In the realm of concealing your IP address and online movements from prying eyes, Norton Secure VPN and NordVPN serve as moderately priced virtual private network solutions. These offerings cater to individuals, households, and small enterprises with up to 10 users. While they may appear quite similar on the surface, NordVPN emerges as the preferred option for users who prioritize safeguarding their privacy, thanks to its distinct features and data logging protocols.
In the ensuing sections, I delve into a head-to-head evaluation of Norton Secure VPN and NordVPN, examining crucial parameters such as speed of connectivity, server selections, data privacy standards, and customer service capabilities. Additionally, I expound upon my inclination towards NordVPN over Norton in the context of preserving online privacy.
- Norton Secure VPN: Ideal for current users of Norton 360 who do not prioritize torrenting or privacy concerns.
- NordVPN: Tailored for privacy-conscious individuals seeking rapid, secure connections for torrenting and streaming purposes.
Side-by-Side Analysis of Norton Secure VPN and NordVPN: Tabular Overview
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| Added security attributes | Plus and Ultimate, supervisor for passwords, scanner for data breaches, storage of data that is encrypted, and insurance for cyber protection |
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Comparison of Norton Secure VPN and NordVPN Pricing
Pricing of Norton Secure VPN
Norton doesn’t provide a trial version of its standalone VPN product. However, you can avail a seven-day trial of Norton 360 security suite which includes the VPN service.
The pricing for Norton Secure VPN varies based on the number of devices you wish to secure. There’s no monthly subscription option, you need to commit for at least a year. If you require more security features, you can opt for one of the two Norton 360 plans. Norton 360 Standard offers threat protection, 2GB cloud backup storage (only for Windows), dark web monitoring, and a password manager for up to three devices. Norton 360 Deluxe provides 50GB cloud backup storage, parental controls (unavailable for Mac), and privacy monitoring for up to five devices.
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Currently, Norton is running promotional pricing for the first year with a subsequent significant price increase, even for the standalone VPN plan.
- Norton Secure VPN (1 device): $29.99 for the 1st year, then $49.99 yearly.
- Norton Secure VPN (5 devices): $39.99 for the 1st year, then $79.99 yearly.
- Norton Secure VPN (10 devices): $59.99 for the 1st year, then $99.99 yearly.
- Norton 360 Standard + VPN (3 devices): $39.99 for the 1st year, then $94.99 yearly.
- Norton 360 Deluxe + VPN (5 devices): $49.99 for the 1st year, then $119.99 yearly.
Pricing of NordVPN
NordVPN provides a free trial (credit card required) for Android device sign-ups. Their service is categorized into three plans with discounted pricing for longer commitments. The Basic plan includes the full VPN service, Plus includes all features of the Basic plan along with threat protection, a password manager, and a data breach scanner. The Ultimate plan extends Plus with 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage. The Plus plan offers the best value, particularly if you intend to subscribe for two years.
- NordVPN Basic: $3.39 per month for 2 years, $4.99 per month for 1 year, $12.99 for month-to-month.
- NordVPN Plus: $4.39 per month for 2 years, $5.99 per month for 1 year, $13.99 for month-to-month.
- NordVPN Ultimate: $6.39 per month for 2 years, $7.99 per month for 1 year, $15.99 for month-to-month.
Comparison of Norton Secure VPN and NordVPN Features
Speed
Winner: Draw
In my experience, despite having fewer servers, Norton Secure VPN delivered smooth browsing and streaming without noticeable speed drops compared to my standard connection. NordVPN is renowned for its high speeds within its price range, so I expected Norton to be less competitive.
However, living near a major hub with an optimal server nearby likely contributed to my positive experience with Norton. Given Norton’s limited global reach compared to NordVPN, users in certain regions may have varied experiences.
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In my numerous uses of NordVPN, I consistently found optimal servers regardless of location, offering speeds on par with my standard internet connection.
Server network
Winner: NordVPN
Norton Secure VPN operates servers in 29 countries (28 on mobile). Unfortunately, Norton doesn’t disclose the exact server count or allow users to view a full server list or select a specific city within the VPN app. This lack of transparency from Norton makes it challenging to ensure proximity to a server before purchasing or access to servers in specific regions for content unblocking.
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NordVPN boasts a vast network of over 5,800 servers across 110+ countries, with specialized P2P servers for torrenting, double VPN servers for routing through two locations, and obfuscated servers to circumvent content filters. Users can select specific cities to connect to and preview the entire server list on NordVPN’s official website prior to signing up.
Figure A
Devices that are Supported
Champion: NordVPN
For Norton Secure VPN, there are applications for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. However, it’s important to mention that not all functionalities are supported across all platforms — the VPN kill switch and P2P optimization are not accessible on iOS, and split tunneling is unavailable on Mac or iOS.
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NordVPN caters to virtually any kind of device, including gaming systems, media streaming sticks, Raspberry Pi, and Oculus Quest. To the best of my knowledge, every feature of NordVPN is supported in each version of the application.
