8 Best FastestVPN Alternatives in 2026 (Free and Paid Picks)

8 Best FastestVPN Alternatives in 2026 (Free and Paid Picks)

Looking for a FastestVPN alternative? FastestVPN is a budget VPN service that has operated since 2016 and is best known for its $40 lifetime plan. Its no-logs policy has been audited, but in our testing it cut download speeds by about 30 percent on average, its network is limited to 800+ servers in 49+ countries, and Apple users get no split tunneling. Those are the gaps that push most people to switch.

Our top FastestVPN alternative is NordVPN, which barely dented speeds on nearby servers. Proton VPN is the best free option, because its free plan has no data cap and shows no ads. Below we compare eight VPNs on privacy, audits, speed, streaming and price, and every score matches our full review of that provider.

Why Look for a FastestVPN Alternative?

FastestVPN is not a bad VPN. Our FastestVPN review scores it 7.4/10, below all eight picks on this page. The case for switching comes down to speed, network size and missing platform features, not safety.

What FastestVPN Does Well

Price is the main draw. The monthly plan costs $5, the 1 Year + 1 Year Free plan costs $19.95 (about $0.83 a month), and every plan covers 10 devices. Add-ons are cheap too, with a dedicated IP at $1.49 a month and port forwarding at $1.20.

You also get 256-bit AES encryption, the WireGuard protocol, a kill switch, Double VPN and an ad blocker. The company is based in the Cayman Islands, and FastestVPN's Altius IT no-logs audit from January 2023 found no logs that could identify a user. We found the app clean and easy to navigate, and its human-staffed 24/7 live chat usually answered within minutes.

FastestVPN's Windows app showing the connect button and the server list with the streaming tab open, next to a speed test result.

Where FastestVPN Falls Short

Speed is the recurring problem. On a nearby US server we lost roughly a quarter of our download speed, and on a London server we lost close to half. Some servers connected but would not load any website, which forced several server switches, and the kill switch could hang the app mid-switch.

Coverage is thin in South America, Africa and parts of Asia. The streaming servers unblocked Netflix US, UK and Canada, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer, but standard servers were hit-or-miss and Netflix Australia stayed blocked. Split tunneling works only on Android and Windows. FastestVPN also has only a single no-logs audit, from 2023, while six of our eight picks had one between 2024 and 2026, and Mullvad and Windscribe had their infrastructure audited in 2024.

Watch out

The $40 lifetime plan matches about four years on the $19.95 two-year plan, or eight months at the $5 monthly rate, but it only keeps its value while the company keeps operating.

FastestVPN Alternatives at a Glance

Comparison of the best FastestVPN alternatives
Product Best for Price/mo Servers / countries Devices Free plan or trial Independent audit Buy
NordVPN logo
NordVPN
9.0/10Rated 9.0 out of 10
Top pick
Best overall $3.49 (2-yr) About 9,000 / 129 to 149 10 No Yes (Deloitte, 2026) Check price →
Proton VPN logo
Proton VPN
9.0/10Rated 9.0 out of 10
Free plan and privacy $2.99 (2-yr) 20,000+ / 140+ 10 (1 on free) Free plan Yes (Securitum, 2022 to 2026) Check price
ExpressVPN logo
ExpressVPN
8.8/10Rated 8.8 out of 10
Ease of use About $3 (2-yr) Unverified / 113 10 7-day mobile trial Yes (KPMG, 2025) Check price
Surfshark logo
Surfshark
8.6/10Rated 8.6 out of 10
Unlimited devices $2.49 (2-yr) 4,500+ / 100 Unlimited No Yes (Deloitte, 2025) Check price
Mullvad VPN logo
Mullvad VPN
8.5/10Rated 8.5 out of 10
Anonymity EUR 5 flat 566 / 50 5 No Infrastructure only (Cure53, 2024) Check price
Windscribe logo
Windscribe
8.5/10Rated 8.5 out of 10
Customization $5.75 ($69/yr) Unverified / 69+ Unlimited Free plan (10GB/mo) Infrastructure only (Packetlabs, 2024) Check price
CyberGhost logo
CyberGhost
8.4/10Rated 8.4 out of 10
Streaming servers $2.19 (26-mo) About 10,000 / 100+ 7 No Yes (Deloitte, 2026) Check price
Private Internet Access logo
Private Internet Access
8.4/10Rated 8.4 out of 10
Tinkerers $2.03 (3-yr) Unverified / 91 Unlimited 7-day mobile trial Yes (Deloitte, 2024) Check price
FastestVPN (baseline) logo
FastestVPN (baseline)
7.4/10Rated 7.4 out of 10
Lifetime deal $0.83 (2-yr) or $40 lifetime 800+ / 49+ 10 No Yes (Altius IT, 2023)

