Best Norton Secure VPN alternatives

There are so many choices in the VPN market that it’s often difficult to decide which provider to choose. You might be tempted to use a service from a company you recognize, like Norton Secure VPN, but plenty of lesser-known competitors offer more functionality while costing the same (or less) each month.

Crucially, we’re not talking about super-advanced, technical tools here. Norton’s VPN falls short in everyday situations as it isn’t particularly great at streaming, won’t work with Linux systems or routers, and doesn’t offer basic security features.

Below, we’ll reveal six of the best alternatives to Norton Secure VPN so that anyone can find the service that’s right for them. Better still, unlike Norton’s VPN, none of the VPNs below charge extra to protect multiple devices.

Here are our favorite alternatives:

1. NordVPN: The best alternative to Norton’s VPN. Works with most major streaming services, keeps no logs, and works in China. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The best budget Norton VPN alternative. Has no connection limit, far better streaming capabilities, and a very strong set of security tools. Servers in 100 countries.
3. ExpressVPN: Beginner-friendly VPN with its own router firmware and an expansive network. Offers 24/7 support, its own connection protocol, and the ability to handle any day-to-day task.
4. CyberGhost: Much quicker than Norton’s VPN, with a far larger network and servers specifically designed for streaming and torrenting. No-logs policy and around-the-clock support.
5. ProtonVPN: A freemium VPN that doesn’t limit your bandwidth. Its paid plan offers more server locations and security tools than Norton Secure VPN, plus significantly higher speeds.

Everyone uses the internet for different things. For example, some people really like to stream while others just want to play games securely. That’s why we looked for VPNs capable of dealing with any day-to-day situation. Essentially, all of the best alternatives to Norton Secure VPN needed to have:

• Quick and reliable servers in dozens of countries
• Powerful security tools and a user-first privacy policy
• The ability to securely access popular streaming platforms and region-specific websites
• An easy way to get in touch with customer support
• Apps for all major platforms

This is just a brief overview of our larger testing methodology. If you’d like to learn more, we have a whole post about how we test VPNs at Comparitech. Alternatively, take a look below for a closer look at the best replacements for Norton Secure VPN.

Best Norton Secure VPN alternatives

Here’s our detailed list of the best Norton VPN alternatives:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN is our favorite Norton Secure VPN alternative. It has servers in almost twice as many countries, delivers significantly higher speeds, and unlike most of its rivals, it works in places like China. NordVPN is also far more consistent when it comes to streaming – we were able to securely access just about every platform we tested, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, whereas Norton Secure VPN had quite a bit of difficulty in this regard.

If Norton Secure VPN detects suspicious activity, it can store your IP address, license, and device identifiers. NordVPN, meanwhile, keeps no identifiable data (barring advertising IDs on mobile, which can be easily cleared), and has proven this by undergoing independent audits. It offers a wider array of security tools, including automatic tracker-blocking, special Tor over VPN servers, and a MeshNet feature that lets you securely transfer files to and from your other devices, even if they’re on separate networks.

NordVPN offers apps for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Unlike Norton Secure VPN, it can also be manually installed on your router.

BEST NORTON VPN ALTERNATIVE:NordVPN is our top choice. It’s faster, more privacy-conscious, and more versatile than Norton Secure VPN, plus its money-back guarantee is longer (on monthly plans), so you really put it through its paces without any risk at all.

Interested? Why not read our full NordVPN review?

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is our top budget pick, but despite its low price, it has plenty to offer. For instance, it boasts high speeds, the ability to securely access almost every streaming site you can think of, and it even works in China. Crucially, unlike Norton Secure VPN, it doesn’t charge extra to protect multiple devices – in fact, there’s no connection limit at all, so a single subscription can secure your entire household.

There are all kinds of privacy tools built-in, from the effectively-uncrackable encryption to a new feature that switches your IP address periodically. Naturally, Surfshark uses a kill switch and protects against DNS and IPv6 leaks. It’s undergone an independent audit to back up its no-logging claims. You can even pay in cryptocurrency if you’d like a little extra anonymity. Customer support is available 24/7 over live chat just in case you have any issues.

Surfshark provides apps for MacOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. It works with most popular router firmware but you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is the best low-cost alternative to Norton’s VPN. It’s just as fast, but doesn’t have a connection limit, logs less data, and is better for streaming. What’s more, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our in-depth Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries, which is more than the industry average of 60, and more than three times as many locations that Norton’s VPN offers. It’s also significantly better for streaming, working with major platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Peacock. This is one of the few VPNs that can be relied upon in China, and users don’t even have to change any settings to get started.