Privacy Statements
Champion: NordVPN
Although Norton asserts having a no-logs policy for its VPN offering, it appears to be limited to browsing history, specific traffic data, and IP addresses. After delving into Norton’s Global Privacy Statement for Secure VPN, I discovered that the organization collects and retains data about users’ devices, bandwidth usage, and connection instances. More critically, Norton tracks and saves traffic statistics to ascertain and inhibit torrenting, which is deemed a misuse of the service. These measures lead me to seriously question the level of privacy surrounding my online activities while utilizing Norton Secure VPN.
Figure B
On the other hand, NordVPN enforces a stringent no-logs policy that has been authenticated through four independent reviews. The company is upfront about its legal duties to furnish data during a criminal probe, yet it has not previously been compelled to do so. I am highly confident that all my network activities are entirely confidential when linked through NordVPN, even if engaging in torrenting or browsing from a nation with strict censorship.
Support for Customers
Champion: Norton Secure VPN
The assistance center at Norton offers a comprehensive array of support options, encompassing guided self-diagnosis, community forums, and articles in their knowledge base. Customers can also contact Norton’s support squad through social platforms, a live chat service, or by telephone. Overall, the process of reaching out to a live agent for support was notably smoother with Norton compared to similarly priced VPN sellers.
Figure C
The support service offered by NordVPN is quite standard in the sector, providing online guides, an email ticketing system, and a chatbot.
Extra Functions
Champion: NordVPN
Both Norton and NordVPN present a range of additional security features with an increased package, but for this comparison, only the functionalities included in Norton’s individual Secure VPN product and NordVPN’s Basic subscription were assessed.
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Norton Secure VPN features split tunneling for Windows and Android devices, enabling specific secure applications to bypass the VPN connection. It is also equipped with a kill switch (for Windows, Android, and Mac) that disconnects your device from the internet automatically if the VPN connection is lost, ensuring safe browsing at all times. Another function accessible to all except iOS users is one-touch P2P access; however, Norton prohibits torrent traffic. Generally, Norton delivers a relatively basic VPN feature set, primarily targeting Windows and Android consumers.
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NordVPN offers both a kill switch and split tunneling across all app iterations, in addition to double VPN and private DNS. A security feature included in all plans is Meshnet, allowing you to establish an encrypted local network supporting up to 60 devices.
Figure D
NordVPN also provides an Onion Over VPN functionality, allowing you to browse .onion sites without requiring a Tor browser.
Pros and Cons of Norton Secure VPN
Advantages of Norton Secure VPN
- Excellent VPN speeds and performance.
- Various live support alternatives.
- Includes VPN service for free with Norton 360 packages.
Disadvantages of Norton Secure VPN
- Monitors connection traffic for torrenting and blocks it.
- No-logs policy not confirmed and contradictory to Global Privacy Statement.
- Price increases significantly after the initial promo period.
- Number and location of servers undisclosed.
- Basic set of VPN features available.
- Most features restricted to Windows and Android.
Norton Secure VPN vs NordVPN on Reddit
The prevailing sentiment towards Norton products on Reddit (as well as other platforms) is predominantly unfavorable, attributed to factors like the arduous process of uninstalling its software from your device and the dispute surrounding the inclusion of cryptominers in its antivirus. Specifically, in terms of torrenting, a few Reddit users specifically endorsed NordVPN as a preferable choice.
Within the r/Roms subreddit, user TheIronRed inquired, “Will Norton VPN shield my activities from the knowledge of my ISP, such as torrenting, and prevent receiving legal notices?”
Responding, Whole_Temperature104 stated, “You won’t be detected by your ISP, however, Norton will certainly terminate your subscription upon receiving any notification.”
SonofaSlumlord shared, “Previously, my ISP penalized me for a day upon detection of my torrenting activities. I subsequently changed providers and procured a 3-year NordVPN deal for $100 from microcenter, and encountered no further issues.”
Concluding, Salava91 remarked, “NordVPN is exceptional. Opt for that one.”
Should your business opt for Norton Secure VPN or NordVPN?
Reasons to select Norton Secure VPN:
- If you possess mild privacy concerns and do not plan on engaging in torrenting or other potentially unlawful (or monitored) activities.
- If you are an existing Norton 360 user and wish to experiment with a VPN at no additional cost.
Reasons to choose NordVPN:
- If you want to torrent without risking termination of services.
- If you are a political campaigner, journalist, or require utmost privacy.
- If you want to access .onion sites on the Tor network without a separate browser.
- If you require connections to servers in specific locations where you reside, travel, or aim to unblock region-specific streaming content.
Evaluation Methodology
Using a friend’s account, I tested Norton Secure VPN on a Windows laptop and signed up for a complimentary trial of NordVPN on my Android mobile. I assessed both services based on their pricing, primary features, user-friendliness, speed, and customer assistance. Furthermore, I meticulously scrutinized the feature overviews and privacy policies presented on the providers’ websites, contrasting them with genuine customer feedback on Reddit and public review platforms.
Discover more about TechRepublic’s VPN review process.
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