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Alternatives · VPNs

X-VPN alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the best X-VPN alternative for most people is Proton VPN (2.8 GPA), first in our ranking of VPNs. It's also the best free one.

X-VPN compared with 6 alternatives: Windscribe, Proton VPN, Surfshark, Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear and 1 more.

X-VPN has a free plan. Paid plans start at $71.99 per year at renewal, after a first 24 months for $69.99. 5 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

Black Friday: is there a X-VPN sale?

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
X-VPNThis toolFree plan · from $71.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
WindscribeFree plan · from $3/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Proton VPNFree plan · from $83.88/yrYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
SurfsharkFree trial · from $79/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Hotspot ShieldFree plan · from $95.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
TunnelBearFree plan · from $3.33/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
BetternetFree plan · from $95.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension

Price against what you get

X-VPN starts at $6 a month when paid by the year and scores 3.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 6 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

Surfshark scores higher without starting lower. Windscribe and TunnelBear 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 lessX-VPNWindscribeProton VPNSurfsharkHotspot ShieldTunnelBearBetternet

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 X-VPN

  1. 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 is open source, according to its own site.

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

    Windscribe vs X-VPNWindscribe pricing and details

  2. 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 is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Trying a VPN for free without a data cap

    Proton VPN vs X-VPNProton VPN 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.
    • Surfshark has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike X-VPN.

    Suits: Households with more devices than a capped VPN allows

    Surfshark vs X-VPNSurfshark pricing and details

  4. 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.
    • Hotspot Shield lists no Linux app, which X-VPN has.
    • Hotspot Shield also covers malware protection.
    • Hotspot Shield does not cover ad and tracker blocking, which X-VPN does.

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

    Hotspot Shield vs X-VPNHotspot Shield pricing and details

  5. 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 lists no Linux app, which X-VPN has.

    Suits: Occasional users who need a VPN for a few gigabytes

    TunnelBear vs X-VPNTunnelBear pricing and details

  6. Betternet

    Ad-supported free VPN with an ad-free Premium plan

    • Betternet starts at $95.99 per year, or $11.99 per month.
    • Betternet lists no Linux app, which X-VPN has.
    • Betternet also covers malware protection.
    • Betternet does not cover ad and tracker blocking, which X-VPN does.

    Suits: Casual users who want a free VPN with no sign-up

    Betternet vs X-VPNBetternet pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in X-VPN

  • Free users choose from 26 regions; the global network, kill switch and split tunneling need Premium.
  • Premium's advertised prices are first-term prices: the 12-month and 24-month plans renew at $71.99 every 12 months.
  • Payments made with cryptocurrency, gift cards or phone credit are non-refundable, and app-store purchases follow the store's refund rules.
  • One subscription covers up to 5 devices at the same time.
X-VPN pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to X-VPN?

The alternatives to X-VPN in this directory are Windscribe, Proton VPN, Surfshark, Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear and Betternet. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with X-VPN.

Is there a free alternative to X-VPN?

Yes. Windscribe, Proton VPN, Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear and Betternet have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Is there an open-source alternative to X-VPN?

Windscribe and Proton VPN 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 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.