The best NordVPN alternative for most people is Surfshark. Its 2-year plan costs $2.49 a month in its Black Friday sale ($67.23 for 27 months), it covers unlimited devices instead of NordVPN’s 10, and it renews at $79 a year, while NordVPN Basic renews at $139.08.
The best pick still depends on why you’re leaving. Choose PrivateVPN ($2.00 a month) for port forwarding, Proton VPN if you won’t pay at all, and Private Internet Access for the smallest first bill with unlimited devices. No VPN fully fixes two of the reasons: wanting an app on a Samsung or LG TV, and using a VPN in Russia. All prices are in US dollars, checked on 22 October 2026.
NordVPN Alternatives at a Glance
| Your reason | Best alternative | US price |
|---|---|---|
| Cheaper, with similar features | Surfshark | $2.49/mo for 27 months, then $79/yr |
| More than 10 devices | Surfshark | Unlimited devices; PIA too |
| Port forwarding | PrivateVPN | $2.00/mo for 36 months, then $72/yr |
| A free plan | Proton VPN Free | $0: 1 device, 10 countries |
| The smallest first payment | Private Internet Access | $56.94 for 26 months |
| A Swiss or EU company | Proton VPN (Switzerland) | Free, or $3.49/mo for 24 months |
| Use in Russia | Proton VPN or ExpressVPN | No VPN is reliable there |
| An app for Samsung, LG or Roku TVs | None exists: use a VPN router | — |
Why Do People Look for a NordVPN Alternative?
Mostly because of the renewal price. Here are the usual reasons, and whether switching actually solves them:
- The renewal price. NordVPN Basic costs $94.23 for its first 27 months ($3.49 a month), then renews at $139.08 a year, about $11.59 a month. Each alternative below lists a lower renewal price.
- Ten devices. One NordVPN account covers 10 devices at once, and a router counts as one of them. Surfshark and PIA have no limit.
- No port forwarding on regular servers. NordVPN offers it only with a paid add-on (see PrivateVPN below).
- No free plan. NordVPN has a 7-day free trial in the US and 14 other countries, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee, but nothing free forever. Proton VPN does.
- Russia. NordVPN told TechRadar in January 2026 that it doesn’t operate there.
- No app for Samsung, LG or Roku TVs. True, but no other VPN has one either, so switching won’t help.
- The 2018 breach. An attacker got into one server NordVPN rented in Finland in 2018 (made public in October 2019). NordVPN has since moved to RAM-only servers it owns and passed six independent no-logs assessments, so this is history rather than a current flaw.
Still unsure what you’d be giving up? Our guide to what NordVPN is and what you get covers the basics.
1. Surfshark: Best NordVPN Alternative for Most People
Surfshark is the closest like-for-like swap, for less money. Its Black Friday sale, live since 12 October, puts the 2-year Starter plan at $2.49 a month, and the One plan, which adds antivirus, breach alerts and private search, costs the same $2.49 for now.
- Price: $67.23 for the first 27 months, then $79 a year for Starter ($99 for One). Our Surfshark price guide breaks down every plan.
- Devices: unlimited on one account.
- Network: 4,500+ servers in 100 countries.
- Privacy: Deloitte checked its no-logs policy in 2023 and 2025, and every server has run from RAM since July 2020.
- Try it first: a 7-day free trial on its website for the 12- and 24-month plans, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on every plan.
The trade-offs: Surfshark isn’t a clean break from NordVPN’s owners, since both have sat under the same holding company, Cyberspace B.V., since early 2022, although they run separately (who owns Surfshark explains the link). It’s based in Amsterdam, in a 14 Eyes country. And it has no port forwarding: Surfshark’s blog says it “does not support port forwarding because it creates a potential network entry point”.
Our Surfshark review and Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison go deeper into speed and streaming.
2. PrivateVPN: Cheapest Alternative With Port Forwarding
If port forwarding is your reason, this is the cheapest fix. NordVPN doesn’t offer it on its standard servers or with its Dedicated IP, only with its paid Dedicated Server add-on, which runs in five cities (Paris, Berlin, London, Phoenix and Boston):
PrivateVPN supports port forwarding “on selected servers”, according to its website, and it’s also the cheapest VPN here per month: $2.00 a month for 36 months, paid as $72.00 up front, then $72 a year.
- Devices: 10 at once, the same as NordVPN.
- Network: 200+ servers in 63 countries, by its own count. That’s a fraction of NordVPN’s, so you have fewer servers to switch to when a streaming site blocks one.
- Company: PrivateVPN Global AB in Sweden, part of Miss Group, a Swedish web-hosting group that lists PrivateVPN among its brands.
