NordVPN vs ProtonVPN
NordVPN is the faster, cheaper option with superior streaming capabilities and 5,700+ servers globally, while ProtonVPN offers stronger privacy transparency, a free tier, and Swiss jurisdiction—making it ideal for privacy-first users willing to accept slower speeds.
NordVPN
Premium VPN with superior encryption, faster speeds, and extensive independent security verification.
Streaming enthusiasts, gamers, budget-conscious users, and those prioritizing speed and value
ProtonVPN
Swiss-based VPN with full open-source code and advanced privacy features.
Privacy-conscious users, dissidents in restrictive countries, Swiss jurisdiction preference, and those wanting to test before committing
Short Answer
NordVPN is the faster, cheaper option with superior streaming capabilities and 5,700+ servers globally, while ProtonVPN offers stronger privacy transparency, a free tier, and Swiss jurisdiction—making it ideal for privacy-first users willing to accept slower speeds.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose NordVPN if you prioritize speed, streaming access, and long-term value—it's 5.20% faster, unblocks all major US streaming platforms, and costs $40/year less than ProtonVPN. Choose ProtonVPN if maximum privacy transparency and having a free trial option are your primary concerns, even if it means accepting slower long-distance connections and limited streaming support.
Was this verdict helpful?
Choose NordVPN if
👑 Best pickStreaming enthusiasts, gamers, budget-conscious users, and those prioritizing speed and value
Choose ProtonVPN if
Privacy-conscious users, dissidents in restrictive countries, Swiss jurisdiction preference, and those wanting to test before committing
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
61 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | NordVPN | ProtonVPN | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Download Speed(Mbps) | 950+ Mbps | — | — |
| Total Server Count(servers) | 6,400 | — | — |
| Server Locations(countries) | 111 countries | — | — |
| Speed Retention Rate(%) | 92% | — | — |
| Streaming Service Compatibility(platforms) | 10+ | — | — |
| Starting Monthly Price (2-year plan)(USD/month) | $3.99 | — | — |
| Download Speed Performance Impact(% decrease from baseline) | 5.20% decrease | 8-12% decrease | -48% |
| Download Speed(Mbps) | 950 Mbps | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $3.99 | — | — |
| Internet Speed Retention Rate(%) | 92% | — | — |
| Netflix Libraries Accessible(libraries) | 30+ | — | — |
| Total Streaming Services Supported(services) | 10+ | — | — |
| Global Server Count(servers) | 6,500+ | — | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | 110+ countries | 68 countries | +62% |
| Annual Plan Price(USD) | From $69/year | — | — |
| Basic Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $3.09 | — | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 7,200+ | 2,000+ | +260% |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 110+ | — | — |
| Annual Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $36+ | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price (USD)(USD/month) | $3.09 | — | — |
| Annual Price (First Year)(USD/year) | $83.43 | — | — |
| Number of Servers(servers) | 7200+ | — | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10+ | 10 connections (Pro) | |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | Fast (20-50 Mbps typical) | 40+ Mbps | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $69.99/year (2-year plan) | $99.99 (Plus) | -30% |
| VPN Server Locations(countries) | 60 countries | — | — |
| Devices Supported on Free Tier(devices) | 0 (Premium only) | — | — |
| Devices Supported on Premium(devices) | 6 simultaneous connections | — | — |
| Browser Extensions Available(browsers) | 7 major browser extensions | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Price(USD/month) | $3.99/month | — | — |
| Total VPN Servers(servers) | 5,900+ servers | — | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | — | — |
| Independent Security Audit(year) | 2024 (PwC) | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $3.99/month | — | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 6 devices | — | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period(days) | 30 days | — | — |
| Countries with Presence(countries) | 111 | — | — |
