NordVPN vs ProtonVPN
NordVPN and ProtonVPN are routinely shortlisted together. Here is where each one comes out ahead on published features, pricing and editorial score.
4 of 10 rows are identical
| Compared on |  NordVPNBest in 2/3Our pick |  ProtonVPNBest in 1/3 |
|---|---|---|
| Crunch Score | Crunch Score 95— best in this row | Crunch Score 93 |
| User rating | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Starting price | $3.09/mo | $3.59/mo |
| Countries | 118— best in this row | 117 |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 2,012 | 2,017 |
| Audited no-logs | Yes | Yes |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Browser | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser |
NordVPN takes it overall — but the margin is narrower than the score gap suggests, and the loser is the better pick on a tighter budget.
Where NordVPN wins
Audited no-logs with the widest platform support. On paper it leads on the features that matter most for demanding workloads.
Where ProtonVPN wins
Open-source clients and a real free tier. It closes the gap on price and, depending on your workload shape, can be the better economic choice.
How we compared them
Both listings are scored against the same published criteria, with pricing compared across every published tier. Every weight behind the scores is on our methodology page.