Proton VPN vs NordVPN
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Proton VPN is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.7. Proton VPN wins on 2 of the 5 scores, NordVPN on 2, with 1 tied.
People who care about privacy and want a trustworthy VPN, free or paid
Travelers and streamers who want a fast VPN that just works
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Proton VPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Privacy & Security | Privacy & Security |
| Category rank | #3 of 10 | #9 of 10 |
| Developer | Proton AG | Nord Security |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Subscription |
| Usable for free | Yes | No |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Proton VPN better than NordVPN?
Proton VPN is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.7. Proton VPN wins on 2 of the 5 scores, NordVPN on 2, with 1 tied.
Which is cheaper, Proton VPN or NordVPN?
Proton VPN: Free plan with no data cap; VPN Plus from $3.49/month on a 2-year plan. NordVPN: No free plan; monthly or longer plans, with the lowest monthly rate on long terms. On value for money, Proton VPN scores higher.
Do Proton VPN and NordVPN work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux.
Which is more private, Proton VPN or NordVPN?
Proton VPN scores higher on privacy (9.7/10). Audited no-logs policy and open-source apps. App Store label: no tracking, and only contact info and diagnostics are collected, none of it linked to you. No ads, even on the free plan.
Strengths and weaknesses
Proton VPN
- Free tier has no data cap or ads
- Strong privacy credentials and Swiss jurisdiction
- Stealth protocol helps on restrictive networks
- Free plan picks your server country and covers one device
- Streaming and advanced features need a paid plan
Proton VPN has the best free VPN plan you'll find: no data cap, no ads and no activity logs, with servers in 10 countries picked for you. Paid plans unlock every location, streaming support, Secure Core multi-hop routing and the NetShield ad blocker. The apps are open source, the company is Swiss, and the no-logs policy has passed five yearly audits. Free speeds can dip at busy times. Get it if you want a VPN you can trust.
Full Proton VPN review
NordVPN
- Consistently fast connections
- Reliable for streaming services abroad
- Lots of extras like Threat Protection and Dark Web Monitor
- Frequent upsells to bundles and add-ons
- Monthly plan costs far more than long-term plans
NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs, and it's packed with extras. NordLynx connections are quick, servers cover more than 220 locations, and Threat Protection blocks scams, ads and trackers. This year added dedicated servers with port forwarding and moved obfuscated servers to NordWhisper. Its no-logs policy has been independently audited. The catch is constant upselling and a steep monthly rate unless you commit long-term.
Full NordVPN review
