A virtual private network (VPM) is used to encrypt your internet traffic and to protect your online identity when using a VPN all of your traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel which gives security from any data snipping or theft. We cannot deny the fact that NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN service providers in the VPN market, they’ve been long in this industry and still thriving since their users trust them. But if you’re one of those users that are looking for alternatives to NordVPN then here are the best NordVPN alternatives that also offer maximum security.
Quick recommendation for June 2023
- ExpressVPN – One of the best VPN in terms of security and speed, beats NordVPN in terms of servers by country.
- CyberGhost – A prominent VPN service provider that outnumbers NordVPN in server count and countries where servers are located.
- SurfShark – Relatively new to the VPN industry but has been rapidly gaining popularity across gamers and internet enthusiasts.
- Private Internet Access – One of the most reputable names in the VPN industry, rivals NordVPN in terms of security and speed.
- IPVanish – A very popular VPN for torrenting because of its speed and uptime, beats NordVPN in P2P traffic connection.
What To Look For In An NordVPN Alternative
Not all VPNs are the same, so when looking for NordVPN alternatives you should look for the following feature in your next VPN services.
Better Speed
NordVPN speed has been improving and is now one of the fastest VPN servers but we cannot also deny the fact that some users are experiencing significant server downtime or slow connection from the server which is inevitable. Though they have specific servers for specific needs like gaming and torrenting, there are instances that the VPN can hamper speed instead of optimizing it. If you are one of NordVPN’s users that are experiencing those problems, you should look for a VPN that has a faster server or better yet VPN that has a server close to your location.
More Simultaneous Connection
If you think that NordVPN’s six simultaneous device connection is rather very limited for its price, then you should look for a VPN that offers more concurrent connections. Though there are always exceptions to this like ExpressVPN that offers less than NordVPN in terms of concurrent use they offer faster servers as their servers are strategically scattered in different locations around the world. Other than that if your main reason for switching out NordVPN is the number of devices that are supported then there are four best alternatives on this list.
Better Customer Support
Customer service is one of the most important features a VPN provider could offer to its customers, no matter how great a VPN is if their customer support is not timely or does not respond at all then even the most loyal customer would certainly be annoyed. To find the best NordVPN alternative it should have a great customer service that is available 24/7 in case something goes wrong with your VPN, luckily we find the best alternatives that offer great customer service around the clock.
Is There A Free Alternative To NordVPN
NordVPN offers monthly and yearly plans and some customers find it costly, so there are a lot of users asking if there are any free alternatives to NordVPN. Well, this is all we can say, free VPNs may work in encrypting your internet traffic or bypassing geo-restrictions but there is a lot at stake when you use a free VPN. since it is free and you don’t pay anything for it, then maybe you are one of their income streams as a user. They may track your online activities, place annoying ads all over the internet, compromise your security, slow down your internet, and they have unlimited data usage.
Free VPN alternatives can sell your online activities as they also need money for server maintenance and employee salary, there are also instances that they would track everything that you do so they can target you with ads and everything that is related to your browsing history. As the saying goes “if you’re not paying for the product you are the product” and in the case of free VPN your data is their income stream.
So as to speak, there are definitely free alternatives to NordVPN but you must be wary that there are consequences when using a free VPN. If you can stretch your budget then you better go for any of the NordVPN alternatives that we listed on this post, they give security and protection and there are much cheaper options like the SurfShark and offers unlimited concurrent use in devices.
Best NordVPN Alternatives in June 2023
ExpressVPN
Work on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, Sling TV, DAZN, and BBC iPlayer | 24/7 support: Yes | Trial period: 30-day money-back-guarantee | Number of servers: 3,000 | Server locations: 160 | Countries: 94 | Maximum devices supported: 5 for single subscription
ExpressVPN is one of the best virtual private networks that can beat NordVPN in terms of security and coverage of countries, while NordVPN has 5000+ servers they are only located in 54 countries. ExpressVPN has 3,000 servers that are located in 94 countries and are strategically placed for more optimized speed. And what is more impressive about ExpressVPN is that despite its already established servers, they are still steadily expanding to widen their reach. ExpressVPN’s headquarters is located at the British Virgin Islands so it is out of reach for US to reach and other countries that impose a data tracking system or the Eyes agreement that most VPNs are covered.
