Disclosure: The NordVPN and Surfshark links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Mullvad and Proton VPN links aren’t affiliate links. Prices were checked in September 2026 and change often, so confirm on the checkout page.
Short answer:
- Most developers: NordVPN. Mature apps, a dedicated-IP option, and a 2-year Basic plan around $3.09/month.
- Cheapest good option, most devices: Surfshark. Unlimited devices from about $2.49/month on a 2-year plan.
- Maximum privacy: Mullvad. A flat €5/month, no email needed, and you can pay in cash.
- Free, or you need port forwarding: Proton VPN. The only one of the four with a real free plan, and its paid plans support port forwarding.
What developers actually need from a VPN
Streaming reviews rank VPNs on unlocking Netflix. For development work, different things matter:
- A stable IP for allowlists. Cloud consoles, staging databases and client VPNs often allowlist IPs. A shared VPN IP changes constantly and trips security checks. A dedicated IP fixes that.
- Port forwarding. It’s useful for exposing a local server or receiving webhooks without a tunnel service. Of these four, only Proton VPN still offers it.
- Split tunneling. It lets you keep
localhost, Docker networks and your company VPN off the tunnel while everything else goes through it. - A real CLI. Headless Linux boxes and CI runners can’t use a GUI app.
- Device limits. A laptop, phone, tablet and test devices add up quickly.
Price comparison (September 2026)
| 1 month | 1-year plan | 2-year plan | Devices | Refund window | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN Basic | $12.99 | $4.99/mo ($59.88) | $3.09/mo ($83.43) | 10 | 30 days, full |
| Surfshark Starter | — | — | $2.49/mo | Unlimited | 30 days |
| Mullvad | €5 | €5/mo | €5/mo | 5 | — |
| Proton VPN Plus | $9.99 | $3.99/mo | $2.99/mo | 10 | 30 days, prorated |
| Proton VPN Free | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 | — |
Notes:
- Intro prices renew higher. NordVPN and Surfshark’s long-plan prices are introductory, and renewals cost more. Put a calendar reminder a month before renewal.
- Mullvad is the exception. Same price at any term, and no discounts to chase apart from 10% off for crypto.
NordVPN: the safe default
Why developers pick it:
- A dedicated IP add-on, which is the cleanest fix for IP allowlists and constant 2FA prompts.
- 10 devices per account.
- Mature apps on every platform, plus a Linux CLI (
nordvpn connect,nordvpn set killswitch on). - Business teams can use NordLayer, the company’s separate business product.
- A 30-day full refund, not prorated, so you can try it on real work.
Watch out for:
- The cheap price requires a 2-year commitment, and renewal pricing is higher.
- Split tunneling is limited on some platforms, so check yours before buying.
Best for: freelancers and full-stack developers who want one reliable VPN and may need a stable IP.
Check NordVPN’s current price →
Surfshark: best value and unlimited devices
Why developers pick it:
- Unlimited simultaneous devices on every plan. Useful for a pile of test devices, or for sharing with a household.
- The lowest entry price of the paid options here: about $2.49/month for Starter on a 2-year plan.
- The One plan (about $2.79/month on 2 years) adds antivirus and data-breach alerts.
- A 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch out for:
- Like NordVPN, the headline price is a 2-year introductory rate.
- If you need a stable allowlisted IP, compare Surfshark’s dedicated IP add-on price against NordVPN’s before deciding.
Best for: developers on a budget, and anyone with lots of devices.
Check Surfshark’s current deal →
Mullvad: the privacy purist’s pick
Why developers pick it:
- No email or name. You get a random account number and can pay with cash or crypto.
- One flat price, €5/month, so no multi-year lock-in.
- WireGuard-only since OpenVPN was retired at the start of 2026. Fast and simple.
- A solid CLI, plus a long record of published independent audits.
Watch out for:
- No port forwarding. Mullvad removed it in 2023. If an older guide says otherwise, it’s out of date.
- No dedicated IPs and no team features.
- Split tunneling is configured by IP and port, not by app.
Best for: developers handling sensitive work who value anonymity over convenience.
Proton VPN: best free tier, and port forwarding
Why developers pick it:
- A usable free plan: unlimited data, no ads, one device. Good for occasional coffee-shop protection.
- Port forwarding on paid plans. It’s the main reason to choose Proton over Mullvad if you self-host or test inbound connections.
- VPN Plus costs $2.99/month on 2 years, or $3.99/month on 1 year.
- The Proton Unlimited bundle adds Proton Mail, Drive and Pass.
Watch out for:
- The free plan doesn’t include split tunneling or torrenting.
- Refunds are prorated, unlike NordVPN’s full 30-day refund.
Best for: students, occasional users, and anyone who needs port forwarding.
Feature checklist for developers
| Need | NordVPN | Surfshark | Mullvad | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated/static IP | Yes (add-on) | Yes (add-on) | No | Business plans |
| Port forwarding | No | No | No (removed 2023) | Yes (paid) |
| Linux CLI | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Anonymous signup | No | No | Yes | Partial |
| Free plan | No | No | No | Yes |
| Team or business product | NordLayer | Business plans | No | Proton for Business |
Which one should you buy?
- You get locked out by IP allowlists or 2FA: NordVPN with a dedicated IP.
- You want the lowest price or have many devices: Surfshark Starter.
- Privacy is the job: Mullvad at €5/month, month to month.
- You need port forwarding, or you pay nothing: Proton VPN (paid for port forwarding, free for the basics).
Whichever you choose, use the 30-day refund window to test it on your actual workflow: SSH sessions, your company VPN, Docker and your CI tools.
FAQ
Does a VPN slow down git push and SSH?
Slightly. Modern WireGuard-based connections add a few milliseconds of latency to nearby servers, which you won’t notice for SSH or git. Pick a server close to you and to your cloud region.
Can I use a VPN alongside my company VPN? Usually only one tunnel can run at a time. Use split tunneling, or turn the personal VPN off while you’re on the corporate one.
Is a free VPN safe for development work? Proton VPN’s free plan is the one widely trusted option. Avoid unknown free VPNs, since they have to make money somehow.
Do I need a dedicated IP? Only if services you use allowlist IPs, or keep flagging shared VPN IPs as suspicious. It’s an add-on cost, so skip it otherwise.
Related:
Pricing sources, checked September 2026: Gizmodo on NordVPN pricing, Cybernews on Surfshark pricing, Security.org on Proton VPN, Security.org on Mullvad, Mullvad’s port forwarding announcement.