Atlas VPN is no longer available. The service closed on 24 April 2024 and stopped accepting new customers. Existing paid subscriptions were transferred to NordVPN for the remainder of their original term, while the Atlas VPN free plan ended.
This page is retained to explain what happened, what former Atlas VPN users should do with the old app, and which current VPNs provide the closest alternatives for UK users.
Last updated: 31 August 2026
Atlas VPN closed permanently on 24 April 2024. Do not buy an Atlas VPN subscription or download an unofficial Atlas-branded app. Former paid subscribers were moved to NordVPN only for the time remaining on their original subscription.
Atlas VPN review: current status
| Service detail | Current position |
|---|---|
| Operating status | Discontinued on 24 April 2024 |
| New subscriptions | Not available |
| Free Atlas VPN plan | Ended |
| Existing paid subscriptions | Transferred to NordVPN for the remaining subscription period |
| Atlas VPN auto-renewal | Disabled as part of the migration |
| Recommended action | Use the migrated NordVPN access if it remains valid; otherwise choose a currently supported VPN |
Why did Atlas VPN close?
Atlas VPN was launched in 2019 and later became part of the Nord Security group. Nord Security announced on 25 March 2024 that Atlas VPN would conclude its services the following month.
The company attributed the decision to advancing technical demands, competition in the VPN market and the increasing cost of maintaining a modern service. Atlas VPN was therefore retired rather than continuing as a separate product.
The closure was not a temporary outage, rebrand or pause. Atlas VPN ceased operating on 24 April 2024 and new Atlas VPN accounts and subscriptions are no longer available. You can read the Nord Security closure announcement and the more detailed NordVPN migration explanation.
What happened to Atlas VPN subscriptions?
Paid Atlas VPN subscribers were transferred to NordVPN on 24 April 2024 at no additional cost for the time remaining on their Atlas subscription. This did not create a new lifetime entitlement or an automatically renewing NordVPN plan.
NordVPN says Atlas auto-renewal was disabled during the migration. When the transferred period ended, the user could decide whether to purchase a new NordVPN subscription or stop using the service.
According to NordVPN, the information transferred for the migration was limited to:
- The registration email used for the Atlas VPN account
- The length of the remaining paid subscription
If you had a paid Atlas account but never completed the transition, search the email account originally used for Atlas VPN for the migration instructions. Because the transfer took place in 2024, any normal Atlas subscription period is likely to have ended by now. Contact NordVPN support if you still need help identifying an old migrated account.
Is Atlas VPN now NordVPN?
No. Atlas VPN and NordVPN were separate products within the same corporate group. Atlas VPN was closed; it was not simply renamed NordVPN.
Paid users received NordVPN access for the remaining portion of their Atlas subscription, but the Atlas apps, server network, free plan and product name did not continue. NordVPN has its own applications, features, account system, plans and terms.
Former Atlas users should therefore install the current NordVPN app through NordVPN or an official device app store. An old Atlas VPN installation does not turn into NordVPN automatically.
Should you uninstall the old Atlas VPN app?
Yes. Atlas VPN no longer provides a supported VPN service, so there is no practical benefit to keeping its app or browser extension installed.
The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises replacing unsupported software and deleting apps that are no longer used. Unsupported applications no longer receive the normal security fixes and compatibility updates expected from active software. See the NCSC guidance on deleting out-of-date apps.
Former Atlas VPN users should:
- Uninstall the Atlas VPN desktop or mobile app.
- Remove any Atlas VPN browser extension.
- Delete any Atlas VPN profile that remains in the device's VPN settings.
- Restart the device if its internet connection does not return to normal.
- Install a replacement only from the provider's official website or the device's built-in app store.
There is no legitimate reason to download an Atlas VPN APK, installer, browser extension or “new version” from a third-party download site. The original service has closed, so an unofficial file cannot restore it and may expose your device to unwanted or malicious software.
What Atlas VPN offered before it closed
Atlas VPN was a freemium service with apps for common desktop, mobile and television platforms. Its historical features included a WireGuard-based connection option, SafeSwap servers, Tracker Blocker, a Data Breach Monitor, split tunnelling on supported apps and unlimited simultaneous connections.
NordVPN's closure summary records that Atlas VPN had more than 1,000 servers across 49 destinations by the end of its operation. Those historical details help explain the old product, but they should not be used to compare current VPN performance. The Atlas server network, support service, free plan and apps are no longer active.
The previous version of this page contained prices, speed conclusions, streaming claims and a review score. These have been removed because it would be misleading to rate, price or recommend a service that readers can no longer buy or use.
