VPNs are seemingly the ultimate tool for online security and privacy, but not all are made equal. Some engage in dubious practices, and others are downright a trap, especially free VPN compared to paid ones. Conversely, some cater to extremely high standards and are subsequently the market leaders of the field. One such VPN provider is the decade-old, Panama-based NordVPN. But sometimes, a user wants to try something new or doesn’t like the brand. In these cases, they must seek the best alternatives to NordVPN.
Although not every VPN can be an alternative to a standardized market product, NordVPN does have a few competent replacements available. Thus, today’s article will seek to highlight such NordVPN alternatives as we try to explore available choices to put together a list of 10 leading ones. Do note that our list doesn’t rank vendors and is subjective. Having said that, let’s continue.
Disclaimer — The following article reflects the subjective opinion of the writer. We do not endorse any exclusive provider, nor do we condone the use of VPNs illegally. Always heed discretion while employing a VPN.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs out there. The company hails from the British Virgin Islands and is a haven for data privacy. Furthermore, the vendor has over 3000 physical VPN servers that ensure stable and fast global coverage. As a market leader, it offers numerous advanced features and enforces a strict no-logging policy. Although costly, the service is most suitable for bypassing geo-blocking and censorship because it also works well in states wish harsh privacy laws like China.
It also stands out for having knowledgeable Customer Support representatives available 24×7. The proprietary security protocol, Lightway, is impeccable and a value-for-money deal. However, the service lacks an exclusive GUI (graphical user interface) on Linux. Nonetheless, these facts alone make it a worthy alternative to NordVPN. Interested readers can inspect our ExpressVPN review.
2. CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN provider that offers premium features at relatively low prices. The Romania-based vendor has been in the game for a decade now. The service has approximately 7700 servers spread across the globe and ensures an uninterrupted VPN connection. Furthermore, the VPN is amongst the cheapest available service on the market at $2.25 per month. It is a strict no-logs VPN that has My Smart DNS for further compatibility with routers, consoles, and smart TV boxes.
CyberGhost VPN performs decently at geo-unblocking, too. However, it isn’t as fast as the other VPNs over long distances. Similarly, the vendor lacks modernized browser extensions. Luckily, the VPN adopts a 45-day money-back guarantee and offers 24/7 customer support. All in all, it has credible value for money, placing it among the most suitable alternatives to using NordVPN. You can learn more in our CyberGhost VPN review.
3. IPVanish VPN
IPVanish is another gem of a VPN. Although a bit crude, it’s a great option for new users that delivers unique features at unbeatable prices. It is one of the few VPNs dedicated enough to offer a decent Amazon Fire TV Stick app. However, the company hails from the United States, making privacy-centric users hesitant. IPVanish offers around 2000 servers in 50 countries and has opened shop in 2012. Although the provider claims to be a no-logs VPN, the US jurisdiction is a red flag for most users. However, if you can look past that, you’ll find a decent app at reasonable prices. We also have a comprehensive IPVanish review on our website.
4. Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is an affordable VPN service that offers Android geo-spoofing and other attractive features at a reasonable price. Like the few VPNs on the list, it offers a great value for money and caters to casual to medium data users alike. This Netherlands-based VPN practices zero-logging and offers over 3200 servers in 65 locations worldwide. The VPN is also good at bypassing censorship and a decent option when you want a VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. However, the VPN is not without faults. It lacks port forwarding and IPv6 leak prevention. Having said that, interested parties can give our Surfshark review a thorough read.
5. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN hails from a long line of privacy-centric products like ProtonMail. Moreover, CERN scientists are responsible for the company behind this VPN. Thus, it has a reputation to uphold, that of a privacy-centric VPN. Furthermore, the providers also offer a free ProtonVPN version by subsidizing the premium user base. As expected, the company hails from Switzerland and focuses on privacy. It employs Secure core technology to enhance encryption. However, the VPN fails to impress on the streaming and censorship front.
The company allows users access to the source code, thus effectively proving themselves to be a VPN with no data logging. Although the paid version is better than the free one, it doesn’t justify the price. Hence, we find ourselves recommending the free app, making ProtonVPN is a happy addition to the list of 10 superb NordVPN alternatives.
6. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is yet another VPN that offers a free version. Although, it is more of a trial rather than a standalone app. Having said that, it is an affordable service that offers beginner-friendly apps with some premium features. With 200 servers in 63 countries, it is, by far, the smallest VPN network on this list. But it unblocks most streaming websites and works well in high censorship states like China. At $2.00 per month, it is a product with a superb value for money ratio. However, it hails from Sweden, a member of the 14 Eyes alliance—a blemish on the otherwise decent record. Read more about PrivateVPN with our review.
7. Windscribe VPN
Windscribe, like ProtonVPN, offers a high-quality free VPN app alongside its paid version. However, unlike the competition, it has a monthly bandwidth limit of 10 GB. Despite all that, Windscribe remains a public favorite. This is mainly because the VPN works wonders circumventing geo-blocks and content filters, even in China. Furthermore, it offers torrenting on every server. The company hails from Canada, which is a red flag and has a network of mere 110 servers—insufficient for most users.
It claims to be a no-data logging VPN with an emphasis on streaming. But at $4 per month, it is a bit costly. Regardless, the free version does take the edge off. The service is also lacking 24/7 customer support. You can learn more about the VPN with our exhaustive Windscribe VPN review.
8. Astrill VPN
Astrill is our favorite VPN when it comes to sidestepping censorship. However, the service is costly and not suitable for the average consumer. The plans start at $10 monthly, and there is neither a money-back guarantee nor a free trial. However, the VPN hails from the privacy-friendly Seychelles and obeys a strict zero-logging policy. With 100 or so servers, the VPN works in China. Although the VPN is priced absurdly high, you get a plethora of features. This helped it land this spot on our list of top 10 NordVPN alternatives, hence you should check our Astrill VPN review.
9. PIA (Private Internet Access)
PIA, short for Private Internet Access, is one of the oldest VPNs on this list. It’s also the one with the widest array of servers. With over 29,500 servers in 78 countries, the VPN offers impressive performance at cheap prices as plans start at $2 per month. The company also focuses on streaming and bypassing blocks, but it hails from the USA. Other drawbacks include a faulty macOS application, unreliable Smart DNS, and subpar IoT (Internet of Things) apps. But for those who can forgive these drawbacks, PIA becomes a go-to among NordVPN alternatives. You can also examine our exhaustive PIA review.
10. VyprVPN
The final entry on this list is the VyprVPN. It is a tad expensive but offers robust security and privacy. The VPN hails from Switzerland and is keeps no logs. Furthermore, the service features attractive functions like the Chameleon VPN protocol. Although it is somewhat slow and lacks browser extensions, it has a self-owned DNS server network with over 300,000 IP addresses and 700 servers. At $8 per month, the service is unsuitable for beginners. If you want to know more, we reviewed VyprVPN in great detail.