CroxyProxy Alternatives in 2026
8 privacy-focused VPNs compared on no-logs audits, encryption, and pricing, for when a browser-tab proxy isn't enough to actually protect what you're browsing.
What is CroxyProxy?
CroxyProxy is a free, browser-based web proxy that works entirely inside a single tab: paste a URL into its search box and it loads the page through CroxyProxy's servers, no installation or account required. It's built for one job, getting past local network restrictions on school or workplace WiFi, and it does that job reasonably well. It supports SSL encryption, handles YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and most major social platforms more smoothly than many free proxies, and a 720p YouTube video has been reported to load in about 3 seconds versus 12 or more on weaker alternatives.
The catch is what CroxyProxy actually is: a shared server that your browser tab's traffic passes through, with ads to support the free tier and noticeably slower speeds the more people use it at once. SSL support adds a layer of encryption to the connection, but it doesn't make CroxyProxy a privacy tool. Your traffic still passes through CroxyProxy's shared infrastructure, only that one browser tab is covered, not your whole device, and reviewers are consistent on this point: it's fine for low-risk tasks like unblocking a video, but not for banking, sensitive research, torrenting, or anything where you actually need your connection protected rather than just rerouted.
The alternatives below are VPNs: they encrypt all traffic from your device, not just one browser tab, and several have undergone independent no-logs audits, something no free web proxy can credibly claim.
Proton VPN
Website: protonvpn.com
Best for: The only credible free tier among major privacy-focused VPNs
Starting price: Free / $4.49/month (Plus, 2-year plan)
Free Tier That Isn't a Trap: No data caps, no ads, on the free plan
Proton VPN is Swiss-based, open-source, and built around privacy as its core mission, with anti-censorship features including an obfuscated Stealth protocol and Secure Core routing through privacy-friendly countries before reaching the destination server. Where CroxyProxy's free tier means ads and a single shared proxy tunnel, Proton VPN's free tier is a genuinely usable VPN: no data cap, no ads, encrypting your entire device's traffic, just limited to servers in 3 countries.
The paid Plus plan extends that to a large server network (around 17,000 servers, including 130+ Secure Core options across 126 countries) at $4.49/month on a 2-year plan. Speeds run slightly behind NordVPN and ExpressVPN on long-haul connections, and premium streaming unblock requires the paid plan, but for anyone who wants CroxyProxy's "just works in the browser" simplicity replaced with something that actually protects the whole connection, Proton's free tier is the closest free equivalent.
Pros
- ✓The only major privacy VPN with a genuinely free tier (no data cap, no ads)
- ✓Open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and Secure Core multi-hop routing
- ✓Encrypts all device traffic, not just one browser tab
- ✓Obfuscated Stealth protocol for high-censorship environments
- ✓Large paid-tier server network (17,000+ servers, 126 countries)
Cons
- ✗Free tier limited to servers in 3 countries
- ✗Speeds slightly behind NordVPN/ExpressVPN on long-distance connections
- ✗Premium streaming unblock requires the paid Plus plan
- ✗30-day refund is prorated rather than a full refund after the first few days
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0, 3 countries, no data cap, no ads |
| Plus (2-year) | $4.49/mo |
Mullvad
Website: mullvad.net
Best for: True anonymity, no email or account required
Starting price: Flat €5/month (~$5.50), no discounts or tiers
No Email, No Name, No Upsells: Pay in cash or crypto, get a number
Mullvad is the contrarian's pick precisely because it does less than everyone else. Signup generates a random 16-digit account number, no email, no name, no payment information required if paying with cash or Monero. The flat price is €5/month with no discounts, no 2-year promotional pricing, and no marketing surveys, a structure the privacy community treats as a trust signal in itself: there's nothing to manipulate because there's no pricing ladder to manipulate.
Where CroxyProxy routes one browser tab through a shared, ad-supported server, Mullvad runs 700+ RAM-only servers across 50 countries on WireGuard and OpenVPN, with open-source apps audited multiple times by Cure53 and Assured AB, and a no-logs policy that's been confirmed during an actual police raid. For journalists, researchers, or anyone whose threat model includes "what happens if someone seizes the servers," Mullvad is the VPN security researchers and privacy advocates actually use themselves.
