NordVPN vs Proton VPN: built-in threat protection and Meshnet, or a free plan and open-source apps
By Jean Luc Poitier, SEO and growth marketing strategist · NordVPN Reviews · Updated October 1, 2026
NordVPN suits people who want one app that also blocks malware and scams, free Meshnet, RAM-only servers, specialty servers, and a dedicated IP option. It holds a PCMag Editors' Choice, and CNET rates it the fastest VPN.
Proton VPN is the better pick if you want a free plan with no data cap, open-source apps, or port forwarding, or if you prefer a company owned by a non-profit. It renews for less, and PCMag gives it a perfect 5.0.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN at a glance
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | None (7-day trial on Prime in some countries) | Yes: 1 device, no data cap, server country chosen for you |
| Entry plan, 2 years | Basic: $3.49/mo, $94.23 for 27 months | VPN Plus: $3.49/mo, $83.76 for 24 months |
| Entry plan renewal | $139.08/yr | $83.88/yr |
| Month to month | $14.99 | $9.99 ($1 first-month offer shown) |
| Top tier, 2 years | Prime: $202.23 for 27 months | Proton Unlimited: $191.76 for 24 months (Mail, Drive, Pass included) |
| Refund | 30 days | 30 days; not for cash or bank transfers |
| Devices | 10 | 10 (1 on Free) |
| Servers | 7,300+ in 150 countries | 20,000+ in 140+ countries |
| Servers run from | RAM only | Bare metal with full-disk encryption |
| No-logs audits | Six (PwC 2018, 2020; Deloitte 2022 to 2025) | Five (Securitum, 2022 to 2026) |
| Open-source apps | Linux app | All apps |
| Extras | Malware scanner (Complete), Meshnet, dedicated IP, Onion Over VPN | NetShield ad blocking, Secure Core, Tor over VPN, port forwarding |
| Company | Nord Security (Lithuania); sold from Panama | Proton AG, Geneva; majority owner the Proton Foundation |
| PCMag | Editors' Choice, 4.5 (Apr 2026) | Editors' Choice, 5.0 (Nov 2025) |
| CNET best VPN list (Sep 2026) | Fastest VPN, 8.8 | Most versatile VPN, 8.4 |
| App Store (US) | 4.7 from 705,387 ratings | 4.6 from 113,481 ratings |
| Google Play (US) | 4.6 from 1,356,673 ratings | 4.7 from 1,354,950 ratings |
| Trustpilot, unprompted | 2.8 (19 recent reviews) | 2.0 (99 recent reviews) |
Figures checked against each company's published pages and review-platform listings as of 2026-10-01. “Not published” means the company does not publish that figure.
Free plan and price
Proton VPN is one of the few paid VPNs with a real free tier: no card, no data cap, one device, and a server chosen for you. NordVPN has no free plan. On 2-year plans both start at $3.49 a month; Proton VPN Plus bills $83.76 for 24 months and renews at $83.88 a year, while NordVPN Basic bills $94.23 for 27 months and renews at $139.08. Proton is also cheaper month to month ($9.99 vs $14.99).
Protection beyond the VPN
NordVPN's Complete plan adds a malware scanner for downloads and an ad and tracker blocker on desktop, and AV-Comparatives certified its anti-phishing protection in June 2026. Every plan includes free Meshnet and specialty servers, and you can add a dedicated IP. Proton VPN's paid plans block ads and malicious domains through NetShield, route through hardened Secure Core servers, support Tor over VPN, and allow port forwarding; dedicated IPs are for business plans only.
Privacy and ownership
Both have been audited repeatedly: NordVPN by PwC and Deloitte six times since 2018, Proton VPN by Securitum every year since 2022. NordVPN runs every server from RAM; Proton uses bare-metal servers with full-disk encryption and publishes all its app code. Proton AG is based in Geneva and majority-owned by the non-profit Proton Foundation; NordVPN belongs to Nord Security.
What NordVPN and Proton VPN reviewers say
On the app stores the two are close: NordVPN leads on the App Store (4.7 vs 4.6) and Proton on Google Play (4.7 vs 4.6). Proton doesn't invite Trustpilot reviews, so nearly all of its recent reviews are unprompted, averaging 2.0 from 99. NordVPN's recent unprompted reviews averaged 2.8, from a smaller sample of 19.
“This is the best free VPN I've ever used.”B Nikrav, Trustpilot, September 2026 (Proton VPN)
“Useless, many websites detect Proton and block it.”Luce Van der Whaal, Trustpilot, July 2026 (Proton VPN)
“Works very well with Linux and Android. Exactly what you expect your VPN to be.”Marta, Trustpilot, September 2026 (NordVPN)
More: every NordVPN review we track and the best Proton VPN alternatives.
Where Proton VPN wins
- A free plan with no data cap and no card required
- Lower renewal and monthly prices ($83.88 a year and $9.99 a month for VPN Plus)
- Fully open-source apps and no-logs audits published every year
- Port forwarding, Tor over VPN, and Secure Core routing on paid plans
- PCMag's only 5.0 VPN score, and majority ownership by a non-profit foundation
NordVPN vs Proton VPN FAQ
Is NordVPN or Proton VPN cheaper?+
On 2-year plans they start at the same $3.49 a month: Proton VPN Plus is $83.76 for 24 months, NordVPN Basic $94.23 for 27 months. Proton renews for less ($83.88 a year vs $139.08). Proton also has a free plan; NordVPN doesn't.
Is Proton VPN's free plan any good?+
It has no data cap and needs no card, but it covers 1 device, picks the server country for you, runs at medium speed, and doesn't guarantee streaming.
Which is more private, NordVPN or Proton VPN?+
Both have had their no-logs policies audited many times: NordVPN six times by PwC and Deloitte, Proton five times by Securitum. Proton's apps are open source and it is majority-owned by a Swiss non-profit foundation; NordVPN runs RAM-only servers.
Which is better for streaming, NordVPN or Proton VPN?+
Both support streaming on paid plans. Many NordVPN reviewers use it to watch home TV abroad. Proton guarantees streaming only on its paid plans.