How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- IPVanish offers unlimited devices and a large US server network, but rivals beat it on speed, audited privacy, and streaming coverage.
- NordVPN is the strongest all-round alternative, with fast speeds, a large network, and multiple independent no-logs audits.
- Proton VPN is the best pick if you want a genuinely useful free plan alongside a paid tier with Swiss jurisdiction.
- Mullvad suits privacy purists: a flat monthly price, no email required, and cash payment accepted.
- VPN prices in this guide are first-term deal rates from 2026 comparisons; renewals are usually higher, so check the renewal price before you commit.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 NordVPN | Overall speed and features | $3.49/month | No |
 ExpressVPN | Simple premium apps | $2.99/month | No |
 Surfshark | Budget multi-device households | $2.49/month | No |
 Proton VPN | Privacy with a real free tier | Free; Plus $2.99/month | Yes |
 Mullvad | Maximum anonymity | See website | No |
 Private Internet Access | Power users on a budget | $2.19/month | No |
 CyberGhost | Beginners and long refunds | $2.19/month | No |
 Windscribe | Free tier beyond Proton | Free; Pro $5.75/month | Yes |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best IPVanish alternatives
Starting price$3.49/month
Free planNo
NordVPN is the strongest all-round alternative to IPVanish. Independent speed tests in 2026 put its average speed loss under 8 percent, which is small enough to be unnoticeable in daily browsing and video calls, and it unblocks a wide range of streaming services. Its network covers more than 150 countries, so finding a nearby fast server is rarely a problem.
Privacy is where NordVPN pulls ahead of IPVanish. It is based in Panama, which does not require VPN companies to keep user records, and its no-logs policy has been confirmed by multiple independent audits, the most recent by Deloitte. Extra features include Double VPN routing, which encrypts traffic across two servers, and NordWhisper obfuscation for networks that block VPNs, such as some hotel and workplace networks.
The catch is renewal pricing. The advertised $3.49 a month rate applies to a long first term, and the renewal year costs considerably more, so set a reminder before renewal. There is no free plan, only a money-back window. For most users, NordVPN is the safest default pick.
What we like- Very fast speeds
- Large server network
- Multiple independent no-logs audits
- Extra tools like Double VPN
Watch out for- Renewal price jumps sharply
- No free plan
- Windows app can clash with other VPN apps
Starting price$2.99/month
Free planNo
ExpressVPN is the best alternative if you want a VPN that simply works. Its apps are the simplest in this guide: one large connect button, a clear server list, and sensible defaults, which suits users who do not want to think about protocols or settings. It also has a strong record on streaming access, unblocking most major services in 2026 tests.
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and has undergone independent audits of its no-logs policy and its server technology. It supports a wide range of devices, including routers and streaming boxes, and its support team is reachable around the clock. The advertised $2.99 a month rate is a long-term deal, and renewal costs more, so budget for the second year. For simplicity and reliability, ExpressVPN is hard to beat.
What we like- Easiest apps for non-technical users
- Reliable streaming access
- Strong audit record
- Works on many devices
Watch out for- Higher renewal price
- Fewer advanced settings than rivals
- No free plan
#3Surfshark
Best for: Budget multi-device households4.0/5 on
G2 (22 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit surfshark.com
Starting price$2.49/month
Free planNo
Surfshark is the value leader for households. One account covers unlimited devices, so a family can protect phones, laptops, tablets, and a TV without counting seats, and the first-term price of $2.49 a month undercuts most premium rivals. Streaming coverage is strong, with most major services unblocked in 2026 tests, and the apps are clean and modern across platforms.
The network is smaller than NordVPN's, with around 100 countries, but that is plenty for most users. Speed loss in tests sits around 10 percent, which is fine for streaming and browsing but slightly behind the leaders. Renewal pricing rises after the first term, as with every VPN here. For households that want unlimited devices at a low price, Surfshark is the best buy.
