Best VPNs for iPhone, Android & Mac 2026: Compared
NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and Mullvad compared from their own pricing pages: prices by billing term, what each renews at, device limits and guarantees.
Our reviews are based on product research, feature comparisons, pricing analysis, and our independent scoring methodology. ProductsVerdict may use AI-assisted research tools as part of our editorial workflow. Learn more about our review process. ProductsVerdict may earn commissions from partner links — this does not affect our ratings.
- The cheap VPN prices need a 1 to 2 year prepaid term and renew higher: NordVPN's $3.49 renews at $139.08 a year, ExpressVPN's $2.99 at $99.95 a year.
- Surfshark lists unlimited devices, NordVPN and Proton 10, ExpressVPN 10 to 14 by plan, and Mullvad 5.
- Surfshark is the only one whose pricing page lists the platforms it has apps for (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and more); check the others' download pages for your device.
- Proton VPN has a free plan for one device; Mullvad costs a flat €5 a month on any term and accepts cash.
- We did not test speed, streaming or privacy, and could not read an auditor's name on any of the five pages.
Editor's shortlist
Three options worth your shortlist — full reasoning continues below.
Top-rated for most devices on one plan.
Check Surfshark (unlimited)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Top-rated for lowest 2-year monthly price among the entry plans.
Check Surfshark ($2.49 a month)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Top-rated for a free plan.
Check Proton VPN (1 device)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Top picks compared (2026)
Pricing comparison not available for these products yet — we haven't independently verified current plans and prices for all of them. Check each provider's site for current pricing.
Top picks compared (2026)
| Product | Best for | Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Surfshark (unlimited)Best Overall | Most devices on one plan | Visit Surfshark (unlimited) |
| Surfshark ($2.49 a month) | Lowest 2-year monthly price among the entry plans | Visit Surfshark ($2.49 a month) |
| NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN | Renewal price published on the pricing page | |
| Proton VPN (1 device) | A free plan | Visit Proton VPN (1 device) |
| Mullvad (€5 a month) | Flat price on any term, cash accepted |
Links marked Visit are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rankings are decided by our scoring rubric, not commission rate. How we make money.
As of October 8, 2026. Prices and plan details were read from each VPN's own pricing page in a browser that day, in US dollars on a US connection (Mullvad prices in euros). Sales tax may apply at checkout. We compare plans, prices, device limits and guarantees as the vendors state them. We did not test speed, streaming, or privacy, so we make no performance claims, and these are editorial notes rather than scored rankings.
What is the best VPN for iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows?
We cannot rank VPNs by how well their phone and computer apps work, because we did not test them. What the pricing pages do show is how many devices each plan covers and what you pay after the introductory term. Surfshark lists unlimited devices and names the platforms it supports, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. NordVPN and Proton VPN each cover 10 devices, ExpressVPN covers 10 to 14 depending on plan, and Mullvad covers 5.
Quick verdict
Price comparison
| VPN | Entry plan | Long-term price | Renews at | Monthly plan | Devices | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Basic | $3.49 a month on 2 years ($94.23 for the first 27 months) | $139.08 a year | $14.99 | 10 | 30 days |
| Surfshark | Starter | $2.49 a month on 24 months ($67.23 for the first 27 months) | Not read | $18.95 | Unlimited | 30 days |
| ExpressVPN | Basic | $2.99 a month on 2 years ($83.72 for the first 28 months) | $99.95 a year | Not read | 10 (Advanced 12, Pro 14) | 30 days |
| Proton VPN | VPN Plus | $3.49 a month on 2 years ($83.76 for the first 24 months) | $83.88 every 12 months | $9.99 | 10 (Free: 1) | 30 days on paid plans |
| Mullvad | One plan | €5 a month on any term, VAT included | No change; same price | €5 | 5 | 14 days, not for cash payments |
1. NordVPN: three tiers, 10 devices
NordVPN's pricing page shows Basic, Complete and Prime. On the 2-year term, Basic is $3.49 a month plus three extra months ($94.23 for the first 27 months) and renews at $139.08 a year, Complete is $4.49 ($121.23, renewing at $219.48 a year) and Prime $7.49 ($202.23, renewing at $296.28 a year); the one-month prices are $14.99, $19.99 and $29.99. Every plan covers 10 devices at once, and a dedicated IP is an add-on. The page states a 30-day money-back guarantee and shows no free trial. We did not read its 1-year price, its app platform list, or a no-logs page (the page we tried returned a 404).
2. Surfshark: unlimited devices and a named platform list
Surfshark lists Starter, One and One+. Starter is $2.49 a month on 24 months (plus three extra months, $67.23 for the first 27 months), $2.99 on 12 months ($44.85 for the first 15 months) and $18.95 billed monthly; One and One+ cost $2.79 and $4.49 on 24 months. The feature table lists unlimited devices, and its FAQ names apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV, browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge, and router or manual setup for consoles and smart TVs. It states a 30-day money-back guarantee and an audited no-logs policy, without naming the auditor on that page. We could not read what it costs after the first term.
