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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchProton VPN is the clearest alternative if privacy transparency and a free plan matter most; NordVPN is the strongest pick for documented performance; Surfshark is the best fit for households or users who need many simultaneous connections. Mullvad and ExpressVPN are also worth considering for different priorities. The right choice depends less on server-count claims than on what you need to trust, access, and connect—and on the plan’s renewal terms.
Which HMA VPN alternative should you choose?
- Choose Proton VPN if you want a free plan and clearly documented privacy signals, including Swiss jurisdiction, open-source audited apps, and a published no-logs audit.
- Choose NordVPN if you want the strongest performance result in the available comparative test. It led one 2026 testing round, not a guaranteed result for every user or network.
- Choose Surfshark if you want one subscription for many devices. Its May 2026 comparison lists unlimited simultaneous connections and a lowest monthly price of $2.49.
- Consider Mullvad if you prefer a privacy-focused, simpler option and are comfortable with a five-device limit and higher listed monthly price.
- Consider ExpressVPN if you want a mainstream premium alternative and value its performance result, while checking what audit documentation is publicly accessible.
These are use-case recommendations, not a universal ranking. The performance figures below come from one test round, while connection limits and prices come from a comparison marked accurate as of May 1, 2026; promotions and plan terms can change.
How the alternatives compare
The table separates documented facts from details not established in the cited comparison pages. Prices are the monthly figures listed by Surfshark’s comparison as of May 1, 2026, not a promise of today’s checkout price or renewal rate. Performance scores are from Artifact Security’s 2026 test, as reported by NordVPN on August 10, 2026.
| VPN | Best fit | Documented performance result | Simultaneous connections | Listed monthly price | Privacy or plan details established here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | Privacy transparency and free tier | 83 (Gold) in Artifact Security’s 2026 round | 10 | $2.99 | Switzerland jurisdiction; open-source audited apps; published no-logs audit; streaming and P2P support; obfuscation; 30-day money-back guarantee; free plan |
| NordVPN | Performance-oriented use | 91 (Platinum), the highest score in the round and the only Platinum rating | 10 | $3.49 | Streaming and P2P support, jurisdiction, and audit-access details: not stated in the cited comparison data |
| Surfshark | Many devices and listed value | 81 (Gold) in Artifact Security’s 2026 round | Unlimited | $2.49 | 100 countries; 4,500+ servers listed; 30-day money-back guarantee. Its comparison cautions that some server counts come from third-party reviews. |
| Mullvad | Privacy-focused simplicity | 70 (Silver) in Artifact Security’s 2026 round | 5 | $5.86 | Jurisdiction, public no-logs audit details, streaming/P2P support, and guarantee terms beyond the listed 14-day guarantee: not stated in the cited comparison data |
| ExpressVPN | Premium mainstream option | 84 (Gold) in Artifact Security’s 2026 round | 14 | $3.49 | Proton’s April 2026 comparison says audits concerning compliance with ExpressVPN’s privacy policy are not publicly downloadable and require accepting an NDA; this is an access limitation, not evidence that audits do not exist. |
Prices and connection counts in the Surfshark comparison were marked accurate as of May 1, 2026. The stated monthly prices may reflect longer-term plans; compare the amount billed upfront, renewal price, and guarantee terms on each provider’s checkout page before subscribing.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
Why leave HMA VPN?
HMA’s official US pricing page advertises 100+ locations, 3,400+ servers, streaming and P2P servers, Lightning Connect, split tunneling, a kill switch, and a seven-day free trial. Its privacy information describes IPv4, IPv6, and DNS leak protection, its own no-log DNS servers, and IP Shuffle, which can randomize addresses from its 290+ locations.
Those features may already meet your needs. HMA’s advertised promotional offers include $4.99 per month on a 12-month plan billed at $59.88 and $2.99 per month on a 36-month plan billed at $107.64. Treat these as time-sensitive offers, not stable prices or renewal rates. Switching makes sense when another provider better matches your priorities—for example, a published audit, a free plan, a higher connection limit, or a stronger documented test result.
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
What makes Proton VPN the privacy-transparency pick?
