Proton VPN and NordVPN are both Gold-tier VPNs with court-verified or audited no-log policies — but they're built for different buyers. NordVPN wins on speed, server count, and extra features. Proton VPN wins on verified privacy jurisdiction, open-source transparency, and a legitimate free plan. This comparison cuts through the marketing claims to tell you which one is right for you.
Option A
Swiss-based, open-source VPN with a verified no-logs policy and a free plan that's actually usable
| Feature | Proton VPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ✓$0/month (free plan, no limits) | $3.39/month (2-year plan) |
| Privacy Jurisdiction | ✓Switzerland — outside EU and US surveillance reach; Swiss law is among world's strongest | Panama — outside 5/9/14 Eyes; strong privacy jurisdiction but not Swiss-level legislation |
| No-Log Verification | Court-verified — Swiss authorities confirmed Proton held no data to produce | ≈5 independent audits by Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and others |
| Connection Speed | Fast — WireGuard protocol; free servers occasionally congested | ✓Fastest in category — NordLynx (WireGuard-based) maintains 85-95% of base speed |
| Server Network | 5,600+ servers in 91 countries (paid); 5 countries on free plan | ✓8,000+ servers in 111 countries — largest premium VPN network |
| Open Source | ✓All apps fully open source and independently audited — anyone can inspect the code | Proprietary apps, but audited by independent security firms |
| Extra Features | Secure Core (double-hop), Tor over VPN, NetShield, split tunneling | ✓Threat Protection (ad/malware blocker), Double VPN, Meshnet, dedicated IP |
| Device Limit | 10 simultaneous connections (Plus plan) | ≈10 simultaneous connections |
| Value Bundle | Proton Unlimited ($7.99/month) adds Mail, 500GB Drive, Calendar — complete privacy suite | ≈Complete plan adds NordPass and 1TB NordLocker storage |
For most users who want the fastest, most feature-rich premium VPN, NordVPN's 2-year plan at $3.39/month is the recommendation. For users who prioritize verified privacy jurisdiction (Swiss law vs. Panama law), open-source code they can audit, or who want a legitimate free VPN with no speed limits — Proton VPN is the better choice. Both are Gold tier. The decision comes down to what you value most.
