Surfshark Alternatives: 7 Top VPNs

TL;DR: Surfshark is fast and cheap, but it is not the right fit for everyone. The best Surfshark alternatives are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, Mullvad, and Windscribe. They range from free to about $13 per month. This guide ranks all seven by speed, privacy, streaming, and price so you can pick with confidence.

Surfshark works well for many people. But privacy is not one-size-fits-all. Some users want a bigger server network. Others want anonymous signup or a real free tier.

VPN use is now mainstream. About 23% of global internet users rely on a VPN, and that number has stayed steady for years. With so many people online through a VPN, the small differences between providers matter more than ever.

We compared pricing, features, and privacy records across the top providers. If security tooling is your wider goal, start with our guide to the best AI cybersecurity tools. Below are the seven Surfshark alternatives worth your money.

Quick Comparison: Surfshark Alternatives

VPN	Best For	Starting Price	Key Strength
NordVPN	All-around performance	~$3.09/mo (2-yr)	Fast NordLynx protocol + Threat Protection
ExpressVPN	Streaming and ease of use	~$2.44/mo (2-yr)	Lightway protocol, 105 countries
Proton VPN	Privacy and a real free tier	Free / ~$2.99/mo	Secure Core + unlimited free data
CyberGhost	Streaming on a budget	~$1.75/mo (2-yr)	Dedicated streaming servers
Private Internet Access	Unlimited devices	~$2.03/mo (3-yr)	Open-source apps, huge US coverage
Mullvad	Maximum anonymity	Flat ~$5.50/mo	No email signup, flat pricing
Windscribe	Flexible free and custom plans	Free / ~$5.75/mo	Build-A-Plan + generous free tier

Why Look for a Surfshark Alternative?

You should look for a Surfshark alternative when you need something Surfshark does not do best: a proven no-logs court record, anonymous signup, a genuine free tier, or a larger server network. Surfshark covers the basics well. But no single VPN wins on every metric. The right pick depends on your top priority, whether that is streaming, privacy, or price.

Some users leave over price increases at renewal. Others want independently audited privacy or open-source apps. A few need features Surfshark lacks, like double-hop routing through a privacy-friendly country. The good news is that strong options exist at every price point. You can also protect your devices further with the best antivirus software.

The 7 Best Surfshark Alternatives

#1 NordVPN: Best for all-around performance

NordVPN is the most complete alternative on this list. It pairs top speeds with a deep feature set.

What it does well. NordVPN runs on its custom NordLynx protocol, built for speed without giving up security. It also bundles Threat Protection to block ads, trackers, and malicious sites. The apps are polished, and connections are reliable across a large network.

Key features:

• NordLynx protocol built on WireGuard for fast speeds

• Servers across more than 110 countries

• Threat Protection ad and malware blocker

• AES-256 encryption and an advanced Kill Switch

• Up to 10 simultaneous device connections

Pricing. NordVPN starts at about $3.09 per month on a two-year plan. The monthly Basic plan runs $12.99. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Best for: Users who want one VPN that does everything well.

Limitations. Prices jump at renewal, and the many upsell tiers can feel confusing.

Try NordVPN

Want more picks like this one? See our full list of NordVPN alternatives.

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#2 ExpressVPN: Best for streaming and ease of use

ExpressVPN is the simplest premium VPN to use. It just works, which makes it great for streaming.

What it does well. ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol keeps speeds high on nearly any network. It unblocks a huge range of streaming services and keeps the app dead simple. If you want set-and-forget protection, this is it.

Key features:

• Lightway protocol with UDP, TCP, and Turbo modes

• Over 3,000 servers in 105 countries

• Works with Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more

• Independently audited no-logs policy

• Apps for routers, TVs, and every major platform

Pricing. ExpressVPN starts at about $2.44 per month on a two-year plan with bonus months. The monthly plan is $12.99.

Best for: Streamers and anyone who wants zero setup hassle.

Limitations. It costs more than most rivals, and the top tiers add features many users will not need.

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#3 Proton VPN: Best for privacy and a real free tier

Proton VPN comes from the team behind Proton Mail. Privacy is baked into everything it does.

What it does well. Proton VPN offers the best free plan in the business, with no data caps and no ads. Paid plans add Secure Core routing, which sends your traffic through two servers, one in a privacy-friendly country like Switzerland. It is open source and independently audited.

Key features:

• Free plan with unlimited data and no ads

• Secure Core double-hop routing on paid plans

• Servers in 129 countries

• NetShield ad and malware blocker

• Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws

Pricing. Proton VPN is free, or about $2.99 per month on a two-year plan. The monthly plan starts at $9.99.

Best for: Privacy-first users and anyone who wants a trustworthy free VPN.

Limitations. The free tier is limited to one device and five countries.

Try Proton VPN

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#4 CyberGhost: Best for streaming on a budget

CyberGhost pairs a low price with a massive server network. It is built for easy streaming.

What it does well. CyberGhost labels its streaming servers by platform, so you can pick “For Netflix US” and connect. It runs one of the largest networks around and adds NoSpy servers in its own Romanian data center for extra security.

