In 2026 the VPN stopped being a niche tool. Today the popularity of VPNs is growing rapidly — which VPN is trending now — is not just a question but a query racking up thousands of views. Users want to know: which service actually works fast, reliably and securely?
Here are the current trends and favorites of the year, based on expert reviews, statistics and real-world tests.
The top three leaders of the VPN market
NordVPN — our leader, no doubt
- Named the best VPN overall — according to TechRadar, PCWorld and many others.
- Outstanding speed up to 950 Mbps, top-tier protection (AES-256, post-quantum cryptography), Double VPN, Onion over VPN and SMART Meshnet.
- About 17% of all VPN users chose NordVPN in 2025.
Surfshark — ideal for price and performance
- Wins the budget VPN category, per TechRadar: high speeds, an unlimited number of devices, a user-friendly interface, extra features (antivirus, data monitoring).
- Indispensable for family access and users on a tight budget.
ExpressVPN — a flawless choice for beginners
- Excellent speed, a simple interface and solid security (Lightway, OpenVPN, TLS, Network Lock).
- Ideal for those who value convenience and reliability above all.
Other VPNs worth your attention
- Proton VPN — the privacy leader, Swiss-grade security, open source, a Stealth protocol for bypassing blocks, a large server fleet.
- PrivadoVPN (especially the free version), PIA, Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost — strong solutions for different needs: from streaming to security.
Expert opinion: why these particular VPNs are trending
Tom's Guide's take: NordVPN is the ideal balance of price, speed and security; Surfshark is the best option for thrifty users; ExpressVPN is premium-class for an "easy start."
Functional requirements (encryption, streaming, no-logs, kill switch, split tunneling) make these VPNs market favorites.
Why these VPNs are trending now
A combination of speed and protection
NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN deliver high speed + advanced encryption
Trust and transparency
Privacy-first modules (no-logs), third-party audits (NordVPN + Deloitte), open source (ProtonVPN)
Streaming content
Reliable access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and other services
Different price tiers
There are premium, value-for-money, budget and even free options
If you want to try all the protocols and approaches at once — with various VPN clients — the R-VPN service can be a great option: a wide choice of technologies, servers and stability proven by experience.
Discuss: go to the R-VPN forum