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Head to head
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Which should you choose?
In the NordVPN vs Proton VPN choice, Proton VPN wins for most readers on the published facts, with a free plan, lower one-year and monthly prices, a smaller renewal rise and public no-logs audit reports. NordVPN is the better fit if you want to see prices in pounds, pay with PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay or cryptocurrency, or get a password manager and antivirus in the same subscription.
Published . Last updated .
NordVPN
Best for Streamers and travellers happy to commit to a one- or two-year plan
Choose NordVPN if you want:
- Covers up to 10 devices at once on every plan
- No-logs policy checked by an outside audit firm six times
- Independent tests report very small download and upload speed losses
Starts at $3.49/mo, renews at $3.49/mo
Proton VPN
Best for Privacy-minded users who want a free plan or open-source apps
Choose Proton VPN if you want:
- Free plan with no data limits and no ads
- No-logs policy audited five years running, with reports published
- Open-source apps that anyone can inspect
Starts at $0/mo, renews at $0/mo
Every number
Side by side
Prices checked on . The better value in a row is marked.
| NordVPN | What we compared | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| $3.49/mo | Starts at | $0/moBetter |
| $3.49/mo | Renews at | $0/moBetter |
| 30 days | Refund period | 30 days |
| Better3 days | Free trial | None |
| 10 | Devices at once | 10 |
| Better150 | Countries | 149 |
| 7117 | Servers | 20799Better |
| Deloitte Lithuania, sixth assurance engagement, Nov to Dec 2025 | Independent no-logs audit | Securitum, fifth annual audit, 2026 report published |
| Yes | Kill switch | Yes |
| Not tested yet | Our score, out of 5 | Not tested yet |
The verdict, in parts
Round by round
Price
On the two-year plans the entry prices are level in US dollars, but Proton VPN Plus costs less than NordVPN Basic on the one-year and monthly plans. NordVPN's one-year plans renew at 111% to 196% more, while Proton VPN Plus on a one-year plan renews at 56% more, and Proton also has a free plan. UK readers should note that NordVPN shows prices in pounds, while Proton's pricing page shows only US dollars, euros and Swiss francs.
Winner Proton VPN
Privacy and audits
Both keep a no-logs policy checked by outside firms: NordVPN by Deloitte Lithuania in its sixth assurance engagement (November to December 2025), and Proton VPN by Securitum in its fifth annual audit, with the 2026 report published. NordVPN has the longer audit record, but its full report is only readable after you log in. Proton's reports are public and its apps are open source, so anyone can check them.
Winner Proton VPN
Servers and India
NordVPN lists servers in 150 countries and Proton VPN in 149 on paid plans, while Proton lists 20,799 servers against NordVPN's 7,117. Neither has physical servers in India: NordVPN's India location has been virtual since June 2022, and Proton's India IP addresses come from servers in Singapore. With one more country for NordVPN, more servers for Proton and the same India setup, we call this level.
Winner A draw
Plans and refunds
Both cover 10 devices at once on paid plans, both include a kill switch and both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee (for NordVPN, on plans bought on its website). NordVPN has no free plan and its free trial is Android only and lasts three days. Proton VPN Free has no data limits and no ads, though it allows 1 device and servers in 10 randomly selected countries.
Winner Proton VPN
Questions people ask
Is Proton VPN better than NordVPN?
On published plans, prices and refund terms, Proton VPN comes out ahead for most people, thanks to its free plan, lower one-year and monthly prices and public audit reports. NordVPN is the stronger pick if you want more payment options or extra security tools in one subscription. We have not tested either service ourselves.
Is Proton VPN free?
Yes, Proton VPN has a free plan with no data limits and no ads. It allows 1 device at a time and servers in 10 randomly selected countries. Paid plans raise that to 10 devices and 149 countries.
Does NordVPN have a free trial or free plan?
NordVPN has no free plan. Its free trial lasts three days and is available on Android only. Every plan bought on its website comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee instead.
Do NordVPN and Proton VPN have servers in India?
Neither has physical servers in India. NordVPN's India location has been virtual since June 2022, and Proton VPN's India IP addresses come from servers in Singapore. Both still let you appear to be in India.
Do NordVPN and Proton VPN keep logs?
Both say they keep no logs, and both have had that checked by outside firms. NordVPN's policy has been checked six times by Deloitte Lithuania, most recently from November to December 2025, while Proton VPN has had five annual audits by Securitum with the 2026 report published. Proton's reports are public, while NordVPN's full report needs a login.
Can I get a refund from NordVPN or Proton VPN?
Yes, both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Proton's applies to all subscriptions, and NordVPN's applies to plans bought on its own website.
Our verdict
Proton VPN takes three of four rounds on the published facts, with lower one-year and monthly prices, a gentler renewal rise, a free plan and public audit reports. Choose NordVPN if you want prices shown in pounds, more ways to pay, or a Complete plan that adds a password manager, antivirus and cloud storage, and you are happy to lock in a two-year term to avoid steep renewals. Choose Proton VPN if privacy and transparency matter most, if you want to start free, or if you want Proton Mail, Drive, Pass and Calendar in one Proton Unlimited subscription. Readers in India get a virtual or Singapore-based India location with either, so neither has the edge there.