Best VPNs 2026: find a fast and secure VPN that won't risk your data

Highly publicised data leakages and the erosion of internet privacy are an increasing concern, and it's prompted a growing interest in virtual private networks (VPNs).

We’ve tested a selection of VPNs from some of the biggest names, including Express, Nord, Proton and Urban, to see how they compare. 

VPNs create an encrypted internet connection, minimising the amount of information visible to third-party websites, your internet service provider (ISP) and any potential eavesdroppers such as hackers. 

However, they aren't a foolproof solution for all privacy issues and they have limits, which we assess in further detail below our reviews.

Similar to antivirus software, VPNs use a subscription model. These are often confusing and typically include a spike in costs when it's time to renew the subscription. We’ve also found the auto-renew feature difficult to deactivate - we’ll let you know which ones are the worst offenders.

The VPNs we tested

The biggest brands and the most popular VPNs are listed below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the VPN test results. 

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All the VPNs we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the VPN test results. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.

Express VPN Basic

Available from expressvpn.com

Most recently tested January 2026

Additional functionality Kill switch (Android and iOS only), ad blocker, malicious website blocker, extension add-on for Chrome, Firefox and Edge, compatible with routers, Linux, Chrome OS and Android TV

Need to know 10 licences, 150 endpoint locations available 

Nord VPN Basic

Available from nordvpn.com

Most recently tested January 2026

Additional functionality Kill switch, split tunneling, extension add-on for Chrome, Firefox and Edge

Need to know 10 licences, 125 endpoint locations available

Proton VPN Plus

Available from protonvpn.com

Most recently tested January 2026

Additional functionality Kill switch, split tunneling, ad blocker, malicious website blocker (Windows, Mac and Android only), extension add-on for Chrome, Firefox and Edge, compatible with Linux, Chrome OS, Android TV, Apple TV and Firestick

Need to know 10 licences, 120 endpoint locations available

Looking for more protection online? See our expert pick of the best antivirus for Windows and best antivirus for Mac

Urban VPN Premium

Available from urbanvpn.com

Most recently tested January 2026

Additional functionality Kill switch (Android and iOS only), split tunneling (Android and iOS only), extension add-on for Chrome, Firefox and Edge

Need to know Eight licences, 89 endpoint locations available

VeePN Basic

Available from veepn.com

Most recently tested January 2026

Additional functionality Extension add-on for Chrome, Firefox and Edge

Need to know Five licences, 85 endpoint locations available

VPN Super Unlimited Proxy

Available from vpnsuper.com

Most recently tested January 2026

Additional functionality None

Need to know 10 licences, number of endpoint locations not stated

How we test VPNs

Effect on internet connection speeds

We check to see what impact an active VPN connection has on your internet connection speed on each applicable platform (Windows, Mac, Android and iOS), and we do this over several months to get a better idea of the average performance. 

While our tests found a near-universal decrease in connection speeds when a VPN was active compared to when it wasn't - the best software still kept connection speeds swift.

Latency delay (the time it takes between sending a request from your device and receiving a response from the server, while being encrypted) is typically just a fraction higher when a VPN is active. The worst VPNs, however, can greatly increase this delay, and our reviews highlight when this is the case.

Other factors, including internet connection quality and how busy the VPN server is at any given time, can impact connection speeds regardless of how capable the VPN itself is.

Our tests found that the endpoint country you set your VPN connection to can have a great effect on connection speeds. We test each VPN on popular connection locations, including the UK, Spain, Switzerland, the United States and Japan. 

Results for the UK, Spain and Switzerland tend to be strong (although typically not as fast as the connection without the VPN), but connection speed is usually far slower when the endpoint is set to the US or Japan.

Effect on device speed

The best VPNs should run silently in the background and not interfere with the functionality or performance of your device or other software running on it.

None of the VPNs we tested had serious adverse effects on any of our test devices.

Installation and ease of use

We buy and install VPNs as you would - and rate the process. We look at how easy this is, the clarity of the instructions and the transparency of the subscription and auto-renew procedure.

We also review how well designed each VPN app is, how easy menus and settings are to navigate, and how simple it is to switch the connection on and off. 

