Comparison: NordVPN vs Proton VPN (2024): Which VPN Service to Opt For?

Both NordVPN and Proton VPN, as two VPNs that prioritize privacy, present strong attributes that may complicate the decision-making process between the two.

NordVPN supplies a comprehensive service with a broad server network and consistently swift VPN performance. Conversely, Proton VPN functions within privacy-conscious Switzerland and delivers a generous complimentary VPN service, which may appeal to users on a tight budget.

This discussion aims to determine the optimal VPN choice for you and your institution.

• NordVPN: Recommended for the majority of businesses seeking a feature-rich VPN that provides a wide-ranging assortment of servers across different locations and rapid VPN speeds.
• Proton VPN: Ideal for individual users who desire a privacy-focused VPN offering a specialized free version that could serve as a long-term solution.

Comparing NordVPN and Proton VPN

Both VPN services offer the same number of simultaneous device connections and initial cost. Nevertheless, there are distinctions in the abundance of servers and accessibility to free trials for each.

Comparison of NordVPN and Proton VPN Pricing

Pricing of NordVPN

Three levels of subscription are available for NordVPN, each offering monthly, yearly, and biennial plans. These levels are NordVPN Basic, Plus, and Ultimate, with Ultimate boasting the most features.

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Here is an overview of pricing and feature distinctions within each level:

In my view, the best option among the three plans is the NordVPN Plus plan for a year at $5.99 per month. It provides additional security features in addition to the VPN, while still maintaining an affordable monthly cost.

Although I appreciate NordVPN’s seven-day free trial, I am disappointed that it is only accessible via its Android mobile app. This poses a challenge for iOS and iPhone users who may want to test-drive NordVPN. Hopefully, NordVPN will make the trial available to both iOS and Android users, increasing accessibility to more users regardless of smartphone preference.

Fortunately, users can test NordVPN on desktop after using the free trial on Android—this is how I evaluated NordVPN’s premium subscription.

For more details, read our comprehensive NordVPN review.

Pricing of Proton VPN

Proton VPN offers two subscription tiers for its paid service alongside a dedicated free version. The paid plans are named Proton VPN Plus and Unlimited, both with monthly, yearly, and biennial contract choices.

Despite not offering a free trial for its paid tiers, I admire how Proton VPN provides a fully-functional free version of its VPN service. This allows potential users to experience its VPN without any upfront payment or commitment.

While the free version is limited, offering access to only five countries and slower speeds, it is generous in providing unlimited bandwidth and data—uncommon in other free VPN services. In contrast, NordVPN does not currently provide any form of free service.

Regarding paid plans, I believe the Plus subscription for a year offers the best value. Although not the cheapest, it is comparable to NordVPN’s equivalent starting plan at $4.99 per month. You receive Proton’s VPN service, including the complete server fleet, without the additional Proton services in the Unlimited tier that may or may not be useful to you.

For further insights, peruse our in-depth Proton VPN review and consult this guide on how to utilize Proton VPN.

Comparison of NordVPN and Proton VPN Features

Security Mechanisms and Encryption

Draw

Both NordVPN and Proton VPN offer VPN protocols that strike a balance between speed and security. NordVPN presents the OpenVPN protocol and its proprietary NordLynx protocol based on WireGuard. On the other hand, Proton VPN provides OpenVPN, WireGuard, and its Stealth protocol designed to conceal VPN use.

In my opinion, a modern VPN should at least incorporate the security-centric OpenVPN protocol and the speed-focused WireGuard protocol. Fortunately, both NordVPN and Proton VPN offer variations of these protocols.

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Both VPN services implement top-tier encryption algorithms, equipping their software with AES-256 encryption. AES-256 is the industry standard for safeguarding user data, employed by governmental bodies, financial institutions, and military entities to secure sensitive information against malicious entities.

VPN Server Infrastructure and Locations

Victor: NordVPN

When it comes to servers, NordVPN holds the advantage over Proton VPN. As of July 2024, NordVPN boasts a network of 6,400+ servers spanning 111 countries. In contrast, Proton VPN offers access to 6,300+ servers across 100 countries.

Despite the minimal discrepancy in server numbers, I place greater significance on NordVPN’s extra 11 countries compared to Proton VPN. This factor is crucial as one of the primary functions of a VPN is to bypass geographical content restrictions.

Having a higher number of countries provides users and businesses with a wider array of selections for circumventing restrictions.

External checks and reputation

Champion: Proton VPN

In terms of general reputation and external checks, I award the victory to Proton VPN. Although both VPN service providers have undergone thorough and recent external checks, I believe that Proton VPN offers more openness to the public regarding the outcomes of these evaluations.

Up to July 2024, Proton VPN has successfully completed its third back-to-back third-party audit, confirming its policy of not storing logs. Conversely, NordVPN has been subjected to four independent security inspections validating the same.

The distinction rests in how they distribute their respective audit outcomes. In the latest audit, NordVPN chose not to disclose the complete findings to prevent the results from being “misinterpreted or taken out of context” — granting full report access only to individuals with a NordVPN account.

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Conversely, Proton VPN offers a direct link to its 2024 Securitum security evaluation. The audit findings are open to both the general public and official Proton VPN users.

I truly appreciate Proton VPN’s approach here, demonstrating its strong dedication to keeping users updated about its service’s performance, whether positive or negative. While NordVPN’s series of audits is commendable in its own regard, I must favor Proton VPN in this instance for its openness.

Noteworthy attributes

Victor: NordVPN

In terms of noteworthy attributes, NordVPN outshines Proton VPN. Alongside its primary VPN service, NordVPN offers a plethora of security and privacy-centric features that position it as a compelling security solution for enterprises.

For instance, it features its Meshnet functionality, enabling users to establish their private encrypted network, enhancing the security of file sharing and device access.

