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Looking for Kaspersky VPN alternatives in the US? Kaspersky can no longer sell or update its security software for Americans. The US Commerce Department barred new sales from 20 July 2024 and all updates from 29 September 2024, its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) states, and Kaspersky said it stopped US sales of all its cybersecurity products ahead of the July deadline. Some US customers then found their software swapped for a different product, UltraAV, without clear warning, TechCrunch reported.
This page explains what the ban covers, what happened to users, and the best VPN replacements.
What the Kaspersky Ban Covers
| Date | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 20 June 2024 | Commerce Department’s final determination | Antivirus-review.com |
| 20 July 2024 | No new sales or agreements with US persons | BIS |
| 29 September 2024 | No updates; Kaspersky’s security network shut for US users | BIS |
| From 29 September 2024 | No reselling, integrating or licensing Kaspersky software | BIS |
| September 2024 | Some users switched to UltraAV | TechCrunch |
Out-of-date security software is the real risk. Without updates, protection falls behind new threats, and Bitsight found more than 40 percent of US organisations that used Kaspersky before the ban were still running it three months later.
What Happened to Kaspersky Users
Kaspersky moved some to UltraAV automatically. In September 2024 some US customers received a forced switch to UltraAV, while others got an email first, TechCrunch reported. UltraAV is a Pango product, antivirus-review.com notes.
Check what’s actually installed before choosing Kaspersky VPN alternatives. If you had a Kaspersky security suite with its VPN, look at what replaced it and decide deliberately rather than keeping whatever arrived. Our VPN ownership guide explains why the company behind a VPN matters.
Kaspersky VPN Alternatives: The Picks
| Provider | Why consider it | Note |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Audited no-logs policy; fast | Nord Security, Lithuania |
| Proton VPN | Open source; free plan | Proton AG, Switzerland |
| Surfshark | Unlimited devices | Nord Security, like NordVPN |
| ExpressVPN | Lightway; RAM-only servers | Kape Technologies; not our affiliate |
Pick Kaspersky VPN alternatives on audits and ownership, not brand familiarity. Our audit tracker shows who has had independent no-logs checks.
Two strong starting points: our NordVPN review and our Proton VPN review. Proton’s free plan lets you test before paying.
Need antivirus too? Privacy-focused VPNs still don’t scan for malware. A VPN doesn’t replace malware protection; Kaspersky users need both covered, as our guide to what a VPN hides explains.
Is Using Kaspersky Illegal for Individuals?
The ban targets Kaspersky and resellers. BIS’s prohibitions cover Kaspersky’s sales, updates and security network, plus reselling, integrating or licensing its software; the rules address those companies, not people who already had it installed. The practical problem is that the software stopped getting updates in September 2024, which leaves it steadily less protective.
Outside the US, the ban doesn’t apply, so check local rules, as our country-by-country guide covers for VPNs generally.
How We Research
The prohibition dates and scope come from the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Kaspersky page; Kaspersky’s exit from its July 2024 statement; the UltraAV switch from TechCrunch; the Pango link and timeline from antivirus-review.com; continued use from Bitsight. BIS’s page is at bis.gov/kaspersky. We read all sources on 28 September 2026. This is not legal advice. NordVPN is one of our affiliate partners. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
Kaspersky VPN Alternatives FAQ
The US has barred Kaspersky from new sales since 20 July 2024 and from providing updates since 29 September 2024.
Kaspersky stopped US sales and can no longer update its software there, so a replacement is the safer choice.
A Pango product that replaced Kaspersky automatically for some US customers in September 2024.
The prohibitions target Kaspersky and resellers, not individual users. But without updates, protection weakens.
An audited provider such as NordVPN or Proton VPN, chosen on its audits and ownership.
The Verdict
US users need Kaspersky VPN alternatives, since the software no longer gets updates there.
Replace it deliberately with an audited VPN, and don’t assume whatever arrived automatically is the right choice.