NordVPN and ProtonVPN both focus on security, with very different philosophies. NordVPN has built a massive commercial operation and kept its security strong. ProtonVPN comes from the privacy-first team behind…
A mainstream VPN with a no-logs policy audited five times and bundled security extras. It suits households with several devices and frequent travelers.
ProtonVPN is a Swiss VPN from the Proton Mail team with open-source apps and a free tier that has no data cap or ads. It suits privacy-first users.
NordVPN and ProtonVPN both focus on security, with very different philosophies. NordVPN has built a massive commercial operation and kept its security strong. ProtonVPN comes from the privacy-first team behind ProtonMail and takes an uncompromising line on anonymity.
ProtonVPN's Secure Core feature routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland and Iceland before it reaches its final destination. NordVPN doesn't offer anything like it. NordVPN's specialty servers, though, include Double VPN, Onion over VPN and P2P servers, which give most users more practical security options.
ProtonVPN's free tier stands out, with unlimited bandwidth (with speed restrictions) and access to servers in 3 countries. NordVPN has no free option. NordVPN is much better for streaming and has dedicated resources for keeping access to geo-restricted content, while ProtonVPN's streaming is improving but inconsistent. ProtonVPN is significantly more expensive on monthly plans but competitive on annual subscriptions.
| Feature | NordVPN | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
Ad & Tracker Blocking | ||
Anonymous Payment Methods | ||
Connection Protocols | ||
Custom VPN Protocols | ||
Customer Support Availability | ||
Dedicated IP Option | ||
Encryption Standard | ||
Independent Audits | ||
IPv6 Leak Protection | ||
Kill Switch | ||
Multi-Hop | ||
No-logs Policy | ||
Open Source Apps | ||
RAM-only Servers | ||
Simultaneous Connections | ||
Split Tunneling | ||
Streaming Support | ||
Support Channels | ||
Torrenting Support |
How strict you are about privacy decides this. Choose NordVPN if you want practical security features, excellent streaming and wide device support at competitive prices. Select ProtonVPN if you're a privacy purist who values Swiss privacy laws and a free tier worth using, as long as streaming isn't a priority. For most security-conscious users, NordVPN strikes the better balance of features, performance and value.
Telling the truth can be dangerous. Journalists and activists use VPNs to get around censorship and hide where they are connecting from.
David Chen
Remote work is the dream for many professionals: pajamas all day and zero morning traffic. It also puts your online privacy and data security at risk.
Emma Rodriguez
Depending on where you are, some parts of the internet are off-limits. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) get around those blocks. Using one is legal in most countries, with a few notable exceptions.
Sarah Mitchell
Surfshark is a lower-priced VPN with unlimited device connections and a no-logs policy verified twice by Deloitte. It suits households with many devices.
CyberGhost is a Romania-based VPN with servers sorted by task, such as streaming or torrenting. It suits streaming households who want a simple app.
IPVanish is a US-based VPN that runs its own servers and allows unlimited devices on every plan. It suits households and small teams with many devices.
Detailed feature analysis, performance benchmarks, and pricing comparison
Security protocols, server networks, and streaming capabilities compared
Speed tests, privacy policies, and user experience evaluation