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FirstVPN alternatives make sense if you want an audit behind the no-logs promise. FirstVPN has a named Estonian owner and flexible connection options, but no outside check of its privacy claims.
The services below keep FirstVPN’s flexibility, including SOCKS5 where needed, and add audits. Our FirstVPN review covers what you would leave behind.
FirstVPN Alternatives for Streaming: NordVPN or Surfshark
We found no streaming tests for FirstVPN. Nord Security runs both. NordVPN leads on audits, with 6 in our table, while Surfshark leads on devices, with no cap at all.
For Audited Privacy and a Free Plan: Proton VPN
FirstVPN’s no-logs claim has no audit. With 5 Securitum audits and a free tier without a data cap, Proton VPN is the audited free option, and paid plans start near $2.99 a month.
For Torrenting: PIA
FirstVPN’s SOCKS5 suits torrent clients, and PIA offers SOCKS5 too, with audits. PIA suits torrent users: port forwarding, no device cap and 3 Deloitte audits in our table, at about $2.03 a month.
For Strict Privacy: Mullvad
If you chose FirstVPN for its EU base outside the Fourteen Eyes, Proton VPN’s Swiss base offers similar distance with audits. For the strictest privacy, Mullvad offers 10+ audits in our table and account numbers instead of emails, at a flat rate near $5.40 a month.
For Lower Prices: PureVPN or CyberGhost
FirstVPN’s two-year plan costs $3.46 a month, close to audited rivals. PureVPN, near $2.15 a month with 4 KPMG audits, and CyberGhost, near $2.19 with 3 Deloitte audits, both keep costs low with outside checks.
For TVs and Routers
FirstVPN supports many devices through manual setup. Smart TVs and consoles need either a TV app, which NordVPN and Surfshark offer, or a VPN router such as ExpressVPN Aircove. Our guide to a VPN for smart TV covers both.
Price Comparison
FirstVPN costs $8.99 monthly or $82.99 for two years, about $3.46 a month. The alternatives above run from free to about $5.40 a month in our price table.
FirstVPN’s two-year price is close to rivals. Audits are the real difference.
Free or Paid
FirstVPN offers 3-day trials rather than a free plan. If you want to pay nothing, Proton VPN’s free tier has no data cap, and Windscribe’s gives up to 15 GB, our refund table shows. Both are audited.
FirstVPN offers trials, not a free plan. Proton’s free tier is a no-cost comparison.
A Quick Rule
Need SOCKS5 for torrents? PIA. EU-style privacy with audits? Proton VPN. Streaming? NordVPN or Surfshark. Strictest privacy? Mullvad.
Whichever you choose, use WireGuard for everyday privacy and keep proxies for apps that need them.
Switching Without a Gap
Use FirstVPN’s remaining time while you test the new VPN, then cancel before renewal.
Several Devices
NordVPN allows 10 devices, Surfshark and PIA set no limit, and Mullvad allows 5, our device table records.
Use the same protocol on every device for consistency.
Families
For households, Surfshark’s unlimited devices remove the need for manual router setups.
Choose one protocol for the household.
Keeping Protection Running
If you used FirstVPN’s proxies in apps, replace them with the new provider’s SOCKS5 or full VPN. Set up the new VPN on each device first, then uninstall the old one. Two VPN apps running together often cause dropped connections.
Remove old proxy settings from apps after switching.
Testing an Alternative
Our guide to checking if a VPN is working covers the leak test; test SOCKS5 separately if you use it.
Compare WireGuard speed on the same country. Then test SOCKS5 if you rely on it.
If you pay in crypto today, check which alternatives accept it before switching. Some do, such as Mullvad.
Ownership
Nord Security owns NordVPN and Surfshark, and Kape owns PIA, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN. Proton VPN and Mullvad are independent companies. Wergames OÜ, an Estonian company, owns FirstVPN.
FirstVPN’s named EU owner is a strength; the alternatives add audits on top.
Each pick here also publishes its owner and base, so you keep that transparency while adding independent audits on top.
What You Give Up
You give up a named EU owner outside the Fourteen Eyes and a wide choice of connection types in one plan.
Few rivals bundle HTTP proxies, SOCKS5 and five protocols in one plan.
Leaving FirstVPN
Cancel before renewal, and note any unused bonus months on long plans.
Note any bonus months still left on your plan before you cancel.
Are FirstVPN Alternatives Worth the Switch?
If you need audited privacy, yes. If you rely on its mix of proxies and protocols, compare carefully first.
Where audits matter, the switch is simple: the alternatives cost about the same and add outside proof. Keep FirstVPN only if you rely on its HTTP proxies.
For more on FirstVPN, see whether FirstVPN is safe and Mullvad vs FirstVPN.
We also cover similar services: hidemy.name VPN alternatives, Mysterium VPN alternatives and VPN Nederland alternatives.
How We Research
This page draws on our FirstVPN research, mainly its pricing and About pages, read on 21 October 2026. The main source for this brand is FirstVPN’s pricing page. Partner figures come from our audit, price, device and refund tables. We do not run our own tests. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
FirstVPN Alternatives FAQ
PIA for SOCKS5 with audits; Proton VPN for a European-style privacy base.
PIA does.
No.
Proton VPN, in Switzerland.
The Verdict
The best FirstVPN alternatives keep its flexibility and add audits: PIA for SOCKS5, Proton VPN for a privacy-friendly base, NordVPN or Surfshark for streaming and Mullvad for strict privacy.