Best NordVPN alternatives in 2025

We test VPNs daily for different uses, and NordVPN consistently performs as one of the best. It offers fast speeds, strong privacy, and easy access to geo-blocked content - making it a top choice for streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and more.

Even though NordVPN is a top VPN provider that offers security and many benefits, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Since NordVPN is a premium VPN, it is not the cheapest option, so many users seek better pricing. Many users are also looking for NordVPN alternatives to find different features or security measures. As of 2025, Surfshark and Proton VPN are the best NordVPN alternatives as they offer lower prices and have different security features but still guarantee privacy and robust encryption.

To find the best NordVPN alternatives, I have tested over 20 VPN providers, looking into several important factors, such as privacy, speed, and server fleet. Apart from Surfshark and Proton VPN, I found a few other VPN providers that could be considered alternatives for NordVPN. Continue reading to find the best NordVPN alternative and its benefits in 2025.

Top 6 NordVPN competitors in 2025

1. Surfshark VPN

   Budget-friendly NordVPN alternative with premium features
   9.5
2. Proton VPN

   Freemium yet secure NordVPN alternative
   8.6
3. TotalVPN

   Cheapest alternative for NordVPN
   8.2
4. IPVanish

   Reliable NordVPN alternative suitable for beginners
   8.4
5. Bitdefender VPN

   Secure NordVPN alternative with plans that include an antivirus
   8.2
6. Norton VPN

   Secure and user-friendly alternative for NordVPN
   7.3

Best NordVPN alternatives compared

To find the best NordVPN alternative to fit your specific needs, comparing different providers to identify their benefits is essential. Before making a decision, it is best to consider several factors, such as security measures, speed, device compatibility, device limitations, and price. Each top VPN provider that could be regarded as an excellent alternative for NordVPN offers different advantages, whether you are looking for better prices, stronger security, or faster speeds. Below, you can find the key information of each provider to make it easier to compare it to NordVPN.

Each of the above VPNs are excellent NordVPN alternatives, but they all excel in different areas. Surfshark is a premium VPN that offers friendlier prices, many security features, and unlimited simultaneous connections. Proton VPN is a good choice if you want a privacy-oriented VPN with a free app version. If the main reason you are looking for a NordVPN alternative is price, you could switch to TotalVPN, as it is the cheapest VPN on the market. IPVanish is excellent for beginners as it is easy to use the app and guarantees fast speeds. Bitdefender VPN and Norton VPN are basic VPN providers that offer reliable services and plans with antivirus software.

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Overview of NordVPN alternatives

Although NordVPN is a premium VPN provider offering top-notch services, there are quite a few alternatives that provide different yet competitive benefits. I tested over 20 VPN providers to identify the best VPNs and found Surfshark and Proton VPN to be the best NordVPN alternatives in 2025.

1. Surfshark – the best overall NordVPN alternative in 2025

Surfshark is the best NordVPN alternative in 2025 as it offers a wide selection of servers, advanced security features, and budget-friendly prices. Unlike NordVPN, Surshark does not limit the number of devices, so you can protect all personal devices.

Surfshark has 3200+ RAM-only servers in 100 countries, including P2P, Dedicated IP, and MultiHop servers that route your traffic through two locations simultaneously. Due to the fast WireGuard protocol, Surfshark provides excellent speeds, similar to NordVPN’s. After trying servers in the UK, US, and Germany, the average download speed remained 462Mbps. I was also pleasantly surprised that I encountered no issues with Surfshark and could unlock services NordVPN granted access to. I bypassed error messages and streamed content on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock without any slowdowns.

Like NordVPN, Surfshark provides military-grade AES-265 encryption and a strict no-logs policy. However, it’s based in the Netherlands, part of the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance. Despite this, Surfshark also has advanced security features like a kill switch, which disconnects the internet in case of any VPN connection interruptions. CleanWeb is also helpful in blocking malicious websites, ads, and trackers. You can use Surfshark on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Setting up Surfshark on routers, smart TVs, and consoles is possible. The most significant advantage of Surfshark compared to NordVPN is that Surfshark does not limit the number of devices you can use with your subscription.

If you are interested in Surfshark, you can get it for as little as $1.99/month, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also check out our coupon codes for the best deals. To test it first, you can get Surfshark’s 7-day free trial on Google Play and Apple App Stores.

For a deeper investigation, read our Surfshark VPN review.

2. Proton VPN – the best free NordVPN alternative

Proton VPN is another top alternative for NordVPN, as it is a free yet privacy-focused VPN provider with many servers worldwide. Even though free, it offers advanced security measures and excellent geo-restriction unblocking capabilities.

