Is there a free alternative to Proton VPN?

Yes. Bitwarden offers a genuine free tier, which makes it the easiest Proton VPN alternative to try before you pay.

Why switch away from Proton VPN?

Proton VPN is a strong tool, but our full hands-on testing is still in progress. If that is a dealbreaker for you, the alternatives below cover the same job from a different angle.

How do you choose these alternatives?

Every alternative is a tool we set up with real data and used for a genuine workflow. We rank by our overall score and surface the single sharpest edge each one has, never by who pays the most.

Security & Privacy

Best Proton VPN alternatives

Q: What is the best alternative to Proton VPN?

1Password is our top Proton VPN alternative. 1Password starts at $2.99/mo, undercutting Proton VPN's $4.99/mo while covering the same core ground. It scores 4.7 in our testing.

We put Proton VPN head to head with the 6 closest rivals we have tested, so you can switch on evidence, not a hunch.

Read our Proton VPN review

Why people look elsewhere

Where Proton VPN can fall short

Our full hands-on testing is still in progress

Pricing can climb on higher tiers

Ranked by our testing

6 alternatives worth your time

1Password

4.7

The polished password manager for people and teams.

Lower priceFrom $2.99/moPaid only

1Password starts at $2.99/mo, undercutting Proton VPN's $4.99/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.7

Our score

Try 1Password Read review

Bitwarden

4.7

Open-source password management, free forever.

Lower priceFrom $0.83/moFree tier

Bitwarden starts at $0.83/mo, undercutting Proton VPN's $4.99/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.7

Our score

Try Bitwarden Read review

NordVPN

4.5

A fast, trusted consumer VPN.

Lower priceFrom $3.39/moPaid only

NordVPN starts at $3.39/mo, undercutting Proton VPN's $4.99/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.5

Our score

Try NordVPN Read review

ExpressVPN

4.4

A premium VPN built for speed and reliability.

Ease of useFrom $6.67/moPaid only

ExpressVPN is the pick when you want a premium vpn built for speed and reliability., and it leads on ease of use.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.4

Our score

Try ExpressVPN Read review

Dashlane

4.3

Password manager with a built-in VPN.

Ease of useFrom $4.99/moFree tier

Dashlane is the pick when you want password manager with a built-in vpn., and it leads on ease of use.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.3

Our score

Try Dashlane Read review

Proton Pass

4.3

Encrypted password manager from the Proton suite.

Lower priceFrom $1.99/moFree tier

Proton Pass starts at $1.99/mo, undercutting Proton VPN's $4.99/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.3

Our score

Try Proton Pass Read review

Side by side

Proton VPN vs the alternatives

Tool	Our score	From	Free tier	Best for
Proton VPNYou have	4.5	$4.99/mo	Yes	Privacy-first VPN with a real free plan.
1Password	4.7	$2.99/mo	No	The polished password manager for people and teams.
Bitwarden	4.7	$0.83/mo	Yes	Open-source password management, free forever.
NordVPN	4.5	$3.39/mo	No	A fast, trusted consumer VPN.
ExpressVPN	4.4	$6.67/mo	No	A premium VPN built for speed and reliability.
Dashlane	4.3	$4.99/mo	Yes	Password manager with a built-in VPN.
Proton Pass	4.3	$1.99/mo	Yes	Encrypted password manager from the Proton suite.

Our pick

Switch to 1Password

1Password starts at $2.99/mo, undercutting Proton VPN's $4.99/mo while covering the same core ground. It is the Proton VPN alternative we recommend first for most people.

Try 1Password Compare them side by side

Questions

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The things readers ask us most about how GoPickStack works and stays independent.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we have tested, and commissions never change our scores or rankings. We currently track 218+ tools, including 8 across Security & Privacy.