Top 10 Best Proton VPN Alternatives – Free and Paid VPN Services

Which is the best Proton VPN alternative today? What VPN is better than Proton VPN? Is ExpressVPN better than Proton VPN? Well, these are just among the questions many of our readers ask. In this round-up, find out everything about Proton VPN and some of the best VPNs that can match it, both free and paid VPNs.

What is Proton VPN?

Proton VPN is among the most popular VPNs around. If you check the interest of this VPN provider in the last two years, you can tell it is a household name. Started in 2017, the brand is owned and operated by Proton AG, a Swiss venture with a mission to make privacy and security available to all.

Proton VPN Features At A Glance

Proton VPN is undoubtedly one of the best VPN brands around. The provider is known for excellent security and privacy. Besides, ProtonVPN has several other applications, including content access and gaming. The VPN works with multiple platforms, including PCs (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile devices (iOS and Android), routers, gaming consoles, streaming devices, etc. You can connect a maximum of 10 devices simultaneously.

Top 10 Best Proton VPN Alternatives

Indeed, Proton VPN is a great VPN whether you are looking for a free or paid VPN. It offers excellent security, and privacy is guaranteed. We like the vast server network and the decent speeds and performance, especially when using Plus Servers. Proton VPN is also a good VPN for unblocking Netflix and torrenting. It is also a reliable VPN for gaming, among other applications.

All said and done, there are many users out there hunting for Proton VPN alternatives. Maybe you are unsatisfied with the service, so you are looking for a better VPN than Proton VPN to fill the gap. You may also be a new user who wants to settle on Proton VPN, but you are not sure whether it is the best choice.

In either scenario, this review suffices. We have done all the heavy lifting to create this list of the top 10 best alternatives for Proton VPN.

	Encryption	Protocols	Privacy	Servers	Streaming	Torrenting
Proton VPN	AES 256-bit encryption	IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Stealth	Based in Switzerland, No Log Policy	Over 2,900 Servers in 69+ Countries	- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, ESPN, Disney, etc	- Has torrenting and P2P servers
NordVPN	AES 256-bit encryption	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard (NordLynx)	Based in Panama, No-Log Policy	Over 5,300 Servers in 69+	- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, ESPN, Disney, etc	- Has torrenting and P2P servers
ExpressVPN	AES 256-bit encryption	PPTP, SSTP, L2TP, IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPSec, and Lightway	Based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), No-Log Policy	Over 5,300 Servers in 65+ countries	- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, ESPN, Disney, etc	- Has torrenting and P2P servers
Surfshark	AES 256-bit encryption	IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard	Based in the Netherlands, Questionable Log Policy	Over 3,200 Servers in 65+ countries	- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, ESPN, Disney, etc	- Has torrenting and P2P servers
Windscribe	AES 256-bit encryption	IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, Stealth, and Websocket Stealth	Based in Canada, Questionable Log Policy	600 servers in 63 countries
Private Internet Access (PIA)	AES-256 (CBC/GCM) and AES-128 (CBC/GCM)	WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.	Based in the US, Questionable Log Policy	35,000 servers in 78+ countries	- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, ESPN, Disney, etc	- Has torrenting and P2P servers
CyberGhost	AES 256-bit encryption	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard	Based in Romania, 100% no-log VPN	7700+ servers in 91+ countries	- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, DAZN, YouTube, Disney, etc	- Has torrenting and P2P servers
Atlas VPN	AES 256-bit encryption	IKEv2/IPSec and WireGuard only	Based in the US, Questionable Log Policy	750 servers in 45 locations	- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, ESPN, Disney, etc.	- Has torrenting and P2P servers
VyprVPN	AES 256-bit encryption	PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2, WireGuard®, OpenVPN™, and Chameleon™	Based in Switzerland, No Log Policy	700 servers in 70 countries	- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, Disney, etc.	- Has torrenting and P2P servers
TunnelBear	AES 256-bit encryption	WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.	Based in Canada, Questionable Log Policy	5,000 servers in 47+ countries
Hotspot Shield	AES 256-bit encryption	WireGuard and Hydra		3,200 servers in 80+ countries.	- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, ESPN, Disney, etc	- Has torrenting and P2P servers

1. NordVPN

At number 1 in this list of the best Proton VPN alternatives is NordVPN, arguably the best VPN brand ever. The company has been in business since 2012, when it was launched, and is owned by Nord Security. NordVPN works with all PC platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile devices, Android and iOS. This VPN is also compatible with routers, consoles, and streaming devices, just like Proton VPN.

NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs and deploys the same AES 256-bit encryption Proton VPN uses. As for tunneling methods, Proton implements 4 protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard (NordLynx). OpenVPN is the industry standard, while NordLynx, built around WireGuard, has been optimized for speed. Other extras include a network kill switch, split tunneling, DNS and IPV6 leak protection, SOCKS5 proxy, and double VPN.

