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Neither service wins for everyone. Proton VPN has the stronger transparency story and supports port forwarding. NordVPN offers the wider bundle of extra tools. In the one dated speed test reviewed here, Proton also posted the higher local speed. Which one is better for you depends on what you weigh most: inspectable privacy claims, torrenting features, extras like Meshnet, or the total you pay at checkout.
We did not run eight controlled tests for this comparison, so we don’t claim eight test wins or a single universal champion. The results below come from named publishers (Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, RTINGS) and from each provider’s own pages. Each figure is attributed and dated, and provider claims are labelled as claims.
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Quick comparison
| Question | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters / jurisdiction | Not covered in the sources used here | Switzerland (Proton’s own protocol page) |
| Protocols listed by the provider | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx, NordWhisper (NordVPN’s comparison table) | OpenVPN and WireGuard (Proton’s protocol page) |
| Open-source apps | NordLynx is WireGuard-based but closed source (TechRadar) | Apps described as open source (Proton) |
| Local speed, Tom’s Guide, March 2026 | 1,249 Mbps | 1,475 Mbps |
| Multi-hop / privacy extras | Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Meshnet (TechRadar) | Secure Core, VPN over Tor (TechRadar) |
| Port forwarding | Not reported as supported in TechRadar’s review | Supported (TechRadar) |
| Listed price (TechRadar) | Two-year plans from $2.99 to $6.89/month depending on tier | Plus at $2.99/month on one- and two-year terms |
The price row comes from a TechRadar review and is not a verified current checkout price. See the price section before relying on it.
Is Proton VPN more private than NordVPN?
Proton has the more inspectable story. That is not the same as saying one provider is categorically trustworthy. There are three kinds of evidence, and they should be kept apart.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
What each provider says
Proton’s protocol page says the company is based in Switzerland, describes its apps as open source, and says it keeps no activity logs or metadata. Proton’s comparison explainer says its no-logs audit is openly published. It also says NordVPN’s assurance engagements are not publicly available on that page. That is a competitor-facing claim from Proton, so weigh it accordingly.
What independent reviewers say
TechRadar reports that both providers’ no-logs policies have been independently audited. RTINGS gives Proton a slight edge for privacy policies and business practices. Both findings are consistent with a moderate Proton lead on transparency. Neither shows that NordVPN logs traffic.
What an audit can’t tell you
An audit reviews practices at a point in time. It does not prove that no logging can ever happen later. The same goes for any VPN’s policy. A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN endpoint. It moves some visibility from your ISP to the VPN provider, and it does not make you anonymous. Logged-in accounts, browser fingerprinting and tracking on the device itself are untouched.
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
Protocols, kill switch and platform caveats
Both services use modern protocols and include a kill switch. Proton’s page puts it this way: “Our apps feature a kill switch to protect your IP address if the VPN connection is disrupted.” That is Proton’s own statement, not an independent leak test.
- NordVPN: its comparison table lists OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx and NordWhisper. TechRadar notes that NordLynx builds on WireGuard but is closed source.
- Proton VPN: its official page names OpenVPN and WireGuard.
- Split tunneling: TechRadar reports that both include it, with platform differences. It specifically flags how Proton’s Windows split tunneling behaves when the kill switch is enabled, and notes that split tunneling on macOS depends on availability. If you need split tunneling, check the current app on your own operating system before paying.
Which is faster?
Tom’s Guide measured both services in March 2026. NordVPN reached 1,249 Mbps on a local connection and Proton VPN reached 1,475 Mbps. Tom’s Guide also reported NordVPN as comparatively slower over long distances. It describes its methodology as more than 100 speed tests per provider, plus kill-switch and streaming tests, and cautions that no single test predicts an individual’s results.
