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Head-to-head · VPN Services

Proton VPN vs NordVPN

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Proton VPN #1 in VPN Services 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Proton VPN
NordVPN #2 in VPN Services 9.2/10 3-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit NordVPN

Proton VPN leads on 1 check, NordVPN on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreProton VPN · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Proton VPN
  • Free trialonly NordVPN

Proton VPN scores higher on our rubric for vpn services: 9.3 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Proton VPN offers free plan; NordVPN doesn't.

Proton VPN is the better fit for free, privacy-focused VPN use. NordVPN is the better fit for broad global coverage and advanced routing.

  • Proton VPN fits best

    Free, privacy-focused VPN use

  • NordVPN fits best

    Broad global coverage and advanced routing

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Side by side

Feature Proton VPN 9.3/10 Visit ↗ NordVPN 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.2
Ranking #1 in VPN Services #2 in VPN Services
Best for Free, privacy-focused VPN use Broad global coverage and advanced routing
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 3 days
Money-back guarantee 30 days 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Proton VPN 5/5 · NordVPN 5/5
Verified no-logs audit ✓ ✓
Streaming support ✓ ✓
Torrent support ✓ ✓
Kill switch ✓ ✓
WireGuard support ✓ ✓
Specs
Server countries Not checked yet 167 countries
Simultaneous devices 10 devices 10 devices
Our review
Pros
  • Unlimited data on the free plan with a kill switch
  • Open-source apps and an audited no-logs policy
  • Paid plans add 10 devices, streaming, P2P, and NetShield
  • Coverage across 167 countries with audited no-logs status
  • Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscation, and Meshnet
  • Streaming, P2P, and 10 simultaneous device support
Cons
  • The free plan limits connections to one simultaneous device
  • Free users connect through 10 randomly selected countries
  • Streaming and P2P support are available on paid plans
  • The main VPN service requires a paid subscription
  • The 3-day trial is limited to Android
  • P2P support is provided on standard servers
Our verdict

Proton VPN is a virtual private network service operated by Proton AG, a Swiss company headquartered in Geneva. It encrypts internet traffic, hides users’ IP addresses, and provides applications for web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS,…

Read the review →

NordVPN is a paid consumer VPN service from Nord Security for people who want encrypted internet connections across desktop, mobile, browser, and router environments. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Chrome, with…

Read the review →
  1. Proton VPNVPN Services 9.3Free plan
  2. NordVPNVPN Services 9.23-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Proton VPN — where it wins

    • Unlimited data on the free plan with a kill switch
    • Open-source apps and an audited no-logs policy
    • Paid plans add 10 devices, streaming, P2P, and NetShield

    Where it doesn't

    • The free plan limits connections to one simultaneous device
    • Free users connect through 10 randomly selected countries
    • Streaming and P2P support are available on paid plans
  • NordVPN — where it wins

    • Coverage across 167 countries with audited no-logs status
    • Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscation, and Meshnet
    • Streaming, P2P, and 10 simultaneous device support

    Where it doesn't

    • The main VPN service requires a paid subscription
    • The 3-day trial is limited to Android
    • P2P support is provided on standard servers

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update