As for privacy, NordVPN is based in Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction with no mandatory data retention laws. Besides, NordVPN’s no log policy is trusted. The company doesn’t keep logs of your activity and uses RAM-only servers, guaranteeing no data is stored.

NordVPN’s infrastructure comprises a vast network of over 5,300 specialized servers in over 60 countries. There are Onion over VPN servers, dedicated IP servers, Double VPN servers, and obfuscated servers. The speeds are excellent compared to Proton VPN. The average loss was 20%, which is impressive.

On content access, Proton VPN also excels. It reliably unblocks Netflix and other streaming sites such as Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. You can also use NordVPN for safe and secure torrenting and P2P sharing. Last, NordVPN is a gaming VPN with better speeds and low pings than ProtonVPN.

2. ExpressVPN

The second best Proton VPN alternative is ExpressVPN, which is owned by Kape Technologies. Since its establishment in 2009, it has remained a force to be reckoned with in the VPN industry and easily bruises off the likes of Proton VPN in several departments. Proton VPN is designed for all PCs (Windows, macOS, and Linux). There are also apps for mobile devices and other connected devices, including routers, gaming consoles, and streaming devices.

ExpressVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, considering it deploys the latest military-grade encryption, AES 256-bit encryption, alongside RSA-4096 handshake and SHA-512 hashing for authentication. Regarding protocols, ExpressVPN supports PPTP, SSTP, L2TP, IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPSec, and Lightway. For starters, Lightway is a proprietary protocol designed for faster speeds. As a matter of fact, ExpressVPN is faster than Proton VPN and even NordVPN. Extras include WebRTC and DNS leak protection, internet kill switch, and split tunneling.

As for privacy, this is also a great deal as the VPN is based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands (BVI). ExpressVPN is also a no-log VPN, so you shouldn’t worry about your data, especially personally identifiable data. We also like the wide server networks of over 3,000 servers in 94+ countries. In particular, we like TrustedServer Technology, an innovation that relies on RAM-only servers for reliability and guaranteeing privacy.

3. Surfshark

Third in this list of the best Proton VPN alternatives is Surfshark. Founded in 2018, Surfshark is owned by Surfshark Ltd and is an award-winning VPN brand. It is compatible with all devices, including PCs, mobile devices, routers, gaming consoles, etc. Interestingly, it allows for unlimited connections.

Surfshark guarantees robust security courtesy of the Advanced Encryption Standard 256-GCM encryption, SHA-256 hashing for authentication, and RSA-4096 as the key exchange. The VPN implements 3 protocols: IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. Extras include a kill switch, DNS and leak protection, CleanWeb, Camouflage Mode, etc.

Surfshark has an extensive network of over 3200 servers in 65+ countries. These are specialized servers, so you can do much more than protect your digital footprint. There are servers for streaming that enable Surfshark to unblock various streaming sites, including Netflix. There are also torrenting servers and optimized servers that offer decent speeds and low pings in gaming.

4. Windscribe

If you are looking for a free Proton VPN alternative, Windscribe is a good choice. It offers a free version of the software, just like ProtonVPN. Windscribe is a versatile VPN that works with all devices. There are apps for PC platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile devices (Android and iOS), streaming devices, routers etc. One advantage of Windscribe is you can connect unlimited devices.

Windscribe boasts excellent security courtesy of AES 256-bit encryption complemented by SHA512 for authentication and 4096-bit RSA keys. It implements 5 protocols: IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, Stealth, and Websocket Stealth. On privacy, we are glad Windscribe has a no-log policy, a strict one for that matter. Furthermore, this VPN relies on RAM-only servers, meaning all data is wiped out after rebooting.

Windscribe has a small server network of around 600 servers in 63 countries. All are physical servers but are not as specialized as those of top VPNs. The servers are reliable but don’t guarantee fast speeds. On average, Windscribe lost speeds by up to 60%.

The VPN is also based in Canada, which is not a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. You also can’t rely on Windscribe to unblock Netflix and several other streaming sites, and the speeds are generally slow compared to the likes of ExpressVPN and Surfshark. Download Windscribe and give it a try today.

5. Private Internet Access (PIA)

Another good VPN that can be a substitute for Proton VPN is Private Internet Access (PIA). While it is not a free VPN, you can take advantage of the free trial to gauge its performance. Private Internet Access is compatible with various devices, including PCs, mobile devices, routers, consoles, etc. It allows a maximum of 10 simultaneous connections.

Like all VPNs in this list, PIA promises airtight security by deploying two of the strongest encryption technologies: AES-256 (CBC/GCM) and AES-128 (CBC/GCM). Regarding protocols, it implements WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Interestingly, PIA also has a SOCKS5 proxy for added security. As for privacy, we are glad this is a 100% no-log VPN, so you can rest assured your data is not logged.

One of the standout features of PIA is the ultrawide server network of over 35,000 servers in 78+ countries. If you are into torrenting, this is the best VPN, as all servers are P2P friendly. The VPN is also suitable for streaming. It managed to unblock many streaming sites, including Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, DAZN, Disney+, and ESPN.

