Looking for a ClearVPN alternative? ClearVPN is MacPaw's shortcut-based VPN app, built around one-tap presets for streaming, secure browsing and ad blocking rather than a plain server list. It is easy to use and good with Netflix, but it has no Linux app, no independent audit of its no-logs policy, and no official free plan: its help center offers only a 3-day trial.
We compared eight alternatives against ClearVPN on privacy, speed, streaming, price, free access and platform support. NordVPN is our best overall pick. Proton VPN is the best free one, and Surfshark is the best value if you need to protect a lot of devices.
ClearVPN Alternatives Compared at a Glance
The picks appear in the order of our review scores, with ClearVPN as the last row for reference. Prices marked "promo" are introductory rates that renew higher.
| Provider | Best for | Free plan | Starting price | Simultaneous devices | No-logs audit | Platforms | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Overall | No | About $3.49/mo (2 yr, promo) | 10 | Deloitte, 6th in 2025 | Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV | Check price → |
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Free plan | Yes, unlimited data, 1 device | About $2.99/mo (2 yr, promo) | 10 | Securitum, 2025 | Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | Check price |
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Streaming | No | About $2.79/mo (2 yr, promo) | 10 (Basic) | KPMG, 2025 | Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, Apple TV | Check price |
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Budget, unlimited devices | No (7-day mobile trial) | $2.49/mo (2 yr) | Unlimited | Deloitte, 2025 | Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV | Check price |
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Privacy purists | No | EUR 5/mo flat | 5 | Regular audits, latest 2026 | Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | Check price |
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Beginners | No | About $2.19/mo (26 mo, promo) | 7 | Deloitte, Q4 2025 | Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | Check price |
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Power users | No | About $2.03/mo (3 yr + 3 mo, promo) | Unlimited | Deloitte, Dec 2025 | Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | Check price |
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Simplest free option | Yes, 2GB/mo | $3.33/mo (3 yr) | Unlimited | Cure53 annual security audits | Win, Mac, Android, iOS | Check price |
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Baseline | No (3-day trial, card required) | $3.75/mo (1 yr) | 6 | None published | Win, Mac, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV |
Why Look for a ClearVPN Alternative?
ClearVPN comes from MacPaw, the Ukrainian company behind CleanMyMac, founded in 2008. ClearVPN's own site lists servers in 45+ countries and up to 6 devices per account. Premium costs $9.99 on monthly billing or $3.75 a month on the 1-year plan.
Our ClearVPN review scores it 6.5/10, and the reasons people switch are practical rather than dramatic. Setup took us about a minute, and Netflix unblocked across the US, Canada, UK and Australia libraries. BBC iPlayer failed even through the dedicated streaming shortcut, though, and the shortcut-first dashboard felt cluttered at first. You also get no city-level server choice, only a country or a task preset.
The privacy side is where the gaps show. Leak tests came back clean on OpenVPN, but DNS requests can leak on IKEv2. The kill switch is present in current apps, but it does not reliably block traffic during server switches. In our testing the real IP showed briefly when we changed servers. No independent audit of the no-logs policy has been published either.
Platform and feature scope matters too. There is no Linux app, and the Mac app needs macOS 13 or later. The "Chrome extension" is ClearWeb, an ad blocker that does not route traffic through the VPN. ClearVPN picks the protocol automatically and has been adding newer ones. The available set depends on app version and platform. Split tunneling appears to have arrived recently in some ClearVPN builds, so availability varies too. Those gaps shaped how we judged every replacement.
How We Picked These ClearVPN Alternatives
We started from what ClearVPN does well and where it falls short, then weighed each alternative on six criteria. Privacy came first: a published no-logs policy, an independent audit and a clear jurisdiction. Speed and streaming came next, measured on nearby and distant servers and against the major streaming services.
Price covered both the monthly rate and the long-term promo, including what it renews at. We also checked whether a real free tier exists and whether it needs a card. Finally, we compared platforms and device limits, since ClearVPN's missing Linux app and 6-device cap are common reasons to switch. Each pick's score comes from our full review of that service, and the eight below are ordered by it.
