AI Picks / United States / Business software
Best vpn in the US, according to AI
Proton VPN was the brand AI assistants named most for VPNs in the US, appearing in 57 of 60 answers. This page is based on 60 answers from ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews.
- 15 real searches
- 4 AI assistants
- 60 answers read
- No affiliate links
- Best overallProton VPNNamed in 95% of answers
- Best for speed and streamingNordVPNNamed in 56.7% of answers
- Best valueSurfsharkNamed in 48.3% of answers
- Best for features & customizationWindscribeNamed in 46.7% of answers
- Best for streaming & us serversPrivadoVPNNamed in 43.3% of answers
- Best for beginnersExpressVPNNamed in 36.7% of answers
The vpns brands AI recommends most
Share of the 60 answers that named each brand. The squares show which assistants named it.
- 1Proton VPNModels named: Proton VPN Free, Free, Free TierCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 2NordVPNModels named: NordLynx, obfuscated servers, MeshnetCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 3SurfsharkModels named: NoBorders mode, CleanWebCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 4WindscribeModels named: Windscribe Free, Free, Free PlanCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 5PrivadoVPNModels named: PrivadoVPN Free, Free, Free TierCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 6ExpressVPNModels named: LightwayCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 7MullvadCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 8Private Internet AccessModels named: PIACGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 9hide.meModels named: Hide.me Free, hide.me Free, FreeCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 10TunnelBearCGPAYour brand? Add your link
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Feature your brandSide by side
What the answers said about each brand. Prices are as quoted in the answers, not checked by us.
| Brand | Share of answers | Named by | Named best for | Models named | Prices quoted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | 95% | 4 of 4 | best overall, privacy & free tier, unlimited data | Proton VPN Free, Free, Free Tier | Free; Free |
| NordVPN | 56.7% | 4 of 4 | best overall, speed and streaming, best overall; everyday browsing, streaming, and public wi-fi | NordLynx, obfuscated servers, Meshnet | $3.49 per month; $29.99 for a 1-year plan; $44.99 for Plus bundle |
| Surfshark | 48.3% | 4 of 4 | best value, best value; budget-conscious users and whole households, best value / best for families | NoBorders mode, CleanWeb | around $2.39/mo; around $2.49/mo |
| Windscribe | 46.7% | 4 of 4 | features & customization, us location options; occasional streaming, browsing, multiple devices, more location options | Windscribe Free, Free, Free Plan | Free; Free |
| PrivadoVPN | 43.3% | 4 of 4 | streaming & us servers, streaming, best free option | PrivadoVPN Free, Free, Free Tier | Free; Free |
| ExpressVPN | 36.7% | 4 of 4 | best for beginners, simplicity & consistency, best user experience | Lightway | around $2.99 to $12.95/mo; around $4.99/mo |
| Mullvad | 20% | 4 of 4 | anonymity, best privacy, true anonymity | – | €5 per month |
| Private Internet Access | 13.3% | 4 of 4 | best for many us locations, u.s. state-level coverage, budget-friendly privacy | PIA | – |
| hide.me | 8.3% | 2 of 4 | unlimited data with torrenting, server choice, customizable free plan | Hide.me Free, hide.me Free, Free | Free |
| TunnelBear | 6.7% | 1 of 4 | beginner-friendly, ad-free, best for beginners, best beginner-friendly option | – | – |
What people in the US ask, answered
Each answer is our summary of what the four assistants said.
What is the best VPN in the US?
Proton VPN was named most often, appearing in 57 of 60 answers, and was described as best overall. NordVPN was also named as best overall and for everyday browsing, streaming and public wi-fi. Surfshark was named as best value.
What is the best free VPN in the US?
Proton VPN was named for its free tier with unlimited data. Windscribe was named for its free plan with more location options. PrivadoVPN was named as the best free option.
What is the best VPN for privacy in the US?
Mullvad was named as best for privacy and true anonymity. Proton VPN was named for privacy and its free tier. Private Internet Access was named for budget-friendly privacy.
What is the best VPN for iPhone in the US?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for iPhone. NordVPN, Surfshark, Windscribe, PrivadoVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, Private Internet Access, hide.me and TunnelBear were also named across the answers.
Which VPNs do people on Reddit recommend most?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for Reddit recommendations. NordVPN, Surfshark, Windscribe, PrivadoVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, Private Internet Access, hide.me and TunnelBear were also named across the answers.
What is the best free VPN for iPhone in the US?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for free iPhone VPNs. Windscribe and PrivadoVPN were named for their free plans, and hide.me was named for its customizable free plan.
What is the best VPN for Android in the US?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for Android. NordVPN, Surfshark, Windscribe, PrivadoVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, Private Internet Access, hide.me and TunnelBear were also named across the answers.
What is the best free VPN for Android in the US?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for free Android VPNs. Windscribe and PrivadoVPN were named for their free plans, and hide.me was named for its customizable free plan.
What is the best VPN for China in the US?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for China. NordVPN was named for its obfuscated servers, which can help in restrictive countries.
What is the best VPN for streaming in the US?
PrivadoVPN was named for streaming and US servers. NordVPN was named for speed and streaming. Surfshark was named as best value for budget-conscious users and whole households.
What is the best free VPN according to Reddit?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for free VPNs according to Reddit. Windscribe and PrivadoVPN were named for their free plans, and hide.me was named for its customizable free plan.
What is the best VPN for torrenting in the US?
hide.me was named for unlimited data with torrenting. Proton VPN was named for its free tier with unlimited data. Mullvad was named for anonymity.
What is the best VPN for PC in the US?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for PC. NordVPN, Surfshark, Windscribe, PrivadoVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, Private Internet Access, hide.me and TunnelBear were also named across the answers.
What is the best free VPN for PC in the US?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for free PC VPNs. Windscribe and PrivadoVPN were named for their free plans, and hide.me was named for its customizable free plan.
What is the best free VPN for MacBook in the US?
Proton VPN was named most overall for this category, but the assistants did not single out one brand as best for free MacBook VPNs. Windscribe and PrivadoVPN were named for their free plans, and hide.me was named for its customizable free plan.
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How we count
We ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews the questions people in the US actually search for (15 for this category), asked from the US, and read every answer: 60 answers here.
A brand scores when an answer recommends it. Its rank is the share of answers that named it. Shops, review sites and brands an answer warns against are not counted. Different spellings of the same brand are merged.
This is what the assistants said on 17 October 2026, not our own opinion: we do not test products. We ask again every month. Paid listings are labelled and never change the ranking. There are no affiliate links on this page.
The rankings and data are ours (© Vasukai). You are welcome to quote a ranking with a link to this page; copying the data in bulk or by automated means is not permitted.