Security and privacy claims

When using a VPN, you’re entrusting the provider with your privacy. We check the security of each VPN, along with what each provider claims it does with your data and information. 

We rate how easy these details are to find and how forthcoming and transparent they are.

We buy the bestselling VPNS and put them through our tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. 

What is a VPN and how does it work?

A VPN (virtual private network) creates a secure tunnel of internet connection between your computer, smartphone or other internet-connected device and the web. 

Data and information sent and received with an active VPN connection are encrypted and converted into unintelligible code, largely preventing third-party websites, your internet service provider (ISP) and any potential eavesdroppers from reading it.

This information includes your IP address (the unique identifiable code assigned to every device connected to your home network), browsing history, some saved data formats and your geographic location.

By obscuring this information, you become much more anonymous online and harder to identify. It's not an infallible tool for total online privacy - there are limitations to what it can do and obscure - but it will help reduce your online footprint and visibility to intrusive companies and service providers. 

The extra layer of encryption may also be a useful further line of defence against hackers.

Does a VPN protect my privacy?

Although VPNs mask your online searches and greatly reduce third-party access to your data and information, they’re not a silver bullet to full online anonymity.

If you log in or are already logged into a website, you freely reveal your information, and third-party websites can track you, regardless of an active VPN. They don’t actively retrieve and cover up data and information already left behind. VPNs simply obscure information from the point of activation.

Additionally, you won't remain private from your VPN provider - it can still read your data and information. Providers are often transparent about what they do with your data, and many have pages on their websites dedicated to this. 

Cookies (small text files that record data about your interaction with websites) already stored on your device remain active, even with a VPN. VPNs also don’t block new cookies, and instead simply deceive them with a false location and IP address. Cookies were originally designed to create a smoother experience on websites - for example, keeping you logged in and maintaining shopping baskets. However, cookies are additionally used as a means to collect data on your shopping and browsing habits, to target you with more relevant advertising.

Only by deleting existing cookies, using private browsing modes (such as Incognito on Chrome or Private Browsing on Safari) and activating a VPN can you collectively minimise the impact of cookies. But even then, some, such as so-called ‘supercookies’ can still operate. 

‘Supercookies’ record information including your device’s operating system, browser and the language of displayed content, regardless of a VPN connection. Taken together, this information can still be used to identify your device.

You should be reassured that you enjoy certain rights and protections regarding the collection, use and storage of your data and information. This is regulated by UK data protection laws, which also grant you the right to request that your data and information be deleted.

Tricky website relationships

Streaming sites, such as BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Netflix, are increasingly blocking access to some or all of their content if they detect an active VPN. Streaming sites have licensing agreements that dictate what content can be shown in certain regions. Bypassing this by switching your location with a VPN is against their terms and conditions. This can result in the app not working or blocking content tied to specific regions.

Other websites may also prevent access or struggle to properly function if they detect a VPN, particularly if it's set to a foreign endpoint location (our tests found no issue if the endpoint was set to the UK). These include many banking, ticketing, gambling, gaming and some shopping sites. You can get around this by temporarily turning off the VPN but, depending on the software, this can be a chore and arguably defeats the purpose of using a VPN.

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent

Free VPN vs paid VPN: what's the difference?

When we looked at free VPNs, we found they tended to be slower, limited or had drawbacks not found with paid-for equivalents. Although these drawbacks were not universal and some free VPNs may be suitable for basic needs - many will find the restrictions placed on them too limiting.

The primary difference between free and paid-for VPNs is the number of endpoint locations you can access. Most freebies will only offer a basic UK endpoint (typically a London IP address) with no foreign locations available.

Many free options impose very tight data usage limits. This caps the use of the VPN, and when the limit is reached it will typically stop working. We’ve seen free options limited to a little as 200MB per day, which can easily be exceeded by watching a few videos.

In addition, we found that some supposedly free VPNs are instead just trials where you have to pay to keep using them. Others are littered with advertising that makes the app irritating to navigate and use, or include intrusive upselling attempts.

