NordVPN vs. Proton VPN: Two Privacy-Focused VPNs Go Head-to-Head

NordVPN and Proton VPN are two of the best VPNs on the market. Both are blazing-fast, prioritize serious privacy and are excellent for casual users thanks to solid streaming service unblocking capabilities. Nord and Proton also go a step further by offering advanced amenities to beef up your privacy. Whether you're a casual user who wants to unblock BBC iPlayer outside of the UK or a political activist requiring strict privacy, Nord and Proton are solid choices.

Generally, I recommend NordVPN for folks who desire the fastest possible internet speeds for gaming or streaming, while Proton VPN is better for budget-conscious buyers, including anyone who wants a free VPN. The two companies are comparable in areas like privacy and usability. Ultimately, your decision might boil down to budget. While NordVPN and Proton VPN cost nearly the same on the frontend, Proton is significantly less expensive in the long run because -- unlike Nord -- it doesn't saddle you with an exorbitant price hike (just a modest price bump). Additionally, Proton VPN has a free tier, whereas Nord only offers a free trial. 

Let's compare NordVPN and Proton VPN so you can decide which privacy-focused VPN is right for you.

NordVPN

Price $13 per month, $60 for the first year or $83 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $140 per year)Latest tests No leaks detected, 3% average internet download speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 7,400-plus servers in 118 countriesJurisdiction Panama

NordVPN is the fastest VPN we tested, so whether you want to stream Netflix in 4K, play competitive online PC games or simply retain the bulk of your bandwidth while browsing, it's a great choice. I found that NordVPN excels in almost every aspect, working equally well for casual users who want to stream or browse the web privately, as well as for those with serious privacy concerns. Its generous international server network works well for travel and unblocking international streaming content. Although an initially decent value, NordVPN's absurdly high renewal price -- it spikes from $60 for the first year or $83 total for the first two years to $140 annually with its auto-renewal -- is significantly higher than Proton VPN's renewal price.

See at NordVPN

Proton VPN

Latest tests No leaks detected, 16% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 12,000-plus servers in 117 countriesJurisdiction SwitzerlandPrice $10 a month, $60 for the first year or $108 for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $80 per year)

Proton VPN prioritizes privacy, from its open-source apps that foster transparency to its sophisticated Secure Core double VPN servers, which make it even more challenging to track your internet activities than a standard VPN connection. But it’s also a fantastic option for entertainment or travel, thanks to an enormous server count. Over time, Proton VPN can be considerably cheaper than NordVPN since its auto-renewal price increase is less than NordVPN’s, so it’s better for folks on a budget. However, I was underwhelmed by Proton VPN’s MacOS app because it didn’t adequately warn me that the encrypted tunnel broke while switching servers -- meaning your internet activity may be temporarily exposed. I would steer Apple laptop or desktop users to NordVPN until it’s fixed.

See at Proton VPN

Speed winner: NordVPN is faster, but Proton VPN isn't far behind

All VPNs slow down your internet speeds, whether marginally or significantly. As the two fastest VPNs we benchmarked, NordVPN and Proton VPN help you maintain the majority of your base internet speed, ultimately having a virtually unnoticeable impact. In my 2025 testing, I clocked NordVPN at a 3% average download speed loss and Proton VPN at 16% average download speed loss. For most folks, either VPN will do, but if you're a hardcore online gamer or simply want the fastest possible internet speeds, go with NordVPN. 

Proton VPN includes a VPN accelerator, which the company says can boost your internet speeds by up to 400%. In my testing, I observed nearly identical speeds with the VPN accelerator enabled or disabled. However, it's a feature designed for scenarios where you have an unreliable signal, or when connected to a geographically distant VPN server. So you might get faster speeds using Proton's VPN accelerator if you've got an inconsistent internet connection (think satellite internet or spotty cell reception).

Value winner: Proton VPN is cheaper than NordVPN in the long run, and doesn't require watching your subscription

While Proton VPN and NordVPN are initially close in cost, NordVPN's sky-high annual renewal price makes Proton drastically cheaper in the long run. You can save money on your subscription and avoid auto-renewal price increases, but NordVPN requires monitoring your subscription via stacking subscriptions or canceling and resubscribing. 

Both companies have VPN-only plans that give you a VPN, ad blocker and a few power user features. NordVPN's base VPN plan includes a virtual private network, an adult site blocker, basic DNS filtering for ad and tracker blocking plus its Meshnet feature to create a virtual local area network for secure file-sharing or LAN parties. Proton VPN's entry-level plan gives you an ad and tracker blocker.

Proton VPN's no-cost plan is limited, but the company doesn't sell your data, bombard you with ads or infect your device with malware like some other free VPNs may do. That said, you can't choose a server manually, there are servers in only five countries and you're restricted to one device at a time. Still, Proton VPN is the best free VPN, and the only zero-dollar option we enthusiastically recommend.

