The Best NordVPN Alternatives in 2022

With more than 5,400 global servers in over 60 countries that can support better speeds and reduce overcrowding, NordVPN has secured its place as one of the best VPN service providers today. Aside from basic security to keep online advertisers and hackers from tracking users’ IP addresses, the service also boasts of split tunneling, Tor anonymization connectivity and multi-hop capability, which not all leading VPN vendors can provide.

Advantages of using NordVPN

As of this writing, NordVPN claims to have more than 14 million users around the globe that can bypass geo-restricted content by spoofing one’s location, hiding their online identity from spies, and encrypting data before routing it to servers. Aside from these, NordVPN’s features include:

• Smart ad-blocking technology
• Advanced threat security against viruses and malware
• Multiple device allocation of up to six gadgets
• Private DNS to protect against trackers and malicious online actors
• Better encryption techniques through NordLynx protocol
• Zero-logs policy
• 24/7 live support through chat

Limitations of NordVPN

Although NordVPN’s range of servers has grown tremendously over the past few years, several other VPN providers such as ExpressVPN have almost twice as the total number of countries where NordVPN hosts its servers. This means that users can have more options when switching from one server to another, especially during peak periods when overcrowding is possible. 

In addition, several NordVPN users have noticed very slow app and server connectivity. There are also instances that require several attempts to reconnect to servers before establishing a successful connection.

Finally, some users continue to encounter issues during installation and upgrades.

What to Look for in a NordVPN Alternative

To keep your online activities secured with encrypted connection, you need to select a NordVPN alternative that contain the following features:

Faster speed

With more VPN users raising concerns about slowing connections from their chosen servers, it is critical for a VPN provider to guarantee optimized speeds with very minimal disruptions. Ideally, selecting a VPN server regardless of its location should not compromise browsing speed.

Better cybersecurity 

Not all VPN services are the same, especially when it comes security. Choose one that offers best-in-class encryption with a network lock kill switch. So, whenever your VPN connection suddenly drops, you won’t have to worry about your data leaking to unknown parties.

Multiple device support

When you switch from one gadget to another, you risk the possibility of leaving trails off your online activity. But you can never afford to compromise your online security. That’s why whether you’re using a PC, laptop, gaming console or a mobile device, you need to turn on your VPN to avoid data leakage.

Superb customer service

Nothing frustrates VPN users other than having no one to entertain their request for immediate support. A VPN service provider that offers 24/7 access to customer service can provide you with urgent help around the clock.

In addition, it should also have a library of knowledge base articles and videos that offer tutorials and user guides that can support your installation and troubleshooting needs.

Affordable price

Select a pricing package that works best for your budget. However, what’s cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean it can offer the best service. The cost of your VPN subscription should reflect the features that the service can offer.

There are also VPN providers that offer discounted rates and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is a good deal for business or home use.

Best NordVPN Alternatives in 2022

Given the pros and cons of NordVPN, we’ve researched some of the best substitutes that can suit users’ needs in terms of speed, server availability and reliability.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is hands-down on top of the list when it comes to VPN service providers. It features unlimited speed, bandwidth, and server switches — plus best-in-class security and encryption. What’s great about this service is it lets users browse from 160 locations with thousands of servers in 94 countries and offers support for every major operating system such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, or Linux.

The only let down is that there’s no free trial available, but you’ll get a 30-day money-back guarantee plus a 1-year unlimited cloud backup (for the 12-month package that comes with three months of free service). No other product comes close with such a premium VPN solution, which is why we voted ExpressVPN as our Best VPN Service for 2022.

2. IPVanish

With a 256-bit encryption, 2,000 VPN servers in 75 countries, and features such as kill switch, split tunneling similar to NordVPN, IPVanish remains one of the top choices for VPN services dedicated to torrenting and streaming. Many of its users attest to its advanced encryption capabilities and a strict no-logs policy as well.

What’s even better is that there’s no device limit for your account. This means you can share it with your friends and family without having to worry about buying another plan.

3. CyberGhost

This VPN service has been around for 15 years and has grown its VPN servers worldwide to more than 8,000. Similar to NordVPN, it offers automatic kill switch, no-logs policy and superb speeds. However, each account is limited to only seven devices.