How We Picked and Tested These Alternatives

Every VPN in the list below had to beat FastestVPN's own 7.4/10 score in our full reviews. For each one we looked at speed loss on nearby and long-distance servers, streaming results, app behavior, audit recency, jurisdiction, device limits and support. We judged price on renewal rates as well as launch deals.

Several services missed the cut. IPVanish scored 8.0/10 and came close. TorGuard scored 7.4/10, the same as FastestVPN, so it would not be an upgrade, while Hotspot Shield (6.5/10) and CactusVPN (6.4/10) scored lower.

A spreadsheet of VPN speed test results comparing download speeds on nearby and long-distance servers for eight VPN services.

The Best FastestVPN Alternatives

1. NordVPN: Best Overall FastestVPN Alternative

NordVPN fixes the speed problem that pushes most people away from FastestVPN. On a nearby US server, our speed test held about 825 to 903 Mbps, which is 95 percent or more of a gigabit line. We then ran a 4K stream and a video call on the same connection, and neither one buffered. Regular servers opened Netflix, Max, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer, so we never had to hunt for a special streaming server.

The Panama-based network is more than ten times the size of FastestVPN's. A Deloitte engagement in February 2026 was NordVPN's sixth no-logs assurance, and plans run $14.99 month to month outside the 2-year deal, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. That mix of speed and audit history earns it the 9.0/10 in our NordVPN review.

NordVPN's desktop app connected to a US server, showing the map view and the NordLynx protocol label in the connection panel.

Pros

  • Post-quantum encryption on NordLynx, its WireGuard-based protocol
  • Threat Protection Pro, Meshnet and a native Apple TV app

Cons

  • Renewal price jumps well above the promotional rate
  • The map interface feels clunky on small screens
Our top pick NordVPN logo
NordVPN
For anyone leaving FastestVPN mainly because it felt slow.
$3.49/mo
Check price →

2. Proton VPN: Best Free and Privacy-First Alternative

Proton VPN fixes FastestVPN's small network and older audit in one move. Securitum has checked its no-logs policy every year since 2022, with each of Proton VPN's independent no-logs audit reports public, and Proton AG is based in Switzerland.

The app installed in under two minutes, and each setting came with a plain-language explanation of what it does. On a paid server, download speed dropped by no more than about 8 percent. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and HBO Max then unblocked consistently. VPN Plus costs $9.99 month to month if you skip the 2-year plan, and our Proton VPN review ties it with NordVPN at 9.0/10.

Proton VPN desktop app with the Secure Core tab open, listing multi-hop routes through Switzerland and Iceland servers.

Pros

  • Secure Core multi-hop and a Stealth protocol
  • Open-source apps, P2P and port forwarding on paid plans

Cons

  • Secure Core runs about 35 percent slower than standard connections
  • Live chat is not 24/7 and not open to free users
Proton VPN logo
Proton VPN
For privacy-minded users who want to try a VPN free before paying.
$2.99/mo
Check price →

3. ExpressVPN: Easiest Alternative to Use

ExpressVPN keeps the simple feel of FastestVPN's app and adds stronger performance. We opened the app, pressed the single large connect button and let it pick a Smart Location, so there was nothing else to configure. On US and UK servers its Lightway protocol then held roughly 450 to 720 Mbps from a gigabit line. When we had a question, live chat answered in under a minute.

