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Private Internet Access alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Private Internet Access: monthly plan is expensive compared with long terms, and busy interface for beginners. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Private Internet Access, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Surfshark currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Surfshark logoSurfsharkPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 466.5
2Windscribe logoWindscribeFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 562.6
3Proton VPN logoProton VPNFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 559.6
4Mullvad VPN logoMullvad VPNPaidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 557.2
5IVPN logoIVPNPaidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 555.3
  1. Surfshark logo

    1. SurfsharkTop pick

    Best for: Households that want to cover lots of devices on one cheap subscription

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Private Internet Access

    Also covers unlimited devices, with a simpler interface.

    Pros

    • No cap on simultaneous devices
    • Low price on long plans
    • Built-in ad and malware blocking

    Cons

    • Best prices need a multi-year commitment
    • Speeds vary more between locations than top rivals
    • Bundles push extra security products
    Visit Surfshark Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    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 Surfshark a good Private Internet Access alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Devices per account
    Unlimited
    Checked Oct 25, 2026surfshark.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026surfshark.com(opens source in a new tab)
    RAM-only servers
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026surfshark.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, TVs, browsers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026surfshark.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Windscribe logo

    2. Windscribe

    Best for: Budget users who want a decent free plan or to pay only for the locations they use

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Private Internet Access

    Similar power-user settings plus a free plan and pay-per-location option.

    Pros

    • Free plan with a monthly data allowance
    • Build-a-plan pricing per location
    • Customisable ad and tracker blocking

    Cons

    • Free plan has limited data and locations
    • Smaller network than the biggest providers
    • Interface style can feel cluttered
    Visit Windscribe Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    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 Windscribe a good Private Internet Access alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Pro monthly price
    $9/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro yearly price
    $69/year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Build A Plan
    $1 per location per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Server countries
    69+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app licence
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Proton VPN logo

    3. Proton VPN

    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 Private Internet Access

    Open-source and audited, with Swiss jurisdiction and a free tier.

    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 Private Internet Access 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)
  4. Mullvad VPN logo

    4. 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 Private Internet Access

    Simpler flat pricing and anonymous accounts.

    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 Private Internet Access 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)
  5. IVPN logo

    5. IVPN

    Best for: Privacy-focused users who want anonymous signup from a small, transparent provider

    PaidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Private Internet Access

    Privacy-first provider with anonymous accounts and open-source apps.

    Pros

    • No email needed; accepts cash and Monero
    • Open-source apps and website
    • Runs its own infrastructure and publishes audits

    Cons

    • Smaller server network
    • Not intended for streaming unblocking
    • Costs more than Mullvad for comparable features
    Visit IVPN Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 IVPN a good Private Internet Access alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Signup
    No email required
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ivpn.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment options
    Cards, cash, Monero, Bitcoin
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ivpn.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes, apps and website
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ivpn.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, routers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ivpn.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best Private Internet Access alternative for…

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

Surfshark logo

Best Private Internet Access alternative for most people

Surfshark

Also covers unlimited devices, with a simpler interface.

Windscribe logo

Best Private Internet Access alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Windscribe

Similar power-user settings plus a free plan and pay-per-location option.

Proton VPN logo

Best Private Internet Access alternative for open source

Proton VPN

Open-source and audited, with Swiss jurisdiction and a free tier.

Mullvad VPN logo

Best Private Internet Access alternative for Mac

Mullvad VPN

Simpler flat pricing and anonymous accounts.

IVPN logo

Best Private Internet Access alternative for Windows

IVPN

Privacy-first provider with anonymous accounts and open-source apps.

Surfshark logo

Best Private Internet Access alternative for Linux

Surfshark

Also covers unlimited devices, with a simpler interface.

Surfshark logo

Best Private Internet Access alternative for iPhone and Android

Surfshark

Also covers unlimited devices, with a simpler interface.

Private Internet Access alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Private Internet Access?

Surfshark ranks first right now. Also covers unlimited devices, with a simpler interface. Windscribe and Proton VPN follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Private Internet Access?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Private Internet Access?

Yes: Windscribe, Proton VPN, Mullvad VPN and IVPN.

Which Private Internet Access alternatives work on Linux?

Surfshark, Windscribe, Proton VPN, Mullvad VPN and IVPN run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Private Internet Access?

The complaints we hear most: monthly plan is expensive compared with long terms; busy interface for beginners; owned by a group that also runs several rival brands.

How is this list ranked?

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