3 Best Proton VPN Alternatives 2026, Tested & Ranked

Proton VPN is one of the most trusted VPNs available. It's Swiss-based, features open-source software, and offers a genuinely solid free plan. But depending on what you're looking for, another VPN might serve you better: more device connections, a lower starting price, or a larger network of streaming-optimized servers.

We've tested over 50 VPNs to find the strongest alternatives. Surfshark is our top pick for value. It boasts unlimited connections at roughly half the price of Proton's paid plans. NordVPN is the pick for security-focused users who want a selection of secure specialty servers and Panama-based privacy. CyberGhost leads on streaming, with dedicated servers for virtually every major platform.

We break down all three so you can find the right Proton VPN alternative. 

The best Proton VPN alternatives 2026

Compare the best Proton VPN alternatives

Best for	Best VPN for privacy	Best Proton VPN alternative for value	Best Proton VPN alternative for security	Best Proton VPN alternative for streaming
Starting price	Starts at $2.99/mo	Starts at $1.78/mo	Starts at $3.09/mo	Starts at $1.75/mo
Free plan
# of connected devices	1	Unlimited	10	7
# of servers	Plus: 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries Free: Unlisted servers in 5 countries	4,500+ servers in 100 countries	9,300+ servers in 130+ countries	Unlisted in 100 countries
VPN protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, SOCKS5	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard	OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), NordWhisper	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard
Blocks ads, trackers, and malware
Specialized torrenting/streaming servers
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 45 days for 6-month and 2-year plans, 14 days for monthly plans
Streaming support	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Max, DAZN, and more	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Max, DAZN, and more	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Max, DAZN, and more	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Max, DAZN, and more
Learn more	Get Proton VPN Read Our Proton VPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Our Surfshark Review	Get NordVPN Read Our NordVPN Review	Get CyberGhost Read Our CyberGhost Review

Surfshark: Best value VPN

Who it's best for

Families, people with many devices, or anyone who wants premium VPN protection at a fraction of the cost will love Surfshark.

Not many VPN providers offer unlimited simultaneous connections, which is a rare perk. If you need to protect more than 10 devices, including smart devices and gaming consoles, and don't want to pay Proton VPN prices to do it, Surfshark is the answer.

What we liked

Unlimited device coverage: Surfshark doesn't just offer unlimited simultaneous connections as a gimmick on a subpar VPN. It's a top-notch VPN solution with various useful features like NoBorders, which detects restricted networks and suggests the best way to connect. Its attention to detail and unique features make it a valuable part of your security.

Security perks: Whether you have a large family or a lot of personal devices, Surfshark's ability to cover them all while still offering unique features — like Surfshark CleanWeb and Surfshark Alt ID — leaves us (and other users) feeling secure. And you get those premium security features with the starter plan. Plus, if you want antivirus or robust privacy protection, you can opt for a high-tier Surfshark One plan that includes Surfshark Antivirus or Incogni. Definitely a win.

What we didn't like

Headquarters location: Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, which is part of the 9 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. While Surfshark maintains a strict no-logs policy, users who prioritize maximum jurisdictional privacy may prefer a provider based outside Five Eyes or EU data-sharing frameworks.

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.78–$20.85/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days
Number of servers	4,500+ servers in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
Average speed change	8% slower
VPN protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

Test results

Star rating summary

Proton VPN vs. Surfshark: Key differences

• Price: Surfshark typically costs roughly half as much as Proton VPN's introductory two-year plan, making it the clear winner for budget-conscious users.
• Device connections: Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections; Proton VPN limits users to 10 devices on paid plans.
• Jurisdiction: Proton VPN is based in Switzerland (outside the 14 Eyes) with a strong legal framework for user privacy. Surfshark's Netherlands headquarters falls within the 9 Eyes alliance, though its no-logs policy mitigates most practical risk.
• Obfuscation: Proton VPN's Stealth protocol is purpose-built to bypass VPN blocks in restrictive countries. Surfshark offers camouflage mode (obfuscated servers), but Stealth's design gives Proton an edge in censorship-heavy regions.

NordVPN: Best for security

Who it's best for

Security-focused users who want an audited no-logs policy, specialty privacy servers, and a proven track record will find NordVPN hard to beat.

NordVPN has ranked as our top-performing VPN for three years running, and for good reason. Headquartered in Panama, which is outside all major intelligence-sharing alliances, and backed by Deloitte-verified no-logs audits, NordVPN is our pick for users who want maximum confidence that their data stays private. Its proprietary NordLynx protocol also delivers some of the fastest speeds we've recorded.

What we liked

Panama headquarters and audited no-logs: Unlike Proton VPN's Swiss base, NordVPN operates out of Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws and sits outside all major surveillance alliances. Its no-logs policy has been independently verified by Deloitte through recurring annual audits. In fact, NordVPN holds one of the strongest public accountability records in the industry.

NordLynx speed and NordWhisper protocol: NordVPN's custom NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard) consistently delivers fast, stable connections with minimal speed loss in our testing. For users in restrictive regions, the newer NordWhisper protocol is designed specifically to bypass deep packet inspection and VPN blocks.

Threat Protection Pro: NordVPN's built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker works at the DNS level, even when you're not connected to the VPN. It's one of the more robust security add-ons we've tested, providing meaningful protection against phishing and malicious downloads.

Specialty servers: NordVPN includes Double VPN (multi-hop), obfuscated servers, Onion over VPN, P2P-optimized servers, and dedicated IP options — giving advanced users more privacy configurations than most competitors, including Proton VPN.

What we didn't like

No free plan: Unlike Proton VPN, NordVPN doesn't offer a free tier. If a free option is a requirement, Proton VPN remains the better choice.

