Best VPNs

The best VPNs for beginners

All ranked by the things that actually matter: an independently audited no-logs policy first, then price, devices, streaming and ease of use. Prices are intro rates — they renew higher, so always check the renewal before you buy.

💬 We may earn a commission from the links below, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our picks — they’re based on independent audits, features and value. Full disclosure.

#2

Surfshark

Best value — unlimited devices on a budget

Independently audited no-logs

No-logs re-verified by Deloitte (Jun 2025)

  • Unlimited devices
  • Cheapest long-term
  • Audited no-logs (Deloitte, 2025)
Price
from ~$2–2.50/mo (2-yr plan)
Devices
Unlimited
Money-back
30-day money-back
Streaming
Yes
Jurisdiction
Netherlands (9-Eyes; RAM-only servers)
Ease
★☆☆
#3

ExpressVPN

Premium ease + the best streaming

Independently audited no-logs

No-logs audit by KPMG (2025); 23+ independent audits total

  • Best-in-class streaming
  • Dead-simple apps
  • 23+ independent audits
Price
from ~$4.99/mo (2-yr plan)
Devices
8 (varies by tier — verify)
Money-back
30-day money-back
Streaming
Yes
Jurisdiction
British Virgin Islands (outside 5/9/14-Eyes)
Ease
★☆☆
#4

Proton VPN

Privacy-first — and the best free tier

Independently audited no-logs

No-logs audit by Securitum (4th consecutive, Aug 2025)

  • Real free tier (no card)
  • Swiss privacy
  • Audited no-logs (2025)
Price
from ~$3/mo (Plus, 2-yr) — or free
Devices
10
Money-back
30-day money-back (prorated)
Streaming
Yes
Jurisdiction
Switzerland (outside 5/9/14-Eyes)
Ease
★☆☆

🎁 Genuine free tier: unlimited data, 3 countries, no card needed

#5

CyberGhost

Streaming on a budget, with the longest refund window

Independently audited no-logs

No-logs audit by Deloitte (verify latest cycle)

  • 45-day money-back
  • Dedicated streaming servers
  • Beginner-friendly
Price
from ~€1.75/mo (long plan)
Devices
7
Money-back
45-day money-back (plans ≥6 mo)
Streaming
Yes
Jurisdiction
Romania (outside 5/9/14-Eyes)
Ease
★☆☆
#6

Private Internet Access

Power users — unlimited devices, deeply customizable

Independently audited no-logs

No-logs audit by Deloitte (2025); also proven in US court cases

  • Unlimited devices
  • No-logs proven in court
  • Highly customizable
Price
from ~$2/mo (long plan — verify)
Devices
Unlimited
Money-back
30-day money-back
Streaming
Limited
Jurisdiction
USA (5-Eyes; no-logs court-proven)
Ease
★★☆
#7

Windscribe

A flexible free tier for tinkerers

No-logs claimed (not fully audited)

No full independent audit, but no-data confirmed by a 2021 server seizure

  • 10GB/mo free
  • Pay only for what you use
  • Great for tinkerers
Price
from ~$3/mo (build-a-plan) — or free
Devices
Unlimited
Money-back
3-day refund (limited — verify)
Streaming
Limited
Jurisdiction
Canada (5-Eyes)
Ease
★★☆

🎁 10GB/month free with a confirmed email (11 countries)

#8

Mullvad

Maximum privacy (our honest pick — we earn nothing)

Independently audited no-logs

Infrastructure audits by Cure53 (4th, 2024); no-data proven in a 2023 police raid

  • Anonymous accounts (no email)
  • Flat €5/mo, zero upsells
  • No affiliate — we earn $0, pure privacy pick
Price
flat €5/mo (no discounts, ever)
Devices
5
Money-back
Limited refunds; no long contracts
Streaming
Limited
Jurisdiction
Sweden (14-Eyes; RAM-only, anonymous accounts)
Ease
★★☆

Note: no affiliate program — we earn nothing from this pick.

Compare at a glance

The column that matters most: Audited no-logs — independent proof, not just a promise.

VPN comparison — the “Audited no-logs” column is the key trust signal
VPN Audited no-logs Price from Devices Streaming Money-back Action
NordVPN Audited from ~$3–3.40/mo (2-yr plan) 10 Yes 30-day money-back Visit →
Surfshark Audited from ~$2–2.50/mo (2-yr plan) Unlimited Yes 30-day money-back Visit →
ExpressVPN Audited from ~$4.99/mo (2-yr plan) 8 (varies by tier — verify) Yes 30-day money-back Visit →
Proton VPN Audited from ~$3/mo (Plus, 2-yr) — or free 10 Yes 30-day money-back (prorated) Visit →
CyberGhost Audited from ~€1.75/mo (long plan) 7 Yes 45-day money-back (plans ≥6 mo) Visit →
Private Internet Access Audited from ~$2/mo (long plan — verify) Unlimited Limited 30-day money-back Visit →
Windscribe Claims only from ~$3/mo (build-a-plan) — or free Unlimited Limited 3-day refund (limited — verify) Visit →
Mullvad Audited flat €5/mo (no discounts, ever) 5 Limited Limited refunds; no long contracts Visit →

✅ independently audited no-logs · ⚠️ no-logs claimed but not fully audited

Your VPN guide

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