The best NordVPN alternative depends on why you're switching. BambooVPN offers weekly and yearly plans and a free version with no ads in a simple one-tap app, Surfshark and Private Internet Access allow unlimited devices, Proton VPN has a free plan with no data limit and a Swiss base, ExpressVPN has polished apps across 113 countries, and CyberGhost gives you 45 days to ask for a refund.
Disclosure: we make BambooVPN. Every competitor fact here comes from the provider's own website or app store listing, checked on 21 October 2026, and we include NordVPN's strengths too.
Why people look for a NordVPN alternative
NordVPN is one of the strongest VPNs available: 7,186 servers in 150 countries, 10 devices at once, obfuscated servers and six Deloitte no-logs reports. People usually look elsewhere for one of these reasons:
- More devices: NordVPN allows 10 at once.
- A free version: NordVPN has none.
- A shorter plan: NordVPN's shortest plan is one month.
- A different company base: NordVPN is based in Panama.
- A longer refund window: NordVPN's money-back guarantee is 30 days.
NordVPN alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | Best if you want | Devices | Free version | Plans | No-logs audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BambooVPN | Weekly or yearly plans, a free version and a simple app | 10 | Yes, with no ads | Weekly or yearly | Not yet |
| Surfshark | Unlimited devices plus ad blocking | Unlimited | No | 1 month, 1 or 2 years | Deloitte, 2025 |
| Proton VPN | A free plan with no data limit and a Swiss base | 10 | Yes, 1 device | 1 month, 1 or 2 years | Securitum, 2026 |
| ExpressVPN | Polished apps, 113 countries | 10 to 14 | No | 1 month, 1 or 2 years; weekly in the iPhone app | KPMG, 2025 |
| Private Internet Access | Unlimited devices and lots of settings | Unlimited | No | 1 month, 1 or 3 years | Deloitte, 2025 |
| CyberGhost | The longest refund window | 7 | No | 1 month, 6 months or 2 years; weekly in the iPhone app | Deloitte, 2025 |
| NordVPN, for reference | 10 | No | 1 month, 1 or 2 years | Deloitte, 2025 |
Prices aren't included because they change often; check each provider's pricing page.
The alternatives in detail
1. BambooVPN: weekly or yearly plans, a free version and one tap
BambooVPN offers weekly and yearly plans on iPhone and Android: the yearly plan protects you all year and includes a 7-day free trial, and the weekly plan suits a short trip. It also has a free version with free servers and no ads. The app groups servers by what you're doing, such as streaming, gaming and work, and Pro adds BambooShield, a Kill Switch and Secure Core.
BambooVPN has 50+ server locations and covers up to 10 devices at once. Read is BambooVPN safe? for what it logs and collects.
Switch to BambooVPN if you want simple, year-round protection on the yearly plan, a weekly plan for a trip, a free version to start with, or the simplest possible app. See BambooVPN vs NordVPN.
2. Surfshark: unlimited devices
Surfshark allows unlimited devices on one account and lists 4,500+ servers in 100 countries. It has NoBorders obfuscation, Dynamic MultiHop, split tunneling and the CleanWeb ad blocker. Deloitte audited its no-logs policy in 2023 and 2025, and it's based in the Netherlands. Its 1- and 2-year plans include a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Switch to Surfshark if NordVPN's 10-device limit isn't enough. See BambooVPN vs Surfshark.
3. Proton VPN: a free plan and a Swiss base
Proton VPN's free plan has no ads and no data limit, though it covers one device and picks the country for you. The paid plan lists 21,842 servers in 149 countries, with a Stealth protocol, Secure Core and NetShield. Proton is based in Switzerland and has had five annual no-logs audits by Securitum, most recently in 2026.
Switch to Proton VPN if you want a free option or a company outside NordVPN's jurisdiction. See BambooVPN vs Proton VPN.
4. ExpressVPN: polished apps
ExpressVPN covers 113 countries and 214 locations with its own Lightway protocol and WireGuard, obfuscation and ad and tracker blocking. Depending on the plan, you get 10 to 14 devices. KPMG audited its no-logs policy in June 2025, and it sells a 1-week plan in its iPhone app.
Switch to ExpressVPN if you want a simple app with wide coverage and more devices. See BambooVPN vs ExpressVPN.
5. Private Internet Access: unlimited devices and settings
PIA allows unlimited devices across 113 countries and 180 locations, with WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2, obfuscation, multi-hop, port forwarding and the MACE ad blocker. Deloitte's latest no-logs report is dated December 2025. PIA is based in the USA, and its yearly plan includes a 7-day trial on mobile.
Switch to PIA if you need unlimited devices and like to fine-tune settings.
6. CyberGhost: the longest refund window
CyberGhost's longer plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee (14 days on the monthly plan). It lists 9,600+ servers in 100 countries and supports 7 devices. Deloitte audited its no-logs policy in 2025, it's based in Romania, and its iPhone app sells a 1-week plan.
Switch to CyberGhost if you want more time to decide whether to keep it.
When to stay with NordVPN
If you need servers in a very wide range of countries, obfuscated servers for networks that block VPNs, Meshnet or an audited no-logs policy with 10 devices, NordVPN is still a strong choice. Switching only makes sense if one of the reasons above matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free alternative to NordVPN?
BambooVPN's free version gives you a set of free servers in the full app, with no ads. Proton VPN's free plan has no ads or data limit but covers one device. NordVPN has no free version.
Which NordVPN alternative allows the most devices?
BambooVPN covers up to 10 devices at once. Surfshark and Private Internet Access allow unlimited devices, ExpressVPN 10 to 14 depending on the plan, NordVPN 10 and CyberGhost 7.
Is there a NordVPN alternative with a weekly plan?
Yes. BambooVPN sells weekly plans on iPhone and Android, and ExpressVPN and CyberGhost sell 1-week plans in their iPhone apps (checked 21 October 2026). See our full list of VPNs with a weekly plan.
Sources
Checked on 21 October 2026: NordVPN (servers, audit), Surfshark (trust center), Proton VPN (free VPN, audit), ExpressVPN (App Store), PIA (audit), CyberGhost (App Store) and BambooVPN (App Store, Google Play).
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