In an increasingly connected world, safeguarding your online privacy and security has never been more crucial. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have emerged as essential tools for this purpose.
ProtonVPN, a well-known VPN service, has garnered attention for its robust security features and commitment to privacy. However, exploring the alternatives and understanding which VPN services can best cater to your specific needs is essential.
To create this guide, we’ve researched and compiled a list of the top ProtonVPN alternatives that excel in privacy, security, and performance. You can read a quick summary of our top recommendations below:
- NordVPN: Our top alternative to ProtonVPN. There is an excellent privacy track record, 6 simultaneous devices, and servers in over 60 countries.
- Surfshark: A budget-friendly option with unlimited device connections, excellent unblocking, and split tunneling included.
- ExpressVPN: Known for lightning-fast speeds, best-in-class encryption, and servers in 94 countries.
- CyberGhost: User-friendly with dedicated streaming servers, a built-in kill switch, and P2P support.
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Robust security features, WireGuard support and has over 30,000 servers.
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In our quest to find the best ProtonVPN alternatives, we followed a solid methodology that allowed us to dive deep into each VPN service, focusing on the key factors that make a VPN reliable, secure, and user-friendly.
Once we had a list of potential contenders, we rolled up our sleeves and put each VPN service under the microscope. We examined them based on essential criteria such as their privacy policies, encryption standards, server locations, connection speeds, pricing, and customer support. On top of that, we also looked into those nifty extra features and functionalities that can really make a difference in your online experience, like dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting, ad-blocking capabilities, and the ability to bypass pesky geo-restrictions. By scrutinizing each VPN service in detail using these criteria, we were able to cherry-pick and present the top alternatives to ProtonVPN, providing users with a variety of trustworthy and secure options to choose from.
Best ProtonVPN Alternatives
Here is our list of the best ProtonVPN alternatives:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN, our top ProtonVPN alternative, is renowned for its exceptional security measures and privacy track record. With its double VPN feature, your data is encrypted twice, providing an additional layer of security.
Its works on almost any platform you can think of, including routers, and it gives you a 6 simultaneous connection limit to make the most of your subscription. Unblocking is excellent, letting you stream Netflix, Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer from anywhere.
While NordVPN doesn’t offer a free plan like ProtonVPN, it gives you a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee to try it out.
Pros:
- Excellent unblocking ability
- Top-notch security and privacy protection
- Unprecedented network across 60 countries
- Achieves consistently good speeds
Cons:
- Some servers take longer to connect to
- Can’t specify a city you want to connect to
Our score:
BEST PROTONVPN ALTERNATIVE:NordVPN boasts great speeds, a solid privacy policy, and unmatched security features. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t compromise on security and privacy. With its CleanWeb feature, you can enjoy an ad-free browsing experience while staying protected from phishing attempts and malware.
It operates a zero-logs policy, meaning your data is never shared or recorded. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It also offers extensions for most browsers. Split tunneling is included, as is a network kill switch.
Unblocking is fantastic, live chat is available 24/7, and plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Works in China
- Unlimited devices
- 24/7 live chat
- Unblocks Sky Go, Netflix US & UK, and more
Cons:
- Server network is relatively small compared to many competitors
- Customer support has room for improvement
Our score:
BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is great for beating heavy censorship, it includes an endless connection limit, and is great for Netflix and Sky Go.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is known for its lightning-fast speeds, best-in-class encryption, and vast network of servers. Based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activity remains private.
If you’re big on extra features, ExpressVPN charges slightly more than other providers, but the features are worth it. A kill switch, DNS and iPv6 leak protection, malware blocking, smart DNS, and more all come standard.
It supports connections on all major operating systems, so you can benefit from protection while stopping hackers in their tracks.
