The Best Surfshark VPN Alternatives of 2024

If Surfshark isn’t your virtual private network (VPN) of choice, there are other top VPN services you can try. Our top three choices are: NordVPN, which is reliable and has plans to fit various budgets; ExpressVPN, which gives users compatibility across multiple devices; and Proton VPN, which includes fast internet speeds with excellent privacy measures and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

These three VPNs give you flexible prices, security, and excellent features. Here is our expert guide, which reveals why these are the best Surfashark VPN alternatives.

The best Surfshark VPN alternatives

• NordVPN: Best for reliability
• ExpressVPN: Best for compatibility
• Proton VPN: Best for budgets

Top 3 Surfshark VPN alternatives compared

Starting price	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	$2.99/mo (billed every two years)	$6.25/mo (billed annually)	$2.99/mo (billed every two years)
Money-back guarantee	Yes, 30 days	Yes, 30 days	Yes, 30 days	Yes, 30 days
Number of devices	Unlimited	10	8	10
Streaming support	Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max	Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+	Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, Sling, Showtime	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, Sling
Server count	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	6,800+ servers in 111 countries	Unlisted in 105 countries	9,100+ servers in 112 countries
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review

How we tested the best Surfshark VPN alternatives

A VPN should have pricing that fits your budget, the features you want, and the privacy you expect. When testing the best Surfshark VPN alternatives, we looked at various factors:

• Streaming support: Each of these alternatives provides streaming access without issues.
• Price: All three choices cost less than $7 per month for the starting subscriptions.
• Privacy: The reviewed VPNs all have no-logs policies.
• Extra features: These products include features like kill switches, an optional password manager, and torrenting support.

NordVPN: Best overall and most reliable

Who it’s best for

NordVPN is best for users looking for a reliable VPN that produces fast internet speeds and includes a simple interface that anyone can use. It offers plenty of features, like anti-malware protection, a kill switch, and a data breach scanner.

If you want a basic VPN service that’s secure and protects up to 111 countries devices, the starting price of $2.99/mo (billed every two years) likely won’t be an issue.

What we liked

NordVPN doesn’t officially have streaming servers, but it does allow you to watch many of your favorite platforms. It’s one of the best VPNs for Netflix and other streaming services, like Disney+ and Amazon Prime.

It’s also easy to use, and it even comes with a Windows app for convenience. Connecting to a VPN server is seamless and won’t take much time.

During our speed test, NordVPN performed well. It actually increased our speed with every server we used. We didn't encounter any lag or buffering during browsing and streaming, which is what you’d expect from such a reliable VPN.

NordVPN also has a strict no-logs policy and conducts independent audits, showing a firm dedication to privacy.

What we didn’t like

One of the factors we weren’t thrilled about was the most expensive plan’s features. When you purchase NordVPN Ultimate, you pay $3 more a month but only get a few extra features, like 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage and cyber protection benefits.

Although it isn’t the most expensive VPN on the market, it also isn’t the cheapest. For those who want a more budget-friendly option, other VPNs, like CyberGhost, cost less. You can get CyberGhost’s basic plan for $2.03/mo (billed every two years).

NordVPN specs

Price range	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes, 30 days
Number of servers	6,800+ servers in 111 countries
Number of connected devices	10
Average speed	394.15 Mbps
DNS leak test	Passed
Kill switch test	Passed
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec
No-logs policy	Yes
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

ExpressVPN: Best for device compatibility

Who it’s best for

If you have different types of multiple devices to cover, ExpressVPN could be your best friend. It works across operating systems, like Windows and macOS, and has mobile coverage for Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire tablets.

What we liked

One of the reasons many people like to use a VPN is for its streaming capabilities. ExpressVPN has a domain name system (DNS) that the website refers to as the “MediaStreamer.”

This feature gives you access to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, HBO, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. You also get access to websites that have rules against being unlocked by changing your virtual location on the VPN.

If all this seems too good to be true, we can assure you that VPNs are legal in most countries, including the U.S. and the U.K.

ExpressVPN showed solid performance speeds, with only a 39% download speed reduction when connected to an Australian server. It also hides your IP address to give you better privacy, and it keeps your online activity more secure.

The strict no-logs policy is something we always look for, and ExpressVPN verifies this claim with independent audits for good measure.

What we didn’t like

The pricing can be steep, starting at $6.25/mo (billed annually) when getting an annual plan. That’s almost twice what you’ll pay for NordVPN for the first two years when purchasing the two-year subscription.

