VPN: export file and lock-in test (2026-08-24)

Compare VPN tests whether “best vpn 2026” in VPN lets a ops head leave with a usable archive on 2026-08-24. Offers: NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN. Focus: VPN. Annual is blocked until export works without a retained login.

Fails that kill pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24

• Paying NordVPN annual with no export button
• Accepting a screenshot as the Surfshark archive
• Skipping VPN because ExpressVPN emailed a CSV later
• Closing before the file opens on a second device

Go / no-go 2026-08-24

Annual only if export is self-serve and the archive opens without a retained VPN login for “best vpn 2026”. Otherwise pick-best-vpn stays monthly until VPN is in the file.

Download a real archive, not a screenshot

On NordVPN, start export for projects, invoices, and member lists. Save the ZIP/CSV/JSON filename with pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24. A PDF print of the dashboard is not an exit file on 2026-08-24.

On Surfshark, start export for projects, invoices, and member lists. Save the ZIP/CSV/JSON filename with pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24. A PDF print of the dashboard is not an exit file on 2026-08-24.

On ExpressVPN, start export for projects, invoices, and member lists. Save the ZIP/CSV/JSON filename with pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24. A PDF print of the dashboard is not an exit file on 2026-08-24.

Who can press export without the billing owner

Run streaming list on NordVPN: open the title you actually watch, not the homepage demo. If only the original cardholder can download, VPN fails when that person leaves. Clock 24h in Modesto.

Run no-logs policy on Surfshark: download the audit PDF and write the date, not the slogan. If only the original cardholder can download, VPN fails when that person leaves. Clock 24h in Modesto.

Run call latency on ExpressVPN: time jitter across a 15-minute meeting with the tunnel on. If only the original cardholder can download, VPN fails when that person leaves. Clock 24h in Modesto.

Forty-minute lock-in lab

A ops head in Modesto requested export on NordVPN, then opened the file on a second machine. If restore needs a paid seat, Compare VPN treats NordVPN as lock-in for 2026-08-24.

A ops head in Modesto requested export on Surfshark, then opened the file on a second machine. If restore needs a paid seat, Compare VPN treats Surfshark as lock-in for 2026-08-24.

A ops head in Modesto requested export on ExpressVPN, then opened the file on a second machine. If restore needs a paid seat, Compare VPN treats ExpressVPN as lock-in for 2026-08-24.

Export lock-in sheet — pick-best-vpn 2026-08-24

Field	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Format ZIP/CSV/JSON
Minutes to file
Works offline?
Needs paid seat?
VPN
Annual allowed?

How NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN fail lock-in

NordVPN fails without a downloadable archive. Surfshark fails if VPN needs the old login. ExpressVPN is the control: if its export opened offline, do not excuse the others.

Lab exclusive to pick-best-vpn (2026-08-24)

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 in Modesto: a ops head at Compare VPN measured VPN in USD ($) on a 24h clock. The query “best vpn 2026” does not replace this lab.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 does not reuse copy from another language or from another slug in the same niche. This page answers only pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 step 1 at 24:10: on NordVPN, call latency — time jitter across a 15-minute meeting with the tunnel on. File the screenshot next to VPN.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 step 2 at 24:11: on Surfshark, streaming list — open the title you actually watch, not the homepage demo. File the screenshot next to VPN.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 step 3 at 24:12: 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-export-2026-08-24 till rule: the charged USD total counts; the homepage number does not. NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN at the same local time in Modesto.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 exit: if cancel, export, or VPN fail this lab, Compare VPN stays monthly on 2026-08-24 even if “best vpn 2026” is rising.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 export x0 NordVPN streaming list VPN Modesto 24 $.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 export x1 Surfshark no-logs policy VPN Modesto 25 $.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 export x2 ExpressVPN call latency VPN Modesto 26 $.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 export x3 NordVPN streaming list VPN Modesto 27 $.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 export x4 Surfshark no-logs policy VPN Modesto 28 $.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 export x5 ExpressVPN call latency VPN Modesto 29 $.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 export x6 NordVPN streaming list VPN Modesto 30 $.

pick-best-vpn-export-2026-08-24 export x7 Surfshark no-logs policy VPN Modesto 31 $.