Sophie Lin writes about VPNs in a column for Archyde.com. CNET reported a major shakeup, with Windscribe claiming the top spot as the best overall VPN, replacing ExpressVPN. CNET’s testing found Windscribe earned its Editors’ Choice designation for excelling in privacy, speed, streaming, and features. In the same review, ExpressVPN was noted for being the fastest service tested despite dropping in the overall rankings.
Top Contenders and Their Standout Features
According to the assessments, Surfshark and NordVPN remain top contenders. Surfshark was praised for its “Nexus” technology and unique features, though its monthly subscription price was described as “extraordinarily expensive.” NordVPN was highlighted for its compelling bundles of privacy apps and large server network, but was criticized for less transparency than rivals and “more aggressive data collection by default.” Another reviewer from Wired called Surfshark “dead simple to use” and feature-rich, noting it has an ad blocker and email masking in its plans, though it lacks open-source applications.
Privacy-Focused Alternatives
For users with critical privacy needs, Mullvad was named the best VPN for privacy by CNET. The service is fully open source, uses RAM-only servers, and has a straightforward, budget-friendly price. However, it struggles with streaming and is limited to five simultaneous connections. IVPN, a similar privacy-focused provider, was noted for its anonymous login system and cryptocurrency payments, but it lacks some features of Mullvad, such as RAM-less servers, and its Pro plan was deemed more expensive. A separate review from Wired also mentioned IVPN’s two-device limit on its Standard plan.
Free VPN Options Scrutinized
The reports scrutinized the free VPN market. CNET named Proton VPN as offering the best free option and “perhaps the best overall value in the industry,” citing its legitimate free tier, reasonable prices, and open-source apps. In contrast, EventVPN, a free, ad-supported VPN from ExpressVPN, was heavily criticized. A Wired reviewer found the “pervasiveness of ads”—including a constant banner and 30-second ads on connection—to be “straight-up worse” than other free services like ProtonVPN or Windscribe.
Windscribe’s Rise to the Top
Windscribe’s ascent to CNET’s top spot was the result of a six-month testing and research process in 2026. The service was awarded the Editors’ Choice designation because it excelled in “virtually every facet” of CNET’s rigorous testing, delivering “airtight privacy, solid speed performance, excellent streaming performance and tons of useful features.” The review noted that Windscribe is “excellent for streaming” and operates from a “privacy-friendly jurisdiction (British Virgin Islands).” However, the report also pointed out that the new app is “a little buggy,” the Basic tier offers “limited DNS-based content blocking,” and the service “no multihop connections.” Despite these minor drawbacks, CNET concluded that Windscribe “has taken the crown as CNET’s new best overall VPN service for 2026.”
