Proton VPN vs NordVPN 2025: Price, Features & Value

By Arthur Sabayi

Last update: April 12, 2025

Quick Summary: Proton VPN vs NordVPN

Quick Summary: Proton VPN vs NordVPN:

The main difference between NordVPN and Proton VPN is that NordVPN offers more features and bigger discounts on long-term plans. Meanwhile, Proton VPN has a limited free plan, and its paid plans can be bundled in a security suite with Proton’s other services, Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar. 

Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

Visit NordVPN

We’ve often compared top VPNs on our site, but Proton VPN vs NordVPN isn’t your regular head-to-head matchup. Both VPNs have heavily invested in security features, including malware blockers and specialty servers. Both are also based in countries with strict data privacy laws and consumer-friendly data extradition processes.

If you’re trying to choose between these two excellent VPNs, that’s where my detailed comparison of Proton VPN vs NordVPN comes in. I’ll compare the two VPN providers based on server size, security, privacy, speed, streaming capability and more.

For a quick answer, NordVPN is my favorite VPN overall and has won this head-to-head matchup and many other comparisons against top-tier VPNs — see our ExpressVPN vs NordVPN article for another example.

1. 

   Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

   Visit Proton VPN
   Money-Back Guarantee

   30 Days

   Worldwide Server Amount

   1500 Servers in 61 Countries
2. 

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN
   Money-Back Guarantee

   30 Days

   Worldwide Server Amount

   Over 5,400+ servers in 59 countries

Proton VPN vs NordVPN: Comparison at a Glance

Before we jump in, here’s a quick summary of the results of this comparison review.

My Expert Opinion: Is Proton VPN or NordVPN Better?

NordVPN is better than Proton VPN, but it’s a tight race with most categories not too far apart. For instance, both VPNs have independently audited no-logs policies; NordVPN has been audited five times, while Proton VPN has been audited three times.

NordVPN has RAM-only servers, while Proton VPN operates on full-disk encryption, which provides a similar level of privacy. Both services nearly tied in my speed tests, both are compatible with an impressive range of devices, and both support up to 10 simultaneous connections.

The only discernible differences appear with certain features, where NordVPN has a slight upper hand. Unlike Proton VPN, NordVPN has a dark web monitor, Meshnet, and obfuscation. However, Proton doesn’t slack on features either, as it has a VPN accelerator, ad blocker, and tracker blocker, and specialty Secure Core servers.

I Recommend Proton VPN For:

• Free use: Proton VPN offers a forever-free version with five free server locations and no monthly data caps.
• Privacy: Proton VPN has full-disk encryption, which ensures your data never falls into the wrong hands even if the server is confiscated or stolen.
• Unblocking content: With 155 server locations in 117 countries, Proton VPN can unblock multiple restricted sites with ease. Read our Proton VPN review for more information.

Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

Visit Proton VPN

$4.49 per month (two-year plan)

I Recommend NordVPN For:

• Streaming: NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs, which makes it ideal for streaming, gaming and downloads.
• Advanced features: NordVPN comes with double VPN, a dark web monitor, Meshnet, and ad blockers, which you can use to enhance your security.
• Budget-friendly: NordVPN is one of the cheaper premium VPNs. Learn more in our NordVPN review.

Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

Visit NordVPN

$3.09 per month (two-year plan + three months)

NordVPN vs Proton VPN Price Comparison

The premium version of Proton VPN comes with three price plans. There’s a 24-month option that costs $4.49 per month, followed by a 12-month option going for $4.99 per month. You can also opt for a monthly plan for $9.99. A 30-day money-back guarantee covers all three plans.

NordVPN comes with four subscription tiers: Basic, Plus, Complete, and Prime. Basic is the cheapest, and it comes with three price plans. You can choose the 24-month option for $3.09 per month, the 12-month option for $4.99 per month, or the monthly option for $12.99. All NordVPN price plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

It’s worth noting that some of NordVPN’s features are available depending on your plan. For example, Threat Protection Pro and the Password Manager features are on the Plus plan.

Proton VPN Free vs Paid

The free version of Proton VPN has three major differences from the premium version. First, it offers servers in only five countries compared to the 117 countries on the premium version. The free servers are limited to the Netherlands, Romania, Japan, the United States, and Poland. 

Secondly, the servers are randomly chosen for you on the free version. In contrast, you can choose any server you want on the premium version, including the special Secure Core servers. Finally, the free version allows you to connect only one device, while the premium version supports up to 10 simultaneous connections.

