Best NordVPN Alternatives: Free and Paid Options in 2026

NordVPN is excellent. It has 9,300+ servers, audited no-logs policies, NordLynx for blazing speeds, and a feature set that covers nearly every use case. But it is not the perfect fit for everyone.

Maybe the $3.09/month 2-year price is still too steep for your budget. Maybe you need unlimited device connections for a large household. Maybe you want a genuinely free option for occasional use. Or maybe you are looking for a VPN with servers in a specific country NordVPN does not cover well.

This guide compares the best NordVPN alternatives across free and paid categories — with real pricing data, feature comparisons, and specific recommendations for different use cases. No affiliate fluff: we highlight real drawbacks alongside strengths, including NordVPN's own limitations.

Disclosure: Some links in this article are referral links. We may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep providing free content, and does not affect our recommendations.

Quick Comparison: All Alternatives at a Glance

Before diving into individual reviews, here is the complete comparison table:

Important note on renewal pricing: The prices listed above are introductory rates. After the initial period, prices increase significantly: - NordVPN: $3.09/month jumps to $12.99/month - Surfshark: ~$2.19/month jumps to ~$15.45/month - ExpressVPN: $6.67/month jumps to ~$12.95/month

Always cancel auto-renewal if you plan to switch or renegotiate.

Why Consider a NordVPN Alternative?

NordVPN is not perfect for every user. Here are legitimate reasons to look elsewhere:

Budget Constraints

At $3.09/month on the 2-year plan ($83.43 upfront), NordVPN is mid-tier pricing. Surfshark offers comparable performance for about 30% less, and CyberGhost/PIA are cheaper still. If you are on a tight budget, the savings add up over a 2-year commitment.

Device Limit

NordVPN allows 10 simultaneous connections. For a single professional, that is plenty. For a family of five with phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles, 10 devices gets consumed quickly. Surfshark and PIA offer unlimited devices.

Specific Regional Needs

NordVPN does not have physical servers in Saudi Arabia or many African countries. If you need a local IP in a specific region that NordVPN does not cover, an alternative may serve you better. Surfshark has a virtual Saudi Arabia server — unique among major VPNs.

Free Tier Requirement

NordVPN has no free tier. If you only need a VPN occasionally — for travel, to check a geo-restricted website, or to test a concept — a free VPN like ProtonVPN or Windscribe makes more sense than paying for a subscription you barely use.

Streaming Specialization

NordVPN unblocks 14 of 17 tested Netflix regions, which is good. But ExpressVPN unblocks 16 of 17 in independent testing. If Netflix unblocking is your primary use case, ExpressVPN has a slight edge. For a head-to-head breakdown, see our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.

Best Free Alternative: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN offers the most generous free tier of any reputable VPN. Here is what you get:

Free Tier Details

• Data: Unlimited (no monthly caps)
• Speed: Medium priority on 1 Gbps servers
• Countries: Limited selection from approximately 10 countries (randomly assigned)
• Devices: 1 simultaneous connection
• Ads: None
• Logs: Strict no-logs policy, independently audited
• P2P: Not supported on free servers
• Streaming: Not supported on free servers

Why ProtonVPN Free Is the Best Free Option

Most free VPNs are dangerous. They sell your browsing data, inject ads, or serve as botnets (Hola VPN, we are looking at you). ProtonVPN is different because:

1. Made by scientists. ProtonVPN is developed by the same team behind ProtonMail, based in Switzerland with some of the world's strongest privacy laws.

2. No data selling. The free tier is funded by paid subscribers, not by selling user data. There are no ads in the app.

3. Open-source. All ProtonVPN apps are open-source and have been independently audited by SEC Consult.

4. No speed throttling. Unlike many free VPNs that cap speeds at 1-2 Mbps, ProtonVPN free gives you access to 1 Gbps servers. You are on a lower priority tier, but speeds are usable for browsing and basic streaming.