I am particularly fond of the dual VPN feature that diverts the user’s connection to two distinct VPN server locations, delivering an extra layer of security in conjunction with the encrypted VPN connection.

NordVPN’s dark web monitor tool. Image: Luis Millares

Among other features are an integrated malware blocker, web tracker and ad blocker, in addition to a dark web monitor for monitoring compromised credentials and various security functionalities.

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This doesn’t mean that Proton VPN lacks its own unique offerings. A standout feature for me is its emphasis on privacy, being based in Switzerland. Operating under Swiss jurisdiction, Proton VPN benefits from Switzerland’s robust privacy laws, ensuring user data protection from unauthorized access.

Its Stealth VPN protocol stands out, utilizing obfuscation technology to disguise VPN traffic, adding an extra layer of privacy for users in regions where VPNs are restricted.

In conclusion, while Proton VPN offers valuable privacy features, I prefer NordVPN for its wide range of additional functionalities alongside its core VPN services.

Efficiency and velocity

Champion: NordVPN

In terms of speed, my preference goes to NordVPN. During my comparison testing using both VPNs, I conducted my regular work tasks as a writer. This included multitasking with several open tabs for research, participating in online video conferences, utilizing Google Workspace applications like Docs and Drive, and occasionally streaming 1080p YouTube videos.

In my evaluation, NordVPN showed more consistent speeds in comparison to Proton VPN. While I anticipated some reduction in speed when connected to a NordVPN server as opposed to my standard internet service, I noticed minimal to no discernible difference in speed.

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Proton VPN, on the other hand, also delivered decent speed performance. Nonetheless, I found NordVPN slightly edging ahead in terms of connection stability and reliability.

If your priority is swiftness, I recommend NordVPN as the superior choice between the two.

User-Friendliness and Layout

Champion: NordVPN

In terms of user experience, simplicity, and design, I consider NordVPN the top choice. It features a minimalistic, light-themed user interface that is visually pleasing and easy to navigate.

NordVPN’s desktop dashboard. Image: Luis Millares

The left panel effectively arranges all key features, maintaining a tidy user interface despite accommodating numerous functionalities.

Security score menu in NordVPN. Image: Luis Millares

On the other hand, Proton VPN features a darker desktop theme which, in my opinion, lacks the organization seen in NordVPN’s layout. Although the app functions well, the desktop interface seems crowded and could potentially confuse users.

Proton VPN’s main desktop interface. Image: Luis Millares

I believe restructuring the desktop app with separate menus instead of multiple buttons on a single page could enhance the user experience. For instance, Proton VPN’s sidebar could feature distinct sections for Countries and Profiles, each with their feature buttons, alongside a search menu and server list.

Personally, from my perspective, the inclusion of all these features within a single section creates a sense of overcrowding and lack of organization in Proton VPN. Conversely, NordVPN segregates each feature into its own tab, which includes the server list, Meshnet tool, and other functionalities.

In my view, this approach makes NordVPN more user-friendly straight out of the box, which can be especially beneficial for newcomers who lack familiarity with VPNs.

Connections to Multiple Devices at Once

Draw: Even

Regarding simultaneous device connections, NordVPN and Proton VPN stand on equal footing. Both VPN services permit up to 10 devices to be concurrently linked to their VPN servers.

Although an unrestricted number of connections would have been preferable, similar to what can be found with Private Internet Access VPN or Surfshark VPN, the allowance of 10 devices should suffice for most enterprises and users. This capability enables most organizations to have multiple smartphones, laptops, and other devices simultaneously connected to a VPN server.

NordVPN advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

• Presence in 111 nations, boasting 6,400+ servers.
• Intuitively designed desktop application.
• Incorporates various security-centric additional features.

Disadvantages

• Access to full audit results necessitates a NordVPN account.
• Availability of free trial restricted to Android users only.
• Lack of a free version.

Proton VPN advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

• Headquartered in respecter-of-privacy Switzerland.
• Transparency in audit findings.
• Offers a complimentary version with unrestricted data.

Disadvantages

• Potential for streamlining the desktop application.
• Smaller number of country locations compared to NordVPN.

Is NordVPN or Proton VPN the right choice for your organization?

For the majority of businesses, my recommendation leans towards selecting NordVPN. It boasts a more extensive network of servers spanning 111 countries, a plethora of additional privacy-enhancing traits, and delivers an uncomplicated and well-crafted VPN application.

Moreover, I hold NordVPN in high regard for its consistently fast VPN speeds, with a near-negligible real-world performance decrease compared to my ISP.

This is not to downplay the merits of Proton VPN. I believe Proton VPN serves as an ideal selection for novices looking to experiment with a free VPN that has no data or bandwidth constraints.

Proton VPN also serves as an attractive option for individuals anxious about state surveillance. As a company headquartered in Switzerland, it operates within a privacy-conscious environment, providing reassurance to businesses and users with privacy-related anxieties.

Approach

My direct comparison between NordVPN and Proton VPN entailed a thorough examination of both VPN services’ functionalities, real-world performance, and overall worth.

In assessing each VPN service, I evaluated them based on various factors, from their server networks to their pricing structure. Significantly, I considered five primary aspects, each with specific weightage:

• Pricing (20%).
• Core VPN functionalities (30%).
• User-friendliness (15%).
• Customer service (30%).
• Expert evaluations (5%).

Additionally, I reviewed genuine user feedback and reputable assessments to round off my definitive recommendations for both NordVPN and Proton VPN.

For performance and speed assessment, I conducted trials on both VPN services using my personal Windows system and ran them through Ookla’s publicly accessible Speedtest. Lastly, I examined which types of business entities or individual users would gain the most from either NordVPN or Proton VPN.

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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