Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Server count | 6,300+ in 111 countries | 9,700+ in 112+ countries |
| Price (annual plan) | ~$3.99/mo (2-year) | ~$4.99/mo |
| Price (monthly) | ~$12.99/mo | ~$9.99/mo |
| Free tier | No | Yes (3 servers, unlimited data) |
| Protocols | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Switzerland |
| Open source | No | Yes (all apps on GitHub) |
| No-logs audit | Deloitte (multiple) | SEC Consult (2022) |
| Simultaneous devices | 6 | 10 |
| Tor over VPN | Onion over VPN servers | Stealth servers + built-in Tor routing |
| Email integration | No | Proton ecosystem (ProtonMail, ProtonDrive, ProtonCalendar) |
| Streaming (Netflix US) | Reliable | Reliable (Plus plan required) |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
Our Picks
- Reliable Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ unblocking
- NordLynx (WireGuard) for fast speeds
- Threat Protection: ad + malware blocking
- 6,300+ servers in 111 countries
- Deloitte-audited no-logs
- Closed-source apps
- 6 device limit
- Panama jurisdiction (some prefer Switzerland)
- Open-source apps (all platforms, GitHub)
- Swiss jurisdiction — strong constitutional privacy
- 10 simultaneous devices
- Free tier available (unlimited data, 3 locations)
- Proton ecosystem: email, calendar, drive
- More expensive than NordVPN at equivalent plans
- Streaming less reliable than NordVPN (Plus plan required)
- Fewer streaming-optimized servers
Open Source: A Privacy Differentiator
ProtonVPN publishes all of its client apps — iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux — as open-source code on GitHub. Independent security researchers can audit the code at any time without waiting for a commissioned audit. NordVPN's apps are closed-source. This matters for users who want the strongest possible assurance that the app does exactly what it claims — no hidden data collection, no unexpected network calls. The open-source model cannot be compromised by a bad actor inside the company because the deception would be visible in the code.
For most users, closed-source code audited by a reputable firm (as NordVPN's is) is sufficient. For journalists, whistleblowers, and security researchers who cannot afford to trust any closed system, ProtonVPN's open-source approach is a meaningful security upgrade.
Swiss Jurisdiction vs Panama
Both Switzerland and Panama have strong legal protections against foreign surveillance requests. Switzerland is not a member of any intelligence-sharing alliance (not 5-Eyes, 9-Eyes, or 14-Eyes) and has constitutional privacy protections. Its legal system requires a Swiss court order for any data disclosure. Panama similarly sits outside these alliances and has historically not cooperated with foreign government data requests. Neither jurisdiction is objectively superior — both provide strong legal insulation from mass surveillance.
ProtonVPN Free Tier: Legitimate and Unlimited
ProtonVPN offers a genuinely free tier with no data caps — only 3 server locations (US, Netherlands, Japan), no streaming servers, and slower speeds during peak hours. It is one of the only major VPN providers with a credible free option. The free tier covers basic privacy needs (encrypting browsing, hiding DNS from ISP) without the data caps that make most free VPNs impractical. Users can start on the free tier and upgrade to Proton Plus if they need streaming or more servers.
Streaming: NordVPN Has the Edge
NordVPN is the stronger choice for streaming. Its server network is optimized for entertainment use with dedicated streaming servers for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and others. ProtonVPN supports streaming on its paid Plus plan but does not maintain the same breadth of streaming-optimized servers. BBC iPlayer, in particular, is less reliably unblocked by ProtonVPN than by NordVPN. For streaming as the primary use case, NordVPN's dedicated streaming infrastructure gives it a consistent advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ProtonVPN really private?
Yes. ProtonVPN's apps are open-source and independently auditable by anyone. It is based in Switzerland under some of the world's strictest privacy laws. Proton (the parent company) also provides encrypted email (ProtonMail) and has a track record of fighting government data requests in Swiss courts.
Does ProtonVPN have a free version?
Yes — ProtonVPN's free tier is one of the only legitimate free VPNs available. It has no data cap (unlimited usage), uses the same privacy infrastructure as the paid tiers, and covers three server locations (US, Netherlands, Japan). Speeds are limited and streaming is not supported on the free plan. Upgrade to Proton Plus for streaming and more servers.
Can ProtonVPN unblock Netflix?
Yes, on the Proton Plus paid plan. ProtonVPN maintains streaming-capable servers in multiple countries for Netflix and other services. However, NordVPN has a larger and more frequently updated pool of streaming servers, making it more consistently reliable for unblocking a wider range of Netflix regions and other streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer.
Which has more servers, NordVPN or ProtonVPN?
ProtonVPN has more servers by count (9,700+ vs NordVPN's 6,300+) and covers more countries (112+ vs 111). However, raw server count does not directly translate to streaming performance — NordVPN's streaming server optimization and rotation strategy makes it more reliable for unblocking entertainment content despite having fewer total servers.