Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
FastestVPN vs NordVPN
NordVPN takes it by 36 points, 84.0 against 48.0. That margin is worth reading past — FastestVPN wins 0 of the seven criteria outright.
FastestVPN
48.0Priced below everything else here, and documented below everything else here. Those two facts are related.
- From
- $1.11/mo
- Based in
- Cayman Islands
- Devices
- 15
- Audits
- None published
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change FastestVPN’s score.
NordVPN
84.0The most complete all-round package here, provided you accept closed-source clients and a renewal price well above the introductory rate.
- From
- $3.39/mo
- Based in
- Panama
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change NordVPN’s score.
Criterion by criterion
FastestVPN wins 0, NordVPN wins 5, 2 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | FastestVPN | NordVPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 0/10 (0.0) | 9/10 (18.0) | NordVPN |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 7/10 (10.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | NordVPN |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 8/10 (12.0) | 8/10 (12.0) | Tied |
| Leak protection | 15 | 5/10 (7.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | NordVPN |
| Transparency | 15 | 2/10 (3.0) | 6/10 (9.0) | NordVPN |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 8/10 (8.0) | 8/10 (8.0) | Tied |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 7/10 (7.0) | 10/10 (10.0) | NordVPN |
| Total | 100 | 48.0 | 84.0 | NordVPN |
Where each one actually wins
FastestVPN is ahead on
Nothing. FastestVPN does not lead on any of the seven criteria.
NordVPN is ahead on
- Independent audit. Deloitte re-audited the no-logs claim in 2023 and Cure53 audited the applications; both reports are public.
- Jurisdiction and ownership. Incorporated in Panama, outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement, with disclosed parent ownership under Nord Security.
- Leak protection. Kill switch on all desktop and mobile apps, with DNS resolved inside the tunnel and RAM-only server infrastructure.
- Transparency. Clients are closed source and signup requires an email, offset by a published transparency report and warrant canary.
- Platform coverage. Native apps across desktop, mobile, Apple TV, Android TV and routers, with 10 simultaneous connections.
Choose FastestVPN if
Readers whose only constraint is the lowest possible headline price.
Choose NordVPN if
Readers who want one subscription to cover a household of mixed devices.
Reasons to pick neither
Skip FastestVPN if: You need evidence rather than assurances. With no audit and no transparency reporting, every privacy claim here rests on the company’s own word.
Skip NordVPN if: You need open-source clients or want to pay month to month. At $12.99 monthly it is one of the most expensive short-term options here.
Questions
- Is FastestVPN or NordVPN better?
- NordVPN scores higher overall, 84.0 against 48.0, a gap of 36 points out of 100. The most complete all-round package here, provided you accept closed-source clients and a renewal price well above the introductory rate.
- Which is cheaper, FastestVPN or NordVPN?
- FastestVPN, at $1.11/mo against $3.39/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- NordVPN. FastestVPN has published no independent audit at all.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. FastestVPN operates from Cayman Islands and NordVPN from Panama. Both sit in the same position relative to the Fourteen Eyes agreement.
Related comparisons
Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.