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Utilities & Security
Fast, private VPN with thousands of servers.
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Comparison
NordVPN vs Proton VPN
A head-to-head on official, checkable facts only — headquarters, free plan, device limits, protocols, and signature privacy features. No speed-test numbers we have not measured ourselves.
Affiliate disclosure: Tools Hub may earn a commission when you buy through the NordVPN link on this page, at no extra cost to you. That is the only affiliate link on this page; the other providers are listed for comparison and link to their pages on this site. Rankings are editorial and are not paid placements. Facts were checked against each provider's official site; providers change pricing and features, so confirm details before buying.
⚖️ Side by side
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Panama | Switzerland |
| Free plan | No — paid only | Yes — no data cap, 1 device, limited servers |
| Simultaneous connections | 10 | Up to 10 on paid plans (1 on free) |
| Protocols | NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN | WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth |
| Signature feature | Threat Protection (malicious-site & tracker blocking) | Secure Core (multi-hop via Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden) |
| Ad / tracker blocking | Yes — Threat Protection | Yes — NetShield (paid plans) |
| Apps open source | No | Yes — all apps open source and audited |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days on paid plans |
| Pricing model | Paid subscription | Freemium (free plan + paid Plus) |
Parameters as published on each provider’s official site, checked October 2026. We do not publish speed-test numbers we have not measured ourselves.
The short version
Choose NordVPN if you want one paid VPN that covers everything — the bigger server network, Threat Protection, and no free-tier limits to think about. Choose Proton VPN if you want to start free (its free plan has no data cap) or you value open-source apps and a Swiss base above network size. Both state strict no-logs policies and offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans.
The two providers
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Utilities & Security
High-speed VPN from the makers of Proton Mail
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❓ NordVPN vs Proton VPN questions
Does Proton VPN have a free plan?
Yes. Proton VPN's free plan has no data cap, but it limits you to one device and a smaller set of servers. NordVPN is paid only, with a 30-day money-back guarantee on its plans.
How many devices can each VPN cover at once?
Both allow up to 10 simultaneous connections on paid plans. Proton VPN's free plan allows a single device.
Where are NordVPN and Proton VPN based?
NordVPN is headquartered in Panama and Proton VPN in Switzerland. Both publish strict no-logs policies on their official sites, and Proton VPN's apps are open source and audited.
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Affiliate disclosure: Tools Hub may earn a commission when you buy through the NordVPN link on this page, at no extra cost to you. That is the only affiliate link on this page; the other providers are listed for comparison and link to their pages on this site. Rankings are editorial and are not paid placements. Facts were checked against each provider's official site; providers change pricing and features, so confirm details before buying.