Alternatives to NordVPN
Large commercial VPN with the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
NordVPN
Large commercial VPN with the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as NordVPN.
ExpressVPN
Commercial VPN with RAM-only servers and its own Lightway protocol.
ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers, its own Lightway protocol and router firmware with published audits, but it is among the most expensive consumer VPNs and owned by Kape Technologies.
Surfshark
VPN with unlimited simultaneous devices on one subscription.
Surfshark adds unlimited simultaneous devices with RAM-only servers and multi-hop, but it is merged with Nord Security and its renewal pricing is also far higher.
Proton VPN
A VPN from the Proton Mail company with a free tier that has no data cap, and open source clients.
Proton VPN adds a free tier with no data cap and open source audited clients from a Swiss company, though streaming and peer-to-peer need a paid plan.
Private Internet Access
Long-running VPN with fully open-source apps and port forwarding.
Private Internet Access has fully open-source apps, port forwarding and a browser extension, but is owned by Kape Technologies and operates under United States jurisdiction.
Mullvad VPN
A flat-rate VPN service with anonymous account numbers instead of usernames, and open source apps.
Mullvad VPN charges a flat €5 a month with no long-term contracts, anonymous account numbers and open source apps, but limits WireGuard keys to five devices.
Windscribe
Canadian VPN with built-in ad blocking and a usable free tier.
Windscribe adds a free tier with a monthly allowance plus built-in ad and tracker blocking and open-source apps, but is based in Five Eyes member Canada.
IVPN
Gibraltar-based VPN with multi-hop routing and anonymous signup.
IVPN allows signup without an email, cash or Monero payment and multi-hop routing with open-source apps, but costs more than budget providers and has no free tier.
Mozilla VPN
A paid WireGuard-based VPN service from Mozilla that runs on Mullvad's server network.
Mozilla VPN runs WireGuard on Mullvad's server network for up to five devices with a 30-day refund, but has a smaller server network and no meshnet.
Also worth comparing
These listings name NordVPN as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
AirVPN
Activist-run VPN with OpenVPN, WireGuard and detailed server statistics.
NordVPN brings a very large server network, the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol and meshnet, but its infrastructure is closed and renewal pricing is much higher than the first term.
Astrill VPN
A commercial VPN service with a proprietary StealthVPN protocol for restrictive networks.
NordVPN offers a very large server network and the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol with threat protection, but renewal pricing rises sharply and it has no StealthVPN protocol.
Avast SecureLine VPN
A subscription VPN app from Avast for encrypting internet traffic on desktop and mobile devices.
NordVPN adds a very large server network, Linux support, the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol and threat protection, though renewal pricing is much higher than the first term.
Cloudflare WARP
A free WireGuard-based tunnel to Cloudflare that encrypts your traffic without pretending to be a privacy VPN.
NordVPN is a paid service with a very large server network and the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol, but renewal pricing is much higher than the first term.
CyberGhost VPN
A commercial VPN service with apps for desktops, phones, TVs, routers and web browsers.
NordVPN offers a very large server network, the NordLynx protocol and device meshnet, but has no browser extension listed and renewal pricing rises well above the first term.
F-Secure VPN
A paid commercial VPN service from F-Secure that encrypts your connection and hides your IP address.
NordVPN offers a much larger server network, Linux support and the NordLynx protocol with threat protection, though renewals cost much more than the first term.
hide.me VPN
An independent commercial VPN service with a free plan, WireGuard support and native IPv6.
NordVPN has no free plan but offers a very large server network, the NordLynx protocol and a Linux app, with renewal prices higher than the first term.
HMA VPN
A commercial VPN service, formerly Hide My Ass, with servers in more than 65 countries.
NordVPN offers a very large server network with the NordLynx protocol, threat protection and meshnet, though renewal pricing is much higher than the first term.
IPVanish
A commercial VPN service with apps for common devices and a verified no-traffic-logs policy.
NordVPN offers a very large server network, NordLynx, threat protection and a Linux app, but renewal pricing rises well above the first term.
Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection
A commercial VPN app from Kaspersky that encrypts your internet traffic on public and home networks.
NordVPN offers a very large server network, Linux support and the NordLynx protocol with threat protection, though renewals cost much more than the first term.
Mysterium VPN
A paid decentralized VPN that routes traffic through residential IP addresses in over 100 countries.
NordVPN uses a large conventional server network with NordLynx and adds Linux support, but its exits are not residential addresses and renewals cost more.
Obscura VPN
A two-hop privacy VPN that splits your identity and your traffic between separate operators.
NordVPN provides a very large server network with NordLynx, threat protection and meshnet, but uses closed infrastructure and a conventional single-provider account.
OVPN
A Swedish paid VPN service with a no-logging policy and diskless servers on hardware it owns.
NordVPN offers a very large server network with NordLynx, threat protection and a Linux app, but lacks a court-tested no-logs record and renews at higher prices.
PrivadoVPN
A commercial VPN service with a free tier, bundled with ad blocking and antivirus.
NordVPN has no free tier but provides a large server network with NordLynx, threat protection and meshnet, with renewal prices higher than the first term.
PrivateVPN
A Swedish commercial VPN service with apps for desktop, mobile and routers.
NordVPN offers a very large server network with the NordLynx protocol, threat protection and meshnet, though renewals cost much more than the first term.
PureVPN
A commercial VPN service with apps for desktop, mobile and TV devices and a large server network.
NordVPN has a very large server network with the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol and bundles threat protection and meshnet, though renewal pricing rises sharply.
StrongVPN
A long-running commercial VPN service with WireGuard support, SmartDNS and eSIM data in one plan.
NordVPN offers a very large server network and the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol, adds a Linux app, but renews at a much higher rate than the first term.
TorGuard
A commercial VPN and proxy service with stealth connection options and client apps, including Android.
NordVPN provides a very large server network and the NordLynx protocol across desktop and mobile, with renewal pricing well above the first term.
TunnelBear
A simple consumer VPN service with a limited free plan and apps for major platforms.
NordVPN is paid only but has a very large server network, the NordLynx protocol and a Linux app, with renewal prices higher than the first term.
VeePN
A commercial VPN service with desktop apps and browser extensions for hiding your IP address.
NordVPN adds macOS, Linux and mobile apps with the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol and threat protection, though renewal pricing is much higher than the first term.
VPN.ac
A commercial VPN service with WireGuard, OpenVPN and obfuscated protocols and servers in many countries.
NordVPN offers a much larger server network with the NordLynx protocol and threat protection, but no obfuscated protocols are listed and renewals cost more.
VyprVPN
A commercial no-log VPN service with apps for computers, phones and TV devices.
NordVPN covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS with a very large server network and NordLynx protocol, though renewal pricing rises sharply.
X-VPN
A commercial VPN service with a free tier and apps for desktop, mobile, TV and browsers.
NordVPN is paid only, with a very large server network, the NordLynx protocol and threat protection, and renewal pricing much higher than the first term.
ZoogVPN
A commercial VPN service with a limited free plan and apps for desktop, mobile and browsers.
NordVPN is paid only, with a very large server network, the NordLynx protocol and threat protection, though renewals cost much more than the first term.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Tailscale
Builds a private network between your own devices using WireGuard, without opening ports or running a server.
WireGuard
A small, fast VPN protocol and set of official clients that connect two machines by exchanging public keys.
DNS Leak Test
A web test that shows which DNS servers your connection is actually using.
Norton 360
A paid security suite combining antivirus, a VPN, identity protection and scam detection.