CyberGhost has one of the lowest monthly price plans, which is at $2.29 for a three-year subscription with an additional free three months. And if you’re not satisfied with the service, you can get your money back within 45 days.

4. Surfshark

Aside from Surfshark’s awesome private DNS and leak protection features and AES-256-GCM encryption, it boasts of an ad-blocking feature and split tunneling capability to remove your selected apps or websites from the VPN connection.

Surfshark’s 24-month plan (for only $2.49 a month) allows you to use the same account on an unlimited number of devices like IPVanish. There’s a trial package for seven days and a 100% money-back guarantee as well.

5. VyprVPN

This VPN service offers 300,000 available IP addresses and more than 70 server locations globally. What’s great about it is that the company owns its servers and hardware so users can be assured that no third party intrusion will compromise their data.

In addition, users do not have to worry about overloading because of its dynamic server switching feature.

For $8.33 a month, you can have 12 months of service with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

6. Private Internet Access

This VPN service has been a trusted solution for more than 10 years and claims to have over 15 million customers worldwide. Users can choose from 30,000 servers in 78 countries and take advantage of its easy-installation feature and ultra-fast speeds.

For a two-year subscription, you only pay $2.19 per month with a free two-months worth of service. And to top it all, it allows up to 10 simultaneous devices using one VPN account.

7. BuilletVPN

BulletVPN may not offer as much as many servers compared to others, but with more than 150 4K-capable servers in 55 countries, you get more value for your investment at only $3.29 per month for a 36-month package.

It also takes pride of its Smart DNS technology so you can access geo-blocked content on Roku, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation.

If you’re having second doubts about this offer, you can avail of a limited free trial for seven days before subscribing. 

8. Mullad VPN

This Swedish VPN provider guarantees its users anonymity and privacy as proven by independent audit reports regarding Mullvad VPN’s anti-tracking feature. The only downside to this service is that there are only 820 servers available for choosing.

What’s more interesting is that subscription prices have not increased since 2009. Users only pay 5 euros per month regardless of the subscription plan.

9. ProtonVPN

What’s unique about ProtonVPN is its VPN Accelerator solution combined with a 10 Gbps server network to increase VPN speeds by over 400 percent. It also uses multiple OpenVPN processes for every server and re-engineered OpenVPN for optimum distribution of load.

Users can also take advantage of its support for streaming services such as Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix with military-grade encryption for enhanced security.

There’s a free VPN trial you can avail of to block certain content (although speed becomes quite slower). The Basic Plan worth 4 euros per month provides more than 450 servers in 40 countries. 

10. PureVPN

For its 3 million subscribers, PureVPN offers 10 simultaneous logins, more than 6,500 servers in 96 locations and 78 countries, and a proven no-log policy.

What sets it even apart form others is its support for all security protocols for enhanced protection, and outstanding customer service team.

And to sweeten the deal, a 24-month plan is only at $1.99 per month with additional three months free of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best NordVPN alternative?

Any of the VPN services listed above are highly recommended. For starters, ExpressVPN offers a more reliable service and excellent customer support. It also has the fastest servers that barely affect your connection speed.

Note: You can get this limited 3-month free subscription to ExpressVPN by clicking on this link.

Do most VPN providers offer similar services and features?

Most VPN providers offer anonymous dedicated IP addresses, geo-restriction bypass capabilities and customer support. However, they differ in terms of product features, pricing plans and speeds, just to name a few.

Is a free VPN a better alternative to NordVPN?

Free VPN services do not guarantee security and are most likely to log your online activities. You’ll be surprised to know that your personal data is being used and even sold without your consent.

Is a SmartDNS a better alternative to NordVPN?

While this provides you with faster streaming speed for any whitelisted sites, it cannot offer anonymous IP addresses and remote connection, thus you have very limited online protection.

Is my browsing activity guaranteed safe from spyware when I use VPN?

This depends on the VPN service that you subscribe to since not every vendor can provide the same level of security. Select a service provider that employs security features to prevent malware and spyware.

What’s the best way to search for an alternative VPN provider?

Read comprehensive reviews and user feedback on VPN providers. The information that you gather will provide you with the pros and cons of using each service.

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