ExpressVPN uses the highest standard OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec security protocols, it also uses AES 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch to safeguard you when using VPN and the connection suddenly drops. With the security in place, you cannot deny the fact that ExpressVPN matches the security of NordVPN but with the faster server connection so you won’t feel a drop of internet connection while surfing or playing using ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try the service first before fully committing to a subscription, a single subscription supports 5 devices for concurrent usage. They have a 24/7 chat support in place in case you run into trouble while using their VPN, so you won’t have to wait for too long before getting it fixed. For those who want to pay a premium for a faster VPN connection then ExpressVPN is the best option.
CyberGhost
Work on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Streaming sites unblocked: Dedicated streaming profile with servers optimized for: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Comedy Central, Eurosport, ESPN, and others. | 24/7 support: Yes | Trial period: 45-day money-back-guarantee | Number of servers: 7,100+ | Server locations: Unidentified | Countries: 90+ | Maximum devices supported: 7 devices for single subscription
CyberGhost is a well-known virtual private network provider and one of the best NordVPN alternatives, in terms of server count it can outnumber NordVPN’s server. CyberGhost has 7,000+ servers located in 90+ countries compared to NordVPN 5,400+ servers in 54+ countries, and what’s more amazing is that CyberGhost is a Romanian based provider that does not follow data retention policy. It means that all of your data and activities will not be retained for future compliance if ever the government told them to do so, by this you can make sure your identity is well protected.
In terms of security, CyberGhost uses OpenVPN, L2TP-IP/Sec, and PPTP protocols that make sure your internet traffic is very secure as it goes from server to server so you can browse the web worry-free. It also features an automatic kill switch that safeguards you from the sudden drop of the connection while accessing restricted games or sites so you won’t get identified that you are using a VPN service, with 256-bit AES encryption is also vital security encryption that rivals NordVPN. All this security and extra features make CyberGhost a worthy rival for NordVPN in terms of security and speed.
Just like NordVPN, CyberGhost also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for you to try it within a month before deciding. It is all risk-free so you can have your money back if you opt not to continue your subscription, a single subscription offers concurrent security for 7 devices. They have 24/7 chat support that is placed in case you’ve had trouble with the VPN service they provide.
SurfShark VPN
Work on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, FireTV, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and others | 24/7 support: Yes | Trial period: 30-day money-back-guarantee | Number of servers: 1,700+ | Server locations: Unidentified | Countries: 63+ | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited devices for single subscription
SurfShark is one of the new faces in the VPN industry but that doesn’t make them inferior to any virtual private network services, it is a popular VPN among gamers and Redditors because of its affordability and iron-clad security that is very promising. They are headquartered in the British Virgin Islands so they don’t comply with any government’s data retention policy which makes them one of the safest VPN service providers competing with NordVPN. SurfShark has only 1700+ servers compared to NordVPN 5,400+ but in terms of countries where VPN servers are located, it reaches 63+ countries.
SurfShark does not mess with security as it uses OpenVPN (UDP and TCP) and IKEv2 with AES 256-bit encryption as their two major protocols to safeguard your data, identity, and everything else online. It also utilizes a kill switch just like NordVPN in order to protect its users from sudden connection drops which are bound to happen especially when gaming geo-restricted games or sites.
Unlike any other VPN services, SurfShark offers unlimited usage in all of your devices which makes them a very suitable NordVPN alternative for those in budget or has plenty of devices that need protection. SurfShark offers secure VPN for a very affordable price compared to NordVPN, making them the most gamer-friendly and budget-friendly VPN service provider on our list. SurfShark is a must-try VPN for those who are looking for a great VPN with a great offering and price.
