NordVPN vs. Proton VPN: Which VPN Is Better?

Which VPN is better, NordVPN or Proton VPN? The easy answer for most is Proton because it has a free, unlimited entry-level plan, is cheaper overall, and has twice as many servers as NordVPN. NordVPN also appears to have a better security toolkit with identity protection.

But you can read that anywhere. We actually tested both of these providers, and here’s how it nets out.
Overall, our research gives Proton VPN the nod in scoring, coming in at 87/100 to NordVPN’s 77/100. For more, check out our NordVPN and Proton VPN reviews. For the true head-to-head comparison, here’s how these two top-notch VPNs compare.

NordVPN vs. Proton VPN at a glance

Pricing: Proton VPN costs less

This one is obvious: Proton VPN wins on price. It has a free introductory plan and is cheaper overall.
At 15 bucks, NordVPN’s monthly rate for the Basic plan is among the highest of any VPN on the market. Not only that, but after paying $215.07 for two years of service, we were offered a proposed 37% increase at renewal. You’d think two years might have accrued a regular customer discount, right? Not with Nord.

By contrast, Proton offers up to 65% off for first-time customers, and its renewals still undercut Nord’s. Here are the renewal rates you can expect if you commit to either of them.

Speed and performance: It’s a tie

NordVPN preserves more bandwidth, while Proton VPN adds far less lag. Proton edged ahead on the overall speed score in our reviews, but by less than one point between the two. Here’s the speed breakdown so you can see why it was so close.

A quick note for large uploads: On a distant server in Hong Kong, NordVPN held up better with 702Mbps download and 286 ms latency, versus Proton’s 548Mbps and 419.59 ms.

What does that mean for you? NordVPN is somewhat better for large uploads like backing up files or sending video, while Proton VPN is better for video calls and online gaming on nearby servers (where latency and jitter matter most).

Features: Nord nails identity protection and Proton values transparency

NordVPN and Proton VPN have a lot of overlap. And we mean a lot! But that’s to be expected when you’re comparing two service providers that have claimed the top of the food chain.

You’re going to get what you’re expecting with either of these providers. For example, both cover the essentials on entry-level plans, but you’ll find that NordVPN’s extras lean toward identity protection and Proton’s lean toward privacy routing and transparency.

There are so many features in the VPN space that you can get lost in the marketing, especially when there’s so much overlap. When it comes to NordVPN, you can expect an audited no-logs policy, kill switch, and malware blocking (among many others). Proton VPN also has dark web monitoring, a password manager, and age-verification bypass.

The unique offerings between the two are also many but won’t amount to a significant change in how you’ll use the service overall. Proton VPN has a free plan with unlimited data, BitTorrent-optimized servers, and a VPN accelerator. NordVPN boasts post-quantum encryption, split tunneling, and identity theft insurance. Ultimately, both give you a lot for your protection.

Security and privacy: NordVPN by a hair

Let’s be clear: Both NordVPN and Proton VPN are safe choices when it comes to security and privacy. They’re proven providers that do the job for millions of clients around the world.

What sets NordVPN slightly ahead of Proton VPN is that it has a 14-year record of third-party audits, and it uses RAM-only servers that can’t store data long-term. And Nord can’t be bullied either. In 2019, NordVPN shut down its Russian servers rather than follow a government blocklist. It did the same in 2022 when India tried to force it to store user data for five years.

While Proton VPN is headquartered in Switzerland, outside the Five Eyes alliance, and its apps are open source, it hasn’t ever had to react to international pressure from a superpower. Would it stand as tall as Nord VPN? It’s possible. Its no-logs policy has been independently audited for the last five years.

Apps: Proton VPN is easier to use

Proton VPN’s apps have a clean layout that includes a clickable server map and live server load. NordVPN’s apps are fine, but the frequent upsells will make you want to close the app before you find what you’re looking for.

Billing and cancellation: Proton VPN is smoother

This one is so important. While both providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, and both honored it, NordVPN’s refund button was missing when we tried to cancel, whereas Proton VPN responded to our request in less than an hour. Sure, NordVPN fixed the issue, but having to ask for a fix to cancel isn’t what we expected from an industry leader. For that, and just the simple ease of use overall, Proton VPN wins this hands down. Check out the step-by-step breakdown for cancellation below.

Final verdict for NordVPN vs. Proton VPN: Proton VPN wins!

Yes, Proton VPN wins overall. Our reviewers scored it ten points apart, and this analysis here only highlights the small but significant matters to consider when making this decision. NordVPN led only on security and features.

NordVPN vs. Proton VPN: FAQ