NordVPN vs Proton VPN
NordVPN suits individuals who want a paid VPN with specialty servers and bundled security tools; Proton VPN suits people who want an unlimited-data free plan or businesses that need centrally managed VPN access. Both offer personal VPN subscriptions, but Proton sells team plans under the Proton VPN name, while NordVPN directs business buyers to the separately sold NordLayer service.
Last updated November 12, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Team purchasing | NordLayer sold separately | VPN Essentials and VPN Professional; minimum 2 users |
| Business starting price | NordLayer sold separately | VPN Essentials: $6.99/user/month, billed yearly |
| Business access controls | NordLayer sold separately | Private gateways and access policies on VPN Professional |
| Free access | 7-day trial for eligible new users | Free plan: unlimited data; 1 simultaneous device |
| Personal introductory price | Basic: $3.49/month for the first 27 months | VPN Plus: $2.99/month for the first 24 months |
| Personal month-to-month price | Basic: $14.99/month | VPN Plus: $9.99/month |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 per subscription | 1 on Free; 10 on VPN Plus |
| VPN server countries | 167+ | 140+ on VPN Plus |
| Dedicated IP | Included with Complete Max | Business dedicated servers and IPs on VPN Professional |
| Privacy and app code | Audited no-logs policy; open-source Linux app | Audited no-logs policy; open-source apps |
| Distinctive extras | Double VPN; obfuscated servers; 1 TB storage with Complete | Secure Core; Stealth; premium Mail, Drive and Pass with Proton Unlimited |
| Desktop and mobile apps | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose NordVPN if
- Individuals seeking Double VPN or obfuscated servers
- Buyers who want VPN and security tools in one subscription
- People who want 1 TB of cloud storage with Complete
Choose Proton VPN if
- Individuals seeking a free VPN with unlimited data
- Teams needing centrally managed VPN seats
- Organizations needing private gateways and access policies
- Buyers who prefer open-source VPN apps
The verdict
Pick NordVPN for a personal subscription if Double VPN, obfuscated servers, or the security and storage tools in its higher tiers match what you need. Pick Proton VPN if you want to start with a free plan, prefer open-source apps, or need to buy VPN seats with team access controls. Compare the introductory term and renewal terms before committing to either paid plan.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: common questions
- Does either VPN have a free personal plan?
- Proton VPN has a free plan with unlimited data and one simultaneous device. NordVPN offers an eligible-new-user trial in supported countries, but not a permanent free personal plan.
- Which costs less on a monthly personal plan?
- Proton VPN Plus is $9.99 on a month-to-month subscription, compared with $14.99 for NordVPN Basic. These are different tiers with different included features.
- How do the introductory personal prices compare?
- NordVPN Basic is $3.49 per month for the first 27 months, billed upfront at $94.23. Proton VPN Plus is $2.99 per month for the first 24 months, billed upfront at $71.76. Renewal prices differ from introductory prices.
- Can I use one subscription on several devices?
- NordVPN supports 10 simultaneous devices per subscription. Proton VPN supports one device on its Free plan and 10 on VPN Plus.
- Which one can a company buy for a managed team?
- Proton VPN sells business plans by user, starting with VPN Essentials at a two-user minimum. NordVPN directs buyers seeking managed business VPN access to NordLayer, a separately sold product.
- Do either offer dedicated IP addresses?
- NordVPN includes a dedicated IP with Complete Max. Proton VPN offers dedicated servers and IPs with its VPN Professional business plan; the business pricing page lists an additional per-IP charge.
- What are the main privacy differences?
- Both NordVPN and Proton VPN publish independently reviewed no-logs claims. Proton VPN makes its apps open source; NordVPN publishes the source code for its Linux app.
- Can either help on networks that block VPN traffic?
- NordVPN offers obfuscated servers and the NordWhisper protocol for restrictive networks. Proton VPN offers its Stealth protocol, including on its free plan. Neither guarantees access on every restricted network.
