Best Surfshark Alternatives in 2026
Surfshark is our top value pick - unlimited devices at a low price - so most people shopping for an alternative want a specific upgrade: more speed, more streaming, or stronger privacy. Here are the strongest options from our 20 rated providers.
The Short Answer
For a step up in speed and overall polish, NordVPN is the one to move to - a small price bump buys the top rank on our chart. The catch is Surfshark unlimited-device policy, and only PIA matches that at the same rock-bottom price. Prefer a giant server list? CyberGhost. Chasing the widest streaming catalog? ExpressVPN.
Top Surfshark Alternatives Compared
| Alternative | Rating | Best Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 9.4/10 | $3.09/mo | Best overall + fastest |
| PIA | 8.3/10 | $2.03/mo | Unlimited devices + torrenting |
| CyberGhost | 8.5/10 | $2.03/mo | Huge network + 45-day refund |
| ExpressVPN | 9.1/10 | $6.67/mo | Streaming + app polish |
| ProtonVPN | 8.6/10 | $4.49/mo | Open-source privacy + free tier |
1. NordVPN - Best Overall Alternative
NordVPN is the step up if you want more performance: our top-rated provider at 9.4/10, the fastest in our ratings (89% retention), with the widest country coverage (118) and extras like Threat Protection and Double VPN. It caps at 10 devices rather than unlimited, and costs a little more at $3.09/month - but for most people the speed and polish justify it. Compare in our Surfshark vs NordVPN breakdown.
Risk-free - 30-day money-back guarantee
2. PIA - Closest Unlimited-Device Match
If unlimited devices is what you love about Surfshark, PIA matches it at an even lower $2.03/month, and adds port forwarding, a 35,000-server network, open-source apps, and a court-proven no-logs record. It's the best like-for-like alternative for value and torrenting. See PIA vs Surfshark.
3. CyberGhost - Huge Network, Longest Guarantee
CyberGhost is the other budget heavyweight: 11,500+ servers, streaming-labelled locations, and a 45-day money-back guarantee, at $2.03/month. It caps at 7 devices and is a touch slower, but its network is one of the largest around and its guarantee is the longest we track. See CyberGhost vs Surfshark.
4. ExpressVPN - Widest Streaming
For the broadest streaming access, ExpressVPN unblocks around 20 Netflix regions and includes MediaStreamer Smart DNS. It's the priciest here at $6.67/month, but the most capable for unblocking niche libraries and the most reliable in censored regions.
5. ProtonVPN - Best for Privacy
ProtonVPN is the upgrade for privacy: open-source, Swiss-based, and the only one here with a no-data-cap free tier. If transparency matters more than unlimited devices, it's the strongest choice.
Our Verdict
Be honest with yourself about what is missing before you move, because Surfshark gives up very little for the money. If you simply want the best-performing VPN, NordVPN is worth the extra dollar a month. If losing unlimited devices is the dealbreaker, PIA is the only true like-for-like swap at the same price. Everything else here is a specialist trade: CyberGhost for the server count and refund window, ExpressVPN for streaming breadth, ProtonVPN for open-source privacy.
Risk-free - 30-day money-back guarantee
Risk-free - 30-day money-back guarantee