NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Complete 2026 Comparison
This is a battle between speed and privacy. NordVPN delivers faster connections, better streaming support, and more features at a lower price. Proton VPN counters with Swiss jurisdiction, fully open-source apps, and the best free tier in the industry. Privacy purists may prefer Proton VPN, but NordVPN offers the better all-around package.
Our Verdict
NordVPN is faster and better for streaming. Proton VPN offers superior privacy credentials and a free tier.
Speed Winner
NordVPN
Price Winner
NordVPN
Privacy Winner
Proton VPN
Streaming Winner
NordVPN
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Price (Best) | $3.39/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Monthly Price | $12.99/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Servers | 6,200+ | 4,900+ |
| Countries | 111 | 91 |
| Connections | 10 | 10 |
| Download (Local) | 940 Mbps | 860 Mbps |
| Download (Long) | 780 Mbps | 700 Mbps |
| Speed Retention | 94% | 86% |
| Ping (Local) | 4 ms | 6 ms |
| Headquarters | Panama | Switzerland |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| No-Logs (Audited) | Yes | Yes |
| Netflix | Yes | Yes |
| Disney+ | Yes | Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | Yes |
| Torrenting | Yes | Yes |
| RAM-Only Servers | Yes | No |
| Ad Blocker | Yes | Yes |
| Double VPN | Yes | Yes |
| Money-Back | 30 days | 30 days |
NordVPN
Best overall VPN with fastest speeds
9.5/10Read full review →
Proton VPN
Best VPN for privacy and open-source transparency
8.7/10Read full review →