NordVPN vs Proton VPN
VPN pricing comparison · 2026
NordVPN pricing ranges from $3.39–$25.29/month, while Proton VPN ranges from $0–$12.99/month. Proton VPN is typically 17% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
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NordVPN and Proton VPN both operate in the vpn category. This page compares their list pricing.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Monthly) | $12.99 /month | Free /month |
| Basic (1-Year) | $4.99 /month | $9.99 /month |
| Basic (2-Year) | $3.39 /month | $4.99 /month |
| Plus (Monthly) | $15.29 /month | $2.99 /month |
| Plus (1-Year) | $5.49 /month | $12.99 /month |
| Plus (2-Year) | $3.89 /month | $9.99 /month |
| Complete (Monthly) | $18.69 /month | $7.99 /month |
| Complete (1-Year) | $6.99 /month | — |
| Complete (2-Year) | $5.39 /month | — |
| Prime (Monthly) | $25.29 /month | — |
| Prime (1-Year) | $8.99 /month | — |
| Prime (2-Year) | $7.39 /month | — |
Cost at Scale
Total cost of ownership — licenses, implementation, and hidden costs included.
NordVPN
4 scenarios$3.39/mo ($81.36 upfront for 2 years)
Individual User - Basic 2-Year Plan
After renewal, expect ~$99.48/year (~$8.29/mo).
$5.99/mo ($82.35/year)
Privacy-Conscious User - Plus 1-Year Plan
Replaces a separate password manager subscription, saving ~$36/year vs buying NordPass separately.
$5.39/mo ($129.36 upfront for 2 years)
Family/Household - Complete 2-Year Plan
Covers up to 10 devices, includes 1 TB encrypted cloud storage and password manager.
Proton VPN
7 scenarios$0/mo
Budget-Conscious User - Free Plan
. Limited to 1 device, 5 countries, and medium speeds, but includes unlimited data and no ads.
$2.99/mo (billed as a 2-year term)
Privacy Advocate - VPN Plus 2-Year Plan
Access to 17,200+ servers, 10 devices, NetShield, and Stealth protocol.
$9.99/mo ($119.88/year)
Proton Ecosystem User - Unlimited 1-Year Plan
Replaces separate VPN, email, and password manager subscriptions.
Market Intelligence
NordVPN
- Median annual cost
- $60
- Based on
- 59 deals
Proton VPN
- Median annual cost
- $199
- Based on
- 23 deals
Contract Terms
| Term | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-renewal | Yes | Yes |
| Cancellation | Must cancel before renewal date, but reports indicate charges occur earlier than stated | 30 days money-back guarantee on new subscriptions |
| Minimum commitment | Monthly, 1-year, or 2-year options available | Month-to-month available, or 1-2 year plans |
| Price escalation | Significant price increases after promotional period ends - introductory rates only apply to first term | Renewal at standard pricing after promotional period ends |
| Can downgrade | No | Yes |