However, Proton VPN offers unlimited data on the free plan, which is rare for free VPNs.

1. Winner
   

   Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

   Visit Proton VPN

Proton VPN has a forever-free version, which makes it perfect for users who can’t afford a premium subscription. NordVPN may have the cheapest long-term premium plan, but the monthly option is costlier. Therefore, Proton VPN wins this category.

NordVPN vs Proton VPN Features

Proton VPN and NordVPN are equipped with a wide range of features. This section explores some shared features and some features exclusive to each VPN.

Kill Switch

The first shared feature is a kill switch for IP and DNS leak protection. Once activated, the kill switch disables your internet when the VPN connection is interrupted. This prevents anyone who may be tracking you from seeing your IP address. Your internet connection is automatically restored once the VPN connection is restored.

Split Tunneling

Another feature available on NordVPN and Proton VPN is split tunneling. This allows you to route some apps and websites through the VPN tunnel while excluding others. Split tunneling offers good speeds for non-encrypted activities. This is because fewer data packets are being sent through the VPN, creating less congestion.

Blockers

Proton VPN and NordVPN also share the ability to block trackers, malware and ads. On Proton VPN, this feature is called NetShield ad blocker. It checks every DNS request against a database of domains known for hosting malware and/or trackers. 

NordVPN offers Threat Protection Pro on the Plus plan and higher (not on Basic), which has three parts. An ad and tracker blocker blocks web trackers and prevents pop-up ads from interfering with your browsing. In addition, an anti-malware feature protects you from downloading malware by blocking your access to malware-hosting websites.

The third part is advanced browsing protection, which checks websites for scams and phishing attacks. Whenever you land on a suspicious site, the advanced browsing protection alerts you right away.

Tor/Onion over VPN

Next up is Tor over VPN, which is called Onion over VPN on NordVPN. This combines the privacy of the Tor browser and reliable VPN security to better shield your online activity. 

VPN Obfuscation

Lastly, both VPNs offer obfuscation, which bypasses any VPN blocks on restricted networks by hiding the VPN protocol’s metadata. On NordVPN, you can use obfuscation by connecting to an obfuscated server while on the OpenVPN protocol. Currently, NordVPN has 100 obfuscated server locations in 15 countries.

Lastly, both VPNs offer obfuscation, which bypasses any VPN blocks on restricted networks by hiding the VPN protocol’s metadata. On NordVPN, you can use obfuscation by connecting to an obfuscated server while on the OpenVPN protocol. Currently, NordVPN has 100 obfuscated server locations in 15 countries.

Proton VPN’s Stealth protocol provides obfuscation. You can also use alternative routing to bypass firewalls that could potentially block VPNs. Alternative routing works by attempting to connect to other servers whenever the VPN encounters blocks, similar to the NoBorders feature discussed in our Surfshark review.

Proton VPN Exclusive Features

Now I’ll go over features exclusive to each VPN. With Proton VPN, the VPN accelerator can increase your VPN connection speeds by up to 400%. The VPN accelerator feature is built into all Proton VPN apps and works by splitting the path between the VPN servers and the traffic destination into multiple shorter paths processed in parallel.

Proton VPN also offers port forwarding on Windows and Linux, and you can manually configure it on routers. Port forwarding improves your download and upload speeds when using torrenting clients. It’s permitted only through Proton VPN’s special P2P servers (marked with a double-arrow icon).

Proton VPN has specialty servers called Secure Core. These double VPN servers route your traffic through two servers, one of which is located in Sweden, Switzerland, or Iceland. These three countries have superior privacy, and the locations are physically secured as well. Proton VPN offers 109 Secure Core servers, with exit nodes in 66 countries.

NordVPN Exclusive Features

NordVPN has Meshnet, which allows you to set up a secure local area network that you can remotely access from anywhere in the world. Meshnet offers fast speeds because it utilizes a peer-to-peer network of short connections. You can use Meshnet on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

NordVPN has a wider range of exclusive features, starting with the dark web monitor on the Prime plan. This scans the dark web for traces of your email addresses and phone numbers, alerting you if any of them are exposed. The dark web monitor is available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Similar to Proton VPN, NordVPN has specialty servers. We’ve already touched on obfuscated and Onion over VPN servers. Other options include double VPN and P2P servers.

