBear VPN offers a totally free version of its paid service. The drawbacks? You're limited to 2GB of browsing data each month and can't manually select server locations. The premium version ($9.99/month) lifts this data cap. TunnelBear’s sole focus is on its VPN service, which has a wealth of advanced features at an affordable price. Always-on mode, a Kill Switch (VigilantBear), split tunneling (SplitBear), and advanced obfuscation (GhostBear) are common features across all platforms. TunnelBear VPN is available in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, as well as on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.

Privacy and security: TunnelBear VPN has one of the best privacy policies we've read. It is written in plain terms and provides clear, simple explanations of the company’s data practices. TunnelBear's privacy policy states that it does not collect information about users' web activity or store DNS queries, IP addresses, or timestamps.

Speed and performance: TunnelBear VPN performed well in testing. It slowed download and upload results by just 6.33% and 4.27%, respectively, and increased latency by 17.76.

Streaming: While connected to TunnelBear, we had unrestricted access to every regional Netflix catalog we tested. That said, if you're hoping to do a lot of location spoofing, TunnelBear may not be your best choice. TunnelBear has servers in 47 countries, which is right around average for the VPNs we've reviewed. While the country coverage is limited, TunnelBear operates its entire network with physical servers, which gives the company more control over data handling practices compared with a virtual server infrastructure. 

User experience and ease of use: The TunnelBear app for Windows was snappy and responsive yet cute and colorful. The "cute" we're talking about is in the app's animations. For example, when you connect to a VPN server, a notification appears in the form of a bear wearing a hat representative of that country.

Newbies: Thanks to its simple and user-friendly interface, TunnelBear VPN is an excellent choice for anyone new to VPNs. It's also a strong option for anyone who just needs a general-purpose VPN and doesn't need to fuss with too many network settings.

Design lovers: In a category filled with dark, high-tech, or utilitarian-looking apps, it's fun to encounter a bright, cheery app that doesn't take itself too seriously. There's even a Bear Sounds option in the Settings menu. If you turn it on, a roaring sound plays whenever you connect or disconnect from a VPN server.

Features and capabilities: IPVanish supports unlimited device connections, so you can secure all your household devices without worrying about connecting and disconnecting to make space. Its global server network makes it a solid pick for travelers who want a fast VPN. However, IPVanish is expensive and failed to unblock every Netflix title we tested.

Privacy and security: IPVanish has a detailed privacy policy that outlines how the service handles user data. It's a bit dense, but the standard assurances are all there. IPVanish doesn't log or monitor browsing activity, nor does the service sell your data to third parties. The VPN has undergone a privacy audit, which verified the company's no-logs claims.

Speed and performance: Performance was excellent with IPVanish. Download speeds dipped by 4.98% while upload speeds fell by just 15.70%. Latency ticked up a bit more than some competitors, rising 98%.

Streaming: Streaming with IPVanish was hit-or-miss. It was detected and blocked in the US and Canada, but was able to access content catalogs in Australia, Japan, and the UK without issues.

User experience and ease of use: IPVanish has a simple black-and-green design that is consistent across all supported operating systems. We found it easy to use on both desktop and mobile platforms.

Users with many devices: IPVanish makes it easy to protect all your frequently used devices thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections.

Users who need advanced privacy features: IPVanish offers excellent tools, including a customizable multi-hop feature that lets you further obfuscate your traffic by routing your connection through an additional VPN server.

Features and capabilities: Malwarebytes covers the basics. It isn’t the most advanced or fully featured service, but it will secure your connection at an affordable price. Split tunneling support isn’t comprehensive across platforms, and you don’t get multi-hop servers. If you’re looking for a set-it-and-forget-it VPN and don’t want to do any fine-tuning, then it might be the right choice for you.

Privacy and security: Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is powered by Azire, which Malwarebytes acquired in 2024. The VPN is fully open source and has been audited by X 41D-Sec. The privacy policy is a bit dense in spots, but it is comprehensive and fully outlines how the company handles your data.

Speed and performance: Malwarebytes did exceptionally well in our latest round of speed tests. It reduced our download and upload speeds by 4.94% and 5.62%, respectively. Latency was equally impressive, increasing by just 76.51%. Its performance places it right behind our PCMag Lab Award winner for fastest VPN, NordVPN.

Streaming: We had mixed results streaming with Malwarebytes. It unblocked catalogs in the UK, US, and Canada without issue. Unfortunately, it was detected and blocked in Australia and Japan.

User experience and ease of use: While features weren’t entirely consistent across each platform, the overall design and usability of each application were excellent.

People who want a device-based plan: Malwarebytes offers a unique pricing system that lets you choose a plan based on the number of devices you’d like to protect. It can be restrictive if you have a whole home of devices you want to secure, or you can snag a pretty good deal if you only have a couple of devices you plan to use your VPN on. 

Users who want to try before they buy: Malwarebytes has one of the best free trials I have seen from a VPN. Simply download the app on your desktop to get a fully featured 14-day trial without any payment requirements.

