All five are audited commercial VPNs; the right pick depends on your priority. Below is how they differ factually — and a fifth path that trades a shared IP for one that's entirely yours.
Fastest protocols
ExpressVPN and NordVPN lead on raw speed thanks to Lightway and NordLynx. Both handle 4K streaming, gaming and large downloads well.
Lowest price
Surfshark and PIA are the value leaders. Surfshark adds unlimited devices, while PIA offers a large server network and long-term plans at low cost.
Streaming your subscriptions
All of them reach major platforms for content you subscribe to; CyberGhost even offers streaming-optimized servers. Reliability varies by IP because these IPs are shared.
Your own dedicated server
The fifth option isn't a subscription at all: a dedicated server (roughly $5–10/month infra plus a one-time professional setup) gives you a private IP nobody else uses and logs you control. A vetted EdgeGigs engineer builds and configures it — see our own-server guide.
Paid VPN FAQ
Which VPN has the most features?
NordVPN packs the most built-in tools; ExpressVPN is simplest; Surfshark and PIA lead on price.
How do shared VPNs compare to your own server?
Shared VPNs are cheap and turnkey but put you on IPs many others use; your own server costs a little more effort or a one-time setup fee for a dedicated IP you control.
Do commercial VPNs offer refunds?
All five offer money-back guarantees (typically 30 days), so you can evaluate them first.