1. NordVPN - Best ClearVPN Alternative Overall
NordVPN is the pick for anyone who liked ClearVPN's streaming but wants privacy they can actually check. It earns 9.0/10 in our NordVPN review, and speed is the first reason why.
The speed difference was obvious as soon as we connected. Nearby servers cost us only single-digit percentages of download and upload speed, and 4K streams played without buffering. Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max all unblocked reliably. When the tunnel failed, the kill switch cut traffic straight away, a test ClearVPN's kill switch did not reliably pass.
There is no free plan. Monthly billing costs $14.99, and the two-year plan runs about $3.49 a month, a promotional rate that renews higher. Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV and Fire TV, with 10 devices at once. NordVPN is based in Panama, and its obfuscated servers run on NordWhisper, its in-house protocol.
Pros
- Six Deloitte no-logs assurance reports
- Fast nearby servers and reliable streaming
- Native Linux, Apple TV and Fire TV apps
Cons
- No free plan
- Renewal charges land about two weeks before the term ends
- The desktop map needs zooming for city servers
2. Proton VPN - Best Free ClearVPN Alternative
NordVPN has no free tier at all, but Proton VPN removes ClearVPN's biggest entry barrier: you can keep using it without paying. Proton ties NordVPN on score, with 9.0/10 in our Proton VPN review.
Installation took about two minutes, and the apps explain each setting in plain language. On the free tier we saw no throttling, though the app picks the server location for you. After we upgraded to VPN Plus, nearby servers cut our download speed by under 10 percent. No DNS, IPv6 or WebRTC leaks showed up across dozens of server countries.
The free plan has no ads, covers 1 device and excludes streaming and P2P. Free servers sit in a limited set of countries (Proton says 10, and the list keeps changing). VPN Plus costs $9.99 monthly or about $2.99 a month on the two-year plan, a promotional rate that renews higher. It covers 10 devices across 140+ countries on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Proton is based in Switzerland, and its independent no-logs audit by Securitum found full compliance.
Pros
- Free plan with unlimited data and no card
- Paid plans unblock Netflix, Prime Video and BBC iPlayer without server hopping
- Open-source apps and a prorated 30-day refund
Cons
- Live chat is not 24/7, and email replies can take about two days
- Free users cannot choose a country
3. ExpressVPN - Best for Streaming
Where Proton wins on free access, ExpressVPN wins on streaming reliability. It suits anyone who bought ClearVPN mainly to watch TV and wants that to keep working on more of the screens in the house.
Connections stayed rock solid through long daily use, and the Network Lock kill switch tripped only rarely. Download speed dropped by roughly 37-39 percent on Windows and Mac, while ping rose only 5-6 ms. That is a bigger speed cost than NordVPN, but Netflix, Hulu and ESPN+ all loaded without issues. One quirk caught us out. The browser extension opens in Remote Control mode and does nothing until the desktop app is installed, unless you switch it to Proxy mode. That stability is most of why our ExpressVPN review scores it 8.8/10.
ExpressVPN charges $12.99 for a single month. The two-year Basic plan runs about $2.79 a month, a rate that moves with promotions and renews at about $99.95 a year. Basic covers 10 devices, with 12 on Advanced and 14 on Pro. ExpressVPN is registered in the British Virgin Islands and owned by Kape Technologies.
Pros
- Very stable connections and reliable streaming
- Apps for routers, Apple TV, consoles and Linux
- KPMG-assessed no-logs policy
Cons
- Largest speed drop among our top four picks
- Pricier than Surfshark on long plans
4. Surfshark - Best Budget Alternative (Unlimited Devices)
ExpressVPN caps its Basic plan at 10 devices. Surfshark answers ClearVPN's 6-device cap more directly by putting no limit on simultaneous connections at all.
Download speed dropped about 17 percent on Windows and about 31 percent on macOS, with steady latency. Netflix worked across regions without VPN detection. We found TV setup painless, and the kill switch cut internet access instantly when the VPN dropped. Our Surfshark review scores it 8.6/10.
At $2.49 a month on the two-year Starter plan, renewing at $79 a year, it undercuts every paid pick above. Monthly billing runs about $15-$16.45 depending on region and promotion. There is no free plan, but the iOS and Android apps offer a 7-day trial through the app stores. Surfshark covers 100 countries, is based in the Netherlands, and passed Deloitte no-logs checks in 2023 and 2025.
