NordVPN vs ProtonVPN

A detailed head-to-head comparison to help you choose the right VPN for your needs

NordVPN logo

NordVPN

9.8/10

$2.99/mo

Visit NordVPN
VS
ProtonVPN logo

ProtonVPN

8.8/10

$4.99/mo

Visit ProtonVPN
Our Recommendation: NordVPN wins overall with a rating of 9.8/10

Feature Comparison

Feature
NordVPN
NordVPN
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN
Overall Rating9.8/10 8.8/10
Monthly Price (Annual)$2.99 $4.99
Servers6,400+ 15,000+
Countries111120
SpeedExcellent Very Good
Simultaneous Devices1010
Streaming Support
Torrenting
No-Logs Policy
Kill Switch
Money-Back Guarantee30 days30 days

Category Winners

Best for Speed

NordVPN

Excellent performance

Best for Security

NordVPN

Highest rated overall

Most Servers

NordVPN

6,400+ servers

Best Value

NordVPN

$2.99/month

Pros & Cons

NordVPN

NordVPN

Pros

  • 95 Mbps on 100 Mbps connection (fastest in our tests)
  • Unblocks 15+ Netflix libraries reliably
  • Double VPN and Onion over VPN for extra privacy
  • 6,400+ servers across 111 countries
  • Threat Protection blocks ads and malware

Cons

  • Slightly pricier than Surfshark ($2.99 vs $1.99/mo)
  • Some servers get crowded during peak hours
  • Desktop app uses more RAM than competitors
ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

Pros

  • Swiss privacy laws - strongest in the world
  • Free tier with no data limits (3 countries)
  • All apps are open source and audited
  • Secure Core routes through privacy-friendly countries
  • From the team behind ProtonMail

Cons

  • Premium plan pricier at $4.99/mo
  • Free tier limited to 5 locations
  • Hulu and HBO Max not supported

Our Verdict

Both NordVPN and ProtonVPN are excellent VPN choices. However, NordVPN edges ahead with its 9.8/10 rating, making it our recommended choice for most users. If budget is your primary concern, NordVPN offers better value at $2.99/month.