NordVPN vs Proton VPN
Nord wins on polished extras and labeled P2P servers. Proton wins on free tier, Swiss privacy brand and torrent port forwarding.
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Quick answer
Choose NordVPN (from $3.49/mo) if you want Threat Protection, you like Nord’s app UX or you don’t need port forwarding. Choose Proton VPN if you want a free plan, you need P2P port forwarding or you prefer Proton’s privacy story.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check NordVPN pricing (opens in a new tab)Check Proton VPN pricing (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest long intro | Basic ~$3.49/mo (27 mo class) | Paid Plus intros vary; free tier exists |
| Free plan | No | Yes (limited) |
| Devices | 10 | Varies by plan |
| Audits | Deloitte no-logs | Published transparency / open-source clients |
| P2P | Labeled P2P servers | Dedicated P2P servers (paid) |
For P2P specifics see best VPN for torrenting; for Nord vs Express see ExpressVPN vs NordVPN.
Choose NordVPN for Threat Protection, a huge location footprint and beginner-friendly apps with clear P2P server labels. Choose Proton VPN if you want a credible free tier, Swiss privacy branding, dedicated P2P servers and port forwarding on paid plans.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN: side-by-side
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest long intro | Basic ~$3.49/mo (27 mo class) | Paid Plus intros vary; free tier exists |
| Free plan | No | Yes (limited) |
| Devices | 10 | Varies by plan |
| Audits | Deloitte no-logs | Published transparency / open-source clients |
| P2P | Labeled P2P servers | Dedicated P2P servers (paid) |
| Port forwarding | No | Yes on paid P2P servers |
| Standout | Threat Protection bundle | Privacy + free tier |
How much do they cost?
NordVPN plans
| Plan | Notes |
|---|---|
| Basic | Long intro ~$3.49/mo; renewal higher |
| Complete / Prime | Password manager / identity extras |
Proton VPN plans
| Plan | Notes |
|---|---|
| Free | Limited speed/servers; real free tier |
| Plus & above | P2P + port forwarding features |
What are the pros and cons?
NordVPN: pros
- Polished apps
- Threat Protection
- Clear P2P labels
NordVPN: cons
- No true free plan
- No port forwarding
- Renewals jump
Proton VPN: pros
- Free tier
- Port forwarding for P2P
- Privacy-focused brand
Proton VPN: cons
- Paid pricing less “flash sale” theatrical
- Feature discovery can be nerdy
Which should you choose: NordVPN or Proton VPN?
Pick Nord for mainstream VPN extras. Pick Proton when free access, Switzerland branding or torrent port forwarding matter. Mullvad remains the anonymity ritual alternative on our torrenting guide.
Choose NordVPN if…
- You want Threat Protection
- You like Nord’s app UX
- You don’t need port forwarding
Choose Proton VPN if…
- You want a free plan
- You need P2P port forwarding
- You prefer Proton’s privacy story
Frequently asked questions
Is Proton VPN free good enough?
Which is better for torrenting?
Does Nord keep logs?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- NordVPN pricing (nordvpn.com)
- Proton VPN pricing (protonvpn.com)
- Proton P2P servers (protonvpn.com)
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