If you pay for Brave VPN, you get a whole-device VPN run by Guardian that switches on from the browser menu for $9.99 a month. Its network is small, though, and streaming is hit and miss. Proton VPN is our top pick to replace it. It costs the same on monthly billing, adds a free tier with no data cap, and runs 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries.
The table below puts all eight side by side, with Brave VPN as the baseline.
Brave VPN Alternatives Compared at a Glance
Prices are for monthly billing. Every paid pick except Mullvad charges much less per month on a long-term plan.
| VPN | Best for | Price/mo | Free plan | Simultaneous devices | Servers / countries | Jurisdiction | Audited no-logs | Works in Brave (extension) | Ad/tracker blocker | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Overall | $9.99 | Yes, unlimited data, 1 device | 10 | 20,000+ / 140+ | Switzerland | Securitum (2025) | Yes, free accounts too | NetShield | Check price → |
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Speed and streaming | $14.99 | No | 10 | 9,000+ / 118-167, by count method | Panama | Deloitte (6th, 2025) | Yes, standalone proxy | Threat Protection Pro | Check price |
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Restrictive networks | $12.99 | No | 10 (Basic) | 105-113 countries | British Virgin Islands | KPMG (2025) | Yes, app or Proxy mode | Not listed | Check price |
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Budget, unlimited devices | About $15-$16.45, by region | No | Unlimited | 4,500+ / 100 | Netherlands | Deloitte (2025) | Yes, standalone | CleanWeb | Check price |
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Anonymity | €5 flat | No | 5 | About 566 / about 50 | Sweden | Regular audits (2026) | No, Firefox-only extension; the desktop app covers Brave | DNS content blocking | Check price |
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Free plan | $9 | Yes, 10GB/mo with email | Unlimited | 69 countries (Pro) | Canada | Court-tested (2025) | Yes, Chrome Web Store | R.O.B.E.R.T. | Check price |
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Extension controls | About $11.95 | No | Unlimited | 91 countries + 50 US states | United States | Deloitte (2025) | Yes, standalone proxy | MACE | Check price |
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Beginners | $12.99 | Free proxy extension only | 7 | 9,900+ / 100 | Romania | Deloitte (2025) | Yes, free 4-location proxy | Basic filtering in extension | Check price |
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Baseline | $9.99 | No, 7-day trial | 10 | 300+ / 40+ regions | United States | Assured (2024) | Built in, whole device | Firewall blocks trackers |
What Brave VPN Gives You (and Where It Falls Short)
Brave VPN, sold as Brave Firewall + VPN, is a paid add-on built into the Brave browser, and it does several things well. Turning it on is nearly frictionless. We flipped the toggle in the Brave menu, and apps outside the browser were covered too. Guardian runs the network, and Assured audited its software and infrastructure in 2024. The firewall also blocks trackers and malware connections across the whole device.
Brave's own VPN page lists the price at $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year. One subscription covers 10 devices across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. That is up from 5 since Brave's October 30, 2024 relaunch. Desktop support arrived with Brave 1.49 in March 2023.
The limits show up in daily use. The network has 300+ servers, concentrated in North America and Western Europe. A nearby European server lost only single-digit download speed in our checks. Domestic downloads, however, dropped by roughly 35 to 40 percent, which is a steep toll for a WireGuard VPN. Servers in Asia, Africa and South America are thin on the ground and slow down sharply. Netflix results were inconsistent, too.
There is no protocol toggle, so you cannot force WireGuard or IKEv2 yourself. Kill-switch support differs by platform, and split tunneling is not offered across its apps. On Android, the connection sometimes dropped with network-changed errors when we opened a link from another app. Support has no live chat. When a problem crosses from Brave to Guardian, it is not always clear who owns the fix.
Guardian has been owned by DNSFilter since August 2022, so your data stays with US companies. There is no 30-day money-back guarantee either, which makes the 7-day trial your real evaluation window. Our Brave VPN review covers the full verdict.
How We Picked These Brave VPN Alternatives
We started from Brave VPN's own offer, $9.99 a month for 10 devices, and looked for services that beat it on at least one point that matters. Price came first, including free tiers and long-term rates. Audited no-logs policies, device limits, network size and streaming results came next. We also weighed support for platforms beyond Brave's four.
