Proton VPN vs NordVPN vs AirVPN: Proton VPN is the best all-rounder. It mixes top privacy, a real free plan, a huge network and good streaming. NordVPN is the pick for raw speed and the smoothest streaming. AirVPN only makes sense for technical users who need advanced port forwarding.
Below we compare ProtonVPN, NordVPN and AirVPN round by round, in plain words, so you can pick in a few minutes.
TL;DR: Proton VPN vs NordVPN vs AirVPN
| Category | Proton VPN | NordVPN | AirVPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Best for | Best overall | Speed and streaming | Port forwarding |
| 🏢 Based in | Switzerland | Panama | Italy |
| 🔒 No-logs audit | Yes, yearly (Securitum) | Yes (Deloitte) | No public audit |
| 🌍 Servers | 20,000+ in 140+ countries | Thousands in 110+ countries | About 250 in 23 countries |
| 🆓 Free plan | Yes, unlimited data | No | No (cheap 3-day pass) |
| 🛡️ Extras | Secure Core, NetShield, Stealth | Threat Protection, Double VPN, Onion over VPN | OpenVPN over SSH, SSL or Tor |
| 🔁 Port forwarding | Yes, on paid plans | No | Yes, very flexible |
| 🎬 Streaming | Strong | Excellent | Weak |
| 📱 Devices | Up to 10 | Up to 10 | Up to 5 |
| 💰 Price | From about $3.49/mo (2 years) | From about $3.09/mo (2 years), higher renewal | From €2.75/mo (3 years) |
Which One Should You Pick?
- Want the best mix of privacy and features: Proton VPN
- Want a free VPN with no data cap: Proton VPN
- Care most about speed and streaming: NordVPN
- Need open ports for torrents or a home server: AirVPN
Quick Overview of All Three VPNs
Proton VPN comes from Proton AG, the Swiss team behind Proton Mail. Open-source apps, a yearly audited no-logs policy and the best free plan in the market. See our full Proton VPN review for the deep dive.
NordVPN is one of the biggest VPN brands in the world. It is fast, polished and packed with extras like Threat Protection and Double VPN. It has no free plan and pushes add-ons hard, but it is a very strong product.
AirVPN is a small Italian VPN run by privacy activists. It is built for people who like to tweak settings, with deep port forwarding and many ways to hide VPN traffic. Beginners will find it hard.
How We Compared Them
We scored each VPN on privacy and audits, security tools, free options, network size, speed, streaming, torrenting, apps and real price after renewal. We used official plans and policies, published audit reports and recent independent reviews, then picked a winner for each round.
Privacy and Logging
- Proton VPN: strict no-logs policy, audited every year by Securitum (see Proton’s no-logs audit reports). Swiss law, open-source apps and a 2019 court case where Proton had no user data to hand over. See what real users say in our Reddit Proton VPN reviews.
- NordVPN: based in Panama, outside the 14 Eyes, with RAM-only servers and several no-logs audits by Deloitte. Strong, but its apps are not open source like Proton’s.
- AirVPN: clear no-logs policy and open-source client, but no published independent audit, and Italy is part of the 14 Eyes.
Winner: Proton VPN, with NordVPN close behind.
Security Features
- Proton VPN: Secure Core double hop through Switzerland, Iceland or Sweden, NetShield ad and malware blocker, Stealth protocol, Tor over VPN.
- NordVPN: Threat Protection (blocks ads, trackers and malware, even when the VPN is off), Double VPN, Onion over VPN, obfuscated servers and post-quantum encryption.
- AirVPN: WireGuard and OpenVPN, OpenVPN over SSH, SSL or Tor, and a strict network lock in its Eddie client. No ad blocker.
Winner: tie between Proton VPN and NordVPN. Proton has stronger privacy tools, NordVPN has more everyday protection extras.
Free Plan and Trials
Proton VPN is the only one with a free plan: unlimited data, no ads, no time limit, one device and servers in 10 countries. NordVPN has no free plan, only a 30-day money-back guarantee. AirVPN has no free plan, but a 3-day pass for €2 lets you test it cheaply.
Winner: Proton VPN.
Server Network and Speed
Proton VPN has 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. NordVPN has thousands of servers in 110+ countries. AirVPN is tiny next to them, with about 250 servers in 23 countries.
