NordVPN wins if you want speed and value at scale. On a 2-year plan, you pay $3.09/mo for access to 5,800+ servers and NordLynx, the fastest protocol available. Proton VPN is the better choice if you care more about verified privacy and want a free option worth using. Neither is wrong, just optimized differently.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | No free tier | Free available |
| Paid price | $3.09 USD/mo | $4.99 USD/mo |
| Protocol | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | — |
| Servers | 5,800+ | — |
| Countries | 60 | — |
| Simultaneous Connections | 6 | — |
| Kill Switch | ||
| Split Tunneling | ||
| Ad Blocker | Plus tier only | VPN Plus+ |
| Audited No Logs | — | |
| Torrenting | — | |
| Streaming Optimized | — | |
| No Logs Policy | — | |
| Open source | — | |
| Tor Over V P N | — | VPN Plus+ |
| Streaming Support | — | VPN Plus+ |
| Dedicated I P | — | |
| Simultaneous Devices | — | 1 free / 10 paid |
| Server Count | — | 17200+ |
| Score | 9/10 | 8/10 |
NordVPN
9
Proton VPN
8
Runner-up
NordVPN offers better speeds, a bigger server network, and lower long-term pricing. Proton VPN prioritizes transparency with open-source clients and a genuinely usable free tier. Choose NordVPN for performance and value, Proton for privacy assurance.
Pricing
NordVPN's Basic plan costs $3.09/mo when billed every 2 years, the cheapest major VPN available. The Plus tier adds ad/malware blocking for $4.99/mo. Monthly plans are $12.99, which defeats the purpose. Proton VPN undercuts this with a free tier (1 device, 5 countries, no cap) and VPN Plus at $4.99/mo annually, or $2.99/mo on a 2-year plan. If you want a long-term commitment, NordVPN edges ahead on price. If you want to try before committing, Proton's free tier is unmatched.
Speed and Protocol
NordVPN's NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based) consistently ranks fastest in independent tests. Proton VPN tests slower overall, though the gap narrows on nearby servers. For streaming and torrenting, NordVPN pulls ahead. For casual browsing, both are fine.
Privacy and Transparency
Proton VPN's client code is open-source and has been independently audited. The company survived Swiss legal orders without handing over user IPs, proof that its no-logs claim is real. NordVPN also has a no-logs policy verified by PwC (2020, 2023) but doesn't publish source code. If transparency is your priority, Proton wins. If you trust the audits, NordVPN is sufficient.
Server Network
NordVPN operates 5,800+ servers across 60 countries. Proton VPN runs 17,200+ servers in 120+ countries. Proton's count is higher, but NordVPN's servers are better optimized for speed. For covering remote regions, Proton has the edge. For practical VPN use, NordVPN's 5,800 servers is more than enough.
Features
NordVPN includes Meshnet (private device networking) at no extra cost and includes Threat Protection Lite on the Basic tier. Proton VPN bundles NetShield (ad/malware blocking) on VPN Plus and offers Tor over VPN. Neither has a dedicated IP option. NordVPN offers better value-add features on the lower tier.
Free and Trial Options
Proton VPN's free tier is actually usable: no data cap, no speed throttle (beyond physical limits), and a no-logs policy. It covers 5 countries and 1 device. NordVPN doesn't offer a free tier, only a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you want to test before paying, Proton wins decisively.
Who Each Product Suits
NordVPN suits you if you want the fastest VPN at the lowest long-term price, prioritize streaming and torrenting performance, and are comfortable committing to a 2-year plan. The $3.09/mo rate is unbeatable if you can use it for that duration.
Proton VPN suits you if you care about verified privacy over raw speed, want to try a VPN for free without a credit card, value open-source transparency, or need email and cloud storage (Proton Unlimited bundles them). It's the privacy-first choice.