Pros
- ✓No account, email, or name required, pay with cash or cryptocurrency
- ✓Flat €5/month forever, no discounts or 2-year upsell pricing to navigate
- ✓No-logs policy confirmed during an actual police raid, not just a policy document
- ✓Open-source apps audited multiple times (Cure53, Assured AB)
- ✓700+ RAM-only servers across 50 countries, Swedish/EU jurisdiction with quarterly transparency reports
Cons
- ✗No free tier at all, unlike Proton VPN or Windscribe
- ✗Smaller server count (700+) than NordVPN or Proton VPN's larger networks
- ✗No streaming-unblock focus, not optimized for Netflix-style use cases
- ✗Stripped-down feature set compared to mainstream VPNs (no ad-blocker bundles, password managers, etc.)
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard | Flat €5/mo (~$5.50), cash/crypto accepted, no discounts |
NordVPN
Website: nordvpn.com
Best for: Speed, streaming unblock, and the broadest feature set for mainstream users
Starting price: From $2.91 to $3.39/month (2-year plans)
All-Around Performance: Post-quantum encryption, 10 devices, audited five times
NordVPN is the mainstream pick for users who want privacy without sacrificing speed or streaming reliability. Its NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard) delivers fast connections, its no-logs policy has been independently audited five times (including by Deloitte), and it now includes post-quantum encryption alongside features like Double VPN (routing through two servers) and NordWhisper for bypassing VPN-blocking firewalls.
Where CroxyProxy can struggle with sites that have aggressive proxy detection, NordVPN's broader infrastructure handles streaming-service unblocking and one subscription covers up to 10 devices. The tradeoff for mainstream users is corporate ownership (Nord Security) compared to the independently-operated Mullvad, Proton, or Windscribe, something privacy purists weigh into their decision.
Pros
- ✓NordLynx (WireGuard-based) delivers strong speeds for streaming and gaming
- ✓No-logs policy independently audited five times, including by Deloitte
- ✓Post-quantum encryption, Double VPN, and NordWhisper for restrictive networks
- ✓Covers up to 10 devices on one subscription
- ✓Reliable streaming-service unblocking, where CroxyProxy often struggles with proxy detection
Cons
- ✗Corporate-owned (Nord Security), unlike independently-operated Mullvad or Proton
- ✗Pricier than Surfshark for the entry tier ($2.91-3.39/mo vs Surfshark's $1.99/mo)
- ✗Apps are largely not open-source, limiting independent code review
- ✗No free tier, unlike Proton VPN or Windscribe
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 2-year plan | $2.91 to $3.39/mo depending on region/promo |
Surfshark
Website: surfshark.com
Best for: Households that need to cover unlimited devices on one account
Starting price: $1.99/month (2-year Starter plan)
Unlimited Devices: The cheapest way to cover an entire household
Surfshark's defining feature is unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription, at the lowest entry price among major privacy VPNs ($1.99/month on the 2-year Starter plan, $2.49/month for the Surfshark One bundle). For a household replacing CroxyProxy's single-browser-tab coverage with something that protects every family member's devices, Surfshark's per-account economics are difficult to beat.
Speeds are comparable to NordVPN, though Surfshark scores slightly lower on malware, phishing, and ad-blocking tests, and its streaming-unblock reliability and server-country coverage trail NordVPN's. Both Surfshark plans come with a 7-day free trial, something neither NordVPN nor most competitors on this list offer.
Pros
- ✓Unlimited simultaneous device connections on one subscription
- ✓Lowest entry price among major privacy VPNs ($1.99/mo, 2-year plan)
- ✓7-day free trial, uncommon among top-tier VPNs
- ✓Speeds comparable to NordVPN for everyday browsing and streaming
- ✓Surfshark One bundle adds antivirus and other extras for $2.49/mo
Cons
- ✗Slightly weaker malware/phishing/ad-blocking test results than NordVPN
- ✗Fewer server countries and less reliable streaming unblock than NordVPN
- ✗No free tier, unlike Proton VPN or Windscribe
- ✗Corporate-owned, similar transparency considerations as NordVPN
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Starter (2-year) | $1.99/mo |
| Surfshark One (2-year) | $2.49/mo, adds antivirus bundle |
ExpressVPN
Website: expressvpn.com
Best for: Beginners who want the easiest setup across every platform
Starting price: Check expressvpn.com for current 2-year pricing
Easiest Onboarding: Built for people who've never used a VPN before
ExpressVPN is consistently ranked as the most beginner-friendly option among secure VPNs, with polished apps across every major platform and a setup process that requires no configuration decisions from the user. For someone whose only prior experience is pasting a URL into CroxyProxy's search box, ExpressVPN's app-based, one-tap-to-connect experience is the smallest possible step up in complexity while adding device-wide encryption and a no-logs policy.
