Best for a Free Plan

4.9

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On Proton VPN's website

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Proton VPN

• Offers port forwarding, which is useful for torrenting and improving gaming performance
• Has a free plan with limited features
• Does not offer split tunneling on all devices

Best All-Inclusive Paid Plan

4.9

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On NordVPN's website

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NordVPN

• No-logs policy has been recently audited
• Meshnet feature acts as a local network for your devices
• Unimpressive customer support

If you’re looking for a virtual private network to help give you added privacy while browsing the internet, you’ll likely want to consider Proton VPN and NordVPN as options. Both Proton VPN and NordVPN offer the highest AES-256 encryption. They each also have thousands of server locations to choose from and a few extra features that make them more appealing than just your standard VPN.

Depending on the ways you’ll use the VPN, you may be looking for specific features such as streaming support, fast speeds, a kill switch, or something else. Both Proton VPN and NordVPN offer a variety of these features to help make using the VPN more convenient.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing between NordVPN and Proton VPN.

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN at a glance

Proton VPN and NordVPN share a lot of similarities, but they’re also different in their own ways. For instance, NordVPN offers more than 5,000 server locations throughout the world, while Proton VPN only boasts 2,700. Server locations may be important if you’re looking to stream Netflix from a variety of locations or if you need to connect to different server locations for privacy.

• Proton VPN: Best for a free plan
• NordVPN: Best all-inclusive paid plan

How do Proton VPN and NordVPN compare?

	Proton VPN	NordVPN Our Pick
Price	From $4.99-$11.99/mo (for paid plans)	From $3.99-$15.69/mo
Max # of simultaneous connections	Up to 10 connections based on plan type	Up to 6 connections
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more
# of servers	2,700+	5,600+
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard	NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
	Read Proton VPN Review	Read NordVPN Review

Proton VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a free version of its VPN. However, the free version comes with very limited features, including server locations in only three countries, and it does not support streaming. NordVPN does not offer a free account, but it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you purchase the VPN and don’t like it.

NordVPN and Proton VPN are both compatible with most devices on the market today, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more.

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN: prices

If you’re considering either of these VPN providers, you can rest assured that both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don’t like the service offered. Proton VPN also has a free plan that has limited features, but it could be the right plan based on your needs. 

Reviewed by Andrew Adams

“Proton VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a free version of its VPN. However, the free version comes with very limited features, including server locations in only three countries, and it does not support streaming. NordVPN does not offer a free account, but it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you purchase the VPN and don’t like it.”

NordVPN and Proton VPN also offer different subscription tiers so that you can select the VPN tier that suits you best. Proton VPN’s highest tier, Proton Unlimited, offers all of its additional features, such as Proton Mail, which allows you to send encrypted emails; Proton Drive, which allows you to store documents in an encrypted place; and Proton Calendar, which is an encrypted calendar feature. If you’re only looking for a VPN and don’t need any of these extra features, you can opt for Proton’s VPN Plus subscription.

NordVPN’s pricing tiers are a little bit different, but with each tier, users gain access to additional features such as an encrypted drive, password manager, and a data breach scanner. NordVPN’s Standard subscription includes the VPN, malware protection, and an ad blocker. NordVPN’s Plus and Complete plans add extra features on top of the VPN services included in the Standard plan, such as cloud storage and file encryption. 

But when you compare the two VPNs, NordVPN’s Standard plan is the best deal. You get everything you need in a VPN, and the cost is much less if you’re willing to commit to a two-year plan.

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN: features

These two VPNs have a lot of security features in common. They each use similar encryption and VPN protocols, which means your online activities will be protected with either option.

To really pick the right VPN for you, it is important to understand how you will use the VPN. If you’re traveling abroad and want to access Netflix and other streaming services, both Proton VPN and NordVPN will work well. However, if you need VPN servers in a specific country or region, you may want to go with NordVPN, which has double the number of servers as Proton VPN.

Proton VPN also does not offer split tunneling on all devices. It is only available on Windows and Android, so if you’re looking for this feature with a Mac, you’ll want to use NordVPN. Another difference is that ProtonVPN offers port forwarding while NordVPN does not. Port forwarding allows you to route connections through Proton VPN’s firewall. This is useful for torrenting and improving gaming performance.

If you’re concerned about overall privacy, each VPN has a no-logs policy. They both also recently went through an audit to ensure their no-logs policy is true. In 2022, Proton VPN initiated an audit with Securitum. The security audit did not find any concerns with Proton VPN’s no-log policy. In 2022, NordVPN hired Deloitte to look into the strength of its no-logs policy. Deloitte did not find any instances where NordVPN’s no-log policy was compromised.