| Latest Security Audit Year | 2022 (PwC) | 2023 (Securitum) | |
| Global Server Count(servers) | 6,700+ servers | 3,500+ | +91% |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 111 countries | 91 countries | +22% |
| Monthly Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $3.99/month | — | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 | 10 devices | |
| Independent Security Audits(audits) | 3 (PwC, Deloitte, Cure53) | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (1-Year Plan)(USD) | $3.99/month | — | — |
| Average Download Speed (US Servers)(Mbps) | 580 Mbps | — | — |
| Total VPN Server Count(servers) | 5,400+ | — | — |
| Simultaneous Device Connections(devices) | 6 devices | — | — |
| Countries with Server Presence(countries) | 60+ countries | — | — |
| Monthly Price (Annual Commitment)(USD) | $3.99/month | — | — |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 650 Mbps | 485 Mbps | +34% |
| Server Count(servers) | 6,400+ | 2,700+ servers | +137% |
| Server Countries(countries) | 111 | — | — |
| Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)(USD) | $4.99 | $4.99 | |
| Open Source Code(percentage) | Partial (apps only) | Partial (apps only) | |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $9.99/month (1-year) | $9.99/month (1-year) | |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Annual Plan Price(USD/month) | $4.99/month | $4.99/month | |
| Monthly Plan Price(USD/month) | $12.99/month | $12.99/month | |
| Countries Covered(countries) | 68 countries | 68 countries | |
| Speed Loss (Average)(percent) | 12-15% | 12-15% | |
| Monthly Pricing (Annual Plan)(USD) | $9.99/month | $9.99/month |
Sourced from publicly available data · Jun 2026
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
NordVPN
5,700+ servers🏆
ProtonVPN
3,500+ servers
NordVPN
$59.88/year (2-year plan)🏆
ProtonVPN
$99.99/year (Plus plan)
NordVPN
5.20% decrease vs baseline🏆
ProtonVPN
8-12% decrease vs baseline
NordVPN
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max verified🏆
ProtonVPN
Netflix, basic streaming only
NordVPN
No free plan
ProtonVPN
Free plan with 100 MB/month🏆
NordVPN
Panama-based (5/9/14 Eyes alliance)
ProtonVPN
Switzerland-based (5 Eyes only)🏆
NordVPN
AES-256 (NordLynx protocol)
ProtonVPN
AES-256 + ChaCha20 options
Full Comparison
| Attribute | NordVPN | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Download Speed(Mbps) | 950+ Mbps | — |
| Speed Retention Rate(%) | 92% | — |
| Connection Speed Rating | Fastest | — |
| Download Speed Performance Impact(% decrease from baseline) | 5.20% decrease | 8-12% decrease |
| Download Speed(Mbps) | 950 Mbps | — |
Show 7 more attributesInternet Speed Retention Rate(%) 92% — Connection Speed Performance Faster globally — Average Download Speed(Mbps) Fast (20-50 Mbps typical) 40+ Mbps Average Download Speed (US Servers)(Mbps) 580 Mbps — Average Download Speed(Mbps) 650 Mbps 485 Mbps Speed Loss (Average)(percent) 12-15% — Streaming Services Optimized(platforms) Most major platforms — | ||
| Total Server Count(servers) | 6,400 | — |
| Countries with Presence(countries) | 111 | — |
| Server Locations(countries) | 111 countries | — |
| Global Server Count(servers) | 6,700+ servers | 3,500+ |
| Streaming Service Compatibility(platforms) | 10+ | — |
| Netflix Libraries Accessible(libraries) | 30+ | — |
| Total Streaming Services Supported(services) | 10+ | — |
| Native Streaming Box Apps | Limited | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10+ | 10 connections (Pro) |
| Maximum Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 6 devices | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 | 10 devices |
| Simultaneous Device Connections(devices) | 6 devices | — |
Show 1 more attributeFree Trial Available Yes (free tier) — | ||
| VPN Protocols Offered | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | — |
| Encryption Standards Offered(algorithms) | AES-256 (NordLynx) | AES-256 + ChaCha20 |
| Primary VPN Protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard-based) | — |
| Kill Switch Feature | Yes, All Platforms | Yes, all platforms |
| Encryption Standard | AES-256 | AES-256 and ChaCha20 |
