NordVPN vs Proton VPN
Choose Proton VPN if you want public audit reports, open-source apps or port forwarding. Choose NordVPN if RAM-only servers and a post-quantum option matter more to your setup.
| Criterion | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.7 | 7.9 |
| Latest VPN audit | Deloitte, 12 Dec 2025 (gated or summary only) | Securitum, May 2026 (public report) |
| Owner group | Nord Security | Proton |
| Cheapest 3-year cost (USD) | $260 | $168 |
| Port forwarding | No | Yes |
| Open-source apps | Unknown | Yes |
| RAM-only servers | Yes | No |
| Refund window | 30 days | 30 days |
| Servers (provider-reported) | 7121 | 20799 |
Providers change prices often, and we regularly verify prices against their own pricing pages, though small differences from current prices are possible. Prices checked 11 Oct 2026. Three-year costs in US dollars at a fixed exchange rate.
Choose NordVPN if
- RAM-only servers fit your security priorities.
- You want a verified post-quantum option.
- You value recurring Deloitte no-logs assurance engagements.
Choose Proton VPN if
- You want public reports covering server infrastructure and client security.
- You prefer open-source apps and foundation-backed ownership.
- You need port forwarding.
Our take
Proton is the easier recommendation when you want to inspect the evidence yourself. Its Securitum no-logs assurance engagement, dated May 2026, covers production VPN server infrastructure and has a public report. Its client security assessment by Ruben Santamarta, dated Nov 2025, is public too. NordVPN has recurring Deloitte engagements, with the latest dated 12 Dec 2025 covering server infrastructure, configurations and deployment across several server types. That report is gated or available only as a summary; the Deloitte report dated 21 Dec 2022 is public. Proton's advantage here is access to the evidence, rather than a promise that audits eliminate risk.
NordVPN belongs to Nord Security, which also owns Surfshark; its terms name nordvpn S.A. as the service provider. Proton VPN belongs to Proton AG, whose primary shareholder is the non-profit Proton Foundation. We prefer Proton if that ownership structure and inspectable apps matter to you, though ownership alone does not establish privacy. NordVPN suits readers who specifically want RAM-only servers or a post-quantum option. Proton uses full-disk encryption and offers open-source apps. These security choices deserve separate consideration, because server storage design cannot settle the whole privacy question.
NordVPN Basic starts at €3.89 a month for a 2 years term, then renews at €11.59 a month. Proton VPN Plus starts at $3.49 a month for a 2 years term, then renews at $6.99 a month. Budget around renewal rather than assuming the introductory rate will last. The listed currencies differ, so the headline amounts do not establish which costs less for you. Use the table's total costs and your payment currency to judge value, and choose a higher tier only when its extra benefits justify the expense.
FAQ
Is Proton VPN more private than NordVPN?
We favor Proton for readers who want to inspect public audit reports and open-source apps. NordVPN also has recurring independent no-logs assurance engagements, so report accessibility is a clearer distinction than a blanket claim about privacy. Neither an audit nor an ownership structure guarantees how every future event will be handled.
Is NordVPN cheaper than Proton VPN?
The listed prices use different currencies, so comparing their amounts directly would be misleading. Compare the same commitment length, renewal charges and the table's modeled total costs in your payment currency before choosing.
Has NordVPN or Proton VPN had a security incident?
NordVPN's incident in 2018 involved unauthorized access to a rented server through an insecure remote-management account left by the data center; disclosure followed after 19 months. The provider says no other servers were affected. Proton's reported event in 2026 was a group-wide outage after a cooling failure, with VPN impact unstated, so it should not be treated as an equivalent server intrusion.
Can I use NordVPN or Proton VPN to reach my own server?
Proton VPN offers port forwarding, while NordVPN does not. Port forwarding alone does not create a private network between your devices. If your goal is private access to your own machines, start with our public versus private access comparison to decide which approach fits.