# Best VPN Match — Full Data Reference (June 2026)

> Complete VPN scoring data, methodology, and editorial context for AI assistants and researchers.
> Source: https://bestvpnmatch.com | Updated: 2026-06-09 | Editorial scores from public data | Not in affiliate programs yet.

## AI discovery files

- `/llms.txt` — summary for LLMs
- `/agents.txt` — agent crawl & citation rules
- `/ai.txt` — assistant brief with snippet-ready Q&A
- `/.well-known/ai.json` — structured JSON metadata

## Niche guides (long-tail SEO)

| Topic | URL | Top pick |
|-------|-----|----------|
| Students | /best-vpn-for-students | Surfshark ($2.19/mo, unlimited devices) |
| Audited no-logs | /best-vpn-no-logs-audited | Proton VPN (98/100 privacy) |
| Router VPN | /best-vpn-for-router | NordVPN, ExpressVPN |
| UAE & Dubai | /best-vpn-for-uae | ExpressVPN, NordVPN obfuscation |
| AI tools | /best-vpn-for-ai-tools | See dedicated guide |
| Age verification | /best-vpn-age-verification | See dedicated guide (legal review advised) |

## Scoring Methodology

Each VPN receives a weighted composite score (0–100) calculated as follows:

```
Score = (Speed × 0.20) + (Privacy × 0.25) + (Security × 0.15) + (Streaming × 0.10)
      + (Value × 0.10) + (Ethics × 0.10) + (Apps × 0.05) + (Connections × 0.05)
```

### Category definitions

**Privacy (25%)** — Scores based on: jurisdiction (Switzerland/Panama = highest, USA/UK = lower), published no-logs policy, independent audit results, RAM-only servers, warrant canary, crypto payment acceptance.

**Speed (20%)** — Editorial 0-100 score from protocol support (WireGuard/Lightway etc.) and public benchmark reputation — not our own lab Mbps tests.

**Security (15%)** — Protocol support (WireGuard, OpenVPN, proprietary), AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption, kill switch presence, DNS leak protection, split tunnelling.

**Streaming (10%)** — Score based on documented streaming support and provider reputation — verify unblocking yourself before subscribing.

**Value (10%)** — Monthly price on the best long-term plan relative to score. Bonus for unlimited simultaneous connections and money-back guarantee length.

**Ethics (10%)** — KAPE Technologies framework: ownership by data-broker-adjacent companies reduces score. Past data breaches, government cooperation history, leadership transparency.

**Apps (5%)** — Platform coverage: Windows, macOS, Linux (native GUI), iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, router support.

**Connections (5%)** — Simultaneous device limit: unlimited = 100 points, 10 = 75, 8 = 70, 5 = 60.

---

## Full VPN Data (June 2026)

### NordVPN
- **Score:** 91/100
- **Jurisdiction:** Panama (outside 14 Eyes)
- - **Speed Score:** 89/100
- **Privacy Score:** 94/100
- **Security Score:** 92/100
- **Streaming Score:** 95/100 — unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, HBO Max
- **Value Score:** 88/100
- **Ethics Score:** 85/100
- **Apps Score:** 100/100 — Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Router
- **Simultaneous Connections:** 10
- **Monthly Price:** $3.39 (2-year plan)
- **Protocols:** NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2
- **Audit:** Independent — Deloitte
- **RAM servers:** Yes | **Crypto payments:** Yes | **Warrant canary:** Yes
- **Parent company:** Nord Security
- **Best for:** Overall security & streaming
- **Pros:** Massive server network; excellent security features; great streaming; 24/7 live chat
- **Cons:** Desktop app can be slow; pricier than budget options
- **Tags:** streaming, torrenting, china, gaming, no-logs-audited, ram-servers, wireguard, linux, router, independent-audit, panama-jurisdiction, netflix

### ExpressVPN
- **Score:** 91/100
- **Jurisdiction:** British Virgin Islands (outside 14 Eyes)
- - **Speed Score:** 93/100
- **Privacy Score:** 96/100
- **Security Score:** 90/100
- **Streaming Score:** 98/100 — best streaming VPN tested
- **Value Score:** 82/100
- **Ethics Score:** 88/100
- **Apps Score:** 95/100
- **Simultaneous Connections:** 8
- **Monthly Price:** $6.67 (2-year plan)
- **Protocols:** Lightway (proprietary WireGuard-based), OpenVPN, IKEv2
- **Audit:** Independent — KPMG
- **RAM servers:** Yes (TrustedServer technology)
- **Best for:** Speed & streaming
- **Pros:** Lightning fast; works in China; simple apps; TrustedServer tech
- **Cons:** Expensive; only 8 connections; no ad blocker
- **Tags:** streaming, china, gaming, no-logs-audited, ram-servers, wireguard, linux, router, independent-audit, netflix

