NordVPN vs Proton VPN
Updated 19 June 2026- Overall winner: NordVPN
- Side-by-side on speed, price, streaming, privacy & devices
- Both backed by a money-back guarantee
NordVPN takes this matchup, edging Proton VPN 9.7 to 9.6 thanks to faster real-world speeds, more dependable streaming unblocking, and a bundled Threat Protection suite that does ad, tracker, and malware blocking out of the box. The single best reason to pick Proton VPN instead: it is open-source and based in privacy-friendly Switzerland, with Secure Core multi-hop routing and a genuinely usable free tier — none of which NordVPN matches. Both are independently audited, run 10 simultaneous devices, and back you with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so the gap is narrow but real.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: side by side
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 9.7/10 | 9.6/10 |
| Speed (US-East, 1 Gbps) | 462 Mbps | 445 Mbps |
| Price (2-year plan) | $3.09/mo | $2.99/mo |
| Servers | 7,400 | 15,000 |
| Countries | 118 | 120 |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | 10 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Speed figures from our Q2 2026 benchmark (US-East, 1 Gbps line). Prices in USD, verified 2026-06-16. Green = category winner.
Category by category
Speed
Winner: NordVPNNordVPN wins speed, hitting 462 Mbps against Proton VPN's 445 Mbps on the same 1 Gbps line — close, but Nord stays ahead.
Price
Winner: Proton VPNProton VPN is the cheaper pick at $2.99/mo on the 2-year plan, undercutting NordVPN's $3.09/mo.
Streaming
Winner: NordVPNNordVPN wins streaming with a 9.6 score to Proton VPN's 9.2, unblocking Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer more consistently across regions.
Privacy
Winner: TieIt's a tie on privacy — both score 9.8, both are independently audited, with Proton leaning on Swiss jurisdiction and open-source apps while Nord runs a RAM-only network.
Value
Winner: TieValue is a dead heat at 9.2 apiece: NordVPN bundles more security extras, while Proton VPN counters with a lower price and a free tier.
Devices
Winner: TieIt's a tie on devices — both let you connect 10 gadgets simultaneously on a single subscription.
Choose NordVPN if…
Choose NordVPN if you want the strongest all-rounder: the fastest speeds here, the most reliable streaming, and a built-in Threat Protection suite that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. It's the safe default for households and frequent streamers who don't want to think about configuration.
Choose Proton VPN if…
Choose Proton VPN if privacy is your top priority and you value open-source, independently auditable apps under Switzerland's strong data-protection laws. It's also the better fit if you want Secure Core multi-hop routing, the slightly lower price, or a free tier to test before committing.
Bottom line
NordVPN is the better overall VPN in 2026, winning on speed (462 Mbps) and streaming while bundling Threat Protection — pick it unless privacy purism is your priority. In that case Proton VPN, with its Swiss base, open-source code, Secure Core, and free tier, is the smarter, marginally cheaper choice.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN — FAQ
Is NordVPN or Proton VPN better?
NordVPN is the better all-rounder, scoring 9.7/10 versus Proton VPN's 9.6/10. It edges ahead on real-world speed (462 vs 445 Mbps) and streaming reliability (9.6 vs 9.2 sub-score), and it bundles a Threat Protection security suite. Proton VPN is the better choice specifically for privacy-focused users who want open-source apps and Swiss jurisdiction.
Which is cheaper, NordVPN or Proton VPN?
Proton VPN is slightly cheaper at $2.99/mo on its 2-year plan (70% off), compared to NordVPN at $3.09/mo on its 2-year plan (74% off). The 10-cent monthly difference is minor, and both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so price alone shouldn't be the deciding factor.
Which is better for streaming, NordVPN or Proton VPN?
NordVPN is better for streaming, with a 9.6 streaming sub-score against Proton VPN's 9.2. It unblocks services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer more consistently across more regions, and its higher 462 Mbps speed leaves more headroom for buffer-free 4K playback.
Which has better privacy, NordVPN or Proton VPN?
It's a tie on privacy — both score 9.8/10 and both have passed independent audits. Proton VPN leans on Switzerland's strong privacy laws, open-source apps, and Secure Core multi-hop routing, while NordVPN runs a RAM-only server network. Either is an excellent choice for privacy; Proton appeals more to users who want fully auditable, open-source software.