Brave users also need to know how each VPN works inside the browser. That added two criteria we weighed: whether its Chrome Web Store extension installs in Brave and runs without the desktop app, and whether it guards against WebRTC leaks. Each rating comes from our full HTS review of that VPN, and the list follows those scores from highest to lowest.
1. Proton VPN - Best Brave VPN Alternative Overall
Proton VPN beat Brave on more of those points than any other service. It took about two minutes to install, and its apps explain each setting in plain language. On the free tier we saw no throttling and no data cap, though the free app picks the server for you. After upgrading, nearby servers cut our download speed by under 10 percent. We found no DNS, IPv6 or WebRTC leaks across dozens of server countries. Our Proton VPN review scores it 9.0/10.
Key features
- Free plan: no ads, no credit card, servers in about 10 countries (a list Proton keeps expanding)
- Secure Core, NetShield ad blocking and the Stealth protocol
- Chrome extension that works in Brave on free accounts, with auto-connect
- Open-source apps on all major platforms, including Linux
How it compares to Brave VPN
Proton VPN Plus costs $9.99 on monthly billing, the same as Brave VPN. The saving comes from the free tier and the two-year plan. That plan runs about $2.99 a month, a promotional rate that renews higher. A 30-day money-back guarantee, prorated for unused time, replaces Brave's short trial. Proton's published no-logs audit by Securitum found full compliance after an on-site check in Zurich in 2025.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Paid plans unblock Netflix, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer without server hopping
- Split tunneling and a protocol choice
- Prorated 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Free plan covers 1 device with no country choice
- No streaming or P2P on the free plan
- Email replies can take about two days
2. NordVPN - Best for Speed and Streaming
Where Proton wins on value, NordVPN wins on raw performance. Nearby servers cost us only single-digit percentages of speed, and 4K streams played without buffering. Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max unblocked reliably. When the tunnel failed, the kill switch cut traffic. Our NordVPN review scores it 9.0/10.
Key features
- NordLynx, OpenVPN and NordWhisper, its in-house protocol for obfuscated servers
- Threat Protection Pro blocks ads, trackers and malicious sites
- Meshnet, Double VPN and post-quantum encryption
- Apps for Apple TV and Fire TV as well as desktop and mobile
How it compares to Brave VPN
NordVPN costs more on monthly billing, at $14.99, and has no free plan. The two-year plan drops to about $3.49 a month, a promotional rate that renews higher. It has passed six Deloitte no-logs assurance engagements and is based in Panama. Its network also reaches far more countries than Brave's 40+ regions.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Extension runs without the app and passes WebRTC checks
- RAM-only servers
- Connections held without unexpected drops
Cons
- No free plan
- Renewal charges land about two weeks early
- Double VPN cuts speed by around 80 percent
3. ExpressVPN - Best for Restrictive Networks
Where NordVPN chases speed, ExpressVPN is built for networks that try to block VPNs. Every server uses automatic obfuscation. In China it connected on roughly 85 percent of attempts, but only after we set Lightway manually instead of Automatic. Everyday use was calmer. Connections stayed rock solid, and Netflix, Hulu and ESPN+ loaded without issues. Our ExpressVPN review scores it 8.8/10.
Key features
- Lightway, OpenVPN and WireGuard, on RAM-only TrustedServer hardware
- Network Lock kill switch and split tunneling
- Advanced and Pro plans raise the limit to 12 or 14 devices
- Apps for routers, Apple TV and consoles
How it compares to Brave VPN
ExpressVPN costs $12.99 on monthly billing. On two years it drops to about $2.79 a month, then renews at about $99.95 a year. A 30-day money-back guarantee replaces the 7-day trial. ExpressVPN's KPMG no-logs audit from 2025 confirmed it stores no browsing history, DNS queries or connection logs. Its server list runs past 100 countries, and the count keeps growing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Network Lock trips only rarely
- Ping rose only 5 to 6 ms in our checks
- Extension can drive the full desktop app
Cons
- No free plan
- Downloads dropped roughly 37 to 39 percent
- Kape also owns CyberGhost and PIA
4. Surfshark - Best Budget Pick (Unlimited Devices)
Surfshark matches ExpressVPN on streaming and costs a little less on a two-year plan. Netflix worked across regions without VPN detection, and the native apps made setup on Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV painless. Download speed dropped about 17 percent on Windows and about 31 percent on macOS. When the VPN dropped, the kill switch cut internet access instantly. Our Surfshark review scores it 8.6/10.
