VPN Tier List 2026: Every Major VPN Ranked

The direct answer: NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the only S-tier VPNs in this ranking. Surfshark leads A tier, while CyberGhost, Hotspot Shield, Private Internet Access, Proton VPN, and unscored privacy specialist Mullvad follow. VyprVPN sits near the bottom, and Ivacy can no longer be treated as a normal standalone choice because its users were migrated to PureVPN.

This VPN tier list translates VPNonline’s fixed provider scores into S, A, B, C, and D tiers. We checked product status, device policies, ownership, and pricing on July 16, 2026. Mullvad, Windscribe, and Proton Free remain unscored; their placements reflect verified facts and independent reputation.

VPN tier list at a glance

Tier	VPNs	Why they land here
S	NordVPN — 9.7, ExpressVPN — 9.5	The strongest all-around choices in our scored roster. NordVPN is the balanced default; ExpressVPN is the premium simplicity pick.
A	Surfshark — 9.3, CyberGhost — 9.0, Hotspot Shield — 9.0, Private Internet Access — 8.8, Proton VPN — 8.6, Mullvad — unscored	Strong recommendations with a specific tradeoff: device caps, ownership context, a narrower specialty, or less straightforward plan value.
B	PureVPN — 8.4, TunnelBear — 8.4, Windscribe — unscored	Credible options for a defined use case, but not the easiest default recommendation for most readers.
C	Hide My Ass — 8.0, IPVanish — 8.0, TorGuard — 7.6, Avast SecureLine — 7.2, VPN Unlimited — 7.0, Proton Free — unscored plan	Active products or useful free access, but the higher tiers offer a clearer overall case. Free-plan restrictions also matter here.
D / legacy	VyprVPN — 6.8, Ivacy — 8.4 legacy score	VyprVPN has our lowest active-provider score. Ivacy’s old score remains on record, but its migration to PureVPN overrides a normal tier placement.

The score bands guide the list; they are not a substitute for current status. That is why Ivacy’s 8.4 legacy score does not put it beside active 8.4 providers.

Why NordVPN and ExpressVPN make S tier

NordVPN remains our best overall pick because its 9.7 score leads the roster and its current plan covers 10 simultaneous devices. Its main practical drawback is that Surfshark and PIA now allow unlimited simultaneous connections. NordVPN’s checkout also separates the introductory term from the annual renewal, so compare the total charge and renewal line rather than only the advertised monthly equivalent. Read our full NordVPN review for the complete assessment.

ExpressVPN takes the second S-tier spot with a 9.5 score. It now sells Basic, Advanced, and Pro plans with 10, 12, or 14 simultaneous connections, respectively, and lists server locations in 105 countries. The drawback is choice complexity: you need to compare 3 bundles and their renewal terms instead of evaluating one core plan. Our full ExpressVPN review explains who benefits from the premium approach.

No speed percentages appear here because we did not run a new controlled benchmark. Provider marketing is not a substitute for repeatable independent testing.

A tier: excellent, with a clearer tradeoff

Surfshark is the most compelling A-tier alternative. Its plan supports unlimited simultaneous connections, while its April 2026 plan guide listed more than 4,500 RAM-only servers across more than 100 countries. That makes it a strong household-value pick, although buyers should know that Surfshark and Nord Security are part of the same group while retaining separate infrastructure and product roadmaps. See our Surfshark review.

CyberGhost supports 7 simultaneous devices, so it is less flexible for a device-heavy home than Surfshark or PIA. PIA supports unlimited simultaneous connections, while Proton VPN’s paid plans support up to 10. Their fixed scores keep the order clear: CyberGhost at 9.0, PIA at 8.8, and Proton VPN at 8.6. Compare our CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Proton VPN reviews before choosing.

Hotspot Shield also holds a 9.0 roster score, but its free and paid products need to be judged separately. Its plan page says a logged-in free account is limited to 1 device and supported by in-app ads, while newer premium purchases can cover 10 devices. Hotspot Shield moved into Pango Group’s portfolio when Aura split the businesses in 2024. Read our Hotspot Shield review before treating the free app as equivalent to Premium.