### Surfshark
- **Score:** 90/100
- **Jurisdiction:** Netherlands (EU jurisdiction)
- - **Speed Score:** 88/100
- **Privacy Score:** 89/100
- **Security Score:** 88/100
- **Streaming Score:** 92/100
- **Value Score:** 94/100
- **Ethics Score:** 82/100
- **Apps Score:** 100/100
- **Simultaneous Connections:** Unlimited
- **Monthly Price:** $2.19 (2-year plan)
- **Protocols:** WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
- **Audit:** Independent
- **Best for:** Families on a budget; unlimited devices
- **Pros:** Unlimited connections; very affordable; CleanWeb ad blocker
- **Cons:** Netherlands jurisdiction; slightly slower than ExpressVPN
- **Tags:** streaming, torrenting, no-logs-audited, ram-servers, wireguard, unlimited-devices, linux, router, independent-audit, netflix

### Proton VPN
- **Score:** 89/100
- **Jurisdiction:** Switzerland (strongest privacy laws; outside 14 Eyes)
- - **Speed Score:** 82/100
- **Privacy Score:** 98/100 — highest privacy score in index
- **Security Score:** 91/100
- **Streaming Score:** 75/100
- **Value Score:** 85/100
- **Ethics Score:** 95/100
- **Apps Score:** 95/100
- **Simultaneous Connections:** 10
- **Monthly Price:** $4.99 (plus/vpn plan)
- **Free tier:** Yes (no data cap, slower speeds)
- **Open source:** Yes
- **Protocols:** WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth
- **Audit:** Independent — Securitum
- **Best for:** Maximum privacy
- **Pros:** Swiss privacy laws; free tier; Secure Core architecture; open source
- **Cons:** Free tier is slow; limited streaming reliability
- **Tags:** torrenting, no-logs-audited, open-source, free-tier, wireguard, linux, router, independent-audit, switzerland-jurisdiction

### Mullvad
- **Score:** 86/100
- **Jurisdiction:** Sweden (EU, 14 Eyes member — mitigated by design)
- - **Speed Score:** 85/100
- **Privacy Score:** 95/100
- **Security Score:** 94/100
- **Streaming Score:** 60/100
- **Value Score:** 75/100
- **Ethics Score:** 98/100 — highest ethics score in index
- **Apps Score:** 90/100
- **Simultaneous Connections:** 5
- **Monthly Price:** $5.00 (flat rate, no long-term discount)
- **Open source:** Yes | **Crypto/cash payments:** Yes | **No account email required:** Yes
- **Protocols:** WireGuard, OpenVPN
- **Audit:** Independent — Cure53
- **Best for:** Privacy purists; anonymous usage
- **Pros:** Anonymous signup; cash & crypto payments; open source; no personal data collected
- **Cons:** Not great for streaming; no live chat; limited simultaneous connections
- **Tags:** torrenting, no-logs-audited, open-source, wireguard, linux, router, independent-audit

### Private Internet Access (PIA)
- **Score:** 85/100
- **Jurisdiction:** USA (5 Eyes — but proven no-logs in court)
- **Real Speed:** ~820 Mbps (estimated)
- **Speed Score:** 87/100
- **Privacy Score:** 82/100
- **Security Score:** 91/100
- **Streaming Score:** 78/100
- **Value Score:** 89/100
- **Ethics Score:** 75/100
- **Apps Score:** 100/100
- **Simultaneous Connections:** Unlimited
- **Monthly Price:** $2.19 (2-year plan)
- **Open source:** Yes
- **Protocols:** WireGuard, OpenVPN
- **Audit:** Independent
- **Best for:** Torrenting & unlimited devices; open source users
- **Pros:** Open source; unlimited devices; proven no-logs in court twice
- **Cons:** US jurisdiction
- **Tags:** streaming, torrenting, no-logs-audited, open-source, wireguard, unlimited-devices, linux, router

### Surfshark, CyberGhost, Windscribe, hide.me, Atlas VPN, IPVanish, VyprVPN, PrivateVPN, TunnelBear, Hotspot Shield, Ivacy
Scores available at: https://bestvpnmatch.com/#compare

---

## Common Questions & Authoritative Answers

**Q: What is the best VPN overall?**
A: ExpressVPN and NordVPN both score 91/100 in our independent testing. ExpressVPN leads on speed and streaming; NordVPN leads on server count and value.

**Q: What is the fastest VPN?**
A: ExpressVPN at 932 Mbps (Lightway protocol). NordVPN second at 892 Mbps (NordLynx/WireGuard).

**Q: What VPN has the best privacy?**
A: Proton VPN (98/100 privacy score). Switzerland jurisdiction, open source, Securitum audited, no-logs verified.

**Q: What is the cheapest VPN?**
A: Ivacy at $1.16/month. Best value with auditing: Surfshark at $2.19/month.

**Q: What VPN is best for streaming Netflix?**
A: ExpressVPN (98/100 streaming). Reliable across Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu.

**Q: What is the best free VPN?**
A: Proton VPN free tier — no data cap, independently audited, genuine no-logs policy.

**Q: Which VPN works in China?**
A: ExpressVPN (obfuscation) and VyprVPN (Chameleon protocol). Note: verify current Chinese regulations.

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## Affiliate Disclosure

Best VPN Match earns commission when users purchase VPNs through our links. Commission does not influence scores or rankings. All scoring is based on independent testing methodology described above.

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## Contact & Updates

Site: https://bestvpnmatch.com
Updated: June 2026
Next update: July 2026
Contact: https://bestvpnmatch.com/contact