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## Quick picks
| Rank | VPN | Best for | Starting price | Devices | Source |
|——|—–|———-|—————-|———|——–|
| #1 | [Surfshark](https://surfshark.com/) | Best overall value | [$2.49/mo](https://surfshark.com/pricing) (27-mo plan) | Unlimited | [surfshark.com/pricing](https://surfshark.com/pricing) |
| #2 | [Mysterium VPN](https://mysteriumvpn.com/) | Residential IPs and censorship bypass | [78% off promotion](https://mysteriumvpn.com/) | [15](https://mysteriumvpn.com/) | [mysteriumvpn.com](https://mysteriumvpn.com/) |
| #3 | [ioloVPN](https://iolovpn.com/) | Budget 2-year plan | [$3.75/mo](https://iolovpn.com/) (24-mo plan) | [5](https://iolovpn.com/) | [iolovpn.com](https://iolovpn.com/) |
| #4 | [hidemy.name](https://hidemyna.me/) | Simple privacy with router support | 30-day money-back | [5](https://hidemyna.me/) | [hidemyna.me](https://hidemyna.me/) |
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## #1 Surfshark — best overall VPN in 2027
Surfshark takes the top spot for three reasons: a low long-term price, an audited no-logs policy, and unlimited simultaneous device connections on every paid plan. That last point alone separates it from most competitors, which cap you at 5 or 10 devices.
### Pricing
Surfshark runs three tiers on its [27-month plan](https://surfshark.com/pricing):
| Plan | Monthly rate | Total billed (first 27 months) | Source |
|——|————-|——————————-|——–|
| Starter | [$2.49/mo](https://surfshark.com/pricing) | [$67.23](https://surfshark.com/pricing) | [surfshark.com/pricing](https://surfshark.com/pricing) |
| One | [$2.79/mo](https://surfshark.com/pricing) | [$75.33](https://surfshark.com/pricing) | [surfshark.com/pricing](https://surfshark.com/pricing) |
| One+ | [$4.49/mo](https://surfshark.com/pricing) | [$121.23](https://surfshark.com/pricing) | [surfshark.com/pricing](https://surfshark.com/pricing) |
All three plans include a [30-day money-back guarantee](https://surfshark.com/pricing).
### What makes Surfshark stand out
The network is substantial: [4,500+ servers in 100 countries, all upgraded to 10Gbps](https://surfshark.com/pricing) to keep speeds consistent. That figure is not a datacenter count padded with virtual locations. Surfshark specifies RAM-only servers, which means no data is written to disk.
The Starter plan covers the core features most people actually need: an ad blocker, cookie pop-up blocker, split tunneling (called Bypasser), rotating IP, and Dynamic MultiHop, which routes traffic through two servers in sequence. Upgrade to One and you get antivirus, webcam protection, and real-time malware scanning. One+ adds Incogni, Surfshark’s data broker removal tool.
Surfshark has accumulated [40M+ global app downloads and 30+ recognition awards](https://surfshark.com/), which reflects genuine adoption. The app runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire TV, plus browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
The unlimited simultaneous device connections on every paid plan is the headline for households. One subscription covers every phone, laptop, tablet, and smart TV without counting slots.
For more on running Surfshark on home network hardware, see the [Best VPN for Router in 2027](https://www.techbuzz.ai/articles/best-vpn-for-router) guide. Android users should also check [Best VPN for Android in 2027](https://www.techbuzz.ai/articles/best-vpn-for-android).
**Verdict:** [Get Surfshark Starter at $2.49/mo](https://surfshark.com/pricing) for the lowest entry price with unlimited devices. Step up to One for bundled antivirus.
—
## #2 Mysterium VPN — best for residential IPs and censorship bypass
Mysterium VPN takes a fundamentally different approach from every other VPN on this list. Instead of routing traffic through owned datacenters, it uses [7,500+ residential IPs across 100+ countries](https://mysteriumvpn.com/), meaning IP addresses tied to actual home internet connections. That distinction matters for two specific use cases: bypassing VPN detection and accessing content in heavily censored regions.
Most streaming platforms and government firewalls maintain blocklists of known datacenter IP ranges. A residential IP looks like a regular home user, so it passes those checks. Mysterium explicitly states its traffic is “undetectable to VPN blockers,” which follows directly from this architecture rather than from any special protocol magic.
The network supports [up to 15 simultaneous connections on one account](https://mysteriumvpn.com/), more than ioloVPN or hidemy.name, though still capped compared to Surfshark’s unlimited model.
Security features include WireGuard protocol, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. The app code is open source, and Mysterium is a member of the VPN Trust Initiative, both of which allow independent verification of their claims. The decentralized network model also makes Mysterium’s infrastructure harder to shut down than a traditional VPN with fixed server locations, a real consideration for users in countries that actively block VPN services.
If streaming is the primary use case, the [Best VPN for Streaming in 2027](https://www.techbuzz.ai/articles/best-vpn-for-streaming) guide covers platform-specific recommendations.
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## #3 ioloVPN — best budget 2-year plan
ioloVPN keeps things simple. Three plans, a clear pricing structure, and a 30-day money-back guarantee across all of them.
| Plan | Monthly rate | Billed amount | Billing cycle | Source |
|——|————-|————–|—————|——–|
| 1 Month | [$11.95/mo](https://iolovpn.com/) | [$11.95](https://iolovpn.com/) | Monthly | [iolovpn.com](https://iolovpn.com/) |
| 1 Year | [$5.83/mo](https://iolovpn.com/) | [$69.95](https://iolovpn.com/) | Every 12 months | [iolovpn.com](https://iolovpn.com/) |
| 2 Years | [$3.75/mo](https://iolovpn.com/) | [$89.95](https://iolovpn.com/) | Every 24 months | [iolovpn.com](https://iolovpn.com/) |
The 2-year plan is labeled “Best Value” and saves [70% off](https://iolovpn.com/) the standard monthly rate. The device limit is 5, meaning it can protect up to 5 devices simultaneously, which covers a typical household but will not stretch to a large family or shared office.
