The comparison at a glance
Details as published by each provider on 30 October 2026. NordVPN's support pages do not list prices and point to its pricing page, so NordVPN prices are not quoted here; check nordvpn.com/pricing at checkout. [1][6]
| Item | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price snapshot | Not quoted; support says prices are on its pricing page and are regularly updated [7] | Plus 2-year: $83.76 for the first 24 months, then $83.88 every 12 months [1] |
| Billing | 2-year, 1-year and 1-month plans; 1- and 2-year plans paid in full upfront [7] | 1 month, 1 year or 2 years on the pricing page [1] |
| Renewal | Renews automatically at the applicable renewal price; email notice before renewal [8] | Renewal amount printed on the plan card [1] |
| Simultaneous devices | Up to 10 [6] | Free: 1; Plus: 10 [1] |
| Router counted as | One device slot [6] | Not stated in the pages reviewed |
| Router configuration | OpenVPN UDP/TCP and WireGuard files from Nord Account [11] | WireGuard files from account Downloads, including on Free [3] |
| Free option | 7-day trial on 1- and 2-year plans, card or PayPal required [9] | Free plan, 1 device, servers in 10 randomly selected countries [1] |
| Refund | 30 days, initial purchase only [10] | 30 days, once per user, direct purchases only [4] |
| Obfuscation | Obfuscated Servers now run on NordWhisper in the apps [12] | Stealth protocol listed on Free [2] |
| No-logs audits | Not covered in the NordVPN pages cited here | Proton reports annual Securitum audits, 2022 to 2026 [5] |
Price and renewal: read the invoice
Proton's pricing page shows VPN Plus on the 2-year option at $3.49 a month, billed as $83.76 for the first 24 months, then renewing at $83.88 every 12 months. Over three years that is $167.64 before tax if nothing changes. Proton Unlimited is $191.76 for the first 24 months, then $119.88 every 12 months. [1]
NordVPN's support pages say it sells 2-year, 1-year and 1-month plans, that the 1- and 2-year plans must be paid in full at purchase, that subscriptions renew automatically at the applicable renewal price, that this price is subject to change, and that you get an email before renewal. [7][8] Write the renewal date in your calendar on the day you buy either service.
Devices and how a travel router counts
NordVPN says you can connect up to 10 devices to one account at the same time, and that a router uses only one device slot while protecting every device on its network. It adds two rules that matter for families: devices on the same server must use different protocols, and a total of five devices can connect to one server at the same time. [6]
Proton lists Free as one device at a time and VPN Plus as 10 devices at a time. [1] Its WireGuard configuration page does not say how a router connection is counted, so check before you plan around it. [3]
Router setup on a GL.iNet travel router
Proton documents generating WireGuard configuration files at account.protonvpn.com under Downloads, choosing a platform, options and a server, and saving a .conf file. On Free, Proton says the only VPN option available is VPN Accelerator; options such as NetShield and Moderate NAT are listed for the config, and Proton's Free page lists NetShield as a premium feature. [2][3]
NordVPN documents downloading OpenVPN UDP or TCP files, and WireGuard (NordLynx) files from a server recommendation, in Nord Account's manual setup section. [11] Its GL.iNet article describes the OpenVPN route: download a .ovpn file, add it under VPN > OpenVPN client, and enter the service credentials from Nord Account rather than your login email and password. [13]
Note that NordVPN says its obfuscated servers cannot be used through the OpenVPN manual connection method since the move to NordWhisper, so a router setup will not give you that feature. [12]
Free tier, trials and refunds
Proton Free costs nothing, needs no credit card according to its pricing page, covers one device and connects to servers in 10 randomly selected countries. Proton's Free page lists the kill switch and Stealth protocol on Free, and lists streaming, P2P, Secure Core and the NetShield ad-blocker as premium features. [1][2]
NordVPN has no free plan in the pages we reviewed. It offers a 7-day trial on 1-year and 2-year plans, available only in 15 listed countries and requiring a credit card or PayPal, plus a 3-day trial for first-time Android users from Google Play. [9]
NordVPN's 30-day guarantee covers new subscriptions only, not renewals unless local law requires, and purchases through Apple, Amazon or retailers go to those sellers. [10] Proton's terms give a full refund if cancellation and refund are both requested within 30 days of the initial purchase, once per user, for purchases through Proton's website and apps; cash and bank transfer payments are not refundable. [4]
Restricted networks and obfuscation
Some hotel, airport or national networks block ordinary VPN traffic. NordVPN says its Obfuscated Servers category now runs on NordWhisper, which makes VPN traffic resemble regular web traffic, and its connection guide covers Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV and Linux. [12][14] Proton lists its Stealth protocol among Free features. [2]
Neither feature helps with a hotel login page. Complete the portal with the VPN off, then connect.
Who fits each
This is a documentation comparison. We have not subscribed to, installed or measured either service.
- Proton VPN: you want a free tier for one laptop, WireGuard files for a router without paying, or the published two-year Plus price and renewal before you buy. [1][3]
- NordVPN: you want obfuscated servers in its apps on restrictive networks, or a router counted as one slot within a 10-device limit, and you accept a paid plan after a 7-day trial. [6][9][12]
- Skip both: your employer requires its own VPN on the work laptop, or your only problem is the hotel login itself.
Questions before you decide
Does a router count as one device on NordVPN?
NordVPN's support article says the router uses only one device slot while the VPN protects all devices on that network, within its limit of up to 10 devices at the same time. Proton's pages we reviewed do not state how a router configuration is counted.
Is there a free version of NordVPN like Proton VPN Free?
NordVPN's support pages describe a 7-day free trial on 1-year and 2-year plans, which requires a credit card or PayPal, and a separate 3-day trial for first-time Android users from Google Play. Proton lists a Free plan at $0 for one device at a time.
Which refund policy is more generous?
Both describe 30 days. NordVPN says its guarantee applies only to the initial subscription purchase, not renewals unless local law requires. Proton's terms say cancellation and refund must both be requested within 30 days of the initial purchase, refunds can be requested once per user, and only for purchases through Proton's own website and apps.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Proton VPN pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Proton VPN: Free VPN Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Proton VPN Support: How to download WireGuard configuration files Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Proton Terms and Conditions (refunds) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Proton VPN blog: no-logs audit Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: How many devices can I use with NordVPN? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: How to check the plans and prices of NordVPN? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: How much will I need to pay upon renewal? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: Does NordVPN have a free trial? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: What is your refund policy? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: How to find various server configuration files for NordVPN Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: NordVPN Obfuscated Servers are getting an upgrade - what changed? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: GL.iNet setup with NordVPN Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: How to connect and disconnect from NordVPN's obfuscated servers Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.