Like Norton Secure VPN, this service relies on 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to keep your activities hidden. It has a few extra features like LAN traffic blocking, split tunneling, and a free Smart DNS tool that lets you access US-only platforms on devices without full app support (such as games consoles). Most importantly, ExpressVPN has been independently audited to prove it keeps no identifiable user data.

ExpressVPN apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS. Unlike Norton Secure VPN, it can also be installed on routers and even has its own firmware to make this process as smooth as possible.

FAST AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN boasts steady speeds, top-tier streaming abilities, and a decent number of customizable features. It’s significantly easier to install on routers than most of its rivals. Plus, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, even on monthly plans.

Take a look at our comprehensive ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has around 7,000 servers in 91 countries – that’s three times more options than Norton Secure VPN offers. It’s also much faster (averaging nearly 300 Mbps in our latest tests) and works with most major streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. Unlike its rival, CyberGhost supports Amazon Fire devices, Linux systems, and routers, plus it offers specially-optimized servers for torrenting, gaming, or browsing anonymously.

One of the things we love about CyberGhost is its versatility. It can block ads, trackers, and malware automatically, connect any time you use an unfamiliar network, or connect via a random port to get around some forms of VPN-blocking. Of course, this is in addition to its 256-bit encryption, leak protection, no-logging policy, and kill switch. A smart rules tab lets you customize things even further. If you’re having any issues, just get in touch using the 24/7 live chat service.

CyberGhost has apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Users also have the option of manually installing it directly onto their home router.

EXTREMELY VERSATILE:CyberGhost works with a wide range of streaming services, delivers some of the highest speeds we’ve seen, and provides around-the-clock support. Not only that, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our complete review of CyberGhost.

5. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a freemium provider but what’s unusual about it is that it doesn’t limit your speeds or how much bandwidth you can use. Instead, it hopes that you’ll upgrade to gain access to servers in 67 countries, including some specifically designed for secure streaming or browsing the dark web. Premium accounts can also connect up to 10 devices at a time (instead of one) and contact support staff using the 24/7 live chat service.

This VPN keeps your activities hidden using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. There’s even a no-logs policy that’s been verified by independent auditors, meaning you don’t have to take ProtonVPN’s claims at face value. Users can also let certain websites bypass the VPN, use alternative routing to access ProtonVPN’s website in countries with strict censorship, or turn on the accelerator feature to potentially improve their speeds.

ProtonVPN offers iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and MacOS apps. Not only that, but it can be manually installed on a wide range of routers.

SECURITY-CONSCIOUS:ProtonVPN includes all kinds of security and privacy tools, from Tor over VPN servers to automatic malware-blocking. You’ll need a paid plan to take advantage, but all of these come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more with our full review of ProtonVPN.

Methodology: Finding the best alternatives to Norton’s VPN

Norton Secure VPN is a decent service, but it’s not without its shortcomings. When researching the best alternative options, we first checked to see if there were any that addressed the weaknesses of Norton’s VPN without adding any major flaws of their own. Then, we put contenders through a series of tests and examined how well they performed in the areas below:

• Server availability: Norton’s VPN only supports around 30 countries but the industry average for paid services is closer to 60 (with some offering as many as 100). We also look into whether a provider relies on virtual servers since this isn’t always obvious and determine which country’s data-protection laws actually apply to your traffic.
• Speed and reliability: You could have the best VPN in the world but if it’s too slow to use, there’s no point. Our team regularly speed tests providers to monitor their performance and ensure that we only ever recommend VPNs that are fast enough for the task at hand.
• Everyday potential: A VPN that only works sometimes is of no use to anyone. Services should be able to handle any day-to-day task, whether it’s helping you torrent anonymously, stay safe while gaming, or securely access Netflix.
• Security: It’s vital that your VPN has the tools needed for you to browse securely – otherwise, what’s the point? This includes uncrackable encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch at a minimum, though additional tools (like tracker blocking) are always welcome. We also dig into the privacy policy and strongly prefer VPNs that have been independently audited as we’ve seen providers lie about their logging policies in the past.
• Pricing: Unfortunately, lots of VPNs charge more than is really fair. Naturally, we’ll never recommend anything overpriced, and actively try to bring the price down by seeking out deals, promotions, and discounts. If there’s a free trial or money-back guarantee available, we’ll always let you know so that you can try a service for yourself with no risk.
• Ease of use: Digital security is for everyone, not just tech experts. That’s why we prefer VPNs with novice-friendly features like 24/7 live chat, multi-platform support, and task-specific servers. Some have even removed connection limits entirely, getting rid of a restriction that’s been around almost as long as commercial VPNS have!

Norton Secure VPN FAQs