NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN compared — server countries, streaming, free data and how many devices each account covers.
Public Wi-Fi, video libraries that change at a border and an IP address exposed on every connection are the ordinary reasons people install a VPN: the traffic is encrypted and the real location hidden. The category's real divides are practical — server count, how many devices one licence covers, whether a trustworthy free tier exists, and the renewal price after a cheap first term. The 4 apps in this guide run from the best free plan on the market to premium services aimed at streaming, chosen to cover a household, a frequent traveller and someone who simply refuses to pay.
NordVPN pairs thousands of servers in 60-plus countries with very high speeds via its own NordLynx protocol and bundled malware protection.
It is one of the most complete and best-rated services around: thousands of servers across more than 60 countries, IP hiding, access to foreign streaming catalogues and very high speeds thanks to its own NordLynx protocol. Beyond encryption it adds malware and phishing protection and a double VPN option for extra privacy. The commercial model needs attention: there is no permanent free plan, the renewal price rises considerably after the introductory term, and some advanced functions sit on higher tiers. For a long-term premium subscription it competes at the top, just check the second-year price before committing.
ExpressVPN is the one-tap option: servers in 105 countries, excellent streaming speeds and the simplest interface among premium VPNs.
Connection takes a single tap, which makes it the friendliest first VPN, and behind that simplicity sit servers in 105 countries, strong speeds for unlocking international catalogues and anonymous downloads, plus independently audited security on multiple occasions. It is the default recommendation for streaming abroad. The main objection is price: it is among the most expensive VPNs sold, there is no free plan to fall back on, and advanced users find less to customise than on rival clients. You pay for polish and the country network rather than knobs to turn, which suits most people but not tinkerers.
Surfshark connects unlimited devices on one account at a competitive price, with an ad blocker, antivirus and a leak detector included.
The unlimited-device policy is unique among the major brands and the deciding feature for households: phones, tablets and computers all connect to one subscription with no device counting, backed by more than 3,200 servers across 100 countries. Antivirus, an ad blocker and a data-leak detector are bundled in at the competitive price that defines the brand. The network is somewhat smaller than NordVPN's or ExpressVPN's, there is no free plan, and a few extras have to be enabled manually rather than working out of the box. It is the value pick when the goal is covering every screen someone owns.
Proton VPN runs the best free tier in the category — unlimited data, no ads — from the Switzerland-based team behind Proton Mail, with 140-plus countries on paid plans.
Free VPNs usually pay for themselves through limits or ads; this one gives unlimited data with neither, built by the Proton Mail team in Switzerland with privacy as the core pitch and servers in more than 140 countries once you upgrade. It is the obvious answer for anyone who wants reliable protection without paying, with a paid path to faster speeds. The free tier naturally restricts you to fewer servers and limited speed, serious streaming generally demands premium, and the overall network is smaller than NordVPN's. Start free, upgrade only when a specific need — streaming quality, more locations — proves it.
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Questions & answers
What is the best free VPN app?
Proton VPN, for a rare reason in this category: its free plan includes unlimited data and shows no ads, while most competitors cap data, speed or both. The premium tier adds more servers and the speed needed for streaming, but as a genuinely usable free tier nothing else here matches it.
Is using a VPN legal?
Yes. VPNs are entirely legal in the UK, the US and most countries, commonly used for protection on public Wi-Fi, to avoid activity tracking and to reach streaming catalogues from other countries. What stays illegal is activity that would already be illegal without one — using one is no defence for that activity.
Which VPN works best for streaming abroad?
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the most reliable, because they refresh servers constantly to get around blocks from platforms such as Netflix and Disney+. Surfshark works well too and adds the advantage of unlimited devices on one account, which matters when a whole household streams on phones and TVs.
More related apps
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