7 Best ExpressVPN Alternatives in 2026
By Itai Varochik | Updated February 18, 2026 | 3 min read
Affiliate Disclosure: GetASearch may earn a commission when you sign up through links on this page. This doesn't affect our ratings or editorial independence. Read our methodology.
Why switch from expressvpn?
ExpressVPN is excellent but expensive at $6.67/month. If you're looking for similar performance at a lower price, these alternatives deliver. We tested each for speed, streaming, security, and value.
1. nordvpn — best overall alternative
NordVPN matches ExpressVPN on speed (850 Mbps) and exceeds it on value ($3.09/month). You get 10 simultaneous connections, Threat Protection (ad/malware blocking), and Meshnet. It's the most complete VPN package available and our top recommendation for ExpressVPN switchers.
2. surfshark — best budget option
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections at just $2.19/month (2-year plan). Speed averages 780 Mbps—slightly behind the top two but excellent for the price. CleanWeb blocks ads and malware. The main trade-off is a smaller server network (3,200 vs 6,400+).
3. protonvpn — best for privacy
ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland and built by the team behind ProtonMail. It offers a genuinely useful free tier (unlimited data, 3 countries), Secure Core routing through privacy-friendly countries, and full open-source transparency. Speeds average 700 Mbps on paid plans.
4-7. cyberghost, private internet access, mullvad, windscribe
CyberGhost offers 9,500+ servers and dedicated streaming/gaming profiles. PIA provides the best value for US users with a proven no-logs policy. Mullvad focuses purely on privacy with anonymous accounts ($5.50/month flat). Windscribe offers a generous free tier (10GB/month) and flexible pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest ExpressVPN alternative?
Surfshark at $2.19/month (2-year plan) offers the best budget alternative with unlimited devices and strong performance.
Is NordVPN as good as ExpressVPN?
NordVPN matches or exceeds ExpressVPN in most categories while costing roughly half as much. It's our top-rated VPN overall.