Drawbacks of the Free Tier

• 1 device only. You cannot protect multiple devices simultaneously.
• Limited country selection. You cannot choose your country — ProtonVPN assigns you a random server from the free pool.
• No streaming support. Netflix, Disney+, and other platforms actively block ProtonVPN's free servers.
• No P2P. Torrenting is not available on the free tier.

Paid Plans

If you need more, ProtonVPN Plus starts at $4.99/month on a 2-year plan, offering 10 devices, 140+ countries, 10 Gbps servers, streaming support, and Secure Core routing.

Verdict: ProtonVPN Free is the best option if you need a VPN for basic privacy on public Wi-Fi, occasional browsing, or travel. It is the only free VPN we recommend without significant reservations.

Best Budget Paid Alternative: Surfshark

Surfshark is the closest direct competitor to NordVPN — and in several ways, it is actually better.

Pricing

Surfshark's 2-year Starter plan costs approximately $2.19/month (about 67.23 EUR for 27 months). That is roughly 30% cheaper than NordVPN's equivalent plan.

For comparison, here is how the two stack up on price: - Surfshark Starter (2yr): ~$2.19/month - NordVPN Basic (2yr): $3.09/month - Difference: Surfshark saves you about $24 over the 2-year period

Key Features

• Unlimited simultaneous devices. This is Surfshark's killer feature. While NordVPN caps at 10 devices, Surfshark has no limit. For large families or small businesses, this alone justifies the switch.

• 4,500+ servers in 100+ countries. Smaller than NordVPN's 9,300+ but still substantial coverage.

• Virtual Saudi Arabia server. Surfshark is the only major VPN with a server in Saudi Arabia, giving it a unique advantage for Middle Eastern users who need a local IP.

• WireGuard support. Surfshark uses the WireGuard protocol (same underlying tech as NordLynx) for fast connections.

• CleanWeb. Surfshark's ad/malware blocker, equivalent to NordVPN's Threat Protection Lite.

• MultiHop. Surfshark's double-VPN feature for enhanced privacy.

• Camouflage Mode. Equivalent to NordVPN's Obfuscated Servers, hiding VPN traffic from ISPs and network administrators.

Surfshark Drawbacks

• Owned by Nord Security. Since 2022, Surfshark and NordVPN share the same parent company (Nord Security, via a merger with Surfshark). Some users see this as reducing competition, though the two brands operate independently.

• No Meshnet equivalent. Surfshark does not have a feature like NordVPN's Meshnet for private device networking and LAN gaming.

• Slower on long-distance routes. In testing from Saudi Arabia, Surfshark showed slightly higher latency on EU routes compared to NordVPN (80-85ms vs 78ms).

• Renewal price trap. Like NordVPN, Surfshark's price jumps significantly at renewal — from ~$2.19/month to ~$15.45/month.

When to Choose Surfshark Over NordVPN

Choose Surfshark if you need: - Unlimited device connections - The lowest price among premium VPNs - A Saudi Arabia server location - Basic VPN features without needing Meshnet or dedicated IPs

Get Surfshark here: Get Surfshark VPN.

For a complete head-to-head analysis, read our Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison.

Best Premium Alternative: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the most expensive mainstream VPN, and it justifies its premium price in specific scenarios — though not as many as it claims.

Pricing

ExpressVPN does not offer a 2-year plan, making it the most expensive option at roughly double NordVPN's 2-year rate.

Key Features

• 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. Smaller network than NordVPN or Surfshark, but ExpressVPN prioritizes server quality over quantity. All servers are RAM-only (TrustedServer technology).

• Lightway protocol. ExpressVPN's proprietary protocol, comparable to NordLynx. In testing, Lightway delivers reliable connections but slightly lower throughput than NordLynx.

• 18 independent no-logs audits. ExpressVPN has been audited more times than any other VPN — a strong signal of transparency.

• British Virgin Islands jurisdiction. BVI has no data retention laws and is outside the Five Eyes alliance.

• Best streaming unblocking. In testing, ExpressVPN unblocked 16 of 17 Netflix regions, compared to NordVPN's 14 of 17. If streaming is your primary concern, ExpressVPN has a measurable edge.