Features and capabilities: CyberGhost offers a robust selection of task-specific servers, making it a solid pick for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. A vast network of over 11,500 servers in 100 countries makes CyberGhost a top contender for global content access.

Privacy and security: CyberGhost’s service is backed by a comprehensive, easy-to-read privacy policy that clearly states the company does not retain, sell, or trade user data. The VPN releases quarterly transparency reports and is regularly audited by privacy firms such as Deloitte. 

Speed and performance: CyberGhost performed well in our latest round of speed tests. We saw an 8.73% reduction in download speeds, a 4.41% decrease in upload speeds, and a 92.06% increase in latency.

Streaming: We pitted CyberGhost against five regional Netflix catalogs: The US, UK, Australia, Japan, and Canada. It was able to access each region’s specific content catalog without running into blocks or restrictions. 

User experience and ease of use: All of CyberGhost’s apps are organized and easy to use. You can quickly find the streaming servers on the left-hand sidebar. It’s always clear when you’re connected thanks to a large power button icon on the right side of the dashboard. Each server shows the current user load, so you can easily find fast servers in your area.

Task-specific users: CyberGhost is for users who want dedicated server options for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. The VPN's advanced NoSpy servers make it an excellent choice for those who need uncompromising privacy.  

Mobile users: CyberGhost’s mobile apps are simple and straightforward, with full access to advanced features. It's easy to take your content on the go thanks to seven supported simultaneous device connections. 

Features and capabilities: For $9.95 per month, Hide.me offers access to thousands of servers in 57 countries. You can maintain up to 10 connections simultaneously, which is particularly beneficial for families or individuals with multiple devices. The free version has no data limits, which is excellent; however, its server selection is very limited, connection speeds are slower, and you can only connect one device at a time.

Privacy and security: Hide.me requires only your email address to create an account. With a wide range of secure, anonymous payment options, it’s easy to limit the data the service can access. According to the privacy policy, the company collects your email and stores it in an encrypted form in a secure facility. Hide.me doesn't store any customer payment information or additional data, such as your IP address, physical address, or other personal information. Additionally, the service uses physical servers rather than virtual machines, giving the company greater control over how user data is handled.

Speed and performance: In our most recent tests, we were impressed with Hide.me’s performance. Download speeds only decreased by 5.93%, upload speeds by 22.72%, and latency increased by 92.11%. These results beat out the average impact across all VPNs that we tested. 

Streaming: The app's website claims it works well with popular streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Disney+. During testing, we accessed Netflix while connected to servers in Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US with no issues or limitations. 

User experience and ease of use: The interface is a bit busy on Windows, with a sectioned dashboard that puts the features and tools you want front and center. Beginner users may find it especially difficult to determine which tools are important and which can be ignored. If you’d rather skip the clutter, then you can use the macOS or mobile apps for a simpler user experience. 

Budget-conscious customers: Hide.me offers a feature-packed free version you can try. The SmartGuard feature is particularly interesting: It is an all-in-one ad blocker, malware blocker, parental control app, and website filter.

Movie streamers: Hide.me reliably accesses regional Netflix catalogs, making it a fast and reliable service for streaming geo-restricted content. With a full-featured five-day premium trial, you can give Hide.me a shot and see how its speeds are before you pay for a subscription.

Features and capabilities: Windscribe’s premium plan allows unlimited simultaneous device connections and provides access to a sizable physical server network spanning 69 countries. You can also use advanced features such as split tunneling. If you’re unsure if the VPN is the right pick for you, then you can try it out for free. With the free plan, you get 10GB of browsing data per month if you confirm your email address, or 2GB if you don't. 

Privacy and security: Windscribe doesn't log your data. Its fast and anonymous signup process allows you to use the VPN app without giving up a lot of data about yourself. Next, you can pay for the app using various payment methods, including cryptocurrency. On Windscribe's website, you'll find the company's ethics statement and a transparency report detailing every law-enforcement request it receives. This is an excellent policy that we hope more VPN companies will adopt in the future.

Speed and performance: Windscribe performed solidly in testing. Download speed test scores decreased by only 10.66%, upload speed test scores decreased by 13.20%, and latency increased by 67.01%. Windscribe delivered reliable, above-average speeds, making it excellent for streaming video and downloading content. 

Streaming: Using Windscribe, we were able to watch Netflix without any restrictions. We could access the entire library when connected to five Windscribe servers in Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US.

User experience and ease of use: Minimalists will appreciate Windscribe's modest app interface. The Settings menu includes a helpful guide to all of the app's features. For example, if you don't know which VPN protocol to use, open the information button next to the setting's label and read the corresponding support page, which explains what the feature is and how to use it.

Users who want anonymity: Windscribe leads the pack in privacy and company transparency. The service takes a no-nonsense approach to all aspects of its business, with clear terms, anonymous payment options, and one of the best free trials among the VPNs we've tested.

Users who want advanced browsing controls: Windscribe offers a content-filtering feature called Robert. You can use it to block ads, gambling content, malware, porn, social media, and more during your browsing.