Alternatives · VPNs
Lantern alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Lantern alternative for most people is Proton VPN (2.8 GPA), first in our ranking of VPNs. The best free one is Psiphon (2.8 GPA).
Lantern compared with 5 alternatives: Psiphon, Proton VPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear and Mullvad VPN.
Lantern has a free plan. Paid plans start at $3.63 per month on the 2-year Pro plan, billed every 2 years. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a Lantern sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| LanternThis tool | Free plan · from $3.63/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Psiphon | Free plan · from $2.88/mo | Yes | Windows, iOS, Android |
| Proton VPN | Free plan · from $83.88/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Windscribe | Free plan · from $3/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| TunnelBear | Free plan · from $3.33/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Mullvad VPN | From €5/mo | No | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
Price against what you get
Lantern starts at $3.63 a month and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 1 of the 5 alternatives on this chart scores higher and starts lower: Windscribe.
Proton VPN scores higher without starting lower. Psiphon and TunnelBear start lower without scoring higher.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Lantern
Psiphon
Free, open-source circumvention VPN with an ad-free paid tier
- Psiphon starts at $2.88 per month and up for Psiphon Plus; the billing term is not stated.
- Psiphon lists no macOS and Linux apps, which Lantern has.
- Psiphon does not cover ad and tracker blocking, which Lantern does.
Suits: People on networks that block or throttle VPNs
Proton VPN
Open-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap
- Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
- Proton VPN also lists a browser extension.
Suits: Trying a VPN for free without a data cap
Windscribe
VPN with a 10GB free plan and pay-per-location pricing
- Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Windscribe also lists a browser extension.
Suits: Light users who can live within 10GB a month for free
TunnelBear
McAfee-owned VPN with a 2GB free plan and pay-once multi-year plans
- TunnelBear starts at $3.33 per month on the 3-year Unlimited plan ($120 paid once).
- TunnelBear also lists a browser extension.
- TunnelBear lists no Linux app, which Lantern has.
Suits: Occasional users who need a VPN for a few gigabytes
Mullvad VPN
Flat-rate Swedish VPN with anonymous numbered accounts
- Mullvad VPN starts at €5 per month, the same rate for any length paid ahead.
- Mullvad VPN has no free plan, unlike Lantern.
Suits: People who want a VPN account with no email or name attached
Limits worth knowing in Lantern
- The free version has a daily data limit in most countries, and the pricing page does not state it.
- Server selection, ad blocking and use on up to 5 devices need Pro.
- By default Lantern protects only blocked and sensitive traffic; Full Tunnel has to be switched on to cover everything.
- Payment depends on where the app came from: Google Play and the App Store use in-app purchases, while desktop and direct Android downloads use cards or UnionPay through Stripe.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Lantern?
The alternatives to Lantern in this directory are Psiphon, Proton VPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear and Mullvad VPN. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Lantern.
Is there a free alternative to Lantern?
Yes. Psiphon, Proton VPN, Windscribe and TunnelBear have a free plan alongside paid ones.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.