ExpressVPN Drawbacks

• Most expensive. At $6.67/month (1-year plan), ExpressVPN costs more than double Surfshark and about 40% more than NordVPN for a shorter commitment period.

• Smaller server network. 3,000 servers vs NordVPN's 9,300+ and PIA's 35,000+. This can mean more congestion during peak hours.

• 8 device limit. Fewer than NordVPN (10) and far fewer than Surfshark/PIA (unlimited).

• No Meshnet, no split tunneling on iOS. ExpressVPN lacks the LAN networking feature and does not offer split tunneling on iPhone.

• Speed test results lag behind NordVPN. In testing from Saudi Arabia to European servers, ExpressVPN showed 7.57% download speed loss and 24.12% upload speed loss — significantly worse than NordVPN's 5.78% and 4.11% respectively.

When to Choose ExpressVPN Over NordVPN

Choose ExpressVPN if you need: - The highest Netflix unblocking reliability - Maximum number of independent security audits - BVI jurisdiction for legal privacy protection - Consistent performance in restrictive countries (China, UAE)

Verdict: ExpressVPN is excellent but overpriced for most users. Unless streaming unblocking or jurisdiction is your top priority, NordVPN and Surfshark offer better value. See our full NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison for detailed analysis.

Best Free Tier with Features: Windscribe

Windscribe's free tier is more feature-rich than ProtonVPN's, though it comes with a data cap.

Free Tier Details

• Data: 10GB/month (with email confirmation; 2GB without)
• Countries: 10 locations (US, Canada, UK, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Romania)
• Devices: Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Protocol: WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, WStunnel
• Features included: R.O.B.E.R.T. (custom DNS-level ad/malware blocker), split tunneling, port forwarding

Why Windscribe Free Stands Out

1. You choose your server location. Unlike ProtonVPN Free where countries are randomly assigned, Windscribe lets you pick from 10 specific locations.

2. R.O.B.E.R.T. is powerful. Windscribe's custom DNS blocker lets you block ads, trackers, malware, and even specific domains at the network level. It is more customizable than most paid VPN ad blockers.

3. Unlimited devices. ProtonVPN Free limits you to 1 device. Windscribe Free has no device limit.

4. 10GB is enough for most casual users. If you use the VPN for browsing and light streaming, 10GB/month is sufficient for occasional use.

Windscribe Drawbacks

• Canada jurisdiction. Windscribe is based in Canada, a Five Eyes alliance member. This is a privacy concern for users who need strong legal protection against surveillance.

• 10GB data cap. Once you hit the limit, you are cut off until the next month. No unlimited option on the free tier.

• Speed is adequate, not great. Windscribe's free servers are not as fast as ProtonVPN's 1 Gbps infrastructure.

Paid Plans

Windscribe Pro costs $5.75/month on the annual plan ($69/year) and removes all limits: unlimited data, 69+ countries, and full-speed servers.

Unique Feature: Build a Plan

Windscribe offers a Build a Plan option at $1/location/month (minimum $3 for 3 locations). This lets you pay only for the server locations you actually need — a flexible model no other VPN offers.

Best No-Registration Free Option: Planet VPN

Planet VPN is a lesser-known option that stands out for one reason: no registration required.

Free Tier Details

• Data: Unlimited (no traffic, bandwidth, or time limits)
• Countries: 6 forever-free locations
• Devices: Up to 10 simultaneous connections
• Registration: Not required — just download and connect
• Ads: Funded by short advertisements (not data selling)
• Jurisdiction: Romania (outside 14 Eyes alliance)

Why Planet VPN Is Worth Considering

1. Zero friction. No email, no account, no credit card. Download the app, tap connect, and you are protected. This is the simplest onboarding of any VPN.

2. Unlimited data. No caps, unlike Windscribe's 10GB limit.

3. 10 devices. Matches NordVPN's device limit on the free tier.

4. Romanian jurisdiction. Romania has strong privacy laws and is outside the 14 Eyes intelligence alliance.

Planet VPN Drawbacks

• Small server network. Only 6 free locations and 1,260+ premium servers in 60+ countries — much smaller than any other VPN on this list.

