2026

Proton VPN vs NordVPN

Proton VPN and NordVPN compared side by side: protection, performance, pricing, and features. Which antivirus suits you better?

Proton VPN

8.7

/ 10

Proton VPN comes from the team behind ProtonMail and is based in Switzerland – under the protection of strict Swiss privacy laws. The software is fully open source and independently audited. Proton VPN offers Secure Core servers that route traffic through multiple countries, and a strong free tier with no data limit. Ideal for users who prioritize maximum transparency and privacy.

1st Year PriceCHF 79.90 RenewalCHF 79.90 PlatformsWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad

Protection 9.7

Performance 8.8

Best for 8.7

First-year price 8.0

Key features 8.8

Support 8.0

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NordVPN

9.1

/ 10

NordVPN is one of the most recognized VPN providers worldwide, offering over 6,000 servers in 111 countries. The software delivers high speeds via the NordLynx protocol, strict no-logs policy, and advanced features like Double VPN and Threat Protection. Particularly suited for streaming, gaming, and privacy-conscious users. The 2-year plan offers the best monthly rate.

1st Year PriceCHF 71.90 RenewalCHF 142.90 PlatformsWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad

Protection 9.6

Performance 9.3

Best for 9.1

First-year price 8.5

Key features 9.5

Support 8.8

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Our Verdict

NordVPN narrowly wins – Proton VPN is the leaner choice.

NordVPN scores 9.1 / 10 overall and is the stronger pick on protection and feature scope. If you value maximum performance, low resource use and lower renewal costs, Proton VPN is the better fit. Both are excellent options for Swiss users.

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Our verdict

NordVPN takes a slight lead in our comparison with an overall score of 9.1 out of 10 – an advantage of 0.4 points over Proton VPN. The gap is small but consistent across multiple test dimensions.

On price, Proton VPN currently sits at CHF 80 in year one, NordVPN at CHF 72. Watch the renewal price closely: both are transparently listed in the table above and matter more long-term than the introductory price.

Strength profiles: Proton VPN scores highest on protection, NordVPN on protection. If you care most about one of those dimensions, the choice is clear. For all-round needs, either product is a safe pick.

Feature-by-feature comparison

Criterion	Proton VPN	NordVPN
Real-time protection	Yes	Yes
Built-in VPN	No	No
Password manager	No	No
Anti-tracking / anti-phishing	No	No
Parental controls	No	No
Identity protection	No	No
Low system impact	No	No
Platforms	Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad	Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad
Number of devices (standard licence)	10	10
System impact in daily use	Moderate	Very low

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Frequently asked questions about Proton VPN vs NordVPN

Which scores higher on protection, Proton VPN or NordVPN?

Both reach top scores in AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives – the differences are small. The exact scores are in the comparison table above.

Which is cheaper in year 1 and on renewal – Proton VPN or NordVPN?

Look at the price columns above: year-one price and renewal price are stated transparently side by side. The renewal delta is often the bigger cost factor over 3 years.

Which is better for families, Proton VPN or NordVPN?

Both offer family plans for 5–10 devices. What matters: does the product have a dedicated parental-controls mode, screen-time management and a smooth setup. Details in the feature table.

Do I get better Mac/mobile support with Proton VPN or NordVPN?

Platform support is listed in the comparison above. Generally: macOS performance is best with Bitdefender and Intego; Android protection is most mature with Bitdefender, Norton and Kaspersky.