3 tools that do the same job as Proton VPN, compared on checked pricing and features. Proton VPN's cheapest paid plan is $4.49 a month for one person, and one of the alternatives costs less. None of the three have a free plan.
Prices checked against each vendor's own pricing page; Proton VPN's on October 5, 2026.
Cheapest paid plan that covers the team, per month before tax, at the yearly rate where one is published. Each tool's prices were checked against its own pricing page, most recently on October 5, 2026.
1. Mullvad
Best for privacy-minded users who want a VPN account with no email, paid in cash or crypto
Mullvad is a Swedish VPN for people who want an account with no email or personal details: sign-up generates an account number, and you can pay in cash or crypto. It costs a flat €5 a month, with no discount or renewal increase for longer periods.
One person
€5/mo
Mullvad VPN · Proton VPN: $4.49/mo
Team of 10
€5/mo
Mullvad VPN · Proton VPN: $4.49/mo
Free plan
No
Stay with Proton VPN if…
Price matters for one person: Proton VPN is $4.49/mo, Mullvad €5/mo.
Price matters for a team of 10: Proton VPN is $4.49/mo, Mullvad €5/mo.
You need a free plan: Proton VPN has one; Mullvad doesn't.
You rely on what Mullvad lacks: dedicated IP option, large global server network and reliable streaming access.
NordVPN is a Panama-based consumer VPN for people who want no-logs claims reviewed by outside auditors, with 10 devices on every plan. One- and two-year terms are billed upfront at an introductory price and renew yearly at a higher one.
One person
$5.49/mo
Basic · Proton VPN: $4.49/mo
Team of 10
$5.49/mo
Basic · Proton VPN: $4.49/mo
Free plan
No
Stay with Proton VPN if…
Price matters for one person: Proton VPN is $4.49/mo, NordVPN $5.49/mo.
Price matters for a team of 10: Proton VPN is $4.49/mo, NordVPN $5.49/mo.
You need a free plan: Proton VPN has one; NordVPN doesn't.
You rely on what NordVPN lacks: anonymous signup & payment and free tier.
Surfshark is a Dutch VPN for households with many devices: every plan allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Longer terms are billed upfront at an introductory price, and Surfshark doesn't publish what they renew at.
One person
$4.24/mo
Starter · Proton VPN: $4.49/mo
Team of 10
$4.24/mo
Starter · Proton VPN: $4.49/mo
Free plan
No
Choose Surfshark if…
You want it cheaper for one person: $4.24/mo on Starter, against $4.49/mo for Proton VPN.
You want it cheaper for a team of 10: $4.24/mo on Starter, against $4.49/mo for Proton VPN.
You need what Proton VPN lacks: unlimited simultaneous devices.
Stay with Proton VPN if…
You need a free plan: Proton VPN has one; Surfshark doesn't.
You rely on what Surfshark lacks: anonymous signup & payment, open-source apps and free tier.
