NordVPN has been a leading VPN solution with a robust focus on security and high-end performance, which has earned it a well-deserved reputation for excellence.
However, no software is flawless, and you might be seeking an alternative to NordVPN for various reasons. Whether you had a negative experience with NordVPN or it simply doesn’t meet your business requirements, we have you covered.
In this piece, we highlight seven of the top alternatives and competitors to NordVPN in 2024.
Comparison of the Top 7 NordVPN Substitutes
Though all the VPNs listed here offer IP address switching and access to geo-restricted content, they differ in crucial aspects such as initial cost, server networks, and device connection limits.
It’s vital to consider these factors before investing in a VPN subscription, depending on your organization’s requirements.
| Our rating (out of 5 stars) | Starting price (annually) | Security protocols | Server network | Simultaneous device connections | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 4.7 | $4.99 per month | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx (based on WireGuard) | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries | 10 |
| Surfshark VPN | 4.6 | $2.79 per month | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | Unlimited |
| Proton VPN | Rating: 4.0 | $4.99 per month | Supported Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 | Number of Servers: 6,200+ servers in 96 countries | Rating: 10 |
| ExpressVPN | Rating: 4.4 | $8.32 per month | Supported Protocols: OpenVPN, Lightway | Number of Servers: 3,000 servers (reportedly) in 105 countries | Rating: 8 |
| CyberGhost VPN | Rating: 4.3 | $6.99 per month (6-month plan) | Supported Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 | Number of Servers: 9,000+ servers (reportedly) in 100+ countries | Rating: 7 |
| Private Internet Access VPN | Rating: 4.2 | $3.33 per month | Supported Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard | Number of Servers: 10,000+ servers (reportedly) in 91 countries | Unlimited |
| Windscribe VPN | Rating: 3.5 | $5.75 per month | Supported Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 | Number of Servers: 500 servers (reportedly) in 69 countries | Unlimited |
| Mullvad VPN | Rating: 3.7 | $5.40 per month | Supported Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard | Number of Servers: 680+ servers across 44 countries | Rating: 5 |
Surfshark VPN: Top Choice as NordVPN Alternative
Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Surfshark VPN serves as a comprehensive VPN solution with a vast server network spanning 100 countries, robust encryption, and consistently high VPN speeds. Besides its VPN services, it offers extra security features like ad blockers, data security reports, and alerts on email breaches.
Personally, I appreciate how Surfshark allows for an unlimited number of simultaneous device connections without requiring an additional fee. This feature is ideal for small businesses aiming to maximize their technology and software budgets effectively.
Reasons for Choosing Surfshark VPN
I selected Surfshark VPN as my best alternative to NordVPN given its ability to address NordVPN’s primary drawback – pricing. Surfshark’s basic subscription plan at $2.79 per month offers a significantly lower cost compared to NordVPN’s equivalent Basic subscription priced at $4.99 per month.
While NordVPN may include more privacy-centric functionalities, Surfshark VPN provides an equally high-quality VPN service with fast speeds and a user-friendly interface.
To delve deeper, refer to our comprehensive Surfshark VPN review and our comparison between Surfshark and NordVPN.
Pricing Information
Surfshark VPN offers three subscription tiers: Starter, One, and One+. As you advance to higher tiers, you unlock more features, with each tier presenting monthly, annual, and biennial plans. Here is a breakdown of the pricing structure for Surfshark Starter:
- Starter 1-month Plan: $15.45 per month.
- Starter 1-year Plan: $2.79 per month.
- Starter 2-year Plan: $2.19 per month.
Highlighted Features
- 3,200 servers available spanning 100 countries.
- Capability to alert users about data breaches.
- Utilization of RAM-only VPN servers.
- Support for OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols.
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
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Proton VPN: Premier complimentary VPN solution
Our evaluation: Scores 4.0 out of 5 stars
Proton VPN, originating from Switzerland, offers strong unblocking capabilities and access to over 6,200 VPN servers spread across 96 countries. Thanks to its Swiss jurisdiction, it adheres to strict privacy regulations, providing a significant advantage over other alternatives in my opinion.
VIEW: 4 Best Free VPNs for 2024 (TechRepublic)
Moreover, it is open-source, allowing public scrutiny of its source code. While I commend Proton’s privacy measures, I particularly admire its generous complimentary version, delivering limitless bandwidth without data caps.
Reasons behind choosing Proton VPN
The reason I opted for Proton VPN is its robust free version that provides unlimited data usage. Given that many free VPNs impose monthly data limits, I perceive Proton VPN as an ideal option for businesses seeking a free and simple means to alter their IP address.
To delve deeper, explore our complete Proton VPN review.
Pricing Information
Proton VPN offers two paid subscription levels in addition to its complimentary version, known as Plus and Unlimited. Proton VPN Plus features its fastest VPN speed and full server selection. The Unlimited package includes all Plus functionalities along with Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and other bundled services.
Here’s a glance at Proton VPN Plus’ pricing:
- Plus 1 month: $9.99 per month.