6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost can also be an alternative to Proton VPN, but it is not free. Kape Technologies, the same company behind Private Internet Access, owns CyberGhost. CyberGhost also offers all-round protection for PCs, mobile devices, routers, consoles, and streaming devices, among others. You can connect a maximum of 7 devices on a single license.

CyberGhost is a secure VPN that deploys military-grade encryption, AES 256-bit, to be precise. The VPN implements 3 protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard. We also acknowledge the security extras such as DNS and IP leak protection, automatic kill switch, and split tunneling.

Like PIA, CyberGhost also has a robust server architecture comprising over 7700+ servers in 91+ countries. All these servers are P2P-friendly, so torrenting is supported. Besides torrenting, you can rely on CyberGhost as a VPN for Netflix. It also unlocks several other streaming sites, such as Hulu, Disney+, ESPN, DAZN, BBC iPlayer, etc.

7. Atlas VPN

Another free VPN that can replace Proton VPN is Atlas VPN, established in 2019. It has become one of the most popular VPNs on the market. Atlas VPN is compatible with several devices, including PCS (Windows, macOS, and Linux) and mobile devices (iOS and Android).

AtlasVPN has a free version. Moreso, you can connect unlimited devices on a single license. Regarding security, this VPN deploys banking-grade AES 256-bit encryption and implements 2 protocols: IKEv2/IPSec and WireGuard only. As for extras, we have DNS Leak Protection, an internet kill switch, split tunneling, SafeSwap, and MultiHop+.

The AtlasVPN servers network consists of over 750 servers in 45 locations. While this is a small server network, we are glad the infrastructure boasts top-of-the-line hardware for reliability. There are also servers specialized for activities such as unblocking Netflix and other streaming sites and securely downloading torrents and huge files without the risk of ISP bandwidth throttling.

8. VyprVPN

You can also consider VyprVPN if you are looking for a reliable Proton VPN alternative. This is a robust VPN that offers excellent security and privacy. It is compatible with all devices, from PCs and mobile devices to routers, streaming devices, and consoles.

VyprVPN is a great deal when it comes to security. It leverages the latest military-grade encryption, dubbed AES 256-bit encryption, alongside 2048-bit keys and SHA-256 for authentication. The implemented protocols are PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2, WireGuard®, OpenVPN™, and Chameleon™. If you are looking for a VPN for China, this is the best choice, courtesy of Chameleon, which circumvents deep packet inspection (DPI).

Regarding privacy, we are glad this is a no-log VPN and has been audited. Besides, it is based in Switzerland, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. If you are looking for a VPN for unblocking Netflix, VyprVPN is up to the task as long as you connect to the right servers. This is also a VPN for safe and secure torrenting and P2P sharing. Other features include access to over 300,000 available IP addresses and Dynamic Server Switching.

9. TunnelBear

Even though it is not a household name, TunnelBear can also be a good replacement for Proton VPN. This is also a free VPN, just like Proton, and besides, it works with a range of devices, including PCs, mobile devices, routers, and others. What’s more? TunnelBear allows for unlimited simultaneous connections.

TunnelBear has apps for all devices, so whether you want to protect your PC (macOS, Windows, Linux) or mobile devices (iOS, Windows), it has got you covered. Another interesting thing is that you can connect unlimited devices on a single license, making it the best value for money.

Onto security, TunelBear deploys the latest encryption technology, AES 256-bit encryption, which is virtually impenetrable. As for protocols, TunnelBear implements WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Security is further beefed up by VigilantBear (network kill switch) and SplitBear (split tunneling). The server network is quite decent and boasts over 5,000 modern servers in 47+ countries.

10. Hotspot Shield

Closing this list of the top 10 best Proton VPN alternatives is HotSpot Shield, which, like Proton VPN, has a free version. In addition, it also supports multiple devices, including PCs and mobile devices, alongside routers, smart TV s and other streaming devices. You can connect a maximum of 5 devices.

HotSpot Shield doesn’t disappoint when it comes to security. It leverages AES-256 encryption, which is the industry standard in matter encryption. As for protocols, HotSpot Shield supports WireGuard and Hydra. WireGuard is lighter, while Hydra is optimized for speeds. Talking of speed, HotSpot Shield is a fast VPN optimized for streaming. It unblocks several sites, including Netflix and Hulu, among others.

This is also a VPN for torrenting securely without worrying about bans and bandwidth throttling. The VPN’s server network boasts over 3,200 servers in 80+ countries.

Wrapping Up

There you have it, folks: a detailed review of all the best Proton VPN alternatives that should be on your wishlist. Whether you are looking for a free VPN or a paid VPN, you have options.

Of course, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark should top your list as these are premium VPNs that pass the test in all departments, from security and privacy to speed and versatility. For those looking for the best free alternatives for Proton VPN, Windscribe, Atlas VPN, and HotSpot Shield suffice.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for any of the above VPNs to take charge of your online security and privacy and open a new world of entertainment opportunities!