Best Atlas VPN alternatives in 2024: paid and free

If you relied on Atlas VPN to keep your online activities secure, you might be surprised to learn the service recently shut down. VPN users are now on the hunt for a new service to protect their privacy and unlock online freedom. Chances are, you’re also interested in the best Atlas VPN alternatives. And since the VPN space is brimming with big and small names, finding a replacement might be taxing.

With Atlas VPN down, the company decided to move its existing premium subscribers to NordVPN starting April 24th, 2024. While NordVPN is undoubtedly one of the top stand-ins, there are other VPNs that could be more to your liking or budget.

I’m here to help you navigate VPNs and find the perfect Atlas VPN alternative, paid or free. You’ll find top-notch options that offer robust security, blazing-fast speeds, and reliable connections. These providers either resemble or exceed Atlas VPN.

Keep on reading, and I’ll equip you with the knowledge to choose the ideal VPN for your needs.

Best Atlas VPN alternatives: shortlist

1. NordVPN

   Best Atlas VPN alternative of all time
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   Cheap and fast alternative for Atlas VPN
   9.5
3. Proton VPN

   Private Atlas VPN alternative with extras
   8.6
4. TotalVPN

   Good Atlas VPN alternative with great speeds
   8.2
5. Norton VPN

   Affordable and secure alternative for Atlas VPN
   7.3

Why are all Atlas VPN paid subscribers being moved to NordVPN?

After reigning in the market as one of the top freemium services for several years, the curtain falls on Atlas VPN. The company names increasing competition, tech demands, and costs as leading reasons behind the decision. As of today, Atlas VPN has 6 million users. All the ones with premium tier will be transferred to NordVPN as of April 24th, 2024, for the remainder of their subscription period.

But why the NordVPN migration, you may ask? Consider this a familiar scenario to Kape Technologies sheltering PIA under its wing or NordVPN’s parent company acquiring Surfshark. Overall, it’s a super good deal for Atlas VPN users since they get to enjoy the best VPN for the rest of their service.

What factors to consider when choosing the best Atlas VPN alternative?

Not just any service will do instead of Atlas VPN for the users of VPNs. And, of course, you want what Atlas VPN could offer – reliable security, extra features, and optimized servers, among other things. Or perhaps you seek an even better VPN experience. One way or another, keep a lookout for these key factors:

• Curbs geo-blocks with ease. Atlas VPN had a reputation of a reliable streaming VPN with optimized servers. So if you want a similar Netflix experience, ensure the VPN has WireGuard or OpenVPN protocols built around it. Kudos if the service deploys dedicated servers or features.
• Advanced security features. A good Atlas VPN alternative should offer more than just baseline protection. We’re talking about extras that substitute for MultiHop+, SafeSwap, or Shield.
• Intuitive app design. You don’t want a cluttered app that’s hard to navigate. The best Atlas VPN alternatives should be easy to navigate, even for beginners.
• Affordable subscription. More of Atlas VPN advantages were budget-friendly plans and the free option. While few good VPNs offer the latter, you’ve got several solid providers with cheap subscriptions.

Of course, your needs might entail more than what I singled out. It's crucial to pick an Atlas VPN replacement that ticks all the checkboxes for you. So my best advice is to first decide what about Atlas VPN you loved and let it be the guiding criteria.

5 best alternatives to Atlas VPN in 2024

1. NordVPN – overall best Atlas VPN alternative on all fronts
2. Surfshark VPN – excellent Atlas VPN alternative with cheap plans
3. Proton VPN – secure alternative for Atlas VPN with a free plan
4. TotalVPN – streaming-friendly Atlas VPN alternative
5. Norton VPN – affordable and good alternative for Atlas VPN

Not every VPN is great, and even fewer make good Atlas VPN alternatives. I tested 27 providers in line with Atlas VPN to determine the best stand-ins. I primarily focused on Atlas VPN strengths like security, feature suite, and streaming-friendly functionality. The top 5 best Atlas VPN alternatives below fit the bill, while some go the extra mile.

1. NordVPN – overall best Atlas VPN alternative for every need

NordVPN is the best Atlas VPN alternative because it excels at all the provider used to do and adds extra value to your experience. My tests show that NordVPN has a much higher success rate against geo-blocks, no matter the nature of the website or app. It comes as no wonder with a network of 6900+ servers in 113 countries.

Speaking of cutting above, this VPN outshines Atlas VPN with connectivity. In-house NordLynx protocol propels blazing performance, retaining around 90% to 95% of initial speed, depending on the region and the distance. For comparison, Atlas VPN used to retain around 70% mostly. For me, streams ran smoothly in 4K with minimal to no buffers.

Security-wise, NordVPN takes your online privacy and security seriously. Obfuscated servers let you slip through anti-VPN systems, which is perfect for surveillant countries. On a regular day, you won’t part with Double VPN as it routes your web traffic through two servers for extra encryption. Also, I was pleased with the ad-blocking Threat Protection.

