NordVPN vs Proton VPN (2026)
Head-to-head on price, speed, privacy posture and features - based on our independent reviews of both providers.
Score comparison
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 9.0 | 9.3 | Proton VPN |
| Speed & reliability | 9.4 | 9.1 | NordVPN |
| Privacy & trust | 8.9 | 9.8 | Proton VPN |
| Features & coverage | 9.2 | 9.4 | Proton VPN |
| Value for money | 8.6 | 9.2 | Proton VPN |
| Ease of use | 9.1 | 8.8 | NordVPN |
Side by side
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $3.49/mo | $3.59/mo |
| Service types | Consumer VPN | Consumer VPN, Free VPN |
| Jurisdiction | Panama outside 5/9/14 Eyes | Switzerland outside 5/9/14 Eyes |
| Logging policy | No-logs, independently audited | No-logs, independently audited |
| Independent audits | Deloitte (2025) VerSprite (2024) | Securitum (2025) Securitum (2024) |
| Network | 7.4K servers | 12K servers |
| Country coverage | 118 | 117 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Free tier | - | ✓ |
| Support | chat, email, knowledge-base · 24/7 | tickets, email, knowledge-base |
| Pay with crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
Which should you pick?
Choose NordVPN if this fits: best all-round vpn for most people. NordVPN is the safest default pick: consistently the fastest big network, an audit history no rival matches for length, and apps that a first-time user can operate without reading anything. Budget for the renewal price.
Choose Proton VPN if this fits: best vpn for privacy, and the best free tier anywhere. Proton VPN is the strongest overall package for anyone who cares why they are buying a VPN: open-source audited apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and a free tier with no data cap and no catch.
Overall, our scores favor Proton VPN (9.3 vs 9.0) - but the right choice depends on which trade-offs matter to you. Read the full NordVPN review and Proton VPN review.