Comparisons VPN Comparison 2026
Proton VPN vs NordVPN: which VPN is better?
Two VPN providers side by side. They differ in 18 of 26 criteria. Here you can see where, and which one suits whom.
- Updated October 2026
- Compare all 9 providers
At a glance
Proton VPN
Best for: Anyone who values privacy, and anyone who wants to start for free.
- Free plan with no data limit and no ads
- Open source, based in Switzerland
- No-logs policy independently audited four times
Better than NordVPN at: Free plan, Open-source apps, Account without email address, Anonymous payment (cash, crypto), Ad and tracker blocker
Price: from €3.49 (2 years)
Visit Proton VPNAdNordVPN
Best for: Anyone looking for a fast, versatile VPN for streaming, travel and many countries.
- Servers in over 170 countries
- Fast NordLynx protocol
- No-logs policy audited multiple times
Price: from €3.49 (2 years)
Visit NordVPNAll criteria compared
Highlighted rows show where the two differ.
| Criterion | Proton VPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Free plan | Yes, no data limit, 1 device, 10 countries | No |
| Lowest monthly price | from €3.49 (2 years) | from €3.49 (2 years) |
| Price with monthly billing | €9.99 | n/a |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Provider & privacy | ||
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Panama |
| Owned by | Proton AG (independent) | Nord Security (also Surfshark) |
| No-logs policy independently audited | Yes, most recently 2025 (Securitum) | Yes, multiple times (incl. Deloitte) |
| Open-source apps | Yes | No |
| Known incidents | None known | 2018: one server at a data centre provider compromised |
| Account without email address | Proton account required | No |
| Anonymous payment (cash, crypto) | Yes, cash by post, Bitcoin | Crypto |
| Technology | ||
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2, NordWhisper |
| RAM-only servers | n/a | Yes |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-hop (via two servers) | Yes (Secure Core) | Yes (Double VPN) |
| Ad and tracker blocker | Yes (NetShield), from Plus | From the Complete plan |
| Obfuscation for restricted networks | Yes (Stealth) | Yes (NordWhisper, obfuscated servers) |
| Features | ||
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | 10 |
| Server countries | over 140 | over 170 |
| File sharing (P2P) allowed | Yes, from Plus | Yes |
| Streaming officially supported | Yes, from Plus | Yes |
| Extras | Tor over VPN, bundled with Mail, Drive and Pass | Meshnet, antivirus and password manager in bigger plans |
| Platforms | ||
| Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android, iPhone | Yes | Yes |
| TVs and routers | Yes | Yes |
Strengths and weaknesses
Proton VPN
VPN from Switzerland with open-source apps, a repeatedly audited no-logs policy and the best free plan with no data limit.
- + Free plan with no data limit and no ads
- + Open source, based in Switzerland
- + No-logs policy independently audited four times
- + Secure Core routes traffic through specially protected servers
- – Free plan: 1 device and randomly chosen countries only
- – Monthly plan comparatively expensive
NordVPN
One of the largest VPN providers, with a huge number of locations, a fast in-house protocol and add-on bundles up to antivirus.
- + Servers in over 170 countries
- + Fast NordLynx protocol
- + No-logs policy audited multiple times
- + RAM-only servers
- – Ad blocker only from the pricier Complete plan
- – Much more expensive renewal after the first term
- – In 2018, one server at a data centre provider was compromised
Our verdict
Both are a good choice, but for different needs. Proton VPN is best for: anyone who values privacy, and anyone who wants to start for free. NordVPN is best for: anyone looking for a fast, versatile VPN for streaming, travel and many countries.
All information comes from the providers’ websites and the sources listed in the full comparison, as of October 2026. Links marked “Ad” are affiliate links.