6 Best NordVPN Alternatives (Tested for Speed & Privacy) 2026

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs available — fast speeds, 6,400+ servers in 111 countries, and a proven no-logs policy that's been independently audited. But it's not the only good option, and depending on your priorities, a different VPN might serve you better.

Maybe you want unlimited simultaneous connections (NordVPN caps at 10). Maybe you want a free option with genuine privacy. Maybe you care most about streaming performance or need a VPN specifically for business use. We tested six alternatives head-to-head with NordVPN on speed, privacy, streaming access, and value.

Quick Comparison

1. Surfshark — Best for Families & Multiple Devices

Surfshark's killer feature is unlimited simultaneous connections. One subscription covers every device in your household — phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, routers, gaming consoles. NordVPN limits you to 10 devices, which can run out quickly in a family with teenagers.

At $2.19/month on the 2-year plan, Surfshark is also significantly cheaper than NordVPN ($3.59/month for the comparable plan). Despite the lower price, speeds are competitive — Surfshark consistently ranks in the top 5 in independent speed tests, and its WireGuard implementation is well-optimized.

Surfshark's CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the VPN level. The MultiHop feature routes your connection through two servers for extra privacy. For the price and the unlimited devices, Surfshark is the best value VPN on the market.

2. ExpressVPN — Best for Streaming

ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN for accessing streaming services across borders. It works consistently with Netflix (15+ regional libraries), Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max. Where other VPNs get blocked periodically, ExpressVPN's infrastructure investment keeps it a step ahead of streaming service VPN detection.

At $6.67/month (annual plan), ExpressVPN is the most expensive option on this list. You're paying a premium for three things: the most reliable streaming access, consistently fast speeds across all server locations, and a proven no-logs policy verified by a PwC audit and a real-world server seizure that confirmed no data was stored.

The MediaStreamer DNS feature lets you use ExpressVPN on devices that don't natively support VPN apps — smart TVs, Apple TV, game consoles. This is something most competitors handle poorly or not at all.

3. ProtonVPN — Best Free VPN with Real Privacy

ProtonVPN is the only free VPN worth recommending. Made by the team behind ProtonMail (the encrypted email service), it offers a genuinely useful free tier with unlimited data, no ads, no logging, and no selling your browsing data. Every other "free" VPN monetizes you somehow — ProtonVPN doesn't.

The free plan includes servers in the US, Netherlands, and Japan. Speeds are decent but can slow during peak hours since free users share fewer servers. The paid plan ($4.49/month) unlocks 6,500+ servers in 112 countries, P2P support, Secure Core (multi-hop through privacy-friendly countries), and streaming access.

ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, which has some of the strongest privacy laws in the world and is outside the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. If privacy is your primary concern, ProtonVPN's jurisdiction and open-source clients make it the strongest choice.

4. CyberGhost — Easiest to Use

CyberGhost has the most beginner-friendly interface of any VPN. Instead of scrolling through server lists, you choose what you want to do — "Streaming," "Torrenting," "Gaming" — and CyberGhost picks the optimal server automatically. Dedicated streaming profiles tell you exactly which servers work with which services (Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, etc.).

With 11,500+ servers in 100 countries, CyberGhost has the largest server network on this list. At $2.19/month on the 2-year plan, it matches Surfshark's pricing while offering nearly 4x the servers. The 45-day money-back guarantee is the longest of any VPN, giving you over six weeks to test.

5. Mullvad — Maximum Anonymity

Mullvad takes a radically different approach to privacy. No email address required. No account username. You get a random 16-digit number as your account ID. Payment options include cash mailed in an envelope. If you want to be as anonymous as technically possible, Mullvad is the VPN to use.

At $5.46/month with no long-term discounts (everyone pays the same price), Mullvad refuses the industry's standard pricing games. The apps are open-source and have been independently audited. WireGuard support is excellent, and speeds are fast despite the smaller 800+ server network.

6. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Most Servers & Customization

PIA has the largest server network of any VPN — over 35,000 servers in 91 countries. That scale means you rarely end up on a congested server, which translates to more consistent speeds. PIA also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, matching Surfshark.

For power users, PIA offers more customization than any other VPN: encryption level selection, custom DNS, split tunneling, SOCKS5 proxy, port forwarding, and a built-in ad/tracker blocker (MACE). At $2.19/month on the 2-year plan, it's priced identically to Surfshark and CyberGhost.

Which NordVPN Alternative Should You Choose?

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we've personally tested and believe in.