• Ad-supported. The free tier shows short advertisements. While Planet VPN states they do not sell user data, the ad funding model is less transparent than ProtonVPN's subscriber-funded model.

• Unknown company reputation. Planet VPN is not as well-known or as heavily audited as ProtonVPN, NordVPN, or ExpressVPN. With 15 million claimed users, it is not obscure, but it lacks the security audit history of the top-tier VPNs.

• StarGuard protocol. Uses a proprietary protocol rather than the battle-tested WireGuard. Less is known about its security properties.

Verdict: Planet VPN is a good option for users who want instant VPN protection without creating an account. However, for sensitive activities, ProtonVPN's audited infrastructure is more trustworthy.

Other Notable Alternatives

CyberGhost

• Price: ~$2.03/month (2-year plan)
• Servers: 11,500+ in 100 countries
• Devices: 7
• Best for: Streaming — CyberGhost has labeled, streaming-optimized servers (e.g., "Netflix US," "BBC iPlayer")
• Drawback: Owned by Kape Technologies, which has a controversial history with adware. German jurisdiction (14 Eyes).
• Unique advantage: 45-day money-back guarantee — the longest in the industry.

Private Internet Access (PIA)

• Price: ~$2.03/month (2-year plan)
• Servers: 35,000+ in 84 countries (largest network by count)
• Devices: Unlimited
• Best for: Privacy advocates — open-source apps, court-tested no-logs policy
• Drawback: US jurisdiction (Five Eyes). Despite proven no-logs in court, some users are uncomfortable with US-based VPN providers.
• Unique advantage: Court-tested no-logs — PIA's no-logs claim has been verified in multiple legal proceedings.

Free VPN Risks: What to Avoid

Not all free VPNs are created equal. Many are actively dangerous. Here are the free VPNs you should never use:

Hola VPN

Hola operates as a peer-to-peer network — when you use Hola, your device becomes an exit node for other users. This means someone else's traffic passes through your IP address. In 2015, Hola was caught selling user bandwidth for botnet attacks. Never use Hola.

SuperVPN (Android)

SuperVPN, a free Android VPN with millions of downloads, was found to have critical security vulnerabilities including MITM vulnerabilities, hardcoded encryption keys, and no actual encryption on some connections. Avoid completely.

Betternet

Betternet has been found to inject trackers and advertising libraries into user traffic. A 2020 study found 14 different tracking libraries in the Betternet Android app. Not recommended.

General Rules for Free VPN Safety

1. If the VPN is free and you cannot figure out how they make money, they are selling your data.
2. Stick with ProtonVPN Free or Windscribe Free — these are the only free VPNs with transparent, sustainable business models.
3. Never use a free VPN for banking, sensitive logins, or anything involving personal data. Free VPNs have been caught intercepting traffic and injecting ads.
4. Check the jurisdiction. Free VPNs based in China, Russia, or other surveillance states should be avoided entirely.

Decision Guide: Which Alternative Is Right for You?

If You Want the Best Overall Value

Get Surfshark. Unlimited devices, strong performance, 30% cheaper than NordVPN. The best balance of price and features for most users. Get Surfshark.

If You Need a Free VPN

Get ProtonVPN Free. Unlimited data, no ads, audited no-logs policy. The safest free option available.

If Streaming Is Your Priority

Get ExpressVPN. Unblocks 16 of 17 Netflix regions — the best streaming performance. Worth the premium if you subscribe to multiple streaming services.

If You Need Unlimited Devices on a Budget

Get Surfshark or PIA. Both offer unlimited simultaneous devices. Surfshark is better for international servers; PIA has more servers but fewer countries.

If You Want Maximum Server Coverage

Get PIA. 35,000+ servers in 84 countries. The largest network means less congestion and more location options.

If Privacy Is Your Top Concern

Get ProtonVPN (paid). Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, Secure Core routing, and audited no-logs. The most privacy-focused mainstream VPN.

