The best Astrill VPN alternatives are Mullvad, Proton VPN, Windscribe, IVPN, and NordVPN if you want strong privacy without paying Astrill’s steep monthly price, which is listed at $30 per month [source: Astrill].
TLDR: Pick Mullvad if you want the cleanest privacy setup with no email required. Choose Proton VPN if you want a polished app, a free plan, and good streaming support. For example, if you travel twice a month and use hotel Wi Fi, Windscribe’s flexible plans can be cheaper than paying for a full premium VPN all year. If speed matters most, NordVPN is often the easiest choice for families with 5 to 10 devices.
Why replace Astrill?
Astrill has a loyal crowd, especially among users who need hard to block VPN features. But it is expensive. Its apps can also feel a bit old compared with newer privacy tools. Honestly, it feels like you are paying premium prices for software that does not always feel premium.
The good news is that there are solid alternatives. Some are better for privacy. Some are better for streaming. Some are simply easier to use.
1. Mullvad VPN: best for privacy purists
Mullvad is the VPN people recommend when privacy is the main point, not a marketing slogan. You do not need an email address to sign up. You get a random account number instead. That small detail matters because it cuts down the personal data tied to your account.
Mullvad also keeps pricing simple. It charges a flat monthly rate, with no confusing long term discount maze. The service supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, and its apps are simple enough for beginners.
- Best for: privacy first users, journalists, researchers, and people who hate account forms.
- Weak spot: streaming support is not the main focus.
- Nice touch: cash payments by mail are available in some cases.
The catch is that Mullvad can feel too plain if you want lots of extra features. That is also part of its charm.
2. Proton VPN: best all round alternative
Proton VPN is a strong pick if you want privacy, speed, and a friendly interface in one package. It comes from the same company behind Proton Mail, so it fits well if you already use privacy focused email or cloud storage.
Proton VPN has a free plan, which is rare for a serious VPN. The paid plans add more servers, faster speeds, streaming support, and extra privacy features. Its apps are open source, and Proton says they have been independently audited [source: Proton VPN].
- Best for: everyday users who want privacy without fiddling with settings.
- Weak spot: paid plans can cost more than budget VPNs.
- Nice touch: the free plan has no data cap.
If you are leaving Astrill because the price annoys you, Proton VPN gives you a much softer landing.
3. Windscribe: best for flexible spending
Windscribe is great for people who do not want a giant annual contract. It offers a free plan and a “build a plan” option, so you can pay for the locations you need. That is useful if you only connect to two or three countries.
Its apps include useful extras like ad blocking, tracker blocking, and split tunneling on supported platforms. The browser extension is also better than many basic VPN add ons.
- Best for: students, casual users, and people who want low monthly costs.
- Weak spot: the interface can feel busy at first.
- Nice touch: flexible location based pricing.
It drives me crazy that some VPNs hide useful controls under three menus. Windscribe does better, but new users may still spend 10 minutes learning what each switch does.
4. IVPN: best for clear, serious privacy
IVPN is another strong privacy service with a no nonsense style. Like Mullvad, it does not chase streaming hype. It focuses on security, clear policies, and trusted VPN basics.
IVPN supports anonymous signups, WireGuard, multi hop connections, and tracker blocking. Its apps also feel tidy. You can find what you need without digging through a crowded settings page.
- Best for: users who want strong privacy and simple apps.
- Weak spot: smaller server network than giant VPN brands.
- Nice touch: multi hop routing for extra separation.
Choose IVPN if you like Mullvad’s privacy attitude but want a slightly different app style and feature set.
5. NordVPN: best for speed and streaming
NordVPN is not the most minimal privacy service, but it is fast, polished, and easy to install on many devices. It is a better fit for households than for hardcore privacy purists.
NordVPN includes specialty servers, malware blocking, split tunneling, and broad platform support. It is also one of the better known VPNs for streaming. That matters if your main problem is watching your usual services while traveling.
- Best for: families, streamers, and users who want fast setup.
- Weak spot: pricing can jump after the first billing term.
- Nice touch: smooth apps across phones, laptops, and smart TVs.
Quick picking guide
- Pick Mullvad if privacy matters more than Netflix.
- Pick Proton VPN if you want the best mix of privacy, speed, and ease.
- Pick Windscribe if you want a cheaper, flexible plan.
- Pick IVPN if you want a calm, serious privacy tool.
- Pick NordVPN if speed and streaming are your top needs.
Astrill still has a place, especially for users with very specific access needs. But most people do not need to pay that much. Start with Proton VPN or Mullvad if privacy is the goal. Try Windscribe if budget is tight. Choose NordVPN if you just want smooth streaming and fast setup without a weekend of testing.