ProtonVPN is regarded as one of the safest providers out there. It’s a Swiss-based VPN known for impenetrable security and a certified no-logging policy, which grants 100% privacy and anonymity when browsing the internet.
In addition, ProtonVPN is pretty good for streaming, torrenting, and protecting multiple devices at the same time thanks to its 10 simultaneous connections. Saying that this provider is perfect would be a lie, though, as many people look for the best alternative to ProtonVPN.
If you’re one of them and you can’t “click” with this provider, you’re at the right place. Today, we discuss the best alternatives to ProtonVPN and present you with our top 4 alternative VPNs. They’re not only alternatives but also better and even cheaper overall, so you’ll want to check them out!
Why Do People Look for Alternatives to ProtonVPN?
As said, we’re talking about a high-quality provider that isn’t afraid of flexing its muscles. It improved a lot over the years, giving you not only security and privacy but also the ability to unblock some Netflix catalogs, download torrents anonymously, and enjoy 65+ server locations.
The reason to look for the best ProtonVPN alternatives lies in numerous factors, though. For example, compared to the best VPN providers, this one has average speeds and isn’t going to blow you away with performance, despite WireGuard support.
For me, another issue is its smaller server list. I mean, it’s not small per se, but with a bit over 3,000 servers in 65+ countries, it’s vastly inferior to an alternative like CyberGhost, for example. Not to mention that this provider fails to deliver 24/7 live chat support for free users.
In fact, its customer support is poor for a provider that isn’t cheap, which, I think, needs to be improved as soon as possible. One minor issue is device compatibility, where ProtonVPN doesn’t support as many platforms and devices compared to other similar providers.
Finally, people look for alternatives to ProtonVPN because of its pricing. Sure, it has a 100% free VPN with unlimited bandwidth but it’s not as great due to many limitations in terms of streaming, P2P, and server locations (it has only 3 of them).
Its paid plans, on the other hand, aren’t exactly cheap if you want to get the most out of them. This applies even to the cheapest 2-year plan that, at least, offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Therefore, if you don’t want to pay for it, you should take a look at the ProtonVPN alternatives below.
Best ProtonVPN Alternatives: Our Top 3 for 2024
Since the Swiss provider is paid by default, our top 4 alternatives are going to be premium VPNs as well. No free provider is going to be better than ProtonVPN but the ones we chose are, and they’re cheaper too, so you get to kill two flies with one hit.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is obviously far better than ProtonVPN, hence it’s a great alternative. It boasts 3,000+ servers in 105 countries and 160+ locations globally, which is far more than you’ll get with the Swiss rival. Being my favorite provider, I can confidently say it’s also the fastest one.
It offers the proprietary Lightway VPN protocol which outperforms WireGuard and makes ExpressVPN blazing-fast for streaming, torrenting, and browsing in general. Additionally, compared to ProtonVPN, we can say that ExpressVPN is even more secure.
It offers a no-logging policy audited by PwC and its British Virgin Islands jurisdiction ensures an even greater level of privacy. Needless to say, this provider will also be great for watching Netflix abroad, as all of its 3,000 or so servers are streaming and P2P-friendly.
But what about its device support? Well, ExpressVPN supports iOS, Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and other non-typical systems and devices. However, it does offer 8 simultaneous connections which are inferior to the 10 of ProtonVPN.
On the flip side, its device support is much better, as it supports routers, gaming consoles, and Fire TV Stick. In this regard, it is one of the best VPNs to use on a router. It has 24/7 live chat support too! And might I add, it’s surely among the best in the business due to how fast and helpful it is.
Finally, let me talk about its pricing. ExpressVPN isn’t my first thought when talking about cheap VPNs. Its longest 1-year plan comes with a 49% discount plus 3 free months, which dramatically lowers its price. Moreover, you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
This makes ExpressVPN very affordable, and despite not being cheaper than ProtonVPN, it is still a much better solution and alternative.
Still in doubt about ExpressVPN? Read our full ExpressVPN review to help you decide.
Pros
- Above average speeds
- Lightway VPN protocol
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
- Certified no-logging policy
- 24/7 support through live chat
- Extremely easy to use
Con
- It’s not the most affordable option
2. CyberGhost
Another ProtonVPN alternative I always recommend is CyberGhost. This provider is almost as awesome as ExpressVPN in terms of sheer performance and feature-richness. Its server list is humongous as well and you get around 9,500+ servers in 100 countries.
Dedicated servers are included, with P2P and streaming servers on the list. I found the addition of NoSpy servers great, as these servers are independently operated by CyberGhost in Romania, which adds a lot in terms of privacy and security.
Much like ProtonVPN, CyberGhost lacks nothing in this regard. Aside from 256-bit AES encryption, it has a no-logging policy with transparency reports that it publishes every 3 months. WireGuard support in CyberGhost is a bit better given its faster speeds and more stable performance.
Other notable features include an ad-blocker, a kill switch, and IPv6/DNS leak protection. With CyberGhost, you’ll find extraordinary device compatibility, which makes it usable even on your gaming console, Apple TV, and Android TV, although with 7 simultaneous connections.
And unlike ProtonVPN which dropped the ball with its support, CyberGhost has live chat support in English, German, and French. This alone blows ProtonVPN out of the water, especially if we consider that CyberGhost is way cheaper!
Yes, this provider is THE cheapest one on this list of the best alternatives to ProtonVPN and among the most affordable on the market. I recommend its 2-year plan with a sub-three-dollar monthly price and a 45-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans.
Believe me – this is also a far better option than ProtonVPN which is also wallet-friendly, what more can you ask for?
You can learn more about this affordable service in our CyberGhost VPN review.