3. ExpressVPN: device limits that rise with the plan
ExpressVPN lists Basic, Advanced and Express Pro. On 2 years, Basic is $2.99 a month ($83.72 for the first 28 months, then $99.95 a year), Advanced $4.49 ($125.72, then $119.95 a year) and Express Pro $7.49 ($209.72, then $199.95 a year); on 12 months, Basic is $4.99 and Advanced $5.99. Basic covers 10 devices, Advanced 12 and Express Pro 14, and a dedicated IP is an add-on that Pro includes. The page states a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users and shows no free trial. It mentions multiplatform apps without listing them, and we did not read its monthly price or a no-logs page.
4. Proton VPN: a free plan and published renewals
Proton VPN's page shows a free plan (no card, one device, servers in 10 countries chosen randomly, medium speed), VPN Plus and the Proton Unlimited bundle. VPN Plus is $9.99 a month billed monthly, $4.49 a month on 1 year ($53.88 for the first 12 months, then $83.88 every 12 months) and $3.49 on 2 years ($83.76 for 24 months, then $83.88 every 12 months), covering 10 devices. Proton Unlimited is $12.99 monthly, $9.99 a month on 1 year and $7.99 on 2 years. It states 20,000 or more servers in 140 or more countries, no activity logs, open-source apps and a 30-day guarantee on paid plans. We could not read its device platform list or name an independent auditor from the page.
5. Mullvad: one flat plan with cash accepted
Mullvad sells one plan at €5 a month, including VAT, whether you pay for a month, a year or a decade, and says its price has not changed since 2009. It covers up to 5 devices, has no free plan or trial, and says it does not support port forwarding. Its payment page lists cash, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Monero, bank wire, credit card, PayPal and several local methods, with a 10% discount for cryptocurrency, and a 14-day money-back guarantee that excludes cash payments. Mullvad says it keeps no logs and requests independent audits, without naming an auditor on the pages we read. We did not read its app platform list.
We could read a platform list only on Surfshark's page. For NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and Mullvad, open the vendor's own download page and confirm there is an app for your exact phone, computer or router before you buy. The long-term prices above also need the full prepaid term and renew at the higher price shown.
Which should you choose?
| If you want | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One plan for every device you own | Surfshark | Lists unlimited devices and names Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS apps |
| To know the renewal price up front | NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN | Each publishes the price after the introductory term |
| To try a VPN without paying | Proton VPN | Free plan for one device with no card |
| A price that never changes and cash payment | Mullvad | €5 a month on any term; cash accepted |
| Higher device limits | ExpressVPN Advanced or Pro | 12 and 14 devices |
What we could not verify
We did not test speed, streaming, reliability or any app, and we could not read a named independent auditor on any of the five pages. We could not read the platform lists for NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and Mullvad, NordVPN's 1-year price, ExpressVPN's monthly and Pro 12-month prices, Surfshark's price after its first term, or the payment-method and trial FAQs on NordVPN and Proton VPN. Prices outside the United States, and taxes, will differ.
How we verified this list
We opened each VPN's own pricing page in a browser on October 8, 2026 and recorded plan names, prices, billing terms, device limits and guarantee wording as displayed, clicking billing terms where the page offered them. Where a page gave no figure, we say so instead of estimating.
Final verdict
Pick on the facts you can check: how many devices you need, the price you will pay once the introductory term ends, and whether the vendor's own page lists an app for your device. Surfshark is the only one here whose pricing page lists unlimited devices and names the platforms it supports. NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN publish their renewal prices, and Mullvad's price does not change. We did not test any VPN's speed or privacy, so use the money-back window to try the app on your own devices.
How We Chose
We compared 5 options for vpns for iphone, android & mac — including NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN — on features, pricing, ease of use, and value for the specific use cases called out in each section. Rankings weigh how well each option fits its named use case against what it costs, checked against each vendor's current published pricing. When two options tie on capability, the simpler and cheaper one ranks higher.
How to choose VPNs iPhone, Android, Mac & Windows
When evaluating VPNs iPhone, Android, Mac & Windows, the decision should not come down to brand recognition alone. A useful shortlist should match the reader's actual job to be done: the problem they are solving today, the budget they can defend, and the level of setup effort they can tolerate. For this topic, we prioritize privacy jurisdiction, speed consistency, app reliability, streaming support, and renewal pricing.
- Start with the main use case: identify whether VPNs iPhone, Android, Mac & Windows is needed for daily operations, occasional projects, compliance, revenue growth, or personal productivity.
- Check the total cost after trials or introductory discounts, including renewal pricing, add-ons, user seats, usage limits, and cancellation friction.
- Look for proof of fit: integrations, support documentation, recent product updates, and enough third-party feedback to validate the vendor's claims.
