As two privacy-focused VPNs, each NordVPN and Proton VPN supply robust options that might make it exhausting to decide on one answer over the opposite.
NordVPN supplies an throughout service with an intensive server community and reliably quick VPN efficiency. Alternatively, Proton VPN operates in privacy-friendly Switzerland and gives a beneficiant free VPN, which might entice budget-oriented customers.
On this article, we check out which VPN is finest for you and your group.
- NordVPN: Greatest for many companies that need a feature-packed VPN that gives a geographically various server suite and quick VPN speeds.
- Proton VPN: Greatest for particular person customers who need a privacy-centric VPN with a devoted free model that could possibly be used long-term.
ESET PROTECT Superior
Workers per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Firm Dimension
Any Firm Dimension
Options
Superior Risk Protection, Full Disk Encryption , Fashionable Endpoint Safety, and extra
ManageEngine Log360
Workers per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Micro (0-49 Workers), Small (50-249 Workers), Medium (250-999 Workers), Giant (1,000-4,999 Workers), Enterprise (5,000+ Workers)
Micro, Small, Medium, Giant, Enterprise
Options
Exercise Monitoring, Blacklisting, Dashboard, and extra
Graylog
Workers per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Medium (250-999 Workers), Giant (1,000-4,999 Workers), Enterprise (5,000+ Workers)
Medium, Giant, Enterprise
Options
Exercise Monitoring, Dashboard, Notifications
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Comparability
Each VPNs embody the identical quantity of simultaneous system connections and beginning worth. They do differ of their respective server suite and free trial entry.
| Our score | ||
| Safety protocols | ||
| No. of servers | ||
| VPN server places | ||
| Simultaneous system places | ||
| Supported platforms | ||
| Free trial | ||
| Beginning worth | ||
|
|
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Pricing
NordVPN pricing
NordVPN’s paid plans have three tiers, with every tier having a month-to-month, an annual and a two-year plan choice. The tiers are NordVPN Primary, Plus and Final — with Final having probably the most options out of the bunch.
SEE: Tips on how to Run a Cybersecurity Danger Evaluation in 5 Steps (TechRepublic Premium)
Under is an summary of pricing and have variations with every tier:
| Primary | Plus | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month-to-month | $12.99 per thirty days | $13.99 per thirty days | $15.99 per thirty days |
| 1 yr | $4.99 per thirty days | $5.99 per thirty days | $7.99 per thirty days |
| 2 years | $3.99 per thirty days | $4.99 per thirty days | $6.99 per thirty days |
| Options | Consists of major VPN | All Primary options plus anti-malware and looking safety, advert and tracker blocker and information breach scanner | All Plus options plus 1TB encrypted cloud storage, cyber extortion safety and identification theft restoration profit |
Personally, I feel the NordVPN Plus plan for one yr at $5.99 per thirty days is the very best bundle among the many three plans. It gives you further security measures on prime of the VPN whereas nonetheless not going overboard by way of the month-to-month payment.
Whereas I’m glad NordVPN has a seven-day free trial, I discover it unlucky that it’s solely out there by way of its Android cellular app. This makes it tough for iOS and iPhone customers who’re presumably serious about test-driving NordVPN. Hopefully, NordVPN makes its trial out there for each iOS and Android customers, opening it as much as extra customers, no matter their smartphone preferences.
Fortunately, customers can strive NordVPN on desktop after accessing the free trial on Android — which is how I examined NordVPN’s premium subscription.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full NordVPN overview.
Proton VPN pricing
As compared, Proton VPN has two tiers for its paid service and a devoted free model. Its paid plans are referred to as Proton VPN Plus and Limitless, each with month-to-month, annual and two-year contract choices.
| Proton VPN Free | Proton VPN Plus | Proton Limitless | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month-to-month | Free | $9.99 per thirty days | $12.99 per thirty days |
| Annual | Free | $4.99 per thirty days | $9.99 per thirty days |
| 2 years | Free | $4.49 per thirty days | $7.99 per thirty days |
| Options |
|
|
|
Whereas Proton VPN doesn’t have a free trial of its paid tiers, I like the way it supplies a full free model of its VPN service. This allows customers to get a glimpse of its VPN with none preliminary fee or subscription.
The free model itself is restricted in that it solely offers you entry to 5 nations and slower speeds. Nevertheless, it’s beneficiant given the way it supplies limitless bandwidth and information — one thing that isn’t widespread on different free VPNs. As compared, NordVPN doesn’t at present supply any type of free model.
