NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Which Is Better for Privacy in 2025?
NordVPN and Proton VPN are two of the most popular privacy-focused VPN services, but they take very different approaches to protecting your data. NordVPN is a commercial powerhouse with aggressive marketing, while Proton VPN is built by scientists with a focus on transparency and open-source code.
In this detailed comparison, we'll examine both VPNs on privacy policies, jurisdiction, audits, features, speed, and pricing to help you make an informed decision.
Privacy & Logging Policies
NordVPN: No-Logs with Caveats
NordVPN claims a strict no-logs policy and has been independently audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers. However, NordVPN is based in Panama, chosen specifically because it's outside 5/9/14 Eyes surveillance alliances and has no mandatory data retention laws.
That said, in 2019, NordVPN suffered a server breach in Finland that they didn't disclose for months. While no user data was compromised, the delayed disclosure raised questions about transparency.
Proton VPN: Swiss Law Prohibits Logging
Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, where laws actually prohibit keeping activity logs unless legally required for a specific investigation. Even if Proton wanted to log your activity (they don't), Swiss law makes it difficult.
Proton VPN's entire infrastructure and apps are open source and have been independently audited by SEC Consult. You can verify there are no hidden logging mechanisms by examining the code yourself.
Jurisdiction & Legal Framework
Panama (NordVPN) has strong privacy protections and is outside major surveillance alliances. Switzerland (Proton VPN) is considered the gold standard for privacy jurisdiction, with constitutional privacy protections and a history of defending user rights.
Switzerland also has strict requirements for legal data requests. Authorities must go through Swiss courts, and Proton publishes detailed transparency reports showing what data they can and cannot provide under Swiss law.
Open Source vs Closed Source
This is a fundamental difference. NordVPN's apps are closed source proprietary software. You have to trust their audits and marketing claims.
Proton VPN's apps are fully open source. Security researchers, privacy advocates, and anyone can audit the code to verify privacy claims. This transparency builds trust through verification, not marketing.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (unlimited) |
| Server Count | 5500+ in 60 countries | 1900+ in 65 countries |
| Open Source | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Switzerland |
| Independent Audits | ✅ PwC | ✅ SEC Consult |
| Kill Switch | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Streaming Support | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good |
| Tor over VPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Speed & Performance
Both VPNs offer excellent speeds. NordVPN uses NordLynx (based on WireGuard) and consistently delivers fast connections. Proton VPN also uses WireGuard and offers comparable speeds, especially on their Plus servers.
For streaming, both work well with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other services. NordVPN has a slight edge in consistently unblocking more regional content libraries.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free | None | $0 (unlimited) |
| Monthly | $12.99/month | $9.99/month |
| 1-Year | $4.99/month | $4.99/month |
| 2-Year | $3.99/month | $4.99/month |
NordVPN is cheaper on long-term plans. However, Proton VPN offers a genuinely free plan with no data caps, while NordVPN requires payment from day one.
Security Features
Both VPNs offer strong encryption (AES-256), kill switches, DNS leak protection, and support for multiple protocols. NordVPN offers split tunneling and Double VPN. Proton VPN offers Secure Core (multi-hop through privacy-friendly countries) and NetShield ad-blocker.
Proton VPN's Secure Core is particularly interesting for high-security users. It routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries (Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden) before exiting, adding an extra layer of protection.
NordVPN Pros
- More servers (5500+)
- Excellent streaming support
- Cheaper long-term plans
- Fast speeds with NordLynx
- Panama jurisdiction
NordVPN Cons
- Closed source apps
- No free plan
- 2019 security breach
- Aggressive marketing
- Can't verify code yourself
Proton VPN Pros
- Fully open source
- Free plan (unlimited)
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Transparency reports
- No marketing hype
Proton VPN Cons
- Fewer servers (1900+)
- More expensive on 2-year plans
- Slightly less streaming optimization
- Newer service (less mature)
Who Should Choose NordVPN?
NordVPN is a solid choice if you want a mature VPN with tons of servers and excellent streaming support. The long-term pricing is competitive, and the no-logs policy has been audited.
It's ideal for users who don't need open-source verification and want a VPN that "just works" for everyday privacy and streaming.
Who Should Choose Proton VPN?
Proton VPN is the better choice for privacy purists who want transparency and verifiability. The open-source code, Swiss jurisdiction, and free plan make it ideal for:
Journalists, activists, security researchers, or anyone who wants mathematical proof their VPN isn't logging activity. The ability to audit the code yourself provides trust through verification, not marketing.
Ready for True VPN Privacy?
Try Proton VPN free with no data caps and see the difference open-source transparency makes.
Start Free TrialFinal Verdict
NordVPN wins on server count, streaming optimization, and long-term pricing. Proton VPN wins on transparency, jurisdiction, open-source code, and the free plan.
If you value verifiable privacy and transparency above all else, Proton VPN is the clear choice. If you want a feature-rich VPN with great streaming at a low long-term price, NordVPN is solid.
Both are legitimate privacy-focused VPNs. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize open-source transparency (Proton) or server count and streaming (Nord).