NordVPN offers faster speeds (6,200+ servers globally) with user-friendly apps and is best for casual users, while AirVPN prioritizes privacy with open-source code, port forwarding, and stricter no-logs policies favored by privacy advocates.
NordVPN vs AirVPN — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Premium VPN service with 6,500+ servers in 111 countries and advanced security features.
Privacy-focused VPN with open-source code, port forwarding, and advanced features for power users.
Server Network Size. Annual Subscription Cost. Open-Source Verification. Port Forwarding Support. Average Download Speed. Money-Back Guarantee. Simultaneous Connections
Choose NordVPN if you prioritize speed, ease of use, large server selection, and want a mainstream VPN with strong customer support for streaming and general browsing. Choose AirVPN if you're a privacy-conscious user who values open-source transparency, port forwarding capabilities, and doesn't mind a smaller server network.
NordVPN: NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 4+ (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max verified) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: None - 30-day money back only | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Panama (5/9/14 Eyes) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: AES-256 (NordLynx) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: NordLynx (WireGuard-based) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes, regular audits | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes, on all platforms | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes - Threat Protection Pro | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Excellent - Panama | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Full support for major platforms | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Fast (20-50 Mbps typical) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Crypto, card, PayPal | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: $69.99/year (2-year plan) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 6 simultaneous connections | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 7 major browser extensions | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Partial (selected components) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Proprietary/Closed-source | AirVPN: Open-source (GitHub)
NordVPN: 2022 (PwC) | AirVPN: 2015 (Cure53)
NordVPN: Partial components only | AirVPN: Full codebase open-source
NordVPN: Yes, all platforms | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 2 (PwC & Deloitte 2024) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: AES-256 | AirVPN: AES-256-CBC/GCM (configurable)
NordVPN: 12+ (major platforms only) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes (PwC audit 2024) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 6,200+ servers | AirVPN: 750+ servers
NordVPN: WireGuard with ChaCha20 | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 8% slower (NordLynx/WireGuard) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 89% success rate (tested 13 regions) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: OpenVPN, WireGuard, ChaCha20, NordLynx | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes (Threat Protection included) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Panama (outside 5/9/14-Eyes) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 111 countries | AirVPN: 34 countries
NordVPN: AES-256 Double VPN (dual layer) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes (multiple 2022-2024) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: IKEv2/IPSec or WireGuard | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Strict no-logs policy | AirVPN: N/A
Average Download Speed (500Mbps connection)
NordVPN: Proprietary (audited) | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 24/7 live chat and email | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Mix of disk and RAM | AirVPN: N/A
NordVPN: $3.99/month | AirVPN: $4.50/month
NordVPN: Not available | AirVPN: Available on all plans
How to choose between NordVPN and AirVPN
NordVPN vs AirVPN — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for NordVPN vs AirVPN. Contains 139 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
NordVPN vs AirVPN — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for NordVPN vs AirVPN.
NordVPN is significantly faster, delivering 580 Mbps speeds at 500 miles distance compared to AirVPN's 410 Mbps—a 41% difference. This makes NordVPN better for streaming 4K content and downloading large files. AirVPN's slower speeds reflect its smaller server network, but speeds are still sufficient for general browsing and HD streaming.
AirVPN offers better privacy transparency with its fully open-source codebase, allowing security researchers to audit the code independently. NordVPN has closed-source components but maintains a strict no-logs policy and has implemented zero-knowledge architecture. Both are secure, but AirVPN provides verifiable proof of its privacy claims, while NordVPN requires user trust.
Can I use port forwarding with either VPN?
Only AirVPN offers port forwarding on all plans. NordVPN does not support port forwarding at all. Port forwarding is essential for running private servers, torrenting with port-specific settings, or hosting applications. If port forwarding is critical, AirVPN is your only choice between these two.
Which VPN is better for streaming Netflix, Disney+, and other services?
NordVPN is substantially better for streaming with 6,200 servers, faster speeds (580 Mbps), and specifically optimized streaming servers. It successfully unblocks most major streaming platforms globally. AirVPN's smaller network (750 servers) makes it less reliable for streaming and may face more frequent blocking by streaming services.
NordVPN offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you a full month to test the service. AirVPN provides only a 3-day guarantee, limiting your trial window significantly. NordVPN's longer guarantee period is a major advantage for risk-free testing.
How to Choose Between NordVPN and AirVPN
Server Network Size: NordVPN has 6,200+ servers in 111 countries, while AirVPN has 750+ servers in 34 countries.
Annual Subscription Cost: NordVPN has $3.99/month (2-year plan), while AirVPN has $4.50/month (1-year plan).
Open-Source Verification: NordVPN has Limited open-source components, while AirVPN has Full open-source codebase available.
Port Forwarding Support: NordVPN has Not available, while AirVPN has Available on all plans.
Average Download Speed: NordVPN has 580 Mbps at 500 miles distance, while AirVPN has 410 Mbps at 500 miles distance.
Money-Back Guarantee: NordVPN has 30 days, while AirVPN has 3 days.
Simultaneous Connections: NordVPN has 6 devices per account, while AirVPN has 10 devices per account.