Key features
- CleanWeb blocks ads and cookie pop-ups
- Camouflage mode and NoBorders for strict networks
- Extension runs without the desktop app, with split tunneling built in
- One and One+ plans add antivirus and data-removal tools
How it compares to Brave VPN
Surfshark's Starter plan costs $2.49 a month on the two-year plan. That is far below Brave's $8.33-a-month annual rate. It renews at $79 a year. Monthly billing runs about $15 to $16.45 depending on region, so it only saves money on a long plan. You get a 30-day money-back guarantee, and Deloitte verified its no-logs policy in 2023 and again in 2025.
Pros and cons
Pros
- RAM-only servers
- Apps for Linux, smart TVs and consoles
- Low long-term price
Cons
- No free plan
- Camouflage mode works only with OpenVPN
- Bigger speed loss on macOS than on Windows
5. Mullvad VPN - Best for Anonymity
Mullvad asks for less information than any other pick. Sign-up took us seconds, because a random 16-digit account number is the only login, with no email or password. Local speed loss was only around 6 percent, while distant servers slowed downloads noticeably. Streaming was hit or miss, with some servers reaching Netflix and others detected. Our Mullvad VPN review scores it 8.5/10.
Key features
- Flat €5 a month, unchanged since 2009, with no sales
- WireGuard only, plus DAITA, multihop and several obfuscation options
- Servers in about 50 countries (the live list changes often)
- Pay with cash, crypto, card or PayPal
How it compares to Brave VPN
Mullvad has no Chromium extension, so in Brave you protect traffic through the desktop app instead. It covers 5 devices, half of Brave's 10. New payments get a 14-day refund. Mullvad's audit reports include X41 D-Sec's January 2026 review of its account and payment services.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A 2023 Swedish police raid found no user data to seize
- Regular independent audits
- Open-source apps with a Linux client
Cons
- No free plan or trial
- Streaming is unreliable
- Email-only support, with replies in hours
6. Windscribe - Best Free Plan
Where Mullvad has no free tier at all, Windscribe is the free pick that feels least like a trial. The free plan kept the full feature set in our use, including R.O.B.E.R.T. blocking and the firewall. Free servers delivered roughly the same speeds as Pro, although congestion caused sudden drops of up to 90 percent. Netflix access was inconsistent, especially on distant servers. Our Windscribe review scores it 8.5/10.
Key features
- Free: 2GB a month, or 10GB after you confirm an email address
- Free servers in about 10 countries (Windscribe rotates which ones)
- Unlimited devices, even on the free plan
- Extension adds timezone spoofing and cookie cleanup
How it compares to Brave VPN
Windscribe Pro costs $9 a month or $69 a year, and both undercut Brave's prices. Pro covers 69 countries. Build-a-Plan charges $1 per location a month, with a $3 minimum. Refunds apply within 7 days of the first purchase, and only if you used less than 10GB. Windscribe lists no formal audit. A Greek court did dismiss charges against its CEO on April 11, 2025, accepting that it held no user logs.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan lets you pick locations
- Cheapest annual Pro plan here
- Extension plus app enables Double Hop
Cons
- Free data runs out on heavy use
- Free servers slow sharply at busy times
- Short, conditional refund window
7. Private Internet Access - Best Browser Extension Controls
PIA gives you more control inside the browser than any other pick. Its open-source Chrome extension works as a standalone proxy in Brave. Its settings can block WebRTC IP detection, camera and microphone access, and ads through MACE. The exact toggle list can change between versions. The desktop app's long settings list felt overwhelming at first, then easy once tuned. Speed loss was small, about 4 percent locally and 18 percent internationally. Streaming was the weak spot: US and UK Netflix would not load, and Disney+ and Hulu detected the VPN. Our Private Internet Access review scores it 8.4/10.
