NordVPN vs ProtonVPN
A detailed head-to-head comparison of NordVPN and ProtonVPN based on our 100-point scoring system.
Winner
NordVPN
NordVPN Premium VPN Service
93/100
Excellent4.6
84,213 reviews
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN Plus Service
85/100
Very Good4.5
8,934 reviews
Side-by-Side Comparison
Metric
NordVPN
ProtonVPN
Overall Score
93/100
85/100
Price
$48.00
$120.00
Customer Rating
4.6/5
4.5/5
Review Count
84,213
8,934
Best For
Best for Security & Value
Best for Privacy Purists
About Page
Yes
Yes
Contact Info
Yes
Yes
NordVPN — Score Breakdown
Privacy & Security25/25
Speed & Performance18/20
Server Network14/15
Price & Value14/15
Ease of Use9/10
Customer Support5/5
Streaming & Unblocking8/10
ProtonVPN — Score Breakdown
Privacy & Security24/25
Speed & Performance15/20
Server Network13/15
Price & Value11/15
Ease of Use8/10
Customer Support4/5
Streaming & Unblocking10/10
Pros & Cons
NordVPN
Highest overall score in TrustBrand's VPN category (93/100), reflecting genuine leadership across privacy, server network, and value.
NordLynx protocol delivers WireGuard-level speeds with an added IP obfuscation layer — consistently among the fastest commercial VPN options tested.
At $3.99/month on a two-year plan, NordVPN offers near-premium security depth at a price point well below ExpressVPN.
The two-year commitment required to reach the $3.99/month price is a significant upfront payment — monthly billing costs considerably more.
The 2018 server breach (a single server in Finland was accessed without authorization) remains a historical incident that privacy-focused users should be aware of, even though no user data was exposed.
The app interface, while improved, can feel more complex than ExpressVPN for new users unfamiliar with features like Double VPN and Onion over VPN.
ProtonVPN
Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and Secure Core architecture provide the strongest combined privacy foundation of any commercial VPN in our rankings.
Genuine unlimited free tier with no data caps — a uniquely credible entry point that lets users evaluate the full service quality before committing to a paid plan.
7,600+ servers in 110 countries is the largest server count among our top five VPNs, though this is partly because Proton counts virtual servers differently from some competitors.
At $9.99/month or roughly $5.99/month on an annual plan, ProtonVPN Plus is priced at or above ExpressVPN depending on the billing term, which is difficult to justify on speed or feature breadth alone.
Speed performance is behind NordVPN and ExpressVPN in independent testing — WireGuard implementation delivers good results but does not match NordLynx or Lightspeed for high-bandwidth use cases.
The interface, while functional, has a steeper learning curve than ExpressVPN or Surfshark — features like Secure Core require understanding the multi-hop routing model to use effectively.
Our Verdict
NordVPN comes out ahead with a score of 93/100 compared to 85/100. NordVPN is best for best for security & value. However, ProtonVPN may be a better fit if you prioritize best for privacy purists.
VPN services do not guarantee complete anonymity. Effectiveness depends on the provider's infrastructure and policies. Always review the provider's privacy policy and applicable laws in your jurisdiction.