Show 12 more attributesIndependent Security Audits Yes, regular audits — Kill Switch Feature Yes, on all platforms — Advanced Threat Protection Yes - Threat Protection Pro — Independent Security Audit(year) 2024 (PwC) — Encryption Standard AES-256 + Double VPN AES-256 (ChaCha20 variant) Kill Switch Implementation Yes, all platforms — Independent Security Audits(audits) 3 (PwC, Deloitte, Cure53) — Primary Encryption Standard WireGuard with ChaCha20 — Audit Frequency(years) Annual third-party audit — Multi-Hop Encryption Available (optimized) — Code Openness 100% open-source (audited) — Privacy Audit Certification Deloitte no-logs audit (2022) — | ||
| Starting Monthly Price (2-year plan)(USD/month) | $3.99 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $3.99 | — |
| Free Plan Data Limit(GB/month) | None available | — |
| Annual Plan Price(USD) | From $69/year | — |
| Basic Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $3.09 | — |
Show 15 more attributesAnnual Cost (Best Plan)(USD) $36+ — Base Monthly Price (USD)(USD/month) $3.09 — Annual Price (First Year)(USD/year) $83.43 — Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)(USD) $69.99/year (2-year plan) $99.99 (Plus) Annual Subscription Price(USD/month) $3.99/month — Annual Subscription Cost(USD) $3.99/month — Monthly Cost (Best Plan)(USD) $3.99/month — Monthly Subscription Cost (1-Year Plan)(USD) $3.99/month — Monthly Price (Annual Commitment)(USD) $3.99/month — Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)(USD) $4.99 — Starting Monthly Price(USD) $9.99/month (1-year) — Free Version Available with unlimited data — Annual Plan Price(USD/month) $4.99/month — Monthly Plan Price(USD/month) $12.99/month — Monthly Pricing (Annual Plan)(USD) $9.99/month — | ||
| Logging Policy | Strict no-logs | — |
| Jurisdiction Privacy Rating | Excellent - Panama | — |
| No-Logs Policy | Verified no-logs | — |
| Payment Anonymity Options | Crypto, card, PayPal | — |
| Log Retention Policy | Strict no-logs, Swiss law compliance | — |
| Dark Web Monitor | Included | — |
| App Kill Switch Feature | Yes (app-level) | — |
| Dark Web Breach Monitoring | No | — |
| Kill Switch Availability | All platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android) | — |
| US Streaming Platforms Supported(platforms) | 4+ (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max verified) | 1 (Netflix only) |
| Free Trial or Free Plan(monthly data) | None - 30-day money back only | 100 MB/month free plan |
| Devices Supported on Free Tier(devices) | 0 (Premium only) | — |
| Devices Supported on Premium(devices) | 6 simultaneous connections | — |
| Privacy Jurisdiction | Panama (5/9/14 Eyes) | Switzerland (5 Eyes only) |
| Global Server Count(servers) | 6,500+ | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 7,200+ | 2,000+ |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 111 countries | 91 countries |
| Server Count(servers) | 6,400+ | 2,700+ servers |
| Server Countries(countries) | 111 | — |
Show 1 more attributeCountries Covered(countries) 68 countries — | ||
| Countries Covered(count) | 110+ countries | 68 countries |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 110+ | — |
| VPN Server Locations(countries) | 60 countries | — |
| Total VPN Servers(servers) | 5,900+ servers | — |
| Total VPN Server Count(servers) | 5,400+ | — |
| Countries with Server Presence(countries) | 60+ countries | — |
| Number of Servers(servers) | 7200+ | — |
| Geographic Coverage(edge locations) | 111 countries | — |
| Streaming Compatibility | Full support for major platforms | — |
| Maximum Password Character Support(characters) | Not applicable | — |
| Browser Extensions Available(browsers) | 7 major browser extensions | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period(days) | 30 days | — |
| Open-Source Code Availability | Partial (selected components) | — |
| Open Source Code | Partial (proprietary components) | — |
| Open Source Code(percentage) | Partial (apps only) | — |
| Source Code Availability(null) | Proprietary/Closed-source | — |
| Latest Security Audit Year | 2022 (PwC) | 2023 (Securitum) |
| Free Tier Monthly Data(GB) | No free tier | — |
| Free Tier Data Allowance(GB/month) | None (paid only) | — |
NordVPNShow 7 more attributes
Show 1 more attribute
Show 12 more attributes
Show 15 more attributes
Show 1 more attribute
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
12 pros·5 cons across both
NordVPN
Pros
- 5,700+ servers across 60+ countries for faster connections and better streaming access