If You Want LAN Gaming with Friends

Stick with NordVPN. Meshnet is unique to NordVPN and no alternative offers the same seamless LAN-over-internet experience.

If You Need a Saudi Arabia Server

Get Surfshark. The only major VPN with a virtual Saudi Arabia server.

When to Stick with NordVPN

Despite the alternatives, NordVPN remains the best overall choice for most users. Here is when you should not switch:

1. You need Meshnet. No alternative offers this feature.
2. You want the best speed test results. NordVPN's 5.78% download speed loss is the best in class.
3. You need NordLynx performance. NordVPN's WireGuard implementation is the most optimized.
4. You value security audit history. Seven independent audits (five by Deloitte, two by PwC) is unmatched.
5. You want the Nord Security ecosystem. NordPass, NordLocker, and NordProtect integrate seamlessly with NordVPN.
6. You game competitively. NordVPN's low latency to European servers and DDoS protection make it the top gaming VPN.

If you decide NordVPN is right for you, get it here: Get NordVPN.

Pricing Summary Across Currencies

For international users, here is what these VPNs cost in major currencies (2-year plans, approximate):

Note: Prices in local currencies may vary based on exchange rates and regional pricing. Some VPNs offer localized pricing in certain markets.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free alternative to NordVPN?

ProtonVPN Free is the best free alternative. It offers unlimited data, no ads, an audited no-logs policy, and is developed by the same team behind ProtonMail in Switzerland. The free tier is limited to 1 device and approximately 10 randomly assigned countries, but it has no data caps or speed throttling.

Is Surfshark better than NordVPN?

Neither is objectively better — they serve different needs. Surfshark offers unlimited devices and lower pricing (~$2.19/month vs NordVPN's $3.09/month). NordVPN offers better speed test results, Meshnet for LAN gaming, more servers (9,300+ vs 4,500+), and a stronger security audit history. Both are owned by the same parent company (Nord Security) since 2022.

What is the cheapest NordVPN alternative?

Among premium VPNs, CyberGhost and PIA are the cheapest at approximately $2.03/month on 2-year plans. Among free options, ProtonVPN Free and Windscribe Free (10GB/month) cost nothing. Surfshark is the cheapest premium VPN with features comparable to NordVPN.

Is ProtonVPN free actually free?

Yes. ProtonVPN Free is genuinely free with no data caps, no ads, and no time limits. It is funded by paid subscribers, not by selling user data. The free tier limits you to 1 device, approximately 10 countries (randomly assigned), medium-speed servers, and does not support streaming or P2P.

Which VPN is most similar to NordVPN?

Surfshark is the most similar to NordVPN. Both offer WireGuard-based protocols, RAM-only servers, audited no-logs policies, obfuscated servers, ad blocking, and similar feature sets. They are also owned by the same parent company (Nord Security) since the 2022 merger. The main differences are device limits (Surfshark is unlimited vs NordVPN's 10) and the absence of Meshnet on Surfshark.

Is there a completely free VPN that works?

Yes — ProtonVPN Free works reliably for browsing, basic privacy, and public Wi-Fi protection. It has unlimited data and no ads. Windscribe Free is another working option with 10GB/month and 10 selectable countries. Avoid "free" VPNs like Hola, SuperVPN, and Betternet, which have security vulnerabilities or sell user data.

What VPN has unlimited devices like Surfshark?

Surfshark, PIA (Private Internet Access), and Windscribe all offer unlimited simultaneous device connections. Among free tiers, Windscribe Free offers unlimited devices (with 10GB/month data cap) and Planet VPN Free offers up to 10 devices with unlimited data.

Is ExpressVPN worth the extra cost over NordVPN?

For most users, no. ExpressVPN costs about 40% more than NordVPN and shows worse speed test results (7.57% vs 5.78% download speed loss, and 24.12% vs 4.11% upload speed loss). ExpressVPN is worth the premium only if you need maximum Netflix unblocking reliability (16 of 17 regions vs NordVPN's 14 of 17) or if you require British Virgin Islands jurisdiction.