Pros
- Unlimited devices on every plan
- Native Apple TV, Android TV and Fire TV apps
- CleanWeb ad blocker and Bypasser split tunneling included
Cons
- Renewal price is much higher than the first term
- Bigger speed drop on macOS than on Windows
5. Mullvad VPN - Best for Privacy Purists
Signing up for Mullvad took us seconds. The app generated a random 16-digit account number, and that number is the only login. Surfshark goes wide on devices, while Mullvad goes deep on anonymity, the opposite of ClearVPN's account-and-shortcuts approach.
Local speed loss was only around 6 percent, though distant servers slowed downloads noticeably. Streaming was hit or miss, with some servers getting Netflix and others detected. Support is email-only, and replies came in hours rather than minutes. Those trade-offs leave it at 8.5/10 in our full Mullvad review, which is still strong for a service that asks so little of you.
Pricing is one flat EUR 5 a month regardless of term, unchanged since 2009 with no sales. That covers up to 5 devices, and you can pay with cash, crypto, card or PayPal. New payments get a 14-day refund, with cash, crypto and App Store payments excluded. Mullvad is based in Sweden, runs WireGuard only, and publishes its regular independent audits, most recently a June 2026 security assessment of its Android app by Leviathan Security Group.
Pros
- No email, username or password needed
- Accepts cash and crypto payments
- Open-source apps with a native Linux app
Cons
- Streaming is unreliable
- Email-only support and a 5-device limit
6. CyberGhost - Easiest Alternative for Beginners
Mullvad expects you to know what you want. CyberGhost keeps the task-first simplicity that draws people to ClearVPN instead, and labels its streaming servers by service.
Setup was quick and beginner-friendly, and switching protocols on desktop took about four seconds. Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Prime Video unblocked on the first try through the dedicated streaming servers, which beats ClearVPN's iPlayer result. Nearby servers lost little speed (roughly 5-19 percent), but long-distance servers dropped by about 44-59 percent. The Windows app looks dated next to newer rivals, while the mobile apps are cleaner.
The 26-month plan runs about $2.19 a month, though rotating promotions move it between about $1.99 and $2.19, and a single month costs $12.99. The 6-month and 26-month plans carry a 45-day money-back guarantee, and the monthly plan gets 14 days. CyberGhost covers 100 countries, is based in Romania under Kape Technologies, and passed its third Deloitte no-logs audit in Q4 2025. Our CyberGhost review scores it 8.4/10.
Pros
- Streaming servers labelled by service
- Longest refund window here at 45 days
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons
- 7 devices, tighter than most rivals
- Dated Windows app
7. Private Internet Access - Best for Power Users
Port forwarding is what sets Private Internet Access (PIA) apart from the easier picks above. It works on non-US servers, although in our testing the forwarded port changed with every reconnect. PIA goes the other way from CyberGhost, trading simplicity for control over nearly every setting.
Speed loss was small, about 4 percent on local servers and 18 percent internationally. The desktop app's long settings list overwhelmed us at first, then became easy once we had it tuned. Streaming was weak: US and UK Netflix no longer unblocked, and Disney+ and Hulu detected the VPN. That streaming gap is what holds it to 8.4/10 in our PIA review.
PIA rotates its deal lengths and bonus months, so prices differ by date and region. At the time of writing it lists $11.95 for one month and about $2.03 a month on a three-year-plus-three-month plan, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It covers 91 countries plus all 50 US states, is US-based under Kape, and completed its third Deloitte no-logs assurance in December 2025.
Pros
- Customizable AES-128 or AES-256 encryption
- Native Linux GUI app and open-source apps
- Unlimited devices
Cons
- Poor for streaming
- Busy settings screen for beginners
8. TunnelBear - Simplest Free Option
TunnelBear's free 2GB a month covered email and light browsing in our testing, but it ran out after a single HD film. Know that limit going in. Within that limit, and a long way from PIA's settings list, it is the simplest free swap for anyone who chose ClearVPN to avoid touching settings.
