Best VPN for Privacy in 2027

What separates the best VPN for privacy on this page?

Five services, five different answers to the same question. NordVPN scores 9.2 and keeps 91% of download speed to US-East on NordLynx, unblocked 10 of 10 streaming services on all three days, and sits in Panama with five independent no-logs audits. Proton VPN and ExpressVPN both score 8.6. Proton is Swiss, open-source and third-party audited, with a free plan that has no data cap and the same no-logs policy. ExpressVPN unblocked 10 of 10 streaming services including Apple TV and Fire TV apps, runs RAM-only TrustedServer hardware, and costs $4.99 a month on the 2-year plan. Private Internet Access scores 8.3 at $2.03 a month on the 3-year plan with unlimited devices. Mullvad scores 8.0 at a flat $5.49, takes cash and Monero, and gives you a 16-digit account number instead of an email.

What should you check before buying a private VPN?

Jurisdiction matters: Panama for NordVPN, Switzerland for Proton, the BVI for ExpressVPN, the US for PIA, Sweden for Mullvad. Audits matter too — NordVPN has five independent no-logs audits, PIA's no-logs claim has been tested in US court cases and by two Deloitte audits, and Mullvad runs recurring audits on RAM-only servers with DAITA traffic-analysis defence.

Then check the things that decide whether you keep using it:

• Device limit. PIA is unlimited. NordVPN gives ten, ExpressVPN eight, Mullvad five.
• Renewal price. NordVPN's renewal after the 2-year term is much higher than the intro rate.
• Streaming. Proton managed 8 of 10 services, PIA 8 of 10, Mullvad only 2 of 10.
• Speed. Proton's speeds trailed NordVPN by nine points.

NordVPN — if speed and streaming come first

Pick it when you want the fastest connection in our tests and 10 of 10 streaming services working, and you accept ten devices and a higher renewal.

Proton VPN — if you want Swiss privacy and a usable free tier

Best for open-source apps, Secure Core routing through Swiss, Icelandic or Swedish servers, and a free plan with no data cap.

ExpressVPN — if you watch on a TV or router

Best for whole-home setups: router firmware and the Aircove router, 10 of 10 streaming services, at $4.99 a month and eight devices.

Private Internet Access — if you have a lot of devices

Best for unlimited devices at $2.03 a month on the 3-year plan, with open-source apps and a no-logs policy that has held up in court.

Mullvad VPN — if privacy is the whole point

Best for paying without an email or a name, with cash or Monero, on RAM-only servers. Expect only 2 of 10 streaming services to work.

NordVPN suits anyone who wants the fastest speeds and 10 of 10 streaming services working. Proton VPN suits people who want Swiss jurisdiction, open-source audited apps and a free tier with no data cap. Private Internet Access suits households with many devices at $2.03 a month, while Mullvad suits anyone who wants to pay with cash and never hand over an email.