NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Scam Protection or Privacy Routing
NordVPN and Proton VPN cover the same basics, with apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Chrome and split tunneling. The extras are where they part ways. NordVPN adds scam and phishing protection whose upper tier scans downloaded files for malware, a Dedicated IP sold separately, Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers, and Dark Web Monitor. Proton VPN sends paid users through Secure Core servers in Switzerland, Iceland and Sweden before the exit server, publishes its app source code on GitHub, and offers a free plan with no data or speed limits on one device.
NordVPN
Best for: Freelancers and small remote teams who want a privacy VPN with built-in scam blocking and the option of a static IP that isn't shared with other users.
Proton VPN
Best for: Privacy-minded individuals and small teams that want an audited, open-source VPN with protocols built for censored networks.
| At a glance | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $14.99/mo | $9.99/mo (1-month plan; longer plans cost less) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Market Signal | 81 / 100 | 76 / 100 |
| Built for | Freelancer, Small Business | Freelancer, Small Business |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome Extension | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome Extension |
| Founded | 2012 | 2017 |
Choose NordVPN if...
you want malware scanning, ad and tracker blocking and an optional dedicated IP that helps avoid VPN blocklists and repeated CAPTCHA prompts.
Choose Proton VPN if...
you want multi-hop routing through hardened servers, open-source apps you can inspect, or a no-cost plan to start on one device.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Dimension | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Malware protection | Stronger here | |
| Multi-hop routing | Comparable | Comparable |
| Code transparency | Stronger here | |
| Tor access | Comparable | Comparable |
| No-cost option | Stronger here | |
| Platform coverage | Comparable | Comparable |
We name a winner for each dimension and never one overall winner. The right pick depends on which of these matters most for your use case.
Plans and Pricing Side by Side
NordVPN
From $14.99/mo
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $14.99 | Not listed |
Checked September 28, 2026 on NordVPN's pricing page.
Proton VPN
From $9.99/mo (1-month plan; longer plans cost less) · Free plan
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (mo) | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Free | Free | Free |
|
| VPN Plus | $9.99 | Not listed |
|
| Proton Unlimited | $12.99 | Not listed |
|
| Proton VPN for Business | Custom | Custom |
Checked October 13, 2026 on Proton VPN's pricing page.
Annual columns show the monthly cost when billed yearly. Vendors change prices often, so confirm on their site before you buy.
Market Signal Compared
| Score (0 to 100) | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Market Signal | 81 | 76 |
| Market strength | 89 | 83 |
| Momentum | 54 | 51 |
| Traffic strength | 90 | 88 |
| Search visibility | 88 | 81 |
| Authority | 89 | 82 |
| Brand and market presence | 87 | 74 |
| Data confidence | Medium | Medium |
Market Signal measures each product's online footprint and momentum from Ahrefs and Semrush data, scored against other tools in its category (VPN & Privacy (21 tracked)). It shows market presence, which is not the same as product quality. Data through September 2026. How the score works
Integrations and Support
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Chat, Email, Knowledge Base | Live chat, Email, Help center |
| Languages | English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese | English, German, French |
| Headquarters | Panama City, Panama | Geneva, Switzerland |
From each vendor's integrations and support pages. Lists show notable integrations, not every connector.
Other Tools to Consider
If neither NordVPN nor Proton VPN fits, these are the closest alternatives we list, ordered by Overall Score.
Windscribe
VPN and privacy service pairing desktop apps, browser extensions, firewall controls, and configurable blocking.
Surfshark
Consumer VPN allowing unlimited simultaneous devices, with Bypasser split tunneling and MultiHop routes.
ExpressVPN
Consumer VPN built on its own open-source Lightway protocol and RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure.
Mullvad VPN
Privacy-focused VPN with WireGuard, multihop and DAITA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Secure Core included in Proton VPN's free plan?⌄
No. Secure Core, NetShield, Tor over VPN, streaming support and P2P are paid features. The free plan covers one device with no data or speed limits and includes the kill switch and Stealth protocol, but it draws on a smaller set of server countries than the paid plans.
How do NordVPN's two protection tiers differ?⌄
The basic tier, Scam and phishing protection, filters DNS requests to block ads and malicious sites and only works while you are connected to NordVPN. The upper tier, Scam, phishing, and malware protection, works at the URL and JavaScript level, scans downloaded files for malware and stays on with the VPN off. These are the 2026 names for what NordVPN used to call Threat Protection and Threat Protection Pro.
Can I reach Tor sites through either VPN?⌄
Yes. NordVPN's Onion Over VPN servers pass traffic through a NordVPN server and then the Onion network, with no Tor Browser needed. Proton VPN offers Tor servers, marked with an onion icon, on paid plans; some browsers need a setting changed before .onion sites load, and speeds are slower than a normal connection.
Written by SEM Solutions Editorial Team
Last updated October 12, 2026