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
- NordVPN is the strongest overall Surfshark alternative, with a larger network, fast speeds, and strong streaming support.
- Proton VPN is the best privacy focused alternative, with a Swiss base, open source apps, and a useful free plan.
- Private Internet Access matches Surfshark on unlimited devices at a low long term price, while CyberGhost offers a longer 45 day refund window.
- ExpressVPN suits users who want simple apps and reliable streaming, though renewal pricing is higher than budget rivals.
- Mullvad and Hide.me suit privacy purists and testers, with flat pricing or a free tier, but with smaller streaming coverage.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 NordVPN | Overall speed and streaming | $3.49 per month | No |
 Proton VPN | Privacy and free plan | $2.99 per month | Yes |
 ExpressVPN | Simple apps and streaming | $2.99 per month | No |
 Private Internet Access | Unlimited devices on a budget | $2.19 per month | No |
 CyberGhost | Beginners and long refunds | $2.19 per month | No |
 Mullvad | Privacy first flat pricing | See website | No |
 Hide.me | Free testing and privacy | $2.69 per month | Yes |
 IPVanish | Unlimited devices and US servers | $2.49 per month | No |
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The best surfshark alternatives
Surfshark is popular for a reason, with unlimited devices, low long term pricing, and solid streaming support. Users still look for alternatives for several reasons, including a larger server network, a different jurisdiction, a free plan, stronger privacy audits, or better speeds in a specific country. The eight services below each fix at least one Surfshark gap, while noting what they give up in return. Prices shown are long term promotional rates from 2026 listings, and renewal rates can be higher, so check the checkout total.
Starting price$3.49 per month
Free planNo
NordVPN is the most complete Surfshark alternative. The network covers 149 countries, far more than Surfshark, and NordLynx speeds hold up well even on long distance connections. Streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, work reliably in many independent tests. Threat Protection blocks trackers and malicious domains, and scans downloads for malware on supported plans.
The main trade-off is device count. NordVPN allows 10 connections, compared with Surfshark unlimited, so very large households may hit the limit. Renewal pricing is also higher than the introductory long term rate. For most users who want speed, streaming, and a larger network, NordVPN is the first alternative to try.
What we like- Large network across 149 countries
- Fast NordLynx speeds
- Strong streaming support
- Audited no-logs policy
- Threat protection tools
Watch out for- Limited to 10 devices
- Renewal price is higher than the introductory rate
- Monthly plan is costly
Starting price$2.99 per month
Free planYes
Proton VPN is the privacy focused alternative to Surfshark. Based in Switzerland, it offers open source apps, an audited no-logs policy, and Secure Core servers that route traffic through privacy friendly countries first. The free plan is genuinely useful, with no data cap in many listings, though server choice and speeds are limited. Paid plans add streaming support, faster speeds, and more countries.
The free plan will not match a paid service for streaming or speed, and the Plus plan is needed for full streaming access. Device limits also apply on paid plans. For users who prioritize privacy, transparency, and a free starting point, Proton VPN is the strongest choice in this list.
What we like- Swiss base
- Open source apps
- Audited no-logs policy
- Free plan with no data cap on speed in many listings
- Secure Core servers
Watch out for- Free plan has limited servers and speeds
- Paid streaming needs a Plus plan
- Device limit is 10 on paid plans
#3ExpressVPN
Best for: Simple apps and streaming4.6/5 on
G2 (4 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit expressvpn.com
Starting price$2.99 per month
Free planNo
ExpressVPN is built for simplicity. Apps are clean on every platform, connections are fast with the Lightway protocol, and streaming support is among the most reliable in independent tests. RAM only servers mean no data is written to a hard drive, and the British Virgin Islands base sits outside major intelligence alliances. Smart DNS helps with streaming on devices that do not support VPN apps directly.
Price is the drawback. Introductory long term rates look competitive, but renewal rates can be much higher, with monthly pricing near $12.95 in some listings. Device limits are also lower than Surfshark unlimited. For users who want the easiest apps and dependable streaming, and who accept the renewal cost, ExpressVPN is a premium alternative.
What we like- Very simple apps
- Reliable streaming
- Lightway protocol for fast connections
- RAM only servers
- Wide device support
Watch out for- Higher renewal price
- Fewer devices than Surfshark
- Long term pricing has risen in some listings
Starting price$2.19 per month
Free planNo
Private Internet Access, often called PIA, matches Surfshark where it matters most for large households, unlimited devices. The server count is very large, apps are open source, and the no-logs policy has been audited and tested in court. Long term pricing near $2.19 per month makes it one of the cheapest options in this list, and a 30 day money back guarantee covers the main plans.
Streaming is the weak point. PIA unblocks fewer platforms than NordVPN or ExpressVPN in many tests, and speeds can vary by server and time of day. The interface is functional rather than polished. For a budget household that needs many devices and strong privacy basics, PIA is a direct Surfshark replacement.
What we like- Unlimited devices
- Very large server count
- Open source apps
- Audited no-logs policy
- Low long term price
Watch out for- Streaming support is weaker than NordVPN and ExpressVPN
- Speeds vary by server
- Interface is less polished
Starting price$2.19 per month
Free planNo
CyberGhost is a good choice for beginners who want a low price and a long trial window. The 45 day money back guarantee is longer than the 30 days offered by most rivals, giving more time to test speeds and streaming. Streaming optimized servers are labeled by platform, which removes guesswork for new users. The network covers 100 countries, similar to Surfshark.
Device limits are tighter, at 7 connections, and speeds can lag behind NordVPN on long distance routes. Advanced privacy tools are also thinner. For a new VPN user who wants a cheap, simple service with a generous refund window, CyberGhost is a strong alternative, and it is also a natural comparison point for anyone weighing Surfshark against a budget rival.
