Short VPN Logins vs VPN Codes: ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Norton and More

VPN listings come in two shapes. A short login is a ready account with a few days left: you sign in on the VPN's app and connect, and nothing is billed to your card. A code adds a longer plan to your own VPN account and stays with you.

Short logins (3 to 30 days)

• ExpressVPN, 3 days, 10 devices ($5.99)
• Norton VPN Ultimate, 7 days ($5.99), with a webmail link for codes
• Hotspot Shield, 7 days ($5.99)
• IPVanish, 7 days ($5.99), with a webmail link for codes
• PureVPN, 7 days ($5.99)
• AdGuard VPN, 5 to 7 days ($3.99): the account shows the exact days left
• HMA VPN, 25 to 30 days, 4 devices ($4.99): sold for iOS, also signs in on Android and PC

Codes and longer plans

• Surfshark, 2 months ($7.99): a redeem code for your own account with unlimited devices. Surfshark's checkout needs a valid card; if it says the trial is not available, the card is the problem.
• NordVPN, 3 months ($3.99): a code for your own Nord account, up to 10 devices, no card needed. Prefer a ready login? The NordVPN 3-month account ($3.99) comes with a link that shows Nord's sign-in codes.
• Proton VPN Plus, 1 month ($4.49): a private ready account for 10 devices.

Which to pick

For a weekend away or one task on public Wi-Fi, a short login is enough. For months of daily use, a code on your own account is simpler, because you keep the settings and the term is longer.