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Alternatives · VPNs

NordLayer alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded NordLayer alternative is OpenVPN (2.8 GPA). It's also the best free one.

NordLayer compared with 4 alternatives: NordVPN, OpenVPN, Firezone and WireGuard.

NordLayer is a paid product, starting at $8 per user / month, billed yearly ($10 billed monthly). 3 of the 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

Black Friday: is there a NordLayer sale?

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
NordLayerThis toolFrom $8/moNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
NordVPNFree trial · from $139.08/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
OpenVPNFree plan · from $7/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
FirezoneFree plan · from $50/yrYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
WireGuardFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

Price against what you get

NordLayer starts at $8 a month for each person and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 1 of the 4 alternatives on this chart scores higher and starts lower: OpenVPN.

NordVPN scores higher without starting lower. Firezone and WireGuard start lower without scoring higher.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$1$2$5$10$20More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessNordLayerNordVPNOpenVPNFirezoneWireGuard

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
The full chart of VPNs, and the best at every price

How each one differs from NordLayer

  1. NordVPN

    Subscription VPN with threat protection and Meshnet device links

    • NordVPN starts at $139.08 per year at renewal (Basic 1-year plan).
    • NordVPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.
    • NordVPN does not cover malware protection, which NordLayer does.

    Suits: Households covering up to 10 devices on one account

    NordVPN vs NordLayerNordVPN pricing and details

  2. OpenVPN

    Open-source VPN protocol plus business VPN products built on it

    • OpenVPN starts at $7 per connection or seat / month, billed annually.
    • OpenVPN has a free plan, which NordLayer lacks.
    • OpenVPN lists no browser extension, which NordLayer has.
    • OpenVPN is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • OpenVPN does not cover malware protection, which NordLayer does.

    Suits: IT teams giving employees and contractors remote access to company apps

    OpenVPN vs NordLayerOpenVPN pricing and details

  3. Firezone

    WireGuard-based zero-trust remote access for teams

    • Firezone starts at $50 per seat / year ($5 per seat / month billed monthly).
    • Firezone has a free plan, which NordLayer lacks.
    • Firezone lists no browser extension, which NordLayer has.
    • Firezone is open source, according to its own site.
    • Firezone does not cover malware protection, which NordLayer does.

    Suits: Small teams and homelabs on the free plan for up to 6 users

    Firezone vs NordLayerFirezone pricing and details

  4. WireGuard

    Free, open-source VPN protocol and tunnel software

    • WireGuard is free.
    • WireGuard has a free plan, which NordLayer lacks.
    • WireGuard lists no browser extension, which NordLayer has.
    • WireGuard is open source, according to its own site.
    • WireGuard does not cover malware protection, which NordLayer does.

    Suits: Administrators who want to run their own VPN between machines

    WireGuard vs NordLayerWireGuard pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in NordLayer

  • Every self-serve plan has a 5-user minimum; the Enterprise offer starts at 200 users.
  • Core and Premium require a dedicated-IP server, listed at $40 a month on yearly billing ($50 monthly).
  • Split tunneling, custom DNS and the browser extension are not part of Lite.
  • Each account allows up to 6 simultaneous connections; user provisioning and device posture monitoring are add-ons.
NordLayer pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to NordLayer?

The alternatives to NordLayer in this directory are NordVPN, OpenVPN, Firezone and WireGuard. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with NordLayer.

Is there a free alternative to NordLayer?

Yes. WireGuard is free to use. OpenVPN and Firezone have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Is there an open-source alternative to NordLayer?

OpenVPN, Firezone and WireGuard are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.