Top 3 Surfshark Alternatives in 2026

Best all-round VPN — fastest measured speeds with verified audits

NordVPN is the best all-rounder: the fastest median speeds in our testing, the longest run of independent audits, and Panamanian jurisdiction. Renewal pricing and interface clutter are the recurring complaints.

• Large global server network
• Reliable streaming access
• Privacy-friendly jurisdiction
• RAM-only servers

Best for genuine privacy requirements, and the only trustworthy free tier

Proton VPN is the privacy-first choice: Swiss jurisdiction, fully open-source clients, independent audits, and the only genuinely trustworthy free tier in this category. Speeds are good rather than best.

• Large global server network
• Reliable streaming access
• Privacy-friendly jurisdiction
• RAM-only servers

Best ease of use and router support for non-technical users

ExpressVPN is the most polished and forgiving VPN to use, with excellent router support and a real-world court case supporting its no-logs claim. It is also the most expensive here, and its Kape ownership divides opinion.

• Large global server network
• Reliable streaming access
• Privacy-friendly jurisdiction
• RAM-only servers