The last NordVPN feature is post-quantum encryption. It protects your VPN connection against one of the few threats to the modern versions of encryption, which is quantum computer attacks. Post-quantum encryption works only with the NordLynx protocol and is available on NordVPN for Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, tvOS, and Android TV.

1. Winner
   

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

NordVPN wins this round by offering more exclusive features, including Meshnet, the dark web monitor, and post-quantum encryption.

NordVPN and Proton VPN Speed & Torrenting Performance

I conducted speed tests for both VPNs to see which one was faster, using WireGuard for Proton VPN and NordLynx for NordVPN.

Proton VPN averaged 55.05 Mbps against my unprotected speeds of 60 Mbps, an 8.25% speed drop. This is an excellent average speed, and meant I could stream movies and TV shows in HD without buffering. However, due to overseas latency, there were slight lags when playing ‘Fortnite’ on my Windows PC.

NordVPN averaged 53.46 Mbps on my 60 Mbps network. This 11.01% speed drop makes NordVPN slightly slower than Proton VPN, though they’re still essentially tied. In every test country, NordVPN was fast enough to stream 4K content without buffering and play video games without lag.

1. Tie
   

   Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

   Visit Proton VPN
2. 

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

This is a tie. NordVPN and Proton VPN were so close in my speed tests that I can’t put one ahead of the other.

Content Unblocking & Streaming Performance

An ideal VPN can unblock geo-restricted content. That said, you don’t need a VPN simply to unblock your favorite streaming service; it also has to be fast enough to stream without buffering. I tested Proton VPN and NordVPN with multiple streaming services, and both managed to get Netflix unblocked, plus all the other platforms I tried.

With Proton VPN, I was able to access restricted Netflix TV shows like ‘The Office,’ which is available only in countries like the United Kingdom. Proton VPN also unblocked all the other major streaming platforms I tested, including Disney+, Peacock TV, Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

NordVPN also unblocked all the streaming platforms on my list, including BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. I connected to a U.S. server and accessed Peacock TV to watch all the English Premier League highlights of the games I missed over the weekend.

1. Tie
   

   Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

   Visit Proton VPN
2. 

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

This is a tie. The tests indicate that both VPNs are capable of unblocking all the major streaming services in most restricted regions and networks.

NordVPN vs Proton VPN Server Network Coverage

A large server network and the availability of enough virtual servers were critical factors in this review. Large server networks make unblocking easier, while the right virtual servers give you access to locations like Russia and China that disallow physical servers for foreign VPNs.

ProtonVPN has 155 server locations in 117 countries. This includes 64 smart routing-enabled server locations. Smart routing is a Proton VPN technology that provides VPN servers in regions that may not allow physical VPN servers. Here’s a summary of Proton VPN’s server distribution.

NordVPN comes with 153 server locations across 118 countries, which is pretty close to what Proton VPN offers. There are 58 virtual server locations in countries like Uzbekistan, Bhutan and Mozambique. However, though the server distribution in Africa and the Middle East is impressive, it doesn’t match that of Proton VPN.

1. Tie
   

   Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

   Visit Proton VPN
2. 

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

This category was tight, and it ended as a tie. Both VPNs have nearly identical server network sizes.

Proton VPN vs NordVPN Security

VPN security protects you from external threats, while VPN privacy refers to the measures that protect you from the VPN itself. Proton VPN and NordVPN claim to be secure and private, so I sought to verify these claims, starting with security. Below are the VPN protocols and encryption types both VPN services offer.

Proton VPN protects your traffic with AES-256 and ChaCha20 through four protocols. WireGuard offers the best speeds, IKEv2 is ideal for mobile networks, OpenVPN offers solid security, and Stealth is meant for obfuscation.

To test Proton VPN’s encryption, I used the WireGuard protocol and ran data packets through Wireshark. The mix of illegible symbols and text displayed below is proof that Proton VPN’s encryption works.

NordVPN is equipped with NordLynx, a fast WireGuard-based protocol, and OpenVPN. NordVPN also recently added a new protocol called NordWhisper, which I’m still exploring. NordWhisper is a stealth protocol designed for restrictive networks. 

I used NordLynx to run an encryption test, and the results confirmed the validity of NordVPN’s encryption.

1. Tie
   

   Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

   Visit Proton VPN
2. 

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

VPNs offer the same level of encryption through AES-256 and ChaCha20. They’re also equipped with multiple reliable protocols and both passed my encryption tests. This is another tie.