Key features:

• Over 9,600 servers in 91 countries

• Dedicated servers optimized per streaming platform

• NoSpy servers in a self-owned data center

• Specialized gaming and torrenting servers

• Long 45-day money-back guarantee on long plans

Pricing. CyberGhost starts at about $1.75 per month on a two-year plan. The monthly plan is $12.99.

Best for: Budget streamers who want servers tuned for specific apps.

Limitations. NoSpy servers cost extra, and short plans are poor value.

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#5 Private Internet Access: Best for unlimited devices

Private Internet Access, or PIA, is a favorite among privacy tinkerers. Its apps are fully open source.

What it does well. PIA lets you connect unlimited devices on one account. Its no-logs policy has been proven in court, and every app is open source on GitHub. You also get deep control with split tunneling and the MACE ad blocker.

Key features:

• Unlimited simultaneous device connections

• Servers in 91 countries plus all 50 US states

• Fully open-source, independently audited apps

• Court-proven no-logs policy

• Split tunneling, RAM-only servers, and MACE ad blocker

Pricing. PIA starts at about $2.03 per month on a three-year plan. The monthly plan is $11.95.

Best for: Big households and users who want full app transparency.

Limitations. The interface feels dense, and speeds trail the very top providers.

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#6 Mullvad: Best for maximum anonymity

Mullvad takes privacy to the extreme. You do not even need an email to sign up.

What it does well. Mullvad gives you a random 16-digit account number instead of an account tied to your identity. You can pay in cash, crypto, or card. Pricing is a flat rate with no tiers and no tricks, and it has not risen since 2009.

Key features:

• No email or personal info at signup

• Random account number as your login

• Pay by cash, crypto, PayPal, or card

• RAM-based servers and Lockdown mode

• Open source with regular independent audits

Pricing. Mullvad charges a flat 5 EUR per month, about $5.50 USD, no matter how long you subscribe. Crypto payments get a 10% discount.

Best for: Privacy purists who want the least possible personal footprint.

Limitations. No discounts for longer terms, and it is weak for unblocking streaming.

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#7 Windscribe: Best for flexible free and custom plans

Windscribe offers the most flexible pricing on this list. You build the plan you want.

What it does well. Windscribe’s free tier is generous, with up to 10GB per month and unlimited devices. Its Build-A-Plan option lets you pay only for the locations you need. The R.O.B.E.R.T. tool blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level.

Key features:

• Free plan with up to 10GB per month

• Build-A-Plan starting at $3 per month

• Servers in 69 countries and 134 cities

• Unlimited simultaneous connections

• R.O.B.E.R.T. ad and malware blocker

Pricing. Windscribe is free, or about $5.75 per month on the yearly Pro plan ($69/year). Build-A-Plan starts at $3 per month.

Best for: Light users and anyone who wants to customize what they pay for.

Limitations. The free plan caps data, and the many options can confuse new users.

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How to Choose a Surfshark Alternative

Start with your top priority. If you want the best all-around VPN, NordVPN and ExpressVPN lead the pack. Both are fast, reliable, and easy to use.

If privacy is your main goal, look at Proton VPN or Mullvad. Proton adds Secure Core routing and a strong free plan. Mullvad removes personal data from signup entirely.

For streaming on a budget, CyberGhost is hard to beat. For a big household, Private Internet Access allows unlimited devices. And if you want a free or custom plan, Windscribe and Proton VPN both deliver.

Also weigh renewal prices, not just intro rates. Many VPNs raise prices after the first term. Check the money-back guarantee too, so you can test the app risk-free.

The Bottom Line

The best Surfshark alternative depends on what you value most. NordVPN wins for all-around performance. Proton VPN and Mullvad lead on privacy. CyberGhost and ExpressVPN shine for streaming, while PIA and Windscribe offer flexibility.

Any of these seven will protect your traffic well. Pick the one that matches your top need, then use the money-back window to confirm it fits.

Try NordVPN

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall Surfshark alternative?

NordVPN is the best overall alternative. It combines fast NordLynx speeds, Threat Protection, and servers in more than 110 countries. ExpressVPN is a close second for its ease of use and strong streaming performance.

Is there a free Surfshark alternative?

Yes. Proton VPN offers the best free VPN, with unlimited data and no ads on one device. Windscribe also has a generous free tier with up to 10GB of data per month and unlimited device connections.

Which Surfshark alternative is best for privacy?

Mullvad and Proton VPN lead on privacy. Mullvad requires no email or personal data at signup and uses a random account number. Proton VPN adds Secure Core double-hop routing and is independently audited.

What is the cheapest Surfshark alternative?

CyberGhost is among the cheapest, starting at about $1.75 per month on a two-year plan. Private Internet Access is also low cost at roughly $2.03 per month on a three-year plan, with unlimited devices included.

Which alternative is best for streaming?

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are the top streaming picks. ExpressVPN unblocks 100-plus services with fast Lightway speeds. CyberGhost offers servers labeled for specific platforms like Netflix US and BBC iPlayer.