What we like- Unlimited devices on one account
- Low first-term price
- Good streaming coverage
- Clean modern apps
Watch out for- Renewal price rises
- Smaller network than NordVPN
- Some advanced features are paid extras
Starting priceFree; Plus $2.99/month
Free planYes
Proton VPN is the best alternative if you want privacy without paying first. Its free plan is the only genuinely useful free VPN tier in this guide: no data cap games, no ads, and the same Swiss jurisdiction and no-logs policy as the paid tier. The free plan is slower and limited to a smaller set of servers, and streaming is limited, but for everyday private browsing it is a real option.
The paid Plus tier starts at $2.99 a month on a long deal and adds the full server network, faster speeds, streaming support, and extra features like Secure Core routing through privacy-friendly countries. Proton's apps are open source and independently audited, which adds trust. If you want to try a VPN properly before paying, or you want a free tier you can actually live with, Proton VPN is the pick.
What we like- Genuinely useful free plan
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Open source apps
- Audited no-logs policy
Watch out for- Free plan is slower and limited to fewer servers
- Plus renewal is higher
- Streaming on free plan is limited
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Mullvad is built for people who care most about anonymity. You sign up without an email address, getting an account number instead, and you can pay with cash, Bitcoin, Monero, or bank transfer. The price is a flat monthly rate that never changes, with no first-term deal and no renewal shock, which is refreshingly honest in a market full of pricing games.
The trade-off is streaming: Mullvad unblocks fewer services than NordVPN or ExpressVPN, and its network is smaller. It is also less beginner-friendly, with fewer hand-holding features. For users who want the strongest privacy posture and are happy to pay a fair flat price, Mullvad is the most principled choice in this guide.
What we like- Flat monthly price with no discounts games
- No email required to sign up
- Cash and crypto payments accepted
Watch out for- Smaller streaming coverage
- No long-term discount
- Fewer servers than the big brands
Starting price$2.19/month
Free planNo
Private Internet Access, often called PIA, matches Surfshark on unlimited devices at an even lower first-term price of $2.19 a month. Its apps are open source and highly customizable, with settings for protocol, encryption level, port forwarding, and split tunneling that power users will appreciate. It is a popular choice for users who want control.
The downsides are jurisdiction and streaming. PIA is based in the United States, which some privacy purists dislike, though its no-logs policy has been tested in court. Streaming coverage is patchier than NordVPN or ExpressVPN, with some services blocked. The renewal price more than doubles after the first term, so the long-term cost is higher than the headline suggests. For power users on a budget, PIA is strong value.
What we like- Unlimited devices
- Very low first-term price
- Open source apps
- Deep customization options
Watch out for- US jurisdiction
- Renewal price more than doubles
- Streaming coverage is patchy
Starting price$2.19/month
Free planNo
CyberGhost is the best alternative for beginners who want time to decide. Its 45-day refund window on long plans is the longest here, giving you six weeks to test it properly. Servers are labeled by purpose, such as streaming or torrenting, so you do not need to guess which server to pick, and the apps are straightforward.
Speed loss in 2026 tests sits around 13 percent, which is noticeable but acceptable for most uses. The company is owned by Kape Technologies, which some privacy watchers note, though CyberGhost publishes transparency reports and audits. The first-term price of $2.19 a month is competitive. For cautious buyers who want the longest trial window, CyberGhost is a good choice.
What we like- Longest refund window at 45 days
- Servers labeled for streaming and torrenting
- Easy apps for beginners
Watch out for- Speed loss is higher than leaders
- Based in Romania with Kape ownership
- Fewer advanced features
Starting priceFree; Pro $5.75/month
Free planYes
Windscribe is the second free option in this guide, after Proton VPN. Its free tier offers 10 GB of data a month, which is enough for regular browsing and some video, and it includes servers in several countries. The Pro plan starts at $5.75 a month, which is higher than the big brands' deal rates, but Windscribe also offers a build-a-plan option where you pay only for the locations you use.