By contrast, NordVPN only has a three-day free trial, which is only available on the Google Play Store for Android devices, so there's no way to use its service without eventually paying, although the company has a 30-day money-back guarantee. While you don't have a completely free plan, the free trial lets you use the full-fledged version of NordVPN, while Proton VPN's no-cost tier is limited in functionality, so the free trial could be helpful in figuring out whether you want to commit before buying.

NordVPN's VPN-only Basic plan costs $13 a month, $60 for the first year or $83 total for the first two years. Like many VPNs -- Mullvad VPN being a notable exception -- NordVPN slaps you with price hikes, with the one- and two-year plans renewing at an astronomical $140 annually. Proton's paid VPN plan sets you back $10 a month, $60 for the first year or $108 total for the first two years, with the one- and two-year plans renewing at $80 annually. While its two-year subscription is initially more expensive than NordVPN's 24-month plan, Proton's $80 auto-renewal price is nearly half of Nord's $140. In the long term, Proton VPN is considerably cheaper than NordVPN, unless you plan to watch your subscription carefully. 

One trend I've observed among VPN providers is a shift toward becoming one-stop cybersecurity solutions. Alongside virtual private networks, most of our top-rated VPNs now let you sign up for bundles that include other privacy or security apps, like antivirus software, password managers, data removal services and identity theft protection. There are advantages to bundling, such as potential monetary savings and the convenience of having one bill rather than multiple to keep up with, but if there's a data breach or price increase, that's also more proverbial eggs in one less-appealing basket. 

You'll find bundles from Proton VPN and NordVPN, but it's a little tricky to recommend one over the other, because your decision will depend on the specific apps you want. In addition to a VPN, NordVPN's Plus, Complete and Prime packages include anti-malware protection (Threat Protection Pro), a password manager (NordPass) plus an ad and tracker blocker. Complete and Prime both include 1TB of cloud storage, while the company's most expensive plan, Prime, tacks on its NordProtect identity protection. Proton VPN's Unlimited bundle also offers a password manager (Proton Pass) and cloud storage (Proton Drive). But rather than anti-malware software and identity theft protection, Proton Unlimited includes its secure email client (Proton Mail) and a calendar. 

Ultimately, if you want identity theft protection and anti-malware software, go with NordVPN -- but note that Threat Protection Pro isn't a full-fledged antivirus app. If you'd rather have a secure email client, cloud storage and a calendar (maybe you're trying to transition away from Gmail), Proton VPN is a better pick.  

Privacy winner: It's neck-and-neck

NordVPN and Proton VPN are both excellent when it comes to protecting your privacy. But Nord has a slight advantage for Apple users because of a flaw in Proton's MacOS app interface, which doesn't adequately warn users about the fact that it breaks the encrypted connection when changing servers, therefore exposing your internet activity temporarily. NordVPN keeps your public IP address hidden on MacOS even when switching servers, so you don't need to exit out of any websites or apps if you're changing servers. 

Aside from that wrinkle, both providers provide a solid foundation of privacy basics and some bonus obfuscation-focused protocols. Obfuscation attempts to hide the fact that you're using a VPN by disguising your VPN traffic as traditional web traffic. But it's not foolproof, so while you may be able to slip through firewalls on school Wi-Fi, there are no guarantees that network administrators won't be able to detect your VPN traffic and block it.

Nord boasts more cutting-edge privacy features that may appeal to power users, such as post-quantum protection to safeguard against future threats from powerful quantum computers, and Meshnet, which lets you host virtual LAN parties, securely transfer files and manage home servers from anywhere. You can even use Meshent to bypass geographical restrictions imposed by streaming services.

But quantum computers can't yet break modern encryption, and not everyone will find a reason to use Meshnet, so some people may find Proton's privacy measures more practical. For instance, the company's discreet app icons for Android let you make the Proton app look like a notepad, calculator or weather app, which might help in a situation where you're worried about your phone being searched. If you're crossing the border into an authoritarian country, you might want to hide your Proton VPN app as something innocuous, like a calculator, weather app or notepad, in case your mobile device is confiscated.

I especially like Proton's Secure Core double VPN servers since its servers are in secure data centers owned and operated by Proton. Secure Core servers are located in secure facilities, like decommissioned military bases or underground bunkers, so you get secure servers in a secure physical facility. Because of their specialty servers, NordVPN and Proton VPN are great for people with serious privacy worries.

Like nearly all VPN providers, ProtonVPN and NordVPN claim not to log your session data and back up those assertions with annual audits. Though imperfect, audits are important trust signals that can add credence to VPN provider braggadocio. The two companies are headquartered in privacy-friendly jurisdictions outside of the Five, Nine and 14 Eyes data-sharing alliances, meaning no information handed over to local authorities is required to be sent to other countries. Panama (NordVPN's jurisdiction) and Switzerland (Proton VPN's jurisdiction) have data protection laws that don't require VPN companies to log user data, so even if there were a valid court order to hand information over, there shouldn't be anything meaningful to provide.

Alongside audits, Nord and Proton have server protections in place: RAM-only servers for NordVPN and full-disk encryption with Proton. RAM-only servers are wiped after each reboot, so theoretically, no data is logged. While Proton doesn't have RAM-only servers, its whole-disk encryption provides a different form of data security. 

