VPN: device cap and extra-install price (2026-08-29)

Compare VPN counts real devices and install caps for “best vpn 2026” in VPN on 2026-08-29 across NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN in USD. Focus: VPN. Annual is blocked until the extra-device price is written.

What happens when the finance ops adds a work laptop

Run no-logs policy on NordVPN: download the audit PDF and write the date, not the slogan. If kicking an old phone is the only way to add VPN, treat the plan as a seat tax. Clock 13h in Knoxville.

Run call latency on Surfshark: time jitter across a 15-minute meeting with the tunnel on. If kicking an old phone is the only way to add VPN, treat the plan as a seat tax. Clock 13h in Knoxville.

Run streaming list on ExpressVPN: open the title you actually watch, not the homepage demo. If kicking an old phone is the only way to add VPN, treat the plan as a seat tax. Clock 13h in Knoxville.

Three-device lab

A finance ops in Knoxville installed NordVPN on phone, laptop, and a spare. If the third device needs a new SKU in $, Compare VPN stays monthly on 2026-08-29.

A finance ops in Knoxville installed Surfshark on phone, laptop, and a spare. If the third device needs a new SKU in $, Compare VPN stays monthly on 2026-08-29.

A finance ops in Knoxville installed ExpressVPN on phone, laptop, and a spare. If the third device needs a new SKU in $, Compare VPN stays monthly on 2026-08-29.

Device-cap sheet — pick-best-vpn 2026-08-29

Field	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Included devices
3rd install blocked?
Kick old device?
Extra SKU $
VPN
Annual allowed?

How NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN hide the cap

NordVPN fails if the cap is only in a FAQ. Surfshark fails if VPN needs a kicked device. ExpressVPN is the control: if its third install worked, do not excuse a silent cap.

Fails that kill pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29

• Paying NordVPN annual after one phone install
• Skipping the third device on Surfshark
• Assuming ExpressVPN is unlimited because the homepage said so
• Dropping VPN to stay under the cap

Go / no-go 2026-08-29

Annual only if the device cap and extra-device USD price are written for “best vpn 2026”. Otherwise pick-best-vpn stays monthly until VPN fits the included installs.

Install on the second and third device the same day

On NordVPN, enroll device 1, then device 2, then a tablet. Write which install hits a paywall. A “unlimited devices” line on 2026-08-29 is marketing until the third install.

On Surfshark, enroll device 1, then device 2, then a tablet. Write which install hits a paywall. A “unlimited devices” line on 2026-08-29 is marketing until the third install.

On ExpressVPN, enroll device 1, then device 2, then a tablet. Write which install hits a paywall. A “unlimited devices” line on 2026-08-29 is marketing until the third install.

Lab exclusive to pick-best-vpn (2026-08-29)

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 in Knoxville: a finance ops at Compare VPN measured VPN in USD ($) on a 13h clock. The query “best vpn 2026” does not replace this lab.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 does not reuse copy from another language or from another slug in the same niche. This page answers only pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 step 1 at 13:10: on NordVPN, call latency — time jitter across a 15-minute meeting with the tunnel on. File the screenshot next to VPN.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 step 2 at 13:11: on Surfshark, streaming list — open the title you actually watch, not the homepage demo. File the screenshot next to VPN.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 step 3 at 13:12: on ExpressVPN, no-logs policy — download the audit PDF and write the date, not the slogan. File the screenshot next to VPN.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 till rule: the charged USD total counts; the homepage number does not. NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN at the same local time in Knoxville.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 exit: if cancel, export, or VPN fail this lab, Compare VPN stays monthly on 2026-08-29 even if “best vpn 2026” is rising.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 devices x0 NordVPN no-logs policy VPN Knoxville 13 $.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 devices x1 Surfshark call latency VPN Knoxville 14 $.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 devices x2 ExpressVPN streaming list VPN Knoxville 15 $.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 devices x3 NordVPN no-logs policy VPN Knoxville 16 $.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 devices x4 Surfshark call latency VPN Knoxville 17 $.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 devices x5 ExpressVPN streaming list VPN Knoxville 18 $.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 devices x6 NordVPN no-logs policy VPN Knoxville 19 $.

pick-best-vpn-devices-2026-08-29 devices x7 Surfshark call latency VPN Knoxville 20 $.