- Superior streaming support verified on Netflix US, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max
- 5.20% download speed decrease—fastest in class compared to competitors
- Double VPN (Onion Over VPN) for additional anonymity layers
- Gaming-optimized with low ping rates even on long-distance servers
- $59.88/year on 2-year plan (40% cheaper than ProtonVPN annually)
Cons
- No free plan—requires paid commitment to test the service
- Panama jurisdiction falls under 5/9/14 Eyes alliance (weaker privacy than Switzerland)
ProtonVPN
Pros
- Switzerland jurisdiction with strongest privacy protections (5 Eyes only, not 9/14)
- Free plan with 100 MB/month data for testing without commitment
- ChaCha20 encryption as alternative to AES-256 for enhanced flexibility
- Secure Core multi-hop routing for additional anonymity
- Complete transparency in privacy policy and no-logs audit verification
- VPN Accelerator feature to optimize long-distance server performance
Cons
- 8-12% download speed decrease on long-distance servers—noticeably slower than NordVPN
- Limited streaming support compared to NordVPN (Netflix only, no verified Hulu/Disney+)
- $99.99/year pricing ($40 more expensive annually than NordVPN's 2-year deal)
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
NordVPN is faster, delivering a 5.20% download speed decrease versus ProtonVPN's 8-12% decrease. NordVPN's larger server network (5,700+ vs 3,500+) and optimized infrastructure make it the clear winner for speed-critical activities like streaming and gaming. ProtonVPN's VPN Accelerator feature helps but doesn't match NordVPN's native performance.
NordVPN unblocks all major US streaming platforms including Netflix US, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max—verified in 2026 testing. ProtonVPN works with Netflix but lacks confirmed support for Hulu and Disney+. If streaming is your primary use case, NordVPN is the better choice.
ProtonVPN has a privacy advantage: Swiss jurisdiction protects against 5 Eyes only, while NordVPN (Panama-based) falls under 5/9/14 Eyes alliances. However, both use AES-256 encryption and maintain no-logs policies. For maximum privacy assurance, ProtonVPN is stronger; for practical security, both are adequate.
NordVPN is superior for gaming due to lower ping rates on long-distance servers, making it ideal for competitive multiplayer. ProtonVPN's higher latency and slower speeds make it less suitable for real-time gaming, though it works for casual play.
ProtonVPN offers a free plan with 100 MB/month data, allowing limited testing without payment. NordVPN offers no free tier but includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. ProtonVPN is better for risk-free trials, while NordVPN requires upfront commitment.
Resources & Learn More
Dive deeper with these curated resources
Where to Buy
As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Wikipedia
Related Comparisons
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
Surfshark vs NordVPN
Proton VPN vs NordVPN
Mullvad vs ProtonVPN
NordVPN vs CyberGhost
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN
Mullvad vs NordVPN
Dashlane vs NordVPN
NordVPN vs Private Internet Access
NordVPN vs AirVPN
NordVPN vs IVPN
NordVPN vs Windscribe
Related Articles
5 articles
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide
Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.
Philo in 2026: Streaming TV Service Review, Pricing & Reddit Community Insights
Explore Philo's evolution heading into 2026, including pricing tiers, channel lineup, and how it compares to competitors like Sling TV. Discover what the r/PhiloTV Reddit community thinks about the service's current offerings and future prospects.
Best US Fighter Jets 2026: Top American Combat Aircraft Ranked
Discover the most advanced US fighter jets dominating the skies in 2026. From the legendary F-22 Raptor to the versatile F-35 Lightning II, we rank America's best combat aircraft based on performance, stealth, and air superiority capabilities.
Philo in 2026: Pricing, Lineup & How It Compares to Sling TV
As we head into 2026, Philo continues to position itself as an affordable streaming alternative for cable TV lovers. Discover what Philo offers, how its pricing stacks up against competitors like Sling TV, and what the Reddit community thinks about its future.