Pros:
- Comprehensive security and privacy features
- Dedicated browser add-ons for Firefox, Chrome, and Safari
- Around-the-clock chat support available
- Super fast connections with no bandwidth or data restrictions
Cons:
- Not as cheap as some other services
- Power-users may find the advanced options limited
Our score:
ADVANCED PRIVACY TOOLS:ExpressVPN uses AES encryption, offers apps for desktop and mobile, and has round-the-clock support.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN service that offers a unique feature: dedicated streaming servers. These servers are optimized for streaming content from various platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. It also has servers optimized for gaming and torrenting, so you can get the best performance for the task at hand.
You can expect 24/7 support and access to its 45-day money-back guarantee. It doesn’t store logs, and it uses military-grade encryption. On the other hand, unblocking is pretty good thanks to its servers in almost 90 countries, and its apps, available on desktop and mobile, include a kill switch.
You can use the service on up to 7 devices at once and have the option of setting up a Windows device as a personal VPN wifi hotspot.
Pros:
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Decent, reliable speeds
- Kill switch on all apps and keeps no logs
- Apps are great for beginners
Cons:
- Settings may be too simplistic for power users
- Not suitable for use in China
Our score:
SPECIALTY SERVERS:CyberGhost is excellent for beginners. It features a network kill switch and a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. Private Internet Access (PIA)
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Private Internet Access (PIA) is another solid alternative to ProtonVPN, known for its robust security features and affordable pricing. In addition, PIA supports multiple VPN protocols and offers customizable encryption settings.
PIA’s servers span more than 70 countries, making access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Prime Video a breeze. It is sometimes inconsistent but meets the streaming needs of most.
WireGuard support comes as standard, allowing you to considerably boost streaming quality. If that’s not enough, you can adjust encryption settings for times when security isn’t paramount for increased speeds.
Pros:
- 10 simultaneous device limit
- Adjustable encryption setting
- Built in kill switch
- No-logs policy
Cons:
- Based in a Five Eyes country
- Fails to unblock some streaming services
Our score:
HUGE NETWORK:PIA includes WireGuard support, malware protection, and intuitive apps for most platforms.
Read our full Private Internet Access review.
Methodology: How we test VPNs
To evaluate the best ProtonVPN alternatives, we used the following criteria:
- Speed: We tested the speed of each VPN by using Ookla Speedtest on both Windows and Android devices. Additionally, we tested the speed of each VPN on different servers to get an average speed.
- Security: We evaluated each VPN’s security features, including its encryption protocols, privacy policy, and logging policy. We also checked if each VPN has any history of data breaches or leaks.
- Compatibility: We checked each VPN’s compatibility with various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. We also checked if they offer browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
- Price: We evaluated the pricing plans of each VPN and compared them to ProtonVPN’s prices.
- Customer Support: We assessed each VPN’s customer support, including its response times, availability of live chat support, and availability of phone support.
Want to learn more about how we test VPNs? Check out our methodology.
ProtonVPN alternative FAQs
Why is it essential to consider alternatives to ProtonVPN?
While ProtonVPN is a reliable and secure VPN service, it’s crucial to explore alternatives to find the best VPN to cater to your unique requirements. Factors such as pricing, server locations, speed, and advanced features can vary significantly among VPN providers, affecting your overall experience.
How do VPN server locations impact my online experience?
A VPN’s server locations directly affect your connection speed and access to geo-restricted content. Therefore, a provider with a larger server network and presence in various countries will likely offer better performance and more options to bypass regional restrictions.
Why is a no-logs policy important when choosing a VPN?
A no-logs policy means that the VPN provider doesn’t store any information about your online activities. This policy ensures that even if the provider is compelled by law enforcement to hand over user data, they have nothing to provide. It’s a critical feature for users who prioritize privacy.
Can I use these VPN services on multiple devices simultaneously?
Yes, all of the VPN services mentioned in this article support multiple simultaneous connections. This feature allows you to secure multiple devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, with a single VPN subscription. However, the number of allowed connections varies by provider, so check each provider’s offerings.