Proton’s comparison page, updated in April 2026, identifies Switzerland as Proton VPN’s jurisdiction and lists open-source audited apps and a published no-logs audit. It also lists a free plan, 10 simultaneous connections, streaming and P2P support, obfuscation, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. That combination makes Proton the most clearly documented choice here for readers who want to inspect the provider’s privacy posture rather than choose on network size alone.
A no-logs statement and an audit are evidence to weigh, not a promise that every online risk disappears. A VPN encrypts and routes traffic through a provider’s VPN server; it can prevent an ISP from seeing which websites you connect to, but it does not by itself prevent browser fingerprinting. HMA recommends private browsers or Tor for additional privacy; Tor can reduce speed.
The Tool Desk
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- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
How strong is NordVPN’s speed evidence?
NordVPN reports that Artifact Security tested NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, ProtonVPN, and Surfshark in 2026 using an AMTSO-aligned methodology. The test covered throughput, stability, latency, connection time, leak protection, website accessibility, and feature reliability. NordVPN scored 91 and received the only Platinum rating; ExpressVPN scored 84, ProtonVPN 83, Surfshark 81, and Mullvad 70.
The report says NordVPN’s leak and feature-verification tests were clean, but explicitly cautions that this was one testing round. It is useful comparative evidence, not a prediction of your speed: results for an individual depend on their location, network, VPN server, and destination. The figures also do not establish which VPN is fastest for a particular streaming service or region.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
When does Surfshark make the most sense?
Surfshark is the straightforward option when simultaneous connections are the deciding factor. Its comparison, marked accurate as of May 1, 2026, lists unlimited connections, 100 countries, 4,500+ servers, a $2.49 lowest monthly price, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The provider notes that some server counts are drawn from third-party reviews and that prices and features can change.
Unlimited connections are useful only if the plan’s other terms fit. Check the amount billed at signup and renewal, and confirm that the apps and features you need are included in the plan you are buying. The $2.49 figure is a listed lowest monthly price, not a universal month-to-month price.
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
What to know about Mullvad and ExpressVPN
Mullvad: simpler privacy focus, lower test score
Mullvad scored 70 (Silver) in Artifact Security’s 2026 round, below NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN, and Surfshark in that test. Surfshark’s comparison lists five simultaneous connections, 50 countries, $5.86 per month, and a 14-day guarantee for Mullvad. Those figures help set expectations on device limits and price; they do not alone establish whether Mullvad’s privacy approach is right for you.
ExpressVPN: strong test result, an audit-access caveat
ExpressVPN scored 84 (Gold) in the same round. Proton’s April 2026 comparison says that ExpressVPN audits concerning compliance with its privacy policy are not publicly downloadable and require accepting a nondisclosure agreement. That is a transparency trade-off for readers who want public access to audit reports; it should not be misread as proof that ExpressVPN has no audits.
How to choose before you subscribe
- Set your main requirement. Decide whether you care most about privacy documentation, performance evidence, a free tier, streaming/P2P support, or simultaneous connections.
- Check the evidence behind privacy claims. Look for the provider’s jurisdiction, whether its apps are open source, the scope and date of any no-logs audit, and whether the report is publicly accessible. A privacy-policy claim alone is not the same as a public audit.
- Compare the full billing terms. Verify the plan length, total upfront charge, renewal amount, refund or money-back period, and whether a trial converts to a paid subscription. Long-term monthly equivalents are not necessarily monthly billing prices.
- Match features to how you use a VPN. Confirm streaming and P2P support where needed, as well as whether obfuscation, split tunneling, ad blocking, or multi-hop are available on the specific plan. The cited comparisons do not establish every provider’s full feature-by-feature plan inclusion.
- Check performance where it matters to you. If streaming from a particular country or avoiding slow connections is important, use any trial or refund period to test your own devices, services, and networks. A single comparative test cannot guarantee local results.
What a VPN can—and cannot—protect
A VPN creates an encrypted route between your device and a VPN server. This can keep your ISP from seeing the websites you connect to and makes websites see the VPN server’s IP address rather than your home IP. The VPN provider, however, handles traffic exiting its server, so choosing a provider involves trust as well as technology. A VPN does not erase browser fingerprinting or make you anonymous by itself; private browsing or Tor may address different parts of that problem, with Tor potentially reducing speed.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
