NordVPN alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave NordVPN: renewal prices are much higher than the first term, and apps push bundled add-ons and upsells. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces NordVPN, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. ExpressVPN currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Proton VPN	Free plan + paid	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux +3	5 of 5	59.6
2	Mullvad VPN	Paid	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux +2	5 of 5	57.2

1. Proton VPNTop pick
Best for: Privacy-focused users, and anyone who needs a free VPN they can trust
Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
59.6
score / 100
Why switch from NordVPN
Swiss provider with open-source apps and a free tier that has no data cap.
Pros
Free plan with no data cap and no ads
Open-source, audited apps on every platform
Secure Core multi-hop routing on paid plans
Cons
Free plan allows only one device and fewer locations
Full price is high without a long commitment
Some streaming and P2P features are paid only
Visit Proton VPN Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.377
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Proton VPN a good NordVPN alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Free plan
Yes, $0
Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Free plan limits
1 device, no data cap, no ads
Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Devices on VPN Plus
10
Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Money-back guarantee
30 days
Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Open source
Yes, apps open source and audited
Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
2. Mullvad VPN
Best for: Privacy-minded users who want anonymous signup and a simple flat price
PaidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
57.2
score / 100
Why switch from NordVPN
One flat monthly price, no email needed to sign up, and open-source apps.
Pros
No email or personal details needed to sign up
Same low price for any length of subscription
Open-source apps and published audits
Cons
Not aimed at unblocking streaming services
No port forwarding
Smaller server network than the big providers
Visit Mullvad VPN Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.369
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Mullvad VPN a good NordVPN alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Price
€5 per month, any term
Checked Oct 25, 2026mullvad.net(opens source in a new tab)
Money-back guarantee
14 days (not for cash payments)
Checked Oct 25, 2026mullvad.net(opens source in a new tab)
Licence
GPL-3.0
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Checked Oct 25, 2026mullvad.net(opens source in a new tab)
Company location
Gothenburg, Sweden
Checked Oct 25, 2026mullvad.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best NordVPN alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best NordVPN alternative for most people

ExpressVPN

Similar mainstream service with very simple apps and its own Lightway protocol.

Best NordVPN alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Proton VPN

Swiss provider with open-source apps and a free tier that has no data cap.

Best NordVPN alternative for open source

Mullvad VPN

One flat monthly price, no email needed to sign up, and open-source apps.

Best NordVPN alternative for Mac

Surfshark

Cheaper plans and no limit on simultaneous devices, with a similar feature set.

Best NordVPN alternative for Windows

Private Internet Access

Lets you connect unlimited devices and offers more advanced network settings.

Best NordVPN alternative for Linux

CyberGhost VPN

Comparable consumer VPN with a longer refund window on long plans.

Best NordVPN alternative for iPhone and Android

ExpressVPN

Similar mainstream service with very simple apps and its own Lightway protocol.

NordVPN alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to NordVPN?

ExpressVPN ranks first right now. Similar mainstream service with very simple apps and its own Lightway protocol. Surfshark and Proton VPN follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to NordVPN?

Yes. Proton VPN (free plan + paid) has a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to NordVPN?

Yes: Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN.

Which NordVPN alternatives work on Linux?

ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, Mullvad VPN and Private Internet Access run on Linux.

Why do people switch from NordVPN?

The complaints we hear most: renewal prices are much higher than the first term; apps push bundled add-ons and upsells; desktop and mobile apps are closed source.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces NordVPN, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.