Alternatives to NordVPN
Large commercial VPN with RAM-only servers
NordVPN ranks #4 of 9 in Personal VPNs, with an Alt Score of 89. It is proprietary, sold by subscription from $3.49 per month and available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Browser extension. 12 of 12 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Everyday internet users and privacy-conscious travelers who want to hide their IP address, secure their traffic on public Wi-Fi, or access geo-restricted content without configuring anything technical.
A large global server network (thousands of servers across 100+ countries) accessed via NordLynx, NordVPN's own WireGuard-based protocol built for speed, plus an independently audited no-logs policy and a kill switch. Threat Protection blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites even when the VPN is off, and Meshnet lets you link your own devices into a private encrypted network. Higher-tier plans (Plus/Complete) bundle extras like a password manager, data breach scanner, and encrypted cloud storage.
Install the NordVPN app on a device, log in, and pick a server location (or use Quick Connect for the fastest available one) to route your traffic through an encrypted tunnel. One subscription covers up to 10 devices simultaneously across desktop, mobile, and router apps.
Where NordVPN stands out
Verified capabilities most alternatives don't have.
Why people leave NordVPN
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the Personal VPNs checklist (16 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
+ Add app
| Personal VPNs checklist | NordVPN | Private Internet Access | Windscribe | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Independent audit published | ||||||
| No-logs policy jurisdiction | ||||||
| WireGuard support | ||||||
| Server count / countries | ||||||
| Simultaneous devices | ||||||
| Kill switch | ||||||
| Split tunneling | ||||||
| Port forwarding | ||||||
| Dedicated IP option | ||||||
| P2P allowed | ||||||
| RAM-only servers | ||||||
| Anonymous payment accepted |
Every fact and feature listed for NordVPN is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
-
License Proprietary verified 2026-07-11
© 2026 Nord Security. All rights reserved
https://nordvpn.com/blog/nordvpn-no-logs-assurance-engagement-2025/ -
Pricing model Subscription verified 2026-07-11
Renews at $139.08/year.
https://nordvpn.com/pricing/ -
Starts at $3.49 per month verified 2026-07-11
$3.49 per month
https://nordvpn.com/pricing/ -
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension verified 2026-07-11
Available VPN apps Windows macOS Linux Android iOS Chrome Firefox Edge Android TV Apple TV
https://nordvpn.com/blog/nordvpn-no-logs-assurance-engagement-2025/ -
Status active verified 2026-07-11
NordVPN Q2 2026 roundup: New additions, recognitions, and repositioning
https://nordvpn.com/blog/nordvpn-no-logs-assurance-engagement-2025/ -
Independent audit published Yes verified 2026-07-11
NordVPN has successfully passed its sixth independent no-logs assurance engagement, once again confirming that we don't track, collect, or store our users' connection data.
https://nordvpn.com/blog/nordvpn-no-logs-assurance-engagement-2025/ -
No-logs policy jurisdiction Yes verified 2026-07-11
NordVPN is based and operates under the jurisdiction of Panama. Since NordVPN operates under Panama's jurisdiction and there is no mandatory data retention law in Panama, we do not need to store logs
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19441152966161-Where-is-NordVPN-based -
WireGuard support Yes verified 2026-07-11
NordLynx is NordVPN's revolutionary technology built around the WireGuard® VPN protocol.
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19564565879441-What-is-NordLynx -
Server count / countries Yes verified 2026-07-11
NordVPN has over 8,400+ servers in 167+ countries around the world.
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19383127694225-Where-can-I-find-the-NordVPN-server-list -
Simultaneous devices Yes verified 2026-07-11
You can connect up to 10 devices to a single NordVPN account at the same time.
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19476515228305-How-many-devices-can-I-use-with-NordVPN -
Kill switch Yes verified 2026-07-11
a feature that helps prevent unprotected access to the internet when your traffic doesn't go through a NordVPN server
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19509682644369-NordVPN-Kill-Switch-how-does-it-work -
Split tunneling Partial verified 2026-07-11
Split tunneling is an option that allows you to have a specific part of your internet connection rerouted outside of the VPN.
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19618692366865-What-is-Split-Tunneling-and-how-to-use-it-with-NordVPN -
Port forwarding No verified 2026-07-11
Unfortunately, at the current moment, we do not offer port forwarding, as multiple customers are using the same servers.
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19483392309649-Does-NordVPN-offer-port-forwarding -
Dedicated IP option Yes verified 2026-07-11
if you purchase a NordVPN dedicated IP, you will get an IP address that belongs to you and you alone
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19507808024209-Dedicated-NordVPN-IP-addresses -
P2P allowed Yes verified 2026-07-11
All standard NordVPN servers now support P2P activities, including gaming and other peer-to-peer applications.
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/45840292778897-I-can-t-find-NordVPN-P2P-servers -
RAM-only servers Yes verified 2026-07-11
Why do we run only RAM-based servers?
https://nordvpn.com/blog/ram-based-servers/ -
Anonymous payment accepted Yes verified 2026-07-11
You can pay with a credit card, cryptocurrency, PayPal, Sofort (Klarna), bank or
https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19685782821265-What-payment-methods-does-NordVPN-accept
FAQ
Yes. Windscribe, Proton VPN and Cloudflare WARP have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Windscribe, Proton VPN and Mullvad — every license claim links its source.