The Ultimate VPN Showdown: Comparing Seven Leading Services in 2025

CyberGhost operates out of Romania and runs one of the largest networks available, with over 11,500 servers across 100 countries. The company has undergone independent audits to confirm its strict no‑logs policy, and it offers specialised servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming. Our testing shows CyberGhost is the fastest VPN we measured, averaging 210 Mbps global download speeds. Plans start at $2.19 per month on a two‑year subscription, and every plan comes with a generous 45‑day money‑back guarantee.

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and is known for its strong privacy protections, including an audited no‑logs policy and RAM‑only TrustedServer architecture. Its network covers more than 105 countries but focuses on high‑quality servers rather than raw numbers. ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol delivers respectable speeds—averaging 110 Mbps globally—and the service works in restrictive regions like China. Pricing starts at $3.49 per month on a two‑year plan with a 30‑day refund window. Note that ExpressVPN now allows up to 10 devices per account.

NordVPN combines a huge network (over 8,000 servers in 126 countries) with advanced features like Double VPN, Threat Protection and Meshnet. Its NordLynx protocol—built on WireGuard—helps keep speeds competitive, averaging 85 Mbps across all locations. NordVPN supports 10 devices per subscription and offers plans from $3.09 per month on a two‑year term. A 30‑day money‑back guarantee is included.

Proton VPN, headquartered in Switzerland, offers some of the strongest privacy protections: an audited no‑logs policy, open‑source apps and “Secure Core” servers that route traffic through privacy‑friendly countries. Proton operates over 13,000 servers in 122 countries and is one of the few providers with a free plan offering unlimited bandwidth. Speed tests show Proton reduces download speeds by about eight percent (86.1 Mbps with VPN vs 93.7 Mbps without) while maintaining fast uploads. Paid plans start at $4.49 per month for a two‑year subscription, with a prorated 30‑day guarantee.

Surfshark has surged in popularity thanks to its unlimited device policy and low long‑term pricing. The network spans more than 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, and the WireGuard‑based protocol enables excellent speeds—Surfshark averaged 184 Mbps in recent tests. In addition to standard security features, Surfshark offers extras like CleanWeb (ad blocking and anti‑malware) and MultiHop routing. The Starter plan costs $1.99 per month on a two‑year term with a 30‑day money‑back guarantee.

Private Internet Access (PIA) operates a large network spanning 91 countries and offers servers in every U.S. state. PIA stands out with unlimited device connections, strong P2P support, port forwarding and optional dedicated IP addresses. In Comparitech’s tests, PIA delivered a respectable 108 Mbps average download speed and supported customization of encryption and protocols. Pricing starts at $2.03 per month on a three‑year term with a 30‑day money‑back guarantee.

Norton Secure VPN is bundled with Norton’s antivirus and identity‑protection packages. Its network is small—servers in 31 countries and 73 cities—and it does not allow torrenting. Speed tests show a global download average of around 86 Mbps and a steep drop in upload throughput (about 11 Mbps), with latency rising to 126 ms. Pricing varies by the number of devices: the five‑device annual plan costs about $3.33 per month, while the ten‑device plan is $5.00 per month. Annual plans include a 60‑day money‑back guarantee.

Our research highlights distinct strengths for each VPN. Your choice should align with your priorities:

Fastest speeds and streaming: CyberGhost’s 210 Mbps average download speed and specialised streaming servers make it ideal for bandwidth‑intensive activities.

Premium performance with balanced features: ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol and high reliability justify its higher price.

Advanced security and large network: NordVPN offers Double VPN, Threat Protection and a massive server network.

Privacy and transparency: Proton VPN provides an audited no‑logs policy, open‑source apps and a free plan.

Unlimited devices on a budget: Surfshark delivers fast speeds and unlimited connections at the lowest per‑month cost.

Customisable, P2P‑friendly option: PIA is a great pick for technical users who want to tweak their encryption settings and connect unlimited devices.

Integrated security suite: Norton Secure VPN may suit users already invested in Norton’s broader security products, but its speeds and features lag behind the competition.