Best NordVPN Alternatives & Competitors (2024)
Dipen Pradhan
Forbes Staff
Editorial Note: This content has been independently collected by the Forbes Advisor team and is offered on a non-advised basis. This content is not part of the comparison service provided by RunPath Regulatory Services. Forbes Advisor may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
When it comes to VPN providers in India, NordVPN is one of the most popular options out there. However, it’s not the only choice. If you’re looking for NordVPN alternatives, there are many VPN providers, which can meet your personal or business cybersecurity requirements.
Forbes Advisor India researched VPN providers with similar features worth considering. These include affordable pricing, dedicated IP address, kill switch, multi factor authentication, ease of use, customer reviews and support options.
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- Featured Partners
- Best NordVPN Alternatives and Competitors For 2024
- AtlasVPN
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost VPN
- Private Internet Access
- ProtonVPN
- PureVPN
- Summary of Best NordVPN Alternatives and Competitors
- Methodology: How We Test Best NordVPN Alternatives and Competitors
- Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best NordVPN Alternative
- Should I Use a Free VPN Instead of NordVPN
- Featured Partners
- Next Up In Business
Featured Partners
2
Surfshark
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 197.29 + one month free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
3,200+
At upto 82% off on Surfshark’s secure website
3
Private Internet Access
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 158.89
No. of Devices
Unlimited
No. of Servers
30,000+
On Private Internet Access’ Website
Best NordVPN Alternatives and Competitors For 2024
- AtlasVPN: Best overall
- ExpressVPN: VPN with its own Wi-Fi router to secure all devices
- CyberGhost VPN: Best VPN with multiple servers
- Private Internet Access: Best VPN with dedicated IP address for Indian users
- ProtonVPN: Best VPN with free plan up to 10 GB per month
- PureVPN: Best VPN to access region-locked content
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
BEST OVERALL
AtlasVPN
4.4
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Free Plan
Up to 5 GB per month
Standard Annual Plan
INR 269.88 ($3.29) per month
Money-back Guarantee
30 days
On AtlasVPN's secure website
Free Plan
Standard Annual Plan
INR 269.88 ($3.29) per month
Money-back Guarantee
30 days
Why We Picked It
AtlasVPN is our top-pick for its feature-rich plans. It supports unlimited devices and users can choose from more than 1,000 servers located in 42 countries. The U.S. headquartered VPN provider offers up to 5 GB free VPN, which users can try and test its features before committing to its premium plan.
What’s more, it comes with a multiHop plus feature, which is helpful to tunnel your connection via multiple rotating VPN locations. It unblocks a range of streaming services, including region-locked content. For intense gamers, it reduces DDoS attacks, bandwidth throttling by ISPs, and lags and ping times to provide seamless gaming experience.
Pricing
AtlasVPN offers affordable plans starting at INR 269.88 ($3.29) per month for annual subscription. However, users can benefit from its two-year plan for INR 4,036.71 ($49.21), which is INR 149.30 ($1.82) per month. Its monthly subscription costs INR 983.54 ($11.99) per month.
Pros & Cons
- Free plan available up to 5GB
- Affordable pricing
- Can be used to connect unlimited devices simultaneously
- Dedicated IP address is not available
- AtlasVPN cannot be set up on routers
- Pricier monthly plan
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
VPN WITH ITS OWN Wi-Fi ROUTER TO SECURE ALL DEVICES
ExpressVPN
4.4
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Free Plan
NA
Standard Annual Plan
INR 546.57 ($6.67) per month
Money-back Guarantee
30 days
On ExpressVPN's secure website
Free Plan
NA
Standard Annual Plan
INR 546.57 ($6.67) per month
Money-back Guarantee
30 days
Why We Picked It
ExpressVPN is another leading NordVPN competitor that enables users to secure their cyberspace from prying eyes. Though it supports up to five devices only, users can opt for ExpressVPN-compatible Wi-Fi router that can be used to secure all connected devices. It’s easy to use, and users can connect to any servers located across 94 countries.
Pricing
ExpressVPN offers three pricing options for users to choose from: monthly plan at INR 1,062.29 ($12.95), six months plan at INR 819.48 ($9.99), and annual plan at INR 547.14 ($6.67). All plans come with a 30-days money-back guarantee.
Read more:
Pros & Cons
- Option to choose from servers in 94 countries
- Offers unlimited bandwidth
- ExpressVPN-compatible Wi-Fi router to boost connectivity
- Pricier than its competitors
- No dedicated IP option to users
- No free VPN plan
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
BEST VPN WITH MULTIPLE SERVERS
CyberGhost
4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Free Plan
NA
Standard Annual Plan
INR 170 (2 years + 3 months) per month
Money-back Guarantee
45 days
On CyberGhost’s secure website
Free Plan
NA
Standard Annual Plan
INR 170 (2 years + 3 months) per month
Money-back Guarantee
45 days
Why We Picked It
CyberGhost is a VPN provider that works best for individuals and small businesses to secure up to seven devices while connected to any of the 7,000 servers located in 90 countries. It is a well-known VPN for security, with its no-logs policy being independently audited by a global firm Deloitte. This means that users’ browsing history, online searches, downloads, and other sensitive information are safe while connected to the VPN.
