NordVPN and Proton VPN both passed our review testing with strong privacy credentials, but they serve different priorities — NordVPN is built for performance and value at scale, Proton VPN leans into transparency and a genuinely usable free tier. Here’s how they compare, based on our full independent reviews of each.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Quick Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $3.49/mo (longest plan) | $2.99/mo (2-year plan) — plus a free tier |
| Simultaneous Connections | 6 devices | 10 devices (paid); 1 device (free) |
| Server Network | 9,300+ servers, 130+ countries | 20,400+ servers, 148 countries (paid); 10 locations (free) |
| Jurisdiction | Panama (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) | Switzerland (privacy-friendly, outside major alliances) |
| Default Protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard-based) | WireGuard |
| No-Logs Policy | ✓ Independently audited | ✓ Independently audited |
| Multi-Hop | ✓ Double VPN + Onion Over VPN | ✓ Secure Core (via Switzerland/Iceland/Sweden) |
| Open-Source Apps | Not highlighted | ✓ |
| Free Plan | Not offered | ✓ Unlimited data |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Pricing: Proton VPN Undercuts NordVPN — And Has a Free Tier
Proton VPN’s paid plan runs $2.99/month on the 2-year term, actually cheaper than NordVPN’s $3.49/month, and it also supports more simultaneous connections (10 vs. 6). On top of that, Proton VPN Free is a standout in its own right — unlike most free VPNs, it offers unlimited data, a clear no-logs policy, and decent security, though it’s limited to 10 server locations and lower speed priority than paid plans. NordVPN doesn’t offer a free tier at all.
Speed & Performance
NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol posts very low speed drops with excellent stability, even on distant servers. Proton VPN’s review also highlights great speeds, particularly with WireGuard, on paid plans — though free-tier users get lower speed priority and access to fewer servers.
Security & Privacy
Both providers back their no-logs claims with independent audits and offer multi-hop routing for an extra layer of privacy: NordVPN with Double VPN and Onion Over VPN, Proton VPN with Secure Core, which routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden before exiting at your chosen location. Proton VPN also stands out for open-source apps, which let independent researchers verify its security claims — a transparency angle NordVPN’s review doesn’t emphasize.
On jurisdiction, NordVPN is based in Panama and Proton VPN in Switzerland — both privacy-friendly locations outside major surveillance alliances.
Streaming & Torrenting
Proton VPN’s paid-tier network (20,400+ servers across 148 countries) is now larger than NordVPN’s (9,300+ servers, 130+ countries), giving it an edge for streaming and accessing region-specific content. Both support P2P and streaming on paid plans, but Proton VPN free-tier users are limited to 10 server locations not optimized for either.
Still Deciding?
Compare both side-by-side with every other VPN we’ve reviewed, or take our 30-second quiz to get a personalized recommendation.