10 Best NordVPN Alternatives (2026)

Q: What is the best NordVPN alternative?

Surfshark is the best NordVPN alternative for most people. It offers unlimited simultaneous devices, comparable speeds, and costs less on 2-year plans. For maximum privacy, Mullvad accepts cash and requires no email to sign up.

Q: Why do people switch from NordVPN?

Common reasons include the 10-device limit, aggressive upselling of add-ons (Threat Protection, password manager), price increases on renewal, and wanting a VPN with stronger privacy commitments like Mullvad or ProtonVPN.

Q: Is Surfshark as fast as NordVPN?

Surfshark speeds are comparable to NordVPN in most regions. NordVPN edges ahead slightly on nearby servers due to its NordLynx protocol, but Surfshark offers unlimited devices whereas NordVPN caps at 10.

By ToolVS Research Team · Last Updated April 2026

Share:𝕏 in f r/

The best NordVPN alternative for most people is Surfsharkbecause it offers unlimited simultaneous device connections, comparable speeds via WireGuard, and typically costs 20-30% less on 2-year plans — without the 10-device cap that frustrates NordVPN users with multiple gadgets.

Why People Switch from NordVPN

1. Device limits. NordVPN caps simultaneous connections at 10. Families and power users with 15+ devices find Surfshark's unlimited connections far more practical.

2. Aggressive upselling. NordVPN constantly pushes Threat Protection, NordPass, and NordLocker add-ons. Many users want a simple VPN without being upsold at every turn.

3. Renewal price shock. NordVPN's introductory 2-year pricing often doubles on renewal. Users switching to Surfshark or Mullvad find more predictable long-term costs.

The 10 Best NordVPN Alternatives

Best Overall Alternative

1. Surfshark

4.7/5

$2.19/mo (2yr)

Best for: Families and users with many devices

Unlimited simultaneous devices
20-30% cheaper than NordVPN
CleanWeb ad and malware blocker included

Smaller server network than NordVPN
Slightly slower on distant servers
Newer company with shorter track record

See NordVPN vs Surfshark →

Fastest Speeds

2. ExpressVPN

4.6/5

$6.67/mo (1yr)

Best for: Users prioritizing speed and streaming reliability

Consistently fastest VPN speeds
Lightway protocol (proprietary, fast)
Works in China and restrictive countries

See NordVPN vs ExpressVPN →

Best Privacy

3. Mullvad

4.7/5

€5/mo (flat)

Best for: Privacy maximalists who want zero personal data collection

No email or name required to sign up
Accepts cash payment by mail
Flat €5/month, no tricks or long-term locks

See NordVPN vs Mullvad →

Best Free Tier

4. ProtonVPN

4.5/5

Free — $4.99/mo

Best for: Users wanting a trustworthy free VPN with no data caps

Free plan with no data limits
Swiss privacy jurisdiction
Open-source apps, audited regularly

Best for Streaming

5. CyberGhost

4.3/5

$2.03/mo (2yr)

Best for: Users who primarily want a VPN for streaming

Dedicated streaming-optimized servers
10,000+ servers in 100 countries
45-day money-back guarantee

Best Budget

6. PIA (Private Internet Access)

4.2/5

$2.03/mo (3yr)

Best for: Budget users wanting proven no-logs policy

Cheapest on long-term plans
No-logs policy proven in court
Unlimited simultaneous devices

Best Freemium

7. Windscribe

4.2/5

Free — $5.75/mo

Best for: Users wanting a generous free tier with 10GB/month

10GB free monthly data
Build-your-own plan pricing
Built-in ad and tracker blocker

Easiest to Use

8. TunnelBear

4.0/5

Free — $3.33/mo

Best for: VPN beginners wanting the simplest possible experience

Most beginner-friendly VPN app
Annual independent security audits
Fun, approachable interface

Best Value Bundle

9. Atlas VPN

3.9/5

Free — $1.83/mo

Best for: Users wanting the cheapest premium VPN

Cheapest premium VPN available
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Data breach monitoring included

Best Transparent

10. IVPN

4.1/5

$6/mo

Best for: Privacy advocates wanting full transparency

Open-source apps and infrastructure
No email required to sign up
Honest about VPN limitations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best NordVPN alternative?

Surfshark is the best NordVPN alternative for most people with unlimited devices and lower pricing. Mullvad is best for privacy purists.

Why do people switch from NordVPN?

The main reasons are device limits (10 max), aggressive upselling of add-on services, and renewal price increases that can double the cost.

Is Surfshark as fast as NordVPN?

Surfshark speeds are comparable in most regions. NordVPN is slightly faster on nearby servers, but Surfshark offers unlimited device connections.

Editor's Take

Based on our analysis, Surfshark offers the best value for most users leaving NordVPN. The unlimited device policy alone makes it a better fit for families. For users who prioritize privacy above all else, Mullvad is in a league of its own — no email, no name, flat €5/month with cash payment accepted.

Share:𝕏 in f r/

Last updated: April 16, 2026. Pricing verified monthly. Some links may earn us a commission.