Pricing
To sign up, users can purchase any plan from its three pricing options. The monthly plan starts from INR 965, six months plan costs INR 560, but users can get the best deal from its two-year plan at INR 175 per month. All its plans come with a 45-days money-back guarantee.
Read more: CyberGhost VPN Review 2024
Pros & Cons
- Affordable plan
- Offers dedicated IP address
- Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
- No free plan available
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
BEST VPN WITH DEDICATED IP ADDRESS FOR INDIAN USERS
Private Internet Access
4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Free Plan
NA
Annual Plan Costs
INR 250.83 per month, billed annually
Money-back Guarantee
30 days
On PrivateInternetAccess' secure website
Free Plan
NA
Annual Plan Costs
INR 250.83 per month, billed annually
Money-back Guarantee
30 days
Why We Picked It
While Private Internet Access doesn’t provide a free plan, its rates are affordable, with support for unlimited devices, and come with a dedicated IP address for users to opt for. A dedicated IP is a fixed IP address that is not shared by other users while connected to the same VPN server. What’s more, it offers features including kill switch, split tunneling, multi-factor authentication, and doesn’t store user’s logs.
Pricing
Users can get a best deal from its annual subscription that costs INR 250.83 per month (billed annually). You will get an additional discount on its highest-tier plan for three years at INR 150.08 per month. Its monthly plan costs INR 900.79 per month. All plans come with a 30 days money-back guarantee.
Read more: Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Review 2023
Pros & Cons
- Competitive pricing
- Dedicated IP address available
- Supports unlimited devices
- Multi factor authentication available
- No free plan
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
BEST VPN WITH FREE PLAN UP TO 10 GB PER MONTH
ProtonVPN
4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Free Plan
Up to 10 GB per month
Annual Plan Costs
INR 491.36 ($5.99) per month
Money-back guarantee
30 days
On ProtonVPN's secure website
Free Plan
Up to 10 GB per month
Annual Plan Costs
INR 491.36 ($5.99) per month
Money-back guarantee
30 days
Why We Picked It
ProtonVPN supports up to 10 devices connected simultaneously that makes it an ideal choice for individuals and small businesses to secure their cyberspace. The company allows Indian users to connect with its 1,900 virtual servers located in 65 countries. ProtonVPN is compatible with almost all devices including Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. What’s attractive about this VPN is that its free plan does not irate users with unwanted adverts, though the data is capped at 10GB per month.
Pricing
The cybersecurity company has three pricing options. The monthly plan costs INR 942.53 ($11.49), but when you sign up for a two-year plan, you get a 57% discount at INR 409.33 ($4.99) per month. Its 12-month plan costs INR INR 491.36 ($5.99) per month.
Read more:
Pros & Cons
- No adverts on free plan
- Supports up to 10 devices connected simultaneously
- Customer support available via ticket support, live chat, and email
- Premium plans are costly
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
BEST VPN TO ACCESS REGION-LOCKED CONTENT
PureVPN
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Free Plan
No
Price
INR 319 ($3.85) + 4 extra months
Money-back Guarantee
31 days
On PureVPN's secure website
Free Plan
No
Price
INR 319 ($3.85) + 4 extra months
Money-back Guarantee
31 days
Why We Picked It
PureVPN is a fast and secure VPN service with a range of unique features. It’s one of the most secure VPNs that combines AES-256 encryption with an ad and malware blocker. It boasts of improving lag and slow internet connection, and helps users to access region-locked content, streaming services, and comes with features including split tunneling, kill switch, dedicated IP address, and multi factor authentication.
Pricing
PureVPN’s annual plan starts from INR 306.79 ($3.74) per month, and can go up to INR 614.41 ($7.49) depending on added features such as password manager, personal privacy manager, etc. Similarly, its two-year subscription starts from INR 187.85 ($2.29) to INR 409.33 ($4.99) per month. Its monthly subscription cost INR 980.26 ($11.95) to INR 1636.50 ($19.95). All plans support connection up to 10 devices, with access to over 6,500 servers located in 78 countries.