Key features
- Servers in all 50 US states
- Port forwarding (not on US servers) and split tunneling by app or IP
- Choice of AES-128 or AES-256 encryption
- A full GUI Linux app
How it compares to Brave VPN
PIA is also a US company, owned by Kape since 2019, so it does not change your jurisdiction. It does add proof: Deloitte completed its third no-logs assurance in December 2025. Monthly billing is about $11.95. Long plans drop to about $2.03 a month, though PIA rotates its deal length and bonus months. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros and cons
Pros
- RAM-only servers and crypto payment
- Small speed loss on local servers
- No device cap
Cons
- No free plan
- The forwarded port changes with every reconnect
- Settings can overwhelm beginners
8. CyberGhost - Easiest for Beginners
CyberGhost suits anyone who found PIA's settings too busy. Setup was quick, and switching protocols on desktop took about four seconds. Its dedicated streaming servers unblocked Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Prime Video on the first try. Nearby servers lost roughly 5 to 19 percent of their speed. Long-distance servers dropped by about 44 to 59 percent. Our CyberGhost review scores it 8.4/10.
Key features
- Streaming servers labeled by service, plus NoSpy servers
- 24/7 live chat
- Free Chrome proxy extension with 4 locations and no account needed
- Cleaner mobile apps than its dated Windows app
How it compares to Brave VPN
CyberGhost costs $12.99 on monthly billing. The 26-month plan runs about $2.19 a month. Rotating promotions move it between about $1.99 and $2.19. Its 45-day money-back guarantee on long plans is the most generous here (14 days on monthly). It allows 7 devices, tighter than Brave's 10. Deloitte completed its third no-logs assurance in late 2025.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simplest apps of the eight
- 45-day money-back guarantee on long plans
- Live chat support
Cons
- Free extension has no kill switch
- No multi-hop
- Does not work in China
VPN Extension vs Desktop App: How to Use a VPN With Brave
Whichever of the eight you choose, you can run it with Brave in two ways, and each covers a different amount of traffic. A VPN extension works as a proxy. It only covers browser traffic, so other apps on the device stay outside the tunnel. A desktop app encrypts every app, including Brave, much like Brave VPN's own whole-device protection.
Brave says any extension in the Chrome Web Store also works in Brave. To add one, open the extension's store page, click "Add to Brave" and approve the permissions. To manage it later, open the Brave menu (≡), then choose Extensions. NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN installed with one click in our checks and ran without their desktop apps. Our list of the best VPN extensions for Chrome covers more options.
ExpressVPN works differently. Its extension opens in Remote Control mode and does nothing until the desktop app is installed. After that, it drives the app and the whole device gets encrypted. If you only want browser coverage, switch it to Proxy mode, which runs without the app.
For most people, the desktop app is the safer default because it protects every app, not just your browsing. An extension makes sense on a work computer where you cannot install software, or when you only want one browser routed through another country.
Keep Brave Shields on when you use a VPN. Shields handles ad blocking inside the browser, while the VPN adds encryption and security at the network level, so the two work together.
What About Browser Alternatives Like Vivaldi, Opera, and Tor?
Some readers searching for a Brave alternative want a different browser rather than a different VPN. Three browsers offer VPN-style protection of their own.
Vivaldi's desktop browser has had Proton VPN built in since March 27, 2025. It works as a browser-only secure web proxy, needs a Vivaldi account, and its free tier has no data limits. Opera offers a free browser VPN with no data caps that protects Opera traffic only, and its paid VPN Pro covers the whole device. Our Opera VPN review goes deeper. Tor Browser, from the nonprofit Tor Project, relays and encrypts traffic three times and isolates each site so trackers cannot follow you.
None of these protects your other apps the way a full VPN does, so the picks above remain the better swap for Brave VPN itself.
Brave VPN and the Brave browser are separate things. The browser is free, while the VPN is a paid add-on inside it, so you can keep using Brave with any VPN on this list.
Brave VPN Alternatives FAQ
Is Brave VPN worth it?
Does Brave have a built-in VPN, and is it free?
Do VPN extensions work in Brave on Android or iPhone?
Is a VPN still useful with Brave Shields on?
Can WebRTC leak my IP in Brave?
Is there a free alternative to Brave VPN?
Final Verdict
Pick NordVPN if speed and streaming matter most, or ExpressVPN if you connect from networks that block VPNs. Surfshark is the budget pick for a large household, since it has no device cap. Mullvad suits anyone who wants to sign up without an email address, and Windscribe is the free option that lets you choose your location. For everyone else, one service stands out.
