NordVPN vs Proton VPN: Price, Free Plan and No-Logs Audits
Pick Proton VPN if you want a free VPN with no ads and no data cap, open source apps on every platform, or a two-year plan that does not jump in price at renewal. Pick NordVPN if you want a paid plan bundled with extras like antivirus, a password manager and cloud storage, and you are fine paying a much higher renewal price after the first term.
Both cover up to 10 devices on paid plans, have had their no-logs policies checked by outside firms, and offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. They differ most on the free plan, renewal pricing and how much of their code is public.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN at a glance
| NordVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Basic from $3.49/month on a 2-year plan (intro), renews at $139.08 a year; $14.99 month to month | VPN Plus $3.49/month on a 2-year plan, renews at $83.88 a year |
| Free plan | No, 30-day money-back guarantee | Yes: 1 device, servers in 10 countries, no ads |
| Devices | Up to 10 at once | 10 on paid plans, 1 on Free |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Chrome, Firefox and Edge extensions, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV | Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome and Firefox extensions, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV |
| Open source | Linux app only | Yes, all apps |
| Latest no-logs check | Deloitte, report issued 12 December 2025 (sixth check) | Securitum, 2026 report (fifth annual audit) |
| Best for | People who want a security bundle in one subscription | Free users and people who care about open source and stable renewals |
Which is cheaper, NordVPN or Proton VPN?
For the first term they cost about the same. Over time, Proton VPN is cheaper because its renewal price is much lower.
On 6 November 2026, we checked both pricing pages in US dollars. NordVPN Basic on the two-year plan showed $3.49 a month, charged as $94.23 for the first 27 months, then renewing at $139.08 a year. Proton VPN Plus on its two-year plan showed $3.49 a month, billed at $83.76 for the first 24 months, then renewing at $83.88 every 12 months.
So the headline monthly price was identical, but after the intro period NordVPN Basic renewed at $55.20 a year more than Proton VPN Plus.
Month to month, NordVPN Basic was $14.99. NordVPN also sells Complete ($3.99 a month on the same two-year deal, renewing at $219.48 a year), which adds antivirus, a password manager and 1 TB of cloud storage. Proton's equivalent bundle is Proton Unlimited at $7.99 a month on two years, which adds Proton Mail, Pass, Calendar and Drive.
NordVPN's page notes that VAT may apply. Prices can differ by country.
Is Proton VPN's free plan any good?
Yes, for light use. Proton VPN Free has no ads, no logs, and Proton describes it as unlimited and free forever. The limits are one device at a time, servers in 10 countries chosen at random rather than by you, and medium speed compared with the paid plans.
NordVPN has no free plan. Its pricing page offers only paid plans, each with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is Proton VPN more private than NordVPN?
Both have had outside firms check their no-logs claims. NordVPN says Deloitte Lithuania assessed its systems between 10 November and 12 December 2025, under the ISAE 3000 (Revised) standard, and concluded its IT systems are designed and implemented in line with its no-logs statement. NordVPN calls this the sixth time its policy has been independently verified.
Proton says Securitum has audited its no-logs policy for five years in a row. Proton quotes the 2026 report as finding that the technical evidence did not indicate its server infrastructure logs users' browsing activity. Proton is based in Switzerland and says Swiss law places no logging requirements on Proton VPN.
The bigger difference is code. Proton says all its VPN apps are open source, and it open-sourced them on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS in January 2020. NordVPN open-sourced its Linux app, with the graphical app joining the command-line tool in October 2025. NordVPN says its core VPN infrastructure, authentication systems and back-end services remain proprietary, and it has not announced the same for its other apps.
Which works on more devices?
They are close. Both protect up to 10 devices at once on paid plans and have apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS, plus Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV.
NordVPN's download page also lists an Edge extension, Chromecast, Kindle and Raspberry Pi. Proton lists Chrome and Firefox extensions and a Chromebook app. If you only need one device, Proton's free plan covers it at no cost.
If you are comparing more VPNs, see our list of NordVPN alternatives.
Which should you choose?
- You want a free VPN: Proton VPN Free.
- You want to keep paying a low price after the first term: Proton VPN Plus.
- You want open source apps on every platform: Proton VPN.
- You want antivirus, a password manager and cloud storage in the same bill: NordVPN Complete.
- You want email and cloud storage with your VPN: Proton Unlimited.
- You need to cover 10 devices: either paid plan.
FAQ
Does NordVPN have a free plan?
No. NordVPN offers paid plans only, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is Proton VPN free forever?
Proton says its free plan is unlimited and free forever, with no ads and no logs, on one device at a time.
How many devices can I use with NordVPN or Proton VPN?
Up to 10 at once on paid plans for both. Proton VPN Free allows one device.
Has NordVPN's no-logs policy been audited?
Yes. NordVPN says Deloitte Lithuania completed an assurance engagement on its no-logs claims in late 2025, with the report issued on 12 December 2025.