Core features include 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, unlimited bandwidth, and 24/7 live support. The server network spans “three dozen locations on six continents,” giving reasonable global coverage without the depth of Surfshark or Mysterium. Compatible platforms are Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
ioloVPN is a reasonable pick for someone who wants a set-it-and-forget-it VPN at a low 2-year price and has no need for residential IPs or bundled security tools.
—
## #4 hidemy.name — best for simplicity and router support
hidemy.name has been protecting users for [20 years](https://hidemyna.me/), which counts for something in a market full of newcomers. The service covers [42 countries](https://hidemyna.me/) and allows [5 simultaneous connections and covers 42 countries](https://hidemyna.me/) per account, modest but adequate for personal use.
The standout feature is native router support. Configure hidemy.name on your router and every device on the home network gets VPN protection, including consoles and smart TVs that do not support VPN apps directly. That is a practical advantage for households with mixed device types.
Setup uses a code-based activation model: pay or request a trial, receive a code by email, enter it in the app, select a server, and connect. It works on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and routers.
A [30-day money-back guarantee](https://hidemyna.me/) covers all purchases. The country count of 42 is lower than competitors, so verify coverage for any specific region before committing.
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## Also considered
NordPass appeared in source research but is a password manager, not a VPN, and is not included here. RemoveMe and Decodo were also reviewed but are a data broker removal service and a proxy network respectively. Neither is a consumer VPN.
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## How we tested
Published pricing, feature documentation, and independent audit reports were compared as of October 7, 2026. No hands-on speed tests were conducted. All claims reflect what each vendor publicly states and documents.
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## What to look for in a VPN
**Server network size and type.** Surfshark’s [4,500+ servers in 100 countries at 10Gbps](https://surfshark.com/pricing) prioritizes speed. Mysterium’s [7,500+ residential IPs](https://mysteriumvpn.com/) prioritize undetectability. These are different tools for different problems, and conflating them leads to the wrong purchase.
**Device limits.** Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections is genuinely rare. ioloVPN caps at [5 devices](https://iolovpn.com/), hidemy.name at [5 devices](https://hidemyna.me/), and Mysterium at [15 devices](https://mysteriumvpn.com/).
**No-logs policy verification.** Look for third-party audits, not vendor claims alone. Surfshark explicitly states an audited no-logs policy. Mysterium publishes open-source code. Check whether any claim is independently verified before trusting it.
**Money-back guarantee.** All four VPNs on this list offer a [30-day money-back guarantee](https://surfshark.com/pricing), giving a risk-free trial window.
**Protocol.** Mysterium uses WireGuard, the current standard for balancing speed and security. Surfshark supports multiple protocols. ioloVPN and hidemy.name do not specify protocols in their public documentation.
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## Who this guide is not for
– Enterprise teams needing centralized admin controls and user management. Surfshark does offer a teams product, but this guide covers personal plans only.
– Users who need a free VPN. None of the products here are free, and free VPNs involve different tradeoffs around speed, privacy, and data practices that this guide does not address.
– Proxy or scraping use cases. Decodo and similar residential proxy networks serve those needs; a consumer VPN does not.
– Users in countries where VPN use is illegal. Check local regulations before purchasing any VPN service.
—
## FAQ
### Q: What is the cheapest VPN plan in 2027?
A: Surfshark Starter is the lowest-priced option at [$2.49/mo for the first 27 months](https://surfshark.com/pricing), billed as [$67.23 total](https://surfshark.com/pricing). It includes unlimited simultaneous device connections, an ad blocker, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it the strongest value per dollar among the VPNs reviewed here.
### Q: How many devices can I connect with Surfshark at once?
A: Surfshark supports [unlimited simultaneous device connections](https://surfshark.com/pricing) on all paid plans, including the entry-level Starter tier. This covers every device in a household under one subscription, unlike ioloVPN which caps at [5 devices](https://iolovpn.com/) and hidemy.name which also caps at [5 devices](https://hidemyna.me/).
### Q: Why does Mysterium VPN use residential IPs instead of datacenter servers?
A: Mysterium routes traffic through [7,500+ residential IPs across 100+ countries](https://mysteriumvpn.com/), meaning your traffic originates from real home internet connections. Datacenter IPs are widely blocklisted by streaming platforms and government firewalls; residential IPs are not, making Mysterium harder to detect and block.
### Q: Does ioloVPN offer a money-back guarantee?
A: Yes. All three ioloVPN plans, monthly at [$11.95/mo](https://iolovpn.com/), 1-year at [$5.83/mo billed as $69.95](https://iolovpn.com/), and 2-year at [$3.75/mo billed as $89.95](https://iolovpn.com/), include a [30-day money-back guarantee](https://iolovpn.com/).
### Q: Can I use hidemy.name on a router?
A: Yes. [hidemy.name](https://hidemyna.me/) explicitly supports router installation, which extends VPN protection to devices that do not run VPN apps natively, such as gaming consoles and smart TVs. The service covers [42 countries](https://hidemyna.me/) and allows [5 simultaneous connections](https://hidemyna.me/) per account.