By way of its paid plans, I discover the Plus subscription for one yr to be the very best worth. Whereas not probably the most inexpensive, it’s nonetheless on par with NordVPN’s equal beginning subscription at $4.99 per thirty days. You get Proton’s VPN service, together with the total server fleet, with out the opposite Proton companies within the Limitless tier that will or is probably not of use to you.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full Proton VPN overview and see this information on find out how to use Proton VPN.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Characteristic comparability
Safety protocols and encryption
Winner: Tie
Each NordVPN and Proton VPN have VPN protocols that present a great combine between pace and safety. NordVPN gives the OpenVPN protocol and its proprietary NordLynx protocol primarily based on WireGuard. Alternatively, Proton VPN carries OpenVPN, WireGuard and its personal Stealth protocol constructed to disguise VPN use.
To me, a contemporary VPN ought to a minimum of have the security-focused OpenVPN protocol and the speed-oriented WireGuard protocol. Fortuitously, we get variations of each with NordVPN and Proton VPN.
SEE: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Greatest? (TechRepublic)
Each VPNs additionally include top-grade encryption algorithms, equipping their software program with AES-256 encryption. AES-256 is taken into account the usual for shielding person information, utilized by authorities companies, banks and navy establishments to maintain delicate info safe towards malicious actors.
VPN server community and places
Winner: NordVPN
For servers, NordVPN has the sting over Proton VPN. As of July 2024, NordVPN at present has 6,400+ servers throughout 111 nations. In distinction, Proton VPN gives entry to six,300+ servers in 100 nations.
Whereas the distinction in server rely is negligible, I discover extra worth in NordVPN having an extra 11 extra nations over Proton VPN. That is necessary as a result of one of many major makes use of of a VPN is to unblock geo-restricted content material.
With the upper nation rely, customers and companies can have extra location choices to select from on the subject of unblocking.
Third-party audits and observe file
Winner: Proton VPN
So far as total observe file and third-party audits go, I’m giving the win to Proton VPN. Whereas each VPN suppliers have undergone intensive and up to date impartial audits, I really feel Proton VPN supplies extra transparency to the general public on the subject of audit outcomes.
As of July 2024, Proton VPN has achieved its third consecutive impartial audit, confirming its no-logs coverage. On the flipside, NordVPN has undergone 4 impartial safety audits confirming the identical.
The distinction lies in how they share their respective audit outcomes. In its most up-to-date audit, NordVPN opted to not share the total outcomes to make sure the findings weren’t “taken out of context or misunderstood” — offering full entry to the report solely to these with a NordVPN account.
SEE: 4 Greatest Free VPNs for 2024 (TechRepublic)
Alternatively, Proton VPN supplies a full hyperlink to its 2024 Securitum safety audit. The audit outcomes are accessible to each the general public and official Proton VPN customers.
I actually commend Proton VPN right here, showcasing its robust dedication to holding customers knowledgeable about its service’s efficiency, good or dangerous. Whereas NordVPN’s suite of audits is strong in its personal proper, I’ve to provide this spherical to Proton VPN for its transparency.
Standout options
Winner: NordVPN
For standout options, NordVPN wins over Proton VPN. Apart from its major VPN service, NordVPN features a ton of safety and privacy-focused options that make it a compelling safety software for companies.
For instance, it has its Meshnet characteristic that lets customers create their very own non-public encrypted community, permitting them to share information or entry different units extra securely.
I personally like this double VPN characteristic that routes the person’s connection to 2 totally different VPN server places, offering an extra layer of safety alongside the encrypted VPN connection.
Different options embody a built-in malware, net tracker and advert blocker, in addition to a darkish net monitor to maintain observe of compromised credentials, amongst different safety capabilities.
SEE: Does a VPN Sluggish Down Your Web Pace? (TechRepublic)
That isn’t to say Proton VPN doesn’t have its personal standout inclusions. A spotlight for me is its Swiss-based privateness. Whereas not a software program characteristic per se, Proton VPN’s operations are primarily based in Switzerland, a rustic with a number of the strongest privateness legal guidelines on this planet. Which means Proton customers gained’t have to fret about their information being illegally accessed.
It additionally has a novel Stealth VPN protocol that makes use of obfuscation expertise to masks your VPN visitors, making it look like you aren’t related by way of a VPN. This may be essential for customers in restrictive areas that don’t essentially enable VPNs.
General, whereas Proton VPN consists of helpful privacy-focused options, I give the benefit to NordVPN for its intensive suite of further performance on prime of its major VPN capabilities.
