Price: Proton’s Free Tier Sets It Apart, While Nord Demands a Premium
It's not easy to choose a favorite between these two great apps, but determining which one offers better pricing is a good place to start.
(Credit: Proton/Nord/PCMag)Proton VPN is tough to beat here because it offers a totally free service tier without ads or bandwidth restrictions, which is rare. Just provide an email address, and Proton allows you to connect to up to five servers on a single device. Don't want to give up your email? You can use Proton VPN without signing up, which is great for quick connections and anonymity, although the app will automatically select servers for you. A word of warning: The free servers may become congested during peak hours, which could slow down your browsing or streaming experience.
For a fast and consistent connection, consider the paid version of Proton VPN. Currently, a monthly subscription to Proton VPN Plus starts at $9.99, though the company offers deep discounts for longer-term subscriptions. Just make sure you know what you’re signing up for. The service includes support for up to 10 devices, an ad and malware blocker, double-hop VPN connections, split tunneling, and access to priority customer support.
Any way you look at it, NordVPN is the more expensive option. Nord does not offer a completely free version of its VPN app, and unfortunately, the Basic subscription is priced the same as Proton Unlimited ($12.99) but doesn't provide as much value. With NordVPN Basic, you get VPN access for up to 10 devices. High-quality privacy or security-preserving features are not included.
You'll need to subscribe to one of Nord's more expensive plans to access the best tools. Unlimited VPN access, anti-malware protection, browsing protection, an ad and tracker blocker, a password manager, and data breach scanning are all included with NordVPN Plus ($13.99). Proton Unlimited costs a dollar less and includes the same features: encrypted cloud storage, an encrypted email inbox, encrypted calendar access, and a crypto wallet.
NordVPN Complete is $14.99 and includes 1TB of encrypted cloud storage in addition to the Plus package. NordVPN Prime is $17.99 and includes all of the features described above, plus dark web monitoring, credit monitoring and score analysis, $1 million in identity theft insurance, and $100,000 worth of cyber extortion insurance coverage.
We should also note that NordVPN is facing a $100 million class-action lawsuit in the US states of California and North Carolina. The lawsuit alleges that NordVPN engaged in deceitful "automatic renewal" practices.
With that in mind, we recommend adopting a "try before you buy" approach to VPN apps. With Proton, you can try the totally free version. NordVPN does not offer a free trial, but it does provide a money-back guarantee, allowing you to request a full refund within 30 days.
Proton VPN is the better value overall. Its free tier is generous, and its paid options are reasonably priced, including high-quality features. That said, if you're willing to invest more money each month, NordVPN's Prime plan offers high-value options, including identity theft prevention and recovery assistance.
Winner: Proton VPN
App Design: Proton Is Sleeker, Nord Has More to Show
While some elements of VPN app designs are subjective, we strive to keep the evaluations in this section as objective as possible.
(Credit: Proton/PCMag)Proton's purple-on-black app is sleek and easy to use. The mobile and desktop versions of the app feature purple and green backlighting, which effectively highlights the interface. Overall, Proton is streamlined with clear settings, differentiated menus, and a large server map.
(Credit: Nord/PCMag)Meanwhile, NordVPN's desktop applications can be somewhat cluttered. The main hub has a lot going on, which may be a bit overwhelming for new users. The data shown is useful, but we think a simpler main interface would be better. Otherwise, features and settings are clearly laid out across the different menus, and the light-colored default interface is a departure from the dark, utilitarian-looking VPN apps of years past. We also like that the NordVPN app features a tutorial for new customers.
Winner: Tie
Server Count and Locations: Two Massive Networks With Global Reach
These numbers change constantly, but as of publication, NordVPN has servers in 129 countries, while Proton VPN has servers in 127. When it comes to network size, though, Proton includes 16,477 servers on its website, more than NordVPN's (still respectable) 8,490 servers.
Both services have sizable networks compared with the rest of the industry. This means both apps probably have a server near you, keeping your connection steady and fast.
Winner: Tie
Speed and Performance: Nord Races Ahead in Speed and Reliability
We keep a running tally of download speeds, upload speeds, and latency for all the VPNs we test:
Both VPNs performed well, but Nord is the clear winner. It reduced our download speeds by just 5.20%, our upload speeds by 5.78%, and increased our latency by 58.14%.
Meanwhile, Proton VPN reduced our download speeds by 20.11%, upload speeds by 43.21%, and increased our latency by 351.26%.
Beating Proton in all categories, Nord is the clear winner. Just keep in mind that our speed tests aren’t the final verdict on performance as a whole. You can read more about how we contextualize speed tests in our piece on the fastest VPNs.
Winner: NordVPN
Streaming: Both VPNs Unlock Netflix Libraries Worldwide
We test whether or not a VPN can access Netflix's library of content from five regions across the globe, including Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US. The content available in these libraries often changes depending on where you connect from (or where Netflix thinks you're from), so we categorize the results into three different categories: Open, Blocked, and Limited. You can read more about what those classifications mean in our chart below:
Both services accessed all five catalogs and encountered no restrictions.
Winner: Tie
What’s the Same? Fast, Secure, and Private Connections
Proton and Nord both have global server networks with coverage in over 120 countries. Both VPNs have a variant of multi-hop: Secure Core for Proton and DoubleVPN for Nord. Each service offers must-haves like split tunneling and a configurable kill switch. Proton and Nord both support popular operating systems, including macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, and Linux. Additionally, both offer complete security suites with additional features and security tools.
Key Differences: Proton Prioritizes Affordability, While Nord Focuses on Premium Extras
The main dividing factor between Proton and Nord is the price. Nord is significantly more expensive and doesn’t offer any of its services for free. Meanwhile, Proton is more affordable for comparable features, offering free options to try out the service. Nord does offer slightly more expansive extras for that price, such as its more robust Threat Protection Pro. For most people, it will likely come down to whether the extras that Nord offers are worth the higher price point.
Choose Proton for: Privacy Without the Price Tag
Proton is a clear choice for privacy-conscious users who want the benefits of a robust security suite without paying a premium price. Every single one of Proton’s tools can be used for free. The no-cost variants do have limitations compared with more expensive options, but you still can get ample protection if you’re willing to put up with some caveats.
Proton doesn’t impose data limits on its free VPN. However, you will be relegated to just five servers. Proton Pass is the company’s password manager, and its free tier is one of the best we’ve seen for individual use. Proton’s encrypted mail service, aptly named Proton Mail, has a free version that supports a single email with up to 150 emails per day.
With no paywalls in place for any of its apps, Proton is one of the few providers we have seen that prioritizes privacy and accessibility above all else.
Choose Nord for: Cutting-Edge Tech and All-in-One Security
Nord is often at the forefront of VPN technology. It was an early adopter of post-quantum encryption with its open-source NordLynx protocol and was also one of the first to popularize multi-hop connections (also known as DoubleVPN). Nord has impressed us with its commitment to introducing new features and technologies, such as its MeshNet feature, which enables direct, encrypted device-to-device communication.
Nord may come at a premium price, but you get a wealth of tools with each premium subscription. The company is trying to make its service a one-stop shop for all of your privacy needs with the inclusion of its antivirus system Threat Protection Pro, its password manager NordPass, and an in-house ad and tracker blocker.
While Nord doesn’t offer access for free like Proton does, it still provides an excellent suite of security tools, all available under a single subscription.
The Verdict: VPN Users Win
Both Proton VPN and NordVPN are Editors' Choice winners, with only minor differences separating them, so your decision comes down to selecting the app that best meets your requirements. Whatever your needs, both Nord and Proton are two of the best VPNs we've tested, and either is an excellent choice.