NordVPN Alternatives in 2026: 8 VPNs Compared
By ToolNimba Editorial Team October 31, 2026 10 min read
- Top pick
SurfsharkUnlimited devices and value
Starting priceSee websiteCheck out SurfsharkRead our review - Runner-up
ExpressVPNPolished apps and consistent speed
Starting priceSee websiteCheck out ExpressVPNRead our review - Also great
Proton VPNPrivacy-first use and a free plan
Starting priceSee websiteCheck out Proton VPNRead our review
How we researched this
We compared official pricing and feature pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.
Key takeaways
- Surfshark is the closest like-for-like swap for most NordVPN users, with unlimited devices and a lower long-term price.
- Proton VPN offers the most credible free plan and a Swiss base with open-source apps.
- Mullvad suits privacy-focused users who want a flat price and an account without an email address.
- Check renewal prices and audit history, since intro prices and marketing claims can mislead.
Quick comparison
| Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | Unlimited devices and value | See website | No | Visit |
| ExpressVPN | Polished apps and consistent speed | See website | No | Visit |
| Proton VPN | Privacy-first use and a free plan | See website | Free trial | Visit |
 Private Internet Access | Custom settings and unlimited devices | See website | No | Visit |
 Mullvad | Maximum anonymity and flat pricing | See website | No | Visit |
 CyberGhost | Streaming servers and easy setup | See website | No | Visit |
 Windscribe | Flexible plans and a free tier | See website | Free trial | Visit |
 PrivateVPN | Port forwarding and simple pricing | See website | No | Visit |
The best NordVPN alternatives
People leave NordVPN for different reasons, such as price, device limits, or a preference for a different privacy setup. The VPNs below cover those reasons, from unlimited devices to a strong free plan and a privacy-first design.
Surfshark is the most direct alternative for households with many devices. Surfshark is a strong NordVPN alternative for a clear reason, and that reason should guide your choice. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections, a large server network, and ad blocking, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and often routers and TV devices. For most people, ease of use and a clear privacy policy matter more than a long feature list.
In daily use, Surfshark covers private browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and access to region-specific content where that is allowed. A kill switch helps if the connection drops, and split tunnelling, where offered, lets you route only some apps through the VPN. Check the device limit, server locations, and whether the plan includes extra tools you will actually use.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections, a large server network, and ad blocking
- Apps for major platforms
- Kill switch on most plans
- Long-term price may differ from intro price
- Streaming access can vary by location
ExpressVPN suits users who want a simple app that works well across devices without much setup. ExpressVPN is a strong NordVPN alternative for a clear reason, and that reason should guide your choice. It offers a polished app, a fast Lightway protocol, and RAM-only servers, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and often routers and TV devices. For most people, ease of use and a clear privacy policy matter more than a long feature list.
In daily use, ExpressVPN covers private browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and access to region-specific content where that is allowed. A kill switch helps if the connection drops, and split tunnelling, where offered, lets you route only some apps through the VPN. Check the device limit, server locations, and whether the plan includes extra tools you will actually use.
- A polished app, a fast Lightway protocol, and RAM-only servers
- Apps for major platforms
- Kill switch on most plans
- Long-term price may differ from intro price
- Streaming access can vary by location
Proton VPN suits users who put privacy and transparency first, and who may want to start free. Proton VPN is a strong NordVPN alternative for a clear reason, and that reason should guide your choice. It offers a free plan, Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and audited policies, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and often routers and TV devices. For most people, ease of use and a clear privacy policy matter more than a long feature list.
In daily use, Proton VPN covers private browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and access to region-specific content where that is allowed. A kill switch helps if the connection drops, and split tunnelling, where offered, lets you route only some apps through the VPN. Check the device limit, server locations, and whether the plan includes extra tools you will actually use.
- A free plan, Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and audited policies
- Apps for major platforms
- Kill switch on most plans
- Long-term price may differ from intro price
- Streaming access can vary by location
Private Internet Access
Best for: Custom settings and unlimited devices
Private Internet Access suits users who like to adjust settings and run a VPN on many devices. Private Internet Access is a strong NordVPN alternative for a clear reason, and that reason should guide your choice. It offers unlimited devices, a large server network, and deep configuration options, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and often routers and TV devices. For most people, ease of use and a clear privacy policy matter more than a long feature list.
In daily use, Private Internet Access covers private browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and access to region-specific content where that is allowed. A kill switch helps if the connection drops, and split tunnelling, where offered, lets you route only some apps through the VPN. Check the device limit, server locations, and whether the plan includes extra tools you will actually use.