Luckily for you, NordVPN pricing is down, just like Atlas VPN. Now, you can get the service for $2.99/month, and it’s just one of the best NordVPN deals out there. And if you’re a cautious fella, take advantage of the 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark VPN – cheap Atlas VPN alternative with no device limit

Surfshark is among the best Atlas VPN alternatives thanks to the mid-range and excellent functionality for pocket-friendly pricing. I tried this VPN against various streaming and gambling platforms and only had issues bypassing geo-blocks perhaps twice out of over 100 times. Plus, the service spans 3200+ servers across 100 countries.

In terms of performance, Surfshark VPN doesn’t fumble. The WireGuard protocol, enhanced by Nexus technology, retains around 90% of its initial performance. This means that no lags will embitter Netflix and chill sessions. I also tested the service with Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime, ESPN, and other major hubs – the end results were smooth streams with a lag here and there on faraway servers.

Surfshark VPN outmatches Atlas VPN in security by a far stretch. No shade, but the provider offers more robust features. The kill switch has never failed me, while Camouflage and NoBorder modes dodge VPN detection on gambling and streaming sites. The CleanWeb ad blocker works much better than SafeBrowse, eliminating more ads and pre-rolls on YouTube.

This provider is also close to Atlas VPN in pricing. Now, you can grab one of the best Surfshark VPN deals with costs starting at $2.19/month. Meanwhile, the 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee let you tinker with the service without jumping into financial commitment first.

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

3. Proton VPN – good freemium Atlas VPN alternative

Proton VPN is a great Atlas VPN alternative whether you seek a paid or free VPN for your online activities. The free version offers servers in 5 locations (Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, and the US) and no data cap. But the premium is where it’s at. It’s one of the most secure and private VPNs, protecting your sessions on each of 9200+ servers in 110 countries.

Focusing on the paid plans, Proton VPN facilitates good connectivity and performance thanks to the WireGuard protocol. The premium version retains around 83% of the original speeds. Though I have struggled with online games, most streams went smoothly. An HD is a given; just don’t be surprised about a buffer or two if the server is far from you.

Proton VPN deploys advanced security measures. For one, you can rely on Secure Core servers for routing your traffic through 2 servers. Moreover, the service added the Stealth protocol for paid and free users. This feature masks your IP address by default, so your web traffic appears as a regular one. Perfect for slipping into anti-VPN websites and apps unnoticed.

While the free version is good, the paid plans are where it’s at. Even though the price starts at $3.59/month, one of Proton VPN deals might bring the price down a notch. And if you’re on the fence about the premium Atlas VPN alternative, hop on the 30-day money-back guarantee train to test it out.

For a deeper investigation of Proton VPN, read our Proton VPN review.

4. TotalVPN– reliable Atlas VPN alternative with good coverage

TotalVPN is one of the best Atlas VPN alternatives for those seeking online privacy and who like to stream in their free time. Though highly affordable, the VPN delivers high value to the market as one of the most popular brands.

Although TotalVPN operates quite a small fleet of just 50 servers in 35 countries, the OpenVPN protocol they are based on makes for very stable and reliable connections. However, a lag here or there is expected. I experienced seamless streams on YouTube TV, but TotalVPN wasn’t as capable of unblocking Netflix US as I thought it would be. Overall, TotalVPN retains around 85% of initial speeds, which is more than solid, even for gaming.

This Atlas VPN alternative keeps you safe as you venture online. For starters, features like IP and DNS leak protection prevent data leaks from doxxing your location. I tested it and found that this works much better than the Atlas VPN kill switch used to have. Another gem is the ad & tracker blocker, which keeps malware and pesky ads at bay.

The subscription cost starts at just $1.59/month, making TotalVPN one of the cheapest VPNs around. And while TotalVPN does not have a free trial, you can test it out with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of TotalVPN, read our TotalVPN review.

5. Norton VPN – the cheapest Atlas VPN alternative with focus on privacy

Norton VPN is a fantastic replacement for those who stuck with Atlas VPN for a low price. Norton VPN is quite a snatch since it delivers great value for the cost.

While Norton VPN operates a smaller fleet of 5000 servers in 30 countries, the fact they’re based on WireGuard protocol makes them very quick and powerful. The only thing I didn’t like as much was that I couldn’t select a specific server, just the location.

Speaking of speeds and server reliability, I got around 8 Gbps speeds during my testing and the initial speed retention rate kept at a solid 80%. It’s pretty solid, as I watched shows and movies in HD, but I advise you to pick servers closer to you for better speeds.

Just like Atlas VPN, Norton VPN has a built-in ad blocker that disables trackers and ads. While it falters a little against YouTube and other video ads, it’s great against cookies, banners, and similar static elements. Meanwhile, the Dynamic IP feature logs you on a different IP every time you open the app, making it even harder for ISPs and various sites to identify your traffic as VPN.