The British Virgin Islands service reaches more than twice as many countries as FastestVPN, and KPMG assessed its privacy claims in 2025. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Prime Video and Hulu unblocked across many regions. Our ExpressVPN review rates it 8.8/10.

Pros

  • RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure
  • Split tunneling on macOS, which FastestVPN lacks

Cons

  • Basic renews at $99.95 a year after the promotional term
  • No Double VPN or Tor-over-VPN servers
ExpressVPN logo
ExpressVPN
For beginners who want to connect and forget about settings.
About $3/mo
Check price →

4. Surfshark: Best for Unlimited Devices

Surfshark removes FastestVPN's 10-device cap. On a server across the Atlantic, downloads dropped by only about 10 percent. We then set it up on a TV through the native Fire TV app, and the Android TV and Apple TV apps install the same way. Netflix worked reliably across several regions.

Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, and Deloitte verified its no-logs policy in 2023 and 2025. Our Surfshark review gives it 8.6/10.

Surfshark's Fire TV app on a living-room TV, showing the quick-connect button and the country list with the Netherlands highlighted.

Pros

  • CleanWeb ad blocking, MultiHop and Camouflage obfuscation
  • RAM-only servers

Cons

  • Month-to-month pricing runs roughly $15 to $16
  • Ping spiked on some servers in the Windows app
Surfshark logo
Surfshark
For households that have outgrown a 10-device cap.
$2.49/mo
Check price →

5. Mullvad VPN: Best for Anonymity

Mullvad goes further on privacy than FastestVPN or any other pick here. Signup took us seconds: Mullvad issued a random 16-digit account number and asked for no email or name. You pay one flat monthly price, with no tiers and no renewal jump.

The Swedish service's Cure53 infrastructure audit in 2024 was its fourth, though it checks infrastructure rather than issuing a formal no-logs opinion. Streaming is the trade-off. When we tried Netflix US and BBC iPlayer, both returned proxy errors. On another session access worked, then failed again a few minutes later. Our Mullvad VPN review lands at 8.5/10 because of that gap.

Pros

  • Pay with cash, crypto or a voucher
  • DAITA defense against traffic analysis

Cons

  • Email-only support with no live chat
  • Frequent CAPTCHA challenges while connected
Mullvad VPN logo
Mullvad VPN
For people who do not want to hand over an email address at all.
EUR 5/mo
Check price →

6. Windscribe: Best for Customization

Windscribe beats FastestVPN on flexibility. Port forwarding and static IPs are built in rather than paid add-ons, and R.O.B.E.R.T. blocks ads, trackers and malware with custom rules. On a nearby Pro server we measured about 92 of our 95 Mbps baseline. When we switched to a long route such as Singapore, speed fell off noticeably. Netflix US and UK worked, though several regional services stayed blocked.

Windscribe has no dedicated no-logs audit, but Packetlabs audited its RAM-only servers in 2024, and a Dutch server seizure in February 2026 found no logs. Pro costs $69 a year, and our Windscribe review scores it 8.5/10.

Pros

  • Build a Plan option from $1 per location
  • A generous free plan (covered below)

Cons

  • The desktop app has more menus and toggles than most
  • Refunds only within 7 days and under 10GB of use
Windscribe logo
Windscribe
For power users who like to fine-tune every setting.
$5.75/mo
Check price →

7. CyberGhost: Best for Streaming Servers

CyberGhost fixes FastestVPN's hit-or-miss standard servers with streaming servers labelled for each platform. The server labelled for Netflix US loaded on the first try, and the ones for BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Prime Video did the same without any server-hopping. Nearby servers cost us about 20 percent of our download speed. On Australia and South Africa servers, though, downloads dropped by more than 55 percent.

CyberGhost is based in Romania, and Deloitte has audited its no-logs policy three times, most recently in February 2026. Our CyberGhost review puts it at 8.4/10.