- Plus 1 year: $4.99 per month.
- Plus 2 years: $4.49 per month.
Characteristics
- Headquartered in privacy-oriented Switzerland.
- Openly accessible and independently audited.
- Supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols.
Strengths and weaknesses
| Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
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ExpressVPN: Optimal for user-friendly experience
Our evaluation: Scores 4.4 out of 5 stars
If your business prioritizes user-friendly software, I strongly endorse ExpressVPN. This VPN solution is straightforward, featuring a contemporary and user-friendly interface. Specifically, I consider its desktop application to strike a perfect balance between design and functionality, avoiding being too simplistic or overly complex.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN delivers highly dependable speeds through its server network spanning 105 countries. In my trials, ExpressVPN exhibited merely a 25% drop in download speeds and a 27% drop in upload speeds, which are commendable figures given the usual performance reduction expected with VPNs.
Employing RAM-only servers and military-grade AES-256 encryption, ExpressVPN ensures both security and ease of use, making it a suitable choice for beginners.
Reasons behind selecting ExpressVPN
I chose ExpressVPN for its sleek interface, enhancing the overall VPN user journey. It’s an ideal option for businesses seeking a VPN that simply performs without hassle, a quality significantly supported by the user-friendly and reliable desktop application of ExpressVPN.
It’s also my recommendation for businesses looking to accommodate fewer
Employees with a knack for technology who might feel daunted by more technical-looking software solutions.
To discover more, check out our detailed review of ExpressVPN and our comparison of NordVPN vs ExpressVPN.
Cost
ExpressVPN offers clear-cut subscription pricing options, which include monthly, six-month, and one-year plans.
- Monthly Plan: $12.95 per month.
- 6 Months Plan: $9.99 per month.
- 1 Year Plan: $8.32 per month.
Characteristics
- About 3,000 servers spread across 105 countries.
- Innovative TrustedServer RAM-only technology.
- Support for up to 8 simultaneous device connections.
Advantages and drawbacks
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
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CyberGhost VPN: Ideal for specialized servers
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
If your business has specific VPN needs like streaming or gaming, CyberGhost VPN is a solid choice. CyberGhost categorizes its servers according to common use cases, offering specialized servers for torrenting, streaming, and gaming through its desktop client. This eliminates the hassle of finding the optimal servers for your specific business requirements.
SEE: Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which One Is Right for You? (TechRepublic)
In addition to the tailored servers, CyberGhost provides servers in 100 countries and 126 locations, and features an automatic kill switch, ad blocking, and split tunneling.
Reasons for choosing CyberGhost VPN
I included CyberGhost VPN for its convenient array of specialized servers tailored for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. This suits organizations with distinct workflows in mind for their VPN solutions.
In this regard, I appreciate CyberGhost’s dedicated section on their official site that recommends servers for privacy, file downloads, or content streaming.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out our comprehensive review of CyberGhost VPN.
Pricing
CyberGhost VPN offers three payment tiers for one month, six months, and two years. Below are the prices for each option:
- 1 Month Plan: $12.99 per month.
- 6 Months Plan: $6.99 per month.
- 2 Years Plan: $2.03 per month.
Characteristics
- Automatic kill switch feature.
- Specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
- Customizable VPN settings.
- Exclusively RAM-usage servers.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
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Private Internet Access VPN: Ideal for small teams
Our score: 4.2 out of 5 stars
For small teams or emerging ventures, I suggest Private Internet Access VPN. This choice offers excellent value for the price due to its cost-effective yearly subscription and option for limitless simultaneous device connections.
It enables multiple device VPN connectivity without the necessity of acquiring an additional subscription for each additional device. To maximize savings, consider the three-year plan for PIA VPN at a very competitive $1.98 per month.
SEE: Does a VPN Slow Down Your Internet Speed? (TechRepublic)
Regarding the server network, PIA VPN boasts a multitude of servers spanning 91 countries. It employs the highly secure AES-256 encryption standard to ensure that all data traffic remains unreadable to unauthorized parties.
Reasons for choosing Private Internet Access VPN
I opted for PIA VPN due to its unlimited simultaneous device connections and cost-effective pricing, making it an attractive solution for small teams in need of an affordable VPN service.
Moreover, it offers one of the most customizable VPN interfaces in the market, enabling users to save their preferred configurations within the application. For individuals seeking to personalize their VPN experience, PIA VPN serves as an excellent choice.
If you wish to delve deeper, check out our comprehensive PIA VPN review.
Pricing
We have three subscription options for PIA VPN categorized by contract duration. Here are the pricing details for each plan:
- 1 month: $11.95 per month
- 1 year: $3.33 per month
- 3 years: $1.98 per month
Characteristics
- Approximately 10,000+ servers across 91 countries
- Unrestricted simultaneous device connections
- Utilizes OpenVPN and WireGuard tunneling protocols
- AES 256 bit encryption
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
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Windscribe VPN: Optimal for Tailored VPN Subscription
Our rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
If you wish to unblock content from a specific location, my suggestion is Windscribe VPN. Despite not being the most robust VPN, Windscribe stands out with its Build A Plan feature, allowing users to select individual server locations rather than having access to an entire network. Priced at $1.00 per location per month, this option is ideal for businesses needing a particular VPN server for unblocking purposes without extra costs.