Who this is best for
This guide is most useful for readers who want a practical answer rather than a generic list. If you are comparing VPNs iPhone, Android, Mac & Windows, use the verdicts as a starting point and then verify the features that matter in your own environment. The best choice for a solo creator, a small team, and a growing business may be different even when the headline score is similar.
A good final decision usually balances three things: whether the product solves the core problem, whether the workflow feels sustainable after the first week, and whether the pricing still makes sense after the first renewal period. If any of those are unclear, treat the tool as a test candidate rather than a default recommendation.
Editorial checklist
Before recommending a product, ProductsVerdict checks whether the offer is clear, whether the limitations are visible, and whether the buyer can compare alternatives without relying on a sales page. This keeps the article useful for search visitors who are close to making a decision but still need context.
| Decision factor | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Fit | Does it solve the main use case better than a cheaper or simpler option? |
| Cost | Are renewal pricing, limits, and add-ons clear before checkout? |
| Trust | Is there enough documentation, support, and user feedback to reduce buyer risk? |
Frequently asked
What is the best VPN for iPhone and Android?+
We did not test the apps. Surfshark's pricing page lists iOS and Android among its supported platforms and covers unlimited devices; for NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and Mullvad, confirm on the vendor's download page that an app exists for your phone.
How much does a VPN cost?+
From the pages we read, the lowest advertised monthly prices are $2.49 to $3.49 on 2-year plans (Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Proton VPN), $10 to $19 on monthly plans, and Mullvad's flat €5 a month. The 2-year prices renew at the higher amounts shown above.
How many devices can I use with each VPN?+
Surfshark lists unlimited devices, NordVPN and Proton VPN 10, ExpressVPN 10, 12 or 14 depending on plan, and Mullvad 5. Proton VPN's free plan covers one device.
Is there a free VPN?+
Proton VPN has a free plan with one device, servers in 10 countries chosen randomly and medium speed, with no credit card. The other four have no free plan on the pages we read.
Do these VPNs have a money-back guarantee?+
NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN (paid plans) each state a 30-day money-back guarantee, and Mullvad states 14 days, excluding cash payments.
What should I check before choosing VPNs iPhone, Android, Mac & Windows?+
Confirm the core use case, real monthly or annual cost, cancellation policy, support quality, and whether the product integrates with tools you already use. If possible, test the product with a realistic workflow before committing to a paid plan.
Is the cheapest VPNs iPhone, Android, Mac & Windows option usually the best?+
Not always. Lower-priced products can be excellent when the feature set matches your needs, but they may become expensive if you need add-ons, higher usage limits, or faster support. Compare total cost and workflow fit, not only the first advertised price.
How does ProductsVerdict evaluate VPNs iPhone, Android, Mac & Windows?+
ProductsVerdict looks at practical buyer signals: fit for the stated use case, transparent pricing, evidence of reliability, ease of setup, support quality, and whether stronger alternatives exist for the same budget. The goal is to help readers make a defensible shortlist, not simply repeat vendor claims.
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What's changed
Every meaningful edit to this article is logged here. Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction.
- Oct 8, 2026Rewrote the page from each VPN's own pricing page: removed the unsourced claims and rankings, added prices by billing term, renewal prices, device limits and guarantees, and labelled what could not be verified (platform lists, auditors).
How the ProductsVerdict score is calculated
Every review and comparison on this site is graded against the same five-factor rubric. Weights are fixed so two reviewers grading the same product land within ~0.5 of each other.
- 30%Features & capabilitiesDepth, breadth and reliability of what the tool actually does.
- 25%Pricing & valueCost vs. what you get, including hidden fees and renewal traps.
- 20%Ease of useOnboarding, UX, documentation and learning curve.
- 15%Support & reputationSupport quality, response times and verified user sentiment.
- 10%InnovationRoadmap, AI features and how it's evolving vs. competitors.
Total: 100%. Scores are recalculated whenever a product ships a major update or changes pricing.
Reader feedback
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Our verdict in four picks
The right choice depends on what you're optimizing for. Here's our shortlist by use case.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Affiliate links — ProductsVerdict may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rankings are decided by our scoring rubric, not commission rate. Full disclosure.
ProductsVerdict Research Team
Research, comparisons & verdictsProductsVerdict Research Team leads ProductsVerdict's research on vpns, evaluating live pricing, public benchmarks, vendor documentation and trial accounts to publish recommendations readers can actually act on. No paid placements, no pre-publication review by brands.
ProductsVerdict is reader supported. When you purchase through some links, we may earn a commission. Our recommendations are based on our independent research process. Read our full disclosure and editorial guidelines.
Products covered in this article
- NordVPNBest for Most usersFrom $3.49/mo · 30-day money-backPricing, pros and cons
- ExpressVPNBest for Streaming & ease of useFrom $3.49/mo · 30-day money-backPricing, pros and cons
- SurfsharkBest for Families & multi-deviceFrom $2.19/mo · 30-day money-backPricing, pros and cons
- Proton VPNBest for Privacy maximalistsFrom $4.99/mo · Free planPricing, pros and cons
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