Quick answer
- Pick NordVPN for an all-in-one security bundle on its Complete plan.
- Pick Proton VPN if you want a free plan or care most about a privacy-focused, Swiss-based provider.
- Pick Surfshark if you need to cover more than 10 devices.
Side by side
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices at once | 10 | 10 (paid); 1 (free) | Unlimited |
| Free plan | No | Yes | No |
| Monthly plan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Network size (provider's figures) | Thousands of servers in 225+ locations | 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries | See Surfshark's server list |
| Extras on higher plans | Anti-malware, password manager, 1TB encrypted storage (Complete) | Bundles with other Proton apps (Mail, Pass, Drive) | Additional security features on higher tiers |
| Company base | Panama, according to NordVPN | Switzerland | Netherlands, according to Surfshark |
Devices: Surfshark's clear advantage
NordVPN and Proton VPN's paid plans both cover 10 devices at once, which is plenty for most people. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which matters for large households or a small team sharing one account (check the terms for business use).
Free option: only Proton
Proton VPN is the only one of the three with a free plan. It covers one device and connects to servers in 10 countries chosen at random. That is enough for occasional use on public Wi-Fi. NordVPN and Surfshark rely on their 30-day money-back guarantees instead.
Extras: NordVPN bundles the most
NordVPN's Complete plan adds anti-malware protection, a cross-platform password manager and 1TB of encrypted cloud storage. If you were going to buy a password manager anyway, that bundle can be good value. Proton's approach is similar through its wider suite, with paid bundles that combine VPN, email, password manager and storage.
Pricing and renewals
All three advertise their lowest prices on long plans paid upfront, and those plans renew at higher prices. All three also sell monthly plans, which cost more per month but avoid the commitment. Check the renewal price on the checkout page before you pay. See our guide to the best VPN UK you can pay monthly.
Speed
We have not run our own speed tests for this comparison. VPN speed depends on your connection, your device, the server you pick and the protocol, so published speed claims rarely match your experience exactly. All three offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so test the one you choose on your own connection, at the times you normally use it, before the guarantee period ends.
Our verdict
For most UK users, any of the three is a solid choice. Choose by the one difference that matters most to you: bundle (NordVPN), free plan and privacy focus (Proton VPN) or unlimited devices (Surfshark).
Sources we checked
All checked on 1 November 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm on the provider's site before you buy.