What will this VPN really cost, and who runs it?
Ads show the intro price. We put the renewal price, the company behind the brand and its audit record next to it, with a source for each fact.
- Price goes up at renewal
- 12 of 19
- 4 more don't state it.
NordVPN
Cheapest advertised plan, in USD
- 27-month plan (incl. 3 free), paid today
- $94.23
- Works out to
- $3.49/mo
- Then renews at
- $139.08 / year
- First 3 years, if you keep it
- $233.31
3.3× the intro monthly rate
- Owned by
- Nord Security
- Based in
- Panama
- Latest audit
- Deloitte Lithuania, 2025
Start from what you need it for
Each shortlist gives the reason for every pick.
Privacy
Which VPN knows the least about me?
Mullvad
IVPN
Proton VPN
Torrenting
Which VPN allows P2P and lets peers reach me?
- Proton VPN
Private Internet Access
AirVPN
Many devices
Which VPN covers every device in the house?
Surfshark- Private Internet Access
Windscribe
Restrictive networks
Which VPN still connects where VPNs get blocked?
ExpressVPN
Astrill VPN
PureVPN
Free
Which free VPN is actually usable?
- Proton VPN
- Windscribe
PrivadoVPN
Different brands, same company
Comparison sites rarely mention it: several VPNs you'd compare against each other belong to the same parent. Here's who's behind each brand.
One company, several brands
These compete in ads, but share an owner.
Kape Technologies
Nord Security
Part of a larger company
The VPN is one product of a parent with other businesses.
Run by their own company
No other brand here shares their owner.
Every VPN, intro price beside renewal price
Red means the price rises when the first term ends. Sort by any column. Prices are in each provider's own currency.
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| VPN and owner | Latest audit | Based in | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PrivadoVPNPrivado Networks ehf. | $1.11/mo27-mo plan | $95.76/24mo | 10 | None published | Iceland |
| Private Internet AccessKape Technologies | $1.89/mo39-mo plan | $47.88/yr | Unlimited | Deloitte2025, no-logs | United States |
| PureVPNGZ Systems Limited | $2.15/mo27-mo plan | $47.95/yr | 10 | KPMG2023, no-logs | British Virgin Islands |
 CyberGhostKape Technologies | $2.19/mo26-mo plan | $56.94/yr | 7 | Deloitte2025, no-logs | Romania |
 IPVanishZiff Davis | $2.19/mo24-mo plan | $99.99/yr | Unlimited | Schellman Compliance2025, no-logs | United States |
| SurfsharkNord Security | $2.49/mo27-mo plan | Not stated | Unlimited | SecuRing2026, infrastructure | Netherlands |
 Norton VPNGen Digital | $2.66/mo27-mo plan | $99.99/yr | 5 | VerSprite2025, no-logs | United States |
 hide.meeVenture Ltd. | $2.69/mo26-mo plan | $54.99/13mo | 10 | Securitum2024, no-logs | Malaysia |
 Bitdefender VPNBitdefender S.R.L. | $2.92/mo12-mo plan | Not stated | 10 | Auditor not named2025, no-logs | Romania |
 AdGuard VPNAdguard Software Limited | $2.99/mo24-mo plan | Not stated | 10 | None published | Cyprus |
| ExpressVPNKape Technologies | $2.99/mo28-mo plan | $99.95/yr | 10 | KPMG2025, no-logs | British Virgin Islands |
 VyprVPNCertida | $3.00/mo24-mo plan | $72.00/24mosame rate | 10 | Leviathan Security Group2018, no-logs | United States |
 TunnelBearMcAfee | $3.33/mo36-mo plan | $69.99/yr | Unlimited | Cure532025, security | Canada |
| NordVPNNord Security | $3.49/mo27-mo plan | $139.08/yr | 10 | Deloitte2025, no-logs | Panama |
| Proton VPNProton Foundation | $3.49/mo24-mo plan | $83.88/yr | 10 | Securitum2026, no-logs | Switzerland |
 TorGuardVPNetworks LLC | $4.28/mo36-mo plan | $153.99/36mosame rate | 8 | None published | United States |
 Mozilla VPNMozilla | $4.99/mo12-mo plan | $59.88/yrsame rate | 5 | Cure532023, apps | United States |
| IVPNIVPN Limited | $5.00/mo12-mo plan | $60.00/yrsame rate | 5 | Cure532025, security | Gibraltar |
| WindscribeWindscribe Limited | $5.75/mo12-mo plan | $69.00/yrsame rate | Unlimited | Packetlabs2024, infrastructure | Canada |
 Hotspot ShieldPoint Wild | $7.99/mo12-mo plan | $95.99/yrsame rate | 10 | Aon2023, no-logs | United States |
| Astrill VPNUndisclosed | $12.50/mo24-mo plan | $180.00/yr | 5 | None published | Liechtenstein |
| AirVPNAir di Paolo Brini | €2.75/mo36-mo plan | Not stated | 5 | None published | Italy |
| MullvadAmagicom AB | €5.00/mo12-mo plan | €5.00/mosame rate | 5 | Assured Security Consultants2026, apps | Sweden |
Head-to-head comparisons
Written comparisons with when to pick each one.
vsNordVPN vs ExpressVPN
Two of the most advertised VPNs, from different owners. ExpressVPN is cheaper upfront and on renewal; NordVPN adds multi-hop and claims more countries.
vsSame ownerNordVPN vs Surfshark
Same owner. Nord Security runs both brands with separate infrastructure. Surfshark costs less upfront and allows unlimited devices; NordVPN states its renewal price clearly.
vsMullvad vs Proton VPN
Both are privacy-first and open source. Mullvad asks for nothing about you and charges one flat price; Proton adds a free plan, port forwarding and more devices.
vsExpressVPN vs Surfshark
Kape's ExpressVPN against Nord Security's Surfshark. Surfshark is cheaper and allows unlimited devices; ExpressVPN states its renewal price and claims China support.
vsMullvad vs IVPN
The two strictest no-account VPNs. Both take cash and Monero, publish all app code and run RAM-only servers. The differences are price model, refunds and port forwarding.
vsNordVPN vs Proton VPN
Same intro price per month, very different renewals and philosophies. Proton is open source with a free plan; NordVPN runs RAM-only servers and has more TV apps.
vsSame ownerExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access
Same owner. Kape runs both. PIA is far cheaper, open source and allows unlimited devices; ExpressVPN claims China support and has its own Lightway protocol.
Compare any twoPick from all 23 providers