VPNs Hub: Which to pick, how to use abroad, country-by-country coverage
We tested NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and Proton on real trips — through hotel Wi-Fi, restrictive-country networks, and a year of daily use. Verified specs: NordVPN runs 9,300+ servers across 137 countries; Surfshark hit 1,615 Mbps in independent speed tests; Proton runs in 145 countries with a Swiss-jurisdiction audited no-logs policy. Below: which provider wins for what.
The VPNs we keep paying for
There is a particular relief that comes from connecting to NordVPN on hotel Wi-Fi in a country you don't know well and watching the icon turn green. After a year of testing alternatives, this is the boring, reliable choice we keep paying for — fast enough for streaming, transparent enough for paranoid privacy people, and stable enough that the work email always loads.
For five years the "best VPN" discourse has been wall-to-wall affiliate spam. We took a year to test the four providers most people actually buy across hotel Wi-Fi, regional streaming, and restrictive-country trips. The conclusion is less exciting than the marketing: each wins at one thing. NordVPN for everything; ExpressVPN for streaming; Surfshark for value; Proton for paranoid privacy. Pick by use case.
Editor’s quick picks
A handful of editor-chosen articles to start with — each tagged with why we picked it (new, unique, trending, local, or just one we like).
Browse all 12 countries
Best VPN by region (12)
Not-so-obvious picks
Two of our most-read editorial deep dives in this category.
Free VPNs — the three that aren't dangerous, and why most are
Most "free" VPN apps on the App Store are dangerous: they monetize by selling your browsing data, injecting ads, or in worst cases, opening security holes. There are three exceptions. Proton VPN runs a genuinely unlimited free tier with no caps (funded by paid plans). Windscribe offers 10 GB/month free with email signup. Hotspot Shield runs 500 MB/day free with limitations. Beyond those three, assume any "free unlimited VPN" you see advertised is monetizing your data. Our deals tracker covers when free is actually fine and when paid is mandatory.
Read the free-VPN breakdown → Travel-specific testingThe VPNs that survive restrictive countries — and the ones that don't
VPN reviews online are usually written by people who never leave home. We tested through the countries where it actually matters — China, Russia, UAE, Turkey, parts of Indonesia. Results: NordVPN obfuscated servers and ExpressVPN Lightway protocol both reliably break through; Surfshark is hit-or-miss; Proton struggles specifically in China. Install before you arrive; the app stores in restricted countries often block VPN apps directly.
- NordVPN — reliable in CN, RU, UAE via obfuscated servers
- ExpressVPN — Lightway protocol bypasses most DPI
- Surfshark — works in UAE, intermittent in China
- Proton VPN — strong elsewhere; weak in CN specifically
VPN price comparison (2026)
Long-term plan pricing as of 2026. Click any provider to read our full review, or use the affiliate links in the deal cells to grab the current promo.
| Provider | Monthly | Annual / mo | Long-term / mo | Devices | Free trial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $12.99 | $4.99 | $2.99 (2yr) | 10 | 7-day Android + 30-day money-back | Get deal → |
| ExpressVPN | $12.95 | $6.67 | $4.99 (15mo deal) | 8 | 7-day mobile + 30-day money-back | Get deal → |
| Surfshark | $15.45 | $3.99 | $1.99 (28mo) | Unlimited | 7-day Android/iOS + 30-day money-back | Get deal → |
| Proton VPN | $9.99 | $4.99 | $3.59 (2yr) | 10 | Unlimited free tier (forever) | Get deal → |
Prices in USD, indicative of current long-term promotional rates. Check the affiliate link for the latest offer — VPN promos change frequently.
VPNs with free periods or trials
You don't have to pay to test a major VPN. Every provider below offers a way to try the service first.
Proton VPN
Unlimited free tierNo time limit, no data cap. Three server countries on the free plan; speeds slower than paid. The only genuinely safe forever-free VPN.
Try it →NordVPN
30-day money-backFull feature access, then a no-questions refund within 30 days. Plus a 7-day free trial on Android via Google Play.
Try it →ExpressVPN
30-day money-backFull premium features for 30 days; full refund on request. Plus a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android mobile apps.
Try it →Surfshark
30-day money-back7-day free trial on Android and iOS via app stores, then 30-day refund window on full subscriptions.
Try it →Windscribe
10 GB/mo freeFree tier with 10 GB/month after email signup; 2 GB without signup. Servers in 10+ countries on the free plan.
Try it →Hotspot Shield
500 MB/day freeDaily allowance, ads-supported. Useful for occasional Wi-Fi safety; not viable for streaming or daily heavy use.
Try it →Questions readers ask us
Do I actually need a VPN for travel, or is it marketing hype?
For most travelers, the honest answer is: yes for safety on public Wi-Fi (hotels, cafés, airports), and yes if you want to keep streaming home content abroad. Without one, anyone on the same hotel network can intercept your traffic — that includes work emails, banking sessions, and anything else you're doing online. Beyond safety, VPNs are useful for: streaming Netflix US / BBC iPlayer / Disney+ regional content while abroad, accessing your banking app in countries where it geo-blocks foreign IPs, and bypassing content restrictions in countries like China and UAE. If you only use mobile data on your eSIM and never connect to public Wi-Fi, you can probably skip it.
Are free VPNs safe, or should I always pay?
Most "free" VPN apps you find in the App Store or Play Store are dangerous — they pay for themselves by logging your data and selling it to advertisers, or worse. There are exceptions: Proton VPN runs a genuinely unlimited free tier (the only one we recommend without reservation), funded by their paid tiers. Windscribe gives 10 GB/month free with email signup. Most others should be avoided. For regular use, $2-5/month for a major paid VPN (NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton, ExpressVPN) buys you no-logs guarantees, independent audits, server networks that actually work, and customer support. The marketing line "if you're not paying, you're the product" is broadly true here.
Which VPN is best for streaming Netflix abroad?
ExpressVPN is the most reliable Netflix unblocker as of 2026, with strong support for Netflix US, UK, Canada, and Japan libraries plus BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Hulu. NordVPN is second — it works for most regions most of the time. Surfshark works for many services but has occasional issues on specific Netflix libraries. Proton VPN's streaming support is on paid tiers only and is the weakest of the four. Note: streaming services constantly update their VPN blocks, so any provider can have a bad week — pick one with a 30-day money-back guarantee and test on your specific use case.
Will a VPN work in China?
Most do, but only if you install BEFORE entering China. The Great Firewall (GFW) blocks VPN provider websites and most VPN protocols by default. Once you're in China without a VPN already installed, you generally can't download one — the app stores in China are localized and don't carry international VPN apps. Providers that reliably work through GFW: NordVPN (with obfuscated servers enabled), ExpressVPN (Lightway protocol), Astrill (third-party recommended for serious work). Less reliable: Surfshark, Proton VPN. Plan to install your VPN, log in, and test it BEFORE your flight to China.
How many devices can I use on one VPN account?
Depends on the provider. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous devices — buy one account, install on every phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, and router in your household. NordVPN: 10 devices. ExpressVPN: 8 devices (up from 5 in 2024). Proton VPN: 10 devices on the Plus tier. For multi-person households or digital nomads with multiple devices, Surfshark's unlimited model is the clear value pick — $1.99/month on 28-month plans is hard to beat. For single users, the device caps on the others rarely become a problem.
Which VPN should you buy?
Five quick questions about how you'll use it — we'll match you to the right provider.
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