It sits alongside NordVPN and Proton VPN as one of the three VPNs security reviewers consistently flag as having no meaningful gaps in security or privacy fundamentals, with the choice between them coming down to price, ownership structure, and extra features rather than any one being meaningfully less secure.
Pros
- ✓Widely regarded as the easiest VPN to set up and use across platforms
- ✓No meaningful security or privacy gaps compared to NordVPN or Proton VPN
- ✓Lightway protocol balances speed and security well
- ✓Strong reputation among reviewers for consistency across devices
- ✓Good fit for users with zero prior VPN experience
Cons
- ✗Pricing tends to run higher than Surfshark or CyberGhost at entry tiers
- ✗No free tier
- ✗Apps are not fully open-source
- ✗Fewer standout "extra" features compared to NordVPN's broader feature shelf
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Plans | Check expressvpn.com for current 2-year pricing |
Windscribe
Website: windscribe.com
Best for: An independent, self-funded VPN with a genuinely generous free tier
Starting price: Free (10GB/month) / paid plans with cash accepted
Independent and Cash-Friendly: A real free tier from a company that answers to no parent corporation
Windscribe is independently operated and self-funded, a meaningful distinction in a market where, as one 2026 review put it, "everything else answers to either Kape Technologies or Nord Security." Its free tier includes a genuinely usable monthly data allowance plus ad and tracker blocking built into the app itself, going beyond what CroxyProxy's ad-supported free tier offers, which adds ads rather than blocking them.
Windscribe recently announced it now accepts cash for subscriptions, extending the privacy-conscious payment options that Mullvad pioneered to a more mainstream-feeling VPN client. It won't match NordVPN's raw speed or server count, but for users who specifically want to avoid funding either major VPN conglomerate, it's one of a small number of fully independent options alongside Mullvad, Proton, and IVPN.
Pros
- ✓Independently operated and self-funded, not owned by Kape or Nord Security
- ✓Genuinely usable free tier with built-in ad and tracker blocking
- ✓Now accepts cash for subscriptions, unusual among mainstream-feeling VPN apps
- ✓Reasonable paid pricing for users who want more data/servers than the free tier
- ✓Good middle ground between Mullvad's stripped-down anonymity and NordVPN's feature shelf
Cons
- ✗Free tier data allowance, while generous, isn't unlimited like a paid VPN
- ✗Speeds and server count trail NordVPN and ExpressVPN
- ✗Less mainstream brand recognition than Nord, Express, or Surfshark
- ✗Streaming-unblock reliability is more mixed than NordVPN's
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0, 10GB/mo, ad/tracker blocking included |
| Paid | Check windscribe.com, cash accepted |
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Website: privateinternetaccess.com
Best for: Power users who want granular configuration control
Starting price: Competitive with Surfshark and CyberGhost on long-term plans
Configuration Depth: For users who want to tune every setting
Private Internet Access is one of the most customizable VPNs in this category, with port forwarding, configurable encryption levels, and a long history as a favorite among technically-minded users who want to adjust settings most VPN apps hide entirely. Its no-logs policy has been independently audited and confirmed not to log IP addresses or browsing traffic, putting it alongside NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN on that front.
Where CroxyProxy offers literally zero configuration (paste URL, go), PIA sits at the opposite end of the spectrum: useful for users who know what a kill switch, split tunneling, or custom DNS setting does and want to adjust them, less useful for someone who just wants the simplest possible "turn it on and forget it" experience, which ExpressVPN or Surfshark serve better.
Pros
- ✓Independently audited no-logs policy, doesn't log IPs or browsing traffic
- ✓Extensive configuration options: port forwarding, encryption level, split tunneling
- ✓Competitive pricing similar to Surfshark and CyberGhost on long-term plans
- ✓Long track record and large user base among technical users
- ✓Kill switch and custom DNS options for advanced setups
Cons
- ✗Configuration depth can overwhelm users who just want simplicity
- ✗No free tier
- ✗Less polished beginner experience than ExpressVPN
- ✗Streaming-unblock and speed results are solid but not category-leading
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Long-term plans | Competitive with Surfshark and CyberGhost, check site for current rates |
CyberGhost
Website: cyberghostvpn.com
Best for: Affordable everyday browsing and streaming without multi-hop complexity
Starting price: $2.03/month (2-year plan)
Budget-Friendly Everyday Use: Matches Surfshark and PIA on price
CyberGhost is a privacy-focused VPN priced in the same range as Surfshark and PIA, around $2.03/month on a 2-year plan, and handled everyday browsing and streaming tasks reliably in 2026 testing, checking nearly every box reviewers look for in a solid VPN. For someone replacing CroxyProxy specifically to unblock streaming sites at school or work but without the budget for NordVPN or ExpressVPN, CyberGhost covers that use case at one of the lowest prices in the category.
