The best public option is Proton imo. With paid subscriptions you even get access to Secure Core servers where Proton runs their own data centers instead of hiring 3rd-parties like NordVPN, etc.

Case-point: Nord has been hacked before bc of third-party data centers. Proton has no breaches so far and does regular security audits, has plenty of servers outside the 14 Eyes Alliance, and actively fund privacy focused projects.

Mullvad is a close second bc of their anonymous payments.

It really depends on the quantity and sensitivity of the content I’d say.

But Proton has replaced everything I used Google for (Drive/Email). Proton will work for a good 90% of everyone most likely.

I dont have much to compare it to.