Proton VPN's open-source apps promote transparency, as anyone can review the source code for potential vulnerabilities. Only a handful of other VPN providers, including Mullvad and PIA, have open-source apps. Most people won't pore over source code, much less know what any of the source code means, but if you're more technically literate, this is a nice bonus for Proton.

While NordVPN and Proton VPN have solid privacy chops for casual and critical users alike, I give Nord a minor advantage because of Proton's MacOS interface issue. Although it only affects one platform, I'm disappointed by the disparity between Proton VPN's privacy-forward image and its unclear Mac app, which may expose internet activity without warning users.

Usability winner: Nord is slightly more intuitive in some spots, but Proton VPN isn't necessarily difficult to use

NordVPN's apps are slightly more intuitive than Proton VPN's, particularly once you dig into settings menus, but -- aside from Mac -- the differences are negligible. In everyday usage, Proton VPN and NordVPN are excellent for streaming and travel. 

In my testing, I found NordVPN and Proton VPN's apps fairly intuitive across all platforms, from Windows, Mac and Linux to Androids and iPhones, as well as streaming devices. Although Linux might not be as widely used as Mac and Windows, I like that Nord and Proton each offer Linux GUI apps, which are easier to navigate for beginners than command-line apps.

While neither provider's apps are as slick as ExpressVPN's minimalist applications, NordVPN's are a bit easier to navigate, particularly for beginners. There's more granular control with Proton VPN, and while a lot of these options are fittingly tucked under an "Advanced settings" menu, the average VPN newcomer may be lost. To Proton's credit, those settings are well-explained from within the apps, but by contrast, NordVPN's app doesn't have any areas that felt potentially confusing for newcomers.

Thankfully, the rest of Proton VPN's app is fairly straightforward, and I liked the user-friendly descriptions of various elements, like Anti-censorship and Work/School profiles for quick auto-connections to servers, which were marginally more helpful for beginners than NordVPN's server selection. 

I had no issues streaming from Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, CBC Gem and a host of other apps with NordVPN or Proton VPN. Thanks to their fast speeds, I didn't encounter any buffering or stuttering, even while watching bandwidth-consuming 4K movies or shows. NordVPN will even be one of the first VPN providers with an app on Amazon's new Fire TV Stick devices that are powered by Vega OS.

Nord boasts 8,000-plus servers in 126 countries, while Proton has 15,300-plus servers in 126 countries -- among the most generous global server rosters of any VPN we've tested. Accordingly, NordVPN and Proton VPN are excellent for unblocking geographically restricted content as well as traveling. Notably, Nord and Proton have solid server selections in Africa and the Middle East, regions where many other providers fall short. 

Split tunneling with either VPN company works well, so you can pick and choose what websites or apps to route through a VPN. NordVPN's split tunneling on Android only lets you exclude apps from using a VPN, so the default behavior is to route everything through a VPN, then select some apps to skip the encrypted tunnel. Proton VPN's Android split tunneling is more flexible because it lets you choose to route all apps or only some apps, so you can exclude or include apps. NordVPN's limited Android split tunneling isn't a dealbreaker, but it might disappoint some power users.

I like NordVPN's Meshnet feature, which provides an intuitive way to link geographically distant devices -- like computers, tablets, phones or streaming devices -- to make it look like they're all on the same Wi-Fi network. Meshnet can be used to bypass streaming service restrictions outside of the household, securely transfer files or host LAN parties. I regularly use Meshnet to manage my home media server from afar, as well as keep watching Netflix seamlessly while on vacation.

Proton VPN doesn't have a feature like Meshnet, but, unlike NordVPN, it does have port forwarding, which may help you achieve faster download speeds while torrenting or an easier time starting torrents without many seeders (uploaders). In my assessment, I had no issues downloading torrents quickly with NordVPN, even for files with few seeders. 

Although Proton VPN isn't difficult to use, NordVPN is a bit more beginner-friendly, while still satisfying power users who seek to customize settings. 

Bottom line: NordVPN and Proton VPN tick most of the same boxes

If you want a virtual private network for reliable privacy, unblocking region-restricted streaming content or international travel, either NordVPN or Proton VPN works wonderfully. For most people, the decision on which privacy-focused VPN to get likely comes down to price, your lifestyle and what devices you use most often. While both companies initially charge nearly the same price, NordVPN's auto-renewal (which you can avoid if you're proactive) is almost double that of Proton VPN's, making Proton cheaper in the long run unless you stack subscriptions or cancel and resubscribe with Nord.

I recommend NordVPN to folks who want the fastest possible internet speeds for applications like streaming 4K movies, gaming or video conferencing. Because of Proton VPN's unclear MacOS kill switch, I also suggest that Apple aficionados stick with NordVPN. On the other hand, Proton VPN is better for budget-conscious buyers, including anyone who needs a free VPN. Proton VPN is also great for Android users traveling to countries where VPNs are frowned upon, since it lets you hide your VPN app, which may be useful if your phone is searched.