Mullvad earns an unscored A-tier placement on reputation. It charges a flat €5 per month, permits 5 devices, and avoids long-term promotional pricing. PCMag named it an Editors’ Choice in April 2026 for transparency and privacy-first design. It is a specialist pick, not an automatic replacement for the scored leaders.

Ownership deserves context. Kape lists ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PIA among its brands. Shared ownership is not automatic evidence of poor service, but it matters if provider diversity influences your decision.

B tier: good for the right buyer

PureVPN and TunnelBear both retain fixed 8.4 scores. PureVPN published another KPMG assessment of its no-log claims in 2026, which is useful evidence, but it still does not displace the more complete A-tier shortlist. TunnelBear remains unusually approachable for a first trial, although its free account is capped at 2 GB per month; paid plans remove the data cap. Read our PureVPN and TunnelBear reviews for the tradeoffs.

Windscribe is unscored and belongs in B tier. Its free plan provides 2 GB per month without email verification or 10 GB after confirming an email address, and it allows unlimited connections on your own devices. TechRadar’s May 2026 review praised its features but warned that the apps can feel complex and support may be thin for newcomers. That combination makes it a strong power-user or free-plan option, not our universal first pick.

C and D tiers: know the limitation before paying

HMA, IPVanish, TorGuard, Avast SecureLine, and VPN Unlimited remain active, but score from 8.0 down to 7.0. IPVanish offers unlimited devices and separately states its annual renewal rate. TorGuard permits 8 connections on Standard and 12 on Pro. VPN Unlimited uses a 5-device registration model. Those details do not overcome the score gap. Avast and VPN Unlimited are non-affiliate services; we earn nothing if you choose them.

Proton Free is the best reason not to install an unknown free VPN, but it is still a limited plan rather than a paid-tier replacement. It has no data cap or ads, allows 1 connected device, and assigns free users to servers from 10 countries. That earns a C-tier plan placement even though paid Proton VPN is in A tier.

VyprVPN remains active and supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, but its fixed 6.8 score puts it in D tier. Ivacy is the more important status warning: PureVPN’s support documentation says Ivacy merged with PureVPN and clients were automatically migrated. Do not buy Ivacy as if it were still an independent alternative.

How to use this ranking

Start with the highest tier that fits your real constraint. Choose by simultaneous connections if you have many devices, by transparent renewal cost if you dislike promotional jumps, and by ownership if corporate separation matters to you. Check the exact checkout total immediately before paying because VPN promotions change.

Verify the feature on the device where you need it. Windows support does not prove identical iOS behavior, and streaming access is never permanent. A VPN does not override content rights, service terms, or local law.

Our pick

Choose NordVPN if you want the safest all-around decision from this VPN tier list. ExpressVPN is the S-tier alternative for a premium, simpler experience; Surfshark is the better fit when unlimited devices drive the purchase; Mullvad is the privacy-specialist option for readers who prefer flat monthly pricing.

FAQ

What does S tier mean for a VPN?

S tier means the provider combines the strongest fixed editorial score with a current product that works as a broad recommendation. It does not mean flawless, fastest in every test, or best for every person.

Why is Mullvad unscored but still in A tier?

Mullvad is not part of the fixed VPNonline score roster, so assigning it a number would be misleading. Its flat pricing, 5-device policy, and strong 2026 independent reputation justify an A-tier editorial placement without pretending it was scored under the same system.

Is Proton Free better than a paid B-tier VPN?

It depends on the job. Proton Free is a sensible no-cost privacy option with unlimited data, but its 1-device limit and randomized free-server selection are restrictive. A paid B-tier service may suit more devices or locations, while paid Proton VPN offers the fuller A-tier product.

Which VPN should most people choose in 2026?

NordVPN is our default pick. Choose ExpressVPN if plan polish matters more than price, Surfshark or PIA if unlimited simultaneous connections matter most, and Mullvad if flat pricing and privacy-focused design outweigh mainstream extras.