The VPN to beat in 2026
NordShield combines the fastest speeds we measured, an independently audited no-logs policy, and effortless streaming. Two years running, it's our #1 pick — and at $3.29/mo, it's a rare case where the best is also great value.
👍 Pros
👎 Cons
Overview
NordShield has topped our VPN rankings for two consecutive years, and the 2026 release does little to jeopardize that lead. Over three weeks of daily testing across 30 server locations, it delivered the most consistent speeds of any provider in our lab, unblocked every major streaming platform we tried, and passed our DNS-leak battery without a single failure.
What sets it apart isn't any one headline feature — it's the absence of compromises. Where budget rivals cut corners on server coverage and premium ones charge double for marginal gains, NordShield lands in a rare sweet spot of speed, privacy, and price.
Pricing & plans
NordShield keeps its pricing refreshingly simple — three tiers, with the two-year plan offering the steepest discount. All plans include the full feature set; higher tiers add cloud storage and a password manager.
How it compares
Against its closest rivals, NordShield wins on the metrics that matter most for everyday use. ExpressLayer edges it on raw long-haul speed, but charges a 50% premium for the privilege.
| Feature | NordShield | ExpressLayer | ProtonSecure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. speed | 940 Mbps | 910 Mbps | 780 Mbps |
| No-logs audited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| Streaming unblocking | Excellent | Great | Good |
| Price from | $3.29/mo | $4.99/mo | $4.49/mo |