ProtonVPN vs NordVPN
Head-to-head comparison of two popular vpn tools. See which one is right for your needs.
Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
NordVPN has a higher rating (4.6/5) compared to ProtonVPN (4.5/5). However, ProtonVPN offers a free tier which NordVPN does not. NordVPN also starts at a lower price point ($3.39 vs $4.49/month).
ProtonVPN
4.5ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused VPN from the makers of ProtonMail, based in Switzerland. It offers a genuine free tier with no data limits, open-source apps, and Secure Core servers that route through privacy-friendly countries. ProtonVPN is ideal for privacy-conscious users.
Pricing
Free / $4.49/month
Key Features
- Free Tier
- Secure Core
- NetShield Ad Blocker
- P2P Support
- Tor over VPN
- Kill Switch
- Open Source Apps
- No Logs
Pros
- + True free tier
- + Swiss privacy laws
- + Open source
- + Strong security focus
Cons
- − Slower free servers
- − Smaller server network
- − Fewer streaming features
NordVPN
4.6NordVPN is the world's most popular VPN service with over 14 million users. It offers 6,000+ servers in 111 countries, industry-leading speeds, and advanced security features like Threat Protection. NordVPN is known for reliability, streaming access, and strong privacy commitment.
Pricing
$3.39/month
Key Features
- 6,000+ Servers
- 111 Countries
- Threat Protection
- Double VPN
- Onion over VPN
- Kill Switch
- Split Tunneling
- Meshnet
Pros
- + Fast speeds
- + Great for streaming
- + Strong security
- + Large server network
Cons
- − No free tier
- − Occasional speed drops
- − Higher monthly price