Best Atlas VPN alternatives for UK users
There is no single replacement that matches every part of the former Atlas offer. The right choice depends on whether you want the direct migration path, a polished premium VPN, unlimited household connections, advanced settings or a continuing free plan.
| Your priority | VPN to consider | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Direct successor to a paid Atlas account | NordVPN | Atlas paid subscriptions were moved to NordVPN for their remaining term. It is the most direct product transition, although any migrated entitlement may now have expired. |
| Best premium all-round choice | ExpressVPN | Our current first-place overall VPN for UK users who prioritise straightforward apps, broad device support and a wide choice of server countries. |
| Many household devices | Surfshark | One subscription supports unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a practical alternative to Atlas VPN's former unlimited-device approach. |
| Advanced configuration | Private Internet Access | A suitable option for users who value extensive settings and control over protocols and connection behaviour. |
| A genuine continuing free plan | Proton VPN | Proton VPN maintains a free plan without a data allowance, although free users receive fewer location and feature choices than paid subscribers. |
This table is a needs-based guide, not a separate sitewide ranking. The current overall TheBestVPN.uk order remains ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Private Internet Access and Proton VPN. Compare the full shortlist in our best VPN UK guide.
NordVPN: the direct Atlas VPN successor
NordVPN is the logical first check for someone who previously paid for Atlas VPN because the remaining subscription time was transferred there. The services were not identical, and a former Atlas user should assess NordVPN on its current plans and terms before paying for a new subscription.
If the migrated access has ended, compare NordVPN's current UK checkout total and renewal terms with other services rather than assuming it remains the best value simply because it received the old account.
Proton VPN: the closest free-plan replacement
Atlas VPN attracted many users through its free tier. Proton VPN is the most credible current replacement for someone who needs a genuine free VPN for light, lawful everyday use and does not require manual access to every server country.
Proton states that its free plan has no data limit. It still has restrictions compared with Proton VPN Plus, including less control over server selection and fewer paid features. Free-plan availability and rules can change, so check the official Proton VPN Free page before installing it.
Was Atlas VPN safe?
That question can only be answered historically. Atlas VPN was a real commercial VPN operated within the Nord Security group, but it is no longer a supported service. A past privacy policy or old feature list does not make an abandoned app suitable to use today.
No VPN provides complete anonymity. A VPN can encrypt traffic between a device and the VPN server and replace the public IP address seen by many websites, but account logins, cookies, browser fingerprinting, payment records and information supplied directly to a website can still identify a user.
For a current buying decision, assess a provider's present privacy policy, published audits, ownership, supported apps, security-update record and current terms. The old Atlas VPN review score is no longer relevant.
Final verdict
Atlas VPN cannot be recommended because it closed permanently on 24 April 2024. The old review URL should remain available as a factual archive and transition guide, but Atlas VPN must be removed from active rankings, pricing comparisons, deal pages and free-VPN recommendations.
Former paid users were transferred to NordVPN only for the remaining part of their Atlas term. For a new purchase, compare the current market rather than treating NordVPN as an automatic renewal choice. ExpressVPN remains our first-place overall UK recommendation, Surfshark is the stronger household-value option, PIA suits advanced configuration and Proton VPN provides the clearest current free-plan alternative.
Is Atlas VPN still available?
No. Atlas VPN ended its service on 24 April 2024 and no longer accepts new subscriptions.
Why did Atlas VPN shut down?
Nord Security attributed the closure to advancing technical demands, strong market competition and the rising cost of maintaining a modern VPN service.
What happened to Atlas VPN paid subscriptions?
Paid subscriptions were transferred to NordVPN for the time remaining on the original Atlas VPN term at no additional cost. Atlas auto-renewal was disabled during the migration.
Is Atlas VPN now NordVPN?
No. Atlas VPN closed as a separate product. Eligible paid users received temporary NordVPN access for the remainder of their Atlas subscription, but the Atlas apps and free plan did not continue.
Can I still download Atlas VPN?
You should not download Atlas VPN. The service is discontinued, and unofficial installers or APK files cannot restore it. Choose a supported VPN and download it only from the provider or an official app store.
Should I uninstall the old Atlas VPN app?
Yes. The app no longer provides a supported VPN service or receives the normal updates expected from active software. Remove the app, extensions and any remaining Atlas VPN profiles.
What is the best Atlas VPN alternative?
NordVPN is the direct successor for migrated paid accounts. For a new purchase, ExpressVPN is our premium all-round choice, Surfshark suits many devices, PIA offers advanced settings and Proton VPN provides a continuing free plan.
