A VPN encrypts your connection and hides your IP address, which protects you on public Wi-Fi, keeps your browsing private from your internet provider and lets you watch your home streaming libraries when you travel. Prices have fallen a lot, and many good VPNs now cost about $2 a month on a long plan. We compared three services our readers ask about most, using their published plans, privacy terms and independent test reports (last checked November 2026).
What to look for in a VPN
- A no-logs policy, ideally independently audited. This is the core privacy promise.
- Modern protocols such as WireGuard for speed, plus a kill switch.
- Enough devices for your phone, laptop, TV and family.
- Streaming and P2P support if that is why you want a VPN.
- A money-back guarantee, so you can test it on your own connection.
Privacy and jurisdiction
Surfshark's no-logs policy has been independently audited, and it is part of the same group as NordVPN. PrivateVPN is based in Sweden and keeps a strict no-logs policy. iTop VPN is based in Hong Kong and has not published an independent audit, which is why we only recommend it for light use.
Speed and streaming
Surfshark and PrivateVPN both perform well for HD and 4K streaming in independent tests. iTop VPN's free servers are not built for streaming, and its paid streaming servers give mixed results.
Price and value
All three are cheapest on long plans: around $2 a month for PrivateVPN's three-year plan, about $2–2.50 for Surfshark's two-year Starter plan and about $2.60 for iTop's two-year plan. Monthly plans cost much more on every service. Each one offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, though some require you to ask support and may ask for a reason.
Is a free VPN good enough?
For checking a website on hotel Wi-Fi, a free plan is fine. For banking, work or anything private, a paid VPN with a clear no-logs record is worth the couple of dollars a month.
1. Surfshark
A big, fast network with unlimited devices and plenty of extras, at a low long-term price.
What we like
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Large network across about 100 countries
- Audited no-logs policy
- CleanWeb ad and malware blocker, split tunnelling, MultiHop
- WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2
Watch out for
- Lowest price needs a two-year plan
- Renewals cost more than the intro price
- Based in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes country)
- From
- about $2–2.50/mo (2-year plan)
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Servers
- 4,500+ in about 100 countries
- No-logs audit
- Yes
- Free plan
- No
- Money-back
- 30 days
2. PrivateVPN
A small Swedish VPN that is cheap, simple and strong for streaming and torrenting.
What we like
- About $2/mo on the 3-year plan
- Up to 10 devices at once
- Good for streaming and P2P, port forwarding
- Stealth mode for restrictive networks
- Live chat support
Watch out for
- Small server network (about 200 servers, 60+ countries)
- No split tunnelling
- Fewer extras than bigger rivals
- From
- about $2/mo (3-year plan)
- Devices
- 10
- Servers
- About 200 in 60+ countries
- No-logs audit
- Check provider
- Free plan
- No (7-day trial sometimes offered)
- Money-back
- 30 days
3. iTop VPN
A generous free tier for light, non-sensitive use, with cheap paid plans — but weaker on privacy and streaming.
What we like
- Free plan with a daily data allowance, no sign-up needed
- Paid plans from about $2.60/mo on 2 years
- Up to 5 devices
- Easy apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
Watch out for
- Based in Hong Kong
- Streaming unblocking is inconsistent in tests
- Monthly plan is expensive (about $12)
- From
- Free, or about $2.60/mo (2-year plan)
- Devices
- 5
- Servers
- 1,800+ in 100+ locations
- No-logs audit
- No
- Free plan
- Yes, data-capped
- Money-back
- 30 days
The verdict
FAQs
Of the three we compared, Surfshark is the best all-rounder thanks to unlimited devices, an audited no-logs policy and a large network at a low long-term price.
Yes. PrivateVPN performs well for streaming in independent tests and allows up to 10 devices, which makes it a strong budget choice for streaming.
iTop VPN encrypts your traffic, but it is based in Hong Kong and has no independent no-logs audit. It is fine for light, non-sensitive use; for privacy, choose an audited VPN.
Around $2–3 a month on a two- or three-year plan. Monthly plans usually cost $10–13.
All three offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check the provider's terms, as some ask you to contact support to request the refund.