Read more:
Pros & Cons
- Affordable pricing
- Add-ons to protect password, block targeted ads
- No free plan
- Monthly plans are costlier
- Dedicated IP option restricted for Indian users
Summary of Best NordVPN Alternatives and Competitors
| Company Name | Company – Logo | Forbes Advisor India Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Free VPN | Annual Plan Cost | No. of Devices | No. of Servers | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | View more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AtlasVPN |  | 4.4 |  | Up to 5 GB p/m | INR 269.88 ($3.29) per month | Unlimited | 1,000+ servers in 42 countries | View More | ||
| ExpressVPN |  | 4.4 |  | ✕ | INR 546.57 ($6.67) p/m | Five | Unspecified, 94 countries | View More | ||
| CyberGhost VPN |  | 4.2 |  | ✕ | INR 170 (2 years + 3 months) p/m | Seven | 7,000 servers in 90 countries | View More | ||
| Private Internet Access |  | 4.2 | | ✕ | INR 250.83 p/m | Unlimited | Unspecified, 84 countries | View More | ||
| ProtonVPN |  | 4.2 |  | Up to 10 GB p/m | INR 250.83 p/m | Unlimited | Unspecified, 84 countries | View More | ||
| PureVPN |  | 4.0 | | ✕ | INR 306.79 ($3.74) p/m | 10 | 6,500+ servers in 78 countries | View More |
Pricing and plans of aforementioned VPNs are accurate as of July 18, 2023.
Methodology: How We Test Best NordVPN Alternatives and Competitors
Choosing the right VPN for home, professional, and business use is essential. There are several factors to consider, including price, ease of use, speed, connectivity, features and customer support. To help you choose the right NordVPN competitor for your business and personal use, we’ve evaluated the leading options based on 13 different characteristics.
The following is the weightage assigned to each category:
– General features: 2%
– Maximum number of servers: 1%
– Free plan, premium pricing: 1.5%
– User review, customer support: 0.5%
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best NordVPN Alternative
A VPN provides an extra layer of security to users to enable them access to content, which otherwise is blocked by their ISPs or the government. It creates a secure connection for transferring sensitive personal or business information. It hides the user’s actual IP address and creates a secure connection between their device and the virtual server.
While looking out for a suitable NordVPN alternative, here are the top features you must evaluate:
- Kill Switch: Disconnects users immediately from the internet when VPN connection drops.
- Split Tunneling: Splits connection that requires VPN, and apps that are safe to run on local IP.
- Dedicated IP: It is a static or fixed IP address which isn’t shared by others.
- No-Logs Policy: Doesn’t collect user’s internet browsing information, IP address, bandwidth consumption, browsing history, DNS queries, etc.
- Multi Factor Authentication: An extra layer of security to access your VPN account.
Should I Use a Free VPN Instead of NordVPN
Unlike NordVPN, there are a number of free VPN providers in the market including PrivadoVPN, AtlasVPN, Hide.me, Windscribe, ProtonVPN, Hotspot Shield, to name a few. That said, there are pros and cons when using a free VPN. Most free VPN providers offer up to 5GB to 10GB free VPN per month, except for ProtonVPN which provides unlimited free VPN. Whereas, a free VPN provided by Hotspot Shield is based on advertisem*nt where users have to frequently watch 15 to 30 seconds ad to stay connected to the VPN.
Moreover, free VPNs offer access to a limited number of virtual servers, particularly based in the Netherlands, Singapore, Japan, or the U.S. Also, the connection is not always stable and in turn hampers speed. Also, many VPN features such split tunneling, kill switch, and dedicated IP are capped on free plan. However, it is best to test features using a free version before you buy their premium plan.
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 329.07 ($3.99) + 3 months free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
5,000+
On NordVPN’s Website
2
Surfshark
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 197.29 + one month free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
3,200+
At upto 82% off on Surfshark’s secure website
3
Private Internet Access
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 158.89
No. of Devices
Unlimited
No. of Servers
30,000+
On Private Internet Access’ Website
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- Best VPN
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Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
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What is the best NordVPN alternative?
The best NordVPN alternative is the one that’s best for your personal or business safety requirements, and can differ among individuals and businesses. To find the best VPN, consider the number of devices you can connect with a VPN, your budget, and general features like mentioned above. Our top-rated NordVPN alternatives include AtlasVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN, Private Internet Access, ProtonVPN, and PureVPN.
What is the most affordable NordVPN alternative?
There are a number of affordable NordVPN alternatives, including Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and AtlasVPN.
Are there any free alternatives to NordVPN?
Yes, from our top-pick, AtlasVPN and ProtonVPN come with free options, though there are some limitations to features such as kill switch, dedicated IP, etc.
How do I know which NordVPN alternative is right for me?
The best NordVPN alternative for you will depend on your personal or business security needs. The key is to find an alternative that offers the features you need as well as affordability to purchase its subscription plans.
Why would I need an alternative to NordVPN?
NordVPN isn’t the only VPN provider on the market, nor is it the best fit for every individual, professional, or business. For example, it’s not the most beginner-friendly, nor is it the most affordable option, and there are fewer server connections as well as the cost for dedicated IP is higher than some competitors. Learn more about the best VPN providers in India.
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