Treat this as one publisher’s dated result. Both services were fast enough in that test that most home connections would be the bottleneck. Your speed will depend on your base connection, device, protocol, server distance and time of day. Long-distance servers are where the reported gap was most visible, so that is the case to check if you often connect abroad.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Streaming, torrenting and specialty tools
Network size
The two networks are hard to compare exactly. TechRadar notes that NordVPN no longer publishes a server count in the same way. For Proton, Tom’s Guide’s review lists 20,000+ servers in 145 countries as of April 2026. Proton’s own page lists 20,000+ servers and 140+ countries. The two wordings differ, so treat the country count as roughly 140 to 145 depending on the source and date. Both services also use virtual locations, which affects what “country count” really means.
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Proton supports port forwarding, according to TechRadar. This can improve connectability for some torrent clients. TechRadar also describes P2P exceptions for both services, so check which servers allow P2P before you connect. Port forwarding is the clearest functional advantage for Proton in this comparison.
Multi-hop and extras
| Feature | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Routing through two servers | Double VPN | Secure Core |
| Tor integration | Onion Over VPN | VPN over Tor |
| Private device network | Meshnet | Not reported by TechRadar |
| Obfuscation-style protocol | NordWhisper | Not reported in the sources used |
| Port forwarding | Not reported | Supported |
TechRadar’s assessment is that NordVPN’s overall feature bundle is larger. The right choice depends on whether you want a wide toolbox or a narrower set built around transparency.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Streaming
Proton’s marketing mentions access to home-country streaming, public Wi-Fi protection, travel and P2P. These are provider claims. No VPN can promise a particular streaming service will work. Blocking and catalogs vary by platform, country, server and date, so test your specific service on a refundable plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which VPN is cheaper?
TechRadar lists Proton VPN Plus at $2.99 per month on one-year and two-year subscriptions. It lists NordVPN two-year pricing from $2.99 to $6.89 per month depending on tier. It says the full one- or two-year charge is billed upfront, and that Nord’s displayed prices are before tax, which varies by region. These are review figures, not verified current checkout prices in your market.
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Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
- the total charged at checkout for the term you choose;
- the renewal price when the promotion ends;
- tax and your region;
- the refund window;
- which security extras are included in your tier. NordVPN’s entry-level plan is not the same as its higher tiers, which add protection features.
Which should you choose?
| If you mostly want… | Lean toward | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectable privacy claims and published audits | Proton VPN | Open-source apps and an openly published no-logs audit, per Proton. RTINGS gives it a slight privacy edge. |
| Port forwarding for torrenting | Proton VPN | TechRadar reports support. |
| Highest local speed in the dated test | Proton VPN | 1,475 Mbps vs 1,249 Mbps in Tom’s Guide’s March 2026 test. |
| A larger bundle (Meshnet, Double VPN, NordWhisper) | NordVPN | TechRadar describes the broader feature set. |
| Lowest total cost | Check both | Both listed $2.99/month entry prices, but tiers, upfront totals, tax and renewals differ. |
If privacy transparency or port forwarding decides it for you, Proton is the better fit on the evidence available. If you want one subscription that covers more extras, NordVPN is the stronger match. When the two are close for you, the deciding factors are your operating system’s app behavior and whether your streaming service works on a refundable trial.
Eight checks to run yourself during the refund window
Any ranking, including this one, rests on other people’s connections. These checks take an afternoon and can settle the question for your setup. Fix the protocol, device and server locations first, then run both services identically.
- Local speed: run several speed tests on a nearby server and average them, with the VPN off as a baseline.
- Long-distance speed: repeat on a server on another continent.
- Connection time and stability: note how long it takes to connect and whether it drops over an hour of use.
- Kill switch and leaks: enable the kill switch, interrupt the connection, and run a DNS and IP leak test.
- Streaming: try the exact services and regions you care about.
- P2P: confirm which servers allow it and whether port forwarding works with your client.
- Platform features: confirm split tunneling and other features on your operating system.
- Value: compare the total charged today and the renewal price in your region.
Confirm the refund terms before you pay. This article doesn’t state them for either provider.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
