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There is no single evidence-based best replacement for NordVPN. Proton VPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and Mullvad each suit different priorities, so compare the features that matter to you, how much the subscription costs over its full term, and what happens at renewal.
How to choose a NordVPN alternative
A VPN moves trust away from your local network or internet provider and toward the VPN company. A privacy label or country of incorporation alone does not establish how well a service protects you. Before choosing, look at the provider’s privacy policy, the scope and date of any audits, and whether readers can access the full audit reports.
- Privacy evidence: Check the policy and the substance, date, and public availability of audit reports. Proton’s provider-authored comparison discusses report availability among competitors; treat its statements as Proton’s account, not an independent ranking. Proton VPN’s comparison
- Devices and platforms: Count the devices and operating systems you need to cover, and check the current simultaneous-connection limit for the plan you would buy.
- Protocols and access needs: Compare protocol choices and any stated tools for restrictive networks or obfuscation. These features are not interchangeable, and availability can depend on the app and platform.
- Streaming: Identify the specific services you use. Access varies by provider, region, service, and settings, and can change; do not assume a VPN will unlock a particular catalog.
- Total cost: Compare the full subscription term, renewal price, taxes, refund terms, and payment options—not just a monthly-equivalent headline price.
NordVPN alternatives compared
| Service | What it may suit | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | A free starting point or a reader interested in privacy-oriented tools. Proton highlights a free plan, Swiss base, open-source and audited apps, Secure Core, and Stealth. | Confirm which features are included in the plan and platform you would use. Proton’s feature and competitor comparisons are provider-authored, not an independent ranking. Proton’s comparison; Proton partner materials |
| Surfshark | Households or users with many devices: Surfshark says its service allows unlimited simultaneous connections. | Check the current plan limit, term, renewal price, taxes, and promotion at checkout. Its comparison prices and product claims are vendor-published. Surfshark’s comparison; Surfshark affiliate page |
| ExpressVPN | Readers comparing protocol options and plan tiers, including its Lightway protocol. | Plan details and performance are subject to change. Separate editorial test observations from provider claims when assessing speed or streaming. TechRadar’s VPN coverage; ExpressVPN affiliate program |
| Mullvad | Readers weighing a stated privacy approach and a cash-payment option described in TechRadar’s coverage. | Verify current payment and product details directly. Mullvad’s own policy describes the provider’s position; it is not independent verification. TechRadar’s VPN coverage; Mullvad’s policy |
What the available price comparison says—and does not say
Surfshark’s comparison page, with comparison information updated August 4, 2026, lists these monthly-equivalent entry prices: Surfshark at $2.49, ExpressVPN at $2.99, and NordVPN at $3.49. These are vendor-published comparison figures, not guaranteed checkout or renewal prices. The comparison does not establish that the services have identical subscription terms or features, so check the total amount due and renewal terms for the plan you are considering. Surfshark’s comparison
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How to interpret VPN speed and streaming claims
Speed depends on the test conditions
TechRadar publishes its own lab observations, but a result under one device, route, and protocol is not a promise of your connection speed. A separate June 2026 test by Artifact Security covered 55 routes across five origin regions—Frankfurt, London, Singapore, New York, and San Francisco—as described by NordVPN on August 10, 2026. NordVPN’s account reports scores of 91 for NordVPN, 84 for ExpressVPN, 83 for ProtonVPN, 81 for Surfshark, and 70 for Mullvad. These are scores from that test’s weighted methodology and one testing round, reported by a vendor that participated; they are not a timeless or universal ranking. NordVPN’s account of the Artifact Security test; TechRadar’s VPN coverage
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
Streaming access is service- and region-specific
TechRadar reported that Proton VPN worked with some of the streaming services it tested but not all, and that settings affected certain results. That is evidence of test-specific outcomes, not a guarantee of access to a named service or catalog today. Check the streaming services and region you care about, and review those services’ terms before relying on a VPN for access. TechRadar’s VPN coverage
Which alternative fits your priority?
- You want a free plan to start: Compare Proton VPN’s free plan and its limits against your actual needs before treating it as a substitute for a paid plan. Proton VPN’s comparison
- You need many simultaneous connections: Surfshark advertises unlimited simultaneous connections. Verify the current terms and device support before subscribing. Surfshark’s comparison
- You are comparing protocol choices or tiers: Include ExpressVPN and check current app and plan details; do not infer overall security or speed from a protocol name alone. TechRadar’s VPN coverage
- You value Mullvad’s stated privacy approach: Read its current policy and confirm payment methods directly, rather than treating a provider statement as external validation. Mullvad’s policy
Sources and commercial disclosures
Provider comparison pages and policy pages describe what the providers claim; they do not independently prove privacy performance. TechRadar’s results are editorial observations tied to its own testing conditions, while NordVPN’s description of the Artifact Security test is a vendor account of a third-party test in which NordVPN participated.
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
Proton, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN each publish affiliate-program information. If you use an affiliate link to a service, disclose that relationship. Availability and program terms can change; no affiliate program is established here for Mullvad. Proton partner materials; Surfshark affiliate page; ExpressVPN affiliate program
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Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