Many paid VPNs will offer a range of extra functions to entice you into paying:

• Ad blockers A separate feature that should block trackers and reduce the number of annoying banner, pop-up and video ads that appear on some webpages.
• DNS leak protection It’s possible that some programs on your device might sneak past the VPN installed on your computer. Leak protection should stop software from being able to do this.
• Increased compatibility The majority of VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, but some also provide wider compatibility. For example, certain VPNs are able to run on your router, thereby encrypting your entire household’s internet traffic in one fell swoop.
• Kill switch If the connection to your VPN drops because of a technical fault, a kill switch will disable your device’s internet connection to ensure no unencrypted data leaves the device.
• Malicious website blocker Some VPNs include malware blocking capabilities that scan for or filter out malicious software.
• Simultaneous connections This lets you use your VPN on more than one device at the same time. 
• Split tunneling This lets you set which apps on your device are encrypted via your VPN and which can go through your ISP.

Should you get a VPN or use antivirus?

VPNs and antivirus software have different roles. While a VPN can help preserve your online privacy and encrypt your internet connection, it won’t identify and fight against online threats such as malware, phishing attempts or ransomware alone. For top-notch protection against these online nasties, you'll need to invest in the best Windows antivirus and best Mac antivirus.

VPNs offer a layer of encryption that may be useful in certain scenarios. Although email and many websites, particularly banking sites, have their own tough layer of encryption, some older sites lack this. It's unlikely you’ll access unencrypted websites regularly, but your data is at risk and could be intercepted. A VPN could provide valuable peace of mind.

It's also often tempting to connect to unencrypted public wi-fi, especially when in buildings that have weak mobile reception, such as hospitals, airports, railway stations or your local pub or cafe. The lack of encryption on public wi-fi leaves you at greater risk of being exploited by hackers, though. Here, they can easily intercept your information and data, and even deploy malware. 

Despite the differences between VPNs and antivirus, one similarity is the chaotic way in which they can handle subscriptions. Typically starting with a reduced or reasonable initial price to entice you, this is followed by a large spike at the point of renewal, which is usually set to automatically occur. At the time of writing, Nord is a big offender here, with a 90% price hike when the subscription is renewed.

Some antivirus packages include a VPN as an extra feature, potentially making them a more affordable option to benefit from both. The quality of what's offered differs, however, and many only include basic versions or trials of their full VPN in the hope you’ll upgrade. But some antivirus packages, such as Norton 360 Standard and McAfee Total Protection Essential, include their full VPNs as part of the deal. These could be appealing options, but be aware of their own price spike at the point of renewal.

The Online Safety Act and VPNs: what you need to know

The Online Safety Act brought a surge of renewed interest in VPNs. As of July 2025, the Act requires sites and platforms to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate content. This is not restricted to just pornography - sites where hateful content can be displayed are also covered, for example. This includes access to forums such as Reddit and social messaging sites such as X (Twitter) and Discord. 

Users in the UK are required to verify their age by providing ID, such as a passport, driving licence or credit/debit card in order to access these sites. A VPN can be used to bypass this, by switching your location to a foreign destination that isn’t covered by the Act or a similar local equivalent. This has quickly become one of the most notable advantages of using a VPN, as not every adult wants to hand over their personal information.

Although this isn't illegal, using a VPN in this manner is a dubious grey area that uncomfortably skirts the law. Parents should be mindful of the potential impact a VPN can have on allowing access to such content without checks, particularly if they use a family VPN service or a child has one installed on their device. If you're concerned about this, check out our guide for setting up parental controls on smartphones and social media.

VPN scams: be on your guard

A surge of interest in VPNs has proven to be a golden opportunity for scammers to acquire personal information and unleash malware on unsuspecting victims.

We recently investigated and reported on two scam VPNs which were available on Apple’s App Store. By hijacking and replicating a legitimate company's name and other details, scammers created convincing but phoney VPN apps that were designed to harvest user information.

These apps remained active on the App Store for a prolonged period of time. Apple’s vetting was fooled by the scammers hiding their software behind the details of a legitimate UK entity that it believed was safe. 

Even after the real company's director got in touch to complain about his company's details being fraudulently used, Apple was slow to act. Eventually, these apps were removed, but only after a lengthy period of back and forth, which left countless individuals vulnerable in the meantime.

The best way to ensure that you’re downloading legitimate VPN software is to access it via the provider’s official online store. These will usually have direct download links or forward you to the legitimate app on an app store.