Speeds vary more by server than with NordVPN or ExpressVPN, and the network is smaller. For users who want a free tier with more data than Proton's free servers offer, or who like the pay-for-what-you-use model, Windscribe is a solid alternative. Heavy users should compare its Pro price against Surfshark's unlimited-device deal.
What we like- Generous free tier at 10 GB a month
- Flexible build-a-plan pricing
- Good privacy record
Watch out for- Pro price is higher than rivals
- Smaller network
- Speeds vary by server
How we chose
We compared consumer VPNs that replace IPVanish's core job: encrypting your internet connection, hiding your IP address, and protecting traffic on public networks. We weighed speed, privacy audits, jurisdiction, server network, streaming coverage, device limits, and pricing from 2026 comparison tests and vendor pages. We left out business-only VPNs and free VPNs with weak privacy records. Prices quoted are first-term deal rates from 2026 comparisons; renewals are higher, and we flag that wherever it matters.
How to pick an IPVanish replacement
Start with what matters most to you. If you want the best all-round service, pick NordVPN. If you want simplicity, pick ExpressVPN. If you want the lowest cost for a household, pick Surfshark or Private Internet Access. If you want a free tier, pick Proton VPN or Windscribe. If you want maximum anonymity, pick Mullvad. There is no single best VPN, only the best fit for your priorities.
Check the renewal price before you buy
VPN pricing is built on first-term deals. The advertised monthly rate requires a long commitment paid up front, and the renewal year usually costs much more, sometimes more than double. Before buying, find the renewal price on the vendor's pricing page, set a calendar reminder a week before renewal, and be ready to switch or renegotiate. A VPN that costs $2.19 a month in year one and $4.75 in year two is a different deal than the headline suggests.
Use the VPN for legitimate privacy, not evasion
A VPN protects your traffic on public Wi-Fi, hides your browsing from your internet provider, and adds a layer of privacy to everyday use. It does not make illegal activity legal, and it does not guarantee anonymity against a determined adversary. Use it for legitimate privacy, secure remote work, and protecting personal data on shared networks. Do not use a VPN to evade geo-restrictions in ways that break a service's terms, or for piracy.
Frequently asked questions
Is NordVPN better than IPVanish?
For most users, yes. NordVPN is faster in 2026 speed tests, has a larger server network, and has undergone more independent no-logs audits. IPVanish still offers unlimited devices and a large US network, but NordVPN wins on speed, streaming coverage, and audit record. If unlimited devices matter most, Surfshark or Private Internet Access match IPVanish there at a lower price.
Can I get a good VPN for free?
Proton VPN's free plan is the best free option, with no data cap and a strong privacy record, though speeds and servers are limited. Windscribe's free tier offers 10 GB a month. Avoid free VPNs that sell user data or show ads, since the business model usually depends on your information. A free tier from a reputable paid provider is far safer than a free-only VPN.
Does a VPN slow down my connection?
Yes, but a good VPN slows it only slightly. Top services in 2026 tests lost under 10 percent of speed on nearby servers, which is unnoticeable for browsing and streaming. Free tiers and distant servers slow you more. If speed matters, choose a provider with servers near you and a modern protocol like WireGuard or NordLynx.
How many devices can I protect at once?
It varies: NordVPN allows 10, ExpressVPN allows 10 to 14, CyberGhost allows 7, while Surfshark, Private Internet Access, and IPVanish allow unlimited devices. Count every phone, laptop, tablet, and TV in your household before choosing, since a 7-device limit can run out fast in a family.
Is using a VPN legal in the US?
Yes, using a VPN is legal in the United States for legitimate purposes, including protecting your privacy on public networks and securing remote work. A VPN does not make illegal activity legal, and some countries restrict or ban VPN use, so check local law when traveling. Employers and schools may also restrict VPN use on their networks.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://nordvpn.com
- https://www.expressvpn.com
- https://surfshark.com
- https://protonvpn.com
- https://mullvad.net
- https://www.privateinternetaccess.com
- https://www.cyberghostvpn.com
- https://windscribe.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.