NordVPN vs Proton VPN Privacy 

As for privacy, ProtonVPN’s privacy policy commits it to a strict no-logs policy. This means it doesn’t store any data that passes through its servers. When combined with full-disk encryption, no one can access your browsing data even if ProtonVPN servers were to be seized.

To prove it never stores any user data, ProtonVPN has passed three privacy policy audits. Penetration-testing company Securitum conducted the first one in 2022, the second in 2023, and the most recent in 2024. 

NordVPN’s privacy policy also promises to not log data. According to information from its website, NordVPN doesn’t store any part of your online activity when connected to its servers. The only information the service stores is your email address for correspondence and payment info for recurring billing.

NordVPN also has RAM-only servers, which are periodically wiped as you use them. This ensures no data is saved. NordVPN has undergone five independent audits of its privacy policy and passed all of them. Deloitte Audit Lithuania conducted the most recent one in 2023. You can find the report by logging in to your NordVPN account.

Where Is Proton VPN Based?

Proton VPN is owned by a company called Proton AG (which is also behind Proton Mail). and based in Switzerland. This is good for privacy, because Switzerland is governed by strict data laws like the Federal Act on Data Protection. These laws make the extradition of user data a very expensive and cumbersome affair that’s not worth pursuing.

Where Is NordVPN Based?

NordVPN is based in Panama. This is a small Central American nation with no mandatory data retention laws. This makes Panama a strategic headquarters for NordVPN as it allows the VPN service to maintain its strict no-log policy. Note that the company that owns NordVPN, Nord Security, is based in the Netherlands. NordVPN also has offices in the United Kingdom and Lithuania.

1. Tie
   

   Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

   Visit Proton VPN
2. 

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

Both VPNs prioritize user privacy through solid no-logs policies and have either RAM-only servers (NordVPN) or full-disk encryption (Proton VPN). This round ends in a tie.

Proton VPN vs NordVPN OS Support

A Proton VPN user can connect a maximum of 10 simultaneous devices. It doesn’t offer smart DNS, so the only way to use it on devices like Samsung TV is through a VPN router.

Proton VPN is compatible with the following devices:

• Windows: 11/10 (x64), 11/10 (ARM64), 8/8.1/7 (x86, 32-bit)
• macOS: Mojave or older, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura or later
• Linux: Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora
• Android: 8.0 or later
• iOS: 15.0 or later
• iPadOS: 15.0 or later
• Apple TV
• Android TV
• FireTV
• Chromebook
• Google Chrome
• Firefox
• Routers: AsusWRT, DD-WRT, FreshTomato, OpenWRT, Vilfo, and more

NordVPN also supports 10 simultaneous device connections on a single account. You can also use NordVPN via smart DNS on devices like Samsung TV or gaming consoles that are incompatible with VPNs. It’s our pick as the best VPN for Netgear routers.

NordVPN is compatible with the following devices:

• Windows (7, 8.1, 10, 11)
• Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, Elementary OS)
• macOS (macOS 11 Big Sur and later)
• iOS (15.0 and later)
• Android (9.0 and later)
• iPadOS (15.0 and later)
• Apple TV (tvOS 17.0 and later)
• Firefox
• Chrome
• Edge
• Android TV
• Routers: Privacy Hero II WiFi 6 NordLynx Router, Asus WiFi 6 OpenVPN Router, and more

1. Winner
   

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

Both VPNs offer apps for a similar range of devices, including manual setups on different routers. However, NordVPN wins this round because it has smart DNS, which expands its range of device compatibility.

NordVPN vs Proton VPN Customer Support

ProtonVPN has a live chat option, but it’s limited to premium subscribers only. There’s also a direct email option that requires you to fill out a contact form and describe your problem. Responses can take up to 48 hours, so the email option may not be ideal for urgent issues. You can also use the knowledge base, which offers installation guides and troubleshooting tips.

NordVPN has a fast live chat available to anyone. You can access it on the website by tapping on the chat bubble. There’s also an email option, as well as an FAQ and a general info section with guides and troubleshooting tips for common issues.

1. Winner
   

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

NordVPN wins this due to having a live chat that’s available to anyone, even those who don’t have an account.

The Final Word: Is Proton VPN Good?

