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Detection scores rising across the products we tested

Best VPN services in 2026

We measured throughput, leak behaviour and streaming access on every service below. Rankings change when the numbers change, not when the commissions do.

Last updated · 4 options compared

  1. Northgate VPN

    Fastest in our 2026 tests

    Editor's Choice Best overall
    9.4/10 2,841 reviews

    Northgate topped our throughput tests on six of eight routes and never leaked DNS across 400 reconnects.

    Pros

    • Fastest median throughput we recorded
    • Independently audited twice
    • Works with every streaming service we tried
    • Clear, plain-English privacy policy

    Cons

    • No free tier
    • Router setup is manual

    Features

    • No-logs audited
    • Split tunnelling
    • Kill switch
    • WireGuard
    • Ad blocking
    • Dedicated IP option

    Works on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Fire TV
    • Apple TV
    Price
    $3.29/mo
    Discount
    72% off
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Free trial
    7 days
    Country
    Panama
    Founded
    2012
    Headquarters
    Panama City
    Support summary
    24/7 live chat
    Servers
    6,100+
    Speed
    9.6
    Security
    9.3
    Ease of use
    9.5
    Privacy
    9.2
    Streaming
    9.4
    Torrenting
    9
    Value
    8.8
    Overall
    9.4
    More about Northgate VPN
    We measured Northgate over four weeks on a 1 Gbps line, testing eight endpoints at three times of day. Median retained throughput was 82% of the unprotected baseline, the best figure in this round. The apps are unremarkable in a good way: connect, forget, no surprises.
    Get Northgate

    30-day money-back guarantee

  2. Veilstream

    Most Secure
    9.1/10

    A privacy-first network with a published warrant canary and no logs.

    Pros

    • Published warrant canary
    • RAM-only servers
    • Accepts cash payment

    Cons

    • Slower on long-haul routes
    • No Fire TV app

    Features

    • No-logs audited
    • Multi-hop
    • Kill switch

    Works on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    • iOS
    • Android
    Price
    $4.99/mo
    Money-back guarantee
    45 days
    Country
    Switzerland
    Founded
    2016
    Speed
    8.2
    Security
    9.7
    Privacy
    9.8
    Overall
    9.1
    Try Veilstream

  3. Harbor VPN

    8.5/10

    Harbor is the one to pick if streaming is the whole reason you want a VPN.

    Features

    • Kill switch
    • WireGuard
    Price
    $5.75/mo
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Country
    Iceland
    Founded
    2018
    Streaming
    9.2
    Visit Harbor

  4. PlainRoute

    Price
    $2.19/mo
    Free trial
    14 days
    Founded
    2021
    Visit site

Frequently asked questions

How do you test these services?
Each service runs for four weeks on the same 1 Gbps connection. We record throughput against eight endpoints three times a day, check for DNS and WebRTC leaks after every reconnect, and re-test streaming access weekly.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
Yes. Most links here earn a commission if you buy. The order is set by the test results, and services that pay nothing still appear when they earn a place.
Is a free VPN good enough?
For occasional use on public Wi-Fi, sometimes. Free tiers are usually capped on speed or data, and a few have been caught selling traffic data, so read the privacy policy before you rely on one.

Who tested this

Sam Oyelaran
Lead reviewer

Sam has run hands-on speed and leak tests on consumer privacy tools since 2017. Every score on this site comes from a test he can reproduce.

  • Runs the test lab
  • 1,200+ hours of measured throughput
  • Publishes raw data

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