NordVPN vs Proton VPN

At a Glance

If you want the most feature-rich, fastest VPN headquartered in Europe, choose NordVPN; if you want verifiable, open-source privacy under Swiss law — and a free tier that actually works — choose Proton VPN.

These are the two European VPNs most people end up weighing against each other, and they pull in different directions. NordVPN, run by Lithuania's Nord Security, is the largest VPN in the EU by server count and the most loaded with features. Proton VPN, from the Geneva team behind Proton Mail, makes its case on transparency: open-source apps, audits you can read, and a free plan with no data cap. Both run audited no-logs infrastructure.

Pricing & Value

Proton VPN is the only one of the two with a free entry point — unlimited data, no ads, no logs, across servers in five countries, capped at one device. Paid plans start at EUR 9.99/month for VPN Plus, dropping to EUR 4.99/month annually. Proton Unlimited at EUR 9.99/month annually folds in Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass, which is the better deal if you live in the Proton ecosystem.

NordVPN has no free option. Its Basic plan is EUR 12.99 monthly but EUR 4.59/month on a 2-year commitment, with Plus at EUR 5.49 and Ultimate at EUR 7.49 (both 2-year). Those long-term rates are introductory and renew higher. Both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. On value for money, our scoring favours Proton at 9.0 against NordVPN's 7.5.

Edge: Proton VPN for the free tier and lower entry cost.

Speed & Server Network

NordVPN runs the largest network among EU-headquartered providers — 6,400+ servers across 111 countries — and pairs it with NordLynx, its WireGuard-based protocol engineered to deliver WireGuard speeds without the static-IP privacy tradeoff. In testing, speed loss typically stays under 15% on nearby servers. You also get speciality servers: Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, P2P-optimised, and dedicated IPs.

Proton VPN's network is smaller at roughly 4,000 servers in 90+ countries, with no dedicated IP option. Proton's own materials concede slower speeds than NordVPN on some locations, though its VPN Accelerator technology cuts the penalty on long-distance routes. On feature depth, we score NordVPN 9.0 and Proton 8.0.

Edge: NordVPN for raw scale and speed.

Privacy & Jurisdiction

This is where Proton VPN earns its reputation. Every app is open source under GPLv3 and independently audited by SEC Consult and Securitum, so the no-logs claim is something you can inspect rather than take on faith — and it has held up in Swiss legal proceedings where Proton had no data to hand over. Switzerland sits outside the EU but holds an adequacy decision, with no mandatory data retention for VPN providers and no Five/Nine/Fourteen Eyes membership.

NordVPN's privacy story is strong but built differently. Its no-logs policy has been audited by Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers, it runs RAM-only servers, and its Lithuanian base places it squarely under GDPR. But the apps are not open source. On EU compliance we score Proton 9.5 to NordVPN's 8.5.

Edge: Proton VPN for verifiable, open-source privacy.

Security Features

Both go well beyond a basic tunnel. NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro blocks malware, ads, and trackers and scans downloaded files — and it works even when you are not connected to a VPN server. Meshnet, NordVPN's private encrypted networking between devices, is a genuinely uncommon feature for remote access and LAN gaming. Onion Over VPN and Dark Web Monitor round out the kit, and the parent company is SOC 2 Type 2 certified.

Proton VPN counters with Secure Core, a multi-hop architecture that routes traffic through Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden before the exit server, so a compromised exit node never sees your real location. NetShield handles ad, tracker, and malware blocking at the DNS level, and Stealth protocol helps in censored networks. Proton lacks dedicated IPs and Meshnet-style device networking.

Edge: NordVPN for breadth; Proton VPN for jurisdiction-aware multi-hop.

Ease of Use & Apps

Both score 8.5 for ease of use, and both ship native apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, plus Android TV and browser extensions. NordVPN adds smart TV and router support and offers email, chat, and phone support, with documentation rated excellent. Its Linux client now has a GUI, though the review notes it still trails the Windows and macOS apps in polish.

Proton VPN covers the same core platforms and adds Chromebook, but its support is email-only and its documentation is rated good rather than excellent. That narrower support footprint shows up in the integration scores: NordVPN 7.5, Proton 6.5. For a household juggling TVs, routers, and live chat, NordVPN is the more accommodating setup.

Edge: NordVPN for platform coverage and support channels.

When to Choose NordVPN

NordVPN suits people who want the most complete VPN available from a European provider. If server count, top-tier speeds, and speciality servers matter — Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, P2P, dedicated IPs — NordVPN leads on every one. Its security bundle (Threat Protection Pro, NordPass, breach monitoring) turns the subscription into something closer to a consumer cybersecurity platform.

It is also the stronger pick for households and remote teams. Smart TV and router support, live chat and phone support, and Meshnet for private device networking all favour multi-device, multi-person setups. The catch is the 10-device ceiling and the introductory long-term pricing that renews higher. There is no free tier to test first, but the 30-day guarantee covers you.

When to Choose Proton VPN

Proton VPN is the right call when verifiable privacy is the priority. Open-source apps, published audits, a no-logs policy tested in court, and Swiss jurisdiction outside the major intelligence alliances give it trust credentials that a closed-source provider cannot match. For journalists, security professionals, and anyone who would rather inspect the code than trust the marketing, it is hard to beat.

It is also the obvious choice if you want to try before you pay, or if you live in the Proton ecosystem. The free tier is genuinely usable for public-Wi-Fi protection and basic privacy, and Proton Unlimited bundles VPN with Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass under one account. The compromises are real: slower on some routes, fewer servers, and no dedicated IP for business use.

The Verdict

Both are strong European VPNs, and the category is better for having them compete. The choice comes down to what you optimise for.

If you want breadth, speed, and features — the biggest server network in the EU, NordLynx performance, Threat Protection, Meshnet, and the widest device and support coverage — NordVPN is the pick. It is the feature leader, and its EU base, triple-audited no-logs policy, and RAM-only servers back it up.

If you want verifiable privacy, Swiss jurisdiction, or a genuinely free tier — and especially if you already use Proton Mail — Proton VPN is the stronger choice. Open-source apps and published audits make its privacy claims checkable rather than promised, and no competitor matches its free plan. You trade some speed and server count for trust you can verify, and for many users that is the trade worth making.