The main gaps are multi-hop routing (no Double VPN equivalent, which most users don't need day to day) and a 7-device simultaneous connection limit, lower than NordVPN's 10 or Surfshark's unlimited. The 30-day refund policy is also prorated rather than a full refund after the first few days.
Pros
- ✓Affordable pricing matching Surfshark and PIA (~$2.03/mo, 2-year plan)
- ✓Handles everyday browsing and streaming reliably
- ✓Checks nearly all standard privacy VPN boxes for typical users
- ✓Good budget option for users coming directly from a free proxy like CroxyProxy
- ✓Established provider with a long track record
Cons
- ✗No multi-hop/Double VPN option, unlike NordVPN
- ✗7-device simultaneous connection limit, fewer than NordVPN (10) or Surfshark (unlimited)
- ✗Prorated refund policy rather than a full 30-day refund
- ✗No free tier
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 2-year plan | $2.03/mo |
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tool | No-Logs Audited | Device-Wide Encryption | Free Tier | Account Required | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CroxyProxy | No | No, single browser tab only | Yes, ad-supported | No | Free (ads) / paid premium | Quick unblocking, not privacy |
| Proton VPN | Yes, open-source | Yes | Yes, genuinely usable | Free / $4.49/mo | Best free tier | |
| Mullvad | Yes, police-raid confirmed | Yes | No | No, anonymous number | Flat €5/mo | True anonymity |
| NordVPN | Yes, 5x audited | Yes | No | $2.91-3.39/mo | Speed + streaming | |
| Surfshark | Yes | Yes | No (7-day trial) | $1.99/mo | Unlimited devices | |
| ExpressVPN | Yes | Yes | No | Check site | Easiest for beginners | |
| Windscribe | Yes | Yes | Yes, 10GB/mo | Email (or less) | Free / paid | Independent, cash-friendly |
| Private Internet Access | Yes | Yes | No | Competitive | Power-user configuration | |
| CyberGhost | Yes | Yes | No | $2.03/mo | Affordable everyday use |
Which Should You Choose?
I want a free tier that doesn't feel like a free proxy → Proton VPN
No data cap, no ads, device-wide encryption, the closest thing to CroxyProxy's "free and simple" promise but with actual privacy behind it.
I don't want to give anyone my email or identity at all → Mullvad
A random account number, cash or crypto payment, and a no-logs policy confirmed during an actual police raid.
I want the fastest, most feature-complete mainstream VPN → NordVPN
NordLynx speed, five independent no-logs audits, post-quantum encryption, and reliable streaming unblock.
I need to cover every device in my household on one plan → Surfshark
Unlimited simultaneous connections at the lowest entry price in the category, plus a 7-day free trial.
I've never used a VPN and want the simplest possible setup → ExpressVPN
Polished, one-tap apps across every platform, with no meaningful security gaps compared to the top tier.
I want a real free tier from a company that isn't owned by a VPN conglomerate → Windscribe
Independent and self-funded, with built-in ad/tracker blocking and cash payment options.
I want to configure every setting myself → Private Internet Access
Port forwarding, custom encryption levels, split tunneling, and an independently audited no-logs policy.
I just want something affordable that beats a free proxy → CyberGhost
Matches Surfshark and PIA on price (~$2.03/mo) and handles everyday browsing and streaming reliably.
CroxyProxy is genuinely useful for what it's designed for: quickly loading a blocked page or video in one browser tab without installing anything. But it covers one tab, runs on shared ad-supported servers, and offers nothing close to a verifiable no-logs policy. If the goal is actually protecting your browsing rather than just rerouting one tab past a school or office filter, a VPN is the right category entirely. Proton VPN's free tier is the closest like-for-like upgrade (free, but with real encryption and no ads), Mullvad is the choice for anyone who wants zero identity tied to their VPN account, and NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost cover the mainstream range from feature-rich to budget-friendly. Windscribe and PIA round out the independent and power-user ends of the spectrum. The right pick depends on whether you're optimizing for price, anonymity, speed, or simplicity, but any of the eight here protects more than a single browser tab, which is the fundamental gap CroxyProxy can't close.