CyberGhost Windows app showing the For streaming server list, with servers labelled for Netflix US, BBC iPlayer and Disney+.

Pros

  • 45-day money-back guarantee on longer plans
  • Dedicated torrenting servers and 24/7 live chat

Cons

  • The 7-device cap fills up quickly
  • The first renewal roughly doubles the monthly rate
CyberGhost logo
CyberGhost
For streamers who want to pick a server by platform name.
$2.19/mo
Check price →

8. Private Internet Access: Best for Tinkerers

Private Internet Access gives you far more control than FastestVPN. The apps expose kill switch levels, protocol choice, encryption settings and port forwarding, which suits tinkerers more than beginners. Deloitte audited the no-logs policy in 2022 and 2024.

Speeds were inconsistent in our testing: some US and UK servers lost around three quarters of a gigabit line, while others lost closer to 12 percent. When we tried HBO Max on a standard US server, it was blocked. We switched to a streaming-optimized server, and HBO Max then played in 4K. That spread is why our PIA review holds it at 8.4/10.

Pros

  • Open-source apps and the MACE ad blocker
  • No-logs claim has held up in US court cases

Cons

  • Speeds vary widely between servers
  • Based in the US, a Five Eyes member
Private Internet Access logo
Private Internet Access
For hands-on users who want control on a tight budget.
$2.03/mo
Check price →

Best Free FastestVPN Alternatives

FastestVPN has no free plan, but a free tier lets you try a better service before paying anything. Two of our picks offer one, and our roundup of the best free VPNs covers the wider field.

Proton VPN Free is our pick. It has no data cap and no ads, with servers in 10 countries at medium speed on one device. The free plan picks the server for you and does not support streaming or torrenting, so it suits secure browsing on public Wi-Fi more than watching Netflix.

Windscribe Free gives you 10GB of data a month, unlimited devices and R.O.B.E.R.T. blocking across about 10 countries. Free servers saw speed drops of up to 90 percent at busy times in our testing.

If you want paid features first, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access both offer 7-day free trials on iOS and Android.

Proton VPN's free plan connection screen on an Android phone, showing an auto-selected server and the no-data-cap label.

How to Choose the Right FastestVPN Alternative

Start with the reason you are leaving. If slow connections are the problem, NordVPN, Proton VPN and Surfshark lost the least speed in our testing. If online privacy comes first, Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN are the strongest choices.

Jurisdiction matters if you care where your data could be requested. PIA is based in the US and Windscribe in Canada, both members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, while NordVPN, Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and FastestVPN sit outside it. ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and PIA also share one parent company, Kape Technologies.

Finally, check refund windows and renewal prices. Most picks give 30 days, CyberGhost gives 45, Mullvad 14 and Windscribe only 7, and NordVPN, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost all cost noticeably more after the first term.

FAQ

Is FastestVPN safe and legit?
Yes. It is run by Fast Technology Limited, and Altius IT, an ISACA-certified auditor, reviewed a sample of its servers and log files from December 2022 to January 2023 and found nothing that could identify a user. Trustpilot's community rates it 4.1 out of 5, a score that moves as new reviews arrive.
What is the best free alternative to FastestVPN?
Proton VPN Free if you want unlimited data, Windscribe Free if you want one account on every device. Confirm your email with Windscribe, because the allowance drops to 2GB a month without it. Neither free tier allows torrenting.
Is FastestVPN's lifetime deal worth it?
Only if you plan to stay. The buy page does not define whether "lifetime" means the life of your account or a fixed term, so compare other lifetime VPN deals before you commit.
Which FastestVPN alternative is best for streaming on a TV?
NordVPN has a native tvOS app alongside Surfshark's TV apps. For a smart TV or console that cannot run a VPN app, ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer Smart DNS is the simplest workaround.
Can I get a refund from FastestVPN if I switch?
First purchases carry a 31-day money-back guarantee, but auto-renewals and crypto payments are not refundable. Requests go through live chat rather than a self-service button, and support can push back, so ask early and turn off auto-renew first.

Bottom Line