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Alternatives · VPNs

Proton VPN alternatives

Proton VPN compared with 12 alternatives: Mullvad VPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Windscribe, ExpressVPN and 7 more.

Proton VPN has a free plan. Paid plans start at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88. 4 of the 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 4 more offer a free trial.

12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 17, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Proton VPNThis toolFree plan · from $83.88/yrYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Mullvad VPNFrom €5/moNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
NordVPNFree trial · from $139.08/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
SurfsharkFree trial · from $79/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
WindscribeFree plan · from $3/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
ExpressVPNFree trial · from $99.95/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
AirVPNPaidNomacOS, Windows, Linux, Android
CyberGhostFree trial · from $56.94/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
hide.meFree plan · from $2.69/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Hotspot ShieldFree plan · from $95.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
IVPNFrom $60/yrNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Mozilla VPNFrom $59.88/yrNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
PrivadoVPNFree plan · from $1.11/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

Price against what you get

Proton VPN starts at $6.99 a month when paid by the year and scores 3.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 1 of the 11 alternatives on this chart scores higher and starts lower: Surfshark.

NordVPN scores higher without starting lower. Mullvad VPN, Windscribe, CyberGhost, hide.me, IVPN, Mozilla VPN and 1 more start lower without scoring higher.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

C2.0B3.0A4.0$1$2$5$10$20More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessProton VPNMullvad VPNNordVPNSurfsharkWindscribeExpressVPNCyberGhosthide.meHotspot ShieldIVPNMozilla VPNPrivadoVPN

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 Proton VPN

  1. 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. Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN has a free plan. Mullvad VPN does not.
    • Only Proton VPN lists a browser extension.

    Suits: People who want a VPN account with no email or name attached

    Mullvad VPN vs Proton VPNMullvad VPN pricing and details

  2. NordVPN

    Subscription VPN with threat protection and Meshnet device links

    • NordVPN starts at $139.08 per year at renewal (Basic 1-year plan). Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN has a free plan. NordVPN does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Households covering up to 10 devices on one account

    NordVPN vs Proton VPNNordVPN pricing and details

  3. Surfshark

    VPN with no device limit, sold alone or in security bundles

    • Surfshark starts at $79 per year at renewal (Starter), after a first 27 months for $67.23. Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN has a free plan. Surfshark does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Households with more devices than a capped VPN allows

    Surfshark vs Proton VPNSurfshark pricing and details

  4. Windscribe

    VPN with a 10GB free plan and pay-per-location pricing

    • Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan). Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.

    Suits: Light users who can live within 10GB a month for free

    Windscribe vs Proton VPNWindscribe pricing and details

  5. ExpressVPN

    VPN with its own Lightway protocol, sold in three yearly tiers

    • ExpressVPN starts at $99.95 per year at renewal (Basic), after a first 15 months for $74.85. Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN has a free plan. ExpressVPN does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: People who want a VPN with apps for routers and TVs as well as computers

    ExpressVPN vs Proton VPNExpressVPN pricing and details

  6. AirVPN

    VPN service with Eddie, its open-source client for desktop and Android

    • Proton VPN has a free plan. AirVPN does not.
    • Only Proton VPN lists an iOS app.
    • Only Proton VPN lists a browser extension.
    • Proton VPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.

    Suits: Technical users who want full control over OpenVPN and WireGuard settings

    AirVPN vs Proton VPNAirVPN pricing and details

  7. CyberGhost

    VPN for seven devices with a 45-day money-back window on long plans

    • CyberGhost starts at $56.94 per year at renewal, after a first 26 months for $56.94. Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN has a free plan. CyberGhost does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Trying a VPN on a computer for a day without entering a card

    CyberGhost vs Proton VPNCyberGhost pricing and details

  8. hide.me

    Malaysia-based VPN with a no-signup free plan and flat renewal prices

    • hide.me starts at $2.69 per month, billed $69.99 every 26 months at the same price on renewal. Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: People who want a free VPN without creating an account

    hide.me vs Proton VPNhide.me pricing and details

  9. Hotspot Shield

    VPN with a free Basic tier and its own Hydra protocol

    • Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29. Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Only Proton VPN lists a Linux app.
    • Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.
    • Hotspot Shield also covers malware protection.
    • Proton VPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.

    Suits: Occasional users who want a free VPN on one device

    Hotspot Shield vs Proton VPNHotspot Shield pricing and details

  10. IVPN

    Privacy-focused VPN with no-email signup and open-source apps

    • IVPN starts at $60 per year (Standard), also sold at $6 a month or $2 a week. Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN has a free plan. IVPN does not.
    • Only Proton VPN lists a browser extension.

    Suits: People who want to pay for a VPN without giving an email or card

    IVPN vs Proton VPNIVPN pricing and details

  11. Mozilla VPN

    Firefox maker's WireGuard VPN, run on Mullvad's servers

    • Mozilla VPN starts at $59.88 per year (Annual plan, $4.99 a month), plus tax. Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN has a free plan. Mozilla VPN does not.

    Suits: Firefox users who want per-site VPN rules in the browser

    Mozilla VPN vs Proton VPNMozilla VPN pricing and details

  12. PrivadoVPN

    VPN with a 10GB free plan and ad blocking on paid plans

    • PrivadoVPN starts at $1.11 per month for a first 27 months (24-month plan); renewal price not stated. Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Light users who need a few gigabytes of VPN a month for free

    PrivadoVPN vs Proton VPNPrivadoVPN pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Proton VPN

  • The free plan covers one device and picks the server country for you from 10 countries.
  • The headline $3.49 a month is the first 24 months of VPN Plus; it then renews at $83.88 a year, and the 1-year plan's $53.88 also covers only the first year.
  • Ad and malware blocking, streaming and P2P are paid features; VPN Plus covers 10 devices.
Proton VPN pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Proton VPN?

The alternatives to Proton VPN in this directory are Mullvad VPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Windscribe, ExpressVPN, AirVPN, CyberGhost, hide.me, Hotspot Shield, IVPN, Mozilla VPN and PrivadoVPN. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Proton VPN.

Is there a free alternative to Proton VPN?

Yes. Windscribe, hide.me, Hotspot Shield and PrivadoVPN have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 17, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.