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN: streaming support

You won’t have to worry about accessing your favorite shows while using NordVPN or Proton VPN. We tested both of them out with the most popular streaming platforms, and we were able to access each service, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and HBO Max.

One thing we did notice when testing is that your streaming provider may not recognize your device while using the VPN. This may require you to complete two-factor authentication. If you’re traveling and won’t be able to receive a text message, you may want to turn off or change your 2FA before leaving the country.

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN: internet speeds

One important part of using a VPN is making sure that your VPN connection doesn’t drastically affect the overall speed of your internet. We tested both NordVPN and Proton VPN in four different server locations, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia.

We tested Proton VPN and NordVPN while connected to hotel Wi-Fi, and we still maintained pretty good upload and download speeds while using both services. Overall, NordVPN and Proton VPN are pretty even when it comes to how they affect your overall speed.

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN speed test results

We also looked at how each VPN affected the latency of our internet connection. Latency is the time it takes for a packet of data to reach its destination. The higher the latency, the longer it will take for your information to get to where you’re sending it.

Our baseline latency when not connected to a VPN was 31 ms. We actually saw a higher latency when not connected to the VPN than we did when we were connected in Canada, the U.K., and Australia.

As seen in the table below, Proton VPN had significantly higher latency than NordVPN.

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN latency comparison

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN: compatibility and ease of use

An easy-to-navigate interface is important when it comes to using a VPN. You want to know when you’re connected, it needs to be easy to switch servers, and, overall, it should be an enjoyable user experience. Both NordVPN and Proton VPN had comparable experiences when it comes to the look and user experience of the interface.

From our experience, NordVPN and Proton VPN both worked in a similar fashion and each had a similar interface. Each VPN was simple when it came to switching to different server locations or turning on or off different features. When you compare the two based on compatibility, they both work with all of the popular devices out today.

One great feature of NordVPN is its Meshnet, which allows you to securely connect to other devices for additional privacy and security. This allows for file sharing, gaming, or accessing devices remotely. Meshnet acts as a local network for any device that it is set up on.

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN: customer service

We found both VPNs' support offerings a bit confusing. NordVPN advertises having a 24/7 chat option, and the site has what appears to be a chat feature at the bottom of the screen. However, when you click on it, you realize it’s actually just a place to search for common questions. We were unable to find any way to chat with NordVPN.

ProtonVPN does offer a chat feature, although it’s not 24/7. However, to use this, you have to sign in with your account credentials in order to make contact. While it’s not the end of the world, it was one more step to getting support. Once we signed in, we also were alerted that there were not any customer service agents available, and we had to fill out a form to get customer support.

If you’re just looking for answers to frequently asked questions, both NordVPN and Proton VPN had extensive knowledge bases and online guides. Each VPN support forum was easy to navigate and full of information.

NordVPN vs. Proton VPN: payment options

You may not have considered how you’d pay for your VPN subscription, but if you’re concerned about government censorship or your overall internet privacy, you may want to pay for your VPN in a less traditional manner. Both VPNs offer the usual payment options, such as credit cards and PayPal. You may also pay with bitcoin if you’re using ProtonVPN or with cryptocurrency on NordVPN.

Proton VPN payment options

• Credit or debit card
• PayPal
• Bitcoin
• Cash
• Bank transfer

NordVPN payment options

• Credit card
• PayPal
• AmazonPay
• Cryptocurrency
• iTunes or Google Play
• Sofort
• Prepaid debit card

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN FAQs

Proton VPN vs. NordVPN: which is better?

There are many different types of VPNs available on the market today. Each offers a variety of features to help make your internet privacy more secure. We found both NordVPN and Proton VPN as great choices for any VPN user. To pick the best VPN for you, make sure you understand how you plan on using the VPN so you have the right tools to protect yourself.

Overall, after comparing NordVPN and ProtonVPN, we thought that NordVPN offered a bit more for the price. With a two-year commitment, NordVPN is cheaper, offers more server locations, and doesn't jeopardize latency as much as ProtonVPN. NordVPN also offers upgradable plans that can include a password manager, dark web monitoring, and more to help keep you even more secure.

4.9

Limited-time offer: 69% off + 3 extra months

Learn More

On NordVPN's website

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NordVPN

• High-quality VPN offering safety and speed
• Loads of servers for multiple connection options
• Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
• Too many confusing plans

Author Details

Andrew Adams

About the Author

Andrew Strom Adams is a freelance writer focused on online privacy and digital security. He writes on various topics to help individuals protect themselves on the internet. Andrew has worked in legal marketing, technology, and startups. He has more than 12 years of experience in marketing and communications. He holds an M.B.A. from Westminster College and a B.A. in journalism from Oklahoma Baptist University. When he’s not writing, he’s playing with his two kids or watching reality TV.