NordVPN and Proton VPN differ primarily in their usage model. NordVPN is built around a paid subscription, although new Android users get a 3-day trial via Google Play. Proton VPN offers a permanent Free plan with no data limit, but with a single connection and a limited choice of countries.
On paid plans, Proton VPN Plus offers significantly more servers, while NordVPN offers a wide choice of locations and its own connection modes. Proton VPN also stands out for its open-source apps and infrastructure transparency.
NordVPN and Proton VPN by the numbers
| Parameter | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Basic — $14.99/mo; from $3.49/mo for 2 years | Free — $0; VPN Plus — $9.99/mo |
| Free / trial access | 3 days on Android via Google Play | permanent Free with no data limit |
| Network | 8400+ servers, 224 locations | Plus — 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries; Free — servers in 10 countries |
| Connections | Up to 10 | Free — 1; Plus — up to 10 |
| Protocols | NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec | WireGuard, Stealth, Smart Protocol; others depend on the platform |
| Features | Double VPN, Meshnet, obfuscated servers, and more | Secure Core, NetShield, VPN Accelerator, and more |
The data and prices were verified in September 2026 against the official NordVPN and Proton VPN websites and may change.
NordVPN Basic currently costs from $3.49 per month on a long-term offer, while Proton VPN Plus is $9.99 with monthly billing.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: free access
NordVPN has no permanent Free plan. New Android users get a 3-day trial via Google Play, and purchases come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton VPN Free can be used permanently with no data limit. The plan supports one simultaneous connection and free servers in 10 countries.
For permanent free use, the advantage goes to Proton VPN. When choosing a paid subscription, it's more important to compare the network, features, and cost of NordVPN and Proton VPN Plus.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: servers and locations
Proton VPN Plus claims 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. NordVPN has 8400+ servers and 224 available locations. The figures aren't directly comparable: one service publishes a number of countries, while the other also uses a separate locations metric.
By number of servers, the advantage goes to Proton VPN. For a practical choice, what matters more is whether the country or city you need is available: network size alone doesn't show which VPN will be faster in specific conditions.
In terms of features, NordVPN offers NordWhisper, Meshnet, Double VPN, and obfuscated servers, while Proton VPN offers Secure Core, NetShield, VPN Accelerator, and Stealth.
NordVPN and Proton VPN: privacy and no-logs
Both services claim no-logs and confirm this policy with independent audits. In 2025 NordVPN passed its sixth no-logs audit, conducted by Deloitte, and in 2026 Proton VPN passed its fifth annual audit by Securitum.
NordVPN uses RAM-only servers. Proton VPN applies full encryption of server disks, and its apps are open source.
So comparing the level of privacy by a single technology alone is misleading: the services use different approaches.
Which to choose: NordVPN or Proton VPN?
NordVPN is worth considering if a wide choice of locations, NordWhisper, Meshnet, and specialized server modes matter to you.
Proton VPN is a good fit if you need a permanent Free plan, open-source apps, Secure Core, or a larger server network on Plus.
Need an alternative to NordVPN or Proton VPN?
NordVPN has no permanent Free plan, and Proton Free is limited to one connection and free servers in 10 countries. If you want to try a full-featured VPN before paying, you can consider VolnaLink.
VolnaLink provides 8 hours of full access with no bank card, locations in 100+ countries, and apps for the main platforms. In that time you can choose the country you need yourself, test the VPN with your usual sites and apps, and only then decide whether you want a subscription.
See also: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN · Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN · NordVPN vs CyberGhost · NordVPN vs Surfshark · Surfshark vs ExpressVPN · Surfshark vs Proton VPN · Surfshark vs CyberGhost · Proton VPN vs Mullvad