5 VPN Alternatives to ExpressVPN or NordVPN

 

If you're in the market for a VPN, you've probably considered ExpressVPN and NordVPN. They are widely advertised on YouTube and often appear at the top of lists for the best VPNs (including ours). While they are indeed among the best VPN services available, they may not be the ideal choice for everyone.

Contents:

• Surfshark
• Mullvad VPN
• Proton VPN
• CyberGhost
• Private Internet Access

Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are among the most expensive VPN services on the market. Additionally, NordVPN experienced a data breach in 2019, which raised some security concerns. Whether you're worried about security or looking to save some money, here are five VPNs worth considering. To find a great deal, be sure to check our page for the best VPN deals.

Surfshark

Looking for a Third Major VPN Player? Consider Surfshark

If there's another major player in the VPN world, it's Surfshark. This Netherlands-based service has steadily gained ground against ExpressVPN and NordVPN and is offered at the same price of $13 per month. However, Surfshark really stands out with its generous multi-year deals. You can get two years of service for just $60, which is less than what NordVPN and ExpressVPN charge for a single year.

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Surfshark also offers several unique benefits. Notably, it includes unlimited simultaneous connections. While ExpressVPN and NordVPN limit your connections to five and six devices respectively, Surfshark allows you to connect as many devices as you want. It supports almost any device you can think of, from your phone and laptop to an Apple TV, all with a dedicated app.

Moreover, Surfshark is compatible with NordVPN's unique double-hop feature, allowing you to connect to two servers in sequence for an extra layer of security (though this comes at a significant speed cost). For most users, connecting to a single server is sufficient. Surfshark automatically chooses the fastest server near you and supports OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. It also includes a kill switch to instantly cut your VPN connection in case of a DNS leak and offers a range of static IP addresses to choose from.

The main downside of Surfshark is the lack of a simple way to try it for free on your desktop. Surfshark offers a seven-day free trial, but it's only available on Android, iOS, and macOS. Windows users are out of luck.

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VPN Mullvad

If you're a security enthusiast, Mullvad VPN is tailored for you. Unlike many other VPNs with YouTube sponsorships and affiliate programs, Mullvad steers clear of these marketing tactics. There's no affiliate program, and you likely haven't seen Mullvad in a YouTube ad. In fact, you don't even need to enter your email address to create an account or provide any personal information, and you can pay with cash or cryptocurrency.

Mullvad ensures true anonymity. Instead of using your credit card and email, Mullvad operates like a prepaid phone. You generate an account number on Mullvad's website and enter this number into your application. From there, you can add time to your account and pay however you like. Yes, cash works. You can mail your cash to Mullvad with a randomly generated payment token, and they even accept a wide range of currencies.

The main downside of Mullvad is that it offers fewer servers compared to well-known VPN brands like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Additionally, there are no discounts for multi-year subscriptions. Everyone pays the same price of €5 per month (about $5.50). However, if privacy is your top priority, Mullvad is the best choice.

VPN Proton

Proton VPN is one of the few genuinely free options on the market. It comes from the same company that created Proton Mail, the encrypted email service often used for sensitive communications, such as when journalists need to talk to their sources. Proton VPN extends the company's security offerings, and you can download and start using Proton VPN for free, with no strings attached.

However, the free version of Proton VPN is very limited. While you are free to use Proton VPN for as long as you want, the free plan is more of a trial. You only get one device, you're limited to a handful of servers, and speeds are much slower. Nevertheless, you are covered by Proton VPN's no-logs policy, and you don't have to deal with ads on the free plan.

Paying unlocks many features, including support for 10 simultaneous connections, over 4,500 servers, double-hop connections, and even split tunneling. Split tunneling stands out as one of ExpressVPN's key features. Split tunneling allows you to maintain a VPN connection but only for a portion of your traffic. You can route sensitive traffic through the VPN tunnel while keeping your normal internet connection for everything else. It is especially useful for external devices using your local area network (LAN), such as printers.

Proton VPN is also slightly cheaper than ExpressVPN and NordVPN, priced at around $10 per month. However, it really stands out with the Proton Unlimited plan at $13 per month. With an Unlimited plan, you get access to Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, and Pass (a password manager), all of which are encrypted. You also benefit from generous storage limits, with support for 500 GB of encrypted storage and 25 calendars.

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Cyberfantôme

CyberGhost is not only competitive in terms of pricing compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, but it also offers generous discounts on multi-year subscriptions, similar to Surfshark. You can get two years of service for just $57, with an additional four months free. Unlike most VPNs, CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied with the service. Additionally, it provides a free trial, allowing you to access all its features for a limited period (24 hours on Windows and macOS, three days on Android, and seven days on iOS).

CyberGhost's attractive pricing is its standout feature. It offers a range of features similar to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, with a large server network (over 7,000 according to CyberGhost) and the ability to install it on various devices, from laptops to routers. VPN protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard are available, and CyberGhost adheres to a strict no-logs policy, verified through independent audits. A particularly appreciated aspect is its support for up to seven simultaneous connections.

Furthermore, CyberGhost offers servers optimized for peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, similar to NordVPN, ideal for torrent downloads due to their fast speeds.

Accès Internet Privé

Private Internet Access, or PIA, has been around for years and has built an incredibly vast network over time. The service boasts over 29,000 servers across 140 locations in 91 countries, including servers in all 50 US states. The vast majority of locations also support OpenVPN and WireGuard, so you don't need to resort to weaker VPN protocols when connecting to exotic locations.

While not significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN and NordVPN at $12 per month, PIA offers unique advantages. It supports up to 10 simultaneous connections to start with, and it matches ExpressVPN and Proton VPN with a split tunneling feature. Like Mullvad, PIA also offers anonymous payment options. It accepts gift cards for a one-time payment and cryptocurrency.

However, PIA's greatest asset lies in its open-source code. The company hosts all of its code on GitHub, from the core VPN stack to features like split tunneling on Mac. Users are free to review the code for potential issues, ensuring transparency and security.

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