1
Mullvad
Best for: Anonymity purists
Pros
- No account
- Flat €5
- Open source
Cons
- No streaming
ProtonVPN Alternatives
The 10 best ProtonVPN alternatives in 2026, ranked for privacy and streaming.
10
Alternatives
Docs
Analysis
5
FAQs
Based on product documentation, 12 ProtonVPN alternatives are compared to find VPNs that match its privacy stance or beat it on speed, streaming, or server coverage.
Decision Summary
ProtonVPN is the privacy-first choice whose speed and server reach trail mainstream rivals. Switch when streaming and speed matter more than Proton's privacy guarantees.
Why Switch Away From ProtonVPN
- Server network smaller than rivals
- Speeds trail mainstream VPNs on some routes
- Free tier limited
How Each Alternative Changes the Trade-off
Privacy guarantee
ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN offers a strong, audited no-logs posture under Swiss law.
Alternative: Mainstream rivals are reputable but less privacy-pure.
When this matters: Keeps Proton for privacy-critical users.
Speed and streaming
ProtonVPN: Proton's network is smaller and sometimes slower.
Alternative: Nord/Express unblock more reliably with more servers.
When this matters: Matters for streaming and high-speed use.
Ecosystem
ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN bundles with the Proton private suite.
Alternative: Standalone rivals integrate less.
When this matters: Matters for Proton ecosystem users.
Best For / Not For
Switch If
Users who need faster speeds, broader server reach, or better streaming than Proton provides.
Stay With ProtonVPN If
Privacy-critical users for whom Proton's posture is the reason to stay.
What Switching Costs
None — switch providers freely.
Real-World Switching Scenarios
- Streamer needing unblocking reliability — Streaming users Larger networks unblock services Proton struggles with.
- Privacy purist — Activists and journalists Staying preserves the strongest no-logs posture.
- Proton suite user — Ecosystem subscribers Staying consolidates mail, drive, and VPN under one private provider.
How This Was Researched
This guide is based on a structured review of official product documentation, published feature lists, current pricing, and community-reported limitations — the same methodology ToolStep describes on our How We Test page. We do not claim hands-on testing that did not happen.
Network and speed observations reflect official documentation as of June 2026.
Alternatives Table
| # | Alternative | Best For | Rating | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mullvad | Anonymity purists | ★★★★★ | €5/mo |
| 2 | IVPN | Privacy hardliners | ★★★★★ | $6/mo |
| 3 | NordVPN | All-round premium | ★★★★★ | $3.39/mo |
| 4 | ExpressVPN | Streaming | ★★★★★ | $6.67/mo |
| 5 | Surfshark | Budget unlimited | ★★★★★ | $2.19/mo |
| 6 | Private Internet Access | Power users | ★★★★☆ | $2.19/mo |
| 7 | CyberGhost | Beginners | ★★★★☆ | $2.19/mo |
| 8 | Windscribe | Free tier | ★★★★☆ | Free / $5.75/mo |
| 9 | TunnelBear | Casual use | ★★★★☆ | $4.99/mo |
| 10 | Mozilla VPN | Mozilla users | ★★★★☆ | $4.99/mo |
Pros & Cons by Alternative
2
IVPN
Best for: Privacy hardliners
Pros
- No logs
- Open source
- WireGuard
Cons
- Smaller network
3
NordVPN
Best for: All-round premium
Pros
- Fast
- Streaming
- Cheap long-term
Cons
- Variable
4
ExpressVPN
Best for: Streaming
Pros
- Reliable unblock
- Trusted
Cons
- Pricey
5
Surfshark
Best for: Budget unlimited
Pros
- Cheap
- Unlimited devices
Cons
- Speeds vary
6
Private Internet Access
Best for: Power users
Pros
- Open source
- Split tunnel
Cons
- US-based
7
CyberGhost
Best for: Beginners
Pros
- Easy UI
- Streaming servers
Cons
- Speeds vary
8
Windscribe
Best for: Free tier
Pros
- 10GB free
- Build-a-plan
Cons
- Speeds vary
9
TunnelBear
Best for: Casual use
Pros
- Easy UI
- Free tier
Cons
- Limited free
10
Mozilla VPN
Best for: Mozilla users
Pros
- Simple
- Backed by Mozilla
Cons
- Smaller network
Pricing Comparison
- Mullvad €5/mo
- IVPN $6/mo
- NordVPN $3.39/mo
- ExpressVPN $6.67/mo
- Surfshark $2.19/mo
- Private Internet Access $2.19/mo
- CyberGhost $2.19/mo
- Windscribe Free / $5.75/mo
- TunnelBear $4.99/mo
- Mozilla VPN $4.99/mo
Why Choose an Alternative
- You want maximum anonymity — Mullvad requires no account and accepts cash.
- You want streaming — NordVPN and ExpressVPN beat ProtonVPN on unblocking.
- You want unlimited devices — Surfshark offers this cheaply.
- You want a smaller, audited VPN — IVPN publishes transparency reports.
- You want Mozilla trust — Mozilla VPN is powered by Mullvad and backed by Mozilla.
FAQ
What is the best ProtonVPN alternative?
Mullvad is the best ProtonVPN alternative for privacy purists; NordVPN is best for all-round performance.
Is Mullvad better than ProtonVPN?
For anonymity, yes — Mullvad requires no account. ProtonVPN wins on free tier and ecosystem.
What free ProtonVPN alternative is best?
Windscribe (10GB free) is the best free ProtonVPN alternative after ProtonVPN itself.
Is ProtonVPN good for streaming?
Yes, ProtonVPN unblocks streaming on paid plans, but NordVPN and ExpressVPN are more reliable.
Is IVPN safer than ProtonVPN?
Both are no-logs and audited. IVPN is smaller and more privacy-focused; ProtonVPN has a larger network.
Related Alternatives
- NordVPN Alternatives The 10 best NordVPN alternatives in 2026, ranked for speed, privacy, and streaming.
- ExpressVPN Alternatives The 10 best ExpressVPN alternatives in 2026, ranked for speed, privacy, and value.
- Mullvad Alternatives The 10 best Mullvad alternatives in 2026, ranked for privacy, anonymity, and streaming.
- Surfshark Alternatives The 10 best Surfshark alternatives in 2026, ranked for speed, privacy, and value.