VPN buying guide
Choose a VPN for Your Devices and Your Budget
Decide whether you need a VPN subscription or a self-hosted connection, then compare billing, device support and cancellation conditions.
A VPN subscription and a VPS solve different problems. A consumer VPN routes device traffic through a provider's network. A VPS gives you a server to administer. You can run VPN software on a VPS, but then you are responsible for installing it, applying updates and keeping access working.
Read the VPN guides#
- Why NordVPN is a strong everyday VPN choice — see how its apps, 10-device allowance, server options and security tools fit daily use.
- Surfshark on multiple devices: what to check before buying — match the apps and subscription to your own setup.
- VPN vs VPS: which one do you need? — choose the right type of service.
- What a VPN does not protect you from — understand the limits before subscribing.
- NordVPN auto-renewal and refunds — find the right process for your purchase.
Start with the job#
For a personal VPN connection with ready-made apps, compare subscriptions. For hosting a website, use our hosting guides. For access to a private workplace network, check the organization's requirements before buying either service.
Running your own VPN gives you control over the server configuration. It also adds maintenance and does not provide the same choice of exit locations as a commercial network. Neither choice removes the need to trust the operators involved in carrying your traffic.
Compare subscription conditions#
Look at the whole first payment, the length of service and the renewal charge. Then check the apps for your devices and the refund process for the store you will buy through. A feature available on one platform may not be available on another.
| Product | Read before visiting the provider |
|---|---|
| NordVPN | Plans, billing and refund conditions |
| Surfshark | Surfshark plans and buying guide |
| CyberGhost | Product analysis and purchase checks |
| ExpressVPN | Product analysis and purchase checks |
These links are not a performance ranking. We have not independently tested these products. The NordVPN and ExpressVPN checklist compares the questions to resolve before subscribing.
Test the things you depend on#
If you subscribe, try the apps and connections you use every day while refund eligibility remains open. Keep a record of the subscription and cancellation terms. A provider's network size or promotional headline cannot tell you how a specific connection will perform for you.
For background, consult WireGuard's description of its protocol and NordVPN's explanation of a VPN. The latter is vendor documentation, not independent product testing.