Bitdefender VPN vs NordVPN (2024): Which Virtual Private Network Is the Finest?

Any individual knowledgeable about how the web operates would recommend using a VPN if you wish to uphold certain aspects of confidentiality and safety while browsing online. However, determining which VPN to utilize isn’t always straightforward.

Having personally tested and assessed numerous VPNs lately, I can confidently assert that the most effective approach to selecting an appropriate VPN is to juxtapose prominent VPN service providers. This is precisely what we will be accomplishing with Bitdefender VPN and NordVPN in this piece.

SEE: 10 Fallacies About Cybersecurity You Shouldn’t Accept (Exclusive to TechRepublic Premium)

Bitdefender is a cybersecurity enterprise based in Romania that provides VPN services both as a standalone offering and as an option integrated into its broader cybersecurity solutions. Conversely, NordVPN hails from Lithuania and is renowned for its torrenting attributes and competitive connection speeds.

• Bitdefender: Ideal for streaming and torrenting, featuring capabilities to circumvent geo-restrictions and access popular platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.
• NordVPN: Suited for individuals seeking a budget-friendly VPN solution, particularly if they are already utilizing other Bitdefender cybersecurity products.

While both services offer robust functionalities, here is a breakdown of how they stack up against each other.

Bitdefender VPN vs NordVPN: Comparison Chart

This chart provides a summary of the key functionalities available in both VPN services.

Expenses for NordVPN and Bitdefender

Both VPN providers offer competitive pricing designed to suit various user requirements and financial plans.

• Bitdefender VPN pricing starts at $3.33/month (annual billing) or $6.99 for a monthly subscription.

NordVPN, on the other hand, has a more diverse pricing model that includes the following options:

• Essential Plan: Commencing at $3.69/month for a 2-year deal; $4.59/month for a yearly subscription; $12.99/month for monthly billing.

• Premium Plan: Commencing at $4.69/month for a 2-year deal; $5.49/month for a yearly subscription; $13.99/month for monthly billing.

• Ultimate Plan: Ranges from $6.69/month for a 2-year deal; $7.49/month for a yearly subscription; $15.99/month.

While Bitdefender offers a free trial lasting seven days for its Premium VPN, NordVPN does not provide a trial. Both VPN services have a 30-day refund policy.

NordVPN vs Bitdefender: Comparison of Features

Below is a more detailed comparison and evaluation of both VPN solutions

Support for Streaming and Torrenting

Victor: NordVPN

NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN cater to varying priorities concerning streaming and torrenting.

NordVPN can unblock popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, enabling you to circumvent geographical restrictions and enjoy your preferred content from anywhere. On the flip side, Bitdefender mainly supports streaming for BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

VIEW: NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Best?

Regarding torrenting, both VPNs are feasible choices. While Bitdefender permits torrenting on all its servers, there might be DNS leakage problems during the process. Conversely, NordVPN excels in torrenting and has a significant edge with over 4,500 specialty servers. Additionally, NordVPN is compatible with BitTorrent and other peer-to-peer platforms.

Therefore, if streaming and torrenting are your primary concerns, NordVPN’s broader platform access and extensive server network make it the superior choice.

Security and Privacy

Victor: NordVPN

NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN both utilize AES-256-bit encryption, widely recognized as the industry standard for ensuring secure internet traffic. They also provide an emergency stop feature to prevent data leaks in case of a VPN connection disruption, split tunneling, and an ad/trackers blocker function. However, the key distinction here is that, with NordVPN’s emergency stop feature, you have the ability to customize for specific applications, which is not possible on Bitdefender.

Besides the aforementioned security aspects, NordVPN provides numerous advanced security features that Bitdefender lacks, such as double VPN servers for added encryption, obfuscated servers, and RAM-based servers that do not retain any data on hard drives. Furthermore, NordVPN has undergone third-party audits of its no-logs policy, while Bitdefender’s security measures have not been externally audited.

Regarding Server locations and simultaneous connections

The champion is NordVPN

Bitdefender VPN extends its network to more than 4,000 servers across over 50 countries, but it doesn’t match up with leading VPN providers like ExpressVPN and Surfshark.

Conversely, NordVPN showcases a network of over 6,300 servers distributed across 111 countries, providing users with a wider array of choices.

Take a look at: Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Which VPN Is Better in 2024? (TechRepublic)

Regarding simultaneous connections, both VPNs back up to 10 devices, enabling multiple devices to be secured simultaneously, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. Notably, I discovered Bitdefender VPN cannot operate on a router, giving NordVPN an edge in this aspect.

VPN Protocol Comparison

The champion is NordVPN

NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN present distinct VPN protocols. NordVPN delivers multiple protocols, such as NordLynx (built on WireGuard), ensuring swift speeds and robust security. It also utilizes OpenVPN, a widely embraced protocol, and IKEv2/IPsec, known for its speed, stability, and suitability for mobile devices.

In contrast, Bitdefender VPN solely relies on its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which stems from OpenVPN TLS.

Take a look at: Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which One Is Right for You? (TechRepublic)

NordVPN’s leveraging of the modern WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol, alongside the well-tested OpenVPN, places it in a favorable position in terms of speed, reliability, and security options. The absence of open-source audits for Bitdefender’s Hydra protocol raises concerns about its reliability compared to established protocols.

Figure D: NordVPN protocols

The advantages and disadvantages of Bitdefender VPN

Positives

• Cost-effective pricing plans.
• Torrenting permitted on all servers.
• Available alongside other Bitdefender products or as standalone software.
• Independently verified.
• Active community for both Mac and Windows users.

Negatives

• Lacks a dedicated Linux application.
• Unblocks a limited number of streaming services.
• Doesn’t offer a Chrome extension.
• Freezes in operation on Mac devices.

NordVPN advantages and disadvantages

Positives

• Extensive global server network.
• Dependable streaming and torrenting support.
• Robust security features with audited no-logs policy.
• Broad platform compatibility.
• Includes Incogni feature — a personal data removal tool.
• Offers a dedicated IP.
• Provides flexible pricing schemes.

Negatives

• Higher pricing compared to Bitdefender.
• The basic plan may lack in features.
• Additional cost for the dedicated IP feature.

Is NordVPN or Bitdefender VPN better for your organization?

The decision rests on the specific VPN requirements essential for your organization.

If your organization prioritizes value and smooth integration with existing Bitdefender security solutions, Bitdefender VPN (not the standalone software) could be an appealing choice. Its lower-priced plans and compatibility with other Bitdefender products can streamline deployment and management within your current environment.

However, for organizations with heightened security and privacy needs, I would suggest NordVPN due to its advanced features. Furthermore, NordVPN’s expansive server network could be a valuable asset if your business has widely dispersed remote teams with diverse content access demands.

For more details on NordVPN, explore our comprehensive review.

Methodology of review

To ensure an impartial and thorough evaluation, I extensively assessed both NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN through in-depth research.

Security and privacy features were examined closely, focusing on encryption protocols, independent audit reports, and user feedback on their respective community platforms. Customer support responsiveness and the range of available resources were also analyzed through interactions with customer support and exploration of their support channels on the websites.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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