The other issue with ExpressVPN is that it doesn’t include its server count on its website. Although a VPN’s number of servers can change, ExpressVPN should show users an approximate number of servers they can access for the cost of a subscription.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Money-back guarantee	30 days
Number of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries
Number of connected devices	8
Average speed	152.9 Mbps
DNS leak test	Passed
Kill switch test	Passed
VPN protocol	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec
No-logs policy	Yes
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read Our ExpressVPN Review

Proton VPN: Best internet speeds and free plan

Who it’s best for

Proton VPN is best for users who demand a quality VPN that includes a free plan and is easy to use. If you want to unlock various streaming platforms and you’re budget conscious, Proton VPN is worth serious consideration.

It’s also fast, so you won’t be bothered by those buffering hiccups.

What we liked

We liked that Proton VPN had no problems unblocking streaming services. We tested it with Netflix and BBC iPlayer. According to the website, it also supports Disney+, HBO, and more.

If you select the Plus plan, you’ll get added perks like ad and tracker blocking, which can speed up internet browsing. If you want even more privacy while sharing files in BitTorrent, Proton VPN supports an option to route traffic through the Tor network.

Unlike other services, the free plan doesn’t have a data limit. If you’re on a budget, having access to 100 free servers offers exceptional value without financial commitment. It uses AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy.

What we didn’t like

If you want to save money on a VPN, the free option is good, but it has some downsides. Although Proton VPN doesn’t put a cap on speed, the free plan could provide slower connection rates.

You’re also limited to servers in five countries. The free subscription gives you one device connection, and doesn’t have torrenting or streaming support.

If the free plan doesn’t have what you need, you might not like the paid plans, either. Proton VPN starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years), which isn’t terrible, but it’s not as affordable as other plans.

Proton VPN specs

Price range	Free–$9.99/mo
Money-back guarantee	30 days
Number of servers	9,100+ servers in 112 countries
Number of connected devices	10
Average speed	48.27 Mbps
DNS leak test	Passed
Kill switch test	Passed
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Stealth
No-logs policy	Yes
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Proton VPN Read Our Proton VPN Review

Honorable mentions

Though the following VPNs didn’t make our top three Surfshark alternatives, they’re worth considering based on price, privacy, and performance specs. 

• Private Internet Access: This offers an affordable VPN solution with high speeds, starting at $2.03/mo (billed every two years). It’s one of the least expensive plans we’ve seen, and it passed our steaming tests.

  Get Private Internet Access | Read Our Private Internet Access Review

• CyberGhost: CyberGhost is affordable, beginner-friendly, and secured with 256-bit AES encryption. You get 24/7 customer support and unlimited bandwidth, decreasing load times.

  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

• PrivadoVPN: This budget-friendly VPN offers a free version and has servers across 49 countries with its paid plan. It includes Netflix streaming access, and the interface is easy to use.

  Get PrivadoVPN | Read Our PrivadoVPN Review

Speed tests

NordVPN was the fastest of the three Surfshark VPN alternatives. Speed is essential for a good VPN because the faster your download times, the better your viewing experience will be for streaming.

Slow speeds are fine for browsing and sending emails, but when you want to play online games or watch your favorite Netflix series, you need a higher bandwidth.

Here’s what our tests showed regarding these three VPNs:

	VPN speed to U.S. server	Normal speed	Speed loss
	430.75 Mbps	297.64 Mbps	44.72%
	177.7 Mbps	203.9 Mbps	-12.85%
	53.11 Mbps	50.11 Mbps	5.99%

How to choose the best VPN

Everyone values privacy. If a VPN cannot protect your data, it isn’t worth the investment. Here are some questions to ask when choosing the best VPN:

• How much does it cost? Try to find a VPN that is affordable because there are plenty on the market. Don’t overspend on options you do not need.
• Does it keep logs of your data? Look for a no-logs policy and a product with independent audits for better security.
• Does it offer a large number of devices? If you have a family or have numerous devices to cover, you’ll want a plan that accommodates those needs.
• Does it slow down your internet speed? A drop in speed can be typical with VPNs, but you don’t want a service that makes your internet browsing or streaming come to a crawl. If your online activities become too slow, you have the wrong VPN.

Why should you use a VPN?

If you’re on the fence about whether or not you should use a VPN, we have some definite reasons you need to consider one:

• Hides your online activity: If you want your privacy protected, you need a VPN to help prevent unauthorized users from spying on your data.
• Offers better security: You have tons of data records online, like banking and medical information, which need to be secure.
• Using public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi is rarely secure, and not using a VPN is asking for trouble from hackers.
• Accessing geo-restricted services: If you travel to different countries, streaming services won’t have the same shows. You will need a VPN for streaming access to your home country.

Best Surfshark VPN alternatives FAQs

Bottom line: The best Surfshark VPN alternatives

After extensive research and testing, we found that the three best Surfshark VPN alternatives are NordVPN for reliability, ExpressVPN for compatibility, and Proton VPN for pricing.

If none of these VPN services work for you, the honorable mentions included have customer support features and budget-friendly pricing you might also like.