Pricier than Surfshark: NordVPN's introductory pricing is competitive, but it's generally more expensive than Surfshark on comparable plans. You're paying for the security pedigree and feature depth.

NordVPN specs

Price range	$3.09–$25.29/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days
Number of servers	9,300+ servers in 130+ countries
Number of connected devices	10
Average speed change	1% slower
VPN protocols	OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), NordWhisper
No-logs policy	No logs
Headquarters	Panama
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

Test results

Star rating summary

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN: Key differences

• Security and auditing: Both providers have strong no-logs policies, but NordVPN's Deloitte-verified annual audits and Panama jurisdiction give it a slight edge for users who want third-party accountability. Proton VPN's Swiss base and open-source apps offer their own form of transparency.
• Speed: NordVPN's NordLynx protocol regularly outperforms Proton VPN in speed tests, making it the better choice for latency-sensitive tasks like gaming or HD streaming.
• Specialty servers: NordVPN offers more advanced server configurations, like Double VPN, Onion over VPN, obfuscated, and dedicated IP, compared to Proton VPN's Secure Core and Stealth protocol options.
• Free plan: Proton VPN offers a genuine unlimited free plan; NordVPN does not. If cost is a barrier, Proton Free is worth considering before upgrading to any paid option.

CyberGhost: Best for streaming

Who it's best for

Streaming lovers will find a lot of value in CyberGhost's streaming-optimized servers and extensive streaming support.

CyberGhost offers a large number of servers, with options for streaming, gaming, and enhanced privacy. Despite its budget-friendly pricing, it delivers premium performance for unblocking popular streaming platforms and accessing geo-restricted content.

What we liked

Optimized streaming servers: CyberGhost's list of supported streaming services seems endless, which means that no matter where you are in the world, you can experience your favorite shows, movies, sporting events, and more. Having personally tested CyberGhost while traveling internationally, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that we could still legally watch our favorite shows before bed without any issues.

Special gaming servers: Streamers aren't the only ones who will love CyberGhost. Gamers also get an advantage with lower ping rates and compatibility with Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more. Want to play that latest international release? CyberGhost can get you online quickly and securely.

What we didn't like

No split tunneling for iOS: The split-tunneling feature is available only on Android, which we don't love. Banks and other high-security sites don't typically like VPNs, and we don't love the idea of having to turn our entire VPN off to check our bank balance. While it isn't a deal-breaker, it means you'll have to be diligent about which networks you connect to outside your home.

CyberGhost specs

Price range	$1.75–$12.99/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 45 days for 6-month and 2-year plans, 14 days for monthly plans
Number of servers	Unlisted in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	7
Average speed change	34% slower
VPN protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read Our CyberGhost Review

Test results

Star rating summary

Proton VPN vs. CyberGhost: Key differences

• Price: CyberGhost is one of the most affordable paid VPNs available, typically undercutting Proton VPN's starting price by a meaningful margin — making it a strong option if cost is your primary concern.
• Money-back guarantee: CyberGhost offers an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee on its 6-month and 2-year plans, compared to Proton VPN's 30-day guarantee, giving you more time to test before committing.
• Speed: In our testing, Proton VPN shows significantly less speed loss than CyberGhost, which can matter for 4K streaming or large file transfers.
• Privacy and security: Proton VPN's Swiss headquarters, Stealth protocol, and Secure Core architecture offer stronger privacy protections than CyberGhost's Romania-based setup. If privacy is your top priority, Proton VPN (or NordVPN) is the better choice over CyberGhost.

Speed tests

Internet speeds vary depending on the provider package you've purchased, how well your device handles Wi-Fi, and whether you're hardwired to your router or using Wi-Fi exclusively. We test using Wi-Fi at normal home speeds to give you an accurate picture of what this VPN might look like for you.

VPN speeds are important because if they're too slow, you won't use them. If you don't use the VPN, you expose yourself to potential security risks. We test VPNs quarterly, and here's a look at each VPN's historical average speed gain or loss.

	Average speed loss
	17% slower
	8% slower
	1% slower
	34% slower

How to choose the best VPN

If you're wondering how to evaluate a VPN, consider the following features and functions. These features and specs are the hallmarks of a good VPN:

• Affordable monthly cost
• No logs
• A large variety of servers
• AES-256-bit encryption or comparable
• Low to no internet speed slow down
• Includes a working kill switch
• Covers at least 8 devices under a single subscription (the more, the better)
• Works with streaming platforms and offers streaming support
• Can be installed on a variety of devices and operating systems
• Has security extras like an ad and tracker blocker, a dedicated IP, or even an antivirus
• Supports large file transfers and torrenting

Why should you use a VPN?

• Protects you from hackers on shared internet
• Helps you stop ISP throttling
• Unblocks streaming and geo-restricted content
• Provides additional security online with ad, tracker, and malware blockers
• Can help you save money when shopping online by reducing price gouging
• Allows for secure download of large files through P2P torrenting support
• Hides your personal data
• Secures personal devices while online gaming

Bottom line: The best Proton VPN alternatives

The best paid alternative to Proton VPN is Surfshark, based on pricing, security, and perks. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, a large server count, and no monthly data cap — all at a price that undercuts most competitors, including Proton VPN.

NordVPN earns its place as our top pick for security-minded users, with a Deloitte-audited no-logs policy, Panama jurisdiction, NordLynx speeds, and more specialty server options than Proton VPN offers. If you're switching from Proton because you want stronger third-party accountability and faster performance, NordVPN is the upgrade worth making.

CyberGhost covers a wide range of streaming and gaming devices, systems, providers, and more, with optimized servers that keep you connected no matter where you are. Its 45-day money-back guarantee is the most generous of the three, making it a low-risk try.

Remember, the best VPN services keep you secure and safe while also enhancing your overall online experience.

FAQs