Efficiency and pace
Winner: NordVPN
In the case of pace, I’ve to provide NordVPN the benefit. Throughout my testing, I related to each VPNs and did my traditional workflow as a author. This concerned having a number of tabs open for analysis, attending on-line video conferences, utilizing Google Workspace apps like Docs and Drive and streaming the occasional 1080p YouTube video.
Per my expertise, I had extra secure speeds with NordVPN in comparison with Proton VPN. Whereas I anticipated a lower in pace whereas related to a NordVPN server in comparison with my web service supplier, I actually felt zero to little distinction in pace.
SEE: How A lot Does a VPN Value? + Financial savings Ideas (TechRepublic)
As compared, Proton VPN additionally supplied decently quick speeds. Nevertheless, I did really feel NordVPN had that slight edge by way of consistency and total reliability with its connection.
In case your precedence is having the very best speeds, I discover NordVPN to be the higher selection out of the 2.
Ease of use and design
Winner: NordVPN
For person expertise, ease of use and design, NordVPN is my winner. NordVPN makes use of a minimalist, light-themed person interface that’s straightforward on the eyes and intuitive to navigate.
It has a sidebar on the left that neatly organizes all its necessary options and helps present a clear interface that doesn’t really feel cluttered, regardless of the variety of options it homes.
In the meantime, Proton VPN adopts a darker themed desktop software that I discover a bit much less organized in comparison with NordVPN. Whereas the app itself performs properly, I feel there’s a bit an excessive amount of occurring with its desktop app that might confuse customers.
I personally suppose it might do a greater job of organizing its options into separate menus as a substitute of its present iteration the place it has a number of buttons on a single web page. For instance, if we have a look at Proton VPN’s sidebar, we get a Nations and Profiles tab, three characteristic buttons, a search menu and the server listing multi functional place.
Personally, I feel having all these options in a single part makes Proton VPN really feel a bit cluttered and disorganized. In distinction, NordVPN has a devoted tab for every of its options, together with its server listing, Meshnet software and different options.
With this, I really feel it helps make NordVPN the simpler VPN to make use of out of the field. That is particularly necessary for freshmen who is probably not aware of how VPNs work.
Simultaneous system connections
Winner: Tie
Trying into simultaneous system connections, NordVPN and Proton VPN are tied. Each VPNs enable for as much as 10 units to be concurrently related to their VPN servers.
Whereas I’d have most popular being able to attach a vast variety of units, like Non-public Web Entry VPN or Surfshark VPN, I feel 10 units remains to be a adequate quantity for many companies and customers. It will enable most organizations to have a handful of smartphones, laptops and different units related to a VPN server all on the similar time.
NordVPN professionals and cons
Execs
- Servers in 111 nations, with 6,400+ servers.
- Nicely-designed and intuitive desktop software.
- Consists of a wide range of security-focused further options.
Cons
- Full audit outcomes require a NordVPN account.
- Free trial solely accessible by way of Android.
- No free model.
Proton VPN professionals and cons
Execs
- Primarily based in privacy-friendly Switzerland.
- Extra clear audit outcomes.
- Has a free model with limitless information.
Cons
- Desktop app could possibly be streamlined.
- Fewer nation places in comparison with NordVPN.
Ought to your group use NordVPN or Proton VPN?
For many companies, I like to recommend going with NordVPN. It has a extra intensive 111-country server community, a bevy of further privacy-focused options and an easy-to-use and well-designed VPN software.
I additionally actually like NordVPN for its total quick and constant VPN speeds, which supplied virtually zero real-world drop in efficiency in comparison with my ISP.
This isn’t to dismiss Proton VPN. I really feel Proton VPN is an efficient selection for freshmen who need to strive a free VPN with none information or bandwidth restrictions.
Proton VPN can be an excellent choice for customers who’re significantly frightened about authorities surveillance. As a Switzerland-based firm, it operates in a privacy-friendly nation that may supply peace of thoughts to companies and customers with privateness considerations.
Methodology
My head-to-head match-up of NordVPN and Proton VPN concerned an in-depth evaluation of each VPN’s options, real-world efficiency and worth.
To guage every VPN, each companies had been scored on all the things from their server networks to their pricing. Specifically, I took under consideration 5 major pillars, every having corresponding weights:
- Pricing (20%).
- Core VPN options (30%).
- Ease of use (15%).
- Buyer assist (30%).
- Skilled evaluation (5%).
I additionally seemed into actual person suggestions and respected evaluations to spherical out my last suggestions for each NordVPN and Proton VPN.
For pace and efficiency, I examined each VPNs on my private Home windows pc and ran them via Ookla’s public Speedtest. Lastly, I additionally thought-about which varieties of companies or particular person customers would finest profit from both NordVPN or Proton VPN.