Proton VPN offers 9900+ high-speed servers in 117 countries, even more than NordVPN. You can even connect to Secure Core servers routed through multiple servers simultaneously. With Proton VPN’s 10 Gbps servers and the fast WireGuard protocol, you should have no buffering issues or delays. I tested Proton VPN, and the average download speed was 438Mbps. It also surprised me with excellent geo-restriction bypassing capabilities. Like NordVPN, Proton VPN unlocked Netflix, Disney+, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

Proton VPN uses robust AES-256 encryption and has a strict no-logs policy. It is based in Switzerland, which has stringent privacy laws and is not a part of any surveillance alliances, just like NordVPN. I also liked Proton VPN’s Stealth protocol, which provides obfuscation. Proton VPN has many security features, including the necessary kill switch and split tunneling. There is also a NetShield Ad-blocker, which blocks intrusive ads and websites. While the free version is only available on one device, you can use Proton VPN’s paid subscription on up to 10 devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can also set it up on routers, consoles, and smart TVs. Proton VPN is one of the best NordVPN alternatives because it offers a free app version that guarantees users' privacy.

Proton VPN’s starting price is $3.59/month, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Proton VPN coupon codes are also available to get the best deal possible. While there are no free trials, you can use its free app version to test it out before committing to a long-term plan.

Other alternatives to NordVPN that are worth considering

Surfshark is the best overall NordVPN alternative, providing excellent performance and robust features. Proton VPN is the only secure and free NordVPN alternative. However, my extensive testing showed that a few other VPN providers could be considered good NordVPN alternatives. While they might not be as strong contenders as NordVPN or Surfshark, these few other VPNs can still be the right fit for your specific needs.

3. TotalVPN – best for competitive pricing and simplicity

TotalVPN is the best choice if your main concern is price. Although It offers a limited number of servers, it is the cheapest NordVPN alternative that still guarantees privacy.

TotalVPN is a decent NordVPN alternative as it has some significant similarities. Like NordVPN, TotalVPN uses the standard AES-256 encryption and adheres to a strict no-logs policy that guarantees online traffic privacy. You can also use the subscription on eight devices and set it up on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS devices, and routers. With TotalVPN, you will also get the necessary features that NordVPN offers, such as a kill switch and IP and DNS leak protection.

However, TotalVPN has only 50+ servers in 35 countries, which is way less than NordVPN. You get almost no other additional features with your TotalVPN subscription. I also tested TotalVPN in terms of speed and geo-restrictions bypassing, and the results were not as impressive as NordVPNs. The average download speed of TotalVPN was 417Mbps, and it only unblocked Netflix and Peacock.

TotalVPN costs as little as $1.59/month. Unfortunately, It does not offer a free trial, but it has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free.

4. IPVanish – best for speed and security

IPVanish is another NordVPN alternative worth considering if you want a user-friendly VPN with no device limits. It is easy to navigate, even for beginners, and offers competitive prices.

IPVanish is a reputable VPN, but it cannot guarantee the same benefits as NordVPN in some criteria. Unlike NordVPN, IPVanish is based in the US, part of the Five Eyes alliance. Also, IPVanish has 2400+ servers in 109 countries, which is a decent number, but it does not compare to the number of NordVPN’s servers. While IPVanish has the WireGuard protocol, the speeds were slower than NordVPN's, as the average speed stayed at 418Mbps.

On the other hand, IPVanish performs similarly to NordVPN in bypassing geo-restrictions. With IPVanish, I could stream Netflix, Peacock, Disney+, and Hulu without issues. IPVanish is a secure and reliable VPN offering military-grade AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy. What makes IPVanish a good NordVPN alternative is that it does not limit the number of simultaneous connections.

IPVanish costs $2.19/month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. To get the best deal, you can check our IPVanish coupon codes. Also, it has a 7-day free trial that allows you to test it out first.

For a deeper investigation of IPVanish, read our IPVanish VPN review.

5. Bitdefender VPN – best for advanced malware protection

Bitdefender VPN is a worthy NordVPN alternative if you need a VPN and antivirus service for total security. Bitdefender VPN is a basic yet reliable and secure VPN provider.

Like NordVPN, Bitdefender guarantees privacy as it is based in Romania, which is not part of any surveillance alliances. It provides all the necessary security measures like robust AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy. You can also use a kill switch, split tunneling, and IP and DNS leak protection features. It is a good NordVPN alternative because you can get plans that include VPN and antivirus services to protect yourself from malware.

Despite this, Bitdefender VPN offers no specialized servers, while NordVPN provides P2P, Double VPN, and Obfuscated servers. It also offers fewer servers, as you can access 4000+ servers in 50 countries. I also tested Bitdefender VPN’s average speed, which was 414Mbps, less than NordVPN. Additionally, Bitdefender VPN only unlocked Netflix and Peacock.

You can get Bitdefender VPN for $2.92/month, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Some Bitdefender VPN coupon codes are also available. If you want to test it first, Bitdefender VPN has a 7-day free trial.

For a deeper investigation of Bitdefender VPN, read our Bitdefender VPN review.

