PCMag's 2026 VPN ranking keeps Proton VPN on top and names nine others

What PCMag published

As pcmag.com reported, its latest roundup of the best VPNs for 2026 puts Proton VPN in first place. It earned an Editors' Choice award and a perfect five-star rating. A VPN, or virtual private network, scrambles your internet traffic so that the network you are on, such as cafe wifi, cannot read it.

The list covers ten services in total. Besides Proton, they are NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, TunnelBear, CyberGhost, IPVanish, Mullvad, Windscribe and Hide.me. PCMag says it has reviewed VPNs for more than a decade and has written about them for almost 30 years.

An editors' note dated November 1, 2026 says the lineup did not change in this update. The existing picks were checked to confirm they are still current and available, and PCMag says it retests these services regularly.

Why Proton VPN won

PCMag praises Proton for privacy standards, a worldwide server network, a clean app and a long list of extra privacy tools. Its standout is the free plan, which PCMag calls the best it has seen. A Proton account, even a free one, also opens the door to other Proton products such as Proton Mail and Proton Drive.

The feature list is long. It includes an ad blocker, a kill switch (which cuts your internet if the VPN drops, so nothing leaks), a malware blocker, port forwarding and split tunneling (choosing which apps use the VPN and which do not). It also offers multi-hop connections, which send your traffic through more than one server, and access to the Tor network.

The one drawback PCMag lists is high latency in testing. Latency is the delay before data begins to flow, so it is the sort of thing that can make a connection feel slower even when raw speed is fine.

The other nine, and what each is good at

PCMag says each runner-up excels in its own way, so the choice depends on what you need.

• NordVPN: excellent speed results, multi-hop, split tunneling, Tor support and built-in antivirus tools. It is expensive, and PCMag finds its annual pricing unclear.
• Surfshark: strong server coverage and performance, regular transparency reports and affordable long-term plans. Its monthly price is high.
• ExpressVPN: a large, widely spread server fleet, fast tests and post-quantum encryption, which is built to resist future code-breaking computers. It is pricey and has no multi-hop.
• TunnelBear: unlimited simultaneous connections, annual independent audits and a friendly design. It lacks multi-hop.
• CyberGhost: task-specific servers for streaming and torrenting, plus quarterly transparency reports. Monthly pricing is high.
• IPVanish: unlimited devices, good speeds and customizable multi-hop. PCMag flags confusing renewal rates and mixed Netflix results.
• Mullvad: needs no email or account details, and is affordable. Its desktop interface is awkward and its server network modest.
• Windscribe: top marks for company transparency, unlimited connections, anonymous signup and many payment options, including cash. The refund window is short.
• Hide.me: ten simultaneous connections, reliable Netflix access and a full-featured free plan. Its server numbers are average.

Reading the list wisely

The pattern across the list is that no service wins on everything. Frequent travelers may care most about server spread, which is where PCMag highlights ExpressVPN. A household with many gadgets may prefer an unlimited-device plan. Someone who wants to stay anonymous will look at services that skip email signup.

Pay attention to price wording as well. PCMag repeatedly marks high monthly costs, with cheaper long-term plans. The page also carries a deals box with limited-time offers and a note about paid placement, so keep the review text and the advertising separate in your head.

Finally, remember the limits. A VPN protects the path between your device and the internet. It does not stop a chatbot company from seeing what you type to its chatbot, so it is no substitute for thinking about what you share.