Updated 2025 • Live pricing estimates

Best VPN services in 2025 — simple top 5 list

We looked at speed, privacy, streaming access, price and ease of use and picked 5 VPNs that are safe and beginner-friendly. Scroll to see a straightforward ranking — no fluff.

★★★★★ 4.8 overall 20+ VPNs checked for logging policies, audits & encryption

See the top 5 VPNs How we rank VPNs

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Top 5 VPNs — quick comparison

Prices are approximate “from” prices on long-term promo plans.

VPN provider

Best for

Highlights

Our score

Visit

NordVPN

Fast, secure all-rounder

Best for: most users Streaming, privacy, and everyday use

Why it’s here: very fast servers, strong apps, audited no-logs, threat-blocking, and reliable access to major streaming platforms.

9.6 / 10

Overall rating

✔Best overall pick

From ~ $3/mo

2-year Basic plan, promo pricing

Visit NordVPN

Surfshark

Best value & unlimited devices

Best for: families & many devices Unlimited connections on a budget

Highlights: unlimited devices, very low long-term price, fast 10 Gbps servers, good for streaming & torrenting, modern features like CleanWeb ad-blocking.

9.4 / 10

Value rating

✔Best value

From ~ $2/mo

2-year Starter plan, promo pricing

Visit Surfshark

ExpressVPN

Best for ease of use

Best for: streaming & travel Very simple apps & strong unblocking

Highlights: polished apps, strong privacy track record, good speeds, great for streaming while travelling. More expensive than others, but very user-friendly.

9.1 / 10

Ease of use

★Premium choice

From ~ $4–5/mo

Long-term plan with bonus months

Visit ExpressVPN

Proton VPN

Best for privacy purists

Best for: strong privacy Open-source apps, Swiss-based, good free plan

Highlights: open-source apps with audits, based in privacy-friendly Switzerland, good speeds on Plus servers, solid streaming support, and a usable free plan.

9.0 / 10

Privacy rating

✔Top privacy pick

From ~ $4.5/mo

2-year Plus plan, promo pricing

Visit Proton VPN

CyberGhost

Easy & cheap for streaming

Best for: cheap streaming Streaming servers labeled in the app

Highlights: big server list, simple apps, special servers for streaming, very cheap on long deals. Good for beginners who mainly want Netflix and basic privacy.

8.8 / 10

Budget rating

★Great budget pick

From ~ $2–3/mo

Long-term plan with promo pricing

Visit CyberGhost

How we picked these VPNs:
We focused on providers with strong security (modern encryption & protocols), clear or audited no-logs policies, good speeds, working streaming access, and decent long-term pricing.

Main factors:

Speed tests Netflix & streaming No-logs & audits Price vs value Apps & ease of use

Important price note:
VPN prices change often due to promos and currency differences, and renewal prices are usually higher than the first term. Always double-check the current offer and renewal rate on the provider’s checkout page.