- Guarantee: 30 days.
The catch is proof. NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN and PIA have all had their no-logs policies independently audited; PrivateVPN’s website doesn’t point to any such audit. Read our PrivateVPN review before you commit, and our NordVPN port forwarding guide for the other options.
3. Proton VPN: Best Free NordVPN Alternative
Proton VPN is the free VPN we’d trust. Its free plan has no ads and no data cap, but it covers one device at a time, runs at what Proton calls “medium” speed and connects you to servers in 10 countries that Proton picks at random. Streaming and P2P need a paid plan.
Its paid VPN Plus plan costs $3.49 a month for 24 months ($83.76), the same as NordVPN Basic, but it renews for less, at $83.88 a year. Plus covers 10 devices and 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries, and it includes port forwarding in its Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
Privacy is Proton’s strong suit. It’s based in Geneva, its primary shareholder is the non-profit Proton Foundation, and its no-logs policy has passed five annual audits in a row, the latest by Securitum, with every report public. Our Proton VPN vs NordVPN comparison found NordVPN better for streaming and security extras, and Proton better for torrenting.
Try Proton VPN’s free plan, or see our Proton VPN review and list of the best free VPNs.
4. Private Internet Access: Smallest Bill for Unlimited Devices
PIA costs the least up front. The offer our link opens is $2.19 a month for 2 years plus 2 months ($56.94), after which it renews every year. PIA’s regular order page also lists a 3-year plan at $2.03 a month ($79 for 39 months) that renews at $79 every three years, the cheapest renewal on this page.
- Devices: unlimited.
- Network: servers in 113 countries, including all 50 US states.
- Port forwarding: yes, but not in the US. PIA’s own server list on 22 October 2026 showed none of its 56 US locations supporting it.
- Proof: three Deloitte no-logs audits (2022, 2024 and 2025), RAM-only servers and open-source apps.
Two things hold it back. PIA is based in Denver, so it’s under US law, and it belongs to Kape Technologies, the London-based group that also owns ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. And it’s weak for streaming: Top10VPN’s October 2026 review found it no longer unblocks US or UK Netflix, and it managed 4 Netflix libraries to NordVPN’s 17. Our NordVPN vs PIA comparison goes through all 11 rounds.
See PIA’s current deal or read our Private Internet Access review.
5. ExpressVPN: Another Premium Option
If you want a different premium VPN rather than a cheaper one, ExpressVPN is the obvious candidate. Its Basic plan is $2.99 a month for 2 years plus 4 months ($83.72), then $99.95 a year, for 10 devices and servers in 113 countries, with post-quantum protection like NordVPN’s. It shares an owner with PIA (Kape). Our ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison has the full head-to-head.
What Each Alternative Costs Over Three Years
Intro prices are only half the story. Here’s what each plan costs over the first three years if you leave auto-renewal on, before sales tax:
| VPN and plan | First payment | Paid in 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| PrivateVPN, 36 months | $72.00 | $72.00 |
| PIA, 3 years + 3 months | $79.00 | $79.00 |
| Surfshark Starter, 2 years + 3 months | $67.23 | $146.23 |
| Proton VPN Plus, 2 years | $83.76 | $167.64 |
| ExpressVPN Basic, 2 years + 4 months | $83.72 | $183.67 |
| NordVPN Basic, 2 years + 3 months | $94.23 | $233.31 |
The Surfshark, NordVPN and ExpressVPN totals cover you until month 39 or 40. PIA’s 2-year offer isn’t listed because its offer page doesn’t state the renewal price.
NordVPN is the most expensive to keep, but there’s a workaround: cancel auto-renewal before your plan ends and buy a new deal as a new customer. Our NordVPN renewal discount guide shows how.
Is There a NordVPN Alternative With a Samsung, LG or Roku App?
No. Samsung, LG and Roku TVs don’t run VPN apps from any provider, so switching won’t get you one. Even PIA, which sells itself on device support, says so on its own TV pages:
NordVPN already has apps for TVs that allow them: Android TV and Google TV, Fire TV and Apple TV (tvOS 17 or later). For the rest, the fixes are the same whichever VPN you use: put the VPN on your router or share a connection from a computer. Our guides for NordVPN on a Samsung TV, an LG TV, Roku and a router walk through it.
Don’t switch for a Smart DNS feature either. Surfshark retired its SmartDNS in February 2026, and PIA’s help center now says its Smart DNS “is no longer compatible with streaming services”.
Is There a European or Swiss Alternative to NordVPN?
