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
VPN guide
★ Our pick
Best VPN for Privacy
Swiss jurisdiction, no-logs audits, open-source apps. Proton VPN, NordVPN and Surfshark compared for privacy.
If privacy is your top priority, look at where the company is based, whether its no-logs policy has been audited, and whether the apps are open source. Proton VPN, based in Switzerland with open-source apps and regular audits, leads on transparency. NordVPN and Surfshark also have independently audited no-logs policies.
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
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)
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Side by side
Best VPN for Privacy
Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.
| Proton VPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days (paid plans) | 30 days | 30 days (first purchase) |
| Devices | 10 on Plus · 1 on the free plan | Up to 10 | Unlimited |
| Free option | Free plan (1 device) | No free plan | 7-day free trial (conditions on the official site) |
| Company base | Switzerland (Proton) | Panama (parent company in the Netherlands) | Netherlands (Surfshark B.V.) |
| Best for | Try before you pay: a free plan for one device | All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices | Big households: unlimited devices on one account |
| Proton VPN | NordVPN | Surfshark |
Tips
Tips
Check the jurisdiction
Proton VPN is Swiss (strong privacy laws), NordVPN is Panamanian (no data retention), Surfshark is Dutch (EU but independently audited).
Look for independent audits
All three have had their no-logs policies verified by independent firms. Check the audit dates on their websites.
Use open-source apps when possible
Proton VPN's apps are fully open source, meaning anyone can inspect the code for backdoors or vulnerabilities.
Questions
What does 'no-logs' mean?
The VPN provider doesn't record which sites you visit, your IP address, or your connection timestamps. Independent audits verify this claim.
Does jurisdiction matter for a VPN?
Yes. A VPN based in a country with strong privacy laws and no mandatory data retention is less likely to be compelled to hand over user data.
Are open-source VPN apps safer?
Open-source code can be reviewed by anyone, which makes it harder to hide vulnerabilities or backdoors.
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