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VPN guide

Best VPN for Beginners

Simple apps, easy setup, no tech skills needed. NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN compared for first-time users.

Never used a VPN before? It's simpler than it sounds: install the app, press connect, done. All three services here have apps designed for non-technical users with one-tap connection and automatic server selection. NordVPN's interface is the most polished for first-timers.

★ Our pick

NordVPN

All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices

  • Up to 10 devices on one account
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • No-logs policy checked by independent auditors
See the NordVPN offer

Surfshark

Big households: unlimited devices on one account

  • Unlimited devices on one account
  • 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
  • No-logs policy independently assessed (2025 report)
See the Surfshark offer

Proton VPN

Try before you pay: a free plan for one device

  • Free plan to start (1 device)
  • Up to 10 devices on the Plus plan
  • Swiss company, also behind Proton Mail
See the Proton VPN offer

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Side by side

Best VPN for Beginners

Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.

NordVPNSurfsharkProton VPN
Money-back guarantee30 days30 days (first purchase)30 days (paid plans)
DevicesUp to 10Unlimited10 on Plus · 1 on the free plan
Free optionNo free plan7-day free trial (conditions on the official site)Free plan (1 device)
Company basePanama (parent company in the Netherlands)Netherlands (Surfshark B.V.)Switzerland (Proton)
Best forAll-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devicesBig households: unlimited devices on one accountTry before you pay: a free plan for one device
NordVPN Surfshark Proton VPN
Tips

Tips

Just press connect

You don't need to choose a server or configure anything. The app picks the fastest server for you automatically.

Start with one device

Install the VPN on your main phone or laptop first. Once you're comfortable, add it to other devices.

Use the money-back guarantee

All three offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans. Try it risk-free and cancel if it's not for you.

Questions
What does a VPN actually do?

It encrypts your internet connection so that others on the same network — in a café, hotel or airport — can't read your data.

Is a VPN hard to set up?

Not at all. Download the app, create an account, and press the big connect button. It takes under five minutes.

Do I need to leave it on all the time?

On public Wi-Fi, always. At home, it's optional but adds privacy. Auto-connect handles it for you.

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