Yes, Proton VPN is a good VPN. It offers secure encryption ciphers for protecting your online traffic, and it comes with 155 server locations. The VPN service is also slightly faster than NordVPN. In addition, you get specialty Secure Core servers that route your VPN traffic through two servers for extra privacy.

1. 

   Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

   Visit Proton VPN

The Final Word: Is NordVPN Good?

NordVPN is also a good VPN. It has an impressive array of extra features like the dark web monitor, Meshnet, obfuscated servers and double VPN servers that make the VPN reliable. You can also unblock restricted content using 153 server locations. Plus, NordVPN offers some of the fastest speeds through NordLynx.

1. 

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

Conclusion: Why I Think NordVPN Wins Overall

This is an almost evenly matched comparison, but NordVPN wins overall. Of the nine categories, NordVPN won the feature, OS support, and customer support sections. Proton VPN took the pricing section and tied with NordVPN in the security, privacy, speed, streaming and server network categories.

Both are really good VPNs, and there’s not much that separates NordVPN and Proton VPN. You can rely on either one to handle your VPN needs.

Have you used either of these VPNs before? How was your experience? Leave a comment below — I would be more than happy to discuss anything related to VPNs.

1. $3.09 per month (two-year plan + three months)
   

   Overall Rating 9.3 / 10

   Visit NordVPN

Methodology: How I Compared Proton VPN and NordVPN

Here are the key factors I considered when compiling this NordVPN vs Proton VPN comparison review.

• Price: I looked at how affordable each VPN is by grading its full range of price plans. Additionally, I looked at the money-back guarantees as well as the availability of free plans.
• Features: For this category, I looked at shared features like the kill switch and split tunneling and their availability on different platforms. I then explored the features unique to each VPN and how they affect functionality.
• Speed: I tested both VPNs with different server locations and took note of the fastest and slowest servers. 
• Streaming: I tested both VPNs to see if they could unblock all the major streaming platforms. At the same time, I streamed shows with each VPN to see how often they lagged or buffered.
• Server Network: I checked and compared the number of server locations on each provider and the countries in which they can be found. I also checked how many servers were virtual and how well the network handled overcrowding.
• Security: I connected to each VPN and ran the traffic through Wireshark to test for encryption to confirm whether it works as the service claims. I also compared the VPNs’ encryption protocols. 
• Privacy: I checked whether both VPNs adhere to zero logging and whether they’ve been subjected to independent audits.

Other VPN Alternatives I Like

If NordVPN and Proton VPN don’t meet your needs, consider the following alternatives.

1. $2.19 per month (two-year plan + three months) 30-days money-back guarantee
   

   Overall Rating 9.2 / 10

   Visit Surfshark

Besides having one of the most affordable long-term price plans, Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous device connections. You also get a large server network for bypassing geo-restrictions and fast speeds. Learn more in our Surfshark review.

1. $4.99 per month (two-year plan + four months)
   

   Overall Rating 9.1 / 10

   Get 49% Off ExpressVPN

With ExpressVPN, you get fast speeds through the Lightway protocol, plus a large server network for unblocking content. There’s also automatic obfuscation for circumventing VPN censorship. We provide more details in our ExpressVPN review. 

1. $2.19 per month (two-year plan + two months)
   

   Overall Rating 7.5 / 10

   Visit CyberGhost

CyberGhost has a large server network with specialized servers dedicated to streaming, gaming and torrenting, plus NoSpy servers kept under strict security in CyberGhost’s Romanian headquarters. Learn more in our CyberGhost review.

FAQ: Proton VPN vs NordVPN

• Is NordVPN Better Than Proton VPN?

  Yes, NordVPN is slightly better than Proton VPN based on the tests conducted in this review. NordVPN offers reliable security and privacy, like Proton VPN, but it comes with additional helpful features like the dark web monitor, post-quantum encryption and Meshnet.

• What Are the Disadvantages of Proton VPN?

  The main disadvantage of Proton VPN is that the live chat option is available only for premium customers. The free version has a limited server network and doesn’t allow you to connect to the server location of your choice. 

• Is Proton Faster Than Nord?

  Yes, Proton VPN is slightly faster than NordVPN. You can achieve these reliable speeds using the WireGuard protocol.

• Is Proton VPN Actually Good?

  Yes, Proton VPN is a good VPN service. Its encryption makes it secure, and it prioritizes user privacy through an independently verified no-logs policy. Proton VPN also comes with a large server network for bypassing geo-restrictions.