sitealternatives
VPN · 10 alternatives

Instead of Surfshark, try one of these 10.

Every alternative is lined up against Surfshark on what people actually switch for: price, open source, self-hosting, offline use and platforms. Surfshark sits in the first row, so you can see what you give up.

Show onlySorted by likes · 10 of 10
Alternative
Price
Open source
Self-host
Offline
Platforms
SurfsharkWhat you have now
Unlimited-device VPN with a bundle of security tools.
PricePaid
from $2.50/mo
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
NordVPN#1
The best-known consumer VPN with a large server fleet.
PricePaid
from $4/mo
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Proton VPN#2
Free-tier VPN from the Proton privacy ecosystem.
PriceFreemium
plus from $5/mo
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Mullvad VPN#3
Privacy-first VPN, pay anonymously with cash.
PricePaid
$5/mo flat
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
OpenVPN Connect#4
Official OpenVPN client for self-hosted private servers.
PriceFreemium
Open sourceYes
Self-hostYes
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
ExpressVPN#5
Premium VPN known for speed and simplicity.
PricePaid
from $8/mo
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Windscribe#6
Generous free VPN with a configurable paid plan.
PriceFreemium
from $3/mo
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Hotspot Shield#7
Ad-supported VPN marketed on speed and streaming
PriceFreemium
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
IVPN#8
Independently audited, no-logs VPN for the privacy-minded.
PricePaid
from $4/mo
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
CyberGhost VPN#9
Large server fleet aimed at streaming and simple setup.
PricePaid
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
SPN - Safing Privacy Network#10
Privacy network routing each connection through separate hops.
PricePaid
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Linux

How to read this. “Yes” means fully supported by the maker. “Partial” means it works with caveats. Likes reflect community popularity; vendors can’t pay for them or for placement. How we compare.

Surfshark alternatives at a glance

Surfshark is a paid vpn app (from $2.50/mo). We compared 10 alternatives: 5 are open source, 0 are completely free, 1 can be self-hosted and 10 work fully offline. The most popular is NordVPN, with 960 likes.

Most liked overallNordVPN

The best-known consumer VPN with a large server fleet.

Paid · Works offline
Best open-source optionProton VPN

Free-tier VPN from the Proton privacy ecosystem.

Freemium · Open source · Works offline
Best to self-hostOpenVPN Connect

Official OpenVPN client for self-hosted private servers.

Freemium · Open source · Self‑hostable · Works offline
Best for offline useMullvad VPN

Privacy-first VPN, pay anonymously with cash.

Paid · Open source · Works offline

More vpn apps

All vpn apps →