What we like- Low long term price
- Large server network
- Streaming optimized servers
- 45 day money back guarantee
- Easy apps
Watch out for- Limited to 7 devices
- Speeds can be slower than NordVPN
- Fewer advanced privacy tools
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Mullvad takes a different approach to pricing and privacy. The flat rate, about 5 euros per month in many listings, does not require a long term plan, and accounts can be created without an email address. Payments can be made anonymously, and the service uses WireGuard and diskless servers. Privacy audits and transparency reports support the no-logs claim.
Streaming is not the focus, and Mullvad unblocks fewer platforms than NordVPN or ExpressVPN. The network is smaller, and the device limit is 5. Mullvad suits privacy purists who want a simple, honest price and minimal data collection, rather than a streaming tool. It is also a useful second VPN for sensitive work.
What we like- Flat monthly price with no long term lock in
- Anonymous accounts with no email required
- WireGuard support
- Diskless servers
- Audited privacy practices
Watch out for- Limited streaming support
- Smaller network
- Only 5 devices
- No long term discount
Starting price$2.69 per month
Free planYes
Hide.me offers a free plan that lets users test a VPN before paying, which is useful for checking speeds and compatibility. The paid plans add more servers, faster speeds, and streaming support, with long term pricing near $2.69 per month in many listings. Privacy features are strong, with an audited no-logs policy and modern protocols.
The free plan is limited in servers and speed, and the paid network is smaller than NordVPN or Proton VPN. Streaming support is moderate, not leading. Hide.me fits users who want to test before committing, or who want a privacy focused service at a moderate price without a long term lock in.
What we like- Free plan for testing
- Audited no-logs policy
- Strong privacy features
- No-logs focus
- Good speeds on paid plans
Watch out for- Free plan limits servers and speed
- Smaller network than leaders
- Streaming support is moderate
Starting price$2.49 per month
Free planNo
IPVanish matches Surfshark on unlimited devices, which is its main advantage. Households with many phones, tablets, TVs, and computers can protect them all under one plan. Long term pricing near $2.49 per month is competitive, and US server coverage is strong, which helps for US streaming and browsing.
Streaming support lags behind NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN, with fewer platforms unblocked in many tests. Speeds can also vary by server. IPVanish suits a large household that values device count and price over streaming breadth, and it is a practical Surfshark alternative when unlimited devices are the priority.
What we like- Unlimited devices
- Large US server presence
- Low long term price
- Good for households with many devices
Watch out for- Streaming support is weaker than leaders
- Speeds can vary
- Fewer countries than NordVPN
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, server lists, device limits, and public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, focusing on speed, streaming support, privacy audits, jurisdiction, and device coverage. Services were scored on how well they fix a Surfshark gap, whether that gap is network size, privacy, free access, device count, or refund length. Company size was not a deciding factor, but smaller privacy focused services were included when they offered a clear transparency advantage. Prices are promotional long term rates and renewal rates differ, so confirm the total at checkout.
How to switch from Surfshark without downtime
Run the new VPN alongside Surfshark during the trial or refund window, and test your most used servers, streaming services, and devices before cancelling. Check speed on your home network at peak times, since VPN performance varies by location and server load. Export any saved server favorites or settings, and note which devices need manual setup, such as routers or smart TVs. Cancel Surfshark only after the new service works on every device you use daily.
What to check on privacy and renewal price
Read the no-logs audit date, jurisdiction, and data retention policy, not just the marketing claim. A recent independent audit matters more than an old one. Check the renewal price at checkout, since many VPNs show a low first term rate and a higher renewal rate. Note the refund window, and set a reminder before it ends if you are testing a service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Surfshark alternative overall?
NordVPN is the strongest overall alternative, with a larger network, fast speeds, and reliable streaming. Proton VPN is better for privacy and free use, while Private Internet Access matches Surfshark on unlimited devices at a lower price. Choose by the Surfshark gap you want to fix.
Is there a free Surfshark alternative?
Yes. Proton VPN and Hide.me both offer free plans, though server choice and speeds are limited. Proton VPN free plan is the more useful of the two for daily privacy use, while Hide.me free plan is good for testing. For streaming and full speed, a paid plan is needed.
Which Surfshark alternative is best for streaming?
NordVPN and ExpressVPN lead on streaming, with reliable access to Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other platforms in many tests. CyberGhost also offers streaming optimized servers at a lower price. PIA, Mullvad, and IPVanish are weaker for streaming, so test during the refund window.
Does any alternative offer unlimited devices like Surfshark?
Yes. Private Internet Access and IPVanish both offer unlimited devices. NordVPN allows 10, Proton VPN allows 10 on paid plans, CyberGhost allows 7, and Mullvad allows 5. If device count is the priority, PIA and IPVanish are the closest matches.
Is NordVPN better than Surfshark?
NordVPN offers a larger network, faster speeds in many tests, and stronger streaming support, but it costs more and limits devices to 10. Surfshark is cheaper on long term plans and offers unlimited devices. The better choice depends on whether network size and speed matter more than device count and price.
What about CyberGhost as a Surfshark alternative?
CyberGhost is a strong budget alternative, with low long term pricing, a large network, and a 45 day refund window. It is easier for beginners, thanks to streaming optimized servers. The main limits are 7 devices and slower speeds on some long distance routes compared with NordVPN.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://nordvpn.com
- https://protonvpn.com
- https://www.expressvpn.com
- https://www.privateinternetaccess.com
- https://www.cyberghostvpn.com
- https://mullvad.net
- https://hide.me
- https://www.ipvanish.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.