Quick summary: who wins?
| Criterion | NordVPN | Proton VPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 9.3/10 | 8.8/10 | NordVPN |
| Security / privacy | 9.5/10 | 9.9/10 | Proton VPN |
| Streaming | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | NordVPN |
| Price | 9.0/10 | 8.4/10 | NordVPN |
| Free plan | None | Unlimited | Proton VPN |
| Open source | Partial | Full | Proton VPN |
| Servers | 6,000+ | 20,000+* | Tie |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Switzerland | Tie |
| Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | Tie |
*Proton advertises a very large server count on paid plans; NordVPN remains the reference on measured speed.
In short
NordVPN and Proton VPN are two of the best VPNs around, but they don’t chase the same priority. NordVPN is the performance all-rounder: fastest, best for streaming, slightly cheaper. Proton VPN is the privacy champion: fully open source, Swiss jurisdiction, and the only one with a genuinely usable free plan.
Speed and performance
NordVPN keeps the edge thanks to NordLynx, its optimized WireGuard build: minimal speed loss even on distant servers, which matters for 4K and downloads. Proton VPN has improved a lot since WireGuard but stays slightly behind over long distances. For daily use (browsing, HD streaming, video calls), the difference is imperceptible.
Winner: NordVPN.
Security and privacy
This is Proton VPN’s home turf.
- 100% open-source apps (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS) and public audits: anyone can verify the code
- Swiss jurisdiction, outside 5/9/14 Eyes, with a law banning proactive data retention
- Secure Core (double VPN through high-protection countries), Tor over VPN, NetShield
NordVPN is no slouch technically (AES-256, 100% RAM servers, PwC/Deloitte audits, Threat Protection, Panama jurisdiction), but its apps aren’t fully open source. For a journalist, activist or “privacy first” profile, Proton VPN takes the edge.
Winner: Proton VPN.
Streaming
Both unblock the major catalogues (Netflix US/UK/Japan, Disney+, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer). NordVPN is more consistent thanks to optimized servers: it works first try. Proton VPN gets there on its Plus plan, but sometimes needs 2-3 server tries. For friction-free streaming, NordVPN ahead.
Winner: NordVPN.
Price and free plan
- NordVPN: from about €3.09/month on 2 years, 10 devices. No free plan, but 30-day refund (see our NordVPN free trial guide).
- Proton VPN: VPN Plus from about €4.49/month on 2 years, and above all a unique unlimited free plan (see our Proton VPN Free review).
NordVPN wins on pure paid pricing; Proton wins if the free plan is enough or if you adopt the Proton ecosystem (Unlimited bundle with Mail and Drive).
Winner: NordVPN on price, Proton on flexibility.
Which should you choose?
Choose NordVPN if…
- You want maximum speed and 4K streaming without hunting for a server.
- You prioritize the best performance/price on a paid plan.
- You want a versatile service that excels everywhere.
Get NordVPN at the best price →
Choose Proton VPN if…
- Privacy is your number one priority (open source, Switzerland, audits).
- You want to test for free with no time limit before paying.
- You already use (or plan to use) Proton Mail / Drive: the Unlimited bundle becomes very cost-effective.
Bottom line
A close match between two excellent VPNs. NordVPN wins on raw performance (speed, streaming, paid price); Proton VPN wins on privacy and offers the only genuinely usable free plan. Neither will let you down: use the 30-day guarantees to decide in real conditions, or start with Proton’s free plan to get a feel without paying anything.