The best AtlasVPN alternatives

Plenty of VPNs let you use them for free, with higher speeds or more functionality reserved for premium subscribers. Free plans rarely give you a good idea of what to expect when you upgrade. Take AtlasVPN for example: free users can’t take advantage of its most interesting security tools and are limited to 5GB of bandwidth each month.

It’s a buyer’s market at the moment. Hundreds of VPN providers compete for your attention. You don’t have to settle for anything less than excellence. We’ve searched high and low to find the best alternatives to AtlasVPN, with both paid and freemium services represented. This way, you can stream, torrent, and game securely without worrying about whether you’re really getting your money’s worth.

Looking for the short version? Here are the best alternatives to AtlasVPN:

1. NordVPN: Our #1 AtlasVPN alternative. NordVPN is quick, security-conscious, and suitable for any day-to-day task. No free plan but does include a risk-free money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The best budget alternative. Provides high speeds and works with more streaming platforms. Like AtlasVPN, Surfshark has no connection limit whatsoever.
3. ExpressVPN: Boasts twice the number of server locations that AtlasVPN does. Very easy to install on routers, with a Smart DNS service and the ability to beat powerful online censorship.
4. CyberGhost: Specially-optimized servers make streaming and torrenting a breeze. Blazing fast speeds, apps for all major platforms (including Linux), and servers in 91 countries.
5. ProtonVPN: A freemium VPN with no bandwidth limits and one more free-to-use location than AtlasVPN. The most exciting security tools are, unfortunately, only available to paid users.
6. Windscribe: Freemium provider with a generous 10 GB per month limit. Decent speeds, built-in content filtering, and no issues with torrenting. Even works in China.

When researching the best alternatives to AtlasVPN, we looked for beginner-friendly services capable of handling any everyday situation. Our top picks boast all of the following:

• Lots of server locations to choose from
• A free plan, trial, or money-back guarantee
• Reliable speeds and a higher bandwidth limit than AtlasVPN (though ideally, no limit at all)
• Responsive customer support, preferably over live chat
• Strong set of security tools and a no-logging policy

If you’d like to learn more about how we put providers to the test, check out our VPN testing methodology post.

Best AtlasVPN alternatives

Here’s our list of the best AtlasVPN alternatives:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024

NordVPN is our top alternative to AtlasVPN. It doesn’t offer a free plan, but it does come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it without any limitations. Whether you’re hoping to stream, play games, or make video calls, this service rises to the challenge, and with average speeds of over 300 Mbps, it’s one of the fastest on the market. There are more than 5,000 servers to choose from in 60 countries, and some are oven optimized for torrenting, accessing the dark web, or bypassing online censorship.

There’s a suite of security and privacy tools included too. For instance, NordVPN prevents IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks while its kill switch ensures you never accidentally browse without protection. It’s also capable of blocking ads and trackers automatically, and offers a MeshNet tool that can connect you to devices on other networks (for instance, for secure file transfers or virtual LAN parties). Best of all, it follows a true no-logs policy. There’s even 24/7 support (available via email or live chat).

NordVPN has apps for all major platforms including Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You’ll have to manually configure it for routers, though.

BEST ATLASVPN ALTERNATIVE:NordVPN is our first choice thanks to its fast connections, impressive streaming abilities, and strong commitment to security. Remember: you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free.

Want to learn more? Take a look at our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is our budget pick but it actually offers more than some of its pricier rivals. For instance, it has servers in 100 countries compared to the industry standard of 60. It’s extremely versatile, has no issues connecting in China, accesses popular streaming platforms, and helps you torrent anonymously. With high speeds and a complete lack of connection or bandwidth limits, there’s very little that this VPN can’t do.

There’s a lot to like from a security perspective as well. Surfshark uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to keep you safe at all times. There’s also automatic ad-blocking, a stealth mode, and a tool that’ll switch your IP address periodically for additional privacy. Surfshark follows a no-logs policy, something that has been independently verified by expert auditors. If you need help, you can get in touch, day or night, using the live chat service.

Surfshark has its own iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps. If you’d prefer, you can manually install it on a wide range of routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is the best low-cost alternative to AtlasVPN. It’s reliable, speedy, and one of the best at accessing streaming sites. Not only that but like AtlasVPN, it has no connection limit. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included with all plans.