On speed, NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol usually tops independent tests, with Proton VPN close behind on WireGuard. Both handle 4K streaming and big downloads with ease. AirVPN is fine nearby but slower over long distances.
Winner: NordVPN for speed, Proton VPN for coverage.
Streaming
NordVPN is one of the most reliable streaming VPNs, working with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and more. Proton VPN also unblocks the big platforms on paid plans. AirVPN fails with most major services.
Winner: NordVPN, with Proton VPN a strong second.
Torrenting and Port Forwarding
- AirVPN: full, flexible port forwarding on every server. Best for heavy seeders and self-hosters.
- Proton VPN: P2P servers plus port forwarding on paid plans. Easy and works with most torrent apps.
- NordVPN: fast P2P servers, but no port forwarding. Fine for downloading, weaker for seeding.
Winner: AirVPN, then Proton VPN.
Getting Past VPN Blocks
Proton’s Stealth protocol is one click and works well on locked-down Wi-Fi and in many strict countries. NordVPN has obfuscated servers and its NordWhisper protocol. AirVPN can hide OpenVPN inside SSH, SSL or Tor, which is very hard to block but takes setup. For the strictest places like China, also check our Astrill VPN review.
Winner: Proton VPN for ease, AirVPN for control.
Apps and Ease of Use
NordVPN and Proton VPN both have polished apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and TVs. NordVPN feels slightly more slick, Proton is a bit more transparent with open-source code. AirVPN’s Eddie client is powerful but dated, and there is no iOS app.
Winner: tie between Proton VPN and NordVPN.
Pricing: Which Gives More Value?
- Proton VPN: free plan, then VPN Plus from about $3.49 per month on the 2-year plan. Proton Unlimited adds Mail, Drive and Pass. 10 devices, 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN: Basic from about $3.09 per month on the 2-year plan, with Plus and Complete tiers above it. Renewal prices are much higher. 10 devices, 30-day money-back guarantee.
- AirVPN: plans from 3 days to 3 years, down to €2.75 per month on the 3-year plan. 5 devices.
Winner: Proton VPN for long-term value and the free plan.
Prices change often. Check the official sites for today’s deal.
Pros and Cons
Proton VPN
- ✅ Free plan with unlimited data
- ✅ Open source, audited, Swiss privacy
- ✅ Secure Core, Stealth and port forwarding
- ❌ Monthly plan is pricey
NordVPN
- ✅ Very fast speeds
- ✅ Excellent for streaming
- ✅ Threat Protection and Double VPN
- ❌ No free plan, no port forwarding
- ❌ Big price jump at renewal
AirVPN
- ✅ Best port forwarding
- ✅ OpenVPN over SSH, SSL or Tor
- ❌ No independent audit
- ❌ Small network, weak streaming, no iOS app
Final Verdict: Proton VPN vs NordVPN vs AirVPN
Pick Proton VPN if you want the best balance of privacy, features and price, plus a free plan to start. It wins the most rounds.
Pick NordVPN if top speed and smooth streaming matter more to you than open-source apps or port forwarding.
Pick AirVPN if you are a technical user who needs open ports and full control.
Want more? Read our Proton VPN review, compare Proton VPN vs Mullvad vs AirVPN and Proton VPN vs Bitdefender VPN, or browse all our ProtonVPN guides.
FAQ: Proton VPN vs NordVPN vs AirVPN
Is Proton VPN better than NordVPN?
For privacy and value, yes. Proton has open-source apps, Swiss law and a free plan. NordVPN is a bit faster and slightly better for streaming.
Is AirVPN better than NordVPN?
Only for port forwarding and deep custom setups. For speed, streaming, apps and ease of use, NordVPN is far ahead.
Which VPN is best for torrenting?
AirVPN for advanced users who need open ports. Proton VPN is the best easy choice, with P2P servers and port forwarding. NordVPN is fast for downloads but has no port forwarding.
Which one has a free plan?
Only Proton VPN, with unlimited data and no ads. NordVPN and AirVPN are paid only.
Which is best for Netflix?
NordVPN is the most reliable, with Proton VPN close behind. AirVPN is not a good choice for streaming.
Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our verdict.