If you want to tap into the full potential of this Atlas VPN alternative, get one of the best Norton VPN deals today – just $3.33/month. And if you’re unsure if this is the right VPN for you, you can try it out with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of Norton VPN, read our Norton VPN review.

Comparison of Atlas VPN alternatives

For a faster review, you can check out the comparison of the best Atlas VPN alternatives I compiled with all the key points in one place.

How I tested and ranked Atlas VPN alternatives

With Atlas VPN down for good, it was imperative that I look for similarities between the provider and its alternatives. People stayed with the service for years not for no reason, so these benefits should carry on to next best options. Here’s the criteria that guided my tests of 27 providers:

• Streaming-friendly performance. I paid attention to how well VPNs perform in terms of streaming since Atlas VPN was popular for its streaming dedicated servers. Each service had to showcase how much of initial speeds are retained, how they deal with streaming or even online games. Basically, to ensure that Atlas VPN replacements are the fastest VPNs.
• Optimal price-and-value ratio. Atlas VPN stood out in the market with the cheap tiers and a solid free version. Hence, I prioritized providers with pricing options that don’t break the wallet, or better yet, offer a free service too.
• Substantial global coverage. One of the key factors in bypassing geo-blocks successfully is a vast array of countries. In my tests, I was adamant that providers come loaded with IP addresses in the most relevant locations, whether to watch Netflix or escape YouTube ads with a VPN.
• Hefty extra features. Since Atlas VPN had an ad blocker and a couple more extras in the arsenal, the alternatives must be armed with additional perks. Especially in security terms. I tested how many features each provider has and how well they protect your online privacy.
• User feedback. My tests are one thing, but considering what long-term users have to say about Atlas VPN alternatives is crucial. I search TrustPilot and Reddit threads for up-to-date reviews and insights coming from the folk themselves.

NordVPN emerges as the best Atlas VPN alternative on every front. NordLynx facilitates speeds several times faster than the retired service, while security leaves no room for snoopers and hackers. Overall, I’d go with NordVPN, or Surfshark if the budget is your priority.

Curb geo-blocks with NordVPN

What is the best free alternative to Atlas VPN?

The best free Atlas VPN alternative is Proton VPN. In fact, the service exceeds what the freebie used to bring to the table. Proton VPN offers servers in 5 locations: the US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland. Plus, you get no data limit and reliable security, although baseline. So, really, it exceeds the free Atlas VPN version in every way.

But if you want to have a test of the full VPN potential but at no cost, you can take advantage of the premium VPNs with free trial. In that case, you can stream, game, and just cloak yourself in privacy without fear of failure like with freebies. Use the free trials and 30-day money-back guarantee periods of services like NordVPN, then move to another provider. It’s a temporary solution, but perhaps one that fits you.

Get the best free Atlas VPN alternative

Final thoughts

With Atlas VPN down, active subscribers will be redirected to NordVPN for the duration of their service. However, many are looking for a replacement and perhaps aren’t too sure of NordVPN. I ran tests and estimated what made Atlas VPN so loveable and took it upon myself to find the best alternatives for the service in today’s market.

NordVPN is the best Atlas VPN alternative because it takes the best of that provider and elevates it. The only drawback is that NordVPN is slightly more expensive and has 10 simultaneous connections instead of no limit. On the other hand, it’s the fastest VPN with advanced security and a constantly growing feature-suite.

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FAQ

What happened to Atlas VPN?

Atlas VPN was closed due to the highly competitive market and escalating costs to providing a solid, latest-tech, service. The provider was acquired by NordSec, the parent company of NordVPN, and all Atlas VPN servers are now under Nord’s care.

What to choose instead of Atlas VPN?

If you're looking for a well-rounded and mid-range alternative to Atlas VPN, then NordVPN is the go-to pick. It exceeds Atlas VPN in almost every way, only slightly more expensive. Overall, NordVPN propels phenomenal speeds, unblocks major hubs with no problems, and protects your privacy online.

Is NordVPN a good alternative for AtlasVPN?

NordVPN is the best replacement for Atlas VPN. While Surfshark is closer to the service in pricing, NordVPN simply exceeds Atlas VPN on each front: streaming, ease of use, flexibility, geo-block circumvention, security, and extra benefits. If you want a VPN that won't end in a refund, NordVPN is the one.

What VPN is the best alternative to Atlas according to Reddit?

Redditor opinions aren't unanimous for the best Atlas VPN alternative, but most recommend NordVPN or Surfshark. Both services are at the top of the game, with Surfshark offering slightly better pricing, while NordVPN offers an overall better functionality, whether you seek security or entertainment.

Which free VPN is the best alternative to Atlas VPN?

The best free Atlas VPN alternative is Proton VPN. The service offers 5 locations and no data limit, which already exceed the Atlas VPN freebie version. Besides, free Proton VPN is great for casual browsing, but if you want more, like streaming, premium services are the better choice