Proton VPN vs NordVPN
Proton VPN for audited open-source transparency and a genuine free tier; NordVPN for multi-tool value as the anchor of the Nord Complete bundle.
Proton VPN and NordVPN occupy different corners of the privacy-conscious VPN market. Proton VPN leads on transparency – open-source code, independently audited no-logs policy, a genuine free tier. NordVPN leads on ecosystem – its primary value case in this cluster is as the anchor of the Nord Security Complete bundle. Head-to-head, the right choice depends on whether you prioritize verifiable auditability or multi-tool bundling.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Proton VPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Servers | 20,000+ servers | See official NordVPN feature list |
| Countries | 140+ countries | See official NordVPN feature list |
| Protocol | WireGuard + OpenVPN + Stealth (obfuscated) | See official NordVPN feature list |
| Open source | Yes – all apps publicly available | No |
| No-logs audit | Independently verified | See official NordVPN feature list |
| Ad/tracker blocking | NetShield (DNS-based, paid) | See official NordVPN feature list |
| Obfuscation | Yes – Stealth protocol | See official NordVPN feature list |
| Kill switch | Yes (all tiers) | See official NordVPN feature list |
| Simultaneous devices | Up to 10 (paid) | See official NordVPN feature list |
| Free tier | Yes – 1 device, 5 countries, no data cap, no ads | No |
| P2P / torrenting | Yes (paid plans) | See official NordVPN feature list |
| Standalone pricing | $2.99/mo (2-yr, billed $71.76), $3.99/mo (1-yr, billed $47.88), $9.99/mo monthly | Basic: $3.09/mo (2-yr, billed $83.43), $4.99/mo (1-yr, billed $58.68); Plus: $3.59/mo (2-yr, billed $96.93), $5.49/mo (1-yr, billed $65.88) |
| Bundle pricing | Included in Proton Unlimited (EUR 9.99/mo annual) | Nord Complete $3.99/mo intro |
Pricing Snapshot
| Proton VPN | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Yes – 1 device, 5 countries, no data cap | No |
| Standalone paid (USD) | $2.99/mo (2-yr, billed $71.76), $3.99/mo (1-yr, billed $47.88), $9.99/mo monthly | Basic: $3.09/mo (2-yr, billed $83.43), $4.99/mo (1-yr, billed $58.68); Plus: $3.59/mo (2-yr, billed $96.93), $5.49/mo (1-yr, billed $65.88) |
| Bundle | Proton Unlimited EUR 9.99/mo annual | Nord Complete $3.99/mo intro |
Best for X / Y / Z
- Best for audited, open-source VPN – Proton VPN: Open-source apps, independently verified no-logs policy, NetShield DNS filtering, Stealth protocol for bypassing blocks, and a free tier with no data cap. If you need a VPN whose claims are publicly verifiable, Proton VPN is the stronger choice.
- Best for Nord Security bundle users – NordVPN via Nord Complete: The Complete bundle pricing ($3.99/mo intro) is listed on the official pricing page and includes six security components beyond the VPN itself. If you’re already evaluating the Nord stack, NordVPN’s standalone comparison is less relevant – the bundle is the use case.
- Best free VPN for evaluation – Proton VPN Free: No data cap, no ads, no card required, 5 countries. The most credible free VPN in this comparison for testing before you commit to a paid plan.
Verdict
Proton VPN has the clearer standalone transparency story: open-source code, audited no-logs, a broad server network, and a usable free tier. NordVPN is strongest in this cluster as part of Nord Complete, where the multi-tool scope makes it a compelling one-bill option. For standalone VPN evaluation, compare the current plans and feature lists on the official Proton VPN and NordVPN pages.
See each tool: Proton VPN | NordVPN
Related: Proton Unlimited | Nord Security bundles | Password manager + VPN bundles
Sources: protonvpn.com/, nordvpn.com/pricing/, and nordvpn.com/blog/nordvpn-bundle-explained/.