Private Internet Access
Work on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, Comedy Central, BBC | 24/7 support: Yes | Trial period: 30-day money-back-guarantee | Number of servers: 3,200 | Server locations: 52 | Countries: 46 | Maximum devices supported: 10 for single subscription
Private Internet Access is one of the oldest VPN services around, they’ve been in the market since 2009 and have been gaining users since they are already have proven their VPN to be fast, safe, and secure. PIA has never been in any major breaches for the past years since they are using different security protocols to safeguard its 3,200+ servers in 52 countries all around the world. PIA uses OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec which are two of the most advanced security protocols to protect your internet traffic, and of course, it uses AES 256-bit encryption which is one of the best encryption there is which rivals the security of NordVPN.
PIA uses military-grade encryption and sophisticated algorithms to mask your data, you’ll be safe from any surveillance and hacking threats. There is also a kill switch feature that instantly stops your data transfer when a connection drops, keeping you safe from bans and IP leaks. PIA is very easy to use VPN, you don’t need to manually set everything since there are pre-made profiles that are available on one tap making PIA an ideal VPN provider. A very great alternative to NordVPN for those who don’t want to bother configuring their VPN.
NordVPN offers just 6 protection for a single subscription while PIA offers 10 concurrent protection on your devices, while still having a 24/7 chat support that you can run to in case you run into problems. The 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to try the service first before fully committing, all is risk-free.
IPVanish
Work on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and others | 24/7 support: Yes | Trial period: 30-days money-back-guaranteed | Number of servers: 1,500+ | Server locations: Unidentified | Countries: 75+ | Maximum devices supported: 10 for single subscription
For those who are using a VPN for torrenting, IPVanish is the best alternative to NordVPN in terms of P2P traffic. IPVanish has more than 1,500+ servers scattered across the world, even though it is less than NordVPN server count it offers excellent performance without downtime so torrenting is never interrupted. Browse the web and download torrents fast and safely with IPVanish, gain access to restricted sites and games without slowing your internet connection with its fast and fully optimized servers.
In terms of security, IPVanish is one of the most secure VPN services in the market. It has implemented AES 256-bit encryption, it also offers an IKEv2 and OpenVPN (TC and UDP), L2TP, and PPTP which you can choose but we recommend choosing OpenVPN for maximum protection. IPVanish offers you an extreme level of safety and security, especially when accessing a data-sensitive site on mobile devices.
Download torrents play restricted games and contents while still being safe with IPvanish’s military-grade security, they offer 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you protect up to 10 devices simultaneously. A 24/7 chat support that you can contact in case of problems with the VPN service, if you are a NordVPN user and the majority of what you do is torrenting then IPVanish is the best in all of the NordVPN alternatives in this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Alternative To NordVPN For Gaming?
If you are referring to games that are geo-restricted then all of this VPNs in the list are able to bypass geo-restrictions without a problem, but if you want a VPN simply for keeping you safe while gaming then ExpressVPN has one of the fastest servers on this list that doesn’t affect or has just very little to no noticeable effect on your internet connection speed.
Is Smart DNS An Alternative To VPN?
While both will allow you to access geo-restricted contents, the main difference between the two is security. A VPN will encrypt your online activities, hides your IP address, keeps you anonymous, thus giving you online privacy, while Smart DNS is much faster than a VPN but does not encrypt your data keeping you vulnerable from attacks and prying eyes.
Conclusion
While NordVPN is one of the most trusted VPN service providers in the market, not all users are happy with their service and somewhat finding an alternative to NordVPN that they can use. We do not know your issue about NordVPN but we know that these recommended VPNs are able to match or surpass NordVPN while offering other features that can resolve your issues.
We have gathered the best NordVPN alternatives on this list in terms of security, features, and pricing, it is up to your use-cases to choose the best NordVPN alternatives. If you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to comment below and share if you find this post helpful.