Yes. NordVPN is provided by nordvpn S.A. in Panama, within Nord Security, which has Lithuanian roots and its headquarters in the Netherlands. If you specifically want a European company:
- Proton VPN (Switzerland): the strongest pick, with a free plan and five public no-logs audits. Switzerland isn’t in the EU or any Eyes alliance.
- Mullvad (Sweden): run from Gothenburg and owned by its two founders. It charges a flat €5 a month, which Mullvad shows as $5.61, with no long-term discounts, and allows up to 5 devices. Our Mullvad vs NordVPN comparison covers it.
- PrivateVPN (Sweden): the cheapest European option, with the audit caveat above.
- Surfshark (the Netherlands): European, but in the same group as NordVPN.
What Works in Russia Instead of NordVPN?
Nothing reliably. NordVPN pulled its Russian servers in 2019 and told TechRadar on 24 January 2026 that it “does not operate in the region”. In the same report, Proton VPN said its Stealth protocol still works for many users, although “multiple attempts may still be required to connect”, and ExpressVPN said its connectivity there “remains generally functional”. Set up and test either before you travel. Our guide to NordVPN in Russia has the details.
When You Should Stay With NordVPN
For a lot of readers, the honest answer is not to switch. NordVPN is still our first pick if:
- Price was your only problem. Its Black Friday sale has been live since 21 October: Basic is $3.49 a month ($94.23 for 27 months), and Complete, which adds anti-malware, an ad and tracker blocker, the NordPass password manager and 1 TB of cloud storage, is $3.99 a month ($107.73). Our NordVPN price guide compares every plan.
- You stream a lot. Top10VPN’s review, updated on 22 October 2026, ranks NordVPN second of 59 VPNs for streaming, with 17 Netflix libraries, including the US and UK.
- You want the most-audited no-logs policy here. Six independent assessments, by PwC in 2018 and 2020 and by Deloitte in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
- You want a big network. 7,000+ servers in 150 countries, including about 2,500 in 55 US cities.
Already paid and changed your mind? NordVPN refunds you in full within 30 days; here’s how to cancel NordVPN and get your money back.
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FAQ
What Is the Best Alternative to NordVPN?
Surfshark, for most people. It costs $2.49 a month on its 2-year plan ($67.23 for 27 months, checked on 22 October 2026), covers unlimited devices instead of NordVPN’s 10, renews at $79 a year instead of $139.08, and its no-logs policy has been checked by Deloitte twice. If you need port forwarding, PrivateVPN is the better pick; if you won’t pay at all, use Proton VPN’s free plan.
What VPN Is Cheaper Than NordVPN?
PrivateVPN ($2.00 a month for 36 months), Private Internet Access ($2.19 a month for 26 months) and Surfshark ($2.49 a month for 27 months) all cost less than NordVPN Basic’s $3.49 a month. PrivateVPN and Surfshark also renew for less, at $72 and $79 a year against NordVPN’s $139.08. Prices are in US dollars, checked on 22 October 2026.
Why Do People Avoid NordVPN?
Mostly the renewal price: NordVPN Basic costs $94.23 for its first 27 months, then $139.08 a year. Other common reasons are the 10-device limit, no port forwarding on its regular servers, no free plan, and the fact that it no longer works in Russia. Its 2018 breach of one rented server is often mentioned too, but NordVPN has since moved to RAM-only servers and passed six independent no-logs assessments.
Is There a Free Alternative to NordVPN?
Yes. Proton VPN’s free plan has no ads and no data cap, but it works on one device at a time and connects to servers in 10 countries that Proton picks for you. Streaming and torrenting need its paid VPN Plus plan.
Is Surfshark Owned by NordVPN?
Not directly, but they’re related. Since early 2022 Surfshark and Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN, have shared a holding company, Cyberspace B.V. The two VPNs still run separately, with their own apps, servers and prices.
Which NordVPN Alternatives Offer Port Forwarding?
PrivateVPN (on selected servers), Private Internet Access (on most locations, but not its US servers) and Proton VPN (on paid plans, in its Windows, macOS and Linux apps). Surfshark doesn’t offer it, and NordVPN only offers it with its paid Dedicated Server add-on.
The Bottom Line
For most people, NordVPN itself is still the pick while its Black Friday deal runs ($3.49 a month for Basic). It isn’t if you need more than 10 devices, port forwarding, a free plan or a VPN for Russia, or if you simply want to pay less at renewal.
When you do switch, Surfshark is the best NordVPN alternative: it’s cheaper now and at renewal, covers unlimited devices and has a solid audit record. Pick PrivateVPN for port forwarding, Proton VPN for a free plan or a Swiss company, and PIA for the smallest first bill.
Get Surfshark’s Black Friday deal – or check NordVPN’s 2-year offer before you switch.