6. Norton VPN – best for existing Norton security users

Norton VPN is a basic yet reliable NordVPN alternative suitable for simple browsing VPNs. The app is easy to use and especially convenient to integrate if you already use Norton antivirus.

With Norton VPN, you can secure your privacy as it uses all the necessary security measures, just like NordVPN. Norton VPN uses the standard AES-256 encryption and has a strict no-logs policy. You can also use common VPN features like kill switch, split tunneling, and IP and DNS leak protection. Norton VPN also offers the stable WireGuard protocol, which performs as well as NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol. Norton VPN also performs well in bypassing geo-restrictions, as I had no issues accessing Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Peacock.

While Norton VPN is a secure and reliable VPN provider, it lacks in some areas compared to NordVPN. Norton VPN guarantees privacy, but it does not offer many additional features. I also tested Norton VPN's average speed and it was only 398Mbps, which is way less than NordVPN.

Norton VPN's starting price is $1.67/month. Annual plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee, and monthly plans offer a 14-day guarantee. If you want to test it first, a 7-day free trial is available.

For a deeper investigation of Norton VPN, read our Norton VPN review.

Why look for NordVPN alternatives?

The most common reason why users are looking for a NordVPN alternative in 2025 is price. While NordVPN is a premium provider offering reliable services and many advanced features, the price is high according to its users. Even though NordVPN offers excellent discounts, the price usually increases after the renewal of your subscription, which makes NordVPN a quite expensive provider. Apart from price, the reasons why users look for a NordVPN alternative vary, depending on each user's needs. Some users are experiencing occasional issues, are not happy with the interface, or want to use the subscription on more devices.

After reading multiple Reddit threads where NordVPN users shared their insights, it seems that many of them are interested in other VPN providers. While there are many VPNs available, and every user has different use cases and requires different benefits, it is not that easy to find an alternative for NordVPN. Many Reddit users identified Proton VPN and Mullvad as great options to replace NordVPN as they focus on privacy. However, when comparing functionality, price, and overall value, it seems that NordVPN is still a better option.

If you are interested in a NordVPN alternative, it is important to choose a provider depending on your specific needs and use case. NordVPN is a premium, reliable, and secure VPN provider, but it is still worth checking out other providers to find one that might suit your needs better. If you are unsure about switching VPN providers, I recommend choosing one that offers a free trial, such as Surfshark. This way, you will be able to test the new VPN provider without limitations without risking your money.

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Conclusion: select the right NordVPN alternative for your needs

NordVPN is a widely-used VPN provider that offers premium services. While it is one of the most reliable and secure VPNs, some users seek NordVPN alternatives. Even though NordVPN provides many additional features, it is not the cheapest VPN provider, so users are switching to other providers. Additionally, some users require different features, app interfaces, or speeds. You must evaluate your VPN use cases and requirements to find the best NordVPN alternative for your specific needs.

I tried finding the best provider to replace NordVPN by testing over 20 VPNs. After extensive testing, Surfshark proved to be the best NordVPN alternative in 2025. Surfshark is a great NordVPN alternative as it provides premium services with fast speeds, many additional features, and successful geo-restriction bypassing capabilities. The best part is that Surfshark does not limit the number of devices and offers affordable prices. Additionally, there is a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can test before committing to a long-term subscription.

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FAQ

Is there anything better than NordVPN?

No, there is nothing better than NordVPN, but Surfshark offers similar benefits. Just like NordVPN, Surfshark offers a wide selection of servers, robust encryption, and a strict no-logs policy. Surfshark is also a premium VPN provider offering many advanced security features to enhance your online privacy. What makes Surfshark stand out is that it has no device limits and offers better prices than NordVPN.

Are NordVPN alternatives as secure as NordVPN?

No, NordVPN alternatives are not as secure as NordVPN. However, Surfshark and Proton VPN, the best NordVPN alternatives, also offer military-grade AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy. Both NordVPN alternatives are privacy-focused VPN providers, offering many advanced security measures to add an extra layer of protection to your online privacy.

Which NordVPN alternative offers the best streaming experience?

Surfshark is a great NordVPN alternative that offers the best streaming experience. Extensive testing has shown that Surfshark can bypass geo-restrictions of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other popular services. Surfshark offers over 3200 servers in 100 countries, meaning that you can access different streaming service libraries from anywhere. Due to the fast WireGuard protocol, you will have no buffering or lagging issues.

Which VPN is cheaper than NordVPN?

Surfshark, TotalVPN, IPVanish, Bitdefender VPN, and Norton VPN are cheaper than NordVPN. These VPN providers' prices vary from $1.59/month to $3.33/month. NordVPN’s starting price is $3.09/month, which is quite expensive compared to other VPN providers. While NordVPN is a premium VPN offering many additional features, you can get cheaper VPNs that still guarantee online privacy.