- Unlimited devices, a large server network, and deep configuration options
- Apps for major platforms
- Kill switch on most plans
- Long-term price may differ from intro price
- Streaming access can vary by location
Mullvad suits privacy-focused users who want no email account, cash payment options, and a flat monthly price. Mullvad is a strong NordVPN alternative for a clear reason, and that reason should guide your choice. It offers a flat monthly price, anonymous accounts, and RAM-only servers, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and often routers and TV devices. For most people, ease of use and a clear privacy policy matter more than a long feature list.
In daily use, Mullvad covers private browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and access to region-specific content where that is allowed. A kill switch helps if the connection drops, and split tunnelling, where offered, lets you route only some apps through the VPN. Check the device limit, server locations, and whether the plan includes extra tools you will actually use.
- A flat monthly price, anonymous accounts, and RAM-only servers
- Apps for major platforms
- Kill switch on most plans
- Long-term price may differ from intro price
- Streaming access can vary by location
CyberGhost suits users who want servers labelled for streaming and a simple app for everyday use. CyberGhost is a strong NordVPN alternative for a clear reason, and that reason should guide your choice. It offers streaming-optimised servers, a large network, and easy apps, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and often routers and TV devices. For most people, ease of use and a clear privacy policy matter more than a long feature list.
In daily use, CyberGhost covers private browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and access to region-specific content where that is allowed. A kill switch helps if the connection drops, and split tunnelling, where offered, lets you route only some apps through the VPN. Check the device limit, server locations, and whether the plan includes extra tools you will actually use.
- Streaming-optimised servers, a large network, and easy apps
- Apps for major platforms
- Kill switch on most plans
- Long-term price may differ from intro price
- Streaming access can vary by location
Windscribe suits users who want a flexible build-a-plan option or a usable free tier for light use. Windscribe is a strong NordVPN alternative for a clear reason, and that reason should guide your choice. It offers a free tier, flexible plan options, and blocking tools, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and often routers and TV devices. For most people, ease of use and a clear privacy policy matter more than a long feature list.
In daily use, Windscribe covers private browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and access to region-specific content where that is allowed. A kill switch helps if the connection drops, and split tunnelling, where offered, lets you route only some apps through the VPN. Check the device limit, server locations, and whether the plan includes extra tools you will actually use.
- A free tier, flexible plan options, and blocking tools
- Apps for major platforms
- Kill switch on most plans
- Long-term price may differ from intro price
- Streaming access can vary by location
PrivateVPN suits users who need port forwarding or a smaller, focused VPN at a low long-term price. PrivateVPN is a strong NordVPN alternative for a clear reason, and that reason should guide your choice. It offers port forwarding, a simple app, and servers in many countries, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and often routers and TV devices. For most people, ease of use and a clear privacy policy matter more than a long feature list.
In daily use, PrivateVPN covers private browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and access to region-specific content where that is allowed. A kill switch helps if the connection drops, and split tunnelling, where offered, lets you route only some apps through the VPN. Check the device limit, server locations, and whether the plan includes extra tools you will actually use.
- Port forwarding, a simple app, and servers in many countries
- Apps for major platforms
- Kill switch on most plans
- Long-term price may differ from intro price
- Streaming access can vary by location
How we picked these
We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies, and public reviews for each product on this list. We kept only products that are live in October 2026 and that fit the topic directly, and we left out products whose pricing or core features we could not verify. Where a vendor does not publish a clear starting price, we say See website rather than guess. We did not claim hands-on testing that we did not do, and we weighed the fit for different users more heavily than brand size alone.
How to pick a NordVPN alternative
Start with why you are leaving NordVPN. If the issue is price, compare renewal prices, not just first-term offers. If the issue is device limits, pick a service with unlimited connections. If the issue is privacy, read the logging policy, jurisdiction, and audit history, and prefer services that publish audit results.
Next, test the app on your main devices. A VPN should connect quickly, stay stable on your home Wi-Fi and on public networks, and offer a kill switch. If you stream, test the services you use during the money-back period, since access can change by location and over time. Keep notes on speed at peak times, not just at quiet times.
Finally, check what else is bundled. Some plans add antivirus, password tools, or ad blocking, which may be useful or may be clutter. Pay for the VPN features you will use, and avoid a long term just for a low headline price if you are unsure about fit. A one-month test before a long plan is often worth the extra cost.