Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
NordVPN vs Proton VPN
Proton VPN takes it by 6 points, 90.0 against 84.0. That margin is worth reading past — NordVPN wins 2 of the seven criteria outright.
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
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Proton VPN
90.0The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- From
- $4.49/mo
- Based in
- Switzerland
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change Proton VPN’s score.
Criterion by criterion
NordVPN wins 2, Proton VPN wins 3, 2 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | NordVPN | Proton VPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 9/10 (18.0) | 10/10 (20.0) | Proton VPN |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 8/10 (12.0) | 9/10 (13.5) | Proton VPN |
| Leak protection | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Transparency | 15 | 6/10 (9.0) | 9/10 (13.5) | Proton VPN |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 8/10 (8.0) | 7/10 (7.0) | NordVPN |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 10/10 (10.0) | 9/10 (9.0) | NordVPN |
| Total | 100 | 84.0 | 90.0 | Proton VPN |
Where each one actually wins
NordVPN is ahead on
- Price and refund terms. Effective $3.39/month on a 2-year term with a full 30-day refund, but the monthly rate is $12.99 and renewals price higher than the intro term.
- Platform coverage. Native apps across desktop, mobile, Apple TV, Android TV and routers, with 10 simultaneous connections.
Proton VPN is ahead on
- Independent audit. Both the no-logs policy and the apps on every platform were audited by Securitum with public reports.
- Protocol and crypto stack. WireGuard and OpenVPN both shipped, plus a Stealth obfuscation mode for restrictive networks.
- Transparency. Every client is open source with published audit reports; signup still requires an email address.
Choose NordVPN if
Readers who want one subscription to cover a household of mixed devices.
Choose Proton VPN if
Readers who want auditable software and a free option to test before paying.
Reasons to pick neither
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.
Skip Proton VPN if: You want the cheapest possible long-term plan. Proton is priced as a security product, and the 2-year rate is still above the budget tier.
Questions
- Is NordVPN or Proton VPN better?
- Proton VPN scores higher overall, 90.0 against 84.0, a gap of 6 points out of 100. The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- Which is cheaper, NordVPN or Proton VPN?
- NordVPN, at $3.39/mo against $4.49/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- Proton VPN, most recently in 2024 against NordVPN’s 2023.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. NordVPN operates from Panama and Proton VPN from Switzerland. 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.