Why not check out our complete Surfshark review?

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has plenty to offer, with servers in more than 90 countries, exceptional streaming capabilities, and some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen. While it only allows five simultaneous connections, it does offer its own router app, which makes it much easier to secure every device on your network. This provider works perfectly in China, allows torrenting, and offers 24/7 live chat just in case you run into any issues.

This provider uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to keep your traffic secure. Its proprietary Lightway protocol can even shield your data when switching from mobile data to wifi. Users can block access to other devices on the network if they’d like. ExpressVPN doesn’t log any data that could identify you, something that’s been confirmed by its many independent audits.

ExpressVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It’s also the only major VPN to offer custom router firmware.

MULTI-PURPOSE VPN:ExpressVPN is a great choice whether you’re looking to torrent, play online games, or stream securely. It works almost everywhere in the world, is easy enough for complete beginners to use, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our comprehensive ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has nearly twice as many server locations as AtlasVPN. In fact, some of its 7,000+ servers are specifically designed for gaming, streaming, and torrenting, so it’s easy to find the right one for the job.  This VPN is faster too, and unlike AtlasVPN, it can be installed onto routers. This is huge as routers only count as a single connection, regardless of how many devices are on the network.

Like AtlasVPN, CyberGhost comes with uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. It lets you create smart rules that govern when the VPN can connect automatically and which apps get to bypass encryption entirely. CyberGhost doesn’t log any data that could be traced back to you and has undergone multiple audits to prove it. Customer support is on-hand, day and night, over live chat.

CyberGhost has its own Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS apps. It can also be manually configured for use with most types of router.

GREAT FIRST VPN:CyberGhost is extremely easy to use, with task-specific servers, high speeds, and a network spanning 91 countries. It also boasts a generous 45-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support via live chat.

Take a look at our complete review of CyberGhost.

5. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is another freemium provider but unlike AtlasVPN, it doesn’t subject free users to bandwidth or speed caps. It offers one additional server location, and if you upgrade, you’ll gain access to the full network (which spans 67 countries and includes streaming-optimized servers). These can help you securely access platforms like Netflix, Peacock, BBC iPlayer, and more while traveling.

This service can protect up to 10 of your devices simultaneously using effectively-uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and leak prevention. There’s also a tool that can help you access ProtonVPN’s website in places where it might be blocked, plus an accelerator feature that claims it can boost your speeds by up to 400 percent. Most importantly, ProtonVPN doesn’t log any personally-identifiable data, something that’s been verified by independent auditors.

ProtonVPN is available for iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Android. It’s one of the only providers that offers a Linux app with a graphical user interface. Router installation is possible but you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

NO BANDWIDTH CAP:ProtonVPN doesn’t limit your bandwidth at all but it does offer paid subscribers higher speeds, specialized servers, and access to a 24/7 live chat service. If you change your mind later, you’re protected by the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our detailed ProtonVPN review for more info.

6. Windscribe

Windscribe is a great choice if you’re looking for a free VPN. That’s because it has a high bandwidth cap (up to 10 GB per month versus AtlasVPN’s 5 GB), no connection limit, and doesn’t throttle your speeds. It offers 11 free server locations, whereas most of its rivals only provide two or three. Of course, paid plans give you access to unlimited bandwidth, servers in 60+ countries, and the files you’ll need to run this VPN on your router.

Your data is secured using DNS and IPv6 leak protection, 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. Split tunneling lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which don’t. A tool called R.O.B.E.R.T. automatically blocks ads, trackers, and specific types of websites. We’re big fans of Windscribe’s proxy gateway feature too – this lets you secure data from Smart TVs and games consoles, even if they don’t support VPN apps directly.

Windscribe has its own Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS apps. It’s capable of protecting your router, though this requires manual configuration.

Windscribe is a solid freemium service with an excellent set of security tools and a good degree of flexibility. You can try it for free with the three-day money-back guarantee if you’ve used less than 10 GB of data.

Still have questions? You’ll find answers in our comprehensive Windscribe review.

Frequently Asked Questions