Pros
- 9,500+ servers in 100 countries
- Great device compatibility
- Optimized for streaming and torrenting
- WireGuard support
- Very cheap 2-year plan
Cons
- Not the most user-friendly desktop client
3. NordVPN
I recommend NordVPN as one of the best ProtonVPN alternatives if you want a no-compromise experience at a slightly cheaper price. NordVPN is known for its huge server network of 5,500+ servers in more than 60 countries, which is better than ProtonVPN from the get-go.
One of the most important features is the presence of specialty servers. Therefore, you get P2P, obfuscated, onion over VPN, and Double VPN servers where the latter double your encryption and sure safe and secure internet browsing.
NordVPN built its reputation on cutting-edge technology, which became prevalent with the inception of its NordLynx protocol based on WireGuard. Thanks to it, it’s significantly faster than ProtonVPN, making it a better option for streaming in 4K or P2P activities.
NordVPN also has something called Threat Protection. There, you’ll find antivirus, malware protection, and CyberSec, a reliable ad-blocker. Its no-logging policy received three audits from PwC and Deloitte, and overall, this provider is safer and more secure than ProtonVPN. You can see why we consider it an interesting alternative.
Device compatibility is superior too because NordVPN offers native clients for almost all systems. With 6 simultaneous connections, ProtonVPN is a bit better here, but as always, NordVPN’s going to beat it with live chat support that’s available 24/7 on the site.
Price-wise, NordVPN is ever so slightly cheaper. Instead of a $5/mo for a 2-year plan with ProtonVPN, NordVPN offers its 2-year plan for less than $4/mo, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee for ALL plans, which makes it far more affordable for those on a budget.
Read our extensive NordVPN review to get a better picture of this provider.
Pros
- Threat Protection
- Proprietary NordLynx protocol
- Two audits on a no-logs policy
- 5,500+ global servers
- Its 2-year plan is cheaper than ProtonVPN’s 2-year plan
Cons
- VAT will bump the price in some countries
- Its Windows app has rare connection issues
4. Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is another great alternative to ProtonVPN. It’s a VPN with 3,200 servers in 100 countries, offering many more locations compared to its rival. In addition, the provider offers unlimited simultaneous connections, making it among the most valuable VPNs in 2024.
We like Surfshark because of its stellar performance, albeit, it’s a bit slower than ProtonVPN. On the flip side, the provider can unblock 25+ Netflix catalogs and comes with Dedicated IP servers, which you won’t get in ProtonVPN. Another perk is its MultiHop feature.
It’ll route your traffic through two servers of your choice, doubling your encryption. Surfshark comes with WireGuard support and the inclusion of an ad blocker is more than welcome. Compared to ProtonVPN, it also gives you many Static IP servers along with something called IP Rotator.
This feature rotates your IP periodically to ensure total anonymity. Even better, Surfshark offers a geo-spoofing function, which you won’t find in pretty much any other VPN. As a great ProtonVPN alternative, Surfshark includes an antivirus that can clean up your PC from malignancies.
On top of that, the VPN is fully P2P-optimized for safe and secure torrenting. Security-wise, it packs AES-256 encryption, a solid kill switch, and even RAM-only servers. Private DNS is here too, with an audited no-logging policy to make things as best as possible.
Now, Surfshark is much cheaper than ProtonVPN as well. Its 2-year plans are especially attractive, as they’re around $2 or so a month, which is way less than the $5/mo you’ll pay for ProtonVPN. Bear in mind that a 30-day refund policy is here for each plan, so again, the VPN is totally risk-free.
If you’re interested in a detailed analysis of this service, take a glance at our Surfshark VPN review.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Includes an antivirus
- Affordable prices for long-term plans
- RAM-only servers
Cons
- It could be faster
- Pricey monthly plans
Conclusion
To digress, ProtonVPN is, without a doubt, an awesome VPN that many users will find more than decent. With top-grade security, Secure Core servers, bank-grade encryption, and streaming capabilities, I doubt anyone will deem this provider bad.
However, the best ProtonVPN alternatives like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, NordVPN, and Surfshark are still far better choices for the price. Let’s be honest – ProtonVPN is all but cheap and if it were more affordable, it could be a much better provider overall.
If you want a cheaper, yet better service, CyberGhost and Surfshark are your best picks, as they cost double the less than ProtonVPN, yet, they offer much more to be excited about. NordVPN is also a lot cheaper and is more feature-rich than its Swiss rival.
Finally, I’ll mention ExpressVPN as my favorite alternative, although it’s not cheaper. However, this provider offers a zero-compromise experience that you won’t get with ProtonVPN. In the end, it’s up to you to choose, so read the article once again if you need to and take your pick.
FAQ
Let’s top it all up by answering a few more unaddressed questions.
Is ProtonVPN good?
Yes, it’s overall, a really good VPN. However, it’s not perfect and has numerous flaws that some users won’t be able to swallow. In that case, users can check our 4 best alternatives and pick one. They have one thing in common – they’re all better than ProtonVPN.
Are there free ProtonVPN alternatives?
Well, there certainly are but only if we’re talking about the free version of this provider. If you don’t like it for some reason, other safe options include Atlas VPN and PrivadoVPN. We think Atlas VPN is particularly great because it’s a no-log service with stellar speeds and streaming capabilities.
Alas, it’s limited to 5 GB a month, which is a bit underwhelming. PrivadoVPN limits you to 10 GB a month but it works with Netflix and allows P2P, unlike ProtonVPN.
What is the best ProtonVPN alternative?
For us, it’s definitely ExpressVPN. But if you’re on a budget and you don’t want to pay more, consider using CyberGhost instead. It’s basically 50% cheaper than ProtonVPN but offers more servers, better speeds, stronger security, and more responsive customer service.