SEE: Can a VPN Be Hacked? (TechRepublic)
Windscribe also supports unlimited device connections, further enhancing its VPN service value.
Reasons for Selecting Windscribe VPN
Windscribe VPN earns its spot on this list due to its distinctive Build A Plan subscription, suitable for businesses requiring a few VPN server locations. Given the complexity of some VPN plans, I hope other VPN providers adopt a similar customizable plan.
For more information, check out our comprehensive Windscribe VPN review.
Pricing
Windscribe offers two paid plans and the option to customize your subscription based on the number of VPN locations desired per month. The following pricing details are provided:
- Monthly: $9.00 per month.
- 1 year: $5.75 per month.
- Build A Plan: $1.00 per location per month.
Features
- Servers available in 69 countries.
- Customizable subscription through Build A Plan.
- Supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard VPN protocols.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
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Mullvad VPN: Optimal for Privacy-Centric Businesses
Our rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars
For companies prioritizing privacy above all, I recommend Mullvad VPN. Mullvad is highly regarded for its comprehensive approach to privacy, including regular third-party audits of its services, robust DNS leak protection, and payment options like cash and cryptocurrencies for anonymous transactions.
What impresses me most about Mullvad is its anonymous account numbering system, which does away with the standard email address requirement of most VPN services, opting instead for a random account number. This ensures that users considering Mullvad VPN have minimal to zero traces of their personal data within Mullvad VPN’s system.
Although it has approximately 680+ servers in 44 countries, Mullvad VPN performed solidly in my tests, delivering consistent speeds and no performance hitches with typical online tasks.
Reasons for Choosing Mullvad VPN
I included Mullvad VPN in this list due to its strong emphasis on privacy. Its randomized account numbering system and anonymous payment methods offer a high level of privacy and security.
advantage, particularly in a world where personal data is readily accessible.
In my view, Mullvad VPN emerges as an attractive option for businesses that are comfortable with the smaller server count and routinely handle a large amount of confidential corporate data.
To delve deeper, you can peruse our comprehensive Mullvad VPN review.
Pricing
Mullvad VPN stands out as the sole provider on this roster offering a fixed rate for all its subscription plans — encompassing a one-month, one-year, and a one-decade subscription.
- 1 month: $5.40 monthly.
- 1 year: $5.40 monthly.
- 1 decade: $5.40 monthly.
Features
- Over 680 servers across 44 countries.
- Anonymized account numbers; no need for an email address.
- DNS content blockers to combat ads, trackers, and malware.
- Employment of OpenVPN and WireGuard security protocols.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Are you seeking a substitute for NordVPN?
Presently, NordVPN still reigns as one of the prime VPN services accessible today. Its robust amalgamation of security features, extensive server network, superior VPN speed and efficiency along with an array of supplementary privacy attributes positions it as a top contender among all-encompassing VPN solutions on the market.
If you desire more detailed insights, I vehemently advise perusing our comprehensive NordVPN review.
Although NordVPN undoubtedly offers a formidable VPN package in 2024, there are valid reasons why businesses might opt for an alternative VPN provider.
The foremost rationale could be attributed to NordVPN’s pricing. With an initial rate of $4.99 per month for a NordVPN Basic plan, there are more economical alternatives available that offer akin functionalities. Notably, competitors such as Surfshark VPN and PIA VPN provide more budget-friendly yearly subscriptions while still furnishing high-caliber VPN services.
SEE: How to Kickstart a Career in Cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)
NordVPN also permits a maximum of 10 simultaneous device connections, whereas a significant portion of the competition allows for unrestricted simultaneous device connections.
Furthermore, NordVPN lacks a dedicated free version — a feature where providers like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN have an edge.
Lastly, some prior NordVPN users may have encountered a subpar experience with the service and are hunting for an alternative solution. This might involve issues like unreliable VPN connections, difficulties in utilizing specific features, or other related challenges that prompt a shift to a different provider. While, based on my experience, NordVPN’s desktop application is dependable, user experiences with the service can diverge.
Given this scenario, I trust this compilation serves as a valuable starting point for you and your organization in discovering the most suitable NordVPN alternative.
Methodology
In compiling this roster of prime NordVPN alternatives, my focus was primarily on identifying products that strike a fine balance between core VPN elements, real-world functionality, and overall worth.
All VPNs highlighted in the aforementioned list have undergone our complete review process, ensuring that our recommendations stem from hands-on assessments, extensive research, and thorough scrutiny.
In generating this selection, I also took into account the reasons prompting users to seek a NordVPN alternative in the first place. This involved specifically acknowledging areas where NordVPN may fall short and considering potential attributes that other VPN providers excel in.
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