Connecting is a one-click tap on a country in the map-based app, which makes it the easiest interface here for first-time VPN users. Free users can no longer pick a country, as the app assigns the location automatically. Local speed loss was small, about 4 percent on WireGuard, while OpenVPN often faltered. Streaming was unreliable: Hulu and Prime Video failed, and Netflix worked only on specific US servers. Our TunnelBear review scores it 7.5/10.
The paid Unlimited plan costs $9.99 monthly or $3.33 a month on the three-year plan, and annual plans bought on TunnelBear's website carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. TunnelBear was founded in Toronto and bought by McAfee in 2018, and Cure53 has published annual security audits of it since 2016.
Pros
- Free plan with no card required
- Easiest app for first-time users
- Unlimited devices on free and paid plans
Cons
- 2GB free allowance goes quickly
- No router, TV or console apps, and no live chat
What About AdGuard VPN, Mozilla VPN, and Hotspot Shield?
These three come up often as ClearVPN alternatives, but none beat our eight picks. AdGuard VPN's free plan gives 3GB of traffic a month on 2 devices, and once the allowance is used up the connection keeps working at reduced speed. It uses its own TrustTunnel protocol, which disguises VPN traffic as ordinary HTTPS, but no independent no-logs audit has been published.
Mozilla VPN runs on Mullvad's server network with WireGuard and costs $4.99 a month on the annual plan for up to 5 devices. We found the app almost too minimal, and streaming was hit or miss. Our Mozilla VPN review scores it 7.9/10.
Hotspot Shield is US-based, and its no-logs policy has not been independently audited. The free tier handles browsing and email, but it buffered during evening streaming and ran at least twice as slowly as the paid network. Our Hotspot Shield review gives it 6.5/10, the same as ClearVPN.
Non-VPN Alternatives: Tor and Zero Trust Access
A VPN is not the only way to protect your traffic. Before comparing these options, it helps to know how a VPN works: it sends all of a device's traffic through one encrypted tunnel to a single server.
Tor (The Onion Router)
The Tor Project is a nonprofit that makes free, open-source privacy tools. Tor routes your traffic through thousands of volunteer-run relays, and it is encrypted three times as it crosses the network. That makes it harder to trace than a single VPN server. However, Tor Browser only protects traffic sent through Tor Browser, not the whole device, and the three-relay route is slower than a VPN. It is a poor fit for streaming.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) for Teams
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a way for companies to give each person access to specific work apps, rather than to a whole office network. NIST's Zero Trust Architecture standard, SP 800-207, describes the idea: no device is trusted just because of where it connects from. Each login is checked before every session. ZTNA is a business tool, so it will not hide your browsing or change your location the way ClearVPN does.
Free vs Paid: Which ClearVPN Alternative Should You Choose?
With the picks and the near misses covered, the last choice is whether to pay at all. ClearVPN's help center says plainly that "ClearVPN is not free", and it offers no official free plan. Its free route is a 3-day trial of all paid features that needs a payment method and rolls into the paid plan unless you cancel before day three.
If you want a free VPN you can keep, Proton VPN is the clear choice, with unlimited data on one device. TunnelBear works for occasional use on many devices, but 2GB a month will not cover streaming. Pay if you stream, torrent or protect a family. Surfshark at $2.49 a month for two years costs less than ClearVPN's $3.75 annual rate, and every paid pick here offers at least a 14-day refund.
ClearVPN Alternatives FAQ
Is ClearVPN safe, and who owns it?
Can I get a refund on ClearVPN before I switch?
I get ClearVPN through Setapp. Is it worth switching?
Is Tor safer than a VPN?
Is ZTNA better than a VPN?
Final Verdict
NordVPN is the best ClearVPN alternative for most people, because it keeps the streaming strength and adds audited privacy, a working kill switch and a Linux app. Proton VPN is the pick if you want a free plan you can actually keep.
If ClearVPN's one-tap style is what you liked, CyberGhost is the closest match with fewer gaps. If you are happy with ClearVPN on Apple devices and mostly watch Netflix, staying put is reasonable, as long as you do not rely on its kill switch.
