Best Surfshark Alternatives in 2026: 8 VPNs Compared
- 1
NordVPNFeature rich VPN for most usersVisit - 2
ExpressVPNSimple premium VPNVisit - 3
Proton VPNPrivacy VPN with a real free planVisit - 4
MullvadMaximum anonymity VPNVisit - 5
CyberGhostBeginner friendly VPN with streaming serversVisit
- Prices and free plans vary widely, so check the current plan page before you pay.
- The best choice depends on how much you will actually use each week, not on the longest feature list.
- Start with a free plan or trial where one exists, then upgrade only when you hit a real limit.
- Read the privacy and cancellation terms, especially for subscriptions that renew automatically.
Quick comparison
| Product | Ideal for | Price from | Free version | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Feature rich VPN for most users | See website | No | Visit |
| ExpressVPN | Simple premium VPN | See website | No | Visit |
| Proton VPN | Privacy VPN with a real free plan | Free | Yes | Visit |
| Mullvad | Maximum anonymity VPN | See website | No | Visit |
| CyberGhost | Beginner friendly VPN with streaming servers | See website | No | Visit |
 Private Internet Access | Customisable VPN for power users | See website | No | Visit |
 IPVanish | US based VPN with unlimited devices | See website | No | Visit |
 Windscribe | Free VPN with generous data | Free | Yes | Visit |
The best Surfshark alternatives
We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews to build this list. Our pick for most people is the option that gives the clearest value for its price, but the right choice for you depends on your budget, your devices and how often you will use it.
NordVPN
Ideal for: Feature rich VPN for most users
NordVPN fits feature rich vpn for most users. Its feature set and speed suit most households. That focus shows in day to day use, where the main tools are easy to find and the extras do not get in the way. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Check renewal price before a long plan. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Large server network
- Threat protection
- 10 devices
- Renewal price rises
- Bundles can confuse pricing
ExpressVPN
Ideal for: Simple premium VPN
For simple premium vpn, ExpressVPN is a strong place to start. Non technical users get a simple, reliable app. It is a practical choice when you want results without a long setup process. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Power users may want more custom settings. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Simple apps
- Lightway protocol
- Strong streaming support
- Higher price
- Fewer advanced custom options
Proton VPN
Ideal for: Privacy VPN with a real free plan
If privacy vpn with a real free plan is your main need, Proton VPN deserves a close look. Privacy users get a genuine free tier and strong paid plans. The design keeps the core job front and centre. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Free users get slower speeds and fewer locations. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Free plan
- Secure Core
- Swiss hosting
- Free plan limited to one device and fewer servers
Mullvad
Ideal for: Maximum anonymity VPN
Mullvad fits maximum anonymity vpn. Privacy focused users get a simple, anonymous setup. That focus shows in day to day use, where the main tools are easy to find and the extras do not get in the way. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Streamers may find it less suited to unblocking. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Flat monthly price
- No email account
- Cash payments
- No long term discounts
- Streaming support limited
CyberGhost
Ideal for: Beginner friendly VPN with streaming servers
For beginner friendly vpn with streaming servers, CyberGhost is a strong place to start. Beginners get labelled servers for streaming and torrenting. It is a practical choice when you want results without a long setup process. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Advanced users may find settings limited. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Streaming servers
- Large network
- Simple apps
- Long plans needed for best price
- Some features vary by app
Private Internet Access
Ideal for: Customisable VPN for power users
If customisable vpn for power users is your main need, Private Internet Access deserves a close look. Power users get deep customisation at a low long term price. The design keeps the core job front and centre. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Beginners may prefer a simpler app. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Many settings
- Large network
- Low long term price
- Interface can overwhelm beginners
- US based
IPVanish
Ideal for: US based VPN with unlimited devices
IPVanish fits us based vpn with unlimited devices. Households with many devices get unlimited connections. That focus shows in day to day use, where the main tools are easy to find and the extras do not get in the way. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Privacy purists may prefer a non US provider. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Unlimited devices
- Simple apps
- Torrent support
- US jurisdiction concerns some privacy users
- Price varies
Windscribe
Ideal for: Free VPN with generous data
For free vpn with generous data, Windscribe is a strong place to start. Free users get a useful allowance without a subscription. It is a practical choice when you want results without a long setup process. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Heavy users need a paid plan. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Free plan with data allowance
- Custom plans
- Ad blocking
- Free data limited
- Speeds vary on free servers
How we picked these
We started with the products that appear most often in this category, then kept only the ones that exist and work today, with a clear official homepage and a plan structure we could describe honestly. We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews, and we left out products whose prices or homepages we could not verify. We did not claim hands on testing that did not happen, and we favoured products with clear terms over products that hide limits in fine print. We also weighed fit over fame. A well known name can be the wrong pick if its plan is built for a different kind of user, while a smaller option can be better when it matches your daily routine. That is why each write up names who the product suits, one concrete strength and one honest weakness, so you can judge the trade off for yourself.
Pick a VPN by privacy, devices and renewal price
Check jurisdiction and logging policy
Read the logging policy and independent audits, not just marketing. Jurisdiction and audit history matter for privacy claims.
Count devices honestly
Unlimited device plans suit households, while five device plans suit individuals. Count phones, laptops and TVs before buying.
Compare renewal, not just deal price
Intro prices often rise sharply at renewal. Check the renewal price and set a reminder before it renews. Before you decide, shortlist two options and test them side by side for a few days of normal use. Note what slows you down, what costs extra, and what you would miss if you switched. That short test usually reveals the right choice faster than reading another ten reviews, because it is based on your routine, your devices and your budget rather than on a generic ranking. Also check support and cancellation before you pay for a year in advance. A clear help centre, a reachable support team and a simple cancel button are worth more than a small discount, because they decide how painful it is to fix a billing problem or leave later. If support is hard to reach during a trial, treat that as a warning sign, not as a minor detail, and choose the option with clearer terms even if its headline price is slightly higher.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best alternatives to Surfshark?
NordVPN suits features, ExpressVPN suits simplicity, Proton VPN suits a free tier, and Mullvad suits anonymity.
Is NordVPN better than Surfshark?
NordVPN offers more features and a larger network, while Surfshark offers unlimited devices at a lower price. Household size often decides it.
What is the best free VPN alternative?
Proton VPN and Windscribe offer the strongest free tiers, with limits on devices, servers or data.
Do VPNs make me anonymous?
No, a VPN hides traffic from your internet provider and changes your visible location, but it does not make you fully anonymous online.
Can I use a VPN for streaming?
Many VPNs support streaming, but availability varies by service and server. Check current streaming support before buying.